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239 days ago

Raft of speed changes proposed for West Coast roads

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:

Almost every urban area on the West Coast is included in a raft of speed reduction proposals - some to as low as 30kph.

Under a newly released draft regional speed management plan for the region entire villages like Blackball and Moana will have their current 50kph limit reduced to 30kph.

The Greymouth CBD is already down to 30kph.

But more of its suburban streets will drop around its school zones.

The draft proposes a wider blanket application of 30kph on more streets in the wider vicinity, rather than straight outside, the Blaketown, Cobden, John Paul II/St Patricks, Grey Main, Gremouth High School and Karoro schools sites.

This is in line with every one of the West Coast's 29 school zones being changed.

Submissions on the draft West Coast Regional Speed Management Plan have opened, with the end date being April 5.

The draft plan under the West Coast Regional Transport Committee (RTC) encompasses about 1900km of local roads controlled by the three district councils.

It also nods to the State highway network administered by the NZ Transport Agency and some roads administered by the Department of Conservation.

The draft identifies high priority local roads and high priority areas across the three districts to be part of the national Speed Management Plan.

However the timing for the draft's proposals is now uncertain following the new Government signalling its intention to change the settings of the Transport Policy Statement, including the mandatory settings for speed management, and the minister of transport having the final say.
In January the RTC decided to press ahead with public submissions anyway.

RTC chairperson Peter Ewen said today the final shape of the Government's signalled new transport policy impacting the draft's proposals is still "a $64,000 question".

However the scrapping of mandatory speed reductions from 100kph to 80kph on some State highways was a fair indication.

Ewen said the changed policy landscape is likely to be a hot topic at an upcoming meeting of South Island regional transport sector group next month.

"We've got to see what happens in the next 100 days."

The draft says 1099 people responded to a regional community transport survey from October December 2022, informing the draft plan.

Nearly 90% of the respondents considered the Road to Zero policy aim for speed reductions to be important or very important.

Respondents considered Road to Zero "as the most crucial strategic direction" compared to the options in the survey of zero carbon and emissions reductions, climate change, natural hazard resilience, and economic development.

High priority roads/areas under the proposal:
- Grey District: Blackball and Moana (30), Sumner Road at Gladstone (30).
- Westland: parts of Kumara, Arahura Pa, Hokitika, Ross and Franz Josef all down to 30.
- Buller: Kohaihai Road in Karamea (60), Little Wanganui (40), Gentle Annie (60/30), Powerhouse Road at Fairfield (60), Westport Palmerston Street (30), Omau at Cape Foulwind (60), Nile/Okari near Charleston (40/60).

It also includes speed reductions from 100kph to 20kph on three Department of Conservation controlled roads in Buller.

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1 day ago

Poll: Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Buses can be a relaxing way to get home if you have a seat and enough space. However, it can be off-putting when someone is taking a phone call next to you.

Do you think it's inconsiderate for people to have lengthy phone calls on a bus? Vote in the poll, and add your comments below.

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Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?
  • 63.9% Yes
    63.9% Complete
  • 33.6% No
    33.6% Complete
  • 2.5% Other - I'll share below
    2.5% Complete
1596 votes
18 hours ago

Paddy Gower seeks ‘bloody great Cantab’

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

The Kiwi journalist drilling deep into the country’s biggest issues is on a mission to find the local greats.

Paddy Gower is looking for the Good Kiwi in every region to feature in his show, The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour.

To nominate a Good Kiwi, email reporters@press.co.nz with the name and a description of why your nominee should win. You an also share the local issues you think Paddy needs to tackle in the comments below.

It could be the woman whose knitting circle has made 3800 items for victims of domestic violence, the guy running the length of Aotearoa for mental health, or the woman with terminal cancer who spends her time campaigning to raise awareness and save lives.

“Basically I am looking for ... a bloody great Cantab who just gets on and gets things done. The criteria is somebody who has a positive attitude and makes the community a better place," Gower said.

“I will give this person the 'Big Ups' they deserve, and the community can celebrate them with me.”

A Good Kiwi will feature in each of Gower’s live shows in 14 centres through November and December. He will name the Cantabrian Good Kiwi at his Christchurch show on the evening of Friday, November 22, at St Margaret’s College.


The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour is a sort of book tour, sort of stand-up comedy, some journalistic yarns and memoir, and some motivational speaking - with a fair bit of local in each show.

Gower also wants to know about topics of interest in the region.

“I’m ... going to be taking on a big issue facing Canterbury and offering up solutions.”

A stinky suburb, a neighbourhood needing a round-about or a cathedral in disrepair - “I will make your views count”, he said.

“I'm touring the nation to spread positivity, optimism and good vibes.”

*For tickets to the The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour visit paddygower.co.nz

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23 days ago

What's your favourite recipe for gooseberry?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Love gooseberries? Share your favourite way to enjoy them. We're looking for our readers' favourite family recipes for this delicious crop. Send yours to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the magazine, you will receive a free copy of our December 2024 issue.

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