Public meeting for Ngongotaha Village projects

One of the options for safety improvements in Ngongotaha Village. Photo/RLC

Significant local roading projects and a flood mitigation plan for Ngongotaha will be presented at a public meeting in the village next week.

Ngongotaha locals have been invited to attend the public information session at the Ngongotaha Bowling Club on Domain Ave, Wednesday, September 23 between 5.30pm and 7.30pm where they will hear from staff representing the New Zealand Transport Agency, Rotorua Lakes Council and Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

The information session will cover two transport infrastructure projects - new road safety plans for Ngongotaha Village and shopping centre, and upgrades to the Ngongotaha roundabout - being delivered by the NZTA and Rotorua Lakes Council.

Regional council staff will discuss flood mitigation engineering works planned for the area.

Rotorua Lakes Council Infrastructure general manager, Stavros Michael says community feedback, along with Ngongotaha being identified as an area for potential future growth, has been the catalyst for getting these current and future projects underway.

'In response to community concerns, council commissioned a study to identify infrastructure safety issues in Ngongotaha and develop potential solutions," Michael says.

"We are now seeking community feedback on these solutions to determine which option to progress with."

Michael says Ngongotaha village has several unique characteristics that need to be taken into account with any changes to its infrastructure.

"State Highway 36 runs through the centre of the village – it's a route used by large trucks and is seeing increasing amounts of traffic travelling south, as well as having local schools and care homes nearby.

'It's important to find the balance between the village community and local businesses' needs, as well as the needs of those drivers who regularly use the thoroughfare from the surrounding areas."

Public consultation on the proposed options to improve safety through Ngongotaha village opened on September 9 and close on October 7.

Waka Kotahi/NZTA started the SH5 Tarukenga to Ngongotaha safety and SH5/SH36 roundabout improvements project earlier this month.

Waka Kotahi Principal Project manager Steve Cox is encouraging anybody who lives along the route or who are regular users of the SH5/SH36 roundabout to go along to the information session.

'We will be speaking in more detail about the safety improvements that will be made to the road, and the plans to manage traffic while the roundabout upgrade is underway," Cox says.

For Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Rotorua Lakes Council, the session will also be a chance to share the latest on the Ngongotaha Flood Review Project after last month's scheduled update had to be cancelled because of Covid-19 restrictions.

Project Manager Elva Conroy says recently announced Crown Infrastructure Partners funding means parts of the flood mitigation engineering works can progress sooner than anticipated, and she is keen to share the details of that good news with the community.

Public Information Session:

- Ngongotahā Bowling Club, 11 Domain Ave

- Wednesday, September 23. 5.30pm to 7.30pm

- To learn more about the options for safety improvements in Ngongotaha village and to provide feedback, go to www.rotorualakescouncil.nz/letstalk.

- Email feedback to info@rotorualc.nz or call (07) 348 4199.

- For information regarding the SH5/Tarukenga to Ngongotaha safety and SH5/SH36 roundabout projects email connectrotorua@nzta.govt.nz.

- For information on the Ngongotaha Flood Mitigation Plan, visit www.rotorualakescouncil.nz/floodreview or contact letstalk@rotorualc.nz.

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