The anti-car agenda hits Whakatane

The Herald reports:

A plan to lower the speed limit in Whakatāne district towns to 30 kilometres per hour has been described as fanatical by Mayor Victor Luca.

“I have no problem with a 30kmh limit near schools, which seems sensible. I am not in favour of a 30kmh limit around urban Whakatane,” Dr Luca said.

I doubt anyone is. If the Mayor thinks it is lunacy, why is it on the table?

With legislation introduced in 2022, the transport ministry has laid down a framework for councils throughout New Zealand for setting speed limits in their districts.

The framework states speeds must be reduced to 30kmh for areas around schools and school travel routes, and 30 to 40kmh for local urban streets. Speed limits of 40 to 60kmh are allowed for urban connector streets linking residential areas.

So basically it is being forced on local communities by the Labour/Greens Government.

Deputy mayor Lesley Immink said it was another example of a Crown agency imposing changes on councils.

“It’s going to be a really hard ask. I don’t think anyone disagrees with keeping it at 30kmh around urban schools, but [the plan] raises lots of concerns, for example, Harbour Road, at 30kmh.

The only way to stop this will be to change the Government.