Agenda of Regional Transport Committee

Regional Transport Committee

Membership

Chairperson (BOPRC)	Cr Lyall Thurston
Deputy Chairperson (BOPRC)	Cr Jane Nees Cr Norm Bruning (Alternate)
Members
Kawerau District Council	Mayor Malcolm Campbell Deputy Mayor Faylene Tunui (Alternate)
Ōpōtiki District Council	Mayor Lyn Riesterer Cr David Moore (Alternate)
Rotorua Lakes Council	Mayor Steve Chadwick Deputy Mayor David Donaldson (Alternate)
Tauranga City Council	Commissioner Anne Tolley Commissioner Stephen Selwood (Alternate)
Western Bay of Plenty District Council	Mayor Garry Webber Deputy Mayor John Scrimgeour (Alternate)
Whakatāne District Council	Mayor Judy Turner Deputy Mayor Andrew Iles (Alternate)
External Members
New Zealand Transport Agency Alternate member to be nominated by NZTA appointed member	David Speirs Cole O’Keefe (Alternate)
External Members (non-voting)
KiwiRail	Angus Hodgson Helen Rogers (Alternate)
External Advisors (non-voting)
Environmental Sustainability Advisor	Glen Crowther
Freight Advisor	John Galbraith
Road Safety Advisor	Inspector Brent Crowe – Roading Police Manager
Port Advisor	Dan Kneebone – Property and Infrastructure Manager
New Zealand Automobile Association	Stacey Spall
Ex Officio	Chairman Doug Leeder
Quorum	Five members, consisting of more than half the number of members
Frequency	Quarterly

Purpose

Section 105(1) of the Land Transport Management Act 2003 requires every regional council to establish a Regional Transport Committee for its region.

Role

· Prepare a regional land transport plan, or any significant variation to the plan, for the approval of the Regional Council.

· Approve any non-significant variation to the regional land transport plan.

· Adopt a policy that determines significance in respect of:

§ variations made to regional land transport plans under section 18D of the Land Transport Management Act 2003; and

§ the activities that are included in the regional land transport plan under section 16 of the Land Transport Management Act 2003.

· Monitor implementation of the regional land transport plan.

· Make recommendations in support of land transport activities that are eligible for national funding and align with the regional land transport plan.

· Co-ordinate, integrate and adopt regional transport and land-use strategies and plans
e.g. sub-regional spatial plans.

· Provide advocacy on strategic regional and inter-regional transport matters to Central Government and other key stakeholders as appropriate.

· Provide the Regional Council with any advice and assistance the Regional Council may request in relation to its transport responsibilities.

· Approve submissions to Central Government, local authorities and other agencies on Regional Transport Committee matters.

· Monitor and provide advocacy on regional road safety matters.

Committee Procedures

· Membership consists of two representatives of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, the Mayor of each territorial authority in the region and a representative of the New Zealand Transport Agency.

· In the case of an equality of votes, the chair, or any other person presiding the meeting does not have a casting vote (and therefore the act or question is defeated and the status quo is preserved).

· The Regional Transport Committee may appoint external advisors to assist it in the exercise of its specific responsibilities and delegated authority. For the purposes of clarity, external advisors may be given full speaking rights at the discretion of the committee, but are not entitled to vote on committee matters.

· Under the Local Government Act 2002, the Regional Transport Committee is not defined as a joint committee however, the provisions of the Local Government Act 2002 and the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 concerning the meetings of committees of regional councils, so far as they are applicable and with the necessary modifications, apply in respect of meetings of the Regional Transport Committee.

Power to Act

To make all decisions necessary to fulfil the role and scope of the committee subject to the limitations imposed.

Power to Recommend

The Regional Transport Committee recommends and reports to the Regional Council.

Regional Transport Committee Minutes

15 March 2022

Regional Transport Committee

Open Minutes

Commencing: Tuesday 15 March 2022, 9.30 am

Venue: Via Zoom (Audio Visual Meeting)

Chairperson: Cr Lyall Thurston - Bay of Plenty Regional Council

Deputy Chairperson: Cr Jane Nees - Bay of Plenty Regional Council

Members: Mayor Steve Chadwick - Rotorua Lakes Council, Commissioner Stephen Selwood – Alternate, Tauranga City Council, Cr David Moore – Alternate, Ōpōtiki District Council, Deputy Mayor John Scrimgeour – Alternate, Western Bay of Plenty District Council, Deputy Mayor Andrew Iles – Alternate, Whakatāne District Council, Jessica Andrew – Alternate, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, Angus Hodgson – KiwiRail (non-voting)

External Advisors: Brent Crowe – NZ Police Road Safety Advisor, Dan Kneebone – Port of Tauranga Advisor, Glen Crowther – Environmental Sustainability Advisor, John Galbraith – Freight Advisor

In Attendance: Bay of Plenty Regional Council: Fiona McTavish – Chief Executive, Cr Andrew von Dadelszen, Cr David Love, Cr Kevin Winters, Cr Matemoana McDonald, Namouta Poutasi – General Manager, Strategy and Science, James Llewellyn – Transport and Urban Planning Manager, Lorraine Cheyne – Team Leader, Transport and Urban Strategy, Simon Bell – Transport Systems Team Leader, Andrew Williams – Senior Transport Planner, Katri Harmoinen – Transport Planner, Amanda Namana – Committee Advisor

External: Cr Gavin Dennis – Whakatāne District Council, Lorreen Hartley – Community Development Advisor, Whakatāne District Council, Mike Faulkner, Bryce Donne, Nick Reid – Principal Planning Advisor, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency

Apologies: Mayor Judy Turner - Whakatāne District Council, Mayor Garry Webber - Western Bay of Plenty District Council, Mayor Malcolm Campbell - Kawerau District Council, Mayor Lyn Riesterer - Ōpōtiki District Council, Deputy Mayor Faylene Tunui - Alternate, Kawerau District Council, David Speirs – Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, Helen Rogers - KiwiRail

Please note: This meeting was livestreamed and recorded and can be accessed on Council’s YouTube channel: Regional Transport Committee - 15 March 2022 - YouTube

1. Apologies

Resolved

That the Regional Transport Committee:

1 Accepts the apologies from Mayor Judy Turner, Mayor Garry Webber, Mayor Malcolm Campbell, Mayor Lyn Riesterer, Deputy Mayor Faylene Tunui, David Speirs and Helen Rogers tendered at the meeting.

Thurston/Chadwick

CARRIED

2. Public Forum

2.1

Mike Faulkner (resident of Redwood Lane and owner of industrial property within the Tauriko Business Estate) and Bryce Donne (director of Element IMF - primary developer of Tauriko Business Estate)

Presentation: Tauriko Business Estate bypass options: Objective ID A4057117

Presentation: Tauriko Business Estate Stage 3A and 4: Objective ID A4057119

Key Points of Presentation:

· Had been involved in facilitating a Tauriko bypass since 2004 and although a State Highway 29 upgrade was near selection, considered there was still an opportunity to secure a route similar to the original bypass

· Displayed the proposed bypass route and future link road on a map

· Outlined benefits including multi-modal outcomes and addressing current congestion issues

· This option also included Ōmanawa traffic, which was not addressed in the current option and was an important future consideration. The route passed through rural areas, and did not agree that this was a more expensive option than the proposed route

· The trade route to the Port of Tauranga was a key consideration which needed to be protected and remain resilient.

