policy priorities for advancing economic infrastructure development in new zealand
As the peak industry body in infrastructure, NZCID has identified key areas to reform and improve infrastructure delivery in New Zealand. These include a suite of initiatives aimed at achieving a broader and deeper vision for New Zealand's infrastructure requirements that will underpin future productivity and growth.
To read the full NZCID Policy Paper click here>
infrastructure policy election 08
To read NZCID's policy statement in lead up to the current central Government elections click here.
Both of the major political parties, Labour and National, have recently unveiled their policy's as it relates to both infrastructure and the economy.
To view either policy statements follow the links below:
Prime Ministers Statement To Parliament 14 February 2006
Analysis from NZCID Chief Executive Stephen Selwood
The Prime Minister's Statement to Parliament notes the importance of rolling out major infrastructure among the top priorities for achieving the Governments economic transformation goals. (copy attached).
Listed in order these included:
> Review of business taxation to encourage business growth and productivity
> Fresh look at regulatory frameworks to encourage more growth and investment
> Broadband speeds and pricing
> Boost science and research funding to realise potential for more commercialisation of innovations
> Refocus economic development spending more directly on productivity, innovation and export potential
> Sector strategy development in food beverages and primary sectors
> Rolling out major infrastructure programmes
> Meeting Kyoto commitments and maintaining environmental integrity
> Value for money in tertiary education and skills
Specific comments regarding rolling our major infrastructure projects are consistent with the key themes that NZCID, and others, have consistently highlighted.
The speech alludes to the need for firm and decisive action on energy security of supply, and the importance of transport linkages but notes falling revenues and rising costs are causing pressures on the transport budget. (Land Transport New Zealand have already signalled these pressures will affect new start projects.)
Our message to government will be to reinforce the critical importance of infrastructural investment to achieving economic transformation and that instead of deferring projects, they must:
> Provide decisive leadership on critical infrastructure projects
> Streamline decision making processes - call in projects of national importance
> Remove regulatory barriers - e.g. energy sector regulatory mess, LTMA
> Optimise the use of limited funds,
> Use of debt funding
Extract from the Prime Minister's Statement to Parliament 14 February 2006
"Rolling out major infrastructure programmes:
Investment in energy projects overall has picked up, but critical decisions are due on how best to guarantee power to Auckland for the longer term. Once the Electricity Commission has reported, firm decisions can and must be taken.
Transpower has its option on the table. The job of the Electricity Commission is to test whether Transpower's, or other options, should take precedence. But only one outcome is acceptable: adequate and secure power supply for Auckland.
Equally critical for Auckland is progress on its land transport infrastructure. This will be challenging given that high oil prices have reduced fuel consumption, and therefore reduced revenue from fuel tax. As well, the pressure on construction capacity has been escalating costs. The government will be working closely with the transport agencies, local government, and Auckland stakeholders and communities to meet the goals we have set for major improvements over the next decade.
Auckland cannot realise its potential as a world class international city if people and goods cannot move rapidly through it.
Ports of Auckland and Auckland International Airport are first and second respectively in forwarding our exports by value. Auckland International Airport is the second busiest in Australasia, and it greets seventy per cent of our international visitors.
These two great assets cannot perform to their full potential if the transport infrastructure lets them down. "
Prime Ministers Statement to Parliament 14 February 2006.pdf(72.70 KB)
