Update on draft Government Policy Statement (GPS)
16 April 2018
On 3 April 2018 the government released the draft Government Policy Statement on land transport (GPS), which sets out the government’s strategic direction as well as how the land transport system will be funded during the next ten years.
The Government Policy Statement on land transport guides the transport investment decisions made by the New Zealand Transport Agency and will strongly influence which parts of the existing work programme are progressed and when.
The draft GPS lays out four new priorities and six objectives, which include safety, improved transport access to economic and social opportunities as well as providing more resilience and choice, better environmental outcomes and infrastructure which delivers the best value for money.
The draft GPS is now open to public engagement for a four-week period until 2 May and the final GPS needs to be adopted by the Government by 30 June.
The Transport Agency is developing a new draft state highway investment proposal that is based on the guidance of the draft GPS which is expected to be released in late April. This will outline the proposed investment in state highway improvements during the next three years in line with available funding in the draft GPS.
While the draft GPS provides guidance for transport investment decisions we’ll be making through the National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) the Transport Agency cannot comment on future plans for specific transport projects, including Whangarei to Te Hana, until we have greater certainty about what the final Government Policy Statement will guide us to invest in and which projects we will deliver to meet the new Government priorities.
We acknowledge the frustration that this may result in for communities and people who may be affected by this project.
The Transport Agency, on behalf of the NZ Government, remains committed to working closely with local government, communities and key stakeholders to deliver solutions that meet transport needs now and for the future.
As soon as further information becomes available we will provide a project update on the Transport Agency website and via email to customers who have signed up to stay in touch.
Kind regards,
Whangarei to Te Hana Project Team
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