Photo: Stuff via LDR
Marlburians will soon be asked which access option they prefer in each of the five storm-damaged areas of the Marlborough Sounds.
Marlborough mayor Nadine Taylor said it followed eight months of technical analysis by engineering consultancy Stantec and feedback gathered from stakeholders and Sounds' landowners, homeowners and businesses.
The options include building back roads and improved marine access.
Taylor said the sounds needed a road network that could cope with the damaging impacts of climate change, sea level rise and earthquakes well into the future.
After this second round of engagement, Waka Kotahi will consider the analysis and feedback in the council's business case and make their decisions, which will include how much funding they can provide or request from the government.
"I know that Sounds residents have been living with damaged roads since mid-2021 and want clarity about what is happening in the short, medium and long-term. We are getting closer to that with this second round of public discussion on the preferred and alternative options."
Taylor said the options would include cost estimates to cover repairs from the August 2022 event, capital improvements and ongoing maintenance costs.
"What we won't know at this stage is the funding mix between government and council, but as there will be a significant impact on rates, we will be asking both Sounds residents and Marlborough ratepayers as a whole what they might be willing to pay for a resilient transport network in the Sounds."
This next phase of public engagement starts on 20 June, with seven community drop-in sessions held in Blenheim, Picton, around the Sounds and in Nelson.