Targeted rate spending outlined

Just over $7.5 million raised through the Rodney Local Board targeted transport rate has been spent on buses and bus stops, footpaths and two park and ride projects.

Up until the end of June this year, just under $13 million had been collected through the rate – $1.2 from the Wellsford subdivision, $5.2 from Warkworth, $5.3 from Kumeū and $1.1 from Dairy Flat. This leaves a balance of $8.7 million.

An Auckland Transport report to last week’s Board meeting, recorded that 6.01 per cent ($454,338) was spent on bus stops, 17.5 per cent ($1.3m) on park and rides, 70.1 per cent ($5,295,095) on buses, and 6.2 per cent ($475,512) on footpaths.

No information was provided on bus patronage.

The targeted rate was introduced in July 2018 and is expected to raise nearly $48 million over 10 years.

At the Board meeting last week, Wellsford representative Colin Smith asked who would pay for the upkeep of the Warkworth park and ride once it was up and running – would it be the Board?

Board chair Phelan Pirrie said it would go back to Auckland Transport, just the same as building a footpath – “as we’ve been discussing for three years”.