Consent obtained for the first digital billboard in Richmond

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi opposed the application lodged on traffic safety grounds, due to concerns about potential distraction for drivers using the left-turn slip lane at the intersection and ‘dominance.’ Local submitters also raised traffic safety issues and concerns about the effect of the digital billboard on amenity values. A few submissions also raised concerns about the effect of lighting from the digital billboard on the Wai-iti Dark Sky Park, several kilometres away. The Tasman District Council’s section 42A report recommended that consent be declined on traffic safety and amenity grounds.

Significant amendments were made to the proposal to address the concerns, including re-orienting the billboard so it would not be seen from the slip lane; increasing the dwell time from 8 seconds to 30 seconds; constructing a parapet behind the billboard to address amenity issues; and reducing the night time maximum luminance levels.

These amendments were the result of constructive engagement with Tasman District Council and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi’s experts, which achieved a large measure of agreement and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi withdrew its opposition. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi's approach to this application reflected a shift away from blanket opposition to digital billboards based on driver distraction and 'human factors' issues to one focussing on the specific traffic safety issues arising.

As a result of the amendments, the Council’s independent planning consultant altered her recommendation to one that consent could be granted, based on a largely agreed set of conditions.