Archive for January, 2009

NZ Company Thinking Big With Electric Vehicles

A fledgling Manawatu company is hoping to take a slice of the burgeoning electric commercial vehicle market worth potentially billions of dollars per annum. Palmerston North Company, Zero Emission Vehicles Limited (ZEV), is designing, constructing and commercialising a heavy electric vehicle. They are building a battery electric rolling chassis (the wheels, suspension and chassis) for […]

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Budget Blowout On Canty Transport Projects

The cost of two of Christchurch’s biggest transport projects have ballooned by more than 60% to almost $280m up from an original estimate of $170m leaving local govt scrambling to fund an even bigger transport budget shortfall. The city council is faced with having to find an extra $43.6m for its planned new bus exchange. […]

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Tauranga Defiant Over Rival’s Ambitions

The battle over Port of Tauranga’s container trade has further heated up with NZL being told in no uncertain terms by the port’s management it will never be able to operate a container terminal at the port. Port CEO, Mark Cairns, says transport and logistics firm NZL Group “never has and never will” operate a […]

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Govt Could Go Full Bore On New Harbour Crossing

The Govt has given a strong indication it favours fast tracking a second Auckland harbour crossing, announcing the project could be included in its long term infrastructure plan. The move is likely be seen in Wellington as a clear signal the Govt sees greater priority for large scale Auckland projects over those planned around the […]

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Concern Over Route Of Proposed City Rail Tunnel

Ontrack is being warned against rushing into a costly route protection study for a $1bn to $1.5bn inner Auckland rail tunnel ahead of a strategic assessment of regional passenger needs. Auckland Regional Council member, Joel Cayford, says tender documentation for the $5m study emphasises too strongly tunnel beneath Albert St to Mt Eden without due […]

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New Minister Casts Fresh Doubts On Gully Highway

Despite the Govt’s apparent commitment to a major road building programme, the future of Wellington’s much longed for Transmission Gully motorway looks even less secure. Transport Minister, Steven Joyce, is unconvinced the billion-dollar highway is the solution to Wellington’s northern roading access problems. Joyce says he remains on the fence regarding the long-simmering debate over […]

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Call For PPP Infrastructure Board Test For Govt

In what can be seen as an early test for the Govt’s commitment to public-private partnerships, it is being urged to appoint a public and private sector advisory board reporting to the Infrastructure Minister to prioritise investment in national infrastructure and optimise value for money from its capital investment programme. The NZ Council for Infrastructure […]

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