Underpass subsidy rises for farmers

Carterton District Council is encouraging farmers to take stock off the road by increasing its contribution towards stock underpasses. PHOTO/FILE

A change in council policy means Carterton farmers will now be able to receive at least $10,000 towards the cost of building a stock underpass.

Last Wednesday Carterton District Council unanimously voted to adopt the change, which allows for a financial contribution of up to 25 per cent of the cost of an underpass, with a minimum contribution of $10,000.

Planning and regulatory manager Milan Hautler said previously the council paid for the reinstatement of the road above the underpass, which often cost between $3000 to $8000, depending on the road.

This payment has been scrapped in favour of the new contribution, which could see farmers receiving as much as $25,000 if the cost of the underpass was $100,000, Mr Hautler said. There are already about 15 underpasses in Carterton and it was hoped the change would encourage farmers to build more, he said.

"We are keen to increase our contribution and make more of an incentive for farmers for safety reasons and for the ongoing reduction in maintenance of the road."

The revised stock movement policy stated that the "frequent crossings of roads by dairy herds causes damage to surfaces due to the aggressive action of animal excrement and the concentration of wear and tear on a narrow section of road" was a concern to the council.

It was hoped the change might encourage farmers purchasing land separated by a road to invest in an underpass and reduce the impact of stock on public roads. While there had not been any major problems of late with stock crossings on roads, the council believed more underpasses would make it "even better", Mr Hautler said.

The cost of the contribution would be borne by council but subsidised by NZTA through the council's roading subsidy. The amount of the NZTA subsidy would also be determined by how frequently the road was used, he said.