That was the message yesterday from Deputy Prime Minister Bill English's office, ahead of next week's unveiling of the list of preferred infrastructure projects to receive government funds.
Mr English is in Australia, but spokesman Craig Howie yesterday indicated next week's announcement would focus on financial support for roading, school and housing projects "that are pretty much ready to go".
The aim was to bring forward projects ready to begin, to get more cash circulat-ing in the economy, he said.
That follows Mr Key's an-nouncement yesterday of strategies to boost small businesses, which included the plan to fast-track projects and keep more New Zealanders working.
Projects favoured would be those able to provide employment for workers, suppliers and sub-contractors, he said.
Separate announcements would be made on support for larger, long-term infrastructure projects "in the coming months".
The details follow confirmation last week that Dunedin Mayor Peter Chin had sent Mr English a letter, co-signed by Otago Regional Council chairman Stephen Cairns, seeking funds for the stadium project.
The letter was signed on December 23 and requested an "interim response" from the Government before next week's crucial council meetings to discuss the stadium.
Yesterday, Mr Chin said he had "as yet" received no reply to the letter, while Mr Howie told the Otago Daily Times the letter had been received "and that's pretty much all I can say".
A request for a copy of the letter from Mr English's office, made under the Official Information Act 1982, was still being considered, while the Office of the Ombudsmen was reviewing the Dunedin City Council's refusal to release the letter.
