Agenda of Orākei Local Board

Orākei Local Board

03 April 2014

Local economic development July to December 2013: Orakei Local Board

File No.: CP2014/04646

Purpose

1. This report provides an update for the Orakei Local Board on local economic development activities delivered by the Economic Development Department for the period July to December 2013.

Executive Summary

2. The 2013/2014 local economic development work programme in the Orakei Local Board area includes:

· Preparation of an economic development overview presenting a range of indicators on the Orakei economy, issues and opportunities

· Finalisation of the draft Orakei Local Economic Development Action Plan

· Town centre retail best practice

· Scoping a project to better understand the extent and needs of home-based businesses in the Local Board area

· Business Improvement District (BID) partnership programmes in Ellerslie, Remuera and St Heliers

· Support for the roll out of ultrafast broadband and the sustainable and targeted provision of public WiFi.

3. The proposed work programme for 2014/2015 builds on current activities and implements priorities within the Orakei Economic Development Action Plan.

Recommendations

That the Orākei Local Board:

a) Receives the six-monthly update on local economic development activities from July to December 2013.

b) Approves the indicative 2014/2015 local economic development work programme as:

i. Economic analysis and planning on the local economy in Orakei.

ii. Business Improvement District Partnership programmes in Ellerslie, Remuera and St Heliers.

iii. Implementation and monitoring of the Orakei Local Economic Development Action Plan.

iv. Support for the roll out of ultrafast broadband and the sustainable and targeted provision of public WiFi.

c) Nominates Local Board Member(s) to attend the Business Improvement District Policy (2011) review workshops and represent the view of the Local Board.

Discussion

4. The Economic Development Department champions Auckland’s Economic Development Strategy (EDS), which aims to develop an economy that delivers opportunity and prosperity for all Aucklanders and New Zealand. The department works with ATEED, business, Government and community stakeholders to lead local economic development, regional economic strategy and policy advice, economic analysis and advocacy, digital policy and international relations on behalf of Auckland Council.

5. This report focuses on local economic development activities in the Orakei Local Board area. An overview of the regional economic work programme undertaken by the Economic Development Department and ATEED to implement the EDS is provided to the Economic Development Committee, and is made available for information to Local Boards.

6. Under the guidance of global city development expert Greg Clark, and with the assistance of representatives from business, the wider Auckland Council and Government, critical priorities for Auckland’s future economic performance have been identified. These are to:

· Establish a new Auckland Leadership Team

· Raise youth employability. At the local level this means:

o Increasing the number of opportunities for young people to gain work experience

· Build, retain and attract talent. At the local level this means:

o encouraging our businesses to invest in skills

o thoroughly understanding Auckland’s skills shortages

· Build the Auckland business proposition for a business-friendly city

· Boost the investment rate into Auckland’s economy and infrastructure

· Motivate greater investment in products, services and markets. At the local level this means:

o promoting the benefits of innovation and entrepreneurship

o creating and connecting spaces for innovation and entrepreneurship

· Increase Auckland’s visibility internationally

· Optimise Auckland’s platforms for growth: housing, transport and availability of employment land. At the local level this means:

o developing and adopting a new implementation model to achieve growth in key locations – CBD and metropolitan centres

o leveraging the fibre network to its full potential

· Support improved performance of Māori businesses. At the local level this means:

o working to support Māori businesses to grow.

7. We are planning a workshop with Local Board economic development portfolio holders, ATEED and the Economic Development Committee on making local economic development in Auckland more strategic, focused and united. Further information will be provided through the Local Board Advisors.

Orakei Local Economic Development Plan

8. In 2012 officers worked with representatives of the Orakei Local Board to develop a draft Orakei Local Economic Development (ED) Action Plan to maximise the economic future of the Orakei area.

9. Following the consultation on that document, officers have undertaken further work with the Orakei Local Board to update the Action Plan to include standard actions that align with the other Local Economic Development Action Plans that the ED Department is producing for Local Boards.

10. The Orakei Local Board have expressed concern about aligning too closely with the Auckland Economic Development Strategy, as they do not feel that it adequately addresses Orakei's local economic development issues. The Local Board Is working on finalising their comments on the action plan.

11. At this stage the action plan will be presented to the Orakei Local Board In April or May 2014 for adoption.

Local Economic Development Initiatives

Town centre retail best practice

12. In 2013, the ED team commissioned Retail Consulting Group (RCG) to identify best practices in town centre retailing and priority actions for business associations. This work has been completed, and was presented to the Local Board at a workshop on 29 July 2013.

13. The Orakei Retail Forum was held on 18 November at St Chad’s Church. Members of the BIDs and local business owners were in attendance, along with representatives from the Orakei Local Board, ATEED and Auckland Council. The theme of the event was encouraging businesses to have a digital presence, with speakers from RCG, Marketview and Yellow. Whilst the event was reasonably well attended it is recommended that more publicity would be required for any similar future events.

Home based businesses

14. With a significant proportion of residents self-employed within Orakei, it is important to better understand the dynamics of home-based businesses as an important driver of local economic activity. A project on the home-based business sector in Orakei Local Board area is currently being scoped.

15. The project was originally put out in a closed tender process in October 2013, with the scope including identifying home-based businesses in Orakei, conducting a survey on the needs and drivers of these businesses, and providing high-level actions to the Local Board on how support could be given to this sector.

16. There were no responses to the closed tender process, with the three candidates all responding that the project was too difficult to undertake.

17. Following on from this, and with discussions with the Local Board, the project has been re-scoped. Using existing networks and forums for home-based businesses, focus groups and discussions will be held with local home-based businesses to understand their needs and constraints. This project will be undertaken in April-May 2014.

Economic Development Overview

18. An ED overview has been prepared for the Orakei Local Board area. The overview outlines the current economic picture in Orakei, recent trends, and identifies particular strengths or points of difference the local board area has in comparison to the region wide picture. It is primarily a data driven view drawing on the statistics available covering a range of indicators including demographics, incomes and housing, education and skills, employment and occupation, sectoral strengths, business growth and development trends.

19. The overview has been distributed to Local Board members, Council departments and BIDs. The information can inform the Local Board Plan currently under development.

20. In 2012, GDP in Orakei was $1.6 billion, which was 3.0 per cent of the Auckland regional GDP. Rental, hiring and real estate and health care and social services are the dominant sectors in the Orakei economy.

Orakei’s industrial mix by GDP (2012)

Source: Infometrics

21. Stand out facts about Orakei from the ED overview include:

· The Orakei area is characterised by high incomes, high levels of home ownership and a well-qualified labour force.

