"Roading is the largest activity in terms of cost for the Tararua District Council and funding from the NZTA through the FAR system makes up the majority of that funding." Malcolm Thomas, council's strategy and policy adviser, told councillors who had vowed not to let a decision be made without "a scrap".
Mr Ellis said lobbying with other rural councils was the way to go and he also met Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee to push his council's case.
"We had been told our FAR money could fall from 61 per cent to 59 per cent," he said.
"We were very worried as forestry is really going to blitz our roads here over the next two or three years."
Mr Ellis said the geology of the district and high rainfall also means the land is prone to slips.
However, he was informed on Monday his council's share of the FAR investment will increase, not decrease.
"In 2015/16 it will rise from 61 per cent to 62 per cent and then every year by one per cent, reaching 65 per cent," he said.
The changes are aimed at improving the system to better match funding assistance levels with each region's needs and ability to pay, the transport agency's chief executive Geoff Dangerfield said.
"The FAR system is a fundamental part of the country's transport investment framework which had not undergone a robust review for more than 30 years," he said.
"The changes which are being made will ensure the system is fairer and more effective in directing funding to the areas and activities where the transport network as a whole may suffer if local authorities can't afford to deliver or maintain what is needed in their areas."
As a result of the changes 59 councils will see their overall funding assistance rates increase or remain the same as current levels, while 20 councils will move to lower rates.
The Tararua District Council is still waiting to hear what funding it will receive for emergency events.
"Our emergency funding won't be as horrific as we thought," Mr Ellis said.
"It's probably going to be back a bit [on current levels], but we're feeling happier now."
Mr Ellis is also going to be lobbying to try to get money from the regional transport fund for work on the Oringi overbridge south of town and the bridge at Butcher's Creek hill north of Norsewood.
The Oringi overbridge, 10km south of Dannevirke, is weight-restricted with 50-tonne trucks unable to cross, a ridiculous situation when the State Highway is a lifeline for exporters and those wanting access to regional ports, Mr Ellis said.
