Report of the Regional Transport Committee of the Waikato Regional Council held in the Council Chambers, Environment Waikato (Waikato Regional Council) office, 401 Grey Street, Hamilton East at 10:00am on Monday 8 February 2010

Accepted

Prior to the commencement of business the Chair advised Vaughan Payne has been appointed Group Manager Policy and Transport at Environment Waikato and will commence duties early in March 2010.

Confirmation of Agenda
(Agenda Item 1)

Mayor Barriball movedl/HW Wilson seconded

The motion was put and carried (RTC10/1).

Disclosures of Interest

There were no disclosures of interest.

SECTION A: (UNDER DELEGATION FOR THE INFORMATION OF COUNCIL)

State Highway Update
` File: 03 04 11, 21 20 11, 21 20 04 (Agenda Item 1)

HW Wilson moved/B Garbutt seconded

K Clarke, Regional Manager Highways and Network Operations Waikato/Bay of Plenty Regional Office NZTA presented this item. Matters included in the presentation or raised and discussed by the Committee were:

Expressway Progress

• Longswamp to Rangiriri – development funding has been approved
• Rangiriri Bypass – resource consent applications to be lodged by March 2010
• Huntly Bypass – tender documents for secondary investigation stage issued today (8 February 2010)
• Ngaruawahia Bypass – design funding approved
• Te Rapa Bypass: - design/construct tender to be awarded early March
• Tamahere to Cambridge: - feasibilility of project inclusion with Cambridge Bypass being investigated
• Cambridge Bypass: - geotechnical investigation complete
• Hamilton Bypass:- tender for secondary investigation targeted to be awarded mid 2010

Atiamuri Bridge

• Early contractor involvement documents to be presented to the industry early February 2010.
• Mid 2010 target for construction start

Kopu Bridge

• Site establishment and stage one backfilling for the entire site are complete
• Installation of permanent piles for pier 1 (west) is in progress
• Other work in progress includes

- Embankment construction
- Swale drains (west)
- Monitoring of settlement east and west abutments
- Finalising design of the dual lane roundabout
- Excellent EW rating received for erosion and sediment control measures.
- Project on track for completion by mid 2012

Kirikiri Stream Bridge

• Additional modelling of SH25A/SH26 intersection options completed
• Draft scheme assessment under review
• Investigation complete by end of February
• On track to construct with Kopu Bridge replacement

Stock Effluent Facilities

• Putaruru – Investigation complete and site unsuitable. Need to investigate a more suitable site
• Te Kuiti – Discussion to be held with Waitomo District Council to confirm site

Walking/Cycling Projects

• Massey Street – construction substantially complete
• Greenwood Street/Kahikatea – investigation continuing for off road walking and cycling facilities
• Ohaupo Road (Lorne Street to Dixon Road) – Pedestrian surveys complete, NZTA finalising plan for preferred option, public consultation to be undertaken for parking removal.
• Cobham Drive Pedestrian Facility – consultation complete, open day held 12 December 2009, analysing public feedback. There has been public support for a safe crossing/underpass at the Sillary Street end.

SH25 - Tararu Bridge Replacement
Project has progressed well despite difficult holiday period

SH25 – Te Puru Bridge Replacement

• 1 pile left to drill and pour
• Work commencing on downstream section of abutments

The Thames Coromandel District representative raised the matter of a single lane bailey bridge between Tairua and Hikuai needing attention and also expressed appreciation for safety signage that had been put up on State Highways around the peninsula. In response to a question the NZTA representative indicated awareness of the number of single lane bridges on the East Coast of the peninsula and the Agency would return to a future meeting after a strategy has been determined to deal with them.

