Subj : Hawke's Bay contractors fear rebuild could be stalled by funding issue
To   : All
From : News
Date : Fri Jun 14 2024 02:12 pm

By 1News Reporters
5:00am

Hawke's Bay contractors fear their work rebuilding the region's roads could
be stalled by funding issues.


The agency in charge of the rebuild told them it's now reviewing what it can
do with the funds it has, following the Government's 2024 Budget.


East Coast drivers know the drill along State Highway 2. It's slow work,
navigating the damage and construction and one resident told 1News the roads
were atrocious: "Really, they're not fit for purpose."


Following Cyclone Gabrielle, the Government introduced a new combined agency,
Transport Rebuild East Coast, or TREC, to increase the resiliance of the
region.


But those working on the roads said funding issues could get in the way.


Quality Roading and Services chief executive officer Jeremy Harker said: "I'm
concerned not only for the business, but also for the whole of the East
Coast, because what we don't want to see is that planned work and the work
that's been discussed around building back better and making sure that the
coast roads are up to speed. I hope that doesn't fade into the background."


In an email obtained by 1News, TREC warned its contractors and suppliers it
would "now need to right-size the alliance" to ensure it was "aligned with
this funding and the work it will be completing".


"Any potential Rebuild projects will need to seek funding approval through
the NZTA's National Land Transport Fund."


Rebuild funded by more than $630m
The Government allocated $250 million in this year's Budget to TREC's
recovery work. On top of last year's $384 million.


The agency said that while it re-worked its model to fit funding, its focus
remained on local operators.


But contractors were worried the shift in focus could mean fewer jobs and
less work being done.


"There's been a lot of concern from the smaller sub-contractors around the
place, they might have invested a bit to get up and ready to go and spent a
lot of time getting the skillsets [and qualifications] up and now the work
looks like it's going to drop away," said Harker.


The expectations of locals weren't much higher.


"Well we kind of joke about needing to get horses . to get out even, I don't
know if it's actually a joke anymore," said resident Kay Baxter.

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