MEDIA RELEASE
A.R.C ELECTIONS
from David Thornton RatesRebellion-FRESH START candidate for North Shore
email david@kandu.co.nz

16 August 2004

TIME FOR RETHINK ON LOCATION FOR V8 STREET RACE.

IDEAL FOR WHENUAPAI AIR BASE.

Today's decision to allow race organisers the opportunity to produce more evidence on a wide range of issues is a victory for commonsense.

Quite clearly the Commissioners were not happy with the traffic impact arising from the proposed venue and were critical of many aspect of the plans produced to date including public transport, noise and consultation issues.

The question of an alternative location can now be examined - indeed the Commissioners wanted to know what other locations had been examined as part of the resource consent process.

The way is now open for other locations which have been suggested not only in Auckland City but in other parts of the region.

Mayor Sir Barry Curtis has already suggested Manukau City has a number of possible sites.

I believe that Whenuapai Air Base would be ideal - and could be the catalyst for protecting its future possible use as a local airport and emergency runway for the region.

Whenuapai will also benefit from the construction of Western Bypass ring route - diverting traffic away from State Highway 1 and the Auckland CBD.

The V8 race will be good for the local economy - and if it can be located at Whenuapai the whole region will gain benefits.

Its time for Auckland City Mayor John Banks and his council to let go of their obsession with a street race and work with other local bodies in the region to make sure we can bring this event to the Auckland region without the disruptive effects arising from the present ill-considered location in downtown Auckland.

ENDS

© Scoop Media