Agenda of Franklin Local Board

Franklin Local Board

02 August 2016

Approval of 2016/2017 local environment and local development work programme

File No.: CP2016/14484

Purpose

1. To approve the 2016/2017 local environment (totalling $81,000) and development work programme (totalling $1,221,000).

Executive summary

2. The Franklin Local Board (the board) has identified aspirations in their local board plan to achieve ‘a cherished natural environment’ and ‘excellent transport connections and infrastructure’.

3. The board allocated $72,000 in its 2016/2017 locally driven initiatives (LDI) budget to support environmental projects as noted below;

· $8,000 for Manukau Harbour Forum;

· $6,000 for water quality monitoring;

· $20,000 for pest control projects; and

· $38,000 for waterways projects.

4. At a workshop in May 2016, funding in the environment activity area was reduced from $84,000 to $72,000. This reflected revised costs for supporting the Manukau Harbour Forum, and to undertake water quality monitoring. The $12,000 was added to the board’s community response fund. This report recommends allocating $9,000 from the community response fund to the local environment work programme to undertake weed control on reserves.

5. In addition, a total of $27,000 of unspent opex in the board’s 2015/2016 waterways budget has been carried forward to the 2016/2017 financial year.

6. The board also has an asset based project of $1,221,000 to fund the upgrade of Manukau Road, Pukekohe to support the board’s development work programme.

7. This report recommends that the board approve this local environment and development work programme and associated budgets for 2016/2017.

Recommendations

That the Franklin Local Board:

a) approves the allocation of $9,000 from its community response fund to the environment activity area.

b) approves, the following 2016/2017 local environment work programme:

Project	Budget
Manukau Harbour Forum	$8,000
Water quality monitoring - Waiuku	$6,000
Weed control on high value reserves	$24,000
Hornwort signage	$5,000
Wairoa River Action Plan	$3,000
Wai Care	$15,000
Local waterways protection fund	$20,000
Total budget	$81,000

c) approves the funding of $1,221,000 to support the upgrade of Manukau Road, Pukekohe as part of the 2016/2017 local development work programme.

Comments

8. The local board plan includes an outcome to achieve a ‘cherished natural environment’. To deliver on this outcome, the board has allocated $72,000 of its LDI budget to support the delivery of a local environment work programme.

9. In line with the outcome of excellent transport connections and infrastructure, the board also has an asset based budget of $1,221,000 available to support the upgrade of Manukau Road, Pukekohe.

10. Staff met with the board in May and June 2016 to develop a draft work programme. At the May workshop, funding for environmental projects was reduced reflecting revised costs for the Manukau Harbour Forum, and water quality monitoring. This report recommends that funding is allocated from the community response fund to undertake weed control on reserves.

11. It is proposed that eight projects be delivered as part of the 2016/2017 work programme as detailed in Attachment A. A brief description of these projects is provided below.

Manukau Harbour Forum ($8,000)

12. The board is one of nine boards who make up the Manukau Harbour Forum. In line with the board’s key initiative to continue support for the forum, the board endorsed year 3 of the forum’s work programme, including noting a funding requirement of $8,000 at its meeting in March 2016 (resolution number FR/2016/49). This funding will be from the board’s Manukau Harbour Forum budget line.

13. Year 3 of the forum’s work programme is focussed on increasing public awareness of the forum and the Manukau Harbour by continuing the external communications work through regular newsletters and attendance at events, a second symposium, and a flagship sites programme. Similar to 2015/2016, it is planned to attend up to six events over the summer, and to host up to four flagship sites events.

14. This report asks the board to note the above as an integral part of its local environment work programme.

Water quality monitoring ($6,000)

15. The board has funded a site in the Waiuku estuary to be included in the regional state of the environment monitoring programme for the past three financial years. The inclusion of this site means a total of eight sites around the Manukau Harbour are monitored for saline water quality as part of the state of the environment monitoring. This is in addition to the water quality monitoring undertaken at bathing beaches as part of the Safe Swim programme.

16. Monitoring of this site should continue until at least the 2017/2018 financial year as five years of data will allow for a better understanding of any trends, and better targeted action to improve those trends.

17. Monitoring is undertaken monthly, with updates to the board planned for every six months.

Hornwort in Wairoa River ($5,000)

18. In May 2015, hornwort (ceratophyllum demersum) was found in the Wairoa River. Hornwort has the ability to form large bio-mass potentially blocking and restricting waterways, and disestablishing native flora and fauna. It also has the potential to cause flooding.

19. A survey of the river and its tributaries to determine the infestation (funded by the board) was undertaken in early 2016. Peer review and assessment of the management options had not yet been completed at the time of writing this report.

20. This report recommends a small budget for signage to advise users of the river on how they can prevent the spread of hornwort in the Wairoa, and to other waterways in Auckland. Any signage would be installed prior summer when recreational use of the river is at its peak.

Weed control on high priority reserves ($24,000)

21. The board endorsed the Ecological survey and prioritisation of biodiversity management on local parks within the Franklin local board area report at its meeting in February 2016 (resolution number FR/2016/9). The ecological prioritisation report identified 30 high priority sites for biodiversity management, and broadly suggested relevant action for each site.

22. Undertaking strategic weed control on these reserves supports the vision expressed in the local board plan of a weed free environment through an initial focus on council-owned and managed land. It will also help ensure that native forests are flourishing.

23. Biodiversity management plans will extend the specifics and scope of the identified management needs, outline the associated costs of the required actions, and provide guidance as to the best timing and methodologies. Where the previously identified actions do not require further assessment, (ie the need for immediate weed control), these will be undertaken without waiting for the plan. Individual project plans for each reserve are appended to this report as Attachment B.

