UNCONFIRMED
MINUTES OF A meeting of the Regional Transport Committee
Date: Friday 16 May 2014
Time: 10.15am
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Venue: |
Council Chamber Hawke's Bay Regional Council 159 Dalton Street NAPIER |
Present: Cr AJ Dick – Chairman
Mayor C Little – Wairoa District Council
Cr T Kingston – CHB District Council
Mr D Murray – Advisor: Private Motorists
Mr J Emmerson – Advisor: Road Transport Industry
Mr C Bain, Advisor: Port and Coastal Shipping
Cr M Herbert – Napier City Council
Cr R Barker – HBRC
Mr B Gregory – Advisor: Cultural Interests
Ms J Chetwynd – Regional Director – NZTA
Cr J Roil – Hastings District Council
In Attendance: A Goes – Wairoa District Council
S McKinley – Central Hawke’s Bay District Council
P Scott- Napier City Council
J Pannu – Hastings District Council
M Clews – Hastings District Council
R l’Anson – NZTA
C Dowdell – NZTA
A Redgrave – Transport Manager - HBRC
M Welsby – Sustainable Transport Co-ordinator – HBRC
L Anderson – Regional Manager RoadSafe Hawke’s Bay, HBRC
M Drury – Committee Secretary
1. WELCOME/APOLOGIES/NOTICES
Chairman Dick welcomed all present to the meeting with a special welcome to Mrs Anne Redgrave, Transport Manager HBRC and Mrs Audrey Jones who would briefly address the meeting. A letter to Chairman Dick from Mrs Jones was tabled.
Chairman Dick noted that this meeting would be Ms Chetwynd’s last meeting in her capacity as Regional Director NZTA. Ms Chetwynd had been recently appointed to a Group Manager position with NZTA.
The Committee acknowledged her assistance over the past 5 years and wished her well for the future.
Mrs Jones addressed the meeting and gave a Powerpoint presentation which illustrated the ongoing problems she and others living on the unsealed section of SH38 experience on a daily basis.
Mrs Jones expressed concern that to date NZTA had not acted on many requests over several years to seal the remaining 10.3 kms of road to alleviate dust problems which are now resulting in health issues. Mrs Jones also noted that there were no 1 lane bridges on the unsealed portions of the highway and showed an example of the gravel used on the road currently to the Committee.
In response Mr Dowdell advised that the gravel currently used on the road was red metal and this was a replacement for the lime metal which had previously been used on the road. Mr Dowdell advised that there many issues which had to be taken into consideration including the possibility that if the road was sealed this could in fact result in more accidents as drivers would drive at a faster speed than currently on the gravel road.
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RTC15/14 |
Resolution: That the Regional Transport Committee receive Mrs Jones’ letter outlining her concerns in regard to SH38. Roil/Herbert CARRIED |
Apologies were received from Messrs J Schwass, K Santer, D Clifford, J Cox and Councillor Tania Kerr.
RTC16/14
Chetwynd/Roil
CARRIED
2. CONFLICT OF INTEREST DECLARATIONS
There were no conflicts of interest declared.
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Short Term Replacements for the Regional Transport Committee |
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RTC17/14 |
That Councillor J Roil be appointed as a member of the Regional Transport Committee of the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council for the meeting of Friday, 16 May 2014 as a short term replacement on the Committee for Councillor Tania Kerr. Kingston/Little CARRIED |
4. Confirmation of Minutes of the Regional Transport Committee held on 7 March 2014
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RTC18/14 |
Minutes of the Regional Transport Committee held on Friday, 7 March 2014, a copy having been circulated prior to the meeting, were taken as read and confirmed. Kingston/Barker CARRIED |
5. Matters Arising from Minutes of the Regional Transport Committee held on 7 March 2014
11. Roadsafe Update Report
Ms Chetwynd updated the Committee on progress made to assist members in the rural communities to apply and obtain a driver’s licence.
