Otaki MP Nathan Guy has welcomed the National Party’s policy to further speed up the consent process for the Resource Management Act.
 
"Introducing a six-month time limit on the consenting of medium-sized projects is great news for Kapiti and Horowhenua.
 
"Projects like new factories, commercial buildings and subdivisions all help to create jobs and grow the economy. Delays in processing these consents can be enormously frustrating and costly.
 
"Many of these consents take over a year to resolve, longer than it takes to actually build them. We need to remove this unnecessary red-tape and encourage economic development.
 
"This follows on from National’s reforms over the previous three years which have dramatically reduced delays on small non-notified consents, and ensured major projects like Transmission Gully can be heard within nine months.
 
"Recent figures show that local councils are processing more resource consents on time over the last two years. From 2007/08 to 2010/11 Horowhenua District Council has improved from 60% to 98%, while Horizons Regional Council increased from 74% to 98%.
 
"Kapiti Coast District Council has remained a high achiever over the same period, going from 99% to 93%.
 
"The next phase of reforms will also create a new requirement for councils to consider natural hazard risks like earthquakes, which is timely.
 
"National’s policy on the RMA contrasts sharply with the Labour Party, who have no ideas for reform and accept the status quo."
 
The full policy is available here: http://national.org.nz/PDF_General/Resource_Management_Policy.pdf

Otaki MP Nathan Guy has welcomed the Government’s National Infrastructure Plan and the transport investment going into Kapiti and Horowhenua.
 
“This plan confirms the Government’s commitment to $17 billion of investment over the next four years on assets like schools, hospitals, state houses, prisons, roads, rail and broadband.

“On top of that, $5.5 billion is going towards the rebuild of Canterbury.
 
“A key part of this programme is a transport network that links rail, sea and air ports and the roading network. The Wellington to Levin Road of National Significance is a major part of that.
 
“This week we’ve seen two big steps forward.

“KiwiRail and the Greater Wellington Regional Council have signed an asset transfer agreement, as part of a package to rebuild Wellington’s commuter rail services. This includes government funding of $88.4 million to renew the signalling and traction assets on the network.
 
“Also, a Board of Inquiry by the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has approved NZTA plans for the Waterview Connection roading project in Auckland, made in just 10 months.

“This was a test case for the EPA and this reduced time all bodes well for a quick decision on the Kapiti expressway, while still allowing community voices to be heard. Previously getting a consent and designation could take up to five years.
 
“This is also a very positive sign for other big developments like Transmission Gully.

“After decades of talk, we are finally getting the infrastructure we need. The Government is making a massive investment into the future of our region that will set us up for decades.” 
 

From left: Greater Wellington Regional Council Chair Fran Wilde, KiwiRail Chief Executive Jim Quinn, Otaki MP Nathan Guy and Transport Minister Steven Joyce onboard a new Matangi train.

Otaki MP Nathan Guy has welcomed the launch of an action plan today to start cleaning up the Manawatu River.

“The Manawatu River Leaders’ Accord Action Plan is a significant milestone. The key actions include reducing sediments, nutrients and point source discharge into the river which will help the natural habitat for native fish and birds.

“It’s very encouraging to see the broad support behind this effort. Local councils, iwi, industry, environmental groups and the farming community have all committed to improving the river for future generations. 

“I’ll be lobbying the Environment Minister Nick Smith for support with this important clean-up project.

“This project is particularly important to the Foxton community. The Manawatu River estuary is an internationally recognised bird sanctuary, and local volunteers from the Save Our River Trust are doing great work cleaning up the Foxton river loop and creating walking tracks.

“The river loop will form an important link with the Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom project, which will be a multi-purpose cultural and heritage centre. This will be a superb asset for the community and visitors.

“It’s exciting to see the wider region getting behind the Manawatu River cleanup, and I look forward to supporting its progress.”
 

From left to right: Environment Minister Nick Smith, Chairman of the Horizons Regional Council Garrick Murfitt, and Otaki MP Nathan Guy launching the action plan in Foxton.

Last week I was privileged to unveil some historical treasures dating back to 1941.
 
As the Minister Responsible for Archives New Zealand, I launched a restored version of the historical film “Country Lads”, showing young New Zealanders heading off to fight in World War II.
 
