A funding boost of more than $5m could help make Ōamaru’s roads more user-friendly for those who are not in cars.

The Waitaki District Council is in line to receive $5.2m from the Transport Choices Programme, as part of the Government Climate Emergency Response Fund.

The amount is subject to Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency further reviewing the proposed projects in the Waitaki to explore how they can be progressed in line with a 24-month time frame. Approval may be withdrawn if the scope can not be delivered, council roading manager Mike Harrison said.

Some of the money will go towards intersection and crossing upgrades across four sites in Ōamaru. The intersections are at the Junction (of Awamoa Rd, Wansbeck St, Severn St and Towey St), and also where Arundel St/Regina Lane, Frome St/Caledonian Rd, and Redcastle Rd all intersect State Highway 1.

Walking and cycling on Thames Highway will also be addressed, with an upgraded shared  walking/cycling path on the west side of SH1, from Orwell St to Redcastle Rd.

A further $500,000 for a proposed shared walking/cycle path along Ardgowan Rd remained in discussion, as it was not included initially, in early discussions. The topic had been re-opened and was under review, Mike said.

“The Let’s Get Oamaruving research paper on school accessibility identified that the safety and perceived safety of the highway was a key issue around parents choosing cars over anything else.”

The funding would help a lot of areas in the community - accessibility, pedestrian crossings, safety around schools and the difficulties around turning on and off the highway from the local roads, he said.

Waitaki mayor Gary Kircher said the council was thrilled and proud to be a part of an ambitious programme, and the areas being addressed were where long-term issues around congestion and pedestrian safety had been, particularly at school times. 

It worked toward a safer and healthier environment, while also helping people get to their destinations safely, he said.

“If we do the solutions right, we can look to fix long-term problems for the community and [make] our roads safer for all users and help protect our climate.”

The first 18 months of the 24-month project would be around planning and scoping, with the information plans circulated as they progress. The final six months will be acting on the plans.

Background

In May, the Government released Te hau mārohi ki anamata, its first Emissions Reduction Plan to 2035.

Waka Kotahi responded by spearheading the Transport Choices Programme and working in partnership with local councils to achieve the targets for the plan, Waka Kotahi urban mobility manager Kathryn King said.

The plan highlighted the significant role transport must play, with a call for a 41% reduction in emissions from the sector by 2035.