Agenda of Upper Harbour Local Board

Upper Harbour Local Board

11 March 2014

Proposed interim management for the Hobsonville Point Community Hall

File No.: CP2014/02168

Purpose

1. To seek approval from the Upper Harbour Local Board for an interim governance and management structure and a fees and charges schedule for the Hobsonville Point community hall (known as Sunderland Lounge).

Executive Summary

2. At its meeting of 23 May 2012, the Strategy and Finance Committee resolved that funding be made available for the acquisition of the Sunderland Lounge at Hobsonville Point for use as a community hall.

3. In September 2013, the Regional Development and Operations Committee authorised staff to proceed with negotiations to purchase the Sunderland Lounge. Auckland Council Property Limited expects the purchase to be completed during March 2014.

4. A resolution is now required from the Upper Harbour Local Board for an appropriate operational governance and management structure and a fees and charges schedule to be put in place when the acquisition process has been completed.

5. The proposed governance and management structure is based on a council owned and operated model, which would be reviewed to assess its ongoing suitability after a period of 2 years.

6. The proposed fees and charges for users of the hall are based on rates currently used by Auckland Council for similar sized community halls.

Recommendation/s

That the Upper Harbour Local Board:

a) agree that the Hobsonville Point community hall is operationally governed and managed by Auckland Council for an initial period of 2 years.

b) approve the proposed governance and management structure being reviewed as to its suitability after 2 years of operation.

c) approve the proposed fees and charges schedule for users of the Hobsonville Point community hall.

Discussion

Background

7. Hobsonville Point is a significant residential development that will eventually form a community of around 9,000 people. Council has identified that this community would benefit from the provision of a community house and community hall to support local activities.

8. The Sunderland Lounge is currently owned by the Hobsonville Land Company (HLC) who hires the facility for community use. Council considers that this facility would be suitable for continued use as a community hall.

9. In May 2012, the Strategy and Finance Committee approved $1,815 million for a community hall through the Long Term Plan budget (resolution number SF/2012/82).

10. In September 2013, the Regional Development and Operations Committee authorised staff to proceed with negotiations to purchase the Sunderland Lounge for use as a community hall within the allocated budget of $1,815 million (resolution number RDO/2013/162).

11. Auckland Council Property Limited (ACPL) was engaged to proceed with the acquisition of the Sunderland Lounge. The proposed settlement date is expected to be during March 2014.

12. In anticipation of council taking possession of the Sunderland Lounge in March, a resolution is required from the Upper Harbour Local Board for an appropriate governance and management structure and a fees and charges schedule for the future operation of the hall.

Governance and management model

13. There are six different models of facility governance and management, which are currently used by Auckland Council and its community. Each model has strengths and challenges (see Attachment A) and varies in terms of ownership, community involvement, accountability, delegation, risk management and the role of local boards. These models are briefly described as:

· Model 1 – Council owned and operated mainly larger facilities such as community centres, which are governed and managed directly by council staff.

· Model 2 – A management or advisory committee working under council governance and commonly used for community halls.

· Model 3 – Community operated programmes and services in council buildings. Governance and management functions are performed by a charitable trust or incorporated society and commonly found in use for community hubs and houses.

· Model 4 – Contracts with service providers. Private contracts for services with community organisations to run council facilities.

· Model 5 – Contributions through council funding only. Term grants to independent organisations to offer services related to council’s goals.

· Model 6 – Collaboration through partnerships. Facility partnerships involving council’s capital funding in return for public access to the site.

The role of the Local Board under each model

14. The role of the Local Board varies according to which model is chosen.

15. In Model 1, the local board has a direct governance role, which is not delegated to any other organisation. Model 2 is a step towards greater community involvement with the local board retaining ownership but with the hands-on management delegated to an advisory committee.

16. Model 3 is a community-led governance and management model. The local board delegates the governance to a trust or society but retains ultimate oversight. The role of the local board in Model 4 is relatively hands-off with a private contractor responsible for providing services, being required to report on contracted outputs to the local board.

17. In Models 5 and 6, council has no role in the governance or management of the facility but the local board may receive reports on user statistics related to the programmes the council funds.

Proposed governance and management model

18. As the Hobsonville Point community is not yet fully established, it is proposed that the most appropriate governance and management model for the community hall is council owned and operated (Model 1). This model will enable the community to work alongside council before progressing to a more community led approach once local community capability and capacity is established.

19. A council managed and governed facility enables council to effectively manage the transition of the hall, have control over budget, pricing, staffing and facility maintenance. Council has access to internal systems, resources, support and fully developed processes to manage the hall and the proposed model is likely to be least disruptive to the existing users of the hall during the handover process from HLC to the council.

20. The council operated model is proposed for an interim period of 2 years after which the Community Facilities team will undertake a review of the model and report their findings to the Upper Harbour Local Board as to its ongoing suitability.

21. The local board has the authority to maintain the council operated model beyond 2 years or change to a more community led governance and management approach.

Challenges of the Council operated model

22. The council controlled model has its challenges. The top-down method does not align with community led approaches advocated by council. The implementation of initiatives and decision making can be slow and costly due to council’s structure and processes, which can lead to the community becoming disenfranchised if council decisions ignore their views.

Proposed Fees and charges

23. A system of fees and charges is required for users of the facility. The Upper Harbour Local Board has the delegated authority to set the fees and charges for the community hall.

24. The hourly fees and charges set out in the table below are proposed for the Hobsonville Point community hall and reflect similar rates charged for users of the Titirangi War Memorial Hall, which has a comparable space for hire to the Hobsonville Point hall.

Off peak Fees - per hour			Peak Fees - per hour
Priority	Regular	Standard	Priority	Regular	Standard
$16	$25	$31	$20	$31	$39

25. Community groups who are regular users of the hall will pay the regular rates. A standard fee will apply to commercial users of the hall. The priority rate is a subsidised rate that the local board can allocate to any community group at its discretion. A detail definition of each rate is outlined in Attachment B.

Consideration

Local Board Views

26. The Upper Harbour Local Board Plan supports the acquisition of the Sunderland Lounge to provide a community hall for the new community in Hobsonville Point.

Maori Impact Statement

27. Representatives from Ngati Whatua and Te Kawerau a Maki are part of an active Placemaking Advisory Group, which provides recommendations on diverse matters including community needs at Hobsonville Point. Council will continue to work with iwi to ensure that matters of significance area appropriately addressed.

General

28. Staff from other council departments have contributed to this project, including:

· City Transformation Projects

· Community Facilities

· Auckland Council Properties

· Auckland Council Property Limited.

Implementation Issues

29. A community consultation to obtain local views as to the best use of the new hall will take place in March-April 2014. The consultation will identify future users of the community hall.

30. Community Development Arts and Culture (CDAC) are in the process of determining the future ongoing operational cost for this facility.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	Facility Governance and Management Strengths and Challenges	15
b View	Proposed Fees and Charges	19

Signatories

Authors

Roma Leota - Policy Analyst, West

Authorisers

Penny Pirrit - Regional & Local Planning Manager

Eric Perry - Relationship Manager

Upper Harbour Local Board

11 March 2014

Proposals for discretionary opex funding 2014

File No.: CP2014/02417

Purpose

1. This report seeks decisions on how the Upper Harbour Local Board will allocate the remainder of its discretionary opex funding pool this financial year.

Executive Summary

2. A total of $186,585 remains in the board’s discretionary opex fund this financial year. As operational expenditure, any money unallocated at the end of the financial year cannot be carried in to future financial years and will instead be absorbed as organisational savings and used to pay off debt.

3. Two options are proposed for this funding:

· Option 1 (recommended): provide additional funding for three existing or planned Upper Harbour Local Board priority projects – the Albany stadium pool, the new Albany library, and the Hobsonville Point community facilities – and establish a one-off extraordinary community large grant fund.

· Option 2: use all available funding to establish a one-off contestable fund for large community grants.

Recommendation/s

That the Upper Harbour Local Board:

Either:

Option 1 (recommended)

a) approve funds for the following Upper Harbour Local Board priority projects, as outlined in the report, from its local board discretionary fund in this way:

Project	Funding purpose	Amount
Albany stadium pool	For design peer review process	$20,000
New Albany library	For a needs assessment and gap analysis for future library services to be delivered in Albany	$30,000
Hobsonville Point community facilities	For technical and other plans related to consent processes	$50,000
	Total	$100,000

b) establish a one-off extraordinary community grant fund with guidelines and criteria as outlined in Attachment A, and with expressions of interest opening on 31 March and closing on 25 April.

c) approve expenditure of up to $3,000 for the marketing and advertising of the extraordinary community grant fund, with any unspent money to be returned to the funds available for disbursement as grants.

d) ring-fence all remaining funds ($83,585) from the Upper Harbour Local Board discretionary opex fund for grants from the extraordinary community grant fund.

