Funding and the Future
Ratepayers frequently contact Council to raise matters relating to roading and the strategic approach for elected members was to respond through the Long-Term Plan and have a much stronger focus on improving the state of our roading network. Council proposed an ambitious roading programme to deliver a much-needed investment in roading.
Last week we received the indicative allocation of funding from New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for 2024-2027 and although this allocation sits favourably against the 2021-2024 formula it barely covers inflation and has tighter definitions for the expenditure. It does not match the funding required to drive substantial improvements in our roading network.
Also, we have recently heard from NZTA that they are proposing a change to the Emergency work investment policy which will impact on what and when we can apply for additional roading funding to support works required after an event. Natural events such as weather bombs already places significant financial pressure on HDC, to meet the required service levels and find any additional roading budget following an emergency. NZTA proposed changes will shift the qualification of funding from 1in10 year to 1in 20 year event status and to halve the uplift in emergency funding from 20% to 10%. This will inevitably shift the financial burden to ratepayers. We consider this shift is at odds with the frequency and severity of events and places financial strain on our capacity to restore essential infrastructure and services.
These changes will be of interest to many of you and no doubt you will be following the topic across all media platforms. We are advocating to ensure we are best placed to meet your level of expectation with a funding resource that is supported not just through your rates but through the allocated subsidy from NZTA. Our message to the government is that the funding system for roading is not achieving the outcomes that the community wants and that too much roading money is spent on regulatory conformance, not fixing roads.
The meaning of Matariki:
The stars were used as signals. If the stars were clear and bright it was a signal that a favourable and productive season lay ahead. Matariki is an important celebration of all that is good about life on earth and to show respect on the land that we live. Connecting with the stars reminds us of our whakapapa and those who have passed to the heavens. While for some the celebration of Matariki is new, it is very closely aligned to the guidance of our forebears and the hope that the stars will in fact bring a favourable and productive season.
Whatever this means to you, I hope you can look forward to the new season of promise.
Kia kaha – be strong.
