Agenda of Regional Transport Committee - Friday, 13 December 2024

Regional Transport Committee

Membership

Chairperson (BOPRC)	Cr Lyall Thurston
Deputy Chairperson (BOPRC)	Cr Ken Shirley Cr Andrew von Dadelszen (Alternate)
Members
Kawerau District Council	Mayor Faylene Tunui Cr Berice Julian (Alternate)
Ōpōtiki District Council	Mayor David Moore Cr Tom Brooks (Alternate)
Rotorua Lakes Council	Mayor Tania Tapsell Cr Conan O’Brien (Alternate)
Tauranga City Council	Mayor Mahé Drysdale Deputy Mayor Jen Scoular (Alternate)
Western Bay of Plenty District Council	Mayor James Denyer Deputy Mayor John Scrimgeour (Alternate)
Whakatāne District Council	Mayor Victor Luca Deputy Mayor Lesley Immink (alternate)
External Members
New Zealand Transport Agency Alternate member to be nominated by NZTA appointed member	Andrew Corkill – Director Regional Relationships (Waikato/BOP)
External Members (non-voting)
KiwiRail	Angus Hodgson Steve Zahorodny (Alternate)
External Advisors (non-voting)
Environmental Sustainability Advisor	Vacant
Freight Advisor	Greg Pert
Road Safety Advisor	Inspector Logan Marsh – District Road Police Manager
Port Advisor	Dan Kneebone – Property and Infrastructure Manager
New Zealand Automobile Association	Stacey Spall
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.

· Consolidate individual road controlling, authority (RCA) speed management plans and prepare the regional speed management plan in accordance with the Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2022.

· Co-ordinate, integrate and adopt regional transport and land-use strategies and 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.

Recording of Meetings

Please note the Public section of this meeting is being recorded and streamed live on Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s website in accordance with Council's Live Streaming and Recording of Meetings Protocols which can be viewed on Council’s website. The recording will be archived and made publicly available on Council's website within two working days after the meeting on www.boprc.govt.nz for a period of three years (or as otherwise agreed to by Council).

All care is taken to maintain your privacy; however, as a visitor in the public gallery or as a participant at the meeting, your presence may be recorded. By remaining in the public gallery, it is understood your consent is given if your image is inadvertently broadcast.

Opinions expressed or statements made by individual persons during a meeting are not the opinions or statements of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council. Council accepts no liability for any opinions or statements made during a meeting.

Regional Transport Committee Minutes

13 September 2024

Regional Transport Committee

Open Minutes

Commencing: Friday 13 September 2024, 9.30 am

Venue: Council Chambers, Regional House, 1 Elizabeth Street, Tauranga and via Zoom (Audio Visual Meeting)

Chairperson: Cr Lyall Thurston - Bay of Plenty Regional Council Toi Moana (BOPRC)

Deputy Chairperson: Cr Ken Shirley – BOPRC

Members: Mayor Faylene Tunui - Kawerau District Council, Mayor David Moore - Ōpōtiki District Council, Mayor James Denyer - Western Bay of Plenty District Council, Deputy Mayor John Scrimgeour – Alternate, Western Bay of Plenty District Council (via Zoom), Mayor Mahé Drysdale – Tauranga City Council (via Zoom), David Speirs – NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA), Mayor Tania Tapsell - Rotorua Lakes Council (via Zoom), Cr Conan O'Brien – Alternate, Rotorua Lakes Council, Mayor Victor Luca - Whakatāne District Council, Angus Hodgson – KiwiRail (via Zoom, non-voting member)

In Attendance: External: Stacey Spall - NZ Automobile Association Advisor, Inspector Logan Marsh – NZ Police Road Safety Advisor, Cr Glen Crowther – Tauranga City Council

BOPRC: Cr Kat MacMillan, Cr Jane Nees, Namouta Poutasi – General Manager, Strategy and Science, Oliver Haycock – Director, Public Transport, Andrew Williams – Manager, Transport Planning, Presenters – as listed in the minutes, Amanda Namana – Committee Advisor

Apologies: Chairman Doug Leeder – BOPC (ex-officio), Greg Pert – Freight Advisor, Dan Kneebone – Port of Tauranga Advisor

1. Apologies

Resolved

That the Regional Transport Committee:

1 Accepts the apologies from Chairman Doug Leeder, Greg Pert and Dan Kneebone tendered at the meeting.

Thurston/Shirley

CARRIED

2. Chair’s Statement

The Chair reminded all present that the meeting was livestreamed and recorded and would be made available on the Bay of Plenty Regional Council website following the meeting: Regional Transport Committee Meeting - 13 September 2024.

