15 Jun 2012

Road funds biggest issue facing councils

12:12 am on 15 June 2012

Local Government New Zealand says flat funding for roads is the single biggest issue facing councils.

The Transport Agency has made $1.28 billion available in the next three years for local road maintenance and renewal, an increase of 2%.

The Government has signalled such funding is likely to increase very little in the next decade.

Councils are currently finalising their long-term plans.

Local Government New Zealand president Lawrence Yule says councils are responsible for maintaining 88% of all roads and funding can't be held for long.

The New Zealand Transport Authority says critical roads will continue to be maintained to a good standard.

However, it says the level of maintenance and renewal on some roads, such as those which carry low volumes of traffic, could fall.