Ratepayers will foot Auckland traffic bill, says National MP

By BERNARD ORSMAN


The Government will pass the cost of fixing Auckland's transport woes on to ratepayers and road users through petrol taxes, tolls and higher rates, says National's deputy finance spokesman, John Key.

The Helensville MP said that if the Government was serious about fixing Auckland's traffic congestion, it would have to spend a lot more than the $50 million to $100 million a year which he believed Finance Minister Michael Cullen would chip in.

"All the vibes are that the Government will seriously underfund the issues and pass the buck to a new transport body on the basis Aucklanders are so desperate for a solution that they will accept the trifecta of rates increases, petrol tax and tolling," said Mr Key.

The Government will unveil its masterplan for solving Auckland's transport problems on December 12. The plan will include ways to address a shortfall of $4.3 billion to $5.4 billion over 10 years, and details of a new transport body.

A spokeswoman for Dr Cullen said people should wait for the announcement. She had no comment on Mr Key's claims about the level of Government funding.

Last month, the Herald reported recommendations from Auckland and Government officials which included a national petrol price rise of up to 15c a litre, a 5 per cent increase in rates and a Government contribution of $430 million over 10 years.

The Government ruled out a 15c a litre petrol price rise but left open the prospect of a smaller increase.

Work done by Auckland and Government officials shows the cost of completing Auckland's roads and public transport within 10 years is between $8.5 billion and $9.6 billion, but there is committed funding of only $4.2 billion.

Mr Key said the 4.7c a litre petrol increase last year, a further increase of 10c a litre, a 5 per cent rates rise, tolls and money from Infrastructure Auckland would add up to about $3 billion - leaving a big shortfall.