New roading contracts to pave the way for local businesses
A new era of roading maintenance and infrastructure is on the horizon for the Western Bay.
Western Bay of Plenty District Council is embarking on the process of signing up new roading service providers – seeking to work closer with local suppliers and businesses to deliver high-quality roading services that meet the needs and expectations of the community.
The opportunity comes after its 21-year relationship with WSP finishes up.
This partnership saw Council’s 1100km of local roads, alongside 259km of Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency state highway (including cycleways) in the District managed under a performance based contract.
The 'One Network Maintenance Contract' was managed by a contracting joint venture, which included WSP (formally Opus Consultants) and Downer, collectively known as WestLink.
Council's General Manger Infrastructure Group, Cedric Crow thanks the many people and suppliers who’ve worked on the roading network over the years.
“It’s now time to take a fresh approach, and as we look forward we’re excited about introducing new contract models and working with local businesses to deliver a safe and functional network that meets the needs of our community,” he says.
“The quality of our roads right across our District is a hot topic for many people. We know this and so, while we work through things in the background on this contract and to address community concerns, it is still business as usual across our District with a new team in place to maintain and improve the District's roading network.”
Roading contracts are one of the most significant contracts signed by councils given the variety of activities and services they link in with. For Western Bay’s network it equates to more than $20m in expenditure per year.
From delivering new infrastructure, sealing and maintaining roads, to assisting with traffic management in a crash, and working around the clock during weather events and natural disasters, this contract covers it all.
Rob Campbell, Waikato and Bay of Plenty Regional Manager, Maintenance and Operations for Waka Kotahi, thanks Western Bay of Plenty District Council for the collaborative partnership over the past two decades.
“We have enjoyed a successful working relationship with Western Bay of Plenty District Council, with the contract coming to a close we wish them every success with their new contracting arrangements.”
Council will be engaging with potential suppliers and stakeholders in the coming months to develop a number of new contracts covering its road maintenance activities.
Cedric says the end of the contract is an exciting opportunity to explore new ways of working and to align with Council's social procurement outcomes. It will also be designed to encourage smaller and local contractors to bid, creating a more sustainable workforce, and good outcomes for our community, economy and wider region.
"Social procurement is about creating circular based outcomes through strategic procurement and to generate positive social and environmental changes for our District. We want to support local employment, grow our local businesses, training and career pathways, and enable development opportunities, as well as reduce our carbon footprint by challenging our existing work methods with a clear lens to enhancing our natural environment.
“We’re committed to providing well maintained, safe, resilient, and efficient infrastructure – infrastructure that delivers to community needs, is fit for purpose and future proofed.”
Council’s move to change its approach to its roading maintenance and infrastructure contract also aligns with the Local Government Act requirements, where councils are periodically required to look at the cost-effectiveness of a service to meet the community’s needs.
Have a roading matter to report?
The quickest way to get in touch or report something with Council is via these easy options
- Report it via the Antenno app
- Call us on 0800 926 732
- Email us at info@westernbay.govt.nz
Or for state highway matters that people want to report you can use
- info@nzta.govt.nz or
- 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)
