Agenda of Regional Transport Committee

Regional Transport Committee

29 June 2021

Page No.

Karakia and Mihi Timatanga

1. Apologies

Nil

2. Confirmation of Order of Business

3. Interests

3.1 Updates to the Interests Register

3.2 Identify any conflicts of interest in the agenda

4. Public Forum

5. Confirmation of Minutes

5.1 16 February 2021 6 - 10

Document number M15416

Recommendation

That the Regional Transport Committee

1. Confirms the minutes of the meeting of the Regional Transport Committee, held on 16 February 2021, as a true and correct record.

5.2 21 April 2021 11 - 18

Document number M16576

Recommendation

That the Regional Transport Committee

1. Confirms the minutes of the meeting of the Regional Transport Committee, held on 21 April 2021, as a true and correct record.

6. Chairperson's Report

7. Proposed Setting of Speed Limits Rule 2021 - Submission 19 - 47

Document number R25931

Recommendation

That the Regional Transport Committee

1. Receives the report Proposed Setting of Speed Limits Rule 2021 - Submission (R25931) and its attachments (A2681890 and A2683867) and;

2. Approves retrospectively the submission on the Setting of Speed Limits Rule 2021 to Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency (A2681890 and A2683867 of Report R25931).

8. Nelson Tasman 2021-31 Regional Public Transport Plan 48 - 147

Document number R25893

Recommendation

That the Regional Transport Committee

1. Receives the report Nelson Tasman 2021-31 Regional Public Transport Plan and its attachments (A2679732 and A2679766).

Recommendation to Council

That the Council

1. Approves the Nelson Regional Public Transport Plan 2021-2031 (A2679732 of Report R25893) for submission to Waka Kotahi prior to 2 July 2021.

9. Waka Kotahi Update 148 - 162

Document number R22668

Recommendation

That the Regional Transport Committee

1. Receives the report Waka Kotahi Update (R22668) and its attachment (A2686516).

Karakia Whakamutunga

Regional Transport Committee - 16 February 2021

Minutes of a meeting of the Regional Transport Committee

Held in the Council Chamber, Civic House, 110 Trafalgar Street, Nelson

On Tuesday 16 February 2021, commencing at 1.32p.m.

Present: Councillor B McGurk (Chairperson), Her Worship the Mayor R Reese, Councillors J Edgar (Deputy Chairperson), R O'Neill-Stevens and Waka Kotahi Representative (E Speight)

In Attendance: Group Manager Infrastructure (A Louverdis), Governance Adviser (J Brandt) and Governance Support (P Boutle)

Apologies : Nil

1. Apologies

There were no apologies.

2. Confirmation of Order of Business

There was no change to the order of business.

3. Interests

There were no updates to the Interests Register, and no interests with items on the agenda were declared.

4. Public Forum

There was no public forum.

5. Confirmation of Minutes

5.1 7 December 2020

Document number M15331, agenda pages 5 - 10 refer.

Resolved RTC/2021/001

That the Regional Transport Committee

1. Confirms the minutes of the meeting of the Regional Transport Committee, held on 7 December 2020, as a true and correct record.

McGurk/O'Neill-Stevens Carried

6. Chairperson's Report

The Chairperson welcomed the new Waka Kotahi Representative, Emma Speight, to her first meeting of the Nelson City Council Regional Transport Committee.

7. Draft Regional Land Transport Plan 2021-31 and Draft Regional Public Transport Plan Consultation

Document number R22558, agenda pages 11 - 187 refer.

Manager Transport and Solid Waste, Marg Parfitt presented the report. She noted a number of minor edits needing to be made since the agenda was published. She further tabled a document containing an addition to the draft summary statement of proposal (A2582219). Ms Parfitt noted that the dates for hearings in item 5.2 were subject to final confirmation.