Key Points - Members:

· Tauranga City Council supported the State Highway 29 upgrade being completed within ten years and expressed concern over the time it may take to reconsider a new proposal

· A detailed business case for the long term solution would be presented to the Waka Kotahi Board in August 2022 and there was landowner consultation underway in March, with public engagement in May on the details of the proposal. This option had been under consideration previously and was found to be more expensive and not perform better than the preferred option

· Waka Kotahi provided a link to further information on assessments and work undertaken on the southern bypass: Tauriko Network Plan | Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (nzta.govt.nz)

In Response to Questions:

· A business case for the interim upgrades, separate to the long term upgrades, had recently been completed and would be considered by the Waka Kotahi Board in April 2022

· An arterial route for public transport access was focused on The Crossing shopping centre and residential growth areas.

Items for Staff Follow Up:

· Waka Kotahi to clarify for members the price difference of approximately 40% of the three options that went out for public consultation and if each of those were less expensive than this proposal.

3. Declaration of Conflicts of Interest

None declared

4. Minutes

Minutes to be Confirmed

4.1

Regional Transport Committee Minutes - 5 November 2021

Matters Arising

In relation to Minute Item 7.2 and Resolution 2 that a working party be established to provide best practice process for the Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP) review, Members raised the following:

· Expressed concern that the judicial review of the process used for the National Land Transport Plan (NLTP) development provided some uncertainty and risk for the RLTP – Waka Kotahi responded that as there was significant work ahead and litigation would be slow, the best course of action at present was to continue as per standard practice.

Resolved

That the Regional Transport Committee:

1 Confirms the Regional Transport Committee Minutes - 5 November 2021 as a true and correct record.

Nees/Chadwick

CARRIED

5. Reports

5.1

Chairperson's Report

Presentation: Eastern Bay of Plenty Road Safety Operational Group: Objective ID A4057120

Chair Cr Thurston, General Manager Strategy and Science Namouta Poutasi and Transport and Urban Planning Manager James Llewellyn presented this item.

Key Points - Members:

· Noted that running low patronage or empty buses actually increased emissions and highlighted a critical need to increase patronage, routes and volumes of people using buses to make a significant impact on carbon reduction.

In Response to Questions:

· Travel demand management and behaviour change work was primarily focused on personal travel e.g. education, work and social reasons. Staff were interested to understand potential opportunities to increase the scope to cover freight/ freight generating movements

· The review of the Road User Charges (RUC) system was a broad piece of work that would not include dynamic variable road user pricing, although these factors were considered within other pieces of work

· There was a strong desire to accelerate the provision of the Tauranga City Centre public transport facility as it was central to the CBD development, this still had to follow due process for the business case and evaluation.

Eastern Bay of Plenty Operational Road Safety Group update

Presented by: Cr Gavin Dennis – Whakatāne District Council and Lorreen Hartley - Community Development Advisor, Whakatāne District Council

Key Points of Presentation:

· Highlighted the continuing focus on key issues in relation to serious crashes and fatalities – alcohol, speed and driving too fast for the conditions

· Outlined some of the promotions underway to combat these issues

· Promotions were also undertaken on safety around driveways for children returning to school as community feedback highlighted concern in this area

· Detailed concerns the Road Safety Group held around five Waka Kotahi reviews in the Eastern Bay of Plenty and requested cohesive communication and collaboration around these reviews to achieve common goals.

Items for Staff Follow Up:

· Raised the issue of how the Operational Road Safety Groups report/ present to the Committee on more significant issues and requested information on how to form better collaboration in the future

· Noted that for the work programme updates on page 24-25 of the agenda, work was in progress on items 6-10, therefore requested staff work together with Tauranga City Council to update this information in future reports.

Resolved

That the Regional Transport Committee:

1 Receives the report, Chairperson's Report.

Thurston/Chadwick

CARRIED

5.2

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Quarterly Update

Presentation: Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Quarterly Update: Objective ID A4057121

Regional Manager System Design (Waikato Bay of Plenty) Jessica Andrew and Principal Planning Advisor Nick Reid presented this item.

Key Points of Presentation:

· Outlined the 30-Year Plan: Baseline Network Version which was a digital tool released on 14 March 2022, with the next version expected to be released later in the year

· The challenges with the last NLTP highlighted the inadequacies of the current system and a land transport revenue review was underway

· A new regulatory funding model had been developed to improve compliance and safety outcomes

· The speed management framework was being updated to implement changes and make it more fit for purpose

· Waka Kotahi would be taking over responsibility for safety cameras from NZ Police around mid-2023 and was considering a new approach

· Outlined the results from a survey undertaken on public attitudes to road safety

· Provided an update on the speed and infrastructure programme and on Bay of Plenty projects and maintenance programmes.

Key Points - Members:

· Supported being involved in a demonstration of the Baseline Network tool

· Reviewing the process and the alignment of the RLTP and the NLTP would become an increasingly complex issue to align with Council’s Long Term Plans, the development of the Government Policy Statement (GPS) and any central government changes. This would be further complicated by the new regional spatial strategies and the national and regional reductions plans and budgets.

In Response to Questions:

· The development of the 30-Year Plan came out of the existing Arataki 10-year view and was extended out with a longer term direction, whilst also providing a moving 10 year slice

· Currently the 30-Year Plan only detailed projects that were already committed to and may be integrated with investment planning

· How to bring future opportunities into the tool was being considered as it could be a shared place where key priorities were known

· The Resource Management Act (RMA) reform that was bringing in the spatial planning strategies was the overarching piece of work which would address alignment of all the priorities, with the land transport revenue review being a smaller component

· Western Bay of Plenty District Council had submitted an application to the Infrastructure Acceleration Fund (IAF) for the Ōmokoroa interchange, with decisions expected late April 2022.

Resolved

That the Regional Transport Committee:

1 Receives the report, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Quarterly Update.

Thurston/Scrimgeour

CARRIED

Chairperson's Report (Continued)

NZ Police Road Safety update

Presented By: Inspector Brent Crowe – Bay of Plenty Road Policing Manager

Key Points:

· There were no fatalities or serious injuries recorded in January/February 2022 in the Western Bay of Plenty

· There was one serious injury in Murupara which involved loss of control caused by excessive speed

· Mt Maunganui had one fatality in March 2022 to date, initial investigation showed that this again was due to excessive speed (well in excess of the posted speed limit) and impairment

· Two fatalities for February/March 2022 in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, likely causes being distraction and restraints, and one serious injury caused by inappropriate speed. An additional motorcycle fatality appeared to be due to poor judgement or potential lack of experience

· Rural and state highway locations were still a strong focus, as were impairment due to drugs, alcohol and fatigue

· Increasing deliberate and aggressive acts were being observed by drivers

· Extremely High speeds were being observed, particularly on rural roads (30-100km/hour over posted speed limits). This presented enforcement challenges to the police in being able to apprehend suspects

· An emerging trend was off-road motorcycle use increasing in urban areas, which included unregistered/ unwarranted trail bikes driven by unlicensed drivers not wearing helmets

· Supported being part of the process for motorists travelling at safe speeds through roadworks, noted the importance of signage being appropriate and correct for timing of works on each stretch of road

· Appreciated collaboration with Waka Kotahi and looked forward to regular meetings and updates.

Key Points - Members:

· Rotorua Lakes Council commended police for their co-operation on a community safety strategy and the collaborative sharing of information.

