I hereby give notice that an ordinary
meeting of the Auckland City Centre Advisory Board will be held on:
MEMBERSHIP
|
Chairperson
|
Mr Andrew Gaukrodger
|
Corporate sector
|
|
Deputy
Chairperson
|
Mr James Mooney
|
Urban design/institute of
architects
|
|
Members
|
Ms Viv Beck
|
Business Improvement
District
|
|
|
Ms Noelene
Buckland
|
City Centre Residents Group
|
|
|
Cr Pippa Coom
|
Waitematā and Gulf
Ward Councillor, Auckland Council
|
|
|
Mr George
Crawford
|
Property Council of NZ
|
|
|
Cr Chris Darby
|
Auckland Council
(Mayor’s alternate)
|
|
|
Mayor Hon Phil
Goff, CNZM, JP
|
Auckland Council
|
|
|
Mr Matt Harray
|
Retail sector
|
|
|
Mr Jamey
Holloway
|
Business Improvement
District
|
|
|
Mr Mark
Kingsford
|
Corporate sector
|
|
|
Ms Amy Malcolm
|
Tertiary
sector (University of Auckland)
|
|
|
Mr Nigel Murphy
|
Tertiary
sector (Auckland University of Technology)
|
|
|
Mr Richard
Northey
|
Waitematā
Local Board, Auckland Council
|
|
|
Mr Antony
Phillips
|
City Centre Residents Group
|
|
|
Ms Anahera
Rawiri
|
Ngāti Whātua
Ōrākei
|
|
|
Mr Patrick
Reynolds
|
Transport
representative
|
|
(Quorum 8 members)
|
|
Mike Giddey
Kaitohutohu Mana Whakahaere /
Governance Advisor
23 February 2022
Contact Telephone: +64 9 890 8143
Email: mike.giddey@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
|
(Excerpt –full terms of reference available as
a separate document)
1. These terms of reference set
out the roles, responsibilities and working arrangements for the Auckland City
Centre Advisory Board.
2. The
board is a key advisory body, with no decision-making or autonomous budgetary authority.
3. The board will assist the
Auckland Council, specifically the Governing Body and the Waitematā Local
Board and Auckland Council Controlled Organisations to oversee and be a key
advisor to the Auckland Council on achieving the vision and strategic outcomes
of the Auckland Plan, the City Centre Masterplan, the expenditure of the city
centre targeted rate and city centre issues.
Membership:
Includes one councillor and one local board member.
The board should include members who can
provide expert advice on many areas including transport, landscape, environment
and youth sectors. The membership includes a position for Mana Whenua.
Representatives from CCOs may be board members without voting rights. The number of the board members should be between 16 and
21 at any time.
The new board’s term should end one
month prior to the next local government elections in 2022. The membership of
the board may be rolled over for more than one electoral term of three years.
Purpose of City Centre
Targeted Rate
(Excerpt –full information available in a
separate document)
Background
The City Centre targeted rate is to help
fund the development and revitalisation of the city centre. The rate applies to
business and residential land in the City Centre area.
Activities to be funded
The City Centre redevelopment programme
aims to enhance the city centre as a place to work, live, visit and do
business. It achieves this by providing a high-quality urban environment,
promoting the competitive advantages of the city centre as a business location,
and promoting the city centre as a place for high-quality education, research
and development. The programme intends to reinforce and promote the city centre
as a centre for arts and culture, with a unique identity as the heart and soul
of Auckland. The rate will fund expenditure within the following activities:
Regional planning; Roads and footpaths; Local parks, sports and recreation.
The targeted rate will continue until
2024/2025 to cover capital and operating expenditure generated by the projects
in the City Centre redevelopment programme. From 2016/2017, unspent funds from
the targeted rate have been used to transition the depreciation and
consequential operating costs of capital works to the general rate so that from
2019/2020 these costs will be entirely funded from general rates.
|
Auckland City
Centre Advisory Board
28 February
2022
|
|
ITEM TABLE OF
CONTENTS PAGE
1 Apologies 7
2 Declaration of
Interest 7
3 Confirmation
of Minutes 7
4 Extraordinary
Business 7
5 Election
of chairperson and deputy chairperson 9
6 City
Centre Targeted Rate Portfolio Annual Budget update
2022/2023 13
7 Update
on the Wai Horotiu Queen Street Project 29
8 Consideration
of Extraordinary Items
At the close of
the agenda no apologies had been received.
