Alternative transport funding must come sooner

The Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board is calling for prompt implementation of an alternative funding system for the Auckland Plan Transport Network.

To fund the new transport network, the Auckland Council Budget Committee has decided on an interim transport levy with a targeted rate of $99 ($114 incl GST), in addition to the 2.5% to 4.2% rates increase across the Auckland region.

“The interim transport levy, along with higher 2014 property revaluations in Māngere-Ōtāhuhu, mean these households will see an average 16.9% increase in rates demands,” says Chair Lemauga Lydia Sosene.

“We urge Mayor Len Brown, the Chief Executive of Auckland Council, and the Minister of Transport, Hon Simon Bridges, to take urgent steps to implement an alternative transport funding system sooner than the 2018/19 date agreed by the Governing Body.

“We are working to make up for historical underinvestment in Māngere-Ōtāhuhu and it’s fantastic to see our new $30 million Ōtāhuhu Recreation Centre opening later this year.

“But we are very concerned with these 2015/2016 rates increases. We ask that any household struggling to meet payments make contact with Auckland Council.

Ms Sosene says low income households may be eligible for a rates rebate and it’s possible to make arrangements to either postpone rate payments or smooth payments out over a period of time.

“We will hold Auckland Transport to account and will be responsible for monitoring the delivery of local Māngere-Ōtāhuhu projects such as the Future Streets project, the Ōtāhuhu Bus Interchange and the Māngere Bus Station as soon as possible. These are very important to us and our communities,” says Ms Sosene.

ENDS

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