Deputy Chair J Nees (Bay of Plenty Regional Council)

Transcription

1 G4 Minutes ofthe Regional Transport Committee Meeting held in Mauao Rooms, Bay of Plenty Regional Council Building, 87 First Avenue, Tauranga on Friday, 29 May 2015 commencing at 9.30 a.m. Present: Chairman: Appointees: In Attendance: Apologies: Deputy Chair J Nees (Bay of Plenty Regional Council) Mayor R Paterson (Western Bay of Plenty District Council), H Wilson (Regional Director Waikato/Bay of Plenty, New Zealand Transport Agency), Mayor M Campbell (Kawerau District Council), Mayor A Bonne (Whakatane District Council), Mayor S Chadwick (Rotorua Lakes Council), Councillor D Love (Alternate, Bay of Plenty Regional Council), Councillor K Young (Alternate, Opotiki District Council), Councillor R Curach (Alternate, Tauranga City Council), J Galbraith (Freight Advisor), Inspector K Taylor (Safety Advisor, NZ Police) Bay of Plenty Regional Council - F McTavish (General Manager Strategy), B Healey (Senior Transport Planner), S Norris (Contractor), S Kameta (Committee Advisor); NZ Transport Agency - R Hurn (Planning and Investment Manager), M Haseley (Principal Transport Planner); Western Bay of Plenty District Council - J Paterson; Ministry of Transport - S Tucker, D Greig Councillor D Owens (Deputy Chair), Mayor J Forbes (Opotiki District Council), Mayor S Crosby (Tauranga City Council), Councillor D Love for lateness. 1 General Business and Tabled Items That pursuant to section 46A of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 the following items be considered at this meeting. 1) New super reflective signs - general business item 2 Declaration of conflicts of interest No conflicts of interest were declared. 3 Previous Minutes 3.1 Regional Transport Committee Meeting -11 March 2015 Matters arising

2 Regional Transport Committee Friday, 29 May 2015 In regard to minute item 3.3, Endorsement of the Bay of Plenty Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP) on page 5 of the agenda, the Chair noted a number of consequential changes made to the RLTP, which she had approved under delegated authority, prior to its submission to the New Zealand Transport Agency. The following changes were outlined for members' information: 1) The most significant change was the funding approved for all phases of the SH2/SH29 Baypark to Bayfair link upgrade, as the top priority for the region. This was added to the committed and retained with a footnote in the prioritised activities list along with consequential updates reflected in the 6 year forecast (Figure 26) and 10 year forecast (Figures 35, 36 and 37). 2) Due to the change in status of the Baypark to Bayfair link upgrade from an 'activity submitted for funding' to an 'approved activity', there was a reduction in the forecast for state highway improvements in the first three years of activities submitted for funding, being a major change to the forecasts with other figures changed according to various agencies adjusting their programmes. 3) Development phases for the Rotorua Urban Intersection Optimisation activity - now re-named SH30 Sala St/Te Ngae Road Urban Intersection Optimisation, were added to the draft SHAMP. 4) Rotorua Lakes Council (RLC) had withdrawn its submission for the Rerewhakaaitu Freight Route funding, now the two bridges had been assessed as HPMV capable. Whakatane District Council had retained the activity in its programme to investigate the sealing of sections of the route in the Whakatane District. 5) RLC had withdrawn its submission for a new Transport Centre, as the new bus route changes had partially met its objectives through its minor improvements programme, reducing the number of prioritised activities from 47 to 46. 6) Tuhoe had submitted to Regional Council's Long Term Plan seeking an amendment to the RLTP to include reference to funding for Maori roads. Staff had recommended a response that the Land Transport Management Act enabled payments for activities relating to Maori roadway. While the RLTP had been adopted by Council, there was opportunity to amend the document to include a statement to that effect, therefore subsequent amendment had been made, adding a new Section 8.8, Maori roadways to that effect. It was noted this had no current impact to the financial aspect of the RLTP. 7) The Papamoa East Interchange planning activity was moved from the Transport Planning to the Local Road Improvements activity class, as a technical change for developing an Indicative Business Case rather than a Programme Business Case. 8) An activity called 'Enhanced Network Resilience BOP' was included in the programme of State Highway improvements as a placeholder for spot treatments to improve resilience in the region. 9) SH34: SH30 Kawerau NSRRP was moved to the transport planning activity class, along with several other smaller state highway safety improvement activities' 'Programme Business Case' phases. 10) NZTA Highways & Network Operations (HNO) had added a transport planning activity for development of its Activity Management Plan 2015/18.