Or:

Option 2

e) establish a one-off extraordinary community grant fund with guidelines and criteria as outlined in Attachment A, and with expressions of interest opening on 31 March and closing on 25 April.

f) approve expenditure of up to $3,000 for the marketing and advertising of the extraordinary community grant fund, with any unspent money to be returned to the funds available for disbursement as grants.

g) ring-fence all remaining funds from the Upper Harbour Local Board discretionary opex fund ($183,585) for grants from the extraordinary community grant fund.

Discussion

4. The Upper Harbour Local Board discretionary fund was created through budget surpluses identified in the long-term planning round. The amount available varies each year. This financial year the fund was worth $228,000. $41,415 has been allocated thus far, leaving a remainder of $186,585 uncommitted expenditure.

5. The fund is operational expenditure, so any money unallocated at the end of the financial year cannot be carried in to future financial years and will instead be absorbed as organisational savings and used to pay off debt.

6. Officers have considered potential uses for the remainder of this funding and have identified two options:

· Option 1 (recommended): provide some funding for existing priority projects, and also run an extraordinary community grant fund for large grants. The recommended split is $100,000 for board projects and $86,585 for grants.

· Option 2: use all available discretionary funds ($186,585) as a one-off extraordinary community grant fund for large grants.

Option 1: Additional funding for existing or future priority projects and an extraordinary community grants round

7. This option proposes that the board split its remaining funding between some existing and future priority board projects, and also run an extraordinary community grants round before the end of the financial year.

8. Applying the funding to existing projects that could do with additional funding is administratively the simplest option and will provide a net benefit to the community. However, a greater net benefit to the community will likely be achieved if the board also leverages the work and support of existing community organisations and provides them with additional contestable funding.

9. It is recommended that the board fully funds the requests for Upper Harbour Local Board priority projects ($100,000) and applies the rest of its available discretionary opex to an extraordinary community grants round ($86,585).

Upper Harbour Local Board priority projects

10. Expressions of interest have been requested from project managers of priority Upper Harbour Local Board projects. Three projects were identified with expressions of interest for expenditure totalling $100,000. They are discussed below.

A. Albany Stadium Pool: design peer review process

Requested funding amount: $20,000

Recommended funding amount: $20,000

11. Design work for the Albany Stadium Pool is well underway, with approximately $10.5 million capex budgeted this financial year for the project. The project manager of the Albany Stadium Pool requests an additional $20,000 for a proposed design peer review process for the pool.

12. The proposal is to engage Cheshire Architects as an independent design agent to critique the current design, and support the lead design team in tackling some critical design issues and to simplify the design and form of the building at an important juncture of the project.

13. The anticipated outcome of bringing in a respected independent design-focused architectural practice now to peer review is threefold:

· Assist to improve efficiency of design and with value engineering processes to help confirm preliminary design feasibility;

· Assist with the resolution of some complex design issues and elements of concern raised by the Urban Design Panel, and assist with the management of that panel regarding any changes. This will in turn assist the project through its consenting processes;

· Provide alternative design concepts for development in problem areas.

14. If the proposal is not funded, peer review of the design will likely have to be funded through contingency budgets, which could reduce the amount of contingency available to cover unforeseen circumstances during later stages of the project.

B. Future Albany library: needs assessment and gap analysis

Requested funding amount: $30,000

Recommended funding amount: $30,000

15. Capital expenditure for a new library at Albany is currently planned for the 2018/2019 financial year, budgeted at just under $10 million. The board has previously had preliminary discussions on different approaches to providing library services with this funding: whether to build one new significant library at Albany or to go for a decentralised approach with smaller community libraries. There has, however, been no formal analysis undertaken or advice presented to the board to date.

16. The Libraries Assets team will need to conduct a feasibility study and / or gap analysis in the Upper Harbour Local Board area to provide advice, taking in to consideration the significant population growth. This analysis would align with the network approach to library services delivery across the region to ensure that there is no resulting future gap in provision. This in-depth analysis will build upon the knowledge council already has of its libraries, testing and evaluating the potential of future facility options. The scope of research will align to the library facilities planning and universal access principles identified in the library strategy.

17. $30,000 is an estimate for conducting a needs assessment and gap analysis. This estimate is in line with the usual costs for this type of work.

C. Hobsonville Point community facilities: technical plans for consent processes

Requested funding amount: $50,000

Recommended funding amount: $50,000

18. The Upper Harbour Local Board previously recognised that the increasing residential development and population growth at Hobsonville Point will require the provision of new community facilities in the near future. In 2011, the board advocated to the Governing Body for the acquisition of two community buildings, the Sunderland Lounge and the Headquarters building. Acquisition will likely take place in this financial year, with the refurbishment of the buildings in the next financial year.

19. The project manager has stated that the Headquarters building project would benefit from additional operational expenditure to support the plans and consents phase of the refurbishment. The actual acquisition of the building and the physical refurbishment works, and acquisition and development of a car park to support this building, will likely take up all of the currently budgeted funds.

20. Significant due diligence, including structural, earthquake and asbestos testing, has been carried out on the building to assess what is needed to bring the building up to code and make it fit for purpose. From this, officers have identified the need for detailed engineering and architectural plans to assist in the resource and building consents phases for the building. Additional opex from the local board discretionary opex fund would allow for the existing capital budget to be dedicated to the actual refurbishment works. This would be of benefit to the future community users of the building.

21. Given the work required, City Transformation and Community Planning and Policy request that the board consider allocating $50,000 to the community house (Headquarters building). This figure is based on a normal costing for such plans and reports for projects of this size and type recognising the building’s heritage status, which requires much more detailed architectural and engineering planning as well as heritage reports for refurbishment. Its intended use as a community house will also require more significant fit out works, which will take up a larger proportion of the currently available budget than the Sunderland Lounge works.

22. If funding is not applied to this project at this stage, the board may need to make additional provisions in further years for the refurbishment of the Headquarters building, as the technical reports outlined above will still need to be obtained and would be funded from the current budget for this project.

Extraordinary community grant fund

23. Board members are aware that at least one external organisation could benefit from an additional grant this financial year. Creating an extraordinary community grant fund provides the opportunity to disburse funding to organisations that are in need. In the interests of equity and transparency, disbursing funding should be done by way of an application or expression of interest process that is publicly advertised.

Timeframes

24. It is possible to run a community grant fund before the end of the financial year, although timeframes will be tight. The proposed timeframe is as follows:

· 11 March – 30 March: preparation and design of materials, booking of advertisements etc.

· 31 March – 25 April: expressions of interest / applications open

· May: officers review expressions of interest and liaise with applicants

· June: expressions of interest / applications reported to board for decisions.

Guidelines

25. The proposed guidelines for the fund are attached as Attachment A. These have been reviewed by Member Miles in her portfolio role.

26. It is strongly recommended that this grant fund have a relatively high minimum grant criterion. This is because there are high transactional and resource costs in running a one-off standalone grants process. To that end, the guidelines propose a minimum grant of $10,000, except where there are genuine mitigating circumstances.

27. Other criteria of note are in line with the board’s usual community grant guidelines and the guidelines of other well-known funders (such as the ASB Community Trust), and include:

· requiring applicants to be an incorporated society or registered trust;

· requiring activities to take place entirely, or mostly, within the Upper Harbour Local Board area and be of benefit to Upper Harbour residents;

· activities must be in line with at least one Upper Harbour Local Board plan priority;

· activities must not be retrospective.

28. The proposed guidelines also include priority areas. These are mostly based on the priority areas in the annual Upper Harbour Local Board community grants guidelines, but with the suggested addition of ‘sports and recreation’ as a priority area. It is recommended that this be included as it is a priority area in the Upper Harbour Local Board plan.

29. The full proposed priorities are for activities that:

· Focus on one or more of the following priority areas:

o Sports or recreation

o Youth

o Families

o Migrants

o Environment

o Community participation and wellbeing.

· Encourage participation or volunteering

· Are innovative

· Are high impact and provide good value for money

· Improve an existing facility or service provision.

Costs for marketing

30. As this is an extraordinary and one-off fund, there is no organisational provision for marketing and advertising this fund. It is recommended that the board makes provision of up to $3,000 to advertise and market the fund in suburban newspapers, with any unspent money returning to the funds available to be disbursed.

