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Auckland businesses want to see local roading projects next on the government's list of infrastructure to be fast-tracked.
The government is accelerating half a billion dollars worth of projects to help the economy and create jobs and Auckland Business Forum chairman Michael Barnett says he would like to see the Western Ring Route, the Newmarket and Victoria Park viaducts fast-tracked next time.
He says if bottlenecks can be removed and congestion cleared, it will add to Auckland's productivity.
Barnett says the projects have nationwide implications and should be given priority.
Engineers hope the moves to speed up infrastructure projects will help secure the future of the construction workforce.
Institution of Professional Engineers chief executive Andrew Cleland says the vertical construction industry has been hit hard. He says more work for the industry means it can retain the apprentices it has taken on in the past two years.
However, Cleland says the government's plan is not likely to have any significant impact on the economy.
And the Building Industry Federation wants more from the government. Chief executive Bruce Kohn says while the infrastructure package is a positive move it is just one of many steps that need to be taken.
He says the government should be looking at housing insulation which would have positive spin-offs for family health and energy savings.
Meanwhile, others say the initiatives are a good start.
Builder Dave Brown says building is currently "pretty dire" and the package is ideal for kickstarting the flagging industry.
"Even a small package like this will stimulate the confidence...and we'll see more coming out of it," he says.
Brown says while the 2,000 jobs the overall package needs are not newly created roles, he hopes the government's backing of the building industry will give employers the confidence to take on more staff and grow their business.
