The Kaikōura District Council proposed a $310,000 a year programme of footpath renewals and maintenance over the next three years in its 2024/34 Long Term Plan.
The council had requested a $944,000 subsidy from NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi over the next three years, but received just $252,000 from the 2024/27 National Land Transport Programme, prompting a rethink.
Council chief executive Will Doughty said the council has identified footpaths as a priority in its last two Long Term Plans, after years of ‘‘under investment’’.
‘‘It was a straightforward decision for council to increase our local share so we can accelerate the project.
‘‘Our whole Long Term Plan is about not kicking the can down the road.
‘‘If we don’t do it, we risk running into problems down the track.’’
Doughty said the council will debt fund the extra $84,000 a year while keeping communications open with NZTA in case more funding becomes available.
During the Long Term Plan process, a total of 124 submissions were received, with 86 per cent backing the council's plan to increase spending on footpaths.
‘‘Hopefully the results are speaking for themselves when you look around the town,’’ Doughty said.
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
