It has been coming as part of a plan created some years ago, but the end to full funding for the coast road at Cape Palliser has arrived. It was given full funding “due to its high tourism value and high maintenance costs, with minimal local rate income”.
Currently 100% funded as one of several Special Purpose Road’s around NZ, it is going to be pared back to 85-90% funding (we think) of the 4 “problem areas” (Te Kopi, Johnson’s Hill, Whatarangi and Turner’s Bay. The remainder of the road from the Lake Ferry turnoff to the end of the road will be funded using the Funding Assistance Rate (FAR) of 51%, which will apply to all the roads across the South Wairarapa that are not state highways. This means Waka Kotahi provides 51% of road funding, and not 100%, to the remainder of the Cape Palliser Road.
Emergency funding as a short-term solution will be available following a storm event for example.
PowerCo has recently upgraded their infrastructure along the coast, ensuring residents are not isolated, and reinforcing that the Cape Palliser lighthouse (1897) is of strategic importance.
There are 12 district councils in NZ with Special Purpose Roads still on 100% funding. By 1st July 2024 these will transition down to normal Funding Assistance Rates (FAR) and this varies between districts. The range is 51% – 75%. The SWDC’s FAR is 51%, as low as it can go. Is that in any way negotiable?
The National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) is carried out 3 yearly.
Regional Land Transport Plans (RLTP) are also done 3 yearly. The 2024-2027 RLTP will be approved in April 2024, to be adopted by 1st June 2024. Draft RTLP problem statements and 10-year priorities should be ready by December 2022 to influence activity management plans.
Transport Investment Online (TIO) is the system used to organise all activities for inclusion in the NLTP. August 2023 is the deadline for initial submissions of continuous programs. September 2023 is the deadline for initial submissions of improvement activities. December 2023 is the deadline for final submissions of both the above.
All people involved with travelling to Cape Palliser have the expectation that central government (via Waka Kotahi) will provide them with the basic right to access their homes, livelihoods, lands of significance, national park, tourist attractions and emergency services. The current road needs more funding than has been committed.
Cape Palliser residents are looking forward to meeting with the SWDC at Ngawi community hall for some information as to where we are at with Waka Kotahi. Is there still time for the community to have any input into the 24-27 plan? Are the FAR’s negotiable? What are the expected rate increases in SWDC in response to losing this funding? Is it true 1% loss of funding is equivalent to $100,000? What would happen if all the 12 Special Purpose Road councils banded together and demanded a continuation of the funding? Has the SWDC contacted the other councils and put a case forward to central government? If it cannot be reversed, can we not negotiate a better deal?
I apologise in advance if any of my information is incorrect. It was the best I could find out at short notice.