The following minor edits were noted:

· Summary of Statement of Proposal – second bullet point on first page: remove ‘at Waimea Road and Franklyn Street, Tahunanui Dr and Parkers Road’ (agenda page 184)

· Glossary to be expanded to include additional terms

· Ensure the readability of graphics throughout the document

· Active transport – consider mentioning e-mobility

· Links for strategic documents to be added/updated

· NMIT, Kāinga Ora, Plunket and Kindergarten Association to be added to the list of stakeholders to consult with

Resolved RTC/2021/002
	*That the Regional Transport Committee* 1. Receives the report Draft Regional Land Transport Plan 2021-31 and Draft Regional Public transport Plan 2021-31 Consultation (R22558) and its Attachments A2570814, A2569883, A2561832, and A2564747 ; and 2. Approves the use of the special consultative procedure for community consultation on the Draft Regional Land Transport Plan (A2570814) and the Draft Regional Public Transport Plan (A2569883); and 3. Adopts the Draft Regional Land Transport Plan (A2570814) and the Draft Regional Public Transport Plan (A2569883) as the Statements of Proposal for the purposes of the special consultative procedure; and *4. Adopts the Summary of the Statements of Proposal (A2561832) to enable public understanding of the proposal; and* *5. Approves the consultation approach (set out in sections/paragraphs 5.13 - 5.17, and Attachment 4 (A2564747) of Report R22558) and agrees:* (a) the approach includes sufficient steps to ensure the Statements of Proposal will be reasonably accessible to the public and will be publicised in a manner appropriate to its purpose and significance; and *(b) the approach will result in the Summary of the Statements of Proposal being as widely publicised as is reasonably practicable as a basis for consultation.* 6. Delegates any minor word changes, and text additions discussed at the meeting, to the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Regional Transport Committee.
O'Neill-Stevens/McGurk Carried
Attachments 1 A2582219 - Draft Summary of Proposal addition for bus services - tabled document

8. Feedback on Waka Kotahi Investment Proposal

Document number R22550, agenda pages 188 - 191 refer.

Group Manager Infrastructure, Alec Louverdis, tabled a response received from Waka Kotahi (A2582173) regarding the Waka Kotahi Investment Proposal Feedback received from Nelson City Council.

Resolved RTC/2021/003
	*That the Regional Transport Committee* 1. Receives the report Feedback on Waka Kotahi Investment Proposal (R22550) and its Attachment A2544081.
O'Neill-Stevens/Edgar Carried
Attachments 1 A2582173 - Letter Waka Kotahi dated 10Feb2021

9. Waka Kotahi Update

Document number R22593, agenda pages 192 - 206 refer.

Waka Kotahi Representative, Emma Speight, presented the Powerpoint slides included in the agenda.

Ms Speight answered questions about factors contributing to deaths on roads, the data provided, and Waka Kotahi’s 30-year plan.

Resolved RTC/2021/004

That the Regional Transport Committee

1. Receives the report Waka Kotahi Update (R22593) and its attachment (A2567869).

Edgar/Her Worship the Mayor Carried

10. Nelson Future Access Update

Document number R22595, agenda pages 207 - 209 refer.

Rhys Palmer of Waka Kotahi, presented the report. He answered questions about the timing of the next round of consultations with the public, noting a robust process was required.

Resolved RTC/2021/005

That the Regional Transport Committee

1. Receives the report Nelson Future Access Update (R22595) and its attachment (A2567821).

Edgar/Speight Carried

There being no further business the meeting ended at 2.50p.m.

Confirmed as a correct record of proceedings:

Chairperson Date

Regional Transport Committee Minutes - 21 April 2021

Minutes of a meeting of the Regional Transport Committee

Held in the Council Chamber, Civic House, 110 Trafalgar Street, Nelson

On Wednesday 21 April 2021, commencing at 1.02p.m.

