An integrated approach to land use and transport planning

Introduction

The NZ Transport Agency (the Agency) promotes an integrated approach to land use and transport planning to ensure that the interaction between land use and the transport network is clearly understood and that the development of both is managed to optimise the use of and investment in the transport network, while improving the economic performance and quality of life of communities.

A shared responsibility

A strong interface between land use development Land use developments which are considered by the NZTA for the effect they may have on the land transport network. and transport infrastructure and activities is critical. Achieing this is a shared responsibility amongst Approved Organisations, the Agency(state highways),  landowners, developers and infrastructure providers.

Support integrated planning For the NZTA, integrated planning means leading and working with central, regional and local government, private developers and other partners such as Kiwi Rail and port companies, to bring land use planning, and transport planning and investment together, to deliver an affordable Demonstrates that adequate funding to deliver the activity, or combination of activities, is available from identified sources, e.g. a funding plan has been identified. transport system that supports a growing economy, safe and vibrant communities and a healthy environment, now and in the future. It is an approach we follow to deliver on the outcomes we seek. approach to land use and transport

The use of existing, and development of new, transport infrastructure play a significant role in place-shaping and stimulating demand for new development. The Agency encourages and supports an integrated planning For the NZTA, integrated planning means leading and working with central, regional and local government, private developers and other partners such as Kiwi Rail and port companies, to bring land use planning, and transport planning and investment together, to deliver an affordable Demonstrates that adequate funding to deliver the activity, or combination of activities, is available from identified sources, e.g. a funding plan has been identified. transport system that supports a growing economy, safe and vibrant communities and a healthy environment, now and in the future. It is an approach we follow to deliver on the outcomes we seek. approach, under which all parties involved in transport and land use decisions will consider:

• the impact of the decision on transport functionality and on past, existing and planned investment in the transport network    
• the opportunities to develop settlement patterns that will improve connectivity, accessibility and safety across modes
• ways to reduce or mitigate any adverse social and environmental effects of transport
• delivery of an affordable Demonstrates that adequate funding to deliver the activity, or combination of activities, is available from identified sources, e.g. a funding plan has been identified. and resilient transport system 

Planning for growth and development

A long term strategic approach should be taken to planning for growth. The Agency supports the preparation of regional growth strategies, structure plans and spatial plans Spatial planning gives geographical expression to the economic, social, cultural and ecological policies of society. Spatial planning incorporates a wider more inclusive approach with a range of stakeholders to ensure the best use of land by evidence based analysis, it represents a move away from traditional land use planning. as mechanisms for identifying integrated and sustainable patterns of growth, future land use changes, transport alternatives A strategic option that may encompass a mix of modes and/or high level routes and/or land use options. Alternatives would be considered during strategy development, with the preferred alternative being selected and taken through into package and project development. and funding options.

The Agency strongly advocates that these strategies and plans are recognised and given effect in the Regional Policy Statement, Regional Land Transport Plan, District The district of a territorial authority. In relation to land in respect of which a Minister of the Crown is the Council, that land. Plan(s) and Long Term Plan(s) at the earliest opportunity.

The impacts of land use decisions on transport network

The Agency will work with local authorities, developers and others to understand and communicate the implications of their land use decisions. We will work with these parties to encourage an integrated approach that protects and optimises past, existing and new investment in the land transport network.

At a practical level, the Agency expects that local authorities will consider the funding implications of any transport infrastructure that may be transferred to the local network. Any change in the network that is inconsistent with agreed levels of service under an endorsed classification system should not expect to receive funding assistance from the Agency.