2 Declaration
of Interest
Members are
reminded of the need to be vigilant to stand aside from decision making when a
conflict arises between their role as a member and any private or other
external interest they might have.
3 Confirmation
of Minutes
|
That the Auckland City Centre Advisory Board:
a)
confirm the ordinary minutes of its meeting,
held on Monday, 29 November 2021, as a true and
correct record.
|
4 Extraordinary
Business
Section 46A(7)
of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (as amended)
states:
“An item
that is not on the agenda for a meeting may be dealt with at that meeting if-
(a) The local authority by
resolution so decides; and
(b) The presiding member
explains at the meeting, at a time when it is open to the public,-
(i) The
reason why the item is not on the agenda; and
(ii) The reason why the
discussion of the item cannot be delayed until a subsequent meeting.”
Section 46A(7A)
of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (as amended)
states:
“Where an
item is not on the agenda for a meeting,-
(a) That item may be discussed
at that meeting if-
(i) That item is a minor
matter relating to the general business of the local authority; and
(ii) the presiding member
explains at the beginning of the meeting, at a time when it is open to the
public, that the item will be discussed at the meeting; but
(b) no resolution, decision or
recommendation may be made in respect of that item except to refer that item to
a subsequent meeting of the local authority for further discussion.”
|
Auckland City
Centre Advisory Board
28 February
2022
|
|
Election
of chairperson and deputy chairperson
File No.: CP2022/01897
Te take mō te
pūrongo
Purpose of the report
1. To
elect a chairperson and deputy chairperson for the Auckland City Centre
Advisory Board (the board).
Whakarāpopototanga matua
Executive summary
2. The
Auckland City Centre Advisory Board terms
of reference states that there should be an annual process of electing the
chairperson and deputy chairperson.
3. The
terms of reference also states that the chairperson and deputy chairperson may
be re-elected and that the three elected members on the board are ineligible to
be appointed in these roles.
4. The election will take place at this meeting.
5. The
board must decide whether the election will be conducted by open or closed
ballot.
6. The
board must also choose a voting system. Staff recommend that the board adopt
one of the two voting systems outlined in the Local Government Act 2002 (refer
to paragraphs 12 and 13 of this report).
7. Once
the board has made these choices, the lead officer will lead the process for
the election of the chairperson. The chairperson will then lead the process for
the deputy chairperson.
Ngā tūtohunga
Recommendation/s
That the Auckland City Centre
Advisory Board:
a) decide
whether the chairperson and deputy chairperson will be elected by open or
closed ballot
b) decide
whether the chairperson will be elected using voting system A or voting system
B (as described in Schedule 7, Clause 25 of the Local Government Act 2002)
c) elect a
chairperson
d) elect a
deputy chairperson.
Horopaki
Context
8. The
board is required to elect a chairperson and deputy chairperson annually.
9. Once
the chairperson has been elected the same process for the deputy chair will
follow.
10. There is no
provision for proxy voting. Only members present may nominate and vote for the
chairperson. Candidates can vote for themselves.
11. The
board’s terms of reference state that the three elected members are
ineligible to be elected as chair or deputy chair to the board.
Open or closed ballot
12. The board can
choose to elect the chairperson by show of hands, which is an open ballot, or
by or by emailing or texting their vote to the governance advisor, which is a
closed ballot.
Voting system
13. The board
needs to decide what voting system it wants to use.
14. Staff
recommend to undertake the election in accordance with Schedule 7, Clause 25 of
the Local Government Act 2002, and to choose one of the two systems that can be
used to elect chairpersons and deputy chairpersons of regional councils and
other committees. The two systems are described below.
a) System A requires that a
person is elected or appointed if he or she receives the votes of a majority of
the members of the local authority or committee present and voting, and has the
following characteristics:
· there
is a first round of voting for all candidates
· if
no candidate is successful in that round there is a second round of voting from
which the candidate with the fewest votes in the first round is excluded
· if
no candidate is successful in the second round there is a third, and if
necessary subsequent, round of voting from which, each time, the candidate with
the fewest votes in the previous round is excluded
· in
any round of voting, if two or more candidates tie for the lowest number of
votes, the person excluded from the next round is resolved by lot.
b) System B requires that a
person is elected or appointed if he or she receives more votes than any other
candidate, and has the following characteristics:
· there
is only one round of voting
· if
two or more candidates tie for the most votes, the tie is resolved by lot.