31. Organisations on the board’s stakeholder list will also be contacted directly and sent promotional material encouraging them to apply.

Option 2: An extraordinary community grants round only

32. This option proposes that the board runs an extraordinary community grants round, as set out under Option 1, but uses all of its remaining discretionary opex funding ($186,585) for this purpose.

33. This figure is a considerable sum to disburse at short notice in one round, and it is likely that there will not be enough high quality expressions of interest from community organisations to fully disburse all funds. Officers recommend that approximately $86,000 is a more realistic figure to disburse in a one-off round. Furthermore, each of the projects identified under Option 1 is in need of additional funding which will add genuine value to each project and benefit to the community. For these reasons Option 2 is not recommended.

34. Alternatively, the board could choose to run a grants fund round without stipulating any particular size for the fund, wait to see the calibre of expressions of interest that are received, and then decide how much it wishes to disburse via contestable funding and to priority board projects. The risk in this approach is that the uncertainty may stall progress on some projects, particularly the Albany stadium pool and the Hobsonville Point community facilities.

Consideration

Local Board Views

35. The proposed uses of the available funding have not been formally discussed with the board prior to consideration of this report, although the board is aware that this funding is available and that there may be several external organisations that could make use of additional grants.

36. The proposed guidelines for the extraordinary grant fund, attached as Attachment A, have been reviewed by Member Miles as the lead portfolio holder for sports, parks and recreation, and events, arts and culture.

Maori Impact Statement

37. The decisions sought have no particular impact on Maori beyond any general impact on the community.

Implementation Issues

38. There is a risk in running an extraordinary grant funding round before the end of the financial year due to the timeframes. In order to mitigate this risk, it is proposed to seek expressions of interest between 31 March and 25 April, for officers to review expressions of interest and hold discussions with applicants in May, and report to the board for decision-making in June. A decision on providing funding must be made before the end of June in order for the funds to be paid out. Officers will then arrange funding agreements with successful applicants.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	Proposed criteria and guidelines for Upper Harbour extraordinary community support fund	31

Signatories

Authors	James Liddell - Senior Advisor Local Board Services
Authorisers	Eric Perry - Relationship Manager

Upper Harbour Local Board

11 March 2014

Upper Harbour Local Board's submission to the review of Auckland Transport's Code of Practice (ATCOP)

File No.: CP2014/03014

Purpose

1. The purpose of the report is to afford the Upper Harbour Local Board the opportunity to provide formal feedback on the review of Auckland Transport’s Code of Practice (ATCOP).

Executive Summary

2. ATCOP provides quality standards to ensure that the function, condition and useful service life of transport assets is consistently achieved across the region.

3. The processes, standards and details articulated in ATCOP reflect the importance of a considered approach to the development, construction and care of the region's transport system, with robust engineering details, quality standards, defined layouts, whole-of-life design, value for money and robust construction across the entire network.

4. ATCOP applies to all new transport infrastructure and upgrades to existing infrastructure, including new subdivision development.

5. Auckland Transport is currently reviewing its Code of Practice; the closing date of the review is 31 March 2014.

6. The Upper Harbour Local Board has, on a number of occasions, expressed its concerns regarding the road widths in the area and those proposed for future developments. Section 7 of the review entitled ‘Road Layout and Geometric Design’, deals with standards for road configuration, including lane widths, cycle facilities, medians, road shoulders, etc.

7. The review of Auckland Transport’s Code of Practice provides the board with the opportunity to formally present feedback on the road widths.

Recommendation/s

That the Upper Harbour Local Board:

a) provide written feedback to Auckland Transport regarding the following aspects of the Auckland Transport Code of Practice:

· Road Reserve / Public Right of Way

· Road Reserve Cross Section

· Lane Widths

· Special Vehicle Lanes

· Cycle Facilities

· Parking

· Traffic Islands

· Medians

· Road Shoulders

· Footpaths and berms

· Clear Zones.

Discussion

8. The ATCOP for design and construction of transport infrastructure, is intended for use by developers, contractors, consultants, service/utility operators, design engineers, planners, project managers and others who design and install transport facilities and services in Auckland.

9. The purpose of Section 7 of the ATCOP is to provide general commentary around the geometric design of roads and intersections based on the Auckland context. Geometric design in New Zealand is based on the current Austroads standards (Austroads: Guide to Road Design 2009) and the various other documents referenced in ATCOP Chapter 1, subsection 1.5., which is attached to this report as Attachment A.

10. These documents should be used as the initial reference points in understanding the geometrics and layout of the road. In certain situations, the standards may not be the best option, and therefore deviations from the standards are allowed as long as they are clearly documented and follow the departure from standards section contained in ATCOP Chapter 1, subsection 1.9.

11. The areas of concern raised by the Upper Harbour Local Board have been specific to road widths, medians and the shoulder of roads. Therefore Section 7 of the ATCOP is the most appropriate section on which to provide comment, which is attached to this report as Attachment B.

12. Lane widths should be suitable for the road classification and expected traffic volumes and are generally between 2.7 – 4.0m in width. A regional arterial is likely to have a high movement function and therefore the lanes should be designed to allow for vehicles to move freely with increased safety while a local road is more focused on the residents and families that use the area to walk and play and so the lane configuration should ideally be one that creates a slower environment with the use of parked vehicles and smaller lane widths. The table below lists the ideal widths to be used in proposed designs.

Road classification

Lane Width

Notes

Primary Arterial

3.5m desirable

3.0m minimum

The minimum width shown can only be used when not on a bus or heavy freight route.

Secondary Arterial

3.5m desirable

3.0m minimum

The minimum width shown can only be used when not on a bus or heavy freight route.

Collector

3.0m desirable

4.0m maximum

The maximum lane width should only be specified when the collector road is used extensively by buses or for freight movement.

Local Roads

2.7m minimum

3.0m maximum

13. Flush medians are used to segregate traffic while still allowing vehicles the ability to turn right into side streets and properties without slowing the flow of vehicles. The drawback of flush medians is that they can often lead to higher speeds as the effect of side friction is no longer present and as such careful consideration of their use needs to be undertaken. The width of a flush median is dependent on the environment in which it is to be used. The table below outlines when a flush median could be used.

Road classification	Flush Median Width	Notes
Primary Arterial	2.5m minimum 3.0m desirable	Flush medians must be provided on all routes unless a raised median is merited.
Secondary Arterial	2.5m minimum 3.0m desirable	Flush medians should be designed for average width vehicles and should be wide enough to allow vehicles to wait without fear of being hit.
Collector	2.0m	Flush medians should be provided only in roads which have significant safety concerns or high volumes of through-traffic.
Local Roads	0.00m	Flush medians are not recommended for use on the local road network.

14. The road shoulder is an extension of the carriageway of a minimum of 0.5m which provides structural support to the sealed road. It is generally insufficient to be used for drivers to regain control and is therefore often used in conjunction with a ‘clear zone’, especially those roads with higher speeds than in the urban environment. The table below outlines the acceptable widths and the situations in which they can be used.

Shoulder Width (m)	Situation
0.5 – 1.0m	Only be used on low volume rural roads and pavement overlays / rehabilitations.
1.0m	The minimum width adjacent to a safety barrier and the desirable minimum for most situations.
1.5m	The normal width for a sealed shoulder
2.0 – 2.5m	For use on higher speed /volume roads, particularly where there is a need for vehicles to be able to stop outside of the running lanes.

Consideration

Local Board Views

15. The ATCOP review is a public process and the Upper Harbour Local Board’s views are sought through this report.

Maori Impact Statement

16. The ATCOP review is a public process and provides Maori with the opportunity to provide feedback by the closing date of 31 March 2014.

Implementation Issues

17. There are no implementation issues around providing feedback to the ATCOP review.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	ATCOP Section 1	39
b View	ATCOP Section 7	53
c View	Reference material - Footpath and Walking Guidelines	101

Signatories

Authors	Karen Marais - Local Board Services
Authorisers	Eric Perry - Relationship Manager

Upper Harbour Local Board

11 March 2014

Auckland Transport Quarterly Update to Local Boards

File No.: CP2014/03098

Executive Summary

1. The purpose of this report is to inform local boards about progress on activities undertaken by Auckland Transport (AT) in the three months October - December 2013, and the planned activities anticipated to be undertaken in the three months January – March 2014.

Attachments include:

A - AT activities, broken down by Local Board

B - Decisions of the Transport Co-ordinating Committee, by Board

C - Report against local board advocacy issues (replaces the previous reports against the Local Board Plan and Local Board Agreement)

D - Report on the status of the Board’s projects under the Local Board Transport Capital Fund

Recommendation/s

That the Upper Harbour Local Board:

a) receive the Auckland Transport Quarterly Update to Local Boards report.