Ohaupo/Kahikatea Drive Intersection Improvements

• Final stage of upgrade underway
• Pavement rehabilitation and re-surfacing work commenced 2 February

Bader Street Intersection

• Detailed design underway
• Construction planned 2010/2011

Hillcrest/Morrinsville Intersection

• Scheme assessment report completed
• Consultation options discussed with HCC
• Preferred option is roundabout upgrade with provision for future signalisation

Gallagher Drive/Kahikatea Drive Intersection

• Updated traffic modelling has confirmed very low benefit - cost ratio for signals
• Part of integrated package along Kahikatea Drive

Kahikatea Drive Busbay and Crossings

• Design contract nearing completion
• Contract being prepared
• Construction of busbays near Grasslands first to commence

Setting of Speed Limits on Local Roads & State Highways
RTC has requested that NZTA report back to the RTC on current NZTA practice for setting speed limits for State Highways and local roads through urban settlements and any opportunity for meaningful local council or community input that may be provided. A full presentation on this subject will be given next meeting.

Advancing Southern Links Investigation

• NZTA Board has funded investigation
• Joint Contract (NZTA/HCC) to be underway by mid 2010
• Notice of requirement to be lodged within two years

Project Plan for the Waikato Expressway Package
The RTC has requested that NZTA develop a high-level project plan for the Waikato Expressway and provide regular reports to the RTC on implementation of this package

The Committee discussed the issue of the Hamilton Bypass being scheduled for completion approximately seven years after the Government promise for completion of the expressway. Of particular concern was that the project plan presented showed the Huntly Bypass being completed before the Hamilton Bypass which is completely opposite to the situation contained in the RLTS and the RLTP. If this occurs virtually all State Highway Traffic in the Waikato Region would travel though Hamilton’s western suburbs. The NZTA representative indicated the programme presented was an initial one based on what was currently possible and able to be progressed on a Ministerial desire to make progress from North to South. It was not a final position and there would be a future report to the Committee on the complete issue of prioritisation of Expressway Projects. The Committee noted if there was to be any change to the RLTS or RLTP then this was the forum it needed to be addressed. The Committee further noted that if required a resolution could be passed at a future meeting reaffirming its view on the priority of the Hamilton Bypass. H Wilson (NZTA) advised NZTA will bring further information on the staging of the Hamilton and Huntly Bypasses back to the Committee.
In reply to a question as to whether consideration of inclusion of Tamahere to Cambridge with the Cambridge Bypass meant four laning of the project, the Agency undertook to return to the Committee on this matter.
W Puke (Cultural Representative) indicated his intention to discuss sites of interest with the NZTA relating to Expressway projects

SH 1 Base Roundabout

• Countdown is the first major consent to be addressed
• NZTS, HCC working with developers on modelling alternatives. Options range from minor works to signalisation ($3m)
• Given investment in Te Rapa Bypass NZTA does not see funding for signalisation as a priority for unbudgeted state highway expenditure
• NZTA expects developers together with local authorities to mitigate the effects of growth
• Consent applications have been notified by HCC and hearings are expected in March/April
• Further applications are expected from Tainui Group Holdings

The Hamilton Representative expressed the view that traffic from the Base is a major impediment at various times to other road users and that NZTA should be mindful of this when considering whether or not to object to resource consent applications relating to the area.

SH 39 Limmer Road

• Role/future of Limmer Road currently being considered in the Waikato Regional State Highway Strategy
• Will be looked at carefully in the Waikato Expressway Network Integration Plan
• Connectivity to the Te Rapa Bypass has been allowed for in the design

SH3 Awakino Tunnel Widening and Similar SH3 Improvement Projects

• NZTA asset management plan includes route security on this route
• Awakino Tunnel West Realignment ($610K) complete.
• NZTA seeking funding for Awakino River Protection Works ($120K)
• NZTA has worked successfully with EW for 12 months to gain consents
• Awakino Gorge slow vehicle bays (10 pull off zones) submitted for review in 2010 State Highway Pan
• Awakino Tunnel remains in the NZTA long term plan
• SH 3 Working party doing a submission on the SH 3 Strategy Study

Cycling and Walking Plan – Tongariro Bridge Walkway Project
Project has a capital cost of around $990K and a BCR of 0.1

SH1 Turangi Stock Effluent Facility
Will be submitted for inclusion in the annual plan

Maintenance Sealing
Is currently running behind in some areas but significant progress and catch up is expected over summer construction period

The motion was put and carried (RTC10/02).
Road Safety Update – Taupo Road Safety Issues
File: 03 04 11,21 20 11, 21 20 40 (Agenda Item2)