· The local economy is made up of predominantly small scale operations which make up 98 per cent of businesses and 48 per cent of employment. The Orakei Local Board area has the 4th highest number of businesses in Auckland.

· The dominant sectors in terms of GDP are property operators and real estate services and health care. Education and training, and health care are the major employers in Orakei.

· Orakei has strengths in health technologies, tourism and biotechnology, sectors in which Auckland businesses are competing internationally.

· Economic growth in Orakei has been slightly lower than that for the region from 2002-2012.

22. Employment in Orakei increased by an average of 1.4 per cent pa in the ten years from 2002-12, the same as the New Zealand rate and below the Auckland rate (1.9%). During this period, Orakei job numbers increased the most in professional, scientific and technical services (+690), accommodation and food services (+680) and education and training (+520) sectors and declined the most in the manufacturing and information, media and telecommunications sectors.

23. The current Orakei Local Board Plan supports the coordination of planning decisions for Tamaki Drive and improving transport options. The ED overview recognises these priorities and includes the following initial assessment of the strengths, challenges and opportunities within the local economy.

An assessment of Orakei’s economic potential

Strengths		Challenges
Location · Well located with regards the CBD and industrial employment areas to the south. Environment · Attractive residential environment served by several strong town centres. · Beaches, waterfront and town centres attract visitors from across Auckland. Skilled Well educated population with high average household incomes and high labour market participation rate. Economic Assets · Business Improvement Districts in Ellerslie, Remuera and St Heliers. · Strengths in health technologies, tourism and biotechnology, sectors in which Auckland businesses are competing internationally. · Will be the first Local Board area to have widespread access to Ultrafast broadband.		Low growth · GDP and employment growth have been below that across Auckland over the last decade. Congestion · Particularly bad traffic congestion on some roads and in certain town centres. · Need to improve public transport for commuters and increase capacity at train stations. · Accommodating several user groups along Tamaki Drive. Limited business land · Attention focused on town centres with regards economic growth. Demographics · Ageing population with potential declining proportion of residents participating in the labour market.
Opportunities
Business friendly	· Leverage BID partnership programmes in St Heliers, Remuera and Ellerslie – town centre improvements, investigate collaborative projects and customer attraction projects that will support vibrant town centres. · Facilitate easier commuter movements to enable the workforce to access their workplaces. · Ultrafast broadband deployment to attract higher value businesses. · Explore the nature of, and economic contribution made by, home-based businesses in the area to identify ways in which these can be supported. · Work with Ngati Whatua Orakei and Housing New Zealand to develop business and housing plans around the Marae.
Innovation and exports	· Build on strengths in health technologies and biotechnology. · Encourage investment by affluent local population in business opportunities locally.
Skills	· Retention of well educated and skilled local workforce. · Work with Auckland University to retain R&D and tertiary education presence within the Local Board area.
Vibrant and creative city	· Improve visitor services and attract more visitors to the area. · Opportunities to improve amenity of Tamaki Drive for multiple user groups.

BID Partnership Programmes

24. The BID Partnership Programme approach is a public-private partnership between business associations that have a commitment to develop and promote their local business environment and Auckland Council. In work to date since Auckland Council was established there has been a focus on sharing best practice and developing consistent governance, processes and practices across the region’s 46 BIDs.

25. Each BID has signed a Partnering Agreement with Auckland Council. These agreements define the relationship between Auckland Council and individual business associations operating as BIDs. Several have also signed a discretionary Memorandum of Understanding with their Local Board. The MOU is an opportunity to agree mutual goals and objectives and to support each other’s programme of work where applicable.

26. BID Partnership Advisors hold monthly networking meetings for BID managers and interested business associations that focus on professional development and sharing information and best practice. Topics covered from July to December 2013 include:

· Auckland Transport (importance of good parking in our centres)

· AGM checklist and meeting procedures

· ATEED – local events

· WiFi– how to make the most of Apps

· Overseas conferences–report back and learnings from BID attendees

· Signs and alcohol bylaws

· Social enterprises

· Using Marketview results for business attraction

· Media awareness

· Your Website – how to review it and improve it

· Using information from Local ED Overviews and opportunities to engage with Local ED Action Plans.

27. A refresh of the Auckland Region Business Improvement District Policy (BID Policy 2011) will be undertaken in 2014. The proposed BID Policy will go before the Regional Strategy and Policy Committee for final approval in November 2014.

28. The process to review the BID Policy will involve consultation with both business associations and Local Board representatives. Separate workshops will initially be held for the two stakeholder groups, followed by a combined workshop with both the business associations and Local Board representatives. Local Board representative(s) are sought for involvement in the review process.

29. Any suggestions made at these workshops to amend the existing BID Policy (2011) will be brought before the Local Board for its consideration and feedback.

30. There is much activity happening with the establishment of new BID areas (including State Highway 16 and Devonport, who will be balloting in March 2014). Several other locations are actively working with the BID team on preparatory work towards establishment. Existing BIDs undertaking expansion ballots prior to June 2014 include Otahuhu and Manukau Central.

31. Twenty-seven existing BIDs have chosen to increase their amount of target rate for the 2014/2015 financial year. Every one of these proposed increases has followed the process of advising all members and receiving approval of the proposed new amount from members at Annual General Meetings.

32. The Partnership Advisors have reviewed the activities of the BIDs in the Orakei Local Board area and are satisfied they are meeting the requirements of the BID Policy.

Ellerslie BID

33. The Ellerslie Business Association (EBA) Executive Committee meet bi-monthly to progress their annual Business Plan. Over the past six months EBA has continued to trial events and promotions targeted at attracting large crowds while increasing spend at local businesses. The Christmas promotion in December was a good example of encouraging attendees to spend while at the local event. EBA experienced a record number of retail participants (54) with 2050 entries and the prizes were all locally sponsored. This was an all-round good result for retailers and customers.

34. At their AGM, held on 19 August 2013, EBA passed a resolution to increase their BID targeted rate by seven per cent to $132,000 for 2014/2015.

35. EBA are continuing the redevelopment of their website. Inclusion of business directories, travel and parking information, events and promotions and improved integration with multimedia platforms are a few of the features being explored. Effective uses of online platforms are one of the recommendations of the “Building Successful Town Centres” research by RCG Ltd.

