Work has started on a new strategy to manage Canterbury’s transport system - the Canterbury Regional Land Transport Strategy 2011 – 2041.
Development of the strategy is being led by the Canterbury Regional Transport Committee - a committee that brings together representatives from Environment Canterbury, the New Zealand Transport Agency and city and district councils in the region. The committee also has representatives to address economic development, safety, public health, access and mobility, environmental sustainability and cultural interests.
As part of the development of the strategy, the Regional Transport Committee is seeking to understand the key challenges facing our transport system over the next 30 years.
Regional Transport Committee chair and Environment Canterbury Councillor Jo Kane says that the committee wants to ensure that plans reflect community needs and those of generations to come.
“The decisions we make now will shape the future for the region’s transport. This is a great opportunity for people to say what they think when it matters – before we start.
Your input will help us develop a clearer understanding of the issues so we can then start investigating the best options for managing them.”
“Every district will have their own perspective on the transport issues that are important to them. Our job is to collate those views and produce a regional plan that will set out the key transport plans to be progressed within Canterbury over the next 30 years,” says Cr Kane.
Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker says the Canterbury Regional Land Transport Strategy is an important document to enable the region to plan for a cost effective and efficient transport network to serve the future needs of its residents.
“Christchurch City, through its Long Term Council Community Plan consultation and the development of its own Christchurch Transport Plan, has already identified a number of transport issues for the Greater Christchurch area. Residents and stakeholders clearly identified traffic congestion and safety as key issues but there were polar views on how to resolve them.”
He says both the Strategy and Christchurch Transport Plan will help inform each other and be guided by the Urban Development Strategy which provides the framework for development of the Greater Christchurch area during the next 35 years.
“With our growing and ageing population, heightened environmental awareness and a looming oil crisis, there are many challenges facing the region as it plans for a safe, efficient and reliable transport network.
“I encourage everyone to take the opportunity to think about the future, how they will want to travel and become involved in the development of the Canterbury Regional Land Transport Strategy,” says Mayor Parker.
Kaikoura Mayor Kevin Heays has been involved in this strategy since its inception both as a member of its working group and its sub-committee.
“Getting our produce and our people around efficiently and safely has always been on top of my list. Being an important part of the Canterbury region, it is imperative that we all have a say in how this can be achieved well into the future.”
”The District of Kaikoura has unique roading and travel issues, but we still need to be involved as individuals, organisations and communities in the big picture stuff,” said Mayor Heays.
Committee member and Waimakariri District Councillor David Ayers sees the strategy as not just a matter of moving people and goods.
“The environmental impact of various modes of transport needs to be taken into consideration. Traffic congestion, for example, carries with it significant economic and environmental costs.”
“It is vital that community views are canvassed so that we can assess how the transport decisions we make now may impact on communities in the future. Our transport system has to strike a balance to ensure that social, economic and environmental objectives complement each other. This strategy is a pivotal part of the process in achieving that,” says Cr Ayers.
Comments are welcomed until 9 December by:
• Email: transport@ecan.govt.nz
• Online: www.ecan.govt.nz/transport
• Freepost 1201
Transport Issues
Environment Canterbury
PO Box 345
Christchurch 8140
Public input will be used to compile a draft strategy that will undergo further public consultation in 2011.
For more information: Cr Jo Kane, Chair Regional Transport Committee, 027 323 2326.