Agenda of Rodney Local Board Transport, Infrastructure and Environment Committee

Rodney Local Board Transport, Infrastructure and Environment Committee

18 April 2019

Auckland Transport update

File No.: CP2019/05091

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

· Araparera Forestry - seal extension programme update

· Thousands have their say on speed bylaw

· Services and passenger trips on Auckland’s new transport network

· Parking changes around North Shore Hospital

· Abandoned vehicles

· Warkworth bus service

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Rodney Local Board Transport, Infrastructure and Environment Committee:

a) receive the Auckland Transport April 2019 update report.

b) note that at a meeting held on 8 March 2019 attended by the Chairperson of the Rodney Local Board’s Transport, Infrastructure and Environment Committee, Member Brewer and Member Bailey, Rodney Local Board staff and Auckland Transport staff, the Chairperson:

i) approved construction of the following footpaths under delegated authority previously granted (RD/2018/87):

A) Blue Gum Drive, Warkworth (full length) based on a firm cost estimate of $219,000;

B) Springs Road, Parakai (number 33 to end of road) based on a firm cost estimate of $624,000; and

C) Arthur Street, Riverhead (Coatesville Highway to George Street and an additional section down George Street to link into the path in Queen Street) based on a firm cost estimate of $299,000.

ii) approved a contribution from the local board’s transport capital fund to the total cost of the construction of a footpath on Falls Road, Warkworth from Hudson Road to Mansell Drive by a local developer, subject to satisfactory agreement on cost and delivery conditions being negotiated.

Horopaki

Context

3. 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.

4. AT is responsible for all of Auckland’s transport services, excluding state highways. We report on a regular basis to local boards, as set out in our Local Board Engagement Plan. This reporting commitment acknowledges the important engagement role local boards play within the governance of Auckland on behalf of their local communities.

5. 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

Local Board Transport Capital Fund

6. 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.

7. Taking into account recent commitments, the total remaining funds in the Rodney Local Board’s TCF is $633,257, comprising monies available from the 2019/2020 financial year’s allocation.

8. The table below shows the local board’s Transport Capital Fund Summary for this term:

Rodney Local Board Transport Capital Fund Financial Summary
Total Funds Available in current political term	$2,743,817
Amount committed to date on projects approved for design and/or construction	$2,110,560
Remaining Budget left	$633,257

9. The table below reflects the status of projects to which LBTCF has already been committed:

Status update on current of Local Board Transport Capital Fund projects
Project Description	Current status	Changes since last update	Funds allocated in current political term
99 - Great North Road, Riverhead Footpath	Completed	No	$6,732
497 - Pohutukawa to The Landing Footpath	Completed	No	$59,828
593 - Matakana Valley Road Swales	Construction Approved	Yes	$177,000
619 - Rodney Footpath Designs and Construction	Allocation Approved	Yes	$1,867,000
656 - Hudson Rd Footpath - Albert to SH1	Detailed Design Approved	Yes
Total			$2,110,560

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 for delivery.

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 assessments for 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. 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.

13. The chairperson of the Transport, Infrastructure and Environment Committee (TIEC), member Brewer along with member Bailey and local board staff met with AT staff on Friday, 8 March 2019 to discuss the completed designs and firm cost estimates for footpaths on Blue Gum Drive, Warkworth; Falls Road, Warkworth; Springs Road, Parakai and Arthur Street, Riverhead. At that meeting, under the delegated authority previously granted (RD/2018/87), member Brewer approved construction of the following footpaths based on the firm cost estimates discussed at that meeting

a. Blue Gum Drive, Warkworth (full length) – $219,000;

b. Springs Road, Parakai (number 33 to end of road) – $624,000;

c. Arthur Street, Riverhead (Coatesville Highway to George Street and an additional section down George Street to link into path in Queen Street) – $299,000; and

d. Falls Road, Warkworth (Hudson Road to Mansell Drive) – a contribution to the total cost of the construction by a local developer.

14. The firm cost estimates for Blue Gum Drive, Springs Road and Arthur Street indicate the total cost of delivering these footpaths.

15. It is intended that a contribution for Falls Road will allow a local developer to deliver a footpath on Falls Road between Hudson Road and Mansel Drive, improving connections for the local community and allowing for cost sharing and efficiencies. It is expected that the contribution will be taken from the current political term LBTCF allocation.

16. At its meeting on 21 February 2019 the TIEC committed to the detailed design for construction of a footpath between number 33 Hudson Road and SH1, Warkworth (project 656, Hudson Road Footpath – Albert to SH1), based on a rough order of costs of $729,000 (RODTP/2019/4). In doing so members noted that this included the standard pre-design contingency of 30% and 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.

