Appendix 1: Issues Not Carried Forward to the Position Paper
A small number of issues were raised during earlier discussions and in submissions
that the Ministry of Economic Development proposes not be addressed in policy
recommendations to Ministers. These are summarised below.
Statutory framework for NZ Utilities Advisory Group
Submissions on this issue did not support a statutory role for the NZUAG,
and none is proposed. However the value of codes of practice, standards, and
model agreements developed in collaboration has been recognised in the proposed
process by which the Minister can give status to, and promulgate such codes
and standards. It is envisaged that codes and standards recommended to the Minister
in the future would include those developed by the NZUAG (among others).
It emerged from the analysis of submissions that areas such as nationally
consistent cost-sharing practices required further consideration and the close
involvement of stakeholders. The NZUAG and the proposed process for establishing
codes and standards provide an appropriate framework for further progress.
Networks laid by other parties
This proposed policy framework for utilities will not be extended to cover
pipelines and other assets placed by people or organisations other than defined
utility providers.
It was submitted in response to the draft position paper that networks such
as high capacity electricity transmission should be included in the policy framework.
DigSafe, a third party utility/location information service provider, noted
that any network operator (e.g. local fibre optic provider; transmission operator)
can take part in its services.
A statutory requirement to lay utility ducts in
new roads
The balance of submissions was generally against this proposal, and a number
of practical and cost-related issues emerged. It is not proposed to address
this matter in the policy framework.
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