Have your say on the proposed amendments to the Traffic Control Bylaw

Public submissions on a proposed new Traffic Bylaw closed on 9 September. Feedback is then being analysed and a new bylaw will be drawn up to go to a full Council meeting towards the end of 2024.

Roads play an important part in our daily lives - facilitating social connections, providing access to essential services and creating opportunities for economic growth and activity. Road use must be managed effectively in order to avoid risks to safety.

Council is a “road-controlling authority” under the Land Transport Act 1998 and is responsible for a large network of local roads in the Thames-Coromandel District.

Currently, Council regulates the roads it controls through the Traffic Control Bylaw 2017 - Te Ture ā-Rohe Waka Haere. Council has reviewed the Bylaw and is now proposing to amend it to update the format and some of the content. The main amendments proposed are:

• updates and edits to the formatting and wording of the Bylaw to make it easier to use and understand.
• removal of clauses which are not used or no longer necessary. These are:
  • Routes and manoeuvres on roads
  • Engine braking
  • Traffic control devices.
• updates and additions to the Schedules of the Bylaw (renamed Register of Resolutions) to incorporate developments and restrictions that are currently in place.

Please note: The updates listed below have been in place since 2023. They are signposted and operational. The change is administrative only.

• Over 400 new one-way roads added mostly from subdivisions in Pāuanui, Whitianga or Matarangi.
• Two new left turn restrictions and two new right turn restrictions added on Kirkwood Street, Totara Memorial Park Main Access, Hikuai Settlement Road and Port Road.
• One right turn restriction removed on Mary Street Service Lane No.7.
• Four new cycle paths added. These are in Whangamatā, the district portion of Hauraki Rail Trail, and two in Whitianga. 
• Current restrictions on overlength vehicles on the 309 and Tapu-Coroglen Roads added. These were made under urgency following the closure of SH25A and prohibit vehicles over 12.6m.