Subscribe to RSSTask Force Seeks “Value For Money”
The government has established a Road Maintenance Task Force to “drive value for money and seek opportunities to reduce costs for roading authorities around the country.”
Transport Minister Steven Joyce says the taskforce has been set up alongside the new Government Policy Statement on Land Transport Funding to encourage initiatives in the road maintenance and renewals area that save money without sacrificing quality.
Mr Joyce says the push for value for money over the last two to three years has so far delivered variable results around the country.
”Some local councils and the NZ Transport Agency have been able to achieve very significant gains and savings, but others have been less successful. “The Contractors Federation has told me that they believe significant savings are able to be gained through taking a more efficient approach.
“The task force will identify opportunities for efficiencies in road maintenance and renewals. It will also identify innovative products and best practice methods of procurement, and encourage their uptake through the country.
“It’s important to know that the large amounts spent on roading each year will not only be invested sensibly, but that we are seeking to increase the return on every dollar spent.
The task force will be made up of individuals from local government, industry, and the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), and will be convened by the NZTA.
Mr Joyce says he expects that the task force will be fully established by August, that it will complete its investigations and share its findings by April 2012.
Contractors’ Federation Chief Executive says the task force will benefit communities countrywide, “encouraging high quality, economically viable road maintenance and renewal”.
Jeremy Sole, who is a member of the initial task force says :“We are very pleased that Mr Joyce has noted that some local councils and the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) have been able to maintain efficient roading programmes and achieve significant savings while others have been less successful. The Minister has also taken on board the contractors’ federation’s concerns and the evidence that significant savings can be gained through taking a more efficient approach. The deteriorating condition of many of New Zealand’s roads has been an area of real concern.
“However, some local authorities are doing a really good job. The fact that we can now look at those best practices with a view to applying them countrywide is very positive for communities and the civil construction industry. We look forward to working with NZTA and Roading New Zealand on this.”
5 Comments
So in other words this group will be looking for how they can further slash the local roading budget so even more can be put into state highways?
I used to think Joyce was ideological, but it’s appearing more and more that he’s actually just plain nuts.
This is obsession with building a national motorway system (regardless of cost or business case) as some sort of monument to himself reeks of a tinpot dictator in a bannana republic. Sadly it appears he’s going to do a lot of damage to our economy before he’s done.
I think people will eventually notice the widening potholes on their roads. Who knows if they’ll connect it to this government or not.
A sort of Pharmac for roads!
so we are now spending more roading on money on people to save money?
doesn’t really make sense to be honest.
however, this should be used in the shelter construction trade of Auckland railways.
“It’s important to know that the large amounts spent on roading each year will not only be invested sensibly, but that we are seeking to increase the return on every dollar spent.”
GO CHECK YOUR MOTORWAY PROJECTS THEN!
Seriously, this is so fu**ed up. So insulting. Seeking efficiencies in what is essentially “mandatory” spending (or stuff will just crumble), but deciding to go hell for leather for new projects? Like adding a new bathroom while the foundations crumble under your house.
This minister is a danger for our country.