Auckland Chamber of Commerce chief executive Michael Barnett went in, all guns blazing, last week accusing Rodney MP Mark Mitchell and Crs Wayne Walker and John Watson of not working to bring forward Penlink.
Feelings ran high at a meeting held last Friday, ostensibly to discuss the Chamber of Commerce’s submission in favour of Penlink to Auckland Council’s Annual Plan.
Things became heated when Chamber chief executive Michael Barnett put up a slide of a battle scene and claimed that when it came to building the Penlink Road, Rodney MP Mark Mitchell and Auckland councillors John Watson and Wayne Walker were “missing in action”.
The accusation brought applause from the audience of around 50 people who came to the meeting on Friday, April 28. It also brought an angry response from the councillors who then spoke about the key issue of the Council’s debt/revenue ratio, and answered questions.
Cr John Watson said that the work being done by the Chamber over the past two years, which includes surveys, lobbying and speaking with potential funders, has already been going on for at least 20 years and that the key problem remains the same – funding the almost $400 million project.
Mayor Phil Goff has said that he cannot afford to have Penlink add to the debt side of the Council’s ledger, which has taken the “public” part of any Public Private Partnership that could fund building of the road off the table.
Cr Wayne Walker said that this is why the efforts of himself and Cr Watson have been directed towards alternative means of infrastructure funding.
As tempers began to rise, Mr Barnett agreed with Hibiscus & Bays Local Board chair Julia Parfitt’s suggestion that the meeting be “a call to action” rather than “missing in action”.
He made a plea for “new ideas” for Penlink funding. His suggestions include infrastructure bonds. These attract investment despite relatively low returns because investors like the idea that money goes into infrastructure. He also mentioned a lottery run in Brisbane, which was used to fund infrastructure.
A suggestion was made that Penlink could be funded entirely by private business, taking public money out of the equation. Mr Barnett said he has raised this with the Mayor, asking him to approach Government so that the NZ Transport Agency can start the process that could allow the build to be privately funded.
The amount of residential development, as opposed to commercial development that brings local jobs, was also a theme of the meeting. Mrs Parfitt said that the local board is funding an investigation to find out “what is stopping Silverdale from developing into a business hub?” because the issue is a key concern.
MP denies ‘missing in action’ claim
Mark Mitchell sent his apologies to the meeting because he was out of Auckland.
However, he told Hibiscus Matters that he runs meetings every quarter with AT and NZTA and that Michael Barnett is welcome to attend.
“We’ve had good wins through that process, including progress on funding for Hill Street,” he says.
“I work closely with the local board and put the case for Penlink forward at every opportunity.”
