No Tolls on Existing Motorways

Affordable Auckland Mayoral candidate Stephen Berry has categorically ruled out any support for tolls on existing motorways. “Len Brown and Auckland Council have already burdened ratepayers with a transport levy that was meant to replace the need for tolls. Now Phil Goff says he thinks we should pay more through tolling existing motorways.”

Mr. Berry believes there are plenty of savings to be found out of existing spending and says he is the only candidate who is serious about finding them. “I have stated emphatically that I will only support funding the core council services required by the Local Government Act. Unlike Crone, Goff and Thomas who promise vague efficiencies I’m prepared to identify targets for spending reductions now.

“Let’s start with the Council’s $250 million corporate welfare program and review the $60 million spent subsidising the arts industry. Local boards also need to be held to account for silly spending decisions. Would the Waitemata region cease to function without glittering ping pong tables, giant temporary sandpits and books on bicycle funded by their Local Board?”

Stephen says Auckland Council needs to exhaust all other avenues before it starts reaching deeper in resident’s pockets. “Stop duplicating functions already exercised by central government such as social welfare, employment schemes and education lobbying. Trim back council spending to the essentials instead of the warm fuzzies. Review council assets which return incomes lower than debt interest costs.”

Phil Goff’s advocacy of motorway tolls is ultimately pointless because it is central government that decides whether to charge tolls, not Auckland Council. “If Goff is planning to promise the construction of new infrastructure, he needs to come up with a better plan than asking someone else to pay for it.”

ENDS

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