Media Release
19 May 2006

Budget Great News for Manukau

Manukau Mayor Sir Barry Curtis has welcomed the Budget which includes announcements that will impact on Manukau significantly. He says the increased funding for roading projects in the region is fantastic news.

The Government is to inject an extra $1.3 billion over five years into the state highway building programme and other transport projects, which will now be speeded up.

Sir Barry says, “A lot of this new money will be spent in the Auckland region and that’s appropriate because so many of our vitally-needed road projects have been slipping behind. We needed out blocked arteries to be unblocked and that will now happen. This new funding is going to make a huge difference.”

The Government has targeted $205 million to build a second Mangere Bridge by 2011, as part of the plan to speed up completion of the western motorway route from Manukau to Albany, via Mt Albert.

Sir Barry says, “It’s very timely. A second Mangere Bridge is a vital part of our motorway completion plans. It will also improve access to and from the airport and the new bridge is expected to be open in time for the Rugby World Cup in 2011.

“There is still a lot of work to be done before we have the 21st century transport facilities we need in the region. But I congratulate Prime Minister Helen Clark and Finance Minister Michael Cullen on making an excellent contribution to moving Auckland forward.”

Sir Barry says overall the Budget is a sound investment in social capital. “In particular I am delighted at the commitment to dealing with the causes of gang violence in parts of Manukau.” The Budget included targeted spending of $2.5 million over four years for youth and parenting programmes in Counties Manukau and neighbouring areas where gang problems emerged last year.

“It’s going to make a tremendous difference. It will allow many more youth workers to be put into the community to work with young people and help them head in the right direction.”

ENDS

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