The NZ Transport Agency has today announced the details of an extended consultation period for the MacKays to Peka Peka Expressway, following the NZTA Board's consideration at its meeting today of a more detailed route proposal.
NZTA Central Regional Director Jenny Chetwynd says consultation will begin on November 28 and run until February 4 2011. Ms Chetwynd says the consultation period has been extended to ten weeks to accommodate the December/January holiday period and ensure that everyone has an opportunity to provide informed feedback on the proposed expressway route.
“We appreciate this is a busy time of the year for people, and by extending the consultation period from six weeks to ten weeks we want to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to carefully consider the proposals and provide feedback.
Ms Chetwynd says rescheduling the start of consultation by three weeks has allowed the NZTA to develop a more detailed route proposal than previously considered by the Board which provides more certainty for those who are potentially affected.
“We understand that this delay has been frustrating for the community, and the NZTA Board has been concerned to clarify and narrow down the options for the path of the proposed route. By next week we’ll be in a position to present the community with a route proposal that is more detailed and better illustrates how they might be affected.”
The NZTA will be advertising the new timelines in local newspapers, radio, and on its website. All Kapiti residents will be sent postcards outlining the new timeline early next week.
Ms Chetwynd says the consultation material will now be printed. It will outline details of the recent refinements that have been made to the route. Kapiti residents will receive a consultation brochure, with an attached form, for their feedback on the proposals for the expressway. In addition, project expos will be held at Otaihanga, Paraparaumu, Waikanae and Raumati to provide an opportunity for the community to meet the project team, learn about the proposals and offer any comments that they may have.
Dates and locations for public expos:
• Sunday 28 November 10am to 4pm - Southward Car Museum, Otaihanga
• Tuesday 30 November 4pm to 8pm - Kapiti Community Centre, Paraparaumu
• Wednesday 1 December 4pm to 8pm - Waikanae Memorial Hall, Waikanae
• Thursday 2 December 4pm to 8pm - Raumati South Memorial Hall, Raumati