36. Sales and transactions have increased over seven per cent from the previous six months; however the average transaction value has decreased by five per cent over the same period. This pattern is reflected by the marginal growth in same store sales of 0.9 per cent (businesses trading in the area for 24 months prior) and 15 new businesses in the area. This suggests that the new businesses may have a lower average price point. Ellerslie continues to attract the majority of their customers from the surrounding local areas; Ellerslie to Meadowbank (41%) Auckland Central (26%) and Auckland South (16%).

Remuera BID

37. The Remuera Business Association (RBA) Executive Committee meet monthly to progress their annual Business Plan. Over the past six months RBA has continued to work on the branding of Remuera. Events, promotions and environmental projects are targeted at creating and promoting a friendly, vibrant, high amenity place to go. Bastille Day, White Night, Remuera Fashion Lunch and the Brazilian Carnival are all examples of events which highlight Remuera’s fashion, art and diversity.

38. At their AGM, held on 16 October 2013, RBA passed a resolution to collect a BID targeted rate of $242,564 for 2014/2015. There was no change from the previous year’s target rate.

39. The RBA mobile website redevelopment is complete. The website provides viewers with a comprehensive update of “everything Remuera”. The information ranges from who we are, where we are, where we come from, things to do and what’s coming up. Many of these improvements align with recommendations from the Visitor Strategy Report and “Building Successful Town Centres”.

40. Remuera has experienced a three per cent increase in sales revenues over the past six months, with only a marginal increase in transaction numbers, reflecting spend on higher priced items. The December quarter is clearly the peak trading period as customers prepare for the Christmas season with the April to June quarter closely behind. Remuera’s catchment area extends throughout Central Auckland with the top spenders coming from Waitaramoa to Orakei South (36%) Remuera (17%) and other parts of Auckland Central (29%).

St Heliers BID

41. The St Heliers Business Association (SHBA) Executive Committee meet monthly to progress their annual Business Plan. Over the past six months SHBA has continued to trial a variety of media platforms to extend their reach to other affluent communities, while promoting “Buy Local” to residents within the immediate and surrounding areas. Events and promotions have been targeted at increasing business participation while attracting large crowds to the area.

42. At their AGM, held on 17 September 2013, RBA passed a resolution to collect a BID targeted rate of $138,484 for 2014/2015. There was no change from the previous year’s targeted rate.

43. SHBA are currently working with the Local Board on phase three of a Visitor Strategy for the area. Development of a Heritage Trail is in progress, which will link in well with the Heritage Website under development.

44. SHBA continue to build strong relationships with property owners, tenants and potential tenants. Having the ability to attract preferred tenants can contribute toward creating the right “retail mix” for their customer’s needs, as recommended in “Building Successful Town Centre”. This approach has been successful in attracting some of the new businesses over the past six months and is evident in the Marketview results for the period.

45. St Heliers has experienced a 22 per cent increase in sales and transactions over the past six months. In contrast, same store sales increased by four per cent. The addition of a new business and several business changes in the area have made a significant contribution to these results. St Heliers catchment area extends throughout Central Auckland with the top spenders coming from St Heliers and Glendowie (43%) Glen Innes (12%) Kohimarama (15%) and other parts of Auckland Central (14%).

Ultrafast Broadband

46. The third year of the rollout of Ultrafast broadband (UFB) ends on 30 June 2014. The rollout is a third of the way through the nine year programme. So far over 60,000 premises region wide can connect to UFB with just over 11 per cent of these premises connected. This is in line with the rate of uptake predicted at the start of the UFB rollout.

47. Chorus intends to provide updates to Local Boards on the progress of the rollout in each area and Council officers will work with Local Board Services to arrange times in the appropriate Local Board Workshops as the updates become available.

Public WiFi

48. Public WiFi is available in all 56 libraries and in 23 public open spaces around Auckland. In January 2014 the Libraries WiFi service was used 173,000 times by 110,000 people totalling 7.7 million minutes of free Wi-Fi usage. The public open space service has been experiencing network stability issues and this has limited usage. These issues are now resolved and we expect to see usage grow in line with Libraries usage. The public open space service was used 49,631 times by 44,419 people totalling 893,494 minutes of free WiFi usage.

Work programme 2014/2015

49. The proposed 2014/2015 local economic development work programme in the Orakei Local Board area is set out below.

OPEX Project description

Economic analysis and planning on the local economy in Orakei.

BID Partnership programmes in Ellerslie, Remuera and St Heliers.

Implementation and monitoring of the Orakei Local Economic Development Action Plan.

Support for the roll out of ultrafast broadband and the sustainable and targeted provision of public WiFi.

Consideration

Local Board Views

50. This report informs the Orakei Local Board on progress implementing the agreed local economic development work programme. Feedback from the Board is welcome to shape ongoing activities.

Maori Impact Statement

51. Matters relating to Māori wellbeing are addressed as part of specific projects and are reported in the relevant Board and committee reports.

General

52. N/A.

Implementation Issues

53. There are no implementation issues.

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report.

Signatories

Author

Trudi Fava - Strategic Planner

Authoriser

Adam Milina - Acting Relationship Manager - Albert-Eden & Orakei Local Boards

Janet Schofield - Business Area Planning Manager

Orākei Local Board

03 April 2014

Auckland Transport Update – Orakei Local Board: March 2014

File No.: CP2014/05729

Executive Summary

1. The purpose of this report is to update the Board on a range of transport related issues in Orakei area during February/March 2014.

Recommendation/s

That the Orākei Local Board:

a) Receives the February/ March report from Auckland Transport.

Discussion

Resolutions

Resolution number OR/2013/275

2. Requests Auckland Transport to prepare a Rough Order of Cost for the first phase of the Remuera Village Upgrade Project (ReVup) project: the Remuera Road entrance to the Village Green and walkway, and the service lane upgrade.

Clonbern Road Service Lane Screens

Perforated metal screens on the car park boundary.

Five of these would be required at an estimated cost of $5,000 each. This includes design and Auckland Transport staff time.

Therefore allow $25,000 as a ROC.

Please note: This does not include any cost for artistic design that would need to be additional.

3. Remuera Road Footpath

Remuera Road Entrance to the Village Green.

The footpath in Remuera Road could be replaced with a higher quality finish(like split rock granite) to make a feature of the entrance into the Village Green (415 Remuera Road).

The area of footpath is quite small; 4m wide and 7.5m long being a total area of 30sq.m.

Experience from similar works carried out in the CBD and planned for Newmarket using a stone finish such as basalt have a cost of up to $1000/ sq.m.

