29 April 2005

ARC rate increase small price to pay for bus and stormwater improvements

The average ARC rates increase of 10.7% for North Shore City ratepayers outlined in this year’s Draft Annual Plan is in fact a relatively small dollar increase, Michael Lee, ARC Chairman says. “This increase needs to be put into perspective,” he says. “The ARC’s total rate-take is far smaller than that of the local councils’ in real dollar terms.” “It’s proposed that the average North Shore residential ratepayer will pay $24 (twenty four dollars) a year more in ARC rates than last year – that’s 46c a week.”

For that small increase, North Shore residents and ratepayers will see major improvements to public transport and stormwater management, Mr Lee says.

Substantial further increases in transport expenditure will be also funded by Auckland Regional Holdings (ARH) and Land Transport New Zealand. In 2005/06 the Council’s total income is projected to be $230.1m, of which 51% will come from rates and 35% from ARH.

“North Shore residents will be getting many new bus and ferry services and will also be helping to buy new parkland for future generations,” says Mr Lee.

“All for the price of a postage stamp a week.” “Overall the ARC Group (ARC, ARH, ARTA) is putting almost a quarter of a billion dollar investment in public transport infrastructure over the coming year and nearly $150m in public transport services.”

“We have demonstrated our commitment to enhanced public transport on the North Shore, with a 40% increase in peak hour bus services taking effect from 3 July 2005.”

“This is the first step in providing a public transport vision for the North Shore based around the Northern Busway.”

A further enhancement will commence in November 2005 with the opening of Albany and Constellation Stations when the interim Northern Busway service will commence. This will be a 15-minute frequency linking Massey University and Albany with the Auckland CBD.

Considerable increased investment is being made in North Shore bus services. The ARC and ARTA budget allocated $8.8m for the year to July 2005, rising to $17.3m for the year to July 2006.

ENDS

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