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Rodney Local
Board Transport, Infrastructure and Environment Committee
21 February 2019
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Auckland
Transport Update to the Rodney Local Board Transport, Infrastructure and
Environment Committee December 2018
File No.: CP2019/01388
Te take mō te
pūrongo
Purpose of the report
1. To
provide an update to the Rodney Local Board’s Transport, Infrastructure
and Environment Committee on transport related matters in its area, including
the Local Board Transport Capital Fund.
Whakarāpopototanga matua
Executive summary
2. This
report covers:
· A summary of the
board’s transport capital fund
· A summary of consultation
activity
· Traffic Control Committee
resolutions
· An update on issues raised
· Hill Street Interim
Improvements
· Transport Targeted Rate
– New Bus Services
· Speed Management Programme
· Red Light Running
· New Board Directors
Appointed
· 2019 Auckland Bike
Challenge.
3.
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Ngā tūtohunga
Recommendation/s
That the Rodney Local Board
Transport, Infrastructure and Environment Committee:
a) receive the Auckland Transport February 2019 update report.
b) commit to the detailed design for construction of a
footpath between number 33 Hudson Road and SH1, Warkworth, based on a rough order of costs of $729,000,
which includes the standard pre-design contingency of 30%, noting that
significant retaining work and relocation of a power pole
will be required in the vicinity of 27 Hudson Road, together
with a full drainage investigation and the
possible installation of new drainage systems.
c) delegate to the chairperson of the Rodney Local
Board’s Transport, Infrastructure and Environment Committee the
decision as to whether the footpath listed in resolution b) above will be
constructed, using the remaining funds available to the local board in its
Local Board Transport Capital Fund to 30 June 2020.
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Horopaki
Context
4. This
report updates the board on Auckland Transport (AT) projects and operations in
the Rodney Local Board area, it summarises consultations and Traffic Control
Committee results, and includes information on the status of the Local Board
Transport Capital Fund.
5. AT
is responsible for all of Auckland’s transport services, excluding state
highways. We report on a monthly basis to local boards, as set out in our Local
Board Engagement Plan. This monthly reporting commitment acknowledges the
important engagement role local boards play within the governance of Auckland
on behalf of their local communities.
6. The
Local Board Transport Capital Fund is a capital budget provided to all local
boards by Auckland Council and delivered by AT. Local boards can use this fund
to deliver transport infrastructure projects that they believe are important to
their communities but are not part of AT’s work programme. Projects must
also:
· be safe
· not impede network
efficiency
· be in the road corridor
(although projects in parks can be considered if there is a transport outcome).
Tātaritanga me ngā
tohutohu
Analysis and advice
7. The
Rodney Local Board’s share of the Local Board Transport Capital Fund
(LBTCF) allocated with effect from 1 July 2018, as per the local board funding
policy, is $1,115,764 per annum.
8. The
total remaining in the current electoral term to the Rodney Local Board is $2,000,257.
This comprises $884,493 that must be allocated to projects by 30 June 2019 and
an additional $1,115,764 available for 2019/2020 that may be allocated.
9. The
table below reflects the status of projects to which LBTCF has already been
committed:
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Status update on current of Local Board Transport Capital Fund
projects
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Project
Description
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Current status
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Changes since last update
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Funds allocated in current political term
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99 - Great North
Road, Riverhead Footpath
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Completed
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No
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$6,732
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497 - Pohutakawa
to The Landing Footpath
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Completed
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No
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$59,828
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593 - Matakana
Valley Road Swales
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Construction
Approved
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Yes
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$177,000
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619 - Rodney
Footpath Designs
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Allocation
Approved
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Yes
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$500,000
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10. Project
593, Matakana Valley Road Swales, will be constructed during the 2018/2019
financial year in collaboration with Healthy Waters and AT’s maintenance
team which has a road rehabilitation programmed.
