Press Release
Immediate use
May 13th, 2009

Eden Albert Community Board
Creative accounting for SH20

The decision of Steven Joyce, Minister of Transport, to build a surface motorway through suburban housing, prime parkland, and over one of Auckland’s hidden gems, Te Auaunga Oakley Creek is evidence of the creative accounting used to justify such destruction according to Christopher Dempsey, Eden Albert Community Board Chair.

“Mr Joyce’s justification doesn’t take into account the significant long-term environmental and social costs that building a surface motorway through suburban Auckland containing large amounts of parkland and a cherished creek would entail”, says Mr Dempsey, “despite the fact that the Board wrote to the Prime Minister outlining such costs.”

“Enron style creative accounting is to be expected from shady firms and failed finance companies, not governments,” Mr Dempsey concludes, “I am disappointed at the standards to which the government has held itself to in this matter.”

“The tunnel option best recognises the significant environmental and social costs that a surface motorway would have,” said Mr Phil Chase, deputy Chair of the Board, “and the Board will continue to work with residents to advocate for this option.”

ENDS

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