Discussion

Investment and Development

2. City Rail Link

The Independent Commissioners’ recommendations in relation to Auckland Transport’s Notice of Requirement for the designation to construct and operate the City Rail Link, is now expected by the end of February 2014. An Engineering/ Architectural consortium led by Aurecon, has been awarded the contract for the role of Principal Technical Advisor Tender for the ongoing technical support of the project. Its initial focus will be on the development of the Reference Design to support a subsequent stage of delivery preparation. This team will be collocated with Auckland Transport’s project team in an integrated project office by March.

3. EMU Depot

On Budget and Practical Completion issued, CAF and Transdev now occupying.

4. EMU Procurement

Seven three-car units are now in Auckland, with the first four of these undergoing mainline testing between Wiri and Newmarket and also on the Onehunga branch line. Driver training is scheduled to begin in late February and will utilise two units. Units’ number 8 and 9 will leave Spain at the end of January and are due in Auckland early March. Train delivery and commissioning is currently occurring to programme.

Road Design & Development

5. St Luke's Intersection

Provision of increased walking and cycling, extended bus lane and additional right turn lane for Great North Road to St Lukes Road. Tender submissions to NZTA for physical works are being evaluated. It is expected that the contract will be awarded by mid-February.

6. Waterview Cycle Way connection

The Waterview Walking and Cycling project is required as a condition of the decision of the Waterview Connection. The Unitec Board approved new development strategy for Precinct. Consultation with Ngati Whatua to restart based on alternative route. Draft SAR has been received that proposes a preferred route. This will allow property purchase to proceed. Public engagement will commence in March 2014.

7. New Lynn to Waterview Scheme Cycle Way

Provision of a shared cycling and walking route between Soljak Place and the New Lynn town centre. Scheme Assessment tender closed Dec 2013. Tender evaluation and award Jan 2014.

8. Taharoto/Wairau - Stage 3

Negotiations are continuing with Atlas regarding land acquisition. An interim solution to provide continuity of walking and cycling facilities has been constructed as part of Stage 6 & 8.

9. North Area Bus Improvement Programme – Onewa Road

Funding application is almost complete. A workshop to update the Local Board is scheduled for February.

10. Devonport Marine Square

Upgrade the Devonport Marine Square, provide improved connection from the ferry building to the town centre and enhance the transport hub. Construction will start in February 2014.

11. King/Queen/Constable Intersection Upgrade

Construction contract has been awarded to Transfield Services. Programmed commencement date on site is 20th January 2014.

12. The Redoubt Road - Mill Road

The Redoubt Road - Mill Road corridor provides an arterial road connection east of State High 1 between Manukau, Papakura and Drury and includes Murphys Road from Redoubt Road to Flatbush School Road.

i. Scheme Assessment is being finalised

ii. Preparation for Notice of Requirements documentations for lodgement during second quarter 2014 is underway

iii. On-going consultation with iwi, residents and interest groups

iv. Funding request from NZTA and procurement activities for the investigation of Phase 2 now initiated.

13. Lincoln Road - Corridor Improvements

The project involves widening Lincoln Rd between Te Pai Place and Motorway Interchange to accommodate additional transit/bus lanes on both sides. Public submissions on the proposed design will be continuing till February 2014. Works associated with the notice of requirements will be also starting in February.

14. Te Atatu Road: Corridor Improvements

Road Corridor Improvement project on Te Atatu Rd from School Rd/Edmonton Rd intersection to SH16, works include rood corridor widening by 2.88m each side. August 2014 is the new forecast starting date for physical works due to delay in land take. More than 85% of the required land has been purchased and planned to complete the land purchase by April 2014. Building consent application to be lodged by March 2014.

15. Park and Ride Silverdale-Stage 2

The resource consent application for the land use consent has been resubmitted and will be partially notified to the adjacent property owners.

16. Whangaparaoa Road four Laning

The project has been put on hold until the AT Board makes a decision on Penlink, possibly in February 2014.

17. Orpheus Drive Shared Path Cycle Way

Awaiting business case sign-off. Tender for SAR being prepared.

18. Tamaki Drive and Ngapipi Intersection Safety Improvements

The Tamaki, Ngapipi intersection is uncontrolled and an accident black spot. This project seeks to address the safety issues by providing a controlled intersection treatment. In addition, the intersection will be future-proofed by extending the seawalls in the vicinity so that the future aspirations for Tamaki Drive are enabled.

19. Warkworth SH1 intersection improvement

NZTA have completed the design of the walking and cycling facilities between Hill St and Hudson Rd. This work will be undertaken by June 2014 as a variation to the Hudson Rd contract. SKM are remodelling the Hill St intersection taking into account RONS Puhoi to Warkworth and the Unitary Plan growth assumptions.

20. Albany Highway (Sunset to SH18)

Reviewing NZTA proposals for the SH1/18 connection and the impact on Albany Highway South traffic volumes. The purpose of this review is to ensure that AT has sized the road correctly and the NZTA work has a potential to increase traffic volumes along the route.

21. Brigham Creek Road Corridor Improvements

The scoping phase is expected to be completed in February 2014. The following activities are planned between Jan and Mar 2014:

· Summary and prioritisation of issues to be investigated under the feasibility phase

· Production and review of final scoping report

· Commence procurement of resources for the feasibility phase.

22. Beach Road Cycle Route

Detailed Design Tender going out to market 24/03/2014. Detailed design to be complete 30/06/2014. Delivery of AT connecting sections, from Churchill St. to Mahuhu Cres, to be aligned with NZTA Grafton Gully Cycleway delivery in Sept 2014. The entire project (Beach Rd. to Quay St.) scheduled for completion Dec 2014.

23. Quay Street - City Centre Master Plan

The project is currently looking at options for the seismic upgrade of the seawall between Princes and Marsden wharves. The work is due to be complete by the end of June 2014 after which a preferred option will be selected with a view to starting construction in early 2015.

24. Newmarket Level Crossing

Replace Level crossing in Newmarket that constrains train movements into/out of Newmarket Station and inhibits planned increases in timetable frequencies. The AT Board has confirmed the crossing will be at Cowie Street.

25. New Lynn to Waterview Scheme Cycle Way

Scheme Assessment tender closed Dec 2013. Tender evaluation and award Jan 2014.

26. Tiverton-Wolverton Stage 2

Complete remaining 100m section of pavement reconstruction work on Tiverton Road and all pavement reconstruction works on New Windsor Road following completion of retaining wall construction. New Windsor Road and overall project finishing works will be complete by end April 2014.

Key Agency Initiatives

27. Dominion Road Corridor Upgrade

Design work underway.

28. NORSGA

Submissions have closed for Northside Drive East. Notice of Requirement and Public Hearing to occur March/April. Rua Road South under construction. Don Buck Road extension works currently being tendered and construction to commence in March.

29. NORSGA PC 13 Hobsonville Point

Working with Hobsonville Land Co and Auckland Council Property to secure site for permanent park and ride.

30. NORSGA PC14 Hobsonville Village

Working group established with NZTA to jointly develop solutions to future congestion at Brigham Creek Road interchange and other strategic Connections.

31. Long Bay Glenvar Ridge Road

An application for consent to undertake geotechnical investigations has been submitted to Auckland Council. The NoR is under preparation and the preliminary design is progressing. Further consultation with Iwi is being undertaken.

32. Penlink Toll Road

Decision on the progression of Penlink is required by the AT Board and anticipated for end February 2014.

Work to update the designation and consents for Penlink is progressing in lieu of this decision, and an RFP has been tendered with award programmed for end January 2014.

As part of this work, additional communication with stakeholders and the Local board will take place.

33. AMETI - Package 4 - Pakuranga, Ti Rakau-Reeves Road (Provision of a busway between Pakuranga and Botany)

The scheme assessment is complete. Work is now commencing on the design and consenting phase of this project.

34. AMETI - Package 2 - Sylvia Park Bus Lanes

Design is complete and consent documentation is being prepared. The project team is working to secure property required for the proposed scheme.

35. AMETI - Package 6 - Mt Wellington (Improving connections to the west of the AMETI area.)

The Package 6 investigation is complete. It identified several components across the region for which detailed investigation is recommended as the next step. Some of these will be included within the AMETI programme.

