feature in regional toll statistics. The Waikato regional education group continues to work on building public awareness of managing these safety risks through the ‘reduce the risk’ campaign.

The Young Road User programme with popular mascot ‘Ruben the Road Safety Bear’ continues to deliver risk targeted programmes and is well received by early childhood educators across the region. The programme finished the 2010/11 year well ahead of stated deliverables and Long Term Plan (LTP) targets, with a total of 350 appearances at 348 venues to an audience of 18,820 children.

The development of New Zealand cycle trails is well underway in the Waikato region. These include Hauraki Rail Trail, Waikato River Trail, Te Ara o Ahi (Pathway of Fire) and the Lake Taupo Trail. The Te Awa Trail from Ngaruawahia to Horahora is also well underway with the second stage (Ngaruawahia to Hamilton) about to commence.

A one-day Walking and Cycling Forum was held in April at Karapiro Domain, where regional transport partners were invited to discuss various issues relating to the walking and cycling projects around the region, including constraints around funding shortfalls. These will be addressed through the council’s LTP process.

Good progress has been made on the Auckland to Hamilton passenger commuter rail project. The Rail Working Party met on 26 August to consider and approve the final recommendations report. The report has now been forwarded to all partner councils for their consideration. Should the recommendations be endorsed by all partner councils the project will proceed to public consultation via the draft LTPs of the partner councils, as well as through the draft 2012-15 Regional Land Transport Programme (RLTP).

The movement of stock by trucks can produce significant amounts of stock effluent on the roads, disposal of which is made difficult by lack of facilities. The committee, through the Regional Stock Truck Effluent Strategy, has identified 10 in-transit effluent disposal sites to be developed across the region over the next 10 years. A funding policy has been developed and endorsed by the council. This will require a regional rate to be established through the LTP process.

The Waikato Regional Transport Committee has been making good progress on transport issues in the Waikato region over the past 12 months.

The committee has recently adopted the Waikato Regional Land Transport Strategy 2011-2041 (RLTS) which is a significant transport policy document for the region. The development of the RLTS was the culmination of a robust planning process involving local, regional and national agencies, together with stakeholder groups and the public. This has enabled us to present a strategy that not only addresses the transport needs of the region but also provides a long-term strategic direction for transport over the next 30 years.

Public transport in the region is being addressed through the review of the Regional Public Transport Plan (RPTP). The draft RPTP was adopted by the council in June and submissions were sought from the public. Hearings on the submissions took place in August and deliberations were held in October with the final plan to be adopted in November this year.

The review of the RPTP will present a great opportunity for us to examine the existing public transport network and make necessary improvement to ensure our network is effective and responsive to meet ongoing community needs.

Road safety is another key transport priority for the region. Stakeholders continue to implement the safe system interventions outlined in the Regional Road Safety Strategy. The safe system approach acknowledges that the infrastructure and condition of the roading network is critical, but it is equally critical that the network is utilised by skilled drivers in roadworthy vehicles in compliance with sound legislation.

Clearly, faster progress is being made in some areas than others. Overall, crashes involving heavy motor vehicles appear to be in decline and the rate of motorcycle crashes also appears to have slowed marginally over the past year. It is, however, disappointing to note that a high proportion of regional crashes still involve excessive speed and alcohol, and that unrestrained drivers also continue to

www.waikatoregion.govt.nz

Policy & Transportnewsletter • October 2011

Waikato Regional Council

Regional Transport Committee Chair’s welcome

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Group manager’s commentsHe mihi nui ki a koutou. Things continue to be very busy for the group. Some of the major achievements and projects completed since our March newsletter have been:• the Waikato Regional Council strategic direction• group strategic review and re-structuring• Variation 6 (Water Allocation) Environment Court hearing• Working Party Report on Auckland to Hamilton Passenger Rail• Draft Waikato Regional Public Transport Plan 2011-2021• the Waikato Regional Council organisational Air Quality Strategy• Regional Policy Statement submissions and further submissions • supporting regional and inter-regional strategic collaboration

initiatives (such as the Waikato Triennial Agreement Forum and the Upper North Island Strategic Alliance)

• Regional Coastal Plan change to increase and diversify aquaculture within the Hauraki Gulf

• Coromandel local area blueprints completed with Thames-Coromandel District Council, Hauraki Whaanui, and the Department of Conservation

• Variation 5 (Lake Taupo Water Quality) made operative• Working Party Report on Stock Effluent Facility Funding• Regional Land Transport Strategy adopted by the council• research report – fuel efficiency of Fonterra’s Crawford Street

dairy freight hub• company fleet day• Reduce the Risk campaign• forum of the region’s major walking and cycling project leaders,

held at Karapiro• continuing to grow public transport through improved services

(such as the new Waipa buses) and supporting special events (such as the Balloons over Waikato; Hamilton ITM 400 and the Rugby World Cup 2011).

Some of these achievements are explained in more detail in this newsletter. We acknowledge the support of our key partners and stakeholders in these achievements. Some major group projects over the next six months include: completing reports to support the RPS Hearings; completing a Waikato economic profile to help inform a potential regional economic strategy; agreeing to specific regional and inter-regional collaboration initiatives through the Triennial Forum and UNISA; completing the Regional Land Transport Programme; and engaging key partners and stakeholders on a potential review of water quality controls for the Waikato River catchment.

Strategic drivers, such as increasing complexity, resource scarcity and fiscal constraints, highlight that increased collaboration to enable durable solutions to common challenges is critical to the future success of the region. Increasing collaboration is a key future focus for the Waikato Regional Council and the group, and this can be seen in many of the above projects going forward.

Naku iti nei, na

Vaughan PayneGroup Manager, Policy and Transport

It is satisfying to note that the Government, through the release of the Government Policy Statement on Transport Funding 2012-15, has reconfirmed the strategic importance of the Waikato Expressway, with a firm commitment on a schedule for completion within 10 years. I am also pleased to report that the upgrade of Kopu Bridge is well ahead of schedule, and is now programmed to be completed by early 2012.

