Boyack RachelRACHEL BOYACK (Labour—Nelson): Thank you Mr Speaker. First may I take the opportunity to encourage the people of Nelson and Tasman to prepare for the potential of heavy rain events over the weekend. Yesterday I joined a briefing call with our local civil defence emergency management group (CDEM) and councils as our local teams prepare for the potential of heavy rain.The events of August 2022 still hang heavy over many people in our community. I wish to acknowledge that for many people it may be an anxious time. In order to get prepared I encourage households to take the following steps. If it's safe check your drains and gutters for any debris that could cause surface flooding on your property. Make a plan with your family; agree where your meeting point will be if you're separated from each other. Keep your phones well charged and have a battery-powered radio available. Put together a grab bag including water snacks medication warm clothing and rainwear; don't forget to add food and medication for your pets. If you're on social media follow and check the Nelson Tasman Civil Defence pages and the Nelson City and Tasman District Council pages. Finally consider whether you need to be out and about on the roads and drive to the conditions. If you can work from home please do so.I know that some Nelsonians may be feeling anxious about the potential for a severe event especially following the significant event we faced last year. If you are feeling concerned or anxious and would like to speak to someone please text or phone 1737 at any time of the day or night to speak to someone. I have had reports from locals who were affected by the August 2022 floods that they've found this service very helpful.My thanks to our local CDEM and emergency response teams who are using their expertise and skills to ensure our region is prepared. You are our heroes. Kia kaha.Now to the local issue that I want to speak to in the House today—and that is what I call the Richmond transport mess. Richmond is in the western part of the Nelson electorate and is the largest urban area in the Tasman district. Over the past few years there has been a massive growth in housing leading to urban sprawl and congested roadways. Unfortunately there was no plan by the Government of the day or the local council about how increased transport would be accommodated.What has transpired is a very congested set of intersections that intersect between State Highway 6 and local roads where we have a number of different road users competing for access to our transport network. The area is a State highway that connects some of our biggest industries to the State highway network such as Nelson pine industries and numerous horticulture and other primary industries. This is the only legitimate road access for industry to get their goods by truck to Nelson port for export.The intersection at Lower Queen Street and State Highway 6 is also the main intersection where vulnerable young children and older adults cross the road from the Berryfields development to visit the Richmond Library the supermarkets the local mall the council buildings the Ministry of Social Development a number of other service agencies and to get to school. It is often unsafe for people to cross the road at this very busy intersection. With a growing number of residents in the area and limited public transport options—although not for long—we've had a significant increase in car traffic in the area. Right next to the intersection is the Great Taste Trail our region's premier cycleway for tourists and commuters right next to busy roads with trucks and a growing number of cars. It's been my long-held view that this is the most congested and unsafe part of the transport network in our region. With a growing number of homes being developed it will only get worse.Since early 2020 before I became the local MP I have been working with the council and Waka Kotahi to push for progress on a transport plan for this area because we didn't even have one. I'm delighted that a transport plan for Richmond has now been agreed between Tasman District Council and Waka Kotahi and that my advocacy for this has paid off. It's the first important step to getting the Richmond transport mess sorted out. Now we have to get it funded consented and on Waka Kotahi and Tasman District Council project plans. As the local MP I will continue to advocate and push hard for this important project so that we can get around our region safely and using multiple transport modes.As the local MP I will continue to fight to fix the Richmond transport mess. Thank you.