Briefly

Consultation
on speed

Alongside Masterton District Council’s Annual Plan consultation launch at the end of next month, residents and ratepayers will be asked their thoughts on a draft speed management plan for the area. Councils are responsible for setting speed limits and maintaining all public roads in the district, apart from state highways under Waka Kotahi’s control. As part of the council’s duty, it must create a Speed Management Plan which sets out its approach for managing speed and safety in the district, including speed limit changes and engineering improvements. Once certified, the Masterton District Speed Management Plan will be added to a regional plan. The council must consult with the public on proposed changes before it is finalised. While a draft plan is not yet available for public viewing, it will be made public during consultation, which will take place alongside Annual Plan consultation from March 31 to May 1. –NZLDR

Masterton may

join reserve

Masterton residents and ratepayers will soon be asked if they want to join the existing Dark Sky Reserve in Carterton and South Wairarapa. The topic will be out for consultation as part of Masterton District Council’s [MDC] Annual Plan process. The council’s preferred option is that initial work begins on joining the reserve, with $20,000 to be set aside from existing economic development budgets to support the work. External funding opportunities and volunteer contributions would also be explored. The alternative option is that MDC does not undertake any work to join the existing Dark Sky Reserve. A dark sky reserve is public or private land where the quality of starry nights and the nocturnal environment are exceptional, and those qualities are specifically protected for cultural, natural, educational, scientific, or public-purposed. –NZLDR