Looking ahead, the committee will be busy preparing the RLTP over the next nine months. The RLTP is a regionally important transport document that prioritises transport activities in the Waikato region for national funding assistance. This plan will build on the strategic direction founded in the RLTS and develop a comprehensive funding programme to advance regionally significant infrastructure, such as the Waikato Expressway.

Lastly, I would like to announce that I have stepped down from my role as chair of the Public Transport Committee. This has allowed me to assume a new role as chairman of the Land and Water Subcommittee where I can be more closely involved in sustainable farming and land and water issues. The council elected Councillor Paula Southgate as chair of the Public Transport Committee and I wish her every success in her new role.

All in all it is a very busy time for transport in the Waikato with many projects on the go. Please feel free to contact me or our transport staff if you have any particular transport matters you wish to discuss.

Norm BarkerChairman of Regional Transport Committee

Recently the group reviewed its strategic direction, which involved understanding strategic drivers and interviewing internal and external stakeholders on the necessary role of the group. The Waikato Regional Council’s strategic direction was also reviewed during this time, and was adopted by the council in March 2011. Collectively, these reviews highlighted the importance of the group to:• be more strategy focused, working across the organisation and

with external stakeholders• support the council’s mission to provide regional leadership to

balance economic and environmental outcomes• ensure statutory plans are consistently well informed by regional

strategic thinking• create a work environment within the group that encourages high

performing teams.

Policy and transport reorganisation

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The group’s new mission is:‘The policy and transport group supports the Waikato Regional Council’s vision by delivering consistently high quality strategic thinking, transport operations and proactive policy advice to decision makers.’

The strategic direction of the group focuses on three broad areas:• helping the Waikato region to be more strategic• developing the highest quality planning• leading public transport services.

The new programmes and their primary functions to give effect to the group’s direction are summarised below. The exception is public transport, which is currently being reviewed.

Group ManagerPolicy and transport

Programme ManagerPublic transport

Programme ManagerTransport policy

Programme ManagerRegional integration

Programme ManagerResource management

policy

Programme ManagerRegional strategy

Regional strategy Resource management policy Transport policy Regional integration

I. Assist the council to determine regional role and priorities and to translate into operational plans.

II. Facilitate the development and implementation of necessary regional strategies.

III. Develop regional strategic thinking with key stakeholders.

IV. Provide advice to strategically inform sector strategies, inter-regional strategies, and national policy.

V. Monitor and report on the overall effectiveness of strategy and policy.

I. Develop regional resource management policy required by relevant resource management legislation and council policy.

II. Integrate strategic thinking into regional resource management policy.

III. Monitor and report on the effectiveness of resource management policy.

I. Develop regional transport policy and programmes required by relevant transport legislation and council policy.

II. Implement transport strategy and policy where applicable.

III. Integrate strategic thinking into regional transport policy and programmes.

IV. Monitor and report on the effectiveness of transport policy.

I. Provide policy information and advice to external stakeholders.

II. Promote alignment between key regional policies and the policies and actions of key stakeholders.

We anticipate that this new structure will make it clearer to both internal and external stakeholders what our major focus areas are. In addition we consider that this new structure will enhance opportunities for the group to add value to our partners and stakeholders.

For more information please contact Vaughan Payne.

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The Waikato Regional Council adopted its strategic direction for the triennium on 31 March 2011. The strategy guides council’s business for the current council term and sets the context for the LTP.

The strategy’s vision for the region is ‘competing globally, caring locally’. The vision recognises that the Waikato region (just like the council and New Zealand as a whole) does not and cannot operate in isolation from what is going on around us. It also recognises that to take advantage of global opportunities we need strong local communities and a healthy environment.

The strategy confirms that the Waikato Regional Council has a regional leadership role to play in economic and environmental issues. This does not mean that it will always take the lead on an issue. A regional leadership role means proactively identifying regional issues and the part the council can play in working with others to deal with these issues. Leadership also means having a position on things and being trusted and prudent in the way it behaves.

To reinforce the new direction, on 31 March the council started using its legal name, Waikato Regional Council.

The strategy focuses on three flagship goals for the triennium. By focusing on these three areas, the council believes it will be better placed to meet the big environmental and economic issues affecting the Waikato region:• sustaining land and water values• facilitating regional development• achieving co-governance requirements with iwi.

A copy of the strategy is available on www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/strategy.

For more information please contact Katie Mayes.

The Waikato Regional Council’s strategic direction

Annual Plan updateThe 2011/12 Draft Annual Plan was adopted for consultation on 10 March 2011. Formal consultation ran from 25 March – 26 April 2011. The council received 2,782 submissions with a large number of these being on the proposal to continue collecting the Animal Health Board levy. In addition 1,026 submissions were received on the proposed cycling centre of excellence and 280 on the proposed Hamilton to Auckland passenger rail service.

The Waikato Regional Council adopted the 2011/12 Annual Plan on 29 June 2011. Throughout the process the council continued its focus on ensuring a balance between delivering required work programmes while keeping rates increases at an affordable level. The overall increase to existing ratepayers is 2.6 per cent. For the majority of ratepayers this is an average increase of $24 for the year.

For more information please contact Jody Van Der Haas.

Community planning and partnership programmes

Resource management plans and initiativesNew Regional Policy Statement newsletterKeep an eye out for the first edition of a newsletter on the Waikato Regional Council’s Regional Policy Statement (RPS) in your inbox. If you already receive the policy and transport newsletter, you’ll also automatically receive the RPS newsletter. You can also unsubscribe at any time.

For further information please contact Sally Mellor or Elizabeth McKnight, or email the team at rps@waikatoregion.govt.nz.

Regional integration2011 continues to be a busy year for regional integration work, with a number of the district councils at various stages of their district plan reviews. Regional Integration staff are advocating for the Proposed Regional Policy Statement (PRPS) and ensuring that the district plans are, as much as possible, consistent with its provisions. Although district plans are not required to give effect to the PRPS immediately, doing so through current district plan review processes will minimise the need for plan changes at a later date.

