At its February meeting, the Council voted to adopt the new strategy that seeks to achieve a vision that ‘It is safe, easy and sustainable to journey to where we want to go.’

Senior Strategy Advisor Heike Downie spoke to the report and said the ITS will be a key document that provides a decision-making framework for managing Waimakariri’s transport and mobility needs.

“In putting together this strategy over the course of 17 months, we undertook extensive engagement with stakeholders and consulted general residents more widely.

“We listened to the views of our communities and stakeholders, looked at the transport priorities of the previous and new Government, and considered technical assessments of Waimakariri’s transport system, to create a strategy that’s the right fit for Waimakariri now and in the future.”

The final ITS’s Key Moves are:

• Create a well-connected multi-modal District
• Integrate land use and transport to underpin higher density living in urban areas
• Design the transport network for the efficient movement of freight
• Deliver a safe transport system for everyone
• Support alternative travel choices.

Mayor Dan Gordon says often when discussing transport, it’s easy to focus on projects instead of looking at what we need to achieve the best outcomes for our District.

“The engagement process in putting together the ITS was great because it involved listening to all different types of residents and transport users.

“At a high level, this process showed us that our communities support better public transport, better and safer walking and cycling infrastructure, better freight efficiency, and working together to reduce emissions and improve safety.

“In our strategy we are mindful of balancing the needs for mobility for our residents in towns, where its more practical to improve access to walking, cycling and public transport, with those of our rural communities who are more reliant on vehicles to meet their everyday needs.

“Those are the challenges today. And this document gives the Council a framework for how we prioritise projects, investment and seek funding in the future.

“As a growth District, Waimakariri’s transport system is going to continue to be under increasing pressure. Balancing the needs of all our network users, whilst working towards achieving long-term sustainable and safe transport improvements, is a difficult task.”

The Council voted to adopt the ITS and sought the final strategy be circulated to the Community Boards.