17. Under the same resolution the TIEC also delegated to the chairperson of the Rodney Local Board’s TIEC the decision as to whether the Hudson Road footpath would be constructed, using the remaining funds available to the local board in its LBTCF to 30 June 2020.

18. Further discussions with the chairperson of the TIEC will take place on completion of the design for Hudson Road.

19. 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 report on options available to the local board is expected in mid-April.

20. Discussions continue between AT staff and a local developer who has indicated he is willing to provide professional services at no cost for the design and construction of a footpath on Omaha Drive, Omaha. Once discussions on the scope and firm cost estimate for this work have concluded, advice will be provided to the local board to enable it to make a final decision on the project.

Ngā whakaaweawe me ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera

Council group impacts and views

21. 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

22. Over the last reporting period, AT has invited the local board to provide their feedback on the following proposals:

Location	Proposal	Details and Local Board Feedback
Coatesville-Riverhead Highway, Riverhead and Coatesville	New bus stop locations on Coatesville-Riverhead Highway, Riverhead and Coatesville to service the local boards transport targeted rate proposals.	Documentation describing bus stops proposed at various Coatesville Riverhead Highway locations was forwarded to members on 31 January 2019. The bus stops, the location of which have been were strategically determined to best serve the proposed network and include concrete hardstands (where required), new kerbs and footpath, bus stop signs, street lighting (where required) and new pedestrian refuge crossing/side islands are required to service a service proposed by the local board using its Transport Targeted Rate funding. Member Pirrie commented he had reservations about the stop at the intersection of SH16 and Coatesville Riverhead Highway where there were limitations, asking that staff be made aware that at the end of the year that whole intersection is being turned into a roundabout as part of the Safe Roads program. No objections to the proposals were received.
Parlane Drive, Huapai	Proposed bus stop on Parlane Drive, Huapai.	A bus stop site at 384 Main Road, Huapai, previously consulted on in October last year, is no longer viable due to the larger Tapu Road/SH16 intersection upgrade. Documentation detailing an alternative site on Parlane Drive, selected following further investigations, was forwarded to members on 14 February. No objections to the proposal were received.
Victoria Street, Warkworth	Proposed traffic and parking control changes on Victoria Street, Warkworth.	Traffic Engineering and Management Ltd sought members' feedback on proposed traffic and parking control changes on Victoria Street, Warkworth, on 7 March 2019. No objections to the proposal were received.
354 and 361 Mahurangi East Road, Snells Beach	Proposed new bus stops at 354 and 361 Mahurangi East Road, Snells Beach.	Documentation describing a proposal to install new bus stops outside 354 and 361 Mahurangi East Road, Snells Beach, as a continuation of the New Network roll out was forwarded to members on 15 March 2019 with a request for comments no later than 3 April. No objections to the proposal were received.

Traffic Control Committee resolutions

23. 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 February are listed below:

Decision	Report Type	Nature of Restriction	Decision
Rodney Street, Station Road, Wellsford	Permanent Traffic and Parking changes combined	No Stopping At All Times, Angle Parking, Bus Stop, Traffic Islands, Pedestrian Crossing, Give-Way Control, Edge Lines	Carried
Hill Street, Falls Road, Belvedere Place, Warkworth	Permanent Traffic and Parking changes combined	No Stopping At All Times, Angle Parking, Stop Control, Give-Way Control	Carried
Kahikatea Flat Road, Wyn Close, Kaukapakapa	Permanent Traffic and Parking changes combined	No Stopping At All Times, Bus Stop, Footpath, Edge Lines, No Passing	Carried
Opoto Place, Kaukapakapa	Permanent Traffic and Parking changes combined	No Stopping At All Times, Bus Stop, Traffic Islands, Footpath, Give-Way Control, Flush Median, Edge Line	Carried
Opahi Bay Road, Barr Road, Jamieson Road, Rangi Road, Mahurangi West Road, Mahurangi West	Speed Limit Changes Report	40kph Permanent Speed Limit	Carried

Issues Raised by Elected Members

24. 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 March 2019.

Araparera Forestry - Seal Extension Programme Update

25. Members were advised in AT’s update report for December 2018 that the seal extension programme enabled by the proceeds from the Araparera Forestry joint venture is being procured by AT in two separate work packages:

· Package one – Underwood Road, Whitmore Road and Tauhoa Road;

· Package two – School Road, Krippner Road, Smith Road, Wharehine Road, Dennis Road, Rodney Road.

26. Package two comprises roads that, due to land encroachment, arborist and ecological issues, need further assessment and possibly resource consents.

27. A further update on the construction for Package two works will be provided at a subsequent meeting.

28. The table below summarises actual activities on those roads included in the Package one works, the dates noted being weather dependent.

