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Transport infrastructure consultation: giving the Waikato a voice

A timelapse photograph of the Waikato Expressway at night
Categories: Construction, Freight and Logistics

Te Waka is set to submit on the Draft 2024 Transport Government Policy Statement (GPS) which sets out the Government’s transport priorities and guides investment in our transport infrastructure.

Making our region’s voice heard

It’s important that we as a region have a collective voice, and one that can be heard by the people who can facilitate the sustainable growth we’re aspiring to. Submitting on consultations like this one is one way that Te Waka represents the Waikato’s interests to decision makers.

Te Waka’s submission

Transport infrastructure is a critical enabler of economic growth in our region. At the heart of the golden triangle, we’re ideally located to provide access to big cities and ports for the rest of New Zealand.

In alignment with our delivery against the Waikato & Bay of Plenty Freight Action plan, our submission on the Draft GPS is focused on:

  • The need for strategic investment in an interconnected, multi-modal transport network for the golden triangle, based on long-term scenario planning that factors in the strong population and industry growth that is expected in our region.
  • The opportunity for the government to apply the same level of priority to the Hamilton-Waikato Metro Transport Programme as it places on the metro transport plans for Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
  • The need for the government to move faster to identify and implement new funding tools for transport infrastructure, including value capture and user-pay models that are attractive to potential investors.

There’s still time to submit

The economic and social benefits from investment in infrastructure such as the Waikato Expressway are clear, but we know from our close engagement with industry that there are key transport infrastructure gaps remaining in the region that need to be addressed.

If you would like to make your own submission on the draft GPS, you have until Friday 15 September to share your feedback.

You can find more information here: https://www.transport.govt.nz/area-of-interest/strategy-and-direction/government-policy-statement-on-land-transport-2024/

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