Voting procedure at the meeting
15. The meeting
will proceed as follows:
· the
lead officer will call the meeting to order and deal with apologies and the
initial procedural items
· the
first item of substantive business will be the election of chairperson and the
meeting will be chaired by the lead officer, assisted by the governance advisor
· the
lead officer will call for a decision on whether the ballot will be open or
closed. This will be by simple voice or show of hands vote
· the
lead officer will then call for a decision on the voting system. Once a member
moves one of the systems and is seconded, it will be put to the vote. Again, a
decision will be by voice or show of hands
· the
lead officer will call for nominations for chairperson. Each candidate must be
nominated and seconded by a board member who is present
· if
there is only one nomination that person will be declared elected and will
assume the chair
· if
there is more than one candidate, an election will take place using the voting
system agreed earlier
· if
it is closed voting in an online meeting, the governance advisor will request
members to email or text him with their vote.
· once
the chairperson is elected, they will assume the chair and carry out the
process for electing the deputy chairperson.
· The
meeting will then continue with the next item of business.
Ngā tāpirihanga
Attachments
There are no attachments for
this report.
Ngā kaihaina
Signatories
|
Author
|
Victoria Wicks-Brown – Principal Advisor,
Advisory Panels
|
|
Authoriser
|
John Dunshea - General Manager Development Programmes
Office
|
|
Auckland City
Centre Advisory Board
28 February
2022
|
|
City Centre Targeted Rate Portfolio
Annual Budget update
2022/2023
File No.: CP2022/01931
Te take mō te
pūrongo
Purpose of the report
1. To
update the board on the annual budget for the city centre targeted rate portfolio
2022/2023 to be considered by the Finance and Performance Committee as part of
Auckland Council’s 2022/2023 annual plan.
Whakarāpopototanga matua
Executive summary
2. This update of the annual budget for the city centre
targeted rate portfolio budget 2022/2023 is being provided to the board as part
of Auckland Council’s 2022/2023 annual plan process.
3. The
annual plan is a standard annual operational function of Auckland Council, it
focuses on spend in financial year 2022/2023. The total city centre targeted
rate budget for 2022/2023 is $23,782,205.
4. The increase in construction costs due to ongoing inflationary
market forces associated with COVID-19, labour and material shortages will have
an ongoing impact on the city centre targeted rate portfolio. Mitigation strategies include focus on scope management,
programming and planning of projects, early procurement, material substitution,
increasing contingency and escalation allowances in budgets and
reprioritisation of construction projects.
5. Some project or programme budgets and cashflows have been
adjusted to align with the latest cost information, current project designs, delivery dates, and anticipated
increased costs of construction. The key changes are:
· inclusion of funding for the Wai Horotiu Queen Street Project
following the board’s workshop on 13 December 2021;
· budget increase for Myers Park underpass following the tender review
process;
· budget increase for Galway Street following the latest forecasted
cost information; and
· budget
increase for future projects to reflect anticipated cost inflation.
6. The Long-term Plan process occurs every three
years and allows for wider consideration of ten-year work programmes.
Ngā tūtohunga
Recommendation/s
That the Auckland City Centre
Advisory Board:
a) note the
city centre targeted rate portfolio budget 2022/2023 (Attachment A of the
agenda report)
b) note
that the city centre targeted rate portfolio budget 2022/2023 forms part of
Auckland Council’s annual plan.
Horopaki
Context
7. Auckland
City Council established the city centre targeted rate in the 2004/2005
financial year to help fund the development and revitalisation of the city
centre. The rate is applied to business and residential land in the city centre
and is estimated to yield approximately $22.5 million over the financial year
2022/2023.
8. Auckland
Council’s annual plan focuses on 12-month budgets and is informed by the
council’s Long-term Plan (10-year budget), Auckland Plan (30-year
vision), as well as the 21 Local Board plans (adopted every three years). The annual plan will be subject to public
consultation and will be adopted before the start of the 2022/2023 financial
year.
9. The
city centre targeted rate portfolio budget is a component of the annual plan.
10. The
extension of the targeted rate until financial year 2031 was approved as part
of the Long-term Plan 2021-2031 (GB/2021/79). The city centre targeted
rate now includes budget lines for programmes in the outer years of the
Long-term Plan. Programmes and projects included in the city centre targeted
rate portfolio budget 2022/2023 reflect those presented to the board at its 30
November 2020 meeting.
11. The
budget lines in outer years (2029-2031) are indicative only and further
planning and project development work will need to be undertaken.
12. The Auckland City Centre Advisory Board has the opportunity
to provide feedback on the portfolio every three years as part of the Long-term
Plan process. The next opportunity for ACCAB to provide feedback on
years 2024 onwards will be during the next Long-term Plan process starting in
2023.
