Gisborne Mayor Meng Foon calls for ‘safer, better roads’

Gisborne Mayor Meng Foon.

AN application for a “considerable roading package” for Tairawhiti will soon be sent to Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones, says Gisborne Mayor Meng Foon.

The roading package includes a previously announced $9.1 million application to fund emergency repair work on the district’s roads and a proposal that the funding assistance rate to the district be increased from 63 percent to 72 percent this year, rather than 67 percent by 2022, as scheduled.

Gisborne District Council chief executive Nedine Thatcher Swann said the roading bid also included requested funding to deliver the “integrated transport priority plan, which is being finalised”.

“The roading bid goes to the Government with the support of the region as highlighted in the Tairawhiti Economic Action Plan.”

Mr Foon said roading was a key economic enabler.

“We are lobbying hard to support our region’s economic growth and social needs through roading. The community needs safer and better roads.”

Ms Thatcher Swann said Minister Jones told those who attended the Taste of Te Tairawhiti hui in Wellington that he was waiting for a proposal to address Gisborne roading issues.

The hui with the ministers and Members of Parliament covered social, environment, cultural and economic opportunities from our region.

It was not focused only on the Tuawhenua Provincial Growth Fund (PGF).

“My view is that the success will be measured in terms of future partnering opportunities with central government.”

Customs Minister and Ikaroa-Rawhiti MP Meka Whaitiri said Mr Jones said at the hui that he would “champion” roading issues in Tairawhiti.

“He asked for a letter to be forwarded to him and I think we should take the offer up.”

Ms Whaitiri said it was unfair to criticise the PGF launch for excluding road funding.

“Minister Jones does not see the PGF as being used for roading projects. There is another pot of money for roading. There is other infrastructure he would like to invest in.”

Ms Thatcher Swann said it was up to the Government to decide whether road funding came from the PGF or a separate fund.

Mayor is looking for 'spade-ready' ideasAs there will be private enterprise interest in the PGF, Mayor Meng Foon and Activate Tairawhiti are hosting a meeting with the private sector on Monday to help identify opportunities. Mr Foon said he wad looking for ‘‘spade-ready” ideas.

Ms Whaitiri said the ability of Gisborne District Council, Activate Tairawhiti/Eastland Community Trust, Manaaki Tairawhiti, Hauora Tairawhiti, Te Runanga o Turanganui A Kiwa, Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou, Rongowhakaata and Ngai Tamanuhiri to engage with Cabinet Ministers would help the district “surge”.

She described the meeting as an opportunity to engage with Cabinet Ministers and to discuss social, economic and environmental opportunities.

Minster Jones would look at proposals every two months.

Other Cabinet Ministers who attended the Taste of Te Tairawhiti hui were Kelvin Davis, Maori/Crown relations; Phil Twyford, housing and transport; Willie Jackson, employment; Stuart Nash, fisheries and revenue; Peeni Henare, Whanau Ora; and Fletcher Tabuteau, parliamentary undersecretary for regional economic development.

Tairawhiti could expect Cabinet ministers to visit the district in numbers not seen during the previous nine years of the National-led government, Ms Whaitiri said.