Work with territorial authorities has included:• presenting evidence at the Proposed Otorohanga District Plan

hearing on the topics of landscapes, indigenous biodiversity, natural hazards and the coastal environment

• continuing discussions with Hauraki District Council staff leading up to the Proposed Hauraki District Plan hearing in September

• providing comments to South Waikato District Council and Rotorua District Council in respect to their draft district plan provisions

• proactively supporting Waipa District Council, Hamilton City Council and Thames-Coromandel District Council, who have all commenced district plan reviews. Indications are that each of these councils are aiming to notify proposed district plans in 2012

• making a submission to the Bay of Plenty Proposed Regional Policy Statement to ensure consistency between both regions regarding how geothermal resources are managed

• preparing evidence for Plan Change 2 (formerly Variation 16) to the Waikato District Plan. Plan Change 2 relates to the rural and coastal subdivision rules of the Waikato district.

For more information please contact Katie Mayes.

Water allocationThe Environment Court hearing on Variation 6 was held in Hamilton from 28 February to 4 August 2011. During that time there were nine weeks of hearing time.

Variation 6 has been prepared to deal with the increasing demand and competition for water in the region for irrigation, domestic or community supplies, industry and stock water supplies. Each day, the equivalent of 716 Olympic sized swimming pools of water is consumed

Annual ReportThe Waikato Regional Council adopted its 2010/11 Annual Report on 29 September 2011.

For more information please contact Jody Van Der Haas.

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in the Waikato region. More and more frequently issues of resource scarcity and equity and fairness of present allocation strategies are being questioned in consent hearings and before the Environment Court.

The court has indicated that a decision will be released by the end of November 2011.

For more information please contact David Speirs or Bruce McAuliffe.

Protecting Lake Taupo – cap and trade policy made operativeAfter 11 years in the making, the long term protection of the exceptional water quality of Lake Taupo has been protected for current and future generations.

The Waikato Regional Plan Variation 5 - Lake Taupo Catchment was made operative on 7 July 2011. It is an innovative water management policy which seeks to limit and permanently reduce nitrogen discharges across the catchment. It is the world’s first cap and trade policy for diffuse discharges of nitrogen.

There has been considerable interest in the approach, and for those wishing to find out more, a working paper discussing the challenges and implications of the policy is available on the Waikato Regional Council’s website and a specific paper on the market-based instrument is to be published on MOTU research website later this year.

For more information please contact Justine Young or Natasha Hayward.

PM10

air qualityIn June 2011 the revised National Environmental Standards for Air Quality (NESAQ) came into effect. The revised NESAQ sets exceedance levels for PM

10 (fine particulate matter) and timeframes for non-

complying airsheds to become compliant. Within the Waikato region, Tokoroa will need to have no more than three exceedances by 2016, and one exceedance by 2020. Taupo, Te Kuiti and Putaruru will need to have no more than one exceedance by 2016.

The main source of PM10

within the region is from domestic home heating. To assist with reducing these emissions, the Waikato Regional Council has a Waikato Clean Heat Retrofit Programme, which assists low income households to replace old woodburners and open fires with clean heat appliances. This programme continues in three of the region’s non-complying airsheds (Tokoroa, Taupo and Te Kuiti) in 2011/12.

The council is in the final stages of completing an organisational air quality strategy. The strategy outlines what the Waikato Regional Council aims to do to improve air quality in the region and how we will work collaboratively with key stakeholders, including territorial authorities, central government, district health boards, iwi/Māori and community agencies. One of the key aspects of the strategy is further developing collaborative partnerships, including with territorial authorities, to achieve air quality improvements.

For more information please contact Amanda Banks or Leanne Perry-Meyer.

Future Proof – Hamilton sub-regional growth strategyThe Waikato Regional Council, Waipa District Council, Hamilton City Council and Waikato District Council, along with iwi partners and New Zealand Transport Agency, continue to work well together to implement the Future Proof Growth Strategy. A lot of focus this past year has been on investigating and responding to growth pressures on the proposed Waikato Expressway. Transport modelling has shown that commuters from Cambridge and the rural-residential areas south-east of Hamilton will create congestion on the expressway between Tamahere and Hamilton. We now have a plan to try to reduce this effect.

Tainui Group Holdings and Chedworth Properties are preparing a structure plan to be considered for the Hamilton City District Plan for development of the Ruakura Estate. This will be an area of about 500 hectares which eventually could be developed for an inland port, warehousing and logistics, light industrial, research centres, commercial centres and residential areas. We are working together to ensure that the development is consistent with Future Proof directions.

A number of other implementation activities are underway including supporting Future Proof in the RPS and district plans that cover the Future Proof area, developing a Three Waters Strategy for the Future Proof area, investigating the potential effects of increasing numbers of septic tanks near Hamilton and developing a communications plan and ministerial briefing papers for Future Proof.

For more information contact Urlwyn Trebilco or Dylan Gardiner, or visit www.futureproof.org.nz.

Coromandel Peninsula BlueprintThe districtwide Blueprint is in its implementation phase and a monitoring plan is being finalised, which was received by the Political Steering Group on 11 October. Local area blueprints have been received by all partner agencies. Blueprint implementation will inform the Waikato Regional Council and Thames-Coromandel District Council’s RMA and long term plans, the Department of Conservation’s Conservation Management Strategy, iwi management plans and local actions.

For more information please contact Ursula Lehr or visit www.coroblueprint.govt.nz.

Regional Coastal Plan: Proposed Plan Change 1: minor changesThe Minister of Conservation has approved Plan Change 1: minor changes. The change will be made operative shortly.

For more information please contact Nicola Rye.

Second generation of aquaculture reformsThe 2011 aquaculture reforms have passed into law and took effect from 1 October 2011. The law changes are expressly intended to boost growth in aquaculture and include several direct amendments to the Waikato Regional Coastal Plan. Key features of the changes to the law and plan are as follows.

1. Aquaculture management areas (AMA) no longer required by law.

This allows consent applications for inter-tidal oyster farms and spat catching farms as intended by the Regional Coastal Plan (rules 16.5.1 and 16.5.5). A large area of spat catching applications on the western side of the Firth of Thames remains on hold, unless the applicant

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Strategic developmentRegional developmentIn addition to regional growth and spatial planning discussed below, a regional economy profile is in the process of being completed. It is expected that the profile will help territorial authorities with their economic development initiatives as it will include information at regional and district levels. It will also support a regional discussion already getting underway about innovation and regional economic opportunities with iwi, territorial authorities, economic development agencies and regional tourism offices, central government agencies including NZTE, NZTA and MSI, tertiary education providers, CRIs and others.

