MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE TRANSPORT AND URBAN LINKAGES COMMITTEE HELD ON FRIDAY, 20 JULY 2007 AT 9:35AM

1. APOLOGIES

   That the apologies from Councillor Glenda Fryer for non-attendance, and Councillor Penny Sefuiva and the Mayor Dick Hubbard for lateness be accepted.

   CARRIED

2. EXTRAORDINARY BUSINESS

   There was no extraordinary business.

3. PUBLIC FORUM

   3.1. AUCKLAND-MANUKAU EASTERN TRANSPORT INITIATIVE (AMETI) - GEORGE WINSTONE

   That George Winstone be thanked for his presentation regarding the Auckland-Manukau Eastern Transport Initiative (AMETI) project.

   CARRIED

   3.2 Forum for Auckland Sustainable Transport (FAST) - Bevan Woodward

   Bevan Woodward, Forum for Auckland Sustainable Transport (FAST), addressed the Committee regarding the Auckland-Manukau Eastern Transport Initiative (AMETI) proposal.

   [ATTACHMENT 3.2]

   That Bevan Woodward, Forum for Auckland Sustainable Transport, be thanked for his presentation regarding the Auckland-Manukau Eastern Transport Initiative (AMETI) proposal.

   CARRIED

   That Item 5 be taken at this point.

   CARRIED

4. AUCKLAND MANUKAU EASTERN TRANSPORT INITIATIVE (AMETI)

   Resolutions A to F and H to L were put and voted on together. Resolution G was voted on separately.

   That it be a recommendation to Council:

   1. That the recommendations of the Auckland-Manukau Eastern Transport Initiative (AMETI) Political Steering Group of 12 July 2007, to deliver a step change in the level of investment for passenger transport infrastructure focused on a network of transport hubs including Panmure (servicing multi modal transfers and retail), providing for an on and off road cycle network that delivers a safe and attractive cycle network for all users and to deliver walkable town centres and a connected street network with quality urban environments for the Tamaki Edge, be endorsed, and in particular:
      1. That the findings of the Auckland-Manukau Eastern Transport Initiative (AMETI) community engagement report be endorsed;
      2. That the recommended route concepts and design refinements to the package of Auckland-Manukau Eastern Transport Initiative (AMETI) transport measures (including the potential for future proofing busways to light rail) that have been developed from the community engagement and urban design review process, be endorsed;
      3. That the following design changes to the Northern Sector and Central Sector be endorsed:

         Northern sector

         • · Reducing the footprint required for widening along Mt Wellington Highway to accommodate bus lanes, provide for on and off road cycle network that delivers a safe and attractive cycle network for all users, service lanes and pedestrian improvements;
         • · Replacing the requirement for an underpass at Mt Wellington Highway / Waipuna intersection with a new surface street running adjacent to the rail corridor;
         • · Provision of a cover (lid) on the new street and rail corridor at Panmure between Ellerslie Panmure Highway and Mountain Road.

         Central sector

         • · Opening access to the new Sylvia Park railway station and providing a grade separated intersection at Carbine / South Eastern Highway Arterial (SEART);
         • · Removing the need to widen Carbine Road;
         • · Maintaining access to Ireland Road from Waipuna Road.
      4. That the Auckland-Manukau Eastern Transport Initiative (AMETI) design concepts and route concepts be confirmed, noting that further route refinement, design development, open space assessment and additional targeted community engagement for Mt Wellington Highway from Hamlins Road to Triangle Road and Ireland Road access issues will be required prior to proceeding with a consenting process;
      5. That the indicative cost of Auckland City Council's Auckland-Manukau Eastern Transport Initiative (AMETI) component of $893m be noted;
      6. That the northern tie in at Merton Road with associated changes to the adjacent network including widening the Merton Road railway bridge to accommodate improved pedestrian linkages, a connected network of on and off road cycle lanes that provides an emphasis on safe and attractive routes for a range of cyclists and changes to the Apriana Avenue roundabout be endorsed;
      7. That the development and implementation of procurement and consenting strategies to progress the Notice of requirement and design requirements for the northern and central sectors of Auckland-Manukau Eastern Transport Initiative (AMETI) be endorsed and that any notices of requirement be subject to approval by a working party of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Transport and Urban Linkages Committee;
      8. That the need to work proactively in partnership with Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) and Manukau City Council to promote and implement travel demand management strategies in the Auckland-Manukau Eastern Transport Initiative (AMETI) area to encourage and make cycling and walking a more viable transport choice, be endorsed;
      9. That Auckland City advocate to Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) to progressively increase passenger transport services within the Tamaki Edge area as passenger transport infrastructure is provided;
      10. That Auckland City advocate to Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) to proactively examine the introduction of ferry services on the Tamaki River including to and from Panmure and the reintroduction of a railway station at Tamaki;
      11. That Auckland City provides improved walking and dedicated on and off road cycling facilities that provide connections between Stonefields, the Panmure passenger transport hub and the proposed Tamaki station.
      12. That the Auckland-Manukau Eastern Transport Initiative (AMETI) proposed funding strategy be endorsed and that it be noted that $803m of capital expenditure is expected to be incurred in the current 2006-2016 Long-term Council Community Plan (LTCCP) timeframe and that an addition $90m capital expenditure is expected to be required outside the current LTCCP timeframe between 2016-2020.
   2. That the need for City Planning and Economic Development to progress an area based plan for the Auckland-Manukau Eastern Transport Initiative (AMETI) area be endorsed (The area based plan will cover the areas already undergoing investigations including, the Innovation precinct, Glen Innes, Panmure, Mt Wellington and Sylvia Park and supporting areas. The area plan will progress land use zoning changes to be incorporated into the District Plan to achieve the kind of economic development opportunities outlined in the Business and Economic Research Ltd (BERL) report and to provide a framework for more intensified quality urban development).
   3. That a communications and engagement plan be developed that informs the wider community of the Council's decision and targets additional engagement and communications with land owners who were not previously impacted upon by the engagement process.
   4. That the community boards impacted upon by the Auckland-Manukau Eastern Transport Initiative (AMETI) study area receive a special briefing regarding the outcomes of the AMETI package of transport measures.
   5. That the development of the Auckland-Manukau Eastern Transport Initiative (AMETI) package of transport measures relating to additional consultation and engagement, concept and detailed design development and assessment of environmental effects be reported to the Transport and Urban Linkages Committee prior to the lodgement of a notice of requirement in 2008 (This will include the Key Performance Measures endorsed by the Transport and Urban Linkages Committee and the Council in March 2007 as follows: Energy usage and source; CO2 emissions; Land area utilisation; Safety and Atmospheric toxicity).
   6. That applications for funding to Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) and Land Transport New Zealand (LTNZ) to progress designations and designs for the northern and central sectors be endorsed.

