Pressure Now On Roading Authorities, Say Contractors

The package of initiatives announced by Government yesterday has the potential to solve a number of the country’s major congestion problems, but this will only happen if Transit New Zealand and local authorities quickly commission those projects that see the greatest benefits going to road users, says the NZ Pavement & Bitumen Contractors’ Association (BCA).

BCA chief executive Chris Olsen says road controlling authorities need to be more time focussed and speed up the planning stages of their critical projects. “The Government initiatives are spread over just 16 months”, points out Mr Olsen, “so there’s no time to waste, given the long lead times involved.
Too many projects have been held up over the years by lack of forward planning.”
Mr Olsen says that the road contracting industry has the capacity and expertise to meet the challenge, and he estimates that 500-600 new jobs could be created as a result of additional projects that can now be afforded. BCA members currently employ around 6,000 staff and have ample plant and equipment to commence new work at short notice.

“Provided the roading authorities get moving with their planning procedures, then the bold decisions taken by Government will give a boost to the economy in all regions”, says Mr Olsen.

The BCA acknowledges that a lot of the extra funds are likely to go towards getting some long overdue Auckland projects moving, but says the $30 million earmarked for regional infrastructure development will mean other parts of the country will not lose out.

“We don’t agree with comments that Auckland will get an unfair advantage over other regions. The fact is, Auckland has some enormous pressing needs and the extra funding should mean that projects in other regions will not have to suffer in order that Auckland projects proceed.”

The NZ Pavement & Bitumen Contractors’ Association believes that reducing congestion on our roads is vital to the economy and that the additional funding will help make New Zealand more competitive internationally, by reducing freight costs.

NZ Pavement & Bitumen Contractors’ Association
PO Box 12-412, Wellington
The NZ Pavement & Bitumen Contractors’ Association represents the majority of NZ roading contractors, together employing around 6000 staff.

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