Getting Auckland back in charge of Auckland’s Transport Projects.
Auckland’s system of planning transport is broken and is in desperate need of fixing.
It’s too complex, with too many parties involved and is not properly joined up. The Ministry of Transport, Auckland Transport, Waka Kotahi, Kiwirail, Auckland Light Rail, City Rail Link and more all have a say.
Agreements made between the council and the Crown, including the mayor and minister can be contradicted and re-litigated every step of the way. So, we announce grand plans every three years as part of ATAP only to see them ignored.
Politicians are elected to set direction, but in Auckland we have no real say over which transport projects proceed and which do not. I don’t need to remind anyone that this is a major source of frustration for Aucklanders.
I’m proposing two ways of fixing this.
Firstly, a joint-committee with government to agree an Integrated Transport Plan for Auckland which will agree direction for transport in Auckland and ensure major projects are coordinated. This provides a statutory basis for some of what is being done anyway – the ATAP process and the integrated plan. It isn’t only about projects, but also about funding, revenue and governance.
Secondly, the Regional Land Transport Plan needs to be developed and approved by Auckland Council, rather than by a committee largely comprising of Auckland Transport board members.
Of course, Auckland Transport needs to be closely involved in that. Their expertise is important and we will work constructively with them in delivering a better system. But it must be for us as elected members to approve the final plan.
I intend to lobby all political parties for this necessary legislative change and I’ve made good progress on that already.
However, council also needs to step up and take initiative. Councils have the power to introduce legislation as a local bill which we should make use of where appropriate.
I’m proposing that staff work up a local bill over the next month to bring back to the governing body for our consideration.
After some further discussion, I am also proposing a few additional resolutions which I have put forward here and ask that they be accepted as a Chair’s recommendation. This reflects our intent to work with AT in developing the solution and in getting a change in approach underway in the meantime.
The legislation would also mean that Auckland Council will lead the preparation and approval of the Regional Land Transport Plan, just like all other councils do. The council will then have some control over the crowd of bodies with a say and it will lead to Aucklanders deciding our transport options, not bureaucrats in Wellington. (Wayne Brown)
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Published: August 2023
Mayor of Auckland www.facebook.com/WayneBrown4Auckland