2 July 2009

“Battle of the Bridge” at Parliamentary Select Committee Hearings

Usually the “battle of the bridge” involves North Harbour rugby taking on the Auckland side, in what has become an annual sporting thriller, and inspires chants of “Bring back Buck!!”.

Tomorrow the longstanding cross harbour rugby rivalry moves to the Parliamentary Select Committee on the Auckland Council Bill.

North Shore Mayor Andrew Williams and Auckland City Mayor John Banks will be fronting up to the select committee for their respective “teams”, but this time the “match” is being played in Takapuna at the Bruce Mason Centre.

Mayor Banks and Auckland City Council will journey over the Auckland Harbour Bridge to make their city’s presentation to the select committee at 9am. Mayor Williams and North Shore City Council will be making their case at 10.30am.

“I’m just hoping that John has his road map handy so he and his contingent know how to get to Takapuna and the Bruce Mason Centre. Maybe, if they’re not sure where to go, they’d be best to take the Northern Express bus and our fine $300 million North Shore Busway to avoid the rush hour traffic heading to the Shore at that time.” says Mayor Williams.

“We are looking forward to making our council’s oral submission to the committee, having submitted an extensive informative written submission last month. We will also be taking with us the results of a Colmar Brunton telephone survey conducted only last week, of some 800 North Shore ratepayers, which represents and reveals the thoughts of our people on this important subject of the future of Auckland”. says Mayor Williams.

Other submitters to appear before the committee tomorrow include three community boards from the Shore, a number of community groups and many local residents.

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(Note: Survey results will be released by NSCC on Monday 13 July, with copies of the oral submission.)

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