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Resolution
number HW/2025/188
MOVED by
Chairperson D Light, seconded by Member M Turinsky:
That the Howick Local Board:
a)
tuku / provide the following feedback on the Local
Government (Auckland Council) (Transport Governance) Amendment Bill to inform
the council’s draft submission:
i)
in regard to Auckland Transport, the Board:
A)
note that
Auckland Transport was created as a direct result of the Auckland Council
legislation.
B)
acknowledge
the significant and genuine improvement in engagement with local boards that
Auckland Transport has undertaken in the past few years, which has created a
more constructive and positive working relationship.
C)
acknowledge
that the changes will have an unsettling effect on staff within Auckland
Transport.
ii)
in regard
to powers allocated to local boards (Schedule 4), the Board:
A)
note that
there will be a significant increase in workload for local board and request
council strongly consider how they will support local boards (including new
elected members) including quality advice, access to subject matter
expertise, and remuneration.
B)
support
measures which provide local boards with greater authority and
decision-making over council-owned property, such as the local roads and the
road corridor. It will not only support local boards to deliver better
transport outcomes, but also support them to deliver town centre
improvements, place-making and economic development outcomes.
C)
support strengthening local decision-making and democratic
accountability – such as greater decision-making around parking control
and enforcement.
D)
request a
review by the independent Remuneration Authority to assess whether new
determinations are needed and reflect the additional responsibilities being
given to local board members.
E)
support a review of elected
member remuneration to reflect expanded governance duties.
F)
note that training,
support, guaranteed resources, appropriate
funding, staff advice, dedicated expert advisors, and asset data is fundamental to supporting local boards
fulfilling these additional powers, functions and responsibilities
successfully. It will significantly increase the workload for local board
members, and therefore support should include (but is not limited to):
1)
appropriate
subject matter expertise and advice is allocated to each local board to make
effective decisions
2)
the
continuation of relationship management staff who can ensure quality
governance and working relationships between local boards and the Transport
CCO
3)
suitable
budget allocation, noting the impact of the Government Policy Statement for
Land Transport (GPS).
4)
information
on transport assets in the local board area, including their condition
5)
intellectual
property, information and databases on transport matters and are relevant to
the local board area
6)
ensuring
transport strategy, policy and planning is coordinated and integrated with
the newly-established Auckland Development Office to ensure broader urban
development and place-making outcomes.
G) support shared bylaw-making powers between the Governing Body
and local boards.
1)
However,
there may be delays in delivery as a result.
2)
There
should be mediation procedures in place to be able to deal with situations
where the Governing Body and Local Boards disagree.
H)
note
that, for the Howick Local Board area, some key priorities are, school access
and safety, crossings, speed management, and cycle/footpath links near
Colleges, Intermediates and local Primary schools. Also, Eastern Busway
integration, connecting routes, walking & cycling connections, and safe
access to bus stations.
I)
support
ensuring that roading projects align with flood mitigation and environmental
protection.
J)
support minimum
response times for safety issues and renewals, with options to escalate
issues when regional priorities conflict with urgent local needs.
iii) in regard to transport bylaws, the Board:
A)
support that
local boards have more direct say over bylaws, although acknowledge the
complexity and risk with having 21 local boards to consult.
B)
note
the Board’s previous feedback (HW/2025/11) that we must have
“clearer enforcement mechanisms” and budgets - and
“acknowledge that intensification of housing is putting pressure on
existing parking capacity, resulting in more parking off the roadway and more
needs to be done to address the issues that cause and result from
this.”
iv) in regard to the reformed transport CCO, the Board:
A)
support
the consolidation of planning and policy into Auckland Council on the basis
that transport is a critical part of the wider planning and policy delivery
for Auckland and should not be managed in isolation.
B)
support
the proposal that Auckland Council becomes the road controlling authority for
the city, which finally aligns Auckland with the rest of the country.
C)
note
that, while the reformed transport CCO will be responsible for public
transport services, there is a direct connection to the roads they operate
on/near (such as bus lanes, rail crossings) and therefore still requires
cooperation with the road controlling authority. Further clarity is required
to understand the roles and responsibilities between Auckland Council as the
road controlling authority, and the Transport CCO
D)
note the
existing complications of the multiparty setup of the Auckland passenger rail
network and suggest that this is a good opportunity to review this to
streamline the arrangements to deliver better outcomes for Auckland. Current
KiwiRail and NZTA powers and functions relating to public transport in
Auckland could be allocated to the Transport CCO to enable complete and
integrated services across Auckland’s public transport network.
E)
note
that new responsibilities will fail without resourcing. Local boards will
need dedicated opex and capex for local road responsibilities.
F)
support
the continuation of the Local
Board Transport Capital Fund.
v)
in regard
to the Auckland Regional Transport Committee (ARTC), the Board:
A)
do not support
any model that centralises decision-making power in the Auckland Regional
Transport Committee that minimises local voices.
B)
suggest that Local Boards have at least one
(if not three) representatives on the ARTC to align with their significant
involvement in the delivery of transport.
C)
support
the non-voting membership of NZTA, KiwiRail, and reformed public transport
CCO.
D)
support
the requirement to have a 30-year transport plan for the city, providing much
needed future planning and infrastructure delivery.
vi) in regard to the transition period, the Board:
A)
note that a
six-month transition may be too short and unreasonable. It is insufficient to review all Auckland Transport bylaws,
policies and plans. Rather, it is recommended that they remain in place, and
be reviewed by no later 1 September 2028, with measures in place to protect residents
and local areas from service gaps.
This arrangement is similar to the review process for legacy council bylaws
following the creation of Auckland Council.
B)
support the proposed timeline for transition,
noting that the impact on staff and delivery may increase if the period is
extended.
C)
recommend that
transitional arrangements be guided by the following principles:
1)
maintain
all existing levels of service.
2)
deliver
on contractual arrangements.
3)
ensure
delivery of existing work programmes and projects.
4)
provide
continuity of service.
5)
ensure
that there are no reduced customer satisfaction levels.
6)
staff are
supported during the transition period.
vii) in regard to the Auckland Roading
Classification Framework,
the Board:
A)
support
the development of a clear and agreed classification framework.
B)
suggest
that for intersections of local and arterial/city centre roads, priority is
given to the busier road (non-local board) but require the Governing Body to
consult with the relevant local board before any decisions are made.
C)
recommend
that unformed legal roads (paper roads) form part of the Auckland Roading
Classification Framework.
viii) in regard to other considerations, the Board:
A)
request
clarification on whether the Governing Body or local boards will be
responsible for unformed legal roads (paper roads).
B)
propose
that guidelines be created which support local board collaboration,
especially when transport outcomes may extend beyond one local board area.
C)
propose that baseline regional base levels of
service for transport are determined and agreed between the Governing Body
and local boards. This will provide consistency and coordination in service
delivery but allow local boards to increase or decrease based on the needs of
their communities.
D)
note that the issues being experienced in the local board area
have been exacerbated by the removal of Council’s ability to require
developers to provide off-street parking. As a result, newer communities,
like Flat Bush, are experiencing issues where movement and use in and around
the narrow road carriageways are causing many issues e.g. ease of access for
emergency vehicles.
E)
support increased local board
decision making on local roads and collector roads and suggests that boards
be given the ability to make decisions on the carriageway e.g. including the
minimum requirements for width. This will unlock the ability for local boards
to create the types of roading infrastructure that will complement the
characteristics of the area.
CARRIED
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