Otago Daily Times

BUDGET 2017 What's in it for you?

- By DENE MACKENZIE

THE Government has been rolling out preBudget announceme­nts since late last month, clearing the way for one big announceme­nt today.

There will be other small announceme­nts along with the rumoured social spending announceme­nts but new Finance Minister Steven Joyce will not want his social spending announceme­nt missed by voters.

Announceme­nts, not strictly preBudget, have also meant the Government spending up large before Thursday.

The announceme­nts so far. — PreBudget 2017:

$11 billion in new capital infrastruc­ture over the next four Budgets, in addition to spending already included in agency guidelines.

$812 million for reinstatin­g State Highway 1 between Picton and Christchur­ch.

$321 million social investment package, including $28.1 million to help expand Family Start, $34.7 million to support more children with behavioura­l issues and $6 million to help children with communicat­ion issues. Additional funding of $26.7 million over the next three years, plus a capital boost of $63 million, towards irritation investment­s.

$5.2 million to fund more teachers in priority subjects. $21 million to fight beech forestincr­eased rat and stoat numbers.

$303.9 million allocated to support the continuati­on of the New Zealand screen industry production grants, both globally and domestical­ly.

$178 million tourism infrastruc­ture package, including $76 million on new and upgraded infrastruc­ture for the Department of Conservati­on.

$74.6 million in funding through the Innovative New Zealand programme to meet growing demand for research and developmen­t growth grants.

Other announceme­nts: Government to build 34,000 new houses in Auckland at total cost of $2.2 billion. Housing NZ will issue $1.1 billion of public bonds to help pay for the build.

Securing 870 transition­al places providing housing for 3480 households a year for around 10,000 New Zealanders in need of warm and safe housing.

Fortythree twobedroom houses will be built in Hamilton by the end of July at a cost of $12 million.

$359,000 to help recycle waste wood in Tauranga.

$5 million earthquake funding support for earthquake­struck farmers and growers within the Hurunui, Kaikoura and Marlboroug­h regions or primarily for the benefit of the regions.

$1.2 million for Kaikoura earthquake science.

$260,000 for 800 new youth developmen­t opportunit­ies. $15 million Grey Lynn school redevelopm­ent starts.

$6.7 million redevelopm­ent for Kaikorai Primary School. $2.5 million over three years to help the Kaikoura, Hurunui and Marlboroug­h District Councils to deal with aftermath of the earthquake.

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