John Banks: It'll be the chequered flag for Auckland

COMMENT

Hosting the V8 Supercar street race will be a truly global event; the opportunities and exposure for our city and country are huge.

This is as good as it gets for New Zealand. We won't have an Olympics, and the Commonwealth Games won't be returning soon. It is bigger than co-hosting the rugby World Cup, which was sadly bungled.

Let's not let another opportunity slip past, especially given that once we have secured the street race we don't have to bid for it or win it again to retain it. It will return every year for seven years.

Many people have legitimately asked how a city already congested with traffic can host a V8 Supercar street race. With the sport's governing body, Avesco, confirming Auckland as preferred host city, everyone's questions will soon need to be answered and the solutions publicly presented.

The Auckland City Council will not permit such an event if we cannot overcome the obstacles. We are confident we can, but many citizens will have a personal role to play.

Transit New Zealand has also voiced its concern and notes that any traffic planning will have to be done on a scale akin to the 1999 Apec conference. The good news is that Apec was a logistical success and we can do it again.

A lot of work is under way, including the preparation of a detailed traffic management plan. Some of the world's leading traffic management experts are involved.

At the same time the city, with the event organisers, IMG, is mounting a large and intensive public consultation programme. All Auckland residents have had an opportunity to have their say on the proposed race as part of the city's draft long-term council community plan.

We will consult closely with those who may be directly affected by the proposed Victoria Park circuit. Meetings will be held with owners, residents, businesspeople, retailers and employees.

Issues such as access, noise and any harmful environmental impacts will be worked through property by property if that's what is sought.

Six thousand businesspeople and residents around the circuit will have information brochures with feedback forms in their hands over the next few days. We encourage participation and we are committed to solving problems. The city council has had initial discussions with Transit, the police and others.

The three-day weekend event, to be held during school holidays when the traffic volume is down, will start in April 2006. The main question remains: how best can traffic disruption be minimised?

The management plan being researched and written will consist of a variety of measures to mitigate traffic congestion.

The main approach will be a comprehensive traffic-demand strategy that focuses on deterring and deferring travel to the central city, particularly on the Friday of the event. It will also encourage travel via different modes and at different times.

Striking a deal with the likes of Stagecoach and Fullers may also give car drivers an insight into just what services are available. Who knows, they might see the light and use public transport more often. I won't be holding my breath, but if free and well-organised services are available, many North Shore drivers will leave their cars at home.

I was encouraged to learn that special public transport services during the Sydney Olympics ensured that the impact of closing two motorway off-ramps for two weeks was minimal. Chaos was also avoided during the rugby World Cup in Sydney. Those traffic experts responsible for this are planning for Auckland.

Although there will be some traffic disruption in the weeks surrounding the race weekend as safety barriers and infrastructure are moved in and out of the area, the event is effectively a three-day one.

Maximising people's use of public transport will undoubtedly take the pressure off our roads but our buses have finite capacity and operators report they are already well used at peak times. More buses may simply have to be brought into the city.

Other alternatives to defer and deter travel will be promoted. These will include encouraging businesses to, in turn, encourage their employees to work from home, work from satellite offices, adopt flexitime and defer discretionary trips.

To ensure the success of the traffic management plan, we will have comprehensive and ongoing communication with the public six months before the event.

I agree with councillor Scott Milne. If Auckland City wants this event, and the majority of citizens tell us they do, we all have to adopt a can-do attitude. The hikoi trek across the Harbour Bridge proved that drivers are prepared to make alternative arrangements if they are given adequate notice. On this occasion we are giving them two years' notice.

Events don't get any bigger than this; the huge economic opportunities of the Auckland V8 International race are well-documented. Without a doubt the race will be great as we work hard to position ourselves as a global city with real heart and soul. It will be a great carnival.

The Louis Vuitton regatta and America's Cup are testimony to the fact that Auckland can host world-class events with style. If we are to add the street race to our stable, our immediate focus must be on overcoming the challenges ahead.

Over the coming months council officers, event organisers and myself are committed to coming up with solutions. That's the challenge. I don't want New Zealand to lose this magnificent event.

There will be some inconvenience but if we all rise to the challenge, it will be a chequered flag for all.

* John Banks is mayor of Auckland City.