Posted on 4-6-2004

Auckland Politics Heating Up For Election

Mayoral candidate Chris Fletcher today issued a challenge to Mayor John
Banks and the current Council to come clean with Aucklanders over Council's
decision to delete a provision in the Central Area Plan that required the
builders of new developments to contribute financially to the transport
infrastructure of the city.

In addition, the Council has agreed to a request from Ports of Auckland to
an exemption from paying a contribution for open space and reserves. "This
is cronyism at its worst. Given that Ports of Auckland just recently forced
the Council to spend $46 million buying Westhaven when the company put it up
for sale," said Chris Fletcher. "Any property owner knows that when they
develop their land, they are obliged to make contributions to the common
good," she said. "Why should Ports of Auckland be treated differently from
anyone else?"

"New developments directly bring in thousands of extra commuters to the city
centre. The city somehow has to pay for the roads and public transport to
meet this increase in demand. This is a direct subsidy by commercial and
residential ratepayers to the major developers who erect multi-storey
commercial and residential buildings in our downtown area," Chris Fletcher
said.

"It is outrageous that the Council should be shutting off possible avenues
for funds to support this development at the time as the Council is
contemplating major transport infrastructure expenditure costing in the
billions of dollars."

She noted that the Council's draft Annual Plan did not make any provision
for funding for the Eastern Motorway being promoted by Banks. "Given that
he's actively cutting off possible funding sources, where does he think that
the money for his absurd motorway project is actually going to come from?"
she asked.

"The bottom line is that the ratepayers, both residential and commercial,
are going to have to foot the bill for Banks' extravagances," she said, "and
that's just not fair. Isn't it about time some of Banks' "mates" also made
a fair and reasonable contribution to the improvement of our city?" she
asked.