Minutes of Regional Transport Committee

1. WELCOME/APOLOGIES/NOTICES

Chairman Dick welcomed all present to the meeting and referred all members to the memo from him which outlined the process involved for the completion of the 2012-15 Regional Land Transport Programme proposals which have to be submitted to NZTA by 30 November.

Chairman Dick requested Mr Murray Buchanan of BESL, Project Manager for the Heretaunga Plains Transportation Study give a progress update to the Committee. Mr Buchanan advised that on Thursday, 10 November NZTA signed off the findings of the review undertaken by the NZTA peer-reviewer.

TAG representatives gave the Committee an update on the status of their proposed projects and the date they will be available in the NZTA Transport Investment Online (TIO) programme.

Resolution:

RTC6/11Apologies were received from Messrs Kim Santer, David Murray and Ms E Shaw.

Probert/Kingston

CARRIED

2. CONFLICT OF INTEREST DECLARATIONS

There were no conflicts of interest declared.

Short Term Replacements for the Regional Transport Committee

RTC7/11

Resolution:

That Mr L Cunningham and Senior Sergeant C Adamson be appointed as members of the Regional Transport Committee of the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council for the meeting of Tuesday, 15 November 2011 as short term replacements on the Committee for Mr David Murray and Inspector Chris Wallace.

Kingston/Kerr

CARRIED

4. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES OF the Regional Transport Committee held on 22 September 2011

RTC8/11

Minutes of the Regional Transport Committee held on Thursday, 22 September 2011, a copy having been circulated prior to the meeting, were taken as read and confirmed.

Probert/Kingston

CARRIED

5. Matters Arising from Minutes of the Regional Transport Committee held on Thursday 22 September 2011

8. Adoption of the Wider Region Transportation Study Report.

Following a request for clarification from Councillor Remmerswaal, Mr Hart outlined the safety benefits as a result of the introduction of HMPV vehicles. Mr Hart also confirmed that research on safety issues had also been undertaken by MOT.

Action Items from Previous Regional Transport Committee Meetings

Mayor Probert and Mr Cox updated the Committee on State Highway 38 – request for sealing; and advised that innovative approaches were currently being considered.

An agenda item would be prepared for 29 November meeting summarising any amendments to the Wider Region Transportation Study following discussions between Mr Tonks and Kiwi Rail representatives.

A briefing paper on the Heretaunga Plains Transportation Study would be sent to all Committee members, as part of the RTC agenda, prior to 29 November meeting.

RTC9/11

Resolution:

That the Regional Transport Committee receives the report “Action Items from Previous Regional Transport Committee Meetings”.

Remmerswaal/Furlong

CARRIED

Consideration of General Business Items

1. Cycle Stands in Havelock North

2. Proposed Agenda item “Place of Rail in the Region”.

Provisional Adoption of the R Funded Regional Land Transport Programme

Chairman Dick updated the Committee on progress on the preparation of the Regional Land Transport Programme for Hawke’s Bay which had as its main focus the allocation of the region’s “R” funds to projects, following advice that these funds would be called upon for new and improved transport infrastructure.

Mr Hart advised that the Seismic retrofit and the Safety retrofit were two programmes which NZTA calls for funds on a national basis but are given out regionally, from R funding. Mr Hart then updated the Committee on regional projects which fit into the programmes that have been completed or are currently under investigation. It was noted that projects over $250,000 need to be prioritised as they would be contested nationally depending on demands. They would be “R” funded, however projects do not proceed unless there is a BCR greater than 2.

Following discussion on the information provided by Mr Hart the Chairman called a brief recess to the meeting and asked members of the Transport Advisory Group (TAG) to discuss the impact the seismic retrofit and safety retrofit programmes would have on the current priority list, and therefore the allocation of “R” funds.

The meeting adjourned at 11.15am and reconvened at 11.35am.

Mrs Gilbertson provided an update from the brief TAG meeting and said it had been agreed that the seismic retrofit and safety retrofit programmes would be included as priority 15 and 16 respectively in the proposed programme being considered by the RTC, due to their national profiles of MMM. Therefore current projects prioritised as 15, 16 and 17 would drop down and would now be:

15 – Seismic retrofit programme

16 – Safety retrofit programme

17 – College Rd, Silverstream passing lane

18 – Corkscrew Gully North – South Passing Lane

19 – Mahia access – Blacks Beach (Ureti)

The Committee continued to discuss the priority projects and noted that the projects presented contribute to economic development, promotion of the region and recognised the value chain from the farm gate to export point.

