Two local groups, the Te Horo Road Action Committee (THRAC) and the County & Rahui Roads Group (CRRG), have finally been allowed their hearings on the Wellington to Levin Expressway. Under the New Zealand Transport Agency run consultation on the Peka Peka to North Ōtaki section of the expressway, submitters are entitled to a hearing.
However, because of an error, described by NZTA Board Deputy Chairman, Garry Moore, as “administrative oversight”, the requests of the two groups in their submissions were overlooked.
Following pressure from the two groups, sustained in the face of NZTA attempts to deny the right, NZTA finally gave in and honoured its legal obligation. The Hearings occurred at a special Board meeting on Thursday, 17th, and submissions were presented on behalf of the groups by Ōtaki resident, Peter Curling, and Te Horo property owner, John Boyle. “We were allowed a total of 30 minutes and could only speak to our original submissions in spite of an inaccurate submissions outcome report and the NZTA Board having already made a decision adopting the NZTA proposed route” says Curling. It is reported that the submissions outlined major faults in the original (2002-3) and latest consultations, the disadvantages of the NZTA Route and the better commercial, health, safety, environmental, heritage and social and financial cost (up to $70million or more cheaper) advantages of the proposed Sandhills Route and a variation on that route known to many as ‘the THRAC Route’.
How receptive was the Board? “They were certainly friendly and polite and nodded with apparent agreement as various points were made” reports Curling, continuing “Unfortunately however, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, and we shall only be able to assess the ‘receptiveness’ when the Board makes its decision known after the next Board meeting next Friday” (25th).
Might the Board decide to adopt the Sandhills or THRAC Routes? Apparently not according to Curling. “There has been no public consultation on the Sandhills and or THRAC routes and the Board can only confirm or rescind their December decision. The latter would require the Board to instruct its staff to investigate other options and consult the public, correctly this time one hopes”.
Aren’t THRAC and CRRG just creating further delay? “Absolutely not!” states Curling. “NZTA are the sole cause of the delay by consulting incorrectly, presenting an erroneous submissions outcome report and dragging out the ongoing discussion. These issues were highlighted by THRAC and CRRG to NZTA in September-October last and following publication of the report and the NZTA Board decision”.
Are THRAC and CRRG hopeful of a favourable outcome? “If the decision is based upon what is good for the community and the country as a whole, then a favourable result is guaranteed” thinks Curling, “but many within the groups are concerned that the Hearings were allowed only to satisfy the legal obligation of allowing the hearings and, if that is the case, then we expect thanks for our ‘helpful’ submissions which have been ‘carefully considered’ but.”. Curling continues “I would like to think that the Board members are honourable people so that I retain some hope, admittedly fragile.”
Are THRAC and CRRG against ASK and Save Kāpiti? “No” says Curling, going on “ASK and Save Kāpiti are arguing against an expressway and their argument is with the Minister not NZTA. We took the pragmatic approach realizing that NZTA cannot deny the Minister’s instruction. Our argument is that if an expressway is to be built, build it in the best place for the community as a whole which is of course, the Sandhills Route”.