For more information please contact Katie Mayes or Tariq Ashraf.

Policy effectiveness reportingThe Waikato Regional Council is currently considering how it should review its Regional Plan and Regional Coastal Plan. To support this discussion, a number of staff workshops were held to discuss how well (or otherwise) the existing plan rules and other methods are working. The intention was to identify the main parts of the plans that need to be updated and to identify the urgency of making the changes. We engaged GHD consultants to help us with the task.

Workshops were held covering changes to Government policy (such as through National Policy Statements and National Environmental Standards), changes to policy directions in the Regional Policy Statement and other matters which could influence the effectiveness and relevance of current plan provisions. A draft ‘Waikato Regional Plan Policy Effectiveness Review’ which reports findings of the research and workshops has now been prepared. This will be used as the basis of further discussions (including with partners and stakeholders) to decide on next steps in reviewing the Regional Plan and Regional Coastal Plan.

For more information contact Urlwyn Trebilco or Leanne Perry-Meyer.

Regional growth and spatial planningThe ‘strategic direction for the Waikato Regional Council 2010-2013’ has a flagship goal that ‘the people of the region collaborate to achieve a shared vision of the Waikato competing globally, caring locally’. One of the methods identified to help achieve this goal is to facilitate the development of a sustainable development strategy, including a regional spatial plan. Staff are starting to investigate how we might go about this. We are beginning conversations with neighbouring regional councils, investigating spatial planning models and starting discussions with other stakeholders to help us clarify how best to progress such a strategy/spatial plan.

There is currently some work occurring through the Waikato Triennial Forum which will help further to inform our views. In particular, the forum has contracted Leigh Auton and Graeme Emerson to investigate how the Waikato local authorities can collaborate more on strategic issues and planning. Leigh and Graeme have undertaken interviews with chief executives and mayors/chairpersons to seek guidance and opinions on this matter.

Recently, an Upper North Island Strategic Alliance has been agreed to, which will be a regular forum for discussion about strategic issues, including growth matters, for the upper North Island. The Alliance members are Northland Regional Council, Whangarei District Council,

requests that they be processed. The frozen applications for 570 hectares of marine farms near the Great Mercury Islands remain on hold as the Regional Coastal Plan prohibits aquaculture in this area.

2. Diversification of aquaculture and the introduction of fish farming.

Existing marine farms can apply to convert to new types of aquaculture (new species or structures). Existing farms outside the Firth in water deeper than 20 metres can apply to convert to fish farming. Those that are in water deeper than 10 metres can apply for less intensive types of fed aquaculture such as paua or lobster farming.

3. Fish farming in the Wilson Bay zone. Vacant space at the northern end of Area B of the Wilson Bay zone

will be released for fish farming by a weighted attribute tender. This space is now ‘Area C’ and consists of 90 hectares. The intensity of fish farming will be restricted by a nitrogen discharge limit which is expected to allow annual production of 4000 tonnes. This space will be released once 20 per cent has been allocated to the Māori trustee.

4. A new Coromandel marine farming zone for fish farming. The Government has created a new 300 hectare zone specifically for

fish farming, just over 12 kilometres offshore from Coromandel town, and allocated 20 per cent of this space to the Māori trustee. This zone can cater for about 8000 tonnes of fish farming per annum. Like Area C, this space will be released by weighted attribute tender. Tender proposals will be scored on a range of attributes that emphasise the benefits to the community, the region and nation.

5. Small extensions to existing mussel farms. Existing mussel farms outside the Wilson Bay zone can apply for an

extension of one hectare or 10 per cent (whichever is larger) every five years. This affects 46 farms and potentially allows up 48 hectares of extensions.

6. The communal area farm near Te Kouma. The 22.5 hectare farm off Te Kouma in the southern Coromandel

Harbour, known as the ‘communal area’ or MFP364, has been validated by the law change and granted consent until 2033.

7. Concurrent private plan changes and consent applications. New provisions in the law allow private plan changes to uplift a

prohibition on aquaculture to be lodged at the same time as a consent application. Normally the consent application would have to wait for the plan change to become operative, a delay of two to five years. The plan change and consent are processed together.

Aquaculture in the Waikato currently contributes $32 million to the region’s GRP and $78 million to the nation’s GDP. This is based on production of 32,000 tonnes of mussels and 500,000 dozen oysters.

Mussel farming is projected to grow to 60,000 tonnes by 2025, and assuming that fish production has reached 6000 tonnes by that time, the contribution to the region is estimated at $96 million and $195 million to the nation.

For more information please contact Graeme Silver.

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“Climate changes have significant implications for the Waikato region and we may be able to adapt some of the solutions implemented in America to our situation. As well as bringing back fresh ideas, this fellowship is an opportunity to extend our national and international network of professionals”, Blair said.

In total, 24 local government leaders and potential leaders from the Asia-Pacific region are being funded by the US State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs to undertake the international reciprocal exchange.

There is a renewed focus on climate change work, particularly on adaptation as new information becomes available regarding the effects of climate change on hazards and on the availability and nature of our natural resources. An example is the requirement in the NPS for Freshwater Management to have regard to the reasonable foreseeable impacts of climate change when setting water quality limits and water allocation flows.

For more information please contact Blair Dickie.

Auckland Council, Waikato Regional Council, Hamilton City Council, Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Tauranga City Council. The agreement is expected to be signed at a ceremony attended by Prime Minister John Key later in the year.

For more information please contact Urlwyn Trebilco.

Central government advocacyThe development of national resource management policy is evolving at a rapid pace and the council needs to be mindful of developments in this policy area as it is required to give effect to National Policy Statements (NPS) in its proposed RPS and regional plans. National Environmental Standards (NES) determine activity classes or thresholds for activities that must be adhered to when considering applications for resource consents. In addition, central government has determined that some resource management issues are better resolved through legislative changes. These are now either at the discussion stage or have already been introduced into parliament and are at select committee stage awaiting submission and/or hearing.

