Subscribe to RSSLocal Roads Miss Out
Local bodies are upset that the Government has made it clear highways and roads of national significance again get priority in the next 12 months - and local roading misses out.
Local Government New Zealand President Lawrence Yule, says that the importance of local roads to the growth of New Zealand should not be forgotten when funding decisions are made.
Transport Minister Steven Joyce, in postponing the planned June fuel tax increase, unveiled the Government’s Policy Statement on Land Transport Funding 2012/13 to 2021/22 (GPS 2012).
36% goes to new state highways, a further 18% to renewal of highways and 23% to local roads. Public transport got 9%.
Funding for land transport is administered through the National Land Transport Programme and is primarily generated from the Government’s tax on petrol and road user charges.
LGNZ believes the fund is a shared revenue between local and central government because it’s generated from the use of state highways and locally owned networks.
Mr Yule says that once again local roads, and therefore many smaller communities, lose out to roads of national significance. “But this doesn’t have to be the case.”
Rural roading areas aren't getting much attention
Mr Yule is urging the Government to prioritise road funding with the big picture in mind. He would like to see a more equitable spend which takes into account the areas from where money is generated.
“If money is coming from local roads it should go back into local roads. We need to look at our roading network as a whole. At the moment there is a focus on state highways and roads of national significance. They may well be a vital part of the network but we also need to take into account the contribution local roads make to the New Zealand economy,” he said.
“Local government’s annual contribution to improving, renewing and maintaining local roads has nearly doubled over the last decade. As a result our communities are fast nearing the limit of what they are willing and able to pay for through rates. However, this should not mean that the possibility of further investment in the local road network ends.”
Local authorities are responsible for managing 90% of the road network.
LGNZ believes it is important to have a long-term perspective towards investment in the transport network which takes into account the contribution of local roads to New Zealand’s export sector and also the rising cost of fuel.
“Together with government, LGNZ would like to work towards a plan that delivers sustainable solutions for the transport network to support the growth of the New Zealand economy in the years to come,” said Mr Yule.
2 Comments
There is nothing that Joyce won’t sacrifice in his mania for opening big empty four lane highways.
Declines in SH traffic results in 36% of funding, huge PT growth = 9%… Nice priorities.