A cut in NZ Transport Agency-Waka Kotahi funding to the Gore District is a "major health and safety issue", Cr Neville Phillips says.
A report outlining the agency’s planned funding assistance from 2024 to 2027 was presented at the council’s asset and infrastructure meeting last week by roading asset manager Murray Hasler.
In the report, Mr Hasler said the agency had indicated it would provide $19.716 million for the three-year period.
The amount approved was about $3.3m less than the amount requested.
"The reduced funding will result in a reduction in the level of service able to be provided."
Areas that would be affected included the council’s ability to respond to ice and flood events and crashes, renewals of signs, road markings and street lighting and footpath maintenance and renewals.
However, the agency had approved $13.257 million for the prevention of potholes which was the amount requested by the council.
Speaking to his report, Mr Hasler said after the report was written, he had heard the council would receive no money for the $1.27m roading improvements it had planned.
"That’s quite disappointing."
The council had applied for $860,000 for walking and cycling improvements but would receive $310,000.
"That’s obviously an urban issue but it does have a big impact on what we potentially can do in that area."
During the discussion of the report, Cr Phillips said he was very concerned about the areas where the council would not be able to provide the same services.
"If we show negligence in our road maintenance, our signage, who is responsible?"
It was a "major health and safety issue" that should be flagged to the council’s audit and risk committee and chief executive Deborah Lascelles, he said.
Mr Hasler said the council would be responsible.
While some of the flexibility as to how money was used had been removed, council staff could look at ways funding could still be transferred from one activity to another.
Mayor Ben Bell said he would encourage the community to let the council know when footpaths started to deteriorate so the council could lobby NZTA.
He also suggested the community be informed it was not a council decision that facilities such as footpaths would be under-funded.
"It is a directive from government we have no choice over."
Roading staff will prepare a more detailed report identifying the impact of the reduced funding on levels of service for the full council meeting later in the month.