Recent and upcoming work in this area includes discussions and submissions on the development and implementation of:• proposed NES for Plantation Forestry• NPS for Freshwater Management• NPS on Renewable Electricity Generation• draft NPS for Biodiversity• potential NPS on Urban Design • Phase Two RMA Reforms discussion document: Building

Competitive Cities• Measuring Up – Environmental reporting discussion document• Second National Infrastructure Plan• New Zealand Energy Strategy 2011-2021• Emissions Trading Scheme review.

For more information please contact Blair Dickie.

Energy and climate changeWork is progressing on the implementation of the Waikato Regional Energy Strategy. Eleven of the strategy’s 27 recommendations have been included into the proposed RPS which was notified at the end of last year. These primarily relate to accessing natural resources for their energy content, and reducing energy demand through efficient urban form (including transmission requirements). Both actions can be expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from a business as usual case.

An initial understanding of the implications to the region of the increasing cost of oil was identified in the Waikato Regional Energy Strategy. Oil has become the lifeblood of both industrialised and developing economies and has been a major driver in the development of nations during the 20th century. It fuels the vast majority of the world’s mechanised transportation and is the primary feedstock for many of the chemicals that are essential to modern life. It is of particular interest to the achievement of the Waikato Regional Council’s strategic direction of competing globally while caring locally.

Blair Dickie is one of six New Zealanders selected for an international exchange programme to examine local government climate change initiatives in the United States.

The experience is expected to further inform the council’s responses to climate change, one of the top six issues addressed in the council’s proposed RPS.

Navigation Safety BylawThe Waikato Regional Council’s Navigation Safety Bylaw became operative in July 2009. It is timely to remember that the bylaw included a new provision requiring all powered vessels larger than 4 metres and non-powered vessels larger than 6 metres to display a name or similar identifying mark.

Smaller vessels not fitting the above description must be marked with emergency contact details and/or the owner’s name or contact details. This rule makes it easier to identify vessels needing assistance or those breaking the rules.

This bylaw is due to be updated in 2013 and will occur on a five to six yearly basis.

For more information on this bylaw please contact Nicole Botherway.

Harbour Risk Management Plan and Safe Ship Management SystemMaritime New Zealand audited the Waikato Regional Council’s Harbour Risk Management Plan and Safe Ship Management System in November 2010. As a result of this review and audit a number of changes will be made to the plan. This plan seeks to identify the risks to people and vessels operating within our major harbours, and then to ensure there are safety management systems in place to reduce these risks as far as practicable.

This updated plan was accepted by Maritime New Zealand in 2011 and is due to be audited in April 2012.

For more information please contact Nicole Botherway.

Strategy and implementation

Waikato Regional Land Transport StrategyThe Regional Land Transport Strategy 2011-2041 (RLTS) was adopted by the Waikato Regional Council on 28 April 2011 and is now available on the council’s websitewww.waikatoregion.govt.nz/RLTS.

The RLTS is a statutory document prepared by the Waikato Regional Transport Committee (RTC). The strategy is an important document for the Waikato region as it presents an opportunity for the region to examine the transport outcomes it wishes to achieve, and strategically plan for those outcomes over a 30 year timeframe. The RTC has established a regional vision of: “an affordable, integrated, safe, responsive and sustainable land transport system that enhances the environmental, economic, social and cultural wellbeing of the population”.

Underpinning the vision is a set of regional outcomes that the committee wishes to achieve over the life of the strategy:• an integrated transport system that supports economic development

and provides for the efficient movement of people and goods throughout the region

• a transport system that provides for safety and security across all modes of travel

• a people focused transport system that provides inclusive, accessible and affordable multi-modal journeys to enable people to live, work, and play

• a transport system that connects communities and protects active modes of travel such as walking and cycling and enables positive public health outcomes

• an environmentally sustainable and energy efficient transport system that is holistic and adaptable, meets regional and local needs, and is resilient to long term global influences

• an integrated multi-modal transport system supported by sound land use planning and enabled by collaborative planning and partnerships.

Implementing the strategyThe RTC has adopted a balanced strategic approach for implementing the strategy which prioritises actions and investment in three core areas:• prioritising investment in a defined set of strategic corridors – this

recognises the need to protect, maintain and develop key strategic corridors to ensure they can continue to facilitate economic growth and provide people with access to employment and services

• targeting road safety improvement under a safe system approach – the region will take a lead role in improving road safety through working collaboratively with key stakeholders to implement the principles of the safe system approach and the direction outlined in the Regional Road Safety Strategy

• focusing travel demand management and alternative mode (public transport and walking and cycling) interventions based on specific local needs – the overall objective is to move towards a more sustainable transport system by promoting a range of alternative transport options and encourage travel demand management initiatives that are appropriate to the community needs.

The RLTS has set out a wide range of policies and actions that will support the implementation of the strategic direction of the strategy and guide future transport planning and decision making in the Waikato region.

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The forthcoming development of the RLTP 2012-15 will rely heavily on the RLTS for strategic direction and investment priority to advance the regional outcomes identified in the strategy.

For more information please contact Jenni Somerville or Vincent Kuo.

Waikato Regional Land Transport Programme updateThe Waikato RLTP is a statutory document prepared under the Land Transport Management Act 2003. The main purpose of the RLTP is to prioritise land transport activities in the Waikato region for funding submission to the NZ Transport Authority. The current RLTP came into effect on 1 July 2009 and regular reports on the implementation of the RLTP are provided to the RTC. Work is currently underway to develop the RLTP 2012-15 which will replace the current RLTP on 1 July 2012. Development of the draft RLTP is on track to be ready for public consultation in December 2011.

For more information please contact Nigel King.

Waikato Regional Passenger Transport Plan reviewThe Waikato Regional Council has been in the process of developing the RPTP with key partners and stakeholders. The draft plan contains proposed policies and actions to support the delivery of public transport within the region. The draft plan was adopted by the council at its meeting on 29 June for consultation purposes, and the public consultation was carried out between 8 July and 8 August 2011 under the special consultative procedures of the Local Government Act. A total of 66 submissions have been received on the draft RPTP.

