Ring road plan earns tick

It’s good to see the Government prepared to investigate the completion of Auckland’s western ring route by means of a public private partnership (PPP), says Alasdair Thompson, chief executive of the Employers & Manufacturers Association (Northern).



“PPP’s deliver better economic value for building infrastructure,” Mr Thompson said.



“Australia has been convinced of that for many years.



“The decision to set up the steering group shows the Government has been listening to the NZ Council for Infrastructure Development and the Auckland Business Forum.



“The major handicap to implementing a PPP will be the conditions under which they have to work in the Land Transport Management Act 2003.



“In the end the steering group won’t be able to decide if a PPP will work or not. Only a private sector organisation thinking about bidding for the project will decide that.”