I am pleased to introduce to you this National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) for 2009-2012 – a programme through which the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) is making a record investment in land transport at a time when New Zealand needs it most.
The global economic situation has changed dramatically in the past 18 months, with significant effects for the New Zealand economy. In response, and as part of its commitment to improving New Zealand's economic outlook and performance, the government has set clear expectations and priorities for the land transport sector. These expectations are articulated in the Government policy statement on land transport funding 2009/10 – 2018/19 (GPS)(external link).
Through this NLTP, the NZTA 'gives effect' to the GPS with a focus on supporting economic activity and employment throughout the country. It aims to deliver the best possible returns for New Zealand through prioritising a wide range of national and regional activities and investing $8.7 billion in the next three years ( a 17 percent increase on the past three years).
The NLTP demonstrates an increased focus on efficiency and effectiveness in all spending, a rigorous national approach to setting priorities, and an ongoing focus on improving safety and reducing the adverse environmental effects of land transport.
While each region's regional land transport programme (RLTP) has been an essential building block, this NLTP inevitably makes greater investments in areas where key expectations, such as economic return and value for money, are clearly met.
This document details the funding provided for the Chatham Islands – and as a dynamic document will be reviewed and updated regularly to reflect any approved variations to programmes.
For information on funding for the rest of New Zealand (and how the NLTP is developed and managed) please see the national NLTP document.
An efficient, reliable and safe road network will continue to be vital to the Chatham Islands community and its fishing-, farm- and tourism-based economy in the next three years and beyond.
A large proportion of the islands' 180 kilometres of road is unsealed. However, the roads provide a critical link between the various local communities – so this NLTP aims to ensure they are maintained to an adequate standard while improving their accessibility and safety. In particular, the Owenga Wharf replacement is a high priority because of its importance to the local fishing industry and those who live on Pitt Island.
The gains from road maintenance and improvement work completed in 2008/09 will continue through a number of projects in the next three years. One of the largest involves replacing the wooden one-lane Whangatete Bridge with a modern and more reliable structure, and building safer road approaches to the bridge.
A strong commitment to value for money has led to changes in how R (regionally distributed) funding is used. R funding will be used for the highest priority projects in this NLTP, providing a guaranteed minimum level of funding for the Chathams Islands. R funding comes from a portion of fuel excise duty and light road user charges and is allocated proportionally to regions based on population.
In the past, R funding was used to fund lower priority projects that would otherwise not qualify for funding. The new approach delivers much greater value for money for all public money invested in land transport.
This NLTP provides an investment of $11.4 million for the Chatham Islands over the 2009/10-2011/12 period. For an overview of all projects in the Chatham Islands likely to receive funding in the next three years, see the regional map.
My thanks go to the Chatham Islands Council, which has a pivotal role in shaping the region's transport future.
One of the council's key tasks is to develop the Chatham Islands' three-year RLTP, which prioritises all the regional transport activities it and the NZTA propose.
This regional perspective enabled the NZTA to build a geographic view of land transport requirements nationwide, and to align regional and national views in deciding on the most appropriate allocations of funds to give effect to the GPS priorities. Public submissions on the Chatham Islands' draft programme were reflected in the final programme that went to the NZTA Board, which made the ultimate funding decisions for the NLTP.
I'm confident that this NLTP gives the required effect to the GPS. All funds have been allocated to activity classes within the GPS limits and in line with the NZTA's priorities
I look forward to working closely with the Chatham Islands Council, New Zealand Police and the community on ensuring this NLTP is implemented successfully – and planning further projects that not only meet the islands' needs but stimulate the local economy.
Mark Yaxley
Regional Director
Last updated: 6 October 2009
