Sometimes, it’s nice to be proven wrong; it’s all part of learning and growing.

In our Friday EDM two weeks ago, I wrote about the protests on SH2 outside Katikati over the road safety improvements between Waihī and Ōmokoroa. Specifically, the protests were over the installation of flexible median barriers along this section, with residents seemingly reaching the end of their tether after getting nowhere in their engagements with the NZTA.

I received some feedback on this topic. One reader commenting that “a level of arrogance or deafness on the part of NZTA – especially when dealing with ‘ordinary mortals’”, is nothing new for the agency. Another confirmed that the residents had indeed engaged with the agency over the past three years but “NZTA just do whatever they want”.

At this stage, I feel it’s worth adding that the point of the editorial was not to pick out the residents for protesting; it was to encourage citizens, truck operators and anyone involved with the industry to take a stronger approach to having their opinions heard before it’s too late, whether by going through an industry association, local councillors, or other official means.

But it seems my idea of ‘too late’ was off, as, by the following Tuesday, the NZTA issued a release entitled “Changes to median barrier plans on SH2 between Waihī and Ōmokoroa”. Surprise!

The agency’s chief executive Nicole Rosie (who, it’s since been announced, will step down from her position in February) was quoted: “As a result of community concerns, NZTA will re-consider the options for the section of median barrier between Matahui/Lockington roundabout and Wharawhara Road, and the stretch between Apata Station Road and Morton Road, which is the longest section in the project and includes the Work Road intersection.

“NZTA is looking at ways we can continue to deliver safety benefits while meeting the community’s concerns,” Rosie continued.

“Changes to the overall design of the safety improvements have been made throughout the project and NZTA continues to consider the concerns raised by the community with the current design. NZTA will update the community following the re-examination process, which will take several weeks,” the release stated.

Whether you believe any of that or not – and I’m inclined to think those who have engaged with the agency wouldn’t – this ‘reconsideration’ by the agency following the protests nonetheless has to be a win for the community and those who continued to voice their concerns when others would’ve thought it was too late to have an impact. Good on you all.

As one of the readers commented: “I do hope we are starting to see the push back to stop the gross waste of spending.”

The point made two weeks ago remains – engage, be active, make your voice heard in a way that achieves something. But I’ll make an important amendment … no matter how far along the process may have gone, the opportunity is never lost to do so.

Take care out there,

Gavin Myers
Editor