10. DARIEN FENTON (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister of Transport
How many jobs will be created by the replacement of the Kōpū Bridge, which was brought forward as part of the Government’s $500 million jobs and growth plan?
Mr SPEAKERI do not believe it was, but if I am wrong I apologise to the member. I ask her to read the question on the Order Paper, please.
It is exactly as I read it. I will read it again. To the Minister of Transport, how many jobs will be created by the replacement of the Kōpū Bridge, which was brought forward as part of the Government’s jobs and growth plan?
Hon NATHAN GUY (Associate Minister of Transport) Link to this
The Minister is advised that when construction is in full swing, up to 50 people will be working full-time on the site. Construction is expected to take 3 years. There will be an additional 100 people involved in the downstream jobs, supplying material and providing support services. This project will greatly improve freight and passenger access into the Coromandel region, boosting economic development and tourism and saving significant time for people who sit in traffic congestion.
Sandra GoudieFor far too long. The replacement of this 82-year-old bridge, which has been talked about for a long time and strongly advocated for by the local MP, Sandra Goudie, is occurring now only because the Government has brought it forward by providing extra money in the National Land Transport Fund via the February stimulus roading package of $142 million. The previous Labour administration signed off on a 9 percent decrease that would have seen projects like this one not get off the ground, or even be cancelled.
How many of those jobs will be going to local contractors and firms, and what percentage of the total expenditure will stay in the local communities?
The member will be pleased to know that very soon there will be an announcement of the successful tenderer. I am led to believe by New Zealand Transport Agency officials that the successful tenderer will be a New Zealand - based company. The member needs to know that a significant number of jobs will be created as a result of this project. I have already alluded to that in my primary answer.
Is the Minister aware that only 3,000 tonnes of the 11,000 tonnes of steel required for the bridge will be sourced locally, and that the rest will come from overseas; and how does that support or create jobs for locals and New Zealanders?