Te ara i whiti – Lightpath opened yesterday to rave reviews and a huge turn out of people excited to experience the world’s first ever pink (officially magenta) coloured cycleway created from a transformed disused motorway off-ramp.
The day started with a dawn blessing that allowed for a contemplative walk with iwi reprepresentatives along the route to admire the new art works and take in the newly created vistas of the city as the sun came up.
Photo: 95bfm
Hon Simon Bridges with the help of super hero riders from Freemans Bay primary school offically opened Phase One that includes a new swirling Canada Street Bridge connecting to the magenta-coloured Nelson Street off-ramp that joins the cycleway that runs down the length of Nelson St to the intersection of Victoria St. Phase 2, to start early next year, will take the entire Nelson St cycleway to Quay St.
In the evening thousands gathered on foot, on skateboards and on bikes to enjoy the “first hoon” and interactive light show that runs along one side.
It was a really happy day for Auckland and wonderful to take part in the celebrations for the magic that has been created in an incredibly short time.
Nelson St off ramp before/after – City Centre Masterplan image
Since the Nelson St off ramp closed in 2005 people have looked down on spaghetti junction and imagined what could be possible to break up the endless grey motorway that dissects the city. The idea to re-purpose the off -ramp took shape in the City Centre Masterplan 2012 (CCMP). It was visualised as a NYC style Highline with an urban garden. In 2013 Matter Architects installed hundreds of bikes as part of an award winning Designday installation which raised further questions about how the off-ramp could be used.
Janette Sadik-Khan inspirational Auckland Conversation presentation in May 2014 provided the platform for a challenge to city’s leaders to get behind a “quick win” transformational pilot project. Barb Cuthbert and Max Robitzsch from Bike Auckland (then Cycle Action Auckland) were ready with just the right project – a concept for the off-ramp as a cycleway connected to K’rd (also supported and promoted by Transport Blog). Fortunately the timing was perfect with a new Regional Director at NZTA willing to make the idea a reality and Auckland Transport agreeing to get on board to tackle Nelson St to provide a business case for the off-ramp as a key connection in the city’s cycling network. The crucial funding arrived with the Government’s announcement of a $100m Urban Cycling Investment Fund in August 2014 followed by confirmation that
Photo: Phil Walter
Nelson St would be included in the programme in January 2015 (I was a member of the Urban Cycling Investment panel that recommended the programme to the Minister). Political support came from the Mayor Len Brown, Councillor Chris Darby (the Council’s political urban design champion) and of course the Waitematā Local Board! (our small financial contribution was to fund a drinking station on route)
The final part fell into place with the decision of the City Centre Advisory Board to use the targeted rate paid by central businesses to fund the WOW factor for the project. This gave Auckland Council’s urban design champion Ludo Campbell-Reid and the Auckland Design Office the opportunity to get creative and follow through on the potential identified in the CCMP to make sure Auckland ended up with something really unique.
photo: Bike Auckland
Following public feedback the concept was created by Monk Mackenzie architects and LandLAB, in association with artist Katz Maihi. Māori patterns and narrative form a core part of the designs, following discussions with iwi. The path includes etched carvings at intervals along the length, with a 6-metre pou at the entrance. The colour (by Resin Surfaces Ltd) represents the heartwood of a freshly cut totara, with the red and pink shades strengthened to contrast with the surrounding motorway lanes. It includes LED lights by Iion lighting lining the safety barriers, that can interact and pulse as people pass them, as well as a strong magenta surface colour that fades out at the northern end in a Māori design (details from the Auckland Council media release).
Waitemata Local Board funded drinking station on Nelson St
I’d like to acknowledge and thank all who played a part in the Lightpath & Nelson St cycleway project from Auckland Council, Auckland Transport, NZTA and the many contractors (including Hawkins Construction, GHD, Construction Landscapes, PFS) who worked hard up right to the opening day. Te ara i whiti is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when the stars align on a great idea and creative people are given the brief and funding to make it happen.
Penelope Carroll (Massey University) and children from central schools present on the children’s audit carried out as part of the Freyberg Square consultation
Highlights
Public Forum
Public forum at the Board’s October business meeting was one of our most interesting and thought-provoking with seven presentations covering a range of projects and issues. We are really fortunate that people in the Waitematā Local Board area are willing to take the time to engage with local government through our public forums.
Charlotte Fisher and Erwin van Asbeck bring along the litter collected from a Herne Bay beach to highlight local stormwater, sewage and pollution issues.
Friends of St Davids, Grey Lynn Surrey Crescent shopsworking group, Hauora Gardens at Studio One, Brian McClure a local business landlord and the Grey Lynn pump track society also presented at the public forum.
Presentations that were tabled are available on the Council website.
Berm planting
Auckland Transport has done a great job sparking interest in berm planting! Local Board feedback on Auckland Transport’s draft berm planting guidelines was made available in October (our feedback was attached to the October agenda) leading to media coverage extending all the way to the BBC and a NZ gardener petition.
Disappointingly Auckland Transport incorrectly claimed in the media that the draft had been provided to local boards in confidence. Throughout the development of the draft guidelines AT has shown a lack of understanding of Local Board’s placemaking role and processes.
Photo Credit: Nick Young
Ponsonby Road feeder lane
Ponsonby Road safety improvements
A new feeder lane and advance stop boxes (“fresh Kermit) have been installed on Ponsonby Road as part of Auckland Transport’s resurfacing project.
Report back: Future of Cycling symposium: Challenges and Possibilities
I attended the Future of Cycling symposium hosted by the University of Waikato and Cycling New Zealand at the Avantidrome in Cambridge on 2 October 2015.
The symposium was a first for bringing together academics, sports administrators, cycle advocates and representatives from transport agencies to discuss a range of cycling related issues and opportunities.
The symposium was opened by Andrew Matheson, CEO of Cycling NZ. He shared some interested statistics from research Cycling NZ has carried out:
– 23% of adults get on a bike at least once a year
– Half have high engagement with cycling
– High engagement riders are estimated to save our health economy $1 billion per year
I was particularly interested in presentations about safety and making cycling an everyday transport option. For example from a report back from the Cycle Safety conference in Germany we heard about new bike technology to make cycling safer for older people (in Holland cycling injuries and fatalities are very low by international standards but older people make up the largest and growing group of victims). It was recommended that rather than follow the lead of Europe we need to find our own safety solutions to meet them in the future.
Gerry Dance from NZTA reported that we are now “riding with a political tailwind” due to the increase in cycling investment from the government.
I attended the symposium with members Christopher Dempsey and Rob Thomas. Registration of $80 was paid from the Board’s professional development budget.
October events and functions
In addition to Local Board workshops and meetings I attended:
Cycling symposium in Cambridge on 2 October
Pecha Kucha Maritime edition at the Voyager Museum 8 October
Art Week opening at Silo 6 on 9 October
Auckland Refugees Council AGM on 10 October at the Grey Lynn Community Centre
Kelmarna Spring Festival on 11 October
Ponsonby Business Association Board meeting on 14 October
Introduction to Local Board members by the new Panuku Development Agency
At the Beach NZ Fashion Museum launch at Voyager Museum on 15 October
Spring Fling in the Myers Park underpass on 16 October
Diwali Festival opening ceremony in Aotea Square on 17 October
Grey Lynn Farmers Market AGM on 18 October (I have now resigned from the Grey Lynn Farmers Market management committee after 5 years as Chair )
Bikes vs Cars documentary screening on 18 October
Ports of Auckland community reference group meeting
Presentation by the world homeless expert Dr Sam Tsemberis, Pathways to Housing, NYC at Merge Café hosted by Lifewise on 20 October
Opening of the Screenies International children’s film festival at TAPAC on 22 October
Inner city network meeting to discuss neighbours day 2016 preparations
Ponsonby Business Association AGM on 27 October
The Lesson opening night at Basement Theatre on 27 October
Franklin Road community liaison group meeting on 28 October (to discuss the latest options for the upgrade of Franklin Road)
Launch of At the Beach, NZ Fashion Museum exhibition at the Voyager Museum
This report covers my Waitematā Local Board activities from 17 August – 30 September 2015 as Deputy Chair, lead for the Community and Transport portfolios, and Chair of the Grants Committee, and with positions on the Ponsonby Business Association Board and Ponsonby Community Centre Committee and Board liaison for the Parnell Community Centre.
