Cautious Optimism Over Prioritisation Of Defence Infrastructure In National Infrastructure Plan

Scoop

4 days ago

After decades of decay and delay, Sailors, Soldiers and Aviators across Aotearoa are hoping today's infrastructure announcement will kick the Government into action to finally invest in the places they live, work, and train.
The NZ Infrastructure Commission's first National Infrastructure Plan released today, recommends the prioritisation of five New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) Estate projects.
Mission Homefront Director and Co-Founder, Erin Speedy said it's heartening news for personnel and their whanau, who have quite literally been left out in the cold for decades.
'It's almost a sigh of relief that the Infrastructure Commission has recognised not just the importance of the Defence Estate, but the desperate and dire need that something needs to be done urgently to improve the quality of life of those who sacrifice so much for our country.'
Successive Governments have neglected the Defence Estate to the tune of more than $1billion in maintenance and regeneration alone.
A majority of the buildings were built in WWII and there is minimal to no remaining useful life left in most assets, (70% of estate has less than 20 years remaining useful life, 10% already beyond its design life) so it was about time someone finally listened, she said.
'The impact on personnel is severe. Being forced to live in and work from crumbling buildings that are cold, damp, mouldy, asbestos riddled and not fit for purpose takes a toll on physical and mental health, has huge health and safety risks and decreases morale and retention.'
The Government's own papers also detail how the lack of funding into the Estate and substandard and unsafe conditions have impacted personnel readiness and availability which means the NZDF is not optimised to respond to current day requirements.
Mission Homefront's research found the NZDF's substandard housing and accommodation made 62% of adults and children sick. Meanwhile 73% also reported black mould, dampness and draughts in their housing.
Speedy said the devil would be in the details for the projects to be funded and ground broken, sooner rather than later. However she was cautiously optimistic that this would be a push in the right direction to finally provide safe and healthy working, living and training facilities that will protect New Zealand's sailors, soldiers and aviators.