Public invited to have a say about Northland's roads and transport

This area near Portland will be part of the planned upgrade of State Highway 1 between Te Hana and Whangarei.

The blueprint for roading and other transport spending across Northland over the next three years is up for discussion at "Have Your Say" events around the region next week.

Northland's Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP) 2015-2021 is now halfway through its six-year lifespan and undergoing a legally required review, with public comment being sought until the end of the month.

The plan details roading projects proposed by Northland's three district councils, state highway projects put forward by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), and strategic projects and public transport matters dealt with by the Northland Regional Council.

Regional councillor John Bain, who chairs the Northland regional transport committee, said the review has so far identified two new major projects for inclusion in the revised plan; the revitalisation of the Twin Coast Discovery Route and improvements to State Highway 1 between Te Hana and Whangarei.

An extended six-week public submission period — to accommodate the Christmas/New Year break — runs until the end of January.

"As part of this, instead of traditional public hearings, there will be a series of "Have Your Say" events around the region shortly and we urge as many people as possible to attend one or more of these," Mr Bain said.

Major projects already completed or under way since the current plan became active in 2015 include safety and realignment work on SH1 on the north side of the Brynderwyns, the designation of Mangakahia Rd as SH15, the Akerama Curves realignment, Matakohe Bridge (SH12) realignment and reconstruction, safety improvements on SH11, and Whangarei bypass (SH1) improvements.

When the blueprint was compiled in 2015, the regional transport committee recognised the importance Northland people placed on route resilience, route security, dust from unsealed roads and safety.

The "Have Your Say" meetings will be in Whangarei: Monday, 9am–11am, Northland Regional Council Chambers; Dargaville, Monday, 2pm–4pm, Dargaville Town Hall; Opononi, Tuesday, 10am–noon, Opononi Hall; Kaikohe, Tuesday, 2.30pm–4.30pm, Far North District Council Chambers; Kaitaia; Wednesday, 10am–noon, Te Ahu Centre; Kerikeri, Wednesday, 3pm–5pm, Kingston House.

For more information see www.nrc.govt.nz/transportplan.