Highlights
Beach Rd stage 2 opening
Tole Reserve playground opening following a recent upgrade
Festival Italiano kicked off the first major festival of spring on a beautiful day in Newmarket
Portfolio updates: Transport
Beach Rd Stage 2 opening
Beach Road stage 2
I was delighted to join the celebrations for the opening of Beach Road stage 2 especially as the Board (through our Chair Shale Chambers) played a role in securing the funding for the project to get underway. The opening brought together the Mayor, NZTA regional director, Hon Nikki Kaye, Kaumatua Matt Maihi (on what was also the 175th anniversary of Ngati Whatua’s signing over of land to the Crown, which officially began the process of creating Auckland city), local politicians and the many people from across multiple organisations who are all committed to Auckland being a great place to cycle.
The design adds to the city centre’s growing network of cycleways and
Walkers on the Beach Rd cycleway
provides attractive street amenity to the soulless apartment frontages on Beach Road.
Unfortunately there are already concerns about the design of the separated pathways for cycling and walking. The layout and signage is confusing so that both pathways have become “shared” by default putting more vulnerable walkers in conflict with riders.
We hope to see Auckland Transport address these issues as well as improving the connections from Beach Road to Britomart and Fort St (a cycle crossing phase has been requested on the intersection of Customs, Britomart Pl and Beach Rd).
Update on the footpath programme: Making Auckland’s footpaths safer, easier to navigate and more convenient
In August Christopher and I went on a site visit with Auckland Transport’s maintenance team leader to ascertain what works can be leveraged from the renewal budget to deliver local board priorities. Attachment B outlines the actions we logged with Auckland Transport for follow up.
Ponsonby Rd safety
Following concerns regarding the safety of people on bikes using Ponsonby Rd (highlighted by a painful and concerning account of a “dooring” on the Cycle Action Auckland website) I have provided the following update on what the transport portfolio is doing regarding education, enforcement and short term fixes:
For some time now we have been asking AT to work with the Police to enforce the speed limit (frustratingly no sign of this happening on any of our city centre streets)
We have requested safety campaigns aimed at drivers – passing rules, driveway rules etc (we have raised concerns about AT’s campaigns aimed at vulnerable road users and the lack of evidence that these campaigns work eg “Pay attention or pay the price” type messages)
We advocated for the recent resealing of Ponsonby Rd to be used as an opportunity to include new “greening” for cyclists at the intersections (unfortunately AT have recently confirmed that despite earlier assurances the feeder lanes to new advance stop boxes at the Franklin Rd intersection are not going ahead)
We have requested a barnes dance at the intersection with Richmond Rd
We have a “Ponsonby Rd pedestrian experience project” underway funded with approx. $500k from the Local board transport capex fund. This is aimed at providing improvements (raised tables) to all the side streets between Franklin Rd and McKelvie St (this project is not directly delivering cycle infrastructure but it will assist with calming the traffic)
We’ve supported residential parking zones being rolled out in Freemans Bay and Ponsonby which will release short term parking for visitors and take the pressure off Ponsonby Road as the main parking area
We’ve asked for data to be collected on how people are currently travelling to Ponsonby Rd and the % of through traffic v local traffic to assist with future planning
Since the latest dooring that CAA alerted us to recently we’ve asked AT to provide data on crashes involving cyclists on Ponsonby Rd and an update on how AT is going to respond with a specific campaign.
Longer term the board has committed to a solution under Outcome 3 of the Ponsonby Plan (“Pedestrian and Cyclist safety- develop Ponsonby Road with various transport options that prioritise the safety of pedestrians and cyclists”)
We are looking to AT to confirm how quickly the investigation of cyclelanes can be investigated given that Ponsonby Road is not currently in AT’s 3 year work programme. Personally I think the best time to start will be after we have effective parking management in place (residential parking zones) and once the connections at either end on K’rd and Great North Road and to Westhaven have been installed.
Best practice in walking
Jim Walker, the founder of the Walk21 conferences and global expert in walking, gave a lunchtime presentation hosted by the NZ Institute of Architects and Auckland Transport. Jim talked about the importance of walking, promoting the formula for effective investment in walking; showcasing examples of best practice internationally.
Key messages:
Walkability the best indicator of a liveable city
By far the biggest percentage of trips are under 5km (63%) but most resources are allocated to trips over 30km which are only 7% of all trips
Need to make walking visible with data. For example when trips were measured in Sydney’s CBD 92% were found to be walking trips with 50% of each trip made up of waiting time (it would Sales revenues increase after pedestrianisation (in a Munich example up to 40%)
People walking to town centres are found to spend more per week than drivers
It is safer for everyone in cities where people walk and cycle
In the UK it is estimated that for every pound spent on walking 7 pounds are saved in health costs
In making observations about Auckland Jim recommended:
making walking as appealing and enjoyable as possible
deliver streets that are safer, easier to navigate and more comfortable
promote walking as the first choice for every day short trips
This presentation confirmed for me the need for Auckland focused trip data (at the moment most of the data is derived from pedestrian counts and census journey to work data) and more NZ based evidence about the benefits of investing in walking (refer Attachment C for a Grey Lynn example).
High Street parking issues
Consultation on the upgrade Ellen Melville and Pioneer Womens Hall and Freyberg Square (with the proposed removal of the road in front of the hall) has highlighted a number of current High St parking issues that could be addressed before the project goes ahead.
The city centre team, who are project managing the upgrade, have been asked to investigate the following with Auckland Transport:
Removal of the High St exit from the Victoria St carpark
Change to light phases at the High St /Victoria St intersection to speed up access from the Victoria St car park
Re-configuration of the Victoria St car park to better provide for short term parking (ie moving long term parking from the lower levels)
Management of the number of trade vehicles on High St to free up short term on -street car parking (through permits and encouraging tradies to use the car park)
Promoting Victoria St car park as the “pop in” short term parking for visitors to High St/O’Connell St/Vulcan Lane precinct (ie changing perceptions that it is difficult to access the shopping area)
Undertake a parking survey on High St to confirm current vacancy/occupancy rates and make the data publicly available and for Heart of the City to share with members
Depending on the results of the parking survey discuss with AT the tools available to increase availability and turn over
Portfolio updates: Community
Age – Friendly Cities Forum
I attended the ADCOSS organised Age- Friendly cities forum on 27 August. This was an opportunity to hear from a wider range of speakers about how an age-friendly city benefits people of all ages. A youth perspective was provided by members of the Waitematā Youth Collective.
Key messages for me:
We need to be designing and building age and disability friendly housing that can support existing communities not just in isolated suburbs (David Haigh, Lecturer in social practice at Unitec)
We should implement the UK’s “Shopmobility” initiative that can benefit retailers (Vivian Naylor, CCS disability Action)
We need to be including dementia-friendly perspectives in our design (Karen Smith, Clinical Research nurse at Auckland University’s Centre for brain research)
Connectedness is the most important factor for enhancing well-being. Strong, cohesive communities are the best thing for people’s health and psychological sense of control (Prof. John Raeburn)
Smokefree Auckland 2025
The board has supported the bringing forward of the review of Council’s Smokefree Policy and the earlier implementation of the planned stage 3 including extending smokefree areas to beaches, shared spaces and outside dining.
