Policy Priorities for Infrastructure

Policy Priorities for Infrastructure

24 November 2008

The newly elected board of the New Zealand Council for Infrastructure Development is advocating for substantive improvements to infrastructure provision across New Zealand, says John Rae in his speech to the Council's annual general meeting this week.

NZCID has just published a briefing paper for government on policy priorities for advancing economic infrastructure (download a copy here).

Rae says priority is given to the establishment of "Infrastructure New Zealand" - a highly focused public and private sector board to advise the Infrastructure Minister on

a cohesive and integrated approach to policy reforms, project identification, prioritisation and delivery
development of  a 20 year national infrastructure plan and programme,
on-going audit and review of the state of national infrastructure;
stimulate and advance best practise in the evaluation, funding and delivery of infrastructure
review of local body infrastructure governance structures, funding and processes to ensure alignment between national, regional and local government accountabilities for infrastructure development
leveraging social, economic and environmental development through prudent use of public and private sector debt to fund the infrastructure necessary for growth
Recommendations include possible amendments to a range of infrastructure related Acts including the Resource Management Act, the Land Transport Management Act, the Public Works Act, The Local Government Act and the Corrections Act to enable better planning and delivery of public infrastructure of national importance.

The quality of New Zealand's infrastructure is central to lifting national productivity, enhancing community services and enabling sustainable growth. It's critical that we get it right, says Rae.

The newly elected Board of NZCID includes John Rae (Chair) Managing Director of Stevenson Group, Malcolm Alexander GM Corporate Affairs for Genesis Energy; Paul Buetow Infrastructure and Construction Partner for Kensington Swan; Andrew Caseley Country Manager MWH New Zealand, David Faulkner Managing Director Fulton Hogan, Fergus Gammie, CEO of the Auckland Regional Transport Authority; David McLean Head of Westpac Institutional Bank; Mark Malcolm, General Manager Water Sector, Downer EDI Works; and Alasdair Thompson CEO Employers and Manufacturers Association (Northern).

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