Infrastructure New Zealand says the Government’s new light rail establishment unit represents an opportunity to rethink the wider transport and development vision for Auckland to tackle congestion, carbon and housing affordability challenges.
Infrastructure NZ policy director Hamish Glenn says unit is working on an “ambitious timeline and the new minister deserves credit for moving quickly to address questions over the future of the project”.
“Early clarity will be important for the financial community in particular who will need to understand what the Government’s appetite is for private sector involvement.
“Essential to the success of the unit and its ability to develop a project which endures political cycles will be a broad mandate which answers major outstanding questions about the future growth and development of Auckland.
“Recently released ATAP analysis found that congestion and carbon emissions both worsen under current transport plans and there remains no evidence that housing can be delivered at a price point Aucklanders can afford,” Glenn says.
He says there are a number of questions which need answering and this includes:
- What is the transport network that Auckland needs to be a competitive, equitable and sustainable economy?
- What does a transport system which achieves a net zero carbon New Zealand in 2050 look like?
- Where and when will competitive land supply which enables affordable housing be unlocked?
“If the establishment unit can answer these questions and demonstrate that light rail between the city centre and Mangere is an essential component then public concerns with the project will quickly dissipate.
“This project is a test case for the future of integrated transport and development in New Zealand.
“Other major cities in New Zealand will be watching the progress of the unit closely as will the domestic and international infrastructure sector,” Glenn says.
