A new 30-year regional plan to underpin Waikato's key land transport systems is due out this Friday for public consultation.

The 2015-2045 draft Regional Land Transport Plan was signed this week by the multi-agency Waikato regional transport committee.

Public consultation on WRC's 2015-2045 draft Regional Land Transport Plan opens this Friday. Photo: Elaine Fisher/File

Once submissions are taken into account the plan will be the basis which the Government will hopefully provide the region with about $4 billion in transport funding over 10 years.

WRC committee chairman Hugh Vercoe says an efficient, well-functioning transport system is vital to the Waikato region.

'As an export generating region it is very important that we are able to move our export goods efficiently and effectively to the major ports in our neighbouring regions.”

Under its recommendations the highest regional priority continues to be the completion of the four-lane Waikato Expressway, with a target finish date of 2019.

Improving road safety also continues to be a major focus for the committee, says Hugh.

'While our regional road toll continues to improve due to a highly successful collaborative effort across the region, it is still higher than it should be.

'We have set ourselves challenging road safety targets in our regional road safety strategy and the activities in this plan will assist in addressing these issues.”

Access and mobility, plus managing travel demand continues to be key priorities for the committee.

Public transport in Hamilton and surrounding satellite towns also form the heart of the regional public transport system.

Hugh says the 2015-2025 draft Regional Public Transport Plan signals a new era in public transport.

'As the outcomes of a strategic network review begin to be implemented, along with a public transport operating model.”

The role of rail is also recognised as a major mode of transport which is carrying an ever increasing share of inter-regional freight.

The draft plan identifies and supports major rail projects such as track strengthening and the Kaimai tunnel floor remediation.

Hugh notes that with 16 per cent of the national state highway network and a large percentage of the national freight tonne kilometres moving through the Waikato the region plays a major part in keeping the economy of New Zealand moving.

He says the committee has worked hard with transport partners on the plan so it provides a firm foundation to drive transport development and investment over the next 10 years and beyond.

The draft plan largely follows a 'steady as she goes”' approach, he says.

Hearings following the consultation process are due next February and the committee is due to recommend a final plan for adoption to the regional council by April.

The final plan is due to be operative in May next year.

Public consultation opens from this Friday, November 7, until till 5pm on Monday, December 15.

To read the plan and make an online submission visit www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/RLTP

Submissions can also be posted to Transport Policy Team, Waikato Regional Council, private bag 3038, Waikato Mail Centre, Hamilton 3240.