Waikato District Council permit to use Whaanga Rd as a race track

Should Whaanga Road be used as a rally event race track?

Waikato District Council is currently considering an application by Rally New Zealand to hold a segment of the WRC Rally New Zealand 2022 on Whaanga Rd. The proposed date for the use of Whaanga Rd as a racetrack segment is Friday 30th of September 2022.

The permit if granted, would allow the event organisers to close Whaanga Road for almost 30 Km for up to 8 hours with significant impact on the Whaanga Road community.

There is no permit in place and the process of applying for a permit has only just begun. Now’s the time to have your say.

Click "OK" below to start the survey.

You can download a presentation outlining some of the concerns about using Whaanga Road as a race track here.

You can see how the Rally Organisers are promoting Whaanga Road to potential sponsors of the event here.

Question Title

* 1. Which of these best describes your situation?

I'm a Waikato District Council ratepayer

I live in the area

I run a business in the area

I use Whaanga Road

None of the above, I just DONT want the rally to use Whaanga Road

None of the above, I just want to see the rally being run on Whaanga Road

Question Title

* 2. I would like to see the Waikato District Council:

Reject the permit to use Whaanga Road for Rally NZ 2022

Grant the permit to use Whaanga Road for Rally NZ 2022 subject to conditions

Grant the permit to use Whaanga Road for Rally NZ 2022 unconditionally

Question Title

* 3. The issues that concern me about granting a permit include (You can select more than one)

All the points below

Copycat rally tourism

Won't be able to get the kids to school that day

Won't be able to get to work that day

Road damage

Potential impact on WDC's finances

WDC breaking its own rules for Road Closures for Motor Sport events

Having to assume the stock control liability if the event causes damages to our fences

Environmental impact

Heritage impact

Inconvenience of being locked down again

Concerns about being able to deal with a medical emergency if a rally car damages the powerline or there is a power outage for some other reason

Concerns about being able to get a vet to our property in an emergency

Costs and effort of having to move stock

Casual spectators on our property

Prevents access to recreational amenities

Damage to a sensitive environment

Out of step with Raglan's ideals

Question Title

* 4. If Waikato District Council granted a permit, it should be subject to the following conditions.

Not applicable - no conditions can mitigate my concerns about holding a rally event on Whaanga Road

An appropriate bond (At least $0.5m) in advance to ensure the road damage is repaired

Ensure the Event Organisers assume the stock control liability if fences are damaged by the rally cars or spectators

Residents who can’t get to work that day are fully compensated for any lost pay

Alternative school transport is arranged on the event day for students that live on Whaanga Road

Emergency communication is in place if a rally car takes out a power pole and there is a medical emergency at the same time

Arrangements are in place to facilitate vet access to any livestock emergency on Whaanga Road properties

Other (please specify)