Road Works funding studied

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 8, Issue 372, 5 February 1991, Page 4

Road Works funding studied

The Mayor of Tararua, Mr Bob Trotter, will develop a submission in conjunction with council members supporting the St. Amaud report and raising issues related to the Manawatu-Wanganui Region and Transit New Zealand funding of road works. The St Arnaud report was circulated among local authorities and arose from a gathering of staff of eight local Authorities to discuss the changes to roading funding since the National Roads Board was replaced by Transit New Zealand in 1989. Concerns outlined by the document included a loss of stability in funding, a reduction in bridge works and a retrenchment in rural roading. In speaking in support of the St Arnaud's report Bob Trotter expressed his frustration

with the way in which funding is now being distributed. "This new structure is not what we believed it would be. We contribute to the national fund but aren't getting much say in how the money is allocated." In reply, Murray Barnes, Transit New Zealand, stated that Transit New Zealand "endeavoured to treat everyone equally. However, with the amount of money available it had to allocate according to rigid criteria" Following Murray Bames the chairman of the Manawatu-Wanganui Regional Council Transport committee, Mr Bruce Beetham stated that much of the frustration "arose out of financial constraints. The economic climate hasn't really allowed the system to settle down and prove itself".