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Last modified: 29 Jul 2020 10:22am

A digger drops a scoop of dirt into the back of a dump track. Both are on a patch of bare brown earth

The Council is aiming to include $223 million of building works across the district as part of its planning for economic recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Council has submitted a $13.5 million bid for a district-wide roading package of reconstruction, rehabilitation and re-seal repairs, in response to the Government’s request for ‘shovel-ready’ projects. This work would be brought forward from the Council’s Transport Activity Management Plan, providing additional jobs and supporting the economy through improved transport links.

A recovery plan is being prepared by the Council, working together with iwi, businesses, NGOs and members of the community, to ensure a community-led approach, says Selwyn Mayor Sam Broughton.

The plan aims to help restore the district’s economic strength and contribute to welfare support for businesses and households that have been affected by the pandemic.

Meetings with key members of different communities across Selwyn will begin this week as part of the planning, he says.

The Council is also keeping in close contact with other councils and the Mayor has been invited to sit on a national advisory panel as a local government representative in discussions about the government’s national recovery plans.

The Council is well-placed to provide some momentum to the district’s economy, having already signed off on a series of large construction projects over the past 18 months

“The Council will have an important part to play in Selwyn’s recovery and it is important that we continue with planned infrastructure, water, roading and facilities projects that our growing district needs – and which will provide vital jobs and boost economic activity over the coming months,” Mayor Broughton says.

The roading plan would be on top of a capital programme of $209.5 million of work planned for the 2019/20 and 2020/21 financial years.

Construction is already under way on four major projects to the value of $62 million that will be restarted when it is safe to do so – stimulating the Selwyn economy – while other work is planned on the district’s water and waste systems, roading and other building.