What actions will the Government take to avoid the economic and reputational impacts, to Queenstown, associated with worsening transport congestion, if any?

Answer

The Queenstown Roads of Regional Significance Package is in construction and includes the SH6/SH6A Frankton intersection and bus hub improvements, and the SH6/Howards Drive intersection upgrade. The upgrade will increase capacity and improve safety at both intersections, helping to manage growth pressures. The bus hub improvements will enable an increase in bus frequencies, contributing to a higher capacity transport system that provides more travel choice for customers. Further stages of the Queenstown Package have been designed but are not currently funded for construction, and future funding will be considered through the 2027-30 National Land Transport Programme alongside other priorities. These improvements contribute to the wider strategy of enabling high capacity, efficient and reliable public transport helping to accommodate future growth and reduce pressure on the road network. NZTA has also developed the Queenstown Strategic Network Plan, which sets out a 30-year pathway for Queenstown’s strategic transport network. The Plan found that forecast growth is significant, and even with the interventions proposed in the plan congestion is expected to remain on parts of the network. The Plan includes high-capacity, efficient and reliable public transport, demand management measures, targeted highway capacity improvements, and a future second crossing of the Kawarau River. The plan focuses on enabling reliable movement of people and goods through a range of interventions that provide people with alternatives to private car use.