Rosebank Business Centre Report

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Perceptions of Infrastructure Services

Not surprisingly, respondents reported that transport and accessibility is an issue for delivery of product in/out and around Auckland City. Respondents repeatedly said that traffic congestion reduces business ability to provide easy access for staff and customers. Particularly, accessibility is reported as an issue for how employers access labour. This has the additional outcome of reducing the labour pool available to employers. Thus the most crucial infrastructure issue that needs to be addressed is transport access, traffic congestion (especially on Rosebank Road), parking (on Rosebank Road), safety (when crossing Rosebank Road or the entering or exiting of businesses) and a serious lack of public transport services.

Telecommunications services were generally overall viewed as adequate and reliable. Recently, Vector has laid the foundations for fibre optic cabling along Rosebank Road. Representative quotes include:

"Poorly."

"Poor until last year – we had fibre optic installed."

"Okay, but completion would be good."

According to a few responses business is not served well by telecommunications services. The service is not as advanced as it needs to be. There are service limitations business receive that according to one response is company dependent:

"Not available except for Woosh Wireless."

"Average – we use Jetstream but continually experience problems including loss of connection."

Electricity supply and infrastructure was seen as more favourable. Many respondents said that energy supply and service was good. Some stated that it was adequate or average. One response highlighted the concern of rising electricity costs:

"Well if costly. Reliable supply etc."

"Average."

One respondent in particular was more explicit about issues surrounding energy for business.

"Highly annoyed that power is once again subject to potential outage; Power charges to increase this year by 50%. We also have our own generating capacity."

Overall infrastructure services have not kept pace with the levels of growth occurring in the Rosebank area. Transport issues are being addressed, but consultation and changes need to occur to meet the needs of stakeholders. Telecommunications infrastructure, such as broadband is not yet universally available and this needs to be completed.

Energy infrastructure is adequate for now, but local businesses want more competition in the market between electricity companies. It is interesting to note Rosebank businesses are not generically concerned with energy generation and supply. These infrastructure issues are threats to the Rosebank area continuing its growth and industry diversification that has been evident in recent years. The solutions to these issues are complex and require the support and consultation of local and central governments as well as the appropriate industry bodies.