Bill English will open proceedings with the launch of the latest 30-year New Zealand Infrastructure Plan. Photo / Chris Loufte
Bill English will open proceedings with the launch of the latest 30-year New Zealand Infrastructure Plan. Photo / Chris Loufte
The New Zealand Council for Infrastructure Building Nations Symposium, which kicks off today, focuses on key issues.
With 400 of the industry's who's-who gathered in Christchurch today and tomorrow, Deputy Prime Minister Bill English will open proceedings with the launch of the latest 30-year New Zealand Infrastructure Plan, which proposesa step-change in New Zealand's approach to infrastructure planning and management focused on better use of existing infrastructure and allocation of new investment.
Governance and funding for the Canterbury rebuild is a significant focus, with Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee and Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel setting the scene and international speakers providing insights.
Transport Minister Simon Bridges will lead the discussion on transport, infrastructure and innovation and delegates will await clarity from Environment Minister Nick Smith on the plans for RMA reform.
Driving improvements to water services delivery, speeding up investment in water storage and irrigation and leveraging private capital and expertise in the provision of social housing will be debated.
Opposition leader Andrew Little will set out Labour's vision for infrastructure and senior industry executives will recommend ways to improve productivity and procurement.
Strategic plans for the State Highway network and growth in Auckland will be central topics discussed by the New Zealand Transport Agency and Auckland Council.
NZCID's Stephen Selwood says "infrastructure not only underpins almost everything we do in modern society it also provides the platform for sustainable growth and development ... the symposium is designed to bring together the best minds from central and local government and the infrastructure industry together to garner commitment to action on the issues that will really make a difference. It will be a busy two days."