Present: Councillor B McGurk (Chairperson), Councillors J Edgar (Deputy Chairperson), R O'Neill-Stevens and Waka Kotahi Representative Ms E Speight

In Attendance: Group Manager Infrastructure (A Louverdis), Governance Adviser (E Stephenson) and Governance Support (P Boutle)

Apology: Her Worship the Mayor Reese on Council business

Karakia Timatanga

1. Apologies

Resolved RTC/2021/008

That the Regional Transport Committee

1. Receives and accepts an apology from Her Worship the Mayor Reese on Council business.

McGurk/Edgar Carried

2. Confirmation of Order of Business

The Chairperson advised that Confidential Item 1 – Consideration of Public Transport Improvements to existing contract in Year 1 and 2 of Long Term Plan, had been withdrawn and that high-level information would be included in the officers’ verbal update relating to Item 8 - Nelson Tasman Regional Public Transport Plan 2021-31 - Deliberations Report.

3. Interests

There were no updates to the Interests Register, and no interests with items on the agenda were declared.

4. Public Forum

There was no public forum.

5. Confirmation of Minutes

Document number R24810, agenda pages 9 - 19 refer.

The motion was taken in parts.

Resolved RTC/2021/009
	*That the Regional Transport Committee* *1. Confirms the minutes of the meeting of the Regional Transport Committee, held on 6 April 2021 (A2620943), as a true and correct record; and*
O'Neill-Stevens/McGurk Carried Resolved RTC/2021/010
*That the Regional Transport Committee* 2. Confirms the minutes of the meeting of the Regional Transport Committee, held on 9 April 2021 (A2620949), as a true and correct record.
Edgar/O'Neill-Stevens Carried

6. Late submission

Document number R24808, agenda pages 20 - 25 refer.

The Chairperson advised that a late submission had been received and that the following motion was required to accept the submission.

Resolved RTC/2021/011

That the Regional Transport Committee

1. Receives the report Late submission (R24808) and its attachment (A2619186) ; and

2. Accepts late submission #27446 from Dai Mitchell to the Draft Regional Public Transport Plan 2021 -2031.

O'Neill-Stevens/Edgar Carried

7. 2021-31 Regional Land Transport Plan - Deliberations Report

Document number R22719, agenda pages 26 - 161 refer.

Manager Transport and Solid Waste, Marg Parfitt, and Team Leader Transport Activity Management, Sue McAuley, presented the report and explained the rationale for the updated recommendations that had been provided. Ms Parfitt noted that there had been no substantive changes to the Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP) made by Marlborough District Council (MDC) or Tasman District Council (TDC), who had both completed their RLTP deliberations. Ms Parfitt and Ms McAuley answered questions regarding the content of the RLTP and the proposed changes.

In response to a question regarding the Nelsust log barging proposal, Group Manager Infrastructure, Alec Louverdis, advised that from a Nelson City Council perspective, officers would not be prioritising, or further considering that proposal.

Following further questions, an additional amendment to the recommendations was suggested in that the words ‘and be consistent’ be added to bullet point nine of clause 4 of the recommendation to allow for any changes in the carbon emissions reduction target.

In response to a suggestion that the Tangata Whenua section on agenda page 79 was too Nelson specific, Mr Louverdis confirmed that more general wording would be provided via a minor amendment.

Resolved RTC/2021/012

That the Regional Transport Committee

1. Receives the report 2021-31 Regional Land Transport Plan - Deliberations Report (R22719) and its attachments (A2609254, A2564747 and A2570814); and

2. Notes that consultation on the Regional Land Transport Plan and the Regional Public Transport Plan occurred simultaneously and that all submissions received have been included in the appropriate deliberations report regardless of which one they submitted to; and

3. Advises Waka Kotahi and the Tasman and Marlborough Regional Transport Committees of any amendments to the draft Nelson Regional Land Transport Plan 2021-31; and

4. Approves the Nelson Regional Land Transport Plan 2021-31 (A2570814 of Report R22719) with the following changes:

· Amend the costings in the draft Nelson Regional Land Transport Plan to reflect the revised budgets in each Councils Long Term Plan and the Waka Kotahi Investment Proposal;

· Update the Significant Projects table to reflect Waka Kotahi removing the 'Motueka Upgrade Additional Scope' project from the investment proposal;

