4 August 2011

Transport Minister Steven Joyce has underlined the Government’s commitment to infrastructure spending, in a speech to the New Zealand Contractors’ Federation/Association of Consulting Engineers NZ joint conference

Mr Joyce told the conference in Rotorua today that, in the future, the ongoing investment in infrastructure in the face of economic difficulties would be seen as one of the major achievements of this Government.

“Infrastructure is crucially important,” said Mr Joyce. “We have made a very big investment in infrastructure over the past three years.

“That’s unusual. What has traditionally happened in this country, when the going gets tough, is that governments closed the infrastructure chequebook.”

NZCF Chief Executive Jeremy Sole said that he agreed with Mr Joyce that the country will benefit from the enhanced infrastructure which will enable it to move quickly beyond the current low point in the economic cycle and achieve strong GDP growth.

Mr Joyce said that investment in roading was vital, with $35bn earmarked for land transport – both state highways and local roads – over the next 10 years.

He also praised Mr Sole and Roading New Zealand CEO Chris Olsen for their engagement on this issue, hailing them as “The inspiration” behind the new Road Maintenance Task Force.

ENDS

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