Transport Energy and Water Infrastructure Should be Priority for Incoming Government

The NZ Council for Infrastructure Development is calling on political parties to give priority to addressing the nation’s infrastructure needs.

If there was one thing all political parties agreed on prior to the election it was that there is an urgent need to address NZ’s energy needs, improve our unsafe congested roads and upgrade the water treatment and waste and storm water systems, said NZCID Chief Executive Stephen Selwood.

Almost all pre-election political party addresses highlighted the importance of infrastructure to achieving the nation’s social and economic potential.

While better progress has been signaled in recent times by increased funding for transport and water treatment upgrades, there remains major uncertainty about how NZ’s future energy needs will be met.

Similarly, despite increased funding, there is real concern within communities and industry alike over substandard roading and transport infrastructure. Many major road safety projects aren’t planned for completion within ten years and plans for public transport in the main centres always seem to be in development but never implemented.

NZCID says provision of the nation’s core infrastructure is a fundamental responsibility of government and needs to be a priority for the incoming coalition.

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