Well before the latest series of cyclones that have smashed the country's roads, farms, suburbs and various infrastructure, Sense Partners published a report on how New Zealand is falling behind in planning for increased traffic volumes in the cities and how this will, unless redressed, damage future earnings.
They summarised:
I have no disagreement with that other than, given recent events, $106b is just a drop in the ocean.
Apart from the major arterial routes, and these have been put under extreme threat eg. SH1 across the Brynderwins in Northland, Kaikoura, Nelson, Kapiti, Auckland to Wellsford etc., important connecting roads in virtually every region have been damaged and some destroyed along with bridges, rail links and other support infrastructure. These are invariably patched up with tar-seal and gravel only to fail and fail again. Most will require massive engineering feats to fix and to future-proof.
Regional links and access are vital for a primary produce country. Wool, meat, crops, wine, fruit and vegetables aren't produced in cities yet they contribute to most of what the country earns in exports. Without secure and safe roading, hubs and distribution points we are stuffed. The rail networks have been long abandoned or fallen into disrepair with successive governments being unwilling to invest for the future. Years ago they let a couple of thieving bastards run away with hundreds of millions (billions in todays money) worth of assets leaving us with a broken network except for some light rail services in the cities. The reliance on roading, due to intercity and inter-regional rail being virtually non-existent, has seen massive container trucks ripping up roadways, causing road deaths and undermining, literally in some instances, our transport infrastructure.
The time has come for a trillion dollars and more to be spent on fixing problems now, not as short term patches but with long-term planning in mind. This will require massive amounts of overseas borrowing which will put the country heavily into debt but, as any good business strategist will agree on, it is safe planning for the future. Without reliable services there can be no growth and future earnings. Cyclones will not stop and, on current indications will only get stronger and more frequent. We need roads, railways, bridges, dams, electricity, communications and water systems that are robust enough to withstand hurricanes. We need this as soon as possible.
It won't be easy - I know, I'll be dead and gone when the debts have to be serviced but, without this we won't have a first world and competitive country to live in.
As long as we have governments and regional and local councils making fix-it solutions primarily to get themselves re-elected then we are on a slippery slope.
5 comments:
Sue liked the cartoon.
Me, I'm always a bit careful when people make a big sell without mentioning any flaws in their argument.
Especially when we know that the author has got the answer to the simple question "Is there a God?" so wrong.
I agree that councils invest heavily with detrimental effect to the rate payer in frivolous idiosyncrasies. An example is the cycle track from Eastbourne to Petone. The budget has blown astronomically, no surprise really if like me you use the road most days.
But to suggest that spending trillions of dollars on roading to solve the problem of climate warming begs the question as to whether we need roads at all!
In my dad's day there were few roads and coastal ships carried their cargo to wharves from where they were off loaded and distributed.
Where I work scientists are working on super cooled magnets and hydrogen engines.
The future lies in better ways of transporting things from A to B! Not relying on old expensive and wasteful ways like carts towed by a horse have been surplanted.
Yep - it’s time for those Jetsons flying cars to be introduced.
You’ll be OK though as you could hitch a ride on that Holy Ghost thing or your guardian angel.
Comprehension skills are lacking again.
"But to suggest that spending trillions of dollars on roading to solve the problem of climate warming begs the question as to whether we need roads at all!"
Nowhere in this post did I say that a trillion dollars would "solve the problem of climate warming". That boat has long sailed. What I did say though is that a trillion dollars or more would go a long way to future proofing ourselves in the ability to get goods to market via decent roads, railways and associated infrastructure. Without this we will be a less than a first world country, not earning and having to have our hands out to the world for help. Taking loans now is safe insurance. Do you want your family's off-spring to live in mud huts? I don't.
Good to see you boys having fun while I'm away.
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