Agenda of Regional Transport Committee

Meeting of the Regional Transport Committee

Date: Friday 7 September 2018

Time: 10.15

Venue:

Council Chamber

Hawke's Bay Regional Council

159 Dalton Street

NAPIER

Agenda

Item Subject Page

1. Welcome/Notices/Apologies

2. Conflict of Interest Declarations

3. Short Term Replacements for the 7 September 2018 Regional Transport Committee Meeting 3

4. Confirmation of Minutes of the Regional Transport Committee held on 1 June 2018

5. Follow-ups from Previous Regional Transport Committee Meetings 5

6. Call for Items of Business Not on the Agenda 9

Decision Items

7. Deputation from Ken Crispin on behalf of Citizens Environmental Advocacy Centre 11

8. Variations to the Regional Land Transport Plan 17

9. Discussion with Regional Leaders 21

10. Addition of Health Advisory Member to the Committee 23

Information or Performance Monitoring

11. NZTA Central Region - Regional Director's Report September 2018 25

12. September 2018 Public Transport Update 39

13. Transport Manager's Report September 2018 43

14. RoadSafe Hawke's Bay September 2018 Update 55

15. Advisory Representatives' Verbal Updates

16. Discussion of Items Not on the Agenda 59

HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL

Regional Transport Committee

Friday 07 September 2018

SUBJECT: Short Term Replacements for the 7 September 2018 Regional Transport Committee Meeting

Reason for Report

1. Council has made allowance in the Terms of Reference for the Committee for short term replacements of alternates to be appointed to the Committee where the usual member/s cannot attend.

Committee Membership

Committee Members (Voting)
Councillor Alan Dick	Member and Chairman	HBRC
Councillor Fenton Wilson	Member and Deputy Chairman	HBRC
Councillor Keith Price Alternate Mayor Bill Dalton	Member	NCC
Mayor Alex Walker Alternate Cr David Tennent	Member	CHBDC
Mayor Craig Little Alternate not appointed	Member	WDC
Councillor Ann Redstone Alternate Tania Kerr	Member	HDC
Ms Emma Speight	Member	NZ Transport Agency
Advisory Members (Non-voting)
Brian Gregory	Cultural Interests and Environment	HBRC Maori Committee
Paul Michaelsen	Private motorists, Public Transport users, Walking and Cycling	Automobile Association
Matt Broderick	NZ Police	NZ Police
Steve Young	Port and Coastal Shipping	Port of Napier Limited
Ian Emmerson	Road Transport industry	Road Transport Association
Kim Santer	Rail	KiwiRail
Technical Advisory Group (TAG)
Anne Redgrave	Transport Manager	HBRC
Megan Welsby	Sustainable Transport Officer	HBRC
Robin Malley	Transportation Team Leader	NCC
Shawn McKinley	Roading Manager	CHBDC
Jamie Cox	Engineering Manager	WDC
Libby Young	Transport Asset Manager	WDC
Mark Clews	Strategic Planning Manager	HDC
Jag Pannu	Transportation Manager	HDC
Paul Murphy	Senior Investment Adviser	NZ Transport Agency
Simon Barnett	Principal Transport Planner	NZ Transport Agency
Oliver Postings	Journey Manager	NZ Transport Agency
Wayne Wallace	Principal Investment Adviser	NZ Transport Agency

Recommendation

That __________________________ be appointed as member/s of the Regional Transport Committee of the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council for the meeting of Friday, 07 September 2018 as short term replacement(s) on the Committee for _______________________.

Authored by:

Anne Redgrave

Transport Manager

Approved by:

Tom Skerman

Group Manager Strategic Planning

HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL

Regional Transport Committee

Friday 07 September 2018

Subject: Call for Items of Business Not on the Agenda

Reason for Report

1. Standing order 9.12 states:

“A meeting may deal with an item of business that is not on the agenda where the meeting resolves to deal with that item and the Chairperson provides the following information during the public part of the meeting:

(a) the reason the item is not on the agenda; and

(b) the reason why the discussion of the item cannot be delayed until a subsequent meeting.

Items not on the agenda may be brought before the meeting through a report from either the Chief Executive or the Chairperson.

Please note that nothing in this standing order removes the requirement to meet the provisions of Part 6, LGA 2002 with regard to consultation and decision making.”

2. In addition, standing order 9.13 allows “A meeting may discuss an item that is not on the agenda only if it is a minor matter relating to the general business of the meeting and the Chairperson explains at the beginning of the public part of the meeting that the item will be discussed. However, the meeting may not make a resolution, decision or recommendation about the item, except to refer it to a subsequent meeting for further discussion.”

