Regional Transport Committee Minutes - 10 April 2018 reconvened 11 May 2018
Minutes of a meeting of the Regional Transport Committee
Held in the Council Chamber, Civic House, 110 Trafalgar Street, Nelson
On Tuesday 10 April 2018, commencing at 9.01am deliberations of submissions to RLTP and RPTP
Present: Councillor G Noonan (Deputy Chairperson presiding), Her Worship the Mayor R Reese, Councillor M Rutledge and Mr J Harland
In Attendance: Councillors I Barker, B McGurk, M Courtney, S Walker, Chief Executive (P Dougherty), Group Manager Infrastructure (A Louverdis) and Governance Adviser (E Stephenson)
Apology: Councillor Matheson
1. Apologies
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Resolved RTC/2018/002 That the Regional Transport Committee Receives and accepts an apology from Councillor Matheson. |
2. Confirmation of Order of Business
There was no change to the order of business, however the Chairperson advised that the meeting would be adjourned to allow a workshop to take place on the Draft Government Policy Statement on Land Transport.
It was noted that staff responses should not have been included in the agenda as no debate had taken place.
There were no updates to the Interests Register. The Chairperson noted that she would not participate when the submission of Ms Robyn Lankshear was discussed.
There was no public forum.
5.1 7 March 2018
Document number M3329, agenda pages 6 - 6 refer.
It was noted that the minutes had been amended to show Councillor Noonan returning to the meeting and the spelling of a submitter’s name had been corrected.
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Resolved RTC/2018/003 That the Regional Transport Committee Confirms the minutes of the meeting of the Regional Transport Committee, held on 7 March 2018, as amended, as a true and correct record. |
6. Chairperson's report - South Island Regional Transport Committee Chairs Meeting 28 March 2018
Document number R9185, agenda pages 20 - 23 refer.
Group Manager Infrastructure Services, Alec Louverdis answered questions regarding the Hope Bypass and transportation modelling.
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Resolved RTC/2018/004 That the Regional Transport Committee Receives the report Chairperson's report - South Island Regional Transport Committee Chairs Meeting 28 March 2018 (R9185) and its attachment A1941591; and Notes the work that has been undertaken by the South Island Transport Committee Chairs which the Chairperson of the Regional Transport Committee has endorsed. |
The meeting was adjourned at 9.13a.m. and reconvened at 9.53 a.m.
The meeting was adjourned at 9.53a.m. for a workshop on the Draft Government Policy Statement on Land Transport. Following the workshop, the meeting reconvened at 11.25a.m.
7. Regional Land Transport Plan and Regional Public Transport Plan - Deliberations Report
Document number R8850, agenda pages 24 - 181 refer.
The Committee considered each submission in turn and advised staff in relation to responses to submissions and further information required.
Discussion included:
· multi modal access and the need to work through investigation constraints
· Council was fortunate to secure urban cycleway funding, the RLTP had significant funding included for the next stage
· safety issues - given the Draft GPS focus on safety, officers should consider which projects to bring forward
· staff to provide a response on the shared pathway safety issue
· the direction on safety in the RLTP was aligned with the Draft GPS as a key deliverable and should be given suitable weighting
· a need to look at the severance impact of Waimea Road
· a suggestion that Council look for funding for people to deliver projects and the need to collaborate with TDC
· significantly increased residential areas close to state highways
· public consultation on a speed limit review
· potential outcomes of the Blenheim to Nelson route, which was still in the logical mapping stage. The project was being driven by the NZTA
· integrated planning for state highways should not be seen as separate, the Council was responsible for representing the community
· consideration of projects that had previously sat with the Parks and Recreation Committee but had a clear link with the GPS to promote cycling – officers to check the Parks Asset Management Plan (AMP)
· the need to take Council’s Traffic Asset Management Plan into account
· cycleways – retrofitting was not easy, Nelson was starting from a well advanced position, the challenge was Council could only deliver $40m of Infrastructure
· condition of buses – Council was satisfied with the service and the overall quality was increasing over time
· officers to reflect on opportunities to create further change in contract KPIs, a high quality product was necessary if public transport was going to be a viable alternative
· the Southern Link Investigation included the form and function of transport, bus lanes
· the need for public education of how to treat buses on the road
· the effect of traffic congestion on bus timetables, people would take buses if they were reliable
· the LTP had an option to look at a functional bus terminal in the CBD, with scoping in years 1-3
· NZTA funding for bus shelters – before final decision-making, staff to report back on:
o how it would work
o what were the barriers
o how could they be overcome
o how could Council work with the NZTA
· transport as an enabler, land use planning and the role of the NZTA - Council had a statutory mandate of place making, which was recognised better in the Draft GPS
· the Council could not ignore the Resource Management Act
· the public transport network linking into areas beyond our borders – NCC supported this, there had been some analysis, staff to re-approach Council’s neighbours to gauge support post the release of the Draft GPS
· climate change and flood modelling work needed to be undertaken, this was an issue Council was dealing with right now, the RTLP needed to be live, Council needed to think how it approached mitigation and defence
· wheelchair access on buses. It was noted that Mr Simon Horrocks’s name was the wrong way around on the submission and that this should be corrected in the response letter
· how to grow public transport patronage
· introduction of electronic ticketing had been delayed until November, patronage would be reviewed on a quarterly/half yearly basis
The meeting was adjourned at 12.26p.m. and reconvened at 12.28p.m.
