9 March 2004

Media Release

Eastern Corridor Will Drive Glen Innes-Panmure Economic Development

The route of the Eastern Transport Corridor has unique economic development and lifestyle opportunities including new job prospects, easier access to the Ports of Auckland and improved safety on local roads.

The Berl economic report unveiled with the Opus recommended route option today clearly confirms that the Eastern Corridor project is as much about attracting new investment to the Glen Innes and Panmure areas as helping solve the region’s transport problems, said Michael Barnett, chief executive of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce.

Mr Barnett: “A modern transport corridor that includes both affordable public transport and roading options will help give some quality shape to developments already underway.” These include:

- Tamaki University Campus and Innovation Park;
- East Tamaki business park
- Glen Innes and Panmure business growth potential
- Mt Wellington residential and Sylvia Park retail and business developments;
- Access to the Ports of Auckland

With 60,000 people likely to be living immediately adjacent to the route by 2030 in Glen Innes and Panmure alone, clearly the Eastern Transport Corridor will be a vital access link for these residents to the rest of the region.

“The traffic benefits are also huge,” noted Mr Barnett. They include:
- 80% of Port-generated heavy trucks being diverted from SH1 and local roads;
- 10-40% of traffic off local roads; and,
- 20% of traffic off SH1.

Other obvious benefits will include improved traffic safety in areas such as Kepa Road that has amongst the highest accident rates of any road in New Zealand.

“This is now as much a project about urban transformation as about solving Auckland’s gridlock. I am greatly encouraged by the strong reaffirmation by Auckland Mayor John Banks and Manukau Mayor Sir Barry Curtis to move the project forward with vision and urgency,” said Mr Barnett.

“We have turned the Eastern Transport Corridor from a challenge to an opportunity; one that we must grab with both hands and drive forward with enthusiasm and passion,” he concluded.

ENDS

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