Media Statement
11 July 2013

Karaka-Weymouth Bridge off the Table

Manurewa Civic leaders are pleased to hear that the Karaka to Weymouth bridge is off the table in the recommendation for the Southern RUB put forward for the draft plan.

In a Unitary Plan workshop with the Manurewa Local Board last week discussing the Rural Urban Boundary (RUB) Council Officers confirmed that feedback on the draft Unitary Plan strongly favoured development of the RUB along the rail corridor and not westwards towards Karaka North. This meant that the Karaka to Weymouth bridge was off the table. This was further endorsed at the Auckland Plan Committee workshop at Auckland Council on Monday.

Manurewa Local Board Chair Angela Dalton said one of the crucial factors against building the bridge was the cost to develop the roading and public transport infrastructure.

"Council Officers said that the option which would include the bridge would cost approximately $935 million dollars compared with approximately $300 million for a RUB which would not require the bridge." Manurewa Local Board Chair Angela Dalton says.

"Ultimately this is what we have been saying all along, there is no budget for this bridge, there is no need for the bridge if the right planning decisions are made and ultimately the community don't want or need it.

"While this is positive news for our community and particularly for the community of Weymouth, we will continue to keep an eye on this issue.

Manurewa Local Board Member and Transport Lead George Hawkins says that this is an important victory for the residents of Weymouth who have fought hard to stop this bridge.

"The Manurewa Action Team is committed to doing all we can to support the residents of Manurewa. We have supported Weymouth throughout this process and we are pleased with this result." Says Mr Hawkins.

Manurewa Action Team members were the only local board members who attended this important workshop for Manurewa.

ENDS

© Scoop Media