Recommendations

1. That the Regional Transport Committee accepts the following “Items of Business Not on the Agenda” for discussion as Item 16:

1.1. Urgent items of Business

Item Name

Reason not on Agenda

Reason discussion cannot be delayed

1.2. Minor items for discussion

Item	Topic	Councillor / Staff
1.
2.
3.

Leeanne Hooper

PRINCIPAL ADVISOR GOVERNANCE

Liz Lambert

GROUP MANAGER
REGULATION

HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL

Regional Transport Committee

Friday 07 September 2018

Subject: Variations to the Regional Land Transport Plan

Reason for Report

1. To consider variations to the Regional Land Transport Plan 2018 (RLTP) to add new activities to the three year programme.

Options Assessment

2. Options considered include not varying the RLTP. However, this would prevent the region from progressing these projects by making use of new funding opportunities.

Strategic Fit

3. The addition of these variations to the Regional Land Transport Plan is highly consistent with the Council’s strategic priority for sustainable services and infrastructure.

Considerations of Tangata Whenua

4. Improvements to State Highway 2 between Napier and Wairoa will have safety and travel time benefits for local residents and businesses as well as visitors to the area.

5. The SH2 Programme Business Case was undertaken with extensive consultation with Tangata Whenua. Consultation was also undertaken with Tangata Whenua on the draft RLTP.

Background

6. The Committee recommended the RLTP for adoption by the Regional Council in June 2018. The RLTP contains the region’s proposed programme of activities as at that date. It was approved by the Regional Council and subsequently submitted to the NZ Transport Agency.

7. However the Land Transport Management Act 2001 allows for an RLTP to be varied at any time, as it is recognised that flexibility is required in order to respond to funding opportunities, timing changes etc.

8. The variations described below are requested in order to include the projects in the 2018 RLTP. Including these within the 2018-21 period will not delay any other activity in the RLTP nor will these projects use funds which have been earmarked for other regional projects.

Proposed Variations

9. The Connecting Tairawhiti Programme Business Case (the PBC) has now been completed and incorporates the State Highway 2 Inter-Regional Connections Opotiki to Napier Programme Business Case, which was included as a priority action in our RLTP.

10. The PBC set out to address the following problem statements:

10.1. Safety: the unforgiving nature of terrain, combined with typically long journeys and poor driver behaviour resulting in high personal safety risk

10.2. Resilience: due to relative isolation and lack of viable alternatives, when transport infrastructure is closed, there is a significant impact on communities and economic productivity

10.3. Access: the nature of access in the region constrains the ability to realise community and economic opportunities

11. The PBC set out to deliver on the following agreed outcomes

12. The full set of proposals contained within the PBC are discussed elsewhere in this agenda. Now that the PBC is complete, the NZ Transport Agency wishes to ensure that the region is in a position to pursue some of the roading package activities contained in it, should the funding opportunities arise. The Agency is therefore asking the Committee to consider two variations to the RLTP, outlined following.

Waikare Gorge Realignment

13. The Waikare Gorge Realignment Project is included in the roading package developed in the PBC. This project would deliver on journey time savings and safety outcomes, thereby contributing to the programme’s wider economic benefits.

14. The Agency is seeking a variation to the programme to undertake a detailed business case and pre-implementation phase (subject to the outcome of the detailed business case). Estimated costs and timing are:

Phase	Cost ($m)	Timing
Detailed Business Case	1.0	2018-19 – 2019-20
Pre-Implementation	2.0	2019-20 – 2020-21

Passing Opportunities Project

15. The PBC also contains a comprehensive project to increase passing opportunities on SH2 between Napier and Opotiki. The Passing Opportunities Project would deliver on journey time savings/reliability and safety outcomes, thereby contributing to the programme’s wider economic benefits. Estimated costs and timing are:

Phase	Cost ($m)	Timing
Detailed Business Case	1.4	2018-19 – 2019-20
Pre-Implementation	1.5	2019-20 – 2020-21

Discussion

16. These projects could not be included in the RLTP prior to adoption because the PBC was not completed at that time.

17. Subject to satisfactory completion of the detailed business case and pre-implementation phases, construction funding for both these projects would be submitted to the RTC for inclusion in the 2021-24 RLTP and would be consulted on through the RLTP full public consultation process.

18. Both these projects are expected to help make the journey more accessible for tourists, industry and communities. Including these phases of the projects in the RLTP by way of a variation will allow the Agency to pursue these activities should the funding opportunity be available.

