Central Otago residents will be consulted for the second time over new proposed speed limits, after new Government rules nullified the council’s draft Speed Management Plan.

Local opposition to some of the proposed changes through the initial consultation process also led the Central Otago District Council’s roading team to make additional changes.

Council roading asset engineer Holly Laverick told the Vincent Community Board (VCB) yesterday that one of the changes was shortening the 50km/hr section on the Earnscleugh Road near the Clyde bridge.

New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi released its new Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits in December 2024, affecting the work council had done on its Speed Management Plan before the new limits changes could be implemented.

Board chair Jayden Cromb described the re-consultation process “an absolute waste of you guys’ time to do this again,” and asked whether there was another way around it.

But infrastructure manager Quentin Pennial said the fact of the matter was, “if you don’t consult you can’t make any changes,” he said.

Mayor Tamah Alley said she had just received a letter from a resident suggesting the speed limit on the open road should be reduced to 80 km/hr everywhere, given the district just had six fatalities in recent weeks.

“This stuff is actually really important,” the former police officer said.

Other proposed new changes to the speed management plan included a new limit at Pisa Moorings of 40km/hr, the inclusion of Munro Rd, Church Ln and Jolly Rd at 80km/hr to align with State Highway 8, shortening the 50 km/hr limit at Ranfurly-Patearoa, and a removal of some speed limits that were no longer compliant under the rule, at Partridge Rd, Sunderland St (north) and Fruitgrowers Rd.

The consultation time frame has also increased to six weeks (previously four).

School speed limits could still be implemented under the new rule and had been planned for the start of the new school year in January 2025.

However, amendments were required to comply with the rule, and that included the location of the signs, and alteration of operating hours. 

The updated speed limits have been submitted to NZTA for director approval, and once signed off, signage could be implemented.

The report to the board said as Tarras, Roxburgh, Alexandra Primary and St Gerards schools have school gates adjacent to state highways, speed limit changes would be implemented in collaboration with NZTA to ensure consistency.

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