Rangiora Eastern Link road

As Waimakariri’s major town Rangiora continues to grow it’s important we make sure there are the right roads, footpaths and other connections that help people get around.

The Council has planned for a future road connection with a shared path from Lineside Road through to Northbrook Road.

This ‘Rangiora Eastern Link’ road would help reduce congestion through Southbrook, provide an alternate link to State Highway 1, and further enable housing and business growth to the east of Rangiora — which is anticipated in our District Plan.

We need infrastructure like arterial roads to enable housing development and growth, and the efficient movement of people and freight around the District.

Therefore, we have included this project as a priority in the draft Long Term Plan despite there being a focus on budget restraint.

With our preferred option, co-funding for the Rates funded portion of the project will be sought from NZTA as part of the 2024–2027 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP). The remainder would be funded from Development Contributions and debt.

There is some risk around development contribution funding. If growth does not occur as forecast, then the Council would need to use more debt to fund the project.

This project, as well as a replacement of Skew Bridge in West Kaiapoi, are our main priorities when advocating NZ Transport Agency (Waka Kotahi) for joint funding.

However, there is a high level of uncertainty around NZTA’s funding. Over 10 years we would expect to receive $15.5m from NZTA for both projects. If funding is not approved or a lower funding assistance rate is proposed by NZTA, the Council could fund the shortfall through borrowing. This will result in an average rate increase by $56.62 per household per year.

Our preference would be to receive co-funding from NZTA. However, we want to know if the community would still support the above two projects if the Council has to go it alone.

OPTIONS

A: Council’s preference

We receive NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) co-funding, for the non-growth related portion of the project and borrow to build the ‘Rangiora Eastern Link’. An increase in rates would be required.

This will increase the economic outcome that Infrastructure and services are sustainable, resiliant and affordable.

B: Proceed with the project but not within this LTP period

The project would be moved outside of the LTP period and not progressed. This will result in congestion increasing in Southbrook and the wider Rangiora area.The roading network will not be able to adequately support growth particularly in the east of Rangiora.

This would also restrict freight and limit the roading network’s ability to support the District’s economy. Planned projects would likely need to be delayed.

C: No NZTA subsidy so Council fully funds the project

The project would be fully funded by the Council through rates and development contributions. This would give us more certainty on delivery timelines. However, it would also significantly increase the Councils debt levels. The time period for delivery would be 2024/25 to 2029/30.

This will increase the economic outcome that Infrastructure and services are sustainable, resiliant and affordable.

D: Status Quo — Don’t build the road

This would result in unacceptable levels of congestion in Southbrook and impact the wider Rangiora area. This would limit the roading network’s ability to support the District’s economy.