Forum for Auckland Sustainable Transport
September 9, 2009
MEDIA RELEASE: Splitting Rodney bad for good transport and planning

“The Auckland Governance Select Committee’s recommendation to split Rodney in two will result in poor transport and planning outcomes for both Auckland and Northland,” says Bevan Woodward, spokesperson for Forum for Sustainable Auckland Transport (FAST). “The proposal is likely to see Auckland sprawling northward, as the Metropolitan Urban Limit (MUL) will no longer apply. This is exacerbated by the Government’s recent announcements to 4-lane the road between Puhoi and Wellsford, thus doubling its capacity and reducing commute times.”

Environmental Defence Society’s Gary Taylor considers splitting Rodney in two will put northern Rodney and its coast under enormous pressure. FAST agrees. “While oil remains cheap, long commutes seem affordable. But when oil prices inevitably rise again as the global economy improves, the cost of further sprawl will undermine Auckland’s competitiveness and cause commuters much financial pain” says Mr Woodward. “It is far more expensive to provide infrastructure, including public transport, to fringe and remote low density urban communities. Furthermore it will cause environmental degradation, with pressure on the coastal landscape and increased vehicle pollution.”

“Sprawl in northern Rodney will worsen our greenhouse gas emissions – already around 20% of New Zealand’s total emissions and our fastest growing source. The most feasible way to reduction transport greenhouse gas emissions is through greater use of public transport, however, the proposal to split Rodney undermines that option – which is further exacerbated by the Government’s decision to pull back on its investment in public transport in order to fund its new roading projects” says Mr Woodward.

“Having the right local government boundaries are crucial to planning for the future. Planning and funding to achieve more compact urban growth, and greater transport choice, are vital to containing and reducing transport emissions. Transport choice is about ensuring people have real choices about how they get to where they want to go: it requires investment in walking, cycling and public transport, as well as for the private motor vehicle.”

“The decision to split Rodney will make it much harder to achieve good transport and planning outcomes. It is a big ask to expect the Kaipara District and Northland Regional Councils to grapple with Auckland growth issue. In addition they lack Auckland’s strong ratepayer base to help fund the ongoing infrastructure needs.”

“FAST hopes the government will reconsider the Select Committee’s recommendation to split Rodney in two. The NZ Herald on 5 September acknowledges that there was ‘little support for this idea at public hearings in July.’

“We ask that the government recognises the long term economic and environmental costs of splitting Rodney in two. Having the whole of Rodney as part of the Auckland region makes good sense – economically and environmentally,” says Mr Woodward.

Background notes

Forum for Auckland Sustainable Transport (FAST) is an umbrella group of organisations and individuals who support sustainable transport solutions to meet the economic, environmental and social challenges of transporting people and goods in the Auckland region. Member groups include Campaign for Better Transport, Walk Auckland and Cycle Action Auckland.

FAST has prepared a 6 point action plan for a balanced transport system for Auckland. See:
http://www.fast.gen.nz/page/action-plan-for-auckland/

FAST has also addressed the common myths surrounding Auckland Transport:
http://www.fast.gen.nz/page/fact-sheets/

FAST spokesperson Bevan Woodward is a member of the ARC’s Regional Land Transport Committee.

ENDS

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