Benefits outweigh new road costs – Brownlee

6/09/2012 6:45:08 p.m.

Alan Preston wrote:

As usual the questions about the issues that really matter weren't asked,-thereby providing the Minister with an opportunity to justify these outrageously expensive and completely inappropriate projects - according to the blinkered economic-indicator only terms that he plays by. Strategic infrastructural planning must be done with regard to 'Big Picture' issues. NZ Inc is currently burning through more than NZ$21million every day in imported oil and this increased 22% in the 2010-11 year to $7.7 billion for that year. The International Energy Agency admitted in May 2011 that the world passed through the peak in conventional oil production in 2006 and are warning governments to reduce their vulnerability to what are only going to become ever-increasingly expensive oil prices. This 'government' is choosing to ignore this 'best advice available' and seems to have directed those working in the Fourth Estate to do likewise, consequently the NZ public are oblivious to this aspect that is fundamental to ensuring our long-term strategic security. The International Energy Agency are also warning that we urgently need to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. Building more roads of 'National' significance is completely inconsistent with this advice. The methodology used to gauge the economic benefits has been criticised by Mike Pickford – Independent Economic Researcher and former Chief Economist at the NZ Commerce Commission. A thorough investigation into the relationship between those who funded National into power and those receiving contracts needs to be carried out and any conflicts of interest exposed. The media,by their reluctance to confront this corruption, are allowing pork-barrel politics to de-couple and derail our communities from seeing the establishment and maintenance of the strategically sensible alternative infractrure that will provide resilience, mobility and efficiency in the post (peak)oil age that we are now living in. We're on the road to nowhere.

3/09/2012 5:57:29 p.m.

Annie wrote:

I cannot understand how this Government can be so stupid as far as the spending and handling of money is concerned. Rail is extensively used all over the world and here they are scrapping a line that can be a huge asset for now and over future years. The same goes for the assets they are so hell bent on selling. These can bring jobs and income over future years - sell them and we are impoverished.
Mr Key and his cabinet are idiots - they do not think further than their noses. I think they have only concerns for themselves and nothing for the people who put them in Parliament. This is very disappointing and they will lose but I guess that does not matter because they are assured of big fat pensions due to their Parliamentary service - no matter how bad it was!

2/09/2012 6:26:25 p.m.

David wrote:

Mr Brownlee's comments regarding rural roads and in particular Southlands roads were not in context. He mentioned that Southland recieved a 4.5% increase in its road funding allocation but this figure relates to the next 3 years compared to the last 3 years and if put on an annual basis this is less than 1% per year for 6 years while dairy and forestry traffic is increasing. with regard to returning money from the previous year the minister failed to say how small that amount was and I hope he is not promoting a spend at all costs as he would also be aware that Southland has a very defined construction season and the money unspent principally related to tenders that had been let but the season made there completion a poor decision for all. Rural Councils are committed to work with the government to do what is best for New Zealand's most critical roading network. Mr Brownlee's has been invited to Southland so he could get a better appreciation of the needs of rural New Zealand