Streamline I see Auckland Council is wanting a law review in how many Councillors can be elected due to population pressures. From Stuff: Auckland may get more politicians under council … Continue reading A More Logical Solution to the Councillor vs Population Argument
Month: July 2015
Another Case For ATEED To Go #Auckland2016
From the RWC Opening Failure to Now Wanting a Rebrand It is time for Auckland Tourism, Events, Economic Development (ATEED) to go Yet another day and yet another expense to … Continue reading Another Case For ATEED To Go #Auckland2016
Mainfreight Makes Case For Rail
And as an authority on freight movement Government should listen
Which it wont
After Richard Prebble made his case with rail (Prebble on Rail – Commit To It!) our largest freight mover – Mainfreight has also made its call for more on rail. Given that Mainfreight is what I would consider an authority on moving our freight around AND uses both truck and rail (even has its own private rail sidings in Otahuhu and Southdown) the Government and Labour should pay attention to what they say. Sadly though given the performance of both National and Labour through history I know they won’t.
But let’s see what Mainfreight had to say. From The NBR:
Mainfreight throws weight behind KiwiRail, laments lack of national transport strategy
Mainfreight [NZX: MFT] chairman Bruce Plested has criticised what he says is the government’s lack of a national transport plan, throwing his support behind state-owned rail operator KiwiRail and calling it an integral part of the infrastructure.
Speaking to shareholders at today’s annual meeting in Auckland, Mr Plested said the government and the Treasury had treated rail appallingly since it was sold in 1992 and repurchased in 2006, and that policymakers lack a strategy for transport infrastructure considering road, rail and ports.
“Without rail, our opportunities for passenger transport are restricted, our desperation for more roads intensifies to the point of impossibility, and our options for port locations become hopelessly restricted,” Plested said. “How on earth could the Treasury not see these connections, and our government not see the need for an overall strategy?”
Plested, who last year donated $35,000 to the National Party and $100,000 to the Maori Party, was responding to Treasury advice to the government this year recommending closing major parts of the rail network.
Earlier this month, fellow Mainfreight director Richard Prebble, who oversaw widespread job cuts when he was railways minister in the 1980s, wrote an opinion piece in the New Zealand Herald newspaper urging officials to reassess the cost of forcing freight to use roads and the congestion it would cause.
Managing director Don Braid said the company was a strong supporter of rail, with current and future roading not capable of meeting Mainfreight’s needs, according to presentation slides accompanying his speech.
Mr Braid said the company wants more positive support for long-term rail infrastructure, and Mainfreight is continuing to invest in facilities at or near rail-serviced property..
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Source and full article: http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/mainfreight-throws-weight-behind-kiwirail-laments-lack-national-transport-strategy-b-176311
Again it comes down to a few things:
- Lack of a coordinated strategy which again a Planning Ministry like the Australian States have. Such a Planning Ministry would be able to “coordinate” (at this rate coerce) between Kiwi Rail, NZTA, Ports, and Councils. This would allow the creation inter-regional Super Plans like one for the entire Upper North Island that then everyone would have a framework to follow (and make investment between Public and Private sector that much more easier)
- Splitting Kiwi Rail into two. The tracks go to NZTA and the freight/passenger side to a separate State Owned Enterprise open to full competition. Heck you could even list 49% on the NZX to which Fonterra, Mainfreight, Port of Tauranga and (yeah I know) Auckland Council via Auckland Council Investment Limited) could take stakes in.
- Blind ideology which both Labour and National are at fault of
So with Auckland’s productivity continuing to drop (mainly due to transport) we have two choices and rather simple choices at that:
- Continue to forget rail and invest in roads and really watch productivity and environment slip
- Invest in rail rather than “highways” (as well as coastal shipping) which our competing cities and economies are doing. If their productivity goes up from this then why are we so slow in following them.
Busy for a While: Writing Evidence for My Unitary Plan Submission
My thanks in advance Just a heads up blog material will be on low side through about Mid August and again in early September as I work through writing my … Continue reading Busy for a While: Writing Evidence for My Unitary Plan Submission
Council Introduces Community Empowerment Unit. Designed to Bypass Local Boards? #AKLPols
Probably to skip Local Boards while adding a layer of duplication From Auckland Council: Auckland Council announces new Community Empowerment unit A new community-focused unit that aims to better serve … Continue reading Council Introduces Community Empowerment Unit. Designed to Bypass Local Boards? #AKLPols
Well This Helps: Where to Find Alternative Transport When Rail Packs a Sad
Credit Due although less failures would be nice I saw this at Otahuhu Station the other day and I am assuming it is at the other stations as well: That … Continue reading Well This Helps: Where to Find Alternative Transport When Rail Packs a Sad
Local Board Calls for Your Help on Shaping Kumeu and Huapai
Rodney Local Board seeking feedback on future shape of Kumeu and Huapai From the Rodney Local Board Rodney Local Board calls on residents in Kumeu and Huapai to help shape … Continue reading Local Board Calls for Your Help on Shaping Kumeu and Huapai
Council(s) Welcome Housing Feasibility Report
Auckland Council and the Property Council welcome released report into housing feasibility in Auckland From Auckland Council and the Property Council Auckland Council and Property Council welcome housing feasibility report Today … Continue reading Council(s) Welcome Housing Feasibility Report
So. How Can Auckland Catch Up? – Feature Comment #AKLPols
Rather true before we can even start catching up Yesterday in my So. How Can Auckland Catch Up? #AKLPols post I outlined six rather basic things we as a City can do to start … Continue reading So. How Can Auckland Catch Up? – Feature Comment #AKLPols
So. How Can Auckland Catch Up? #AKLPols
After PwC Report illustrates Auckland is being left behind how do we catch up? Short answer: Basic stuff first then the bigger more complex stuff. In other words walk before … Continue reading So. How Can Auckland Catch Up? #AKLPols