24. Biodiversity management plans will be completed in the first half of the financial year, with any works being undertaken in the second half of the year to coincide with the planting season (or as recommended in the plans). Additional funding will be required for the implementation of the plans.

25. Option A: Allocated an additional $9,000 from the community response fund, (total funding of $24,000), to support the development of detailed, site-specific biodiversity management plans for three high priority sites;

· Hunua Domain Recreation Reserve (corner Whites and Falls Road, Hunua);

· Henry’s Bush, Patumahoe; and

· Matakawau Recreational and Plantation Reserve.

26. Option B: retain existing budget of $15,000 to develop detailed, site-specific biodiversity management plans for two high priority areas;

· Hunua Domain Recreation Reserve (corner Whites and Falls Roads, Hunua); and

· Henrys Bush Patumahoe.

Wairoa River Action Plan ($3,000 + $27,000 carry forward)

27. As part of its 2015/2016 environment work programme, the board approved funding of $27,000 to support the development of an action plan for the Wairoa river, and a coordinator to oversee implementation of that plan (resolution number FR/2015/140). The proposed action plan aligns with the key initiative in the local board plan to ‘initiate work to better manage, improve and enhance the Wairoa River’.

28. The action plan will enable coordinated and joined up actions to improve the water quality in the river, and identify opportunities for the community and landowners to undertake restoration activity.

29. In December 2015, the project was put on hold to enable consultation with Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki (resolution number FR/2015/217), with $27,000 of funding carried forward from 2015/2016. Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki have since indicated general support for the development of an action plan, and a willingness to be further involved. An additional $3,000 funding in 2016/2017 will fund any costs arising from iwi engagement as part of this project.

30. The initial focus of this project will be developing the action plan through a proposed steering group. Subject to procurement of a suitable project manager, this is likely to occur in the first half of the 2016/2017 financial year.

Wai Care ($15,000)

31. Regional funding supports a dedicated Wai Care coordinator works with local schools and community groups in the Franklin area to engage them in caring for local streams and waterways. This includes education sessions in local schools, and regular monitoring of water quality.

32. Local funding of $15,000 will support restoration work along streams monitored by local schools. Funding previously made available through regional budgets and the parks work programme is no longer available. This project aligns with the key initiative in the local board plan ‘to improve water quality and ensure our waterways and harbours are healthy and accessible.

33. The proposed funding would support planting and associated maintenance at the following locations as part of the Wai Care programme;

Location	School	Activity
Whangapouri Stream (Kayes Reserve)	Pukekohe North	A total of 60 year 5 and 6 students to undertake native planting and associated maintenance of the stream. This stream is largely unplanted. Site preparation (weed control) will be undertaken by external contractors.
Whangapouri Stream (Colin Lawrie Fields)	Pukekohe East	A total of 180 year 3 to 8 students to undertake native planting and associated maintenance of the stream. This stream is largely unplanted in the reserve. Site preparation (weed control) will be undertaken by external contractors. The school has taken ownership of the stream over the past four years since they have been participating in the Wai Care programme.
Clevedon Scenic Reserve	Clevedon	Planting will be undertaken by up to 200 year 5 to 8 students. This funding will support site maintenance.

Table 1: Wai Care restoration sites

Other options for waterways

34. The draft work programme presented to the board at a workshop in May 2016 suggested a project to support waterways improvement by planting at Tamakae Reserve. The budget for this project was $20,000. Since the May workshop, staff have reviewed the management plan for this reserve. As many of the proposed management actions are creating structures they require capital budgets. In addition, it is unlikely that planting at the reserve will result in measurable improvement to water quality in the Waiuku estuary.

35. At a workshop in June 2016, the board indicated support for establishing a local water waterways protection fund to support farmers and growers in a non-priority catchment to fence and plant their streams. This scheme would align the board’s priority to improve the water quality of local streams.

36. The existing regional waterways protection fund is focused on priority catchments (Hoteo, Mahurangi, and Papakura). The board has received applications from individual landowners for fencing and planting along streams. Rather than consider these applications in isolation, it is recommended that funding be granted to establish a local waterways fund specific to a particular stream – Whangapouri or Whangamaire.

37. The fund could provide a grant of up to 50 per cent of costs associated with fencing and planting. The fund would open in November 2016, and following assessment of applications, the board will decide applications in February or March 2017. Guidelines developed for the regional waterways protection fund are appended as Attachment C. The board can adopt these guidelines for its local fund, or make amendments where considered necessary.

38. The board will be able to develop the guidelines further through workshop. The fund would need to be within the scope of the Community Funding Policy. In particular, the policy only allows grants to individuals if payment is reimbursed (i.e. not paid upfront).

Manukau Road, Pukekohe upgrade project ($1.2 million)

39. The aim of this project is to upgrade the streetscape environment to improve public pedestrian amenity between the future public transport and Pukekohe town centre. Upgraded and widened footpaths, new street tree plantings, street lights, and furniture will enhance the pedestrian experience and improve the visual amenity of the roadway.

40. Design work for the upgrade of Manukau Road, Pukekohe will be completed in July 2016. The design was workshopped with the board in June 2016, and subject to the board’s approval, implementation of the detailed design will commence in early 2017.

41. A budget of just over $1.2 million is available for this project.

Assessment of other options considered

42. The projects presented above are the recommended projects for delivery as the board’s 2016/2017 work programme. Table 2 below outlines the additional options the board could consider for funding, and the reasons the projects are not recommended. This table includes options presented to the board workshop in May 2016.

