Shipping cut 'backward step'
Relevant offers
A Government move to scrap funding for the coastal shipping policy is a backward step for Marlborough, says Marlborough Environment Centre representative and former Green Party Kaikoura candidate Steffan Browning.
The Government's draft document on road funding reduces spending for domestic sea freight development from $36 million to $4m over the next four years.
Sea Change was launched last year to revitalise the coastal shipping industry by doubling the amount of sea freight carried by coastal ships over the next 30 years.
Transport Minister Steven Joyce said funding was withdrawn because the Government did not want to subsidise another form of freight.
The decision has been criticised by the Maritime Union, Shipping Federation and the Greens.
Mr Browning said he was disappointed by the move.
Coastal shipping was the best option for non-urgent freight and a far better, economic use of fuel, he said.
- The Marlborough Express
