The Structure Plan area is divided in two by Abel Tasman Drive which provides vehicle, walking and cycling access to the Port from the west from Pohara, Takaka and ultimately the rest of Tasman and beyond. This road also provides access through to Tata Beach, Wainui Bay and the Abel Tasman National Park. It is important to ensure continued safe access to and through the area.

The road is very narrow in places and winding and affected by adjacent cliffs and overhangs with some instability issues in parts. This causes safety issues with potential for conflicts between users (e.g. cars and trucks vs pedestrians and cyclists) and there is limited space for physical improvement.

The roading access points to the Port and recreation area, as well as the connections within the Port area itself are constricted with vehicles crossing in areas of limited visibility and little separation between accesses.

The road is also at risk from coastal impacts during storm conditions and the road will be subject to sea level rise in time. This also impacts on linear infrastructure with cables and pipes being within the road corridor.

No alternative access is available to settled areas to the east and to Abel Tasman National Park should the road through the Port area be closed e.g. due to rock falls. Any inland roading options inland would be expensive and difficult.

Use of the road is predicted to increase long-term, especially if commercial use of the Port increases e.g. servicing the marine farms. This will impact on the wider roading network especially with increased heavy vehicle movements.

There is also potential for conflict with vehicles moving between the Port itself and any support area in the quarry land. Cycle and walkways between Pohara and Totaranui are currently in the planning stage.

Part of the public road is currently on private land rather than being legal road reserve and ownership needs to be resolved.

There can at times be conflicts between users within the Port waters with a range of users from small boats and waka through to large commercial vessels navigating the enclosed area.

There is a need to ensure safety for all users within the Port space.

Key issues in providing for Access and Transport include:

Current and future spatial issues

There is a need to relocate and clearly define the location and use of access points into the port itself, the recreation area and into the support land in the quarry, as well as ensuring sufficient parking and avoiding conflict between users. Expand for detail:

There is a need to relocate and clearly define the location and use of access points into the Port itself, the recreation area and into the support land in the quarry. These need to be clearly marked, well located to maximise visibility, and separated as much as possible to reduce conflict.

There is a need to ensure sufficient safe and convenient parking for all uses in the various parts of the area.

There is a need to avoid conflict and maximise efficient use of space. This requires delineation of the different forms of access and movement (light and heavy vehicles, walking and cycling) within the various parts of the Port area, and identification of changes necessary to maximise safety and clarity of movement. Matters to explore include cycle lanes, improved walking access, clear intersections, protection of ecological values from vehicle risks (e.g. penguin underpasses/fences).

There is a need to ensure safety for all users within the Port space as a whole but particularly within the confined waters.

Response to Issues

There are a range of responses that would address many of the issues identified in the Report.

You can read more about the Planning, Reserve Status, Local Government/ Long Term Plan, Port Development, and Support Activity responses.