Dominion Road Business Association

PRESS RELEASE

DOMINION RD BUSINESSES WANT CERTAINTY - NOT POLITICS

For immediate release – 31 October 2016

The Dominion Rd Business Association has today called on both the National and Labour parties to stop playing politics over the future form of mass transit along Dominion Rd, saying that businesses along the 7km iconic strip want certainty over what transport will look like over the coming years, not political posturing.

Business Association Manager Gary Holmes says the recent announcement from Labour about fast tracking light rail to be operational within 10 years, and the comments from Prime Minister John Key today that buses could be a better option, are only serving to confuse the long suffering businesses along Dominion Rd.

Various concepts for Dominion Rd have been put forward over the past 20 years including 24 hour bus lanes with no on-street parking, then a complete widening of the road with peak-hour only bus lanes through to light rail with no on-street parking.

In 2014 the plug was pulled at the 11th hour on widening and creating continuous peak hour-only bus lanes down the full length of Dominion Rd because light rail was deemed the new weapon against burgeoning congestion on the road.

This was after two years of consultation between Auckland Transport, business and property owners about the project which included much needed upgrades to the three commercial centres along Dominion Rd.

Mr Holmes says the uncertain future for Dominion Rd has been a constant source of worry and confusion for businesses and landlords alike, holding back any significant investment in the area.

It’s time that Mayor-elect Phil Goff, Auckland Council and Auckland Transport work constructively with political parties across the political divide to come up with a definitive answer for mass transit in Auckland.

“We look forward to working with all stakeholders to ensure that Dominion Rd is once again a truly iconic shopping strip”, Mr Holmes said.

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