$20 million two year investment for footpath renewals throughout Auckland City

Auckland City Council is proposing to invest a record $20 million in footpath renewals for 2003 and 2004. The council’s Combined Committees today voted to boost footpath spending from $6.4 million last year, in a move to help overcome a major maintenance backlog.

Council spent $3.4 million on footpaths in 1998 and 1999, $4.36 million in 2000, $4.8 million in 2001, $6.4 million in 2002 and Mr Hay describes the $20 million as “unprecedented“.

Combined Committees’ chairperson David Hay, Deputy Mayor, says the new money would be poured into the worst areas.

There will continue to be expenditure on footpaths across the city but footpaths in Avondale-Roskil, Mount Eden-Albert, Hobson and Western Bays in poor and very poor condition would receive higher financial support as these wards have the greatest proportion of substandard footpaths.

The $20 million will increase safety and utility, as well as improving the streetscape character.

The extra funding means the $45 million backlog in footpath maintenance will be cleared much faster. Mr. Hay is satisfied with the outcome as the city will see substantial progress in resolving a problem affecting all residents.

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