Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

Three Districts - one roading contractor

Three Districts - one roading contractor

A collaborative regional approach taken by the Manawatu, Rangitikei, and Horowhenua District Councils to road infrastructure will see significant benefits for the three councils.

As a result of this collaboration the three District Councils invited road maintenance contractors to bid for work in each district or across the combined districts. As a result the councils have approved a single contractor, Higgins Contractors Ltd, to provide road infrastructure services across their districts.
Using a single contractor across the three districts will enable ratepayer contributions to be reinvested in maintaining and improving more of the road networks in each district.

“Our roads are how rural districts stay connected, it’s how we get our raw materials and products to the market, so it is very important that every dollar we spend on our roads contributes as widely as possible to our continued growth” Manawatu District Mayor Margaret Kouvelis said.

Horowhenua District Mayor Brendan Duffy said that councils getting together on this scale had been a long-time coming.

"This contract certainly gives Horowhenua District Council longevity with regard to meeting future roading needs in our own District, while Higgins is also introducing some management processes that that will bring added value to all three councils," Mayor Duffy said.

"This is a step in the right direction. It is great to see the concept of shared services being bedded in. The advantages of this collaborative approach are as much around delivery efficiencies as financial benefits."

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

Mayor Brendan Duffy said the advantages of this collaborative approach are as much around delivery efficiencies as financial benefits.

"There are intangible benefits that will come from this contract, such as combining efforts and resources, as well as buying power," he said.

"For instance, there is now a team of 12 to 15 roading staff across three councils, with the ability to share expertise across our boundaries.”
Rangitikei District Mayor Andy Watson said that currently Rangitikei ratepayers pay 45% of their rates towards roading and any cost-savings will mean their Council can continue to work to make sure the rate level stays affordable, while ensuring roads are maintained to a good level of service.
“For Rangitikei and Horowhenua this is a change of contractor. The Council will engage with the new contractor to look at what services could be provided from a local base and use local businesses. We appreciate the work Downers have done in the past and anticipate there will be at least the same, level of service, for the District in the future," Mayor Watson said.

The contract with the Higgins Contractors Ltd comes into effect from 1 July 2015.
ENDS

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.