19. Safety, travel time and level of service on State Highway 2 north of Napier was identified as a major factor contributing to one of the key problem statements in the RLTP, and completion of the PBC was listed as the region’s number one priority project. The two proposed variations will allow the region to make progress with projects which will contribute to resolving this major issue.

20. The PBC has been developed with significant input from a range of stakeholders and has identified a long list of possible solutions, which now need to progressively proceed to detailed business cases, in order to determine if and when they might be implemented.

21. These variations are not significant and do not require a public consultation process. This is because these projects derive from the PBC (which has been included in the RLTP since 2015) and only continue the process of investigation.

22. Construction funding (assuming the projects proceed to that point) will be significant in both cases and would be added to the next draft RLTP, with consultation undertaken through that process.

Financial and Resource Implications

23. There are no financial or resource implications for HBRC.

Decision Making Process

24. Council is required to make every decision in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government Act 2002 (the Act). Staff have assessed the requirements in relation to this item and have concluded:

24.1. The decision does not significantly alter the service provision or affect a strategic asset.

24.2. The use of the special consultative procedure is not prescribed by legislation.

24.3. The decision does not fall within the definition of Council’s policy on significance.

24.4. The persons affected by this decision are all users of State Highway 2 between Napier and Wairoa.

24.5. The decision is not inconsistent with an existing policy or plan.

24.6. Given the nature and significance of the issue to be considered and decided, and also the persons likely to be affected by, or have an interest in the decisions made, Council can exercise its discretion and make a decision without consulting directly with the community or others having an interest in the decision.

Recommendations

1. That the Regional Transport Committee receives and notes the ‘Variations to the Regional Land Transport Plan’ staff report

2. The Regional Transport Committee recommends that Council :

2.1. Agrees that the decisions to be made are not significant under the criteria contained in Council’s adopted Significance and Engagement Policy, 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.

2.2. Approves the variation to the Regional Land Transport Plan, introducing detailed business case and pre-implementation phases for the SH2 Waikare Gorge and Passing Opportunities projects.

2.3. Agrees that the decisions to be made are not significant under the criteria contained in Council’s adopted Significance and Engagement Policy, 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.

Authored by:

Anne Redgrave

Transport Manager

Approved by:

Tom Skerman

Group Manager Strategic Planning

Attachment/s

There are no attachments for this report.

HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL

Regional Transport Committee

Friday 07 September 2018

Subject: Discussion with Regional Leaders

Reason for Report

1. To inform the Committee of discussions with the region’s mayors and HBRC chairman on possible future opportunities for transport in Hawke’s Bay.

2. To seek the Committee’s support for a Provincial Growth Fund application for the sealing of SH38 between Wairoa and Lake Waikaremoana.

Future Opportunities for Transport in Hawke’s Bay

3. The Chair of this committee, the Group Manager Strategic Planning (HBRC) and the Transport Manager (HBRC) recently met with the four regional mayors and chair of the Regional Council, to discuss ideas arising from their submission to the Regional Land Transport Plan. This submission urged innovative thinking in our future approach to solving regional transport issues and making use of opportunities to improve access and promote social/economic wellbeing.

4. The discussion centred on opportunities for increased use of rail in Hawke’s Bay, including passenger services; investigation of this is being undertaken by KiwiRail and results will be reported back to this Committee.

5. However, the group felt it would also be useful for the Committee to explore the changing transport world and new trends emerging overseas, in order to understand how these innovations might be eventually be applied in Hawke’s Bay. Developments such as driverless vehicles, Mobility as a Service (MaaS) and increased ride-sharing services through technology, electric vehicles, on-demand public transport services and community van services (small towns and rural areas) could all be part of Hawke’s Bay’s future.

6. To start this discussion, we propose holding a seminar and workshop facilitated by Ministry of Transport and NZTA teams who are undertaking research in these areas and developing policy for their use in NZ.

7. The committee will be advised of a date for this in due course, once facilitators are confirmed, but it will be before the next RTC meeting.

Support for Provincial Growth Fund Application for State Highway 38

8. Part of the discussion at the meeting centred on the Wairoa District Council’s aim to achieve the sealing of State Highway 38 as far as Lake Waikaremoana. Wairoa is working in partnership with the NZ Transport Agency and this route is viewed as a candidate for a Provincial Growth Fund application. The Council has requested a letter of support from this committee.

9. The Regional Land Transport Plan discusses this issue and includes funding for a future detailed business case for the entire route through to the Bay of Plenty region. The route provides access for tourists into Lake Waikaremoana (as well as forestry, farm and residential access) and the unsealed road is a significant impediment for many drivers, particularly campervans and caravans. This limits the economic benefits from tourism in the area.

