Battle lines drawn over planned transport law

By STUART DYE

Environmentalists and roading groups are at loggerheads over possible changes to new transport legislation.

The Land Transport Management Bill is being considered by select committee before it goes to Parliament in September.

It will make fundamental changes to the way land transport is funded and managed - as well as establishing a generic framework for controversial road tolling schemes and allowing for public-private partnerships.

In an aggressive campaign for changes to the bill, roading groups have taken out full-page newspaper adverts to garner support.

But supporters of the bill have hit back with a fresh campaign to prevent the proposed legislation being watered down.

The Green Light Campaign, started in Auckland, is a coalition of groups who support "the sustainable and integrated approach to transport" contained in the bill.

Spokesman Roland Sapsford, a Green Party researcher and former candidate, said the campaign was begun because of concern over sustained, extreme and unbalanced criticism from the roading lobby.

"Green Light believes the whole country will benefit from the more balanced and democratic approach to transport planning and funding contained in the bill," he said.

"Our health, our environment and our economy all depend on doing things differently in transport and this campaign gives people the chance to tell politicians that they are on the right track."

The bill, representing the biggest change since the late 1980s, changes the purposes, roles and funding framework of land transport agencies to provide an integrated approach to transport.

Funding provisions are also being rejigged to give more flexibility to pay for projects other than roads, such as rail, public transport and to promote cycling and walking.

If approved, other public organisations, including rail bodies, will also be able to receive land transport funding.

As long as the Government agrees with its proposal, a regional council will be able to fund, own and operate public transport infrastructure and services.

Supporters of the Green Light campaign include the Cycle Advocates Network, Rail and Maritime Union, Campaign for Better Transport, Campaign for a Better City, GreenFleet, Bike Lanes in Paradise, the Green Party, and Stop the Eastern Motorway.

They are up against opponents of the bill including Business NZ, the AA and forestry industry leaders.

They argue that the bill will:

* Take money needed for roads and spend it on other things.

* Remove the "efficiency test" for transport funding and subordinate it to other factors such as social and environmental issues.

* Require onerous consultation that will let pressure groups stop many roading projects.

* Make it impossible for private money to fund roads through public-private partnerships.

At a glance

The bill: The Land Transport Management Bill.

Supporters say: It will lead to more balanced and democratic decisions on transport.

Opponents say: It will block much-needed new roads.

What happens next: The Bill has been referred to the transport and industry relations select committee for consideration; voting will take place in the third week in September.