High School students' survey confirms desire for bypass

December 3nd
[by David Armstrong]

Teacher Bruce Reid with presenters Louis Sanders-Loder and Meila Wilkins

Fresh urgings for a town bypass received yet another boost today when the Motueka High School Year 11 community issues students presented the results of their Term 4 survey, on the topic of the proposed bypass and new bridge, to local politicians and media. The presentation was made by Louis Sanders-Loder, who prepared it with Meila Wilkins.

Under the direction of teacher Bruce Reid, the students researched the background to the issue and took as their working hypothesis three points.

"We believe that most of Motueka community will support the idea that the bypass will help the traffic issues in Motueka," they proposed. "They may have mixed views about the Ruby Bay bypass because a lot of people may go to Richmond or Nelson to shop now, and so the community shops may lose money. They also may think that it’s going to bring more traffic issues into Motueka because of the tourist attractions on the other side of Motueka."

These hypotheses formed the basis of 12 survey questions which were then put to a total of 452 people in High Street over four days in mid-November. 85% of those interviewed were locals. The results overall showed a high level of desire by Motuekans for a bypass and an improved bridge.

Overall, 54% of people backed a bypass and new bridge as the only viable option to remove heavy traffic from High Street. Fewer than 22% believed the roundabouts and traffic lights currently being proposed by the Community Board would solve the congestion problems.

Just on half of the people interviewed thought the Ruby Bay bypass would benefit Motueka economically. About 41% currently shop in Nelson or Richmond occasionally but "Motueka retailers will be relieved that nearly two thirds have no intention of shopping there more often now that the Ruby Bay Bypass has opened.

The most surprising result was that 71% of people interviewed thought the bridge is a traffic hazard, and that 34% had witnessed or experienced a traffic accident on the bridge. NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), which is responsible for the bridge and SH60, should be very interested to hear that.

61% do not believe that NZTA is setting fair priorities when they state, as they have, that a bypass is not even being considered for the next 20 years. Only 5% of those interviewed think that a bypass can wait more than five years.

The report concluded: "The results were not unexpected but they reinforce the need for some concerted action from all our decision makers to lobby hard together to get the NZTA to put the bypass project into an urgent timeframe."

West Coast-Tasman MP Chris Auchinvole thanked the class for their work and contribution, and said he would like to see further surveys of other community sectors such as shopkeepers, industry, and Whakatu for future housing plans, so as to get more community involvement in lobbying efforts.

"We shouldn't be worrying about money at this stage," he said. "There will always be reasons for not allocating money, but we need to build a case and demonstrate the need first, and then argue for the money to carry it out."

Read the full report (including questions and results) here »

Aaron Rowling

Keagan Ferguson

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