Work programme
This Plan recognises a number of Ministerial priorities for infrastructure, guiding principles to set the government's aspiration for infrastructure, and a three-year programme of action to give effect to the principles. In addition, the Plan signals actions within each sector, which link back to the principles.
Over the next three years, the National Infrastructure Unit will work with other government and private sector agencies to give effect to the actions in this Plan, and will report on activities and progress at www.infrastructure.govt.nz.
The overall approach involves a mixture of:
- Maintaining a high level of dialogue with stakeholders, and developing partnerships.
- Working with industry stakeholders to identify opportunities for better regulation.
- Improving the practice of government as an asset manager.
- Research into infrastructure issues to allow improved management in the future.
- Reporting on a regular basis against the vision, goals and principles set out in the Plan, and on infrastructure performance.
Partnerships
No one organisation - government or otherwise - can achieve the vision set out in this document in isolation. Partnerships and good communication are therefore crucial.
One of the key relationships is between central and local government. The Canterbury earthquakes demonstrate the significant investments that local governments have and their critical importance to daily life and the economy. While each local authority is accountable to its community, the government must also understand the total effect of local government on the country's economy, and work with local government to improve performance reporting.
Action
The government will develop a coordinated communications program with key stakeholders and partners in each sector to allow regular and meaningful communication on infrastructure issues, including identifying and collating information on regulatory barriers. Initially (2011 to 2012), this will focus on how to implement the immediate priorities and actions in this Plan.
Government Agencies
The government has a number of agencies responsible for delivering infrastructure - in particular social infrastructure (e.g. education, health, justice). The government is also a major investor in some sectors (such as energy/electricity) through SOEs and a number of agencies have a monitoring role with these agents. In addition, the government will provide a stable and transparent regulatory environment in each sector.
Action
Given the significance of the government sector, and the need for leadership, the government will focus on how to improve the efficiency and performance of its own assets and asset management systems. This will include learning lessons from those agencies that are leaders in asset management within the government.
