The building industry is slated to shed 20,000 jobs as the recession hits construction hard through to 2012. As we’ve already seen in manufacturing in NZ, once jobs and infrastructure leave a country, they are very difficult to re-build when needed.

Meanwhile, the government is stumping up $1.7 billion for the construction of a 38km stretch of “holiday highway” between Puhoi and Wellsford that will achieve little more than allowing tourists to easily avoid some of our our small towns.

What have these two events got to do with each other? We have an industry in strife, needing stimulus and an expensive boondoggle that would be far better spent elsewhere.

If we spent that same $1.7 billion on retro-fitting solar hot water systems to NZ houses we could achieve the following:

• Install 212,500 solar hot water systems at an average cost of $4,000-$8,000 (I’ve used $8,000 for this calculation so the actual number of installs might be doubled).
• Create 1000’s of jobs in manufacturing and installation (and mop up those leaving construction).
• Provide half a million or more Kiwis significant electricity savings (preferably targeted at those most impacted by high power prices).
• Reduce electricity generation demand roughly equivalent to taking 63,000 homes off the grid (solar hot water provides 75% savings on water heating or about 30% of total bill). Ask the generators how they’d feel if we could give them a Hamilton-sized power load holiday.

While building motorways, bridges and roads will generate some short-term employment, the vast majority of those in the building trade won’t benefit. Wouldn’t it be smarter to foster a vibrant local manufacturing and service industry with a future?

Given the choice of a step towards an energy-secure future or building pointless roads with a limited future, I know which I’d choose.