Transport minister Gerry Brownlee says the governments focus will remain on high priority strategic transport initiatives that support the economy, improve road safety, and deliver value for money.
In a speech to the Road Transport Forum conference last Friday, Brownlee spoke about the Accelerated Regional Roads Programme – a package of State highways around New Zealand, which the government will accelerate by drawing on the Future Investment Fund.
“I was surprised at the time to hear that the Road Transport Forum wasn’t supportive of the investment, labelling it pork barrel politics, and questioning the economic rationale for some of the projects,” says Brownlee.
“Well, this wasn’t just a grab-bag of items – these were projects the regions told us were important, and those five projects ready to begin immediately all have positive benefit/cost ratios.
“Thankfully, I have had a number of conversations around the country with transport operators, business and locals who tell they me are very supportive of these investments.
“Under the programme we’ve committed up to $80 million for five critically important regional projects in Otago, Canterbury, Northland, Gisborne and Taranaki.
“Construction on these projects will begin in 2014/15, and be completed by 2016/17.
“Another $5 million will be spent finalising investigation for six more projects in Manawatu-Wanganui, Gisborne, Marlborough, the West Coast, Northland and Taranaki.
“Subject to those investigations the government will fund these projects with an additional $115 million.
“A further $12 million will be available to accelerate investigation and design of three large projects – the Napier Port Access Package, Nelson Southern Link, and Rotorua Eastern Arterial.
“Funding for these projects is coming from the Future Investment Fund.
“We said when we established the fund that we would use the proceeds of the partial floats for important infrastructure and despite what our opponents say, we believe regional roads easily meet that test.
“This programme is in addition to between $1.7 and $2.5 billion which the draft Government Policy Statement on land transport for 2015 proposes be spent on local road improvements and maintenance over the next three years.
“This investment will be increased even more by funding contributions from local government.
“The new Regional Improvements activity class in the draft GPS will ensure extra resources are ring-fenced and available to areas outside large cities.
“This is recognition of the importance of our regional economies, and a commitment to see them appropriately funded.
“These are record levels of funding, they will make a difference for the regions and demonstrate the government’s commitment to a transport system which works for all New Zealanders.
“The projects in our Accelerated Regional Roads Programme are good investments, and will address economic efficiency, safety, and resilience issues for regional networks.
“They will improve travel for regional communities, and upgrade the road links between rural towns and cities,” concluded Brownlee.
