Mr Fixit picked to tackle gridlock

By BERNARD ORSMAN

Former Rodney District Council troubleshooter Grant Kirby has been appointed by the Government to sort out Auckland's traffic woes.

Mr Kirby, who is project director for the $212 million Britomart transport centre, will be responsible for making the Government's transport plans for Auckland happen.

The Government is due to unveil its long-awaited land transport strategy before Christmas.

The Herald understands it will increase funding for motorways in Auckland, allow developers to build roads on a "build, operate, toll and transfer" basis, thus freeing councils to put ratepayers' money towards motorways, and provide a new formula for setting priorities for roading projects.

At present councils can fund only local roads. The Government road funding agency, Transfund, is the source of money for motorways.

The strategy is also expected to provide more money for public transport, with a focus on more bus lanes in Auckland.

Transport Minister Mark Gosche and Auckland Issues Minister Judith Tizard will announce the appointment of Mr Kirby as the Government's Auckland transport "advocate" at a sod-turning ceremony today for the $68 million Grafton Gully motorway project.

Mr Kirby is a respected local government administrator with experience of Auckland politics and transport issues.

When the previous Rodney District Council self-destructed, the Government appointed Mr Kirby commissioner.

He not only brought calm to Rodney but left a million-dollar cushion against a rates increase.

Mr Kirby is also chairman of the Local Government Commission.

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