Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Poor Infrastructure Decision, National Running On Empty

Poor Infrastructure Decision, National Running On Empty

The debacle surrounding the Marsden Point refinery gas pipeline is totally unacceptable in a first world nation. Where was plan B from the National led Government?

"'There was none, sound advice ignored, leading to major air travel disruption's at our largest airport, Auckland", says Albie Barr Chairman of the Northland branch of the Rail & Maritime Transport Union.

A proper integrated transport strategy would have seen no disruption if the port rail link to Marsden point had been built, and was in operation. Fuel use to be widely hauled by train in this nation, it is safer, proven worldwide.

In a panic to keep planes flying the 'risky option of trucking' highly flammable aviation fuel 140 km to the airport is being used. "It should have been a simple case of rail freighting it to Auckland and transferring from there", said Barr.

The irony of this failure, is another failure. The line speed between Auckland & Whangarei has been dropped to 50 kph for freight trains. The line is deemed too unsafe to maintain a higher speed. This comes hard on the back of the news passenger trains are banned by the operator from travelling the route, too dangerous for the public.

After 9 years in government there is no future vision of a truly integrated transport strategy from National, 'we have had enough', they are tired, they are spent, their running on empty, we would rather here let's do this!


ENDS


Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.