13. An update on
the City Centre Targeted Rate portfolio and budget was provided to the board at
its 27 September 2021 meeting (CEN/2021/18).
Tātaritanga me ngā tohutohu
Analysis and advice
14. budget for 2022/2023 has been updated and
is included as Attachment A to this report.
15. The total forecast
expenditure within the budget for 2022/2023 is shown below in Table 1.
TABLE 1: City centre targeted rate forecasted expenditure
2022/2023
|
Budget type
|
2022/2023
forecast
|
|
Capex
|
$17,151,875
|
|
Opex
|
$6,330,330
|
|
Total
|
$23,782,205
|
16. The reserve
at the end of financial year 2031 is currently just over $5 million. The
reserve is the cumulative amount of forecast revenue
from the targeted rate minus forecast expenditure.
17. The city centre targeted rate portfolio
budget 2020/2021 supports the same projects and programmes as presented to the
board in the meeting on 30
November 2020.
18. The increase in construction costs due to ongoing inflationary
market forces associated with COVID-19, labour and material shortages will have
an ongoing impact on the city centre targeted rate portfolio. Revised ways of
working during COVID-19, including new health and safety compliance and impacts
to productivity, will also need to be factored to increased construction
budgets.
19. Higher
transport and shipping costs escalated raw material costs and labour pressures
associated with manufactured products are contributing to the escalation of
certain construction materials being evidenced in the region of 20 percent in
the past year and in some instances as high as 40 percent. Labour market
shortages, including within both the skilled and unskilled work force, are also
contributing to cost increases and price volatility. It is expected that
the current market conditions will continue to impact on the costs of
construction over the short-medium term.
20. Strategies
to mitigate the above pressures include focus on scope management, programming
and planning of projects, early procurement, material substitution, increasing
contingency and escalation allowances in budgets and reprioritisation of
construction projects.
21. Project
or programme cashflows have been adjusted to align with the latest cost
information, updated designs, current delivery dates, anticipated increased
costs and updated project information. This is expected as the projects
develop.
22. The most
significant variances for the 2022/2023 annual budget are for the following
projects:
· Myers
Park Underpass
· Contribution to Wai Horotiu Queen Street project
· Galway Street
· Nelson
Street Slip-lane
· Emily
Place
23. Myers Park underpass and the Wai Horotiu Queen Street project are
partially funded by the targeted rate and partially funded by general rates.
24. The 2022/2023
budget provides a budget line called ‘Additional programme fund’
which allows funds for contingency and to respond to immediate opportunities in
the city centre. There is $500,000 allocated to this line for 2022/2023.
Tauākī whakaaweawe
āhuarangi
Climate impact statement
25. The city centre targeted rate portfolio will help ensure
projects in the city centre continue to incorporate critical environmental
and climate change , such as sustainable procurement, recycle-able and re-usable materials, opportunities to improve
water treatment, greening the environment (for example, more trees and
planters), monitoring and evaluation of environment measures, compact and
low-carbon urban design.
Ngā whakaaweawe me
ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera
Council group impacts and views
26. The city centre targeted rate portfolio budget 2022/2023 will be
provided to the Finance and Performance Committee as part of the annual plan
process.
Ngā whakaaweawe
ā-rohe me ngā tirohanga a te poari ā-rohe
Local impacts and local board views
27. Auckland’s
city centre falls within the Waitematā Local Board boundaries. The local
board is consulted during the development of relevant city centre projects,
some of which receive funding through the city centre targeted rate. Initiatives are consistent with the Waitematā Local
Board Plan 2020.
28. Staff
advised the Waitematā local board that an update of the targeted rate
portfolio 2022/2023 would be part of the annual plan process to the
Waitematā local board workshop on 22 February 2022.
Tauākī whakaaweawe
Māori
Māori impact statement
29. The city centre targeted rate can be used to
fund development projects that contribute to Māori
outcomes by enabling manaakitanga (hospitality), kaitiakitanga (environmental
guardianship), and highlighting our unique cultural heritage by incorporating
Māori design elements.
30. Mana whenua consultation occurs as part of the development and
delivery of all city centre projects, on a project by project basis, via the
monthly Infrastructure and Environmental Services Mana Whenua Hui. and other
site or project specific hui.