· the government was looking for integrating transport solutions
· fare reductions will happen and should be publicised, the review process should be mentioned
· Council was working with an existing contract, which should be reviewed in terms of the Draft GPS
· modal shift was a constant process
· discussion needed to take place regarding a fare structure where there were significant numbers of people, for example large employers or institutions, where the actual employer or destination partly funded fares
· it was too early to answer the bike stands issue, however infrastructure was necessary for a choice to happen, submissions on this issue should be encouraged to be put into the LTP process
· conversation had been reopened with the Airport regarding a shuttle bus
· airport to city transport options - the service should be a shared transport solution with NZTA funding before ratepayer funding
· feedback on Trafalgar Street should go to the LTP, the direction of the Nelson Plan and the LTP would focus on the pedestrian experience
· what was going to create the best pedestrian environment? Possible extension of pedestrian zones. Officers needed to think about speed limits within the CBD, the aim was to get the public to park and walk about the CBD
· a report was requested on the closure of Trafalgar Street
· the GPS had given a clear indication that Council needed to think how it was going to pick up an increasing road safety focus
· Council’s approach to parking around schools, road safety was critically important and Council made no excuses for having parking wardens around schools, there was a need to stress why it was important for drivers to slow down and follow parking rules
· Integrated transport – there had been a number of submissions in this vein, which highlighted the challenge of having an integrated community with village communities. Council had some ability to influence in part but not all, integrated transport was challenging and needed an ongoing conversation with TDC re public transport funding, there had been a submission asking the councils to amalgamate, that was a discussion to be had with the Local Government Commission
· a large amount of subdivisions south and west of Richmond with hundreds of houses and the closest public transport was three kilometres away, most of those people worked in the CBD which emphasised the real need for joined-up thinking
· there was a real impact of people of living in Richmond and working in Nelson. Connectivity was required, the problem would not go away, deep conversations with TDC were required
· the need for a proactive campaign on bus transport to maximise success
The meeting was adjourned at 1.02p.m. and reconvened at 1.43p.m.
· Park and Ride facilities were not one of the most viable options. This was only attractive if it saved time, it worked in big cities but needed dedicated infrastructure. A survey had been undertaken in 2013 which gave Council some data, however more data would be needed
· a proposal to reschedule Saturday buses meant they would run slightly later in the evening
· in the future when it became an option, there would be three smaller buses over four routes
· incentive cards for buses – electronic tickets had 20% discount. Council also had a promotional budget which could be used to further promote partnerships with inner city businesses etc
· Stoke Bus Loop, minor changes to the route to accommodate where elderly flats were located were required
· the Arterial Study 2009-11 concluded different results, Council now had Bluetooth data and better data collection, the outcome was to continue with future investigation work
· the Blenheim to Nelson corridor management project - speed limit expectations and consistent traffic flow, this required good safety messaging, technology and journey planning
· there was a land use crossover with the transport network, creating green spaces that were enjoyable to walk and cycle
· Council was preparing to use a new app ‘Smart Travel’, it had signed up but had no capacity to incentivise it as a webmaster would be required
· Carpooling numbers were static. Kerr Street was not running at optimal capacity, it was functioning on a first-in first-served basis, dedicated car parks for car poolers would come up in Smart Travel talks
Attendance: Councillor Rutledge left the meeting at 2.32p.m. and returned at 2.35p.m.
