City boosted by 'half a billion' spent on better roads

WORK: Councils are currently working on wishlists for roading projects. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER

Rotorua is faring well despite less money being spent on Bay of Plenty roads and highways, a city leader says.

In the 2009-12 expenditure cycle, the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) spent $483.68 million on the region's local roads and highways, while councils contributed $83.6 million.

The projected spend to June 30, 2015 - including the actual spend to June 2014 - was $456.87 million by NZTA and $85.35 million by councils.

Rotorua Deputy Mayor Dave Donaldson said the city had benefited from close to half a billion dollars in roading projects in recent years, as well as upgrades in neighbouring areas.

"We can't be too self-centred because our tourism connections are vital to our economy," he said.

"The upgrade of the Waikato Expressway made Rotorua easier to access, which is great because Auckland is our key domestic market and the main international port of arrival.

"Likewise, there is a growing number of cruise ship visitors that want to take day trips to Rotorua, so anything that is done to improve our accessibility to the Port of Tauranga is good for us."

Regional transport committees and councils across the country are currently devising their wishlists for the next funding cycle.

Mr Donaldson said working out what was most appropriate for Rotorua's eastern corridor was a key focus for Rotorua Lakes Council in the next year.

Transport Minister Simon Bridges said several factors determined which regions received improvements or investments.

"In general, improvements occur where the pressure on our transport network is greatest, which tends to be around areas with increasing populations," he said. Between 2015-16 and 2017-18, up to $1.74 billion would be available from central government for local road maintenance.

"This compares to a maximum of $1.65 billion between 2012-13 and 2014-15 under the Government Policy Statement [GPS] on land transport for 2012," Mr Bridges said.

The 2015 GPS included money for a new "regional improvements activity class", which would ensure funding was available outside major metropolitan areas.

An additional $212 million in an "accelerated regional roading package" would speed up state highway projects identified as vital to a number of regions. Rotorua would receive an estimated $90-$120 million of the package to improve the eastern corridor.

"GPS 2015 represents the largest transport improvement programme in our history, continuing investment in local roads and providing for important regional projects through the new regional improvements activity class," Mr Bridges said.

"The key factor for the Government is ensuring New Zealand's roads are fit for purpose, and I believe initiatives like the new 'one network road classification' system will help ensure the right investments are made in the right places, at the right times."

The one network road classification categorises roads based on the functions they performed.