The Tauranga Eastern Link
A highway recognised by the government as a road of national significance, the Tauranga Eastern Link will be the Bay of Plenty’s largest roading project and a key strategic transport corridor for the region.
The Tauranga Eastern Link project is expected to deliver several significant benefits to the national network when it is complete:
- Enabling more efficient transport movements from southern and eastern Bay of Plenty to the Port of Tauranga, which could result in increased productivity for regional and national freight traffic; and
- Providing a safer and more direct route for vehicles travelling between Tauranga and Paengaroa, routing heavy traffic away from Te Puke and existing State Highway.
The Tauranga Eastern Link will provide a more direct alternative to SH2, which will lower the cost of transport and improve access to the Port of Tauranga and the wider city.
Population, employment and growth
The Western Bay of Plenty has experienced significant population growth in recent years, and this is expected to continue over the next 30 years, with the population projected to double to 286,300. The key drivers of this growth will be increased use of the Port of Tauranga, New Zealand’s largest port, and the development of new residential, commercial and industrial land to the east of the city all supported by new roadways and infrastructure.
Planning for future land use and transport in the Western Bay of Plenty has been considered in an integrated manner under the SmartGrowth Strategy, developed by local authorities and road controlling agencies. This strategy plans for a compact urban form in the Western Bay of Plenty sub-region, with a focus on corridors – known as Smart Transport Corridors – and nodes of development.
In order to achieve the desired land use pattern and deliver on “live, work and play” outcomes, the SmartGrowth Strategy is reliant on the completion of the regional Smart Transport Corridors. The Tauranga Eastern Link is a key priority within the development of the Smart Transport Eastern Corridor, and is an essential component of an integrated transport network.
The urban areas within the Eastern Corridor, including Papamoa East, Te Puke and Rangiuru, are expected to grow significantly in the future, with around 60,000 new residents anticipated to move to the area. Development in the Eastern Corridor will support and complement the existing developing areas located south-east of Mount Maunganui.
In broad terms, future development along the Eastern Corridor is expected to contribute around $8.5 billion to the Western Bay of Plenty sub-region economy. This includes:
- 17,500 new homes;
- 450 hectares of industrial development;
- Up to 100,000 square metres of shops, office and commercial activity.
(Source: NZ Transport Agency, Tauranga Eastern Link – Project Summary Statement, 17 December 2009)
Future land for employment
- Te Okuroa Industrial Park
- Rangiuru Business Park
- Future Golden Sands Town Centre
- The Papamoa Junction
New Schools
- Papamoa College
- Golden Sands Primary School
