Media Statement
Embargoed until 6pm
Date 28 June 2006
Land Transport NZ announces $2.3 billion National Land Transport Programme

Land Transport New Zealand has announced a record $2.3 billion in spending for land transport infrastructure and services in this year’s National Land Transport Programme (NLTP), a 14 percent ($322 million) increase from last year. This includes $224 million for NZ Police road enforcement which, for the first time, is included in the NLTP.

The 2006/07 NLTP sets out a programme of maintenance and investment to improve New Zealand’s land transport system.

A record amount of money is being allocated for an ambitious range of projects that will improve the country’s roads and public transport, says Land Transport NZ chair Dr Jan Wright.

The government recently announced increased land transport funding of $1.3 billion over five years, as well as changes to funding arrangements to provide more certainty for future activities, especially state highway construction projects. These changes will enable Transit New Zealand, district and local councils and the construction industry to plan their activities with increased confidence for the next five years. An additional $215 million has been allocated to the Waikato region over the next ten years to improve the safety of long-haul routes linking the Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Auckland.

‘The amount of money available to Land Transport NZ has greatly increased but so have costs and the need for value for money is higher than ever,’ says Dr Wright. ‘We are keen to ensure that recommendations from the Ministerial Advisory Group on roading costs are acted on when the report is released later this year.’

A large part of the 2006/07 NLTP represents continued funding for ongoing activities such as road maintenance and passenger transport services, as well as funds committed to projects approved in previous years.

Key features of this year’s NLTP include:

- District and city councils are receiving $612 million to maintain and improve local road networks, an increase of $132 million from last year. This will keep local roads in good condition and help to address serious safety problems.

- Transit NZ is receiving just over $1 billion to maintain and improve the state highway network, an increase of $144 million from last year. This continues the focus on serious congestion and safety issues around the country.

- Regional councils, Transit NZ, and some local authorities are receiving $301 million for passenger transport, including $141 million aimed at maintaining and expanding services and $160 million for developing infrastructure to support better services.

- $107 million will be set aside for specific activities such as emergency works and preventive maintenance to minimise the threat of road closure.

Other highlights of the 2006/07 NLTP include funding for the development of a toll system for the ALPURT B2 project in Auckland, walking and cycling projects and specific allocations for traffic management and travel behaviour change.

Dr Wright says the activities funded through the NLTP reflect Land Transport NZ’s objective of contributing to an integrated, safe, responsive and sustainable land transport system.

‘New Zealand faces huge transport challenges. The $2.3 billion allocated by this year’s NLTP will help us meet those challenges.’

Regional newsletters, a fact sheet and the NLTP book, which details all projects in the 2006/07 NLTP, will be available at www.landtransport.govt.nz from 6pm today.

ENDS

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