For reasons unknown, projects regularly seem to encounter major issues, written by Mark Knoff-Thomas

Opinion: Coming back into the New Year after, if you’re lucky enough, a few weeks break, always brings the hope of new energy, new year, new beginnings.

This hasn’t been a typical start to the year, however, with the recent weather in Auckland hugely impacting our communities and businesses, I want to start by acknowledging the diligent work by Auckland Transport (AT) and road crews alike, to support Tamaki Makaurau city in this time of need.

As is – usually - the norm every summer AT, on behalf of Auckland Council undertake road maintenance projects all over Auckland. I say AT, but actually I mean the contractors they engage to do the work.  Making the most of the more stable weather, and reduced vehicular traffic makes very good sense. So, by the time we all amble back to our desks - and the kids head back to school, the resurfacing of roads/ footpaths and re-kerbing is well underway, if not complete.

AT have a number of preferred suppliers who get the lion share of maintenance contracts (from ratepayer funded OPEX budgets), as well as new projects like new cycle lanes/ intersections/ traffic lights/ crossings etc (from rate-payer funded CAPEX budgets).

As we all know, AT have been hauled over the coals on countless occasions for botched jobs – including roadworks, cycle lanes, damage to private property, design errors etc. This against the backdrop of a public transport system under great duress.  However, in terms of work carried out of the road corridor, the real issue AT is guilty of, is not managing the contractors well enough. In the past 8 months we have had multiple works take place in Newmarket – some CAPEX, and some OPEX. Almost all have had major issues and delays. Most issues can be directed back to the appointed contractor – and more often than not, for us, that has been Downer. Downer and other contractors are the ones on the ends of the shovels, driving the machinery etc.

For reasons unknown, and despite clear instructions, scope and briefings, projects regularly seem to encounter major issues. Some examples off the top of my head… incorrectly poured footpaths, causing water pooling back into retail stores – had to be dug up, repoured, repaved; windows broken on private properties due to vibrations – had to be replaced; damage to awnings due to machinery – had to be remedied; kerbs being incorrectly located – had to be dug up, repoured, repaved; cycle-way design causing safety issues – had to be redesigned, dug up and redone. This is not an exhaustive list, obviously – and many others will have tales to tell. But it goes someway to show the inefficiencies being inflicted upon Aucklanders, and I’d wager other parts of the country too. And it has to stop.

Auckland Council need a fundamental review of their contractor’s processes. It is time for a rate-payer mindset to be embedded within Council’s culture and that mindset has to be taken on board by their contractors. Rate payers being house owners, and private building owners –the ones that largely pay for the council group’s existence.   Too frequently the bureaucratic cogs that turn within it, do not have consideration for the impacts on everyday Aucklanders, whose inconvenience is all too often just seen as collateral damage. And the contractor organisations? - well they need a good hard look at their capability – are they biting off more than they can chew? From my view of the world, and from speaking to other town centres… we are very wary of their presence!

Maybe the reason Aucklanders get so gun-shy over council projects is that they’re often so loosely managed. Without disregarding the present concerns of Auckland Council and its constituents right now, imagine a time where their projects ran to budget, within the agreed timeframe, with minimal mistakes, and they did what they said they’d actually do.

Gosh. Wouldn’t that be great.