10. Should the project proceed to construction during this RLTP period, a variation to the RLTP may be required to include the construction funding.

Decision Making Process

11. Council is required to make every decision in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government Act 2002 (the Act). Staff have assessed the requirements in relation to this item and have concluded:

11.1. The decision does not significantly alter the service provision or affect a strategic asset.

11.2. The use of the special consultative procedure is not prescribed by legislation.

11.3. The decision does not fall within the definition of Council’s policy on significance.

11.4. The persons affected by this decision are users and residents of State Highway 38.

11.5. The decision is not inconsistent with an existing policy or plan.

11.6. Given the nature and significance of the issue to be considered and decided, and also the persons likely to be affected by, or have an interest in the decisions made, Council can exercise its discretion and make a decision without consulting directly with the community or others having an interest in the decision.

Recommendations

That :

1. Agrees that the decisions to be made are not significant under the criteria contained in Council’s adopted Significance and Engagement Policy, 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.

2. Receives the “Discussion with Regional Leaders” report

3. Resolves to send a letter in support of the sealing of State Highway 38 between Wairoa and Lake Waikaremoana, to the NZ Transport Agency and Wairoa District Council.

Authored by:

Anne Redgrave

Transport Manager

Approved by:

Tom Skerman

Group Manager Strategic Planning

Attachment/s

There are no attachments for this report.

HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL

Regional Transport Committee

Friday 07 September 2018

Subject: Addition of Health Advisory Member to the Committee

Reason for Report

1. To consider a request by the District Health Board (DHB) for advisory representation on the Committee.

Background

2. The District Health Board made a submission to the HBRC’s Long Term Plan, in which a request was made for advisory representation on the Regional Transport Committee. This was introduced verbally at the last meeting, to be placed on the agenda for this meeting.

3. Under the Land Transport Management Act, the voting membership on the Regional Transport Committee is limited to the regional council, territorial authorities and NZ Transport Agency. However, some regional councils also have advisory members at the RTC. This committee currently has advisory members representing :

3.1. Cultural interests and the environment

3.2. Private motorists, public transport users, walking and cycling

3.3. NZ Police

3.4. Port and Coastal Shipping

3.5. Road Transport Industry

3.6. Rail.

Discussion

4. The Hawke’s Bay Regional Transport Committee had an advisory member for public health until 2013, when it was decided to limit advisory membership mainly to organisations with a direct link to transport services or industries.

5. Regional councils around the country all take different approaches to advisory membership, with some examples set out below:

5.1. Waikato – Police advisory member only

5.2. Horizons – Road Users (AA), NZ Police, Road Transport Industry, Active/Public Transport, Rail

5.3. Taranaki – No advisory membership

5.4. Wellington – No set advisory membership, although Terms of Reference make provision for appointments when necessary

5.5. Bay of Plenty – No advisory membership

5.6. Otago – No advisory membership

6. The District Health Board’s main focus is likely to be on active transport (walking and cycling) and road safety, which the Automobile Association and NZ Police represent at the committee. The committee therefore needs to consider what additional benefits a DHB representative would bring.

Decision Making Process

7. Council is required to make every decision in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government Act 2002 (the Act). Staff have assessed the requirements in relation to this item and have concluded:

7.1. The decision does not significantly alter the service provision or affect a strategic asset

7.2. The use of the special consultative procedure is not prescribed by legislation

7.3. The decision does not fall within the definition of Council’s policy on significance

The persons affected by this decision are ratepayers of the region

7.4. The decision is not inconsistent with an existing policy or plan

7.5. Given the nature and significance of the issue to be considered and decided, and also the persons likely to be affected by, or have an interest in the decisions made, Council can exercise its discretion and make a decision without consulting directly with the community or others having an interest in the decision.

Recommendations

That the Regional Transport Committee:

2. Decides whether to appoint a representative of the Hawke’s Bay District Health Board as an advisory member of the Regional Transport Committee

Authored by:

Anne Redgrave

Transport Manager

Approved by:

Tom Skerman

Group Manager Strategic Planning

Attachment/s

There are no attachments for this report.

HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL

Regional Transport Committee

Friday 07 September 2018

Subject: September 2018 Public Transport Update

Reason for Report

1. To provide the Committee with an update on Council’s public transport operations.

Napier-Hastings Bus Service General Information

2. Bus services between Napier and Hastings continue to struggle with keeping to time due to roadworks on the expressway and Pakowhai Road, this is exacerbated by peak-time congestion in and around Hastings and a general increase in the number of vehicles on the road. Given that the services between Napier and Hastings account for approx. 50% of all passenger trips, this is an issue that may need a permanent solution, and this will be investigated through the review of the Regional Public Transport Plan. Bus services between Hastings and Havelock North are also struggling to keep to time at peak times, due to congestion caused by a general increase in the number of vehicles travelling along Havelock Road.

3. This year HBRC has funded the purchase of seven bus shelters, three for Napier and four for Hastings. One was installed in Hastings earlier this year, the remaining six are due to be installed by NCC and HDC in the near future.

District Health Board Bus Travel Scheme

4. Both the trial staff discount scheme and the patient free travel scheme continue to be well-used. The subsidised staff travel scheme has proved so successful that the DHB is increasing the subsidy from Monday 3 September. Since the inception of the staff travel scheme, the numbers of staff using the bus increased from 420 in July 2017 to 720 in July 2018.

5. This can be seen as an exemplar of employers encouraging and incentivising staff to travel to and from work using public transport instead of private vehicles.

New Bus Ticketing System

6. We are entering the final stages of implementation of a new bus ticketing system, as part of a consortium of nine regional councils. The new system will replace an ageing system with ticketing machines that are past the end of their useful lives, frequently break down and provide limited information.

7. The new system will provide accurate information about origin and destination of passengers. Customers will be able to top up smartcards online and this will considerably reduce the amount of cash carried on the buses. Eligibility for concession fares will be determined when smartcards are issued, removing the need for the driver to check eligibility each time the concession passenger travels, thereby improving loading times.

8. The changes will require a significant lead-in time with plenty of public information to ensure that passengers are able to transition easily to the new system. Following delays with this project, the new system is now scheduled to go live in early 2019.

goBay Passenger Survey

9. The 2018 goBay Passenger Survey was conducted between 1 - 24 August. At the time of writing this report there had been approx. 400 responses (compared to 201 in the last survey conducted at the end of 2016). The results of the survey will be available in early October.

Bus Passenger Trips

10. Diagram 1 shows monthly bus passenger trips for 2012-13 to 2017-18.

Diagram 1 – Monthly Passenger Trips 2012-13 to 2017-18

Passenger trips in 2017-18 were 3.3% (22,631) fewer than in 2016-17.

11. The following routes showed increases in patronage:

11.1 Route 10 Express service Napier-Hastings via Taradale and HB Hospital – 29% increase

11.2 Route 11 – Napier-Hastings-H Nth via Clive – 18% increase

11.3 Route 13 – Napier-Tamatea-Taradale-Napier – 1.75% increase

11.4 Route 16a – Hastings-Camberley-Raureka – 9% increase

11.5 Route 17 – Hastings-Parkvale-Akina-Hastings – 61% increase

The remaining routes were static or showed patronage declines, including Route 12 – Napier-Hastings via EIT. As this route carries the largest number of passengers overall, this has largely caused the overall decline. This service has been significantly affected by delays caused by roadworks and by congestion in Hastings at peak times. HBRC is working with the bus operators to try to remedy this problem.

12. Diagram 2 shows passengers by category travelling on the goBay network in 2017-18.

Diagram 2 – Passenger Category Numbers and Percentages in 2017-18

Fare Recovery Rate on the goBay bus service

13. Fare recovery is the portion of the total cost of the service that is covered by fares (including SuperGold payments from central government), and is affected by the cost of the contract and the amount of revenue received from passengers and other sources. The fare recovery rate for 2017-18 was 37%.

Total Mobility

14. The number of TM trips taken this year has increased, showing a longer-term trend for growth. This is to be expected, as our population is not only increasing but also ageing at a faster rate than previously predicted.

15. Diagram 3 shows monthly Total Mobility (TM) trips for 2012-13 to 2017-18.

Diagram 3 – Monthly Total Mobility Trips Year to Date for 2012-13 to 2017-18

Decision Making Process

16. Staff have assessed the requirements of the Local Government Act 2002 in relation to this item and have concluded that, as this report is for information only, the decision making provisions do not apply.

Recommendation

That the Regional Transport Committee receives and notes the “September 2018 Public Transport Update” report.

