One body to plan all transport for Auckland
June 25th, 2009
NZ Council for Infrastructure Development (NZCID) says to overcome years of conflict between Auckland and central Govt over transport issues, it is critical a governance system which shares responsibility and accountability for funding transport improvements is put in place. CEO, Stephen Selwood, says this is why the NZCID proposes a structure with one governance agency. “An Auckland transport authority is operationally independent of the council with a board appointed jointly by the Crown and the Auckland Council would recognise the fact that metropolitan Auckland’s transport network is a cohesive system.”
Selwood argues for the system to work effectively, all of its parts – from land use development through to rail, local roads, arterials, state highways, cycling and walking – must be managed in an integrated fashion. “A joint management structure will ensure alignment of transport investment decisions with overall land use development across the city.” Responsibilities of the agency would include comprehensive transport planning and contracting delivery of transport services – road, rail, bus, ferries, as well as traffic management, transport system information and including Auckland-wide walking and cycling networks.
At the same time it would be statutorily responsible to ensure development and maintenance of the state highway portion of the roading network as well as rail network standards which would continue to be set at central Govt level by relevant crown agencies – The Ministry of Transport, the NZ Transport Agency and KiwiRail. A major benefit and advantage over establishing a department within the new council would be the removal of inter-agency conflict and a strengthened business plan to enable better value for money allocation of limited funds.
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