This was the first ever film produced by the Government and it has now been digitally restored with the help of Sir Peter Jackson’s Weta Digital.
 
It’s very fitting with Anzac Day happening next week, and as we approach the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings.
 
You can view this film and other videos online through Youtube or at http://www.ecasttv.co.nz/. The restored video looks great and it’s fascinating to see Wellington and its people in such clarity from 70 years ago.
 
There are plenty of local services happening for Anzac day, and this year I’ll be attending events in Paraparaumu, Manakau and Levin. It’s great to see the Kapiti Coast Museum in Waikanae showcasing their new exhibition “Keith’s Road”, telling the story of local WWII veteran Keith Watson.
 
This year’s commemorations will be sombre, given that we lost three Air Force personnel in a tragic helicopter crash near Pukerua Bay last year.
 
Over the last 12 months we have also lost three New Zealanders, killed while serving in Afghanistan: Private Kirifi Mila, Lieutenant Tim O’Donnell and Private Jake Howard who was serving in the British Army. 
 
Anzac day will be a chance to remember those young men, and all those have served New Zealand in wars and peacekeeping efforts.
 
We should be enormously proud of the men and women who have served us, fighting to protect our democratic freedoms.
 
The Defence force also played a very important role after the Christchurch earthquake in February, bringing in food and water supplies, helping with repair work and reassuring the public.

As the film “Country Lads” shows, these are ordinary New Zealanders who often face extraordinary circumstances. They serve on behalf of all of us, which is why it’s so important to remember and acknowledge them.
 
Lest we forget.

Soldiers marching down Waterloo Quay in Wellington (1941)

This week I’ve been visiting Christchurch again, my third trip since the earthquake as Minister of Internal Affairs.

Since this devastating event I’ve been supporting fire fighters and Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams who have done a fantastic job of rescuing people, and who are now into the recovery phase.

This week I accompanied the Governor-General and Lady Susan on visits around Christchurch. A real eye-opener was the Disaster Victim Identification Unit where international personnel are helping kiwi teams identify those who lost their lives in this terrible earthquake. It was a very moving experience.

The Prime Minister has announced Friday 18 March as the memorial day. This will be an opportunity for us to mourn those who lost their lives and try and move forward as a country. However there will still be much to do in Christchurch for sometime to come.
 
While I was down there I dropped off a bit of home baking to friends of ours. They are camping in their home with no electricity, and have to walk a block to the nearest port-a-loo.

They specifically asked for headlamp torches to help navigate night-time visits to the loo. Apparently they are all sold out in Christchurch.

As a community we are doing our bit to support Christchurch people which I'm very proud of. There's a heap of fundraising events are happening locally and you can find the details of most in the pages of this newspaper.

17 year old Bradley Garner has organised concerts this week at Kapiti and Paraparaumu Colleges, and Kenakena School pupils fundraised $645 last week for Waimairi School in Christchurch.

A “Golf for Canterbury” fundraiser is being held in Levin and Foxton on the 18th of March, and Otaki Rotary are hosting a Rock and Roll Revival Night on the following evening.

Horowhenua schools are organising a “Candles for Canterbury” concert on the 19th of March, with locals encouraged to wear red and black.

Those who purchased a Lotto ticket last week will be pleased to know that $8.2 million will be going to support Christchurch.

Thank you to everyone who has contacted my office with offers of help, and remember that you can donate online at www.christchurchearthquakeappeal.govt.nz.

Governor General Sir Anand Satyanand, his wife Lady Susan and Otaki MP Nathan Guy visting a free food depot in Bexley, Christchurch. All the food and supplies are being donated from around New Zealand.

It’s been a terrible week for Christchurch and the entire country, but I’m extremely proud of how New Zealanders have pulled together to help those in need.

My offices in Paraparaumu and Levin have had many calls from people wanting to help, offering accommodation or second homes to people from Christchurch.

At this stage, donations of money are the quickest and easiest way to help organisations on the ground.

On the weekend the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal was officially launched by the Prime Minister John Key, which is a global fundraiser for the recovery effort.

Donations can be made at www.christchurchearthquakeappeal.govt.nz.
Telecom, Vodafone and 2 Degrees mobile customers can text chch to 933 to make an automatic $3 donation.