Authored by:

Anne Redgrave

Transport Manager

Approved by:

Tom Skerman

Group Manager Strategic Planning

Attachment/s

HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL

Regional Transport Committee

Friday 07 September 2018

Subject: Transport Manager's Report September 2018

Reason for Report

1. This regular report provides the Committee with a snapshot of relevant transport matters, provides updates from the Transport Advisory Group (TAG) on issues raised at their regular meetings and outlines what is coming up within the transport sector

Transport Advisory Group meetings

2. The Transport Advisory Group (TAG) is composed of senior transport staff from all councils and NZTA. The group meets prior to each RTC meeting to discuss current issues and provide advice to inform the RTC agenda.

3. The TAG met on 21 August. Discussions included:

3.1. Options for a direct commuter cycle route between Napier and Hastings

3.2. An update on the Tairawhiti Plan (Opotiki to Napier Programme Business Case)

3.3. Regional Land Transport Plan Variations ( discussed elsewhere in this agenda)

3.4. Criteria for additional funding for increased safety works on local roads and public transport.

Government Policy Statement 2018

4. The final Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport for 2018-21 was released on 28 June 2018 and came into effect on 1 July. Some key changes from the draft released in April include:

4.1. The access section has been amended to explicitly support public transport for areas of social deprivation, areas beyond urban centres and both peak and non-peak public transport. This acknowledges concerns about areas of New Zealand outside of urban centres needing public transport improvements.

4.2. The access section now includes explicit reference to supporting regional priorities such as tourism, freight and resilience.

4.3. Regarding resilience, the access section has been amended to place greater focus on proactive risk management and resilience planning across regional boundaries.

4.4. The environment objective has been changed from “A land transport system that reduces the adverse effects on the climate, local environment and public health” to “A land transport system that reduces greenhouse gas emissions, as well as adverse effects on the local environment and public health”.

4.5. The environment section of the GPS has been amended to explicitly include dust in the reference to transport-related air pollution.

4.6. The definition of the transitional rail activity class has been amended to include reference to funding rolling stock (trains and carriages). This allows the Transport Agency to fund operational and capital costs from the transitional rail activity class, but does not preclude funding from the public transport activity class.

4.7. The minimum funding level for the walking and cycling activity class has been increased, to ensure increased minimum levels of expenditure.

4.8. The overall funding level (both lower and upper levels) for public transport has been increased to allow for the Auckland Transport Alignment Project package and still ensure funding is also available for public transport priorities in other areas of New Zealand.

4.9. The scope of the promotion of road safety and demand management activity class has been clarified and the range widened to allow greater flexibility for investment in behaviour-related measures to improve road safety (such as bike safety training), promote mode shift and optimise the transport system (such as travel management plans and promotion of ride-sharing).

4.10. The GPS now reflects a revenue change at a level of 3.5 cents per litre per year for three years for petrol excise duty, and a one-year equivalent increase for road user charges, pending a review of the way road user charge rates are set. Two further increases in road user charge increases are intended.

The National Land Transport Programme

5. The National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) is due to be released on 31 August but due to agenda deadlines, details of allocations for this region cannot be included here. A summary of the NLTP outcomes for this region will be tabled at the meeting.

NZ Transport Agency Targeted Enhanced Funding Assistance

6. The GPS establishes new key priorities for safety and access, supported by environment and value for money. In order to enable councils to take up the opportunities provided by the GPS, a new enhanced Funding Assistance Rate (FAR) has been created for locally delivered improvements to access and safety.

7. These must be for “high” and “very high” priority projects, as assessed against NZTA’s Investment Assessment Framework and the new FAR will be set halfway between a council’s normal FAR and 100%. Councils must redirect any local share saved into other transport-related projects i.e. the enhanced FAR cannot be used to save the council money.

8. All councils should be thinking about how they can avail themselves of this opportunity to improve safety on their networks. This has been the subject of discussion at TAG also.

9. In regard to public transport, HBRC intends to investigate the possibility of complementing the existing bus service with trial on-demand services targeted at lower density areas and in extended operating hours. This investigation is in very initial stages, but we will explore the possibility of achieving funding for this through the targeted enhanced funding assistance programme.

Driver Licensing Programme

10. In December 2015, the Committee approved the use of some road safety allocation to fund driver licensing programmes, subject to sufficient local share being committed by local agencies. Driver licensing had been identified as a major issue in Matariki REDS and this was an opportunity to make use of funding available to the region. Members of the Intersectoral Group committed the necessary local share and a small governance group was established to oversee its allocation.

11. The two year funding period is now complete. 592 driver licence passes have been confirmed by four agencies, at an average cost of $455 per pass, with 339 of these passes being for either restricted or full licences.

12. A further allocation from NZTA is likely, as part of HBRC’s road safety education programme. However, the governance group is aware of significant new funding coming into the region for driver licencing this year, and other national initiatives are being explored, such as the formal introduction of driver licensing into schools.