The estimate of the paving works is therefore $30,000. Plus. traffic management, design and Auckland Transport staff time. The estimate (ROC) would be $45,000.

4. Clonbern Service Lane

The service lane is 77m long and 6.2m wide being a total area of 480sq.m.

The proposal is to reseal the lane with asphalt with colour painted bands.

Road Corridor Maintenance are responsible for the reseals programme (Renewals not Capital). There is an amount held over from 13/14 budget as this was due for an upgrade, it is approx. $15,000.

First Option

Colouring over the existing surface: The surfacing used on cycle and bus lanes in the street costs in the order of $80/sq.m. In the service lane situation a product with higher skid resistance would be needed as a painted surface would be slippery for pedestrians and vehicles. The cost would increase to $100 /sq.m giving a cost of $48,000. Plus, traffic management, design and Auckland Transport staff time, a total project estimate (ROC) would be $60,000.

However, the consequential Opex cost of this option is very high, it would also need to have a delay of up to 3 months between the seal and the paint being put down to allow for the seal to settle and bleed.

When the service lane needs resealing the $48,000 would need to be spent again to replace the coloured surface.

Wearing and discolouration of the coloured surface is a concern due to turning movements of delivery trucks in the service lane. On-going reapplication of the surface would be required.

This option is NOT recommended by Auckland Transport.

Second Option

An alternative option is to rebuild the service lane in concrete. Patterns / colours could be included to provide a similar effect as the painted surface. This option would eliminate the concerns around skid resistance, wearing, discolouration of the painted surface, and repainting after resealing.

This option comes with a higher initial cost, but does provide the best long term cost as the on-going maintenance costs would be very low.

The cost of the concrete option would be in the order of $200/sq.m giving a cost of $96,000. Add to this the traffic management, design and Auckland Transport staff time and the estimate (ROC) would be $108,000.

Auckland Transport recommends that the Local Board approve this option.

Important note: These prices exclude the design cost of the art work that is to be sourced by the Remuera Business Association. This would need to be added to the costs quoted above.

Monthly Overview

Tamaki Drive/Ngapipi Intersection

5. The Auckland Transport Board signed off on signalising the intersection of Tamaki Drive and Ngapipi Road at its meeting on 25 February. A separate report is also being prepared for the local board to share some of the information that the Auckland Transport board had to assist with making this decision. This will be followed by responding to the public who provided feedback to close out this stage of the process. As a result of the feedback provided by the Local Board and members of the public, Auckland Transport is investigating a clip-on lane for both sides of the bridge to separate pedestrians and cyclists and improve the safety of this intersection further.

6. A summary of the outcome of the consultation process follows:

A total of 52 submissions were received. Of these, 14 indicated support for Auckland Transport’s proposed design, 35 were against, and three unsure.

Of the submissions against, 17 requested a roundabout, with three stating that to be effective it would need to be much bigger than the design considered by Auckland Transport. Six of the submissions against also stated the need for a separated cycle facility. Several submitters requested that a ban on right turns, either into or out of Ngapipi be considered.

7. Dialogue with submitters has been on-going throughout the feedback period. Some issues are outstanding and are being worked through, e.g. a request by St Heliers RA for Auckland Transport to consider a hybrid system of signals and roundabout. It should be noted that this and other requests sit outside the parameters set in Auckland Transport’s request for feedback on its proposed design, but will be responded to. Auckland Transport did consider a hybrid signal option, but discounted it at an optioneering workshop held in October 2012, as it did not provide the level of service and safety required for pedestrians and cyclists at this location.

8. In relation to the above, the St Heliers RA has criticised Auckland Transport for not following the principles of the Local Government Act 2002, by not consulting all affected road users and not providing sufficient information on all options. Auckland Transport is confident it has engaged appropriately, and above the requirements for a project of this scope.

9. Of the submissions supporting Auckland Transport’s proposed design, the Tamaki Drive Protection Society (TDPS) provided a detailed submission indicating strong support for the installation of traffic lights. They along with five other respondents, including CAA have indicated that the bridge on the eastbound approach to the intersection is a pinch point that Auckland Transport should address. The TDPS has suggested this could be done through the construction of a boardwalk attached to the bridge.

10. Of the three submissions unsure on the proposed design, all indicate support for improving safety. Feedback against Auckland Transport’s proposal has primarily focused on the delay to motorists using Tamaki Drive it is believed signalisation will cause. This feedback disregards the traffic modeling Auckland Transport has shared with the community, indicating that a roundabout would result in long tailbacks on Ngapipi Road.

11. Feedback has also indicated a perception that the project is prioritising cyclist safety over that of motorists, and that cyclists will ignore the lights. Further dialogue is also needed to address this perception.

12. Submitters in favour of Auckland Transport’s proposed design have engaged with the safety goals of the project. Supporters, including the TDPS and CAA, have outlined the ways in which they believe the project will improve safety. Auckland Transport will continue to engage with both organisations around their comments and suggested design improvements.

13. The responses against signalisation should be viewed within the context of extensive lobbying, for which there is evidence. Groups such as the Outboard Boating Club have mobilised members to send in template submissions, whereas CAA (supporting) have collated extensive feedback on behalf of their members and provided this as a single submission. For this reason Auckland Transport can be confident that community support for the project exists.

Tamaki Drive to GI Cycleway

14. This project is in the Scheme Assessment phase to select a preferred design. The contract for this phase was formally awarded in March 2014, and so is dealing with the contract setup formalities. One of the early tasks is to manage a workshop of key stakeholders to ensure that all views and issues are captured; the Orakei Local Board will be invited to attend.

15. As the project becomes established, Auckland Transport will provide updates and will provide further opportunities for the local board to participate in the development of solution options.

Orakei Point Development

16. Auckland Transport and Auckland Council are working with the developers to get a full understanding of the implications that this proposal will have on the transport demands in the Orakei Point area. It is not clear at this stage what those implications look like.

Feeder Bus Service

17. Auckland Transport is developing a timetable and funding to deliver a trial feeder bus service. This will be delivered as a trial in the Stonefields area. As more information is available Auckland Transport will share this with the board and the residents of Stonefields.

Meadowbank Train Station

18. Following two minor crashes at on the road at the entrance to the train station. Auckland Transport safety team are looking at options to increase the safety of this area and reduce the crashes.

Cycleway – Abbots Way /Ngahue Road

19. Auckland Transport proposes to implement a cycleway along Abbots Way from Grand Drive along Ngahue Road, this will mostly use existing berm space along these roads. The project still requires a feedback and detailed design process.

