$200 million funding injection,” Transport Minister Michael Wood said.
“Repair work will be focused on the North Auckland line and the Auckland metropolitan network, the North Island main trunk and the East Coast main trunk (as far as Wairoa).”
East Coast MP Kiri Allan said the investment would provide certainty for these communities and local councils that the Government would continue to support them to ensure necessary repairs could be made without having to worry that ratepayers would be left to foot the bill.
Regions affected by the recent North Island extreme weather events will also be able to apply for funding from an initial $100 million in Budget 2023 for local practical flood protection infrastructure.
“The Government’s previous investment into flood protection measures, such as stopbanks, saved lives, homes, businesses and communities during Cyclone Gabrielle. This included the Waipaoa stopbank in Gisborne,” Ms Allan said.
There is also more support for rural communities.
The Government is investing $35.4 million to support the safety and wellbeing of farmers, growers and stock in cyclone-damaged areas by scaling up on-farm technical, scientific and financial advice.
This funding will support access to expert advice, urgent maintenance, critical transport of essential supplies, people and stock related to animal health and welfare needs, and health and safety.
Of that, $5.4m will be targeted to help operate rural community hubs, and ensure ongoing access to reliable telecommunications, including satellite connectivity.
The recovery package also includes $5m for extending community support funds, establishing a new jobs and Skills Hub in Gisborne, and provides a further $1m towards Enhanced Taskforce Green, which is still supporting councils with clean-up work.
Another $10m has been allocated to clean up slash and woody debris.
Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz said the council was grateful for the funding support.
“We need it. Our road to recovery for this region is estimated to cost, for the initial immediate rebuild, over $1 billion which was in the plan we sent to the Government at the start of this month. We’ve also included additional costs for future resilience.
“The funding announced aligns with our ambitions to build back smarter, so our communities are safe, protected and connected.”
Mayor Stoltz said she looked forward to having clarity around how much of the money would come to Tairāwhiti.
“We know that funding of $903,283 has been announced for our region to control erosion and build capacity for our farmers. This funding is the first round to be announced from a $25.2 million Government fund that will be rolled out over the next four years to 14 councils in Aotearoa.”
Further funding outlined in the council’s bid to Government was yet to be announced, she said.
“We have asked for $1bn for our roads alone, so we look forward to further announcements around the details of what each region will achieve. We will then have to assess how we prioritise what we can achieve with whatever funding we receive.”
