National Party list MP Maureen Pugh has weighed in on concerns over the delay in funding for a massive river protection project at Franz Josef Glacier.
Franz Josef Glacier. Photo: RNZ / Tess Brunton
Government officials are reviewing the $24 million plan put forward by the West Coast Regional Council as a 'shovel-ready' project last year, and trumpeted last year by NZ First deputy leader Fletcher Tabuteau as a done deal.
However, West Coast-Tasman MP Damien O'Connor said piling more rocks around the wild Waiho (Waiau) River is not the long-term solution to Franz Josef's perilous situation and the new government needs to satisfy itself the money will be well-spent.
Pugh said the shovel-ready projects that were agreed to last year had the agreement of all the agencies involved.
"To override the agreements that were made prior to the election is a despicable way to stall this money flowing through our communities, at a time when it is desperately needed, especially in Franz Josef," Pugh said.
Her concern at the time had been to ensure funding agreements were signed because a new government could not be bound by commitments made by a previous regime.
"I spoke to the mayors to encourage them to pressure the government to get the paperwork signed prior to the election so that the money was locked in. The agreements were signed so I believe there is a legal obligation to honour those agreements."
If O'Connor was so concerned about a sustainable plan for Franz Josef he could have been working on one for the past 30 years, Pugh said.
"This is not the time to stall investment and second-think where that money goes. It was agreed to in good faith, projects discussed locally and agreed to, and funding agreements signed. Let's get on with it before an excuse is made to 're-assess' all of the other projects."
Earlier this week O'Connor said he believed funding would come through for Franz Josef, but the new Economic Development Minister Stuart Nash needed to be sure taxpayers' money would not be wasted.
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