Transport tops residents' city to-do list

Photo / Brett Phibbs

Survey shows desire for less traffic congestion and better housing.

Improving public transport and the ease of getting around the city should be top priority for Auckland Council if it wants the world's most liveable city, says its latest annual residents' survey.

The results show the number of people who are aware of Mayor Len Brown's goal for No 1 city is rising each year - 65 per cent in the latest survey compared with 53 per cent in 2012.

The council said that in order to achieve that goal, residents believe better public transport and less traffic congestion is a must - along with more affordable and quality housing.

The results are part of an annual Colmar Brunton poll to try to measure what Aucklanders want from the council and how it is performing.

This survey concluded last September before the local body elections but was released yesterday.

Concern about the need to reduce crime was the fourth top priority mentioned as improving liveability.

The council said yesterday that it and the police were making significant progress in improving community safety in hot spots around Auckland, particularly in Henderson town centre, where a spate of violent incidents prompted three public meetings.

Campaign for Better Transport convener Cameron Pitches said the 60 per cent support for planning transport options expressed in the survey was no surprise.

He said the solution to traffic congestion lay not only with building big-ticket items such as the City Rail Link but also by cheaper works, such as extending bus lanes and bringing in integrated ticketing between bus, rail and ferries so people paid only once during a journey.

The survey also shows the council is not seen to be offering good value for rates or being accountable for what it does, with 46 per cent saying it's not good value.

Rodney, Papakura, Hibiscus & Bays and Devonport-Takapuna residents are the areas least satisfied with the council's overall performance during 2013.

Overall regard for the council improved by 5 per cent from the 2012 result of 29 per cent who were wholly satisfied.