Ross Jami-Lee: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers Questions to MembersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeRoss Jami-Lee: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members[Sitting date: 10 February 2016. Volume:711;Page:8834. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]3.JAMI-LEE ROSS (National—Botany) to the Minister of Transport: What announcements has the Government made recently setting out its commitment to the City Rail Link project in Auckland?Hon SIMON BRIDGES (Minister of Transport): The Prime Minister recently announced the Government will work with Auckland Council to bring forward the business plan and formalise our funding commitment from 2020 for the $2.5 billion City Rail Link project. The council has indicated this would allow construction of the main works to start in 2018 at least 2 years sooner than currently envisaged.Sue Moroney: Is that a definite?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: A number of important and complex issues still need to be worked through with the council. But I am confident we will be in a position to finalise the business case later this year. Sue Moroney I look forward to your first question.Jami-Lee Ross: Why has the Government decided to bring forward the business plan for the City Rail Link and formalise its funding commitment from 2020?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: The Government has been very clear that we would consider an earlier start if Auckland’s rail patronage and central business district employment hit certain thresholds committed to by the Auckland Council. Strong growth in rail patronage since 2013 means the 20 million annual trip threshold will probably be met before 2020. We also want to provide certainty for other planned central business district developments affected by the City Rail Link. All of this means we see real merit in working to formalise our funding commitment from 2020 allowing the main construction works to start as soon as 2018.Jami-Lee Ross: How will the City Rail Link project benefit Aucklanders?Mr SPEAKER: Order! If I have to start specifically mentioning people who will be ejected from the House if they continue this barrage I can do so.Hon SIMON BRIDGES: The City Rail Link will be one of New Zealand’s largest ever transport projects with an estimated cost of around $2.5 billion. When completed it will double the capacity of Auckland’s rail network provide two new stations in the central city and benefit commuters whose travel times will be reduced significantly. For example Auckland Transport estimates that a commuter travelling between Henderson and the planned Aotea station will save on average 17 minutes per trip. The Government’s recent announcement also provides more certainty for large-scale projects like the $350 million NDG Auckland Centre and the $680 million Commercial Bay tower. Both of these projects will pump renewed investment into the central business district as well as creating new jobs. I am proud to be part of the “infrastructure Government” that is really bringing projects forward.David Seymour: What percentage of total trips made by Aucklanders each year is 20 million?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: I could not give the member a percentage. But of course at about 14 million in the last year that is a very significant—indeed exponential—rise in patronage by rail in Auckland. And I think most would agree that is a very good thing.Rt Hon Winston Peters: Tell us Minister at the end of this plan how long will it take for a commuter by rail from Whangarei to get to the central business district of Auckland when the rail is down to under 5 kilometres an hour in numerous places right now?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: They will travel by an incredibly impressive road that we are procuring at the moment.Sue Moroney: In response to that answer has he seen reports this morning of a 17-kilometre gridlock on that road he just talked about the Auckland motorway and has he also seen the Radio Live poll conducted yesterday where 90 percent of those participating want commuter train services between Tauranga Hamilton and Auckland? Does this not show that his “maybe might be” reheated announcement on the City Rail Link is out of touch with what Auckland needs: a firm commitment on now? [Interruption]Mr SPEAKER: Order! Any of those three supplementary questions.Hon SIMON BRIDGES: I did see obsequiousness practised by the member with Duncan Garner yesterday on Radio Live but what I can say is that accidents do happen. That does lead to congestion on some occasions but that is true across all modes whether it is road or rail.