Infrastructure report sets out 67 initiatives
The Government’s Building Infrastructure progress report issued today sets out 67 infrastructure initiatives being undertaken to help build a more competitive economy, Finance Minister Bill English says.
"For businesses to invest in plant and facilities in New Zealand, they need to be confident that they will have access to infrastructure that supports their businesses - transport, energy, water and telecommunications," he says.
"That’s important because we don’t get real growth unless businesses have the confidence to invest, grow and employ more people.
"The Government has committed to significant investment in infrastructure over the past four years, as part of its wider programme to put the economy on a more competitive footing and support jobs."
This includes:
- $5.5 billion for the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Fund.
- $1.6 billion for ultra-fast broadband and faster rural broadband.
- $5 billion for the national electricity grid.
- $12.2 billion for roading between 2012 and 2015.
"Resilient, efficient and coordinated infrastructure networks are vital to a well-running economy. They help the movement of people, goods and information around our country and around our world," Mr English says.
"The Government has made good progress in the past four years. We have also set up the National Infrastructure Unit within Treasury and have published two National Infrastructure Plans, to improve the coordination, quality and value for money of our significant infrastructure investment.
"This report brings together all of the initiatives the Government is undertaking to deliver the infrastructure networks demanded by a modern economy."
Building Infrastructure is the fourth of six progress reports being released to set out activities within the Government’s Business Growth Agenda.
Other reports issued to date are Building Export Markets, Building Innovation and Building Skilled and Safe Workplaces. Future reports will cover natural resources and capital markets.
Building Infrastructure sets out the Government’s vision that, by 2030, New Zealand’s infrastructure is resilient and coordinated and contributes to economic growth and increased quality of life.
"This requires a more strategic approach to infrastructure planning and investment, setting a clear course for the future so that infrastructure providers from all sectors have a common understanding of expectations and policy settings."
Building Infrastructure provides a progress report on infrastructure initiatives the Government is undertaking in the following areas:
- Strengthening rail, sea and air ports.
- Developing high-speed broadband and telecommunications.
- Improving water storage and use.
- Boosting housing, building and construction.
- Investing in hospitals and schools.
- Rebuilding Christchurch.
- Securing our energy future by supporting diverse sources of reliable and renewable energy.
- Building a fast and efficient roading network.
Next week, the National Infrastructure Unit and the National Infrastructure Advisory Board will publish the first annual report committed to under the National Infrastructure Plan, which the Government released in July last year.
The Government’s Building Infrastructure report is available at:
http://mbie.govt.nz//what-we-do/business-growth-agenda/infrastructure
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