Following a meeting with Auckland Cancer Society we have also confirmed our commitment to promote our current smokefree events and facilities and ensure phase 1 has been fully implemented (covering signage and smokefree bus stops).
I also attended the Auckland Cancer society’s smokefree outside areas forum where I heard that there is increasing evidence of the public’s approval to extend smokefree areas to all public places such as beaches and outside dining. There is evidence that smokefree outdoor areas help to limit exposure to smoking and decrease the chances of former smokers relapsing. Outdoor policies also help people quit.
Investigations are underway on whether it is preferable to adopt a regulatory rather than non-regulatory approach (as is currently taken in the smokefree policy). In Ontario there is very effective use of signs and very little enforcement.
We are at a similar point to when indoor venues went smokefree – business ended up having nothing to fear and it was also good for hospitality workers.
Community Grants
The Waitematā Local Board grants committee that I chair considered the applications for round one 2015/16. For the first time we have a “Quick Response Grants” process for applications up to $3000 and Local Grants for applications up to $7500. In total $280,920.46 was requested from round one from our total community grants fund of $100,000. This massive over subscription was partly due to the demise of the Community Group Assistance Fund and Accommodation Support Fund benefitting boards in the old Auckland City Council area. These funds have been distributed between all 21 local boards unfortunately leaving a large funding shortfall for organisations based in the Waitematā area.
Think Big mural project at Richmond Rd School
The round one decisions and recommendations of the committee are attached to the agenda.
Photo right: students from Richmond Road School with their ‘Think Big’ project ‘The Colour Project’ certificates presented by member Deborah Yates at the school assembly on behalf of the Board
Further meetings and activities relevant to the community portfolio are detailed below
Workshops and meetings
From 17 August – 30 September 2015 I attended:
Local Boards greenways collaborative meeting on 17 August
Auckland Transports’ public meeting on 17 August to present Grey Lynn transport project proposals
Waitematā Local Board workshop on 18 August including meeting with Auckland Museum representatives
Waitematā Youth Collective introductory meeting on 18 August
Meeting with Auckland Cancer Society to discuss the progress on the regional Smoke free policy and the upcoming review that is planned for later this year
Lunchtime Learning: The housing we’d choose: A study of housing preferences, choices and trade-offs in Auckland.
Meeting with GM Ponsonby Business Association 21 August
Elected member professional development working group meeting 24 August
Waitematā Local Board workshop on 25 August
Newmarket Laneways working group
Grey Lynn park pump track presentation
Pre-view of the proposed Nelson St Off-ramp Cycleway – amenity lighting on 25 August
Community Development portfolio monthly update on 26 August
ADCOSS age friendly cities forum at Western Springs Hall on 27 August
Meeting to discuss achievements report photos on 27 August
Jim Walker – founder of Walk21: International best practice in walking seminar on 28 August
Ponsonby Community Centre committee meeting on 31 August
Waitematā Local Board workshop on 1 September
Catch up with NBA General manager on 4 September
New footpath programme – site visit on 4 September
Attended the Seniors Advisory Panel on 7 September
Waitematā Local Board business meeting on 8 September
Ponsonby Business Association Board meeting on 9 September
Auckland Development Committee workshop on 9 September (covering SHAs, City Centre Integration Group update, Downtown Car park and the Chief Economist housing report)
Waitematā Local Board workshop on 10 September
Visit to the Auckland Central Library CAB
Meeting with Cowie St residents 14 September
Ellen Melville Centre and Freyberg Square consultation drop in
Ellen Melville Centre and Freyberg Square consultation drop- ins on 11 and 14 September (photo right)
Waitematā Local Board workshop on 15 September
Monthly Transport portfolio catch up and site visit to MacKelvie St (part of the Ponsonby Road pedestrian experience funded from the local board capex fund)
Meeting with Auckland Transport to discuss Curran St/Sarsfield St intersection proposals
Consultation meeting on 17 September for Heart of the City members to discuss Ellen Melville Centre and Freyberg Square proposals
Interview with a representative from Hay Group on 18 September (As part of their regular three-yearly job sizing exercise, the Remuneration Authority has commissioned Hay Group to meet with a cross section of elected members from Auckland Council to conduct an assessment)
Waitematā Local Board workshop on 22 September
Media and communications meeting
Community Development Portfolio meeting on 22 September
Waitemata Local Board Grants Committee meetings on 23 and 29 September
Smokefree outdoor areas forum on 23 September
Inner City Network meeting organised by ADCOSS on 24 September
Meeting on 25 September to discuss elected member professional development
Ponsonby Community Centre management committee meeting 28 September
Waitematā Local Board workshop on 29 September
Local Board greenways collaborative meeting on 30 September
Events and functions
From 16 August – 30 September 2015 I attended:
Opening of the Tole Reserve playground on 22 August
Officiated at the citizenship ceremony at the Town Hall on 24 August
Cycle Action Auckland AGM on 27 August
Richmond Road School ‘Think Big’ project ‘The Colour Project’ assembly presentation of certificates to the working group on 28 August
Ponsonby presents NZ Fashion Festival show at the invitation of PBA on 29 August
Heroes at Maidment Theatre at the invitation of ATC
Wallace Art Awards at Pah Homestead on 7 September
The Events at Q Theatre at the invitation of Silo Theatre Trust on 9 September
Grey Lynn Business Association networking drinks
Auckland Conversations on 10 September Building Bridges not walls, Gill Hicks, peace advocate
Diversity Job Fair 2015 (morning tea for invited guests) at AUT on 12 September
Ellen Melville Centre and Freyberg Square open day on Saturday 12 September
Circability Trust afternoon tea on 13 September celebrating one year at Campbell Free Kindergarten
Cats the musical at the Civic Theatre at the invitation of Regional Facilities Auckland
Aotea Quarter consultation walking tour
Aotea Quarter Framework consultation walk on 17 September (photo right)
Festival Italiano opening and lunch in Newmarket at the invitation of Dante Alighieri Society Auckland on Sunday 27 September (photo below: Osborne St open for people to enjoy the festival)
I recently accompanied my mum to London to support her competing in the 10th World Brompton Championship race. I hadn’t been back in 5 years so I was also looking forward to checking out the explosion of cycling I’d been hearing about. From dispatches I was expecting London to have been transformed into a Copenhagen of the British Isles. The increase in bikes everywhere was really noticeable but I was also surprised to discover this is despite many central London streets still being very congested and hostile to riding.
Commuter cycling along the Embankment, London
Even as a confident rider the few times I ventured out on a public hire “Boris” bike in central London I found to be a scary experience. The super cycle highways currently under construction are going to make a huge difference however many historic London roads are narrow and cyclelanes are unlikely to be an option. I understand this has led to a multi -pronged approach to encourage cycling by calming streets, slowing traffic, safety campaigns and the creation of routes through quieter areas.
It confirmed for me that if London can grow cycling numbers spectacularly with huge transport challenges in a city of 8.6 million people then in Auckland we really have no excuse. I’ve heard too many times that we don’t have space for cyclelanes and that there are too many barriers to cycling (weather, hills, dangerous roads). . We only have to look at London to know most of our arterials are more than wide enough to comfortably accommodate everyone including people on bikes – we just have to refocus our priorities.
Freecycle London
But the real surprise for me on my trip was getting to take part in the Prudential Ride London Freecycle event. A day of cycling traffic- free around 10 miles of London’s most ironic streetscapes. On a glorious summer’s day we joined the estimated 70,000 of people (including many very small children) on bikes taking advantage of an “open” streets circuit and festival zones along the way.
Of course it made me wonder when we are going to have Auckland’s first genuine “freecycle” event with the roads made available just for cycling. We’ve had Playing in the Streets in 2012, Ciclovia in 2014 and Open Streets Auckland earlier this year which were lots of fun and opened streets for people to enjoy but just didn’t cater for riding on mass, on a dedicated route (there are lots of other successful examples from around the world like NYC’s Tour de Brooklyn).
The idea of an event taking advantage of a car free circuit has been floating around for a while but may now be gaining momentum with the injection of Urban Cycling Programme Funding starting to have an impact. Finally in Auckland with the opening of Grafton Gully and Beach Rd cycleways, Nelson St about to open and Quay St promised by April 2016 we can see a real network taking shape. We will soon be able to “circle the city” by bike. A freecycle type event will provide the opportunity to showcase progress in the city centre, give Aucklanders a chance to reclaim their streets and hopefully introduce many new people to cycling.
Proposed routes for “freecycle” Auckland an open streets event. Map design: Lennart Nout
Urban Planner Lennart Nout has designed a map of a possible circuit. Riders would be able to start at any point and other that the loop in the Domain cycle in either direction on the course. Festival zones could be included in places like Silo Park, Teal Park, and at the Domain.
As the traffic management for the event is likely to be very expensive it would make sense to give a major sponsor naming rights (in London the sponsor called the event “Freecycle” to fit with their brand but I don’t think this works as a name in Auckland).
The Waitemata Local Board and Auckland Museum have provided support in principle for an “open” streets mass ride event. Auckland Transport’s walking and cycling team is wondering if the time is right and whether people will show up.
I am sure that if we make it happen then the riders – especially novices, children, families – will come!
This report covers my Waitematā Local Board activities from 1 June – 7 July 2015 as Deputy Chair, lead for the Community and Transport portfolios, Chair of the Grants Committee, and with positions on the Ponsonby Business Association Board, Ponsonby Community Centre Committee and Board liaison for the Parnell Community Centre.
I have also been acting Chair from 19 June – 10 July.
Since December 2014 I have been a member of the Urban Cycleways Investment Panel. The Panel considered proposed cycleway projects that Councils from across the country put forward for funding from the $100m urban cycling fund, and provided recommendations to the Minister of Transport on the final Urban Cycleway Programme.
On 25 June I attended the launch of the programme by the Prime Minister and Minister of Transport in Rotorua (see Attachment A). On the same day as the launch the governing body signed off the Long -Term Plan budget including the local share of a $124m three year walking and cycling programme which should deliver 52 kilometres of new cycleways.
This is great news especially for the Waitematā Local Board area. After many years of the Board advocating for dedicated cycleways and the completion of the Auckland Cycle Network we will see the acceleration of projects with safe connections on Great North Road, Surry Crescent, Gladstone Road, a Western Connection via Sarsfield St together with city centre routes.
Auckland Council’s Long Term Plan
The 10-year budget that was adopted on 25 June by the governing body includes the funded priorities for each local board. The Waitematā Local Board consulted on the following proposals for the next 10 years:
complete the Weona-Westmere Coastal Walkway
upgrade Newmarket Laneways public realm to provide a safer and more vibrant environment for pedestrians and shoppers
deliver the Western Springs Native Bush Restoration Plan
redevelop Pioneer Womens and Ellen Melville Hall as a city centre community hub
continue the delivery of the Waipapa Stream restoration and ecological project
support local community services, events and grants
continue to deliver initiatives from our local board plan.
Of the 1,412 submissions received, 745 made comments on the local proposals. Overall the majority of these respondents supported the local proposed projects for 2015/2016 and 2016-2025. In particular, there was support for the implementation of the Waipapa Stream and the Western Springs native bush restoration, the completion of the Weona-Westmere walkway and delivery of local events. There was also strong opposition towards reducing local library opening hours.
After considering the feedback, the board has funded the proposals listed above, and has reduced the budget from $100,000 to $75,000 for a temporary arts and culture POP programme for which there was lower support. The Board has also allocated funding to support increasing Grey Lynn Library’s opening hours by half an hour a week. (refer Auckland Council media release Attachment B)
Skypath
Resource consent for the walking and cycling pathway over the Auckland Harbour Bridge (Skypath) was granted on 3 July. This is a significant milestone in a 10 year long campaign to establish this critical link in Auckland’s cycling network.
The Waitematā Local Board has consistently supported the Skypath project. (Photo right from the Get Across protest in 2009 when thousands enjoyed walking and cycling over the bridge)
Grandstand Drive improved for people to enjoy the Domain
It is surprisingly difficult to move around the Domain without coming into conflict with cars or running out of footpath so it is great to see the parks team have closed the parking on Grandstand drive (due to the risk posed by the oak trees). This is hopefully the start of many further improvements that will progress through the Domain masterplan (to be consulted on in August) and the Museum’s work to improve walking connections.
New footpath programme 15/16
The Transport portfolio provided input to Auckland Transport’s new footpath work programme 15/16. In Attachment C I explain how I finalised a list of locations with assistance from the public.
Tactical Urbanism workshop
I attended a workshop with Mike Lydon, Principal Street Plans Collaborative – New York to and author of Tactical Urbanism: Short-term Action for Long-term Change, a book that shares techniques for ambitiously jump starting projects in the urban realm.
The workshop (hosted by Waterfront Auckland, Auckland Council and Auckland Transport) focused on the opportunities afforded by tactical urbanism, how the ‘lighter, cheaper, faster’ methodology can better deliver desired outcomes for the city, what obstacles lay in the way of achieving the desired outcomes and how we best work together to mitigate these obstacles and achieve the vision for Auckland as the world’s most liveable city.
The city centre team have a budget of $800k for tactical urbanism projects like pop-up parks. It is great to see that many examples of “tactical urbanism” are already springing up in the community without any support from Council (for example the tree pit in the photo was recently planted after being empty for some time).
New initiative:Vision Zero
Tragically Mr Robert Su was killed on Fanshawe St on 2 June (early indications are that he was crossing at the pedestrian crossing with the green man when he was hit by a speeding truck). In Attachment D I outline why I think the time has come for Vision Zero Auckland.
Not long after the crash on Fanshawe St Auckland Transport started a misguided and patronising “cross safely with the green man” campaign aimed at the victims of traffic violence. I have raised my concern with Auckland Transport that this kind of approach is shown not to be effective and that resources should be directed at measures that improve pedestrian safety (eg road design, enforcement, speed reduction).
Workshops and meetings
From 1 June to 7 July I attended:
Waitematā Local Board workshop on 2 June
Two days of the Skypath resource consent hearing
Visit to the Art of remembrance installation at St David’s church to meet Paul Baragwanath, Trustee Friends of St David
Communications update with the Local Board communications advisor
Engagement adviser update
Draft Newmarket Laneways plan open day on Osborne St, Newmarket on Saturday 6 June
Waitematā Local Board business meeting on 9 June in Parnell
Ponsonby Business Association Board meeting on 10 June
Waitematā Local Board workshop on 11 June
Draft Newmarket Laneways plan- Stakeholder Workshop at the Rialto Cinema on 11 June
Waitematā Local Board workshop on 16 June
Community Meeting on Western Park Development Plan consultation feedback on 16 June
Newmarket Laneways Member Working Group Update on 17 June
Monthly Transport portfolio catch up on 17 June
Meeting to discuss up- coming playground openings
Tactical Urbanism workshop with Mike Lydon hosted by Waterfront Auckland on 22 June
Local Board Chairs Forum on 22 June
Waitematā Local Board workshop on 23 June
Meeting with Ponsonby Business Association reps to discuss parking proposals
Franklin Road residents meeting hosted by Auckland Transport to discuss progress on the upgrade of Franklin Road on 23 June
Elected member professional development working group meeting
Central joint funding committee reestablishment meeting with representatives from Albert-Eden, Orakei, Maungakiekie-Tamaki and Puketapapa Local Boards
Ponsonby Community Centre management committee meeting
Waitematā Local Board workshop on 30 June
Meeting to discuss Auckland Transport’s wayfinding signage proposals
Auckland Cycle Forum on 30 June at GridAKL
Community Development portfolio monthly update on 1 July
Meeting with Matt Ball, Ports of Auckland to discuss proposed Rainbow Warrior memorial art installation
Lunchtime learning: Auckland’s Green Lifeline – presentation by Andrea Reid about a new movement that aims to connect Auckland’s parks and reserves together to make pollination pathways.