Site	Start Date	Works in progress	Planned Finish Date
Underwood Rd	4 March	Lime stabilisation complete. Final seal to be applied Thursday 28 March and road marking week commencing 1 April.	27 March 2019
Whitmore Rd	11 March	Stage 1 – 0.9km, clearing roadside swale drains completed, culvert renewal and subgrade works including lime stabilisation in progress. Seal to be applied 12.4.19. Stage 2 – 0.9km, prep work commenced, with seal application planned for 30.4.19.	30 April 2019
Tauhoa Rd	24 April	Planning stage	15 May 2019

Thousands have their say on speed bylaw

29. Public consultation on the AT Speed Management Bylaw closed on 31 March.

30. Auckland Transport received 11,007 submissions on its proposal to reduce speeds on some 700km of high-risk roads around the region, 90 per cent of these are in rural areas.

31. Auckland is facing a road safety crisis with a 78 per cent increase in deaths and a 68 per cent rise in serious injuries since 2014. Lowering speeds and working with Police to enforce those limits is a proven tool internationally to be one of the easiest and most effective interventions available.

32. A number of submissions were made by organisations representing large sections of the community, such as District Health Boards, universities and school Boards of Trustees, the AA, Victim Support and Local Boards. AT also received many submissions from people wanting their local street or neighbourhood to have speeds lowered.

33. Submissions are currently being analysed and those who have requested will present to a Hearings Panel of AT Board members and senior executives in April.

34. If adopted, the speed limit changes will come into effect in August this year.

35. The bylaw is one aspect of a 10-year $700 million road safety programme designed to focus not only on speed but to also to bring Auckland’s roads up to Safe System standards. The Government and Regional Land Transport Plan have identified safety on our roads as apriority. In line with this, Auckland Road Safety partners (AT, the Transport Agency, NZ Police, ACC) have identified a number of actions to improve Auckland road safety outcomes in the short term, including:

· Improved Safe System road safety governance structures and knowledge transfer.

· Speed management, technology and enforcement of safe driving behaviours. This includes having all 12 red light cameras operating at the same time. Over the next five years, the number of cameras in place will increase to 42.

· Safety engineering investments at high-risk intersections and road corridors.

· Mass action safety improvements for vulnerable road users.

· Ensuring Safe System design improvements through Capital, Maintenance and Renewals programmes.

· Support for increased Auckland Road Policing activities and further investment in technology.

36. Speed is not the only lever being used to bring down high rates of deaths and serious injuries to zero. Investments in making roads and roadsides safer, working even more on our existing education and outreach programmes, and working closely with NZ Police will also be part of the programme.

Services and passenger trips on Auckland’s new transport network

37. A complete re-working of Auckland’s public transport network has delivered more services and strong growth in passenger numbers.

38. AT’s New Network saw an 11 per cent increase in trips during February, with close to 98 million trips for the year, the highest number of passenger trips since the 1950s.

39. Auckland’s Mayor Phil Goff welcomes the surge in public transport services and patronage, concluding that the number of people now using public transport has reached record levels, not seen since the days when trams ruled Auckland’s streets. While the distance travelled by Auckland buses has increased 32 per cent each year, running costs have been held to just seven per cent. Aucklanders are getting both better services and value for money.

40. Mayor Goff says more people are using public transport because it is a reliable and efficient way to get around Auckland, and notes that the process of change region by region was sensible and worked well, avoiding the issues which occurred in other places such as Wellington.

41. In 2012 AT decided something had to be done to drive an increase in the numbers using public transport; although there were about 70 million trips a year, the rate of growth was barely matching the population rise. Something radical was required so AT discarded the existing route map in favour of the New Network.

42. Simplicity is the key to the New Network. On 30 main bus routes, AT introduced a minimum 15-minute frequency, 7am to 7pm, seven days a week. The new services arrived at the same time as electric trains, newer buses, double decker buses, new stations and integrated ticketing which means passengers now pay for their entire journey rather than each part of it.

43. Auckland now has a public transport system which is working for more people. There has been an increase of 163 per cent in the number of people that live within 500 metres of a rapid or frequent service and patronage is up in all parts of the city.

44. The last region to be implemented will be Waiheke in October where AT is also working to complete additional infrastructure, improve capacity on some services and provide even more frequent routes.

45. It is acknowledged that there are still issues to work through, including the national shortage of bus drivers. AT is also investigating first-and-final leg solutions to access the New Network without needing to use the private car. An On-Demand Rideshare roadmap to expand AT Local services to complement or replace local scheduled feeder bus services is being developed and other options to allow people to access public transport are bike, e-bike, e-scooter and ride-share, services that are likely to be delivered by the private sector.

