Invercargill’s Gateway Roundabout Described as “Unsightly” by Deputy Mayor

• Invercargill’s northern roundabout has been criticized as “the most unsightly” by the deputy mayor.
• Concerns about roundabout beautification were discussed at a recent council committee meeting.
• Waka Kotahi currently maintains the roundabout, prioritizing safety over appearance.

Invercargill’s northern entrance roundabout has come under fire for its unattractive appearance, with Deputy Mayor Tom Campbell describing it as “the most unsightly I’ve ever seen.” The issue was brought up at a recent council committee meeting where the focus was on beautifying the city’s entrances.

While other roundabouts were included in the beautification agenda, the North Road/Lorneville roundabout leading to Riverton and Queenstown was notably absent. Campbell mentioned receiving numerous complaints about the roundabout, stating it was damaging the city’s reputation. “It is the most unsightly thing you could ever imagine, and it is the gateway to the city,” he emphasised.

The roundabout falls under Waka Kotahi’s jurisdiction due to its location in a high-speed area. Erin Moogan, the council’s group manager for infrastructure, relayed concerns to the transport agency. However, their primary focus remains on safety rather than beautification. “The concern they have at the moment is they’re not particularly comfortable to hand that roundabout over given the higher speed environment, and therefore the traffic management responsibility they would be handing over in that high speed environment,” Moogan explained.

Despite this, the council plans to request that Waka Kotahi maintain the roundabout to a higher standard. Moogan noted that while other councils have taken responsibility for similar roundabouts, an agreement had not yet been reached, and warned that the maintenance cost for the council could be significant.

Campbell stressed the impact on the city’s image, saying, “I think you can certainly take back to them about the reputational damage, having that as a very, very unsightly gateway to the city.”

The meeting also addressed issues with another roundabout. Councillor Ria Bond highlighted the problem of overgrown vegetation at the Tweed St roundabout, which is affecting visibility and safety.