Marlborough Sounds Future Access Study

To provide a safe and resilient transport system to access the Marlborough Sounds

Council is focused on creating as much certainty as possible for the wellbeing of everyone who lives, works and visits the Marlborough Sounds.

Severe weather events in 2021 and again in 2022 have closed roads in the Sounds leaving people with limited or no access for prolonged periods, and in some cases no feasible, safe, long-term alternative access. Whilst road access to residents has been reinstated in many areas, it is fragile and subject to strict controls.

For information and updates about recovery, see the August Storm Event 2022 pages of this website

Many of these roads were built as local access tracks and were never designed for today’s transport loads and damaging weather events. Unfortunately, more of the storms that have undermined these vulnerable roads in 2021 and 2022 are possible in the future.

Therefore, Council has embarked on the Marlborough Sounds Future Access Study to support the case for funding the Sounds’ future transport network’s recovery and maintenance.

Council has appointed consulting, engineering and construction company Stantec to carry out the Marlborough Sounds Future Access Study. The Waka Kotahi business case process guides the study.

The study is looking at four geographical areas, recognising their own distinct access issues.

Rai Valley to French Pass. Ronga Road (Rai Valley), Tennyson Inlet, Croisilles-French Pass Road, Te Towaka-Port Ligar Road, Bulwer Road, including Rangitoto ki te Tonga / D'Urville Island and surrounding areas.

Pelorus. Kaiuma Bay Road including Daltons Road / Track and Te Hoiere Road and surrounding areas – Linked to Te Hoiere/Pelorus Catchment linking back to Te Hoiere/Pelorus River.

Kenepuru. Queen Charlotte Drive (Havelock to Picton) including Kenepuru Road and the outer Sounds

Port Underwood. Port Underwood and Tumbledown Bay roads (to Rarangi campground)

At the end of the study, Stantec will prepare a business case to support the funding plan for a safe and resilient transport system for the Marlborough Sounds. Alongside Council, Waka Kotahi will consider the funding for the preferred options for the network. The Department of Internal Affairs and the National Emergency Management Agency are also taking a keen interest in this work.

It may not be difficult to make decisions for some areas, but others could potentially take years to fix, and others might need to consider lowered levels of service, but the ultimate goal is to provide the Sounds community with as much certainty as possible.

Give Us Your Views

We know people are worried about the future, especially the impacts of a changing climate causing more damaging weather events. The Marlborough Sounds Future Access Study will involve the Sounds community, whose input will help provide the solutions to deliver safe and resilient access in and out of the Sounds.

The Marlborough Sounds community are being asked to provide input during the study in 2023, to help Council decide the type of sustainable access that can be provided long term.

Find out more about public consultation in 2023

Frequently Asked Questions

The study’s frequently asked questions document will be updated whenever there is new information about the study.

Marlborough Sounds Future Access Study FAQs (PDF, 444.2KB)

Marlborough Sounds Recovery

During the study, priority storm recovery access work continues. The current priority is on specific sites and improved access on French Pass, Kenepuru Road and Queen Charlotte Drive.

For information and updates about recovery, see the August Storm Event 2022 pages of this website

Some of the more complex repairs that do not currently prevent access will be confirmed upon conclusion of the Marlborough Sounds Future Access business case in 2023.