Todd Talks By Todd Muller

We are almost a year into this Labour/New Zealand First government's term, and our community is still waiting for any information or update about improvements to SH2 and the Tauranga Northern Link. Collectively, we have demanded answers. Thousands of locals signed a petition. The Minister for Transport's silence is deafening and this is simply not good enough.

State Highway 2, between Tauranga and Katikati, is one of New Zealand's fastest growing roading corridors, but it is coming under increasing pressure from strong growth in commuters, tourists and freight movements.

Between 2012 and 2016 there were 18 deaths on State Highway 2 between Tauranga and Katikati - the highest death toll on any stretch of State Highway across New Zealand.

There were also 35 serious injuries and 95 minor injuries on the same section. Those killed or injured may just be statistics to the pencil pushers in Wellington, or faceless numbers on a spreadsheet, but for those of us who call this region home they are friends, family and colleagues who never made it home to their loved ones.

Under National, transport investment in the Bay of Plenty was targeted to support significant residential growth, new industrial land development and jobs, increased freight movements and access to the Port. We had a focus on investing for improved safety and efficiency – the two go hand in hand.

In April 2016 we announced we would be going ahead with construction of the Tauranga Northern Link with construction to begin this year, but the new government have been dragging their feet. Our community clearly isn't a priority for this government, but I'll keep strongly advocating on your behalf.