One of the longer-running battles between residents and the
Dunedin City Council is finally due to be thrashed out: East
Taieri homeowners are set to fight the city's plan to take
some of their land to allow an upgrade of Riccarton Rd.
While the council says the issue is one of safety, some
residents are suspicious it is more about the council wanting
to develop the road into an arterial route.
A hearing in Mosgiel next Tuesday will sit to decide on a
council application for a "notice of requirement", allowing
it to take the land it wants for the project under the Public
Works Act if residents refuse to sell.
While some of the 33 lots of land required are in the form of
smaller strips at the road's edge, some owners would lose
between 1000sq m and 2000sq m, and one would lose 5555sq m.
Riccarton Rd residents spoken to by the Otago Daily Times
have said the majority of those living in the street opposed
the planned upgrade, and would be reluctant to sell parts of
their properties.
The future of Riccarton Rd West is an issue that has dragged
on for up to 15 years.
The planned $5.4 million upgrade of a 4.2km stretch from
Gladstone Rd South to State Highway 87 would include
provision of a shared path for pedestrians, cyclists and
horse riders, widening and realignment, the provision of
safety barriers, and widening of bridges and culverts.
The council cites the need to improve safety on the route as
the driving force for the project.
A safety audit commissioned by the council last year found
the road's narrow width threatened the safety of cyclists and
pedestrians.
Two fatalities had occurred on the road in 16 months.
Some of those writing submissions said the real reason was
the council's intention to turn the road into an arterial
route.
Use of the road as an arterial route, the council's preferred
option, has yet to be resolved.
The notice of requirement, which will be heard by
commissioners Allan Cubitt, John Lumsden and Peter
Constantine, attracted 31 submissions, 23 in opposition,
seven in support and one with limited support.
A report by council planner Jacinda Baker noted the number of
people questioning the council's motivation for the
application.
She said the meeting was to consider the proposal's effects
and its necessity for meeting council objectives, "not the
reasons for it".
Ms Baker listed other submission topics raised she said could
not be considered resource consent matters, including the
cost of the work, the hearing process and the selection of
commissioners, and future road maintenance requirements.
She recommended the hearing confirm the notice of
requirement, with conditions relating to matters including
construction and flood-hazard mitigation.
Riccarton Rd West Safety Society chairman Brian Miller this
week said he already had concerns about the process, and the
council's evidence.
Mr Miller said any decision would have to be "robust enough
for the Environment Court".
- david.loughrey@odt.co.nz
Bookmark/Search this post with:
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.