Auckland City swings in behind transport recommendations to Government
Tonight the Auckland City Council unanimously supported the core recommendations of the Chief Executives’ report to the
region’s eight councils evaluating the Government’s transport funding and governance proposals, announced on 12
December.
“Auckland City councillors from both sides of the political spectrum are singing largely from the same song sheet when
it comes to funding and completing our transport network with urgency,” said Auckland City Mayor John Banks.
“Furthermore, councils from across the region over the coming week are likely to follow, putting their weight in behind
this report’s sound and sensible recommendations.
“We are committed to working closely with the Government to move the transport package forward. We must get the right
mechanisms to do the right job and with urgency.”
Auckland City Council strongly supports the recommendation to introduce new funding mechanisms such as road pricing to
help bridge the remaining 40 per cent funding gap. As well, the implementation of the extra 5c per litre in fuel tax
should be brought forward.
The Auckland City Council also supports the need to get on and build the network while the regional land transport
strategy and the respective district plans are being updated, not after.
Councillors echoed the CEOs’ concerns over the proposed new governance structure, strongly supporting the functions of
key government agencies Transit and Trackco being integrated into ARTA (the new Auckland Regional Transport Authority).
“The imminent ratification of the chief executives’ report by the region’s city and district councils will send a strong
unified message to Wellington on how best to complete Auckland’s motorway network with integrated public transport over
the next decade.
“The Auckland City Council is one of the first out of the blocks to put our hands up in support of the chief executives’
recommendations. For the sake of the region’s future prosperity, I look forward to the other local territorial
authorities coming in behind with their support,” said Mr Banks.