We received 1,718 submissions on the Draft Speed Management Plan during consultation in 2023.

We asked a series of questions, based on localities and different speed reduction options, to elicit community responses on the draft proposed changes. Eighty-eight per cent (88%) of all submitters did not support the draft SMP.

Key themes from the feedback

• 30km/h on widespread residential streets is too slow, lowering speed will negatively impact the community. Potential traffic congestion and increased traffic is a concern.
• Widespread lowering of speeds will not produce the desired safety effect. Slower speeds limits will increase driver frustration, more incidents of road rage and drivers making unsafe decisions. The widespread lowering of speed limits penalises the responsible majority of road users who drive safely according to the road conditions.
• Blanket and widespread speed reductions across Rotorua are not necessary. Current residential speeds limits feel safe, although lowering speed limits directly outside schools and within a specific part of the CBD for the safety of children and vulnerable pedestrians makes sense.
• Encouragement of a shift towards other modes of transport rather than being vehicle centric is a positive move. We need to provide improved public transport options to reduce cars reliance and offer alternative safe and practical transport options.
• A concern of the potential cost to the economy in terms of slower goods and services delivery times and in people not wanting to visit Rotorua because of a restrictive movement environment.
• More traffic policing is needed of the current speed limits and in targeting dangerous driving, more speed cameras and cameras at traffic lights are better alternative suggestions.
• On-going driver education is a key theme, stating that speed is not the issue, it’s distracted and unsafe drivers that is the issue.
• Better maintenance and upgrading of our roading network is needed, particularly fixing potholes and general driving conditions that would make roads safer.
• Concern that emergency services would take longer travelling at slower speeds to respond to emergencies.
• Modern cars have more safety features making them safer to drive. Lower speeds shouldn’t be needed as safety technology continues to improve.

Rotorua Lakes Council sought feedback on the draft plan, which aimed to reduce speed limits to 30km/h around all Rotorua schools and within the CBD. Waka Kotahi proposed implementing safe and appropriate speed limits outside all schools across Aotearoa by 2027, as part of these key initiatives:

• Road to Zero Road Safety Strategy
• Land Transport Rule - Setting of Speed Limits 2022

While Council wasn't able to change the national mandate for 30km/h around schools, it invited community feedback on additional proposed changes.

Feedback was accepted through various channels, including survey forms, email, postal submissions, Facebook, and phone.

New Zealand has committed to improving road safety through Waka Kotahi's "Road to Zero" strategy, which aimed to reduce annual deaths and serious injuries by 40% by 2030.

Changes in the local environment, significant growth, and the increasing use of diverse transport modes highlighted the need to review speed limits. In Rotorua, 93% of roads had speed limits higher than the safe and appropriate speeds recommended by Waka Kotahi.

Safety remained the focus of transport decisions, encouraging alternative travel modes and rethinking city connections. The draft consultation document and technical Speed Management Plan provided further insights.