6 August 2001

Media Release

INJECTION OF COMMERCIAL REALISM WELCOMED IN TRIMMED INFRASTRUCTURE AUCKLAND GRANT ON BRITOMART PROJECT

Infrastructure Auckland’s conditional approval of a $45 million grant for the downtown transport centre introduces much needed commercial reality into the region’s decision-making on public transport issues.

Noting that Infrastructure Auckland had approved less than half of the grant sought by Auckland City, chief executive of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce Michael Barnett said the region now needed to urgently agree on the configuration of the regional network that the transport centre would serve.

“It is putting the cart before the horse to fund a transport centre before agreeing on how the network itself will be paid for.”

Mr Barnett applauded Infrastructure Auckland’s strength of character for sticking to its guns to support the project, “but not at any cost.”

For further information, contact: Michael Barnett on ph (09) 309 6100 or 021 631 150

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