In regard to the Wairoa community, Ms Chetwynd advised that a trial mentoring programme would be launched in Gisborne next week in partnership with local organisations, with the aim of helping young drivers to get their restricted licences.
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Follow-ups from Previous Regional Transport Committee Meetings |
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Mrs Redgrave updated the Committee on the Follow Up items as listed. Ms Chetwynd advised that a draft GPS document would be released in early June. Mayor Little advised that the driver licence difficulties being experienced in Wairoa and other areas had been discussed by the regional leaders and he had been requested by NZ Police to investigate the reasons why a driving programme could not be undertaken in Wairoa instead of having to travel to Gisborne which resulted in further difficulties for Wairoa residents. In response Ms Chetwynd emphasised that there were many considerations given by NZTA before a decision had been made on the driver licensing programme processes. Further discussion took place on SH38 in light of the presentation given by Mrs Jones. Mayor Little advised he had had recent discussions with the Minister of Transport in regard to SH38 and the costs involved for a sealing project. A letter from Mayor Little would be forwarded to the Minister in the near future. The Committee agreed to support Mayor Little’s request to the Minister. Ms Chetwynd advised that NZTA would be carrying out an investigation into dust issues on roads throughout the country in the near future as there had been reports of ongoing problems with health issues related to dust problems. Ms Chetwynd also emphasised to the Committee that SH38 project had not been a high priority in the region’s Regional Land Transport Programme to date. Mr Dowdell confirmed that at this time, sealing of the remainder of SH38 would not take place. Mrs Lambert outlined the requirements under the RMA and Council’s District Plan in relation to dust. Mrs Lambert noted that discussions at the Technical Advisory Group ( TAG) with a Council planner present could develop a list of potential options to manage the dust problems. Mr Dowdell updated the Committee on a meeting held with concerned residents following the sealing of the Expressway. Mr K Crispin addressed the meeting with concerns relating to the environmental and social responsibilities that need to be considered by NZTA in future projects of this nature. Councillor Roil in moving the recommendation commented that learner driver programmes should be part of the school curriculum.
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RTC19/14 |
That the Regional Transport Committee
1. Receives the “Follow-ups from Previous Regional Transport Committee Meetings” report. Roil/Kingston CARRIED 2. The Regional Transport Committee Chairman liaise with Chairman HBRC and other regional leaders in preparing a submission to the Minister of Transport expressing their views on the Learner Driver initiative contained within the Safer Journeys programme. Roil/Kingston CARRIED J Chetwynd abstained 3. A letter of support outlining the concerns of the Committee in regard to the funding issues of sealing of SH38 signed by the Chairman of the Regional Transport Committee be forwarded to Mayor Little for inclusion in his letter to the Minister of Transport Barker/Kingston CARRIED J Chetwynd abstained
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Call for any Minor Items Not on the Agenda |
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11. |
goBus Annual Passenger Survey Presentation - Virgil Troy |
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Dr Troy gave a powerpoint presentation which highlighted the results from a recent Gobus passenger survey. Dr Troy reported that it was a very successful survey completed by passengers on both the urban and express bus services and highlighted the success of the bus service. In response to a question, Dr Troy confirmed there appeared to be no indication of dissatisfaction amongst bus passengers and agreed that in next year’s survey, consideration could be given to assessing whether any improvements to the service should be made |
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RTC20/14 |
Resolution: 3. That the Regional Transport Committee receives the report. Little/Herbert CARRIED |
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12. |
Transport Funding Issues – Implications for the Hawke's Bay Region |
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Mr Bain introduced this agenda item which was to highlight transport funding issues for the Hawke’s Bay region in light of broader government expenditure. Mr Bain advised that Port of Napier Ltd had recently prepared a submission to the Ministry of Transport as part of an early consultation round for the preparation of the revised Government Policy Statement on Land Transport Funding. He noted that based on an analysis of data contained within the NZ Institute of Economic Research report prepared for the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, on a percentage basis Hawke’s Bay does poorly over the areas of transport operating and capital expenditure. Mr Bain said it was important that the Hawke’s Bay region be recognised as it has a key role in exporting and should be placed alongside Roads of National Significance. The