13. In view of this, the group has resolved to continue the programme for one year, subject to better understanding of the new funding sources and their implications for demand in the region. All groups have been advised of this and new contracts are being prepared.

Regional Cycling Governance Group

14. The work to resolve issues with the Mad Mile section on Waimarama Road is ongoing, but unfortunately has been slowed by the issues surrounding the Craggy Range track. Funding is confirmed for the project but Hastings District Council is still to complete the necessary approvals to enable HBRC to purchase the land and vest this as road reserve. This is unlikely to progress until the issues surrounding the Craggy Range Track have been resolved.

15. A subgroup of officers will shortly meet to commence investigations of a revised commuter route for cyclists between Hastings and Napier. The Regional Cycle Plan proposes a route via Brookfields Road, but progress with this has stalled due to safety concerns. A revised route might use Gilligan’s Road, a new section of stop bank trail and cross the Tutaekuri River before connecting in with Napier’s pathway near the Burness Road Expressway underpass. Options to follow the direct alignment of the HB Expressway will also be explored.

16. Minutes from the August 2018 meeting of the Regional Cycling Governance group are attached.

Stock Truck Effluent Facility for Wairoa

17. HBRC received a submission to its long term plan seeking support for the construction of a stock truck effluent facility in Wairoa, which was referred to this committee for its consideration

18. There is no public stock truck effluent facility between Gisborne and Woodville, and as a result, effluent spills occur on the highway between Napier and Wairoa.

19. The North Island Stock Truck Effluent Strategy was developed in 2003 and modelled the movements of stock trucks across the North Island, determining the best locations for facilities to be placed for maximum benefit. A number of facilities have since been constructed in accordance with the strategy. The strategy indicated that Wairoa would be an ideal location for the placement of a site.

20. The last two regional land transport plans (2012 and 2015) contained an NZTA project to construct a facility on the State Highway 2 between Bay View and Wairoa, but this proposal was not carried forward into the 2018 plan recently adopted.

21. PGG Wrightson and Wairoa District Council have developed a proposal to establish a stock truck effluent facility on PGG Wrightson land on Kiwi Road. Wairoa District Council has commissioned a report into possible options for construction and effluent disposal which recommends an underground tank system with associated ongoing effluent removal.

22. The NZ Transport Agency policy is that it will part-fund the construction and maintenance of stock truck effluent facilities, under the following conditions:

22.1. The facility must be part of an agreed current regional or national strategy

22.2. The relevant council must agree to maintain the facility infrastructure, including disposal of the effluent

22.3. The facility must be located as close to the road as possible, and

22.4. A formal lease or licence to occupy must be signed where the facility is not part of the road reserve.

23. Construction costs for facilities are funded at the council’s usual financial assistance rate, whether on a local road or state highway. However, access roads to the facility are funded at either 100% ( if a state highway) or at the council’s usual rate ( if on a local road)

24. As Wairoa District Council is the relevant council for this proposal, NZTA subsidy would be at the Wairoa financial assistance rate. However, in some other situations around the country, regional councils have met the local share portion, in recognition of the fact that the exacerbators of this issue do not only originate from within the district in which the facility is located.

25. As this issue has been referred to RTC for its consideration, it is suggested that a small working party of officers (NZTA planning and investment team, Wairoa DC, HBRC) should be set up to investigate further details and prepare a funding plan. This group will report back to the Committee in due course.

Review of Regional Public Transport Plan

26. The background and legislative context for the Regional Public Transport Plan is contained in previous agenda.

27. Progress to date includes:

27.1. An early round of feedback from relevant organisations has been undertaken, to feed into the strategic case for the revised plan. A range of issues and suggestions for improvement have been raised.

27.2. Policies under which HBRC manages its public transport services have been reviewed and updated.

27.3. Further development of the strategic case (problem and benefit definition) is underway at present.

Update on Significant Projects - Whakatu Arterial Link

28. Construction of the Pākōwhai Rd roundabout, the last of the three roundabouts to be built, is half-way complete and associated work to bring a left-turning slip-lane from Farndon Rd to the new roundabout is progressing well.

Above: Pakowhai Road roundabout under construction. Farndon Road safety improvements to the right.

Above: Whakatu Road and the new peanut roundabout looking south towards SH2

Decision Making Process

29. Staff have assessed the requirements of the Local Government Act 2002 in relation to this item and have concluded that, as this report is for information only, the decision making provisions do not apply.