Project	Reason for not including in work programme
Friends of Kitchener Reserve	The board preferred a more holistic approach to addressing water quality issues, noting that the Waiuku Waterfront Reserve Committee had expressed plans for this area. Recommended funding was re-directed towards a proposed project on the Tamakae Reserve (Waiuku estuary area) noted below.
Tamakae Reserve	At the May 2016 workshop, it was recommended that funding for this project be increased to $20,000. Since then, staff have reviewed options for this budget in consultation with community facilities staff. Projects included in the Waiuku Reserves Management Plan are projects, such as walkways and new structures, that are best funded through capex budgets, not the $20,000 of available opex. There is the potential to undertake some planting work, or a small industry pollution prevention programme. However, neither will make a measurable improvement to water quality in the estuary.
Funding for restoration work on Māori land at Waiuku	Ngāti te Ata have approached council seeking support to undertake restoration work on their property at Awhitu Road, Waiuku. This restoration work would see the removal of weeds (particularly gorse) and associated restoration planting to restore a wetland adjacent to a creek feeding the Waiuku estuary. At the workshop in June 2016, it was noted that Ngāti te Ata could apply to the board’s grants programme for this work.
Seaweek funding	As a regionwide initiative, Seaweek should seek funding through the Regional Environment and Natural Heritage Fund.

Table 2: Assessment of alternative options

Consideration

Local board views and implications

43. The projects noted support the board’s work to achieve the priorities of ‘cherished natural environment’ and ‘excellent transport connections and infrastructure’.

44. The draft environment and development work programme was discussed with the board at a workshop in May 2016. Questions as to the location of Wai Care restoration sites, and the prioritisation of planning over actual weed control at the three reserves, are addressed in the detailed commentary above. The proposed Kitchener Reserve project was rejected by the board at this workshop.

45. The board indicated support for a local waterways protection fund at a workshop in June 2016.

Māori impact statement

46. This report provides information for environment and development projects. It is recognised that environmental management, water quality, and land management has integral links with the mauri of the environments, and concepts of katiakitanga.

47. Some of the identified activities are of interest to Māori and, where appropriate, provisions for mana whenua and mataawaka participation, contribution, and consultation will be incorporated. Table 3 below highlights how each project in the board’s work programme is expected to contribute to Māori outcomes, or which requires consultation and engagement.

Project	Māori outcome assessment
Manukau Harbour Forum	The Manukau Harbour Forum hosts up to three hui per year with mana whenua to receive feedback on its work programme. Through previous council consultations, mana whenua have emphasised the need for work to improve the health of the Manukau Harbour. Mana whenua will be asked to participate in the development of the next three year work programme, subject to reconstitution of the forum after the 2016 local elections.
Waiuku water quality monitoring	No consultation with Māori is required for this project. It is noted that iwi are interested in water quality in the Manukau, and as such, information from this monitoring can be provided to iwi.
Hornwort	The Wairoa river is significant to local iwi. Feedback from iwi will be sought on the design and content of the signage.
Wairoa River Action Plan	A representative of Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki has indicated general support for, and a willingness to participate in, the development of the action plan. The iwi will advise how it wishes to participate when the project commences, which may be through participating in the steering group.
Wai Care	No specific consultation with Māori on the Wai Care projects has been undertaken. However, iwi have indicated support for projects designed to improve water quality as noted in the local board plan.

Table 3: Maori outcome assessment

Implementation

48. There are no other implementation issues arising from this report. Regular reporting on the work programme will be through the Infrastructure and Environmental Services’ contribution to the board’s quarterly performance report.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	2016/2017 draft Franklin local environment and local development work programme	15
b View	Project outlines for work on high value reserves	17
c View	Guidelines for 2015 regional waterways protection fund	21

Signatories

Authors

Emma Joyce - Relationship Advisor

Authorisers

Barry Potter - Director Infrastructure and Environmental Services

Sue O'Gorman - Relationship Manager

Franklin Local Board

02 August 2016

Auckland Transport Update – July 2016

File No.: CP2016/14488

Purpose

1. Providing an update on transport matters for the information of the Franklin Local Board and a register of transport issues in the Franklin Local Board area.

Executive Summary

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

3. In particular, this report provides information on:

a) the Franklin Local Board’s transport capital fund

b) Pukekohe station update

c) Pukekohe shuttle patronage statistics

d) mobility parking provision

e) Quarterly Report material for the Franklin Local Board

f) Government nationwide road safety programme.

Recommendation/s

a) That the Franklin Local Board notes the updates in the ‘Auckland Transport Update – July 2016’ and the attached issues register from Auckland Transport’s Elected Member Relationship Manager (South).

b) That the Franklin Local Board approves that project #466 Pedestrian advisory signage, Pukekohe town centre, be extended to further include the installation of signage at the two informal crossings on King Street either side of the Edinburgh Street roundabout, to be funded from the Local Board Transport Capital Fund based on a revised firm estimate of $10,000.

Discussion

Franklin Items

A1. Local board transport capital fund (LBTCF)

4. The Franklin Local Board’s funding allocation under the LBTCF is currently $434,966 per annum.

5. The Board’s current LBTCF projects are included in the table below (in which ROC = rough order of costs, and FEC = firm estimate of cost):

ID#

Project Description

Progress/Current Status

083

Pukekohe East Road-Mill Road/Harrisville Road intersection, Bombay/Pukekohe – installation of variable 70 km/h rural intersection activated warning signage (RIAWS)

· FEC estimate of $67,000

· Installation was completed with the signs fully operational on 27-Jun-16.

· As previously advised, any cost overrun above the FEC will be borne by Auckland Transport’s minor road safety improvement budget.

· Final costs to be reported.

074

Third View Avenue, Beachlands – install 300m of new kerb and channel between Sunkist Bay Road and Cherrie Road (both sides)

· FEC estimate from LBCTF of $230,000 (plus SW contribution of $87,000 for total project sum of $317,000)

· Final LBTCF cost of $284,038

· On 15-Apr-14, the Board gave approval to proceed with construction.

