Council chairwoman rejects rail attack

By CATHY ARONSON

Auckland Regional Council chairwoman Gwen Bull has defended her staff against attacks from Auckland Mayor John Banks.

Mr Banks said on Tuesday that he had lost confidence in the ability of ARC staff to deliver trains within budget and on time for next July's opening of the Britomart train station.

Mrs Bull said she was disappointed and saddened by the remarks.

"I will simply not tolerate attacks on my staff, in whom I have every confidence."

She said that although issues of funding and ownership were yet to be resolved, the portion of the rail project managed by the ARC was completely on track. The parties involved had to work together to the benefit of the region's ratepayers.

Mr Banks' comments were made after an ARC media briefing on the trains where Mrs Bull and senior transport advisers warned that the agendas of many could jeopardise the rail project.

Finance is still up in the air as Infrastructure Auckland continues to decline ARC requests to pay $166 million for the trains.

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