Hearings were held on Friday 19 and Monday 22 August 2011. The final plan is proposed to be recommended by the Regional Public Transport Committee to the council for adoption in early December 2011.

For more information please contact Vibhuti Chopra.

Commuter railAs a result of considerable public interest and submissions on establishing a Hamilton to Auckland passenger rail service, the Waikato Regional Council resolved as part of its 2010/11 Annual Plan deliberations that the chair of the Regional Passenger Transport Committee (RPTC) would convene a special working group. Representatives from the Waikato Regional Council, Hamilton City Council, Waikato District Council, Waipa District Council, the Auckland Council, Auckland Transport, KiwiRail and the NZ Transport Agency will consider possible options for a future rail service and determine the willingness of the parties to contribute funding to such a service.

The working group (Rail Working Party or RWP) was convened in September 2010 and for the past 12 months has been working through the technical feasibility of establishing a rail service between Hamilton and Auckland.

Waikato Regional Land

Transport Strategy2011-2041

DRAFTWaikato Regional

Public Transport Plan 2011-2021

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The RWP released their final recommendation report in September 2011. This report makes 11 recommendations.• That the proposal of a ‘two year pilot trial Hamilton to Auckland

passenger rail service’ (proposed service) proceed to public consultation through the 2012-22 Long Term Plans of Hamilton City Council, Waikato District Council, Waipa District Council and the Waikato Regional Council.

• That a funding application supported by a robust business case be prepared (containing details outlined in the letter provided by NZTA to the RWP in December 2010) to apply for NZTA subsidy.

• That the partner organisations work together in preparing the funding application and supporting business case and ensure the preparation is aligned with the timeline of the 2012-2015 Regional Land Transport Programme, so that it can be considered for funding through the 2012-2015 National Land Transport Programme.

• That Auckland Council be approached to contribute funding to the proposed service, in line with demonstrated quantified benefits for Auckland as assessed through the business case, and the proposal be included in the 2012-22 Auckland Council Long Term Plan.

• That an application also be made through the Auckland Regional Land Transport Programme, for funding the proposed service.

• That the Rail Working Party conduct high level engagement (including political) with KiwiRail to ensure that the best operating and most cost effective proposal is obtained from KiwiRail.

• That a targeted differential regional rate be levied, as per details in the funding section of this report by the Waikato Regional Council for the proposed service.

• That all partner local authorities of the Rail Working Party (Hamilton City Council, Waikato District Council, Waipa District Council and the Waikato Regional Council) formally endorse the rail service proposal and regional rating for it, and that the proposal proceed to public consultation through partner councils’ 2012 long term plans.

• That all partner local authorities formally reply to the Rail Working Party by 31 October 2011 confirming their support for the service and acceptance of the recommendations in the Rail Working Party final recommendations report.

• That Hamilton City Council and Waikato District Council are responsible for the infrastructure upgrades required for the proposed service prior to the startup of the service.

• That the Rail Working Party continue its role through the next stages of the process of investigating a Hamilton to Auckland passenger rail service.

A copy of the full report can be viewed at www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/rail-working-group.

For more information please contact Vibhuti Chopra.

Process forwardThe Final Recommendations Report of the RWP has been sent, along with a letter, to the chief executives of all partner councils. Partner councils have been asked to formally reply to the RWP by 31 October with their decision on endorsement of the recommendations in the final report. The final report has also been sent to all other partner organisations (Auckland Council, Auckland Transport, NZTA, KiwiRail, CBT) as well as all other councils within the Waikato region for their information.

For more information please contact Vibhuti Chopra.

Waikato Regional Walking and Cycling StrategyThe Waikato Regional Walking and Cycling working group met at Karapiro on 20 April where a number of project coordinators presented their work. There is plenty of action around the region. A brief summary follows:• Pathway of Fire, Rotorua – a New

Zealand Cycle Trail project. A 72 km two day adventure, tracking through some of New Zealand’s finest thermal wonderlands. Completion is expected in April 2012, currently utilising 15 previously unemployed workers.

• Hauraki Rail Trail – Hauraki, Paeroa, Waihi and Te Aroha. A New Zealand Cycle Trail project, a multi-day adventure tracking through farmlands, DOC forests and old rail corridors. Work is expected to be completed late 2012, currently utilising 14 previously unemployed workers.

• Waikato River Trails – a New Zealand Cycle Trail project, finished length 100 km hugging the Waikato River and offering a variety of spectacular views throughout. A two to three day experience, utilising 84 previously unemployed workers. The project is set to officially open in early November 2011.

• Te Araroa – the length of New Zealand (3000 km). This project began in 1994. The Waikato section is largely completed and will link with the proposed Te Awa pathway from Ngaruawahia to Hamilton. Te Araroa utilises back roads, paper roads or nearby existing walkways.

• Te Awa River Ride – Ngaruawahia to Karapiro to Horahora. Seventy kilometres of mostly concreted walkway, and will provide a safe alternative for leisure cyclists, commuters and school students. The project is due to begin construction at Ngaruawahia by 2012. A 6 km stretch is already completed from Leamington to Karapiro.

• Hamilton City Council – has over 100 km of on-road cycleways in and around the city. Hamilton City Council notes that:• there has been a 10 per cent increase in cyclists since 2007• there has been a 10 per cent increase in Bikewise participation each

year• there is 950 km of footpaths, with an updated ‘top 10 hotspots’• school travel plans• they have a cycleway and footpath construction programme• they are extending the river path to the new city boundary which

will meet with the Te Awa pathway.• CCS Disability Access– notes that everyone is functionally disabled at

some time in their life, and work hard to be included in planning and discussions that will lead to easier access in urban areas along with bus access. Working on alternative design options for facilities that cater for wheelchairs and other mobility vehicles. Offer an auditing service.

Although slightly outside the region, the Pureora Timber Trail, 80 km, will be opening mid 2012. This will be a very popular ride as it features pristine New Zealand forests with abundant bird life, historical timber construction sites, 60 bridges, four of which are 110 m long suspension bridges, and the revamped spiral.

With NZ Transport Agency reducing the funding pool for walking and cycling, many projects have been halted or abandoned by territorial authorities and many trusts who coordinate walking and cycling projects.

