A bypass for Matamata might mean more trucks off the road, but less shoppers in the CBD.

As part of the 10-year plan discussions, Matamata-Piako district councillors consulted on the future of the Matamata and Morrinsville road bypasses.

Only one will be given the go-ahead.

The proposed Matamata bypass would link Waharoa Road East and Tauranga Rd and is anticipated to significantly reduce traffic and heavy vehicles through town.

It is estimated to cost around $30 million to build.

The proposed Morrinsville bypass would link Kuranui Rd to the intersection between Roache​ Rd and State Highway 26. It is estimated to cost in excess of $40m.

According to the 10-year plan's consultation document, the district cannot afford both bypasses within the same 30-year timeframe.

The Matamata bypass is seen as the higher priority.

"We plan to remove the designation and allocated funding for land purchase for the Morrinsville bypass purchase from the long term plan and Development Contributions Policy," says the consultation document.

"This would remove the possibility of a town bypass for Morrinsville in the future."

The Chronicle emailed all of the Matamata ward councillors, Brian Hunter, James Sainsbury, Kevin Tappin and Adrienne Wilcock, to discuss the council's Connected Infrastructure strategy.

But the councillors referred the questions to the council's communications staff.

The Chronicle telephoned Cr Hunter, who had spoken about the bypass in previous stories.

He says there are mixed opinions on the proposed road diversion.

"A lot of people want the bypass because they want the trucks off the road. However, a lot of business people are saying they don't want the bypass because they want people to stop and buy their coffees and fish and chips and what have you.

"When the decision is going to be made, it's not going to be an easy one."

The council plans to to fund feasibility studies and purchase land for the Matamata Bypass in the next 10 years, but will await the completion of the Waikato Expressway from Hamilton to Piarere (expected in 2024) to see if it alleviates pressure on Matamata's roads.

"If the Waikato Expressway takes a lot of the trucks away from town, we've got to decide whether there's a need for it.

"Business people are concerned a bypass would stop people coming, but in other places, often a bypass has made no difference."

A total of 150 people submitted on the Connected Infrastructure section of the 10-year plan, which included details of the bypass, at a public hearing on May 16.

Of that, 52 per cent of submitters were in favour of the proposal, while 27 per cent were against and 21 per cent voted "other".

The council will adopt the 10-year plan on June 27.

Stuff/Kelley Tantau