A report to yesterday's infrastructure services committee questioned the need for the planned $3.2 million Centre St/Carncross St link project in Mosgiel, given recent job losses associated with the Silver Fern Farms and Fisher and Paykel sites.
As well, the global economic downturn and a lack of demand for industrial land in the area meant the project should be reconsidered, the report by council transportation planning manager Don Hill said.
Dwindling economic activity meant the project was unlikely to meet Land Transport New Zealand's cost-benefit ratio, used to assess applications for regional road funding, "and this situation is unlikely to change in the foreseeable future", the report said.
However, funding should be included in the council's budget for 2018-19 to confirm the council remained committed to the project, the report recommended.
Councillors considering the report were largely in agreement, but committee chairman Cr Andrew Noone was reluctant to vote for a recommendation suggesting the project would be delayed until economic activity picked up.
He felt the wording was too negative, and instead suggested simply approving funds in 2018-19 and confirming the link remained "the preferred option" for the eastern arterial route for the Mosgiel Taieri area.
The recommendation, which was supported by councillors, also noted the project could yet be brought forward, if NZTA regional funding - providing a 65% subsidy for the work - became available.
However, other work in the area around Mosgiel would still go ahead, including a planned bridle-path for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders on Riccarton Rd/Dukes Rd, scheduled for 2009-10 and 2010-11.
Widening of the Riccarton Rd carriageway would proceed in conjunction with pavement rehabilitation work, any time between 2010 and 2020, as would a replacement for the Wingatui Rd bridge, in 2009-10.
The $850,000 bridge replacement project would see the 100-year-old bridge replaced with a new single lane bridge, ensuring quicker access for emergency services to helicopter facilities at the Taieri Airfield.
The changes, which will be presented to the full council meeting on February 23, will also be taken to the Mosgiel Taieri Community Board for comment, councillors decided.
However, Cr Colin Weatherall criticised the lack of communication over "complete changes" to the Centre St/Carncross St project, which had involved discussions between councillors, staff and the community.
Cr Kate Wilson also expressed concern at the proposed changes, which came without consultation and were "second-guessing" the NZTA's regional funding announcements scheduled for August.
"I think this is a very, very big change and I think we are going about it in the wrong way," she said.
She also questioned whether councillors should be planning ahead for change, or waiting for it to happen and then reacting.
"If we don't do this now then aren't we almost confirming that the industrial development won't take place?"
However, Cr Noone said said councillors were "certainly not standing back from" commitments to eastern and western arterial routes.
"That's the expectation out there in the community."
