Roading Renewals
What we're reducing
We’re spreading out our road pavement renewal programme over a longer period. We will closely monitor the quality of the road network, and prioritise work to try and keep the roads to the current standard.
Our network of local roads is over 1,000km long – that’s longer than the entire North Island! But it comes with a hefty price tag – roading accounts for around 20% of our total annual spend, or around $17.8 million. Waka Kotahi/NZ Transport Agency contribute around $6.3 million towards maintenance and capital improvement of the network.
In 2023/24 we spent around $3 million on pavement maintenance (e.g. pothole repairs, repairing edge breaks etc), and a further $5.1 million on pavement renewals, which includes the resurfacing of our roads (to protect the pavement from rain and wear and tear from traffic) and the renewal of pavement on our roads (to strengthen the pavement).
What are we reducing?
Roading costs have increased dramatically – quite simply, it costs more to do less. Because affordability is our key area of concern for this LTP, we’re spreading our renewals work programme out over a longer time period and will closely monitor the impact this may have on the condition of the roads. Our most recent audit data shows that the local roads are currently maintained to a high standard – so while we would be cutting back the maintenance programme, we believe we can still maintain the roads to the same standard.
There is still a risk that you won’t notice the impact of this right away – it could take a couple of years before people start to notice any additional wear and tear on some roads (e.g. more ruts or potholes).
Reduce our roading renewal programme to cut costs
We’re spreading out our road pavement renewal programme over a longer period. We will closely monitor the quality of the road network, and prioritise work to try and keep the roads to the current standard.
Standard of service this would provide:
We aim to keep the roads to the current standard – but there is a risk of more wear and tear on our roads over time.
Impact on debt:
There is no impact on debt.
Council's share of additional operating cost per year:
$291,000 for 2024/25.
Average additional cost per property per year:
$11.87 for 2024/25.
Pavement Renewals
$5.4 million for pavement renewals for 2024/25 to continue to resurface and renew our road network.
Standard of service this would provide:
Continuing to fund at the current level would likely result in a reduction in the service (e.g. more wear and tear on our roads over time).
Impact on debt:
Renewals are funded from Waka Kotahi subsidy, 51%, and rates, 49%. There is no impact on debt.
Council's share of additional operating cost per year:
$144,000 for 2024/25.
Average additional cost per property per year:
$5.87 for 2024/25.