The strong community response to the indicative route for the planned Puhoi-to-Wellsford highway has prompted the NZ Transport Agency to arrange an additional information day in Warkworth to ensure people get every chance to learn about the project.
It will be held in the Warkworth Town Hall on Saturday, 22 January, between 10am-2pm, and it will display the same information as the earlier events to provide a final opportunity for people to review the indicative route before consultation closes on 28 January.
“We had a fantastic response from the Warkworth and Puhoi communities to the four information days we held in November after first announcing the indicative route,” says the NZTA’s Regional Director for Auckland and Northland, Stephen Town. “The project team spoke to more than 500 people about planning and engineering decisions for the highway, and we want to keep that dialogue going.
“The more feedback we get – from homeowners, farmers, businesses, and community groups – the better placed we are to make informed decisions about any revision or refinement of the Indicative Route.
Mr Town says that from past experience, public information days were the most effective way of engaging with the community, and hearing directly about their concerns.
“The Puhoi-to-Wellsford highway is a road of national significance to benefit the entire country – but it is a project that impacts on the community in Rodney,” he adds.
Mr Town says that with five weeks left to run in the consultation process, community feedback has already provided the NZTA with new information with which to assess the indicative route.
People unable to attend the additional information day have other options to learn about the project. The NZTA’s website: www.nzta.govt.nz/puhoi-wellsford(external link) has extensive information, including videos about the feedback process. They can also email, phone or send in a feedback form.
Additional public information day details: Saturday 22 January, Warkworth Town Hall, corner Neville St & Alnwick St, 10am-2pm.
