Critical decisions on transport must be taken now, says Mayor of Auckland Chris Fletcher.

“Transport is a defining issue for Auckland’s future. If we are to be a leading, internationally competitive city, leadership is required to solve Aucklands worst perennial problem.”

Auckland City’s Draft Strategic Plan being launched this Sunday provides a key funding option for Council to significantly enhance the development of transportation infrastructure.

Chris Fletcher says, “The sale of Auckland Airport shares would provide a large capital sum that could quickly advance reducing Auckland’s congestion woes. Council potentially has $350 million for a central city light rail system or other transport developments.”

“A decision must be taken to sell the shares to deal with our transport problem. Retaining such a large capital asset that could be used to make a real difference for transport is difficult to justify,” she said.

The Draft Strategic Plan asks Aucklanders to have their say on three funding options for the future of the city.

Mrs Fletcher says, an underground railway station as part of a central transport interchange is also of critical importance in Auckland’s transport system.

“Immediate action is required to provide a station for rail at Queen Street via the tunnel already under construction. This will be the first component of a transport interchange, which is part of the strategic development of our waterfront and the regional transport network.”

The Draft Strategic Plan gives Aucklanders the opportunity to tell us their views and milestones for our transport system and interchange.

Mayor Fletcher says the status quo will not do. “Bold decision making and leadership is required to move Auckland forward into the new millennium.”

End.

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>