Open Minutes
Commencing: Friday 9 June 2023, 2.00 pm
Venue: Council Chambers, Regional House, 1 Elizabeth Street, Tauranga and via Zoom
Chairperson: Chairman Doug Leeder
Deputy Chairperson: Deputy Chairperson Jane Nees
Members: Cr Malcolm Campbell
Cr Stuart Crosby
Cr Matemoana McDonald – via Zoom
Cr Kat Macmillan
Cr Ken Shirley
Cr Paula Thompson
Cr Lyall Thurston
Cr Andrew von Dadelszen
Cr Te Taru White – via Zoom
Cr Kevin Winters
In Attendance: Mat Taylor – General Manager Corporate, Mike Seabourne -Director Public Transport, Tone Nerdrum Smith – Committee Advisor
Apologies: Cr Malcolm Campbell, Cr Toi Kai Rākau It, Cr Ron Scott
Chairman Leeder reminded those present that this meeting was being livestreamed and recorded and that the recording would be made available on the Bay of Plenty Regional Council YouTube channel following the meeting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaXAEo_Zrcw
1. Opening Karakia
A karakia was provided by Cr Lyall Thurston.
2. Apologies
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That the Regional Council: 1 Accepts the apologies from Cr Ron Scott, Cr Malcolm Campbell and Cr Toi Kai Rākau Iti for absence tendered at the meeting. CARRIED |
3. Declaration of Conflicts of Interest
None declared.
4. Reports
Decisions Required
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Public Transport - Implementation of Government Fare Announcement Presented by: Mike Seabourne – Director Public Transport and Mat Taylor – General Manager Corporate. Key Points: · Staff had recommended Option 1 as it aligned with Council’s existing systems and policies, providing simplicity and consistency from an operational perspective · Bus driver/provider support was essential as age verification – ideally through Beecards - would be required for free fares · Beecard was currently being used by 70% of patrons and efforts were underway to increase this as it would be used for age verification as well as cashless travel · The intent of increasing Beecard use was also to reduce the use of cash which was an important safety consideration · Both Options 1 and 2 could be made operative within the required timeframe · Council was currently subsidised by Waka Kotahi for tertiary transport, which would continue as a free service on a trial basis. Key Points - Members: · Indicated a foreshadowing of support of Option 2 with the reason being concerns regarding the reduction in Council’s current levels of service if choosing Option 1 · Recognised the significant cost of any public transport system · Concerned regarding the proposed change which altered a direction that had been implemented following significant public consultation · Transition to cashless travel should be extensively communicated, with implementation gradually happening over a period of time to ensure patrons were well informed. |
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That the Regional Council: 1 Receives the report, Public Transport - Implementation of Government Fare Announcement. 2 Directs staff to implement the changes by 1 July 2023 (as outlined in the report) as follows: (a) Approve Option 1: To align with the government fares announcement as the preferred option; and (b) Confirms the new fare’s structure applies from 1 July 2023 to Beecard holders. 3 Confirms that the options discussed in this report do not rise to the level of significance under Councils Significance and Engagement Policy that would require additional consultation. Von Dadelszen/Shirley The motion was LOST on a show of hands
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That the Regional Council: 1 Receives the report, Public Transport - Implementation of Government Fare Announcement. 2 Directs staff to implement the following changes by 1 July 2023 (as outlined in the report): (a) Approves Option 2: To retain free fares for 13 to 18 year olds and the tertiary service trial; and (b) Confirms the new fares structure transitions to Beecard holders with operators incentivising the use of Beecards. 3 Confirms that the options discussed in this report do not rise to the level of significance under Councils Significance and Engagement Policy that would require additional consultation. Division A division was called:
Absent due to apology: Cr Campbell, Cr Iti and Cr Scott. The motion was carried
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Chairperson, Regional Council