Manukau mayor welcomes change of direction on transport planning
Manukau mayor Sir Barry Curtis says he is delighted at the government’s decision to widen the guidelines for
determining which roading projects go ahead.
Transport Minister Paul Swain has announced he will be altering the government’s Performance Agreements with Transfund
and Transit. These Agreements largely determine which projects get funding and, ultimately, which roads are built.
The effect will be to ensure the two organisations take account a wider range of benefits including economic development
spin-offs of a project, as well as factors such as the impact on congestion in Auckland, and improving safety.
Transit recently released its draft 10-year state highways programme and is now consulting with regions on the
proposals. Mr Swain says he is certain there will be changes to the funding programme before final decisions are made in
July.
Sir Barry Curtis says he welcomes the change of direction. “I have had discussions with the Minister about the urgency
of issues facing Auckland and I am delighted he has recognised that the guidelines for decision making were too narrow.
“We urgently need funding to unclog the gridlock on our motorway system. But new roads are also important as drivers of
economic growth and that will now be an important factor in decision making. I expect the change of direction will
impact on the Auckland region substantially.
“The new interchange planned from the southern motorway to Waiouru peninsula at Otara is a good example. The project is
expected to take 24,000 vehicle movements a day off residential streets and at the same time open up the area to 15,000
new jobs in East Tamaki. This is a project that will contribute to planned economic and social growth, safety and local
road congestion.”