Mayor Vercoe moved/S Tritt seconded

This item was initially presented by J Carling (Regional Co-ordinator Travel Behaviour Change) and then took the form of a panel discussion responding to questions and comments from Committee Members. Members of the panel were Michelle Te Wharau - NZTA, Inspector Kevin Taylor – NZ Police, Denis Lewis – Taupo District Council, Claire Sharland – Taupo District Council and Jo Carling – Environment Waikato.
Matters noted during the presentation were:
- Taupo District Council is the only local authority within the Waikato Region that does not have a declining road toll over a 3 to 5 year period. While there is no obvious reason why this is so, alcohol, speed, loss of control on bends and intersection accidents are primary causation factors.
- 75% of the fatalities involve open road crashes with 12% involving HMV’s and 12% involving motorcycles.
- The Regional Road Safety Steering Group comprises multi agency partners who are co-ordinating safety initiatives in an effort to achieve a best outcome result
- Current safety initiatives in the Taupo and South Waikato Districts are:-

SWATT 2010 – Is a multi agency campaign including NZTA, NZ Police, South Waikato and Taupo District Councils, EW and ACC. The project targets 100km per hour speed limit areas where drivers typically lose control of their vehicles
NZTA ‘Other Works’ – Involves minor works projects in both the Taupo and South Waikato Districts. To date has included threshold treatments, signage and road marking at the intersection of State Highways 1 & 5 and passing lanes north and south of Tokoroa. Other works to be completed include seal widening and extension of the slow vehicle lane on State Highway 32 at #7 Hill.
Taupo District Council – Operating campaigns focused on specific targets (‘Operation Centreline,’ Alcohol Messaging, Speed Campaign, Intersections, Motorcyclists.
Operation Trench – High profile Bay of Plenty Police District Campaign running for 4 months commencing December2009 targeting motorists who are complacent about the speed limit, wearing seat belts, or alcohol limits.
Reduce the Risk – Regional education campaign with particular focus over coming months on speed and restraints.

Matters noted arising from questions to and answers from the panel and related discussion were:
- Signage (billboards) is particularly relevant to target drivers whilst ‘in the act’ of displaying the behaviours that agencies are trying to prevent. Radio messaging is another tool to be used towards achieving the same outcome
- There has been a refocusing on the SWATT programme by the Police. It is hoped this will reduce the disproportionate representation of local people in the Taupo District road toll statistics.
- Significant efforts have been undertaken in the Coromandel and Waitomo Districts to reduce tourist related accidents, and this could be rolled out elsewhere. This has involved arrow indicative signage after one way bridges and rumble strips. Pavement markings have been improved and there will be more emphasis on centre line treatments over the next few years. A significant part of the nation’s rental fleet has a keep left arrow installed on the dashboard.
- The South Waikato representative noted engineering efforts on State Highways 1/5 had been very successful in reducing fatal crashes.
- It is anticipated the recent adoption of the Regional Road Safety Strategy for the Waikato region together with the formation of the Regional Road Safety Steering Group will have a positive effect on efforts to reduce the Regional road toll.

The motion was put and carried (RTC10/03)

Cr Barker moved/Mayor Sinclair seconded

The motion was put and carried (RTC10/03.1)

Regional Land Transport Strategy (RLTS) Health Impact Assessment (HIA)
File: 03 04 11, 21 24 24 (Agenda Item 3)

Cr Earwaker moved/Mayor Ammon seconded

This item was presented by Greg Morton (Waikato District Health Board). It was noted that Rob Quigley of Quigley and Watts Ltd who was to present to the meeting about a research project he had undertaken for NZTA relating to applying HIA to land transport planning had been unable to attend the meeting. During the presentation, questions, answers and related discussion the Committee noted.
- At the Regional Transport Committee meeting of 3 August 2010 the Committee adopted a recommendation to undertake a HIA as part of Waikato RLTS Review.
- The HIA is a tool for use by sectors that have a role to play in influencing the wider determinants of health and wellbeing to inform their input into the development of policies/projects. It has a participatory approach that supports community involvement.
- EW in conjunction with Waikato District Health Board has received funding through the Ministry of Health HIA Support Unit to undertake the project. Greg Morton from the Waikato District Health Board is project managing the HIA for EW.
- The HIA project timeline will align with the overall Waikato RLTS review project timeline to ensure effective RTC decision-making can occur.
- Key findings and conclusions of the research project undertaken by Mr Quigley are:

