The Western Bay of Plenty District Council announced today a $495 million injection of money into the Bay of Plenty roading network will bring timely benefits to the urban communities of the Western Bay District.
Te Puke, Omokoroa and Katikati each gain a considerable chunk of the funding at a time when major projects such as the Tauranga Eastern Link, the Omokoroa –State Highway 2 intersection and the Katikati Bypass are among the top priorities.

Mayor Ross Paterson.

Western Bay of Plenty District Mayor Ross Paterson says news of the funding brings a great sense of satisfaction for the council and justifies the years of hard work done by staff and councillors to convince central government of the urgency to progress transportation links in the district and region.
The $495 million is part of the $8.7 billion National Land Transport Programme announced by the New Zealand Land Transport Agency last week.
The Bay of Plenty's share is a 29 per cent increase compared to that given by the government for land transport in the previous three years.
The Tauranga Eastern Link, estimated to cost $455 million, has a guaranteed $57 million from this funding boost, with another $87 million likely in the next three years.
Ross says final commitment of the $87 million will depend on whether the public supports part of the TEL being funded by tolls.
The government's funding will mean Te Puke can look forward to an end to the town's traffic woes in the foreseeable future and a safer surrounding roading network.
Getting the eastern link under way also brings closer the development of the Rangiuru Business Park and completion of the West Industrial Park.
Employment and new business opportunities, plus reduced restrictions on residential subdivision development, will all be spin offs from the eastern link construction.
Katikati's bypass has gained committed funding of $107,000 to continue the investigation over the next two years and a further $3.7 million of probable funding in 2010/12 for design and land purchase.
'For Katikati it means that the bypass can be brought forward into council's targets for the next 10 years. Furthermore there is also $843,000 of probable funding over the next three years for urban safety works within Katikati township, like a traffic light patrolled pedestrian crossing,” says Ross.