· All construction and remedial work is complete.

· Auckland Council’s contribution of $87,000 has been received.

· Final costs from the LBTCF reported as $284,038. The $54k increase is because the original estimate unfortunately did not allow for staff time, and also due to additional costs on the job.

349

Pacific Street new footpath, Waiuku

· Revised ROC of $147,500

· Construction began in Jun-16 and the project is 95% completed.

· Kerb and channel and footpath are finished while topsoiling and grass sowing are expected to be completed by the end of July.

· Final costs are expected to be close to the ROC of $147k.

248

Hunua pedestrian facility

· FEC estimate of $54,000

· Final cost of $49,933

· Construction completed in Apr-16.

· Final costs reported at $49,933.

443

Upgrade of Beachlands town centre gardens

· ROC estimate of $105,000

· The ROC estimate for the upgrade (developed in conjunction with AC Parks) is $105,000.

· On 24-Nov-15, the Board approved the project for detailed design and costing.

· AT is working with the Board’s Strategic Broker who is currently working with the community to programme a workshop to gather their input on the design, hopefully in July.

· A workshop will then be scheduled with the Board to discuss the outcomes from the local consultation and present designs for consideration.

458

Second View Avenue, Beachlands – installation of new kerb and channel between Wakelin and Bell Roads (both sides)

· SW component estimate $42,000

· LBTCF FEC estimate $355,000

· On 24-Nov-15, the Board approved the project for detailed design and costing.

· On 22-Mar-16, the Board approved construction based on the FEC of $355,000 and the design tabled at the meeting.

· Construction has commenced and is expected to be completed by mid to late Sep-16.

459

Kitchener Road angle parking upgrade, Waiuku

· ROC estimate of $106,000

· Final cost of $52,268

· Construction completed.

· Final costs reported at $52,268.

466

Pedestrian advisory signage at ‘informal crossings’, Pukekohe town centre

· FEC estimate of $6,000 for the 3 main crossing points (Edinburgh St at each side of King St, and Hall St at King St intersection)

· Updated FEC of $10,000 to include two new identified sites

· On 28-Jun-16, the Board approved the project for construction.

· The Chairman has raised concern that the two informal crossings on King St either side of Edinburgh St should also be signposted and requested inclusion of a recommendation to extend the project accordingly.

· Revised FEC estimate to include the two further crossing points is $10,000.

479

Waiuku pavers replacement project – Stage 1

· Updated FEC of $241,408

· Final cost of $224,368

· Construction completed.

· Final costs reported at $224,368.

6. The Franklin Local Board’s transport capital fund to date is summarised below.

Franklin Local Board transport capital fund summary:

*Total funding available (across 5 FYs – 2012/12 to 2016/17)*	$2,174,830
Completed projects reporting actual costs (Second View Ave kerb and channel; Patumahoe/Waiuku/Attewell investigation; Pukekohe station overbridge; Ardmore School footpath; Harris St bench; Pukeoware School signs; Waiuku pavers clean/seal upgrade; Third View Ave kerb and channel project x2; Awhitu flag lighting; Tobin St car park lighting; Kaiwaka Rd footpath; Whitford bus interchange; Kitchener Road angle parking upgrade; Hunua pedestrian facility; Waiuku pavers replacement – stage 1)	-$1,442,288
Projects approved for construction based on ROCs or FECs (Mill/Harrisville RIAWS; Pacific St footpath; Second View Ave kerb and channel)	-$568,600
Projects with ROCs approved for detailed design and costing phase (Beachlands town centre gardens)	-$105,000
Project seeking revised construction approval (Pukekohe pedestrian advisory signage at 5 rather than 3 sites)	-$10,000
Funding still available to allocate	$48,942

A2. Pukekohe station update

7. The scope of works for this project is a bus/rail interchange, park and ride, new station overbridge with lifts, renewal of timber platform surfacing and improvements to the Custom Street, Harris Street and Manukau Road intersections. This will cater for the new bus network with bus services exiting Custom Street onto Manukau Road.

8. The project is currently progressing according to programme:

a. The detailed design for the full interchange is being updated following Auckland Transport internal review

b. The detailed design and costing for the bus shelter is being finalised

c. Stage 1 works construction has been tendered. This includes the bus turnaround and the intersection works. The tender has been evaluated and an award made to Intercivil

d. Resource Consents and the Outline Plan of Works have been submitted and are awaiting final approval but these affect stage 2 only

e. Works and design continue to be coordinated with the Pukekohe Town Centre Revitalisation Committee’s Manukau Road upgrade project. Its streetscape project is looking to upgrade surface detail for the Custom Street entrance and this is currently under financial review

f. A blessing ceremony prior to stage 1 construction works beginning was held on 19 July (see item C3 below)

g. A sod turning event is planned for early September 2016

h. Auckland Transport has submitted a proposal to Auckland Council to leave one vehicle entrance (to the staff car park) open on Custom Street and will allow the other public entrance to re-open once the full interchange is in place. This is as per Council’s stipulation and Auckland Transport awaits a favourable response otherwise it may impact construction of Stage 1

i. Auckland Transport is speaking with the owner of 99 Manukau Road regarding the need to remove all non-authorised parking in the road corridor. Further correspondence has been received from the owner regarding previous contact with the former Franklin District Council in 2004. This is currently under review by Auckland Transport planners

j. Land purchases on the corner of Harris and Manukau Roads (for historic encroachment) are still under negotiation. High level agreement for land purchase of 4 Manukau Road and AT is to complete a Resource consent amendment for the reconfiguration of car parking spaces on the owners land. Currently being prepared

k. A procurement plan for stage 2 is being finalised.

9. Construction works are due to commence from 25 July, subject to weather and access permits being approved. The tenderers programme has been prepared to allow the new bus network to commence from 30 October. This programme is tight and regular reviews are required to ensure it is met.

