Key Takeaways
- A Marlborough Sounds tourism operator, Portage Resort, is experiencing significant distress due to restricted access road closures, affecting their customer base and revenue during the peak summer season.
- The road closures are part of the Marlborough Sounds Roads Recovery project, a multimillion-dollar initiative to repair roads damaged by major weather events in 2021 and 2022.
- The resort’s managing director, Clare Davies, is concerned about the impact of the road closures on the local economy and the decline in booking inquiries and visitor confidence.
- The council’s transport recovery manager, Steve Murrin, explains that the extent of repairs needed requires complete road closure, and the dry summer months are the most favorable conditions for the works.
Introduction to the Issue
The Marlborough Sounds tourism industry is facing a significant challenge due to restricted access road closures, which are affecting the local economy and businesses, particularly during the peak summer season. Portage Resort, a major tourism operator in the area, is experiencing a decline in booking inquiries and visitor confidence due to the limited road access. The resort’s managing director, Clare Davies, has expressed her distress and disappointment at the continued road closures, which are causing significant disruptions to their operations and revenue.
The Impact on Local Businesses
The road closures are having a profound impact on local businesses, particularly those that rely heavily on tourism, such as Portage Resort. Davies explained that many guests, especially international travelers, do not have the flexibility to adjust their itineraries, and when they discover that they cannot reach the resort due to road closures, they simply cancel their bookings altogether. This is especially disheartening for the resort, which has invested heavily in lifting its international profile. The resort’s staff are spending considerable time and effort to ensure that guests can still access the resort, but the road closures are creating uncertainty for visitors and operational hardship for businesses trying to deliver consistent service.
The Marlborough Sounds Roads Recovery Project
The road closures are part of the Marlborough Sounds Roads Recovery project, a multimillion-dollar initiative to repair roads damaged by major weather events in 2021 and 2022. The project involves extensive road works along Kenepuru Rd and Torea Rd, which are significant tourist routes in the area. The council’s transport recovery manager, Steve Murrin, explained that the extent of repairs needed requires complete road closure, and the dry summer months are the most favorable conditions for the works. Murrin stated that the programme of works was designed to cause the most access and least disruption possible, and to complete the works as fast as they could.
The Need for Consultation and Planning
Davies emphasized the need for consultation and planning between the council and the local community, particularly tourism operators, to minimize the impact of the road closures on the local economy. She hoped that the council would consider the needs of residents, visitors, and tourism operators who depend on safe and reliable access to the area. Murrin stated that Marlborough Roads had conducted several community meetings to keep residents informed about the schedule of works, and the work schedule was slightly altered after feedback from residents during the last meeting on December 4.
The Future of the Project
The Marlborough Sounds Roads Recovery project is currently ahead of schedule, with an expected completion date of December 2027, instead of the original finish date in late 2030. However, Murrin noted that every time contractors need to move off the road to provide access, there is a cost to the programme, and it also pushes the completion date of the programme out, adding cost to the programme. Despite the challenges, the council remains committed to completing the project as soon as possible, while minimizing disruptions to the local community and tourism industry.