3. Public Forum

The public forum item noted on the agenda was reclassified as a deputation in order for the Committee to formally receive the background information provided and be enabled to make a decision if desired.

4. Deputations

4.1

Julia Mclean - on behalf of NZ equestrians seeking formal recognition as a Vulnerable Road User

Tabled Document 1 - Horse Riders' Near Misses and Letters of Support for Vulnerable Road Users: Objective ID A4774016

Tabled Document 2 - Letter to NZ Mayors and Councillors: Objective ID A4774018

Tabled Document 3 - Print Version Poster for Vulnerable Road User Awareness Rides: Objective ID A4774034

Tabled Document 4 - Press Release - Vulnerable Road User Pass Wide and Slow Awareness Rides: Objective ID A4774036

Key Points:

· Speaking to every regional transport committee nationwide to provide consistent messaging, and request support in seeking an amendment to the Land Transport Management Act 2003 (LTMA)

· In New Zealand, transport literature did not include a formal definition of a vulnerable road user and horse riders were currently considered as ‘other road users’, meaning they were not included in road safety messaging or education

· Created specific road safety targeted messaging and partnered with NZ Police in having this publicised (Tabled Documents 3 and 4)

· The ‘pass wide and slow’ campaign held an international message – pass wide at a minimum of two metres and slow your vehicle down. On Saturday 21 September and Sunday 22 September a campaign ride would take place around the country, along with riders in South Africa, Australia, Canada, America, Ireland and the United Kingdom

· A petition being formally lodged with central government on 15 October 2024 already had cross party political support

· Near miss data was being collected via a survey as this was not currently captured by any authority.

In Response to Questions:

· The ‘pass wide and slow concept’ was a behavioural change, rather than a specified speed to reduce to

· Multi-use pathways were being used successfully around the world

· Sought inclusion and understanding over consistently being left out of planning decisions

· Regulation had to be practical and common sense - legislation that was fit for purpose.

Resolved

That the Regional Transport Committee:

· Receives the Deputation, NZ Equestrians seeking formal recognition as a Vulnerable Road User in legislation and treatment;

· Delegates authority to the Chair to review and sign a letter to the Minister of Transport in support of recognising horse riders as Vulnerable Road Users.

Shirley/Luca

CARRIED

5. Order of Business

Item 7.4 - Proposed UNISA position paper on the national significance of a resilient and efficient Upper North Island supply chain, was taken following Item 7.1 – Chairperson’s report to accommodate the availability of the Committee Champion.

6. Declaration of Conflicts of Interest

None declared.

7. Minutes

Minutes to be Confirmed

7.1

Regional Transport Committee Minutes - 22 May 2024

Resolved

That the Regional Transport Committee:

1 Confirms the Regional Transport Committee Minutes - 22 May 2024 as a true and correct record.

Moore/Speirs

CARRIED

8. Reports

8.1

Chairperson's Report

Tabled Document 5 - NLTP Final Decision letter to the Bay of Plenty Regional Transport Committee, dated 3 September 2024: Objective ID A4774039

Tabled Document 6 - Briefing Note to Members on Key Outcomes from the NLTF 2027-2027: Objective ID A4774041

Tabled Document 7 - Response letter from Hon Simon Bridges regarding median barrier installation on State Highway 2, dated 5 September 2024: Objective ID A4778781

Presented by: Oliver Haycock – Director, Public Transport

Key Points:

· A briefing note was provided (Tabled Document 6), summarising the outcomes from the submission of the Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP).

Key Points - Members:

· Following the decision from the Minister of Transport (Tabled Document 7) regarding median barriers and right-turn functionality on remaining intersections in the State Highway 2 (SH2) Waihi to Ōmōkoroa corridor, affected residents were still deeply concerned over the safety issues that remained and would no longer be addressed.

In Response to Questions:

· Public transport focused analysis regarding the RLTP outcomes would be provided to the next meeting of the Public Transport Committee on 24 September 2024, noting that there was sufficient funding to maintain current service levels across the region but limited funding for improvement activities.