Visited the homelessness Wānaga at Tātai Hono Marae, Grafton hosted by Te Puni Kokiri for Matariki
Events and functions
From 1 June – 7 July attended:
Parnell Baths book launch at the Parnell library on 4 June (photo right)
Italian National Day piano concert at the invitation of Dante Alighieri Auckland
Parnell Heritage and RSC-Anzac Celebration with member Greg Moyle as guest speaker at the Parnell RSC
Kiss the Fish at Q Theatre at the invitation of Indian Ink Theatre Company
Waipapa Stream planting day on Saturday 13 June
Waitemata Local Board Good Citizen Awards at the Town Hall on 17 June
Newmarket Business Association business awards at the Auckland museum at the invitation of the NBA on 19 June
Launch of Greater Auckland on 21 June at Golden Dawn
Launch of the Urban Cycleways Programme in Rotorua on 25 June
Costley Reserve playground opening on 27 June
Breakfast celebration at the Zoo to welcome the new elephant Anjalee at the invitation of Regional Facilities Auckland
Associates breakfast – urban design, cycling and transport discussion on 2 July at the Auckland Art Gallery
Auckland Conversation: Mary Jane Jacob Public Art – what is it good for? on 2 July at St James Theatre
Opening of the World Press Photography exhibition at Smith & Caughey on 3 July
Skypath resource consent approval celebration at the Northcote Tavern on 3 July
Pecha Kucha cycling edition on 7 July at Shed 10 hosted by Auckland Transport
When I first became involved in cycle advocacy through Cycle Action in 2008 it was a struggle convincing politicians about the benefits of cycling. It was very common to hear arguments along the lines of “what is the point of spending money on cycling when people don’t and won’t cycle because it is too hilly and rains too much.”
The debate started to slowly move from “why” to “when and how” by the time the super city was established in 2010 and Len Brown was elected on a commitment to cycling.
The “how” got a major boost in August 2014 with the unexpected announcement of a $100m Urban Cycling Investment Fund by the Prime Minister. Councils across the country were given a massive incentive to dust off their cycling plans to take advantage of the funding to accelerate urban cycling projects.
Minister Simon Bridges and PM John Key
All credit to the Prime Minister for leading this initiative. It is a smart move that he knows, from his experience of investing in NZ cycle trails, has the potential to yield impressive results.
It was great to be at the launch (as a member of the panel that recommended the programme to the Minister) on 25 June 2015 when the Prime Minister and Minister of Transport jointly announced the full 2015-18 Urban Cycleways Programme at an event in Rotorua.
It is going to be exciting to see projects progress, cycling networks take shape and more people encouraged to take up cycling in a safe environment.
Media Release
Minister of Transport
25 June 2015
Government delivers $333 million urban cycleways
Transport Minister Simon Bridges has today announced a $333 million cycleways investment that he says will change the face of cycling in New Zealand.
The Minister has announced that, on top of the 13 cycleways projects announced in January, a further 41 will receive funding under the Urban Cycleways Programme.
“This is the single biggest investment in cycling in New Zealand’s history,” he says.
The programme is designed to pull together a range of funding sources to build the best possible cycling network that benefits all New Zealanders.
“The Government’s $100 million Urban Cycleways Fund has helped generate an overall investment of $333 million in cycling, getting world-class projects underway much sooner than may otherwise have been the case.”
More than $87 million will be spent in provincial centres, including Whangarei, Hamilton, Tauranga/Western Bay, Rotorua, Gisborne, Hastings/Napier, New Plymouth, Whanganui, Palmerston North, Blenheim, Nelson and Dunedin.
Together with those announced in January, these projects will make cycling a safer, more attractive transport choice for thousands of people around the country.
“The projects announced today will draw on the $90 million remaining in the Urban Cycleways Fund, as well as $107 million from the National Land Transport Fund, and $99 million from local government,” Mr Bridges says.
The Urban Cycleways Investment Panel assessed and recommended the projects to receive the funding.
On 2 June 2015 Robert Su, 33 was heading home from work at the ASB bank to his family in Hillcrest. Like hundreds of commuters he was walking from Wynyard Quarter to the bus stops on Fanshawe Street. Tragically while crossing the road he was struck by a truck and killed. The exact details of the crash have not been released but it is highly likely that a range of factors were involved – speed, driver error, vehicle design, road design, weather conditions. Flowers have been placed in memory of Mr Su at the pedestrian crossing.
What I find particularly tragic and frustrating about Mr Su’s death is that the road he was expected to cross is designed like a motorway for speed and traffic efficiency. For drivers coming off SH1 there are no clues that Fanshawe St is the gateway to the central city. For some time office blocks have been going up near by but no changes have been made to the road to respond to changing land use and the growing numbers of people walking (and cycling) through the area.
At a time when the Auckland Council family of organisations is working to make the city the most liveable in the world through a whole range of transformational projects we continue to let down our most vulnerable road users. Improvements are definitely underway (eg removal of slip lanes in the city centre, complete street upgrades) and various campaigns take a safe systems approach to road safety supported by the NZ Police but what I think is missing is a comprehensive, everyone on board, Vision Zero response where we, collectively as a city, do not consider any fatalities or serious injuries are acceptable or inevitable.
Letter to the NZ Herald 15 June 2015
I think Auckland needs to officially adopt Vision Zero (as the Mayor of NYC did in January 2014 ) with a clear action plan. It will need support from politicians, traffic engineers, transport agencies, all road users and grassroots campaigners. Most importantly it will require a huge culture shift in our attitudes to driving and acceptance that managing speeds is at the heart of improving safety.
There is strong community support for improving public transport and providing greater opportunities for active travel (as indicated by feedback on the Auckland Council’s Long Term Plan) but too often resistance if this means slowing down drivers. It is far too common to hear complaints that speed enforcement is “revenue raising” and politicians shy away from taking decisive action on speed control in the face of evidence and the recommendation of safety experts.
Vision Zero AKL – embracingstreet design, slower speeds, rules changes, education and enforcement -I think could provide the right platform for far greater public support for the concept of putting the safety of people first.
In the meantime I think there is the need for immediate action focused on city centre streets so that no one needs to be put at risk of getting killed on their way home from work.
Photo credit: @BytheMotorway
Remove motorway signage from Fanshawe St
Install the missing pedestrian crossing at the intersection of Fanshawe St and Halsey St (this needs to happen before the new Fonterra HQ opens)
Enforce the speed limit particularly on “motorway” style city streets like Fanshawe, Hobson and Nelson
Implement the 30km/h speed limit for the City Centre and Wynyard Quarter (as proposed in the City Centre masterplan)
1) Managing speeds — and speed differentials — is a top priority
In all three of these countries, the leaders of traffic safety efforts emphasize that managing speed is the number one determinant in their successes in improving safety.
Over the past 15 years, the national governments of Sweden, the Netherlands, and Germany have all proactively and systematically changed their approaches to speed. Each nation (to differing degrees, but all significantly) has lowered speed limits for a clearly defined hierarchy of roads and corresponding speeds. For instance, the Netherlands has shifted…
from 50 kilometers per hour (kph) to 30 kph on smaller, residential streets;
from 70 kph to 50 kph on bigger, or what we’d consider arterial roads; and
from 100 kph to 70 kph on the freeway-like roads outside cities.