· Amend the Death and Serious Injury (DSI) ratings in the information reading significant safety projects;

· Update the table ‘Linking Transport Objectives and Significant Activities’ on page 56 of the draft Nelson Regional Land Transport Plan to reflect the review of the sustainability alignment of the listed projects, carried out by Council officers and Waka Kotahi;

· Update the strategic context section of the draft Nelson Regional Land Transport Plan to reflect the most up to date forecasts for aviation growth and to add commentary which identifies the assumptions on which these figures are based;

· Update the Tangata Whenua section on pages 14-15 of the draft Nelson Regional Land Transport Plan to clearly outline the special status of iwi as the tangata whenua of Te Tauihu, and how they will be involved in ongoing engagement with Council and Waka Kotahi to implement the Regional Land Transport Plan;

· Amends the Regional Land Transport Plan public transport budget in line with the draft Regional Public Transport Plan; and

· Inclusion of a policy confirming resilience is part of prudent asset management; and

· Amends the ‘Carbon Emissions’ headline target to align and be consistent with the Climate Change Commissions target of a 47% reduction in transport generated carbon emissions by 2035; and

5. Notes staff will work with Waka Kotahi, Tasman District Council and Marlborough District Council staff to finalise the Regional Land Transport Plan; and

6. Confirms that the Nelson Regional Land Transport Plan 2021-31, amended as in clause 5 above, be lodged with the Council; and

7. Delegates authority to approve any changes to the Nelson Regional Land Transport Plan consequential to the Long Term Plan 2021 – 2031 deliberations, and minor changes made either by Marlborough District Council or Tasman District Council Regional Transport Committees, to the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Regional Transport Committee.

Edgar/O'Neill-Stevens Carried

Recommendation to Council RTC/2021/013

That the Council

1. Approves the Nelson Regional Land Transport Plan 2021-2031 (A2570814 of Report R22719) for submission to Waka Kotahi prior to 30 June subject to any changes made as part of the Long Term Plan 2021 - 2031 process, and minor changes made by Marlborough District Council or Tasman District Council Regional Transport Committees, and notes the delegation to the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Regional Transport Committee.

Edgar/O'Neill-Stevens Carried

The meeting was adjourned from 1.52p.m. until 2.07p.m.

8. Nelson Tasman Regional Public Transport Plan 2021-31 - Deliberations Report

Document number R24772, agenda pages 162 - 294 refer.

Manager Transport and Solid Waste, Marg Parfitt, and Team Leader Transport Activity Management, Sue McAuley, presented the report and explained the rationale for the updated recommendations that had been provided. Ms Parfitt clarified that Waka Kotahi had granted Nelson City Council an extension to lodge the Regional Public Transport Plan (RPTP) on 2 July 2021 and provided a summary of the feedback. A document of high level estimates of changes to the existing public transport contract was tabled (A2623754). Ms Parfitt and Ms McAuley answered questions regarding the content of the RPTP and proposed changes and on submissions to the RPTP, current and proposed public transport services and future steps.

Attendance: Ms Speight left the meeting from 2.30p.m. until 2.47p.m.

The Committee expressed its appreciation to all officers involved in the RLTP and RPTP for the extensive amount of work that had been undertaken.

