New Zealand is the most expensive country in the world to build new infrastructure. That was the charge levelled recently by Sean Sweeney, chief executive of the City Rail Link (CRL). “But” said Sweeney, “I don’t just want to complain about it. I have some thoughts on how to fix it.” Speaking … [Read more...]
Investment in Infrastructure:
One aspect of the sub-contracting model came home to me this weekend. I was visiting a house which has had a dodgy-brothers refit. Slowly the plugs fitted to the walls are coming loose. The thin paint sprayed everywhere has already started to wear. Every part of the job was undertaken by subbies. … [Read more...]
This week Robert Burke and failures of our electricity market
It was fascinating to hear on Friday the following comments on NewsTalkZB about the electricity market: The logical flaws to the supposed electricity “market” which many will remember was lauded so loudly by Max Bradford as he led the reforms which were supposed to lead to savings and … [Read more...]
A helpful note from Geoff Butcher on infrastructure spending
I was at the Centenary of the opening of the Otira Rail Tunnel recently. The Construction cost was apparently £1.5 million. Using the reserve bank inflation calculator from around 1919 (centre date of the 10-year project) and taking it to today's prices gives us $180 million. That's an 8km … [Read more...]
It’s time to think how we have messed up housing, particularly for the most vulnerable:
For decades we have stuffed up as a country with our housing needs. One special group are those who live either on our streets or somewhere close to them. In Newsroom this week there was a wonderfully reflective article on doss houses where so many men live. The article starts describing those who … [Read more...]
Garry writes 21 February 2023
Kim Hill said it accurately when she started her programme on Saturday morning saying that she felt helpless when she viewed the disaster which had hit this country. She had a house which was dry. Her roof didn’t leak, and she just sat and thought what could she do? Who couldn’t relate to that in … [Read more...]
Planning for Disasters – something is missing
Rod Cameron was involved in the SCIRT project rebuilding underground infrastructure after the Christchurch earthquakes, he writes here.... I believe there is a ‘missing part’ in the current government and local government anticipation and planning for disasters. I recently attended the … [Read more...]
The benefits of public expenditure shared by some in the community and not taxed
The benefit which derives to communities from public expenditure is seldom measured. Mostly because most journalists are financially illiterate. Bernard Hickey is a financial analyst who adds items together where seldom others venture. In the case of Transmission Gully, he has conducted some … [Read more...]
Now is exactly the right time to talk about how we adapt our cities for intense rain events
Over the past few years there have been more and more rain events which have led to flooding and general chaos in people’s lives. Auckland had a massive 76.8mm of rain in an hour last Monday. This will become the new norm as the planet continues to heat up. In some cities they have started … [Read more...]
Garry Writes 22 Feb 2022
I worked for two central government departments. Often, I found their head offices peopled by young, green, bureaucrats who had no idea about how to implement their academically perfect policy on the ground. I can’t remember how many times I left Wellington frustrated as hell about the lack of … [Read more...]