Resource consent for the Mill Road by-pass underlines potential benefits from better planning in Auckland

Media Release
24 February 2016

“The decision to grant resource consent for the Mill Rd bypass announced yesterday is welcome, but the impact on residents underlines the importance of proactively identifying and designating land to meet future transport needs,” says Stephen Selwood CEO of the New Zealand Council for Infrastructure Development.

“The Mill Rd-Redoubt Rd highway is essential to provide for growth in Auckland’s south, relieve pressure on the congested southern motorway and improve resilience across the network.

“The corridor has been on the books in some form or another for over a decade and it’s good to see Auckland Transport front-footing demand in the Takanini-Alfriston-Ardmore area.

“That the project will make way for thousands of new homes won’t bring much comfort to the 59 homeowners which will have their houses demolished and the 200 other households who will be affected.

“This kind of disruption clearly demonstrates the need for better planning and protection of land for transport (and other) infrastructure.

“The Auckland Transport Alignment Project (ATAP) now underway has the ability to make future forced purchases significantly less disruptive through better long term planning.

“The landmark ATAP Foundation report released last Friday identifies and agrees the most fundamental aspects of Auckland’s transport challenge.

“It shows the pressure of another million people is going to generate far worse congestion than experienced today, without the kind of mode shift to public transport many had expected.

“Officials across government and Auckland Council are now jointly reviewing plans to see if future gridlock can be avoided whilst improving transport choices for Aucklanders.

“Agreed priorities by the middle of this year should help authorities to plan for and protect future transport corridors and avoid expensive land purchases, uncertain consent processes and frustrated residents,” Selwood says.

ENDS

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