Significant increase for roading 'ignored’

Press, 15 July 1987, Page 6

Significant increase for roading 'ignored’

The organisers of a campaign to obtain extra roading funding had not considered “significant increases” for roading during the last three years, said the Minister of Works and Development, Mr Colman, yesterday. The Government had maintained its commitment to roading funding during a period of extensive economic restraint, Mr Colman said. The estimated expenditure for the year ending March 1988 would be $487 million — a 25 per cent increase over the 1982-83 figure. The campaign’s organisers are seeking an additional $B6 million annually for roading. “The increase is significant at a time when Government is making a real effort to bring the Budget deficit under control and clearly shows that it has maintained the National Roads Board,” Mr Colman said.

“It is ensuring that as much money as possible is made available to ensure the best and safest possible roading system. “While everyone would like a lot more, we have

been able to maintain our present roads and undertake an extensive renewal programme together with a modest improvement programme.” Mr Colman reminded his critics that roading had to take its place with other sectors of the economy for a share of available funding. The supporters of the campaign presumed that the Government had unlimited resources to put into roading funding. It had not, Mr Colman said. “If the Government were to provide $B6 million annually for roading and avoid cute in other areas, it would require an increase of between 1.5 c to 2c a litre in petrol taxes and an increase of 15 to 20 per cent in road-user charges. “Roading needs have to be balanced against needs in other sectors of the economy such as social services, education and health. It is clear that the Government Is responding positively to meet the needs of our roading system. It will continue to do so within the limits of existing resources.”