Transmission Gully progress
September 17th, 2011 at 11:34 am by David FarrarBrownyn Torrie reports at Stuff:
A decision on Transmission Gully will be made within months, nearly a century after an inland route was first suggested – but tolls are still likely to help fund it.
Environment Minister Nick Smith referred the roading proposal to an independent board of inquiry yesterday under new rules to fast-track projects of national significance.
Dr Smith said the swift process would avoid lengthy delays such as the 17 years it took Wellington’s inner-city bypass to gain approval.
There is still more reform to be done of the RMA, but thank goodness a major project can now be consented in a matter of months rather than years.
The board of inquiry, to be overseen by the Environmental Protection Authority, will decide within nine months whether the project can go ahead as planned.
Construction could start as early as 2015.
Great. Up until this Government, I thought I would never see it in my life-time.
Transport Minister Steven Joyce said Transmission Gully would cost just under $1 billion and a toll to contribute to the cost was still likely.
I will happily pay a toll to use the road. All for user-pays.
Related posts:
- Draft approval for Transmission Gully
- Transmission Gully PPP approved
- Transmission Gully
- Transmission Gully gets the green light
September 17th, 2011 at 12:11 pm
It will be interesting to gather a database of all the names of the commissioners on the boards of inquiry for called-in applications. Those who I know are all the usual suspects – National Party cronies.
[DPF: The names of the board members are here - http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/transmission-gully-proposal-referred-board-inquiry.
Now either back down on your allegation or document how these people are party cronies.]
Vote:September 17th, 2011 at 12:32 pm
I hope they are all National Party cronies, those of us who grew up in Wellington know how vital Transmission Gully is.
Vote:September 17th, 2011 at 12:33 pm
Peter Dunne is claiming some credit for this too.
I hope Transmission Gully success is a certainty. The RWC is just 6 games, albeit important ones.
Vote:September 17th, 2011 at 12:35 pm
There is still more reform to be done of the RMA
Yeah how come this didn’t happen two years ago at the same time as the National Standards was happening? The issues are well known. It’s not rocket science. The complete and wholesale reforms that are necessary for the stupid thing should have been in place and up and running for 18 months by now.
I would have thought also a billion less in debt was more desirable than not these days and since Transmission Gully isn’t critical in that the current situation is acceptable albeit sub-optimal, it’s been given a priority I can’t really see the point of. Yes it will soak up some unemployment in Wellington and that’s good however Christchurch is all the nation needs as a nation in terms of that dynamic. i.e., IMO, the money is better spent by not even spending it, right now. Unfortunately.
Vote:September 17th, 2011 at 12:40 pm
Only a century? It feels longer. Thanks socialists!
Vote:September 17th, 2011 at 12:42 pm
Wait, 2015? What the f*ck is the hold up now? More consenting??
Vote:September 17th, 2011 at 2:27 pm
What is the latest benefit cost ratio for this? Above 1? Would it be better if a billion more dollars was left in the economy rather than extracted as fuel taxes?
Vote:September 17th, 2011 at 2:30 pm
How much would it cost to double deck the section north of Pukerua Bay? Seems like this is the only old up other than Paremata. Would solve the head on problems and the problem of capacity and wouldn’t cost anywhere near as much. Double deck roads are used in other places around the world, why not here? And to counter the first argument, I’m confident we could build it earthquake proof.
Vote:September 17th, 2011 at 2:42 pm
Yeah I thought they won this argument about 2 years ago. Why more consultation and approval…zzzzzz……snore. Man NZ is so pathetic when it comes to improvements. Maybe the government should extend the CERA authority for the whole country.
Make decisions in 6 months not 20 years.
Vote:September 17th, 2011 at 3:19 pm
Hold ups occur at Pukerua Bay, Centennial Highway and Paekakariki. North of transmission gully the holdups are: Paraparaumu, Waikanae and Otaki. The sandhills expressway deals with the first two, and the Te-Horo/Otaki bypass deals with the last.
This road is a total package. Each section will be useless and pointless without the preceeding/following sections. Thus it is imperative that transmission gully/sandhills get consent!
Vote:September 17th, 2011 at 3:47 pm
Oh look it’s an election year again – time to wheel out Transmission Gully. Yes yes lets get excited till next year when it gets put away again till 2014.
Vote:September 17th, 2011 at 5:10 pm
excellent – although still too long by my reckoning. a start in 2013 would be perfect – and the Nats could pick up the glory of getting this started. Of course I have my own selfish reasons for wanting a start as soon as possible, but the cut in travel time will be a massive boost to the Wellington economy and to productivity. Is National being elected and re-elected the only way to ensure that the road construction starts and is not hi-jacked by the Greenies?
Vote:September 17th, 2011 at 5:39 pm
If the final result looks anything like these computer-drafted “fly throughs” – the motorway will make a massive contribution to freeing-up traffic flows between Linden and MacKays. There’d be real advantage in the time-saving, plus in the huge reduction in traffic on what’s now SH1 between Porirua and MacKays. The Waitangirua area might get a little bit noisier though – although conceivably, the road may be well away from existing housing.
Have a look:
Northbound – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFnNV54B7vo
Southbound – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PD3dp2o_l1g
Both views are spectacular.
Vote:September 17th, 2011 at 7:46 pm
And then watch some dopey bloody politician, the LTSA and the police put an 80kph speed limit on it.
Vote:Gunna happen you watch and see.
September 17th, 2011 at 7:52 pm
Come on Someone Else … your bluff has been called. Put up or shut up.
I’ll wait just a tad while you refer back to your masters at ‘The Standard’ for instructions.
Vote:September 17th, 2011 at 7:57 pm
Is this the same project that the US Marines offered to put through during the Second World War. If so. Just do it….. Fuck the greens.
Vote:September 17th, 2011 at 7:59 pm
Transmission Gully can happen after Auckland gets fixed. We need roads, big roads to cater for the people. Auckland has supported NZ for years and is suffering because Governments taxed the shit out of us and our infrastructure ended up 20 years behind.
Vote:Wellington is full of non productive who think they pay tax, so when some eggs are back in Auckland’s basket you can have some of the tax for your transport. Did you see how Auckland ground to a halt with RWC opening?
I say fix Auckland first instead of bleeding more tax to put a band aid on Wellington. Actually why don’t you all move to Auckland, leave the Civil Servants behind to wallow in their own misery of course
September 17th, 2011 at 8:02 pm
Hang on a moment chaps…
Sadly it seems that the Nat’s are just as PC as Labour when it comes to the people they place on these boards.
Can anybody tell me why on earth this person has been appointed if it is not to make sure that there is plenty of “koha’ handed out.
“Glenice Paine
Glenice Paine is of Te Atiawa and Ngai Tahu descent. She has Resource Management Act experience as Te Atiawa Resource Manager and is an accredited decision maker. She strong understanding of Tikanga Maori, community and conservation values. Ms Paine was a member of the special tribunal considering the application by Fish and Game for an amendment to the Buller Water Conservation Order. She was a member of the Board of Inquiry appointed to the Tauhara II geothermal development proposal and the Te Mihi geothermal power station. She is Chair of the Maori Advisory Committee of the Environmental Protection Authority.”
From what I can see she has no expertise in matters like these other than being the token Maori.
Vote:September 18th, 2011 at 7:22 am
Wellington is built in the worst spot.
it is scenic though. and difficult.
Vote: