Media Release

Wednesday, 18 May 2011

Manukau Parking Building Puts Ratepayers at Risk

Auckland Council candidate for Howick, Dick Quax is alarmed to learn that the Auckland Council is to revisit the plan to build, own and operate a multi story car park building in Manukau City.

“While I was on the Manukau City Council we learned of the desire by some council officers to proceed with a multi storey 600 bay car parking building on Davies Ave. We were advised that the initial cost would be $13.5 million and that the council would make an 'insignificant return' on its investment”.

“I am alarmed to learn that the Auckland Council in to go ahead with this commercial project and put rate payer’s money at considerable risk.

I believed at the time that this project was raised by Council staff that if there was a demand for a multi storey car park in Manukau that the private sector would make that investment. The fact that there was no interest from the private sector told me that this project would expose the rate payer to an unacceptable risk.”

“One of the issues that make this project so risky is the large amount of free parking available around Manukau City and that is why there is no interest from private operators.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media