Council Hopes For Further Say On SH30 Speed Changes

Tuesday, 29 April 2025, 7:48 pm
Article: Diane McCarthy - Local Democracy Reporter

Whakatāne Mayor Victor Luca is disappointed neither of the recommendations Whakatāne District Council made in its submission on changes to State Highway 30 speed limits will be actioned.

The council submitted in February to New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi State Highway speed limit changes, giving their approval of large areas of the state highway between Whakatāne and Tikitere to revert to a 100kmh speed limit as it plans to do before July.

However, it also recommended two areas of highway should remain at the current speed. The council’s submission was to retain the 60kmh limit between the Whakatāne River Bridge and Gateway Drive and to retain the 80kmh speed limit along SH30 from Gateway Drive to the Thornton Road intersection.

However, NZTA released a decision last week that SH30 would return to a 100kmh speed limit, including these stretches of road. The only reduced speed limits in the Eastern Bay of Plenty would be through urban areas such as Awakeri and Te Teko.

“Our council made a thoughtful and genuine submission to NZTA because we see it as an important part of advocating for our community,” Dr Luca said.

“While we always hope that submissions will be carefully considered, we are not confident that feedback from councils and the public is being fully taken into account in decision-making processes, as the new rule does not require public consultation for the auto reversal changes.

“While we respect the challenges NZTA faces in meeting the Government’s new requirements, we are disappointed that our request to retain the lower speed limit on two sections of SH30 has not been able to be properly considered.

"These short sections have general local support for the current limit, minimal travel time savings result from their reversal and there is increasing adjacent land use developments along these short sections.

“Although, I am personally not a speed reduction fanatic, I do feel that there is justification for speed reduction on these sections of road.”

Dr Luca said although the council did not receive direct feedback initially, it had since been advised that there might be an opportunity to have its concerns considered as part of upcoming NZTA consultation planned for May.

“We are currently following up with NZTA to confirm whether this option is available.

“Regardless, we remain committed to continuing to submit on matters of public importance. It is vital that our community’s voice is recorded and that we continue to advocate for outcomes that reflect local needs and priorities.”

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