Waka Kotahi has today released details of the 13 local authorities to receive funding for accelerated street change projects through the Government’s $30 million Streets for People programme.
Transport Minister, Michael Wood said communities around New Zealand will benefit from upgraded, safer, and more people-friendly streets as the result of the programme.
“The Government is upgrading New Zealand’s transport infrastructure system to make it safer, greener, and more efficient for now and future generations to come,” Minister Wood said.
“Our Government’s commitment to infrastructure investment continues to play a critical part in securing New Zealand’s economy and supporting communities to thrive.
“Delivering on projects such as these helps address our current infrastructure deficit while also meeting future needs caused by population growth and climate change.
“We’re committed to making it safer, quicker and more attractive for people to use public transport, walk, scoot and ride bikes in urban centres right across Aotearoa New Zealand,” he said.
The 13 local authorities set to receive funding are:
Auckland Transport will be funded to deliver two trial projects, that will be co-designed with communities and other Auckland Council Controlled Organisations. The funding will enable activities that make it easier for people to choose low-carbon active trips, trialling these actions at a street level, with learnings from those trials intended to guide implementation in other locations across the Tāmaki Makaurau region.
“People want to be able to live and work in communities with modernised transport options. The Streets for People programme aims to make it easier and faster for councils to partner with communities to upgrade their streets in this way,” said Mr Wood.
In Gisborne, Grey Street will be reinvigorated to create a linear park between the CBD to the I-site, skate park and pump track. The linear park will also serve as a multi-purpose site for community and cultural events.
In Whanganui, the Saint Hill St bus hub refresh will refresh the area, improve access for those using public transport as well as improving the area for cyclists and pedestrians.
“Ensuring we have updated and easy to use infrastructure is great news for families, schools and communities, and for the environment, with fewer vehicle emissions and more vibrant, community focused places,” the Minister said.
“Through our Transport Choices package in Budget 22, we are helping to improve transport options by funding the rapid roll-out of at least 100 km of safe urban cycleways to build more connected networks at pace; create significant safety improvements in around 25 pedestrian areas, and support safer, greener, and healthier travel to 75-100 schools. The package is also investing in improvements to public transport infrastructure.
“The Streets for People programme supports this investment and will also help New Zealand meet our emissions reduction targets and improve health and wellbeing.”
More details on the successful local authorities which will be implementing projects as part of the Streets for People programme 2021-24 are available here.
