Transporting New Zealand held an industry update and networking event in Lower Hutt on 24 September, kindly hosted by TR Group at their premises in Seaview.
After some drinks and nibbles, attendees enjoyed presentations from NZTA, TR Group and Transporting New Zealand.
NZTA Regional Manager Mark Owen gave a detailed summary on activities in the greater Wellington region and top of the South, including the scale of works planned to complete the Transmission Gully project over the next two years, with some disruption and lane closures planned from October to March for resurfacing and drainage works.
NZTA Wellington Transport Alliance (WTA) Manager Roxanne Hilliard spoke of the alliance between NZTA, Fulton Hogan and WSP which maintains and operates the state highways in the greater Wellington region. The WTA liaises with the freight industry to notify of planned works and help companies and drivers navigate roadworks and detours. Roxanne said if operators are aware of local roading issues, it is easiest to tackle this as part of scheduled works – contact your local Membership Manager Lindsay Calvi-Freeman at lindsay@transporting.nz and we’ll pass details onto NZTA.
Finally, Sam Dunshea from NZTA gave an update on the build of the new Mackays Crossing commercial vehicle safety centre, which supports new weigh-in-motion scales planned for north and south of SH1. This site is aimed to be completed by next March, and will commence operations in July.
Following NZTA, Tony Flowers from TR Group gave a background on the business and trends in commercial vehicle leasing, noting that business conditions are as tough now as during the 2008 global financial crisis. The function concluded with Transporting New Zealand CEO Dom Kalasih giving an update on the varied work of Transporting New Zealand, and recent advocacy wins in the region including the scrapping of planned speed humps on Brooklyn Hill, and the commencement of construction of the Ōtaki to north of Levin expressway and the Melling interchange.