Recommendation

1. That the Regional Transport Committee receives the “September 2018 Transport Manager’s Report”.

Authored by:

Anne Redgrave

Transport Manager

Approved by:

Tom Skerman

Group Manager Strategic Planning

Attachment/s

⇩1

Minutes from the August 2018 meeting of the Regional Cycling Governance group

HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL

Regional Transport Committee

Friday 07 September 2018

Subject: RoadSafe Hawke's Bay September 2018 Update

Reason for Report

1. This regular report provides the Committee with a snapshot of road safety activities undertaken under the Road Safety Action Plans and, as necessary, will brief the Committee on any current or upcoming issues relevant to road safety.

Background

2. There are a number of strategic documents that provide the direction for the road safety activities, including:

2.1. Government Policy Statement for Land Transport (GPS)

2.2. Safer Journeys 2020

2.3. Communities at Risk Register

3. Road safety incorporates a range of elements including network improvement, road policing, and education and awareness. RoadSafe Hawke’s Bay (RSHB) and the road safety action plans focus on education and awareness programmes in collaboration with road policing activities and proposed network improvements.

4. Road deaths in Hawke’s Bay - year to date

5. Road deaths by district for the year to date:

*Territorial Authority*	*Road deaths 1 Jan to 27 Aug 2018*
Wairoa	3
Hastings	4
Napier	4
Central Hawke’s Bay	1

6. The graph below shows the factors contributing to road deaths in Hawke’s Bay

The Communities at Risk Register (2017) sets out the personal and collective risk of being involved in a crash caused by one of a range of factors, compared with other territorial authorities. Personal risk reflects the distance travelled and is measured by the number of deaths and serious injuries per 100 million vehicle kilometres travelled^{^[1]}. The table below sets out the factors for which Hawke’s Bay district residents are at high or medium personal risk.^{^[2]}

District

Overall

Young Drivers

Alcohol and Drugs

Speed

Rural Intersections

Urban Intersections

All Intersections

Loss of Control Rural Roads

Motorcyclist involved

Cyclist Involved

Pedestrian Involved

Distraction

Fatigue

Older Road Users

Restraints

Wairoa DC

Hastings DC

Napier CC

Central Hawke’s Bay DC

Key:

High personal risk

Medium personal risk

Funding

7. The road safety programme is funded from three sources:

7.1. The NZ Transport Agency

7.2. Territorial Authorities contribution (Wairoa District Council, Hastings District Council, Napier City Council, Central Hawke’s Bay District Council)

7.3. HBRC rates

RoadSafe Hawke’s Bay Recent Activities

8. The completed work plans for 2017-2018 have been circulated to key stakeholders. The 2018-2019 work plans have been circulated for discussion. The feedback will be reviewed and any changes made. Contact has been made with key stakeholders to set dates for the joint projects across the 2018-2019 work plans

9. Meetings have taken place with key stakeholders who support the HB Youth Alcohol Expo. The purpose was to review the 2018 Expo, was it still purposeful for them, what did we need to do to support them for the 2019 Expo, would they be attending the 2019 Expo and other discussions. We have had a very good response to the discussions so we will start the planning around October for this. We also surveyed the teachers for the region’s schools to ensure we are providing the appropriate information for the schools and that it was purposeful for them to attend. This was met with a resounding yes and we already have a number of schools registered for next year, although this is never an issue. We also surveyed every student and will include the feedback in our planning.

10. School Resource: We will do a full review of the teaching resource we developed for use alongside the Expo at the end of the year - who has used it, is it purposeful, do we need to create more, do we need to change or modify the existing one?

11. Project Evaluation: It was timely that we undertook a full evaluation of the Expo. The committee spent a day doing a full review of the Expo. This is one of the biggest events that we do so it is important that it is still meeting the intended objectives. This day was very successful and will be used in the 2019 Expo Planning.

Decision Making Process

12. Council is required to make every decision in accordance with Part 6 Sub-Part 1, of the Local Government Act 2002 (the Act). Staff have assessed the requirements in relation to this item and have concluded that, as this report is for information only and no decision is to be made, the decision making provisions of the Local Government Act 2002 do not apply.

Recommendation

That the Regional Transport Committee receives and notes the “RoadSafe Hawke's Bay December 2017 Update” staff report.

Authored by:

Linda Anderson

Regional Manager RoadSafe Hawke's Bay

Approved by:

Tom Skerman

Group Manager Strategic Planning

Attachment/s

[1] High Personal Risk – 1 standard deviation above the mean, Medium Personal Risk – 0.5 standard deviation above the mean

[2] Communities at Risk Register, NZ Transport Agency website, 2017