Concerns about the future of the Welcome Bay underpass originate locally, says Tauranga City Councillor Murray Guy.
Proposed plan as explained to Ohauiti Road resident Philip Rumbal. Image: Google Earth.
When Ohauiti residents complained last month that the NZ Transport Agency was planning to sidestep the tunnel by creating a traffic eddy around the Palmers garden centre site, concerns were expressed that government politicians were breaking election promises.
'I've got absolutely no doubt whatsoever that there is within Tauranga City Council and NZTA, factions with an agenda which doesn't match that of the community, or in this case, the government – no question,” says Murray.
He raised the issue when commenting on a SunLive video interview with Tauranga MP Simon Bridges.
'I made a comment that Simon has confirmed that the government intends to stick to its promise with regards to the central corridor.
'The main reason I put it there appears to be confusion in the minds of some in that they are separating out components of that central corridor.
'The promise was the central corridor, and the problem our community has is the central corridor.
'It's not the tunnel on its own; it's not the recent upgrade on Fraser Street alone, but it includes the four-laning of the Hairini bridge for example. The package was the central corridor and the budget is $100 million.
'That's what was promised and that's what our local MP has assured us that there is no deviation from that.
'NZTA has historically had a mindset of its own. It's just the tail wagging the dog. It's not that unusual in Crown agencies.”
He says people were referring to the tunnel and forgetting the equally critical four-laning of the Hairini Bridge and the completion of the four-laning through to Cameron Road, which may lead one day to a linking with the Route K corridor.
12 comments
Cost of Replacing Foundation for Roads Around Tunnel.
Posted on 10-08-2011 10:54 | By tabatha
From the days when the Welcome Bay ramps were built some where in the back of my mind I heard that the metal used for the Road foundations etc was not up to the engineering standards. It was a cheaper material and therefore not as good. Question is this what the problem is and it is being kept behind closed doors? Someone needs to dig out the specifications as set and then what was actually placed. Just a possible reason for the hedging.
more straight answers please Cr Guy
Posted on 10-08-2011 11:56 | By Inconvenient Truth
MP Simon Bridges has said the improvements and tunnel will occur as promised. He shouldn't even need to say that but good on him for clarifying the situation again. This is a new era of expecting promises to be honoured. If there is still doubt, could Cr Guy please tell exactly us who within NZTA or TCC has an agenda that doesn't match the tunnel mindset? Precise answer and names please so that we can nip it in the bud.
No names known ...
Posted on 10-08-2011 14:44 | By Murray.Guy
I have absolutely no knowledge of the identity of the individuals I believe to be actively discouraging the Central Corridor 'long overdue' upgrades. Briefly, we know that 20 years back common-sense and openness prevailed and the critical aspects of the corridor was recognised and provided for (tunnel prep, etc). We know that community consultation took place, directly affected residents were advised that construction was immanent - then it went dead! To this day rumours abound in regard the rational for it's demise, most making about as much sense as the timing of the construction of Route K and the information provided to validate the same. I have, to this day, never been party to or observed what I consider to be a genuine mindset on the part of the local authority or the transport agency to meaningfully and cooperatively secure the long overdue outcomes this community expects and demands, as promised by the National Government. In the meantime I am supposed to applaud the spending of 45 million on road (Pyes Pa Bypass) that services no cars. The NZTA take over main arterial roads (EG: Route P) fit for purpose at the time of the change of ownership as paid for by our local ratepayers. When the NZTA transfer the central corridor over to Tauranga City Council I expect them to do likewise, fit for purpose, apply integrity to the process!The failure of the NZTA to carry out timely central corridor improvements must not be at the cost of the ratepayer. What's good for the goose is good for the gander.
No Names Known
Posted on 10-08-2011 16:20 | By gadstuff
That answer looks like more Murray Guy vague waffle. For someone who is supposed to represent the Pyes Pa area on council, he has a very negative attitude about the very beneficial aspects of Route K and the Pyes Pa bypass which incidentaly only cost $9m.
Not a specific answer from Cr Guy
Posted on 10-08-2011 17:10 | By Inconvenient Truth
You say you have absolutely no doubt whatsoever in the article then in answer to the question of who's against it you say you have no knowledge of the individuals. Well, just who is against it then and how do you know? Who at the local authority or NZTA gives you cause to make your conclusions? Someone has to have said something, unless its just your mindset?
