The Government is investing more than $12 million to improve the resilience of roads in the Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough regions that have been affected by recent extreme weather. A dedicated Transport Resilience Fund has been established for early preventative works to protect the state highway network from future severe weather disruption.
The regions will also be eligible for funding from the National Resilience Plan for projects that mitigate the effects of climate change and extreme weather.
Roads in the region that will receive funding from the Transport Resilience Fund are:
- SH6, Whangamoa Hill and Rai Saddle
- SH6, Kawatiri to Owen River erosion
- SH60, Birds Hill overslip
- SH1, flooding at Dashwood
- SH63, the Wash flooding
- Weld Pass long term detour route improvements study
- SH63 Windy Point and Narrows rockfall
- SH65 Higgins rockfall
- Salt Lake flooding investigation
- Tuamarina to Picton flooding
“Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough have experienced repeated extreme weather events in recent years. We need to repair our state highways after these events and also build greater resilience so they’re less affected in the future,” Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said.
“In this year’s budget we established the $419 million Transport Resilience Fund to support these investments that support our region’s recovery.
“Investing in resilience creates savings down the road, as well as ensuring communities aren’t cut off and isolated after extreme weather,” he said
“In this year’s budget we set aside $6 billion in funding to support the implementation of a National Resilience Plan. I can confirm that projects in the top of the south will be considered for funding as part of this ongoing work.
“No region can foot the bill for building transport resilience on their own. That’s why the Government is coming to the table to support regions with a range of funds to help them recover.
“For example, in recent weeks we announced Nelson homeowners can access Government support, including a buyout deal for their damaged homes.
“We are absolutely committed to the region’s recovery.”
Transport Minister David Parker said severe weather events will be an ongoing challenge.
“This funding will repair vulnerable points in the road network to help mitigate the risk of them failing in future storms or other natural hazards,” he said.
These projects are in addition to the $127 million the Government has invested in the top of the south’s roads following flooding in 2021 and 2022.
“The Government also supports completion of the Hope Bypass and is setting aside funding in the Government’s recently announced transport plan,” said Parker.
“We are committed to support the region to rebuild and build back stronger from the challenges of recent times.”
