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This round table discussion in Silverdale last week could be the start of something big for Penlink.
The building of the Penlink Rd is about to receive a boost from business heavyweights.
Last week, on July 28, the Hibiscus & Bays Local Board hosted a meeting of Silverdale and Whangaparaoa businesses so that Michael Barnett, chief executive of the Auckland Regional Chamber of Commerce & Industry, could hear their views.
The focus on Penlink was clear, with a large map of the route displayed on the wall. Currently, the building of the $384 million road between Whangaparaoa and Redvale has been deferred, with no public investment before 2025-45.
Seven representatives of local businesses attended the meeting, including The Plaza manager Anne Murphy, representatives of Foodstuffs and Top Harbour’s development consultant Michael Webb-Speight along with local board chair Julia Parfitt and members Janet Fitzgerald and Lisa Whyte.
Mr Barnett acknowledged that to date, the focus of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce has been south of the harbour bridge, although its region extends from Pokeno to Warkworth.
He said as well as discussions with Mrs Parfitt and Mrs Fitzgerald, Auckland Transport (AT) had also briefed him on Penlink. “I’m here to get your views so we can look at how to bring some horsepower to what you are doing,” he said.
Mr Webb-Speight said a major problem is that the figures used by Auckland Council and AT for modelling related to Penlink date from the 2008-12 period and show no projected growth in Whangaparaoa.
Mr Barnett said that making progress would require “spending some money” and a united approach on behalf of the business community. He said the first step is to hire consultants to come up with current figures and projections.
“If we are going to do it, we need to do it with the business community behind us so we have one voice, one pool of money and one set of facts,” he said. “The Chamber has already got the connections into NZTA and the Minister’s office, so I think we can do it.”
Member Fitzgerald, who has lobbied for Penlink for many years, said she is excited, calling it a breakthrough.
