Government funding has increased by 23 per cent to $77.7 million for the maintenance, operation and renewal of Far North roads over the next three years.
And the NZ Transport Agency board has endorsed a proposal to designate the major logging truck route through Mangakahia Rd and Te Pua Rd as a state highway.
Far North Mayor John Carter was delighted the National Land Transport Programme had bumped up the Far North road maintenance and renewal funding allocation for 2015-18.
"This is fantastic. It will mean a number of road renewals that have been delayed or deferred will now proceed much earlier than expected," he said.
Along with the Mangakahia and Te Pua Rds designation, the district would benefit on a number of proposed State Highway projects, including $2 million for improvements to SH1 through Kawakawa, $2 million for the intersection of SH10 and Waipapa Rd and $650,000 for the intersection of SH10 and Puketona Rd.
The plan also includes funding of $500,000 to Northland Regional Council for the Mid-North bus service.
"As mayor, I get consistent feedback that our roads are in poor shape," Mr Carter said. "We are doing the best we can with the resources available and this additional funding will certainly help." Floods in July last year caused serious damage to much of the Far North roading network and the council is still trying to complete repairs while still dealing with regular maintenance and road improvement demands.
"It is not yet possible to say which additional local capital projects will go ahead at this time. To get the NZ Transport Agency subsidies which have increased from 55c to almost 60c in every dollar spent on local roads, we have to complete a business case for each project," Mr Carter said.
"There is no question the additional funding will help us maintain the district's 2500km road network in better shape. Much of the network is under pressure from logging traffic. This factor was a major reason we have been allocated more funding."
Mr Carter said the Transport Agency Board endorsing a proposal to designate Mangakahia Rd and Te Pua Rd as a state highway was excellent news as the Far North District Council spent an average of $500,000 a year keeping the roads open.
"Once handover agreements are signed between ourselves, Whangarei District Council and NZTA, this money will be released and the local share will be available to be spent on local roads in the Far North," he said.
"The Far North is a spread-out district. Good transport links are essential for our communities and economy. I am delighted the government has recognised this."