3 Regional Transport Committee Friday, 29 May ) A number of name changes and cost adjustments were made to activities in the programme. The Chair advised that a final copy of the plan would be distributed to members once it had been printed. 1 Contirms the minute of the Regionai Transport Committee held on 11 March Reports 4.1 New Zealand Transport Agency Update Nees/Curach CARRIED NZTA Waikato/Bay of Plenty Regional Director Harry Wilson highlighted key results from the 2014/15 quarterly update report. He advised of a shift to HPMVs equating to substantial productivity savings, focus on speed and safe system approach at Te Puke and allocation successes made in effective road maintenance. Members were briefed on plans for the Tauranga Eastern Link (TEL) opening set down for 31 July, including toll sequencing, cost structure, advertising, planned sessions with territorial authority staff and electronic gantries trialled and commissioned at Route K. Approximately 5-6,000 vehicles were anticipated each day. Focus would be on getting the TEL moving, as well as looking at form and function for Te Puke. Mr Wilson informed members of plans to rename Route K to Takitimu Toll Road. Regarding the Bay of Plenty Regional Land Transport Plan, Mr Wilson noted good alignment with the Government Policy Statement and expected the majority of investments would follow. He advised NZTA's Chief Executive would be in the region in early July for a presentation on the National Land Transport Programme, at which the Regional Transport Committee Chair would present. He congratulated members on the recently launched Regional Growth Study seeing significant transport opportunities. Regarding the Upper North Island Freight Accord, next stage would focus on high level supply and demand for the region with a number of key actions coming through. Members sought clarification on several matters. Discussion was raised on the need for the Government to look at moving away from user pay tolls and policy challenges of spreading investment. Regarding longer freight units, network reviews were constantly looking at passing lanes and guardrails. Significant spikes in accidents involving trucks were not necessarily their fault, but the fault of other vehicles. Attendance Councillor Love entered the meeting at 10:29 am. The Chair was encouraged to see national messages coming through on road and rail strategic freight and willingness for both to cooperate. A member commented on opportunities for the Regional Growth Study to consider infrastructure investment while conversations were occurring at the ministerial level and the importance for KiwiRail involvement.

4 G7 Regional Transport Committee Friday, 29 May Receives the report, New Zeaiand Transport Agency Update. Nees/Paterson 4.2 SH2/Wainui Road (Matekerepu) Route Security Improvements Senior Transport Planner Bron Healey presented the report that sought a funding commitment of $1 million from the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) for the SH2/Wainui Road (Matekerepu) route security improvements. The recommendations reflected Regional Council's approval to fund up to $300,000 in 2015/16, which was conditional to the NZTA funding commitment. Regional Director Harry Wilson advised unfortunately the project was not a priority within the national transport fund and that NZTA could only commit to a contribution of up to $300,000. He advised other regions were in similar situations and recommended the best way to make traction was for the Committee to look for opportunities to influence national policy drivers on safety and resilience. He suggested that the Committee Chair raise the matter with NZTA's Chief Executive during his regional visit in eariy July. Members noted their frustration and disappointment that previous ministerial agreements supporting the project had not been honoured. As NZTA was unable to commit the necessary funding to the project, consensus was gained from the Committee to recommend to the Regional Council that it retain the unspent funding of $300,000 for a future point. Members and staff noted that the Regional Land Transport Plan supported inclusion of the project in the regional improvements activity class and that the Committee would continue to engage with NZTA on the project. Mr Wilson asked that appreciation be noted to the Regional Council for its funding contribution. That the Regional Transport Committee under its delegated authority: 1 Receives the report, SH2/Wainui Road (Matekerepu) Route Security improvements. 2 Notes that the Regional Councii has conditionally approved up to $300,000 in 2015/16 for the project provided by the end of the 29 May 2015 Regionai Transport Committee meeting, the NZTA commits to funding the further $1 million required to compiete this work. 3 Requests that the Regionai Councii hold the $300,000 in its Long Term Plan for an Eastern Bay of Pienty resilience project. 4 Contirms that the Regionai Land Transport Pian reinforces that this project shouid be included in the regionai improvements activity class with a focus on resilience. 5 Confirms that the Regional Transport Committee position is to continue to engage with NZTA in regard to this project.