Decisions Required

5.3

Regional Land Transport Plan variation

Senior Transport Planner Andrew Williams presented this item.

Resolved

That the Regional Transport Committee:

1 Receives the report, Regional Land Transport Plan variation;

2 Approves the proposed variation to the Bay of Plenty Regional Land Transport Plan 2021-31 to update a funding category to ensure the Activity Management Plans for Tauranga City Council, Rotorua Lakes Council and Whakatane District Council are adequately funded, as intended, through the National Land Transport Programme;

3 Notes that the proposed variation to the Bay of Plenty Regional Land Transport Plan 2021-31 to update a funding category to ensure the Activity Management Plans for Tauranga City Council, Rotorua Lakes Council and Whakatane District Council are adequately funded, as intended, through the National Land Transport Programme is not significant for the purposes of public consultation.

Chadwick/Thurston

CARRIED

Information Only

5.4

Regional Land Transport Plan - Annual Monitoring and Dashboard

Presentation: KPI reporting on the Regional Land Transport plan: Objective ID A4057173

Senior Transport Planner Andrew Williams presented this item.

Key Points:

· Previous KPI reporting had been presented via the Annual Report Card. The RLTP interactive dashboard was in a transitional phase, with further data to be updated before it was publicly available

· Although there were a number of KPI’s showing insufficient data inputs, almost half were due to a survey delayed through Covid-19 and staff were working with Waka Kotahi and the Ministry of Transport to fill the other data gaps

· Displayed the 2020/2021 year and demonstrated how to use the dashboard including how to view data from previous years

· There was currently no transport emissions data available in the dashboard and staff were working with Waka Kotahi and the Ministry of Transport to rectify this, central government releasing the national Transport Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP) in late May 2022 may provide a source to do this and could link to work underway with transport emissions work at a regional level

· The next phase of the project would add another tab with graphs and tables which could be used to understand the trends of KPI’s across time, the baseline and historical data.

Key Points - Members:

· Commended the tool as a positive step forward in the ability to recognise trends.

In Response to Questions:

· The tool had potential to develop further, however this was contingent on resourcing and costs. More comprehensive KPI’s and data sets could be considered within the next RLTP.

Items for Staff Follow Up:

· Confirm what network reliability measures were used and how this was calculated in order to better understand the data.

Resolved

That the Regional Transport Committee:

1 Receives the report, Regional Land Transport Plan - Annual Monitoring and Dashboard.

Thurston/Nees

CARRIED

5.5

The Development of a Transport Emission Reduction Plan (TERP) for the Bay of Plenty

Transport and Urban Planning Manager James Llewellyn and Transport Planner Katri Harmoinen presented this item.

Key Points:

· The TERP was a timely piece of work and a first step in understanding how the transport system would be decarbonised over time

· Getting better data to understand the scope of the problem and how to target the most promising initiatives to achieve carbon reduction was critical

· Noted that central government had announced three months of half price public transport fares on council provided services from 1 April 2022 – 1 June 2022

· The largest impact on greenhouse gas emission reduction, particularly in the short term was likely to be through mode shift.

Key Points - Members:

· Tauranga City Council had commissioned BECA to develop a carbon emissions model for Tauranga City, which would be a key input into the TERP and for future thinking in the Tauranga Spatial Plan (TSP).

In Response to Members:

· It was important in service planning concepts to ensure that buses were able to cope with peak demand travel, and there needed to be a balance between understanding peak and off-peak demand for services.

Resolved

That the Regional Transport Committee:

1 Receives the report, The development of a Transport Emission Reduction Plan (TERP) for the Bay of Plenty.

Thurston/Scrimgeour

CARRIED

Verbal Update Opportunity from Committee Members and Advisors

Mayor Steve Chadwick – Rotorua Lakes Council:

· Was undertaking a transport study of how people travelled in and out of the CBD, to help inform future planning.

Deputy Mayor Andrew Iles – Whakatāne District Council:

· Commended David Speirs – Waka Kotahi for meeting with councillors and roading staff and providing information around issues specific to State Highway 30, State Highway 2 and the vulnerability of Pekatahi Bridge

· Requested continuity of speed reforms across the entire state highway network.

Angus Hodgson – KiwiRail:

· Acknowledged the benefit of having a connection point through becoming a member of the Regional Transport Committee

· Confirmed that KiwiRail would report to the Committee annually, beginning in August 2022

· KiwiRail would be making a submission to the RUC review and aimed to ensure any changes made in the system were sensible for the overall transport system.

Glen Crowther – Environmental Sustainability Advisor:

· Noted the biggest increase of CO2 emissions in history over the past year, mainly from coal and gas at a global level, and stressed the importance of accelerating local action as transport emissions began to rise again.

John Galbraith – Freight Advisor

· The discussion document, Driving Change: reviewing the RUC system was of particular interest to the freight industry and noted that submissions were closing in April 2022.

Dan Kneebone – Port of Tauranga Advisor

· Reinforced that the Port was continuing to experience congestion issues and was motivated to see progress on investment in the local road networks to address this, particularly for Hewletts Road and Totara Street.

11.59 am – the meeting closed.

Confirmed

Cr Lyall Thurston

Chairperson, Regional Transport Committee



Report To:	Regional Transport Committee
Meeting Date:	19 May 2022
Report Authoriser:	Julie Bevan, Policy and Planning Manager

Chairperson's Report

Executive Summary

This report provides an update on matters of potential interest to RTC members:

Notification of NLTP/RLTPRelease of the draft National Adaptation Plan;·

· Horizon Scanning – EV vehicle charging infrastructure; and

· Work programme updates.

Recommendations

That the Regional Transport Committee:

1 Receives the report, Chairperson's Report.

1. Purpose

The purpose of this report is to provide RTC members with a summary of topical matters of potential interest in relation to regional transport planning.

2. Matters of Potential Interest

2.1 Notification of NLTP 2024-27 Timeline by Waka Kotahi

Waka Kotahi has released an indicative timeline for the development of the 2024-27 NLTP. Waka Kotahi worked with the Regional Sector Transport Special Interest Group (TSIG) to ensure that the NLTP development time-frames are better aligned with the development of Regional Land Transport Plans (RLTPs), and the indicative timeline takes into account some of the lessons learnt from both Waka Kotahi teams and councils on the development of the 2021-24 NLTP.

The Indicative NLTP 2024-27 Timeline is shown in Attachment 1.

2.2 Release of the draft National Adaptation Plan

On 27 April the Ministry for the Environment published Te mahere urutanga a-motu (tuhinga hukihuki) Draft National Adaptation Plan. New Zealand faces some of the greatest natural hazard risks of any country in the world, and climate change will increase the severity and frequency of some natural hazards. Climate change also presents new risks associated with slow-onset, gradual changes. The document presents the clear picture of the priority risks that government has identified that New Zealand faces from climate change to 2026.

The risk in society is due to the hazards we are exposed to, and the vulnerability of people, assets, and services to impacts. The National Adaptation Plan has three focus areas:

· Reforming institutions to be fit for a changing climate;

· Providing data, information, tools and guidance to allow everyone to assess and reduce their own risks; and

· Embedding climate resilience across government strategies and polices

The plan identifies the critical actions and supporting actions in each focus area, in system-wide actions and specifically what the adaptation plan intends to achieve for the Natural Environment; Homes, Buildings & Places; Infrastructure; Communities and the Economy & Financial System. The adaptation plan also includes a research strategy.