• Growing recognition of public health in transport strategy
• Lack of tools/guidance to take public health into account in NZ Transport planning and funding
• Existing assessment processes do not adequately consider public health and equity
• HIA is a flexible tool with demonstrated success in addressing limitations of traditional transport planning, and contributing to more transparent decision making
• The research highlighted international evidence of HIA’s effectiveness in transport planning
• Further application of transport HIA in NZ is needed for firm conclusions for our local context
• Trial application of HIA at an early stage in transport planning is recommended
• There is good potential for transport and public health sectors to work together toward improving both accessibility and quality of life and for HIA activities to assist this process.

The motion was put and carried (RTC10/04)

Mayor Vercoe out of meeting at 11.30pm

Regional Land Transport Strategy Review
File: 21 24 20, 03 04 11 (Agenda Item 4)

M Locke moved/Cr Southgate seconded

This item was presented by the RLTS Project Manager, James Bevan (Latitude Planning Services) with assistance from the RLTS Project Director, Ken Tremaine (Tremaine Consulting)

Arising from the presentation, related questions, answers and comments the Committee noted or discussed

- The Hamilton City Council representative (Cr Macpherson) noted the City Council considers the revised vision is not forward thinking enough and there has been insufficient engagement on the submission put forward.
J Bevan indicated he had previously discussed the submission with HCC staff but would also arrange to meet with Philip King (HCC Staff) on these issues, subsequent to consideration of the submissions by the RAG meeting of 16 February 2010.

- The current RLTS has a vacuum on targets and it is intended to address this during the Review. The intent is to develop links across targets, make long term targets more trend based across the region and have short term packages with specific targets. It was noted specific short term targets would be appropriate for sub regional services. There was agreement that the whole issue of targets needed review on the basis of bringing about improvement.
- Comment was made that although the prime focus of the RLTS is the Expressway, the review of the corridors diagram in the current RLTS would bring about debate on tourism routes and raise the issue of economic development and regional growth over the entire region rather than just specifically on the Future Proof sub-region..

The motion was put and carried (RTC 10/05).

M Locke moved/Cr Macpherson seconded

The motion was put and carried (RTC 10/05.1)

Access Hamilton 2010
File: (Agenda Item 5)

Mayor Barriball moved/HW Wilson seconded

This item was presented by P King (HCC Staff). During the presentation and related discussion the Committee noted:
- Hamilton City has a transport strategic vision to:

• Support economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being
• Support land use sustainability and economic development objectives
• Manage incremental change in transport and land use systems
• Position infrastructure and land development to meet the city’s long term needs

- Access Hamilton 2010 is a review of the existing strategic direction taking into account national, regional and local changes since 2005 and looks ahead to 2040.
- It identifies significant issues, identifies alternatives and options and uses a balanced approach to achieving strategic objectives
- The NZTA representative took the opportunity to commend the City on the quality of the strategy.

The motion was put and carried (RTC 10/06).

2009/12 Regional Land Transport Programme
File: 21 20 00K, 21 20 11 (Agenda Item 6)

Mayor Barribal movedl/Cr Earwaker seconded

In presenting this item W McMaster advised the request relating to foamed bitumen pavement for the East Taupo Arterial had now been approved.

The motion was put and carried (RTC 10/07)

Manager Transport Portfolio – Projects Update Report
File: 03 04 11, 21 20 11 (Agenda Item 7)

Mayor Barriball moved/Mayor Ammon seconded

In presenting this item W McMaster advised that there had been 10 submissions received on the Draft Regional Stock Truck Effluent Strategy and that the submissions will be processed and a final Regional Stock Truck Effluent Strategy be brought back to the Committee in May 2010.

The motion was put and carried (RTC10/08).

Meeting closed at 12.35pm

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