Auckland Council’s move to explore seeking a law change giving it more direct control of transport planning in the city is a sign of frustration with the current system.
The amalgamation of Auckland’s eight council’s into one in 2010 deliberately kept the delivery of transport, and all but the highest level of planning, out of the hands of elected officials – in contrast to everywhere else.
Thus was born Auckland Transport, a “council-controlled organisation” or CCO, with its own board of directors steered by an annual agreement with councillors of expectations and intent.
The councillors also get to appoint the board, including two of themselves, but not the seat occupied by a representative of the government agency Waka Kotahi.
It seems like a lot of influence on the end result. However, AT was given the final word on signing off every three years the statutory Regional Land Transport Plan – the nuts and bolts plan of what will happen and where the money will come from.
In doing that job, the plan needs to mesh with a range of strategies and schemes drawn up by the government, which co-funds most transport investment.
