I think this cartoon reflects how the current Minister for Transport views forward planning for transport. If you can’t drive a truck or a car, then planning for anything else doesn’t enter his consciousness. Especially if you live anywhere in the South Island. He is a true disaster on two legs.
However, this is not going to go away. The rail bridge over the Rangitata has lost one of its supporting posts – most of you will have seen it.
BREAKING NEWS: Rangitata railway bridge damaged by flood (youtube.com)
It is a real worry about how we are being treated in the South Island by this Government. Over half of the cabinet ministers are from Auckland. The Minister of Transport, also of Local Government, has demonstrated a total lack of balance toward most of NZ, bar the” golden triangle”. This area set a target probably 20 years ago. Local Government and Central Government adopted a scheme to coordinate all services and planning in this area. Now we have a minister who gives little impression of any strategic planning ability who has just soaked up this planning tool in its entirety. That’s our problem down here.
Here is a map of the area defined as the Golden Triangle. Note the blank South Island and the rest of New Zealand. The leaders in this area have organised over a long period and successive Governments have fallen into line.
Community leaders in the Golden Triangle have strong arguments about the size of the population and economy on their side. However, if those of us below Cook Straight don’t organise in a similar manner we will continue to be treated like a nutty relative who lives in some small place whose name the family can’t remember.
Start by unifying Greater Christchurch so we have greater numerical strength to stand up to wellington would be a good move.
Definately need a strong unified voice, if not structure. We already have some structures in place, I am not sure that is helping. Only one person in cabinet from around here. Sam Broughton is doing a great job speaking out for local government. This government does not seem to be interested in listening – take Maori wards. Tone deaf.