Businesses have questioned why Northland could be heavily tolled while other parts of the country aren’t.
More Northlanders, including businesses and AA members, are challenging a Government proposal to “heavily” toll State Highway 1 between Northland and Auckland.
Since the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) announced plans to toll the first stage of the four-lane Northland Corridor between Warkworth and Te Hana, residents have questioned why Northland, along with Auckland and Tauranga, will be the only places with toll roads in the country.
Northland Chamber of Commerce chief executive Leah McKerrow said the proposal was disappointing from a business perspective.
She believed Northland would be “disproportionately impacted” while other major roads, including the Waikato Expressway and Transmission Gully, were not tolled.
“Those businesses in Northland who need to travel will be impacted not once but three times if they need to travel to Auckland.
“However, most businesses understand and would probably say the most important thing is to build the road.
“The question is, however, why Northland is the only region that will be incurring these costs ... when our region, economically, is probably one of the most challenged?
“Why does the Government feel this region is the one they will heavily toll?”
The proposal includes two tolling points: the northern one would charge $1.50 and the southern one $3 for light vehicles, totalling $4.50.
For heavy vehicles, tolls would cost $3 for the northern toll point and $6 for the southern, totalling $9.
Motorists travelling the full length of the road would pass through both toll points, meaning return journeys would cost $9 for light vehicles and $18 for heavy vehicles.
Adding the existing Northern Gateway toll north of Auckland, which isn’t being removed until 2038/39, light vehicles would pay $14.20 and heavy vehicles $28.40 per return trip between Northland and Auckland.
NZ Palms owner Mike Wright, who transports plants from the Far North to landscapers in Auckland, Waikato and Wellington, said the extra tolls would make it hard work.
“It’s a standard roading improvement, therefore it’s part of what you pay for when you pay for your gas ... we shouldn’t be paying for it.”
The Northland corridor is a critical freight route, with about 1000 heavy trucks transporting essential goods daily between Auckland and Northland.
The National Road Carriers Association (NRC) wants decision-makers to consider how extra tolls add to freight costs.
The association said costs would become significant for transport operators and be passed on to customers and the wider economy.
AA senior policy adviser Sarah Geard understood people questioning the fairness of the proposed tolls.
“This is something AA members have questioned too.
“However, we are also mindful that tolling provides revenue to build roads earlier, and sometimes years earlier, than just relying on transport funds.
“The new road will be an addition to the network and give motorists a substantially quicker, more resilient and safer route.”
NZTA system design national manager Jess Andrew said the Warkworth to Te Hana route is expected to save up to 10 minutes of travel compared with SH1, as well as reducing the number and severity of crashes.
Andrew said all toll roads in New Zealand are required to have a feasible, untolled, alternative route available to road users.
“If tolled, the existing SH1 will become a free alternative route, so operators will be able to choose what is most economical for them.”
Whangārei real estate agent Hazely Windelborn, who also owns a house moving company, said he was happy with the “user pays” model.
“If you want the infrastructure, someone’s got to pay for it. That’s the price you pay for construction.
“People can always take the old road. I’m quite happy to pay because I want the comfort and speed to get to and from Auckland.”
The 26km stretch from Warkworth to Te Hana will include an 850m tunnel bored through the Dome Valley, and three interchanges, located at Warkworth, Wellsford and Te Hana.
Phase two of the 100km Northland Expressway covers Te Hana to Port Marsden, including the alternative to the Brynderwyn Hills, and phase three is Port Marsden to Whangārei.
NZTA says each new section “will be assessed and considered for tolling”.
The final decision on whether to toll each road rests with the Cabinet, on the recommendation of the Transport Minister.
Public consultation on the proposal runs until April 15 and submissions can be made via the NZTA website.
Jenny Ling is a senior journalist at the Northern Advocate. She has a special interest in covering human interest stories, along with finance, roading, and social issues.