Onus to pay on ratepayers

By STUART DYE transport reporter

Ratepayers will foot the bill if the Government fails to stump up cash to unclog Auckland's roads.

Transport chiefs yesterday unveiled the region's strategy for the next 10 years - the blueprint for Auckland's transport infrastructure.

But unless the Government puts its hand in its pocket - or provides the legislative powers for taxes on motorists - ratepayers face year-on-year increases.

As the ratepayer revolt against the ARC gathers momentum, council chiefs admitted yesterday that gridlock could be relieved only if "Aucklanders are prepared to share the burden of the cost".

The strategy, released yesterday in the council's city chamber, says that major roading and public transport projects are hamstrung by funding shortfalls.

It describes congestion charges as most likely to be the best long-term solution.

But until this is approved, it proposes short-term measures, such as regional fuel taxes and road tolls on new highways, as funding sources.

However, speaking at the opening of Britomart last week, transport minister Paul Swain told the Herald that these proposals had been dumped from the upcoming Land Transport Management Bill.

They would be on a separate bill in the pipeline, he said.

Catherine Harland, chairwoman of the ARC land transport committee, said that Aucklanders must be prepared to bear a share of the cost.

Rates would have to be increased and, when a limit was reached, transport projects would be put on hold.

Ms Harland was unable to say how high the increases would go before that limit was reached.

But the ARC's financial forecast indicates rates for transport could almost double to $110 million in the next seven years.

"For decades the region has dreamed, schemed and planned improvements, but typically not put these into action. Aucklanders now face the effects of that failure on a daily basis," Ms Harland said.

"If we want to improve infrastructure and services then the reality is that it has to be paid for."

It plunges the state of Auckland's transport further into limbo as local politicians and transport bodies await a Government statement on solutions for the unfinished network.

Auckland's mayoral forum has been in talks with Wellington officials to come up with a plan.

Mr Swain refused to be drawn yesterday on the nature of the discussions but last week gave another hint that the Government would borrow millions of dollars for a handout to the region.

A "creative" plan to repay the cash was in the pipeline, he said.

The 2003 Auckland Regional Land Transport Strategy lists major infrastructure projects, their estimated timing and costs.

Partners in producing the report include the region's councils, Transit, Transfund, Police and the Land Transport Safety Authority.

Big plans

$5b is needed to complete projects ready to start in the next two years, but there is a $2.4b shortfall.

* Priority projects under the Regional Land Transport Strategy: Mt Roskill extension. Hobsonville Deviation. North Shore Busway/Esmonde Rd Interchange. Manukau extension of SH20 to SH1. Waiouru Peninsula to SH1 connection. Albany/Puhoi motorway. Newmarket Viaduct. Weiti River Crossing and connection to SH1. Grafton Gully extension to SH16. Greenlane Interchange. Harbour Bridge to city (viaduct or tunnel).

* The strategy says money can be raised by:

Congestion charges. Regional fuel taxes. Road tolls. Government handout. Infrastructure Auckland debt-servicing grant. If these fail to come to fruition, rates increases will help meet the deficit.

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