By Tom McRae
Aucklanders could soon be paying congestion charges, road tolls and more at the pump to fund transport projects for the city.
The council says rates and taxes alone won't pay for big ticket items like a second harbour crossing and the central rail loop.
However the money has to come from somewhere.
Right now thousands of Auckland motorists are in gridlock and few doubt something needs to be done.
“We've got an urgent challenge and we need to meet it,” Auckland Mayor Len Brown says. “It's not going to get any better by just treading water and the same old, same old.”
The inner city rail loop, an east-to-west motorway and a second harbour crossing are among the projects designed to unclog the roads.
But they're going to cost $70 billion and rates and taxes won't cover them all.
So there are five options to fund the $10 billion to $15 billion shortfall:
- A regional fuel tax which would mean 5 cents more a litre at any Auckland petrol station;
- A toll on any new major road;
- Development contributions;
- Additional car parking charges;
- Congestion charges.
Some members of the public who spoke to 3 News did not seem too concerned about possible charges.
“In terms of a regional tax if it stays within the region that would be great,” one person said.
“I think we're all going to have to pay a little bit more, but I do realise it's going to be harder for some to pay more than they're already paying,” another said.
But another thought the council needs to rethink.
“They need to go back to the core budgets.”
The mayor says there can be no shortcuts to get what is needed.
“We've gone for the half options. We built a harbour bridge and opened it in 1959 and had to put clip-ons on 10 years later. We should've done double the size harbour option. We've always gone for the cheap option, we're not doing that anymore.”
Currently none of the options are confirmed. An independent transport team will work to find the best funding model.
One thing is certain though - something needs to be done and drivers will pay - but exactly how won't be decided for another 12 months.
3 News