Provincial Growth Fund set to deliver more than just roads
Council is on track to deliver $23m of Provincial Growth funded local roading projects before the end of the year.
Over $24m has been invested to date and up to 150 local people are directly employed on PGF funded projects across Tairāwhiti, a number that’s expected to rise with 10 new projects now underway.
Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz says the timing of the investment couldn’t be better.
“This is an extra $3m per month which isn’t only improving our local road network, but going to local companies who employ and support local families. It’s a fantastic boost at just the right time.
“Through working hard to secure and deliver on central government investment, we’ve put ourselves in a great position to be able to support local business and people in the recovery from COVID-19.”
In a government release(external link) today, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones complimented(external link) the progress and work Council and the Provincial Development Unit have done to introduce changes to the roading procurement models to contract directly to local developing contractors and provide training and development support for new and existing employees.
Rather than awarding contracts based on price, tenders are now 55% weighted on staff training and development while contractors need to show how new and existing staff will receive quality training and qualifications during the project.
The changes signal a new focus on maximising return for local communities from local and national investment, says Council Chief Executive Nedine Thatcher-Swann.
“With the level of investment we’re seeing at the moment from central government we want to ensure our communities benefit much more than just having a better road network. We want to see new jobs, stronger local companies and more qualified employees through this investment,” she said.
“We’ve asked the local contractors to step up and take on this challenge with us and they are doing exactly that. The response to this kaupapa has been fantastic. They understand that the more we invest in our people to succeed, the more likely we are to succeed as a region.”
The total funding available to Council for PGF approved projects is $54.2m. There are still five current business case studies for projects including further East Cape Road repairs, the development of King or Harper Road and a local route resilience study which groups a range of sites for repair to improve the economic resilience of the network.
Above: The $3.2m PGF funded Aerodrome Road upgrade has a strong focus on training and new employment, in addition to a much-needed surface upgrade. Fulton Hogan East Coast Surfacing operators Sione Ki-nuia, Taui Wilson-Nepia and Richard Haraki (surfacing foreman). Photo credit: Ilze-Maree Coetzee
Project updates:
|
Project |
Description |
Total funding |
Spend to date |
Construction period |
|
Route 1 upgrade: Corridor 16 |
Freight route upgrade. Surface upgrades, drainage and culvert works on Tauwhareparae Road and surrounding routes. |
$5m |
$276,024 |
May - Dec |
|
Route 2 upgrade: Corridor 35 |
Freight route upgrade. Surface upgrades, drainage and culvert works with the Gisborne City urban boundary. |
$6.3m |
$3,853,669 |
Feb - Dec |
|
Route 3 upgrade: Corridor 28/29 |
Freight route upgrade. Surface upgrades, drainage and culvert works on Tiniroto and Wharekopae Roads. |
$4.8m |
$547,951 |
June - Dec |
|
Route 4 upgrade: Corridor 40 |
Freight route upgrade. Surface upgrades, drainage and culvert works on Waingake Road. |
$3m |
$58,559 |
June - Dec |
|
Route 5 upgrade: Corridor 20 |
Freight route upgrade. Surface upgrades, drainage and culvert works on Whatatutu area routes. |
$2.3m |
$20,318 |
May - Dec |
|
Bridges - Local Roads |
Repairs on rural bridges which lie on current and future harvest areas. |
$3.4m |
$11,600 |
Aug - Dec |
|
Kaiinanga Hill |
Resilience works on Waiomatatini Road where the Waiapu River has approached the road. |
$200k |
$ 8,497 |
May - Dec |
|
50MAX |
Repairs on rural bridges which lie on current and future harvest areas. |
$3m |
$1,641,230 |
Completion 2022 |
|
East Cape Road – Emergency Works |
Rock revetment at 3.4km mark to ensure resilience from rising sea levels. |
$1.8m |
$780,475 |
Mar – Aug |
|
Tiniroto Road – Emergency Works |
Retaining wall works at dropout on Tiniroto Road |
$500k |
$ - |
June - Sept |
|
Local Roads Network – Emergency Works |
Repairs to Waikura Road and works at the 1.8km mark on East Cape Road. |
$480k |
$396,825 |
Completion June 20 |
|
East Cape Road Sealing |
1.8km seal extension to the current sealed section of East Cape Road. |
$1.8m |
$10,590 |
Oct - Dec |
|
Emergency Repairs |
Network repairs from the 2018 Queen's Birthday Flood. 8% funded by PGF, 92% funded by NLTF |
$2.2m |
$1,375,736 |
Completion Sep-20 |
|
Heavy industry zone upgrade |
Upgrade of Aerodrome Road including full surface upgrade, widening and drainage works. |
$3.2m |
$667,237 |
May - Aug |
|
Improved Network Resilience |
Proactive maintenance works including culvert renewals, drainage works and road surface upgrades. Included 2019 Gisborne CBD upgrade. |
$10m |
$ 9,962,897 |
Completion Jul 20 |
|
Rakaiatane Road upgrade |
Full surface upgrade, electrical, drainage works on region's only access to Eastland Port. |
$4.5m |
$4,214,045 |
Completion Jul 20 |
|
Business cases for approval |
||||
|
East Cape |
Business case for major repair works on East Cape Road to protect from rising sea levels. |
$320k |
$111,527 |
|
|
Route Security Structural |
Business case for repair of multiple sites across region to improve economic resilience. |
$2.14m |
$159,090 |
|
|
Tiniroto Rd |
Business case to make improve resilience of Tiniroto Road as alternative route to state highway. |
$68k |
$52,449 |
|
|
Kings Road/ Harper Road upgrade |
Business case to develop alternative route for heavy vehicles to across Poverty Bay Flats to state highway. |
$112k |
$67,788 |
|
|
|
|
Total funding |
Total spend to date |
|
|
|
|
$54.2m |
$24.6m |
|