Contractors’ Federation says road task force will benefit communities and industry.

The Government’s Road Maintenance Sector Task Force will benefit communities countrywide, encouraging high quality, economically viable road maintenance and renewal, says New Zealand Contractors’ Federation Chief Executive Jeremy Sole.

Transport Minister Steven Joyce announced today that the task force has been set up alongside the new Government Policy Statement on Land Transport Funding.

“We are very pleased that Mr Joyce has noted that some local councils and the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) have been able to maintain efficient roading programmes and achieve significant savings while others have been less successful,” said Mr Sole, a member of the initial task force.

“The Minister has also taken on board the contractors’ federation’s concerns and the evidence that significant savings can be gained through taking a more efficient approach.

“The deteriorating condition of many of New Zealand’s roads has been an area of real concern.

“However, some local authorities are doing a really good job. The fact that we can now look at those best practices with a view to applying them countrywide is very positive for communities and the civil construction industry. We look forward to working with NZTA and Roading New Zealand on this.”

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