Resolved

That the Regional Transport Committee:

1 Receives the report, Chairperson's Report.

Thurston/Tunui

CARRIED

8.2

Proposed UNISA position paper on the national significance of a resilient and efficient Upper North Island supply chain

Presented by: Andrew Williams – Manager, Transport Planning

Key Points:

· At this early stage, staff considered the position paper required further balance across the UNISA partners, with some specific additions being requested

· KiwiRail had been in contact regarding their position on the paper and staff would work together with them on this

· At present the paper was in its development and the Committee would have an opportunity to review the draft.

Key Points - Members:

· The paper appeared strongly focused on Auckland and north - supported further focus on the Bay of Plenty

· Highlighted the previous studies that analysed and reported on this subject and questioned the necessity of local government repeating this exercise with the same information.

Resolved

That the Regional Transport Committee:

1 Receives the report, Proposed UNISA position paper on the national significance of a resilient and efficient Upper North Island supply chain;

2 Notes that officers will refine the details of the statement in line with agreed UNISA positions and Bay of Plenty Regional Council policy positions;

3 Notes that the UNISA position paper will be brought back to the Committee for endorsement once the final version is prepared.

Thurston/Denyer

CARRIED

10.15 am – The meeting adjourned.

10.35 am – The meeting reconvened.

8.3

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi Quarterly Update

Presentation: NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi Quarterly Update - September 2024: Objective ID A4774044

Presented by: David Speirs – Director Regional Relationships

Key Points:

· Highlighted outcomes from the NLTP, including a record investment of $32.9B in the land transport network during the delivery period

· $6.4B for public transport services was primarily focused on Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, the national ticketing system and continuing existing programmes. Noted there was minimal allocation for new programmes or infrastructure investment

· Delivering Roads of National Significance (RoNS) was a substantial proportion of NLTP investment and alternative sources of funding, revenue and investment tools were being looked at

· Outlined the allocation of the $1.9B forecast to be invested in the Bay of Plenty region during the 2024-27 NLTP period

· The Ōmanawa Bridge design would be future proofed for four lanes, it was also designed with flood resilience in mind

· The change to the Integrated Delivery Model (IDM) focused on targeting specialised work to large contractors that they alone could deliver, whilst reserving the ability to direct contract the smaller, less complex work to Tier 2 and Tier 3 contractors

· Time of use legislation was currently being drafted by central government, which would enable time of use charging by NZTA and local authorities

· The National Ticketing Solution (Motu Move) was being rolled out, starting in Canterbury late 2024 with all other regions being transitioned by the end of 2026

· Expected that all safety cameras would have been transferred to NZTA from NZ Police by July 2025

· State Highway 29 Tauriko enabling works had been underway from March 2024 and were expected to take approximately three years, with Cambridge Road works commencing this month

· Outlined progress on Takitimu North Link (TNL) – SH2/Fifteenth Ave

· Provided a Waihi to Ōmokoroa safety improvements project update following the recent NZTA Board decision on median barriers.

Key Points – Members and Councillors:

· Feedback from the public regarding tolling consultation highlighted that it needed to be clarified and was being misinterpreted. There was an assumption that using the whole network in a trip could have the potential to be tolled three times.

In Response to Questions:

· Although $32.9B was a substantial amount of investment, it needed to be considered within the context of the market and the deliverability amidst challenges

· $1.7B for road safety promotion and policing did not include revenue from income generated through fines etc.

· Consents for TNL Stage 2 and State Highway 1 Cambridge to Piarere expressway would be lodged for fast-track consenting

· Capacity for deliverability was a strong consideration in looking at the maintenance and operations investment and the RoNS. This was also why they had been staged to start across a ten year period

· Acknowledged the impacts road closures and detours had on local roads, and the costs and trade-offs associated with these

· There were a range of technology options for time of use charging including cameras, prepaid devices in cars etc. The technology was costly and sensible investment would need to be considered e.g. main highways where there was existing infrastructure

· Detail on the expectation around variable speed signs and what would be required was not yet available

· If a decision to toll the TNL was made, a review would be undertaken of the tolling system and how it would work

· There was no single trigger to add right hand turns through wire barriers as a criteria of design, more a broader assessment of risk for each instance

· The completion timeframe for TNL had shifted from 2027 to 2028 due to delays caused by the 2023 flooding events

· Work was required and underway on how best to use Road User Charges (RUC) in a way that was fair but uncomplicated.

