increase font size
Federated Farmers is happy with the Government's 30 Year Infrastructure Plan announced yesterday.
Anders Crofoot, Federated Farmers infrastructure spokesperson, says the Government and Feds seem to be on the same page on the issue.
"Rural infrastructure will need to be a priority in looking at addressing the inefficiencies in infrastructure investment and planning."
Federated Farmers supports the intent to better understand where the critical demands are and to make better decisions from that knowledge, but remain wary of what that strategy means for rural communities.
"To date rural roading infrastructure has been suffering from a significant funding squeeze and it's unclear if this plan is going to address that. If it doesn't, then better planning won't be enough to offset the opportunity costs we're likely to face."
Rural infrastructure, such as water, roads, fibre and broadband are vital to our rural communities and the broader economy.
"It's vital to keep our rural communities connected especially rural businesses to their customers. Fibre and broadband will be the next generation's transport, so the government's continuation of the Rural Broadband Initiative is welcome news."
Chris Allen, Federated Farmers water spokesperson added "For thriving rural communities to meet the New Zealand Government's aspirations, they have patiently been awaiting new investment in water infrastructure."
"There's a real positive in recognising that investing in reliable water supply will maximise the value of water, ensuring social and economic community gain from that resource while protecting the environment."
"There are many promising elements to this Plan and the rural community is keen to see some long awaited investment come their way," Crofoot added.
According to the latest Federated Farmers banking survey, farmers are more satisfied with their bank and less under pressure, however, the sector is well short of confidence levels seen last decade.
OPINION: Federated Farmers has launched a new campaign, swapping ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ for ‘The Twelve Pests of Christmas’ to highlight the most troublesome farm pests – a serious issue that needs some urgent attention from the Beehive.
Farmers are welcoming the announcement of two new bills to replace the under-fire Resource Management Act.
The Government has announced it will immediately roll over all resource consents for two years, with legislation expected to pass under urgency as early as this week.
Federated Farmers has launched a new campaign, swapping "The Twelve Days of Christmas" for "The Twelve Pests of Christmas" in an effort to highlight the most troublesome farm pests.
According to the latest Federated Farmers banking survey, farmers are more satisfied with their bank and less under pressure, however, the sector is well short of confidence levels seen last decade.
Farmer confidence has taken a slight dip according to the final Rabobank rural confidence survey for the year.
Former Agriculture Minister and Otaki farmer Nathan Guy has been appointed New Zealand’s Special Agricultural Trade Envoy (SATE).
Alliance Group has commissioned a new heat pump system at its Mataura processing plant in Southland.
Fonterra has slashed another 50c off its milk price forecast as global milk flows shows no sign of easing.
Meat processors are hopeful that the additional 15% tariff on lamb exports to the US will also come off.
OPINION: The release of the Natural Environment Bill and Planning Bill to replace the Resource Management Act is a red-letter day…
OPINION: Federated Farmers has launched a new campaign, swapping ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ for ‘The Twelve Pests of Christmas’ to…
