Roading funding cuts will hit Southlanders in the pocket
A $7.5 million cut to road funding, could see Southland ratepayers picking up the tab, Invercargill MP Penny Simmonds says, and all this while the Government stumps up hundreds of millions for a new cycling and walking bridge in Auckland.
“I’m so frustrated at the Government’s lack of foresight here. Southland needs good roads to get its agricultural and manufacturing goods to market.
“But now our roads and bridges are set to take a hit with the Southland District Council receiving only 85 percent of what it requested from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency – that’s $7.5 million less that ratepayers may have to find through rates rises, or less roading infrastructure.
“Southland must have good roading infrastructure if we are to continue to make the contribution that we do to New Zealand’s GDP. How can the Government justify cuts to essential services like this?
“The condition of our rural roads and bridges is deteriorating, it’s a major concern for many of our communities, and this massive cut from Government will do nothing to address those issues.
“The Government is also effectively taxing Southlanders twice, with locals already paying road user charges and fuel taxes - and now possibly extra rates to fund roading maintenance that the Government should be funding.
“And all this while $785 million is being dished out for a new cycling and walking bridge, so that a few extra Aucklanders can bike to work.
“These cuts are another slap in the face to hard working Southlanders and once again demonstrates that this Government has got its priorities all wrong, failing to support the roading infrastructure that this region needs for continued economic growth.”
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