Resolved RTC/2021/014
	*That the Regional Transport Committee* *1. Receives the report Nelson Tasman Regional Public Transport Plan 2021-31 - Deliberations Report (R24772) and its attachments (A2569883, A2617764, A2617627); and* 2. Notes that consultation on the Regional Land Transport Plan and the Regional Public Transport Plan occurred simultaneously and that all submissions received have been included in the appropriate deliberations report regardless of which one they submitted to; and *3. Approves lodging the amended Nelson Tasman Regional Public Transport Plan 2021-31 (A2569883 of Report R24772) with Council for consideration, with the following changes:* · *Including the provision to undertake detailed service route and timetable planning in 2021-2023;* · *Bring service frequency increases proposed for stage 2 (2026) into stage 1(2023) at an increased net cost of up to $670,000;* · Including support to move to the Living Wage for bus drivers from July 2021 (at an estimated cost of $38,000 per year) subject to nationally led outcomes and further discussion with Waka Kotahi and the bus operator; · *Include the investigation to allow dogs in suitable carrier containers on buses at off peak times; and* 4. Advises the Tasman Regional Transport Committee and Waka Kotahi of any amendments to the Regional Public Transport Plan 2021-31 approved by the Nelson Regional Transport Committee; and *5. Notes that any changes made by Tasman District Council to the Nelson Tasman Regional Public Transport Plan 2021-31 will be cost neutral to Nelson City Council.; and* 6. Notes that a final Regional Public Transport Plan will be brought to the 29 June 2021 Nelson Regional Transport Committee meeting following Long-Term Plan adoption recommending to Council to lodge with Waka Kotahi.
Edgar/McGurk Carried
Attachments 1 A2623754 - High level cost estimates for Y1 and 2 changes to existing bus contract

Recommendation to Council RTC/2021/015

That the Council

1. Considers making provision for extra funding as outlined in 6.6.4 of report R24772 to the 21 April 2021 Regional Transport Committee as part of the Long-Term Plan 2021 – 2031 deliberations on the basis that external additional funding is secured from non-rates sources, or that savings are made in other transport related activities; and

2. Notes that a Regional Public Transport Plan will be brought to Council on 1 July 2021 seeking approval to lodge with Waka Kotahi and that this timing of the approval of the Regional Public Transport Plan will ensure consistency across the Regional Land Transport Plan, Regional Public Transport Plan and Long Term Plan.

Edgar/McGurk Carried

9. Exclusion of the Public

There was no exclusion of the public as Item 1 of the Confidential agenda - Consideration of Public Transport Improvements to existing contract in Year 1 and 2 of Long Term Plan had been withdrawn.

Karakia Whakamutunga

There being no further business the meeting ended at 3.14p.m.

Confirmed as a correct record of proceedings:

Chairperson Date

Item 7: Proposed Setting of Speed Limits Rule 2021 - Submission

Regional Transport Committee

29 June 2021

REPORT R25931

Proposed Setting of Speed Limits Rule 2021 - Submission

1. Purpose of Report

1.1 To retrospectively approve the submission to Waka Kotahi, NZ Transport Agency, (Waka Kotahi) on the Setting of Speed Limits Rule 2021.

2. Recommendation

That the Regional Transport Committee

1. Receives the report Proposed Setting of Speed Limits Rule 2021 - Submission (R25931) and its attachments (A2681890 and A2683867) and;

2. Approves retrospectively the submission on the Setting of Speed Limits Rule 2021 to Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency (A2681890 and A2683867 of Report R25931).

3. Background

3.1 Waka Kotahi is seeking feedback on a Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits. This new rule proposes to enable an improved approach to speed management planning on New Zealand roads.

3.2 Speed is a major contributing factor to deaths and serious injuries on New Zealand roads. In the event of a crash, regardless of cause, the speed of impact is the most important determinant of the severity of injuries sustained and the probability of death.

3.3 On 11 November 2019, Cabinet agreed to the wider Tackling Unsafe Speeds package, which comprises:

· introducing a new regulatory framework for speed management to improve how speed management changes are planned for, consulted on and implemented;

· transitioning to lower speed limits around schools to improve safety and encourage more children to use active modes of transport;

· adopting a new approach to road safety cameras (also referred to as ‘speed cameras’) to reduce excessive speeds on our highest risk roads.

3.4 Once signed, this proposed Rule will replace the Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2017. A nationally held speed limit register will replace the existing Speed Limit Bylaw schedules.

4. Discussion

4.1 Public consultation on the proposed rule opened on Friday 23 April 2021 and closed 5pm Friday 25 June 2021.

4.2 Nelson City Council (NCC) officers support this new initiative that aims to provide more consistent and safer speeds across regional networks. Officers do, however, have some reservations and comments on the proposed process.

