MINUTES OF A meeting of the Regional Transport Committee
Date: Friday 14 May 2021
Time: 10.00am
Venue: |
Council Chamber Hawke's Bay Regional Council 159 Dalton Street, NAPIER |
Present: Cr M Williams – HBRC – Chair
Cr C Lambert – HBRC – Deputy Chair
Mayor C Little – WDC
Mayor A Walker – CHBDC
Cr K Price – NCC
Cr T Kerr - HDC
Ms E Speight – NZTA
Cr K Taylor – CHBDC
Advisory members
(non-voting): A Robin – HBRC Māori Committee
D Murray – AA
M Broderick – NZ Police
I Emmerson – Road Transport Association
Cr G Taylor – NCC Cycling Governance Group Rep
In Attendance: K Brunton - HBRC GM Policy & Regulation
M Baker – HBRC Acting Transport Manager
O Postings– NZTA
J. Palmer – HBRC Chief Executive (from 10.30am to 12.20pm)
P Martin – HBRC Senior Governance Advisor
A Roets – HBRC Governance Advisor
TAG R Malley – NCC
S McKinley – CHBDC
M Hardie – WDC (via Zoom)
M Clews – HDC
J Pannu – HDC
S Downes – NZTA
The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and Councillor Charles Lambert led a karakia.
That the apology for absence from Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst be accepted. CARRIED |
2. Conflict of Interest Declarations
There were no conflicts of interest declared.
Short Term Replacements for the 14 May 2021 Regional Transport Committee Meeting |
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4. Confirmation of Minutes of the Regional Transport Committee meeting held on 12 March 2021 and 9 April 2021
Minutes of the Regional Transport Committee meeting held on 12 March 2021 and 9 April 2021, a copy having been circulated prior to the meeting, were taken as read and confirmed as a true and correct record. CARRIED |
Follow-ups from Previous Regional Transport Committee Meetings |
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The item was taken as read. |
That the Regional Transport Committee receives and notes the “Follow-ups from previous Regional Transport Committee Meetings”. CARRIED |
Call for Minor Items Not on the Agenda |
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That the Regional Transport Committee accepts the following “Minor Items Not on the Agenda” for discussion as Item 12:
CARRIED |
Regional Land Transport Plan Deliberations |
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Mary-Anne Baker spoke to the item, which seeks the Committee’s decisions on submissions to the Regional Land Transport Plan 2021-31 (RLTP) requiring further amendment to enable RLTP adoption by Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and lodgement with NZTA. Discussions covered: · High number of submissions compared to past RLTP processes · Mixed response to prioritising SH38 (Wairoa to Gisborne); SH 5 (Napier to Taupo) was viewed as a higher priority. · Regional fuel sales form part of the measures for transport emissions;. this could be misleading and other measures may be more suitable. · Committee authority to direct local Councils about parking or any other matter was queried. · Wairoa connectivity. Road freight not being encouraged; rail preferred with line from Wairoa to Gisborne needing to be re-opened. · Limited information on CHB, particularly relating to logging trucks on rural roads. · Committee endorses the inclusion of commuter rail services in the Plan but would like evidence to be provided. · Public needs to be made aware that congestion on the Napier – Hastings expressway only occurs at peak times. · RLTP includes a business case proposal to develop multi-modal transport solutions which could include reviewing the Napier – Hastings expressway. · Waka Kotahi –Nationally there is a budget focus on Road to Zero · Include investment bid to investigate alternative road route for Napier to Wairoa · Pedestrian and cyclist injury statistics to be checked · Napier – Taihape road is an important link · Climate change prioritised in the RLTP |
That the Regional Transport Committee: 1. Receives and considers the “Regional Land Transport Deliberations” staff report. 2. Agrees that the decisions to be made are not significant under the criteria contained in Council’s adopted Significance and Engagement Policy, however the Committee can exercise its discretion and make these decisions having undertaken a public consultation process including receipt and consideration of written and verbal submissions from those persons interested in the management and development of transport systems in Hawke’s Bay. 3.1. Amendments throughout the Plan to raise the visibility of the climate change issues 3.2. Reference to the Covid-19 pandemic impact on the community and transport network 3.3. The role of rail to reduce emissions from transport 3.4. The varied use of roads by primary