$1.4b for the south in government's transport spend up
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The government's new spending plan for transport for the next three years earmarks $1.4 billion for Otago and Southland, with Queenstown Lakes acknowledged in the plan as the region's fastest growing district.
In announcing the plan today in collaboration with the New Zealand Transport Agency in Wellington, Transport Minister Simeon Brown described it as a rejection of the previous government's transport policy that resulted in "non-delivery, phantom projects, slower speed limits and an infestation of speed bumps".
The total spend for the period for the entire country is $32.9 billion, and included in the regional budget for the south is:
- $313 million for maintenance operations
- $562 million for pothole prevention on state highways and local roads
- $333 million for improvements to state highways and local roads
- $125 million for public transport
In its regional summary the plan acknowledges the strain on transport networks in and around Queenstown.
"While Dunedin is the largest city in Otago where the transport system needs to adapt to changes with central city development, the fastest growing district is Queenstown Lakes," it says.
"Queenstown’s popularity as a holiday and tourist destination and the resort town’s housing crisis has placed severe pressure on the town’s infrastructure, including transport."
The government re-commits to its already announced and underway $250 million 'Queenstown Package' to reimagine State Highways 6 and 6a where they converge in Frankton.
The area has been labeled as one of the "roads of regional significance" in the plan, and investment is to "accommodate growth and address congestion".
Meanwhile other key commuter and visitor routes will also see additional funding for "work on increased resilience", including:
- State Highway 6 between Cromwell and Frankton
- State Highway 6 between Frankton and Kingston
- State Highway 6 between Haast and Hawea
The government has also flagged it will work with the Queenstown Lakes District Council to replace the culvert at Shepherds Hut Creek between Queenstown and Glenorchy.
It is one of 17 bridges and culverts to be replaced by councils throughout the region.
Replacing ageing bridges is one of the biggest roading challenges facing Otago and Southland," the plan says.
"The two regions have more than 1,000 bridges - many built before 1970."
Across the country the government is promising "good value for taxpayers".
"In Otago and Southland, this will include reducing expenditure on temporary traffic management, increased investment in road maintenance and a focus on whole-of-life costs," the plan says.
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