10. Auckland Transport has met with Mana Whenua and Auckland Council’s Public Arts team. Council is planning to allocated $100k towards artwork for the station project, which will be used on the glass canopy for the overbridge. Funding from Council is to be finalised in July and will allow engagement of an Iwi designer.

A3. Pukekohe shuttle patronage statistics

11. Further to last month’s ferry patronage figures, daily average patronage figures for each weekday Pukekohe shuttle service and also each Saturday and Sunday shuttle service between Pukekohe and Papakura, and Papakura and Pukekohe, for the four months from March to June 2016 are included at Attachment A for the Franklin Local Board’s information.

A4. Information on mobility parking provision

12. At the June business meeting, following verbal advice (now written at item 9 on the monthly issues register) that Auckland Transport was unable to support a request for a mobility parking space outside St Joseph’s School in Pukekohe, the Franklin Local Board requested information on Auckland Transport’s policy on the provision of disabled parking as it had noted differences between schools in terms of the provision of on or off street disabled parking.

13. Auckland Transport’s Parking Strategy provides policies regarding consideration and provision of on-street mobility parking. In general, these spaces are considered on a needs basis and only in commercial or mixed use business areas.

14. There is no specific policy that relates to the provision of mobility parking outside schools. The primary reason for this is that all developments, including schools, should provide a set number of mobility parking spaces onsite as required by the Building Act 1991 and the Local Government Act 1974. Onsite parking also provides close access to those people with disabilities. This is particularly important in relation to schools where users can be more vulnerable.

15. The safety of children is a paramount consideration for Auckland Transport outside of schools. Auckland Transport works with many schools across the region as part of the Travelwise programme. Improvements to pick-up and drop-off facilities are considered on-street at locations where such improvements complement the travel plans for an individual school. Therefore, in terms of parking, Auckland Transport focuses on catering for wider parking demand outside the schools.

16. In general it is recommended that schools themselves should provide on-site mobility parking to meet the demand from the parents with disability needs children. It is much safer and more viable option; and results in fair and equitable utilisation of the public resources outside the school.

A5. Requested road stopping, Pukekohe town square

17. At the May business meeting, the Franklin Local Board passed the following resolution:

Resolution number FR/2016/90

b. That the Franklin Local Board requests Auckland Transport initiate a road stopping proposal to formally stop that part of Roulston Street (Hall Street), Pukekohe, comprising the Pukekohe town square to avoid management and maintenance issues which have arisen due to part of the town square being legal road controlled by Auckland Transport and part reserve controlled by Auckland Council and the board is consulted during the road stopping process.

18. Auckland Transport, Auckland Council Parks and Local Board Services staff are in discussions over progressing the Board’s request and potentially scheduling a Board workshop.

General Information Items

B1. Changes to Quarterly Reports to local boards

19. Local boards have been telling Auckland Transport that its regular Quarterly Reports are too long and contain too much regional material. Auckland Transport has therefore decided to trial supplying the material from the Quarterly Report in a different way. The changes detailed below should help to smooth out the information flow to local boards and ensure the material being reported on is presented in as timely a fashion as is practical

20. Instead of a separate quarterly report, the relevant material will be incorporated as an attachment to the local board’s monthly report as follows:

· Information about the activities undertaken by different Auckland Transport departments in the local board area and regionally will be available as an attachment to the monthly report every third month, as will the report on Travelwise School activities

· Transport Control Committee (TCC) resolutions will be supplied on a monthly basis as this will make this material much more timely and relevant

· Local board advocacy initiatives will be reported bi-annually, in October and March each year.

21. In addition to this material, Auckland Transport will circulate the Quarterly Report as prepared for the Governing Body by email to local board chairpersons and transport portfolio leads. This report can be included on local board agendas if requested by the local board chairperson and will cover major regional projects, public transport patronage figures, road maintenance activity and financial performance.

22. The following are attached to this monthly report:

· Attachment B – report from Auckland Transport departments on their activities in the Franklin Local Board area and regionally over the past quarter

· Attachment C – report on Travelwise Schools activities in the Franklin Local Board area

· Attachment D – the TCC report on traffic controls approved in the Franklin Local Board area (which going forward will be a regular monthly attachment).

B2. Learner Licensing workshops

23. As part of its young driver programme for the 2016/17 financial year, Auckland Transport will be running free two-day learner licence workshops for 16-24 year olds at three different venues in the Auckland region each month (excluding December-February). Those three venues are Manukau, Three Kings and Henderson. A flyer for the Manukau venue is included at Attachment E.

24. The purpose of these workshops are to help prepare young people in the community for their learner licence test through various activities and workbooks that Auckland Transport’s Community Transport team have created.

25. RSVPs to the workshops can be made online at: www.at.govt.nz/youngdrivers

26. Auckland Transport is running these monthly workshops in response to a request from Police for a programme of delivery scheduled in advance to respond to referrals from officers of young unlicensed drivers in areas where evidence has demonstrated a need. So far there has been a good response to the courses offered.

27. Being situated near a train station, Auckland Transport hopes that residents from further south can travel to the Manukau venue via bus or train (given it is a learner course and they will be unable to drive).

28. Auckland Transport is also looking at some specific targeted courses for the South and may deliver at least one in the Pukekohe area. Again, this will be determined by evidence from Police and also looking at the areas where people live who register for the workshops at Manukau.

B3. Government nationwide road safety programme

29. On 23 June, Transport Minister Simon Bridges and Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss announced a $600 million nationwide road safety programme to help bring down the country’s road toll.

30. The Safer Roads and Roadsides Programme will see safety improvements made to more than 90 high-risk sites on rural State Highways in 14 regions. It includes nearly all high risk roads where there have been five or more fatalities in the last five years.

