INDEPENDENT NEWS

Over $7 Billion Of Infrastructure Investment In The South Island Key To Labour’s Economic Plan

Published: Tue 6 Oct 2020 08:36 AM
Jacinda Ardern
Labour Leader
MP for Mt AlbertGrant Robertson
Finance spokesperson
The Labour Party will continue to build on its strong record of investment in infrastructure in the South Island to create economic stimulus and jobs.
“The impacts of COVID-19 have made it clear that we need a strong platform of infrastructure investment across the country to give regions certainty and to provide a pipeline for jobs across the country,” Jacinda Ardern said.
“A core part of our economic plan to tackle debt and rebuild from COVID-19 is infrastructure.
If re-elected, Labour will continue rolling out more than $7 billion of infrastructure investment in the South Island which will create thousands of direct and indirect jobs in every community in the region.
Our investment begins with shovel ready projects that will roll out over the next 18 months, including:Climate resilience packages in Otago, Southland, West Coast and the Top of the South - $72mCancer Society – Christchurch Building Project - $6.5mMechanical Depots – Waltham - $39mYMCA Christchurch Central City Development - $43mAshburton District Library and Civic Centre - $20mYouth Hub Christchurch - $10mMajor cycleway routes in Canterbury - $71.5mQueenstown Arterials Stage 1 - $50mQueenstown Town Centre - $35mInvercargill inner city redevelopment - $10mBlenheim Library/Art Gallery - $11mThe Whale Trail Kaikōura - $18mSlope Stability – Omoto Slip KiwiRail Holdings Group - $13mHokitika Swimming Pool Renovation - $3m
Following these investments, our pipeline of infrastructure will continue to support the region over time, including through:Relocating specialist mental health services from the Princess Margaret Hospital to Hillmorton in Christchurch - $81.8mNew linear accelerators for Canterbury DHB - $4.17mNew Dunedin Hospital - $1.325bDevelopment of Buller Integrated Health Centre in Westport - $21mSouth Island three waters services and infrastructure maintenance and upgrades -$206.7SH88 Dunedin to Port Chalmers Safety Improvements – $30mOpening of all lanes of the Christchurch Southern Motorway (second stage) - $195mChristchurch Northern Motorway (expected to open in December) - $290 millionAshburton College - $50mMount Aspiring College - $46.5mEllesmere College - $29mWakatipu primary school - $17mRedcliffs School - $13.7mGolden Bay High School - $12mOxford Area School - $10m
“Our prudent economic management over the past three years means we have been able to invest significantly in transport projects, schools, water infrastructure and hospitals around the country, tackling on our long-term challenges and rebuilding back better,” Jacinda Ardern said.
“We stand proudly on our record of investment in our regions and will continue to help the South Island thrive,” Jacinda Ardern said.
“As a government we will continue to invest in capital beyond this investment, particularly in health, education and through local government, but our allocated investment to date shows a pipeline of infrastructure investments that we will roll out across the South Island,” Grant Robertson said.
“We’ve managed the books wisely and have historically low interest rates, which makes our much-needed investment in infrastructure both affordable and the right thing to do,” Grant Robertson said.

Next in New Zealand politics

New Zealand Sign Language Week An Opportunity For Anyone To Sign
By: New Zealand Government
Investment In Prisons Delivers On ACT Commitment
By: ACT New Zealand
National Gaslights Women Fighting For Equal Pay
By: New Zealand Labour Party
New Treasury Paper On The Productivity Slowdown
By: The Treasury
Government Recommits To Equal Pay
By: New Zealand Government
Deputy Mayor ‘disgusted’ By Response To Georgina Beyer Sculpture
By: Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter
View as: DESKTOP | MOBILE © Scoop Media