An Auckland councillor is expecting overwhelming opposition to possible motorway charges and believes a referendum should go ahead.
Council officials say the referendum on new motoring charges or boosting petrol taxes and rates would be too costly and complicate decision-making on the issue.
A report by officials puts the cost of a referendum at $1.5 million and recommends that an independent survey of Aucklanders' views be carried out instead.
Officials said the council would still have to run its statutory consultation on how and whether to raise an extra $300 million a year for transport projects.
But Councillor Cathy Casey said today that the outcome was likely to mirror an earlier survey about the Waterview Connection in which 97 percent of Aucklanders opposed a proposed toll.
Ms Casey said that was only over one tunnel - let alone several motorways - and there was no doubt that a referendum on this issue would get a big response.
Councillors would discuss the report next Thursday.
