Expanding Rodney’s footpath network, improving public transport and unsealed road improvements are making steady progress with almost $32 million invested through the Rodney Local Board Transport Targeted Rate programme, now in its seventh year.
Each of Rodney’s four subdivisions benefits from the targeted rate allocated according to the revenue collected from each over the 10-year period of the rate, and that ranges from $4.57 million for Wellsford up to $18.71 million for Warkworth.
Local Board chair Brent Bailey says the programme is picking up pace and delivering many benefits for Rodney residents.
“The footpath programme has extended our pedestrian network making it easier and safer to get around. The programme which began in 2020 has made a huge difference to our communities and has delivered 22 footpaths so far with more footpaths in the pipeline.
“Our communities have access to new footpaths on busy school routes, on well-used pedestrian routes, and have pedestrian links to existing and new residential developments.”
Set up in July 2018, targeted rate funds aim to deliver transport projects in the local board area that were excluded from the Regional Land Transport Plan 2021-2031.
Bailey says the Rodney community had long requested bus services and using targeted rate funding launched three new bus services in 2019 that are still operating today.
“Rodney is experiencing the challenge of providing transport choices for a growing community, and without the targeted rate, several bus routes would simply not exist.
“Saying that our bus patronage speaks for itself, and several bus routes are now funded as part of the Auckland Transport network. That’s good news as it frees up our targeted rate funding for other transport projects.
“The launch of the new loop bus is an exciting new development for Warkworth residents who have a regular service that connects them to town centre and the wider bus network.”
Unsealed roads in the Warkworth subdivision have also got a boost from targeted rate and NZ Transport Agency funding. So far, about 9km of the worst sections of six roads have been fixed with another road still to come next year.
Bailey says the local board is yet to decide the final few projects to be delivered through the targeted rate which will happen at a business meeting.
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