Submissions open today on South Wairarapa District Council’s proposed Speed Management Plan (the Plan).

The Plan proposes permanent speed reductions on a number of local roads across the district, with particular focus on peri-urban roads (these connect residential areas on the urban fringe), coastal settlement roads, and unsealed roads. It also addresses some speed limit inconsistencies in other areas.

Councillor Aidan Ellims shares that the purpose of the Speed Management Plan is to enable South Wairarapa residents and visitors to travel more safely around the district on local roads.   

“We want those who call South Wairarapa home and visitors alike to be safe when using our streets and roads. That means we need the right speeds on the right roads for all road users, whether you are walking to the shops, biking to school, or driving to work.”  

“Speed management is about achieving safe and appropriate vehicle speeds on roads that reflect the road’s function, design, safety and use,” Mr Ellims said.  

The Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits legislation provides the framework for managing speed on roads, including how proposals are developed, shared, and certified. While SWDC consulted on its Speed Management Plan in 2023, changes to the Rule in 2024 resulted in some amendments to the Plan, and the need to reconsult to implement speed limit changes. 

“We are taking this as an opportunity to check in with our communities again to confirm our approach to speed management and addressing speed limits in the right areas”, said Stefan Corbett, Group Manager Infrastructure and Community Operations.   

The consultation period runs from 5 June to 17 July. The South Wairarapa community is encouraged to read the Speed Management Plan consultation document and its supporting information online at haveyoursay.swdc.govt.nz/swdc-smp. These are also available at the Martinborough Council office and South Wairarapa libraries.

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