11. The
local board allocated $500,000 from its Local Board Transport Capital Fund
towards the preparation of detailed designs and firm cost estimates for
construction of several footpaths (RD/2018/87):
12. AT
staff previously reported back with the results of the assessment of footpath
construction on Dairy Flat Highway, Dairy Flat; State Highway 1, Wellsford;
Albert Road, Warkworth; Falls Road, Warkworth; Hudson Road, Warkworth; Alice
Street, Riverhead; and Springs Road, Parakai. The proposals were assessed in
terms of safety, the most appropriate side of the road, kerbing needs,
stormwater, retaining required, lighting, planned development and other
considerations relative to each individual site. Following receipt of the
assessment results, the Rodney Local Board’s Transport, Infrastructure
and Environment Committee resolved to (RODTP/2018/40):
b) note that
designs for the following four footpaths are expected shortly (pursuant to
resolution RD/2018/87) and request that staff provide an update on these
designs as soon as practicable, so as not to delay any possible construction:
· Blue
Gum Drive, Warkworth
· Falls
Road, Warkworth
· Springs
Road, Parakai
· Arthur
Street, Riverhead.
c) note
that the chairperson has an existing delegation to approve the construction of
these footpaths as soon as designs are received and costs confirmed.
d) request
that AT staff provide a new rough order of costs for a footpath along Hudson
Road, Warkworth, only between number 33 and SH1, which already has kerb and
channelling in place.
13. Designs
for Blue Gum Drive, Warkworth; Arthur Street, Riverhead; and Springs Road,
Parakai are nearing completion and contact will be made shortly with the
chairperson to confirm construction of these footpaths.
14. The
Rodney Local Board requested a new rough order of costs for a footpath along
Hudson Road, Warkworth, only between number 33 and SH1, which already has kerb
and channelling in place (RODTP/2018/1).
15. AT’s
Programme Manager Local Boards advises that the rough order of costs
equates to $729,000, which includes the standard pre-design contingency of 30%.
He notes that work at the tight corner outside 27 Hudson Road
is likely to include significant retaining walls, together with relocation of a
power pole, and that a full drainage investigation and installation of new
drainage systems will be required.
16. The
local board is asked for a direction on whether it wishes to proceed further
with this project.
17. The
design for Falls Road, Warkworth, is a little more complex and AT staff are
currently discussing timelines and possible cost-share with a local developer.
18. The
local board also agreed that a portion of the $500,000 previously allocated for
footpath design will be spent engaging the services of a safety consultant to
investigate the feasibility of a footpath outside Dairy Flat school. A
consultant has now been engaged and a report on options available is expected
in late February/early March.
19. Discussions
have taken place between AT staff and a local developer whom the community had
indicated is willing to provide professional services at no cost for the design
of a footpath on Omaha Drive, Omaha. AT staff are now waiting to hear back from
the developer.
Ngā whakaaweawe me
ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera
Council group impacts and views
20. The
impact of information (or decisions) in this report is/are confined to Auckland
Transport and do/does not impact on other parts of the Council group.
Ngā whakaaweawe
ā-rohe me ngā tirohanga a te poari ā-rohe
Local impacts and local board views
Auckland Transport consultations
21. Over
the last reporting period, AT has invited the local board to provide their
feedback on the following proposals:
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Location
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Proposal
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Details and Local Board Feedback
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Wellsford and Parakai
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Proposed safety improvements at 42 School
Road, Wellsford and 138 Parkhurst Road, Parakai.
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Documentation
explaining proposed safety improvements at 42 School Road, Wellsford and 138
Parkhurst Road, Parakai, part of a programme to improve safety at high risk
locations, was forwarded to members on 3 December 2018. No objections to the
proposal were received.
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Matakana Road, Matakana
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New bus stops at 963 and 978 Matakana
Road, Matakana.
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AT sought
local board feedback during July for a pair of new bus stops on Matakana
Road, required as part of the implementation of the new services in Warkworth
and the Kowhai Coast. At that time feedback from the Local Board and Matakana
primary school identified planned changes to the school infrastructure and
the parking area at 978 Matakana Road which conflicted with the proposed
location. As a result of this, the location of the proposed bus stops, along
with the location and configuration of the proposed crossing location was
amended, allowing for a new driveway on the western side of 978 Matakana
Road. Further investigation indicated that a formalised crossing facility at
this new location will significantly increase pedestrian safety, but to
achieve appropriate visibility for both pedestrian and motorists the proposed
eastbound bus stop will need to be situated outside number 963 Matakana Road.
