My Account
Rodney MP Mark Mitchell confirmed today that all appeals against the construction of the Matakana link road have been dropped.
Earlier several landowners had appealed to the Environment Court objecting to consents granted to Auckland Transport and the NZ Transport Agency to construct the road.
Appellants variously complained that construction plans would adversely affect the future use and development of their land, generate adverse effects on the environment and gave insufficient consideration to alternative routes.
Following mediation, appellants began to withdraw their claims. Mr Mitchell says the final one, which related to concerns surrounding a culvert, was resolved during an hour-long meeting in his office.
Mr Mitchell says the dropping of appeals opens the door to begin construction of the link road in earnest and he holds out the hope that it can be completed before the Puhoi to Warkworth motorway opens. There are widespread community fears that if the motorway opens before the link road, it will create traffic mayhem.
But Mr Mitchell acknowledged that funding construction of the link road following the Covid-19 shutdown will be a major challenge, with local government revenues severely impacted.
“Fundamentally, central government is going to have to step in. They have made an announcement around a big infrastructure funding package. My expectation is that our local infrastructure projects, which are ready to go, will get central government backing.”
Rodney Councillor Greg Sayers confirmed that the Covid-19 crisis was having a major impact on Auckland Council revenue, noting that only 40 per cent of the Council’s income came via rates. The other 60 per cent was made up from fees, fuel taxes and licences, all of which had dropped significantly. This put Council projects in jeopardy.
Cr Sayers said Council was yet to meet to discuss which projects it would submit to the Government for infrastructure funding. But among those being considered were the Matakana link road, the upgrade to the Hill Street intersection and a region-wide road sealing programme.
A finalised list will be presented by Council to the Government by April 14.
The Matakana link road will link Matakana Road to State Highway 1 and is intended to better manage increased traffic volumes as Warkworth continues to grow.