The key critical action likely to affect land transport is the development and implementation of the Waka Kotahi Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan (under Infrastructure). The proposed supporting actions and timeframes for the Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan are:

1) Integrate adaptation into Waka Kotahi decision making

Timeframe: Year 1 (2022/23) – Lead agencies: Waka Kotahi, MOT – Relevant portfolio: Transport – Primarily supports: Objective I3 – Status: Current

Waka Kotahi will incorporate adaptation when it applies an intervention hierarchy to existing and new investments in the land transport system. The hierarchy will be used to manage the vulnerability of assets to climate change, and will be applied to existing assets, new infrastructure, and in renewal programmes. The intervention hierarchy promotes integrated planning (aligning development with resilient infrastructure/locations), demand management, and best use of the existing system ahead of new infrastructure.

2) Progress the rail network investment programme

Timeframe: Years 1–6 (2022–28) – Lead agencies: Waka Kotahi, MOT – Relevant portfolio: Transport – Primarily supports: Objective I2 – Status: Current

This action is a long-term commitment to invest in rail, with the aim of restoring it to a resilient and reliable state. Restoration of the network will reduce the vulnerability of the network to climate-related hazards and provide a platform for climate-resilient future investments. Multi-modality supports the resilience of the supply chain.

3) Invest in public transport and active transport

Timeframe: Years 1– 6 (2022–28) – Lead agencies: MOT – Relevant portfolio: Transport – Primarily supports: Objective I3 – Status: Current

Investment in multi-modal infrastructure can increase the resilience of the transport system and help to manage vulnerability of existing assets. An increase in the use of public transport and active modes will help reduce reliance on private vehicles. It will increase system redundancy, improve equity and support sustainable growth. Safe and attractive alternatives to driving create an overall more climate-resilient transport system, support sustainable growth and reduce emissions.

4) Increase uptake of tools to invest in infrastructure in urban areas

Timeframe: Years 1–5 (2022–27) – Lead agencies: HUD, Treasury, DIA – Relevant portfolio: Infrastructure – Primarily supports: Objective I2 – Status: Current

The Government, through the Infrastructure Funding, Financing and Delivery pillar of its Urban Growth Agenda, is identifying opportunities for addressing systemic barriers to infrastructure provision. This includes exploring options for supporting a more stable, certain and responsive infrastructure funding system, and addressing the institutional barriers and incentives that may be limiting the uptake of existing infrastructure funding and financing tools. One of the three objectives of the Urban Growth Agenda (alongside affordable housing and emissions reductions) is liveable and resilient cities, which involves making urban areas more accessible and inclusive, and increasing resilience to natural hazards and climate impacts.

With regard to the Economy & Financial System the adaptation plan recognises that supply chains are critical to the functioning of the economy. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2014) suggested that the effects of climate change globally (and flow-on effects to our supply chains) may be more significant to our economy than the direct impacts within New Zealand. The critical action is to deliver the national Freight and Supply Chain strategy (reported on this agenda).

Consultation on the document is open until 3 June 2022. A full copy of the draft National Adaptation Plan is available here:

https://environment.govt.nz/publications/draft-national-adaptation-plan/

2.3 New Speed Management Rule

In April the Transport Minister Michael Wood signed off the new Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2022 (the Rule) on Tuesday. The Rule comes into force on 19 May, replacing the previous Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2017.

The Rule is part of a new regulatory framework designed to improve how road controlling authorities plan for, consult on and implement speed management changes and will support the Road to Zero road safety strategy. The Rule is covered in more detail in the Waka Kotahi update. A link to the rule on Waka Kotahi’s website is available here:

https://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/rules

2.4 Horizon Scanning: Electric Vehicle Technologies/Charging

ECCA’s low emissions transport fund is currently open to application rounds 3 and 4. Both rounds opened on 27 April. Round 3 for vehicles and technologies closes on 1 June 2022. It is an RFPs that demonstrate a range of low emission technologies, infrastructure, innovations and business models (e.g., MaaS, transport technology and software projects), low emission on-road and off-road vehicles, and a limited range of marine vessels.

Round 4 Public EV charging infrastructure closes on 25 May 2022. While Local (and Regional) councils can apply and up to $1 million is available for co-funding for public EV charging infrastructure, it is at a limited set of locations identified as key remaining gaps in the state highway network. Kohatu, Springs Junction, and Haast being the priority one locations that are targeted in this round, with the nearest location, Maniaiti/Benneydale (Scott Road), being a priority two location, a possible site.

The Bay of Plenty Region currently has 12 public charging stations across the regional network (including on at Iwitahi, Rangitāiki on SH5).

2.5 Regional Road Safety Education and Promotion

Each of the sub regional road safety clusters work with various road safety partners to deliver programmes targeting road safety issues. Attachment 2 includes an update on progress of each area: Eastern Bay of Plenty, Rotorua and the Western Bay of Plenty.

Attachments

Attachment 1 - Waka Kotahi indicative timeline development of NLTP 2024-27 ⇩

Attachment 2 - Road safety and promotion update from sub-regions ⇩



Report To:	Regional Transport Committee
Meeting Date:	19 May 2022
Report Writer:	Andrew Williams, Senior Transport Planner
Report Authoriser:	Julie Bevan, Policy & Planning Manager
Purpose:	A variation to the Regional Land Transport Plan 2021-31 to enable the inclusion of a property phase to the activity: Western Corridor Growth Management – Tauriko West DBC [Enabling Works].

RLTP Variation - Western Corridor Growth Management – Tauriko West DBC [Enabling Works]

Executive Summary

The Regional Transport Committee (RTC) has received a variation request from Tauranga City Council (TCC). The proposed variation is to provide for a Property Phase to the Activity: Western Corridor Growth Management – Tauriko West DBC [Enabling Works].

Currently, the Regional Land Transport Plan 2021-31 (RLTP) provides for three phases and associated funding of the Activity, however, a Property Phase – valued at $29,341,177 – is required in addition to ensure the Activity can proceed as planned. The Property Phase is now required as the final road route and preferred option from the Business Case process was not known at the time of the RLTP 2021-31 adoption, but is now.

As the variation request exceeds $20m, it is determined to be a significant variation to the RLTP 2021-31. Despite this, it is recommended that the RTC exercise its right to determine that the variation is non-significant for the purposes of public consultation. The following mitigating factors support this position:

- Extensive consultation has already been undertaken, including via the development of the RLTP 2021-31;

- The Regional Advisory Group agree that the variation is non-significant; and

- The Waka Kotahi Board has endorsed the Activity and Property Phase, and associated funding allocation.

The Land Transport Management Act requires that the Regional Transport Committee must consider any variation request promptly. The variation request now needs approval from the RTC before National Land Transport Funding can be released to Tauranga City Council. A supporting document with further details, and an assessment against the RLTPs significance policy, is attached.

Recommendations

That the Regional Transport Committee:

1 Receives the report, RLTP Variation - Western Corridor Growth Management – Tauriko West DBC [Enabling Works];

2 Notes that the proposed variation to the Bay of Plenty Regional Land Transport Plan 2021-31 to enable the inclusion of a property phase to the activity: Western Corridor Growth Management – Tauriko West DBC [Enabling Works], triggers the Regional Land Transport Plan’s significance policy; and

3 Approves the proposed variation to the Bay of Plenty Regional Land Transport Plan 2021-31 to enable the inclusion of a property phase to the activity: Western Corridor Growth Management – Tauriko West DBC [Enabling Works], and in doing so, exercises its right to determine that the variation is non-significant for the purposes of public consultation.

