Speed limit changes on more than 50 roads around Rotorua, including outside some rural schools, could be out for public consultation pending council approval.
At a committee meeting last week, Rotorua Lakes Council's Strategy, Policy and Finance Committee recommended the full council consult on changes to speed limits around the area.
A number of speed limits could be reduced from 50km/h to 30km/h while others could drop from 70km/h to 50km/h. The review also included the formalisation of certain speeds and setting of limits for some sections of road which did not have formal limits.
The council's general manager infrastructure, Stavros Michael, spoke to the committee about the review. He said that once the council approved the consultation, it will go out for public review and any feedback received would be considered.
He said the reviews related to three factors: Bringing limits into line with national policies and limits; introducing limits where none currently existed; and finally in response to residents' requests and what council officers believed was needed to improve safety.
Rural Community Board chairwoman Shirley Trumper was concerned that while speed limits in Ngākuru and Broadlands were falling to 60km/h they were still above what was desired outside schools.
"That is not going to make any difference. I think that we need to consider Ngakuru and Broadlands to come down to 40[km/h] variable at peak times. That is something both principals have asked."
She said pupils at Broadlands had to regularly cross the road to use the hall and those at Ngākuru had to walk down the road to use the hall.
It is proposed that variable speed limits be implemented outside schools in Waikite Valley, Reporoa (Broadlands) and Rerewhakaaitu.
Pupils from Rerewhakaaitu had previously asked the council for a speed review and Trumper this week called the proposed review a milestone.
"These are our children and we do need to take every step that we can and I just hope that going forward we will be able to get some of our urban schools into this review process but today this is just a real milestone."
In response to Trumper's concerns about the speed outside Broadlands and Ngākuru, council safe and sustainable journeys manager Niki Carling said three schools were the focus of speed reduction measures last year.
Those schools - Rerewhakaaitu, Broadlands and Waikite Valley - were included in the proposed review.
"With regard to Ngākuru there was nothing recommended by Opus at that time with regard to specific speed reduction activity. However, we're in the process of designing a footpath alongside the road that goes from the school down to the hall."
Other committee members raised concerns over speed limits on Pukehangi Road, Springfield and Otonga roads, at Okareka, Rotokawa and Rotoma School.
The committee recommendation would go before the council on February 25 and was likely to go out for public consultation in March.
Michael said the council would assess feedback after consultation and make a final recommendation to the council.
Responding to the review, Waikite Valley School principal Teresa Topp said anything to improve safety around the front of the school was "huge".
"We have dairy tankers, quarry trucks and heavy vehicles drive past us multiple times a day. When they don't slow down even to 70 or 80 [km/h] the whole school rumbles.
"So as well as road safety our learning environment [would become] more peaceful."
Topp said the school's 91 pupils travelled to school in a number of ways but they also had to cross the road as a school for things like cross-country training, which they do on a neighbouring farm.
"The public should observe [limits] even when they think there are not going to be children around. The number of times a ball goes over the fence is multiple times a day. So be vigilant."
Ngākuru School principal Rachel Weinberg said that while lower speed limits would be welcomed, they were happy with the safety measures expected this year.
"We've been working with the council under the rural road safety review. From what I gather it's been a lengthy process but we're getting traction."
The safety measures include a new footpath between the school and hall, moving the bus stop, more car parks and a barrier to separate the footpath and carpark and signs about speed when passing buses. They are likely to happen this year.
Weinberg was happy with the changes but said the speed still made her nervous.
"Even though the speed limit is 70, cars go a lot faster. They absolutely gun through here. It does make me a bit nervous.
"Our kids are safe in school. It's when they get out that gate I do cringe a bit."
Government Gardens
•Oruawhata Drive, Queens Drive, Hatupatu Drive and Hinemoa Street - From 50km/h to 30km/h
Kuirau Park Reserve
• Kuirau Street, Kuirau Park Access, Aquatic Centre Access - From 50km/h to 30km/h
Hannahs Bay
• Waikawau/Hannahs Bay Reserve - No limit to 30km/h
• Waingaehe Reserve (Willow Avenue) - Existing 30km/h needs formalising in bylaw
Western Heights/Pukehangi
• Mountain Road - From 100km/h to 60 km/h
• Pukehangi Road - From 70 km/h to 60 km/h
Lynmore/Owhata
• Owhata Road - From 70 km/h to 50 km/h
• Tarawera Road (up to and including Manawa Road and Redwood Road) - From 70 km/h to 50 km/h
• Long Mile Road - Existing 30km/h needs formalising
Ngongotahā
• Waiteti Road and Leonard Road - From 70 km/h to 50 km/h
Other Urban Areas
• Henderson Road and Scott Road - No speed limit, but urban street should be 50km/h by default. To be formalised.
Awahou
• Gloucester Road and Maxwell Road - None (SH36 is 100km/h). Introduce 50km/h limit.
Rotoiti
• Te Puakanga Road, Emery Road, Wharetoroa Drive, Aoturoa Avenue, Te Urumahoe - None (SH33 is 80km/h). Introduce 50km/h limit.
Rotoehu
• Morehu Loop Road - None (SH30 is 100km/h). Introduce 50km/h limit.
Tikitere
• Okahu Lane - From 70 km/h to 50 km/h
• Parkcliff Road, Banksia Place, Rangiteaorere Road, Mataikotare Road - None (SH33 is 80km/h). Introduce 50km/h limit.
Mourea
• Okawa Bay Road - None for first 70m. Introduce 50km/h limit.
Rotokawa
• Cookson Road, Hawthornden Drive - From 100km/h to 80 km/h.
Okere Falls
• Okere Falls Road, Trout Pool Road, Hoko Road (East) - From 70km/h to 60km/h.
Mamaku
• Arahiwi Road, Cecil Road, Maraeroa Road, Old State Mill Road - From 70km/h to 60km/h.
Rerewhakaaitu
• Ashpit Road (through village), Yankee Road (through village) - From 70km/h to 50km/h with variable 40km/h outside school.
• Rerewhakaaitu Road - From 70km/h to 50km/h
Reporoa
• Broadlands Road outside school - From 70km/h to 60km/h with variable 40km/h outside school.
• Earle Road, Vaile Road - From 70km/h to 60km/h.
Hamurana
• Kaharoa Road by school - From 70km/h to 60km/h.
• Jackson Road - From 100km/h to 80km/h.
Other Rural Areas
• Keith Road, Paradise Valley Road (at SH5), Whirinaki Valley Road (by school) - From 70km/h to 60km/h.
• Waikite Valley Road (by school) - From 70km/h to 60km/h with variable 40km/h outside school.
• Waipa State Mill Road - Existing 50km/h needs formalising in bylaw
• Waipa Carpark Access Road, Te Pūtake o Tawa Access - New road and access road, 30km/h speed needs formalising in bylaw.
The wishing tree appeal is in its 31st year and the need for it 'has never been greater'.