Items for Follow Up:

· Provide information to Mayor Luca on the amount of investment spend per year across the last four decades’ NLTP

· Provide information on how much the increase in funding would cover the costs of increased services/inflation effects

· Provide a contact from the Ministry of Transport with RUC expertise to speak to the Committee at a future meeting.

Resolved

That the Regional Transport Committee:

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

Speirs/Tunui

CARRIED

Decisions Required

8.4

Membership update and appointment of External Advisor for Environmental Sustainability

Minute Note: Discussion related to this item occurred under Item 9 – Verbal Update Opportunity from Committee Members and Advisors Presented by: Andrew Williams – Manager, Transport Planning

Resolved

That the Regional Transport Committee:

1 Receives the report, Membership update and appointment of External Advisor for Environmental Sustainability;

2 Notes the new members as appointed by Tauranga City Council:

(a) Mayor Mahé Drysdale as the primary member

(b) Deputy Mayor Jen Scoular as the alternate member;

3 Notes that a public process will seek nominations for candidates to fill the role of Environmental Sustainability Advisor; and

4 Appoints the Regional Transport Committee Chair and Regional Council's Director, Public Transport as a selection panel and delegates authority to the Chair to appoint an Environmental Sustainability Advisor.

Denyer/Shirley

CARRIED

Information Only

8.5

Regional Land Transport Plan - Implementation Report

Presented by: Andrew Williams – Manager, Transport Planning

Key Points:

· Noted that the appendix of the report was supported by staff at all Territorial Local Authorities (TLA’s) and NZTA, with the commentary being a collaboration across regional transport sector staff

· In six months’ time there would be a new version of the implementation report, which reflected the current 2024-2034 RLTP.

Resolved

That the Regional Transport Committee:

1 Receives the report, Regional Land Transport Plan - Implementation Report

Thurston/Luca

CARRIED

12:04 pm - Mayor Tapsell withdrew from the meeting.

Verbal Update Opportunity from Committee Members and Advisors

Inspector Logan Marsh – NZ Police Road Safety Advisor

Key Points:

· In the year to date, there had been 19 fatal accidents in the Bay of Plenty, with two occurring in the past week. Seven of these involved drivers suspected to be under the influence of alcohol, and 11 having a known or suspected cause of excess speed. 14 of these incidents occurred where the speed limit was 80 km/hr or above

· 291,000 breath screening tests were conducted across the region in the year ending June 2024. 32,000 speeding tickets had been issued, along with 6,700 people found not wearing seatbelts

· Provided an update on the Right Track programme, which had an 80% success rate with young offenders

· Bay of Plenty police were working on the Better Together road safety initiative, which was due to begin operating in November 2024. This initiative sought to bring together TLA’s with NZTA and NZ Police to collaborate on a specific road safety issue, in this instance drink driving. Communications had been sent out and there was a strong desire for everyone to get involved.

Key Point – David Speirs, Waka Kotahi:

· Spoke in support of the Better Together programme and acknowledged the rare and important opportunity to pool resources and collaborate on a road safety initiative that could make a real difference.

In Response to Questions

· The Right Track programme was for driving offenders who had appeared before the court, ranging from 17 year old youth to recidivist offenders with multiple driving under the influence convictions.

Stacey Spall – NZ Automobile Association (and AA research foundation trustee)

Key Points:

· Currently focused on boy racer legislation, medical fitness to drive, vertical deflection devices (speed humps) and tolling

· Driver licensing research on the graduated licensing system had been launched.

Angus Hodgson – KiwiRail (via Zoom)

Key Points:

· The rail freight network was an alternative to trucks having to pay time of use (congestion) charging

· Endorsed the Ministry of Transport (MoT) providing updates on RUC pricing

· The Rail Network Investment Programme (RNIP) was not yet published as the Minister of Transport was undertaking a network economics exercise first – KiwiRail would provide a comprehensive update to the Committee early 2025.

Mayor Victor Luca – Whakatāne District Council

Key Points:

· Raised the question of whether an elected member could be appointed to the vacant sustainability advisor position.

In Response to Questions - Namouta Poutasi, General Manager Strategy & Science

· The initial intent of appointing external advisors to the Committee was that they would provide impartial and independent advice.

David Speirs – NZTA, Director Regional Relationships

Key Points:

· Considered there was significant value in reviewing the process of the RLTP, noting that it was complicated and largely statutorily dictated

· The Government Policy Statement for Land Transport (GPS) not being released earlier during the development of the RLTP had a dramatic effect on the final outcome.