As the Minister of Internal Affairs, I’ve instructed the Lotteries Commission to run a special Lotto draw this Saturday to raise money for Christchurch.

Half of the proceeds will go into this fund to help Christchurch people, and we expect this will raise millions of dollars.

As I’m also the Minister responsible for the Fire Service, I flew to Christchurch on Friday to visit firefighters and thank them on behalf of the Government for their work.

I can tell you that it was a pretty shocking experience. Seeing the devastation first hand shows just how much hard work is ahead in rebuilding the city.

I’m hugely impressed with the courage and dedication of firefighters and other rescue staff. Many I talked to were emotionally and physically exhausted, their own families and properties have been affected, but they were determined to help others.

Waikanae resident Jill Phillips and friends prepared 20 homemade fruit cakes last week, along with biscuits donated by Waikanae Countdown, and I was very glad to personally deliver these to USAR workers and the Burnside High School welfare centre.

I know locally there are many fundraising efforts being organised which is fantastic.

Thank you again to everyone in Horowhenua and Kapiti who have offered their support during this very difficult time.
 

It was a very proud moment for the community and me last Saturday at the official opening of the new Waikanae rail station.

It was great to see so many people turn out for the celebrations, and taking the chance to look around the new ‘Matangi’ trains which start service on the Kapiti line around the middle of this year.

It was a special honour to drive a memorial spike into the rails to symbolise the opening of the service. My great-grandfather Joseph Nathan was Chair of the Wellington to Manawatu Railway Company when the last spike was hammered into the rails at Otaihanga in 1886.

Just like back then, this new rail service will have a big impact on our region. Electrification and double tracking means better, more reliable services for commuters who have put up with a lot in recent years.

Waikanae commuters now have a reliable and frequent service that will take them all the way to Wellington. This means that the timetables have changed slightly, so remember to check before your next trip at www.metlink.co.nz

Passenger rail demand is starting to grow again with around 2 to 3 percent increase so far this year in the Wellington region and I'm sure these numbers will continue to grow on the Kapiti line.

NZTA is now looking at the impact that the new train service may have on SH1 around Elizabeth Street in Waikanae and will be considering any possible options later this year.

Rail is important not only for getting commuters from A to B, but also for providing a real boost to the regional economy as passengers and goods are moved efficiently.

I’m very glad the Government agreed to continue funding this project when the public finances are very tight. In total the Government has invested around $383 million into improving the rail network around the Wellington region.
 
I’m proud to be part of a Government which is finally delivering this much-needed investment into our region.
 

As I mentioned a few weeks ago in this column, its all go on the local roading front with the Road of National significance from Wellington to Levin taking shape.

On Saturday I attended the NZTA open day on the Peka Peka to Otaki expressway, and it was good to hear people’s views. Around 260 people turned up to the Otaki Memorial Hall and another expo day is planned for Te Horo hall this Thursday 17 February.

Most people I talked to were generally supportive. Some had some good local ideas that were passed onto the project designers for their consideration.
 
We all know how bad traffic can get on weekends and public holidays on SH1 through Otaki, and for this reason the design involves a bypass around Otaki. 

Some people have expressed concern this will reduce the number of shoppers coming to visit, but the interchanges should provide ideal access. I believe the retail sector in Otaki is so successful that it’s now a destination in its own right.  
 
A number of detailed options for the route are up for consultation, and submissions close on Friday 18 March 2011. You can find more information and make submissions through the NZTA website www.nzta.govt.nz. 
 
Further south, NZTA has received over 1600 submissions on the Kapiti expressway.
 
As in Te Horo and Otaki I sympathise with people whose homes or properties will be affected, and I will support them through the development process.
 
Nearly everyone I talk to though agrees that our roads need improvement and that we need to get on and do something. The original two-lane western link road would have only been a temporary solution for about 10 years until traffic snarled up again.
 
Four interchanges and a new bridge over the Waikanae River will be very important for local access, and of course it will link up with Transmission Gully meaning better access to Wellington.
 
In other transport news, this Saturday also sees the official opening of the refurbished Waikanae and Paraparaumu train stations, with new services beginning next week. This is great news for commuters – more reliable services, better access and new trains are on their way.

Otaki MP Nathan Guy with new Otaki Community Board member Marilyn Stevens at the NZTA expressway consultation in Otaki.