Regional Development Minister Shane Jones is questioning whether environmental protection is adding unnecessary costs to some major roading projects.
He says the cost of repairing the highway over the Brynderwyn and Mangamuka ranges in Northland is an indictment of the industry and the system of maintaining roads.
He says a process is needed to protect the net strength of animal populations, but we can’t save every creature.
“I’m advised that in fixing the road to Mangamuka, fixing the Brynderwyns, millions and millions have been wasted on concerns over frogs, snails, during the actual construction yet when the road is functioning no one is going to be checking every morning at 5.30 whether there is some sluggish snail wending its way over the road,” Mr Jones says.
He says rather than weaponising the debate about the environment, there needs to be a balance to ensure the country has the infrastructure it needs to support a first-world economy.
