18 Oct 2011

Referendum mooted by mayor

9:58 am on 18 October 2011

Auckland Mayor Len Brown is looking at holding a referendum on whether people should be charged for using clogged roads in the region.

Auckland Council says there is a $10 billion funding gap that needs to be plugged over the next 30 years for major transport projects, including a proposed $2.4 billion inner city rail loop.

Mr Brown told Nine to Noon that he wants to get a clear mandate on what people are prepared to back in terms of tolls and congestion charges.

He said that if he decides on a referendum, it is crucial that the questions are extremely clear and the proposals very specific.

Mr Brown expects to decide on whether to go ahead with a referendum around the middle of next year.