New SH30 Speed Limits Approved

20 May 2023

While they have not been publicly announced, the new speed limits for SH30 between Whakatane and Tikitere were officially approved and signed off by the Director of Land Transport, Kane Patena, on the 27th March 2023.

The East Rotoiti community will be pleased to see that their request for a speed of 60kph from Moose Lodge to Hongi’s Track has been acknowledged and approved. Thank you all for your supporting submissions!

Particularly pleasing was the support received for the reduction of the speed between Ruato Bay and Gisborne Point down from the recommended retention of 80kph to 60 kph. In their report Waka Kotahi makes specific reference to favourable submissions for the 60kph speed limit from:

* Treaty Partners: Ngāti Pikiao Koeke, (70 people attended their hui), Ngāti Pikiao and Te Whaekura o Ngāti Rongomai

* Key Stake Holders: the Ministry of Education, Whakatane District Council, the Automobile Association and ourselves.

Full detail is available on the following official documents available via the Waka Kotahi Links below:

* The Speed Review Report/Recommendations - includes the recommended speeds, a summary of submissions and the logic behind the recommendations - 10 March 2023

* The request for the Director of Land Transport’s approval - 10 March 2023

* The Director of Land Transport’s approval - 27 March 2023

THE BIG QUESTION NOW IS WHEN WILL IT BE IMPLEMENTED? WAKA KOTAHI INITIALLY ADVISED THAT IT WAS UNLIKELY THAT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO IMPLEMENT IT THIS YEAR!

LRCA & NGĀTI PIKIAO ARE STRONGLY REQUESTING PRIORITISED IMPLEMENTATION GIVEN THAT ALL AGREE THAT LIVES ARE AT STAKE AND THAT THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THE SIGNAGE IMPLEMENTATION SINCE OCTOBER 2022!

WAKA KOTAHI ADVISE WE ARE GOING AS FAST AS WE CAN AND THAT THEY LOOK FORWARD TO PROVIDING BETTER NEWS SOON.