10. Question No. 10—TransportCHRIS BISHOP (National—Hutt South) to the Minister of TransportQuestion No. 10—Transport10. CHRIS BISHOP (National—Hutt South) to the Minister of Transport: Does he stand by his statement of 16 May 2019 when announcing the Let's Get Wellington Moving transport package What we have said in terms of the Mt Victoria tunnel and we considered this very carefully where we have landed on this is that the work on an additional Mt Victoria tunnel would happen towards the end of the first decade" and is this still the case following the Wellington City Council election results?Hon PHIL TWYFORD (Minister of Transport): After years of stagnation Let's Get Wellington Moving is a groundbreaking opportunity to give Wellington rapid transit to ease the gridlock and tackle climate change. It was supported unanimously by all the councils in the region. The public feedback on Let's Get Wellington Moving noted that the majority of people believe that Wellington cannot add to private vehicle infrastructure provision and expect reduced congestion. More roads will result in more cars. Alternative approaches are sought. We are taking a balanced approach and integrating the roads and the motorways with public transport walking and cycling and rapid transit which is the only lasting solution to congestion. So to both parts of the question yes.Chris Bishop: Will he discuss re-sequencing the Let's Get Wellington Moving. transport projects with Mayor elect Andy Foster in light of the defeat of Labour mayor Justin Lester who he agreed the transport package with in the first place?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Well once the Wellington City Council has met and discussed its position on this once the Greater Wellington Regional Council has met and elected a chair and discussed their position on this I'll be more than happy to meet representatives from both councils to discuss a way forward on Let's Get Wellington Moving.Chris Bishop: Why is the second Mt Victoria tunnel scheduled to be built after 2029 and after mass transit has been delivered when officials recommended the opposite?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Well the member will know from the voluminous documents that were proactively released on Let's Get Wellington Moving that the decision was made to prioritise rapid transit public transport improvements and walking and cycling because that's what's needed to ensure that this city gets a 21st century transport system that tackles climate change and encourages people out of single-occupant vehicles and into other modes of transport. That's why we've prioritised those things over adding additional roading capacity but I will remind the member that actually sorting out the Basin Reserve intersection and building a second Mt Victoria tunnel are funded components of the plan.Chris Bishop: Did Associate Minister Julie Anne Genter's letter to him of 26 March 2019 prompt him to get further advice from officials about the sequencing of the second Mt Vic tunnel and mass transit?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: Well the letter was certainly part of an ongoing discussion about the priorities and the sequencing of the Let's Get Wellington Moving project but it shouldn't surprise anybody in this House that the member Julie Anne Genter argues for public transport better walking and cycling infrastructure and modern rapid transit and on all of those issues she's correct.Chris Bishop: When will he release the 26 March letter from Associate Minister Julie Anne Genter?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: I'm waiting for the decision of the Ombudsman on this because the question of whether or not parties under an MMP Government or Ministers should be able to have free and frank exchange of views while they prepare a paper for Cabinet—that is a very important issue.Chris Bishop: What does he have to say to the 63 percent of respondents living outside Wellington City and the 61 percent of respondents living in Wellington City who supported a second Mt Victoria tunnel during the Let's Get Wellington Moving feedback process?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: I say to those people: thank you for the support that you have given through your elected mayors and councillors who unanimously supported the project because they understand actually that Wellington City's transport networks are a critically important asset for the entire region that access to the airport and the hospital are absolutely essential for people who live throughout the region and that's why they supported Let's Get Wellington Moving. Chris Bishop: If the Greater Wellington Regional Council and the Wellington City Council ask him formally to bring forward the second Mt Victoria tunnel ahead of mass transit as was recommended by the officials in the first place will he undertake to consider that request in good faith?Hon PHIL TWYFORD: I've said that I'm more than happy to sit down with both the regional council and Wellington City Council when they've had time to get their feet under the desk to elect a new chair of the regional council and to discuss their position on these matters and I've signalled that I'm very happy to discuss questions about business case processes and sequencing of projects when we have that conversation."