Govt’s infrastructure spendup disappoints local MPs

A $12 billion infrastructure spendup has disappointed South Canterbury MPs.

Rangitata and Waitaki MPs Andrew Falloon and Jacqui Dean are aghast at the spending split with the only money headed to the region being $5 million to be split at Timaru Hospital for the $2m refurbishing of child and maternity services and $3m to replace two coal-fired boilers.

‘‘It shows where the Government’s priorities are; $3.48b has been announced for projects in Auckland with less than $250 million for the entire South Island,’’ Falloon said.

‘‘The transport package leaves an enormous South Canterburyshaped hole.

‘‘Not a cent of their $6.8 billion transport programme has been allocated anywhere between Ashburton and Queenstown.’’

Falloon said he had specific concerns about intersections including that between State Highways 1 and 79 at Rangitata.

‘‘There were more crashes there last year than in the previous five years, and it receives nothing, plus there’s no further improvements planned for SH79 through to the Mackenzie.’’

Falloon said SH1 between Ashburton and Christchurch was the second most dangerous stretch of road in New Zealand for fatalities and serious injuries.

‘‘Their failure to invest anything in it makes a mockery of their claim that they’re focused on road safety.

‘‘It’s astonishing that the Government are taking on an additional $19b in debt to help fund this package, and yet they’ve so badly failed to address the critical need in the South Island.’’

Falloon said the $5m allocation to the South Canterbury District Health Board was usual government fare.

‘‘It’s good news but it’s normal machinery of government stuff. Schools and hospitals have been transitioning away from coal for years.

‘‘It doesn’t really reach the level of a ministerial announcement, but with all the roading announcements in the North Island the Government had to give the Greens something.’’

Dean said her staff had looked at the infrastructure package and could not find anything for the Waitaki electorate.

‘‘And yet it is an electorate experiencing strong population and visitor growth, and has been for the past five years.

‘‘I’m bitterly disappointed we haven’t been included in the announcement.

‘‘There are a number of issues that could have been addressed and need to be, one of them is the single lane bridge at Arundel. Locals have been lobbying for a two-lane bridge as it has been the cause of much frustration and the scene of accidents,’’ Dean said.

Road Transport Forum New Zealand chief executive Nick Leggett said the South Island had missed out.

‘‘South Canterbury is a very productive part of our national economy, recent weather events have shown how vital the roading network is and the importance of freight movement to get products to their markets.

‘‘Decreasing speed limits is no replacement for decent roading infrastructure.

‘‘We can only assume the Government agenda for South Canterbury will only be minor safety works and speed reductions.’’