Planned investment of $1.1billion for land transport in Otago and Southland for 2021-24 was announced by the NZ Transport Agency yesterday.
Fears that constrained revenue from fuel tax would result in the agency putting the brakes on some spending favoured by councils were not fully dispelled, but several mayors were pleasantly surprised.
Southland Mayor Gary Tong gave the programme ‘‘a big tick’’, Gore Mayor Tracy Hicks was pleased, Queenstown Mayor Jim Boult was not unhappy and Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher was relieved the amount allocated for local roads maintenance was slightly above forecast.
Dunedin Mayor Aaron Hawkins said the package appeared better than the Dunedin City Council had expected, particularly for roads maintenance.
However, the transport agency had done its ‘‘level best’’ to lower expectations before releasing the information.
Mr Hawkins said building of the new Dunedin hospital presented an opportunity for city and government goals to align.
‘‘It remains to be seen whether Waka Kotahi will seize that opportunity, or if it gets trumped by short-term funding constraints,’’ he said.
‘‘We’ve stepped up through our investment in the 10-year plan and look forward to Waka Kotahi doing the same.’’
Mr Hawkins said there was a widening gap between funding available through fuel taxes and the investment required to meet government transport and climate objectives.
Mr Kircher had doubts, too, about the ongoing viability of the fuel tax model.
However, transport agency regional partnerships director James Caygill said the $1.1billion planned programme was up 12% on three years ago.
‘‘Safety is a top priority for Waka Kotahi, so we will be investing $61million in Otago and Southland during the next three years to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on the region’s roads,’’ Mr Caygill said.
That included safety improvements on State Highway1 between Palmerston and Herbert.
Planned investment in Dunedin included $19million to accelerate development of urban cycleways and $18million for SH88 and the shared path out to Port Chalmers.
Work is expected to start reasonably soon on the new $28million two-lane Beaumont Bridge over the Clutha River, replacing a 140-year-old single-lane bridge.
Work in Queenstown, includes bus projects and a new arterial road announced previously.
Mr Boult said the transport agency’s programme did not present surprises.
In Fiordland, work started on a $25million upgrade to the Homer Tunnel.
Highlights for 2021-24
- $1.1billion for land transport in Otago and Southland.
- $636million for roads maintenance and renewing the network.
- $90million for public transport and $63million for walking and cycling projects.
- A start on delivering improvements in Queenstown for bus projects and a new arterial road.
- Completion of the shared path between St Leonards and Port Chalmers, Dunedin.
- Construction of a new two-lane Beaumont Bridge over the Clutha River.
- Safety improvements between Palmerston and Herbert.
- Planning work continues for offsetting traffic disruption associated with building new Dunedin Hospital.
- Safety upgrade of the Homer Tunnel.
Source: NZTA
