23 November 2000

DUNNE'S TRANSMISSION GULLY BILL TO GO BEFORE PARLIAMENT

United Future leader and Ohariu Belmont MP, Hon Peter Dunne, is delighted his Member's Bill, the Construction of Transmission Gully Highway Bill, has been drawn to go before Parliament on December 6th.

The Bill provides for the appointment of a Transmission Gully Commissioner for a maximum of two three year terms to develop a plan for the financing and construction of the Transmission Gully, north of Wellington, and to oversee its construction.

The Bill envisages a mix of funding for the project, including Transfund support, local tolls and a possible contribution from local Councils.

However, Mr Dunne he would be open to an amendment of the Bill at the select committee stage to include the option of private sector involvement in the highway's development.

Mr Dunne has been one of the most outspoken campaigners for Transmission Gully and earlier this year presented a petition to Parliament signed by almost 25,000 people calling for the Government to set aside the funding to enable Transmission Gully to proceed.

"Today's welcome news is one more step along the way to making Transmission Gully a reality, and I am sure it will attract widespread support."

"I believe the tide of public opinion in the Wellington region is now overwhelmingly in favour of Transmission Gully and that people here are becoming increasingly impatient at the delay in commencing its construction."

"My Bill attempts to cut through all the bureaucracy by establishing an all-powerful Commissioner to make Transmission Gully happen as soon as possible," he says.

Mr Dunne wants his Bill to be considered by the Transport and Industrial Relations Select Committee, where he says he would welcome any improvements to it.

"This Bill is a real test of Parliament's support for Transmission Gully, and I hope it receives widespread support."

"Wellington people will not readily forgive any party that opposes it," he says.

Ends

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