1. Background

Section 18D of the Land Transport Management Act (LTMA) enables the Regional Transport Committee (RTC) to prepare a variation to the Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP) if good reason exists for doing so. The LTMA also requires that the RTC must consider any variation request promptly.

A variation may be prepared at the request of an Approved Organisation or Waka Kotahi. Public consultation is not required for any variation that is not significant; or arises from the declaration or revocation of a state highway. The RTC has the delegated authority to approve non-significant variations to the RLTP.

A variation to the RLTP provides an opportunity for funding via the National Land Transport Plan (NLTP).

2. Variation of the RLTP: Western Corridor Growth Management – Tauriko West DBC [Enabling Works].

The RTC has received a variation request from Tauranga City Council (TCC), provided as Attachment 1. The proposed variation is to provide for a Property Phase to the activity: Tauriko West Enabling Works Package. However, the Activity is now more commonly known as the Western Corridor Growth Management – Tauriko West DBC [Enabling Works].

The Activity is listed in the RLTP 2021-31 programme with a priority ranking of 4, of the 61 activities prioritised. Currently, the RLTP provides for the following three phases, and funding allocations, for the Activity:

1. Business Case ($683,068);

2. Pre-Implementation ($18,016,274); and

3. Implementation ($80,523,531).

However, a Property Phase – valued at $29,341,177 – is required in addition to the above three phases to ensure the Activity can proceed as planned. The Property Phase is now required because the final road route and preferred option from the Business Case process was not known at the time of the RLTP 2021-31 adoption. Therefore, at the time of the RLTP submissions and approvals process for the 2021-31 NLTP, TCC was unable to confirm what land purchases would be required to complete the implementation phase.

As the Property Phase is an additional phase and was not included in the RLTP-2021-31 at the time of its submission to the National Land Transport Fund (NLTF), a variation to the RLTP is required to enable the activity to proceed.

In accordance with the RLTP, the Regional Advisory Group (RAG)[1] has considered the variation request and recommends that it is approved by the Committee in accordance with its delegated authority.

The Waka Kotahi Board has endorsed the Business Case and approved funding approval for the pre-implementation, implementation, and property phases at their meeting on April 21, 2022.

The variation request now needs approval from the RTC before NLTF funds are released to TCC.

The variation request document includes further details, and an assessment against the RLTPs significance policy and is included as Attachment 1.

2.1 RLTP significance policy

The RLTP’s significance policy states that:

The significance of proposed variations to the Bay of Plenty RLTP will be determined on a case-by-case basis. In reaching its decision, the RTC will be guided by whether the variation involves the addition or removal of a phase or phases of a prioritised activity that varies the total anticipated cost of the activity by more than $20 million in the six years of the programme.

While the proposed variation is necessary in order to provide final NLTF investment approval for the Property Phase of the Activity, its addition does trigger the RLTP 2021-31 significance policy as it varies the total anticipated cost of the activity in excess of $20 million. Despite this, the following mitigating factors – which are elaborated on within the attached variation document – support approval of the variation, without the need for consultation:

· Extensive consultation has already been undertaken as part of the Activity throughout all phases of the Business Case;

· The RAG have considered the variation, and agree that it is non-significant;

· The Waka Kotahi Board has endorsed the Business Case and approved funding approval for the pre-implementation, implementation, and property phases at their meeting on April 21, 2022; and

· The RLTP 2021-31 was consulted on as part of its development and at this time, the Activity was included as part of this consultation. The Activity was ultimately prioritised as activity 4, from the 61 activities in the RLTP 2021-31 programme.

It is recommended that the RTC exercise its right to determine that, in this case, the variation is non-significant. A full assessment against the RLTPs significance policy is provided for within the attached variation document.

3. Considerations

3.1 Risks and Mitigations

The proposed variation has been assessed against the RLTP, and it is deemed significant. However, a number of crucial mitigating factors are noted as reasons for supporting the decision to approve the variation as non-significant. Any residual risks and mitigations are therefore considered to be low.

If the RTC deem the Activity should be considered as significant, as per the RLTPs significance policy, further consultation of the Activity would be required in accordance with the LTMA. Due to the extent of consultation already undertaken, alongside other mitigating factors outlined above, it is not considered that further consultation is necessary.

3.2 Climate Change

The proposed variation will enable the appropriate funding allocation for TCC to fund a significant local transportation activity. The outcomes of the Activity will support both mitigation and adaptation to climate change, for example, through increased development of cycling and walking networks within Tauranga city.

3.3 Implications for Māori

Improving local transportation networks will support all network users, including Māori.

3.4 Community Engagement

An assessment against the RLTPs significance policy is included with the variation document, attached. The variation has been assessed against the RLTPs significance policy and while deemed to be significant, a history of public consultation associated with the activity supports defining the variation as non-significant. In that event, public consultation would not be required to vary the RLP 2021-31 in this instance.

3.5 Alignment with Strategic Framework

This item directly contributes to the Vibrant Region Community Outcome in the Council’s Long Term Plan 2021-2031

3.6 Financial Implications

Please refer to the relevant information above and attached.

4. Next Steps

If the RTC agrees to include the variation into the RLTP 2021-31, and determines that it is considered to be non-significant, then the respective funding allocations, to enable the Property Phase, will be provided for.

Attachments

Attachment 1 - 2022-05-02 - Tauriko West Enabling Works DBC RLTP Variation - Variation Request for Bay of Plenty Regional Land Transport Plan 2021 ⇩



Report To:	Regional Transport Committee
Meeting Date:	19 May 2022
Report Writer:	Andrew Williams, Senior Transport Planner
Report Authoriser:	Julie Bevan, Policy & Planning Manager
Purpose:	To provide the Regional Transport Committee with the Travel Demand Management (TDM) Scoping Studies as part of the TDM programme of work committed to via the Regional Land Transport Plan 2021-31.

Eastern Districts and Rotorua Lake District Travel Demand Management Programme Scoping Studies

Executive Summary

The Regional Land Transport Plan 2021-31 includes a commitment to undertake a Travel Demand Management and Behaviour Change (TDM) programme. A TDM programme is intended to introduce a series of travel initiatives to reduce the negative impacts of road transport and increase travel choices.

As part of this programme, two of the three sub-regional Scoping Studies – for both the Eastern Districts and Rotorua – have been completed. These studies lay the foundations for advancing the TDM programme within the region, and they are included for the Regional Transport Committee to receive and endorse.

A Scoping Study for the western Bay sub-region is currently underway and due for completion in June 2022.

Once all three Scoping Studies have been completed, staff will be working with partners, including territorial local authorities and Waka Kotahi, to advance the programme towards funding and deliverability.

Recommendations

That the Regional Transport Committee:

1 Receives the report, Eastern Districts and Rotorua Lake District Travel Demand Management Programme Scoping Studies;

2 Receives and endorses the Travel Demand Management Scoping Studies for the Eastern Districts and Rotorua Lakes District;

3 Notes that the Western Bay Scoping Study is underway; and

4 Agrees that the Travel Demand Management programme is within the scope of the Committee’s Terms of Reference.

1. Background

Travel Demand Management (TDM) includes any initiative that modifies travel decisions so as to reduce the negative impacts of road transport and increase travel choices. A well-functioning TDM programme maximises the efficient operation of existing transport networks whilst providing the catalyst for new and innovative transport solutions. As a strategic intervention, TDM has the potential to influence land use and growth decisions and support mode shift aspirations.