An amended plan was forwarded to members on 18 December. Member Houlbrooke
raised concerns about there having been no resolution to east-bound traffic
on Matakana Road being held up when buses were at the stop; the bus stops not
being relocated to Matakana Wharf Road, where the Kowhai Connection used to
stop and as the community had requested; and the installation of a marginal
strip down the centre of Matakana Road for vehicles turning right into the
new carpark, and those turning right out of it. In relation to the issue of
congestion members were advised that the 997 bus route runs only 7 round
trips a day, involving only one bus; outbound trips occur approximately 1
½ hours apart, with the return journey approximately 1/2 an hour after
the outgoing; that buses were typically present at a stop for 10-20 seconds
only; and that for most of the day, the bus stop kerb spaces will be empty,
improving visibility from the eastern car park access. In relation to the use
of Matakana Wharf Road, the bus used on the Kowhai Connection was smaller
than the current vehicles used and Ritchies, the operator, had expressed concern
at the size of the area for turning, which is particularly risky if there are
parked vehicles and a reversing maneuver is required. In addition. If this
turnaround as it stands was to be used, passengers would be dropped off on
gravel, which would be less than ideal from an accessibility point of view
(i.e. wheelchair users, parents with pushchairs etc.). Assuming most
passengers were for Matakana township, they would then face a walk on gravel
and/or grass. Further to the request for installation of a right turn bay,
use and safety concerns were considered. The car park turning is primarily
used for school drop off/pick up and at weekends. On-site observations have
shown that there are gaps in the traffic to allow right turning movements to
be made safely and with only limited impact on traffic flow. Whilst the
proposed location of the bus stops may preclude a right turn bay, they
provide a benefit to turning traffic as NSAAT restrictions will be
implemented with the bus stops and would act in a similar manner to a right
turn bay. The NSAAT restrictions installed will also ensure that the driveway
will not be blocked.
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Wellsford and Helensville transport
targeted rate bus services
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Proposed infrastructure required to
support new bus services proposed as part of the transport targeted rate.
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Documentation
for infrastructure required to support implementation of new bus services
proposed under the local board's transport targeted rate was forwarded to
members on Monday. The proposals included new bus stop markings, concrete
hardstands, new kerb and footpath, bus stop signs, bus stop shelter, street
lighting and new pedestrian refuge crossings where practical. The proposed
stops were located at 12 Station Road; 25 and opposite 25 Neville Street; 799
and opposite 799 Kaipara Coast Highway; 1091 and 970 Kahikatea Flat Road;
1578 and 1591 Kahikatea Flat Road; and Opoto Place. Comments were received
from Members Pirrie, Houlbrooke and Smith. Member Pirrie said the Opoto Place
stop seemed very close to the intersection and that perhaps it should be
moved 4-5m back so there was no potential for it to block the intersection.
Member Pirrie also asked whether requests for pedestrian crossing facilities
on Kaipara Coast Highway should be directed to NZTA or AT. Member Houlbrooke
raised concerns about the proposal for Neville Street, advising she was not
aware the local board was proposing an additional stop at this location for
the new Warkworth-Wellsford service, or why this would be necessary in
addition to the existing stops at Baxter Street and on Whitaker Road, adding
that if the local board is to fund the construction of any new bus shelters
for the RLBTTR Warkworth-Wellsford bus, she would have hoped they would be on
the north side of town in the vicinity of the Atlas site. Additional stops on
both sides of Neville Street will remove yet more valuable parking. Member
Houlbrooke said she could see the benefit for Wellsford residents coming to
Warkworth to shop at Countdown; however, as these stops are right outside she
asked what the rationale behind their location was and suggested that in the
main, grocery shopping will still be done by private vehicle. Member Smith
raised concerns about the use of cobblestones at the intersection of Station
Road and Rodney street, which he said were very slippery. Members concerns
will be addressed in the consultation feedback.
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Traffic Control Committee resolutions
22. AT's
resolution and approval process ensures the most appropriate controls and
restrictions are put in place and can be legally enforced. Decisions made by
AT’s Traffic Control Committee in relation to regulatory processes
relevant to the Rodney Local Board during December are listed below:
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Decision
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Report Type
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Nature of Restriction
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Decision
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Mahurangi
East Road, Tamatea Drive, Snells Beach
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Permanent
Traffic and Parking changes combined
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Lane
Arrow Markings, No Stopping At All Times, Bus Stop, Bus Shelter, Traffic
Islands, Stop Control, Flush Median, Edge Line
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Carried
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Motutara
Road, Domain Crescent, Jack Butt Lane, Waitea Road, Muriwai
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Permanent
Traffic and Parking changes combined
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No
Stopping At All Times, Stopping, Standing, Parking Restriction, Traffic
Island, Road Hump, Give-Way Control, Stop Control
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Carried
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Issues Raised by Elected Members
23. Most
issues raised by elected members and local board staff are resolved promptly by
AT’s Elected Member Relationship Manager. Those which require further
investigation are responded to by the relevant department of AT through its
customer response team. The list appended as Attachment A summarises these
issues to 31 January 2019.