industry 3.5. More detail about cyclist and pedestrian DSIs 3.6. Greater focus into the investment into active and improved public transport services 3.7. Direction for parking and traffic controls in urban areas 3.8. Need for improving connectivity provided by the expressway 3.9. Reference to the supporting Hawke's Bay Transport Business Case report 3.10. The impact of forestry on the transport network in Wairoa 3.11. Greater focus on the connectivity issues between Napier, Wairoa and Gisborne including: 3.11.1. In respect of increased rail, including re-establishment of the Gisborne Wairoa link 3.11.2. Safety and resilience of SH2 3.12. More detail about the safety rating of Hawke's Bay roads and the need for on-going investment in them 3.13. Impact of tourism on Wairoa roads, especially to Mahia 3.14. Amendments to policies and investment areas in respect of: 3.14.1. Investing in multi-modal transport 3.14.2. Advocating for more rail investment, including to Gisborne 3.14.3. Advocating for more national investment in local road maintenance 3.14.4. Investigating solutions for SH2 connectivity to Wairoa 3.14.5. Improvements to active transport connectivity 3.14.6. Council procurement processes 3.14.7. Leveraging parking and traffic management solutions for mode shift 3.14.8. Reviewing public transport services and approaches including ODPT 3.14.9. Supporting low carbon transport options 3.15. Including reference to Matariki 2.4 D in respect of road safety and collaboration with key stakeholders 3.16. New monitoring criteria for emissions 3.17. A new regionally significant activity to consider options for Wairoa connectivity 3.18. A new table showing non-prioritised activities 3.19. SH2 activities identified as of inter-regional significance 3.20. Correction to the ODPT bus service indicator. 4. Approves the Regional Land Transport Plan in principle, subject to the amendments agreed by the Committee today (following) being incorporated into the Plan, with final approval and recommendation to Hawke’s Bay Regional Council to be given upon sighting the revised draft at the reconvened Committee meeting (via Zoom) as soon as possible. 4.1. Reference to a carbon neutral Hawke's Bay in the vision statement, and more direction in relation to decisions regarding climate change (adaptation and mitigation) 4.2. Recognition of the Wairoa-Napier SH2 connectivity issues 4.3. Further detail about the numbers of drivers not progressing with driver licensing and lack of facilities in parts of Hawke's Bay 4.4. The impact of forestry and freight on the transport network in Central Hawke’s Bay 4.5. The importance of the Napier-Taihape road link 4.6. Data about the numbers of cyclist and pedestrian DSIs 4.7. Referring to passenger rail transport as a transport choice solution 4.8. Amending the new parking policy 4.9. Including a DSI baseline based on DSIs in 2018 4.10. Identifying SH5 as a HPMV route. CARRIED |
Transport Manager’s May 2021 Report |
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Mary Anne Baker introduced the report and highlighted the following matters: · Speed Management Plans proposals from Waka Kotahi will be discussed in a workshop after this meeting · Living wage for bus drivers – the sum required to meet the full cost of a wage rise is $214,936. · A staff submission is being to HBRC LTP in support of paying the living wage to bus drivers. · Road Safe Hawke’s Bay annual expo held between 10 to 14 May 2021. Councillors discussed the report and in principle support the living wage for bus drivers as recognition of their important contribution to the community, but will leave the matter for HBRC to consider. Action Point: Committee requests a report on the outcomes of Road Safe expo. |
That the Regional Transport Committee receives and considers the “HBRC Transport Manager’s May 2021 Report” staff report. CARRIED |
May 2021 Public Transport Update |
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Mary Anne Baker introduced the report; Committee discussions included: · Public transport usage continues to dwindle · Hastings city may not be ready for the trial of on demand public transport. · Experience from a similar scheme in Timaru highlights the need to carefully consult with the local community before introducing the trial. · Regional Sports Park is not being considered for the trial at this stage, however HBRC LTP submissions included one from the Park asking to be included. |
That the Regional Transport Committee receives and notes the “May 2021 Public Transport Update” report. CARRIED |
The meeting adjourned at 12.20pm and reconvened at 12.50pm
NZTA Central Region - Regional Relationships Director's May 2021 Report |