Ms Chetwynd advised the amount of “R” funds available for Hawke’s Bay was approximately $24M.

Responding to a question, Mr Clews confirmed that proposals for the Whakatu area were discussed with the community and the first meeting of the project team was to be held on 16 November.

The Committee noted that if proposed strategic projects were completed before the investigation of the top three priority projects were completed, it may be that some projects would be covered under the strategic projects and the requirement to complete them was no longer required.

Concern was expressed that some projects could be seen as local projects rather than regional projects however it was confirmed that TAG considered all projects as foundations on which to build on.

The Committee also noted the explanations behind the priority list which also took into account the sustainability of local industries involved in the projects and there would be every opportunity for local groups to tender for work.

Concern was expressed by representatives from CHB and Wairoa that the priority list indicated that the larger projects were more important than smaller projects such as the passing lanes on SH2 Napier to Wairoa and that funding had not been spread evenly.

Ms Chetwynd advised that although she would vote in favour of the recommendations, the project list was a regional prioritisation list which would go to the national level and following consideration by the Board priorities may be changed – it was not a guaranteed list.

The Committee stated that improved reporting was required on “R” funds in the future.

RTC10/11

Resolutions:

That the Regional Transport Committee:

1. Agrees that the decisions to be made are not significant under the criteria contained in Council’s adopted policy on significance and that Council can exercise its discretion under Sections 79(1)(a) and 82(3) of the Local Government Act 2002 and make decisions on this issue without conferring directly with the community and persons likely to be affected by or to have an interest in the decision due to the nature and significance of the issue to be considered and decided.

2. Resolves to include within the Regional Land Transport Programme 2012-15 for Hawke’s Bay, the projects and their indicative timing and costing, as set out in this report and as shown in attachment 1 appended to this report subject to:

2.1 any amendments to be provided by NZTA on Seismic retrofit and Safety retrofit programmes and indicatively ranked at 15 and 16

2.2 any final amendments being made at the meeting, the reasons in paragraphs 19 to 90 of this report being the basis for the programme;

2.3 the recommended projects being consistent with the recommendations contained in the Heretaunga Plains Transportation Study as adopted at the committee meeting to be held on 29 November 2011.

Dick/Furlong

CARRIED

The meeting adjourned at 12.45pm and reconvened at 1.20pm

Mr Mohi was absent from the meeting.

Hastings Model Communities Funding 2012-15

Councillor Kerr updated the Committee on the Hastings District Council’s model community projects (iWay), the funding issues surrounding the project and the decision reached by Hastings District Council that there was value in completing the project, but only if it was funded by National “N” funds.

Ms Chetwynd confirmed that any further funding for the project would come from R funds and it should be included in the programme because of its NZTA HHH priority ranking. Ms Chetwynd also confirmed that the region does not decide the prioritizing of projects under $500,000 although it could indicate what its decision was and NZTA required a programme that was realistic and not fanciful.

Concern was expressed that this project had to be included and would attract R funding at this late stage, knowledge about the project was limited and how it stacked up against other projects for it to be contested was not ideal.

The Committee continued to discuss the funding implications and agreed that only “N” funds should be used to complete the project.

RTC11/11

Resolutions:

That the Committee:

2. Receives the information in agenda item.

3. Endorses the Chairman’s recommendation not to fund further iWay projects from R funds.

4. Agrees to indicatively include the Hastings model community programme in the 2012-15 RLTP.

Dick/Furlong

CARRIED

5. Supports the iWays project on the condition that it is not funded from R funds.

Dick/Furlong

CARRIED 5/2

6. Notes that Hastings District Council has advised that its policy will be that the programme will only be supported if it is funded from N funds.

Dick/Furlong

CARRIED

Mr Bain left the meeting 2.00pm

14.

RoadSafe Activity

Mrs Anderson provided the Committee with a snapshot of relevant road safety activities and issues that had been actioned since the last Regional Transport Committee. In particular, Mrs Anderson highlighted the success of the project “Just Another Saturday Night” with the completion of a DVD which would be a significant resource and the creation of a website “Jared’s message” which includes information around road safety and events where Jared would be present at.

Councillor Kingston advised that the Mocktail Bar event in CHB had once again been very successful and continued funding was required to keep this initiative going.

Mrs Anderson acknowledged NZ Police for their continued support with all road safe activities, many of which could not be undertaken without their support.

Mrs Anderson then introduced Snr Constable Ian Cheyne who had accompanied her on a recent visit to Niue.

Snr Constable Cheyne gave a presentation which highlighted roading issues experienced in Niue and described the day to day issues faced by police on the island which were similar to New Zealand.