36. AMETI - Package 1 - Panmure Phase 2

This phase encompasses the replacement of existing Panmure roundabout with a signalised intersection. Construction of a two lane busway on the northern part of Lagoon Drive and a shared path for pedestrians and cyclists along the north side of Lagoon Drive from Queens Road / Jellicoe Road to the new Panmure Bridge. The base design is complete. The design will be updated to align with the requirements of the proposed Auckland unitary plan and to ensure effects (e.g. on cultural heritage sites) are appropriately mitigated. Work is commencing on the consenting phase.

37. East West Link

The primary objective of the project is to provide an improved freight connection between SH20/Onehunga and the Southdown (MetroPort) and adjoining SH1 inland port. The nature and scale of the access improvements allows construction to commence by 2016/2017 with forecast completion by 2019/2020.

Public Transport Development

38. Mt Albert Train Station Upgrade Stage II

Design phase to cover platform stairs and upgrade underpass, underway.

39. Ferry Terminal Upgrade – Bayswater

Marine works (dredging and pontoon) consented and ready to go to construction. Funding application for land based design works is in progress.

40. Pukekohe Station Upgrade

Concept design for the proposed station layout is under review based on long term plan for electrification of Papatoetoe to Pukekohe rail station. Concept should be finalised / signed off by April 2014.

41. Half Moon Bay Ferry Terminal

This project entails upgrade of the Half Moon Bay Ferry Terminal to address the safety issues on water and land, improvements of parking facilities, traffic circulation and amenity. Still awaiting sign off for permanent parking changes. Delay was incurred at request for additional disabled parking spaces. Staging of the main project concept plan proposals is on-going. Early staging to focus primarily on PT.

42. Otahuhu Bus-Train Interchange

To upgrade Otahuhu Train Station to a Bus-train interchange and park and ride to enable implementation of the new propose public transport network plan. The tender for detailed design closed on 17 January 2014 and is currently being evaluated. This remains an extremely tight programme but is on track for construction completion in 1st half of 2015.

43. Manukau Bus Interchange

Design tender documentation is being prepared. Funding approval has been given for the design phase and tenders will be out to the market early February 2014.

44. Puhinui Station Upgrade

Initial concept investigation underway. Targeting June 2014 for completion of design work.

45. Rail Platform Extensions

Extending the platforms of 11 stations 5-15m each to bring them into line with other platforms on the network. First three stations with platform extensions are now nearing completion. Good progress is being made on the next 4 stations. Project Manager has accelerated works to complete all extensions by June 2014.

46. Downtown Ferry Terminal Pier 2 Upgrade

Scope of work is being worked through with PT Operations. New covered waiting area will be installed in pier 2 by end of April 2014.

47. Downtown Ferry Terminal Pier 3 & 4 Upgrade

Scoping and initiation works under development is coordination with the Harbour Edge Programme.

48. Parnell Train Station

Detailed design tender to be issued.

49. New Lynn Rail Station Electronic Gates

Concept designs being finalised and order for gates placed. 10 month lead time for gates, design for gates coverage and balustrade to be finalised over this period, followed by construction of kiosk and supporting works for gateline.

50. Re-development Devonport Wharf

Significant work is happening on the Devonport Wharf. Auckland Council and Auckland Transport are working together to improve structural works on Victoria Wharf, and improve the Boardwalks and retail space.

51. Panmure Rail/Bus Interchange (AMETI Phase 1)

Panmure Bus Interchange (AMETI Phase 1) handover from contractors took place 24 December 2013, with the official opening on 18 January 2014. Services have been rescheduled so that from this date, Howick & Eastern and NZ Bus services will travel via the new interchange.

52. New bus network in South Auckland

Final decisions on bus routes for the new network in South Auckland were announced on 9 December 2013 and communicated to stakeholders with a significant number of changes to proposed routes made as a result of customer feedback.

53. Bus Services - Integrated Ticketing & fares

The implementation of Auckland Integrated Fare System (AIFS) “HOP” on buses resumed after intermittent technical issues were resolved in September 2013 with roll-out on all NZ Bus services taking place 13 October - 8 December 2013. This included North Star, Metrolink, LINK, Go West and Waka Pacific services. AT staff were on the road at key locations to support drivers and customers. The implementation schedule for AIFS/HOP with remaining bus operators is as follows: January 2014 – Bayes Coachlines school buses; February 2014 – Ritchies, Howick & Eastern; March 2014 – Waiheke Bus Company, Tranzit, Party Bus Company school buses. Negotiations re implementation date for two further minor operators are ongoing (Airbus and Murphy Buses school buses).

54. Ferry Services - Integrated Ticketing & fares

It is intended to phase out the 10 trip tickets from 17 February 2014 in favour of AT HOP card Stored Value pricing (the same as 10 trip ticket pricing). AT is developing an AT HOP Monthly Pass for ferry users. Implementation timeframe TBC. Note: Devonport and Stanley Bay will be phased out later by Fullers.

Strategy and Planning

55. Auckland Integrated Transport Programme (ITPv2) and its key components

Work is progressing on the development of the next version of the ITP which is due by the middle of 2014. Work are also continuing on the development/updating of the key components of the ITP including:

· Regional Rapid Transit Review (RTN) review – further analysis is being undertaken as required in view of the RDS update

· Rail Development Strategy (RDS) update – in progress

· Rail Level Crossings Study – joint review with KiwiRail in progress

· Park and Ride and Parking Strategy – draft strategy was presented to the AT Board in December. The board has required consultation of the draft strategy

· Regional Passenger Transport Plan – formally adopted by the AT Board on 23^rd September 2013

· Consultation of the new network for the other areas in Auckland will be undertaken in 2014-15. Implementation of the new network will commence in early 2015.

56. Regulatory planning

Strategy and Planning continues to lead and co-ordinate AT’s responses to proposed plan changes and Notices of Requirements (NoRs) to ensure that land use and transport are integrated and that proposed land use changes enable AT to deliver its capital works programme. During the second quarter, there are 26 applications that are in progress. There were no new applications made this quarter.

AT also continued working closely with the Auckland Council on the review of the notified Unitary Plan. A series of internal workshops were conducted within AT during this quarter. AT’s feedback on the notified plan is currently being consolidated and Strategy and Planning is liaising with the council on inclusion of feedback as part of the council’s submission.

AT has also initiated a review of the application lodged by the Further North Alliance (on behalf of NZTA) with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a number of resource consents and a Notice of Requirement for the proposed Puhoi to Warkworth motorway project.

57. Corridor management plans (CMPs)

The nine priority arterial CMPs in the 2012/13 year have now been completed:

· Great North Road-Rata St-Ash St corridor

· Albany Highway-Greville Rd-Tawa Dr corridor

· Takapuna North (East Coast Road Stage 2)

· East Tamaki Road-Springs Rd-Harris Rd corridor

· City East West Transport Study

· Tamaki Drive-Ngapipi Rd-Kohimarama Rd-Kepa Rd corridor

· Ellerslie-Panmure Highway

· Balmoral Road-St Lukes Road corridor

· Great South Road Stage 2.

Funding Implementation Plans (FIPs) for the programmes proposed in each of the completed CMPs are currently being prepared, with the prioritised projects to be included in the future ITP programme.

58. Nine CMPs under the 2013/14 CMP programme are currently being developed:

· Oteha Valley Road (Albany Expressway to East Coast Road) – study underway, initial consultations with the Upper Harbour Local Board and the Albany Village Business Association were undertaken this quarter

· Great North Road (between Ash Street and Karangahape Road) – study underway, initial consultation with Waitemata Local Board undertaken in December

· New North Road (Blockhouse Bay Road to Mt Eden Road) – study commenced in January

· Manukau Road (Broadway to Royal Oak roundabout) – study commenced in January

· Onewa Road (SH1 Interchange to Verran’s Corner) – scoping underway, study to commence over the next quarter

· Mt Albert Road – Carrington Road (Royal Oak roundabout to Great North Road) – scoping underway, study to commence over the next quarter

· Green Lane East - West (Remuera Road to Balmoral Road) – scoping underway, study to commence over the next quarter

· Brigham Creek Road – study underway in conjunction with Investigation and Design team

· Pakuranga Road – study underway in conjunction with AMETI team.

59. The City Centre East-West (CEWT) Study has been completed. Programmes put forward in the study relating to public transport facilities are now at the concept design stage, and are being co-ordinated with other city centre projects:

· Downtown bus interchange

· Wynyard Quarter bus interchange

· Learning Quarter bus interchange

· Fanshawe St urban busway

· Wellesley St Civic upgrade.

60. Other studies being undertaken are as follows:

SH16 Te Atatu Rd Bus Interchange Preliminary Engineering Assessment – completed this quarter. Next steps include the development of a business case to support the decision-making process, completion of the Te Atatu Bus Interchange feasibility study and work with NZTA to future proof the SH16 upgrades.

