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

 

Transport Committee Chair Needs To Represent Whole Community

Northland Regional Council Transport Committee Chairman Needs To Represent Whole Community

Who exactly does NRC Transport Committe Chair John Bain purport to represent? Certainly not our group of members, or numerous other Northlanders wanting a truly integrated transport strategy that includes other modes like Rail & Sea.

Bain's consistent churlish attacks on Central Government demanding a gold plated 4 lane highway south of Whangarei are rapidly becoming boorish, and is disrespectful to the wider community of Northland. Many like those in the Far North suffer roads that are more comparable to goat tracks.

"Quite frankly John Bain is howling as if Transport Minister Phil Twyford has dropped a weta down his pants", says Alby Barr GNR campaign director.

It also appears the NRC chair, along with the regions mayors were also gullible to former Transport & Economic Development Minister Simon Bridges 'pork barrel politics', something Northlanders were use to after Bridges 10 bridges fiasco during the 2015 Northland by-election.

Just to refresh their minds: On a whirlwind visit to Whangarei just prior to the 2017 general election, Simon Bridges jetted in and talked up a four lane highway South of Whangarei between Oakleigh and Port Marsden; With some vague future timeframe and Bridges guessimated cost of $500 million dollars. It was merely electioneering, a political stunt.

There was 'no funding' allocated, justifiably pointed out by current Ministers, or at best buried in a fisal hole by former Finance Minister, and subsequently unwanted Steven Joyce.

"It will be very interesting to see the final draft of the NRC 10 year Transport Plan and 'whether this time' a proper integrated transport strategy is adopted, if not citizens get an opportunity at next years local body election to vote accordly for representatives who are in tune with the whole community", Barr says.

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 The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... 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.