It has been reported Fletcher Building is constructing a new plasterboard facility (Winstone Wallboards) in Tauriko.

It's further disclosed all raw material will be shipped to the Port of Tauranga and transported along Takitimu Drive to their huge factory.

That will regularly create 4,337 large truck and trailer loads over 2-3 days, working 24 hours a day. That's a truck every 1.5 minutes - one way. Double that for the returning trucks to collect new loads.

Takitimu Drive is already in poor condition requiring its umpteenth repair. This additional load will require an enormous maintenance schedule which will regularly bring traffic to a standstill.

The finished product will mostly travel over the Kaimai's to Auckland creating further congestion and maintenance issues.

Who decided this was a good idea?

Maurice O'Reilly, The Avenues