46. A few fast facts include:

· Service levels increased 32 per cent, creating more than 300 jobs.

· Fleet size increased 15 per cent, capacity was up 20 per cent at peak times.

· Buses now travel 59.1 million kilometres every year.

· New Network South implemented 30 Oct 2016 – trips up 24 per cent (Sep 17) up 8 per cent (Sep 18).

· New Network West implemented 11 June 2017 – trips up 16 per cent (May 18).

· New Network East implemented 10 Dec 2017 – trips up 22 per cent (Oct 18).

· New Network Central implemented 8 July 2018 – trips up 10 per cent (Oct 18).

· New Network North implemented 30 Sept 2018 – trips up 22 per cent (Oct 18).

Warkworth bus patronage

47. The table below shows a summary of the patronage on the new Warkworth bus services from1 October 2018 to 31 March 2019.

Warkworth Bus Services Figures 1 October 2018 – 31 March 2019

995 Warkworth to Hibiscus Coast Station

Average 152 passenger boardings per day

Average 175 passenger boardings per weekday

Average 94 passenger boardings per weekend day

996 Warkworth to Algies Bay and Snells Beach

Average 51 passenger boardings per day

Average 117 passenger boardings per weekday

Average 32 passenger boardings per weekend day

996 Warkworth to Matakana, Point Wells and Omaha

Average 36 passenger boardings per day

Average 40 passenger boardings per weekday

Average 27 passenger boardings per weekend day

Parking changes around North Shore Hospital

48. To make it easier to find a car park around North Shore Hospital, AT has introduced a mix of paid, P120 and unrestricted spaces.

49. The changes took effect on Thursday, 4 April and include:

· Paid parking at $1 per hour on Shea Terrace, Mary Poynton Crescent and part of Northcote Road from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. No time restrictions.

· P120 parking on sections of Brook Street, Thornton Road, Kowhai Street, Lake View Road, Lake Pupuke Drive, Rangitira Avenue and Ngaio Street, from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Large sections of each street remain unrestricted.

50. There is extremely high demand for on-street parking around the hospital and a recent survey by AT identified that at times the parking spaces on the streets near the hospital were close to 100 per cent full all the time. As a result, those who needed to visit the hospital and surrounding area simply could not find a park and were having to park inside the hospital grounds at a much higher hourly rate.

51. These changes mean that people will be able to find an affordable parking space nearby, with the P120 restrictions in residential streets also making it easier for people to visit local residents.

52. In addition, the new bus network means significantly better connections to North Shore Hospital and nearby Smales Farm Station. From 78 buses each day, there are now 213 buses each day stopping right outside the hospital. As a consequence, there has been an increase of 180 percent in the use of the bus stops outside the hospital. North Shore Hospital now has services from early morning to late evening, with direct connections to Beach Haven, East Coast Bays, Glenfield, Milford, Northcote, and Takapuna.

53. Consultation on the changes was carried out in May 2018, with AT announced in December 2018 that charging would be implemented by mid-2019.

54. More information on parking around North Shore Hospital is available at:

https://at.govt.nz/projects-roadworks/changes-to-on-street-parking-around-north-shore-hospital/

Abandoned Vehicles

55. Members often comment that abandoned vehicles take too long to be removed after being reported.

56. Under Section 356 of the Local Government Act 1974 there are several steps AT staff must follow before lawfully removing and disposing of a vehicle. As a result, it may be several months before a vehicle is physically removed.

57. The following steps must be taken by AT staff before removing an abandoned vehicle:

· Relevant infringement notices must be issued.

· Attempts to locate and notify the owner of the vehicle using registration details, engine or chassis numbers.

· Removal of the vehicle for storage if necessary and where possible, with the NZ Police first being formally notified.

· Should the owner not respond, AT will advertise its intention to either sell the vehicle within ten days or dispose of it in other ways. If AT staff assess the vehicle to be of no value, advertising may not be necessary.

· The vehicle is declared abandoned if an owner or interested party (e.g. a finance company) does not come forward.

· Once deemed abandoned, the vehicle is legally deregistered and sold to cover towing, storage or other costs. The vehicle can be disposed of by AT or a new buyer.

· Abandoned vehicles claimed before a sale will be returned to the registered owner once payment for costs incurred is made.

· If the vehicle sells, AT will deduct costs and the remaining proceeds will be held for 12 months, during which previous owners may claim the proceeds.

58. NZTA staff must follow the same process for vehicles abandoned on motorways or state highways

Tauākī whakaaweawe Māori

Māori impact statement

59. 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

60. The proposed decision of receiving the report has no financial implications.

Ngā raru tūpono me ngā whakamaurutanga

Risks and mitigations

61. Auckland Transport has risk management strategies in place for the transport projects undertaken in the local board area.