· educational material about road classification, for example what a regional distributor looks like
· the lack of bus terminal toilets was a simple aspect that stopped significant numbers using public transport
· smart little city vision, Council should take good ideas from its population and see if it could translate those concepts into its vision
· crossing point at Basin Reserve and Day’s Track - NZTA initially indicated that plans were feasible, then it said internal processes did not support that location at that point in time and that it needed to be part of the bigger picture
· safety and access outcomes could be further discussed as part of the deliberations
· a bus route to Monaco was a future possibility
· speed limits could not be reduced below 50 kms per hour on state highways by law
· Council was looking at a pedestrian refuge on Nayland Road
· the dangers of drivers avoiding main roads and zero tolerance for speeding through residential streets. Traffic calming could produce even more frustration
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Extension of Meeting Time |
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Resolved RTC/2018/005 That the Regional Transport Committee Extends the meeting time beyond six hours, pursuant to Standing Order 4.2. |
The meeting was adjourned at 3.17p.m. and reconvened at 3.27p.m.
Attendance: Member Harland left the meeting at 3.34p.m. and returned at 3.35p.m.
· the lack of shady spots for truck drivers taking statutory breaks
· would the increase in the Whakatū maintenance budget mean the possibility of resealing in OGPA (Open Graded Porous Asphalt)? Mr Louverdis to pursue this with NZTA and bring back in a supplementary report
· the need for ‘look bike’ campaigns and e-bike solutions
· the need for collaborative projects with a lead and equal partnership
· the need for school corridors and pedestrian crossings. It was noted that submission #17293 should say Mr Tama Easton, not Mrs, this was to be corrected in the response
· staff were in conversation with the DHB on work which was supporting bikes in schools. There was some budget/staff capacity to work on this
· policy on electric powered vehicles was being was being worked on. The GPS was taking a lead in technology. This was a whole new mode of transport
· a safe cycling network was vital, e-bikes meant speed, bulk and momentum and riders going faster with less capability. Cycling on footpaths was common, Nelson could be a good pilot for e-bikes
· light rail required dense settlements at any station. Mr Harland said that he could find out the minimum viable number of people that trains would need to be carrying as that would be useful. He noted that operator costs were large and encouraged the committee to think outside of the square, for example, gondolas
· the constraints of an arterial network were damaging the economy. Council needed concrete steps working with the new government, carrying on was not acceptable
· pre and post audits on pedestrian refuges has been undertaken, there was a need to check the standard procedure
· low branches on street trees was a safety issue, obstructing views across the intersection
· the detailed business case for the Southern Link was a two-year project beginning in 2018 to 2020
· this was the first time that Council had seen a number of businesses and large organisations submit, Council needed to ensure it engaged adequately with the business community
· the focus on access and regional prosperity in the GPS
· secure cycle storage at the airport would be a good idea as cycle routes are connected
· the bus stop located halfway between Caltex and the SPCA was historic, some work was being done on better locations for that catchment, and a request had been received for a stop on the other side of the road
· Co2 reduction and mitigation should be looked at as a whole, this required a commitment as a Council to climate change – ways to develop a carbon neutral transport link, e.g. solar generation bypass barriers, energy generation roading corridors and planting
· work needed to be done on a workplace travel planning exercise, Mr Harland noted that this existed for Christchurch and would give Council the basis for the start of a project. Staff were asked to provide Mr Harland with contact details and he would pass on the information
· staff reassured the committee that the intention was there, and noted that staff had the tools; there was funding for targeting institutions and that the delay had been approval of funding to employ the resource
· Group Manager Infrastructure, Alec Louverdis, said that TDC was seeking approval from NCC to move some of its projects around, and this would be addressed in a supplementary report as questions to needed to be asked of the NZTA to understand any financial risk to topics already in the list
· staff to advise if other projects should be moving forward and given greater emphasis.
