Shovels not at the ready

Shovel ready? I don’t think so. None of the proposals put forward by hopeful mayors and others are anything more than wishlist items.

‘‘Shovel ready’’ – and I hate the term already – should mean plans, specifications and contract documents prepared, land purchased, soil tests complete and consent process under way if not complete. The missing elements would be funding, finalisation of consent, and the availability of materials, equipment and manpower – all of which could be facilitated by the Government.

It will also be interesting to see whether the proposed Resource Management Act modifications include removing Treaty of Waitangi consultations. It will be evident from the progress of the Mt Messenger project and the ‘‘hangi stones’’ debacle of some years back that these consultations are often a major stumbling block.

But no brickbats without an alternative plan. So I suggest that smaller, low-impact projects such as installing back-up roof water tank storage for households in drought-prone areas like Northland would easily get off the ground and utilise local resources.

Or – and the Greens should be pushing this – solar power for every household where suitable. And for a ‘‘blue skies’’ wish list, how about a four-lane superhighway direct from New Plymouth to Taupo¯ /Ruapehu, a 300-berth marina for the port, and an expansion of the airport to take direct flights to Australia?

R L Millen,

New Plymouth