31. A Ngāti Whātua o Ōrākei representative is part
of the Auckland City Centre Advisory Board membership
Ngā ritenga
ā-pūtea
Financial implications
32. The
city centre targeted rate was approved
by the Governing Body at its meeting in June
2021: resolution (GB/2021/78)
33. All changes
to the portfolio budget have been achieved within the existing city centre
targeted rate portfolio budget to 2031.
34. The city
centre targeted rate forms an important part of city centre spend,
complementing general rates as set out in the Long-term Plan 2021-2031.
35. In
the event that we are unable to spend the 2022/2023 budget (for example due to
Covid-19 impacts) the residual amount will be deferred to later years and
remains within the ringfenced budget for the targeted rate.
Ngā raru tūpono me
ngā whakamaurutanga
Risks and mitigations
36. The
city centre targeted rate portfolio includes projects at various stages,
including projects that do not yet have a defined scope or conceptual design.
As such, the forecast budgets and delivery timeframes are subject to change and
are subject to market cost escalation.
37. All projects
are actively managed, so substantive changes can be foreseen and managed.
38. There is a contingency budget line within the city centre
targeted rate portfolio (Additional Programme Fund) which sets aside
funds to mitigate unforeseen financial issues that cannot be resolved within a
project’s individual budget.
Ngā koringa ā-muri
Next steps
39. The
draft city centre targeted rate portfolio budget 2022/2023 will be incorporated
as part of the council’s annual plan process.
40. Public
consultation on the annual plan will take place between 28 February and 28
March 2022. Adoption. of the final Annual Budget by the Governing Body will
take place in June 2022.
Ngā tāpirihanga
Attachments
|
No.
|
Title
|
Page
|
|
a⇩
|
The city centre targeted rate portfolio budget
2022/2023
|
19
|
|
b⇩
|
City centre targeted rate portfolio projects update
|
21
|
Ngā kaihaina
Signatories
|
Author
|
Liz Nicholls – Manager Investments Programmes
|
|
Authoriser
|
John Dunshea - General Manager Development Programmes
Office
|
|
Auckland City
Centre Advisory Board
28 February
2022
|
|
|
Auckland City
Centre Advisory Board
28 February
2022
|
|
|
Auckland City
Centre Advisory Board
28 February
2022
|
|
Update on the Wai Horotiu Queen Street
Project
File No.: CP2022/01937
Te take mō te
pūrongo
Purpose of the report
1. To update the
Auckland City Centre Advisory Board
on the Wai Horotiu Queen Street
project.
Whakarāpopototanga matua
Executive summary
2. The
Wai Horotiu Queen Street project is a key step towards the City Centre
Masterplan vision.
3. In
June 2021, the project delivered zone 1, from Customs Street to Shortland
Street, as part of the Waka Kotahi Innovating Streets for People programme. In
early December 2021, zone 2, the Fort Street pocket park, was opened to the
public.
4. Construction
for the project from Shortland Street to Mayoral Drive, started in January 2022
and will be completed in September 2022. The design features a substantial
increase and enhancement to the public realm through footpath build-out and
provision of a multi-use path on the eastern side of Queen Street.
5. At
the 13 December 2021 Auckland City Centre Advisory Board workshop, staff
provided an update on the final designs, feedback from recent public
consultation, and cost pressures on the project budget. Members present
supported a contribution of between $2.5 million and $5 million from the city
centre targeted rate to enable the project to proceed with the current proposed
design, quality and scope. The budget allocation will be included in the update
of the city centre targeted rate portfolio budget as part of the Annual Budget
2022/2023, and reported to the board in the separate report at its 28 February
2022 meeting.
6. Construction
is on track despite COVID-19 impacts on labour and material availability, as
well as new health and safety requirements. Works are progressing on the
planning for the Essential Vehicle Area, parking enforcement, Key Performance
Indicator baseline monitoring, as well as responding to antisocial behaviour
issues on Fort Street.
7. Staff will continue to provide regular
memorandum updates to the board as the project progresses.
Ngā tūtohunga
Recommendation/s
That the Auckland City Centre
Advisory Board:
a) note the
update on the Wai Horotiu Queen Street project.
Horopaki
Context
8. The
City Centre Masterplan 2020 was adopted by the Planning Committee in March 2020
(resolution PLA/2020/17). It is a place-based document that gives effect to the
expectations of the city centre in the Auckland Plan. The masterplan is shaped
by targets and direction from Te-Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri:
Auckland’s Climate Plan.
9. At
the core of the City Centre Masterplan is Access for Everyone (A4E), a concept
to transform how people and freight move in the city centre. By enabling a
decisive mode-shift away from private vehicles and prioritising active modes
and public transport, it aims to make better use of finite city centre space to
improve priority for people and the quality of the environment.