RTC12/11

Resolution:

1. That the RoadSafe Activity Report be received.

Probert/Remmerswaal

CARRIED

Ms Chetwynd left the meeting at 2.35pm.

RTC13/11Resolution

That Ms Delaney Myers be appointed as a member of the Regional Transport Committee of the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council for the remainder of the meeting on Tuesday, 15 November as short term replacement for Ms Jenny Chetwynd.

Kerr/Kingston

CARRIED

10.

Additional Meeting in December 2011

Chairman Dick advised that NZTA requires the Regional Land Transport Programme (RLTP) to be submitted by 30 November 2011 and although the TAs will submit their maintenance and project programmes by 30 November, there would not be sufficient time for HBRC staff to compile the overall programme for the Committee’s consideration and there would be a requirement for a Committee meeting in December to discuss and formally endorse the RLTP.

The Committee discussed meeting day options and agreed that a meeting would be held on Tuesday, 20 December commencing at 10.15am.

RTC14/11

Resolutions:

That the Committee:

2. Agrees to hold an additional Regional Transport Committee meeting on Tuesday, 20 December 2011 to consider and endorse the overall Regional Land Transport Programme.

Furlong/Kingston

CARRIED

11.

Regional Representation at National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) Moderation

Chairman Dick presented this agenda item which recommended that the Committee sought regional representation at the NZTA internal moderation discussions for both regional and national moderation discussions on the draft Regional Land Transport Programme.

Following discussions, TAG had recommended Mr Murray Buchanan of Buchanan Environmental Services Limited (BESL) be considered for the role to represent the RTC’s interest.

Ms Myers advised that NZTA were agreeable for a regional representative to be present for regional moderation discussions but national moderation discussions were purely an internal response.

RTC15/11

Resolutions:

That the Committee:

2. Agrees that NZTA be requested to include regional representation in the Regional Land Transport Programme moderation discussions.

3. Agrees that Mr Murray Buchanan be put forward as the region’s representative for discussions on the RLTP moderation process, as and when required.

Kerr/Probert

CARRIED

Mr Clint Adamson left the meeting at 2.35pm

12.

NZTA Central Region Regional Director's Report

Ms Myers presented the NZTA Regional Director’s Report and responded to questions from the Committee.

Ms Myers updated the Committee on the Cash Flow difficulties currently being experienced by NZTA and assured the Committee that it was a short term situation. Advice had been given to Councils that if funding had been approved they could go forward with projects however other projects which were only programmed were now unable to commence.

RTC16/11

Resolution:

1. That the Regional Transport Committee receives the Regional Director’s report.

Kingston/Bramley

CARRIED

13.

Verbal Reports from Objective Representatives

T Ashworth – Public Health

Mrs Ashworth advised that Hawke’s Bay District Health Board are preparing their Three Year Plan and consultations with Territorial Authorities are planned over the next few weeks.

A Bramley – Environmental Sustainability

Mr Bramley expressed concern in regard to the strategic direction of Government and the impacts it could have on the RTC committee plans and directions.

J Emmerson – Transport

Mr Emmerson complimented the Committee for the long term planning it had undertaken and noted the economic benefits the planning would have for the region.

Resolution:

That the verbal reports from the Objective Representatives be received.

Kerr/Furlong

CARRIED

15.

Public Transport Update

Mrs Gilbertson and Mrs Welsby updated the Committee on achievements since the last update in July 2011.

The Committee noted that the overall performance of the bus service continues to be positive with good passenger growth and fare recovery levels.

Responding to a question Mrs Welsby advised that since the Ahuriri service had been in operation, there had been over 500 passenger trips, positive feedback included a suggestion to extend the service to Sundays. Daily reports from the company were also being received. The service had also been well received by Westshore residents.

Mrs Welsby also advised that “Walk Once a Week” days were successful at the schools where the programme was operating however she was finding it difficult to interest other schools in the programme at the present time.

Resolution:

1. That the Regional Transport Committee receives the Public Transport Update.

Remmerswaal/Ashworth

CARRIED

16.

General Business

Cycle Stands in Havelock North

Councillor Remmerswaal acknowledged Hastings District Council for the installation of bike stands in Havelock North.

Proposed Agenda Item – Place of Rail in the Region

The Committee agreed that this item be placed on a meeting agenda in early 2012 for Committee consideration.

Closure:

There being no further business the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 3.00pm on Tuesday, 15 December 2011.

Signed as a true and correct record.

DATE: ................................................ CHAIRMAN: ...............................................