$591m transport package for Bay

Chair of Bay of Plenty Regional Transport Committee, councillor Jane Nees. Photo/file

The New Zealand Transport Agency today announced about $591 million transport package will be spent on Bay of Plenty roads and infrastructure.

The multi-million dollar package is designed to grow industry and jobs, improve safety, and support economic development and population growth in the Bay.

An estimated $255m will target continued economic productivity and growth.

The public transport system will receive $45m, with an additional $8.5m to provide school buses for children in Tauranga.

$244m will be invested in maintaining and renewing the road network, with $141m for local roads and $103m for state highways.

$4.9 million will be invested into roads safety promotion and education activities targeting regional issues.

The $591m investment is the region's share of the $13.9 billion 2015-2018 National Land Transport Programme.

NLTP is a partnership between local authorities, who invest funding on behalf of communities and the Transport Agency, which develops the programme and invests funding from petrol taxes, road user charges and vehicle registration and licensing fees.

Chair of Bay of Plenty Regional Transport Committee, councillor Jane Nees, said the programmes funded in the NLTP will support expected growth in urban areas of the western Bay, while ensuring efficient access to the Port of Tauranga from Auckland, Waikato and the rest of the region.

NZTA's acting Waikato/Bay of Plenty regional director, Robert Brodnax, said in a statement a large part of the investment in the Bay of Plenty recognises and supports the vital part the region plays in New Zealand's social and economic success.

"The Bay of Plenty is one of four regions including Northland, Auckland and the Waikato that make up the upper north island, an area that is vital to the growth of our country," he said.

"The Bay of Plenty is also growing, and it is important that our investments support that regional growth.