If elected, the National Party has promised to deliver an array of transport projects across Invercargill, Dunedin, Queenstown, and the wider Southern region.

The $140 million Southern Transport Package is included in National's $31 billion transport infrastructure investment nationwide and includes a plan to replace 171 bridges in Southland.

Southland district mayor Gary Tong says more investment in the roading network is welcome, while Labour’s Southland candidate Jon Mitchell says the promise sounds nice but isn’t new.

Advertisement

Advertise on the Southland App

National’s transport spokesperson Chris Bishop announced the transport package in Dunedin today, saying it would "shorten journey times, improve safety, create jobs and support tourism."

“There are 850 bridges in Southland, with 171 needing replacement within the next 12 years. Little funding has been allocated and planning needs to begin now,” Mr Bishop said. 

National would direct the NZ Transport Agency to work with the Southland District Council to put in place a "systematic bridge upgrade programme" over the next decade, with funding shared between agency and the council.

“I can’t wait to deliver these projects in government. Where Labour talks, National delivers," he said.

Bridges are vital for connecting communities, Gary Tong says. PHOTO: SUPPLIED/SDC

Mr Tong said the Southland District Council would welcome any additional funding the agency might be able to direct south to assist with 171 bridge replacements identified by the council.

"It goes without saying how vital bridges are to connecting our communities," he said.

The council began an ambitious year bridge replacement programme in May and intends to replace up to 19 mostly "old, wooden" bridges over the next 12 months. 

In May, the council also approved an unbudgeted $3 million joint fund for the project. The council’s share is $1.47 million. The agency is paying $1.53 million.

Advertisement

Advertise on the Southland App

Mr Tong said 171 bridges needed to be replaced or closed in the next 12 years, and another 22 would need to follow suit in the eight years after that. 

Based on Southland District Council’s current allocated funding, there was a "significant" shortfall in money available to replace all the bridges within the next 12 years, a council spokesperson said, in May.

Mr Tong said the council would engage with communities about options for managing ageing infrastructure so that budgets and work programmes could be set for the council’s next 10 Year Plan, due in 2021.

Labour candidate Jon Mitchell says the funding package has already been budgeted. PHOTO: SUPPLIED/MARY MITCHELL

When asked about National's announcement today, Labour Candidate for Southland Jon Mitchell said National's announcement sounded nice but failed to announce anything new.

"What National is proposing is something that's already budgeted for," he said. 

Mr Mitchell said the Labour government had already restored the regional road funding, which was used to fund other projects when National was in government. 

"Again, National are preparing long term expenditure on roading which should be part of the normal maintenance programme."

"What Labour have committed to is investing in broader infrastructure that results in investment and stimulation of the economy," he said, referencing the $42 million allocated to Southern "shovel ready" projects and the upwards of $11.5 million of government funding allocated to Southland for the Three Waters Reform. 

“National are rushing funding. A more considered approach is necessary.”

Mr Mitchell also questioned how National could fund the transport package without raising taxes.