31. Up to $100 million will be invested annually in the programme over six years, which is $60 million more than is usually invested each year in road safety improvements.

32. Eight out of ten fatal and serious crashes on State Highways occur on rural roads and 85-90% of those crashes are head on or where the driver runs off the road. The road improvements will make roads more forgiving of human error, helping to reduce the occurrence of crashes in the first place and limiting the severity when they do.

33. The safety upgrades will target causes of crashes by including a mix of road improvements, realignment of corners in some areas to improve visibility, side barriers, median barriers, rumble strips, wide centrelines, road marking and improved signage. These safety improvements aim to significantly reduce deaths and serious injuries on our roads and improve the safety rating of more than 400km of rural state highways.

34. In the Franklin area, the indicative investment programme includes two project investigations starting in the 2016/17 financial year involving State Highway 22 – one involving the SH22/Great South Road intersection and the other involving the SH22 route between SH1 and Glenbrook Road. Indicative costs and any forecast construction timeframes are yet to be determined.

35. For further information on the Safer Roads and Roadsides Programme see: www.nzta.govt.nz/saferoadsalliance

B4. Public Transport Patronage

36. The summary patronage performance for May 2016 is presented below:

37. Auckland public transport patronage totalled 82,689,626 passenger boardings for the 12 months to May 2016, an increase of +0.7 % on the 12 months to April 2016 and an increase of 4,075,548 (5.2%) on the 12 months to May 2015. May 2016 monthly patronage was 7,847,090, an increase of 535,320 boardings or +7.3% on May 2015, normalised to ~ +4.9% once adjustments are made to take into account special event patronage and the number of business and weekend days in the month.

38. Rapid and Frequent services totalled 30,867,547 passenger boardings for the 12 months to May 2016, an increase of +0.4% on the 12 months to April 2016. Rapid and Frequent services patronage for May 2016 was 3,047,344, an increase of 361,541 boardings or +13.5% on May 2015.

39. Train services totalled 16,567,326 passenger boardings for the 12 months to May 2016, an increase of +2.0% on the 12 months to April 2016 and +21.0% on the 12 months to May 2015. Patronage for May 2016 was 1,673,676, an increase of 329,414 boardings or +24.5% on May 2015, normalised to ~ +21.7%.

40. Bus services totalled 60,280,340 passenger boardings for the 12 months to May 2016, an increase of +0.3% on the 12 months to April 2016 and +1.4% on the 12 months to May 2015. Bus services patronage for May 2016 was 5,700,170, an increase of 165,062 boardings or +3.0% on May 2016, normalised to ~ 0.5%.

41. Ferry services totalled 5,841,960 passenger boardings for the 12 months to May 2016, an increase of +0.7% on the 12 months to April 2016 and +6.4% on the 12 months to May 2016. Ferry services patronage for May 2016 was 473,244, an increase of 40,844 boardings or +9.4% on May 2015, normalised to ~ +8.9%.

42. The proportion of all trips utilising AT HOP was 77.8% in May 2016 (Bus 80.4%, Rail 81.6%, Ferry 31.8%); up from 74.2% in April 2016.

Media Releases

C1. Sealing the deal

43. Auckland Transport is finalising a new roading policy, which will include the option of third party funding for seal extensions.

44. There are currently around 863 kilometres of unsealed roads in the region (approximately 12% of all roads) and a strict prioritisation process which ensures that limited funding is spent wisely.

45. There is $10 million allocated for seal extensions in Auckland Council’s Long Term Plan over the three years 2015 to 2018. Criteria for sealing include the number of traffic movements and houses on the road.

46. There has been a level of frustration from residents whose roads are on the programme but realistically won’t be sealed for a number of years, particularly in the Rodney area. That has led to Auckland Transport working with the Rodney councillor in particular, and the formation of the new policy, which has been shared for feedback with local boards in rural areas.

47. Once finalised (expectedly shortly), the new policy will allow residents to fund the capital costs of sealing their road, including project design, consenting and construction. The work will need to be done to Auckland Transport standards as the organisation would then pick up future maintenance and replacement costs of the newly sealed road. Auckland Transport will also provide assistance in developing any community proposal, peer reviews and advice to designers and contractors.

48. There is no typical or standard cost per kilometre to complete an unsealed road as each requires a different level of preparation and physical construction.

49. Auckland Transport’s seal extension programme and prioritisation criteria can be found at: https://at.govt.nz/about-us/asset-maintenance/road-sealing/

C2. SuperGold switch to AT HOP

50. Since 1 July, senior citizens using Auckland’s public transport have needed to use their AT HOP cards but Auckland Transport has requested its operators to show understanding for those customers yet to complete the switch from SuperGold to AT HOP cards.

51. Auckland Transport estimates 90,000 SuperGold cardholders are regular users of public transport in Auckland and as of 30 June, there were a total of 75,719 AT HOP cards with SuperGold concessions now loaded. There are also an additional ~17,000 AT HOP cards in the process of having the SuperGold concessions loaded, which will increase the overall uptake further.

52. Auckland Transport acknowledges the switch has been a big change for some and thanks Auckland’s senior citizens for responding quickly and positively to the campaign and making the switch.

53. Auckland Transport is working with its operators and asking them to use common sense and show a little understanding over the coming days to allow people to complete the process and accommodate any last minute switches.

54. Seniors will continue to enjoy the same benefits as they have in the lead up to the switch, which make public transport a popular option for the city’s SuperGold cardholders.

55. In the last week of June, approximately 75% of SuperGold public transport trips were taken using an AT HOP card loaded with the SuperGold concession, which represents a 25% increase over the previous 12 weeks.