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Emma Speight introduced the item, highlighting: · Workshop regarding proposed changes to the speed management plans has been cancelled, and TAG and Committee are encouraged to attend a workshop on 19 May in Napier instead. · Council budget requests are now being received; 20% – 70% higher than previous years. · Road Safety Week is 17 -23 May, some resources are available via Waka Kotahi website · Road speed setting process and resulting by–laws are too complex, contributing to anomalies across the country. · Speed limit setting - review has been underway since 2019 with new regime to come into effect in 2024. Submissions on the proposed changes close on 25 June 2021. · Safety at road construction sites is an ongoing issue · Road to Zero strategy includes encouraging different modes of transport (public transport particularly) to lower the number of car journeys. · Safety initiatives being introduced include mobile phone laybys in rural areas. · A commercial vehicle safety centre near Napier Port is being started. · SH5 Napier to Taupo – safety improvements will continue, public submissions on lowering the speed limit close on 6 June 2021. · Waka Kotahi has appointed a new Director of Regional Relationships for HB, Linda Stewart, who will be based in Palmerston North. |
That the Regional Transport Committee receives and notes the “NZTA Central Region – Regional Relationships Director’s May 2021 Report”. CARRIED |
Verbal Updates by Advisory Representatives |
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Mayor Walker left the meeting at 1.55pm Updates covered: · Stay Alive on Five (SH5) road safety campaign has been active for six months with 800 more vehicles being stopped in that time and higher vehicle speeds being observed. Ten fewer accidents in the same period. · Road construction tenders could include guidance / information for contractors on making road users aware of any repairs and detours involved. · EVs likely to be cheaper in the near future; more charging stations required. |
That the Regional Transport Committee receives the “Verbal Updates by Advisory Representatives” CARRIED |
Discussion of Minor Matters Not on the Agenda |
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Cr. Charles Lambert offered a karakia to close for the day.
The meeting adjourned at 2.19pm on 14 May 2021 and reconvened at 11am on 21 May 2021.
Present: Cr M Williams – HBRC – Chair (via zoom)
Cr K Price – NCC
Cr. T Kerr - HDC
Cr K Taylor – CHBDC (via zoom)
In Attendance: M Baker – HBRC Acting Transport Manager
K Brunton - HBRC GM Policy & Regulation
P Martin – HBRC Senior Governance Advisor
A Roets – HBRC Governance Advisor (via zoom)
7. |
Regional Land Transport Plan Deliberations |
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The Chair, Martin Williams noted the purpose of the meeting is to adopt the Regional Land Transport Plan as amended further from 14 May. The Chair requested that officers correct typographical errors in the document and the meeting agreed to further amendments required as per resolution 1.11 prior to submitting for Council for adoption. |
RTC18/21 |
That the Regional Transport Committee: 1. Approves the Regional Land Transport Plan 2021-2031 as amended to incorporate: 1.1. Reference to a carbon neutral Hawke's Bay in the vision statement, and more direction in relation to decisions regarding climate change (adaptation and mitigation) 1.2. Recognition of the Wairoa-Napier SH2 connectivity issues 1.3. Further detail about the numbers of drivers not progressing with driver licensing and lack of facilities in parts of Hawke's Bay 1.4. The impact of forestry and freight on the transport network in Central Hawke’s Bay 1.5. The importance of the Napier-Taihape road link 1.6. Data about the numbers of cyclist and pedestrian DSIs 1.7. Referring to passenger rail transport as a transport choice solution 1.8. Amending the new parking policy 1.9. Including a DSI baseline based on DSIs in 2018 1.10. Identifying SH5 as a HPMV route. 1.11. A further prioritised significant activity being the development of a strategic case to investigate alternative road network options for SH2 Napier to Wairoa. 2. Recommends that Hawke’s Bay Regional Council adopts the Regional Land Transport Plan 2021-2031 and lodges it with Waka Kotahi (NZTA). Williams/Kerr CARRIED |
Closure:
There being no further business the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 11.10am on Friday 21 May 2021.
Signed as a true and correct record.
DATE: ................................................ CHAIRMAN: ...............................................