Items for Staff Follow Up:

· Provide guidance to members via email regarding whether an elected member was able to be appointed to the Committee as an external advisor

· Following a robust discussion regarding the processes and outcome of the RLTP, an additional roundtable meeting was requested to be held between NZTA and Eastern Bay of Plenty Mayors to discuss this, prior to 18 October 2024.

10. Recognition of David Speirs – Director, Regional Relationships, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi

The Chair acknowledged the work, knowledge and commitment of David Speirs throughout his time as NZTA voting member of the Committee, noting his departure date of the 18 October 2024.

2.21 pm – the meeting closed.

Confirmed

Cr Lyall Thurston

Chairperson, Regional Transport Committee



Report To:	Regional Transport Committee
Meeting Date:	13 December 2024
Report Authoriser:	Andrew Williams, Manager Transport Planning

Chairperson's Report

Executive Summary

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

· The Land Transport Rule – Setting of Speed Limits 2024

· Refreshed Regional Advisory Group Terms of Reference

· Takitimu North Link (TNL) Tolling Proposal

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 Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2024

In December 2023, the coalition government amended the 2022 Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits (The Rule), making developing speed management plans optional, and signalled their intent to replace the rule with a new version. Considering this, the RTC resolved to discontinue the development of a regional speed management plan at the May 2024 RTC meeting.

In June 2024, the Ministry of Transport released a draft 2024 Rule for consultation. An update on the implications of the draft rule was emailed to RTC members in July.

The 2024 Rule has now been finalised by the minister and came into force on the 30^th of October. Items of note in the new rule are as follows:

· RTCs and Regional Councils no longer play a role in speed limit setting, and the responsibility sits solely with road controlling authorities.

· Speed limit reductions on certain types of roads made since 1 January 2020 are required to be reversed by 1 July 2025, with certain exceptions.  

· Consultation requirements have been increased, with an associated requirement to include a cost-benefit disclosure statement for each proposed speed limit change.  

· A new binding speed limit classification schedule has been introduced which specifies speed limits for each road type.  

· Speed limits of 110km/h and 120km/h have been enabled on expressways that are constructed and maintained to a standard where these speeds are deemed safe.

· RCAs “must use reasonable efforts to ensure” reduced speed limits at schools are implemented by 1 July 2026, which is a year earlier than the draft 2024, and previous 2022 rules.

· Amendments to the traffic control devices rule allow lower cost static variable school speed limit signs to be used in any situation, as opposed to a more expensive electronic variable sign.

· There is no clarity on how the costs for mandated speed limit reversals and school speed limits are to be funded, given that most RCAs did not receive any funding requested for these anticipated costs.

· As of writing, NZTA have advised that they are working to provide further guidance to RCAs.

2.2 Refreshed Regional Advisory Group Terms of Reference

The Bay of Plenty Regional Advisory group (RAG) was established as a technical working group to support the RTC in its functions, particularly the development and monitoring of the RLTP. The RAG is made up of RTC member Council and NZTA staff from across the region. All other regions operate similar groups for their respective RTCs.

The RTC can lean on the combined expertise of the RAG and may direct the group to provide technical support and advice, undertake research, and or any work that supports the committee in its governance role.

2.2.1 Terms of Reference

Typically, the RAG operates relatively informally, aiming to create an environment that supports open and honest discussion on issues and topics, however a Terms of Reference (ToR) provides some formal structure and direction for the group.

On occasion, voting may be required of the RAG members to reach a consensus on any official recommendations to the RTC, such as any RLTP project prioritisation or variations, and the ToR provides a set of rules for these situations.

2.2.2 Refreshed ToR

After the adoption of the 2024 RLTP and commencement of the new triennium, the RAG discussed whether the existing ToR remained fit for purpose, and possible improvements.

After some development and input from RAG members, the new ToR was finalised and became operational in October. The new ToR includes the following improvements:

· Expanded the remit of the group to include supporting the Public Transport Committee (PTC) on specific Public Transport matters, aligned with the Regional Public Transport Plan (RPTP) Action Plan.

· Clearly defined official functions of the group.

· Improved clarity on membership, meeting attendees and voting membership.

· Set clear expectations of representatives, including the expectation of 2-way communication between representatives and their RTC members.

The operational ToR is included at Attachment 1.

2.3 Takitimu North Link (TNL) Tolling Proposal

Bay of Plenty Regional Council submitted on the TNL tolling proposal consultation led by NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) on 4 October 2024.