56. Following a 2015 Ministry of Transport review of the SuperGold card public transport scheme, SuperGold cardholders are required to use smartcards as smartcard technology become available, such as the AT HOP card in Auckland.

C3. New Pukekohe bus and train station

57. Getting around Pukekohe and south Auckland on public transport is set to get easier with construction work about to start on the new Pukekohe bus and train station.

58. A dawn blessing ceremony held on 19 July marked the start of the first and smaller phase of construction of Pukekohe’s bus and train transport hub, which will make it easier for people to connect between the bus and train network.

59. When completed in the second half of 2017, the new Pukekohe Station will be at the centre of a new public transport network for Franklin. The new public transport network is due to be rolled out in late 2016.

60. The Auckland Transport project, which will cost $15.4 million to construct, is funded by the Government through the NZTA and Auckland Council.

61. The new bus station will be located right next to Pukekohe train station and will see most Franklin bus services arriving at the station. The new six-bay bus stops will be constructed right next to the existing train station and will become Pukekohe’s transport hub. The new public transport network will provide better and faster connections within Pukekohe, the surrounding areas and the rest of Auckland and will help to reduce reliance on private transport and ease congestion on local and arterial roads.

62. The project will be built in two stages and construction of the smaller portion will start soon. The first stage involves construction of a temporary facility to cater for the new bus services.

63. The intersection of Manukau Road and Custom Street is to have a set of traffic lights that are activated by traffic on Custom Street which will allow the new bus services to run to schedule. They will retain normal traffic flow on Manukau Road when there is no traffic leaving the new facility.

64. The intersection upgrade includes a new controlled pedestrian crossing and will be constructed to link the station with the two nearby schools. The pedestrian crossings will be fitted with a camera that will detect if someone is still waiting to cross the road. If they leave then the request to cross will be cancelled, which will help traffic on Manukau Road to keep flowing.

65. The second and larger portion of the project will see the construction of the remainder of the station and is planned to commence work from October 2016. A sod turning ceremony will be held closer to work commencing on the next stage of construction.

66. Franklin Local Board Chair Andrew Baker said the Pukekohe Station upgrade alongside the new bus routes and simplified fares should make it more attractive to people wanting to use public transport.

67. “Pukekohe and south Auckland will play a vital role in Auckland’s economic growth, and we are very happy that the Government, through the NZ Transport Agency, has committed to supporting this project and look forward to that continuing as the area continues to grow.”

68. Key features of the project:

· Six-bay bus stops integrated with the existing Pukekohe Station

· New overbridge with lifts to connect the bus and train station

· Park and ride facility for 87 vehicles

· Additional ticket machines

· Passenger waiting area

· Small retail area

· Drop and ride area

· 24-hour CCTV security

· Toilets

· Improvements to the Manukau Road and Custom Street intersection to aid bus movements and pedestrian movements across Manukau Road

· Cycle parking facilities

69. For more information visit: at.govt.nz/pukekohestation

Pukekohe station’s dawn blessing ceremony begins, 19 July 2016

C4. One year – almost three million extra trips

70. It has been a great year for rail with Auckland’s trains having travelled the equivalent of five trips to the moon and back.

71. Auckland’s trains are now operating 158,000 services a year. Aucklanders have travelled 3.8 million kilometres and added a staggering 2.9 million passenger trips in the year, at an annual increase of 20%. When Britomart opened in July 2003 there were just three million passenger trips for the year.

72. The busiest time on the trains is between 7:30 and 8:00am on weekday mornings. Britomart is the busiest station and the morning peak sees 6,500 passengers using the station an hour.

73. Punctuality for services has improved quite dramatically from 82 to 96% over the last year. This time last year saw challenges with many of the old diesel trains and the level of service wasn’t good enough. Now that electric trains run on most of the network, punctuality is much better.

74. The City Rail Loop now being constructed will be the next big thing to make a huge difference in terms of how Aucklanders move around and live their lives. There are also station improvements underway at Otahuhu and Pukekohe and a new station is being built at Parnell.

75. For more on Auckland’s rail services: https://at.govt.nz/bus-train-ferry/train-services/

Issues Register

76. The regular monthly issues register is Attachment F to this report.

Consideration

Local Board Views

77. The Board’s views will be incorporated during consultation on any proposed schemes.

Implementation Issues

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

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	Pukekohe shuttle patronage statistics	37
b View	Auckland Transport activities in the Franklin Local Board area and regionally for the April-June 2016 quarter	41
c View	Travelwise Schools activities in the Franklin Local Board area for the April-June 2016 quarter	55
d View	Traffic Control Committee report on traffic controls approved in the Franklin Local Board area for the April-June 2016 quarter	57
e View	2016/17 Learner Driver Licence Workshops – Manukau venue	59
f View	Issues Register – Franklin Local Board – July 2016	61

Signatories

Authors

Jenni Wild – Elected Member Relationship Manager (South); Auckland Transport

Authorisers

Jonathan Anyon – Elected Member Relationship Team Manager; AT

Sue O'Gorman - Relationship Manager

Franklin Local Board

02 August 2016

Road Name Approval for Right of Way at 35 Wattie Road, Hunua

File No.: CP2016/14487

Purpose

1. The purpose of this report is to seek approval from the Franklin Local Board to name a Private Way at 35 Wattie Road, Hunua

Executive summary

2. Auckland Council has road naming guidelines that set out the requirements and criteria of the Council for proposed road names. These requirements and criteria have been applied in this situation to ensure consistency of road naming for the Auckland Council.

3. Following assessment against the road naming criteria, ‘Wairoa Farm Way’ (Applicants preferred name), ‘Wairoa River Way and ‘Ti Tree Way’ were determined to meet the road naming guideline criteria.