      CARRIED

   7. That the Group Manager Property delegation, in respect of Auckland-Manukau Eastern Transport Initiative (AMETI) purchases, be increased to $600,000 from the current $200,000.

      Resolution G was taken separately and a show of hands was called for, which resulted in 7 votes cast for the motion and 3 votes cast against. The motion was declared CARRIED by 7 votes to 3.

   8. That Auckland City:
      1. Advocate for increasing the capacity of Britomart by making it a through station with routes connecting rail to Mt Eden (via loop) and Northshore.
      2. Advocate for extension of rail spurs deep into Manukau to enhance patronage of rail and thereby greatly reduce the car traffic crossing bridges into Auckland.
      3. Ensure there is both consideration and protection for the potential to upgrade major bus routes to be facilitated at a future time by light-rail options.
      4. Ensure stepped sequence for Auckland-Manukau Eastern Transport Initiative (AMETI) is enabled towards achieving an even tighter focus of these routes to centre around a series of transport hubs serviced by a heavy-rail backbone and making public transport and cycling more convenient than the private car.
      5. Advocate for integrated ticketing and timetabling to ensure more efficient modal transfer at hubs, and providing the platform for enabling full cost accounting, carbon financing, and assessment of travel for future refinements.
   9. That officers be requested to report to the Tamaki Community Board and to the Transport and Urban Linkages Committee as soon as possible on:
      1. All possible options for the Ireland Road - Ellerslie Panmure Highway intersection including the option of a fully signalised intersection enabling all possible turning movements.
      2. The feasibility of the Cleary Road - Lagoon Drive through link and any alternatives.
   10. That progress reports on the Auckland-Manukau Eastern Transport Initiative (AMETI) project and issues be reported back to the Transport and Urban Linkages Committee in September 2007.
   11. That the need to maximise open space and urban design outcomes as part of the Resource Management Act (RMA) process and notice of requirement as the project proceeds, be noted.
   12. That officers be requested to progress discussions with sports codes to reduce traffic generation for weekend sports.

   CARRIED

5. AUCKLAND MANUKAU EASTERN TRANSPORT INITIATIVE (AMETI) PROJECT

   Councillor Caughey moved:

   That officers be requested to report back to the September 2007 meeting of the Transport and Urban Linkages Committee on:

   1. Amending the district plan to remove the roading component of the designation requirements of the Proposed Eastern Transport Corridor across Hobson Bay to Glen Innes and south to Merton Rd, including D14-05 and E15-01 as relevant, while allowing provision for the expansion of the rail corridor;
   2. Initiating, concurrently with (i) above, provision for the development of a dedicated off road cycleway and or walkway stretching from the city, across Hobson Bay to Glen Innes and beyond as appropriate, parallel and adjacent to the rail corridor;
   3. Initiating, concurrently with (i) above, provision for a fresh requirement for a designation/zoning for a ferry service landing and for recreational opportunities, made possible by the removal of the requirement for the Proposed Eastern Transport Corridor designation on the Pinot site in Orakei Rd and from the Orakei headland.

   A division was called for, voting on which was as follows:

   For the Motion:	Against the Motion:
   Cr Leila Boyle Cr Christine Caughey Cr Dr John Hinchcliff Cr Richard Northey Cr Richard Simpson	Cr Doug Armstrong Cr Bill Christian Deputy Mayor Dr Bruce Hucker Cr Toni Millar Cr Penny Sefuiva His Worship the Mayor

   The motion was declared LOST by 6 votes to 5.

   There being no further business the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 12:14 pm.