Media release

North Shore City keen to hear more

April 26, 2007

North Shore City Council supports increased funding for passenger transport throughout the Auckland region and is seeking more information about how and where proposed regional fuel taxes would be allocated.

Mayor George Wood is speaking with his regional colleagues about the scheme which may add 10c a litre to the cost of fuel in Auckland to help bridge the funding gap for a long list of transport projects.

The electrification of Auckland’s suburban rail system is on that list along with various ferry and bus-related projects.

Mr Wood is keen to see a fair allocation across the region and transport modes.

“Reports of the regional fuel tax have attracted a great deal of speculation since the news broke,” he says, “but we now have to get around the table and discuss this in an informed and proper way.”

George Wood says his city is happy to pay its way but its residents and business people deserve to share the benefits of their increased investment in transport.

“Our people are naturally asking what benefit they can expect to see from the extra levy they will be asked to pay.

“North Shore City is a large and important part of the attractiveness and economic vitality of the region. We’ll want to be convinced that there is a fair allocation from the overall pool of funds to transport improvements that benefit the Shore,” he says.

In its draft 2007-08 Annual Plan, North Shore City is budgeting to spend 19c in every dollar of rates on transport, with $57.6m invested in new transport capital projects.

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