4.3 Waka Kotahi hosted a meeting for NCC and Tasman District Council (TDC) officers on 24 May 2021 and a briefing with both NCC/TDC Regional Transport Committee (RTC) members was held on 3 June 2021 as part of this consultation.

4.4 NCC staff drafted a proforma submission in line with current Council strategies and policies. The submission is aligned with that of TDC and was signed off by the Chair and Deputy Chair of the RTC. Retrospective approval of the feedback submission is requested from this Committee

4.5 The proposed Rule will give effect to a new regulatory framework, which includes:

4.5.1 Requiring all Road Controlling Authorities (RCAs) that are territorial authorities (including Waka Kotahi) to include their proposed speed limit changes and safety infrastructure treatments for the coming 10 years into speed management plans.

4.5.2 RTCs will coordinate input from RCAs to create and consult on a regional speed management plan, aligning with the regional land transport planning process. Officers note that in the case of a unitary authority such as Nelson and Tasman some of the effects of the draft rule are different when compared with regional and territorial authorities.

4.5.3 Giving the new Director of Land Transport (within Waka Kotahi) the responsibility for certifying regional speed management plans, with functions such as publishing plans, guidance and setting of timelines remaining with Waka Kotahi.

4.5.4 Establishing an independent Speed Management Committee to certify the Waka Kotahi State highway speed management plan, and to oversee the information and guidance on speed management Waka Kotahi (as regulator).

4.5.5 The speed management plan certification process (by the director or speed management committee) should include an assessment and certification that speed management plans comply with the rule.

4.5.6 Allowing RCAs to develop interim plans to progress speed management changes prior to 2023 (when the full planning process must be implemented).

4.5.7 Introducing a new process for setting speed limits outside of speed management plans, as well as for RCAs that are not territorial authorities, (for example the Department of Conservation).

4.5.8 Requiring all speed limits, other than temporary speed limits, to be entered into a national register to give legal effect to all speed limits, other than temporary speed limits. Waka Kotahi (as regulator) will be the Registrar of the register

4.5.9 Requiring RCAs to reduce speed limits around both urban school (to 30 km/h with the option of implementing 40 km/h speed limits if appropriate) and rural schools (to a maximum of 60 km/h).

4.5.10 RCAs will need to reduce 40% of their school speed limits by 2024, with all speed limits completed by 2030.

5. Key NCC comments

5.1 While NCC officers acknowledge there are some benefits that the draft Rule would provide over the current process for setting speed limits, officers strongly urge Waka Kotahi and the Ministry of Transport to take this opportunity to provide stronger leadership on default speeds. If more default safe and appropriate speeds were mandated nationally, Local Authorities would not need to consult on, justify and reassess speed limits on a road-by-road basis.

5.2 As an overall comment NCC officers see merit investigating changes to the national default speed limits to 40km/h on urban roads and 60 on unsealed rural roads and 80km/h on the vast majority of sealed rural roads. With high volume urban roads a limit of 50km/h could be appropriate. It is likely that lower national default limits will achieve significant speed reductions across the board in a much shorter timeframe than developing and implementing a number of 10-year speed management plans. It is noted in the submission there is a risk of inconsistency in the implementation of the draft rule. This risk is largely mitigated with a national change to default limits.

5.3 The above point aside NCC makes the following recommendations regarding the draft Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2021:

5.3.1 That speed management plans be developed prior to Regional Land Transport Plans (RLTPs) and Long Term Plans (LTPs) allowing the infrastructure changes identified in the speed management plan to better inform RLTPs and LTPs.

5.3.2 That unitary authorities be engaged to consider how unitary authorities achieve the objectives of RTCs including consistency, interactions with neighbouring RCAs and alignment with the GPS.

5.3.3 That each RTC and the agency consult on a single unified regional speed management plan.

5.3.4 A single certification process is used for both state highway and regional plans.

5.3.5 NCC supports development of interim plans to progress speed management changes prior to 2023 but notes that if RCAs prepare interim speed management plans in isolation from their neighbours, and before Waka Kotahi’s guidance is developed and available, there is a risk that those plans may not be consistent with each other or with the guidance.

