28 May 2011

Rail projects not supported by new councillor

5:20 am on 28 May 2011

New Auckland Council member Dick Quax does not support two major rail projects earmarked for the city.

He has won a by-election in the Howick ward after Jami-Lee Ross stepped down to become an Member of Parliament.

Mr Quax says he does not support a proposed rail-link from the city to Auckland international airport, nor a link from the city to the North Shore.

He says neither line would carry enough passengers to justify their cost.

And he says he wants to see more information before deciding whether to support another rail project which would loop around the inner city.

Mr Quax will be officially sworn in as a councillor on Thursday.