Committee discussed the implications for the region and noted that funding is not only applied to Roads of National Significance but on the needs of the region. It was important that freight movement throughout the region was reflected in future investment decisions. Ms Chetwynd advised that NZTA had reported on expenditure on transport in the Hawke’s Bay region and the information is still freely available. Ms Chetwynd moved the following amendments, seconded by Chairman Dick: “Ensure that the region’s RLTP recognises that the export and freight task is key for Hawke’s Bay economic growth and productivity, that improving the efficiency, effectiveness and safety of freight routes is included as an objective and a robust business case based on need is prepared for any interventions across the network.” “Ensure that all partners in delivering the transport system acknowledge the importance of freight movement for the region and reflect this in their transport investment interventions and decisions.” Chetwynd/Dick CARRIED The amendments when put were accepted and therefore became part of the substantive motion. |
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RTC21/14 |
Resolutions: That the Regional Transport Committee: 1. Receives the report. 2. Ensures that the region’s RLTP recognises that the export and freight task is key for Hawke’s Bay economic growth and productivity, that improving the efficiency, effectiveness and safety of freight routes is included as an objective and a robust business case based on need is prepared for any interventions across the network. 3. Ensures that all partners in delivering the transport system acknowledge the importance of freight movement for the region and reflect this in their transport investment interventions and decisions.” Chetwynd/Dick CARRIED |
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Development of the Regional Land Transport Plan and Regional Public Transport Plan |
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Mrs Redgrave updated the Committee on the timeline and process for the development of the Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP) and the Regional Public Transport Plan (RPTP) noting that the timeline for the preparation of both plans had been revised as a result of the extended vacancy of the HBRC Transport Manager role. Mrs Redgrave noted that in the past the key focus for the Regional Land Transport Strategy was the economic efficiency, effectiveness and safety of the routes serving the region’s economic production centres. It was likely that this focus would need to continue into the next Regional Land Transport Plan but to ensure a robust process, further strategic options would be workshopped by the TAG and the results reported back. NZTA have emphasised the requirement for networks to be analysed in detail to determine the location and scale of key transport issues and the outcomes that will be achieved by different investment proposals. The Committee discussed the development of the two plans, in particular the region’s land transport objectives, policies and measures for the coming years.. The Committee noted that the planning for the RLTP was more strategic than in the past and following a suggestion, the TAG Group would first consider the issues and outcomes which would then be discussed at a Committee workshop. |
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RTC22/14 |
That the Regional Transport Committee: 1. Receives and endorses, subject to any amendments from the Committee, the proposed timeline and process for the development of the Regional Land Transport Plan and Regional Public Transport Plan. 2. Receives and endorses in principle, subject to any amendments from the Committee, the proposed strategic direction for the Regional Land Transport Plan, noting that testing of other strategic options during June/July will inform the final decision at the August 2014 Regional Transport Committee meeting. Chetwynd/Herbert CARRIED |
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Transport Manager's Report |
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Mrs Redgrave presented her report which gave the Committee a snapshot of relevant transport matters, comments on issues that had been actioned since the last Regional Transport Committee and also provided updates from the Transport Advisory Group on issues raised at their regular meeting. The report also outlined future events within the transport sector. The Committee discussed the report, in particular the East Coast Economic Potential Study which was released in late April and which provided an overview of economic development issues and opportunities facing the East Coast study area, including Gisborne and Wairoa as well as Napier and Hastings. The Committee noted that it was important that the proposed Ruataniwha Dam and predicted increased forestry output and volumes should be considered as part of the overview. In response to a question, Mr Dowdell confirmed there were some resilience issues on the network which would be addressed in the future and noted that 23 of the 54 HPMV Second Tranche investment routes included in the national consolidated list for subsequent economic evaluation were in the Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne regions. The Committee also noted the updated RLTP Project Progress Report which gave the current status on key improvement projects in the programme. R funds spending would cease in 2018 and although the tax would continue to be collected it would not be ring-fenced for regional expenditure. |
