The government announced a package of measures to improve Auckland transport outcomes. See Investing for growth - a transport package for New Zealand.
On 12 December 2003, the Government announced the 'Investing for Growth' transport package. The package announced significant new funding measures including a 5 cents per litre increase in fuel excise duty and road user charges for light vehicles and $900m Crown contribution to Auckland transport over the next 10 years. The package included new governance arrangements to establish a single body responsible for Auckland Transport issues. The funding package was the result of the work by central and local government agencies on the Joint Officials Group, established by Ministers and Mayors in May 2003.
The papers included in this information release focus on the advice and information leading to the 'Investing for Growth' package; and advice and information on the Joint Officials Group process. The information comprises:
There are some deletions to parts of papers on the grounds that the information is not relevant to the 'Investing for Growth' package or information has been withheld under section 9 of the Official Information Act.
Papers are available on the Treasury website http://www.treasury.govt.nz/release/investinggrowth/
JOG was established following a May 2003 agreement between Ministers and the Auckland Mayoral Forum to examine transport strategy and funding issues in the Auckland region.
JOG examined alternative packages to demonstrate the effect of various policy choices.
JOG identified three major interlinked constraints to accelerating the development of transport infrastructure development: "buildability" (the ability of the construction industry to increase capacity), consents and policy, and funding.
JOG's analysis led to the following three key conclusions: