Wednesday, 19 May 2004

IPENZ says infrastructure stocktake lacks substance

The findings of the nationwide infrastructure stocktake are commendable. However, it lacks any analysis of whether existing processes, structures and initiatives are likely to solve any infrastructure deficits, said John Gardiner, Deputy Chief Executive, Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ).

“This snapshot of the state of New Zealand's transport, energy, telecommunications and water infrastructure has taken a long time to get done, for what is, in many respects, a statement of the obvious,” said John Gardiner.

“Sound infrastructure is essential to New Zealand’s economic advancement and most of the findings are valid. However, there is no ranking of the importance of each of the various issues identified, nor is there any statement of where we are doing well.

“While the Government has used the release as an opportunity to restate its initiatives in this area, there is no analysis as to whether these initiatives will solve the infrastructure shortfall problems,” he said.

ENDS

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