5.3.6 That the roles and responsibilities of RCAs that are not territorial authorities be better defined, and that an information campaign is implemented to inform them of their responsibilities.

5.3.7 That a different phased approach to speed limit changes around schools is accepted that allows for speed limits around 40% of schools be reduced to 30km/h by 30 June 2024, and that other speed management measures be assessed and prioritised for implementation once the effectiveness of speed limit reductions is known, with all schools, including those currently with 40km/h limits be required to transition to 30km/h limits by 2029.

5.3.8 That Waka Kotahi makes the speed management guidance available for consultation at the earliest possible opportunity, even if that is before the rule is signed.

5.3.9 That a funding model for speed management, including development, consultation, implementation, and ongoing management of speed management plans be developed. This funding model should be equitable across the agencies associated with speed management (including RCAs, RTCs, and Waka Kotahi), and reflect the additional costs associated with the proposed process.

5.4 The full submission (Attachment 1) has been sent following discussions with the Chair and Deputy Chair of the NCC RTC. A discussion paper with more detailed responses is also attached (Attachment 2)

Author: Margaret Parfitt, Manager - Transport and Solid Waste

Attachments

Attachment 1: A2681890 Speed Limit Setting Rule -Submission letter to Waka Kotahi ⇩

Attachment 2: A2683867 Discussion paper ⇩

Item 8: Nelson Tasman 2021-31 Regional Public Transport Plan

Regional Transport Committee

29 June 2021

REPORT R25893

Nelson Tasman 2021-31 Regional Public Transport Plan

1. Purpose of Report

1.1 To approve the lodging of the Regional Public Transport Plan (RPTP) with Council for adoption.

2. Summary

2.1 The Regional Transport Committee (RTC) is required to prepare, consult on, deliberate on and lodge the RPTP with Council for approval. Once approved, the RPTP needs to be submitted to Waka Kotahi by 2 July 2021.

2.2 At the 21 April RTC deliberations meeting it was noted that the final RPTP would be brought to the 29 June 2021 Nelson RTC meeting following adoption of the Long-Term Plan and recommending to Council that it be submitted to Waka Kotahi. Waka Kotahi provided a brief extension for the submission deadline from 30 June 2021 to 2 July 2021 to facilitate this.

3. Recommendation

That the Regional Transport Committee

1. Receives the report Nelson Tasman 2021-31 Regional Public Transport Plan and its attachments (A2679766 and A2679732).

Recommendation to Council

That the Council

1. Approves the Nelson Regional Public Transport Plan 2021-2031 (A2679732 of Report R25893) for submission to Waka Kotahi prior to 2 July 2021.

4. Background

4.1 The Draft RPTP deliberations report was provided to the RTC on 21 April 2021 and is not replicated here. That officers report R24772 is appended as Attachment 1 for completeness.

4.2 The most significant change to the RPTP was to bring forward the increase in bus service frequency from 2026 to 2023. Both the Nelson City Council and Tasman District Council approved the changes, and these have been incorporated into the revised RPTP (Attachment 2).

5. Discussion

Funding

5.1 Nelson City Council 2021-31 Long Term Plan (LTP). Council resolved on 18 May 2021 as follows:

“Approves bringing funding of $670,000 per annum forward

from Year 6 of the Long-Term Plan 2021-31 to Year 3, to

improve frequency and extend hours of operation of the

public transport service (as outlined in 6.6.4 of report R24772

to the 21 April 2021 Regional Transport Committee)

dependent on the Waka Kotahi and Tasman District Council

share of funding being available; and

Approves provision for an additional $38,000 funding per

annum over the ten years of the Long-Term Plan 2021-31 to

provide the Living Wage for bus drivers in our public transport

service, dependent on the successful completion of discussions with the contracted public transport operator; and

Supports any additional improvements on the basis that

external additional funding is secured from non-rates sources, or that savings are made in other transport related activities”.