A TDM programme includes a range of services and products that influence whether, why, when, where and how people travel. In essence, TDM embraces network management, capacity creation and behaviour change.

The Regional Land Transport Plan 2021-31 (RLTP) includes a commitment from the Regional Council to take a leadership role in improving understanding of the role of TDM and behaviour change, as a response to the identified strategic priorities:

· Reducing deaths and serious injuries;

· Improving environmental sustainability;

· Improving multi-modal access and choice;

· Supporting regional growth; and

· Improving system resilience.

As reported to the March meeting, a Scoping Study for each sub-region is being developed which enables a tailored local approach to TDM in each area, including a costed and prioritised three-year TDM programme of interventions. This work is being undertaken as part of the Regional Council’s Low Cost Low Risk work category as part of the RLTP.

On completion of the scoping studies, more detailed programmes will be developed in conjunction with each of the districts and this will include behaviour change initiatives and recommendations for supporting infrastructure projects.

1.1 Programme governance and decision-making

The Public Transport Committee (PTC) has been the Council Committee overseeing the progress of the TDM programme. The PTC, at its May 2021 meeting, resolved to approve the high-level scope and timeframes for the TDM programme. No further resolutions were made by the PTC. However, staff consider that the programme is now more appropriately directed through the RTC work programme, because:

· TDM is broader than public transport;

· TDM aligns directly with the RLTP and its programme; and

· The TDM programme meets the RTCs terms of reference more closely than that of the PTC.

Subsequently, it is considered that from here on, the governance and decision-making processes that occur as part of the TDM programme are to be directed through the RTC, rather than the PTC. Notwithstanding this, the PTC will still receive updates on the progress of the TDM programme.

2. Scoping studies progression

2.1 Eastern Bay and Rotorua sub-regions

The Scoping Studies for the Rotorua and Eastern Bay sub-regions are now complete, and both are attached. These reports provide a list of recommendations to support the progression of TDM within each sub-region and is supported by a proposed three year programme for each district – these are attached at the rear of the two Scoping Studies.

It is noted that these three-year programmes are aspirational. As part of the next steps of the TDM programme, staff will be working with each Council to further refine the programmes to understand what can be achieved and how budgets are afforded to them via various funding sources.

3. Considerations

3.1 Risks and Mitigations

As outlined above, the attached Scoping Studies are aspirational and should not be viewed as being delivered exactly as presented – further consideration is required to determine the extent of delivery, particularly approaches to funding the programmes. As the programme develops, the RTC will be briefed on progress.

3.2 Climate Change

TDM measures support reduced use of single occupant vehicles and help promote the uptake of non-vehicle modes, such as cycling and walking. In addition, TDM is identified in the Scoping Studies as a key input to future land use planning, thereby reducing the need to travel.

3.3 Implications for Māori

The Scoping Studies include consideration of how TDM can reduce travels costs and support the Maori economy.

3.4 Community Engagement

Projects and initiatives arising from the Scoping Studies would be consulted on as part of Annual and Long Term Plans when appropriate.

3.5 Alignment with Strategic Framework

This item directly contributes to the Vibrant Region Community Outcome in the Council’s Long Term Plan 2021-2031. Additionally, there is close alignment to the objectives identified within the 2021-24 Regional Land Transport Plan, and its programme of work.

3.6 Financial Implications

There are no material unbudgeted financial implications and this fits within the allocated budget. Further discussions on delivery of TDM programmes, and the associated financial implications, are to commence as the programme advances.

4. Next Steps

Initiatives identified within the Scoping Studies will now be considered further and funding discussions had with partners, including territorial local authorities, and Waka Kotahi.

Attachments

Attachment 1 - Rotorua Lakes TDM Programme Scope Final Report ⇩

Attachment 2 - Eastern Districts TDM Programme Scpoe Final Report ⇩



Report To:	Regional Transport Committee
Meeting Date:	19 May 2022
Report Writer:	Matthew Kilpatrick, Senior Transport Planner
Report Authoriser:	Julie Bevan, Policy & Planning Manager
Purpose:	Freight and Supply Chain Issues Paper

New Zealand Freight and Supply Chain Issues Paper

Executive Summary

Approval is sought by the RTC to endorse a formal submission (completed on its behalf) to the consultation on the Ministry of Transport’s Freight and Supply Chain Issues Paper (the paper). The deadline for submissions on the paper is 3 June 2022.

The paper sets out a long-term 30-year plus view of how the New Zealand freight and supply chain will prepare and manage the ‘big issues’ that the system is faced with. These issues include climate change, population growth and densification, technology and digitalisation, and international developments/uncertainties.

Recommendations

That the Regional Transport Committee:

1 Receives the report, New Zealand Freight and Supply Chain Issues Paper;

2 Endorses the formal submission attached which outlines a general support on the paper.

1. Background

The Ministry of Transport (MOT) are seeking submissions on their Freight and Supply Chain Issues Paper. Submissions will be used to inform the development of a Freight and Supply Chain Strategy, which will provide a 30-year plus view on:

· Collectively what we want the system to achieve - objectives, outcomes, and vision.

· How we will get there - pathways and priority actions.

· How we will work together - how government works with others, how we make trade-offs, the roles of different organisations.

The strategy will inform investment decisions by central and local government and the private sector.

2. Comments on the paper

2.1 Introduction

This section summarises the proposed submission being made on behalf of the RTC. The full draft submission is attached to this report.

2.2 General Comments

It is proposed that the RTC support the direction of the paper and the strategic context for change and vulnerabilities stated relating to the New Zealand freight and supply chain system. It is also proposed that RTC also support the outcomes/areas of focus being taken forward for developing a freight and supply chain strategy. These include low emissions, resilience, productivity and innovation, and equity and safety.

Overall, there is good alignment between the paper and the Bay of Plenty Regional Land Transport Plan 2021 (RLTP) transport objectives and the Western Bay of Plenty Transport System Plan (TSP).

Table 1: Alignment between RLTP and the four freight and supply chain outcomes

*Area of Focus*	*RLTP Transport Objective*	*Programme of Transport Activity*
Equity and Safety	TO 1 – Reducing road deaths and serious injuries	Safety by reducing the number of road deaths and serious injuries (DSIs)
Low emissions, Resilience, Equity & Safety	TO 2 - environmental sustainability	Environmental sustainability by reducing transport related carbon emissions (either through mode shift, and/or using low carbon fuels) and impacts on biodiversity, water, and air quality
Productivity & Innovation, Equity & Safety	TO 4 - supporting regional growth	Economic and residential growth within the region by maintaining and enhancing strategic corridors and infrastructure networks
Resilience	TO 5 - improving resilience within the transport network	Resilience of the transport network by protecting transport routes and providing viable alternatives

2.3 Strategic Context – Climate Change

The submission by RTC proposes to recognise climate change as a key strategic change that is applicable to the region. The current RLTP is targeting a 25% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from land transport by 2030.

2.4 Strategic Context - Population Growth and Densification

The submission by RTC proposes to recognise population growth and densification as a key strategic change that is applicable to the region. With growth brings increasing challenges to protect access to the port whilst balancing the needs of the land transport system by its different user groups.