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RTC23/14 |
1. That the Regional Transport Committee receives the Transport Manager’s report. Kingston/Little CARRIED |
The meeting adjourned at 12.40pm and reconvened at 1.05pm
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Public Transport Update |
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Mrs Welsby provided the Committee with an update on Council’s public transport services including trends since the previous update in March 2014. In response to a Committee request at the March meeting to undertake an assessment on the provision of late night services between Napier and Hastings, Mrs Welsby outlined noteworthy points around the provision of late night services. Mrs Welsby also noted that the review of the Regional Public Transport Plan this year would provide a further opportunity to evaluate the demand for late night services. |
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RTC24/14 |
1. That the Regional Transport Committee receives the May 2014 Public Transport Update. Baker/Herbert CARRIED |
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14. |
Roadsafe Update Report |
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Ms Anderson presented the RoadSafe report which was a snapshot of road safety activities currently being undertaken under the Road Safety Action Plans. Ms Anderson also outlined the regional road safety priority issues for 2013-14 which included alcohol and drugs, loss of control on rural roads, intersections, motor cycles, speed and young drivers. The Committee discussion the ongoing activities of RoadSafe, in particular the opportunities which were available in the region to build on and increase young drivers’ skills. A suggestion was considered that driving skills be incorporated into the secondary school curriculum. |
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RTC25/14 |
Resolution: 1. That the Regional Transport Committee receives the report. Barker/Chetwynd CARRIED |
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Funding Assistance Rate Review |
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Mr l’Anson, Regional Planning and Investment Manager for NZTA gave a powerpoint presentation which outlined the process for the FAR review, the initial decisions made by the Board, the transition and the future steps towards the final decision. Ms Chetwynd explained there would be one rate for each council, funding would be to a fit for purpose standard, there would be targeted enhancement rates and some councils would receive higher rates according to need. Mrs Chetwynd stated that the overall co-investment rate across the country would be 53%. Councils would be transitioned to their new rates by no more than 1% per year. Responding to a question, Ms Chetwynd explained the criteria for working out the start rate, which was based on an ability to pay. Councils who had been fiscally responsible were no different to ones that had not been. Technical attributes would not be considered. Ms Chetwynd confirmed that the final decision following on from the FAR review would be determined around October 2014. Responding to a further question, Ms Chetwynd confirmed that the Whakatu Arterial project would be funded at the current FAR rate if committed before the new rates come into effect.
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RTC26/14 |
1. That the Regional Transport Committee receives the “Funding Assistance Rate Review” report. Herbert/Little CARRIED |
Councillor Barker left the meeting at 2.00pm
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NZTA Central Region - Regional Director's Report |
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This item was taken as read. Mr Dowdell outlined results of a recently conducted survey in relation to the new passing lanes on SH2 Napier – Wairoa. |
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RTC27/14 |
That the Regional Transport Committee: 1. Receives the Regional Director’s report. 2. Acknowledges Ms Chetwynd’s wise guidance over the last 5 years and wishes her good luck for the future Dick/Little CARRIED |
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Verbal Reports from Advisors |
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Mr D Murray – Advisor: Private Motorists Mr Roger Bull had been elected Chairman of SADD – Students against Drunk Driving Offered a letter of support from AA to Mayor Craig Little in regard to SH38 sealing. Mr J Emmerson – Advisor: Road Transport Industry Ongoing discussions with Napier City Council re Marine Parade - hoping to reach satisfactory conclusions in the near future. Outlined proposals for improvements on Marine Parade. |
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RTC28/14 |
That the verbal reports from advisors be received. Dick/Kingston CARRIED |
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Minor Items Not on the Agenda |
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Closure:
There being no further business the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 2.25pm on Friday, 16 May 2014
Signed as a true and correct record.
DATE: ................................................ CHAIRMAN: ...............................................