Secrecy to shroud transport plans

Decisions affecting Auckland's transport network will be made in strict privacy under the proposed Super City legislation. Photo / Greg Bowker

The directors of the Super City transport authority will make decisions on everything from major new roads to local footpaths - behind closed doors.

The Government's third and final piece of Super City legislation excludes Auckland Transport from having to hold public meetings and issue agendas and minutes. The only time it will have to open its doors to the public is for making bylaws.

Auckland Regional Council chairman Mike Lee yesterday criticised plans for the "mega transport authority", responsible for spending more than half the region's rate take, to perform its duties in strict privacy.

"The disgraceful case of the Auckland Regional Transport Authority in demolishing the popular Kingdom St railway station in Newmarket during the Christmas holidays is, I suspect, a foretaste of what we can expect from the much larger and stronger Transport Auckland," he said.

Waitakere Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse was also critical of the public being shut out.

"What are the issues councillors are most contacted about? It is roads, public transport, cycleways, speed limits," she said.

"It is possible that decisions on major projects, such as the Waterview tunnel or proposed motorway through Onehunga, will be made by shadowy Government lackeys without any consultation with local people."

Another worry was that the Auckland Council was forbidden to deal with any transport matters unless they were delegated by the transport body.

That, in turn, would reduce the chances of local boards having any real input into transport issues in their communities, she said.

Auckland Transport will be responsible for spending about $1.5 billion a year on roads and public transport.

The Auckland Council will set the strategic direction of the "council-controlled organisation", but Auckland Transport will be responsible for transport matters right down to the location of bus stops and footpaths.

It will be run by between six and eight directors, two of whom can be members of the Auckland Council. The New Zealand Transport Agency can also appointed one non-voting director.

Local Government Minister Rodney Hide and Transport Minister Steven Joyce will appoint the initial directors.

Although Auckland Transport will conduct its business behind closed doors, it will still be subject to the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act - albeit giving answers weeks or months after any decision.

Mr Hide said council-controlled organisations did not have to hold public meetings under the Local Government Act 2002 and the provision for Auckland Transport to open its doors when making bylaws provided more public access than was the case now.

Mr Joyce said the approach taken was to ensure there was transparency of decision making around Auckland Transports' regulatory role.

This had to be balanced against the administrative burden of publishing agendas and minutes. It was a decision made by officials and further thought would be given to this issue based on submissions to the bill, he said.

"Councillors won't have time to micromanage every aspect of transport ... this is a whole new league in terms of ... size," he said last September.

Submissions on the final piece of Super City legislation, the Local Government (Auckland Law Reform) Bill, close today.