Rest of country will pay for Waterview – Hughes
May 21st, 2009
The Govt is being accused by Labour of using “smoke and mirrors” funding arrangements for completing the Waterview Connection and this will inevitably have a serious impact on the rest of NZ. Labour transport spokesperson, Darren Hughes, says, “No one in their right minds can believe that there are no funding costs associated with National’s option, as Transport Minister Steven Joyce claims. He is not only trying to con the people of Mt Albert, but the rest of New Zealand as well.”
He says if National’s motorway option, which will destroy 200-plus more homes than would have been affected by Labour’s twin tunnels, can be funded totally from the National Land Transport Fund, without any recourse to borrowing at all, then this will have an adverse impact on other roading developments around the country. “The reality is that it must have an impact, and that will become apparent when the details are fleshed out – or flushed out.”
Hughes warns Wellingtonians will find out what the Govt’s decision means when it comes to the chances of Transmission Gully proceeding, as well as people of provincial NZ such as those living in Westland, Southland or Bay of Plenty. “Regions all over the country will find out when the Government tries to hijack their unused regional funding to pay for Auckland projects.”
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