Pony Club

20. Auckland Transport has been requested by the Orakei Local Board, to investigate the possibility of a lease to the St Heliers and Kohimarama Pony Clubs. This proposal is currently being considered by the project team looking at the land requirements for the Tamaki Drive to Glen Innes walkway and other future land requirements for that area.

Orakei Road

21. Auckland Transport has made the decision to rehabilitate the section of Orakei Road from Shore Road towards the train station, until next January. There has been a number of disruptions on Orakei Road and the walkway needs to take priority. However, work will soon resume on the kerb and channel that was stopped due to the work undertaken by Watercare. These works are from Rangitoto Road to Komaru Road.

Orakei Local Board Transport Discretionary Capital Fund

22. The process for discretionary fund projects:

Either a Rough Order Of Cost will be provided to the Orakei Local Board for projects, or if a project does not meet the listed criteria it will be declined.

When the Rough Order Of Cost is provided the Orakei Local Board must formally authorise the next step in the delivery of these projects, which is detailed investigation, design and a firm estimate. The Board then approves or not, the project for construction. The costs incurred for detailed investigation, design, consultation and construction of these projects will be deducted from Orakei Local Board’s Transport Capital Fund.

23. Discretionary Fund Status update:

For an update of current projects see Auckland Transport Quarterly Report.

24. Omahu Road:

It has been identified that are key issue of the crashes in Omahu Road is speed. It is proposed that a Electronic Speed Indication Sign be placed in Omahu Road and rotated to two additional sites that have speed issues in the Orakei Ward, these roads are Ohinirau Street and Atkin Avenue. The rotation will be random. This will also be supported by increased enforcement in these roads as well. This project has identified locations and is currently consulting with affected residents and expects to deliver these in May.

25. Mission Bay Local Centre Reinstatement:

There a discussions with Mission Bay Business Association, Orakei Local Board and Auckland Transport to develop a process that will allow some if not all of the proposed works to go ahead. The current proposal for parklets is a very expensive option and the design team have been asked to provide a second option.

26. Summerhill Place Footpath:

This foot path was approved at the 3 March Orakei Local Board meeting. This will be delivered by the traffic operations team, a timeline for this is unavailable at the time of writing this report.

27. Waitara Road Turning Circle:

The ROC for this is currently still being assessed.

28. Stonefields Pedestrain Bridges over Medain Planting:

This project was approved by the Orakei Local Board at the 3 March meeting, it is now being programmed into an implementation schedule.

Implementation Issues

AT Ref #	TPL Ref #	Issue	Discussion	Action
AT2012/007954	9.8	Suggestions for new Pedestrian Crossing layouts in Ellerslie Town Centre	Auckland Council Urban Design staff have suggested options for improving pedestrian crossings in this town centre.	This project currently sits under the Corridor Management Plan package of works. It will progress when these packages have been signed off.
	9.99	Shore Road Median Strip	A number of safety concerns have been raised about Shore Road, particularly in the area near Bloodworth Park and the Shore Road Reserve.	This project is on the programme, however, it is unlikely to be delivered until 2016/2017 financial year. If the board would like to have this refuge delivered before then, the board could consider prioritising this as a Transport Capital Fund project. Auckland Transport are looking to provide a pedestrian link from the new walk way across Shore Road, by the entrance to Martyn Wilson Reserve.
N/A	N/A	Stonefields Parking	It has been reported that the high density housing units that are currently being built, only have one car park for each three bedroom unit and there are no parking bays on the streets. Many of the new units are used as rental properties and have multiple vehicles at each residence. This is resulting in the streets having cars parked down both sides, some partly on the berms and reducing the road width (at times) to one lane only.	This issue was discussed at the May, Orakei Local Board Meeting. Auckland Transport was asked to comment on a memo from Auckland Council. Auckland Transport has provided comment and has asked for this matter to be removed from the ‘Issues Register’. At the July Orakei Local Board meeting members requested that this item remain on the register. A meeting with Auckland Transport and the Stonfields Residents association is scheduled for 26 March. Preliminary discussions have been held with the parking team and they are happy to support where they can.
N/A	9.98	‘The Landing’ Entrance	The Orakei Local Board has raised the issue of safety around the entrance to ‘The Landing’.	Auckland Transports Community Transport Team have committed to completing an investigation of this area and developing proposals to separate the footpath and cycleway and to modify the entrance to the Landing . The landing is a project that will be handed over from the Harbour Edge Development team. Currently this project is has not progressed.
CAS-53331-Q7N6T6		Broken Yellow Lines St Johns Road and Gowing Drive	Broken yellow lines have been installed around the St Johns Road and Gowing Drive intersection. A Board member has requested that they be extended further, because cars are still allowed to park on St Johns Road at the top of the T-intersection with Gowing Drive, creating very tight turn, with little room between traffic turning right from St Johns Road onto Gowing Drive and traffic continuing on St Johns Road towards College Road.	This is currently in investigation design and will be implemented by end of March 2014.
N/A		Support Orakei Local Board urban design initiatives	Auckland Transport will work with Auckland Council’s Urban Design Team on the following issues: 1. Creating a boulevard effect by planting further oak trees on the north side of Remuera Rd around the Victoria Ave shops; and 2. Issues relating to the Village Green project in respect of aspects where Auckland Transport has a role.	Auckland Transport continues to work with Auckland Council to support development of the Village Green plan on an as required basis.

Notes:

N/A – A Customer Service Reference Number is not applicable to this item because either it was handled directly by the EMRM or it is a legacy issue or the request was for information that was outside the boundaries of a service request.

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report.

Signatories

Authors	Melanie Dale, Elected Member Relationship Manager, Auckland Transport
Authorisers	Jonathan Anyon, Elected Member Relationship Team Manager, Auckland Transport

Orākei Local Board

03 April 2014

Auckland Transport Quarterly Update to Local Boards

File No.: CP2014/05819

Executive Summary

1. The purpose of this report is to inform Boards about progress on activities undertaken by 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 Orākei Local Board:

a) Receives the Auckland Transport Quarterly Report.

Discussion

Main activities during the period under review

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 the facility.

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 Stages 6 & 8.

9. North Area Bus Improvement Progrogramme – 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 projects 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. Engagement with stakeholders and preparation of design documentation is progressing.

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 Hobsonvillle 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 April 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 projects 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 and 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 on18 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.

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

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

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.

58. 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

59. 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.

