That would be the focus for the next three years.
“We will be looking at roads, we will be looking at water, we will be looking at our regulations.
“What our community expects from us is to be aspirational, and not to be left behind.”
The Government, at some stage, would be looking for regions to invest in.
Mayor Stoltz said some people who wrote to The Gisborne Herald about the removal of roundabouts were being facetious.
The draft plan/strategy was about her older, future self using a Zimmerman frame and being able to cross the road safely, she said.
When crossing Childers Road “you are playing a game with your own life”.
“I see us making this community safe for oldies when doing their shopping, and for mums . . . and their prams.”
The council should not be scared to consult with the community, she said.
Josh Wharehinga said he liked the strategic thinking in the paper before councillors.
But he was concerned — in light of what the district had just gone through — of further obligations through the recovery period, and a heavy rating burden, and with council having so much to do.
He did support consulting with the public on the plan and strategy.
Senior policy adviser Chris Gilmour said funding was available through the National Land Transport Fund.
Cr Larry Foster said Gisborne cycleways were well used.
The emphasis should be on getting children to bike to school.
This plan and strategy should not be a priority for the council, “but if funding is available — fantastic”.
Cr Rawinia Parata said free cycleways/walkways or time and space went hand-in-hand with connecting, healing and recovery.
She would be interested in the community response during consultation.
Cr Ani Pahuru-Huriwai said the plan was aspirational, but she wanted to see more equity with the provision of similar facilities in rural areas.
Cr Andy Cranston said the active travel strategy was about more than cycling; it also included running, scooters, wheelchairs and prams — so involved “a very large part of the population”.
The benefits of being active were huge.
Cr Tony Robinson said the paper before councillors was frustrating.
There was a “perverse” focus on safety.
There were several motor accidents included in the report that he did not think were relevant, including one which did not happen on the road.
Modern cars had active avoidance technology and such cars would become more common on the roads.
A better message could be taken to the public.
He gave the example of Christchurch overcoming initial public resistance to pedestrian zones.
Such cities were “pumping”, with tens of thousands of pedestrians accessing CBDs.
Gisborne was a flat city with a great environment.
“We’ve got to change our mind and our messaging.”
As a school student, like hundreds of others, he had biked to school.
“Why aren’t they biking now?”
The council had to be a leader, he said.
Cr Debbie Gregory said biking was a “mokopuna decision”.
“We won’t see people all jumping on their bikes tomorrow.
“It’s aspirational.”
Cr Aubrey Ria said she would be supportive if the plan was externally funded.