10. The
Wai Horotiu Queen Street project is a key step towards the City Centre Masterplan
vision and will deliver incremental pedestrian priority and network changes
while we plan for the future, in parallel with other major infrastructure
works.
11. The
extent of the project is on Queen Street, from Customs Street to Mayoral Drive,
including road and side street intersections.
12. In
June 2021, the project delivered zone 1, from Customs Street to Shortland
Street, as part of the Waka Kotahi Innovating Streets for People programme. In
early December, zone 2, the Fort Street pocket park, was opened to the public.
13. The
next phase of the project, between Shortland Street and Mayoral Drive, will
deliver on the climate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to
the impacts of climate change, funded as part of Auckland Council’s
Recovery Budget 2021-2031.
14. Feedback
was received on the completed zone 1 works through the online Social Pinpoint
tool from 9 July to 6 August 2021. In response to the community feedback
received, the Project Steering Group has decided to progress the design from
Shortland Street to Mayoral Drive all at once, rather than in stages.
15. The
Waitematā Local Board also provided feedback on 20 October 2021
(resolution WTM/2021/160).
16. The
concept design for Shortland Street to Mayoral Drive was shared with the
community from 22 September to 22 October 2021. Feedback was sought on the
proposed traffic interventions. We received 460 submissions from individuals
and businesses during the public consultation period, the proposed transport
changes were largely supported during consultation. The consultation report and
decisions can be found here.
17. The
Waitematā Local Board delegated members also provided feedback on the
proposal on 20 October 2021 (resolution WTM/2021/160).
18. Construction
has started for the project in January 2022 and is planned to be finished in
September 2022. The works will deliver:
· a substantial increase and enhancement to the public realm through
footpath build-out and provision of a multi-use path on the eastern side of
Queen Street
· the palette of materials including paving, planters and furniture,
will be of a good, robust quality that is reflective of Queen Street as the city
centre’s premiere street, and contribute to a simple, uncluttered and
attractive streetscape.
Tātaritanga me ngā
tohutohu
Analysis and advice
19. At
its workshop on 13 December 2021, staff provided an
update to the Auckland City Centre Advisory Board on the Wai Horotiu Queen
Street project including final designs, feedback from recent public
consultation, and cost pressures on the project budget.
20. The
cost estimate based on detailed design for the works indicated a budget
shortfall of between $2.5 million to $5 million. Potential mitigation
approaches include:
· increase budget – additional funding from the city centre
targeted rate
· reduce scope and substitution of materials and methods
· reduce extent of works – omission of works between Wakefield
Street and Mayoral Drive.
21. The cost increase is due to an escalation of the estimated direct
costs of material, plant and labour following the detailed design development
and through the resolution of technical detail impacting the scope, which was
unknown at the time of initial costing. We are also experiencing supply chain
cost increases as well as increased lead times because of global supply issues.
22. Specific examples of these cost increases are the larger areas of
new footpath buildout than those contemplated in the concept design or the
inclusion of an extensive network of surface drainage necessary to manage
100-year flooding risks. Certain design decisions have also been made to
minimise construction disruption, which in turn have an impact on costs. These
items include the development of pre-cast concrete kerbing which is a more
expensive option to site-poured concrete which gives the advantage of reducing
disruption.
23. Staff
sought the Auckland City Centre Advisory Board members’ insights to
inform staff decision-making on next steps for the project. Particular
considerations included:
· the impacts of any changes to design or scope on achieving outcomes
for the city centre, in line with the City Centre Masterplan
· potential funding for the project from the city centre targeted
rate.
24. The
Board supported a contribution of between $2.5 million and $5 million from the
city centre targeted rate to enable the project to proceed with the current
proposed design, quality and scope. The feedback from the board is included in
Attachment A.
25. The
city centre targeted rate budget allocation will be included in the update of
the city centre targeted rate portfolio budget 2022/2023 part of Auckland
Council’s 2022/2023 annual plan process, and reported to the board in the
separate report at its 28 February 2022 meeting.
Project progress
26. Construction
work started as planned on 10 January 2022, with the removal of the built-up
median island and carriageway resurfacing work to enable changing the road
alignment in the block between Wellesley Street and Wakefield Street. This was
completed successfully, and work has now started building-out the new footpath
areas on the western side of the street between Wellesley Street and Mayoral
Drive. Construction will quickly move along the section, and we expect to
complete paving work on this section by April 2022.
