Surprise at Turret Rd deal

Tauranga ratepayers have been handed a bill for the $45 million Turret Road project, according to Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee.

The $45 million is the remainder of the $100 million Prime Minister John Key promised the government will spend four-laning the Tauranga central corridor. The $55 million Maungatapu underpass is part of that promise.

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee.

In Parliament yesterday Gerry says the Tauranga City ratepayers will now pay.

'The four-laning still remains a project in the national land transport programme, but it is a low priority because it doesn't meet the funding cut off,” says Gerry in reply to a question from Tauranga independent MP Brendan Horan during question time.

'To try and sort this out, New Zealand Transport Agency has reached agreement that State Highway 2A will be revoked and will become a local road. This is programmed to occur in the middle of next year.

'When this does occur the four-laning project will become a local road, and that project will be funded from local road activity classes and subject to standard New Zealand Transport Agency funding rules for a national land transport fund contribution.

'The council has agreed to this position.”

Prime Minister John Key promised in 2008 that the government would pay $100 million towards the project, the promise specifically including four-laning Turret Road and duplicating the causeway bridge.

A supplementary question about the cycle and pedestrian access also promised by John Key in 2008 was brushed aside.

Tauranga Mayor Stuart Crosby says today he's no idea what the minister is talking about.

'The council has had no report, nothing on that at all, so I can't comment,” says Stuart.

'The elected members have had no discussion at all with Minister Brownlee. The staff may have, but we haven't. So I can't comment. I don't know what he's talking about.

'We haven't agreed to that project at all. What we have agreed to is the transfer of the road. We are going through that process, but we haven't got the project on four-laning it, that's for sure.

'That would be a multi-million dollar project that would have to go through a Ten Year Plan process at the minimum.

'What we have been doing, as most people know, is working with NZTA on upgrades around Fraser Street and some other works, but there is no four-laning project by Tauranga City Council at all.

'It will be the next step but what we have been advised the traffic modelling doesn't indicate that it needs to be happening immediately.”

It is common knowledge that the road will transfer, says Stuart. But there is no project to four-lane what will become a local road, and there is no project for a bridge at all.

'It's certainly not on our horizon at the moment,” says Stuart.

'What will more than likely happen is once it is a local road, then there is a project we would seek the 53 per cent Government subsidy, that's just standard practice.”

Former city councillor Murray Guy says ratepayers have just given the government another $60 million.

'What are we? A bank for the bloody government?” says Murray.

'We bought land out at The Lakes (about $11 million) for the NZTA. We have gifted them Route K – and we are still keeping the $63 million Route K debt. And there's at least $60 million that will be our half share of the Hairini link.

'The PM's promise was not subject to who owns the road. If you read his promise it was about the benefit to this community, not the Port. In terms of Hairini Link that was about the benefit to this community. We have been shafted as we predicted years ago.

'This has huge repercussions for our community.”

A press release from John Key in 2008.

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27 comments

Another Load of ......

Posted on 27-06-2014 13:16 | By tabatha

Tauranga after George Walsh retired as MP in 1972 had his heart for the area and since then most National MP's have made lots of promises and then ducked for cover. If the Fair Trading Act applied to Politics the people of Tauranga would have had all the promises done for them. It seems even if the promise is recorded it is worthless and we are once again the poor relations. Perhaps it is time for Tauranga to be not a National Seat but one of the other Main parties as it was a few years back and we got a harbour bridge with no tolls. The existing Toll road/s would also be free. Possibly close to 5th biggest city and busiest port and we get treated as underlings. Wake up residents and start stirring.


Turret Rd

Posted on 27-06-2014 13:21 | By sangrae

Where is Simon Bridges in all of this, No Comment again?


a critical point missed ..

Posted on 27-06-2014 13:26 | By Murray.Guy

The PROMISE was to complete the upgrade, including the four laning of 15th Avenue, Turret Rd, Hairini Bridge and the Maungatapu underpass with six years from 4 November 2008. That is the promise to this community. The dollar value at the time was estimated at $100 million. Five and a half years have passed and no spade has entered the ground, the cost estimate today would be 'no less than' $150 million! Once again this Council has ripped off the ratepayers to cosy up with the NZTA. Mayor Crosby clearly identifies that this will be funded by ratepayers if and when the upgrade is ever carried out!


Flip Flop

Posted on 27-06-2014 13:48 | By Merlin

Is this how to create a surplus hand promised funding back to the council


No surprises here

Posted on 27-06-2014 15:00 | By penguin

This arrogant government cannot be trusted on many issues. As for Brownlee, have a look at how popular he is NOT in Christchurch. Getting a straight answer from National is fanciful along with the totally arrogant manner in which members are dismissive of learned opinion of any type of expert. Heaven help us if this lot gets back into power - this is only the beginning folks!


Another broken promise.

Posted on 27-06-2014 15:20 | By dgk

So, what happened to Simon Bridges promise to get all this done several years ago?


Smiling Assassin

Posted on 27-06-2014 15:31 | By Gee9000

Another knife in the back from John Key, The Smiling Assassin !!! And all this come's out while Simon Bridges is overseas and not available to answer questions, How convenient !!!


roading tax from petrol

Posted on 27-06-2014 16:36 | By vonnie

Correct me I'm wrong, but I thought the extra tax (due on the 1st July each year)we paid for our petrol was collected by Govt to pay for roading in the area it's collected,???


Typical.

Posted on 27-06-2014 23:53 | By Garret

John Key is typical of all the high flyer businessmen: Promise one thing and deliver something else. He is only interested in John Key, and all of us who regularly pay our rates and income tax and levies etc,have to shut up and suffer. Well .... I will use my power at the next election Mr. Key, and I hope that all the other disgusted citizens will do the same. Enough is enough.


