Transmission Gully Delay Unacceptable

Friday 27th Apr 2001 Penny Webster Media Release -- Other

ACT NZ Transport spokesman Penny Webster said it was unacceptable for Transport Minister Mark Gosche to say that the Transmission Gully Highway would at least a decade away.

“What his comments prove is just how inadequate both the Resource Management Act and the current methods of road-funding are – but he as Minister has the power to change that.

"Last week in the New Zealand Herald, roading contractors and the Auckland Regional Manager of Transit New Zealand expressed their frustration at the years of delays they experienced as a result of the Resource Management Act in Auckland highway construction. Now, the Minister of Transport has backed up their concerns, by pointing out just how long it will take to even begin construction of Transmission Gully project in Wellington.

"Then you take the current funding system. Under it, Transmission Gully will not even qualify for full funding until 2012. So even with the eight-year delay due to the RMA, construction would still have to wait another three years.

"These delays are deplorable. The current laws and rules that govern the construction of roading in this country have once again been clearly proven to be unresponsive to the local communities transportation needs,” Mrs Webster said.

ENDS

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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