60. Seismic Screening Programme

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

61. 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

62. 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 for 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

63. 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

64. 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 December. 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.

65. 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.

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.

66. 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.

67. 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 three 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, approximately 11000 square metres of Jervois Road, between Ponsonby Road and Clarence Street were resurfaced over Labour Weekend.

Spring growth has made berm mowing an area of focus for the Central team.

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 negotiations which were driven by the Central AT Team have opened the way for ATs footpath contractors to upgrade footpaths and install UFB simultaneously.

68. 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, 7.5 kms were completed in November

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

69. North

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 1.5 kms 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%.

70. 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

71. 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.

72. Route Optimisation

Stage 1 Investigation and traffic signal optimistaion 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.

73. 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

74. 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.

75. 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

76. 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.

77. 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.

78. 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.

79. 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.

80. Kaipatiki

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

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

81. Manurewa–Papakura

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

82. 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.

83. 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 (2013/14) ending 31 December 2013 and forward works programme for the third quarter (2013/14) ending 31 March 2014	39
b View	Traffic Control Committee Decisions July-September 2013	61
c View	Local Board Advocacy Report	63
d View	Local Board Transport Capital Fund Report	67

Signatories

Authors	Various Auckland Transport authors
Authorisers	Jonathan Anyon, Elected Member Relationship Team Manager

Orākei Local Board

03 April 2014

Auckland Council Property Limited Local Board Six-Monthly Update 1 July to 31 December 2013

File No.: CP2014/05841

Purpose

1. The purpose of this report is to update the Orakei Local Board of the activities of Auckland Council Property Limited (ACPL) for the six months 1 July to 31 December 2013.

Executive Summary

2. ACPL’s goal is to be recognised as a “centre of excellence” that brings commercial expertise and provides value for money to Auckland Council across a discrete property portfolio valued at approximately $1 billion. ACPL provides commercial expertise in property management, the buying, selling of properties and by and strategically developing council assets. As a substantive CCO with a commercial focus ACPL provides crucial support to a council organisation that efficiently and effectively achieves social, economic, cultural and environmental outcomes for Auckland.

3. In order to achieve our goal and meet the expectations of the Mayor and the council, ACPL will work towards seven key outcomes over the next three years. These are:

· Properties managed for the council and Auckland Transport (AT) are fit for purpose and net returns optimised.

· Place-shaping partnerships are effectively planned and managed to project completion and in accordance with Auckland Plan objectives.

· ACPL identifies housing opportunities and collaborates with partners to deliver exemplar housing developments, particularly in the more affordable spectrum of the market.

· Council business interests are managed to protect long term value and achieve budgeted net return.

· Property acquisitions are undertaken in a commercially robust manner and in accordance with the council and AT agreed requirements and relevant legislation.

· Council and AT property disposals are undertaken in a commercially robust manner.

· The council is provided with a commercial perspective on planning and development initiatives to support effective implementation of those initiatives.

4. A summary of ACPL activities specific to the Orakei Local Board is outlined in the Discussion section of this report with supporting detail included in Attachments B, C, and D.

Recommendation/s

That the Orākei Local Board:

a) Accepts the Auckland Council Property Limited Local Board Six-Monthly Update Report 1 July to 31 December 2013.

Discussion

Principles for working together

5. ACPL’s Local Board Engagement Plan (LBEP) states that a successful working relationship between local boards and ACPL is founded on the following high-level principles which will guide our engagement with the local boards:

· a shared understanding of and mutual respect for the roles, responsibilities and decision-making authority of local boards, the governing body and ACPL;

· transparent and timely communication with no surprises;

· understanding and acknowledgment of shared responsibilities between the parties;

· a commitment to a timely response to and resolution of issues raised by local board members;

· a commitment to early inclusion in the planning and decision making process where issues have a specific relevance to a Local Board;

· a commitment to flexibility in terms of engagement, recognising differing levels of interest and local relevance across the Auckland region.

6. ACPL’s commitment to the local boards is outlined in detail in our LBEP, which is attached as Attachment A for reference.

Workshops and Meetings

7. A schedule of Orakei Local Board workshops and meetings attended by ACPL representatives from July to December 2013 is attached as Attachment B. The list includes property specific meetings and workshops relating to general property management and the ongoing portfolio Rationalisation Process.

Property Portfolio Management

8. ACPL manages all non-service properties. These are properties not immediately required for service delivery or infrastructure development that are owned by Auckland Council or Auckland Transport. The current property portfolio includes industrial sites and buildings, retail tenancies, cafés, restaurants, offices and a substantial portfolio of residential properties. ACPL’s improved property knowledge and understanding has enabled it to optimise revenue streams and identify future opportunities.

9. The property portfolio has continued to grow during the last six-months and now totals 1095 properties. Rent arrears and vacancies were effectively managed throughout the period. During Q1 the average monthly collectable arrears rate and vacancies rate were respectively 1.35% and 2.93%. ACPL’s return on the property portfolio for the quarter ending 30 September 2013 provides the shareholder a net surplus above YTD budget of $2m.

10. Property portfolio information detailing current ACPL managed commercial and residential property within the Orakei Local Board area is attached at Attachment C of this report. The report includes each property’s classification or reason for retention along with additional notes to identify the nature of the property, such as a café within a library, or a residential property with tenancy in place. It has also been updated to show properties for which council directs that the operating budget and lease revenue will be included in local board budgets from July 2014.

11. A report indicating portfolio movement in the local board area is attached as Attachment D. The report details all new acquisitions including the reason for acquisition, any transfers and the reason for transfer, and any disposals.

Portfolio Review and Rationalisation

12. ACPL is required to undertake ongoing rationalisation of the council’s non-service assets. This includes identifying properties from within council’s portfolio that may be suitable for potential sale and development if appropriate. ACPL has a particular focus on achieving housing outcomes. Identifying potential sale properties contributes to Auckland Plan outcomes by providing the council with an efficient use of capital and prioritisation of funds to achieve its activities and projects. ACPL and Auckland Council’s Property Department work collaboratively on a comprehensive review process to identify such properties.

13. Once identified as a potential sale candidate a property is taken through a multi-stage Rationalisation Process. The agreed process includes engagement with; council, CCOs, local board and mana whenua. This is followed by ACPL Board approval, engagement with local ward and the Independent Maori Statutory Board and finally a governing body decision. A detailed process flowchart is provided as Attachment E.