Regional Council supported the principle of tolling the TNL noting that the proposal aligns with the RLTP and RPTP, which support tolling to pay for improved infrastructure and improve overall system efficiency. Regional Council encouraged NZTA to consider social equity and the impacts on people with lower incomes when confirming the tolling system design and tolls.

Key Regional Council feedback included providing an exemption from tolling for public transport services, implementing a smart fare and capping system, reviewing toll fees in the region, ensuring regional consistency for toll applications and transparency of toll revenue use and messaging, and consideration of public transport improvements to the future revocated SH2 corridor. Regional Council have yet to receive a formal response from NZTA.

Separate submissions were also sent by Western Bay of Plenty District Council (WBOPDC) and Tauranga City Council (TCC). TCC have received a formal response from NZTA which states the following:

· The NZTA Board has now considered tolling applications for Ōtaki to north of Levin, Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatū Tararua Highway, and Takitimu North Link, including stakeholder and community feedback, and has formed a recommendation to be made to the Minister of Transport.

· The final decision rests with Cabinet on the advice of the Minister of Transport.

· The Ministry of Transport is currently preparing a Cabinet paper for the Minister to take to Cabinet. An announcement will be made once Cabinet has made decisions on the paper.

BOPRC staff will continue to monitor this proposal and any updates that come from a Cabinet decision in due course.

2.4 New Zealand Equestrian Advocacy Network Update

Following the presentation delivered to the RTC meeting on 13 September 2024, the Chair sent a letter to the Minister of Transport in support of equestrians being recognised as vulnerable road users. This letter is included as Attachment 4.

Subsequently, the New Zealand Equestrian Advocacy Network (NZEAN) provided a copy of their submission to the Parliamentary Petitions Committee. This submission is included as Attachment 5.

2.5 Appointment of an External Advisor for Environmental Sustainability

At the RTC meeting on 13 September 2024, members requested further information and advice regarding the potential for a councillor of one of the member authorities to be appointed in this external advisor role, due to the previous Environmental Sustainability Advisor being elected to Tauranga City Council, therefore creating the vacancy.

Staff provided advice to the RTC Chair on 8 October 2024, which is summarised below:

· There is nothing legislatively to prevent the appointment of a councillor from one of the member authorities as an external advisor, although it presents significant risk, specifically:

o A real or perceived view that the Committee is unfairly weighted towards the local authority providing the external advisor, and,

o Establishment of a precedent that makes the phrase ‘external’ redundant.

If it is the will of the RTC to seek a new advisor for this vacant role, it is the recommendation of staff that this is done at the commencement of the next triennium.

This recommendation is made as there are only three RTC meetings remaining in this triennium, and it is not anticipated that the Regional Land Transport Plan will be reviewed, varied, or amended during this period.

Attachments

Attachment 1 - RAG Terms of Reference - 2024 Operational ⇩

Attachment 2 - BOPRC Submission on Takitimu North Link Tolling Proposal ⇩

Attachment 3 - Road safety education and promotion reports from sub regions ⇩

Attachment 4 - Letter from the RTC Chair to Minister of Transport on Equestrian Safety ⇩

Attachment 5 - Parliamentary Petitions Committee Submission ⇩



Report To:	Regional Transport Committee
Meeting Date:	13 December 2024
Report Writer:	Amanda Namana, Committee Advisor and Niki Carling, Team Leader, Transport Planning
Report Authoriser:	Oliver Haycock, Director, Public Transport Steve Groom, Governance Manager
Purpose:	The purpose of the report is to provide background to the proposed appointment of an External Advisor for Tourism and Economic Development and to identify how this appointment might be effected.

Appointment of External Advisor for Tourism and Economic Development

Executive Summary

The proposal for an External Advisor for Tourism and Economic Development came out of a round table discussion with Rotorua elected members and business community representatives on 4 October 2024. The aim of this meeting was to discuss how projects were put forward for inclusion and prioritised in the Regional Land Transport Plan 2024-2027 (RLTP) and to identify opportunities for improvement.

A concern expressed by the Rotorua representatives was that some of the transport projects considered key to the growth and development aspirations of the district had not been included in the RLTP. A suggestion for raising the profile of such projects was for the RTC to consider the addition of an additional non-voting external advisor to the Committee, to advise on Tourism and Economic Development for the region.

This report provides background to the proposed appointment of this additional advisor and identifies how this appointment might be effected.

