‘Shovel ready’ Infrastructure Projects: Project Information Form About this Project Information Form The Government is seeking to identify ‘shovel ready’ infrastructure projects from the Public and certain Private Infrastructure sector participants that have been impacted by COVID 19. Ministers have advised that they wish to understand the availability, benefits, geographical spread and scale of ‘shovel ready’ projects in New Zealand. These projects will be considered in the context of any potential Government response to support the construction industry, and to provide certainty on a pipeline of projects to be commenced or re- commenced, once the COVID 19 Response Level is suitable for construction to proceed. The Infrastructure Industry Reference Group, chaired by Mark Binns, is leading this work at the request of Ministers and is supported by Crown Infrastructure Partners Limited (CIP). CIP is now seeking information using this Project Information Form from relevant industry participants for 1 projects/programmes that may be suitable for potential Government support. The types of projects we have been asked to consider is outlined in Mark Binns’ letter dated 25 March 2020. CIP has prepared Project Information Guidelines which outline the approach CIP will take in reviewing and categorising the project information it receives (Guidelines). Please submit one form for each project that you consider meets the criteria set out in the Guidelines. If you have previously provided this information in another format and/or as part of a previous process feel free to submit it in that format and provide cross-references in this form. Please provide this information by 5 pm on Tuesday 14 April 2020. As an initial task the Infrastructure Industry Reference Group has been asked to prepare a report on infrastructure projects/programmes that are ready for construction and could, if the Government deemed it appropriate, be deployed as part of a stimulatory package. It should be noted that the full impact of COVID 19 on the economy will not be known for some time, and the Government’s decision to accelerate any construction-related spend will be determined by its assessment of priorities at the time. This information is being sought in good faith, but no undertaking can be made that the criteria or any other considerations will not change or that any projects coming forward from the Reference Group will be accelerated, or any of the Reference Group’s recommendations adopted. This situation we all find ourselves in is truly dynamic. This document relates to the gathering of project information only and is not a Notice of Procurement. It does not form part of any procurement process. It does not commit the Government or CIP to take any further steps, or provide any financial or other assistance, in connection with any information in response to this document or the projects to which that information relates. 1 We refer to “projects” throughout. This term includes programmes of work in all cases. CIP Project Information Form Page 1 of 12 Section 1: Key Information [Criteria 2 and 3] 1. Project Title: Waikato Strategic Tourist Route Upgrades and Seal Extensions 2. Please provide your details: Organisation Name: Waikato District Council Entity Type: Local Government Contact Name and Role: Ross Bayer, Roading Team Leader Email Address: [email protected] Telephone: 0274 725 560 3. Please provide a very brief description of the infrastructure project: Brief description of the programme Waikato District Council has identified the upgrade of strategic tourist routes, seal extensions and bridge upgrades as a programme of projects to help support job creation and stimulate economic recovery post Covid-19. The tourist route upgrades relate to the Whaingaroa (Raglan) Harbour and Aotea Harbour circuit. The seal extensions relate to the existing metal roads in and around the Waikato District boundary, Matamata-Piako district, Raglan, Rangiriri and Te Mata. The upgrading of existing bridging stock across the network and construction of two new bridges in Pokeno will facilitate the efficient movement of freight and passenger vehicles across the network through the replacement of sub- standard structures. There is potential for around 160 job opportunities being created through these identified projects. Problem being addressed The impact of Covid-19 has severely affected tourism in the Raglan and Aotea areas. Local iwi and the local economy have suffered as a result. This situation needs to be rectified urgently once we get out of the Covid-19 lockdown. Safety on our roads is a major issue that needs to be addressed in and around the Waikato district boundary as mainly roads remain unsealed. Many of the seal extension work ceased due to the global financial crisis of 2008 and financial constraints has meant that these projects have remained moribund since then. Now is an ideal opportunity to re-activate these projects. Pokeno has experienced rapid residential and industrial growth over the last 5 years. This growth has resulted in existing bridge stock not being fit-for-purpose and unsafe to accommodate both freight and commuter traffic. Key benefits being delivered The identified tourist-related projects will help stimulate local tourism and help local Marae benefit again from cultural tourism and accommodation once the lockdown is over. It will also help with the development of walkways and a bike trail to meet the wellbeing needs of the local community and further attract both domestic and international tourists to this area. The sealing of the metal roads identified in this proposal will enhance the efficiency and safety of the local transport network for local farming and associated agricultural contractors involved in the export- driven meat and dairy industry. A lot of seal-extension work ceased as a result of the global financial crisis of 2008. Kick-starting this programme as part of a post-Covid 19 economic stimulus will therefore yield significant community benefits across territorial authority boundaries. The upgrade of bridge stock across the Waikato district network and the construction of two new bridges in Pokeno will help facilitate safe and efficient of goods, services and people. The bridge construction work in Pokeno will also help service the town for further residential and industrial development (which is expected to take off again once the Covid-19 restrictions are over). CIP Project Information Form Page 2 of 12 Construction readiness & deliverable timeframe (Projects here available to start immediately within 0- 6months) The sealing of existing metal roads on and around the Waikato District boundary, Matamata-Piako District, Raglan, Rangiriri and Te Mata will complete the sealed network in the area and the project can start as soon as Covid-19 restrictions are lifted. With the appropriate government funding support, the Whaingaroa (Raglan) Harbour and Aotea Harbour circuit upgrade projects can start in October 2020. The upgrading of existing bridging stock across the network can start in September 2020. The construction of two new bridges in Pokeno can start in February 2021. A programme plan (including resource allocation, staging and timelines) for the strategic tourist routes, seal extension and bridge upgrade/construction project package is in the process of being developed and will be provided to Crown Infrastructure Partners in due course. How funding will aid progress Government funding will help facilitate project implementation by enabling Council to rapidly initiate procurement of services. A programme plan for these projects is already under development and Council will be ready to go once funding is obtained. The benefits from Council being able to deliver these projects quickly to aid in post-Covid 19 economic recovery should not be underestimated. Extra Information Programme 1: The Whangaroa Harbour Circuit opens the tourist circuit from Highway 22 to Te Akau Wharf Rd and could connect with any Te Akau wharf re-development for harbour ferry/cruises. The return drive to Raglan opens up the harbour edge with the Waingaro landing Road extension providing a connection to any wharf re-development for harbour ferry/cruises and Marae for tourist accommodation and cultural experience as well as to potential walkway/cycleways. Programme 2: The Aotea Harbour Circuit enables tourists to complete the loop from Raglan and State Highway 22 to bridal Veil Falls and on to Aotea and Kawhia Harbours, connecting to State Highway 31. Programme 3: The sealing of existing metal roads in and around the Waikato District boundary, Matamata-Piako district, Raglan, Rangiriri and Te Mata will complete the sealed network in the area. These works were stopped in response to the global financial crisis of 2008. Programme 4; The upgrading of existing bridging stock across the network and construction of two new bridges in Pokeno. This will facilitate the efficient movement of freight and passenger vehicles across the network through the replacement of sub-standard structures and upgrading of other sub-standard structures. CIP Project Information Form Page 3 of 12 4. This project will be located in which Territorial Authority: Waikato District 5. Please confirm the project sector, category and type of infrastructure: Project Sector ✓ Project Categories ✓ Accommodation ☐ Three waters ☐ Agriculture, Horticulture and Forestry ☐ Transport ✓ Alcohol Availability ☐ Buildings and Structures ☐ Bioscience and Biotechnology ☐ Other infrastructure