Minutes of Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee meeting

UNCONFIRMED Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee meeting minutes

4 June 2024

MINUTES OF Tauranga City Council

Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee meeting

HELD AT THE BoP Regional Council Chambers,

Regional House, 1 Elizabeth Street, Tauranga

ON Tuesday, 4 June 2024 AT 12.30pm

PRESENT: Commission Chair Anne Tolley (Chairperson), Cr Andrew von Dadelszen, Commissioner Stephen Selwood, Cr Paula Thompson.

IN ATTENDANCE: Tauranga City Council (TCC)

Nic Johansson (Head of Transport), Tom McIntyre (Team Leader: Transport Development), Colm Hartigan (Principal Transport Planner), Peter Siemensma (Principal Transport Planner), Shawn Gerd (City Centre Infrastructure Lead), Anahera Dinsdale (Acting Team Leader: Governance Services), Caroline Irvin (Governance Advisor), Aimee Aranas (Governance Advisor).

Bay of Plenty Regional Council (BOPRC)

Mike Seabourne (Director Public Transport), Andrew Williams (Acting Manager: Transport Planning), Matthew Kilpatrick (Senior Transport Planner), Katri Harmoinen (Transport Planner), Stuart Nightingale (Manager: Transport Operations), Tapu Hall (Transport Planner), Jennifer Proctor (Senior Transport Planner), Elaine Nolen (Programme Coordinator - Transport Planning), Jamie Hall (Transport Programme Manager), Oliver Haycock (Manager: Transport Planning).

EXTERNAL: David Speirs (New Zealand Transport Agency/Waka Kotahi) via Zoom.

1 Opening karakia

A karakia was provided at an earlier meeting.

2 Apologies

Nil

3 Public forum

Nil

4 Acceptance of late items

acceptance of a late item

Committee Resolution TPT2/24/1

Moved: Cr Andrew von Dadelszen

Seconded: Commissioner Stephen Selwood

That the Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee:

Accepts the following late item for consideration at the meeting:

• Tauranga Bay Bus On Demand Update Presentation.

The above item was not included in the original agenda because it was not available at the time the agenda was issued, and the item could not be delayed until the next scheduled meeting of this Committee as this would be the final opportunity to present this item to the Commissioners before their tenure ended.

Carried

5 Confidential business to be transferred into the open

Nil

6 Change to order of business

Nil

7 Confirmation of minutes

7.1 Minutes of the Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee meeting held on 1 May 2024

Committee Resolution TPT2/24/2

Moved: Cr Andrew von Dadelszen

Seconded: Commissioner Stephen Selwood

That the minutes of the Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee meeting held on 1 May 2024 be confirmed as a true and correct record.

Carried

8 Declaration of conflicts of interest

Nil

9 Business

9.1 Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee Projects Update Report June 2024

Staff Matthew Kilpatrick, Senior Transport Planner (BOPRC)

Tom McIntyre, Team Leader: Transport Development (TCC)

Key points

· The report was taken as read.

· The New Zealand Transport Association (NZTA) had submitted the indicative business case for the connecting Mount Maunganui project to the Value Outcomes and Standards (VOS) Committee of NZTA, which was a pre-board check. This had been sent back to the project team and partners for some adjustment and revision before being resubmitted.

· TCC and NZTA would need to proceed with some enhanced early works relating to the local road network between Hewletts Road, Totara Street and Hull Road to improve local road connections and permeability of the light industrial area.

In response to questions

· A time frame was not yet known for the Connecting Mount Maunganui project physical works. The final revisions of the business case needed to be settled with NZTA and be submitted back to the VOS Committee. Their decision would enable clarification around time frames for funding and the works.

Discussion points raised

· The option for the overpass was being revisited in the indicative business case to ensure it was the most effective and efficient option. The critical element was getting an alternative route through the industrial area as any work done on Hewletts Road brought the city to a halt.

· Adopting a more staged approach to the connecting Mount Maunganui project was one of the initial recommendations from the VOS Committee.

Committee Resolution TPT2/24/3

Moved: Commissioner Stephen Selwood

Seconded: Cr Andrew von Dadelszen

That the Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee:

(a) Receives the report "Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee Projects Update Report June 2024".

Carried

CHANGE TO ORDER OF BUSINESS

The Chairperson brought item 9.3: ‘Recommended Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee Structure and Functions’ forward to be the next item of business in order to continue with the meeting.

Staff Mike Seabourne, Public Transport Director (BOPRC)

Bron Healey, Principal Advisor: Transport (BOPRC)

Key points

· The report was taken as read.

In response to questions

· The focus remained on public transport issues between the two Councils. However, there was a widening of the scope of matters to continue a focus on public transport as an integrated system, as this was a key component of some of the issues being addressed in the sub-region.

· The Terms of Reference (ToR) were adaptable to a wider/ public transport brief. A key aspect was transport programmes of response, which widened the brief on what was brought back to the Committee in terms of progress.

