Footing transport bill sees disagreement in Auckland Supercity

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Mon, 13 Feb 2012 6:07p.m.

Another harbour crossing has been proposed for Auckland's transport future

Another harbour crossing has been proposed for Auckland's transport future

By Tom McRae

Auckland Mayor Len Brown has floated several options, including raising GST and rates, to pay for transport projects.

But Prime Minister John Key says massive increases in taxes are an unacceptable way to do it.

“As Aucklander's know it's a problem we've had for decades and they elected me to sort out Auckland’s transport woes,” Mr Brown said at a meeting with Wellsford ratepayers.

There are half a dozen planned projects to decongest Auckland’s roads over the next 30 years, including another harbour crossing and a CBD rail loop.

However, there is not the money to fully fund them so the mayor is proposing a range of funding options including;

• Increasing rates

• Introducing a regional income or fuel tax

• Raising regional GST

• Tolling new or existing roads

“This is the time for us to grasp the nettle,” says Mr Brown. “We have got to be the economic powerhouse and in sharing the aspiration for the country we've got to put our skin in the game and deliver this investment.”

But to Wellsford, an hour north of the CBD, the issue does not feel so important.

Local board member James Rolfe the projects that are getting the most publicity and traction are in the urban area of Auckland.

Wellsford resident Derek Smith says they are not going to see any benefit “up here”.

But any funding options that need policy change have to go through central government.

With 800,000 cars on Auckland’s roads and the city set to double in population in the next three decades, everyone agrees something has to be done. Who will pay is up for debate until the end of March when public submissions to the Auckland Council close.

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Comments

15 Feb 2012 02:48p.m.

Gary wrote:

Rates should only be for local service costs as they were intended. Road tolls is the only fair way to go. Road user pays. Cities outside of Auckland also have trucks delivering goods to from their towns using these roads. They should also use the speeding fines and any other road user fines to fund this. Where does that money go????

14 Feb 2012 01:49p.m.

ridley wrote:

With increased population not just Auckland as such. Its quite apparent that upgrades are needed, in the transport system rail.mono rail,tunnels,roads. However why is the long suffering rate payer seen as the sitting duck/golden goose.Rates were initially supposed to be for local services the land you are on rubbish collection.Then in crept charges for other things parks museums etc.What happened to user pays. Have toll collection points.This could be done electronically without inconvenience to users.But this mayor same as all the others sees the rate payer as an easy target.He may find that rate payers are getting sick of it,if it carries on could be that straw that breaks the camels back.Thousands will take to the streets in protest enough is enough.

14 Feb 2012 11:39a.m.

Jim Seaview wrote:

Quote: "With 800,000 cars on Auckland’s roads and the city set to double in population in the next three decades, everyone agrees something has to be done. Who will pay is up for debate until the end of March when public submissions to the Auckland Council close."
Its simple - Auckland is now a SuperCity, Auckland will get all the benefits of more people and it is up to the city planners to provide the infrastructure to house the people and to move them via an efficient transport system.
I agree with Another Chris - Quote "Does Auckland need a transport upgrade? Absolutely. Should people outside of Auckland be required to pay for it. Absolutely not! The way I see it, Aucklanders have 3 options: 1) Do nothing, and be prepared to spend the rest of your miserable lives in gridlock; 2) Stop complaining and accept that such costs are all part of living in the big city; 3) Move to one of the many other cities or towns throughout NZ. I mean, its not as if anyone is forcing you to stay there. Maybe if less people flocked to the city of sails, then it wouldn't be such a congested hellhole.
Supercity = Supercosts = Paid by SuperRate-Payers


14 Feb 2012 10:28a.m.

Niall wrote:

Just check out Len's thinking. "Let's spend 2 Billion["B"] on an inner city rail loop." Gee cool Len. Let's put all of inner Auckland into a permanent [7-8 years] state of chaos while that gets done. Hang on! Isn't there already an inner city bus loop? Yes there is!! Maybe that could be upgraded for 3-4 million["M"]without affecting ANYONE. Duh....
As for spending $15 Billion["B"] for other upgrading projects, do me a favour. Isn't there already an effective rail corridor from the North Shore which already cost us $300+ million to build? Sure it's used by buses but what's the difference. If that was set up properly with feeder services to the "stations" it would alleviate a good deal of the bridge carnage. But does Len propose that sort of improvement? Heck no! Just give him $15Billion more rates money to bath in! Trust this looney with yet more of my money. You've got to be kidding. Tolling for TRULY necessary projects is the way. Keep Len way out of it!

14 Feb 2012 03:32a.m.

Mark wrote:

I`m a New Zealander living in Rio de Janerio, Brazil,here road toll charges are common and accepted as an every day way of life. Not only in Auckland but all New Zealand road users need to accept this way of partially funding new and existing improvements,the sooner the better

13 Feb 2012 11:16p.m.

M2 wrote:

@'Another Chris' And what makes you think that Len Brown can fix Auckland's transport woes? His 100 projects in 100 days was an absolute farce. It included projects that were already near completion when he was voted in, and presenting reports on aspirational goals and signing contracts that were due to be signed. Oh, and let's not forget the incredibly important task of cleaning Otahuhu bus shelter! He even made a mess of organizing transport on the opening night of the World Cup. He's been out of his depth since day one, and any additional tax he takes will be squandered.

13 Feb 2012 10:18p.m.

Another Chris wrote:

Its largely thanks to visionaries like my namesake here that Auckland still has a 3rd world transport network. Time and time again the issue of public transport has been raised, but successive councils have instead chosen to ignore the problem and hope it goes away. Now we've reached the point where something has to give, and guess what? The ostriches don't want to pay their fair share!

Does Auckland need a transport upgrade? Absolutely. Should people outside of Auckland be required to pay for it. Absolutely not! The way I see it, Aucklanders have 3 options: 1) Do nothing, and be prepared to spend the rest of your miserable lives in gridlock; 2) Stop complaining and accept that such costs are all part of living in the big city; 3) Move to one of the many other cities or towns throughout NZ. I mean, its not as if anyone is forcing you to stay there. Maybe if less people flocked to the city of sails, then it wouldn't be such a congested hellhole.

Brown campaigned on public transport, so good on him for sticking to his guns. Its a nice change to see a politician staying true to their word.

13 Feb 2012 07:29p.m.

Chris wrote:

Toss the tosser out. Typical leftie socialist - thinking there is a free money tree. Brown need's to get real and to stop living in other people wallets - like most leties do. Still you vote for what you get - a leftie moron.