Smith NickHon Dr NICK SMITH (National—Nelson): In debating Part 1 of this COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Bill I'd like to ask the Minister why we would not include the most significant project for my constituency of Nelson. People know the geography of my community. The Nelson City sits right at the northern end of the region. We have 100000 people. We have about 10000 people living north of Nelson City. We have about 90000 people living to the south. A huge issue has been efficiently getting people from Stoke into Nelson City. I'm proud that over the last 30 years we progressively built the Stoke bypass a $130 million project that was completed approved by the previous Bolger-Shipley Government. We had Queen Elizabeth II Drive which is to the north of Nelson—many would have tripped on that part of the route. And we also have the Richmond Deviation that goes back to the 1980s. So we've got a roading network in Nelson where three-quarters of the job has been done but this crucial link has not been constructed. It's about a $200 million project. To outline its economic significance I would point out to the House that over the last 20 years retail sales in Richmond have doubled. Over the same period retail sales in Nelson City have been static—have not increased at all. That is largely as a consequence of the roading route into Nelson City being so congested and jammed. Every morning past my own home from about quarter past 7 in the morning to about quarter past 9 the road is jammed and exactly the same occurs every afternoon.Now why it's so economically significant is because the retail sector in Nelson has never had as hard a period as the last three months. There are over 30 stores in Nelson that have surrendered their lease; they've closed. If we really are with this COVID-19 recovery bill serious about ensuring the recovery of that city that piece of transport infrastructure is absolutely crucial. There's also a huge environmental benefit from it. Anybody who has been to Nelson would know the gorgeous Rocks Road waterfront. I am rather parochial but I even think many others would recognise it as one of the most beautiful waterfronts in New Zealand. There's actually a very strong consensus in Nelson that it should be a walking and cycling boulevard. But that is only possible—only possible—if we deal with the issue of the State highway. While I agree with my colleague James Shaw from the Green Party that indeed it should be a walking and cycling boulevard that will never be practicable while you've got 4000 trucks and 18000 other vehicles. That can only be achieved by the inland route being constructed and it is the most important infrastructure project for Nelson. Now just yesterday the Government increased the road-user charges and petrol taxes for my community. It's estimated that we are now contributing over $100 million a year from the Nelson-Tasman region to the road transport fund. We have over the last three years seen the Southern Link project cancelled we've seen even a basic sealing project in our region cancelled and that is why we are so keen to see this project advanced. That is why to Schedule 2 which we are debating as part of Part 1 of this bill there's an amendment in my name—CHAIRPERSON (Hon Ruth Dyson): I'm sorry to interrupt the member but my understanding is that Schedule 2 is part of Part 2 so we look forward to your contribution when we're debating Part 2.Hon Dr NICK SMITH: Could I just refer to clause 5. Clause 5 under Part 1 specifically refers to Schedule 2 and my amendment is to Schedule 2. We do not debate the Schedules separately. My understanding—CHAIRPERSON (Hon Ruth Dyson): We're debating Schedule 2 under Part 2.Hon Dr NICK SMITH: I'm sorry?CHAIRPERSON (Hon Ruth Dyson): We're debating Schedule 2 under Part 2 and you're welcome to take a call then.Hon Dr NICK SMITH: Can I just get clarity that if I look at Part 1 clause 5 specifically mentions—in clause 5 subclause (4)—Schedule 2. CHAIRPERSON (Hon Ruth Dyson): Schedule 2 will be debated in Part 2. We're happy to have that debate later.Hon Dr NICK SMITH: Well I would just indicate very strong support for the amendment that is in my name to include that project. If we're serious about this COVID-19 recovery bill working for the community of Nelson that is the project that is so crucial.CHAIRPERSON (Hon Ruth Dyson): Thank you. The member's time has expired. Can I just remind the member of the contribution I made after Erica Stanford's debate. The Hon Dr Nick Smith has reverted to the old way of committee stage debate. That is not the agreement of the House; the agreement of the House is that we have a conversation between members who have questions to raise and the Minister. Obviously when you have a Supplementary Order Paper a contribution on that is valid but five minutes is not a target any more in the committee stage of debate.