Tourism business ‘extremely distressed’ by road closures

A Marlborough Sounds tourism operator is facing significant disruption due to ongoing road closures for essential repairs, impacting the peak summer season. Portage Resort has reported cancellations and declining visitor numbers as a result of restricted access along Kenepuru Road and Torea Road.

Road Works Disrupt Tourism in Marlborough Sounds

Capstone Hotel Management managing director Clare Davies said staff at Portage Resort have been dedicating considerable time and effort to ensure guests can reach the property despite the access restrictions. “The team are extremely distressed by the continued road closures and deeply disappointed that this level of disruptive work was not completed during late winter or early spring,” Davies said.

Marlborough Roads is undertaking extensive road works on Kenepuru Rd and Torea Rd as part of the final phase of the multimillion-dollar Marlborough Sounds Roads Recovery project. The roads sustained significant damage from major weather events in July 2021, February 2022, and August 2022, resulting in over 5600 faults across Marlborough’s roading network.

Access to the key tourist route between Mahau Sound and Portage was restricted leading up to Christmas. Kenepuru Rd reopened on December 19 with work paused for the holiday period, resuming January 12 under stop/go controls causing potential delays of up to 15 minutes. Restricted access is scheduled to return on February 9 and continue through 2026.

Davies stated that the limited road access has led to a clear decline in booking inquiries and visitor confidence. “Many guests, particularly international travellers, do not have flexibility in their itineraries,” she said. “When they discover, often at short notice, that they cannot reach us due to a road closure or restricted travel window, they simply cancel altogether.” She added that this was “especially disheartening” given the resort’s recent investments in its international profile.

Davies emphasized the reliance of businesses and residents in the area on consistent transport links during the peak tourist season. “Summer is when the Marlborough Sounds relies on tourism to sustain its economy. For a resort like ours, a single peak season can determine the financial viability of the entire year.” She noted that major transport restrictions during this period create uncertainty for visitors and operational hardship for businesses.

While acknowledging the necessity of long-term infrastructure repairs, Davies expressed a desire for greater consultation with the Sounds community. “We strongly hope that communication, planning, and scheduling of future works will more carefully consider the needs of residents, visitors, and tourism operators who depend on safe, reliable access.”

Marlborough Roads transport recovery manager Steve Murrin explained that the extent of the repairs necessitates complete road closures. “The majority of the Kenepuru Rd is under 6m wide. When heavy machinery is working on the road there is no room for traffic to get past, and to move these machines out of the way takes considerable time and slows the project down,” Murrin said. He added that closure is “regrettable but unavoidable if the repairs are to be done.”

Murrin stated that the dry summer months provide the most favorable conditions for the work, allowing for major earthwork jobs and road pavement/sealing. However, some work, such as building retaining walls and installing culverts, was completed during the winter months.

The project is currently ahead of schedule, with an anticipated completion date of December 2027, earlier than the original estimate of late 2030. Marlborough Roads has held community meetings to inform residents of the work schedule, with adjustments made following feedback from a meeting on December 4. Murrin noted that each time contractors must move to allow access, it adds cost and delays the project’s completion.