Tāhunanui community launches petition against proposed clearways

A Tāhunanui public meeting and a petition launch is planned for Tuesday evening in response to Waka Kotahi's plan to install clearways through Tāhunanui Dr.

Waka Kotahi, formerly known as NZTA, recommended in May under the Future Access Plan that priority lanes be installed along Waimea Rd and Tāhunanui Dr to alleviate the city's long-term transport woes.

Waka Kotahi has hosted three public meetings in relation to the changes in the city centre, but Tāhunanui resident Jacinda Stevenson wants to ensure the community feels heard.

“We’ve been very disappointed in the consultation and engagement process from both from council and NZTA. We’ve been fighting this battle for over 20 years and it’s concerning that there’s been no clear direction,” she says.

Tuesday nights Tāhunanui Community meeting is organised by the Tāhunanui Business and Citizens Association to engage with the community on how it feels about the proposed changes.

The community meeting will be held at Tāhunanui School on Tuesday at 6pm.

Jacinda says an invitation has been extended to Waka Kotahi.

Waka Kotahi says they will submit a short statement to the community representatives who sent the invite but say that is yet to be finalised.

Tāhunanui Business Association chair Paul Matheson describes the plan to install priority lanes as “dangerous” and says Tuesday’s meeting and petition reflects a “collective no” from the community.

“We’ve invited all councillors and sitting MP’s. We want to know what they are going to do to support us to make sure these clearways never come to fruition. It feels like Tāhunanui is too often forgotten,” he says.

Waka Kotahi’s Director of Regional Relationships Emma Speight disputes claims they haven’t suitably engaged with the community.

“We have used a range of approaches to inform community members about the Nelson Future Access project and our current consultation process including advertising, reaching out to the community via schools, the council and community groups, the leaflet drop we conducted to residences and businesses in and around all the proposed short-term interventions (0 to 3 years), and the high-profile articles written by journalists,

“These activities have ensured excellent exposure of the Nelson Future Access project and our request for feedback,” she says.

Nelson MP Rachel Boyack says she has been engaging with Waka Kotahi and suggested the consultation period should be extended beyond June 13.

"I don't think it's been long enough. I want to see a meeting held in the community. I would encourage them to listen to the feedback of businesses," says Rachel.

Feedback on the future of Tāhunanui Dr as part of the Nelson Future Access Plan closes on June 13 and can be submitted online here https://www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/nelson-future-access-project/.