In each of the three nations, nearly everyone I’ve spoken with credits speed management as the greatest contributor to their success in improving safety on the streets and saving more lives.
This report covers my Waitematā Local Board activities during May 2015 as Deputy Chair, lead for the Community and Transport portfolios, Chair of the Grants Committee, Deputy Chair of the Central Joint Funding Committee and with positions on the Ponsonby Business Association Board and Ponsonby Community Centre Committee and Board liaison for the Parnell Community Centre.
Community- led development: 254 Ponsonby Road
At Auckland Council we have been talking a lot about community-led development and empowered communities over the last 4 years (I reported in April on the empowering communities approach currently underway) . We’ve been introduced to the concepts through excellent visiting speakers such as Milenko Matanovic and Jim Diers. We have a community-led development champions group convened by Roger Blakely, Chief Planner of which I am a member. We have many community groups participating in shaping local services and placemaking but we don’t have many positive examples of Council putting community-led development into practice.
I am therefore really thrilled about the approach the Board has decided to take in response to the feedback on the development of 254 Ponsonby Road.
At the April business meeting we agreed that the Waitematā Local Board:
i) Notes the feedback on the three concept plan options for 254 Ponsonby Road that were subject to public consultation from September to December 2014.
ii) Further notes that subsequent to the start of the consultation period that budget for the delivery of any of the three concept plan options is no longer available.
iii) Further notes the majority of submitters support option 3 providing for full use of the site as open space.
iv) Agrees to include an advocacy position to the Governing Body seeking a capex budget to develop the site consistent with option 3.
v) Agrees to build on the consultation feedback to work in partnership with the community to develop a solution within the available resources for 254 Ponsonby Road.
vi) Agrees to reallocate $10,000 from the Heritage Planning budget 2014/2015 to support the community partnership approach to developing a solution.
vii) Requests clarification from ACPL on whether the amendment to the Council’s Revenue and Financing Policy, which now allows for sales proceeds resulting from optimisation of service property assets to be reinvested into eligible local projects, applies to 254 Ponsonby Road that was purchased to provide civic space for future generations.
viii) Agrees that submitters to the consultation on the three concept plan options are provided a summary of the feedback received.
Work has since got underway by Council officers to develop the steps involved in the process. It is going to be challenge to all involved to attempt a new model for delivering an outcome that is widely supported by the community but hopefully “254 Ponsonby Road” ends up being an exemplar for an empowered community development project.
Community funding
For the last four years I have been a member of the Central Joint Funding Committee made up of representatives from the Local Boards in the old Auckland City Council area. The Committee has continued to distribute legacy ACC grants (Accommodation Support Fund, Community Group Assistance Fund, Auckland City Cultural Heritage Fund) totalling approx. $1.2m. The final committee meeting was in April and the Governing Body has decided that from 1 July these grants, and all other legacy grants from the across the region will no longer exist.
The Auckland -wide community grant budget of $3,249,441 has been allocated equally to all 21 local Boards. Unfortunately this means a big drop in the funding available for community groups that are based in Waitematā but provide a regional service (eg Youthline).
Starting with the next round of funding (due to open in August) community groups will be directed to apply to Local Board community funding. As Waitematā Local Board grants are for a maximum of $6k (rather than $25k under the legacy central grants) there is inevitably going to be a difficult transition period for community groups who are likely to see a big decrease in funding available from Council.
At the community development portfolio meeting in May we asked that the fact that there are new arrangements and that there will be a major impact on organisations should be clearly communicated in advertising for the community funding workshops coming up (to be held on 10 June for Waitemata groups).
Ponsonby Road resurfacing
The Transport portfolio has consistently challenged Auckland Transport to consider every renewal or maintenance project in terms of what can be achieved to maximize the transport budget to provide for all transport modes (this was reflected in our feedback on the RLTP). For example maintenance projects provide an opportunity for arterials to be relooked at with new layouts that include bus lanes and cycle lanes, remove cycle pinch points and add better pedestrian crossings.
Ponsonby Road was scheduled by AT to be resurfaced in May on a like for like basis. The good news is that following Local Board advocacy and input from stakeholders, Auckland Transport has agreed to make minor but critical safety improvements when the surface is re-marked (the remarking will take place once the new surface has sufficiently hardened).
Auckland Transport’s Parking Strategy
On 27 May Auckland Transport briefed Local Boards, key stakeholders and the media on the new parking strategy that has been adopted which will mean a consistent approach for the first time for parking across the region. The strategy was developed following public consultation with AT receiving 5,500 submissions. A quarter of submissions were about the overall management of demand parking, 18% were about parking on residential streets and on park and rides and 11% were about parking on arterial roads. Half the submissions came from central Auckland or from City Centre fringe suburbs such as Parnell, Ponsonby and Newton.
The document allows for a case by case approach to parking taking into account local issues and the views of local boards and the community. As advocated by the Board, consultation with the community will continue as parking measures are introduced.
Adoption of the strategy means that Auckland Transport can now move forward on implementing critically needed residential parking zones for central suburbs based on the successful St Marys Bay trial. Auckland Transport has met with the Board and Freemans Bay Residents Association to discuss details of the Freemans Bay scheme which will be consulted on in June.
Inner city network meeting – Transport
I facilitated the May inner city network stakeholders meeting on the theme of transport hosted at GridAKL on 28 May with presentations from Priscilla Steel on Auckland Transport’s work programme; Carol Greensmith AT’s Communications Manager on the City Rail Link; Kathryn King, AT’s Cycling/Walking manager and Ellie Craft on Generation Zero’s transport campaigns.
Transport is seen as a priority for the network stakeholders so the presentations were well received.
Workshops and meetings
During May I attended:
The Albert-Eden Community Development Portfolio team hosted meeting on 1 May of the central boards’ Community Development portfolio leads to share ideas and issues, and opportunities for collaboration and professional development.
Volunteer Centre Network of Aotearoa National Hui opening with the Deputy Mayor and Lee Corrick from Albert-Eden Local Board on 4 May
Waitematā Local Board workshop on 5 May
Communications update with the Local Board communications advisor
Briefing discussion on kindergarten multi-premises lease on 6 May
Meeting Freemans Bay Residents’ Association and Auckland Transport to discuss progress on implementing the residents parking zone
Meeting to discuss the urban cycleways programme with Kathryn King (AT’s walking and cycling manager) and the Mayor’s office
Presentation by Sarah Clark Director of Office of Senior Citizens and Blair McCarthy on the Positive Ageing Strategy hosted by Joan Lardner-Rivlin on 12 May
Meeting to discuss freedom camping in local parks and Council’s strategy
Waitematā Local Board business meeting on 12 May
Ponsonby Business Association Board meeting on 13 May
Catch up with the NBA’s General Manager
Waitematā Local Board workshop on 14 May
Urban Cycleway Investment panel all day meeting in Auckland on 15 May (this was the final meeting of the panel)
Waitematā Local Board workshop on 19 May
Communications update with the Local Board communications advisor on 19 May
254 Ponsonby Road – Community Empowered Approach Next Steps discussion on 19 May
ATEED economic development update meeting with the Board on 20 May
Monthly Transport portfolio catch up on 20 May
Attended the Governing Body Finance and Performance Committee meeting on 21 May when the accelerated transport programme funded by a transport level was discussed and approved.
Community Place-making champions group meeting on 25 May
Follow up meeting regarding Waima Street issues organised by Arch Hill residents with representatives of Auckland Council, NZ Police, and Newton School.
