Auckland Business Forum
Ph: (09) 520 1760

30 May 2003

Media Release

A change of gear, but still not in fast lane….

Government’s sign up today to Auckland’s initiative to accelerate transport investment in Auckland is an important step forward, but the test of these kind of high level commitments is in what detail follows and how quickly.

Michael Barnett, Chairman of the Auckland Business Forum, said he was delighted that the Minister of Finance Dr Michael Cullen and other Ministers had tasked a team of officials to urgently investigate funding options to enable Auckland’s transport infrastructure plans to be advanced.

“Today’s commitment from Wellington to work with Auckland to identify new funding streams to enable completion of the region’s agreed transport network within 10 years, is a refreshing and much needed boost,” said Mr Barnett.

Auckland is a third of New Zealand’s economy. Getting transport networks in place with no more delay benefits Auckland and New Zealand, he said.

“We now have a firmly united Auckland region and a committed central Government working together on solving the region’s transport issues.”

It is now essential that officials and politicians at both ends of the island forge a strong team to ensure no slippage on the proposed timeline to have a funding package in place within the next four months, concluded Mr Barnett.

ENDS

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