5.2 Waka Kotahi

5.2.1 Waka Kotahi are yet to complete moderation of Public Transport Plans but have informed NCC that funding of the continuous public transport programme 2021-24 of the NLTP is secured. However, there is some uncertainty over improvement funding in year 3, which is when the Nelson Tasman Regional Public Transport Service is planned for a step change under a new contract. Council will not have further information from Waka Kotahi regarding year 3 Public Transport funding until moderation is completed after lodgement of this RPTP. It is however essential that the RPTP be lodged with Waka Kotahi no later than 2 July 2021.

5.3 The TDC RTC received the revised Nelson Tasman 2021-31 RPTP on 1 June 2021 and recommended that the TDC submit the plan to Waka Kotahi, subject to any minor edits requested by NCC that have no financial implications for TDC.

6. Options

6.1 The RTC has two options as presented below. Officers support option 1.

Option 1: Lodge the RPTP with Council. Recommended option.
Advantages	· Meets timeline for submission of RPTP to Waka Kotahi by 2 July 2021 to be eligible for national funding (NLTF)
Risks and Disadvantages	· Nil
Option 2: Delay lodging the RPTP with Council
Advantages	· Nil
Risks and Disadvantages	· Unable to meet statutory timeframes · Not eligible for NLTF consideration

7. Conclusion

7.1 The RTC is required to prepare, consult on, and lodge the RPTP with Council for approval.

7.2 Consultation has been undertaken and hearings held. Officers have amended the final RPTP to reflect the NCC 2021-31 LTP deliberations and recommend Council (via the RTC) approves the RPTP for submission to Waka Kotahi.

8. Next Steps

8.1 Waka Kotahi will advise the outcome of Public Transport Funding moderation and NLTP allocation and officers will report back to a future RTC on this matter.

Author: Margaret Parfitt, Manager - Transport and Solid Waste

Attachments

Attachment 1: A2679766 RPTP Previous Deliberations report to April RTC ⇩

Attachment 2: A2679732 Final Draft 2121-31 Nelson- Tasman Regional Public Transport Plan ⇩

Important considerations for decision making

1. Fit with Purpose of Local Government

Providing a Regional Public Transport Plan is a requirement of the Land Transport Management Act 2003.

2. Consistency with Community Outcomes and Council Policy

The development of a Regional Public Transport Plan sets the key objectives, measures and activities that contribute to the community outcome “our infrastructure is efficient, cost effective and meets current and future needs”, particularly the supporting phrase “the community is proud of the many active transport options available and the effective public transport system”.

3. Risk

The changes recommended by the officers affect timing of phased of improvements outlined in the plan. There are risks if Waka Kotahi financial constraints result in the public transport improvements not being subsidised to the anticipated and requested level.

4. Financial impact

Funding to support this plan has been included in the LTP subject to Waka Kotahi and Tasman District Council share of funding being available

5. Degree of significance and level of engagement

This matter is of high significance because it involves the management of the transport network. A Special Consultative Procedure in accordance with section 83 of the Local Government Act 2002 has been undertaken.

6. Climate Impact

The RPTP has a significant role to play in meeting Council’s goal (in the RLTP) of reducing transport emissions by 30% by 2030.

7. Inclusion of Māori in the decision-making process

Māori have had the opportunity to provide feedback as part of the consultation process. The summary Statement of Proposal, an invitation to provide feedback and links to relevant documentation were directly emailed to all iwi.

8. Delegations

The Regional Transport Committee has the responsibility for preparing the RPTP in accordance with the requirements of the Land Transport Management Act 2003. The Regional Transport Committee has delegations to hear and deliberate on submissions and make recommendations to Council in relation to the Regional Public Transport Plan.

Item 8: Nelson Tasman 2021-31 Regional Public Transport Plan: Attachment 2

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Regional Transport Committee

Areas of Responsibilities:

Powers to Decide:

Powers to Recommend to Council: