Media release
2 February 2004

Government Transport Plan Supported By Manukau

Manukau City Council has voted to support the government’s proposals for improving Auckland’s transport system announced last December.

The region’s councils were requested to consider the proposals and provide a response in January.

Manukau mayor Sir Barry Curtis says the government must be commended for the proposal and for the level of funding it is injecting.

“Manukau supports, with some minor refinements, an integrated governance support structure which sits within the ARC, known as the Auckland Regional Transport Authority, with its own board appointed from people in the community with appropriate experience.“

The proposal would see the government invest $4.2 billion over ten years from current funding sources – rates, Transfund, and Infrastructure Auckland. The package results in an extra $1.6 billion expenditure on top of the $4.2 billion already allocated.

Sir Barry says, “Unlike other councils, Manukau does not plan to tell the government that the funding is not enough.

“There may be argument that we need more because councils cannot raise the remaining amount needed. But the total is close to what we could realistically have expected and it is enough to kick start the urgently-needed projects that are ready to go over the next five years.

“What this really means is that we still need to consider tools such as road tolls and congestion pricing, as well as allowing the private sector more involvement through the use of PPPs or public/ private partnerships.

“We need to be creative and not let the patterns of the past determine what we will or won’t consider.

“But I am certain the government will be receptive to a further approach from the region if, despite our best efforts, we are unable to raise all the funding we require.”

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