10. Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON (National—Pakuranga) Link to this
to the Minister of Transport
Does she support the reported comments by Auckland Mayor Dick Hubbard in relation to congestion charges for Auckland’s roads, that Auckland cannot afford to reject an idea being adopted increasingly by overseas cities; if so, why?
Hon ANNETTE KING (Minister of Transport) Link to this
I am not prepared to prejudge the review. It has gone through a consultation process up to this point. Mayor Dick Hubbard is entitled to his views. He is a member of the public, and he is entitled to express his views.
Hon Maurice Williamson Link to this
Does she believe we should be looking for leads from huge cities like London, which has a very developed roading network and a world-class public transport system, or should we be looking to emulate more comparable examples, such as Sydney and Melbourne, which are rolling out massive amounts of new roading and not even contemplating congestion charging?
I think the study, with its five options, actually is looking at congestion charging, and that is what public opinion is being sought on.
Hon Mark GoscheThere has been a lot of interest. I understand that over 900 submissions have been received from organisations, local authorities, and individuals. Everyone has had the opportunity to have his or her say. The submissions have now closed. I am sure Maurice Williamson would like to have a say on it, and may well have done so, because he has had many years of experience, first as Minister of Transport and then as Opposition spokesperson on transport.
Hon Maurice Williamson Link to this
Does the Minister think it is sensible to be even contemplating a congestion charge to try to keep people off roads, when those roads do not even exist in Auckland, and the serious problem is a network that does not exist, and what would be even more bizarre would be then to add a congestion charge to keep people off the roads that are not there?
I understand that the study found that despite major planned capacity increases in the Auckland network—for example, the Mount Roskill extension, and even the completion of the western ring route—a significant additional investment in transport has also gone in, and in 10 years’ time Auckland could have up to 20 percent more congestion than it does at present. It is a bit like the chicken and the egg. Do we start planning for how we will address the congestion? Does that start first? How do we pay for it? Or do we start by saying we will finish the roads before we know how we will do that?
David BennettDoes the Minister agree with recent media releases by both Waitakere City Council and North Shore City Council that claim there exists a pressing need to provide attractive transport alternatives, particularly public transport, prior to the introduction of road pricing measures?
I certainly believe we need to support public transport, and this study does have included in it a need to address public transport as well. But I could perhaps lead the member to a very good project that has already started in Auckland, called the North Shore busway. It is this sort of innovation that we ought to be looking at to help improve—[ Interruption] Would the member like to get on his feet and ask me that question? I will get my staff to bring down my bus ticket. I bet I have been on a bus more often than that member has.
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. Nick Smith has just made what I think was an unparliamentary comment. He insinuated something that I think he might perhaps want to reflect on, and withdraw.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
The Minister referred to travelling often on buses, and I asked whether it was a booze bus.
Madam SPEAKER
Peter BrownWill the Minister clarify the position: is it not true that Auckland’s roading problems are in large measure a result of former National Government deliberate underfunding—[ Interruption]
The member is asking a question. I have been asked to apply the rule across the board. If I did, most of the cross-bench members would be out. Please continue.
—a result of deliberate underfunding policies of previous National Governments, voting against Winston Peters’ bill in 1995, and scaling back the 2.1c that was going from the Crown bank account into the National Land Transport Fund in 1999; has that not had an adverse impact on Auckland’s roading problems?
It most definitely has. We had almost a decade of abysmal underfunding in the Auckland region. It always makes one wonder how sincere the comments now are, when a party did not invest when it had the opportunity but then weeps crocodile tears at a time when it does not think a Government has invested. This Government has invested considerably. There has been 10 times more investment in major roading projects in Auckland since we became the Government, compared with when National was last in Government.
Following from that, does the Government intend to fund the Auckland Regional Council’s $700 million shortfall in passenger transport spending, recently identified in the draft long-term council community plan?
Given that road pricing is due in 2011 at best, and that the Auckland Regional Council shortfall will delay key public transport initiatives beyond 2011, what action will the Government take to alleviate congestion of Auckland’s roading network over the next 5 years?
How then does the Minister intend to gain approval for, and implement, a road pricing scheme if key passenger initiatives are not funded?