4 August 2011
Steven Joyce underlines commitment to infrastructure spend
Transport Minister Steven Joyce has underlined the Government’s commitment to infrastructure spending, in a speech to
the New Zealand Contractors’ Federation/Association of Consulting Engineers NZ joint conference
Mr Joyce told the conference in Rotorua today that, in the future, the ongoing investment in infrastructure in the face
of economic difficulties would be seen as one of the major achievements of this Government.
“Infrastructure is crucially important,” said Mr Joyce. “We have made a very big investment in infrastructure over the
past three years.
“That’s unusual. What has traditionally happened in this country, when the going gets tough, is that governments closed
the infrastructure chequebook.”
NZCF Chief Executive Jeremy Sole said that he agreed with Mr Joyce that the country will benefit from the enhanced
infrastructure which will enable it to move quickly beyond the current low point in the economic cycle and achieve
strong GDP growth.
Mr Joyce said that investment in roading was vital, with $35bn earmarked for land transport – both state highways and
local roads – over the next 10 years.
He also praised Mr Sole and Roading New Zealand CEO Chris Olsen for their engagement on this issue, hailing them as “The
inspiration” behind the new Road Maintenance Task Force.
ENDS