SH16 Bus Corridor Feasibility Study – study commenced this quarter to assess the feasibility of various bus facilities on SH16, to complement current works as part of the Western Ring Route project (which covers the section from Waterview to Westgate). This study will look at the bus corridor from Waterview to the City Centre.

61. Transport modelling

Work is continuing on the update/development of transport models including:

· The CRL modelling programme development

· The Auckland Passenger Transport (APT3) model update

· Other projects such as for the Fanshawe St BRT, Te Atatu Road and Lincoln Road TMP, convention Centre, Rapid Transit Network (RTN) and the ITPv2.

62. Asset Management Plan 2015-2018

The development of the next Asset Management Plan 2015-2018 is continuing. Consultations with Business Units are underway and linkages with the ITP are being developed.

63. Seismic Screening Programme

Work is continuing on the screening of all transport assets for earthquake susceptibility.

64. Asset Condition Surveys

Work on the survey for higher risk transport assets has continued this quarter and completed at the end of December as programmed. Minor safety and other issues are prioritised and addressed through the maintenance teams. The more extensive defects are included in the long-term forward renewal works programme and, where feasible, coordinated with the capital works programme.

Community Transport

65. School Transport Programme and Road Safety Education

The number of schools signed onto the TravelWise Programme has now reached 375.

Key activities that were undertaken with the schools included, safety at the school gate parking enforcement, speed enforcement campaigns undertaken with the NZ Police, cycle training, scooter training, school leadership programme for intermediate and high school students and school curriculum transport related activities targeted at road safety and school travel options.

Walking School Buses now number 359 in the region with a continued programme of recruitment and recognition for the volunteers who accompany the buses.

Demand for cycle training is still strong from schools and greater partnerships with the NZ Police, Sports Trusts and Bike NZ have been developed to deliver cycle training and cycle safety.

The following regional road safety education campaigns are being delivered over the coming six months:

· Red light running campaign – focused at all road users

· Pedestrian safety campaign – focused on youth and at risk sites

· Cycle safety- focused on training, maintenance and share the road

· Back to school speed campaign - focused on targeting drivers speed around schools.

66. Travel Planning and Cycle and Walking

Commute travel planning packages and personal journey plans being delivered across the region targeting business, communities, business associations and tertiary institutions.

The summer “Cycling’s the go” safety and promotional campaign is being delivered over the coming months targeting, cycle training, safety, guided rides and maintenance programmes.

The development of the Auckland Cycle network continues with priority being placed on working with the NZTA on Grafton Gully and Waterview, working with Local Board Greenway proposals, Beach Road, Great South Road, Puhinui Road and the New Zealand Cycle Trail network expansion programme of the Airport to City route.

Road Corridor Maintenance

67. West

The new road maintenance contract is “bedding in” and providing good operational and customer services within the Henderson – Massey, Waitakere and Whau local board areas. The inclusion of additional berm and vegetation management items since the issuing of the last report was supplied and exceptional growth conditions regionally, had bogged down the reactive capability of the contractor in the last 2 months of 2013. A change in methodology has been developed between Contractor and RCM management which will make treatment and information supply easier going forward. Unfortunately some additional cost implications as a result of these changes will affect overall budget allocations. Cost and activity reductions will have to be implemented in other areas for the remaining 2013 – 14 programs. Additional funding will be sourced during budget calculations for the next financial year.

Progress in the large pavement reconstruction works and footpath renewal are on target throughout the western area. Pavement rehabilitation works have been or are nearing completion in Margan Ave, Kinross St, Henderson Valley Rd and View Rd. Projects that are continuing into 2014 and a list of forward works for your reference, that will soon be underway in the western network are - Birdwood Rd, Nikau St, Kervil Ave, Rimu St, Blockhouse Bay Rd and Titirangi Rd.

Programming, investigation and design works are well underway for the sites allocated for 2014 – 15 program with future works in the design area targeting network sites beyond 2016 where possible.

The extensive resurfacing program is also underway throughout the central – west region. To date 5.5km of asphalt surfacing has been completed to Dec. The schedule of activities includes approx. 12.5km of Asphaltic Concrete surfacing and 35km of various Chip Sealing (resealing) sites. This program continues on from the previous 3 years, due to recent bitumen price increases and site pre-sealing repairs costing more than expected, the total quantities have had to be reduced to match the budget allowance.

The slip repairs have been undertaken in the 5 sites Titirangi Road and Titirangi Beach Roads noted in the last report. Major retaining structures and road strengthening have been completed in Candia Road and Laingholm Drive. Final detailed design and both building & resource consents are in hand for a major slip repair site on Titirangi Road.

Investigation of any opportunities to “future proof” the western network against storm and flooding impacts continues to be high priority, but funding through NZTA is unfortunately difficult to obtain for these works.

68. Streetlights

Completed the section of Tamaki Drive (Okahu section) with new poles and luminaires in accordance with the Tamaki Drive approved upgrade report. There are only 25 poles and lights to complete the upgrade between Ngapipi Road and The Strand.

St George Street Papatoetoe is currently being upgraded with new poles and lights. The former decorative type lights will become gas look-alike lights for decorative purpose only.

Bowen Street in the CBD has been upgraded to provide increased safety for pedestrians walking into the city especially from the university at night.

Installation of new lights and poles supporting the Vector undergrounding programme removing overhead lines. Areas where undergrounding has taken place are Epsom, and Penrose.

69. South

The 2013/14 resurfacing programme ($15.3M) commenced during the period. All Chipseal sites are expected to be completed by early April and the Asphaltic Concrete sites by end of May 2014.

The 2013/14 Pavement Rehabilitation and Reconstruction programmes are well underway. A large number of the sites were either completed or commenced during the period. Some of the completed sites include, Princess St Otahuhu, Te Irirangi Drive - Smales to Accent, Great South Road – Grande View to Corin and Ronwood to Gladding, Mahia Road – Coxhead to Hobart, Hill Road – Hill to Grande Vue, Hunua Gorge, and Pukeoware Road rehabilitation.

The preseal repair, footpath and kerb/channel programmes of work are underway. The Contractors main focus during the period was to complete the works associated with the 2013/14 resurfacing and pavement rehabilitation sites.

70. Central

Following months of planning between Auckland Council Stormwater, Watercare and RCM, a major upgrade of Carlton Gore Rd, between Davis Crs and George St, has commenced. The objective of this 6 month project is to upgrade the public stormwater system, separate the existing combined sewer system to prevent on-going sewer overflow discharges to the New Market Stream and to reconstruct the deteriorated road pavement. The 3 members of the Auckland Council Family have engaged Downer to undertake all components of the work to ensure disruption to the local businesses and residents is minimised and to achieve value for money for ratepayers.

The pavement rehabilitation of Woodward Rd, between New North Rd and Carrington Rd, has been completed. This work was completed in collaboration with Kiwi Rail during a weekend shut down for the electrification of the Western rail line to minimise disruption to public transport users.

After a major internal and external stakeholder management consultation period between RCM, RCA, PT and Downer, approx. 11000 m2 of Jervois Road, between Ponsonby Road and Clarence Street was resurfaced over Labour Weekend.

Spring growth combined with the October Local body elections has made berm mowing an area of focus for the Central team. Following high levels of resistance to the change in policy initially, there is now some indications that the levels of resistance, is changing.

Following consultations with local Iwi and the New Zealand Historical places trust, The Orakei Road (Shore to Ngapipi roads) road Rehabilitation Project is now underway. Completion is programmed for early March 2014.

Negotiations between ATs maintenance contractors and the UFB Project contractors have now concluded. These negations, which were driven by the Central AT Team, have opened the way for ATs footpath contractors to upgrade footpaths and install UFB simultaneously.

71. Hauraki Gulf Islands

Wharf Road Rehab stage one was completed in December with Stage two from Muratai to Homai commencing in February.

CT Footpath – Tui Street completed in December.

Wharf Road board walk completed in December.

Waiheke Island reseals, 7.5kms were completed in November.

Pavement designs for Sea View Road rehab completed with work to commence February.

North

72. Rural North

The focus during the December period was on giving the town centres a ‘spring clean’ before the Christmas period. The work has progressed well with all townships 100% complete. With many visitors expected to holiday at the spectacular beach locations in Rodney the coastal unsealed roads (e.g. Pakiri Road and Takatu Road) were given a maintenance run to ensure they are in top condition.

