Media Release
For Immediate Release

20 December 2002

Funding for study into work required to protect designation for Eastern Corridor

Transfund New Zealand has allocated just over $700,000 to enable Auckland City Council to do further investigation into the work required to maintain planning protection for the Eastern Transport Corridor.

The Transfund Board approved the funding at its December meeting held yesterday.

At this stage, part of the land required for the corridor is protected by a designation for a transport facility. This designation expires in November 2004.

If the designation is allowed to expire, the route will no longer have planning protection, opening the way for sale and development of affected land.

Chairman David Stubbs said Transfund recognised it was important to preserve access and maintain options for the corridor.

"The strategy study, carried out by Auckland City Council earlier this year, indicated there was a need for a transport facility in this corridor and Transfund would not like to see the planning protection on this land lapse," he said.

Mr Stubbs said Transfund is charged with getting the maximum benefit out of every dollar spent on land transport and it requires further detail before it considers spending nearly $10 million on this work.

"At this stage, we have allocated $700,000 to the Eastern Corridor project under the 2002/03 National Land Transport Programme.

"We are happy for this money to go to Auckland City Council so it can determine what further funding will be required.

"This funding will enable further work on ensuring continued protection of the existing designated route and evaluating the benefits of gaining protection for other parts of the route," he said.

The Board recognises that further funds will be required to complete the work of protecting the route.

ENDS

Transfund New Zealand is the government agency responsible for allocating funding toward an affordable, integrated, safe, responsive and sustainable land transport system for New Zealand. It funds a range of transport solutions based on funding applications received from Transit New Zealand, territorial authorities and regional councils. See our website www.transfund.govt.nz for more information.

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