Federated Farmers welcomes the Governments announced 30-year infrastructure plan but questions what the strategy will deliver in terms of better road and water access for rural communities.
“Rural infrastructure will need to be a priority in looking at addressing the inefficiencies in infrastructure investment and planning,” says Federated Farmers infrastructure spokesperson Anders Crofoot.
Federated Farmers supports the intent to understand better where the critical demands are and to make better decisions from that knowledge but it remains wary of what that strategy means for rural communities.
“To date rural roading infrastructure has been suffering from a significant funding squeeze and it’s unclear if this plan is going to address that,” says Crofoot.
If it doesn’t, then better planning won’t be enough to offset the opportunity costs we’re likely to face,” he says.
“Rural infrastructure, such as water, roads, fibre and broadband are vital to our rural communities and the broader economy,” says Crofoot.
“It’s vital to keep our rural communities connected especially rural businesses to their customers,” he says.
“Fibre and broadband will be the next generation’s transport, so the government’s continuation of the rural broadband initiative is welcome news,” says Crofoot.
“For thriving rural communities to meet the New Zealand Government’s aspirations, they have patiently been awaiting new investment in water infrastructure,” says Federated Farmers water spokesperson Chris Allen.
“There’s a real positive in recognising that investing in reliable water supply will maximise the value of water, ensuring social and economic community gain from that resource while protecting the environment,” he says.
