Councils seek $40m for transport system

By JASON COLLIE transport reporter

Infrastructure Auckland was asked yesterday to pay $40 million towards Auckland's dream transport system.

Auckland City, Waitakere, Manukau, Franklin and Papakura Councils tabled a joint application to the funding body for almost two-thirds of the $65 million needed to gain access to the isthmus and western rail tracks from Tranz Rail.

Infrastructure Auckland now has two months to evaluate the deal - brokered by its chief executive Richard Maher on behalf of Auckland councils - before the settlement deadline.

The region is hoping the shortfall will be met by its plea to the Government for $35 million, with the councils only likely to put their money into setting up the rapid transport system itself, said Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey.

The deal, which transport planners hope will lead to high frequency train, tram or bus services on the city's rail corridors, is still dependent on a number of conditions, including funding. A further $2 million a year would be paid to use the North Island Main Trunk Line.

The $40 million is based on the $25 million valuation put on the western and isthmus lines and $15 million to buy the stations between Pukekohe and central Auckland, said Jeff Murray, the Waitakere senior policy analyser who co-ordained the application.

Auckland Regional councillor Mike Lee, an opponent of the deal, said yesterday that he was unhappy Infrastructure Auckland had to decide funding on a deal negotiated by Mr Maher.

"I think there's a conflict of interest there," he said.

But Infrastructure Auckland's transport manager, Roger Hill, said the application would not simply be rubber stamped, despite the importance placed on it by transport planners and the months of negotiation so far with Tranz Rail.

"It will get the full evaluation process firstly and then be fully evaluated by our board in depth," he said.

Although Infrastructure Auckland has previously looked for applicants to put their own money into projects, Mr Hill said it was not a condition for transport projects.

Negotiations on the finer details are continuing with Tranz Rail and ARC transport director Barry Mein said: "Some of the issues are quite difficult to resolve and it's not exactly plain sailing ... but both parties are motivated to do the deal."

Fears over the effect it will have on Northland's freight and tourist traffic, with Tranz Rail's access to the western line limited to the early hours, continued yesterday with Whangarei MP Philip Heatley accusing Transport Minister Mark Gosche of disinterest in protecting the region's economy.

Getting Auckland moving – Herald stories

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