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Adjournment of Meeting |
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Resolved RTC/2018/006 That the Regional Transport Committee Adjourns the meeting until 11 May 2018 at 10.00a.m. in the Council Chamber. |
The meeting was adjourned at 5.30p.m.
Minutes of a meeting of the Regional Transport Committee
Reconvened in the Council Chamber, Civic House, 110 Trafalgar Street, Nelson
On Tuesday 11 May 2018, commencing at 10.09a.m. deliberations of submissions to RLTP and RPTP
Present: Councillor G Noonan (Deputy Chairperson presiding), Her Worship the Mayor R Reese, Councillor M Rutledge and Mr J Harland
In Attendance: Councillors B McGurk, I Barker, M Lawrey, Chief Executive (P Dougherty), Group Manager Infrastructure (A Louverdis) and Governance Adviser (J Brandt)
Apology: Councillor Matheson
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Resolved RTC/2018/017 That the Regional Transport Committee Receives and accepts an apology from Councillor Matheson . |
The meeting adjourned at 10.11am and reconvened at 10.17am.
The Chairperson noted the change in chairmanship of the Regional Transport Committee as decided at the 3 Council 2018 meeting.
Interests
No interests were raised.
Order of Business
It was noted the meeting time had been extended and that a light lunch would be served.
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Resolved RTC/2018/018 That the Regional Transport Committee That the Regional Transport Committee Considers the item regarding Submission on the Draft Investment Assessment Framework for the 2018-21 National Land Transport Programme at this meeting as a major item not on the agenda, pursuant to Section 46A(7)(a) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987, to enable a timely decision to be made; and That the Regional Transport Committee Considers the item regarding Transport Agency Investment Proposal 2018-27 at this meeting as a major item not on the agenda, pursuant to Section 46A(7)(a) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987, to enable a timely decision to be made. |
8. Regional Land Transport Plan and Regional Public Transport Plan - Deliberations Report
Group Manager Infrastructure Alec Louverdis spoke to his report and noted changes to the officer recommendations on page 7 of the agenda. Some changes were a result of further investigation of work currently in the Transport AMP non-subsidised work programme for inclusion in the RLTP.
For the Marsden Valley Ridgeway Upgrade it was noted that whilst no detailed business case had been carried out that a change in phasing was appropriate to allow more realistically for future development requirements in the valley.
The inclusion of the recommendation to have Nelson Travel Demand Management/Active Travel as a separate activity was to put due focus on these matters.
Mr Louverdis further answered questions about the Tahunanui cycle network, its consistency with the Rocks Road walkway and the Nelson Southern Link Investigation; constraints on the network limiting housing in areas such as Marsden Valley.
The meeting was adjourned at 11.10am and reconvened at 11.25am.
Team Leader City Development Ms Gibellini answered questions about the growth areas Marsden Valley, Toi Toi and Saxton, as well as the Tasman Heights area, Waimea Road/ Princes Drive connection.
Attendance: Mr Harland left the meeting at 11.29am, returned at 11.31am, and left the meeting again at 11.41am.
Bus Services
The meeting noted the increased focus on public transport in the Draft Government Policy Statement 2018 on Land Transport and felt that a targeted survey to identify barriers to Nelson and Richmond residents using bus services was required and that funds needed to be set aside for this. Acting Senior Strategic Advisor Mark Tregurtha answered questions about the survey methodology.
It was noted that Tasman District Council was undertaking investigations into a collector service, including a study to explore routes and bus stops for Richmond.
Attendance: Mr Harland returned to the meeting at 12.08p.m.
Officers answered questions regarding processes required and options available to introduce speed reductions. The committee noted its preference not to wait for the development of a Speed Management Plan under the NZTA timelines, but wanted those areas identified as having current speed issues prioritised and brought back to the Regional Transport Committee for discussion.
The meeting discussed inclusion of funding for the e-bike project and noted that secure lock up facilities, and the inner city bike hub needed to be considered alongside e-bikes.
The meeting adjourned for lunch at 12.47pm and reconvened at 1.19pm.
The meeting agreed to include additional funds of $250,000 in each of Y2 and Y3 to get some projects under way to achieve Nelson City Council’s vision to be leaders in e-bikes and travel demand management. It was noted that the funding would sit under the Low Cost/ Low Risk budget.
