Bay misses out on funding
The Government’s $12 billion infrastructure package unveiled last week includes several big roading projects — but none is in Hawke’s Bay and local leaders aren’t happy.
The Government has given the green light to several four-lane highways and a host of other projects.
But most of the investment is in the bigger regions, Auckland mainly, with smaller regions such as Hawke’s Bay missing out altogether.
Tukituki MP Lawrence Yule said he was“angry” to not see any investment put into Hawke’s Bay.
“We need a four-lane expressway and a new hospital building but we didn’t get any kind of support from the Government’s announcement.”
Hastings mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said she was disappointed Hawke’s Bay had missed out on the funding.
“We have some major challenges with road safety on our main state highways, including State Highway 5 and State Highway 2, which are having far too many fatalities. Highways come under NZTA and we will be speaking with them and the Government about how we can fix these issues as soon as possible.”
She said the region is growing rapidly and needs extra support.
“Hawke’s Bay has been identified as a surge region and is experiencing significant growth. We need to be considered in all funding opportunities and we will be talking to the ministers about this.”
The Provincial Growth
Fund has contributed $20.1 million to further improve Route 52: Waipukurau to Porangahau, with plans in place to start work on the road this year.
The $12 billion package includes $6.8b for transport projects in Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Wellington, Canterbury and Queenstown. Also $1.1b for rail, including $900m-plus for projects in Auckland, $2.2b for new roads in Auckland, including Penlink, widening SH1 from Papakura to Drury, Mill Rd four-lane highway and for the Harbour Bridge “SkyPath”.