McDonald\u2019s sought approval from New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA), which was granted on the condition right-turn bays were constructed at the SH2 intersection with Henry Rd and Marshall Rd.<\/p>\n
The plan for the new McDonald’s restaurant on Henry Rd, Katikati. Image \/ Western Bay of Plenty District Council<\/p>\n
An NZTA spokesperson said the annual average daily traffic on SH2 through Katikati was 11,892<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cSeparating the turning traffic from the active lanes means through traffic can proceed without interruption and increasing road capacity overall.\u201d<\/p>\n The spokesperson said construction could involve pavement resurfacing or pavement marking changes.<\/p>\n \u201cThese can be done over a short-term period and to coincide with low-traffic-volume periods to minimise inconvenience.\u201d<\/p>\n Other proposed changes included extending the \u201cno stopping lines\u201d in the southbound direction to end at a bus stop between Sheffield St and Marshall Rd.<\/p>\n The spokesperson said the upgrades were funded by McDonald\u2019s.<\/p>\n McDonald\u2019s head of impact and communications Simon Kenny said the restaurant\u2019s expected opening date was in 2027.<\/p>\n \u201cWe now move into the construction planning phase.\u201d<\/p>\n He said McDonald\u2019s opened three to six new restaurants a year<\/a> in New Zealand. <\/p>\n Baywide Autos is a Katikati car dealer located opposite the new McDonald\u2019s site.<\/p>\n Owner Ian Wood said any new business could benefit the town.<\/p>\n He said traffic could impact his business, but he had not yet seen any plans for roadworks.<\/p>\n Katikati-Waih\u012b Beach ward councillor Rodney Joyce said community feedback had been split.<\/p>\n \u201cMcDonald\u2019s as a brand has become a lightning rod for people regarding nutrition and financial concerns.\u201d<\/p>\n Joyce said other feedback was the restaurant could create jobs and sponsor local sports competitions.<\/p>\n He said he was not concerned about the restaurant\u2019s effect on traffic. <\/p>\n \u201cKatikati is about to go through a growth spurt. There\u2019s potential for Katikati to double in size.\u201d<\/p>\n Joyce mentioned the Western Bay regional deal, <\/a>which would consider the previously tabled Katikati Bypass<\/a>.<\/p>\n He said one of the options proposed to fund the bypass was to develop more housing in Katikati. <\/p>\n Joyce said the new restaurant could bring more money into the town.<\/p>\n \u201cAll businesses face competition. If it brings more people into town, then it could have a good effect on businesses and increase competition.\u201d<\/p>\n