Hill Street Interim Improvements
24. AT
is continuing to work with the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) to
investigate and deliver short term solutions to improve the capacity and efficiency
of the Hill Street intersection during peak periods. The installation of signal
detection and CCTV equipment for improved monitoring on Sandspit Road, Matakana
Road and SH1 was completed in December 2018 and made operational at the end of
January 2019.
25. AT
and NZTA are collaborating on the further design and investigation of
pedestrian improvements for Hill Street and hope to have these completed by the
end of February 2019.
26. The
timing for implementing any further changes is being confirmed with NZTA, to
align with intersection rehabilitation work which is programmed early in 2019,
pre-seal repairs for this work having been carried out in November 2018.
27. Further
updates on the interim improvements for Hill Street will be made available once
final designs are confirmed and works are programmed.
Transport Targeted Rate – New Bus
Services
28. New
bus services are being introduced in the Rodney area on 24 February 2019. The 128
between Helensville and Hibiscus Coast Station joins Kaukapakapa and Waitoki to
the wider Auckland public transport network, while the 998 between Wellsford
and Warkworth joins up with the Kowhai Coast bus services and the 995 to
Hibiscus Coast Station.
29. At
Hibiscus Coast Station, passengers can transfer to services for the Hibiscus
Coast, North Shore, City Centre, Waitoki, Kaukapakapa and Helensville and
Northern Express.
30. The
128 will run every 90 minutes on weekdays and two-hourly on weekends, and the
998 will run hourly seven days a week. Both new services are funded by Rodney
ratepayers via the Rodney Transport Targeted Rate.
31. AT
ran an event in Wellsford on Friday, 15 February at the Wellsford Community
Centre, where people were assisted with journey planning, AT HOP cards and
concessions.
32. The
marketing and communications campaign for the new services includes:
· A comprehensive brochure about the new 998 Wellsford service
· Posters
· Newspaper advertisements
· E-briefings to stakeholders and community groups
· Social media
· Media activity.
33. AT
is encouraging people to plan their journeys, and pick up a timetable from
customer service centres, libraries and local board offices, download
timetables online at https://at.govt.nz/timetables or use the online Journey Planner, which was made available for
these services from 10 February 2019.
Speed
Management Programme
34. Auckland
has a serious problem with people dying needlessly or being seriously injured
on our roads. In 2017 alone, 64 people died and a staggering 749 others were
seriously injured, a 70% increase since 2014.
35. In
Rodney, road deaths have increased 107% from 2013 to 2017, making up 12% of
Auckland’s total death and serious injury (DSi) rates. The Rodney area
had the highest level of DSi of all local board areas in 2017, 28% of these in
2017 involving vulnerable road users – people walking and cycling.
36. AT
and the Rodney Local Board have been collaborating to bring down this
unacceptably high number of deaths and serious injuries. Both acknowledge that
one of the fastest ways to reduce the trauma on our roads is to set safe and
appropriate speeds. Speed determines both the likelihood of a crash occurring
and the severity of the outcome.
37. Later
in February, AT will be consulting on the Safe Speeds Bylaw and residents are
being encouraged to participate in the consultation process.
38. To
read more about the project and make a submission visit: https://at.govt.nz/projects-roadworks/reducing-speed-limits/
Red Light Running
39. AT
launched an eight week regional awareness campaign for Red Light running on 4
February 2019.
40. In
Auckland between 2013 and 2017, running red lights at signalised intersections
resulted in the deaths of seven people, with 93 people being seriously injured.
41. AT
is substantially increasing its investment in safety and has a target of
reducing deaths and serious injuries by 60% over the next ten years. This
investment, including additional safety cameras, will improve high-risk routes
and intersections, creating a more forgiving and safe road network.
42. This
is relevant to the new memorandum of understanding recently signed between AT
and the NZ Police for the ongoing enforcement of Auckland’s red-light
safety cameras at high risk intersections.
43. The
key objectives of the campaign are:
· To raise awareness around the dangers of running red lights and to
change behaviour to help reduce the number of deaths and serious injury crashes
at signalised intersections across the Auckland region.
· To encourage drivers to stop completely at red traffic lights, and
to stop at amber traffic lights when it is safe to do so.
· To increase driver awareness regarding the serious consequences of
red light crashes and reinforce that drivers should always stop at red lights.