· The first step was to simplify the processes of the TPTJC, the next step being consideration of what approvals would be required in order to keep momentum flowing in terms of decisions made. This would include consideration of the other Committees from both Councils.

· In terms of clarifying the governance decision making pathway, the proposed ToR could be amended to permit the pathway to proceed directly to a respective Council decision if that was what the Committee required.

· The ToR could be updated to remove ‘Public Transport’ to “Transport” as a key term to broaden the brief, reflecting the implications for reporting. An additional ToR would be added to make clear the suggested approvals pathway for key financial decisions to shorten the time frames for approval.

· The adopted SmartGrowth ‘Future Development Strategy’ would be included in ‘Matters Within the Scope of the Joint Committee’ ToR.

· The Transport System Plan (TSP) initiative was going through a review of its governance, management and reporting structures. Expected outcomes were recommendations to create closer connections to Council, committees and SmartGrowth.

Discussion points raised

· It was important to remember the aim was to get a sub-regional oversight of an integrated transport system, known as the TSP and the implementation of this. Public transport was a part of this, but not the focus. The focus was an integrated transport system that included cars, light vehicles, heavy vehicles and freight, as well as public transport, walking and cycling.

· There was always a difficulty with joint committees in that members had to go back to their respective Councils to get matters approved. This meant that any given item had to go through several other Committees which could take considerable time. It did not seem that the updated Terms of Reference would alleviate this.

· From a Commission perspective, the recommendation to the incoming Council would be the Transport System Plan (TSP) would be discussed at this joint meeting in terms of sub-regional transport matters, and would then go directly to the standing committee of Council.

· The Commission sought to establish a structure whereby it integrated its thinking about all modes of transport, and combine transport with land use, which was another key component. A streamlined governance structure would mean the joint Committee, having made a decision, could then take those recommendations directly to the respective Councils who would make the final funding commitments.

· The TPTJC should continue to report to the Bay of Plenty Regional Council Transport and Public Transport Committees. However, the delegated authority to act should go directly to the respective Councils involved in the funding decisions.

· A joint transport committee would want to be satisfied that, at a strategic level, in terms of monitoring and reporting, the five major transport projects were being planned and delivered, as a component of the TSP, in an effective way.

· The governance group established to oversee the five significant roading projects was a delivery oversight group only, that was contract and project specific. It reported back to TSP as required.

· It was New Zealand Transport Authorities’ (NTZA) expectation that its project management team would be accountable if they did not deliver on projects. NZTA was ultimately accountable to TCC and its ratepayers. The governance group was not a decision making body but was there to provide their experience and ask the difficult questions in terms of the NZTA programme.

· TCC and NZTA were in the early planning stages of setting up a network integration function which would have a short to medium term planning component relating to everything that was happening on the transport network. It would include a model that looked at what was happening in real time and was seen as an essential function, given the amount of work that would be happening within the network over the next decade.

Committee Resolution TPT2/24/4

Moved: Commissioner Stephen Selwood

Seconded: Cr Andrew von Dadelszen

That the Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee:

(a) Receives the report "Recommended Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee Structure and Functions ".

(b) Endorses the attached Terms of Reference for the Tauranga/Western Bay of Plenty Joint Transport Committee, including any amendments arising from discussion of the report.

(c) Recommends that the revised Terms of Reference for the Tauranga/Western Bay of Plenty Joint Transport committee are endorsed and referred to each Council and the New Zealand Transport Agency for consideration.

(d) Recommends that the revised Terms of Reference for the Tauranga/Western Bay of Plenty Joint Transport Committee are adopted on an appropriate date following the 2024 Tauranga City Council election.

Carried

9.2 Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee - Ferry Proposal Report

Staff Mike Seabourne, Director: Public Transport (BOPRC)

Katri Harmoinen, Transport Planner (BOPRC)

Andrew Williams, Acting Manager: Transport Planning (BOPRC)

Key points

· The main reason for bringing this paper to the Committee today was to endorse the funding support for this venture. The next step was to operationalise it in terms of getting it underway.

In response to questions

· Hauraki Express had indicated they would be able to accommodate more passengers and bicycles if more were wanting to board than had been anticipated. However, this was at a preliminary design stage and the correct specifications needed to be set out in terms of what was required.

Discussion points raised

· From a TCC point of view, the report and proposal had already been considered and was to be supported to a certain financial limit, providing BOPRC came to the party by providing the other half of funding.

· BOPRC had informally come to the same decision as TCC to support the venture to a certain financial limit. This would be taken to their Public Transport Committee for endorsement and would then go to Council for consideration and approval.

Committee Resolution TPT2/24/5

Moved: Cr Andrew von Dadelszen

Seconded: Commissioner Stephen Selwood

That the Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee:

(a) Receives the report "Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee - Ferry Proposal Report".

