Southern Links October 2011

Project update Issue 02 Southern Links October 2011 Preferred Network Open Days Since the community information days in April this year, On 1 December, at the Tamahere venue, the Southern Links project team has been busy analysing there will also be information available feedback from the more than 600 people who attended. on the Tamahere section of the Waikato Further technical studies have also been undertaken. Expressway project, south of the SH1 interchange. A multi-criteria analysis process is now Southern Links Information Days On 27 October at the Tamahere being used to evaluate options and Tuesday, 29 November, 2 - 7pm Community Hall, a separate open day is refine the project focus. Along with Glenview Club, 211 Peacockes Road, being held jointly by the NZ Transport the concerns of property owners and Hamilton Agency and Waikato District Council for local residents, the project team is also the Hamilton Southern Interchange (part Thursday 1 December, 2 - 7pm working with other stakeholders and of the Hamilton section of the Waikato Tamahere Community Centre, Devine tangata whenua to understand their Expressway), and the council’s Tamahere Road, Tamahere views. Structure Plan. Saturday 3 December, 10am - 2pm, Our next information days for Southern Southern Links information will focus Rukuhia Community Hall, Rukuhia Links are planned in the Glenview, on the selection of a preferred network Road, Rukuhia Rukuhia and Tamahere areas for late corridor while the Waikato Expressway November and early December. Their not conflict with information days for project, which is further advanced, will timing has been been put back so as to other related projects. consider design detail. Project staff and local residents discussing the project at the April information days. The long term aim The Project to date There is no deadline for public feedback and we encourage road users, residents, of the Southern Links project is to develop In April this year, three indicative stakeholders and communities to an effective network of well connected networks, which arose from more than six continue communicating with us as the state highway and urban arterial routes months of project scoping were presented project moves through the rest of the linking: at a series of public information days. investigation phase. • SH1 from Kahikatea Drive in Hamilton People who attended indicated a strong It will be important for the project team to to the Waikato Expressway at desire for certainty and the prompt continue to receive and take into account Tamahere in the southeast and lodgement of land requirements. The feedback as the network route is further • SH3 from Hamilton International upcoming information days will aim refined. The upcoming open days are Airport to central and east Hamilton. to respond to that need with the not the last chance for people to have identification of a preferred network The purpose of this joint investigation by their say as further information days will option, an explanation of the reasoning the NZTA and Hamilton City Council is to be held prior to the lodgement of the behind its selection and give those identify and designate a route to connect Notices of Requirement that is planned familiar with the area an opportunity to these points. for mid-2012. After the lodgement of the give the project team more site specific Notices of Requirement there will also be The reason that Southern Links is a joint feedback. a statutory submission period. project is that both HCC and NZTA are responsible for the investigation and If you missed development of the overall Southern Links the April information days, and want some background, all the information network. including posters and maps can be found on the project website www.nzta.govt. Hamilton City Council will be responsible nz/southern-links. for developing the network in the Some of the feedback and concerns received since April include: Peacocke area of the city related to • a desire for effective local road connections to remain available and for the Hamilton’s growth. The NZTA will be Narrows Bridge to be retained as a pedestrian/cyclist route. responsible for developing the parts of • potential effects of the Southern Links network on farming operations and other the network that are state highways, rural activities including any changes to the local road network required to maintain property • the effect of the eventual designation on land use of properties that may be access and connectivity. subject to the designation, and the implications of the designation on property values and re-sale potential Waikato and Waipa District Councils • the potential social effects of the Southern Links network, particularly in the are not responsible for the investigation Tamahere area or construction of the Southern Links • concerns about the effects of the network on a range of environmental matters, network. Through their role as partners in including habitats of native bats and fish and on the natural character of the the Future Proof Strategy, both Waikato Waikato River and Waipa District Councils (along with • the potential for increases in noise in the areas that the network could affect, and tangata whenua) are key stakeholders in how the noise could be mitigated the project, and are being consulted with, but are not funding the Southern Links • impacts on known archaeological sites and culturally sensitive areas investigation. • support for the general intent of the Southern Links project However, both Waikato and Waipa For more information District Councils will consider the Notices For further information online visit of Requirement once they are lodged in www.nzta.govt.nz/southern-links 2012. Our contact details Contact email: [email protected] Phone: 0508 STHNLINK (0508 7846 5465) Southern Links Consultation Leader: Grant Eccles.

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