9. Earthquake Kaikōura—Transport InfrastructureDENIS O'ROURKE (NZ First) to the Minister of TransportEarthquake Kaikōura—Transport Infrastructure9. DENIS O'ROURKE (NZ First) to the Minister of Transport: If the Prime Minister has described SH1 as really stuffed" what are his plans if any to assist the repairs of CentrePort upgrade Lyttelton Port for ferries repair SH1 and alternative routes as well as rail in both islands?Hon SIMON BRIDGES (Minister of Transport): The important thing in relation to plans is to keep in mind that we are still in the response and recovery phase following the widespread devastation caused by the earthquakes in the early hours of Monday morning. However a more detailed picture is emerging as more information comes to hand. I think if we just take roading for example—obviously an incredibly important example—the Government has already moved quickly to repair and open roading links but the scale and the complexity of the slips on State Highway 1 which the member mentions are unprecedented and the task ahead of us is huge. But I do want to assure the public and the member that planning and work is well under way across the Government's transport agencies to restore transport infrastructure as quickly as possible. Denis O'Rourke: If the Government agrees to pay subsidies to freight transport operators moving freight to the South Island will he give the House an undertaking that those subsidies will be given even-handedly to all operators including KiwiRail?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: I am not quite sure what the member is alluding to but what I can say—as I think I have said to the member already this week in this House—is that we will be considering all of the options. Clearly in relation to time-sensitive freight land transport is going to be incredibly important. I think it is important to note there that State Highway 7 is up and running and that is making a real difference. But of course there are also coastal shipping options that I think are going to be important in this area. Already we are seeing ports respond to that with plans for capacity and work going on there. We have also seen—and I think this has been in the New Zealand Herald—public discussion about Lyttelton Port and KiwiRail's work with it to assess the viability of some ferrying options down to that port.Denis O'Rourke: What discussions has he and/or Government officials had with KiwiRail concerning the costs it faces to restore earthquake-damaged rail infrastructure?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: I am talking to the chief executive of KiwiRail twice daily—in the morning and the evening. We are talking about many aspects of the earthquake recovery. I should make clear for completeness that I am doing that with all of the chief executives across the various transport agencies and authorities. My broad advice from him and others at this time is that funding and cash flow is not an issue. Denis O'Rourke: What discussions has he and/or Government officials had with the Lyttelton Port Co. concerning any infrastructure upgrades and any other needs it may have to ensure it can cope with roll-on roll-off ferries and other shipping requirements resulting from the earthquakes?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: I personally have not talked to the Lyttelton Port Co. but I am certainly aware that KiwiRail has assessed and continues to—as I said in answer to I think the primary question—assess the viability of some of the options there. I believe the Ministry of Transport has as well. I just make the point once again that there is a range of coastal shipping options here. In fact we are fortunate as a country to have the number of options that we do in this area and we may potentially be able to call on several of those options. Sue Moroney: Will he ensure the restoration of South Island main trunk line following the Kaikōura earthquake?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: I think it has been made clear that yes I think it is important that we do that both in relation to State Highway 1 and the rail line."