The Government has released further details of its multi-billion dollar infrastructure spend - announcing $7.3 billion worth of projects from the total $12 billion package.
$6.8 billion for transport infrastructure in Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Wellington, Canterbury and Queenstown, of that:
- $1.1b goes to rail
- $2.2b to new roads in Auckland
$300 million health investment , of that:
- $83m to child and maternal healh
- $96m to mental health and addiction
- $26m to regional and rural service projects
- $75m to upgrading and fixing aging hospital facilities
- $20m for contingency
$200 million to decarbonise New Zealand’s buildings, of that:
- $4.8m for eight schools to replace coal boilers used for heating
- $2.4m to replace Ashburton Hospital's coal boiler
- $2.8m to raise Hillmorton Hospital's mental health unit's Green Star rating.
$400 million had already been announced to fix old school buildings.
Last year, the Government said of the $12 billion package, $8 billion would go to new infrastructure projects including roads, rail and schools and helping state-owned buildings become low carbon. Another $4 billion will go towards the Government’s multi-year capital allowance.
Background
Finance Minister Grant Robertson made the announcement at the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update (HYEFU).
Of the $8 billion for infrastructure:
- $6.8b goes to transport, mainly roads and heavy rail.
- $300 million goes to regional projects (for investment such as wharfs, separate to the Provincial Growth Fund which invests for economic opportunities).
- $300m goes to District Health Boards for projects such as upgrading earthquake-prone hospitals, removing asbestos, and investing in new facilities.
- $200m goes to "decarbonise" New Zealand’s buildings (this could include phasing out coal burners in schools and hospitals, insulation or double glazing).
- $400m, already announced, goes to schools to fix old buildings.
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