Same old

Posted on 28-06-2014 09:32 | By Chris

And once again, Welcome Bay gets shafted. Nothing new here.


Vonnie question fuel tax

Posted on 28-06-2014 09:40 | By Murray.Guy

2007/8 there was proposed an additional levy to be paid on fuel that was to be retained by the region in which it was collected for 'road purposes'. Personally, an excellent an fair methodology. The money collected was proportionate to the vehicle numbers in a region. No need for the corrupt tolling schemes and ensures all regions are supported. The Government did not proceed with this. It was messy with regions setting their own levy, rather than a set amount NZ wide.


Harini

Posted on 28-06-2014 14:34 | By Wonkytonk

So please confirm that the $$$ spent on Harini will work without Turret being done? Surely turret and 4 laning works is cheap and better outcomes. When do you last queue at welcome bay? it not that bad, if at all!


Tax

Posted on 28-06-2014 17:03 | By dumbkof2

Just like the tax that was put on when road user charges were first brought in. The govt of the day promised they would only be used for roading With all the taxes that have been collected over the years we should have the best roads in the world. Yeah right


Port co benefit

Posted on 28-06-2014 17:10 | By Bop man

This road doesn't benefit the port so why would the govt spend money on it, have you people not noticed all main roads in Tauranga lead to and from the port and forget the rest of us we're not important enough.


Totally the responsibility of Government

Posted on 29-06-2014 11:00 | By Annalist

Promises made are completely the responsibility of our Government MPs. We can ask Simon and Tony to honour them. Or in Tony's replacement Todd Muller. Then we can vote accordingly. I actually feel sorry for our Mayor and councillors who seem to have become a pawn in the government's game. I would have thought that the previous council, using any National Party type councillors, could have put pressure on government to honour promises.


Correction Annalist

Posted on 29-06-2014 20:48 | By Murray.Guy

TCC Mayor, senior staff and the NZTA have consistently undermined efforts to ensure our community received this funding and support ... and that I can promise you! A few Councillors tried many times to get the support of Mayor Crosby, his sheep councillors, CEO and senior staff, specifically requesting on many occasions meetings in the public area (Council Chambers), meetings with the Board of the NZTA and or the Prime Minister. No support was forthcoming. As to their reason, you will have to ask the Mayor. Good luck getting the truth!


.

Posted on 30-06-2014 11:30 | By YOGI BEAR

More in the category of completely bewildering.


Disbelief?

Posted on 01-07-2014 17:19 | By YOGI BEAR

I just can not believe that this is the decision of this and the previous council, where is the logic in it anywhere?


NZTA

Posted on 02-07-2014 09:50 | By YOGI BEAR

What a wonderful deal they have done, the NZ taxpayer generally should be very pleased that it has happened because they are better off by some $60-80m already and the only downside is that maybe have to pay a few dollars in 35 years time.


53%

Posted on 03-07-2014 17:45 | By YOGI BEAR

So there is a hint in there. Regardless Council will get the road, that much is agreed. Now if the widening is not done before hand then it will be left to after and so Council will then have to pay, that is certain. A 53% subsidy ex NZTA will help but even so that is still the thick end of $21m cost to TCC that TCC does not have. What is going on here?


Rorting of ratepayers

Posted on 07-07-2014 13:26 | By The Master

How about TCC tell the truth on it, that would help, just open up the books and lets see what is really happening. Skip all the dribble and communications massaging and just tell the truth in it for a change.


Nats

Posted on 07-07-2014 21:08 | By Baystyle

Pelican politicians flip flopping as usual.


Yogi. you're dreaming

Posted on 08-07-2014 00:00 | By Murray.Guy

Yogi says the ratepayer contribution will be in the region of $21 million. You are DREAMING. The estimate to complete the promise in 2008 prices was $100 million. Six years later we're talking $150 million. Deduct the underpass cost, add a few years to complete and we're exposing the ratepayer meeting 1/2 the cost of a 4 lane bridge and road, closer to $60m. However, not in my lifetime as this Council and the NZTA doesn't want 15th Ave connecting to Route K!


govt holding local govt to ransom again

Posted on 08-07-2014 10:23 | By thegoodlife

Council probably do know more but cant say anything. like with smart growth and pressure to develop land. Some serious investigative journalism wouldn't go amiss here!I do not support four lanes or the tunnel. Bigger roads are like adding petrol to fire.


BOP Man you are right

Posted on 08-07-2014 10:35 | By thegoodlife

Yep the road isn't about W-Bay community at all. Although Bill Granger has convinced the community otherwise."vote for me, i got the underpass" That is a reason not to vote for him.


Murray

Posted on 10-07-2014 21:11 | By YOGI BEAR

NZTA say they have sent a bill to TCC of $45m, NZTA also say that TCC know about it and agreed before hand. So that being the case you are saying that the bill of $45m is not the total bill that Council will be getting? Whatever the bill is Mayor Crossby says that NZTA will pay 53% of it anyway, like that makes it all ok NOT! I figured the best answer here is that TCC will be left with a whooping 47% of $45m to pay, that is about $21m. Now we all know that TCC always under estimates bills and always over estimates income so I am sure it will be worse that $21m, like you indicate maybe $70m, what ever the case TCC does not have the money, Road user charges or Petrol tax money to pay for it all anyway.


Pick and SHovel time

Posted on 21-07-2014 17:07 | By Watchdog

I guess I will get my wheelbarrow and shovel and start digging. Want to join me? Way to save money would be for Ratepayers to do this underpass thems elves. Maybe unemployed folks? Or Work scheme folks?


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