27. While
physical works are happening on the ground, further work is taking place in
developing the Essential Vehicle Area (EVA). This includes developing
appropriate signage with Waka Kotahi, designing enforcement camera
infrastructure, and developing a system to automate the issuing of infringement
notices that draws from the national vehicle registry. The EVA is scheduled to
be fully operational from late-2022.
28. To
support other enforcement initiatives, once the new road layout is implemented,
60 new parking sensors are to be installed in various Queen Street Auckland
Transport parking locations. These sensors will be wirelessly linked to the
Parkable application and provide user insights and enforcement opportunities.
29. As
part of the project's benefit realisation plan, new baseline data on our
defined key performance indicators (KPI’s) was gathered in December 2021
and early January 2022. This data point is important in providing a
pre-construction snapshot, however, in the context of the COVID-19 and with
Auckland in the Red level of the COVID-19 protection framework, the information
gathered may be difficult to draw definitive conclusions from.
30. An area of
significant concern is regarding antisocial behaviour surrounding the Fort
Street Pocket Park. A working group comprising of Auckland Council, Auckland
Transport, NZ Police, Auckland City Mission, and Heart of the City are meeting
regularly to address the issues. NZ Police are leading the response, but the
project team will continue to look at activation and Crime Prevention Through
Environmental Design initiatives, including better lighting, iterations to the
pocket park layout, and if necessary additional CCTV to help improve the
situation.
Tauākī whakaaweawe
āhuarangi
Climate impact statement
31. The project
delivers on the council’s Long-term Plan 2021-2031 initiative to
demonstrate low-emissions, integrated and people-centric transport solutions
through trials and tactical interventions for a Zero Emissions Queen Street
Valley and support other tactical interventions for encouraging streets for
people across the region.
32. The project
contributes to the following actions in
Te-Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Plan, shown in
Table 1.
Table 1: Contributions of the
project to actions in Te-Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s
Climate Plan
|
Action/sub-action
|
Project
contribution
|
|
Action B9: Establish
and rapidly scale low carbon, resilient precincts across Auckland
Sub-action:
Deliver a zero emissions area in the City Centre and apply learnings to other
urban centres.
|
The project will reduce
discretionary vehicle travel in Queen Street, and contribute to the reduction
of emissions.
|
|
Action T1: Changing the
way we all travel
Sub-action:
Encourage the use of public transport, walking and micro-mobility devices,
rather than driving.
|
The project will improve
pedestrian priority and amenity on Queen Street, making it safer and more
attractive to walk.
|
|
Action T2: Make
travelling by public transport more appealing than using personal vehicles
Sub-action:
Make travel by public transport faster, more frequent and reliable over a
wider network.
|
The project will reduce bus
journey time, improve reliability and service levels on Queen Street.
|
|
Action T4: Improve
safety, connectivity, and amenity of walking infrastructure
Sub-action:
Prioritise improvements to walking infrastructure at major destinations
including public transport hubs and educational facilities
|
Queen Street is a major
walking route between transport hubs in the city centre. The project will
improve the safety and amenity for pedestrians.
|
Ngā whakaaweawe me
ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera
Council group impacts and views
33. Auckland
Council is the lead agency on this project and is responsible for defining the
objectives and scope for the project, as well as accountable for achieving the
benefits.
34. Auckland
Transport is supporting the delivery of this project by using its levers to
help achieve the benefits of the project as identified by council, while acting
in accordance with its duties as road controlling authority, as well as
supplying resource and subject matter expertise.
35. Auckland Council and Auckland Transport are taking a combined
approach to develop the urban design and meet the traffic network requirements
with a high level of public involvement.
Ngā whakaaweawe
ā-rohe me ngā tirohanga a te poari ā-rohe
Local impacts and local board views
36. Within the
Waitematā Local Board area, Queen Street and the city centre are
undergoing major transformation. The local board receives
regular updates on the project and other developments in the city centre as
they progress.
37. The local board resolved to strongly support the project at its 20
July 2021 meeting (resolution WTM/2021/160).
38. The
Waitematā Local Board delegated members provided feedback on the proposal
from Shortland Street to Mayoral Drive on 20 October 2021 (resolution
WTM/2021/160).
39. The local
board was also updated on progress at its workshop on 22 February 2022.
