9. Transport Northland—Brynderwyn Hills Road Project Funding and TimingRON MARK (Deputy Leader—NZ First) to the Minister of TransportTransport Northland—Brynderwyn Hills Road Project Funding and Timing9. RON MARK (Deputy Leader—NZ First) to the Minister of Transport: How much was originally funding by the New Zealand Transport Agency to complete the Brynderwyn Hills Road improvements; and how much is it now?Hon SIMON BRIDGES (Minister of Transport): The original funding was $16 million but the total cost now is $20 million with a benefit-cost ratio of two. I am advised that the increased cost is mainly due to two large slips and a significant weather event in December 2014 which required two large new retaining walls. I am sure the local member will welcome this additional—albeit in the scheme of things relatively small—spend in Northland to make an important stretch of road more resilient reliable and most importantly safe.Ron Mark: If the Brynderwyn Hills road improvements were originally funded for $16.9 million and planned to be completed by summer of 2017 why has his Government failed to complete the project on time and within that funding allocation?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: As I said two large slips and a significant weather event in December 2014 are I understand primarily—in fact almost substantially entirely—the reason for that I think relatively small increase in cost.Ron Mark: Has he received any letters from locals regarding safety concerns in Northland about a poorly planned lookout in the Brynderwyn Hills which is a safety hazard on a stretch of road that is already—[Interruption]—we do not have it in Wairarapa mate—a high-risk zone for car accidents; if so what is he going to do to address those concerns?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: Oh I am uncertain about the correspondence. I receive a huge raft of it and much of it is highly congratulatory in nature. What I can say is I agree entirely with the member that this is a road that has a bad safety record. I think that is why it is important that we get on—whether it is $16 million $17 million or $20 million—and do this work and I am in entire agreement with the member about that point.Ron Mark: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I am seeking your assistance. I did not quite hear the Minister's answer. Did he say he had received no letters?Mr SPEAKER: Order! No you did not. What the member needs to do is listen. The question was a very very lengthy question—far longer than it needed to be—and the Minister has addressed it.Ron Mark: Well I seek leave to table a letter that was sent to the Minister on those safety concerns which he just said he never—Mr SPEAKER: Order! We do not need any further information. Leave is sought to table that particular letter that the member referred to in his question. Is there any objection to it being tabled? There is not. It can be tabled.Document by leave laid on the Table of the House.Ron Mark: Is it not a fact that the Bryndynwyn Hills road improvements are not—Hon Members: Brynderwyn.Ron Mark: —OK—a priority for his Government which is why the project has not been completed on time and the work was not accelerated?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: As I have said it is a priority. The reason why there have been the delays that the member referred to and the increased cost is as I say a significant weather event—I mean this is what happens. Our commitment to the whole corridor is in fact shown by the massive investments we have made in Pūhoi to Warkworth. That is well under way and going very well despite some who—as the member knows—try to pretend it is not. There is also very significant work being planned starting in 2019 from Whangarei through to the port. I think it is about a $400 million or $500 million investment. This is a massive investment in the nation-building work that we are doing on that corridor.