Thinking big has given Auckland an asset generations will use – Editorial
As Auckland basks in the shiny newness of its City Rail Link stations, the idea of sometimes thinking big doesn’t seem so bad.
Large infrastructure projects carry built-in opposition during the planning, funding and construction phases, with inevitable controversy over cost.
Something that is going to have a major structural impact on a city inevitably carries a huge price tag and that becomes a massive hurdle, with people unwilling to pay a share of it.
Proponents with a vision need perseverance to pass through the tunnel of short-term resistance to the light of a longer-term future.
That’s when the original investment finally becomes an asset which is part of normal life for generations of people.
Some such projects, instead, become long delayed, miss their chance or appear sunk in the water.
The city has been waiting for a waterfront stadium since the 2000s, but even the prospect of hosting the 2011 Rugby World Cup couldn’t push it over the line. For at least some Aucklanders, it’s an idea that still makes sense.
The long-studied and debated second harbour crossing is still afloat – at least during our election season, as politicians promise to do things they haven’t so far managed to.
Debate over whether a project can be afforded, is the best option, can be built efficiently and will attract the use to justify it are important.
But there’s also the cost of not making major infrastructure upgrades in a growing, changing city that needs people to stay here.
There are less tangible factors such as what a project would mean for living in the city, both practically and in an emotional sense.
For people who have travelled or lived overseas and experienced famous metros, the City Rail Link (CRL) suddenly makes Auckland feel more like the real deal – a mature metropolis, even if the city is still missing the type of direct airport-city rail link familiar elsewhere.
The first week revealed plenty of people were keen to try it out, with figures showing 528,007 train boardings between September 13-19. That beat the previous seven-day record of 504,380 in 2019.
The opening has without doubt given the central city a positive lift it needed.
The Covid period, ongoing economic strain with shop closings and the construction work had given the city centre a grim tinge.
The habit of using the CRL is now there to be built on and fine-tuned. At the weekend, Warriors fans travelling to Eden Park gave the new system a workout.
Using the rail link should encourage more people to leave the car at home when heading into town and reduce bus traffic in the central area.
And people shouldn’t underestimate the effort that has gone into making the new stations visually appealing, rather than just functional.
It creates a sense of pride and value beyond dollar assessments.
All such expressive beautification and artistic work helps to make the city a more attractive place to live in and for tourists to visit.
It’s a travelling investment that’s here to stay.