Fitzsimons Jeanette: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Fitzsimons Jeanette: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:617;Page:13132] 
3.  
JEANETTE FITZSIMONS (Co-Leader—Green) 
 to the  
Minister with responsibility for Auckland Issues 
: Has she received any reports on Auckland City Council proposals that would increase traffic congestion in Auckland? 
Hon JUDITH TIZARD (Minister with responsibility for Auckland Issues) 
: 
 I have received a copy of a report from Transit New Zealand discussing the potential impact on the transport network around Auckland City’s proposal to hold a V8 supercar race around Victoria Park and other Auckland City streets starting in 2006. 
Jeanette Fitzsimons 
: Does she believe that Auckland City Council’s proposals are consistent with Government policy to reduce traffic congestion improve energy efficiency reduce vehicle emissions and play our part in combating global climate change? 
Hon JUDITH TIZARD 
: The Government’s negotiations with Auckland have resulted in a package that will see over $297 million annual investment over the next 10 years which will go into public transport roading progress and roading connections. That will make a real difference to Auckland’s congestion problems. If this race goes ahead it will be expected to take about a week. While it will contribute to Auckland’s economic well-being I do not think it will necessarily improve congestion problems but it will not be a long-term problem. 
H V Ross Robertson 
: What is the Government doing for passenger transport in Auckland? 
Hon JUDITH TIZARD 
: As I have already said this Government has committed over $297 million on average each year for the next 10 years. We believe that passenger transport which will be a key component of the solution will be funded out of that. We are looking at building the North Shore busway improving bus transport ferries and trains along with improving road connections and building more roads. That will make a real difference to Auckland. 
Dail Jones 
: Is not the Minister’s answer yet another example of her failure to do anything for Auckland which is really based on doing too little far too late? 
Hon JUDITH TIZARD 
: That from a member of a Government that cancelled Auckland’s rail project in 1976 is a little rich. This Government will see good public transport and roads built which were cancelled in 1976. 
Paul Adams 
: Does the Minister agree that a high-profile central city street race in Auckland would produce enormous benefits to Auckland City such as increased revenue employment and prestige and if the current circuit is shown to have an adverse effect on traffic flows would she be supportive of an alternative route that would achieve the same benefits while mitigating the impact of traffic congestion? 
Hon JUDITH TIZARD 
: This race is estimated to bring economic benefits of over $40 million and in Australia attracts between 140000 and 300000 spectators but whether it is of benefit is a matter for the Auckland City Council. The council will have to apply for a consent and it has assured me that it will bring in independent commissioners to consider the consent process. If necessary it can go to the Environment Court. All of those issues will be and should properly be considered by the Auckland City Council. 
Jeanette Fitzsimons 
: Does she see any irony in the Government being asked for billions of dollars of special funding for the eastern highway one week and the next week the same council giving millions in interest-free loans to create a 3-week traffic jam? 
Hon JUDITH TIZARD 
: This Government has made no commitment to the eastern corridor highway. We have made a real commitment to public transport and roading projects which will address Auckland’s congestion problems. Special events in Auckland—such as the Santa parade the America’s Cup or APEC—have been managed perfectly well in the past and I am sure will be again in future if this race gets consents. 
Hon Steve Maharey 
: On behalf of myself and the member for Rangitikei would this V8 race not be better located in the Manawatu region where we would host it well look after it and it would cause no trouble to traffic? 
Hon JUDITH TIZARD 
: I understand from the promoters of this race that they are in active negotiations with the good people of Manawatu and Rangitikei. I am sure they could also run a very good race which could be an addition to the Auckland one. 
Jeanette Fitzsimons 
: Is the Minister advocating that we should have V8 races in every New Zealand town? 
Hon JUDITH TIZARD 
: As a resident of the inner-city and MP for Auckland Central I would perhaps have a different view but petrolheads may get their way for a week a year over the next few years.