North Shore City opposes V8 race

North Shore City Councillors have unanimously voted to oppose resource consent for the planned V8 Supercars Street Race in a submission to Auckland City Council.

"We owe it to the residents and businesses of North Shore City to make sure their interests are protected, and let Auckland City know what our concerns are," North Shore City Council's strategy and finance committee chairperson Tony Holman says.

"An event like this could cause huge disruption to North Shore City residents, and those who travel to North Shore City. We need to sit down with Auckland City and talk these issues through. If this race is to go ahead, they will need to assure us that the North Shore is not paying to benefit Auckland City."

North Shore City's strategy and finance committee meeting this week discussed the joint application from International Management Group (NZ) Ltd and Auckland City Council for resource consent for the V8 Supercars race from 2006, and voted to oppose it.

The issues that concern North Shore City include:

* The anticipated economic costs of the event. This includes lost productivity from people being unable to get to work, costs to businesses affected by road closures, and disruption to freight. * How extra bus and ferry services will be provided for the 40 per cent of North Shore City commuters who will not be able to use the Harbour Bridge, and who will carry the risk for these services? * How alternative transport during the race will be advertised to North Shore City residents, and who will pay for it? * What will be the impact of closing the Fanshawe St bus priority lane for a week prior to the event? * What are the expected traffic flows on the Harbour Bridge for people travelling through Auckland? * What traffic management measures exist for traffic coming to Auckland city from centres to the west and south? * What are the expected economic benefits and costs for North Shore City?

The application for resource consent states the Fanshawe St on and off-ramps carry 24,000-27,000 vehicles a day. Traffic congestion is already a problem in this area, and blocking these ramps could cause chaos unless reasonable alternatives are in place.

The roads proposed to be blocked carry North Shore City residents and workers commuting to and from work, going shopping and to sports games, visiting friends and family and conducting business activities every day. The impact of blocking these ramps for three days could be extremely high for businesses, workers and others.

North Shore City Council will be making a submission on the resource consent application outlining its concerns. The submission is being drafted by officers working with Mayor George Wood, strategy and finance committee chairperson Tony Holman, and other councillors.

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