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’s infrastructure woes.
The Mayor has welcomed the Plan, which sets out how planning, funding and delivery of infrastructure can be improved over the next 30 years.
“Inflation is too high, designs standards are too high, we have over-zealous futureproofing, consent requirements add ridiculous restrictions, and there’s far too much costly bespoke design.
“We need to focus more on cost and less on world class. We just want good usable standards.
“We’ll finally be opening the CRL this year, the largest infrastructure project of its kind in the country, but it has cost a fortune.
“The Government’s own agency, NZTA, is called out about its ridiculous Harbour Crossing proposal, with the Plan warning ‘repeated investigations have yet to identify an affordable solution’”
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.
“A $9 toll, charged 24 hours a day, would not be acceptable to Aucklanders. We need a much cheaper option for a new harbour crossing”.
“In saying that, big decisions about second harbour crossings or tolling should be made together with Auckland, and not by government agencies working in secret.
“I remain focused on ensuring that both the council and government deliver better, cheaper, faster outcomes for Auckland ratepayers.
“Transport 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.”
“I 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.”