Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board has contributed $400,000 towards seal extension improvements to roads and electric vehicle infrastructure on the island through its Local Board Transport Capital Fund.
The projects funded align with priorities identified in the board’s three-year Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board Plan [PDF].
$350,000 has been allocated towards seal extension improvements to Kawa and Motairehe roads.
Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board Chair Izzy Fordham says the roads are being used more frequently due to an increase of population in the north of the island with residents returning to the two marae areas during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Kawa and Motairehe roads are in poor condition and desperately need improvements. Our funding contribution will work towards improving unsealed sections of the roads and reducing the dust nuisance for surrounding households,” she said.
$50,000 will support a Locky-dock EV bike charging station in Port Fitzroy to provide low emission and active transport options.
“There’s limited public electric vehicle infrastructure on the island and none in the north of the island. Aotea is a large island - it can be an issue with EV transport getting from one end of the island to the other on a single battery charge. There’s also boaties that land in Port Fitzroy who could use an electric bike.”
“While the impact of COVID-19 has affected the overall amount we had available to allocate, we’re pleased with the outcome and we know these improvements will make a positive difference on our island,” says Chair Fordham.
