A shift in priorities has led to the mutual shelving of a proposed roading venture between Transit New Zealand and the Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago District Councils.

In 2002 the three parties commenced talks about a proposal dubbed 'Remarkable Roads' to develop a joint venture to more effectively develop, operate and maintain local roads and state highways within the Central Lakes region.

"At that time the three partners had separate but complementary objectives which appeared at the time to offer considerable advantages including economic," QLDC chief executive Duncan Field said.

However as the project proceeded a number of significant events affected its progress.

"In particular the passing of the Land Transport Management Act substantially changed the basis for roading planning on a regional and national level," CODC chief executive John Cooney said.

Both councils had worked to develop strategies which required more direct control.

"In the case of QLDC we have since developed our own Transportation and Parking Study (Future Link) and increased our strength in the area of roading by appointing General Manager Utilities Mark Kunath to drive those initiatives," Mr Field said.

"We have had some very positive discussions about the way forward that best serves our communities and all three parties have now reached the point where there agreement that we all have more suitable alternate options to achieve the original objectives," Mr Cooney said.

All parties agreed that the process and the working party deliberations had been of major benefit in terms of gaining better knowledge of the roading network and cementing strong relationships, particularly between the two district councils and Transit.

"The positive experience we have had of working with our joint venture partners to date suggests that while Remarkable Roads has been disbanded, there may be opportunities for joint involvement on specific projects in the future," Transit chief executive Rick van Barneveld said.

"The joint venture had merit three years ago but has really been now been overtaken by other events. I think it's fair to say we can all take something positive out of it," Mr Field said.

ENDS

For further information please contact Duncan Field 03 441 0499 or John Cooney 03 448 6979.

By: Tamah