Consultation for proposed speed limit changes begins
Public consultation has begun on proposed speed limit changes in Central Otago following the approval of a Speed Management Plan presented to the Central Otago District Council today (29 November 2023).
Central Otago District Council developed an Interim Speed Management Plan in 2022. Feedback on the interim plan reflected a majority of submitters, 80%, supported or partially supported slower speeds where they improved safety outcomes. Through the consultation and hearing process, 10 changes were recommended for further consultation.
These locations have been incorporated into the 2023 Speed Management Plan. This plan will also set School Speed Zones. The proposed 2023-2027 Speed Management Plan is aligned with Regional Speed Management Planning and neighbouring Road Controlling Authorities, including Waka Kotahi, and will be updated following consultation for adoption by Council.
Consultation will be open from today 29 November 2023 to 11 February 2024. A hearing will be scheduled if required, between 26 February and 4 March. The final proposal will be presented to the 20 March 2024 Council meeting. The Council is required to lodge the completed plan by 29 March 2024.
The roads being consulted on, on which the public can give can feedback, can be found on the Council’s Let’s Talk consultation platform: https://lets-talk.codc.govt.nz/school-zone-community-speed-limits-2023.
The school speed zones to be consulted on affect Council roads; where schools are located on state highways, speed management is controlled by Waka Kotahi.
The Council proposes:
Permanent 30km/h school zones implemented at two schools: Goldfields School, Cromwell (already implemented) and Clyde School, Clyde.
Variable Speed Limits with extents supporting proposed school speed zones (for 35-50 minutes at drop off times and 20-35 minutes at pick up time) at most schools. The exact timing within these windows will be individually set.
Establishing an enforceable Variable Speed Limit of 60km/h during school drop-off and pick-up times on the rural connector at Poolburn School.
There are no local road changes at Tarras School as Waka Kotahi is the Road Controlling Authority.
The following roads would have a permanent school zone introduced:
Township | School | Impacted roads |
Clyde | Clyde School | Pyke St |
Whitby St | ||
Blyth St |
The following roads would have a variable speed limit school zone introduced at 30km/h:
Township | School | Impacted roads |
Alexandra | Dunstan High School | Enterprise Street |
The Terrace School | Marslin St | |
Black St | ||
Russell St | ||
Alexandra Primary School | Dunorling Street | |
Jackson Place | ||
Bringans Street | ||
Ventry Street | ||
St Gerard’s School | Station St | |
Killarney St | ||
Short St | ||
Brandon St | ||
Shannon St | ||
Finlay St | ||
Cromwell | Cromwell College | Barry Ave |
Clare Pl | ||
Carlow Pl | ||
Mayo Pl | ||
Molyneux Ave | ||
Cromwell Primary School | Molyneux Ave | |
Monaghan St | ||
Austin Pl | ||
Horace St | ||
Ray St | ||
Roxburgh | Roxburgh Area School | Cheviot St |
Abbotsford St | ||
Melrose St | ||
Millers Flat | Millers Flat School | Teviot Rd |
School Rd | ||
Omakau | Omakau School | Deaker St |
Racecourse Rd | ||
Harvey St | ||
N.B. 50km/h area proposed to extend 200m north of proposed 30km/h area | ||
Ranfurly | St John’s School | Stuart Rd – in part |
Ranfurly Patearoa Rd | ||
Alexander St | ||
Stafford St | ||
Maniototo Area School | Caulfield St | |
Davis Ave |
The following roads would have a variable speed limit school zone introduced at 60km/h:
Township | School | Impacted roads |
Poolburn | Poolburn School | Ida Valley-Omakau Rd NB. 800m either side of proposed 60km/h to reduce to 80km/h |
McAdie Rd | ||
Moa Creek Rd |
For more information and to give feedback go to: https://lets-talk.codc.govt.nz/school-zone-community-speed-limits-2023
A full report from today’s council meeting can be found on Agendas and minutes: https://centralotago.infocouncil.biz/
See link to media release in August regarding the previous consultation, which took place earlier this year with a number of speed limit adjustments approved by Council and implemented in August:
Speed limit changes coming by end of August - Central Otago District Council (codc.govt.nz)