Ngā koringa ā-muri

Next steps

62. Auckland Transport will provide a further update report to the Transport, Infrastructure and Environment Committee at its next meeting.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	Transport, Infrastructure and Environment Committee issues list	19

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author

Ellen Barrett – Elected Member Relationship Manager

Authorisers

Jonathan Anyon – Elected Member Relationship Team Manager

Lesley Jenkins - Relationship Manager

Rodney Local Board Transport, Infrastructure and Environment Committee

18 April 2019

Rodney town centre revitalisation: Helensville streetscape concept design

File No.: CP2019/04978

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To seek approval of the final design plans to enhance Helensville township and to allocation of funding to progress the project to Resource Consent application, procurement, and physical works.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. Community consultation in Helensville has identified a need to improve the quality and amenity of the main street.

3. Concept design has been completed to improve and upgrade the streetscape on Commercial Road and Creek Lane.

4. The community, the iwi and the North West Country Business Association have been consulted and have helped shape and inform the final design.

5. This report seeks approval of the concept design and budget allocation of $350,000 for construction of the Helensville streetscape improvement project.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Rodney Local Board

a) approve the concept design for the Helensville Streetscape project as outlined in the design documentation (Attachment A) and request staff progress the project through to construction

b) allocate $350,000 from the Rodney Locally Driven Initiatives capital budget in the 2018/2019 financial year work programme item ‘Rodney Town Centre Revitalisation – Implement Concept Plans’ for the completion of the Helensville Town Centre Project stage one.

c) delegate to the chairperson of the Transport, Infrastructure and Environment Committee the ability to approve any minor modifications to the approved concept design.

Horopaki

Context

6. Community consultation sessions in Helensville during 2016 and 2017 identified the need to improve the quality of the main street as a priority. Feedback indicated that people wanted an improved look and feel for the town centre with more trees and street planting, better connections with the river, upgraded shop frontages and a revitalised retail strip.

7. In September 2017, the North West Country Business Association engaged a consultant to prepare a concept plan for enhancing the Helensville town centre. This was to include street trees and planting, seating, signage, a new covered structure outside the Returned Services Association (RSA) building and improved linkages with the river.

8. A draft concept design was presented to the Rodney Local Board, Transport Infrastructure and Environment Committee on 15 February 2018 by the North West Country Business Association.

9. At its business meeting on 21 June 2018, the Rodney Local Board indicated their support for the concept design and allocated $30,000 funding to complete the investigation and detailed design of the North West Country Streetscape Improvement project (Resolution number RD/2018/75). The Rodney Local Board also requested that a community consultation session be held to obtain feedback on the concept design.

10. 4Sight Consulting were contracted to prepare concept design and detailed design work for this project in August 2018.

Community consultation

11. Council staff, local board members and the consultant hosted a community “drop in” session on 8 September 2018. This well attended session was an opportunity for members of the public to discuss and have input on the concept plans.

12. The concept plans and feedback questionnaire were also posted outside the library for six weeks. Approximately 40 questionnaires were received with the following responses.

a) Widespread support

WHAT	COMMENT
Vegetation, trees	Significant majority support but concerns about visibility, maintenance, slippery leaves, root damage to footpaths need to be considered
More seating and shade	Including protection from the wind
Mana whenua	Need to be reflected in the design and included in the process
Improve riverside	Keep clean, maintain walkway, improve connections and accessibility, more planting by river
Pedestrian crossing	Upgrade and lighting
Art, sculptural works
More pedestrian friendly	Slowing traffic, more space and seating, by-pass for trucks needed
More car parking
Shops tidied up	People really like the “new” shops, dislike the empty
Co-ordinated look	Mix of old and new but retain character and heritage
Signage for art centre	Needed at RSA walkway
Walkway linkage

b) Controversial – roughly even split for and against

WHAT	COMMENT
Blue colour on Creek Lane	People liked the concept of the meandering creek in general. Some people thought the blue colour great but equally as many thought it could be ”tacky”
Hanging baskets	Maintenance and vandalism issues. Tried before but ended up in creek. Often looking ill-kept

c) Significant opposition

WHAT	COMMENT
Existing planter boxes	Thought to be ugly, take up too much space, block footpath, universally disliked
Uniform colour palette	Should be cohesive but not all the same

d) Other suggestions

Design needs to better reflect mana whenua - could use Te Aranga design principles/co-design process

This design should be part of a broader collective vision for the area

Improve Mill Road approach and northern end

Town symbol and entrance features needed

Community gardens & fruit trees

Fix roads and footpaths

Need to get young people’s input

13. Where appropriate and possible, many of these suggestions have been have been included in the final design.

14. A consultation session was held with a representative from Ngāti Whatua o Kaipara to find out their views on the project and how they would like to be involved. They expressed a strong interest in working with the consultants to ensure the design reflected their cultural views and aspirations for Te Awaroa.

