Democracy restored to transport in Auckland
The Government is restoring democratic accountability to transport decision-making in Auckland, ensuring voters can hold their elected representatives responsible for the city's transport policies, Transport and Auckland Minister Simeon Brown, and Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown say.
"Aucklanders have become increasingly frustrated with how transport decisions are made and how little their views are taken into account," Simeon Brown says.
"Even Auckland Transport's recent Annual Report highlighted that only 29 per cent of Aucklanders feel the organisation listens and responds to their needs.
"To address these concerns, the Government will implement significant reforms to restore democratic decision-making for transport outcomes in Auckland:
- Return regional transport policy and planning to Auckland Council: Transport policy and planning functions will move from Auckland Transport back to Auckland Council, aligning with how other regional councils operate across New Zealand.
- Establish a new Auckland Regional Transport Committee: A statutory committee will be formed to develop a 30-year Integrated Transport Plan for Auckland, to be agreed upon by both Cabinet and Auckland Council. This will ensure long-term strategic alignment between local and central government.
- Designate Auckland Council as the Road Controlling Authority: Auckland Council will assume the role of Road Controlling Authority. Decision-making will be shared between the Governing Body and Local Boards.
- Empower Auckland Council to give it control over its transport council-controlled organisation: Auckland Council will retain a transport council-controlled organisation focused solely on delivering transport projects and services. The council will have six months once legislation is passed to determine its specific functions.
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/democracy-restored-transport-auckland
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