Campaign for a Better City
PO Box 11-964
WELLINGTON
(04) 801-8774

11 January 2002

Media Release

"Bypass" Business Tenants Been Given Extension To Eviction Notices

Campaign for a Better City (CBC) today welcomed the fact that five business tenants on the route of the controversial Inner City Bypass road through Te Aro have been given extensions on their eviction notices.

Commercial tenants on Cuba and Kensington Streets and Tonks Avenue were to have been forced to move out on the 18th January, but roading agency Transit New Zealand has now given them until late February to leave.

CBC Spokesperson Iona Pannett said that "the extensions were welcome but show that Transit has realised that they have made a mistake in asking business tenants to leave long before residential tenants. They are now trying to cover their tracks because of the publicity this has received. Transit knows that funding is highly uncertain and the agency does not have Historic Places Trust consent for the project".

Transit has yet to apply to Transfund for funding to build the road and the last public figures show that the project is unlikely to meet the funding threshold this year. A funding application will have to address concerns over the impact of induced traffic on the city, the over-estimation of weekend benefits to motorists and the environmental impact of the project.

Transit also requires a General Authorisation from the Historic Places Trust (this is necessary where construction is to take place in an area where there may be sites sacred to Maori or other artefacts) to undertake construction. This has yet to be granted.

CBC spokesperson Iona Pannett said that "telling people to leave before there is any certainty about the project is outrageous. Transit should withdraw all eviction notices until they know whether they have the Authorisation and the money to build the road. It is by no means certain that the project will get Historic Places Trust authorisation or Transfund funding. It is simply unacceptable for a public agency funded by the taxpayer to take such action before it has fulfilled all its legal and moral obligations."

Enquiries to Iona Pannett, CBC spokeswoman (04) 801-8774.

ENDS

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