Govt's transport plans gain industry traction
its transport network improvement plans, the Government also announced fuel tax rises starting in 2027, an increase in road-user charges and a $50 rise in vehicle registration fees.
Don Braid, managing director of NZX-listed global freight and logistics operator Mainfreight, said it would be helpful to understand better the Government’s transport direction.
“So the consultation process would be a good avenue to do that. The lack of commentary around rail freight is of concern, particularly long haul. Inter-island rail services are vital for the freight task in New Zealand. Rail freight is not just the AucklandHamilton-Tauranga triangle,” he said.
“The balance of the announcement is just good common sense.”
Infrastructure NZ said it supported the re-introduction of 15 Roads of National Significance policy, which should be partially funded by road tolling.
Nick Leggett, chief executive of the infrastructure membership group, said the roads would improve productivity and safety across the roading network.
“This investment should be partially funded by road tolling of these routes. It’s important that investment in critical public transport services be maintained and advanced in major cities. Transport investment should be about the and/and [roads and public transport], not the and/or,” Leggett said.
“It’s positive the Government has found an increased source of revenue to fund transport through increased car registration increases.
“However, there needs to be an evaluation of the transport funding system to ensure that we have the revenue from both Government and users to fund the ambitions of the Government in the years ahead. As an example, urgent progress needs to be made on road-pricing for New Zealand. The Minister of Transport’s signal that all funding and delivery methods need to be considered for the roads of national significance will drive innovation and value for money.”
National Road Carriers’ Association chief executive Justin TigheUmbers said the Government’s draft policy statement (GPS) on land transport was “great news for the road freight sector and the economy”.
With 93 per cent of goods delivered by road, “investment in roading is investment in the economy — everyone wins”, he said. “This policy is geared towards getting the basics right. That means restoring the damaged road network so it is fit for purpose, continuing to look after it, and investing in the future roads we need to support a growing economy.”
Transporting NZ’s Kalasih said a calculation around the current detours situation at the Brynderwyn Hills north of Auckland was an example of the cost to the economy of a poor roading network. The hills are closed for repairs until May 12.
Kalasih said based on a calculation of 1100 trucks taking the longer detour route between Auckland and Northland, it would add $250,000 a day to current freight costs, adding 55 minutes to the journey.