Electronic Bus Ticketing
Electronic Bus Ticketing was discussed, in particular changes to fares in Y1. The committee asked officers to investigate in Y1 possible fare reductions with the consortium, as well as the possibility of a trial, and how easily fare changes can be made after the introduction of the electronic ticketing system, and report back to a future Regional Transport Committee meeting.
Attendance: Her Worship Mayor R Reese left the meeting at 1.48p.m.
Transport Review
It was noted that the next public transport review was to occur in Y2. The committee asked to bring the transport review forward to Y1 as this was considered a priority. Mr Dougherty noted that this amendment would require an additional resource in form of a transport planner and this was endorsed by the Committee.
Transport Agency Investment Proposal (TAIP)
Mr Harland noted that while he had some detail on the additional projects NZTA had signalled in their TAIP that he did not have the full detail. More information was required for the committee to make a decision as to whether to include the Noise Wall and Improvement programme, the SH6 Nelson to Richmond Safe System Enhancements and the Active Road User Corridor Programme – Nelson Safer Corridor project. It was noted that an independent legal opinion was that these projects could not be included in the RLTP, not even as a placeholder.
Mr Harland was advised that in regards to ‘SH Low Cost/ Low Risk improvements 2018-21’, the committee needed clarification as to what the proposed changes in funding (reduction) meant. The Committee requested that detail relating to these four projects be brought back to the RTC prior to 30 June 2018.
Attendance: Her Worship Mayor R Reese returned to the meeting at 2.14p.m.
Nelson Southern Link Investigation
Council’s expert transport advisor Neil Cree from JustAddLime answered questions regarding priority order and thresholds.
It was agreed to leave further discussion on the matter of the Regional Land Transport Plan and Regional Public Transport Plan - Deliberations Report to lie until later in the meeting.
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9 Submission on the Draft Investment Assessment Framework for the 2018-21 National Land Transport Programme |
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In response to a question regarding the online submission format, Mr Harland advised that it would be acceptable to provide the feedback in a form that works for Nelson City Council. He further noted that where examples as to why the format works against Nelson in regards to weightings, the submission should make that clear and ask that this is taken into consideration. In answer to a question, Mr Harland noted that there were different options to pursue funding and recommended that arterial network constraints be presented to NZTA. The meeting adjourned from 2.49pm to 2.51pm. The meeting noted that despite envisaged amendments to the, there would be no changes to the recommendations. Mr Louverdis confirmed he would change the format of the submission to a letter format and implement other amendments as discussed. |
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Resolved RTC/2018/019 That the Regional Transport Committee Receives the report Submission on the Draft Investment Assessment Framework for the 2018-21 National Land Transport Programme (R9265) and its attachment (A1960691); and Delegates authority to approve any minor changes to the submission on the Draft Investment Assessment Framework for the 2018-21 National Land Transport Programme (A1960691 of report R9265), based on feedback from this meeting, to Her Worship the Mayor and the Chair of the Regional Transport Committee; and Approves for signing, by the Mayor and Chair of the Regional Transport Committee, and lodging with the New Zealand Transport Agency, the submission on the Draft Investment Assessment Framework for the 2018-21 National Land Transport Programme (A1960691 of report R9265). |
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Mr Louverdis presented the report. Mr Harland noted that whilst he had some Active Road User Corridor programme information to share with Nelson City Council and asked that Mr Louverdis amend the letter to NZTA to reflect this before it was finalised. |
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Resolved RTC/2018/020 That the Regional Transport Committee Receives the report Transport Agency Investment Proposal 2018-27 (R8850) and its attachments (A1959942); and Delegates authority to approve any minor changes to the draft letter to the New Zealand Transport Agency on the recently released Transport Agency Investment Proposal 2018-27 (TAIP) attached as A1959942 to report R9273, based on feedback from this meeting, to Her Worship the Mayor and Deputy Chair of the Regional Transport Committee; and Approves for signing, by the Mayor and Chair of the Regional Transport Committee and lodging with the New Zealand Transport Agency, the letter on the Transport Agency Investment Proposal 2018-27 (TAIP), attached as A1959942 to report R9273. |
The meeting adjourned at 2.57pm and reconvened at 3.30pm without Her Worship the Mayor R Reese present.
