It’s the issue that has dominated this year’s local body elections – but anyone who says they are pro or against the Southern Link has an agenda, and that isn’t what’s best for Nelson.
The Southern Link seems to be on the tip of candidates’ tongues and various lobby groups are lining up to influence voters and candidates.
The anti-Southern Link group Vision Nelson has door knocked in Victory giving ratepayers cards and pamphlets with candidates that they want them to vote for, namely candidates that are against the building of the Southern Link.
While the pro-link Progress Nelson has been promoting candidates who support the link.
Election signs have also been gaining tacked-on additions with various statements indicating that the candidate supports the Southern Link.
But to suggest that voting for pro or anti Southern Link candidates will mean the road is built, or not, is misleading to voters.
For one New Zealand Transport Agency, which is conducting an investigation into the benefits or otherwise of a third arterial route to the city, is only 20 per cent of the way through its study.
The environmental impacts have yet to be assessed, nor whether the road will actually be value for money or, indeed, how much it would cost.
Any councillor who says they have a position on the road is speculating and stands on dangerous ground. I would hope that elected officials will develop their opinions once the study is finished and released.
Only then can they weigh up the pros and cons, listen to the entire community that they represent and make an informed decision.
Another critical point in all this is that councillors don’t even decide whether or not the road will proceed. It’s an NZTA study and the decision will be determined by the government.
I understand why these lobby groups are keen to ensure politicians sympathetic to their cause are elected.
Council support will send a message to government, while a hostile council would make it hard for MP Nick Smith to argue to his cabinet colleagues that the money will be appreciated by the region.
While councillors can have a philosophical view on whether the Southern Link would benefit the region or not, they should still have an open mind when considering the facts released in the NZTA report.
Until that report is released, councillors don’t know whether it’s a good idea or not, no one does.
One thing is for certain though, whatever this investigation reveals, this region needs to stop dithering and make a decision.
If the Southern Link proves the best solution, then build it. If not, let’s look at alternatives that will help free up our roads.
We’re not getting any smaller and the number of trucks full of produce and logs from the Waimea Plains to Port Nelson are not getting any less.
Something needs to be done, but not with half-cocked information and hyperbole. Let’s get the facts and then make a decision that sticks.
