Economic stocktake flawed from the start

Transport planning for the Tairawhiti-Hawkes Bay regions could well prove ineffectual with news that the Government is forging ahead with an economic stocktake that effectively excludes rail, says Gisborne based Labour MP Moana Mackey.

“The Government’s decision to commission a “broad and deep” study to assess the regions infrastructure and economic potential over the next thirty years is like shutting the gate after the horse has bolted.

"Its refusal to delay the mothballing of the Gisborne to Napier rail line means this study has been seriously undermined before the terms of reference have even been drafted.

“How can you adequately determine the future transport needs of our district "across all transport modes" without ensuring that "all transport modes" are actually available?

"Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee is right to highlight the importance of forward planning in a region everyone agrees has great economic potential. That is precisely why the rail line should remain open until the study is complete.

“Mr Brownlee needs to pay attention to his own rhetoric.

“Claiming decisions must be based on ‘sound information by all stakeholders’ is a bit rich given his own failure to hold his government to that same standard when deciding to mothball the Gisborne to Napier rail line.

"We already know that if we lose our rail line we will see more than 80 extra truck movements a day on SH2.

"We don't need another report to tell us what we already know - that the economic wellbeing of our region is best served by retaining a mix of transport options in and out of the district including roads, rail and coastal shipping,” Moana Mackey said.

ends

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