Federation welcomes National Infrastructure Plan

Media Release – for immediate release

05 July 2011

Contractors’ Federation welcomes National Infrastructure Plan

The updated National Infrastructure Plan will help encourage foreign investment in New Zealand, says New Zealand Contractors’ Federation Chief Executive Jeremy Sole.

Mr Sole said the second National Infrastructure Plan to be announced by the Government builds on the positive impact of the first, released in April last year.

The new plan, which includes details of $17bn to be spent on infrastructure over the next four years, is designed to reduce uncertainty for businesses by outlining the Government’s intentions for infrastructure development over a 20-year timeframe.

“New Zealand needs to have a degree of long-term planning so it is very encouraging to see the Government continuing to be very proactive in this area,” said Mr Sole.

“A country of this size does not have the luxury of being able to do things on an ad hoc basis. We simply don’t have the scale. Forward planning of this kind is essential.

“It enables the civil construction industry to plan ahead and invest in equipment and upskilling of staff.

“It is also very good for businesses, overseas investors and people coming to New Zealand because it helps them to make decisions based on improved infrastructure. Ultimately it could also help break the boom-bust cycle which has dogged New Zealand for far too long.”

ENDS

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