Innovative Southland project to drive roading improvement wins LGNZ EXCELLENCE Award

Local Government New Zealand is delighted to announce Southland District Council’s Changing Direction - The Way Forward for Southland’s Roads programme as the winner of a local government EXCELLENCE Award.

The Council won the Chorus EXCELLENCE Award for Best Practice in Infrastructure Management at the LGNZ EXCELLENCE Awards in Dunedin last night. The awards, now in their third year, recognise and celebrate the outstanding leadership role local government plays within communities. More than 600 delegates from local and central government, and stakeholders, celebrated the outstanding leadership role local government plays within communities.

Southland has the second largest roading network in the country and it is facing pressure from increased economic activity, particularly from the dairy industry.

The Council’s project uses new technology, resource allocation tools and procurement methods to make smart decisions on managing the district’s roads.

The Council worked with one of New Zealand’s largest businesses, Fonterra, to proactively find out where maintenance of the region’s road network was needed.

The project focused on attaining better economic outcomes for ratepayers through smarter spending decisions, as well as better environmental outcomes by optimising levels of service to ensure safer journeys for Southland’s road users. This has enabled the Council to develop new ways of ensuring resources are targeted to the areas of greatest need and develop a fit-for-purpose network.

Judges described it as an “innovative approach to improving the management of roading infrastructure showing positive results”.

LGNZ President Lawrence Yule says Southland District Council’s Changing Direction - The Way Forward for Southland’s Roads programme is an excellent example of best practice infrastructure management.

“In the face of a rapidly changing financial environment the Council had to look for innovative ways to balance making the most effective investment decision with meeting the expectations of its communities. This initiative is about delivering the best service and value for local businesses and residents,” Mr Yule says.

Judges for the awards are former Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast, Chair of EQC Sir Maarten Wevers and The New Zealand Initiative’s Executive Director, Dr Oliver Hartwich.

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