Viewpoint – Rethinking transport

A recent thread on social media I followed and contributed to was around the Auckland Harbour Bridge and cycle and walking access. It got me thinking … if you closed lanes to the bridge during rush hour, it would force more people on to the buses, ferries, bikes and any other alternative transport, and encourage even more flexible working options. It would bring forward the issues we will face in three, five or 10 years and maybe change the way people view transport.  The positive economic benefits of having large groups of people working in the same location is well documented and makes sense. For each of those people to be using a personal vehicle to travel to and from work is nonsense. The proposition of closing lane(s) of the harbour bridge might actually have real merit and the use for cycle and pedestrian traffic would just be a bonus. Buses need bums on seats.  Whether they are fossil-fuelled or run off electricity is secondary. Auckland Council needs to spend our rates money getting more people on the buses before spending money on batteries. The return, economic and environmental, is much higher that way. Is it time to do something now to make that change happen rather than wait?

Rural roads
Our rural road network remains a mess without enough in the forward budgets to address the long term issue of improvement and upgrading.  A small win appears that the budget for maintenance across the city will be sufficient to ensure the maintenance improves.  We will continue the work required to have more of our rural roads sealed and/or upgraded.

Rationalisation
Now and always, rationalisation of services Auckland Council provides is paramount. Auckland has grown and continues to grow at a massive pace. More housing at reasonable cost is required. And this means more services, more infrastructure. Additional funding from central government from our taxes should be forthcoming.  Until it is, the pressure on raising our rates is going to be immense and a constant thorn in all elected members and councillors’ sides.  And we really are stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Thank you
As always, a huge shout out and thank you to all of you who are involved in our communities. Ratepayer groups, societies, sports clubs, community service groups, support networks. Our community – and largely because of those of you who put so much back – is   awesome and makes living and working in this area a pleasure and privilege. Thank you.

Steve Garner, Rodney Local Board
steven.garner@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz