Media Release

8 April 2004

Auckland Transport Bill Confused

New Zealand First is happy to support the introduction of the Local Government (Auckland) Amendment Bill to the select committee in the hope that some of the fundamental flaws contained in the bill will be ironed out.

“Although the bill claims to improve transport governance for the Auckland region and provide better land transport and use policies, it is a confused bill,” said local government spokesperson Jim Peters.

“First, the bill confuses the planning and decision making role of the Auckland Regional Council and its Regional Land Transport Committee with the planning role of the new council controlled organisation to be known as the Auckland Regional Transport Authority. The confusion is continued in relevant clauses of the bill.

“Secondly, the role of the Regional Land Transport Committee and its representation, which was changed in the Land Transport Management Act 2003, could be severely compromised by the ability of the new committee to override the carefully prepared and analysed Strategic Plan.

“All submitters should raise in their submissions the need for the Regional Land Transport Committee to undergo its statutory duties in the preparation of the Regional Strategic Plan, and that the new proposed Auckland Regional Transport Authority be the operational body for the region in association with territorial authorities.

“New Zealand First believes that any transport plan for Auckland needs absolute clarity and certainty,” said Mr Peters.

ENDS

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