14. Council is budgeting to receive proceeds from the sale of surplus properties of $80 million in 2012/2013 and $58 million in 2013/2014. The financial implication of not achieving these budgets would be higher debt and therefore higher interest costs compared to budget.

15. Properties currently under review for future use opportunities via the Rationalisation Process in the Orakei Local Board area are listed below. The list includes any properties that may have recently been approved for sale or development and sale by the governing body. Further details are included in Attachment C.

PROPERTY	DETAILS
84 & 100 Morrin Road, St Johns 2-20 Stonefields Avenue, Stonefields	Council has agreed to explore the sale of these properties to assist in offsetting with the cost of acquiring Colin Maiden Park. ACPL is working with Council officers to plan the disposal process. This includes definition of the land to be retained as park around the volcanic cone remnant known as Purchas Hill.
Donnelly Street/Waiatarua Strip	Council has agreed to explore the sale of this property to assist in offsetting the cost of acquiring Colin Maiden Park. ACPL is working with Council staff to establish the various matters to be addressed to allow a sale to take place.
78 Merton Road, St John’s	Council has agreed to explore the sale of this property to assist with the cost of acquiring Colin Maiden Park. ACPL is working with Council officers to address the statutory processes that need to be followed to consider uplifting Reserve status for the land in advance of any sale process.

Place Shaping and Housing Initiatives

16. ACPL is contributing commercial input into around 40 council-driven place-shaping and housing initiatives region wide. Involvement extends from provision of initial feasibility advice through to implementation, with projects ranging in size from $400k to in excess of $100million.

17. A high level update on place-shaping and housing initiative activities in the Orakei area is outlined in points below.

St Heliers Library and TESA Hall: ACPL and Strategic Planning & Partnerships are working with the local board on plans for development of council land and the library building. Initial plans were reviewed by the local board and a revised brief submitted.

The revised brief has been confirmed and has been circulated to the project team. The team reconvened in January and have reviewed all work previously done and established the parameters to work by going forward. A strategy involving input from Council, community and professionals has been agreed. The project team looks forward to presenting its findings to the Board.

Acquisitions

18. ACPL continues to support Council and Auckland Transport programmes and projects by negotiating required property acquisitions. All such acquisitions are funded through approved Council or Auckland Transport budgets. We also provide advice to assist with budgets, business cases and strategy to support an acquisition.

19. A total of 54 property purchases to the value of $8.9m were completed during Q1. The number of acquisitions under active negotiations at the end of Q1 was 300 (253 AT and 47 AC).

20. Recent council acquisitions have included;

- meeting open space requirements, particularly for subdivisions

- City Transformation projects

- Heritage projects

- Storm water projects.

21. Current acquisitions programmes for AT include;

- AMETI (Auckland Manukau Eastern Tamaki Initiative)

- CRL (City Rail Link)

- Te Atatu Road, Te Atatu road widening

- Dominion Road, Mt Eden road widening.

22. All properties were purchased within the valuation threshold agreed with Auckland Council and Auckland Transport.

23. Due to commercial sensitivities any Orakei Local Board specific acquisitions detail will be provided direct to the local board by the Auckland Council or AT project owner.

Business Interests

24. A high level update on council business interests managed by ACPL is available on pages 11 and 12 of Attachment B. There are currently no ACPL managed business interests located in the Orakei Local Board area.

Consideration

Local Board Views

25. This report is for the Orakei Local Board’s information and seeks the views of the Local Board.

Maori Impact Statement

26. During the past six months ACPL has further developed our Maori engagement initiatives. Our enhanced process engages with the 19 key mana whenua groups in the Tamaki region on three fronts: identifying cultural significance concerns regarding disposal properties, flagging commercial interests and development partnering discussions. ACPL also engages with relevant mana whenua in respect of development outcomes for ACPL lead projects. ACPL has additionally undertaken to be part of council’s Maori Responsiveness Plan pilot programme. The project’s key output will be an operational document outlining how ACPL will contribute to council’s strategic and operational commitments to Maori. The Current State Assessment phase of this project has been completed and we are now in the Improvement Planning phase. ACPL will advise the Orakei Local Board as appropriate of any specific discussions that arise in the local board’s area.

General

27. This report is intended to help ACPL meet its statutory obligations under the Local Government Act 2002. The relevant sections of the Local Government Act 2002 are noted below for information.

28. As provided in section 59(1) of the Local Government Act 2002, the principal objective of a CCO is to:

a. achieve the objectives of its shareholders, both commercial and non-commercial, as specified in the statement of intent; and

b. be a good employer; and

c. exhibit a sense of social and environmental responsibility by having regard to the interests of the community in which it operates and by endeavoring to accommodate or encourage these when able to do so; and

d. the CCO is a council-controlled trading organisation, conduct its affairs in accordance with sound business practice.

29. As provided in clause 1 of Schedule 8 of the Local Government Act 2002, the purpose of the SOI is to:

· state publicly the activities and intentions of a CCO for the year and the objectives to which those activities will contribute;

· provide an opportunity for shareholders to influence the direction of the organisation; and

· provide a basis for the accountability of the directors to their shareholders for the performance of the organisation.

Implementation Issues

30. There are no implementation issues.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	ACPL DRAFT Local Board Engagement Plan	75
b View	Schedule of Meetings and Workshops	91
c View	Properties Managed by ACPL in the Local Board area	93
d View	Property movement in the Local Board area	95
e View	Rationalisation Process Flowchart	97

Signatories

Author	Caitlin Borgfeldt - Local Board Liaison
Authoriser	David Rankin - Chief Executive

Orākei Local Board

03 April 2014

Local board input into the council-controlled organisations current state assessment

File No.: CP2014/05773

Purpose

1. This report seeks input from the local board into the first phase of the council controlled organisations review: the current state assessment.

Executive Summary

2. Auckland Council is undertaking a review of its seven substantive council controlled organisations (CCOs).

3. The first step of this review consists of an assessment of the current state. Auckland Council has prepared a preliminary assessment reviewing the experience of the council and its CCOs over the last three years from a council perspective, along with a discussion document to guide input.

4. Local boards are invited to provide their input based on the discussion document. Feedback will be reported back to the governing body and will inform the first phase of the CCO review: the current state assessment as well as subsequent phases of the review.

Recommendation/s

That the Orākei Local Board:

a) Delegates to member/s to provide the Board’s input into the council controlled organisations review by 30 April 2014.

