Today this government shows terminal symptoms of Strategic Arse Elbow (SAE).
Going in the one direction, this morning at 10am the Prime Minister launches construction of the City Rail Link. New Zealand’s largest-ever infrastructure project, it’s going to revolutionize rail travel in Auckland, and provide a massive boost to high-density residential and commercial investment and city living.
Going in precisely the other direction, two hours later the government will release its National Housing Statement, which it has forecast will loosen Auckland’s growth belt so fast its trousers will fall down. This policy directive provides the government with explicit powers to undo the Auckland Plan and Draft Unitary Plan’s clear direction towards rail travel, other public transport, and higher density residential and commercial investment and city living.
No agency in central government can provide as clear and coherent advice about the future growth of Auckland, and clearly no-one in government is. Indeed forming that coherence is precisely what the Auckland Council is for. This government is today forcing the most massive policy and programme contradiction seen in a lifetime. John Key does not know his policy Arse from his execution Elbow.
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