Auditor General Investigating Link Study Spend

The office of the Auditor General has confirmed it is investigating the spending of millions in another Nelson Southern Link Investigation.

Using information obtained from an Official Information Act request, Nelsust has found that the Southern Link does not meet either of the two criteria set out by the government for inclusion in the Accelerated Regional Roading Projects. The Cabinet paper defining the ARRP says that “These projects have been identified as being required at some point in the near future, but there has been little investigation into their design, cost or benefits.” Nelsust showed the Auditor General that neither of these points apply for the Southern Link and requested the AG investigate the government wasting taxpayers money. Nelsust showed how the SL has been extensively and recently investigated, the most recent and complete investigation, the 2011-12 Arterial Study, showed that not only was no roading expansion needed for 25 years but also that the Southern Link was not the best option should expansion become necessary.

Nelsust awaits the result of the Auditor General’s investigation as the Nelson City Council is stymied with getting on the Rocks Road Esplanade due to yet another arterial study.

The full request can be seen on Nelsust’s Website: www.nelsust.co.nz

http://img.scoop.co.nz/media/pdfs/1705/Chronology.pdf

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