ORC adopts 30-year transport strategy

A transport strategy containing a 30-year guide for prioritising funding bids for Otago transport projects was described as a "filter for where government money will go" before it was approved by regional councillors in Dunedin this week.

Otago Regional Council policy and resource planning director Fraser McRae said the regional transport strategy was linked to the individual district plans of the five territorial councils in Otago and to the New Zealand Transport Agency's policy for funding allocations.

ORC chairman Stephen Woodhead said while the strategy was "hardwired" for the next six years, which is when the document will be revisited, it laid out an Otago-wide vision for transport projects for the next 30 years.

Any future funding bid to central government and NZTA for prospective Otago transport projects would need to ensure it was aligned with the goals, outcomes and framework of the strategy, Mr Woodhead said.

Cr Bryan Scott questioned whether, regardless of the aspirational goals being sought for Otago in the strategy, the reality was that national funding for transport projects was being channelled to Auckland.

Mr McRae said that while Cr Scott's perception might be correct, there was no suggestion that existing funding allocations for the South were being siphoned to the North Island.

"We still need to put our view to central government to ensure the voice of Otago is heard when applying for part of the [transport] funding pool," Mr McRae said.

Mr Woodhead said the strategy was formulated with a pragmatic outlook that recognised the constraints and funding pressures being experienced by the Government and the NZTA.