MEDIA RELEASE

Partnership critical to achieving transport outcomes

Wednesday 5 August 2008

“We welcome the Government’s Policy Statement of Transport released yesterday and reiterate to Government that this plan will only succeed with effective partnerships with local government” said Local Government New Zealand President Lawrence Yule.

“The Statement provides certainty around transport funding for councils for next three years, particularly as councils are about to start their Long Term Council Community Plans in 2009. There is additional funding to enhance local government transport and asset management planning. We are also pleased to see additional funding for targeted interventions related to addressing transport-deprived communities.”

“While these initiatives are welcome, we are disappointed that increases to the Financial Assistance Rate for road maintenance have not been advanced at this stage. This remains an ongoing priority for us.

“Currently local government funds 50 percent of local road costs and a substantial part of passenger transport activity. The changes to our transport infrastructure and services outlined in the Government Policy Statement and New Zealand Transport Strategy 2008 require a robust and inclusive partnership between local and central government.

“The Government Policy Statement also signals challenges around the regionalisation of national targets and the need to define critical transport routes. It is vital that the local government sector is involved in both these processes. We look forward to more discussions as implementation begins.” says Mr Yule.

ENDS

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