Will proposed changes lead to better streets?
Will proposed changes lead to better streets?
Tuesday 11 October, 2022
Waka Kotahi- the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) is proposing changes that may make it easier for councils to make roading changes. NZTA has released the Reshaping Streets proposal for consultation. The proposed changes include:
Pilots of Street Layout changes
- Setting out new powers and requirements for trialling pilots of street layout changes
- Allowing councils to use pilots as consultation and collect feedback during the pilot to evaluate whether the changes should be permanent
- A pilot can:
- be installed for up to two years
- include lowering the speed limit if the posted speed limit is under 60km per hour
- involve trialling Traffic Control Devices, such as signs, signals, notices, traffic calming features, and markings.
Filtering and restricting traffic
- Removing the Local Government Act requirement that facilities built on roads not “unduly impede vehicular traffic entering or using the road”
- Allowing councils to install modal filters, such as bollards, planter boxes, trees, street furniture, or concrete blocks
- Giving councils the power to restrict or prohibit some or all vehicles from some roads to support health and safety, public transport use, active travel, emissions reductions, and to create public spaces that promote community well-being
- Give councils the explicit power to install Traffic Control Devices
Other key proposals
- Allowing councils to work with schools and residents to create school or community (play) streets where traffic is restricted
- Removing the Local Government Act road closure limit of 31 days per year to allow for recurring events
- Limiting challenges to the creation or installation of a pedestrial mall to judicial review and removing appeal rights to the Environment Court
- Removing the transport shelter notification requirements and allowing councils to publicly consult on them.
The changes proposed in Reshaping Streets will significantly increase councils’ powers to make roading changes that improve public safety and support public transport, active travel, and community. Consultation closes on Monday 19 September, and we are anticipating a large volume of submissions. We will keep you posted on the progress of the Reshaping Streets proposal.
For any questions relating to this article, please get in touch with one of our experts below.
Talk to one of our experts
Related Articles
Councils challenge to transfer of water services rejected in High Court
Thursday 30 March, 2023
When the rubber hits the road - All aboard Aotearoa's challenge
Tuesday 11 October, 2022
Declarations that an Enactment Inconsistent with Bill of Rights
Tuesday 11 October, 2022
Proposed mandatory consideration of specific Māori representation
Tuesday 11 October, 2022
New Regime for Protected Disclosures (Whistleblower legislation)
Wednesday 29 June, 2022
Operative plans and proposed plans: what to do when there is a significant policy shift?
Wednesday 30 March, 2022
Notices of requirement are relevant for resource consent applications
Wednesday 30 March, 2022
Avoidance policies reign in the wake of King Salmon, but what do they require?
Wednesday 30 March, 2022
Court gives guidance on consultation and decision-making process
Wednesday 30 March, 2022
Cultural evidence and the continued draw of the overall judgment
Tuesday 21 December, 2021
Fluoridation debate lifted from shoulders of local government
Tuesday 21 December, 2021
Will new housing density rules increase contributions for developers?
Thursday 28 October, 2021
Judicial review of Hamilton City Council's development contributions policy
Tuesday 5 October, 2021
Lease of Wanaka Airport set aside due to insufficient consultation
Tuesday 15 June, 2021
What if an abatement notice requires you to breach the Resource Management Act?
Tuesday 15 June, 2021
“No ‘wine-ing’ covenants” declined for a subdivision consent in Gibbston Valley
Tuesday 15 June, 2021
From car parking fine to judicial review of a council’s code of conduct
Tuesday 15 June, 2021
Councils remain liable for compliance of contractors with the RMA
Thursday 18 March, 2021
Randerson Report released: New Direction for Resource Management
Wednesday 5 August, 2020
Could companies be liable to the public for the harm caused by their emissions?
Tuesday 10 March, 2020
Avoiding double penalties when sentencing a company and director
Thursday 23 April, 2020
Can an easement be granted over an esplanade reserve for a commercial activity?
Thursday 12 December, 2019
Draft National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2019 for consultation
Thursday 3 October, 2019
Local authority requiring monetary contributions on designations
Thursday 20 June, 2019
Bella Vista: MBIE Report highlights failure to perform statutory functions
Tuesday 9 April, 2019
Recent decision on "affected persons" highlights the importance of context
Wednesday 28 November, 2018
High Court finds Council liable in negligence for damage from fallen tree
Thursday 27 September, 2018
Court upholds sensible approach to local authority works on private property
Tuesday 24 July, 2018
Must Councils accept an assertion that a person is ‘suitably qualified'?
Friday 9 March, 2018