Tātaritanga me ngā tohutohu

Analysis and advice

15. This project is in line with the local board outcome of empowering and enabling communities to act and take the lead in projects and planning for their own areas.

16. There was a thorough community consultation process carried out prior to deciding on the scope and focus of the Helensville streetscape project and there were opportunities for input into the early stages of the design.

17. The project has been designed to:

· improve the street aestethics with tree planting and underplanting,

· provide additional seating,

· provide shaded areas,

· provide a more functional space for the public,

· provide improved signs within the town centre,

· enhancement of the gateway entrance to the town centre and river connections.

18. The project will have two delivery stages. Stage one is to include tree planting, seating and underplanting within the retail area of Commercial Road.

Commerical Road: Extend of Stage One Planting and Seating

19. Stage two of this project delivery is to include the design of the Creek Lane and foot path hardscape pattern, RSA memorial shelter and tree planting outside of stage one retail area.

20. There is also the potential to add further to the design scope of stage two of this project if additional funding becomes available in the future.

Ngā whakaaweawe ā-rohe me ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera

Council group impacts and views

21. Council’s Parks and Places, arboriculture and eco specialists and Operational Management and Maintenance have been consulted, provided further input and are supportive of the town centre improvement proposals.

22. Healthy Waters will be consultated on the final design of Creek Lane and RSW Memorial Shelter.

23. Watercare will be consultated on the final design of Creek Lane.

24. Staff will collaborate with NZTA on the final design and construction of the stage oneproject delivery to ensure that any new planting is co-ordinated with any other NZTA projects in the town centre.

Ngā whakaaweawe ā-rohe me ngā tirohanga a te poari ā-rohe

Local impacts and local board views

25. At its business meeting on 15February 2018, the initial concept design was presented to the Rodney Local Board, Transport Infrastructure and Environment Committee. Committee members indicated support for the design and at their subsequent meeting on 21 June 2018, the Rodney Local Board allocated $30,000 funding to complete the detailed design of the North West Country Streetscape Improvement project (Resolution number RD/2018/75).

Tauākī whakaaweawe Māori

Māori impact statement

26. 4Sight Consulting and council staff have been in discussions with a representative from Ngāti Whatua o Kaipara to gather feedback and input on the concept design.

27. Included in the feedback from mana whenua is the proposed colour palette for the area, incorporating appropriate designs and imagery into the seating, the signage, and the types of planting.

Ngā ritenga ā-pūtea

Financial implications

28. Locally Driven Initiative capital expenditure budget has been allocated for the Rodney town centre revitalisation projects as part of the 2018/2019 work programme. The total budget is $822,000 though some allocations have already been made to the Mahurangi River dredging. There is sufficient funding available to meet the costs of this project as well as the Warkworth Town Centre project detailed in a separate report.

29. A rough order of costs has been prepared as part of the design process. The estimated cost to undertake stage one of this project is $350,000.

30. Creek Lane Design, the RSA memorial shelter and tree planting included in stage two are not part of the indicative costs for this project. These items will be costed separately and further design stages and construction are proposed to be included in stage two.

Ngā raru tūpono me ngā whakamaurutanga

Risks and mitigations

31. Resource Consent is required, and the preparation and processing of this consent may have an impact on the time frame for construction.

32. To help prevent the spread of Myrtle Rust, a planting ban has been put in place by Biosecurity New Zealand to plant large numbers of trees. This could potentially be a risk to the design, should the ban apply to the Helensville streetscape project and the proposed tree planting.

33. Watercare upgrade on Creek Lane is being proposed. There is no date or specifications available at the time of writing.

34. New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) is completing a Safer Speed Report and upgrades to the Commercial Road pedestrian crossing and islands. Consultation has yet to be undertaken by NZTA and there is no timeline for the delivery of these projects.

35. The Helensville Community Centre/ RSA and Library at 49 Commercial Road is currently under investigation for a comprehensive renewal project. The extent of the project is currently unknown and could have an effect on the RSA memorial shelter design that forms part of the proposed concept design.

36. Due to the currently unknown timelines of the projects planned by Watercare, NZTA and the renewal of 49 Commercial Road, the delivery of Creek Lane design and RSA memorial shelter are being excluded from the cost estimate and stage one construction. These items are to form part of stage two of the project.

