NZ Contractors’Federation praises “visionary” DBH

New Zealand Contractors’ Federation praises “visionary” DBH taskforce findings

The New Zealand Contractors’ Federation has welcomed two taskforce reports released today by the Department of Building and Housing at a forum in Wellington.

Federation Chief Executive Jeremy Sole said the taskforce recommendations were very pragmatic, particularly the proposal that the building industry addresses its own issues and partners with the Government to address them, rather than blaming it.

Mr Sole said the fact that the Minister of Building and Housing, Maurice Williamson, stayed for the entire forum was a clear signal the Government took the development and improved productivity of the sector seriously.

Mr Williamson’s insight and summary put the onus on the industry to generate the product levels it was capable of, while acknowledging the Government’s role in helping to address concerns.

“As I said earlier this month; not only do infrastructure projects provide an economic injection for the country, they also help increase efficiency by moving goods faster and more effectively. Therefore anything that paves the way for more essential infrastructure assists New Zealand as a whole.”

Mr Sole also welcomed taskforce calls for the Government to provide a rolling 10-year forward capital investment plan and the proposal for a new industry leadership body to focus on skills and procurement issues.

“These proposals echo what the Federation has been saying for some time. One, we need long-term Government capital investment commitment to allow the sector to plan ahead effectively. And, two, we need more focus on retaining skilled workers and to address the procurement issues that have a huge impact on whether projects ever get off the ground.”

The findings were very opportune given the forthcoming new Auckland Super City and gave impetus to the Federation’s goal of ensuring essential infrastructure was delivered to the city in a timely manner, Mr Sole said.

ENDS

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