Mayor Wayne Brown says the release of the National Infrastructure Plan (the Plan) is another win for the agenda he has been pushing to fix Auckland\u2019s infrastructure woes.<\/p>\n
The Mayor has welcomed the Plan, which sets out how planning, funding and delivery of infrastructure can be improved over the next 30 years.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo be honest, I wouldn\u2019t be surprised if they took some of the ideas out of my Manifesto. I could\u2019ve written that advice myself. This Plan contains some hard truths for our infrastructure sector – and for the Government,\u201d says Mayor Brown.<\/p>\n
Mayor Brown homed in on the concerns the report raises in the approach to transport infrastructure and in particular, mega projects.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAuckland is currently in a transport funding crisis, the cost of transport projects the government has promised exceeds available funding by tens of billions,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
\u202f\u201cInflation is too high, designs standards are too high, we have over-zealous futureproofing, consent requirements add ridiculous restrictions, and there\u2019s far too much costly bespoke design.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to focus more on cost and less on world class. We just want good usable standards.<\/p>\n
\u202f\u201cWe\u2019ll finally be opening the CRL this year, the largest infrastructure project of its kind in the country, but it has cost a fortune.<\/p>\n
\u202f\u201cThe Government\u2019s own agency, NZTA, is called out about its ridiculous Harbour Crossing proposal, with the Plan warning \u2018repeated investigations have yet to identify an affordable solution\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
The Plan has even highlighted that a $9 toll for every vehicle trip across the new and old crossings would still not raise enough money to fund the project.<\/p>\n
\u201cA $9 toll, charged 24 hours a day, would not be acceptable to Aucklanders. We need a much cheaper option for a new harbour crossing\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u202f\u201cIn saying that, big decisions about second harbour crossings or tolling should be made together with Auckland, and not by government agencies working in secret.<\/p>\n
\u201cI remain focused on ensuring that both the council and government deliver better, cheaper, faster outcomes for Auckland ratepayers.<\/p>\n
\u201cTransport infrastructure is critical to the success of our city and the future of all Aucklanders, and we must make sure investment decisions are the right ones.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI expect the new 30-year integrated transport plan the council and government will be working on together, is the right forum for tackling these challenges for Auckland.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Media Contact: David Long, 027 5375 189\u00a0<\/p>\n
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