For more information please contact Isy Kennedy.

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Regional road safetyIn the Waikato region, 48 people have died this year as a result of road crashes (as at 19 September 2011).

A spate of fatal road crashes in January and May contributed to a large proportion of this toll. While it is too early to isolate clear trends, over half of the fatalities year to date have involved drivers under 24 years old and in many cases have involved excess speed and alcohol. Of particular concern is the number of fatalities involving young drivers in breach of their licence conditions.

There is no question that these continual deaths and serious injuries represent a huge and unacceptable loss to the regional community. Led by the council, stakeholders including the NZ Police, the NZTA and local authorities continue to work together to prioritise road safety planning and to ensure that the implementation of the Regional Road Safety Strategy is on task. The actions outlined in the strategy are currently being delivered on target and annual monitoring demonstrates that the road toll for the region is tracking steadily downwards.

Planning workshops are currently underway to determine regional road safety activity for the next three years. This includes the continuation of education programmes and social marketing campaigns such as the very successful ‘Reduce the Risk’ campaign. The regional education group responsible for ‘Reduce the Risk’ continues to produce high profile public awareness campaigns and has this year also aligned with truck operators and fleet managers to improve industry road safety practices.

For more information please contact Jo Carling.

Ruben the Road Safety BearThe Young Road User Safety Programme has continued to deliver an effective programme to vulnerable young road users through the work of Ruben the Road Safety Bear. In the year to 30 June 2011, Ruben delivered his road safety messages to 18,730 children through 349 lessons. In the previous year Ruben’s lessons were delivered in te reo Māori speaking educational institutions on six occasions. This year he delivered 44 lessons in te reo Māori speaking institutions, many of which were delivered in full Māori. Ruben’s safety lessons are supported with resources which reinforce the safety messages and most are now available in both languages.

Survey feedback is sought from all recipients of the programme (teachers, principals, early child care educators, and the like.) In the 2010/11 year 96 per cent of recipients indicated Ruben had a positive impact in their school/preschool, with 83 per cent estimating the children were able to remember most of Ruben’s messages.

A total of 3320 new members were added to Ruben’s Kids Club during the year, and children over eight years old were removed, bringing the total to 4896 members. Membership the previous year was 3921.

Ruben’s website (www.ruben.govt.nz) had 10,030 unique visits during the year, which equates to an average of 836 per month. The website has recently been upgraded, with older activities spruced up and some new activities added.

For more information please contact Jo Carling.

Waikato Regional Stock Truck Effluent StrategyA funding options document was developed and reported to the council and the Regional Transport Committee. Both meetings supported option one, where the council would be responsible for funding the construction and maintenance of up to 10 stock truck effluent disposal facilities around the region over a 10 year period. The NZ Transport Agency would subsidise the costs, and the council would strike a rate for the region, either a flat rate or a rate differential between urban and rural dwellings. The next stage will be to return to the council, where a more definitive rate will be set, and then the proposal for three priority sites will be entered into the LTP along with consultation.

For more information please contact Isy Kennedy.

Public transport servicesRegionYear to date total regional patronage was 4,927,993 in 2010/11 compared to 4,813,502 in 2009/10, a 2.37 per cent increase. This means that there is an average of approximately 210 fewer cars on Waikato roads per day.

Farebox recovery ratio for the year was 32 per cent.

UrbanUrban patronage figures show city ridership increasing by 1.06 per cent on last year, with a total of 4,564,147 trips being made.

These are excellent results when factors such as difficult economic conditions and disruption to bus services caused by road works are also considered.

RuralRural patronage was up by an impressive 22.2 per cent. The new Waipa services continue to contribute good growth.

Moving forward in 2011The draft Regional Public Transport Plan identifies that moving forward there will be a greater focus on service optimisation and farebox recovery. However even though it will be challenging task it provides an excellent opportunity to re-focus resources, and ensure we do achieve value for money on the services that we provide.

Chartwell (Lynden Court)Road layout changes will enable the simplification of bus services at Chartwell, some of which currently have to double run. We are working closely with Hamilton City Council on this exciting project.

MarketingWe are developing concept material for a new marketing campaign to be launched later in the year.

Improved publicity and informationWe launched our new concept urban timetables on 1 August with the Glenview and Mahoe bus routes. We’re already receiving positive feedback and intend to roll the concept out across the network, along with a new network map featuring ‘London underground tube’

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Where our documents are in the statutory process

Document Status2009-19 Long Term Plan Operative – adopted 30 June 2009.

Regional Policy Statement Operative – 2000.

Geothermal Change No. 1 Operative – December 2007.

Proposed Change No. 2 – FutureProof Withdrawn.

Proposed Regional Policy Statement 2010 Submissions closed.

Regional Coastal Plan Operative.

Change No. 1 – minor changes Approved by the Minister of Conservation.

Marine Farming Variation Operative in part.

Marinas Variation Operative.

Waikato Regional Plan Operative – 28 September 2007.

Variation No. 2 – geothermal Operative – 7 November 2008.

Variation No. 4 – minor variations and peat lakes Incorporated into proposed WRP, September 2005.

Variation No. 5 – Lake Taupo catchment Operative – 7 July 2011.

Variation No. 6 – water allocation Environment Court hearing concluded August 2011. Awaiting decision.

Variation No. 7 – minor changes Operative – 8 December 2011.

Dangerous Dams Policy Adopted by council – December 2006.

Navigation Safety Bylaw Operative.

Regional Land Transport Strategy 2006-16 Operative December 2006. Currently under review.

Regional Passenger Transport Plan 2007-10 Operative May 2007. Currently under review.

Regional Land Transport Programme 2009-12 Operative July 2009.

Regional Pest Management Strategy Operative 11 December 2008.

style mapping. This change will make our route network easier to understand and use.

The improved timetables provide better connectivity and service frequency between the city centre and hospital during the day by off-setting departure times, timetables with intermediate timings points and better roadside information.

FacebookOur facebook site continues to grow organically and we now have over 240 users. This site provides some really interesting feedback and been a useful way to engage with customers.

