The Auckland Regional Council is obliged to produce a 30-year plan even though the body itself will be superseded in 12 months. It is opting to make hay while the sun shines, proposing public transport infrastructure be built ahead of demand “to encourage greater public transport use.” The draft Auckland Regional Land Transport Strategy 2010-2040 throws down a challenge to the Govt, arguing a continuation on the current focus on highway development will create “a significant shortfall in the funds required” for Auckland’s priority projects.

Christine Rose, chair of the ARC’s Regional Transport Committee says “there will inevitably be skepticism over perceptions that this is a ‘green’ transport strategy” because of its emphasis on public transport and responds to sustainability challenges such as “peak oil and climate change, despite the Govt’s priority of developing national roads.” The strategy includes the electrification of rail, already agreed to by the Govt, building a CBD rail loop, a rail link to the airport and new longer-distance bus connections. The all-up estimated cost of $46bn amounts to about $1.5bn a year, just shy of the $47bn forecast to be available over the 30-year horizon. Transport Minister Steven Joyce says the 30-year time frame is “possibly beyond everyone’s time horizon” and may be superceded by events. “I think the new council would want to put their stamp on it early on.”

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The National Land Transport Programme has allocated 53% of the transport budget over the next three years for building state highways, in keeping with the Govt’s policy of fast-tracking the so-called Roads of National Significance. About 19% is allocated to public transport. The ARC is calling for submissions by Dec. 18, with public hearings early next year.

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