State Highway 30 between Awakeri and Whakatāne has been identified as a high-risk rural road. We’re looking at options to make it safer and therefore more efficient.
As the main transport route between Rotorua, Whakatāne and the East Coast, the road is used by a range of road users including daily commuters, freight, local traffic, cyclists and motorcyclists, tourists, and agricultural machinery.
SH30 is predominantly rural and considered high-volume for a two-lane state highway. It has connections to a network of local roads and direct access to adjoining agricultural properties.
Unfortunately, the number of people being killed or seriously injured in crashes on this section of the state highway is increasing.
Between 2017 and 2021 road crashes killed four people and seriously injured 16 others on SH30 between Awakeri and Whakatāne. Almost half of these deaths and serious injuries were from head-on crashes. From January to December 2022 there was one death and eight serious injuries from six crashes.
Each crash has huge impacts on the people involved, their families, emergency services and the health sector. As well as saving lives and preventing crash trauma, upgrades will result in fewer crashes meaning the highway is more efficient and can support productivity and economic growth in the region.
In 2021, we completed a feasibility study to look at a range of potential improvements for SH30, between the intersection with State Highway 2 (SH2) at Awakeri through to Phoenix Drive in Whakatāne.
The improvements we’re proposing and have sought feedback on included new roundabouts, safety barriers, and seal widening.
SH30 needs to be made safer and more efficient.
Crashes, in particular fatal ones, contribute to road closures, as do flooding and slips as a result of natural events. Road closures negatively impact on the region. There are improvements that could be made to this road to generally improve the network and lessen the number of road closures.
CloseWe looked at the types and causes of crashes on SH30 and identified potential improvements that would make the road more efficient and safer.
This is what we proposed for further investigation and discussion with stakeholders and the community:
A roundabout at the intersection of SH30 and Mill Road has been included, following feedback from stakeholders and road users.
CloseWaka Kotahi had funding from the 2021-24 National Land Transport Programme to progress site investigations and carry out engagement as part of the detailed design process.
Detailed design is where we look at how the road is used and carry out technical investigations like geotechnical site investigations and topographical surveys. As part of this, and to make sure we get the designs right, we also sought feedback on what we’re considering from people who use the road (see below).
Construction funding needs to be sought as part of the 2024 - 2027 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) process. The NLTP sets out the activities that can receive funding from the National Land Transport Fund (NLTF) and other funding sources, and gives effect to the Government Policy Statement on land transport (GPS). We expect the NLTP to be adopted later in 2024.
Close| Key milestones | Timing |
|---|---|
| Feasibility study | Completed early 2022 |
| Detailed design funding application and approval | Completed June 2022 |
| Ngāti Awa, council, landowner and community consultation on the proposed safety improvements. | August 2022 to mid 2023 |
| Public information sessions | Early 2023 |
| Speed review outcome | Mid 2023 |
| Completed detailed design. Apply for construction funding from National Land Transport Programme 2024-2027 | 2024 |
| Construction funding outcomes known | Late 2024 |
From September 2022 to mid 2023 we focussed on getting feedback from iwi and hapū representatives, Whakatāne District Council staff, landowners, businesses, emergency services and other key stakeholders.
In early 2023 we engaged with the wider community, to seek feedback before we finish the detailed design process.
CloseWe held four public information sessions in late March 2023, to hear from other people in the community – those who regularly use the highway, who live nearby, or have interests in the area – to understand how the road is currently used.
We wanted to hear what you thought and if there were any changes we could consider as part of the detailed design process.
CloseThis road is important to the local and rural community. Key themes emerging during our many conversations included:
New permanent speed limits for State Highway 30 Tikitere to Whakatāne were announced in August 2023.
SH30 Tikitere to Whakatāne speed review
