ARC sees benefits of V8 race but key concerns still to be addressed
The Auckland Regional Council sees the potential benefits of the proposed V8 race, however the Council has a number of
key concerns that it considers must be addressed in order for resource consents to be approved and the event to go
ahead.
The ARC today presented their submission to the hearing panel, reiterating aspects of their initial submission and
providing more detail on a number of key concerns – in particular the impacts the race will have on public transport
services.
We consider the potential effects of the race on public transport are not yet clearly understood, and it is not possible
to determine at this stage whether consents should be granted,” says Catherine Harland, Chair of the ARC’s Passenger
Transport Committee.
“We are concerned that race promoters are relying heavily on public transport services to reduce the impact of the race
on the travelling public when it is not clear whether or not there will be sufficient resources available at the time,
or who will bear the additional cost,” Cr Harland says.
Since making its submission in late June, the ARC has received some additional information from Auckland City Council
and IMG. However, the level of information that has been provided does not give certainty around the provision of public
transport services and the associated costs.
The ARC has asked that the hearing be adjourned until further investigations have been undertaken and key concerns
addressed.
The ARC today highlighted a number of issues that it considers need to be clarified:
• The ability for existing public transport services to cope with the numbers of people expected to be coming into
the area, particularly on the Friday of the race.
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• Demand for public transport services will be greater than at present, putting pressure on the ability of
services to keep to timetables.
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• The provision of bus lanes along key routes that would be under increased pressure such as Ponsonby Road.
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• Some services, e.g. the Link, will not be able to operate on parts of their usual routes and drop-off points
will have to change. This inconvenience could deter, rather than attract, passengers.
•
• Road closures in the central city will shift traffic to other local streets, such as Ponsonby Road, resulting in
delays.
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• Drivers will be needed for any additional services and it is unclear whether or not additional staff will be
available for buses, park and ride facilities and additional ferry feeder services.
•
“The ARC already provides scheduled public transport services across the region, and we believe that regional ratepayers
should not bear the additional costs of planning, promoting and providing additional public transport services,” Cr
Harland says. “This extra cost must be covered by the event organisers”.
Earlier concerns regarding the potential for contaminants to enter the stormwater system have largely been addressed and
the ARC is confident that work has been undertaken to ensure that any effects will be minimised.
The ARC is committed to working with Auckland City Council and IMG to work through the concerns it has. An ARC
representative has been involved with the V8 Car Race Transport Advisory Committee to ensure that the Regional Council’s
concerns are addressed.