Mt Messenger Bypass consents and designation applications – January 2018
Following the selection of the preferred route for the Mt Messenger Bypass, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency lodged a Notice of Requirement (NOR) and applications for the necessary resource consents with the New Plymouth District Council and Taranaki Regional Council.
Notice of Requirement (NOR) and applications
The applications are required under the Resource Management Act 1991 to construct, operate and maintain the Mt Messenger Bypass.
Resource Management Act 1991(external link)
You can find all the relevant information on the New Plymouth District Council website.
New Plymouth District Council website(external link)
We ran some drop-in sessions and information stalls at local events and venues in Taranaki from 10–18 February 2018.
We reached out to local communities to get involved in the public notification of our consents.
Selected route for Mt Messenger bypass – August 2017
| What's happening |
The preferred route for the Mt Messenger Bypass was announced. The bypass of Mt Messenger is 5.2km long with additional work at the southern end creating about 6km of improvements. It is located east of the existing highway (identified as Option C in the June 2017 public engagement). The route includes a bridge about 110m long and an estimated 230m long tunnel under the ridgeline south-east of Mt Messenger. Beehive press release: Mt Messenger Bypass option selected (external link) |
| When | 31 August 2017 |
Update on Options – June 2017
| What's happening |
Feedback from the earlier consultation (2016/17) showed strong support for a route that provides travel time, safety and reliability benefits, however there were concerns about environmental and cultural impacts of a bypass. For more information see the media release. Waka Kotahi media release: Updated options for SH3 Mt Messenger Bypass project |
| When |
We held drop-in sessions in mid-June 2017. |
| What's involved |
More information: |
Programme launch
| What's happening |
The Transport Minister Simon Bridges officially launched(external link) the Awakino Gorge to Mount Messenger Programme and start of the SH3 Safety and Resilience Improvements Project in Mokau. Beehive press release: Key transport project for Taranaki launched(external link) |
| When | The event occurred on 17 May 2017. |
Community consultation on options
| What's happening | We consulted on route options for the Mt Messenger Bypass Project and Awakino Tunnel Bypass Project along with other safety and resilience improvements for the 58km stretch of State Highway 3 from the Awakino Gorge to Mount Messenger:
More information |
| Purpose | We wanted to know what options the local communities and other stakeholders favoured and the reasons for their choices. |
| Consultation period | There was a six week consultation from 21 November 2016 to 6 January 2017. |
| Consultation findings | Read the Consultation of Options Report – April 2017 [PDF, 9.4 MB] |
| Announcement |
The preferred options for the Awakino Tunnel Bypass Project and SH3 Safety and Resilience Improvements Project, along with the next steps for the Mt Messenger Bypass Project have been announced. Beehive press release: Green light for SH3 improvements(external link) |
