Media Release
1 July 2004

Not A Cent For The Tauranga Bridge

New Zealand First transport spokesperson Peter Brown says the Government’s announcement that there will be an additional $1.8 billion spent over the next 10 years on roading infrastructure seems encouraging but he’s concerned that Tauranga is missing out.

“Not one cent will go to Tauranga for the proposed second harbour bridge.

“It is a project of very high priority which serves New Zealand’s largest export port – but it doesn’t even register in the 10 year plan – and therefore receives no funding. According to the Government, we will have to fund it ourselves – probably from tolls.

“It should also be noted, that $1.8 billion is not coming from Government coffers. It will largely result from an increase in excise tax and road user charges, which will be imposed next year.

“During the next ten years, the Government will collect, by way of excise tax, in excess of $5 billion dollars which will go into the Crown account. So in reality, the extra funding the Government is investing into transport infrastructure, is more a result of smoke and mirrors rather than generosity,” concluded Mr Brown.

ENDS

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