Ngā koringa ā-muri

Next steps

37. The table below summarises the anticipated next steps and estimated delivery timeframe for the project. The estimated timeframes assume successful and timely completion of each identified project step. Unforeseen delays in the procurement, the resource consent process, planting season or contractor availibility have the potential to delay completion of the project beyond the identified timeframe.

Developed Design	April/ May 2019
Site investigation, resource consent application (It is assumed that the consent application will be processed as a non-notified application.)	May/ June 2019
Detailed Design	July/ August 2019
Procure physical works contractor	October/ November 2019
Physical works	February to June 2020

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	Helensville Town Centre Concept	33
b ⇩	Helensville Stage 1 Preliminary Design	49

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author

Sandra May - Property Coordinator

Authorisers

Rod Sheridan - General Manager Community Facilities

Lesley Jenkins - Relationship Manager

Rodney Local Board Transport, Infrastructure and Environment Committee

18 April 2019

Rodney town centre revitalisation: Warkworth community space concept design

File No.: CP2019/04984

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To seek approval of the concept design for the community space in the area between the Warkworth Library and the Masonic Hall and the allocation of funding to progress the project to procurement and physical works.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. Community consultation in Warkworth has identified a need for better connections between the town and the river and for attractive community spaces with more shade and seating.

3. Concept and preliminary design has been completed to redevelop the area between the Warkworth Library and the Masonic Hall and improve access to the river and the area behind the Masonic Hall.

4. The community, the iwi and the library have been consulted and have helped shape and inform the design.

5. Ngāti Manuhiri have provided input for naming the town centre “Te Huihuinga Kowhai”.

6. This report seeks approval of the concept design and budget allocation of $300,000 prior to consent applications, procurement and construction.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Rodney Local Board:

a) approve the concept design for the Warkworth Town Centre project as outlined in the design documentation (Attachment A) and request staff progress the project through to construction

b) allocate a further $90,000 of local driven initiatives capital funding to the Community Facilities work programme item 1887 - ‘Rodney Town Centre Revitalisation – Implement Concept Plans’.

c) allocate $300,000 from the Rodney locally driven initiatives capital budget in the 2018/2019 financial year work programme item ‘Rodney Town Centre Revitalisation – Implement Concept Plans’ for the completion of the Warkworth Town Centre Project.

c) delegate to the chairperson of the Transport, Infrastructure and Environment Committee the ability to approve any minor modifications to the approved concept design.

Horopaki

Context

7. Several community engagement sessions were held in Warkworth during 2016 and 2017 to gather the local community’s ideas on what they wanted for the future activation of the town centre and the river. Five key ideas were identified, and these were collated into the Warkworth Community Aspirations Report (December 2017).

8. There was significant support for improving the health and cleanliness of the river, refocusing the town towards the river, better access between the town centre and the river and improved community spaces with additional provision of seating and shade.

9. The Warkworth Community Space project was recommended by council staff for further community consultation and progression to concept design because it contributed to most of the five key ideas for improving Warkworth town centre identified by the community in the Warkworth Community Aspirations Report.

· We want a clean healthy river

· We want affordable and accessible public spaces that focus on the river

· We want an attractive town centre that supports a vibrant local economy

· We are proud of and nurture our identity, culture and heritage

· We want to get around more easily - improved pedestrian accessibility and connections.

10. The scope of this project will also include improvements to the entranceway of the library and provide this facility with additional outdoor space as well as providing an attractive seating and shaded area for users of the new bus service in Warkworth.

11. Resilio Studio were contracted to engage with the local community and develop concept and detailed design for this project.

Community consultation

12. Resilio Studio held a stall at the Kowhai Festival in October 2018. They talked with a wide cross section of the local community and asked people to complete a simple questionnaire that gathered views on how they would see the space along the river to be developed, what would they like it to look like and what they would like to use it for.

13. As a result of the community feedback and a careful examination of potential sites, Resilio Studio proposed that the best location for the project at this time, given the potential resourcing available, would be the area between the library and the Masonic Hall and directly behind the Masonic Hall.

14. An initial consultation session was held with Ngāti Manuhiri in late October 2018 to find out their views on the project, the proposed location, and how they would like to be involved. They expressed a keen interest in working with Resilio Studio to ensure the design reflected their cultural views and aspirations for Warkworth.

15. The proposed location and a draft concept plan was presented to the Rodney Local Board Parks and Recreation Committee at their workshop on 8 November 2018. The committee were supportive of the location and the general design concept.

16. An open day event was held at the site on 15 December 2018. This was an opportunity for the community to look at the concept plans and discuss them in detail with Resilio Studio and council staff. Apart from a few people wanting more than the budget can provide at this stage, there was a great deal of support for the proposed concept design and the location.

