Media release

Auckland Councillors Cameron Brewer and Dick Quax

Thursday, 27 March 2014

PM “wise” to push-back on Mayor’s request to fast-track CRL, says councillors

The Prime Minister has firmly stood his ground in response to the Auckland Mayor Len Brown’s request to fast-track the $2.86b City Rail Link, say Auckland Councillors Cameron Brewer and Dick Quax.

Their comments follow the Prime Minister’s letter released today in response to the Mayor’s 30 January request to further fast-track the City Rail Link.

“This is a major push back from the Prime Minister, who reminds the Mayor that the Government has already accelerated the timetable by a decade from 2030 to 2020. The Mayor now needs to focus his attention on a delivering a funding plan that won’t sting ratepayers. Auckland now needs to show how it will fund its 50% before going back to Wellington with any more demands,” says Cameron Brewer.

Dick Quax says he’s surprised the Mayor is seemingly so relaxed about the latest cold shoulder.

“A couple of months ago the Mayor told us commercial development in and around the designated route would grind to a halt if the CRL was not kick started as soon as possible. Now he tells us starting it at 2020 won’t make much difference. It’s obvious he was only trying his luck with the PM, who wisely hasn’t taken any of the bait,” says Mr Quax.

Mr Brewer believes 2020 is a more realistic start-date.

“Starting it in 2016 was always going to be pie in the sky. The Government remains committed to a joint business case for the CRL with Auckland Council in 2017 and sharing funding for construction from 2020. That was a much more realistic timeframe and I’m pleased the Mayor’s unrealistic and opportunistic request is now behind us,” says Mr Brewer.

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