Newly appointed transport minister Simeon Brown says he is looking forward to working with road transport to help solve the industry’s challenges and “unlock New Zealand’s economic potential”.
His appointment has been well received in the industry, with transport leaders keen to see swift action on fixing roads and putting rules in place to get more efficient trucks operating. Brown has already got cracking on several transport-related policies as part of the Government’s 100-day action plan.
They include steps to end the Clean Car Discount and so-called ute tax by December 31 and land transport rule changes to remove blanket lower speed limits across the country.
The new Government is set to introduce legislation to remove the Auckland Fuel Tax and cancel future fuel tax hikes. It will begin work on a refreshed Government Policy Statement on land transport (GPS) reflecting the new Roads of National Significance and new public transport priorities.
Speaking to TransportTalk, Brown says there’s a lot of work to do to fix New Zealand’s transport and infrastructure.
“We’ve already made a start through our 100-day plan priorities and we’re getting started on our long-term programme of investments outlined in our Roads of National Significance,” he says.
Meanwhile, Brown says National’s Transport for the Future programme “will cut congestion and create a more productive and resilient transport network that drives economic growth”.
That plan includes 13 new roads of national significance plus more low-emission transport options which were part of a $24 billion election campaign promise. It will be funded by a combination of reallocated funds from within the National Land Transport Programme, new government investment, and private funding.
Funding for the transport plan would differ between projects and will be arranged by a new National Infrastructure Agency.
For example, the four-lane Whangarei to Port Marsden Highway will be built using money earmarked currently for safety upgrades on the existing road, and additional allocation from the National Land Transport Fund (NLTF) and new Crown funding.
The Cambridge to Piarere Expressway will be paid for through the NLTF and new funding. “Our goal, through this plan is to provide modern, safe and well-maintained transport networks which will be able to move freight more efficiently and boost business productivity,” Brown says.
“I’ll be working closely with the sector to listen to what more can be done to help lift productivity and drive the prosperity we need to improve our standard of living.
“While private businesses are the driving force in the supply chain, the Government has a role to ensure that regulations are fit-for-purpose and that we have critical infrastructure that’s well maintained and works for everyone.”
Brown adds that transport businesses “are extremely important to the New Zealand economy” and he looks forward to working more with the sector. In terms of fixing the roads, National has also promised a $500 million pothole repair fund and will set the target of fixing at least 2% of road surfaces each year.
And it will halve the standard response rate for pothole repair from 48 to 24 hours.
INDUSTRY WELCOMES NEW DIRECTION
Road freight body Transporting New Zealand interim chief executive Dom Kalasih says Brown has been a strong advocate for the industry, including his campaign on potholes and restarting the infrastructure pipeline. “He has a strong grasp of the transport sector and what’s needed to get things back on track.”
Brown met Transporting NZ before the election campaign to discuss industry priorities. He also spoke at Transporting NZ’s conference earlier this year, pledging to fix the stalled random roadside drug testing regime and committing to substantial investment in the state highway network and public transport improvements.
Kalasih says though modernizing New Zealand’s roading network will take years to achieve, the incoming government can immediately get some quick runs on the board. That’s already taking place with changes to the Land Transport Rule which saw the “inefficient and unpopular speed limit reductions”.
“It also includes amending weight and dimension rules to get more electric and lower emission trucks on the road, and updating immigration settings to address the acute national shortage of truck drivers,” Kalasih says.
Transporting NZ has released its industry briefing to Brown, which includes eight actions to support the sector. It includes key issues and priorities for its members, and a suite of land transport rule changes agreed by all three national road freight associations.
“Our briefing to the transport minister sets out other sector priorities and opportunities that can unleash the potential of our roading network and supply chain,” Kalasih says.
“As well as substantial investment in road maintenance and road network improvements, there is some important policy and regulatory work to progress.
“Current transport rules make it too hard for people to get a Class 4 and 5 truck licence, and incredibly difficult to get low- and zero-emission trucks on the road.
“At the same time, current policy settings are worsening journey times and skills shortages across the country.” Kalasih says Transporting NZ is looking forward to working constructively with Brown and his.
