Tolls the answer, and urgently - Consensus transport Group

Embargoed to 3 pm today

Media statement Monday, 15 July 2013

Tolls the answer, and urgently - Consensus transport Group

Aucklanders prefer some form of road tolls to raise the funds needed to bridge the $12 billion funding gap on projected transport infrastructure, says Kim Campbell, chief executive of the Employers and Manufacturers Association.

Mr Campbell was part of the Consensus Building Group along with representatives from the unions, environmental groups, walking, cycling, public transport and other community interests. The EMA backs the findings of the CBG, he said.

"With such a wide spread disparity of views represented in the group, the agreement reached was remarkable," Mr Campbell said.

"But it took 9 months to reach a consensus, and now we need to get on with the job with urgency.

"Prime Minister John Key's recent statement backing Auckland's major transport projects doesn't alter the fact the extra revenue will be required.

"Auckland needs to invest $45 billion in transport over the next 30 years, with $33 billion of that currently earmarked through rates, fuel taxes and road user charges.

"By 2015 we need to decide how to raise this extra funding if Aucklanders are not to pay a whole lot more in other ways through traffic jams and delays in getting to work.

"Our in depth investigation agreed the preferred option for raising the extra funding should be through tolling the road network in some way, together with raised fuel taxes and including a substantial contribution from the government.

"Auckland needs to start moving a whole lot faster in implementing the CBG recommendations."

ENDS

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