Taieri Labour MP Ingrid Leary this week invited Transport and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop to lay eyes on Mosgiel’s traffic issues himself, saying the community deserved better than being told it was not a priority.
Ms Leary issued the invitation after the Otago Daily Times reported Dunedin city councillors were told infrastructure funding to address Mosgiel’s heavy traffic movements and congestion was not a priority for NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) under its minister-issued government policy statement.
Mr Bishop had previously said no plans for the area had been ruled in or out and assessment work was ongoing.
He did not respond directly when asked about the invitation.
Ms Leary said she was frustrated by the suggestion Mosgiel was not a priority for the agency.
‘‘Mosgiel is one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing communities and sits at the centre of significant economic development opportunities for Otago, including the proposed inland port,’’ she said.
‘‘NZTA’s role is to look ahead and ensure transport infrastructure supports growth before communities reach crisis point.’’
It appeared the agency was following the ‘‘political direction of the day, which is huge expensive roads of national significance in the North Island’’.
Ms Leary said she would continue to advance the town’s case with Labour’s transport spokesman — ‘‘that Mosgiel’s traffic woes appear to be downplayed and need more attention; that the proposed port consenting process should involve due consideration of traffic issues’’.
He was planning a meeting between local stakeholders.
‘‘There are solutions and they need to be progressed.
‘‘We should not accept our national roading budget to be completely consumed by North Island roading mega projects,’’ Mr Patterson said.
In his view, Mosgiel freight and commuter traffic was being significantly underestimated.
‘‘This work absolutely needs done and we do need to make it a priority for NZTA.’’
Mr Bishop said the agency’s focus was improving traffic flow, accessibility and safety for all road users in Mosgiel.
Work was under way to assess improvements to key intersections, but no decisions had been made, he said.
‘‘Any future investment would need to stack up through a proper business case process and be prioritised through regional and national land transport plans.’’
He encouraged Ms Leary to engage with the process ‘‘like everyone else does’’.
Mr Bishop repeated earlier comments to the ODT on the impact of the proposed inland port, saying he was advised truck movements on Gordon Rd (State Highway87) could increase from about 3.4% to 4.4% — ‘‘common for a road of this type’’.
Affected parties would have the opportunity to provide feedback through the fast-track process in due course, he said.
At a financial and infrastructure strategies workshop on Monday, Cr Andrew Simms asked if it was possible the city council fully fund transport infrastructure shortfall in ‘‘the powerhouse of Dunedin’’.
Council transport group manager Jeanine Benson said it would be a decision for councillors, but ‘‘there's no rule book that says that we have to go after NZTA co-funding’’.
