MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE TRANSPORT AND URBAN LINKAGES COMMITTEE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, 11 OCTOBER 2006 AT 1.30 PM

The Chairman opened the meeting and then called for a minutes silence in remembrance of Brian Slater, Chairman of the Eastern Bays Community Board who sadly passed away on Saturday 7 October 2006.

1. APOLOGIES

   That the apologies from Councillor Christian, Millar, Sefuiva and Armstrong for lateness, Councillor Simpson, Councillor Caughey and Councillor Hucker for non-attendance and Councillor Hinchcliff, absent on Council business, be accepted.

   CARRIED

2. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

   That the minutes of the Transport and Urban Linkages Committee meeting held on Wednesday, 13 September 2006 be confirmed as a true and correct record.

   CARRIED

3. EXTRAORDINARY BUSINESS

   There was no extraordinary business.

4. PUBLIC FORUM

   4.1 . CAMPAIGN FOR BETTER TRANSPORT - ROSS GALLOWAY AND CAM PITCHES

   [ATTACHMENT 4.1 ]

   1. That Ross Galloway and Cam Pitches from Campaign for Better Transport be thanked for their presentation regarding the re-opening of the Onehunga rail line and rail access over the second Mangere bridge crossing.
   2. That the Transport and Urban Linkages Committee supports the desires of the community to reopen the Onehunga Branch Railway line, and also support further investigations into extending the railway line to Auckland Airport via Manukau Harbour.
   3. That the Manager Transport investigate the possibility of using some of the "ex-ITM" land on the corner of Onehunga Mall and Nielsen Street for the purposes of a railway station, and report on the outcome to the November 2006 Transport and Urban Linkages Committee.
   4. That the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Transport and Urban Linkages Committee and/or Councillor Northey accompany the CBT delegation to the ARTA Board meeting on the 27th October, to voice Auckland City's support for reopening the Onehunga Branch railway line.
   5. That the Transport and Urban Linkages Committee notes that a report on the Onehunga line will be reported to the November 2006 meeting.

   CARRIED

   Resolutions A and E were put.

   Resolutions B, C and D were put.

   4.2. Transporting private cars on trains - Graeme Pool

   This item was withdrawn as Mr Pool did not attend the meeting

   4.3. PEDESTRIAN SHELTERS AT INTERSECTIONS - GRAEME EASTE

   1. That Graeme Easte be thanked for his presentation on pedestrian shelters at intersection without existing canopies.
   2. That the Transport and Urban Linkages Committee requests officers investigate the issues raised by Mr Easte regarding pedestrian shelters and report back to the committee.

   CARRIED

   4.4 . HOVER TRIAL FOR AUCKLAND - PAUL MINNET

   Mr Paul Minnet, Director, Trip Convergence Limited withdrew his request to speak.

5. REPORTS REQUESTED/PENDING LIST

   That the report of the Acting Committee Manager dated 4 October 2006 on reports requested/pending list be amended as follows:

   Row	Target Date	Author	Report Name	Reason for changing date
   13	Nov 06 Defer to Dec 06	Group Manager Asset Management Transport - Assets & Operations	Okiwi Airfield	Target date to move to December as officers are still waiting on information from consultants.

   CARRIED

6. RAILWAY STATION UPGRADE - PROGRESS REPORT

   Ontrack and Auckland Regional Transport Authority tabled presentations and spoke to them.

   Bridget Graham, Chairman of the Maungakiekie Community Board and Lindsey Rea Chairman of the Eden/Albert Community Board were present and spoke to the item.

   1. That David George, CEO and Ted Calvert, Project Director DART from Ontrack be thanked for their presentation to the Committee regarding rail, in particular the western line double tracking and the Newmarket station upgrade.
   2. That Rabin Rabindram, Deputy Chair, Elena Trout, Acting CEO and Simon Wood, Network Development Manager, Rail from Auckland Regional Transport Authority be thanked for their presentation to the Committee regarding the rail development plan.
   3. That Auckland City advocate to Auckland Regional Council and Central Government to resolve the funding commitment for the rail station upgrade programme as soon as possible.
   4. That Auckland City work with Auckland Regional Transport Authority and Ontrack to proceed to advance planning and detailed design for the rail station support projects, including Ellerslie and Tamaki as far as reasonable.
   5. That the potential for utilising development contributions for advancing the rail station precinct upgrades or the development of priority rail stations be investigated and reported back to the Transport and Urban Linkages Committee.
   6. That Auckland City advocate to Ontrack, Transit and Auckland Regional Transport Authority for the rail station at Sylvia Park, to be constructed with urgency.

