Media release
11 February 2009
Government Roading Infrastructure Package Will
Be Welcome Boost For Sector
Roading New Zealand Chief Executive Chris Olsen has welcomed the $142 million package of roading projects announced
today by the Minister of Transport, Hon Steven Joyce.
Mr Olsen estimates the package will save up to 400 jobs over the next three years. Many contracting companies have been
reducing staff numbers during the past few months due to diminishing workloads. It will also provide additional work for
companies supplying goods and services to contractors.
“I commend the Government for this initiative. While some people have unfortunately lost their jobs already this package
means many jobs currently under threat will be secure for the foreseeable future,” says Mr Olsen.
He says it’s pleasing that a large proportion of the package has been devoted to maintenance work on the existing
network.
“Research indicates that road repairs are more labour intensive than building new roads, so funding some of the
country’s delayed road works makes economic sense.”
In addition to the programmes announced, more funding is needed to fully utilise the spare capacity of contractors
around the regions, he says. Transit New Zealand’s 2007 Pavement Condition Report confirmed that there is a further
significant backlog of road repair maintenance work still to be addressed. This is an opportunity not to be missed for
keeping the network up to scratch and creating jobs.
Roading New Zealand looks forward to increased road maintenance and construction funding being made available in the
2009/10 National Land Transport Programme to be announced in June.
ENDS