Govt’s fast-tracking process under fire

The Government is being accused of bypassing the built-for-purpose Infrastructure Commission when it comes to green-lighting of new shovel-ready Covid-19 projects.

Environment Minister David Parker yesterday unveiled 11 infrastructure projects the Government is fast-tracking to help kick-start the economy.

They include the Auckland Harbour Bridge “Skypath” cycle and walkway, the Kaikohe water storage facility and an upgrade to Picton’s ferry dock. “Accelerating these projects will create opportunities for more employment and a boost to local economies,” Parker said.

But the way these projects got the nod has drawn criticism from the National Party’s infrastructure spokesman, Chris Bishop.

Written parliamentary questions to Infrastructure Minister Shane Jones reveal that Covid-19-related projects appear to have been done at arm’s length from the Infrastructure Commission.

That commission — set up in September last year — is the one-stopshop for infrastructure projects; dealing with delivery advice on projects and their planning.

But, according to Jones, the commission did not give him any advice regarding infrastructure projects relating to Covid-19. Bishop said it was “extraordinary”. “You have to wonder why they bothered to establish an expensive new bureaucracy when they’ve not bothered to talk to them.”

Parker said yesterday that the fasttracked projects were put forward by different government agencies — NZTA for example — rather than the Infrastructure Commission itself.

He said the Government was using the commission’s advice on around 1800 projects in various different stages of development. — Jason Walls