Auckland’s double fuel tax hit
WELLINGTON: Aucklanders face a double whammy of fuel tax hikes of about 20c a litre if central government fuel levy increases and a regional fuel tax are brought in, but Transport Minister Phil Twyford believes Aucklanders understand the need for it.
Auckland Council is expected to introduce about 10c a litre in regional fuel taxes to pay for its share of major transport projects and the Government’s new 10year policy plan for transport proposes a further nationwide increase of 9c12c litre over three to four years.
That is to fund projects such as light rail in Auckland and other measures.
Mr Twyford said Aucklanders realised the gridlock that was happening now could not continue and it was not fair to ask those who lived elsewhere in New Zealand to pay for all of Auckland’s transport woes.
The Government yesterday released its draft 10year policy statement on land transport, the guide which sets how the land transport fund should allocate about $4 billion in funding each year.
The Government will cut the funding allocated for state highways by 11% while an initial investment of $4 billion over 10 years will be ploughed into Labour’s plans for light rail in Auckland.
The new statement sets safety as the top priority followed by access, the environment and value for money.
Funding of public transport will rise by 46% to expand the routes available and to fund subsidies for public transport.
About four times as much will be spent on expanding cycling and pedestrian pathways than under National.
The money for regional roads will double from about $90 million a year to $180 million a year in 201920 and up to $210 million for four years after that.
That comes at a cost for large motorway upgrades such as National’s policy of $10 billion for 10 further Roads of National Significance.
Mr Twyford said there instead will be ‘‘targeted’’ improvements to state highways.
It was an important step to making roads safer to reduce the road toll.
Early work by officials suggested $800 million worth of safety improvements that could make a significant difference. One of Labour’s key election policies was to build light rail from central Auckland to the airport and extend that to the central suburbs and West Auckland routes over the next decade, then to the North Shore.
Associate Transport Minister Green MP Julie Anne Genter said making it safer for people to walk and cycle was also a priority. It would provide safe cycleways separated from vehicle traffic.
Areas around schools would be a focus.
She confirmed there would be more median barriers on state highways.
Ms Genter also said speed limits on some stretches of highway were likely to change.
Regional Development Minister and New Zealand First MP Shane Jones said he was expecting some backlash from the regions because many had been ‘‘fed a line’’ motorway upgrades would resolve their problems.
KiwiRail was a key part of NZ First’s plans on better freight and tourism offerings so he welcomed its inclusion.
The Government is also considering funding coastal shipping under the fund.