Tauranga City Council have made two key changes to the Futureproofing Cameron Road project following public consultation.

Hamilton Street will remain without traffic lights to avoid congestion whilst 5th Avenue, east and west, will retain a left-turn-in, left-turn-out configuration.

The decisions come with the release of a report highlighting feedback on the Futureproofing Cameron Road project, and what council is doing about it.

Feedback from the community is being used to firm-up detailed design plans for the project.

Council Commission chair Anne Tolley says she wants the community to know their concerns have been heard.

'We've been listening, and we know that some people have concerns about this project and our ability to deliver it.”

Tolley says that developing effective infrastructure for the future was a real mindset shift for Tauranga. She hopes housing intensification throughout Te Papa will be supported by attractive transport options.

'Tauranga has been lagging behind and this is an opportunity to get ahead of our rapidly growing population and incorporate better transport options now, before congestion along Cameron Road reaches a point where it impacts liveability and our economy.”

She says that along with strong alignment with community feedback and growth plans for the Te Papa peninsula, Futureproofing Cameron Road had support from central government through a $45 million grant.

'The grant we have received supports local economic recovery from Covid-19 and is a great opportunity for council to improve the key southern corridor to and from the CBD at minimal cost to ratepayers.”

Tauranga City Council director of transport Brendan Bisley says the council has been working with the community since December 2018 on a range of project elements, while the project design has been underway.

He says that in addition to feedback around the need for the project, and council's ability to deliver, there was good support from the community for improving safety along Cameron Road, making the route more accessible for people walking or travelling by bike, and improving bus services.

But Council also recognise there are concerns around economic impacts to local businesses and impact on the wider community due to construction disruption and loss of parking. Council says they are working to mitigate these issues through the project detailed design and construction scheduling.

'By working with residents and businesses along Cameron Road, we've been able to make some changes to the design that we know will make a difference.”

The final detailed design is due for completion in August, with main construction works set to begin in September 2021. The full engagement summary can be found here.