   CARRIED

   That item 13, C1 and 8 be taken at this point.

   CARRIED

7. SCHOOL CYCLE SAFETY PROGRAMME

   That the Transport and Urban Linkages committee endorses the delivery of the Auckland City "bike better" programme in Auckland City schools.

   CARRIED

8. TRANSIT STATE HIGHWAY 20 MANUKAU HARBOUR CROSSING

   Bridget Graham, Chairman of the Maungakiekie Community Board was present and spoke to the item.

   1. That Tommy Parker, Deputy Regional Manager from Transit New Zealand be thanked for his presentation regarding State Highway 20 Manukau Harbour Crossing.
   2. That the Transport and Urban Linkages Committee reaffirms its commitment to working with Transit New Zealand to expedite completion of the State Highway 20 Manukau Harbour Crossing and in time for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
   3. That the Transport and Urban Linkages Committee requests officers work actively with Transit to achieve both the best transport solution and also adequate remediation to:

   1. facilitate public access to the waterfront;
   2. ensure the effective public enjoyment of Orpheus Drive, Gloucester Park and the Onehunga Bay Reserve;
   3. continue to have a low level walkway, cycling and recreational crossing of the Manukau Harbour.

   CARRIED

   Secretarial Note:

   Councillor Boyle declared an interest and was not present for this item.

9. OMNIBUS REPORT

   1. That the Committee endorses the concept of a six monthly "State of the Nation" type report, the first of which is to be reported to the February Committee meeting.

      Pedestrian Theme

   2. That the Transport and Urban Linkages Committee endorses the Pedestrian Countdown Clocks Trial and that a progress report be presented to the December 2006 Committee meeting.
   3. That the Transport and Urban Linkages Committee notes that a report on the recommended process for the Review of the Auckland City Cycling and Walking Strategy 1998 will be presented to the Committee in early 2007.
   4. That the Transport and Urban Linkages Committee notes the progress being made in the development and roll out of "Be Active Maps" and that maps for individual localities will be presented to appropriate Community Boards for endorsement.
   5. That the Transport and Urban Linkages Committee requests a detailed report be provided to the December 2006 meeting which will outline the programme of development and implementation of "Be Active Maps".
   6. That the Transport and Urban Linkages Committee supports the continued progress being made in the development of school and business travel plans and notes the imminent implementation of Auckland City Council's own corporate travel plan.
   7. That the Transport and Urban Linkages Committee notes that the Council will continue to take advantage of any opportunity to advocate for pedestrian and cycle improvements through submissions to central government legislation and requests a report outlining the capital programme work for cycleways be presented to the December 2006 meeting of the Committee.
   8. That the Transport and Urban Linkages Committee notes that the most productive way for Auckland City to improve the environment for pedestrians is through direct provision of safety and enhancement measures through the Council's work programmes which will be reported to the Committee's March 2007 meeting.

      Parking and Park and Ride Theme

   9. That the Transport and Urban Linkages Committee supports the work Auckland City is doing in collaboration with Auckland Regional Transport Authority for the ongoing planning of bus/rail interchange and future park and ride facilities.
   10. That the Transport and Urban Linkages Committee notes that the Auckland City's Transport Division is investigating opportunities to make more efficient and effective use of existing parking facilities and spaces to promote car sharing, carpooling and increase priority for more sustainable transport modes, including cycling and that these initiatives will be reported to the December 2006 meeting of this Committee.
   11. That the Transport and Urban Linkages Committee notes the Waiheke Community Board together with officers are considering a number of park and ride options for Waiheke Island and the HOVER concept is one of the options being considered.
   12. That the Transport and Urban Linkages Committee endorses the investigation of incentives to promote more environmentally friendly and efficient vehicles together with higher occupancy usage and notes that an update report will be provided to the December 2006 meeting of this Committee.
   13. That the Transport and Urban Linkages Committee notes that a review of the Council's District Plan, Isthmus Section is currently being undertaken and that details of the Transport Section proposals will be reported to the Committee in mid 2007 (including parking provisions etc).

       Bus Passenger Transport Theme

   14. That the Transport and Urban Linkages Committee supports the work Auckland City is doing in collaboration with Auckland Regional Transport Authority for the ongoing planning of bus passenger transport infrastructure and services for the Central Business District for the next 10 years and beyond.
   15. That the Transport and Urban Linkages Committee notes that while there are favourable comparisons between the passenger bus fleet of Auckland and that of major Australian cities, the Transport and Urban linkages Committee supports the advocacy to both Auckland Regional Transport Authority and passenger bus operators for the purchase of cleaner more efficient vehicles for the Auckland bus passenger transport fleet.