In the North Rural the AWPT programme is progressing well with 1.5kms completed in December. To date the AWPT programme is 62% complete (by length). Cost savings have also been delivered to Auckland Transport with the current spend approximately 10% below the target value. The reseals programme has been slightly delayed with rain in December and is 56% complete, year to date. The programme has been updated with the reseals now scheduled to be 100% complete by March.

The Opex and Renewals rolling quarter and year to date budgets are on track. The overall year to date variance against forecast is less than 1%.

73. Urban North

Despite being a short month December has had some large and technical works completed within. The Fulton Hogan chipseal reseal program commenced in December and is expected to be complete late March.

The Asphalt resurfacing is 85% complete and the target date for completion is late March early April with the aim of targeting additional monies should they become available.

Rehabs in the North are progressing well with .576 km completed to the end of December however Hugh Green Drive is only 85% completed and has not made the completed works figures for December. The outstanding works for Hugh Green is the asphalt resurfacing which is planned to be tied in with roundabout construction at Spencer Rd.

Kaipatiki Road subsoils are complete and work has started on Bentley Road.

Colonial Road work due to start at the end of January.

There were no health and safety issues for the Fulton Hogan team in the month of December.

Road Corridor Operations

74. One Network

The next step in the integrated road classification system project - ‘collate all feedback and update the ONRC Framework;’ is ongoing this quarter.

AT is currently progressing various Engineering Plan Approvals (EPA) for different packages of work for Waterview and other NZTA SH16 corridor improvements.

AT has also been working with NZTA on SH16 Initiatives to reduce the impact of the on-going works to travel times, particularly for buses. A package of quick win measures has been implemented to provide improved journey times for buses to mitigate the loss of key bus priority infrastructure.

Measures include the reinstatement of, or new shoulder bus lanes, priority lanes on the motorway ramps and local road network. NZTA has ensured coordination between the various projects along SH16, with particular regard to traffic management measures and timing of works to minimise the impact on travel times along the SH16 corridor. Measures for the medium to longer term have been identified and these are currently at various stages of assessment.

75. Route Optimisation

Stage 1 Investigation and traffic signal optimisation completed on:

Quay Street	Lower Hobson St	Solent St
Customs Street	Lower Hobson St	The Strand
Victoria Street	Hobson	Stanley St
Wellesley Street	Hobson	Grafton Rd
The Strand	Quay St	Alten Rd
Albert Street	Quay St	Wellesley
Queen Street	Quay St	Newton Rd

Stage 1 Investigation completed on

Mayoral Drive/Cook Street	Wellesley St W	Wellseley St E
Nelson Street	SH1	Fanshawe St
Hobson Street	Quay St	SH1
Karangahape Road	Ponsonby Road	Grafton Rd
Wellington Union	Franklin	Karangahape Road
Symonds Street	Mt Eden	Customs
Grafton Road	Khyber Pass	Symonds St

Note: Symonds Street revisited for consistency with CBD approach.

76. Physical Works Programme (other routes across the region):

· 8 projects are at the scheme design stage

· 4 projects are at the detailed design stage

· 1 construction project is completed.

Road Safety

77. Urban KiwiRAP risk mapping project

Risk Mapping software has been completed. AT network corridors and intersections have been prioritised. Urban KiwiRAP coding and star rating work will commence shortly. The procurement plan has been approved and a tender will be let in February 2014.

78. Red Light Cameras

NZ Police is currently managing a tender process for new safety camera equipment, which encompasses modern technology with up-to-date radar detection methods and wireless data download capability that will contribute to increased road safety benefits. This process will include investigating the benefits of dual purpose red light/speed cameras. Research demonstrates increased safety benefits from multi-purpose cameras able to detect and deter high-risk behaviours such as accelerating through intersections to beat red lights.

Parking and Enforcement

79. Waitemata

Newmarket – Consultation commenced on a proposal to remove time limits from paid parking areas in Newmarket and move towards a demand responsive pricing approach similar to the Central City Parking Zone.

Beaumont Street, CBD - New area of paid parking on Beaumont Street opposite Victoria Park to improve parking availability for customers.

Sale Street and Halsey Street, CBD - New car share parking restriction bringing the total number of spaces to eight.

Tuarangi Road, Grey Lynn - Conversion of the angle parking to parallel parking on the southern kerb of Tuarangi Road Grey Lynn at its junction with Great North Road. This improves safety and removes the danger of vehicles reversing into the live traffic lane.

Turner Street, CBD - New area of paid parking to replace redundant vehicle crossing.

80. Waiheke

Matiatia – Some 117 parking spaces at Matiatia were converted from underutilized lease parking to pay and display in November to free up short term parking for people wishing to catch a ferry to Auckland.

81. Orakei

Mission Bay, St Heliers and Tamaki Drive – Parking occupancy and turnover surveys were completed in December. Another set of surveys are planned of AT assets in the town centre and along Tamaki Drive during first quarter 2014. This is to assist with the corridor management plan.

82. Howick

Howick Village parking study – A Howick Village parking study has been drafted and is being finalised.

Halfmoon Bay Car Park – Implementation of a 14 hour parking restriction with some dedicated carpool bays was completed in Dec 2013.

83. Kaipatiki

Mirovale Place, Sunnynook - Installed a P120 parking restriction in November.

Link Drive, Wairau Valley - Installed a P120 parking restriction in December.

84. Manurewa–Papakura

Papakura – AT obtained consent for the continuation (eighteen months) of the temporary Park and Ride site.

85. Albert-Eden

Dominion Rd project – Parking occupancy surveys were completed for Dominion Road in November 2013.

Miro Street and Tawera Rd, Greenlane – Consultation on a proposal to install P120 time restriction was completed in October 2013 with positive feedback.

Veronica Street, New Lynn – A new P120 time restriction has been installed.

86. Henderson–Massey

Henderson Town centre review – Consultation was undertaken in November 2013 for a new P90 parking zone, for Great North Road, Henderson and adjacent side streets along the main arterial. Results of the consultation will be presented to the Henderson-Massey local board in February 2014.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	Schedule of activities undertaken for the second quarter (2013/2014) ending 31 December 2013 and forward works programme for the third quarter (2013/2014) ending 31 March 2014	127
b View	Traffic Control Committee Decisions July-September 2013	151
c View	Local Board Advocacy Report	153
d View	Local Board Transport Capital Fund Report	157

Signatories

Authors

Various Auckland Transport authors

Authorisers

Jonathan Anyon – Auckland Transport Elected Member Relationship Team Manager

Eric Perry - Relationship Manager

Upper Harbour Local Board

11 March 2014

Auckland Transport Update to the Upper Harbour Local Board, March 2014

File No.: CP2014/03231

Purpose

1. The purpose of the report is to respond to local board requests on transport-related matters and to provide information to elected members about Auckland Transport (AT) activities in the local board area.

Executive Summary

2. This report covers matters of specific application and interest to the Upper Harbour Local Board and its community, matters of general interest relating to Auckland Transport activities or the transport sector, and relevant Auckland Transport media releases for the information of the Board and community.

3. In particular, this report provides an update on:

· Trees in Clemow’s Subdivision

· Auckland Transport Website launch

· April local board workshops

· Issues register.

Recommendation/s

That the Upper Harbour Local Board:

a) receive the Auckland Transport Update to the Upper Harbour Local Board, March 2014 report.

Discussion

Reporting Back

Trees in Clemow’s Subdivision

4. Residents have expressed concern over the condition of the footpaths in the Clemow’s subdivision area, due mainly to the damaged caused by the roots of large trees in the road frontage.

5. These footpaths have been temporarily patched and may pose further issues for users if not extensively repaired.

6. Generally, the expected lifespan of a footpath should be about 50 years; these footpaths are only 15 years old and if not fixed properly, will require expensive, ongoing repairs every two to five years.

7. Auckland Transport and Auckland Council have undertaken a comprehensive analysis of the footpath damage caused by the 119 trees in Clemow’s subdivision, with a goal to identifying a sustainable solution to repairing the footpaths to ensure the safety of all users, while also retaining the leafy environment of the neighbourhood.

8. Once a feasible option is identified Auckland Transport will conduct consultation with the wider community to seek their views on the issue and potential solutions.

Media

Auckland Transport Website Launch

9. Auckland Transport is launching an updated website, which is easier for customers to use and has more features.

10. The new site consolidates three websites: AucklandTransport.govt.nz; AT.co.nz and ATHOP.co.nz. The new website is: www.at.govt.nz.

11. The website has a new structure, refreshed design and a new feature called “My AT”. This is for personal content such as AT HOP details plus new features like saved favorites stops or journeys.

