road construction at a roundabout

Selwyn District Council staff on Wednesday presented a reduced infrastructure plan for the 2024-27 cycle in response to the New Zealand Transport Agency recently announcing funding contributions for Selwyn in the National Land Transport Programme (NLTP).

Selwyn District Council will receive a 48% increase in NZTA subsidy, compared to the 2021-24 period for its Maintenance, Operations and Renewals programme, but will only receive a small portion of requested funding for improvement projects the council had included in its Long-Term Plan.

The Council had included about half of its Long-Term Plan transportation improvement projects in the latest NLTP proposal, assuming a 51% NZTA subsidy for the submitted projects. Unfortunately, the latest NLTP only granted co-funding for two out of 35 proposed projects.

Mayor Sam Broughton says that the Council is grateful the Crown will support the maintenance of its current roading network, but is disappointed the funding does not reflect the rapid growth in our district.

“We understand the Government’s focus on core expenditure and reducing costs, but this significant reduction in funding doesn’t reflect messages from Minister Bishop encouraging councils in Going for Housing Growth,” says Mayor Broughton.

The Mayor points out that rapid housing development is generating additional tax revenue, but the district does not see enough of that income reinvested in Selwyn’s health, education, and transport networks.

“In terms of transport, our population is expanding faster than the funding we receive. Our towns are growing quickly, and the funding we applied for from NZTA for new capital projects would have helped meet the needs and expectations of our growing community. For example, the government is now not supporting the essential intersection upgrade at West Rolleston School,” says the Mayor.

The Transport and Infrastructure team on Wednesday presented councillors with the details on how the available funding will reduce, change or halt several critical transport workstreams and infrastructure projects.

Several councillors voiced their concerns that the council was now forced to make difficult road safety decisions and how this would impact on the safety of its residents.

The staff explained that some projects will be paused, but that the council can apply in the next NLTP cycle, while existing council funding will be reprioritised to continue as many projects as possible, without impacting on the projected rates increases.

Following Wednesday’s workshop, council staff will now prepare a former proposal to be considered and signed off by councillors in October.

For Wednesday’s full presentation please click here.

Last modified: 27 Sep 2024 5:17pm