17. A special workshop session was held with library staff to discuss their needs and how they would like to use the space. As much as possible, this has been incorporated into the final design and the library staff are very happy with the proposed changes to the area outside the library entranceway.

Tātaritanga me ngā tohutohu

Analysis and advice

18. This project is in line with the local board outcome of empowering and enabling communities to act and take the lead in projects and planning for their own areas.

19. There has been a robust community consultation process carried out over a considerable length of time in 2017 and 2018 and a variety of different community voices have been heard. The project directly responds to majority community view for more community spaces and better connections between the main street and the river in Warkworth.

20. The community space has been designed to:

· complement the immediate area

· provide beneficial outdoor space for the library

· provide a pleasant place for users of public transport

· provide a more enticing gateway to the river

· increase the amount of seating, shade and planting near the main street.

21. There is also the potential to add further to this design if additional resourcing becomes available in the future. Some people would like to see better provision for events and entertainment at the back of the Masonic Hall. The seating terraces and shaded area will go some way towards this but there could be opportunities for further development.

Ngā whakaaweawe ā-rohe me ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera

Council group impacts and views

22. Council’s Parks and Places, Operational Management and Maintenance and Libraries have been consulted and are supportive of the proposed designs.

23. Healthy Waters and Auckland Transport will be consulted as part of the developed design phase.

24. Community Facilities staff will co-ordinate with Libraries and Venue Hire during construction phase to minimise disruption to services.

Ngā whakaaweawe ā-rohe me ngā tirohanga a te poari ā-rohe

Local impacts and local board views

25. The initial concept design was presented to the local board at a workshop on the 8 November 2018. Local board members indicated support for the design and requested that r the community had an opportunity for input into the plans before they were further developed to the next design stage. The revised concept design, incorporating community feedback was presented at the local board workshop on the 14^th March 2019.

Tauākī whakaaweawe Māori

Māori impact statement

26. There were discussions with Ngāti Manuhiri in the early design stages of the project on what they thought of the idea and how they might like to be involved. They were interested, supportive and keen to see Ngāti Manuhiri aspirations and cultural values reflected in the new community space. The final design has had input from Ngāti Manuhiri.

27. This included possibly naming the redeveloped community space “Te Huihuinga Kōwhai”. Huihuinga means gathering, crowd, meeting or assembly, which feels appropriate for the new community space. Kōwhai is in reference of the tree specifies that form part of the design.

28. Other considerations include the replacement of existing trees with specific natives, such as Kōwhai, Including the concept of manaaki (hosting) with provision of a drinking fountain, shade/shelter, seating and integrating a “Māori” look and feel into the overall design and materials.

Ngā ritenga ā-pūtea

Financial implications

29. Locally driven initiative (LDI) capital expenditure budget has been allocated for the Rodney town centre revitalisation projects as part of the 2018/2019 work programme. The total budget for this work programme item is $822,000 though some allocations have already been made to the Mahurangi River dredging. The allocation of a further $90,000 in capital funding will ensure that there is sufficient funding available to cover the costs of this project as well as the Helensville Town Centre project stage one as set out in a separate report.

30. A rough order of costs has been prepared as part of the design process. The estimated costs to undertaken the town centre improvement works is $300,000.

Ngā raru tūpono me ngā whakamaurutanga

Risks and mitigations

31. The Rodney Local Board is in support of the enhancement of the Warkworth town centre in line with the Warkworth Community Aspiration Report developed in 2017.

32. Without the approval of the Rodney Local Board of the concept design the town centre development cannot proceed.

33. Community expectations have been raised throughout the consultation period and community’s input into the concept design and the Rodney Local Board reputation is at risk if the project does not proceed.

Ngā koringa ā-muri

Next steps

34. The table below summarises the anticipated next steps and estimated delivery timeframe for the project. The estimated timeframes assume successful and timely completion of each identified project step. Unforeseen delays in the procurement or contractor availability, have the potential to delay completion of the project beyond the identified timeframe.

Detailed Design	May to August 2019
Procure physical works contractor	October/ November 2019
Physical works	February to June 2020

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	Warkworth Town Centre Community Space Design	55

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author

Sandra May - Property Coordinator

Authorisers

Rod Sheridan - General Manager Community Facilities

Lesley Jenkins - Relationship Manager

Chairperson	Cameron Brewer
Deputy Chairperson	Louise Johnston
Members	Brent Bailey
	Tessa Berger
	Beth Houlbrooke
	Phelan Pirrie
	Allison Roe, MBE
	Colin Smith
	Brenda Steele

Author	Robyn Joynes - Democracy Advisor - Rodney
Authoriser	Lesley Jenkins - Relationship Manager