Changes lo roads funding method mooted

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 652, 3 September 1996, Page 10

Changes lo roads funding method mooted

Changes to the way roads are funded could "ultimately reduce the need for rates and transfer more costs to road users", according to Ruapehu mayor Weston Kirton. Mr Kirton reported to the Ruapehu District Council on a recent forum of Local Government New Zealand

representatives organised to prepare a response to the Land Transport Pricing Study developed by the Ministry of Transport. "The thinking of the working party is that the marginal pricing method may have some roads generating surpluses obviously in urban areas. The idea would be to use those sur-

plus funds for shortfalls in less well used roads — most likely rural roads," said Mr Kirton. "Such a spread of funding to all roads throughout New Zealand would acknowledge the importance of a national roading network providing access to all properties throughout New Zealand."

"This would be a significant changeif that thinking carries on. It's a road network, not 'you and us'." There was some discussion on how roads would be funded if rates funding was

reduced. Council chief executive officer Cliff Houston said he believed there was "no logic" in looking to the landowner for roads funds, increasing the rate for owners

of bigger blocks of land, while it was easy to identify the people who actually use roads and by how much. He said in his view the driver of a 4-cylinder car uses the same amount of

road "whether it's a Mercedes or a Lada". Mr Kirton said that, while the funding of roads should change, local authorities should not loose control of local roads.