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11 Regional Land Transport Plan and Regional Public Transport Plan - Deliberations Report (supplementary agenda item 8) |
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Resolved RTC/2018/021 That the Regional Transport Committee Receives the report
Supplementary Information Delegates authority to approve any other minor changes to the Nelson Regional Land Transport Plan 2015-2021 (Mid-Term Review) and 2018 Regional Public Transport Plan (A1962674 of Report R9274), based on feedback from this meeting, to Her Worship the Mayor and the Chair of the Regional Transport Committee. Approves in principle the amended Nelson Regional Land Transport Plan 2015-2021 (Mid-Term Review) and 2018 Regional Public Transport Plan (A1962674 of Report R9274) for Council approval with the following changes: ·Rename the “Hill Street Extension project” the “Saxton Growth Area project” and re-phase the budget to $16.05M (as shown in Item 8.4 of Report R9274); and •Highlight as a separate item, the travel demand management and technology enabling budget that has been allowed for within Table 7 of the Regional Land Transport Plan and increase the budget from $182,000 to $250,000 over each of the first three years; and • Addition of budgets for footpath maintenance of $150,000, footpath renewal of $400,000 and new footpath construction of $350,000 into Table 7 of the Regional Land Transport Plan to enable New Zealand Transport Agency subsidy to be applied for and reflect those changes in the Draft 2018-28 Nelson Long Term Plan noting the Transport Agency subsidies; and · Increase the budget for the bus terminus as shown in Item 7.1.3 of Report 9274 from $270,000 to $2.4M phased over 5 years; and · Increase the Nelson City Council Low Cost/Low Risk budget from $6M to $10M; and · Increase the Tahunanui Cycle Network budget from $2M to $2.8M spread out over three years as shown in Item 7.1.1 of Report 9274; and · Change the priority of the projects in Table 4 (Top of the South Significant Activities), as requested by the Tasman Regional Transport Committee, specifically moving “SH60 Richmond to Upper Takaka Safety and Resilience Improvements” from priority 7 to priority 4 and moving “Nelson and Richmond Urban Optimisation Framework (NOF)” from priority 4 to priority 7; and · Inclusion of capital funding of $310,000 (Y1) for Electronic Bus Ticketing and additional operational funding of $42,000 (Y1) and $72,000 (Y2 onwards); and · Inclusion of $10,000 over the next 3 years as the Nelson Regional Transport Committee’s contribution to the South Island Regional Transport Committee Chair Group initiatives; and · Include $10,000 in Y1 to undertake a survey to gauge why ratepayers do not use public transport (including canvassing Richmond residents); and · Include a separate item “Nelson TDM/Active travel” with a capital budget of $250,000 in each of Y2 and Y3; and · Change the phasing of the Marsden/Ridgeway intersection project commencing in 2018/19 with budget and phasing of: 2018/19 $50,000 2019/20 $100,000 2020/21 $500,000 2021/22 $50,000 Agrees to investigate in Y1 fare reduction during peak hour to encourage patronage when arterial routes are at their busiest, and report the implications back to a future Regional Transport Committee that would allow, if required, a variation to the Regional Land Transport Plan; and Agrees to bring forward the public transport review to Y1; and Agrees that officers report back to a future Regional Transport Committee meeting prior to the end of June 2018 with more information relating to the following: - Noise Wall and Improvement Programme; and - SH6 Nelson to Richmond Safe Systems Enhancements; and - Active Road User Corridor Programme – Nelson Safer Corridor; and - SH Low Cost/ Low risk improvements 2018/21. Advises both the Tasman and Marlborough Regional Transport Committees of those decisions that impact Table 4 (Agreed Top of the South Significant Activities) of the Regional Land Transport Plan 2015-2021 (A1962674 as per Report R9274). |
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Resolved RTC/2018/022 That the Council Includes in the Long Term Plan (LTP) the Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP) work programme and budget as proposed by the Regional Transport Committee on 11 May 2018. |
There being no further business the meeting ended at 3.49pm.
Confirmed as a correct record of proceedings:
Chairperson
Date