Minutes of Regional Transport Committee

1. Welcome/ Apologies /Housekeeping

The Chair, Jerf van Beek, welcomed everyone to the meeting.

There were apologies for absence from Bridget Wilson, councillors Tania Kerr and Martin Williams.

Marcus Buddo is representing Hastings District Council at this meeting in the absence of Councillor Tania Kerr and Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst.

2. Conflict of interest declarations

There were no conflicts of interest declared.

Public Forum

· Daniel Gale – location of SH5 road closure gates. Raised main issue that the road closure gate locked people in Esk Valley during Cyclone Gabrielle. Suggestions for change include to move the gate’s location and/or to develop a protocol for the gates being closed during flood events with related trigger points.

· Dzidra McHenry – Road sharing safety. Specifically, the road code and Heavy Vehicle Code need to have tighter road sharing guidelines. Particularly on narrow, country roads in relation to horse riders. She has taken steps, including additional signage and training for the horse riders, in the area of Clive near the Hastings wastewater treatment plant.

RTC37/24

Resolution

That the Regional Transport Committee receives and notes the Public Forum speakers’ verbal presentations.

Price/Taylor

CARRIED

3. Confirmation of Minutes of the Regional Transport Committee held on 6 September 2024

RTC38/24

Minutes of the Regional Transport Committee held on Friday, 6 September 2024, a copy having been circulated prior to the meeting, were taken as read and confirmed as a true and correct record.

Taylor/Buddho

CARRIED

Regional Public Transport Plan review

Bryce Cullen introduced the item, which was taken as read, and provided an overview of the purpose of the review of the 2022 Regional Public Transport Plan (RPTP). Key points discussed noted:

· Material changes are all contained in the Agenda item and attached draft RPTP.

· Funding challenges are largely due to central government policy and direction changes.

· In relation to the changes proposed for the Total Mobility Scheme, there has been significant consultation with users and providers of the scheme.

RTC39/24

Resolutions

That the Regional Transport Committee:

1. Receives and considers the Regional Public Transport Plan review staff report

2. Endorses the proposed changes to the 2022 Regional Passenger Transport Plan as detailed.

3. Agrees that Council staff will continue to review remaining sections of the Regional Passenger Transport Plan.

Buddo/Price

CARRIED

Regional Transport Programme December 2024 update

Bryce Cullen introduced the item, which was taken as read, noting that the new regional programme of work will be presented to the February 2025 Regional Transport Committee meeting.

RTC40/24

Resolution

That the Regional Transport Committee receives and notes the Regional Transport Programme September 2024 update staff report.

Taylor/Stewart

CARRIED

Speed Management

Bryce Cullen introduced the item, which was taken as read, noting the rule was introduced with the cessation of the ‘Road to Zero’ policy settings. Work that had been done on local Speed Management Plans will be retained for future use as a significant amount of research was carried out in their development. New rules need to be enforceable by 1 July 2025. The most immediate impact will be on the school zone speed limits and the reversal of the SH5 80km/hr section. In addition, from 1 July 2025 NZ Police will not have fixed speed cameras, which will be taken over by NZTA.

RTC41/24

Resolution

That the Regional Transport Committee receives and notes the Speed Management staff report.

Taylor/Buddo

CARRIED

Waka Kotahi/NZTA Central Region Regional Relationships Director’s update

Linda Stewart introduced the item, highlighting:

· Latest NLTP is the largest the country has seen at $32.9b

· Investment in HB, in addition to the Recovery funding, will be $657M over the next 3 years.

· Government’s number one priority for transport is economic growth through the 12 Roads of National Significance.

· Key deadlines for the Setting of Speed Limits are: 1 May 2025 list of roads in scope for reversal; 1 July 2025 reversals implemented; 1 July 2026 VSL by school gates implemented.

Councillor Jerf van Beek, Chair, left the meeting at 1.21pm and re-joined at 1.24pm

· National ticketing solution pilot - motu move – is rolling out in Christchurch

· The Road Efficiency Group is reporting metrics via a web portal.

