Govt’s “practical approach” to infrastructure

17 March 2009

Media Release – for immediate release

Contractors’Federation welcomes Government’s “practical approach” to infrastructure

The New Zealand Contractors’ Federation has congratulated the Government on its “practical and long-term approach to infrastructure initiatives”.

Chief Executive Jeremy Sole welcomed announcements on infrastructure policy by Minister for Infrastructure Bill English at the Asset Management and Engineering Directors Forum in Wellington.

“The Government appears to be delivering on to its commitment to create a 20-year infrastructure plan that will form a backbone for the industry and lock in processes beyond the electoral cycle,” said Mr Sole.

Mr Sole also welcomed Government plans for an infrastructure unit within the Treasury, the creation of an asset management policy for the public sector and is especially pleased with the setting up of an infrastructure advisory board.

“Bill English stressed that the board would be based on technical and engineering skills, looking at the cold hard facts and strategy, not influenced by political agenda,” he said.

“There are also plans to better utilise the plethora of transport funding models to ensure better management of infrastructure spending and they are looking at closer liaison between local and national government to get infrastructure projects moving.

“Hopefully the infrastructure plan will lock in a clear picture of the Government’s priorities on infrastructure development which will increase certainty and confidence within the civil construction industry and allow planning for the future.”

The federation is also encouraged by the Government’s short term performance strategy focussing on improving transport mobility while keeping the previous focus on behaviour change and modal shift on the medium to long-term agenda. This will provide a tremendous boost to economic growth strategies.

Mr Sole said the industry is now eagerly awaiting Transport Minister Steve Joyce’s announcement, due this week, on which very large projects will benefit from an extra $1 billion being made available for state highway construction over the next three years.

“Having both funding in place and the practical structures to ensure continuity and confidence in infrastructure development in New Zealand, will be of great benefit to both the industry and the economy as a whole.”

ENDS

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