#2 - mavxp 2007-08-15 11:17 - (Reply)

Hi John, Nice videoblog. My one concern with "freeing up land" is that this will encourage unsustainable urban sprawl. Auckland is a shocker, and the infrastructure is constantly playing catch up (as almost nothing was done during the late 80s - through the 90s due to the recession, and thats when we ushered in more immigrants putting further pressure on what was built before). Everyone complains about rates rising, and largely this is to fund infrastructure - water, sewers, roads, and waste. If we keep the spread going, rates will continue to rise as everyone is forced to fund the inefficient sprawl. We should be developing our inner cities more - urban renewal of a higher density coupled with better public transport. Inner city living in 5-6 storey apartments (the size of homes not shoe boxes like the developers seem to build), as well as the 1/4 acre paradise in the 'burbs, and everything in between. So a multi-pronged approach is what is needed - I agree land needs to be freed up, but it needs to be done sensibly in co-ordination with commercial and industrial development, and should be focused on reducing travel distances for commuters to get to their places of employment, schools, etc. We need an integrated transport system that is designed first, including rail, road, bus, ferry and cycle. Development should be planned around the infrastructure - a novel approach not yet tried in Auckland!! All that takes cash and spending $, so there goes your reduction of inflationary pressure through not spending! But better infrastructure will increase productivity and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels (which are not going to get any cheaper).