The National Infrastructure Plan released in Auckland

“Aspirations” of the National Infrastructure Plan for Auckland - released yesterday – included the Waterview Connection in west Auckland, the new Waitemata Harbour crossing, a CBD rail tunnel and an airport rail link.

“It is clear that it will not be feasible for Auckland or New Zealand to fund all these multibillion dollar projects at the same time,” the report says.

The report says a second Auckland harbour crossing could be needed in 10 to 20 years. There is also a need to replace some of the rail fleet to boost growth on “some routes”, with demand for further investment in Auckland and Wellington.

The Anzac Centenary Bridge Group is pushing for a new iconic bridge to start being built by 2015.

Group chairman Richard Simpson says the Government’s inclusion of the crossing in the plan was welcome, but it is disappointing that it is earmarked for construction not to start for 10 years as it will be a costly mistake.

Finance Minister Bill English says the plan is a step towards better management of $6b of investment a year and $110b in asset holdings.

The plan is a snapshot of public and private infrastructure, planned investment and the Government’s priorities.

Business NZ chief executive Phil O’Reilly says if the Government wants to succeed it will have to find ways to unlock private capital.

“It is helpful to have a sense of the priority rankings (broadband, electricity, roads, infrastructure for the Rugby World Cup) and to know that more work on the electricity market and agricultural irrigation are emerging priorities. But unlocking private sector involvement requires a commitment to address the problems within a clear, long-lived, strategic framework,” O’Reilly says.

“Fundamental to any infrastructure plan is the extent to which it unlocks private sector capital, either in the delivery of infrastructure or in capital that will leverage off infrastructure spend. However, it’s hard to see what role the NIP in its current form will play in contributing to these objectives. It’s good to have a plan. At this stage it’s a work in progress and Business NZ and its members are looking forward to working with the Government to build on it.”