Footpath double payments to be detailed

File photo / The Aucklander

Auckland City ratepayers are expected to learn today how much money transport officers paid out in double payments on two big footpath contracts.

The council is due to release the report of an inquiry by engineer Warren Warfield into the council practice of paying twice for some footpath renewal work.

Mayor John Banks promised the report would get to the bottom of the practice, including the extent and cost to ratepayers.

When the Herald revealed the double payments in June, Mr Banks said: "This is so serious and so damaging to the reputation of the council, its officers and my stewardship of this public business that urgency is required."

The overpayment issue and a series of revelations about management of the council's footpath contracts is becoming an embarrassment for Mr Banks as he campaigns to be the first mayor of the Super City.

Transport officers have done nothing for nearly five years to correct the double payments to John Fillmore Contractors being paid twice for footpath and kerb-and-channel work that overlaps.

It was not until June 15 this year that the council agreed on a rebate with John Fillmore Contractors for overlap work on Tamaki Drive.

Transport officers have played down the overlap problem, saying it is "pretty insignificant" and have been delivering value to the ratepayer.