       Miscellaneous

   16. That the Transport and Urban Linkages Committee notes that preliminary investigations are currently being undertaken into the feasibility of new public transport technologies to improve connections between major facilities along the Central Business District waterfront.
   17. That the Transport and Urban Linkages Committee supports the continued progress being made in the development of school and business travel plans and in particular notes that teleworking may be a key component within some business plans.
   18. That the Transport and Urban Linkages Committee notes that opportunities for the Council to make submissions on central government legislation occur from time to time through review processes. (eg. Road user rules, vehicle compliance standards) and that Council will actively lobby and support central government in the initiative to reduce second hand car imports into New Zealand that are not environmentally friendly.
   19. That the Transport and Urban Linkages Committee supports the continued design of intersection control devices that are appropriate to meet the requirements, conditions and objectives of an individual site.

   CARRIED

10. RENAMING OF THE SOUTHERN PART OF LORNE STREET, AUCKLAND CENTRAL

    An updated report was circulated to the Committee prior to the meeting.

    [ATTACHMENT 10A]

    That it be a recommendation to Council:

    1. That the Transport and Urban Linkages Committee endorses the renaming of the southern truncated part of Lorne Street (located between Mayoral Drive and St Paul Street) to be renamed as Governor Fitzroy Place and proposes Council commences the Special Consultative Procedure for the name change and approve the Statement of Proposal.
    2. That the Transport and Urban Linkages Committee appoints a panel consisting of the Chairman, Councillor Caughey and Councillor Millar, with alternates Councillor Northey, Councillor Boyle and Councillor Armstrong to hear any submissions received on the renaming of the southern truncated part of Lorne Street (located between Mayoral Drive and St Paul Street) and report back to Council.

    CARRIED

11. PROPOSED CHANGES TO COMMUNITY FOCUSED LAND TRANSPORT ACTIVITIES - LAND TRANSPORT NZ

    That Auckland City's submission to Land Transport New Zealand on the proposed changes to community focused land transport activities be noted.

    CARRIED

12. URGENT DECISION: OMNIBUS AMENDMENT 2006

    That the urgent decision of the Transport and Urban Linkages Committee dated 2 August 2006 relating to the Auckland City Submission to Land Transport rule: Omnibus Amendment 2006 - Rule 10002 be noted.

    CARRIED

13. EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC : LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL INFORMATION AND MEETINGS ACT 1987

    1. That the public be excluded from the following part(s) of the proceedings of this meeting.

    The general subject of each matter to be considered while the public is excluded, the reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter, and the specific grounds under Section 48(1) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 for the passing of this resolution are as follows:

    Item No.	General subject of each matter to be considered	Reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter	Ground(s) under section 48(1) for the passing of this resolution
    C1.	Transit Nz - Update On The Western Ring Route	Good Reason to withhold exists under section 7	Section 48(1)(a)
    C2	Approval To Acquire Land 8-12 Arthur Street, Ellerslie	Good Reason to withhold exists under section 7	Section 48(1)(a)
    C3	Report To Council: Kingsland Bridge Notice Of Requirement	Good Reason to withhold exists under section 7	Section 48(1)(a)

    This resolution is made in reliance on Section 48(1)(a) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 and the particular interest or interests protected by section 6 or section 7 of that Act which would be prejudiced by the holding of the whole or relevant part of the proceedings of the meeting in public are as follows:

    Item No.	Reason to withhold information under section 7
    C1.	To protect information where the making available of the information would be likely unreasonably to prejudice the commercial position of the person who supplied or who is the subject of the information.	[Section 7(2)(b)(ii)]
    C2.	To enable the Council to carry out, without prejudice or disadvantage, commercial activities.	[Section 7(2)(h)]
    	To enable the Council to carry on, without prejudice or disadvantage, negotiations (including commercial and industrial negotiations).	[Section 7(2)(i)]
    C3.	To enable the Council to carry out, without prejudice or disadvantage, commercial activities.	[Section 7(2)(h)]
    	To enable the Council to carry on, without prejudice or disadvantage, negotiations (including commercial and industrial negotiations).	[Section 7(2)(i)]

    2. That Bridget Graham, Chairman Maungakiekie Community Board, Lindsey Rea, Chairman Eden/Albert Community Board and Graham Easte, Chairman of Western Bays Community Board be permitted to remain for item C1 to provide information to assist the Committee.

    CARRIED

    There being no further business the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 5.30 pm.