MEDIA RELEASE
Orewa, 28th July 2007.

Available for immediate publication

Penlink Tolling Strategy Adopted

Two of the remaining hurdles facing the proposed Penlink Toll Road project are coming to what the Rodney District Council hopes will be speedy resolutions.

“The Penlink Tolling Strategy, which paves the way for completion of the Order-in-Council application to the Minister of Transport to allow tolling of Penlink, has been approved by the Council, and will be presented to the Minister shortly,” says the Council’s Director of Transport, Murray Noone.

The other hurdle, government part-funding of the project, has already been overcome somewhat by the dramatic announcement in this year’s Budget that part of the new Regional Fuel Tax could be used as a contribution to Penlink.

“The Budget announcements by this government have given Rodney District the confidence to focus on getting ready for a tendering process,’ says Transport Minister, Hon. Annette King.

“My staff will work closely with Rodney once an application is made so that šthat all statutory and legislative requirements are met.š This will enable the government to consider the application without delay and enable a decision to be made as soon as possible”.

As soon as the funding legislation is adopted by Parliament, the Rodney District Council will begin the formal competitive tender process to select a public private partner to design, construct and operate the toll road.

“We are delighted to see these Budget provisions moving forward as a matter of course in the Parliamentary process and we are delighted with the progress being made on Penlink” added Rodney’s Mayor, John Law.

ENDS

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