7. NIKKI KAYE (National—Auckland Central) Link to this
to the Minister of Transport
What progress has been made on the Western Ring Route Road of National Significance?
Hon STEVEN JOYCE (Minister of Transport) Link to this
I am pleased to report to the House that a giant step towards a fully functioning western ring route was taken today as the board of inquiry assessing the Waterview Connection project released its final decision, granting resource consents for the approximately $1.4 billion project. The Waterview Connection is crucial to completing the western ring route road of national significance. Other components are well under way or complete. The Hobsonville deviation and Brigham Creek extension project will be opened in the next few months, well ahead of schedule. Once completed, the western ring route will provide a 48-kilometre alternative to State Highway 1 around Auckland. It will help to ease congestion across the city, and it will improve travel times for both freight and people.
This is the first roading project to use the new national consenting process, and the board of inquiry took just over 9 months to reach a final decision. During this process, local concerns have been heard and mitigation measures included, such as moving the location of the vent stacks and providing additional open space. Now that the consent and the mitigation measures have been finalised, I understand that the New Zealand Transport Agency will be in a position to appoint a lead contractor, with construction starting later this year. This quick progress has saved up to a year in construction time, as well as offering significant cost savings.
David ShearerGiven that the Waterview Connection generates benefits of up to $2 for every $1 spent on its construction, will the Minister now review plans for the “Holiday Highway” north of Auckland, which will deliver only 80c for every $1 spent on its construction, particularly in light of rebuilding demands in Christchurch?
The member’s numbers are incorrect. I think that project has a 1.1 benefit-cost ratio at 8 percent, and better at 6 percent. Certainly the Pūhoi to Wellsford road is acknowledged as crucial for the development of the whole Northland region. Of course, if the member wants to play benefit-cost ratios, I look forward to his view on the central business district rail tunnel, which currently has a benefit-cost ratio on the same measurement of 0.3 or 0.4.