5 C8 Regional Transport Committee Friday, 29 May Notes NZ Transport Agency's appreciation to the Bay of Pienty Regionai Councii for providing funding for the Eastern Bay of Plenty resilience project. Confirms that the decision has a iow level of signiticance. Adjournment Curach/Bonne The meeting adjourned for morning tea at 10:56 am and reconvened at 11:17 am. Change to order of business To accommodate the eariy departure of a member, the Chair advised agenda item 5.5, 'Stock Truck Effluent Disposal Facilities' would be received next before agenda item 5.3, 'Ministry of Transport Strategic Policy Programme'. 4.3 Stock Truck Effluent Disposal Facilities Senior Transport Planner Bron Healey provided the report that sought a decision from the Committee on the need for further action to address the issue of stock truck effluent at a regional level. Mr Healey outtined the three options, recommending option three to develop a business case to assess the need for additional sites, to be led by NZTA. He advised a business case would provide flexibility to inform future investment needs and responded to concerns raised within Regional Council's Long Term Plan submissions. Regional Director Harry Wilson commented on assumpttons made in regard to effluent disposal sites, nottng that most were situated on local roads and not state highways. Mr Wilson proposed that Option two (development of a regional stock truck effluent strategy) be considered to involve all councils to work together on a soiutton. General Manager Strategy Fiona McTavish advised Regional Council did not have budget to lead development of the strategy, but could find the required resourcing within existtng budgets if coordination was led by NZTA. MOTION Moved: Harry Wilson Seconded: Mayor Paterson Agrees to the development of a Regional Stock Truck Effiuent Strategy, which the New Zeaiand Transport Agency will coordinate and involve ali councils in the region. The MOTION was PUT and CARRIED. 1 Receives the report. Stock Truck Effiuent Disposai Facilities. 2 Agrees to the development of a Regionai Stock Truck Effluent Strategy, which the New Zeaiand Transport Agency wiil coordinate and involve ali councils in the region. 3 Contirms that the decision has a iow ievel of significance. ' c

6 Regional Transport Committee Friday, 29 May Ministry of Transport Strategic Policy Programme Refer to PowerPoint Presentation (Objective ID A ) Wiison/Paterson The report provided background on three major strategic research projects recently undertaken by the Ministry of Transport under the themes of economic development and transport, future demand for personal travel and future funding. Strategy Director David Greig and Strategic Policy Programme Manager Shelley Tucker presented the outcomes of the research scenarios. Key insights highlighted complex variables that would require flexibility, focus on access, how people would choose to be mobile and responding to transport pressures created by economic growth. Attendance Mayor Paterson left the meeting at 11:58 am. In regard to future funding, Mr Greig advised spending had increased in comparison to other OECD countries. In terms of investment levels and revenue, informatton was needed on local government willingness to provide local share and clarity on the outcomes sought. The potential for a road user charging regime across all vehicles and a framework to keep abreast of changes and developments was raised with discussions being held with stakeholder groups. Ms Tucker said the project programme was designed to push the boundaries, think about the future in more than one way and sttmulate wider discussions. She advised the programme would support the next Government Policy Statement and economic growth and that they were keen to exchange further informatton and create an open forum with local government, looking at the environment on the ground. That the Regionai Transport Committee under its delegated authority: 1 Receives the report, Ministry of Transport Strategic Policy Programme /16 Regional Road Safety Action Plan Nees/Bonne Senior Transport Planner Bron Healey presented the report that provided the 2015/16 Regional Road Safety Action Plan for the Committee's approval. Mr Healey noted that while funding focused on four priority areas. Regional Council would look at supporting other inittatives. Members received current trends from Inspector Taylor on alcohol/drug impaired stattsttc. He advised that while poor attitudes sttll existed and the rate was sttll high, proportions matched numbers being caught. A good news story was there were less young drivers being caught and an attitudinal change coming through in adult drivers. That the Regionai Transport Committee under its delegated authority:

7 70 Regional Transport Committee Friday, 29 May Receive the report, 2015/16 Regionai Road Safety Action Plan. 2 Approve the 2015/16 Bay of Pienty Regional Council Road Safety Action Pian. Confirms that the decision has a low level of significance. Wiison/Chadwick CARRIED 4.6 Variation to the Regional Land Transport Programme The report informed the Committee that the Regional Advisory Group had approved a variatton to the Regional Land Transport Programme under delegated authority. The Committee took the report as read and received the report. 1 Receives the report, Variation to the Regionai Land Transport Programme Other Matters of Interest Wiison/Curach Senior Transport Planner Bron Healey presented the report on other matters of interest to the Committee and outtined key points for information. That the Regionai Transport Committee under its delegated authority: 1 Receives the report. Other Matters of Interest. 5 General Business Nees/Curach CARRIED Councillor Ken Young raised a concern with the new super reflecttve signs, commenting that the signs reflected back at drivers. While there may be a low number of incidents reported, he said the signs posed an unnecessary hazard and risk to safety. Regional Director Harry Wilson noted strict standards were placed on signage including a robust review process as new technology advances were made. He advised that NZTA staff would investtgate the matter further. Further comment was raised for consideratton on anecdotal feedback coming through on LED headlights used by cyclists, creating night blindness for oncoming traffic. The meeting closed at 12:37 pm.