Tauākī whakaaweawe
Māori
Māori impact statement
40. This project
will progress the City Centre Masterplan vision for Wai Horotiu Queen Street
Valley. The development of the City Centre Masterplan included a series of hui
with the Mana Whenua Kaitiaki Forum, led by the Culture and Identity Pou. This
engagement shaped one of the 10 city centre-wide outcomes (Tāmaki Makaurau
– our place in the world) and a new transformational move (Māori
outcomes).
41. The project
was presented at the Infrastructure and Environmental Services mana whenua hui
on 14 May 2021. Expressions of interest have been sought from mana whenua to be
part of the project team.
42. The team has
engaged with the following iwi authorities who have expressed interests in the
project:
· Ngāti
Whātua Ōrākei
· Ngāti
Maru
· Te
Ākitai Waiohua.
Ngā ritenga
ā-pūtea
Financial implications
43. The
budget for the Wai Horotiu Queen Street project is funded by the following
sources:
· city centre targeted
rate: $600,000 (CEN/2020/16) contributing to the Innovating Streets for People
programme
· city centre targeted
rate: up to $5,000,000 included in the update of the city centre targeted rate
portfolio budget 2022/2023
· Waka Kotahi -
Innovating Streets Fund: $900,000 (completion in the 2020/2021 financial year
included co-design and communications)
· Queen Street Zero
Emission Area: $6,115,000 proposed in the Long-term Plan 2021-2031
· the balance of the project is proposed to be funded by the regional
City Centre Programme budget.
Ngā raru tūpono me
ngā whakamaurutanga
Risks and mitigations
44. The
issues and risks are outlined, and a mitigation strategy has been developed to
effectively manage them. The risks and mitigations are outlined in Table 2.
Table 2: Wai Horotiu Queen Street project risks and mitigations
|
Issue/Risk
|
Description
|
Mitigation
|
|
Stakeholder opposition
|
Stakeholder resistance to the proposed changes,
including traffic changes.
|
Managing and responding to stakeholder concerns
quickly with dedicated engagement to address concerns. Good communication
plan that conveys a consistent and transparent message to stakeholders.
|
|
Enforcement and compliance
|
Insufficient traffic enforcement activities,
non-compliant traffic behaviours remain widespread and undermine project objectives.
|
Increase the presence of traffic wardens and
strategic placement of enforcement cameras to manage the enforcement of time
limits and vehicle use. Issue infringement notices for non-compliant road
rule behaviour with a low level of tolerance.
|
|
Maintenance
|
Insufficient levels of maintenance result in poor
user experience, perception that the implementations are of low quality,
cumulative effects of antisocial behaviour.
|
The design of implementations should enable
cost-effective maintenance or care. Ensure adequate operational funding is
available to maintain high service levels. Comprehensive maintenance plan
developed and supported by supply partners to ensure landscaping continues to
look good long after the project is completed. Develop community stewardship
where people show pride in their area and care for community facilities or
report issues for attention.
|
|
Construction Impacts
|
Construction negatively impacting on the
community
|
An integrated programme of development response
commencing with construction staging and pre-construction comms for each
segment of work, direct engagement with impacted stakeholders, travel demand
management and activations, followed up with continuous monitoring and
evaluation to inform necessary changes to approach.
|
|
Impact on public transport
|
Street changes may result in public transport
delay and poor customer experience
|
Changes to prioritise movement of people and
public transport and discourage discretionary vehicles.
Plan and deliver Travel Demand Management
programme to encourage behaviour change.
|
|
Cost Escalation
|
Increase in construction costs due to ongoing
inflationary market forces associated with COVID-19 labour and material
shortages
|
Ongoing monitoring of cost, continuing to look
for cost efficiency and substitution of materials or methodologies as
required.
|
Ngā koringa ā-muri
Next steps
45. From here,
construction will move southwards up to Mayoral Drive and work in this section
of the street will be completed by the end of April 2022. We will then relocate
work crews to the eastern side of the street and commence construction outside
of the St James theatre site. The full block between Wellesley Street and
Mayoral drive will be completed by early August 2022.
46. In May 2022
we will also begin works in the block of Queen Street between Shortland Street
and Victoria Street working southwards.
47. Staff will
continue to provide regular memorandum updates to the board as the project
progresses.
Ngā tāpirihanga
Attachments
|
No.
|
Title
|
Page
|
|
a⇩
|
ACCAB insights 13 December 2021 workshop
|
37
|
Ngā kaihaina
Signatories
|
Author
|
Jenny Larking – Head of City Centre
Programmes
|
|
Authoriser
|
John Dunshea - General Manager Development Programmes
Office
|
|
Auckland City
Centre Advisory Board
28 February
2022
|
|
