Funding body to pay up for ferry terminals

By CATHY ARONSON

Funding for the $35 million spruce-up of Auckland's ferry wharves will be approved today after the region's councils agreed on who would own them.

Two weeks ago funding agency Infrastructure Auckland delayed paying the councils, who want to buy six wharves from Ports of Auckland and develop 13 to entice commuters on to public transport.

The North Shore City Council wanted to own its three - Birkenhead, Devonport and Northcote Pt - instead of the Auckland Regional Transport Network (a local authority trading enterprise, or Late), as agreed to by Auckland, Manukau and Waitakere.

Infrastructure Auckland would not pay the funding until the councils agreed on ownership.

Last week, the councils sent Infrastructure a letter agreeing that North Shore would own its wharves but allow the Late to manage them.

North Shore would receive a separate $2.04 million grant to buy the wharves and the Late would receive between $28.2 million to $30.3 million to buy and redevelop the downtown, Half Moon Bay, Orakei and Gulf Harbour wharves and upgrade the North Shore wharves.

The Infrastructure board was due to decide how much it would give at its meeting today.

Infrastructure Auckland transport manager Geoff Goodwin said it supported the project because it would increase passenger numbers and become self-sustaining.

"It will give an enhanced, consistent travelling experience on an integrated network."

The project would not need more money from Infrastructure Auckland or the ratepayers, he said.

But the councils might face a $1 million shortfall - resulting in fare increases - and have asked the regional council for a subsidy.

Auckland hopes to have parts of the downtown wharf upgraded before the America's Cup. Plans include pedestrian cover, new toilets, electronic timetable displays and loudspeaker announcements.

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