Government backs down on Manawatū-Tararua highway toll

Friday, 13 December 2024

Many people across the wider region voiced their opposition to the proposed toll for the new Manawatū-Tararua highway, which has now been rejected.

People power is being praised as the Government has rejected putting a toll on the new Manawatū-Tararua highway.

Communities either side of the Manawatū Gorge have been in outcry since the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi in September released a proposal to toll Te Ahu a Turanga, the new 11.5km highway between Woodville and Ashhurst, which is due to open next year.

Since the Manawatū Gorge was closed by a major slip seven years ago people have been using the Saddle Rd or Pahīatua Track, windy and unreliable roads, as alternative routes. NZTA had considered the two roads safe and free alternative routes.

The cost of the proposed toll of $4.30 for light vehicles and $8.60 for heavy vehicles was deemed expensive by many. Protest and public meetings followed and questions were raised over the number of vehicles expected to use the road.

But on Friday, Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced tolling would not be applied to the new road.

“NZTA did recommend that it be tolled, but timing constraints meant it would not be cost effective to implement tolling until after the road’s completion, placing it outside the Government’s expectation for new road tolling.”

Tararua mayor Tracey Collis said the community came out in droves to have their say on the proposal and she thanked Cabinet for listening.

Large turn-out to a public meeting in Woodville to discuss a proposed toll on the soon to be opened Te Ahu a Turanga, Manawatū Tararua Highway.

“We understand there’s a place for tolling in the transport system, but it didn’t make sense for this road for many reasons that have been well documented.”

She said there had been a big public response, which showed how strongly people felt about the road and its original intent as a free replacement route.

“Our community has waited patiently for a long time for this road. With this welcome news today we can look forward to Te Ahu a Turanga opening next year.

“And to the many benefits this iconic project will bring for the Tararua district and the wider Manawatū region.”

Positively Woodville chairperson Vicki Tomlinson said it was fantastic news for the town and wider community.

“It just shows you people power can change minds, which is wonderful.”

Tararua mayor Tracey Collis has been a vocal opponent of the proposed toll.

She believed the Government saw how many submissions against the toll were made, as well as the public backlash.

“We had people on the protest march who were long-time National voters and they were absolutely appalled by this idea of tolling our road.

“They said if it went through they weren’t going to vote National again, that’s saying something, that’s how deep it went into our community.

“It’s horrific to think it could be a good idea. I’m so thrilled they have said no, it’s something to celebrate.”

Ashhurst community member Phil Stevens helped organise a public meeting in the village opposing the toll and said he was glad to see the decision.

A protest march in October from Woodville to where a roundabout is being constructed for the new road.

“We’re pleased the minister has looked at the evidence and the fact this is a replacement for a broken highway link vital to the region and chosen not to burden the residents of Tararua and Manawatū, Palmerston North city districts with an unreasonable toll.”

The Saddle Rd is accessed through Ashhurst so when the gorge road closed, what was a quiet street in Ashhurst was transformed into a state highway. If people had avoided the tolled highway, the Saddle Rd would likely have remained busy.

Stevens said Ashhurst residents were promised they would get their village back when the new road opened, and a toll would have broken that promise.

“The credit goes to the people who turned out to those public meetings, the people who did speak up, who wrote the submissions, everybody who raised their voice and made a fuss about it probably carried the day.”

Rangitīkei MP Suze Redmayne and Wairarapa MP Mike Butterick issued a statement after Brown’s decision welcoming the move.

Transport Minister Simeon Brown ruled out a toll on the Te Ahu a Turanga road.

During the submission period, Redmayne told the Manawatū Standard she supported funding highways through tolls, and Butterick was non-committal at an Ashhurst public meeting about whether he supported the toll.

The Government did approve tolling on three other new roads though, including the Ōtaki to north of Levin highway. It would cost $2.70 for light vehicles and $5.40 for heavy vehicles.

The Takitimu North Link, between Tauranga and Te Puna, and Penlink, north of Auckland would also be tolled.