Len Brown targets traffic, forecasts rate hikes

  • 11/05/2016
Len Brown targets traffic, forecasts rate hikes

Auckland Mayor Len Brown told media today it is likely rates will increase by 2.4 percent, in order to pay for the rise in Auckland's population and the growth in infrastructure needed to support it.

He also wants to sell down council assets, which he says will help lower the council's overall debt and help pay for big projects such as the City Rail Link.

Mr Brown says the council is "committed to a low increase in rate revenue", but is struggling to deal with an increase in city numbers.

The council has a $330 million portfolio, which he supports cashing in to help pay down debt or invest in new infrastructure.

"This is against the backdrop of 60 or 70 years of underinvestment and 100 years of arguing and not delivering."

He has proposed a $2 motorway toll to act as a "decongestor" for public transport, and provide a supplementary revenue stream to complement rates and taxes.

The council is continuing to invest heavily in public transport.

"We will open 100 kilometres of new cycle ways over the next two years," says Mr Brown.

Upgrades include major additions to bus ways and discussions on light rail.

The Mayor dismissed criticism of council transport planning, saying the same gridlock problems exist overseas.

"The one challenge and the one thing that is outstanding is there is never enough money. And Auckland is going to have to bite the bullet and I've been saying this to them -- and they by and large agree with me -- and put a motorway toll in place," says Mr Brown.

The Auckland Transport alliance between local and central Government is currently putting together an agreement on the next 30 years' projects and how they will be funded.

Mr Brown has rejected the idea of a road tunnel from Panmure to the CBD, which the New Zealand Council for Infrastructure Development recommended, as unaffordable.

Asked about this week's crash between a digger and a Penrose bridge on the Southern Motorway, he recommended an inquiry be launched as to whether the Higgins Group should pay reparations. He says the bridge is a "constant problem" with multiple previous crashes, and the bridge "should have been replaced a long time ago".

"[It is] too low and needs to be lifted," Mr Brown says.

The NZTA has the final word on the bridge, but an upgrade would take at least 12 to 18 months.

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