Presentation of the preliminary results of the Auckland’s Public Life Survey, in collaboration with Gehl Architects
Site visit to new local board offices on Swanson street
Waitematā Local Board workshop on 26 May
Auckland Transport’s presentation of final approved Parking Strategy for Local Boards on 27 May
Community development portfolio monthly meeting on 27 May
Inner City Network meeting on Transport hosted at GridAKL
Good Citizen Awards selection panel meeting on 28 May
Events and functions
During May I attended:
Lisa Reihana In Pursuit of Venus [infected] opening at the Auckland Art Gallery on 1 May
TEDx Auckland on 2 May
The Dolls House at the Maidment on 2 May at the invitation of Auckland Theatre Company on 2 May
Save our Harbour protest on 3 May
Art Ache at Golden Dawn
First Thursdays on K’rd on 7 May
Sugar Tree apartments stage 1 opening at La Zeppa
Bike Rave May 2015 with Christopher Dempsey and Vernon Tava
Associates breakfast – urban design, cycling and transport discussion on 7 May at the Auckland Art Gallery
Frocks on Bikes mothers day bike ride
Opening of University of Auckland’s Newmarket campus on 13 May
GLBA monthly drinks on 14 May
Auckland Writers Festival Designing Auckland panel discussion on 16 May
Taku Tamaki: Auckland Stories opening at the Auckland Museum on 28 May
Attended a two day Wānanga Reo at AUT over Queens Birthday weekend to further my understanding of te reo Maori
Pop ping pong Aotea Square
Photos: In my report I’ve included photos of the Waitematā Local Board funded Pop programme. I’ve particularly enjoyed seeing the Pop ping pong tables in action at Aotea Square.
Gifts registered: Auckland Theatre Company tickets to opening night productions
On 23 May I took part in a panel discussion with Patrick Reynolds (Transport Blog contributor) and Phil Twyford MP (Labour’s Transport spokesperson) on the future of transport in Auckland.
The event was organised by the Auckland Isthmus Labour Hub and MC’ed by Labour MP Jacinda Ardern.
We were asked to start the discussion by each presenting our thoughts on what a progressive agenda for Auckland’s Transport should look like, and what we need to get there.
Thank you to Auckland Isthmus Labour Hub for organising this evenings event and for the invitation to take part on the panel.
I’d like to bring a local board member perspective to the discussion.
Firstly a confession – I don’t ride a bike because I am an evangelical greenie on 2 wheels I actually ride a bike because I am just a lazy transport user. I get door to door parking, and hardly ever have to walk!
When I started out as transport advocate about 7 years ago one of the first politicians I met said to me that no one will ever cycle in Auckland because it is too hilly and it rains too much.
That same politician is now “leader of the opposition” on the Waitemata Local Board. And he is now very much in the minority as what I would call a “mono-modal-list”. Of 7 members on the Board 5 are truly multi-modal – users of PT and active transport.
This is by way of introduction to bring me to a few comments I would like to make about what I think is a progressive transport agenda, how that is starting to be embraced in Auckland but what is needed to actually get there. I think a positive transformation has been happening not just with the make up of elected reps (on Waiheke I hear board members are 100% e-bike users!) but in Auckland’s transport usage & attitudes.
Where Aucklanders have been provided choice they are showing they are not DNA programmed to just drive cars (as we’ve been led to believe) and they are also saying they want options. For example:
At the last census 51% of Waitemata residents didn’t drive to work in a private motor vehicle
There are more people arriving into the city centre in the morning peak by PT than car
Over 50% of households in the city centre don’t even have access to a car
60% of Aucklanders say they would cycle if it felt safe to do so
So when I think of a progressive transport agenda it is definitely about PT and active transport and the Government getting seriously on board with funding (key elements that Patrick and Phil highlighted in their opening remarks).
But I think a progressive agenda goes much further so that kids can actually retake the streets. Walkable communities, slower speeds, the re-prioritisation of road space, accessible mobility, changes to the give way rules to favour pedestrians, NYC- style “vision zero” where we don’t accept any fatalities as “normal” and a “complete” street design approach every time so streets are usable by all ages and abilities regardless of the mode of transport.
I am backing this kind of progressive transport agenda because of the environmental, social, economic and health benefits it will unleash (and the promise of a happy city as we’ve heard about at the recent Auckland Conversations! )
Of course I’m presuming everyone here knows the theory and have heard the successes from places like NYC, Portland, London, Copenhagen, Melbourne that have adopted truly “progressive” agendas . [But then I could be wrong you could be all thinking progressive means self driving transport pods and monorails! ].
I think we’ve started to make some significant steps in Auckland towards a progressive transport agenda – and not just in the city centre.
A big factor has been the super city structure and the separation of politicians from every day transport decisions [confession number 2 I am a big fan of the super city ] We forget how dire it was when Auckland city council’s transport decisions used to be made by politicians from Remuera.
We definitely still have a long way to go. It has been over 4 years of frustratingly hard work getting Auckland Transport’s agenda to align with local priorities and for AT to stop building business as usual crap. I think the ship is turning but delivery and leadership is still a big issue. And it doesn’t help that central government is clearly calling the shots in the background.
But no amount of government funding or alignment is going to help us achieve a progressive agenda if we haven’t brought the community along with us. And I think this is one aspect of what we need to get there.
I think Aucklanders over all want the big picture of a world class PT [ that Patrick/Phil describes] but just not the progressive package if it means the removal of parking on their street, speed bumps, speed cameras on their route to work or an apartment block next door. To give one example. Auckland Transport is trying to implement a complete street design for Franklin Road – everything can be catered for including parking but the residents don’t want it because of concerns about the dangers of leaf fall and the safety of cyclelanes.
We have some ways to go before we are YIMBIES for a progressive transport agenda in our neighbourhood. But I do take comfort from what Janette Sadik-Khan (former Commissioner of Transport for NYC) said on her visit here that people are actually ahead of the politicians and press. She said what worked in NYC was lots of public consultation and lots of data.
To conclude: we need to know what a progressive agenda looks like (One indicator I have given for being able to recognise what this is is when we see kids playing in the streets); the community has to buy it; Central government has to come to the party with funding and alignment; but we have to ensure a strong progressive Council – Mayor, Councillors and Local Board members – is elected next year to continue the work that has been started over the last 5 years and is committed to delivering on the ground.
After the panelists spoke a lively discussed followed with questions from the floor.
[Note: City vision is a coalition of Labour, Green and community independents. I do not belong to a political party. The views expressed are my own and not City Vision policy]
In early 2010 Paul McArdle, founder of Bikes in Schools came to Auckland enthused from the success of the opening of the first NZ bike track in a Hastings school. At the time I was on the Cycle Action committee that was keen to support this new initiative. Paul and I had the opportunity for a quick scout around for possible locations for a bike track in a central Auckland School. Several schools expressed interest at the time in following up with Paul and the Bikes on NZ Trust but a combination of building projects and land constraints meant progress was slow.
So five years after the initial discussion about the possibility of a bike track in a central Auckland school it was very special to attend the opening of the new track at Freemans Bay School, the first in the Waitemata Local Board area. The school principal Sandra Jenkins is to be congratulated for her determination in making it happen. She has been supported by the school community and a number of organisations and businesses including Sport Auckland, Cyco bike shop (who did a sharp price on the 55 new bikes), Bike in Schools, and Auckland Transport (provided bike training). The Board contributed a community grant of $2500
Hon Nikki Kaye cuts the ribbon with Freemans Bays school students
The track is available not just in school time as part of PE classes but also accessible after school and at weekends for everyone in the community to use. At the opening it was wonderful to see how excited the kids are about the track and the opportunity to ride bikes in a safe environment.
What is also great about the track is that for the first time ever Freemans Bay School is needing to investigate bike racks as the project has encouraged kids to bike or scoot to school.
The Council’s consultation on the 10 year budget (Long Term Plan) has been a catalyst for a wide-ranging conversation about our city’s transport priorities and investment. “Fixing Transport” is highlighted as one of the 4 key issues facing Auckland.
