MEDIA RELEASE

Local government calls for greater partnership in infrastructure

4 July 2011

The National Infrastructure Plan released by the Government today displays an improved appreciation of the significant role local government plays in core service infrastructure, says Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ.)

More than 90 per cent of council capital expenditure over the next 10 years will be spent on core services; network and community infrastructure like water, roads, public transport, flood management and community facilities. The plan notes that one of the key relationships is between central and local government in the infrastructure work program for the next three years.

"Local government plays a vital role in developing infrastructure which affects the lives of millions of New Zealanders. Councils own around $120 billion of infrastructure assets, which impact significantly on three of the five sectors identified in the plan (transport, water and social infrastructure".

"LGNZ wants to work closely with central government on infrastructure issues through the Infrastructure Unit and others to identify areas where improvements in infrastructure can be made and where we can work together," said LGNZ President Lawrence Yule.

Mr Yule says LGNZ is also concerned about a number of the claims the plan makes on the current delivery of water services and the belief that there are wide ranging improvements that can be made in terms of investment analysis, funding and regulation. LGNZ does not believe these claims are supported or can be supported by an evidential base.

Also of concern is the claim in the plan that improved water services would be reflected through greater metering of water.

"Water metering is an effective demand management tool but is not appropriate for all. For some communities metering of water would be an unjustified cost burden. As always, we need to avoid one-size-fits-all solutions", said LGNZ President Lawrence Yule.

Mr Yule commended the high level direction the plan delivers as it aligns with and incorporates, best practice infrastructure management processes that local government has been using effectively for a number of years.

The plan's highlighting of the need for resilient infrastructure networks that can cope with environmental, economic and natural disaster scenarios that may occur is also another positive feature of the plan, he says.

Ends

© Scoop Media