Four independent commissioners have released their recommendations regarding the $600million Southern Links roading project, following a hearing earlier this year.
The commissioners have assessed the project and have recommended that the designations be confirmed.
They have also approved the resource consent applications for three new bridges - two over the Waikato River and another bridge across the Mangakotukutuku Gully.
The recommendations are subject to extensive conditions and come with a lapse period of 20 years.
The NZ Transport Agency’s Waikato Highway Manager, Kaye Clark, said the Transport Agency is considering the recommendations and would issue a decision to the processing councils later this month.
Directly affected land owners, occupiers, and submitters to the Hamilton City Council Designation and Resource consents have been notified of the decisions and appeal process.
General Manager of Infrastructure at Hamilton City Council, Chris Allen, said the council was pleased the commissioners had released their decision on the Southern Links project.
“The decision grants the designation with the 20-year lapse period council requested, subject to a number of conditions,” Mr Allen said.
“This is good news for Hamilton and we will now spend some time to examine the details of the decision and its conditions.”
Once the processing councils have received the Transport Agency’s decision, all parties will be notified.
The findings can be found at Waipa District Council website: www.waipadc.govt.nz/hamiltonsouthernlinks(external link).
Background:
Southern Links is a $600 million NZ Transport Agency and Hamilton City Council project involving 32km of future transport network in southern Hamilton, including 21km of state highway and 11km of urban arterial roads in Hamilton's Peacocke area.
The Transport Agency and city council do not have any funding set aside for Southern Links design or construction in their respective 10-year plans. Getting the designations in place will protect the network so that it can be built when required in the future.
More information about the project can be found here: www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/southern-links(external link).
For more information please contact:
Natalie Dixon
Waikato / Bay of Plenty Media Manager
T: 07 928 7908
M: 021 928 413
E: natalie.dixon@nzta.govt.nz