· To encourage positive behaviour strategies relating to intersection
safety, such as ‘Red means stop. No exceptions.’
44. The
overall objective is to help contribute to the annual 2.6% reduction in deaths
and serious injuries on the Auckland local network.
45. AT’s
Community Transport staff will be involved in the campaign, engaging with
drivers at events, shopping malls and universities to raise awareness of the
risk of running red lights and to promote safe road user behaviour near high
risk signalised intersections. Community Transport staff will also support NZ
Police to deliver an intersection enforcement programme.
46. The
target audience for the campaign is all road users in Auckland, with a primary
focus on those aged between 20-39 years old, mostly in Auckland Central areas.
New Board Directors Appointed
47. Auckland
Council’s Appointments, Performance Review and Value for Money Committee
appointed three new board directors to the boards of AT and Regional Facilities
Auckland (RFA) at its December meeting.
48. Following
a rigorous selection process, Dr Jim Mather was appointed as a director to the
AT board, and Candace Kinser and Jennifer Rolfe were appointed as directors to
the RFA board.
49. Dr
Jim Mather is of Ngāti Awa, Tūhoe and English descent. He has 25
years of leadership experience and is currently Chair of Radio New Zealand,
Director of Ngāti Awa Group Holdings Limited and a member of the Ministry
of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) Risk and Advisory Committee.
50. Dr
Mather previously led Māori Television and Te Wānanga o Aotearoa and
was Chief Executive of the Pacific Business Trust from 2002 to 2005. He is also
a qualified accountant and a member of the Chartered Accountants of Australia
and New Zealand and the New Zealand Institute of Directors.
51. A
former New Zealand Army officer, Dr Mather was awarded the Sword of Honour in
recognition of his distinguished achievements in officer training.
Auckland Bike Challenge
52. AT
is partnering with the Children’s charity Variety for the 2019 Auckland
Bike Challenge. Variety’s ‘Bikes for Kids’ Programme provides
disadvantaged Kiwi children with their own new bike and helmet, allowing them
to experience the freedom and independence that comes with owning a bike.
Auckland Bike Challenge participants will be given the option of raising funds
for Bikes for Kids at the same time as undertaking the challenge.
53. Those
who meet fundraising targets will be invited to attend the presentation of
bikes they have funded to the recipients. Prizes will also be awarded to the
top three individuals who fundraise the most, and the top organisation within
each size category.
54. The
2019 Auckland Bike Challenge will be the fourth time that AT’s Travel
Demand team has delivered this annual challenge. This workplace challenge is
aimed at encouraging people to cycle more, particularly for work. More than
4,300 people from 499 businesses in Auckland took part in the 2018 challenge,
including almost 1,000 new riders.
55. Since
the Challenge’s inception, over 17 of Auckland’s elected
representatives have taken part. Each local board has a dedicated team within
the Auckland Bike Challenge platform under Auckland Council. Governing Body
members can sign up through the Governing Body team under Auckland Council.
56. The Challenge will run from 1 – 28 February. Further
information on the Challenge is available at: https://www.lovetoride.net/auckland?locale=en-GB. To participate in
2019’s challenge, register online and cycle for at least 10 minutes
anywhere, anytime during the month of February.
57. The Auckland Bike Challenge is part of a national campaign, the
Aotearoa Bike Challenge, being run by the New Zealand Transport Agency, Love to
Ride, councils and other local partners around the country.
Tauākī whakaaweawe
Māori
Māori impact statement
58. The
proposed decision of receiving the report has no impacts or opportunities for
Māori. Any engagement with Māori, or consideration of impacts and
opportunities, will be carried out on an individual project basis.
Ngā ritenga
ā-pūtea
Financial implications
59. The
proposed decision of receiving the report has no financial implications.
Ngā raru tūpono me
ngā whakamaurutanga
Risks and mitigations
60. Auckland
Transport has risk management strategies in place for the transport projects
undertaken in the local board area.
Ngā koringa ā-muri
Next steps
61. Auckland
Transport will provide a further update report to the Transport, Infrastructure
and Environment Committee at its next meeting.
Ngā tāpirihanga
Attachments
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No.
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Title
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Page
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a⇩ 
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Local issues list
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17
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Ngā kaihaina
Signatories
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Author
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Ellen Barrett – Elected Member Relationship
Manager
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Authorisers
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Jonathan Anyon – Elected Member Relationship
Team Manager
Lesley Jenkins - Relationship Manager
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