6. Hon DARREN HUGHES (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister of Transport
What weight is being given to the views of the communities affected by the transport proposals through Kapiti?
Hon NATHAN GUY (Associate Minister of Transport) Link to this
The New Zealand Transport Agency is responsible for making the final decision on the State Highway 1 upgrade through the Kapiti region. I am confident that the views of local people and communities are being listened to closely and that each submission is taken on its merit. The New Zealand Transport Agency’s job is to balance the wider views of the community, which are extremely important, with the other relevant factors such as the cost, the benefits to the economy, and the impact on the wider region.
Hon Darren Hughes Link to this
How will it be possible to read, analyse, consider, and reflect on the 4,100 submissions and then make a decision all in the next 4 weeks, and why were submitters not asked whether they wanted to be heard in person?
My understanding is that the New Zealand Transport Agency is working around the clock to process and analyse the submissions. Some people chose on the feedback form to mention that they wanted to present in person to the New Zealand Transport Agency board.
Hon Darren Hughes Link to this
How will people in residential areas who are affected if a four-lane expressway is built right next to their properties be compensated if none of their land is required?
That detail probably should be directed to the New Zealand Transport Agency board. My understanding is that there are two pieces of relevant legislation: the Public Works Act and the Resource Management Act.
Hon Darren Hughes Link to this
Why did the Government not offer as an option the platform it joined Labour on during the election campaign—that is, Transmission Gully, rail electrification to Palmerston North, the Western Link Road as a local road, and improvements to State Highway 1?
This area is one of the fastest growing in New Zealand. It connects through to our capital city. We are well aware of the fact that over the last 5 years there have been 59 serious or fatal accidents on that stretch of road between Paraparaumu and Levin. Most of the feedback from the submissions that, I am told, the local MP for Ōtaki has received shows that people want action and progress on the issue—after 10 years of inaction by the previous Labour Government.
Hon Darren Hughes Link to this
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. My point of order is not about the veracity of the last comment but about my question, which asked why a certain option had not been offered to the community. The Minister, in reply, told us about feedback that had been received, but I asked him why the Government did not put to the community, as part of the consultation programme, an option that mirrored the stance that National took at the election.
Mr SPEAKERI hear the member’s point. When a member asks why the Government did not do something, the member is not asking the most precise question. The Minister’s answer talked about the increase in population in the area, and although that answer may not be what the member wanted, I believe it was an answer to the question. I cannot start assessing the quality of answers; I can only assess whether the Minister has answered the question in some way. I believe that he did answer the question in some way.
Hon Rodney HideI raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I seek clarification. When the Minister said that he had received submissions from the MP for Ōtaki, was that Darren Hughes? Because I thought he lost that seat.
Hon Darren Hughes Link to this
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. While we have the leader of the ACT Party with us in the country, I wonder whether he should lose a supplementary question for that very unfair reference.