Independent Survey Shows Overwhelming Support for Penlink.

The Hibiscus Coast community has stated “loud and clear” that they want Penlink, and they want it now.

An independent survey of 500 households in an area most affected by the proposed road corridor and bridge from State Highway 1 to Stanmore Bay has shown 88% overall support for the project, very close to the 85% support from a similar survey of 100 local businesses

Hibiscus Coast councillor Bill smith has welcomed the survey results, noting they are highly encouraging but not entirely unexpected.

“It’s been clear for years that Penlink has massive public support. This survey is just reinforcement of that. I just wish those few who still oppose the project would get with it and get behind those of us in council, and the community at large, who want this project built, and the sooner the better.”

Mayor John Law echoed Mr Smith’s sentiments. “Council can now press on with its efforts to gain funding for Penlink from central Government with the confidence that the community is truly behind us.”

The survey results are the finding of almost 600 face-to-face interviews conducted recently by an independent research company, commissioned by the Rodney District Council.

The council’s manager for special projects, Ray Ginnever, says the surveys were conducted as a requirement under the Land Transport Management Act to support the Order in Council application the council is making to central government in an effort to get funding support for the project. Mr Ginnever says community support for the project will play in important role in the application and in the Government’s ultimate decision.

Mr Ginnever says he cannot recall in five years on council ever having such a high level of community support for a transport project. Final results for the survey were released on December 8.

ENDS

© Scoop Media