Special eventsThe Waikato Regional Council has been working closely with contractors Go Bus, as well as the Hamilton City Council, to deliver an efficient service for Rugby World Cup supporters travelling to and from matches. Just over 3000 passengers boarded the shuttles to and from the New Zealand v Japan rugby game, and similar numbers for the Wales v Samoa match. Rugby supporters boarding the buses were in good spirits and were able to arrive in plenty of time for the games. The rugby shuttle travelled along Anglesea, Knox, Victoria and Liverpool streets in a loop one hour before and one hour after each match, and approximately every 10 minutes.

This year’s transport to the Hamilton ITM400, and Balloons over Waikato ran very smoothly, with Balloons over Waikato carrying 16,000 passengers.

For more information please contact Edwin Swaris.

Glenview and Mahoe improved timetables and information.Glenview and Mahoe webpage design.

For more informationFor more information on the issues outlined in this update, please visit our websitewww.waikatoregion.govt.nz or call the Waikato Regional Council’s freephone 0800 800 401. #1292-09/11

Waikato Regional Council policy and transport groupEmail our staff or call them on Waikato Regional Council’s freephone 0800 800 401.

Team member Key work areas Email

Amanda Banks Regional Integration, air quality amanda.banks@waikatoregion.govt.nz

Barbara Bielby Transport operations – transport inspection barbara.bielby@waikatoregion.govt.nz

Bill McMaster Land Transport Policy bill.mcmaster@waikatoregion.govt.nz

Blair Dickie Regional Strategy, Central Government Advocacy; Energy and climate change blair.dickie@waikatoregion.govt.nz

Bruce McAuliffe Natural Resource Management Policy – water allocation, Waikato Regional Plan bruce.mcauliffe@waikatoregion.govt.nz

Carol Foothead Transport operations – customer service carol.foothead@waikatoregion.govt.nz

Dylan Gardiner Regional Integration, growth planning dylan.gardiner@waikatoregion.govt.nz

Edwin Swaris Transport operations edwin.swaris@waikatoregion.govt.nz

Elizabeth McKnight Project coordination – Regional Policy Statement review elizabeth.mchnight@waikatoregion.govt.nz

Emma Wright Group Administration emma.wright@waikatoregion.govt.nz

Graeme Silver Resource Management Policy – coastal graeme.silver@waikatoregion.govt.nz

Greg Morton Land Transport Policy greg.morton@waikatoregion.govt.nz

Isaac Oliver Transport operations – product and marketing isaac.oliver@waikatoregion.govt.nz

Isy Kennedy Walking and Cycling Strategy and Stock Truck Effluent Strategy isy.kennedy@waikatoregion.govt.nz

Jenni Somerville Land transport, project and planning coordination jenni.somerville@waikatoregion.govt.nz

Jenny Davis Ruben the Road Safety Bear – bookings and administration jenny.davis@waikatoregion.govt.nz

Jo Carling Road safety and travel behaviour change jo.carling@waikatoregion.govt.nz

Joanne Dodunski Transport operations – administration joanne.dodunski@waikatoregion.govt.nz

Justine Young Regional Management Policy – Protecting Lake Taupo, land use and water quality justine.young@waikatoregion.govt.nz

Katie Mayes Regional strategy katie.mayes@waikatoregion.govt.nz

Leanne Perry-Meyer Regional Management Policy – air quality leanne.perry-meyer@waikatoregion.govt.nz

Madeleine Alderton Regional Land Transport Strategy and land transport policy madeleine.alderton@waikatoregion.govt.nz

Matt Vare Regional Integration, Regional Policy Statement, biodiversity matthew.vare@waikatoregion.govt.nz

Megan Kettle (nee Collins) Regional Integration, Regional Policy Statement megan.kettle@waikatoregion.govt.nz

Monique Haines Road Safety Coordination – regional campaigns monique.haines@waikatoregion.govt.nz

Neil Taylor Regional Integration neil.taylor@waikatoregion.govt.nz

Nicola Rye Senior Legal Advisor nicola.rye@waikatoregion.govt.nz

Nigel King Land Transport Policy – Waikato Regional Land Transport Programme nigel.king@waikatoregion.govt.nz

Raewyn Legge Regional Management Policy – Regional Policy Statement raewyn.legge@waikatoregion.govt.nz

Rose Boyce-Timutimu Ruben the Road Safety Bear rose.boyce-timutimu@waikatoregion.govt.nz

Sally Latham Executive Assistant sally.latham@waikatoregion.govt.nz

Sally Mellor Regional Policy Statement – project management sally.mellor@waikatoregion.govt.nz

Sue Callis Transport operations – transport co-ordination sue.callis@waikatoregion.govt.nz

Tariq Ashraf Regional strategy, regional development tariq.ashraf@waikatoregion.govt.nz

Terry Stokes Transport operations – transport inspection terry.stokes@waikatoregion.govt.nz

Urlwyn Trebilco Regional strategy, regional growth, policy evaluation urlwyn.trebilco@waikatoregion.govt.nz

Ursula Lehr Regional Integration, Blueprint project ursula.lehr@waikatoregion.govt.nz

Vaughan Payne Group Manager: Policy and Transport vaughan.payne@waikatoregion.govt.nz

Vibhuti Chopra Waikato Regional Passenger Transport Plan and Passenger Rail vibhuti.chopra@waikatoregion.govt.nz

Vicki Carruthers Regional Management Policy – Hauraki Gulf Forum, water quality vicki.carruthers@waikatoregion.govt.nz

Vincent Kuo Land Transport Policy, regional integration vincent.kuo@waikatoregion.govt.nz

Other key contacts

Adam Munro Regional hazards adam.munro@waikatoregion.govt.nz

Nicole Botherway Navigation Safety nicole.botherway@waikatoregion.govt.nz

Kevin Collins Regional Pest Management Strategy kevin.collins@waikatoregion.govt.nz

Jody Van Der Haas Long Term Plan, Annual Plan and Annual Report jody.vanderhaas@waikatoregion.govt.nz

Greg Ryan Flood risk management greg.ryan@waikatoregion.govt.nz

David Speirs Water allocation and implementation david.speirs@waikatoregion.govt.nz