2.5 Supporting the Four Outcomes

The submission by RTC proposes to support the identified four outcomes of Low Emissions, Resilience, Productivity and Innovation, and Equity and Safety. These each align with Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP). Alignment between the RLTP and the four outcomes is shown in the General Comments section of this paper.

2.6 Prioritising Resilience as a Key Outcome

The submission by RTC proposes to support resilience as an important outcome that should be prioritised in the strategy. Ensuring resilience across Bay of Plenty’s regional strategic freight networks is critical to supporting the regional and domestic economies. Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s RLTP transport objective five is to improve resilience within the transport network.

3. Considerations

3.1 Risks and Mitigations

There are no significant risks associated with this matter/subject/project/initiative.

3.2 Climate Change

The matters addressed in this report are of a procedural nature and there is no need to consider climate change impacts.

3.3 Implications for Māori

The RTC are supportive of the paper and its focus on Māori in outcome 4 (equity and safety). Outcome 4 states:

Equity and Safety: Ensure Māori interests are at the forefront and articulate Māori aspirations in relation to supply chains.

Māori make up a large proportion of the regional population, particularly in Rotorua, Whakatāne and Opotiki. As Māori communities and their economies are growing, specific attention is needed to understand their needs and reliance on local and international freight and supply chains.

3.4 Community Engagement

No impacts are associated with community engagement.

3.5 Alignment with Strategic Framework

The paper aligns to Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s Regional Land Transport Plan 2021 transport objectives including:

· Transport Objective 1 – reducing road deaths and serious injuries,

· Transport Objective 2 - environmental sustainability,

· Transport Objective 4 – supporting regional growth, and;

· Transport Objective 5 - improving resilience within the transport network

3.6 Financial Implications

There are no material unbudgeted financial implications and this fits within the allocated budget.

No further implications will arise financially from endorsing the paper and the RTC submission attached.

4. Next Steps

No further next steps are identified from the endorsement of the paper. The Ministry of Transport will collate all submissions received on the paper by June 3 2022 and will use these to develop a New Zealand Freight and Supply Chain Strategy.

Attachments

Attachment 1 - RTC Submission on NZ Freight and Supply Chain Issues Paper ⇩

Attachment 2 - Freight-and-supply-chain-issues-paper-A3-summary ⇩



Report To:	Regional Transport Committee
Meeting Date:	19 May 2022
Report Writer:	Matthew Kilpatrick, Senior Transport Planner
Report Authoriser:	Julie Bevan, Policy & Planning Manager
Purpose:

Draft Regional Public Transport Plan

Executive Summary

The Regional Council must review, renew, or vary its Regional Public Transport Plan (RPTP) as soon as practicable after the public transport service components of the Regional Land Transport Plan are approved or varied. In accordance with Section 125 (1)(a) of the Land Transport Management Act (LTMA), Council must:

· When preparing a draft regional public transport plan, a regional council must consult the relevant regional transport committee.

The LTMA sets out the purpose of the Plan which is:

· A means for encouraging regional councils and public transport operators to work together in developing public transport services and infrastructure;

· An instrument for engaging with the public in the region on the design and operation of the public transport network;

· A statement of:

o The public transport services that are integral to the public transport network.

o The policies and procedures that apply to those services.

o The information and infrastructure that support those services.

The draft RPTP has been developed in a manner consistent with the broader transport policy direction in the Bay of Plenty Regional Land Transport Plan 2021-31.

Please note this paper is a summary information piece for RTC only. A decision to release the draft RPTP for public consultation will be sought from the Public Transport Committee separately at its meeting on 23 June.

Recommendations

That the Regional Transport Committee:

1 Receives the report, Draft Regional Public Transport Plan;

2 Notes that the draft document has been developed in a manner consistent with the broader transport policy direction in the Bay of Plenty Regional Land Transport Plan 2021-31.

1. Background

The RPTP is currently being reviewed and revised, with the goal of having the new plan operative by the end of 2022.

The RPTP is the key statutory document for public transport planning and investment in the region and must be reviewed as soon as practicable after the Bay of Plenty Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP) is finalised (which was June 2021).

The RPTP takes a 10+ year strategic view with a particular focus on the first three years. In doing so, the RPTP describes:

· What we want our public transport system to achieve (our long-term vision and objectives);

· How we propose to get there (the strategies, focus areas, policies and actions that will help us achieve our goals); and

· The public transport services we propose to provide in order to address our key policy objectives.

The RPTP fits within the following framework:

The purpose of the RPTP is:

· a means for encouraging regional councils and public transport operators to work together in developing public transport services and infrastructure,

· an instrument for engaging with the public in the region on the design and operation of the public transport network, and

· to provide a statement of:

o the public transport services that are integral to the public transport network,

o the policies and procedures that apply to those services, and

o the information and infrastructure that support those services.

The RPTP must be prepared in accordance with provisions within the LTMA and any guidance provided by the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA).

The purpose of this report is to consult the RTC with regard to the RPTP.

2. Summary of the RPTP

This section summarises the content within the draft RPTP.

Figure 2: Flow chart of the RPTP

2.1 Vision and Objectives

The draft vision for the RPTP is outlined below:

‘More people using high quality public transport that enhances their lives, supports urban transformation and reduces our collective impact on the environment’

This vision is supported by seven objectives as outlined below. Each objective has associated targets which will guide our delivery of public transport over the next ten years. These objectives also provide the framework for the policies and actions in the RPTP.

• Objective 1: Mode shift and carbon reduction - Public transport successfully contributes to the region’s mode shift and greenhouse gas reduction goals

• Objective 2: Service planning and design - Easy to use public transport that is accessible to existing and potential customers

• Objective 3: Service and infrastructure delivery - Public transport services and infrastructure combine to deliver a reliable, punctual and high-quality customer experience while providing value for money

• Objective 4: Public transport and land use integration - Integrated public transport and land use planning supports well-functioning urban environments that enable all people and communities to provide for their social, economic, and cultural wellbeing, and for their health and safety, now and into the future

• Objective 5: Customer experience and information - An excellent customer experience that grows passenger numbers

• Objective 6: Partnerships - Quality partnerships ensure that we are responsive to customer and community needs

• Objective 7: Fairs and pricing - An equitable fare and pricing system that attracts new customers and rewards frequent use.

2.2 RPTP focus areas

We have identified six cross-cutting themes that will anchor our approach to delivering our vision and objectives over the next three years. These focus areas cut across all of our objectives, policies and actions, defining how we will work to deliver them.

Figure 3: RPTP Focus areas

2.3 Future strategy

Future public transport strategy has been developed for each sub-region in the Bay of Plenty. This recognises that the region is home to diverse communities, with distinctive public transport needs and requirements, meaning that a ‘one size fits all’ approach will not necessarily deliver the desired outcomes for each community.

2.3.1 Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty

This strategy builds on existing strategic planning documents which have already been endorsed by key regional stakeholders. This includes the UFTI Connected Centres Programme, RLTP strategic interventions, and the Western Bay TSP. A summary of the future strategy includes:

• Deliver the public transport components outlined in strategic documentation;

• Continue the process of optimising the existing public transport network in the first three years (Bus Network Refresh);

• Progressively implement the TSP public transport medium scenario as urban intensification and public transport infrastructure improvements are realised;

• Focus on delivering frequent and reliable services on core corridors in tandem with targeted interventions to make public transport journeys competitive with travel by private vehicle;

• Future proof the public transport system for a longer-term transition from frequent and reliable services to rapid transit.

