Council accepts private agreement to seal rural road

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

A public/private agreement means more than 3km of a rural Waimakariri road will soon be sealed.

The Waimakariri District Council voted to accept a proposal from Christchurch Ready Mix Concrete Ltd to seal 3.23km of Browns Rd, at Swannanoa near Rangiora, at its council meeting on Tuesday, September 5.

Under the proposal, the company offered to pay the upfront cost of sealing a section of road to its entrance, at 1 Browns Rd, to nine metres width.

Christchurch Ready Mix Concrete Ltd aggregates manager Rob Uffindell said the company was keen to get the road sealed to reduce wear and tear on its trucks.

"We are a major road user of Browns Rd, but there is also a timber processor on the road and Ngāi Tahu farms and a large dairy complex with probably nine houses, so others will benefit from it.

"We are offering to fund the initial construction in one year and are seeking money from the council over three years."

Uffindell said the cost presented to the council was for an 8m wide road, as per the previous agreement.

Christchurch Ready Mix Concrete Ltd would carry the cost of the extra metre of width, he said.

The council agreed to pay off 50% of the cost, or $352,172.50, over three years, in line with its previous cost share agreement to seal 1km of road per year.

Councillor Philip Redmond said it was "a very good deal for the council" and he was happy to support it.

Councillor Tim Fulton, who lives in the area, said it was "a very good accommodation" in addressing residents concerns.

■ Public interest journalism funded through New Zealand on Air.