Darien FENTON
Transport Spokesperson

31 January  2014       MEDIA STATEMENT

More heavy handedness from NZTA

The New Zealand Transport Agency seems set on botching yet another round of compulsory land acquisition, this time over a planned link road to Transmission Gully, Labour’s Transport spokesperson Darien Fenton says.

“Despite the government being hell bent on bulldozing roads through communities, farms, and culturally important sites, NZTA should be standing up to Ministers on behalf of communities and ensuring that they are treated fairly.

“There are still outstanding claims from the Kapiti expressway, including one in the Maori Land Court. Residents there still have a bad taste in their mouths about the way they have been treated by NZTA.

“Sadly, the agency appears to have learned nothing with shocked residents in Takapau Valley now being advised by letter that a link road connected to Transmission Gully could pass through their properties.

“I would have thought a knock on the door and face to face discussion would be more appropriate when someone’s home and living is on the chopping block. 

“Then there is the highly dubious Environmental Protection Agency hearings for the Puhoi to Wellsford Road of National Significance and the Basin Reserve flyover in Wellington, where engagement has been reduced to a farce with little time given for submissions.

“Sometimes change is necessary, but NZTA is treating affected communities with unnecessary contempt by rushing these projects through like a bull at a gate.”

ENDS

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