4. Local iwi groups were consulted and Ngaati Tamaoho did neither support nor oppose the suggested the names. Ngai Tai Ki Tamaki opposes the name ‘Wairoa’ but supports the name ‘Ti Tree’.

5. The name ‘Wairoa Farm Way’, proposed by the Applicant and the names ‘Wairoa River Way’ and ‘Ti Tree Way’ is considered for approval by the Local Board.

Recommendation/s

That the Franklin Local Board, pursuant to section 319(1)(j) of the Local Government Act 1974, considers for approval, the Private Way name ‘Wairoa Farm Way’, proposed by the Applicant, created by way of subdivision at 35 Wattie Road, Hunua, while noting that the names ‘Wairoa River Way’ and ‘Ti Tree Way’ also meet the road naming criteria.

Comments

6. The Auckland Council Road Naming Guidelines allowed that where a new road needs to be named as a result of a subdivision or development, the subdivider/developer shall be given the opportunity of suggesting their preferred new road name for the Local Board’s approval.

7. The Private Way, which comes off White Road, Hunua was created as part of the subdivision referenced by Council as SUB/2015/3103.

8. The Applicant has proposed the following name for consideration for the Private Way created as part of the development off Wattie Road, Hunua.

Preference	Proposed New Private Way Name	Meaning
Preferred Name	Wairoa Farm Way	‘Wairoa’ meaning: ‘Long Water’ or ‘Long River’. The large 81.31ha farm of the applicant is called ‘Wairoa Farm’ To be able to enter the applicant’s farm, one has to cross a bridge over the Wairoa River. The Wairoa River follows the farms boundaries and connects to the Hunua Ranges to the east. The Private Way runs through the farm and the applicant feels that this would consolidate the farms history, position and it would differentiate that the private way is not a public road.
First Alternative	Wairoa River Way	‘Wairoa’ meaning: ‘Long Water’ or ‘Long River’. The Wairoa River follows the farms boundaries. In places, the Private Way meanders through the farm, imitating, mirroring the curves of the adjacent Wairoa River.
Second Alternative	Ti Tree Way	‘Ti Tree’ (or Tea Tree) is the English name for Manuka. There are large areas of covenanted bush on the farm, which include Ti Tree along the sides of the Private Way.

Location and Layout of the Private Way off Watties Road, Hunua through the applicant’s farm.

Decision Making

9. The Auckland Council, by way of the Auckland Council Long Term Plan (2012 - 2022), allocated the responsibility for the naming of new roads, pursuant to section 319(1)(j) of the Local Government Act 1974, to Local Boards.

Assessment

10. The Applicant’s proposed Private Way name has been assessed against the criteria set out in the Auckland Council road naming guidelines;

11. The Applicant’s preferred name ‘Wairoa Farm Way’ for the Private Way and the two alternative names ‘Wairoa River Way’ and ‘Ti Tree Way’, comply with all the criteria of the road naming guidelines.

12. The proposed suffix ‘Way is appropriate as the name ‘Way’ is used for private ways. The suffix is in accordance with the Road Naming Guidelines.

Consideration

Local board views and implications

Significance of Decision

13. The decision sought from the Franklin Local Board for this report does not trigger any significant policy and is not considered to have any immediate impact on the community.

Māori impact statement

14. The decision sought from the Franklin Local Board on this report is linked to the Auckland Plan Outcome, “A Maori identity that is Auckland’s point of difference in the world”. The use of Maori names for roads, buildings and other public places is an opportunity to publicly demonstrate Maori identity.

Consultation

15. The applicant emailed all the relevant iwi groups with suggested names. Ngaati Tamaoho does not oppose nor support the name ‘Wairoa’.

16. Ngai Tai Ki Tamaki is opposed to the name ‘Wairoa’. A response letter written 13 June 2016 states ‘We advise that for our Iwi, Ngai Tai ki Tamaki, the Wairoa waterway is one of our wahi tapu, a sacred place, our tupuna awa, te pa whakawairua o Ngai Tai and therefore we are reluctant to allow the use of the name ‘Wairoa’ for a space that does not serve to uphold, maintain and or recognize our Mana Whenua status for current and future generations of Ngai Tai ki Tamaki. The naming request is for an area defined as ‘private right of way’ which would not benefit iwi in terms of our thought spaces around ‘belonging to the whenua, to the ‘awa’ – “ko au to awa ko te awa ko au” a whakatauki, a proverb which means, “I am the river, the river is me, and therefore we believe the name does not sit well and reduces the mana of the name Wairoa for this space.’ Ngai Tai ki Tamaki does support the name Ti Tree.

17. No responses have been received from other Iwi groups.

18. NZ Post was consulted and had no objection to the proposed names.

Financial and Resourcing Implications

19. The cost of processing the approval of the proposed new road name and any installation of road name signage is recoverable in accordance with Council’s Administrative Charges.

Legal and Legislative Implications

20. The decision sought from the Franklin Local Board for this report is not considered to have any legal or legislative implications.

Implementation

21. The Resource Consenting Team is involved in ensuring that appropriate road name signage will be installed accordingly once an approval is obtained for the new road name.

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report.

Signatories

Authors

Mineke Meyerink - Intermediate Planner

Authorisers

Ian Smallburn - General Manager Resource Consents

Sue O'Gorman - Relationship Manager

Chairperson	Andrew Baker
Deputy Chairperson	Jill Naysmith
Members	Malcolm Bell
	Alan Cole
	Brendon Crompton
	Angela Fulljames
	Sarah Higgins
	Murray Kay
	Dr Lyn Murphy

Authors	Jane Cain - Local Board Advisor
Authorisers	Sue O'Gorman - Relationship Manager

Authors	Anthea Clarke - Democracy Advisor
Authorisers	Sue O'Gorman - Relationship Manager