Assessment of options

Advantages

• The installation of a physical barrier will prevent vehicles from accessing the area we want to keep dedicated for pedestrians.
• Physical barriers can be designed so they can be moved as required. The legal status of the road is maintained.

Disadvantages:

• Council needs to have a legal mechanism to enable a physical barrier to be put in place. Erecting a physical barrier on its own is not a practicable option.

Advantages:

• There are no advantages that have been identified for this option.

Disadvantages:

• Council has the power to make bylaws under both these Acts to regulate the use of roads, however none of the powers extend to making bylaws to prohibit all vehicular use of a part of the road. This means a bylaw making power is not a practicable option.

Advantages:

• Stopping a road brings to an end to its legal status as a road. This would enable Council to prevent vehicles from being able to access the area at any time.
• A public consultation process is required whereby Council must make the approved road stopping plan available to the public in two rounds of consultation. Any objections received are referred to the Environment Court.

Disadvantages:

• The loss of legal road status would make it more difficult for Council and other infrastructure providers to maintain the existing infrastructure like water and power.
• This option could create significant delays and would put significant pressure on the ability to deliver the proposed roading changes by the deadline of November 2022.
• Removing the legal road status reduces options available to Council. For example, if Council is required to reinstate back to road for whatever reason there would be costs and other matters that could prove problematic.
• The land will revert back to freehold land and may require the provision of easements to access existing infrastructure.

Advantages:

• There are no advantages that have been identified for this option.

Disadvantages:

• A road closure is a temporary measure used when a road is required for a reason unsuitable for normal vehicular use, such as an event. Road closure is therefore not a suitable option for prohibiting or restricting vehicles on a permanent basis.
• Road closures can only occur on any part of a road or entire road for up to 31 days in any year. This option will not meet the objectives of the Town Centre Transformation Project which seeks to permanently pedestrianise these areas.

Advantages:

• There are no advantages that have been identified for this option.

Disadvantages:

• A shared space is deliberately designed and landscaped for pedestrians. However, as vehicles would not be excluded from the proposed areas there would still be a safety risk to pedestrians. This means that this is not a practicable option.

Advantages:

• A pedestrian mall will provide a legal mechanism to restrict vehicles from the identified areas and thereby creating a safer environment for pedestrians.
• The legal status of the road remains in place enabling Council and other infrastructure providers to effectively and efficiently manage the infrastructure already in place.
• The ability to create exemptions or conditions means a pedestrian mall can accommodate aspects such as vehicles to service infrastructure, deal with emergencies or set up for events.
• Putting a pedestrian mall in place along the lakefront will enable the creation of the world class waterfront envisaged through the Taupō Urban Commercial and Industrial Structure Plan.
• The reconfiguration of Roberts Street will ensure that traffic can continue to flow from Tongariro Street past the businesses fronting the lakefront.

Disadvantages:

• The creation of a pedestrian mall is subject to appeal to the Environment Court. That could cause some delays to the overall project delivery.

Advantages:

• Access is maintained to all vehicles.
• No costs are incurred by Council.

Disadvantages:

• The Horomatangi Street intersection would be more dangerous, particularly for children accessing Taupo Primary School and the nearby field.
• Retaining the current Lake Terrace would significantly compromise the ability to create an enhanced pedestrian space along the lakefront. It would be difficult to access reserve areas and there would be less opportunity to create additional outdoor dining space.