Transport in our biggest city will soon face a major shake-up as the Government strips Auckland Transport (AT) of an array of planning powers while devolving decision-making for some changes on local streets to local boards.
Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced a package of changes to transport planning alongside Auckland mayor, Wayne Brown, late this afternoon. The former said the changes would “restore democratic decision-making” over the city’s transport system.
“The existing transport governance model in Auckland is falling short of meeting the expectations of the Government, Auckland Council, and, most importantly, Aucklanders themselves,” the Transport Minister said.
“By returning decision-making power to elected representatives, we are enabling Aucklanders to directly influence the transport policies that affect their daily lives.”
Some of the changes confirmed today were signalled in a proposal outlined by Mayor Wayne Brown last month, though there remains uncertainty about how the new system would work. The changes confirmed today include:
- Designating Auckland Council as the road controlling authority across the region with final decision-making shared between the governing body, comprised of councillors, and the city’s 21 local boards – with additional powers for the latter.
- Transitioning Auckland Transport to be “focused solely on delivering transport projects and services”. Auckland Council would have six months once legislation is passed to determine its functions.
- Returning regional planning for transport to Auckland Council, including responsibility for the Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP). and Regional Public Transport Plan.
- Establishing a new statutory committee to develop a 30-year transport plan and the RLTP. The 30-year plan will be agreed to by both Cabinet and Auckland Council.
Auckland’s local boards would now have “authority over certain transport decisions such as parking policies, setting speed limits, and approval of interventions on the roads such as cycleways and pedestrian crossings in their neighbourhoods and on their local streets.
“This change ensures that transport policies have democratic legitimacy and democratic accountability —something that has been sorely lacking,” Simeon Brown said.
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown said he was “fulfilling” a campaign promise to “take back control” of the city’s transport agency.
“The changes announced today will restore local democracy to Auckland‘s transport system by removing AT’s statutory independence and giving elected members the power to make key transport decisions,” he said.
“This is the fundamental reset I have long advocated for. We can now begin transitioning AT to a council-controlled organisation focused on delivering better transport for Aucklanders.”
Transport Minster Brown said a new statutory committee, focused on strategic transport planning, would be known as the “Auckland Regional Transport Committee” or ARTC.
The ARTC would be responsible for developing the 30-year transport plan, preparing the RLTP for Auckland Council approval, and “undertaking any other functions delegated by Government and Auckland Council.”
The voting committee would comprise a chairperson, three ministerial appointees, three council-elected representatives, and one non-voting member each from NZTA, KiwiRail and the new transport council-controlled organisation.
