1996 a year to lobby for rural roads, says Kirton

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 617, 19 December 1995, Page 4

1996 a year to lobby for rural roads, says Kirton

By Ruapehu mayor Weston Kirton As we ponder over 1995 and prepare for the new year, we see many challenges ahead. Local authorities need to be more pro-active in representing their community on many fronts including roading, health, social issues, unemployment and education. More and more functions are placed back on local government, often not matched with adequate resources. My observation is that central government want local people taxed through rates to provide community services. The user-pays system sometimes does not take into consideration population base, economic worth and productivity. A good example of unfair treatment is roading. The present roading funding comes from a land transport fund made up of road user charges and general petrol tax. Unless there are significant changes in the use of rural roads there is no way rural roads achieve increased funding under the present regime. There is a perception that rural roads have a diminishing place in the country's economy. It must be remembered that 50 per cent of New Zealand's export income still comes from agricultural products, which start their journey to market down rural roads. Rural roads, however remote, play an important role in New Zealand's exports and thus New Zealand's employment and economy. The tourist industry is now said to be the single biggest industry in New Zealand, earning an estimated $3.5 billion this year. Independent tourists, many having rental cars and campervans, are staying longer and exploring the more remote parts of the rural countryside. This extra use, coupled with forestry, places extra burdens on rural roads not matched by funding to maintain them. Rural New Zealand is seriously disadvantaged by the funding structure based on cost-benefit ratio which can only be described as outdated, inequitable and controlled. Rural local authorities need to canvass a more social oriented road funding scheme taking into consideration the contribution of rural New Zealand. I, for one, will take the initiati ve to lobby government on this issue and seek support from my colleagues. May I take this opportunity to thank the people of Waimarino for their support and wish one and all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Annette and I look forward to representing you next year.