8. Question No. 8—TransportJAMI-LEE ROSS (Botany) to the Minister of TransportQuestion No. 8—Transport8. JAMI-LEE ROSS (Botany) to the Minister of Transport: What projects if any in addition to those already listed in Schedule 2 of the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Bill did he propose as fast-track projects to improve transport in Auckland?Hon PHIL TWYFORD (Minister of Transport): The Minister for the Environment has announced 11 initial infrastructure projects that will be fast tracked under a new law to help rebuild the economy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. This represents the best balance of rail and road and housing projects. The bill also opens the way for other projects to be fast tracked to help deliver faster economic growth and more jobs as soon as possible. I'm advised by the Minister for the Environment that the initial plan was to include four to six projects so as not to slow down the implementation of the bill. In the end Cabinet agreed on 11 projects including the Britomart East upgrade the Papakura to Pukekohe electrification the Northern Pathway and the Papakura to Drury State Highway 1 roading upgrade. I'm advised that other projects proposed included Mill Road. KiwiRail also put forward the Wiri to Quay Park segment of the third main the Rail Network Growth Impact Management project and City Rail Link works at Newmarket.Jami-Lee Ross: Are the projects listed in Schedule 2 the highest priority transport projects in his portfolio; if not why did he not ensure other projects from the Auckland Transport Alignment Project or from his New Zealand Upgrade Programme were included for fast tracking?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: That matter is one for the Minister for the Environment who's responsible for the bill. I'm sure the member will understand that a range of criteria were used to determine the selection of projects. But I want to reassure the member that our expectation is that the Resource Management Act fast-tracking legislation will be available to a much broader variety and a longer list of projects and if the member has suggestions about additional projects I'm sure the Minister for the Environment would welcome them.Jami-Lee Ross: If his Government is open to further projects being fast tracked will he recommend to the Minister for the Environment that amendments to Schedule 2 be supported such as including the Eastern Busway or the Botany to airport project to also be fast tracked?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Well the Eastern Busway is a fantastic project that will give people in Botany a congestion-free 40-minute ride between Botany and Britomart. While the first stage of the Eastern Busway is already under way as the member knows stages 2 3 and 4 are now beginning—the procurement process is under way—and I'm very happy to have discussions and will with the Minister for the Environment about the potential for additional transport projects to benefit from the fast-tracking bill.Michael Wood: Is it possible that rail projects in Northland could be considered for fast tracking under the bill and if so would the consideration of those projects be impacted by the negative comments about the value of rail in Northland by the local member at Estimates hearings this morning?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: The value of rail projects to actually futureproof our transport system and boost jobs and economies in our regions is far too important for us to be put off by the petty nit-picking of some members.