Fair Deal For Land Purchases

Owners of privately-owned properties sited along the route of major new roads or other infrastructure projects will be appropriately compensated if their land is required, Manukau mayor Sir Barry Curtis says.

He says needless concerns have been raised about properties in Manukau City which may be affected by the proposed Eastern Corridor route. In particular, these concerns were expressed at the open days held on the corridor proposal recently. The route has not yet been finalised and a decision will not be made until February next year.

Sir Barry says, "I can understand that many people in the Panmure/ Pakuranga area would like certainty about whether or not they will be affected, but we cannot provide that as yet. The law requires that all possible alternative routes be considered, even if some are completely unsuitable and unlikely, and that is being done."

Sir Barry says the Council is continually buying properties for many purposes such as creating parks, building roads and expanding parking areas.

He says Manukau City Council's policy is to pay the market value for these sites. "We always offer a fair price reflecting their value before the road building plans are announced. I can guarantee that people will be fully compensated and we will negotiate in good faith, as the law requires. Property owners can rest assured they will not be disadvantaged, and I am proud of the Council's record in this regard."

Under the Public Works Act, properties may be purchased compulsorily by local authorities if necessary but Sir Barry says the Council prefers to negotiate to seek a resolution without resorting to compulsory acquisition, which is a last resort only.

In the last financial year Manukau City Council spent $6.4 million on land purchases.

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