Otago Southland Regional Land Transport Plans 2021-2031

The Otago and Southland Regional Transport Committees (RTCs) have prepared the Draft mid-term review of the combined Otago Southland Regional Land Transport Plans 2021-31 (also referred to as the combined RLTP).

Prepared under the Land Transport Management Act 2003 and guided by the Ministry of Transport’s Outcomes Framework and the Government Policy Statement on land transport, the combined RLTP sets out the common strategic direction to guide transport activities within the regions. It outlines the 30-year vision, strategic objectives and 10-year transport investment priorities.

An RLTP must be developed every six years and reviewed every three years, and the combined RLTP has undergone its mid-term review and has been updated to reflect the changes that have occurred in the transport planning environment. As part of the mid-term review, the 10-year transport investment priorities have also been revised to reflect the transport system’s needs. These priorities are:

• optimise an efficient and accessible transport network through enhanced mode choice provision across the regions.
• promote safety and wellbeing outcomes across the regional transport network.
• enhance network maintenance and resilience to ensure community access and connectivity.

The road controlling authorities within both regions have also revised their programme of activities for the years 2024-2027 to be considered for funding from the National Land Transport Fund. The general focus for road controlling authorities is maintenance, operations and renewals, and in the urban areas of Dunedin and Queenstown there is an emphasis on public transport and walking and cycling. There are also several improvement and resilience projects across both regions, as well as significant investments proposed by Waka Kotahi (NZTA) for the state highways.

Public Consultation

The Otago Regional Council (ORC) and Environment Southland (ES) are seeking feedback on the combined RLTP.

We would appreciate hearing your perspectives on:

• the strategic direction being proposed.
• the proposals put forward by local government and NZTA for 2024-27.
• the prioritisation and scheduling of these projects.
• any other projects that need to be addressed.

The combined RLTP is available for inspection at the following locations:

• Otago Regional Council’s website at www.orc.govt.nz
• Environment Southland’s website at www.es.govt.nz
• Otago Regional Council’s office located on Level 2, 144 Rattray Street, Dunedin
• Environment Southland’s office on the corner of North Road and Price Street, Waikiwi, Invercargill
• Public libraries in Southland and Otago

Your submission should state your name, contact details, and whether you wish to be heard in support of your submission. Submissions will be made available for public inspection. Submissions made in reference to one region will be taken to be made just for that region, while submissions made in relation to both Otago and Southland will be taken to be made for both.

Find out more and make a submission by visiting either ORC at www.orc.govt.nz or ES at www.es.govt.nz. You may make your submission online. If you prefer, you can send your submission by email to ORC at rltp.submissions@orc.govt.nz or to ES at consultation@es.govt.nz. Alternatively, submissions can be posted to RLTP Consultation, Otago Regional Council, Private Bag 1954, Dunedin 9054, or to Environment Southland, Private Bag 90116, Invercargill 9840.

If you require further information, please contact either Varghese Thomas (ORC) on 0800 474 082 or by email to varghese.thomas@orc.govt.nz or Russell Hawkes (ES) on 0800 76 88 45 or by email to russell.hawkes@es.govt.nz.

The submission period starts from 12 February 2024 and closes 5.00 pm 15 March 2024.

Following the consultation and submission period, arrangements will be made for hearings to be held. Following the hearings, submissions will be acknowledged, and the final decision will be communicated. The RTCs will make amendments as required and the combined RLTP will be finalised. The finalised document will then be submitted to the individual regional councils for approval for submission to NZTA. This will enable the activities to be considered for inclusion into the National Land Transport Programme.

W Falconer

Chief Executive