Media Statement
Tuesday, 15 December 2009

Hon Peter Dunne
MP for Ohariu
Leader of UnitedFuture

Dunne: Transmission Gully great Christmas present for Wellington

UnitedFuture leader and Ohariu MP Peter Dunne is hailing the decision to proceed with Transmission Gully as a great Christmas present for Wellington.

The long-time Transmission Gully campaigner says that while he never really doubted it would get the go-ahead – “It’s always been the only real viable option” – he is relieved the decision has been confirmed

“After more than 15 years campaigning for Transmission Gully, I’m over the moon at the Government’s decision, which should end the more than 70 years of uncertainty about Wellington’s northern access and egress once and for all,” he said.

Mr Dunne’s constant championing of Transmission Gully has included leading the ‘Do It Now’ petition in 1999, a Member’s Bill in 2001, and specific provisions in UnitedFuture’s confidence and supply agreements with this Government and the last.

“It’s been a long battle, but a battle worth fighting,” he said.

“The economic spin-offs for the Wellington region of a better roading corridor south of Levin are huge.

“This decision removes the bottlenecks that have choked our region’s development – it is a real red-letter day for the entire Wellington region,” he said.

“Now that the decision has been made, the region needs to get behind this decision, to make it a reality.

Mr Dunne said Transport Minister Steven Joyce’s prudent approach and rigorous examination of the Transmission Gully issue prior to the decision was the right way to go.

“What he has done has been to work through all the arguments and the problems in advance, so now the way ahead should be clear, and progress should occur quickly,” he said.

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