Business groups cool on latest relaunch of light rail in Auckland

An artist's impression of a light rail tram in urban Auckland. Photo / Supplied

Business groups are not overly impressed with the Government's latest attempts to get its flagship light rail project back on track in Auckland.

They agree with the need for rapid transit in Auckland, but are sceptical of the ability of the Government to deliver on the project Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern promised would start running this year.

"Labour will build light rail to Mt Roskill in four years, to the airport and West Auckland within a decade," Arden said at the 2017 elections.

Last week, public consultation began on a light rail line from the central city to Auckland Airport, but there was virtually nothing new in the material for Aucklanders to make an informed and considered view.

Instead, the Establishment Unit for light rail is setting out to build a "social licence" - in other words, public support.

Transport Minister Michael Wood has followed in the footsteps of his predecessor, Phil Twyford, and is keeping details of the project under lock and key.

This is despite the Government spending $35 million on light rail in its first term and 70 staff from Government agencies, Auckland Council group and consultants currently working on the project.

Auckland Business Forum spokesman Barney Irvine said good on the Government for trying to make a fresh start.

Transport Minister Michael Wood. Photo / Alex Burton

"But it seems that once again they're setting up shoddy processes and making promises they can't deliver on," he said.

The starting point, said Irvine, should be where is Auckland most in need of rapid transit and what form could it take?

"Instead they've jumped straight to light rail to Māngere as the answer, and now they're building the case for it," Irvine said.

Wood is defending the process and lack of detail and options in the public arena, saying the Government is delivering on its commitment to engage with Aucklanders on "this important city shaping project".

"We've had calls for the Government to involve communities and stakeholders from the get-go - we've listened and this is what we're doing," he said.

Heart of the City chief exeuctive Viv Beck does not want a repeat of Albert St where businesses have been crippled by City Rail Link works. Photo / Supplied

At a public meeting in May, Wood also said: "I don't want to be making decisions in six months that you have not heard about."

Heart of the City chief executive Viv Beck said Auckland needs good rapid transit solutions, but wants to see more information for businesses and people to have an informed discussion.

She said issues on the minds of businesses are the disruption light rail will cause and the where and how it will run through the central city.

The disturbing thing, Beck said, was the poor management of businesses affected by the City Rail Link construction works, showing a fundamental lack of respect and understanding.

"That is deeply concerning when you are contemplating another large-scale project.

Heart of the City boss Viv Beck does not want to see the disruption on Albert St repeated with light rail. Photo / Jason Oxenham

"We certainly cannot do to Queen St and the rest of the city what we have done to Albert St [where the CRL has affected businesses]," Beck said.

The Dominion Road Business Association is asking business and property owners what they think about light rail along the city's second busiest bus corridor and a major arterial road for motor vehicles, said manager Gary Holmes.

They will come up with a vision of what they think the right solution is for Dominion Rd, he said.

The association also wants to know from businesses if they will stick around or close down if Dominion Rd is chosen ahead of Sandringham Rd as the main route through the isthmus for light rail.

Holmes is happy to wait until the end of the year when the Government makes key decisions on the route, mode and delivery entity for light rail, but expects to have "meaningful engagement" in the meantime.

Wood said once the Government receives an indicative business case from the Establishment Unit, key decisions would be taken by the Government and "the next stage of the project would involve consulting Aucklanders on more detail".

Gary Holmes, manager of the Dominion Road Business Association. Photo / Dean Purcell

"I know some would have liked to have detailed discussions about things like the number of stations, but we have to get the fundamentals right with communities and not just present a predetermined view to Aucklanders," he said.

Meanwhile, a vacancy still exists on the Establishment Unit Board for a Māori representative. The Herald understands something like 18 iwi have been involved in the selection process but are unable to agree on who should sit on the board.

The other eight members of the board are all Pākehā.

In a cabinet paper, Wood said the light rail project represents a significant opportunity to make a step change in how the Crown and Māori work in partnership on major projects.