2.3.2 Rotorua

Our future public transport strategy for Rotorua focuses initially on the Rotorua Bus Network Refresh process, which has included analysis of the existing network and recommendations on changes to optimise services and improve convenience for the customer.

In the medium term, the renewal of the Rotorua bus operating contract in 2024 (or 2025) will seek further refinements to the PT system. Considerations include achieving greater financial sustainability, integration with the Rotorua Future Development Strategy, promotional activities, and transitioning the fleet to zero emission buses.

In the long term (2025+), future opportunities will arise to review service levels and explore new service delivery models such as on-demand public transport and community transport services.

2.3.3 Eastern Bay of Plenty

Our future strategy for Eastern Bay of Plenty will focus on optimising the existing service with current funding through the Eastern Bay refresh and developing a future service delivery model based on funding through the next RLTP.

In the medium-term, the renewal of the Eastern Bay of Plenty operating contract in 2025 (or 2026) will implement longer-term improvements from Eastern Bay refresh.

In the longer-term, Council will seek to work with regional partners to develop and implement TDM measures to support public transport.

2.4 Policies and actions

This section sets out the policies and actions in that will help us deliver the RPTP vision and objectives. They are grouped according to the main objective they contribute to, but most will support the achievement of more than one objective.

Table 1: Policies and actions

Objective	Policies
Mode shift and carbon reduction	1.1 Frequent and reliable services 1.2 Targeted interventions in urban areas 1.3 Travel demand management 1.4 Zero emission public transport 1.5 Mobility as a service 1.6 Passenger rail 1.7 Transport pricing
Service planning and design	2.1 Service planning principles 2.2 Service classifications 2.3 Service optimisation 2.4 Urban public transport network operating models 2.5 Community services 2.6 On demand public transport 2.7 Total Mobility 2.8 School services 2.9 Ferries
Service and infrastructure delivery	3.1 Contract units 3.2 New units 3.3 Public transport services 3.4 Infrastructure quality 3.5 Innovation and technology 3.6 Service quality 3.7 Service performance 3.8 Vehicle quality standards 3.9 Vehicle size and weight 3.10 Procurement 3.11 Exempt services
Public transport and land use integration	4.1 Public transport and urban intensification 4.2 Modal integration 4.3 Services and infrastructure in new urban areas 4.4 Infrastructure timing 4.5 Park and ride 4.6 Rapid transit
Customer experience and information	5.1 Accessible journey 5.2 Safety and personal security 5.3 Legibility 5.4 Amenity 5.5 Marketing and promotion 5.6 Branding
Partnerships	6.1 Public transport providers 6.2 Public transport funders 6.3 Māori 6.4 Communities and local service providers
Fares and pricing	7.1 Fare principles 7.2 Fare structure 7.3 Fare pricing initiatives 7.4 Fares and parking policy 7.5 School students 7.6 Reviewing fares

3. Process for approvals

The RPTP consultation and approval process is outlined below:

Table 2: Approval timeline

Approval activity	Date
*PTC approves draft RPTP for public consultation	June 23
Prepare documents for public release	June 24 – 1 July
Submission period	July 4 – July 29
Prepare summary of submissions	August 1 – August 5
Hearings Committee review of submissions	August 8 – August 12
Hearings	August 15 – August 16
Prepare staff recommendations	August 17 – August 24
Hearings Committee review recommendations	August 25 – August 31
*Deliberations	September 1
Prepare Hearings Committee recommendations report	September 2 – September 7
PTC Chair reviews Hearings Committee recommendations	September 8 – September 9
Draft RPTP and Hearings Committee report included in PTC agenda	September 12 – September 13
PTC recommends RPTP to Regional Council	September 22
RPTP included in Regional Council agenda	November 7 – November 11
*Regional Council approves final RPTP	December 15

4. Consultation

Preparation is underway to develop an RPTP consultation and engagement plan. The plan will provide for a broad range of activities that offer both online and face to face (COVID-19 dependent) participation opportunities. This is to ensure equal and reasonable participation opportunities for different stakeholders.

We will use Participate as the key activity platform for engagement with the general public. Participate is an online platform used to educate users on projects and gather feedback. This will provide stakeholders and members of the public with information on the RPTP and gives users the opportunity to place feedback on key topics, including:

· Vision and objectives – share with users where we are heading and seek feedback on this direction.

· Challenges and opportunities – what we have identified as the key public transport challenges and opportunities for the region.

· Future strategy – what our future public transport strategy is for the Tauranga / Western Bay of Plenty, Rotorua and Eastern Bay of Plenty sub-regions.

· Policy topics – Information on our policies, why they are important, and what impact they will have for public transport in the region.

Beyond using Participate we are planning to undertake tailored consultation and engagement activities to educate and seek feedback on specific policy areas. Activities being scoped in the plan include:

· Consultation activities – variety of online activities including targeted Facebook posts, introductory video campaign, website, paper and newsletter prints. Printed RPTP and summary documents made available.

· Engagement activities – formal notification to all key stakeholders of engagement, more general activities also include online webinars, community drop-in sessions etc.

All activities outlined in the plan are to be carried out in accordance with the consultation requirements set out in Section 125 of the Land Transport Management Act (LTMA). The Regional Transport Committee will also be consulted on the draft RPTP in accordance with the LTMA.

Tangata Whenua will be specifically engaged in advance of the formal consultation period between 4 July – 29 July. This will include reporting to Komiti Māori, and direct engagement by Council staff.

5. Considerations

5.1 Risks and Mitigations

No risks or mitigations are associated with this paper.

5.2 Climate Change

No negative impacts on climate change are associated with this paper.

5.3 Implications for Māori

No negative implications for Māori will arise from the RPTP. The objective of partnerships will ensure, through action, that Council will work with Māori communities to identify where their public transport access needs are not being met and, where possible, co-design solutions.

A Māori responsiveness framework for public transport is also proposed to enhance the appropriate use of Māori place names, values and design principles in the public transport system.

Tangata Whenua will be specifically engaged by Council in advance of the formal consultation period between 4 July – 29 July. This will include direct liaison by Council staff, and formal transport updates through Komiti Māori.

5.4 Community Engagement

Early engagement was sought from the public in July/August 2021 on key topics to be included in the RPTP. This was undertaken via Council’s Participate website.

Following the completion of this engagement and the collation and analysis of the feedback, targeted engagement has since occurred specifically through the WBOP Community PT Panel, bus operators and other impacted community groups. Formal community engagement will be undertaken during the 4 July – 29 July engagement period.

All community engagement is undertaken in accordance with the consultation requirements set out in Section 125 of the Land Transport Management Act (LTMA). The Regional Transport Committee will also be consulted on the draft RPTP in accordance with the LTMA.

5.5 Alignment with Strategic Framework

The RPTP is aligned with the strategic framework identified in the Background section of this paper.

5.6 Financial Implications

There are no material unbudgeted financial implications and this fits within the allocated budget.

Future work is provided for in Council’s RLTP 2021-2031.

6. Next Steps

A decision to release the draft RPTP for public consultation will be sought from the Public Transport Committee at its meeting on 23 June.

[1] The Regional Advisory Group is a technical advisory group comprised of transport officers from the Regional Council, city and district councils and Waka Kotahi.