The New Zealand Contractors’ Federation has slammed Auckland City Council’s decision to cough up millions for a herd of elephants in the middle of a recession.

Despite announcing it will freeze its employees’ remuneration pool as it battles to keep rates increases under control, the council has managed to come up with $13.5 million to fund a 22,000sq m elephant enclosure for a herd of elephants at Auckland Zoo.

But Auckland needs to invest in vitally needed infrastructure not “an urban savannah for more zoo elephants,” according to the federation.

Chief executive Jeremy Sole says the decision to fund the elephants appears to be a poor choice and sends the wrong message in the current economic climate.

“While having an urban savannah is likely in the short term to bring more visitor cash in to the zoo, directing funds into improved infrastructure would offer a great deal more in the way of economic benefits for the city and the region,” he says.

Mr Sole welcomes Auckland Regional Transport’s $22 billion draft plan to improve the transport network in Auckland over the next 20 to 30 years.

However, he notes ARTA’s prediction that councils may withhold funds in this area –which he says makes the elephant spending even more distressing.

“The New Zealand Contractors’ Federation has long advocated long term plans for infrastructure development and it is very good to see authorities taking this approach.

“This will enable authorities, contractors and communities to prepare and to make strategic decisions with the least risk.

“However, we would like assurances that a variety of project sizes will be made available to ensure work for small and medium sized operators as well as large contractors.”