Baldock Larry: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
Baldock Larry: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
[Volume:612;Page:9251] 
1. LARRY BALDOCK (United Future) 
 to the  
Minister of Transport 
: Will the review of major roading projects currently under way by Transit New Zealand and Transfund New Zealand be completed by December 2003 as stated and will the review process result in delays to the construction start dates for the North Shore busway or the Wellington inner-city bypass? 
Hon PAUL SWAIN (Minister of Transport) 
: 
 The review of major projects will be completed by 20 December this year as stated. The construction dates will depend on the outcome of the review. 
Larry Baldock 
: Is the completion of the review process dependent upon the passage of the Land Transport Management Bill; if so by what date does the bill need to be passed in order to avoid any delays to these projects? 
Hon PAUL SWAIN 
: The passage of the bill is an integral part of the review process. The process is under way because it has also to do with the New Zealand Transport Strategy but the sooner the bill can be progressed the better and I am very heartened by the indication given by my colleague the Leader of the House that progress will be made next week. 
Lynne Pillay 
: Who is assisting Transit with the review? 
Hon PAUL SWAIN 
: Although Transit New Zealand is responsible for the review it has engaged Sir Brian Elwood to chair an independent advisory panel. 
John Key 
: Is the project likely to cost any more money as a result of the delays? 
Hon PAUL SWAIN 
: I am not sure what is meant by the “project” but— 
John Key 
: The North Shore busway. Is it likely to cost more? 
Hon PAUL SWAIN 
: I do not have that information with me but my understanding is that once the review process is under way formally the expectation is to have it done by 20 December and that should resolve the problems raised by the member. 
Peter Brown 
: Noting those answers and noting also the fact that the Minister agreed wholeheartedly with New Zealand First yesterday when we stated that the single most important issue facing land transport is funding when will he actually do something to address that problem rather than simply make patronising noises? 
Hon PAUL SWAIN 
: With the passage of the bill. 
Jeanette Fitzsimons 
: Can the Minister confirm that projects under review may be approved modified or withdrawn depending on whether they are the type of project that would be likely to emerge under the new framework? 
Hon PAUL SWAIN 
: Yes I can confirm that. It was part of the conditions going way back now and there is an expectation that the conditions the member outlines will be applied to all those projects. 
Heather Roy 
: Why is Wellington missing out on all major roading projects including the Wellington City bypass languishing because of yet another appeal by Green Party activists when the Wellington region has six Labour electorate MPs and Government support from Peter Dunne and what does this say about the quality of their representation? 
Hon PAUL SWAIN 
: Clearly that member has not read Transit’s 10-year plan. 
Hon Richard Prebble 
: Oh yes she has. 
Hon PAUL SWAIN 
: Well if she had read it she would know that the region is getting for example a big bridge crossover at McKay’s Crossing and a major upgrade of State Highway 2 into Hutt City which the member for Hutt South is particularly enthusiastic about. There is also a number of other projects that are almost completed or nearing completion—Kaitoke and Plimmerton. All I can say is there has been fabulous representation from the local members of Parliament in the Wellington region. 
John Key 
: Has all the land necessary for the North Shore busway been purchased; if not does the Minister envisage any further hold-ups if legislative processes have to be followed to acquire the necessary land? 
Hon PAUL SWAIN 
: I understand that all the processes are under way. I am advised that the land has been purchased. There is a review according to the provisions of the bill that is soon to become an Act and progress will be made on that before 20 December. 
Gordon Copeland 
: Is the Minister aware in reference to the Greens’ requested review of the Wellington inner-city bypass that construction of the new $300 million Wellington Hospital is now under way and that the completion of the bypass was a key consideration in the decision to site the hospital in Newtown? 
Hon PAUL SWAIN 
: I am aware that the hospital construction is well under way. The reality is though that the Wellington City bypass is part of the agreed review and I expect some decisions to be made before 20 December. 
Larry Baldock 
: Do any contractual obligations already entered into for projects like the North Shore busway stipulate that any delays will result in penalties or other additional costs that will have to be borne by Transit or other road-controlling authorities; if so what is the dollar amount of those potential penalties? 
Hon PAUL SWAIN 
: I am advised that there are no contractual obligations such as the member mentions but I am happy to check on his behalf and get back to him with the advice. 
Larry Baldock 
: Does the Minister believe that the public is sufficiently aware that the reason taxpayer funds are being used on this review process and potentially projects are being delayed is that the ridiculous review process is being insisted upon by the Green Party? 
Hon PAUL SWAIN 
: Actually it was part of an agreement that was reached way back last year. Part of that agreement involved support for a petrol tax increase which allowed more roading and which all Opposition parties in this Parliament voted against even though they want more roads in New Zealand.