Mayoral leaders differ on transport solution

John Banks says Len Brown's ambitious railway plans will mean more debt or rate rises. Photo / Doug Sherring

A transport gulf is developing between the two main Super City mayoral candidates, with John Banks emphasising roads and Len Brown pushing for rail.

Mr Banks yesterday told an Auckland Chamber of Commerce breakfast that he wanted a fully integrated transport system, saying no other candidate had put more effort into building roads across Auckland.

Good progress was being made to complete the city's motorway network at a cost of $1.5 billion a year, he said, and in 15 years it would be finished.

In that time, a third harbour crossing needed to be designed, but it would not be built by 2025.

Rail from Albany to the airport was a good idea "but it is well out into the future".

Mr Banks criticised Mr Brown, who has promised to build an inner-city rail loop, rail to the airport and rail to the North Shore within 15 years.

"Don't kid yourself that simply making promises is going to make it happen. Don't kid yourself that by carefully uttering words like 'public-private partnerships' or 'infrastructure bonds' we have solved our funding issues.

"Private-public partnerships and infrastructure bonds mean increased rates or additional borrowing or a combination of both," said the Auckland City Mayor, who has kept rates below inflation this term but increased debt by 169 per cent from $322 million to $867 million.

Mr Brown said he was committed to significant roading projects, but as mayor he wanted Auckland to build a rapid transit system at pace - the city rail loop, rail to the airport and rail to the Shore.

"If that is not the purpose of this uniting, what is?"

Mr Brown has proposed public-private partnerships and infrastructure bonds to help fund major projects, which will also require significant Government funding.

He said his record as Mayor of Manukau was for strong, prudent management of the city accounts.

"The lowest average rates across the region, $600 per ratepayer less than Auckland City, no increases in water for the past two years, the lowest debt-equity ratio."

Another Super City mayoral candidate, North Shore Mayor Andrew Williams, is promising a new harbour crossing of four tunnels, two each for rail and road.

The rail tunnels would begin by 2018, followed by the road tunnels in 2022.

He is also pushing for rail services to Orewa, new ferry services to Takapuna, Browns Bay, Beach Haven and Hobsonville, and a maximum $2 student bus fare.