Posted on 1-67-2004

Auckland Transport Decision A Disgrace
by Christine Fletcher, Mayoral Candidate 2004

Auckland Mayoral Candidate Chris Fletcher believes Auckland City Council's
Transport Committee should have abandoned the Eastern Motorway proposal in
light of the very negative report from council officers, rather than
delaying the inevitable decision.

The officers' report, which recommended options for the corridor and was
signed off by senior staff, identifies a huge number of areas where there
is insufficient information to enable a decision to be taken.

She says though motorway supporters know that almost two thirds of
Aucklanders are opposed to the project, they are desperate to delay a
decision until after the local body elections because they are terrified
they will be kicked out. Chris Fletcher says that given that this council
is the largest territorial authority in the country, it needs to take its
statutory obligations seriously. The Eastern Corridor under the current
council is an embarrassment in terms of the unprincipled political
interference in process, she says."That this committee is even considering
the issue in the absence of critical information is a disgrace -
particularly when you consider the concerns associated with the absence of
details on the funding and cost of the corridor." "This project is not
even designated as a significant regional infrastructure project. This
raises issues as to the ability and capacity of Auckland City to obtain
Transfund subsidies for what is currently regarded as a local road
project. There is still no clarification as to where the long-term
funding of the corridor sits in the strategic documentation for Auckland
City." "It's also absurd that Banks has got this far with the project
without even having had a detailed environmental or heritage impact
assessment undertaken."

Chris Fletcher has actively promoted public transport solutions and
opposed the Eastern Motorway for the past 15 years. She says it is clear
that is what the vast majority of Aucklanders want. "I identified most of
the issues requiring further research back in 2001. Here we are again
today, three years later, with council officers still recommending that
these same issues require answers."