Gadstuff, Incidentally, actually ...
Posted on 10-08-2011 17:33 | By Murray.Guy
Incidentally, actually the Pyes Pa Bypass cost was $49.1 million. Tauranga residents contributed $9 million through TCC and $32.1 million through various taxes and NZTA. The Grasshopper share (The Lakes) was $8.0 million (Grasshopper constructed first stage from SH 29 to the first roundabout and the bridge north of Pyes Pa ). I was elected 'At Large' and seek to ensure best outcomes for our City, not just a select few. I am, a daily user of Route K and appreciate very much the benefits of Route K. However, it cannot be denied that the construction timing was based on incorrect vehicle usage (still less than half that predicted) and tolling income. The result is an awesome road for the 4500 daily users, and $50 plus million of unsustainable debt for the majority who don't. In the meantime, we have 30,000 daily users of the central corridor who are being ignored. Negative attitude, is it really that much a surprise?
Take the brown paper bag off your head
Posted on 10-08-2011 18:03 | By KAMIKAZE
Inconvenient Truth * You seem to know plenty about what goes on in TAURANGA CITY HALL and I think we can all guess who in TCC don't want the Welcome Bay tunnel to go through. There are plenty of tossers in NZTA you could point the finger at too. As has been suggested several times previously why don't you identify yourself so we can all pour over your credentials or lack of and laugh out loud.Come on don't be a chicken livered twit lets toss you around for a bit.
Cr GUY
Posted on 10-08-2011 21:03 | By YOGI
The K Road debt is over $70 million (after adding Pyes Pa bypass at $13m) now, the last time it was $50 million was about 2004, please check the date on your paperwork and update it a little.
shopping malls in Welcome Bay
Posted on 10-08-2011 21:17 | By the_fourth_estate
Its one thing to build a tunnel its another thing to bring the services to a suburb that badly needs them. The concept of a tunnel for the suburb harks back to when Welcome Bay was first opened up - truth is its a lot bigger and spread out now so it needs its own mall and shopping precinct to be built up the back of Welcome Bay and then the residents won't need to be on other roads as much, also why cant there be another road pushed through toward Oropi Road so there is another way out of that Welcome Bay area? Tauranga needs to shake itself from slumber and realise there are more solutions to this situation than a tunnel thats thirty years too late and thirty years out of date.
Good thinking
Posted on 11-08-2011 08:47 | By Hebegeebies
the fourth estate **** You make some very good points somewhat along the lines I have been promoting over the last 3 years or so.While I doubt that a mall is economic there is no reason in my view why a supermarket etc. of the size and style of either Gate Pa New World or Mount New World shouldn't work which would assist in containing people in the WB area.For starters with the existing Welcome Bay shops that should suffice for 5-10years.Someone say the WB Community Committee or Supermarket people need to start talking to TCC/COUNCIL to see if this could be achieved within next couple of years.Critical part is suitably zoned land.
incidently actually ....
Posted on 11-08-2011 09:42 | By gadstuff
Are the 30,000 central corridor dailey users really being ignored with the NZTA & government committed to spend $100m on the upgrade? The tunnel option for better access to welcome bay could easily be incorporated in the reconstruction of the Hairini interchange. In fact there may not be any necessity for a Welcome Bay tunnel at all, if innovative traffic mangement design is employed
I'm not a Kamikaze
Posted on 11-08-2011 12:01 | By Inconvenient Truth
In reply to Kamikaze who wants me to identify myself, that seems a bit hypocritical from someone who also uses a pen name. Instead of focussing on the person Kamikaze should focus on the argument. I simply want to know the evidence for Councillor Guy's claims, or anyone's claims. If there is an agenda against the tunnel I want to know who is behind that agenda? Fair enough? Kamikaze, you say "we can all guess." Guessing isn't good enough for me, I want facts. Please provide them, and not just speculation and insinuation, which are not the qualities of openness and transparency in my opinion. Previously I've asked Cr Guy why ratepayers buying out the Speedway was ok, but giving a loan to the Jazz Festival wasn't. I've also asked the cost of both deals so I can make a comparison. So far, the cost of buying out the Speedway hasn't been made public. Where's the openness and transparency there? Maybe it's the secrecy mindset.
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