12. The site retains popular features like the Journey Planner, timetables and fares information.

13. The new site is designed with dynamic content that automatically resizes when viewed on tablets or mobile phones.

14. Improved customer service is a major focus for Auckland Transport this year.

15. www.at.govt.nz is built on new technology and the website will be flexible to deliver online services to grow with increased customer numbers and their needs.

16. The new site will run parallel with the old ones for several weeks as users transition across to www.at.govt.nz.

April Local Board workshops – pre-engagement on Transport Long Term Plan (TLTP)

17. Auckland Transport is scheduling workshops for councillors and local board members, probably in the second and third weeks of April 2014.

18. The workshops aim to gain early feedback to inform advice and options for Transport as input to Auckland Council’s 2015-2025 Long Term Plan (LTP) and by extension, the Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP).

19. Auckland Transport hopes that the workshops will also be useful to local boards in developing the Transport Advocacy component of their local board plans.

20. At this early stage, the priority is to understand community preferences and to look for opportunities to improve the alignment of Auckland Transport and local board priorities.

21. The importance of participating in the workshops is that local boards will be able to help shape the options that eventually make it into the draft RLTP, before the draft is written.

22. The workshops will be designed to be interactive, with a focus on listening. Auckland Transport is particularly interested in elected members’ views on the strategic direction for Transport, the prioritisation process Auckland Transport uses to select projects, and the overall levels of expenditure on Local Roads, Public Transport and Walking and Cycling.

23. Formal consultation on the Transport component of Auckland Council’s Long Term Plan, and on Auckland Transport’s Regional Land Transport Programme, will take place in January and February 2015.

Issues Update

24. The following Issues Update comprises issues raised by elected members and local board services staff to 25 February 2014:

Location	Issue	Status
The Avenue/SH17 intersection, Albany	Request for safety assessment of The Avenue/SH17 intersection, Albany.	This project is currently with Road Corridor Operations and Investigation and Design staff. At this stage it is being considered for the 2016/17 programme.
Kyle Road, Greenhithe	Complaints about process and safety of Kyle Road, Greenhithe.	At the Upper Harbour Local Board meeting on Tuesday, 13 August 2013, a resident of Wicklam Lane, Greenhithe, made a presentation to the Board about the consultation process for the Kyle Road project, the consent granted for a number of vehicle crossing points on to Kyle Road from a recent subdivision, the lack of evidence about the effectiveness of speed tables installed, parking on the berm areas/footpaths and the state of the berm at the corner of Wicklam Lane/Kyle Road. Referred to Investigation and Design, Road Corridor Operations, Road Corridor Access and Parking and Enforcement. Appears at this point to be financially unviable.
Tauhinu Road, Greenhithe	2yrs board funding allocated to upgrade	Currently looking into stormwater issues, can’t design until agreement from Watercare and Auckland Council. Will look at letter drop to residents regarding the delay
Totara Road, Whenuapai	Road calming measures	Currently in the consultation stages regarding the measures to be put in place.

Consideration

Local Board Views

25. The board’s views will be incorporated during consultation on any proposed schemes.

Maori Impact Statement

26. No specific issues with regard to the Maori Impact Statement are triggered by this report.

General

27. The activities detailed in this report do not trigger the Significance Policy. All programmes and activities are within budget/in line with the Council’s Annual Plan and LTP documents and there are no legal or legislative implications arising from the activities detailed in this report.

Implementation Issues

28. All proposed schemes are subject to prioritisation, funding and consultation.

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report.

Signatories

Authors

Ivan Trethowen - Auckland Transport Elected Member Relationship Manager

Authorisers

Jonathan Anyon - Auckland Transport Elected Member Relationship Team Manager

Eric Perry - Relationship Manager

Chairperson	Brian Neeson, JP
Deputy Chairperson	Lisa Whyte
Members	Callum Blair
	John McLean
	Margaret Miles, JP
	Christine Rankin-MacIntyre

	Portfolio Activity	Responsibilities	Board Lead/s and Alternate
1	Governance	· Board Leadership · Board-to-Council Relationships · Board-to-Board Relationships · Civic Duties · Advocacy (local, regional, and central government) · Relationships with Maoridom · Relationships with government departments and agencies · Relationship with Property CCO · Relationship with Auckland Waterfront Development · Advocacy with Governing Body (Local Board Plan; Local Board Agreements) · Unitary Plan · Local area plan	Brian Neeson Lisa Whyte
2	Regulatory & Bylaws / Civil Defence Emergency Management .	· Resource consents · Heritage · Liquor · Gambling · Swimming pools fencing · Trees · Bylaws · Relationships with the Civil Defence Emergency Management Group · Community preparedness, disaster response, relief, and recovery	Callum Blair John McLean Christine Rankin-MacIntyre Margaret Miles (Resource Consents only)
3	Events / Arts and Culture	· Community celebration · Community identity · Neighbourhood gatherings and renewal · Event compliance · Relationship with ATEED · Relationship with Regional Facilities CCOs · Tourism · Artistic and cultural service levels · Promoting all aspects of artistic endeavour · Development of public art strategy and policy	Margaret Miles
4	Community and social well-being / Local Facilities	· Community development · Neighbourhood relationships · Funding for neighbourhood projects · Community safety (excl. town centres) · Graffiti removal · Community advocacy · Relationships with Youth · Leisure centres · Community houses · Halls · Community hubs · Arts facilities · Community Partnerships · Asset Management	Callum Blair Margaret Miles

	Portfolio Activity	Responsibilities	Board Lead/s and Alternate
5	Libraries	· Stewardship of libraries · Mobile library	Christine Rankin-MacIntyre Lisa Whyte
6	Sports parks and recreation (active) / Parks, Reserves and playgrounds (passive)	· Stewardship of sports parks · Stewardship of recreation facilities · Relationship with sports clubs · Neighbourhood parks and reserves (incl. esplanade reserves and the coastline) · Design and maintenance · Plantings, playgrounds, bollards, and walkways · Skateparks · Track Network development	Margaret Miles Lisa Whyte
7	Town Centres	· Town centre renewal · Design and maintenance · Community safety within town centres · Business Improvement Districts liaison · Urban design · Built Heritage	Margaret Miles Brian Neeson
8	Transport / Regional Transport and CBD development	· Local transport projects and public transport (incl. roading, footpaths, cycleways) · Liaison on regional Transport matters · 2^nd harbour crossing · Bridge walk cycleway · Inner City Rail Link · Waterfront development · CBD master plan	John McLean Margaret Miles
9	Natural Environment .	· Restoration of wetlands, streams, and waterways · Local priorities in relation to regional environmental management · Costal management including mangrove encroachment and erosion mitigation · Relationships with Watercare · Waste minimisation strategy · Bio security	John McLean Callum Blair Lisa Whyte (waste minimisation only)
10	Economic Development / Financial oversight	· Key relationship with Business Development Manager in Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development team · Establish and promote local opportunities for increased tourism and economic development · Budgets · Project expenditure · Monitor GB strategy and Finance · Service Levels · Local funding policy	Lisa Whyte Margaret Miles

*Unit*	*Highlights:*
Environmental Services	· A total of 132 successful applications shared a total of $619,512 of funding from the annual Environmental Initiatives Fund. Funding was approved at the December 2013 meeting of the Environment Climate Change and Natural Heritage Committee. · Organised and facilitated a national kauri dieback symposium, attended by 200 people including scientists, policy makers, land managers and community groups. The symposium was an opportunity to showcase the leadership of scientists and Auckland Council staff in actively managing this disease.
Solid Waste	· Successful trial of new inorganics collection system in October-November 2013. Over 50% of material collected was recycled or reused. · $293,878 awarded to 33 different projects through the Waste Minimisation and Innovation Fund, including one project in the board area. · New hazardous waste drop off site opened in the board area at Constellation Drive transfer station. · Upcoming trial of organic food waste collection service to be held on the North Shore from March to May 2014.
Stormwater	· Seven stormwater projects as described in Attachment C are being progressed within the Upper Harbour Local Board area. The construction of the Alexandra stream wetland enhancement project has been delayed due to redesign. The design for the Apollo Drive (Rosedale) project has been finalised and is ready for tendering. · Septic tanks - Auckland Council’s stormwater operations team is now responsible for the maintenance of the septic tank pump out contract. In January of this year 94 of the total 134 work orders for the triennial pump out were completed. The 40 remaining work orders were rescheduled for a number of reasons, e.g. the septic tank could not be located (owner advised), the property could not be accessed due to weather conditions, or the standard septic tank had been upgraded to a high tech system.

Authors	Lesley Sharp - Local Board Democracy Advisor
Authorisers	Eric Perry - Relationship Manager