Media Release: Council Candidate calls for visitor surcharge to pay for Island Infrastructure

Witha near 700,000 tourists travelling to Waiheke each year the island is suffering from poor self-governance and infrastructure to manage a tidal wave of change. With just $100,000 available each year the Waiheke Local Board it’s unlikely to be able to deliver on its community objectives in the near future.

Waitemata & Gulf Council Candidate Rob Thomasis supportive of a small surcharge per tourist travelling return to Waiheke on the ferry. Mr Thomas would like to see this fund earmarkedas an infrastructure fund for the Waiheke Local Board to administer.

Mr Thomas said "Waiheke Island has had a raw deal under the Super City and the island needs to take control of its own future.”

“Tourism is both a blessing and a challenge for Waiheke. It's important not to scare-off the golden goose. However, a minimalsurchargefor visitors to the island is a fair price to pay for visiting one of the top ten islands in the world."

Depending on seasonality, it's estimated that the fund could generate between more than a million dollars per year which will assist the island achieve its community objectives.

As a keen conservationist Mr Thomas has visited the Galapagos Islands where there was a US$100 surcharge that all 400 visitorsthat arrived each day.

"Waiheke Island should not underestimate the value of itsbrand internationally and the importance of re-investing in the islands infrastructure."

"Waiheke Island is subjected to Auckland Transport'sprocurement policywhich is unreasonable for an island with a limited budget. A targeted fund like thiswill allow the island todetermineits own future while not creating barriers for local residents."

Mr Thomas would like to see the levy beingimplemented in 2017 to start supporting the newly elected Local Board but is realistic that the project would need collaboration with local MP Nikki Kaye.

"A dedicated fund would allow the Waiheke community to be more aspiration about its long-term vision for the island from 2017. It should also consider how tourism is delivered in a sustainable way to manage the onslaught oftourists and the possibility of controlling visitors to the island.”

Mr Thomasbelievesthat Waiheke doesn't want to be in a situation like Santorini Island in Greece where many cruise liners turn up each day. Mr Thomas believes Waiheke needs to protect its unique identity and start implementing changes now.

“An additional million dollars per year would be a game changer for the island and much urgent upgrades to unsealed roads, footpaths, failing septic tanks, cycleways, a swimming pool along with considerable ecological restoration works could be carried out.”

“A dedicated fund would allow the community to be much more aspirational beyond a three year plan and towards greater targets such as being the first community to go fossil fuel-free.”

Outside of Waiheke Island Mr Thomas wants to deliver Auckland a fossil-fuel free public transport network by 2030. The first action he wants to see implemented is delivering Auckland’s first electric bus and electric ferry service.

"Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time and its adverse impacts undermine Auckland’s ability to achieve sustainable development. Auckland needs to start investing in clean technology within our community."

Mr Thomas is a young and rising star of the Waitemata Local Board. He has spent two terms serving on the Waitemata Local Board as an independent. Mr Thomas has strong links to Waiheke Island having grown up on Onetangi Beach but now lives on Shelly Beach Road in St Mary’s Bay. Rob's parents still live in Onetangi.

"It has been a great pleasure to represent our community on the Waitemata Local Board but now is the time for a major sea change. Auckland faces a bright and healthier future which involves a focus on the environment, technology, and we need to create a sustainable investment plan in transport and housing."

Mr Thomas first started his community service as the Chair of the Auckland Youth Council and working on the Britomart Train Station project. Since then, he has working in strategy for the City of Westminster in London and Wellington City Council, culminating in his experience on the Local Board. Mr Thomas is a keen cyclist and has cycled across the Rocky Mountains in Canada, through Switzerland and around the Mediterranean Coast in Italy.

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