Infrastructure improvements on the way

Tauranga’s infrastructure is about to get a big shake-up.

A forum designed to aid a “signi cant” infrastructure de cit in the Bay of Plenty is being launched, and comes with a 10-point action plan to help get the region on track.

e Western Bay of Plenty Infrastructure Forum has involvement from multiple business leaders, local government, and community representatives, who will identify and prioritise infrastructure projects and advocate for investment.

Future roading

Attending the forum’s launch last month, Finance Minister Grant Robertson says he “whole heartedly” endorses the formation of the group.

“I can’t emphasise enough how signi cant it is you brought this forum together.

“[ e region] is now clearly at a scale and size now where a plan like this is absolutely essential.” e Finance Minister acknowledges the “signi cant concerns” in the local infrastructure sector, and highlights the government’s fasttrack consenting process is here to stay post Covid-19.

He also calls the integration of public transport “essential” to making future roading network plans work.

“ ere’s a lot of land you can develop, but the development now needs to be based around the carbon footprint of those cities. Everything you do has to include that as part of your resilience.”

Robertson also acknowledges the key role Tauranga’s port plays in the nation’s infrastructure and supply chain, and is keen on working in conjunction with the port to build an “integrated nationwide supply chain strategy” in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle.

“Coastal shipping has got to be a bigger part of our resilience strategy.” e forum says they will play a “vital role” in shaping the future of Tauranga and the wider region, and have released a ten-point action plan detailing their infrastructure vision. e new forum’s chair and Priority One chief executive Nigel Tutt says the Government needs to “look towards” investing in critical infrastructure to ensure the region continues to grow and thrive – and support the wider economic needs of New Zealand.

It includes a Port of Tauranga berth expansion, four-lane roading from Hamilton to Tauranga, an increase in homes in Tauriko and eastern suburbs and a 74 to 94 per cent increase in rail tra c. e plan also recognises Hewletts Rd, Hull Rd and Totara St as places with congestion, access, and road safety issues.

“ e city has seen a 72 per cent population increase since the turn of the century, yet only the Tauranga Eastern Link has been completed during that time,” says Tutt.

Vital links

Port of Tauranga chief executive Leonard Sampson echoes this same sentiment.

“ e port is a vital link for Aotearoa’s imports and exports, and without development the country is likely to face future growth constraints. e launch of the Forum is a signi cant step forward to address the infrastructure de cit that Tauranga and the wider region face; we need to act, and we need to act now,” says Sampson.

Tranzliquid Logistics Ltd managing director Greg Pert says long-term funding agreements around roading need to be put in place urgently if the freight and logistics industry is to plan e ectively and meet future demands.

A ordability

“We’re experiencing signi cant delays in moving freight between Tauranga and the rest of the country due to poor roading infrastructure,” says Pert.

“ e pressures in the future will only get bigger, as the economy and population continue to grow, and demands on the freight network become stronger – urgent action is needed.”

Scott Adams, chair of the Urban Task Force, says Tauranga is the only city in NZ that has not met its housing supply obligations under the national policy statement.

“Tauranga has the worst housing and rental a ordability of any major city. We need to be investing now and we need the support of central government to create speci c infrastructure strategies for our region,” says Adams.