The Mayor has led the way in asking Aucklanders to consider the choices. Do we accept a basic transport network which costs less, or do we invest more to get the advanced transport programme set out in the 30-year vision for our region known as the Auckland Plan. The Auckland Plan transport network includes the new roads, rail, ferries, busways and cycleways our city desperately needs. (From Council’s consultation material)
I was on the panel for the Auckland Conversation event Fixing Auckland’s Transport – the 10 year budget (as a local board member and member of the Urban Cycling Investment panel) to discuss the transport options.
The MC Fran O’Sullivan asked panelists to consider a few points that we wished to get across. Here are mine in a bit more detail than discussed on the night . I’ve also referenced the quotes that I referred to.
What do we really mean by “Fixing” Auckland’s transport.
Brent Toderian (Vancouver’s former Chief Planner and an Auckland Conversations presenter ) says “you can’t fix traffic in a successful city – you have to change it”.
“fixing” is unlikely to result in “getting the traffic moving” for all trips ie there will always be congestion at peak for single occupancy private vehicles.
in order to fix transport we need to re-think mobility and provide transport choice (As Florian Lennert presented at the the Velo city conference last year – the future of transport is “multi-modal sustainable mobility” ). If people are provided safe, effective transport choices it will create more space on the road for the vehicles that need to be there which benefits everyone.
Efficient & smart investment
The presentation of 2 stark choices has been great for forcing the debate about much needed transport investment (and I applaud the Mayor for leading that debate) but I think we have been provided with a Hobson’s choice on the 2 plans. All the benefits for active transport/PT are locked up in the Advanced transport programme (that also included low value roading projects)
Either alternative funding option is going to take at least 2 years to implement so we have to get the “basic” plan right in the meantime to meet Local Board priorities. Can’t have a basic plan that doesn’t provide for “basic” community needs. Eg There is no cycling investment in the first 3 years of the basic plan – this is unacceptable ( feedback so far shows strongest support for AT to focus more on cycling)
Also if cycling investment not included in the final transport programme Auckland cannot leverage off the Urban Cycling Investment Fund established last year by the Govt- there is $90m available over the next 3 years with up to 50% ear marked for Auckland if a local contribution is available
There is huge demand for transport choices to include cycling and there has never been a better time to invest in cycling but the current AT investment proposal in draft RLTP means Auckland is going to miss out on the funds available
The investment model
I agree we need funding for transport investment other than from rates but we are letting the Government off the hook. The Government needs to bring forward their contribution on the CRL and fund PT investment in the same way as state highways – this would be a game changer for the transport budget and the level of alternative funding required
I accept that there is a transport investment funding gap that can not be met out of rates. I support that gap being met from fuel tax as the most preferred option. From a local board perspective motorway tolling is not desirable because of the administration cost, impact on low income households and the negative impact on local roads.
Efficient & smart investment
Even if we agree on alternative funding I think we have been provided with a Hobson’s choice on the 2 plans. All the benefits for active transport/PT are locked up in the alternative funding plan
Either alternative funding option is going to take at least 2 years to implement so we have to get the “basic” plan right in the meantime. Can’t have a basic plan that doesn’t provide for “basic” community needs. Eg There is no cycling investment in the first 3 years of the basic plan – this is unacceptable ( feedback so far shows strongest support for AT to focus more on cycling)
Also if cycling investment not included in the basic plan Auckland cannot leverage off the Urban Cycling Investment Fund established last year by the Govt- there is $90m available this financial year with up to 50% ear marked for Auckland if a local contribution is available
Key point – there is huge demand for transport choices to include cycling and there has never been a better time to invest in cycling but the current AT investment proposal in draft RLTP means Auckland is going to miss out on the funds available
In my concluding comments I mentioned that the Waitemata Local Board has committed to being a UNICEF accredited child- friendly area. At the heart of the initiative is controlling speed and creating an environment where kids are invited to sit, play and walk. I quoted Rodney Tolley who said at a recentChild Friendly Waitemata workshop that“a walking city is a paradise for kids”
I think we often forget who we are building a city for and our focus should be on making the city a great place for children (so far we have let traffic engineers design it to the detriment of everyone).
Transport Minister Simon Bridges, Mayor Len Brown and NZTA CEO, Geoff Dangerfield
On 30 January on the old Nelson St motorway off-ramp the Minister of Transport announced the first package of projects to receive funding as part of the government’s $100 million Urban Cycleways programme. He also announced the Urban Cycleways Investment Panel that will recommend projects to the Minister. I’m delighted to have been appointed as one of 5 panel members representing LGNZ.
An exciting new cycleway on the redundant off -ramp (a project included in the City Centre Masterplan) connecting Upper Queen Street with Quay St via Nelson St is one of the projects to receive Urban Cycleways funding from the first tranche of projects.
Ministry of Transport Media Release: 30 January 2015
Panel Members Richard Leggert and Pippa Coom
First set of Urban Cycleways projects announced
Transport Minister Simon Bridges today announced the first $37 million worth of cycleway projects to be rolled out across the country as part of the Government’s Urban Cycleways Programme.
First announced in August 2014, the $100 million Programme is designed to pull together a range of funding sources to invest in expanding and improving New Zealand’s cycling network.
“This is the beginning of a programme that will change the face of cycleways in New Zealand using clever funding leveraging.
By pulling together multiple funding sources, the Urban Cycleways Programme will get high-quality projects underway much sooner than may otherwise have been the case.
The Government’s Urban Cycleways Fund will contribute $9.92 million, with
Nelson St off ramp before/after – City Centre Masterplan image
another $21.12 million coming from the National Land Transport Fund, and $6.26 million from local government and other contributions,” Mr Bridges says.
This year, those sources have made available a total of $37,295,000.
When completed, the Urban Cycleways Programme will have supported the investment of up to $320 million, over four years, to create a safe, user-friendly cycleway network across the country.
“The Urban Cycleways Fund will accelerate the first set of 13 projects, which will get underway in Auckland, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin, and almost all will be completed over the next 6-9 months,” Mr Bridges says.
“The projects I am announcing today have been prioritised because of their value to commuter cyclists, and their additional benefits to recreational riders.
“Further projects to receive funding from the remaining $90 million in the Urban Cycleways Fund will be announced later this year,” Mr Bridges says.
Urban Cycleways Programme projects are decided by the Minister of Transport, on the recommendation of the Urban Cycleways Investment Panel.
The Panel has been selected to assess the projects and prioritise funding.
The Panel members are:
Cynthia Bowers, Deputy Mayor of Hastings
Glen Koorey, Senior Lecturer in Transportation Engineering at the University of Canterbury
Richard Leggett, Director of Cycling NZ and Chair of the Cycling Safety Panel
Pippa Coom, Deputy Chair of the Waitemata Local Board
Mike James, General Manager Road and Rail, Ministry of Transport
Dave Brash, Group Manager Planning and Investment, New Zealand Transport Agency.
Auckland has a stunning new icon.
Barb Cuthbert and Max Robitzsch from Bike Auckland (then Cycle Action Auckland) were ready with just the right project – a concept for the off-ramp as a cycleway connected to K’rd (also supported and promoted by Transport Blog). Fortunately the timing was perfect with a new Regional Director at NZTA willing to make the idea a reality and Auckland Transport agreeing to get on board to tackle Nelson St to provide a business case for the off-ramp as a key connection in the city’s cycling network. The crucial funding arrived with the Government’s announcement of a $100m Urban Cycling Investment Fund in August 2014 followed by confirmation that
etched carvings at intervals along the length, with a 6-metre pou at the entrance. The colour (by Resin Surfaces Ltd) represents the heartwood of a freshly cut totara, with the red and pink shades strengthened to contrast with the surrounding motorway lanes. It includes LED lights by Iion lighting lining the safety barriers, that can interact and pulse as people pass them, as well as a strong magenta surface colour that fades out at the northern end in a Māori design (details from the Auckland Council media release).
