Tag: Government

NSW State Budget Commits More To Planning Projects

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An extra $1b to the Ministry and planning projects

From the New South Wales State Government which has handed down its Budget today:

Budget provides $1 billion for simpler planning, and better infrastructure for NSW

The Hon. Rob Stokes MP, Minister for Planning 23 Jun 2015

Planning Minister Rob Stokes today announced that the NSW Budget will invest $1 billion over four years in planning for the homes, jobs and services NSW needs for the future and making the system simpler and more efficient.

This is part of the NSW Government’s record $4.5 billion investment in the Planning and Environment cluster over four years.

Mr Stokes said the Budget outlines a clear plan for funding infrastructure where it is needed to help create vibrant communities across NSW.

“Providing record funding for infrastructure and amenity is accompanying record levels of housing supply in NSW and will help to put downward pressure on house prices,” Mr Stokes said.

In 2015-16, the NSW Government will invest:

  • $77.6 million to support infrastructure for new homes in The Hills and Blacktown local government areas;
  • $46 million towards new parks, streetscapes and roads to support communities in Priority Precincts;
  • $26 million from the Hunter Infrastructure and Investment Fund to local infrastructure projects, including more than $12 million towards the University of Newcastle’s New Space project;
  • $19.9 million to construct the on-line Planning Portal to make the planning system simpler and easier to use;
  • $16.9 million to halve the time it takes to assess state significant projects, expand community consultation opportunities and ensure there is adequate capacity to assess environmental and social impacts to support the Government’s unprecedented level of investment in transport and social infrastructure in NSW;
  • $19 million to establish the Greater Sydney Commission and deliver the Plan for Growing Sydney.
  • “This investment represents a down-payment on the parks, shops and jobs needed to create distinct and liveable neighbourhoods as Sydney and NSW grow.

“We are investing in a simpler online system by building the Planning Portal – taking the paperwork out of planning for homeowners and businesses.

“The budget provides funding to establish the Greater Sydney Commission which will act to bring a better coordinated approach to planning across metropolitan Sydney.”

For more information please visit www.budget.nsw.gov.au

Interactive Mapping the Budget tool highlights the key areas of spend. You can use the map to explore projects across planning regions and Local Government Areas (LGA), or filter by project type.

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I wonder how things would be handled if we have such Planning Ministries like New South Wales and Victoria. Especially as both State Governments are working through Sydney and Melbourne Plans, and committing billions to infrastructure such as heavy rail.

Meanwhile in New Zealand……

Budget 2015: KiwiRail Should be Split Into Two

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Tracks to NZTA, KiwiRail a partial listed stand alone freight State Owned Enterprise

While I have been writing posts on rail and contemplating Budget 2015 in regards to transport (i.e not a lot apart from reaffirmation in accelerating the Southern Motorway upgrade (starts October)) I was pondering if there was a better way to handle KiwiRail.

KiwiRail is admittedly a money black hole thanks to neglect to our rail system by both sides since the late 80’s (made worse in 93). However, KiwiRail is not a lost cause as rail is the most efficient and economical form of moving people and freight over longer distances on land. But I wonder if improving our rail could be handled differently and give New Zealand better results.

What I am thinking is splitting KiwiRail into two:

  1. Tracks and associated infrastructure get flipped to NZTA who look after the State Highway network. This way a single agency is: planning, operation, maintaining and investing in both land transport modes under a single umbrella. It also means rail comes under the National Land Transport Fund envelope when it is listed alongside road projects. Given that the NLTF is meant to priorities the best valued investments at the top it would be most likely not uncommon for rail to take three of the top five NLTF spots.
  2. Freight operations including rolling stock and rolling stock maintenance facilities spun off into a stand alone State Owned Enterprise. While being an SOE though I would have 49% of it listed on the NZX to allow fresh capital and NZX oversight to this division.

With the freight side spun off though I would also allow others to run their own rolling stock (while paying access fees to NZTA) on the tracks if they are inclined to do so. Port of Tauranga might be such a contender with its growing Metro Port services. That said KiwiRail freight operations could also see another source of revenue by the private rail freight companies tendering their rolling stock maintenance to KiwiRail as well.

So what do you think? Something Bill English should actively investigate? Would it help our rail system as well as the Government books. Would it help our Economy most of all?

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.