Access to Australian projects welcomed

Government moves to cooperate with Australia on large infrastructure projects are positive but must work for local firms, the country’s business lobby group says.

Finance Minister Bill English launched the Australia New Zealand Infrastructure Pipeline (ANZIP) – a website listing large upcoming projects here and in Australia aimed at attracting global investment and competitive pricing – in Sydney last week.

About 25 New Zealand-based projects and about 90 Australianbased projects are listed, from government agencies, local authorities, state-owned enter– prises and publicly-listed companies.

All the projects are valued at more than $100 million.

Business New Zealand chief executive Kirk Hope welcomed the move, saying it will help attract investors, suppliers and developers to both countries.

But, he added: ’’It will be important that the agreement is backed up by measures that will see New Zealand businesses gain fair access to Australian opportunities.’’

English said ANZIP signalled a joint commitment to building a more integrated infrastructure market between the two countries.

About half of all foreign direct investment in New Zealand came from Australia, and likewise, half of the investment coming out of New Zealand went into Australia, he said.

New Zealand projects listed include the Christchurch Metro Sports Facility, the potential redevelopment of Dunedin Hospital, Wellington’s Northern Corridor, the rebuilding of Waikeria prison near Te Awamutu and Auckland’s City Rail Link.