Suzanne Williams

After living six years in Whakatāne and hearing most of the population vocalising constantly, and seeing mayoral and other presentations in print about the need for a second bridge, all to no avail, apart from Raewyn Kingsley-Smith’s valiant effort with the previous petition, it is good to see some real action being taken at last.

It is very encouraging to see Mayor Victor Luca being true to his long-time advocacy (and himself) by taking the initiative of approaching the Transport Minister with a well-drafted proposal and that Grey Power is advancing a petition with a plan for Whakatāne’s second bridge.

Last year, a bid for a business case made it into 12th position on the Regional Land Transport Plan that is prepared by the Regional Transport Committee, on which Bay of Plenty mayors sit.  

Unfortunately, what little funds that were available were spent on Tauranga projects.

The committee has, however, now committed to backing Dr Luca’s approach to the minister.

I find it quite strange that the mayor has apparently very little backing from councillors for this project and has been forced to go out on his own.  

I note that, according to the Long-Term Plan approved by Whakatāne District Council, a decision informed by the business case for the crossing is required within the next two years.

In 2022, prior to the local body election, the contactable council candidates were sent a questionnaire by the then-functioning Ratepayers Association.

One of the questions concerned their attitudes towards moving forward action on the projected bridge. All those who answered the question were in favour of this.

Then, in August 2023, the council agreed that staff develop a proposal for an additional river crossing.

What has changed since these events?  In view of the obvious unreliability of the old one-lane Pekatahi bridge (although a regional, heavy traffic and back-up necessity) and the equally obvious overwhelming enthusiasm of the community for the desirability of the second crossing – surely our councillors cannot be blind?

The petition will be easily accessible for some time on the streets in hard copy and on social media and other means incomprehensible to dinosaurs like me.  

All we have to do is get out there, stop whining, put our money where our mouths are, and sign.

Let’s get this show on the road (or the bridge).