Palmerston North The Hub

Tararua mayor Maureen Reynolds has called on Palmerston North City Council to address its roading network and to dialogue with surrounding local authorities saying “like it or not you are the hub/power house of the region.”
“It is very important for you to have an efficient and effective roading network that addresses all the entrances, not only Manawatu,” she said in a submission to the city council’s draft 10-year community plan.

Using regional access to medical services at Palmerston North hospital and the airport as examples the mayor pointed out that people from as far away as Taranaki, Hawke’s Bay, Masterton and Wairarapa relied on the surrounding roading network.
“In all cases they pass through the council space surrounding Palmerston North therefore there is a high volume of vehicles on the state highway.

“I imagine the people of Palmerston North do not realise just how many vehicles come into the city each day from outside their city boundary,” she said.
It was not unusual for two health shuttles from Tararua to make five trips a day each from 6am to take clients to the hospital. Manawatu and Horowhenua had similar services, she said.

Tararua supported the Te Matai bridge project – a second bridge on the eastern side of the city. This would be important to people from Southern Tararua and the Wairarapa “not only when the Manawatu Gorge was closed but at any time.”
“With vehicle numbers increasing Palmerston North City Council should take a proactive approach to find ways to direct traffic around the city instead of through it,” the mayor said.
She urged the council to “begin the process now because we are all in this together.”
Tararua District Council thanked the city council for its support “in endeavours to upgrade the Pahiatua –Aokoutere Road otherwise known as the Pahiatua Track.”