Recommendations

That the Regional Transport Committee:

1 Receives the report, Appointment of External Advisor for Tourism and Economic Development;

2 Agrees to appoint a regional External Advisor for Tourism and Economic Development;

3 Approves the appointment process as outlined in the report, including delegating initial candidate consideration to a panel comprising the RTC Chair and the Regional Council's Director, Public Transport.

1. Background

The purpose of the report is to provide background to the proposed appointment of an External Advisor for Tourism and Economic Development and to identify how an appointment might be effected.

The proposal for an additional external advisor came out of a round table meeting with representatives of Rotorua Lakes Council, RotoruaNZ Economic Development Agency, and business members of the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce on 4 October 2024. The aim of this meeting was to discuss the process by which projects were put forward for inclusion and prioritised in the Regional Land Transport Plan 2024-2027 (RLTP) and to identify opportunities for improvement.

A primary concern expressed by the Rotorua representatives was that some of the transport projects considered key to the housing growth, tourism and economic development aspirations of the district had not been advocated for/included in the RLTP. A suggestion for raising the profile of such projects was for the RTC to consider the addition of an additional non-voting member to the Committee, to advise on Tourism and Economic Development for the region.

While this issue was raised by Rotorua representatives, the intention would be for this proposed position to represent the interests of tourism and economic development across the entire region.

The process by which it is recommended the appointment should happen is described in section 3.

2. Statutory Requirements

Section 105(2) of the Land Transport Management Act (LTMA) prescribes the membership requirements for regional transport committees, being:

· 2 persons to represent the regional council;

· 1 person from each territorial authority in the region to represent that territorial authority; and

· 1 person to represent the NZ Transport Agency.

At the time the membership requirements were enacted, regional councils sought advice on whether they precluded RTCs from appointing members in addition to those prescribed in the Act. The advice noted that while the LTMA does not include any provisions which would enable persons to be appointed to an RTC other than those prescribed in section 105(2), there was nothing to prevent an RTC from engaging other persons to provide it with specialist advice to assist with its decision making. The Bay of Plenty and several other regions subsequently initiated the practice of appointing one or more non-voting external advisors to their RTCs.

The RTC Terms of Reference allow for the appointment of (non-voting) external advisors to assist with Committee business, i.e.:

“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.”

The Committee currently has five external advisor roles:

· Environmental Sustainability Advisor (currently vacant)

· Freight Advisor (Greg Pert – TranzLiquid)

· Road Safety Advisor (Logan Marsh – NZ Police Road Policing Manager, Bay of Plenty)

· Port Advisor (Dan Kneebone – Property & Infrastructure Manager, Port of Tauranga)

· NZ Automobile Association (Stacey Spall - Chair of AA Bay of Plenty District Council and Bay of Plenty National Councillor on the New Zealand AA National Council).

3. Appointment of an External Advisor for Tourism and Economic Development

The appointment of a new non-voting member to the Committee, to advise on Tourism and Economic Development for the region, will require the following steps:

1. A decision by the RTC voting members, and, if the appointment is approved,

2. Nominations to be sought through advertising in the region’s major newspapers.

3. Candidate consideration by a panel comprising the RTC Chair and the Regional Council's Director, Public Transport.

4. Panel recommendation of candidate to the RTC meeting on 21 March 2025.

5. The successful candidate for the External Advisor for Tourism and Economic Development position notified and the Regional Transport Committee Terms of Reference updated to reflect the new membership.

4. Considerations

4.1 Risks and Mitigations

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

4.2 Climate Change

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

4.3 Implications for Māori

The matters addressed in this report are of a procedural nature only.

4.4 Community Engagement

Engagement with the community is not required as the recommended proposal / decision [relates to internal Council matters only].

4.5 Alignment with Strategic Framework

A Vibrant Region	We lead regional transport strategy and system planning, working with others to deliver a safe and reliable public transport system.
The Way We Work	We look to partnerships for best outcomes.

4.6 Financial Implications

There are costs associated with this appointment. The proposed promotion of the position through regional print advertising is likely to cost between $5,000 and $10,000. As well as this, there may be ongoing costs (depending on the appointee) of $200 + GST per meeting in meeting fees and additional costs associated with travel to and from meetings. These costs are not currently budgeted.

5. Next Steps

Assuming support is provided by the RTC voting members for this appointment, nominations will be sought through advertising in the region’s major newspapers.