The final batch of speed limit reductions has been approved in Tasman, signalling the end of a tumultuous process that goes back to 2022.
The district has 1168 local roads that collectively stretch across 1681km, from Golden Bay to Richmond.
No roads had speed limit increases, and state highways in the region were unaffected.
Once all the speed limit changes were implemented, 149 roads would have reductions that affect 262km of road.
That equated to almost 12.8% of Tasman’s roads, or about 15.6% of the entire network.
All but two of the district’s 37 schools would have speed limits – including variable speed limits – changed outside of their gates.
The Murchison Area and Lake Rotoiti Schools did not have speed limit reductions as they were on state highways.
The greatest speed limit drops across the programmed reductions wouldl be from 100km/h down to 30km/h, which two roads were subject to: The Māpua Causeway, which was frequented by pedestrians, and the Baigent Reserve Access road.
Phase 1 of the speed limit changes, which primarily targeted roads around schools and high-risk rural roads changed about 300 of the district’s 1476 speed signs
The number of signs to be changed as a result of the second phase of reductions that were approved by Tasman District Council last month was yet to be determined.
Phase 2 looked at narrow and winding unsealed roads, rural residential roads, urban roads without footpaths, and a selection of other specific roads.
As a result of the consultation, narrow, unsealed roads and urban roads without footpaths will largely have yellow advisory signs installed instead of formal speed limit reductions, which will be seen on many rural residential roads.
The council has kept many of the speed signs that were in good condition as stock for future maintenance, with some also reused at other locations during the project. Unsuitable signs were recycled.
The first phase cost around $500,000 to implement while the second, with changes made progressively until 2028, was expected to cost about $400,000.
In 2022, the previous Labour government updated the rule for setting speed limits, requiring councils to draw up speed management plans for their areas.
Nelson City and Tasman District Councils joined forces to develop a joint speed plan, which they adopted in mid-2024.
But the coalition Government overturned the process when its updated rule largely invalidated the work.
Nelson hurried through its few changes before the new rule took effect, while Tasman, which had significantly more roads slated for reduction, was forced to re-consult the community on the speed limit changes it had already adopted.
The wider scope of the initial speed plan in 2024 would have cost Tasman $5 million over a decade, but split between the council and the New Zealand Transport Agency.
As such, the council has budgeted $250,000 each year for the 10 years, more than the total cost of implementing the revised changes across the two phases of $900,000.
About $200,000 was estimated to have been spent on the initially invalidated plan, though those costs were shared with Nelson.
The cost of re-consulting Tasman and re-doing some of the necessary work was about $50,000 in staff time.
When the council adopted its last changes last month, council officers indicated some specific tweaks might be made over the coming years but this would be the last time the council systemically and comprehensively reviewed the district’s speed limits for “quite a while”.
Council’s transportation planning adviser Jane Murray thanked residents who had taken part in the process.
“With such a large road network, we’ve had many requests for changes from communities right across the district. Government policy changes have meant progress has been slower than first planned, and we really appreciate your patience as we work together to make our roads safer for everyone.”
Local Democracy Reporting is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air
