Negotiations well underway on Expressway objectives

Negotiations over Council’s membership of the Sandhills Expressway Alliance were continuing, said Council Chief Executive Pat Dougherty.

In June Council set 11 objectives as a basis for membership of the Alliance. The objectives followed a round of District-wide consultations.

At the time Mayor Jenny Rowan said the objectives were fair and reasonable and would provide “a foundation on which to move forward on this project.”

Mr Dougherty said he and other senior Council staff had been meeting with NZTA counterparts, sometimes more than twice a week, on the objectives.

“Negotiations are well underway. There are a number of things we agree on and some issues are still being discussed. I anticipate our negotiations should be concluded by early next month and ready for Council consideration.”