12 August 2013

Aucklanders want no further port expansion

A clear majority of Aucklanders wants Ports of Auckland to seriously look at alternatives to expanding further in to the Waitemata Harbour a new poll shows.

In addition, more than twice as many citizens say enough of the Waitemata Harbour has been reclaimed by the port compared to those who don’t believe so.

Further, eight out of 10 people in Auckland are concerned about what impact a proposed port expansion would have on city road and rail transport.

The figures are from a Roy Morgan Research online opinion poll of 924 Aucklanders conducted last week (August 7 to 9).

Alex Swney from Heart of the City business group says there is no need to rush changes into the draft Unitary Plan, particularly ones that give favour to the ports preferred plans.

“This poll cannot be ignored – clearly Aucklanders do not want to lose any more of their already meagre access to the Waitemata Harbour.

“They are saying there must be a better way and that the port and its shareholding bosses in the council need to look at long term alternatives.”

The ports plans have attracted strong opposition from iwi Ngati Whatua o Orakei.

The poll results show:

• 53 per cent of those surveyed want Ports of Auckland to look seriously at alternatives to expanding further into the Waitemata Harbour;
• 64 per cent express at least some concern about the port’s plans – 23 per cent are “very concerned”;
• more than twice as many Aucklanders (50 per cent) agree enough of the harbour has been reclaimed than those who don’t agree (20 per cent);
• 80 per cent are concerned – 31 per cent “very concerned” – about increased road and rail traffic if the port expands;
• nearly four times as many (73%) Aucklanders do not want the port to reclaim more land compared with those who say let it expand (19 per cent).
• only 11 per cent agreed the port’s plans would help make Auckland the most liveable city against 47 per cent who said it would hinder.

Further details of the poll are available here.

ENDS

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