Minutes of Regional Transport Committee

1. Welcome/Apologies/Notices

The Chairman welcomed everyone present to the meeting.

Resolution

RTC29/14 That the apologies from Mr John Emmerson, Mr David Murray, and Cr Tania Kerr for absence be received.

Little/Herbert

CARRIED

Secretarial note: Mayor Bill Dalton’s absence was noted.

Mr Kim Santer advised that he would need to leave the meeting early.

2. Conflict of Interest Declarations

There were no conflict of interest declarations.

3.	Short Term Replacements for the Regional Transport Committee
	There were no short term replacement(s) on the Committee.

4. Confirmation of Minutes of the Regional Transport Committee Held on 15 August 2014

RTC30/14

Resolution

Minutes of the Regional Transport Committee held on Friday, 15 August 2014, a copy having been circulated prior to the meeting, were taken as read and confirmed as a true and accurate record.

Kingston/Herbert

CARRIED

5. Matters Arising from Minutes of the Regional Transport Committee Held on 15 August 2014

There were no matters arising from the minutes.

6.	Call For Any Minor Items Not on the Agenda
	There were no items put forward.

Follow-ups from Previous Regional Transport Committee Meetings

The Chairman went through the list of follow-ups from previous meetings and sought information from various members of the Committee as relevant. In particular, discussions traversed:

· GPS Development – due for release before Christmas

· SH38 – No opportunity or business case for sealing. Proposal to revoke current status to a local road, which will then come under the jurisdiction of Wairoa District Council. Outcome and update to be provided at the next meeting

· Driver Licensing Issues – Work still underway. Cr Dick recently attended a presentation by Massey University, regarding a pilot programme with CHB Colleges - both WDC and CHBDC are aware of the pilot programme. NZTA will be funding a position within Police to look at the wider issues of driver licensing.

· Financial Assistance Rates –FAR rates have been communicated to all councils

RTC31/14

Resolution

1. That the Regional Transport Committee receives the “Follow-ups from Previous Regional Transport Committee Meetings” report.

Little/Kingston

CARRIED

11.

Ministry of Transport Update

Mr Nick Brown provided an overview of the role of the Ministry and highlighted a major piece of work, the update of the National Freight Demand Study which forecasts the freight task that is expected in New Zealand over the next 30 years. Members asked questions and Mr Brown agreed to distribute copies of his presentation to the Committee.

RTC32/14

Resolution

1. That the Regional Transport Committee receives the report and presentation from Mr Nick Brown, General Manager, Aviation and Maritime for the Ministry of Transport.

Kingston/Herbert

CARRIED

Mr Kim Santer was excused at 11.15am

Draft Regional Land Transport Plan 2015-25

Ms Anne Redgrave explained that the draft is a key piece of work for the Committee and forms the basis of the region’s funding application to NZTA. Mrs Redgrave also explained that the process for this Plan has changed from previous RLTPs and outlined the new process being undertaken.

The Committee went through the draft, providing comment and feedback on various aspects which Mrs Redgrave noted for revision. It was agreed that significant amendments would be circulated for agreement prior to the RLTP or consultation.

RTC33/14

Resolutions

The Regional Transport Committee:

1. Agrees on the regional priority of significant projects proposed for inclusion in the Regional Land Transport Plan 2015-25

The Regional Transport Committee recommends that Council:

2. 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.

3. Approves the draft Regional Land Transport Plan 2015-25 for release for consultation, subject to formatting and agreed amendments.

Kingston/Herbert

CARRIED

Draft Regional Public Transport Plan 2015-25

Ms Anne Redgrave explained that the draft plan sets out how Hawke’s Bay Regional Council will plan and manage public transport over the next ten years. While public transport is the Council’s core business, it is nevertheless an important transport mode and the views and recommendations of this Committee are therefore sought.

Ms Redgrave outlined the key concepts of the Public Transport Operating Model, which underpins the plan and promotes cooperation and partnership between operators and councils. She also highlighted that , after some years of significant investment, a period of consolidation of the service is suggested. Mrs Welsby explained that a number of improvements have been requested through early consultation and review of the bus service. These are listed in the plan as possible improvements subject to funding availability in later years of the plan.

RTC34/14

Resolutions

1. That the Regional Transport Committee receives and considers the draft Regional Public Transport Plan

The Regional Transport Committee recommends that Council:

3. Adopts the draft Regional Public Transport Plan 2015-25 for public consultation.

Kingston/Barker

CARRIED

10.

Hastings District Council Southern Arterial Route

Hastings District Council has requested that all references to the Hastings Southern Arterial Route be removed from the Regional Land Transport Strategy, and sought the Committee’s agreement.

RTC35/14

Resolutions

The Regional Transport Committee recommends that Council:

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. Instructs staff to write to Hastings District Council in support of removal of the Southern Arterial Route from its transport plans, noting that the Regional Land Transport Strategy cannot be varied but will cease to exist on 30 June 2015.

Barker/Little

CARRIED

12.

Transport Manager's Report

Ms Anne Redgrave highlighted aspects of her report, tabled minutes of the regional cycling plan governance group and outlined the criteria which have been released for the new Regional Improvements Fund. Members asked questions and noted that the roundabout at Browning Street/Marine Parade is now complete.

RTC36/14

Resolution

1. That the Committee receives the November 2014 Transport Manager's report.

Barker/Little

CARRIED

13.

Roadsafe Update Report

Mrs Anne Redgrave briefly presented the report on activities of Roadsafe Hawke’s Bay. Inspector Matt Broderick commented on the year’s road toll which is higher than last year for the same period; however, last year’s was an exceptionally low toll and the regional trend is still relatively positive.

RTC37/14

Resolution

1. That the Committee receives the November 2014 Roadsafe Update report.

Kingston/Broderick

CARRIED

14.

NZTA Central Region - Regional Director's Report

Raewyn Bleakley presented the Regional Director’s Report.

RTC38/14

Resolution

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

Little/Herbert

CARRIED

Mr John Roil was excused at 12.50pm

15.

Verbal Reports from Advisors

Mr C Bain explained the situation which occurred recently at the Port, where there were issues with trucks delivering produce to the Port were backed up due to capacity issues, and provided an update on what measures the Port is putting in place to avoid future congestion at peak times.

RTC39/14

Resolution

That the verbal reports from Advisors be received.

Dick/Barker

CARRIED

16.	Minor Items Not on the Agenda
	There were no minor items.

Closure:

There being no further business the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 1.05pm on Friday, 14 November 2014.

Signed as a true and correct record.

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