Council to NZTA: ‘We want the link’

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In its strongest, clearest voice yet, Nelson City Council is expected to tell the government that building the Southern Link to ease pressure on the region’s roading network is its top priority.

Successive councils have been noncommittal about the proposed road, which would see the state highway diverted from Rocks Rd and Tahunanui to a new road through the suburb of Victory.

The official line of the last council was that it understood the investigation of New Zealand Transport Agency into the road, but neither supported nor opposed it. That was mainly because councillors were split on the issue so the council found itself in a middle ground.

But that has changed after a sweep of new councillors, who are supportive of the road, were elected in October.

If Mayor Rachel Reese gets the numbers at a full council meeting this Thursday, she will write to NZTA and tell them the region is supportive of their investigation – which is only part of the way complete – and that it sees the project as the number one priority for the region.

The vote on the mayor’s proposal, that is included on the agenda for this Thursday’s final council meeting of 2016, is likely to cause some division.

Councillors Matt Lawrey, Luke Acland, Brian McGurk and Kate Fulton have all gone on the record to say they are against the road, while the other eight councillors could be expected to support it – enough to show council support.

Reese says if the council votes for her proposal it will mark a “big shift” from the previous council.

“The Southern Arterial Route study is a priority for this region. That’s a different message than the last council. I think it’s a positive shift and it’s responding to the people of Nelson who have told us that they see it as a priority and we have a responsibilty to step up and make it a priority.”

Meanwhile, the announcement of the latest stage of NZTA’s investigation has been delayed due to the issues with State Highway 1 after last month’s earthquake.