Transit under fire at subdivision hearing

BY MARLENE DITCHFIE LD
Transit NZ went into a subdivision hearing in Masterton yesterday with guns blazing, but it was the state highway manager itself which ended up taking the shots.
Transit was opposing an 18ha subdivision north of Masterton at Opkai, off Wingate Road, between the railway line and the Ruamahunga River.
It warned the Masterton District Council hearings committee that the proposal would set a dangerous precedent, in that the subdivision relied totally on the state highway to access the area.
The council is expected to make a decision today on the proposal.
Transit argued the subdivision would turn the state highway from being a main arterial route to one of servicing local traffic. It felt it would seriously affect Transit's primary aim to provide state highways as an "integrated, safe, responsive, and sustainable land transport system."
Not so, said traffic engineer, Tim Kelly who spoke on behalf of the applicants.
He accused Transit of interpreting the state highway rationale into meaning that any development, anywhere, even those not directly accessing the state highway, would have a detrimental effect on main roads.
Mr Kelly said such concern might be justified if a major retail centre was being suggested. But he said the state highway at Opaki was "lightly trafficked" and the subdivision proposal would increase traffic flow by 2 per cent ? on average, one extra car every 20 minutes.
"It appears that Transit over-enthusiastically applies the same argument on principle, regardless of the scale of the effect. The result is at best additional delays and costs to applicants and councils, and at worst a stifling of economic activity, which runs contrary to one of the main objectives of the New Zealand Transport Strategy, to promote economic development."
He said this was not just a problem for Wairarapa, but one for the whole country.
"I am disappointed Transit has not engaged more closely with local communities in a pro-active manner to address the issues and seek a common outcome of promoting, rather than hindering economic activity."
In its submission, Transit pointed out the intersection had seen eight crashes in a four-year period, but Mr Kelly suggested the accidents might have had more to do with the Opaki rail overbridge configuration. He felt Transit had not taken a reality check in relation to the scale and impact of the subdivision.
Mr Kelly was adding to comments already made by Glen Bunny from the Masterton surveying firm Tomlinson and Carruthers, which had drawn up the subdivision.
Mr Bunny said Transit has not made its assessment and decision to oppose the subdivision under its own guidelines. "Transit's stance is not consistent with its responsibilities."
He said its mindset of absolute opposition and prevention contradicts a statement from Transit chief executive Rick Barneveld recently on national television when he stated "Transit will not and can not veto any economic development."
"Its position appears to have been based upon a rather dogmatic pursuit of a policy position, which may have some relevance, but not in this context," Mr Bunnysaid.
The regional manager for Transit's Wellington office, Michael Weir, said such a development would significantly compromise the Masterton District Council's District Plan. He questioned the plan's principles and integrity.