Land Transport Plan
Otago Southland Regional Land Transport Plans 2021 - 2031 (mid-term review)
Regional Transport Committees prepare a Regional Land Transport Plan for their regions on a six yearly cycle. In June 2021 the Regional Land Transport Plan for the 2021/31 period was approved by Council. The Land Transport Management Act requires a mid-term review of a Regional Land Transport Plan. The mid-term review was completed in June 2024 and approved by Council.
A copy of the approved Regional Land Transport Plan Mid-term review is available here.
The Plan includes funding bids for transport activities from the National Land Transport Fund. The combined transport funding signalled in the Plan is $1.78 billion – $1.28 billion for Otago and $495 million for Southland.
The Otago Southland Regional Land Transport Plans, collectively refer to as the Plan, set the strategic direction for transport across the two regions and includes bids from Road Controlling Authorities for funding from the National Land Transport Fund. The Plan was developed in a collaborative manner by the Otago and Southland Regional Transport Committees on behalf of the respective regional councils.
Regional Land Transport Plan Development and Consultation
As part of the 2024 mid-term review, 59 submissions were received resulting in several changes to the final approved Mid-term review Regional Land Transport Plan 2024/31.
The thoughtful, quality contributions on connectivity, accessibility, and transport choice across the Otago and Southland regions
Summary of submissions and responses
Following consultation and considering of the submissions, the Plan was updated.
Key aspects of the revised Plan include:
- The Plan has been strengthened concerning the need for increased funding for the transport networks to increase resilience, safety, productivity, and community wellbeing.
- The importance of the need for alternative transport options has been emphasised. Alternative transport options will be investigated during the duration of this Plan.
- Greater emphasis has been placed on promoting the development and connection of walking and cycling trails.
- An increased emphasis has been placed on the importance of an accessible transport system for people with disabilities.
- Minor changes have been made to reflect the direction set out in the draft Government Policy Statement on land transport released in March.
- More detail has been included about the strategic corridors between the regions and across the South Island.
- Changes have been made to the activity tables as requested by the road controlling authorities.
Regional Transport Committee Chairs Group
The South Island Regional Transport Committee Chairs Group was established in 2016 for the purpose of significantly improving transport outcomes in the South Island through collaboration and integration.
Click here for more information on this group.
The South Island Regional Transport Committees Chairs Group commissioned a project to “Identify the Opportunities For Mode Shift and Preparation Of A Mode Shift Implementation Plan” for the South Island. The resulting Plan suggested the largest opportunities for the Otago and Southland regions are for shifting a larger percentage of logs from road to rail. A new project has now commenced with Environment Southland, KiwiRail and the Clutha District Council as partners to further investigate the financial viability of the options identified in the report.
Regional Transport Committee Meetings
The Regional Transport Committee receives a regular report on progress with implementation of the Improvement Projects included in the Regional Land Transport Plan.
