At the Stroke of a Pen:

Penlink Imminent?

Funding for the Penlink project has been given the green light after an announcement today by the Minister of Transport Annette King.

In a closed meeting prior to release of the 2007 budget, the minister revealed to the Mayors of Rodney, North Shore and Auckland that up to 5c from the regional fuel tax will be committed to the western ring route, light rail electrification and the Penlink project.

“This is amazing, “ said Mayor John Law “during the last two term of council we have managed to secure $600 million dollars of funding for Rodney roading projects with ALPURT, Whangaparaoa four-laning, Hill Street and now Penlink.”

The project will be the first Public/Private Partnership for a New Zealandroad and early indications are that private partner interest is high. “In the grand scheme of things Penlink is a small project for potential tenderers, but it is huge for Rodney. It unlocks a potential $2.6 billion of business land, “ he added.

The Ministry of Transport released a press statement detailing funding for Penlink through the regional fuel tax. Currently the Penlink business case is on the Ministers desk and once an order of Council has been signed off the next stage will be to go to tender.

“The announcement today came as a very pleasant surprise and it is a testimony to the work of council officers and the Penlink Nowteam. It is also a credit to Annette King and I can’t thank her enough for her support of the project,” said the Mayor.

With an 86 percent support for the Penlink project on the Whangaparaoa peninsula, this announcement will no doubt lead to a few raised glasses on the HibiscusCoast.

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