(b) Endorses one of the following options to progress a two-year ferry trail on the Tauranga harbour:

(ii) Option 2: Endorse the proposal; and

(iii) Request staff of both Tauranga City Council and Bay of Plenty Regional Council to progress a Tauranga harbour ferry trial within agreed financial limits subject to Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s final approval; and

(iv) Request that staff from Bay of Plenty Regional Council take a report to its Public Transport Committee (12 June 2024) seeking endorsement of Option 2 if the Joint Public Transport Committee supports Option 2.

Carried

CHANGE TO ORDER OF BUSINESS

The Chairperson advised the Committee would go into the pubic excluded section of the meeting in order to continue with item 9.3: Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee - Ferry Proposal Report’.

resolution to exclude the public

Committee Resolution TPT2/24/6

Moved: Commission Chair Anne Tolley

Seconded: Commissioner Stephen Selwood

That the public be excluded from the following parts of the proceedings of this meeting.

The general subject matter 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 of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 for the passing of this resolution are as follows:

General subject of each matter to be considered	Reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter	Ground(s) under section 48 for the passing of this resolution
11.1 - Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee Public Excluded Workshop Notes 1 May 2024	s7(2)(i) - The withholding of the information is necessary to enable Council to carry on, without prejudice or disadvantage, negotiations (including commercial and industrial negotiations)	s48(1)(a) - the public conduct of the relevant part of the proceedings of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding would exist under section 6 or section 7
11.2 - Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee - Bus Layover Site Location in the Tauranga Central Business District	s7(2)(b)(ii) - The withholding of the information is necessary 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 s7(2)(i) - The withholding of the information is necessary to enable Council to carry on, without prejudice or disadvantage, negotiations (including commercial and industrial negotiations)	s48(1)(a) - the public conduct of the relevant part of the proceedings of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding would exist under section 6 or section 7
Confidential Attachment 2 - 9.2 - Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee - Ferry Proposal Report	s7(2)(c)(ii) - The withholding of the information is necessary to protect information which is subject to an obligation of confidence or which any person has been or could be compelled to provide under the authority of any enactment, where the making available of the information would be likely otherwise to damage the public interest s7(2)(h) - The withholding of the information is necessary to enable Council to carry out, without prejudice or disadvantage, commercial activities	s48(1)(a) the public conduct of the relevant part of the proceedings of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding would exist under section 6 or section 7
Confidential Attachment 3 - 9.2 - Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee - Ferry Proposal Report	s7(2)(c)(ii) - The withholding of the information is necessary to protect information which is subject to an obligation of confidence or which any person has been or could be compelled to provide under the authority of any enactment, where the making available of the information would be likely otherwise to damage the public interest s7(2)(h) - The withholding of the information is necessary to enable Council to carry out, without prejudice or disadvantage, commercial activities	s48(1)(a) the public conduct of the relevant part of the proceedings of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding would exist under section 6 or section 7
Confidential Attachment 4 - 9.2 - Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee - Ferry Proposal Report	s7(2)(c)(ii) - The withholding of the information is necessary to protect information which is subject to an obligation of confidence or which any person has been or could be compelled to provide under the authority of any enactment, where the making available of the information would be likely otherwise to damage the public interest s7(2)(h) - The withholding of the information is necessary to enable Council to carry out, without prejudice or disadvantage, commercial activities	s48(1)(a) the public conduct of the relevant part of the proceedings of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding would exist under section 6 or section 7
Confidential Attachment 5 - 9.2 - Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee - Ferry Proposal Report	s7(2)(c)(ii) - The withholding of the information is necessary to protect information which is subject to an obligation of confidence or which any person has been or could be compelled to provide under the authority of any enactment, where the making available of the information would be likely otherwise to damage the public interest s7(2)(h) - The withholding of the information is necessary to enable Council to carry out, without prejudice or disadvantage, commercial activities	s48(1)(a) the public conduct of the relevant part of the proceedings of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding would exist under section 6 or section 7

Carried

Resumption of meeting into open

10 Discussion of late items

10.1 Tauranga Bay Bus On Demand Update Presentation.

Staff Matthew Kilpatrick, Senior Transport Planner (BOPRC)

Tom McIntyre, Team Leader: Transport Development (TCC)

PowerPoint Presentation

Key points

· The PowerPoint presentation provided information on the Baybus On Demand background, what the trial was looking to address, what ‘On Demand’ meant, the objectives of the trial, progress to date, numbers and what passengers were saying.

Discussion points raised

· The number of people using the service was very pleasing.

Committee Resolution TPT2/24/7

Moved: Cr Andrew von Dadelszen

Seconded: Commissioner Stephen Selwood

That the Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee:

(a) Receives the presentation " Tauranga Bay Bus On Demand Update Presentation".

Carried

Attachments

1 BayBus On Demand Presentation

11 Closing karakia

Anahera Dinsdale closed the meeting with a karakia.

The meeting closed at 2.45pm.

The minutes of this meeting were confirmed as a true and correct record at the Tauranga Public Transport Joint Committee meeting held on __________________ 2024.

...................................................

Commission Chair Anne Tolley

CHAIRPERSON