· The NZTA app is now available for management of everything to do with your vehicle.

· The renewals (reseals, drainage, rumble strips) programme is in full swing. It’s important to encourage road users to be kind to road workers and drive carefully.

· HB Expressway will be delivered in 4 stages shown on the map in the Agenda. NZTA is holding workshops about the project for NCC and HDC elected reps, and the Mayors, Chair and CEs of the Region.

· Waikare Gorge realignment is in detailed design phase.

RTC42/24

Resolution

That the Regional Transport Committee receives and notes the Waka Kotahi/NZTA Central Region Regional Relationships Director’s update.

Taylor/Price

CARRIED

Transport Rebuild East Coast (TREC) update

Chris Mahoney introduced the item and delivered a presentation covering the delivery of the Transport Rebuild East Coast projects, highlighting that 12 sites have been completed, 15 sites expected to be running through the holiday period.

Daniel Headifen provided an update on the TREC work that KiwiRail is carrying out, with 23 sites between Palmerston North and Hastings expected to be completed by June 2025. KiwiRail is still in discussions in relation to improving the Waitangi Bridge in response to the flood impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle.

RTC43/24

Resolution

That the Regional Transport Committee receives and notes the Transport Rebuild East Coast (TREC) update.

Buddo/Stewart

CARRIED

10.

Private share of public transport operating costs

Russell Turnbull introduced the item, which was taken as read. Key points of note included:

· The level NZTA proposes, over the next three years, for HB farebox recovery of: 2024-25 = 11%; 2025-26 =16%; and 2026-27 = 25% (60% per year) or a total increase of 127%.

· The proposal back to NZTA is to increase fares 5% per year, relying on 7% patronage growth per year.

· Recent growth in patronage is due to the return to full services after Covid-19, Cyclone Gabrielle and bus driver shortages being resolved.

· Staff are working with NZTA constructively to find solutions.

RTC44/24

Resolution

That the Regional Transport Committee receives and notes the Private share of public transport operating costs staff report.

Taylor/Buddo

CARRIED

11.

Public Transport December 2024 update

Russell Turnbull introduced the item, which was taken as read.

RTC45/24

Resolution

That the Regional Transport Committee receives and notes the Public Transport December 2024 update staff report.

Price/Stewart

CARRIED

12.

RoadSafe Hawke's Bay update

Russell Turnbull introduced the item, which was taken as read. NZ Police is investigating ways to get sponsorship to fund activities like fatigue stops and roadside safety checks.

RTC46/24

Resolution

That the Regional Transport Committee receives and notes the RoadSafe Hawke's Bay update staff report.

Buddo/Price

CARRIED

13.

Verbal Advisory Representative reports

· David Murray (AA) – AA has been supporting the region’s lobbying for funding for the Waikare Gorge realignment, and submitted to the Minister on antisocial road use and a review of medical aspects of fitness to drive.

· Ian Emmerson (Road Transport Assn) – grateful for the infrastructure maintenance investments in roads being made however noted the industry in currently in recession.

· Angela Hallett (NZ Police) – Road Policing Delivery stats include: over the last 22 weeks over 10,000 infringements issued in East Coast/ Tairawhiti; 85,000 breath screening tests carried out; focusing this month on impairment. Death and serious injury numbers could be an indication of whether messages are getting through and changing driver behaviour. Drugs testing has been given Royal Ascent and staff are being trained however no date for when the roadside tests are implemented.

· Api Robin (HBRC Māori Committee rep) – pleased with the national programme of investment in roads.

RTC47/24

Resolution

That the Regional Transport Committee receives and notes the Verbal Advisory Representative reports.

Taylor/Buddo

CARRIED

14.	Follow-ups from previous Regional Transport Committee meetings
	The item was taken as read.

Api Robin offered a karakia to close the meeting.

Closure:

There being no further business the Chair declared the meeting closed at 2.38pm on Friday, 6 December 2024.

Signed as a true and correct record.

Date: 21 February 2025 by RTC resolution Chair: Martin Williams