Discussion

5. Auckland Council is undertaking a review of its substantive council controlled organisations (CCOs): Auckland Transport, Auckland Council Property Ltd, Auckland Council Investments Ltd, Auckland Waterfront Development Agency, Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development, Regional Facilities Auckland, and Waterfront Services Ltd.

6. The review aims to determine whether there is a need to change the scope of activities and functions within any CCO, the structures that the CCOs operate within, or any accountability mechanisms between the CCOs and Auckland Council.

7. Governing body members, local board chairs, the CCOs and the Independent Māori Statutory Board were all given the opportunity to provide feedback into the draft Terms of Reference. Common themes amongst the feedback received included:

· the need to reduce duplication between Auckland Council and CCO activities

· views as to where responsibility should lie for strategy/policy development

· questions around effectiveness where an activity is split between Auckland Council and one or more CCO

· the need to assess the impact of change on outcomes and delivery

· the need for effective communication and collaboration across organizations

· the need to achieve constructive and positive engagement with Aucklanders.

8. The feedback contributed to the development of the Terms of Reference. The final version was adopted by the governing body on 27 February 2014. It is presented in Attachment A.

9. The Terms of Reference specify the objectives of the review of CCOs as follows:

i. To ensure the governance structures and accountability mechanisms:

a. Facilitate appropriate alignment of the CCO operations with the Auckland Plan and other council strategies and policies

b. Provide an effective and efficient model of service delivery for Auckland Council and Aucklanders

c. Provide a sufficient level of political oversight and public accountability.

ii. In addition the review will seek to:

a. Provide clarity of role and responsibilities e.g. development of strategies, prioritisation of work programmes

b. Eliminate duplication and gaps between the Auckland Council group organisations

c. Identify any opportunities for better integration of activities and functions.

10. The intention is to complete the review and be ready to implement agreed outcomes by 30 June 2015, which aligns the CCO review with the Long Term Plan process. This timeline is extended from what was initially proposed to allow for full participation and feedback at the appropriate points of the process.

Current state assessment: preliminary findings

11. The first step of the CCO review consists of an assessment of the current state. Auckland Council has prepared a report reviewing the experience of the council and its CCOs over the last three years from a council perspective.

12. The report, entitled “Auckland Council CCO Review, Current State Assessment (Council Perspective)”, is presented in Attachment B. It is referred to as the CSA in the rest of this report. The CSA is based on interviews with governing body members and input from Auckland Council staff.

13. Key preliminary findings in the CSA are as follows:

· CCOs were seen to deliver well for Auckland, and significant progress has been made over the last three years.

· Some governing body members are considering fine tuning the model while others expect more significant change.

· Views differ about the relative role of the council and its CCOs in developing mid-level strategies – i.e. strategies that bridge the gap between the Auckland Plan and implementation plans.

· The majority view is that the formal accountability framework between the council and its CCOs needs to be simplified and streamlined, with more rigorous debate when priorities are being communicated through the letter of expectations.

· Informal accountability and communication is seen just as important as the formal accountability framework.

· Feedback was received on the importance of integration within the council group for effective operation, and of a strong culture of collaboration, as well as other integration mechanisms.

14. The CCOs have prepared a report to reflect their own perspective, with support from PricewaterhouseCooper (PWC) and informed by interviews with CCO board members and staff of each of the seven CCOs. The CCO perspective was sought in recognition that the experience of the CCOs is different from that of council, and to utilise the considerable skills and experience within the CCOs to help inform the review.

15. The intention is to augment the current state assessment with input from local boards.

Local board feedback into Auckland Council’s discussion document

16. CCOs, as delivery agents of Auckland Council, have the potential to have a significant impact on positive outcomes for Auckland residents, ratepayers, and visitors. Local boards have an interest in the extent to which CCOs can contribute to their priorities, in projects being undertaken in their area, and in being kept up-to-date on wider regional projects. While the CCOs are accountable to the governing body as shareholder, they also have relationships with local boards who share decision-making responsibilities of the Auckland Council with the governing body.

17. Local boards’ views on the CCO current state will enrich the council perspective and local boards are invited to provide feedback based on the discussion document prepared by Auckland Council. The discussion document, entitled “Auckland Council CCOs, Current State, Council Perspective: Discussion and Questions for Local Boards” provide a series of questions addressed to local boards. It is presented in Attachment C.

18. The local boards are encouraged to:

· reflect on their experience working with the CCOs over the last three years

· reflect on what worked well and what can be improved

· provide feedback on the issues and opportunities that the CCO review may address.

19. In providing their feedback, local board members are invited to base their comments on experience and to provide examples to illustrate the local board’s views.

20. Local board input will inform the analysis of CCOs and related activities and functions as part of the first phase of the CCO review: the current state assessment as well as informing subsequent phases of the review.

Consideration

Local Board Views

21. This report seeks the views of the local board, which will inform the CCO review.

Maori Impact Statement

22. The Independent Māori Statutory Board and Te Waka Angamua will be involved at several points in the process of reviewing the CCOs. They have inputted in the development of the Terms of Reference and have been asked to provide comments on the discussion document.

23. Consultation with Māori, including mana whenua, mataawaka and iwi, would form part of any public consultation, should this occur during the third phase of the review.

Implementation Issues

24. There are no implementation issues at this stage of the CCO review.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	Review of Auckland Council CCOs: Terms of Reference	103
b View	Auckland Council CCO Review, Current State Assessment (Council perspective)	109
c View	Auckland Council CCOs, Current State, Council Perspective: Discussion and Questions for Local Boards	125

Signatories

Authors

Carole Canler – Advisor, Local Board Services

Anna Bray - Policy and Planning Manager, Local Board Services

Authoriser

Karen Lyons – Manager, Local Board Services

Chairperson	Desley Simpson, JP
Deputy Chairperson	Mark Thomas
Members	Ken Baguley
	Troy Churton
	Kate Cooke
	Colin Davis, JP
	Kit Parkinson

No.	Title	Page
a View	Board Member Churton - April 2014	153
b View	Board Member Cooke - April 2014	165
c View	Board Member Davis - April 2014	167
d View	Board Member Thomas - April 2014	193

Authors	Anna Bray, Policy and Planning Manager Local Board Services
Authorisers	Karen Lyons, Manager Local Board Services

Author	Michael Mendoza - Democracy Advisor
Authoriser	Adam Milina - Acting Relationship Manager - Albert-Eden & Orakei Local Boards

Author	Chiana Sherwood - Relationship Manager PA / Office Manager
Authoriser	Adam Milina - Acting Relationship Manager - Albert-Eden & Orakei Local Boards