The Agency's position on resource management issues

The Agency will adopt a tailored approach to its involvement in resource management issues (e.g. subdivision and land use consents) depending on their impact on the land transport network and their alignment with robust planning principles. This means that:

• where land use matters impact on state highways, the NZTA will actively participate in any issues that adversely affect the state highway network, such as increasing congestion congestion is where the volume to capacity ratio exceeds 80% for 5 days per week over at least a 1 hour time period that affects at least 1.5 km of a route.  For information on the volume to capacity ratio, see Appendix A3 of the NZTA's Economic Evaluation Manual or reducing safety, regardless of whether the activity is adjacent to or distant from the highway concerned
• where land use matters adversely impact on local transport networks or services that do not affect the state highway network, the Agency will support efforts of relevant Approved Organisations to ensure that their transport investments support, and are supported by, good land use policies and plans. Accountability for local transport networks and services rests with the relevant Approved Organisation and, as a rule, the Agency will not be involved in its own capacity,

Land use matters that are contrary to good planning principles but do not have transport impacts, fall within the ambit of the relevant regional or territorial authority rather than the Agency. We will not be actively involved in these matters unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Investment in the state highway network

The Agency will identify and manage strategic state highway routes to ensure that the expected benefits from past, current and future investments in those routes are delivered. The Agency will use the state highway classification to inform its responses to development proposals to achieve nationally consistent outcomes. In particular, we will:

• place greater emphasis on promoting the through-traffic function of national state highways compared with regional and sub-regional state highways
• recognise that, in many rural areas, state highways also perform a local road function, particularly on regional and sub-regional state highways
• recognise that urban state highways that are not motorways or expressways often have a diverse range of transport functions,
• encourage the development of local roads that connect with state highways under agreed network plans, particularly in peri-urban areas An area within a permanent speed limit of less than or equal to 70 km/h. , so property access is provided primarily via a local road network
• avoid allowing direct access to motorways, expressways and bypasses

Meeting the costs for the state highway of land use development Land use developments which are considered by the NZTA for the effect they may have on the land transport network.

The Agency will use the state highway classification to identify the function of each part of the state highway system and to inform its responses to development proposals. Where there are significant adverse effects from new land use development Land use developments which are considered by the NZTA for the effect they may have on the land transport network. on the safety or function of the state highway network, these should be avoided in the first instance and, if unable to be avoided, must be remedied or mitigated. The Agency will:

• share the costs of state highway network improvements required to mitigate the adverse effects of development on the network through contributions from developers, local authorities and other relevant parties, where:
• • it can be demonstrated that the development will have a significant adverse effect on the safety or function of a state highway,
  • practical and economically justifiable solutions exist to mitigate the adverse effects directly attributable to the development, and
  • there is reasonable certainty through the cost sharing arrangement that the state highway works will be undertaken within a reasonable time period.
• negotiate with developers, local authorities and other relevant parties to agree on the equitable sharing of costs. Generally, this will be based on the proportion of the traffic generated by the development, whether the development significantly advances a state highway project identified in the National Land Transport Programme Interrelated and complementary combination of activities that, when delivered in a coordinated manner, produce synergies – can span more than one work category and more than one activity class, e.g. a programme could include a road improvement and public transport improvement activities.  and the costs to mitigate the effects on the state highway network.
• seek recognition of the importance of sharing the costs of state highway network improvements directly related to developments in Regional Policy Statements, District The district of a territorial authority. In relation to land in respect of which a Minister of the Crown is the Council, that land. Plans Plans describe the tactics to give effect to a strategy. They are specific in content, action oriented and outputs focussed, resulting in a tangible set of activities to be delivered within a clear timeframe. , Long Term Plans and other planning documents such as growth strategies and Regional Land Transport Plans through the inclusion of objectives, policies and rules.

For further guidance on the Agency’s approach to sharing the costs associated with mitigating development effects on the state highway, refer to Cost sharing with the NZ Transport Agency.

Investment in Transport Planning

The Agency invests through the Transport Planning Activity Class A grouping of similar activities, as defined in the Government Policy Statement. in programme business cases and associated studies to ensure that an integrated approach to land use and transport planning is adopted. See Programme Business Case work category for more details.

Links to further guidance

Further guidance is provided based on content from the Agency’s Planning Policy Manual, which has a technical/implementation focus (e.g. guidelines, standards).