Whakatāne District Council has adopted a policy which will see high-use gravel roads progressively sealed over time.

During the last Long-Term Plan process, Council resolved to set aside $750,000 annually to gradually seal gravel roads throughout the District.

Council Manager Transportation Martin Taylor said environmental impacts from unsealed roads, like dust, noise, and vibration, have ongoing harmful effects on people and the environment.

“Council manages around 900 kilometres of road within the District, around 200km of these roads are gravel.

“We are very conscious of the impacts of dust from these roads on people’s health and want to ensure the money we invest in sealing gravel roads is spent in the places that have the most impact on people’s health.”

The new Seal Extension Policy allows Council to use a tool to prioritise roads according to the highest need. Under this policy those roads with the highest score will be sealed first.

The score is based on community impacts like traffic and speed, how many houses are on the road and the surrounding environment. It also considers, to a lesser extent, economic benefits like completing two neighbouring roads at the same time and available budget in a given year.

“Given the large community interest in sealing roads, we believe this is the fairest way to undertake this work,” said Mr Taylor.

The new policy was adopted at the Strategy and Policy Committee on Thursday (July 7).

Find out more information about the new Road Sealing Policy »

Anyone with any questions or feedback on the new criteria is welcome to contact council at info@whakatane.govt.nz or by calling 07 306 0500.