I'm pleased to introduce to you this National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) for 2009–2012 – a programme through which the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) is making a record investment in land transport at a time when New Zealand needs it most.
The global economic situation has changed dramatically in the past 18 months, with significant effects for the New Zealand economy. In response, and as part of its commitment to improving New Zealand's economic outlook and performance, the government has set clear expectations and priorities for the land transport sector. These expectations are articulated in the Government policy statement on land transport funding 2009/10 – 2018/19 (GPS)(external link).
Through this NLTP, the NZTA 'gives effect' to GPS with a focus on supporting economic activity and employment throughout the country. It aims to deliver the best possible returns for New Zealand by prioritising a wide range of national and regional activities.
The NLTP demonstrates an increased focus on efficiency and effectiveness in all spending, a rigorous national approach to setting priorities, and an ongoing focus on improving safety and reducing the adverse environmental effects of land transport. Inevitably there is a greater investment in some areas over others where these expectations are clearly met.
This document details the funding provided for the Auckland region – and as a dynamic document will be reviewed and updated regularly to reflect any approved variations to programmes. For information on funding for the rest of New Zealand (and how the NLTP is developed and managed) please see the national document.
This NLTP is all about improving the Auckland region's transport system. It prioritises projects that deliver value for money and contribute directly to economic development, improved productivity and safety – and reflects our commitment to delivering value for money in all activities and across all regions, and ensuring we get the best return on our investments.
Unlocking Auckland's economic development potential is a major opportunity for the region – a challenge accentuated by the current global economic climate and Auckland's role as the country's largest regional economy.
This NLTP recognises the need to ease congestion and make Auckland more competitive by providing increased funding for investing in key urban arterial routes, the GPS's roads of nationals significance and urban public transport routes. This will improve journey time reliability (a key benefit for businesses) as well as access to markets, areas of employment and areas that contribute to economic growth.
We'll ensure value for money by improving capacity on roads with high traffic volumes before considering new infrastructure. Improved infrastructure will result in better connections between communities, workplaces and freight routes and significantly reduce transport costs.
We're also emphasising the integration of land use and transport planning. As Auckland's population grows, it's vital that we ensure identified and prioritised growth areas are served by well planned transport networks that include public transport options.
Public transport is critical to contributing to economic growth by reducing peak time congestion. With our regional partners we will focus on value for money improvements to rail, bus and ferry services matching farebox recovery policies which distribute the financial pressure between central and regional government and users and within GPS limits.
The creation of a new governance structure for Auckland will bring opportunities to further integrate transport management and operation. Our goal during the transition phase will be to maintain the current momentum in achieving a first-class transport system in Auckland.
A strong commitment to value for money has led to changes in how R (regional) funding is used. R funding (regionally distributed) will be used for the highest-priority projects, providing a guaranteed minimum level of funding for Auckland. R funding comes from a portion of fuel excise duty and light road user charges and is allocated proportionally to regions based on population.
In the past, R funding was used to fund lower-priority projects that would otherwise not qualify for funding. The new approach delivers much greater value for money for all public money invested in land transport. N (nationally distributed) and C (Crown) funding will continue being used to fund the balance of the approved programme, with C funds explicitly tagged to relevant activities in the next three years.
While the prioritisation process has resulted in most projects in Auckland's regional land transport programme (RLTP) being reflected in this NLTP, some are unlikely to receive funding based on current supporting information, such as some walking and cycling programmes, Te Wero Bridge in the Viaduct basin and some proposed public transport operating expenditure. For some projects, a strong business case addressing economic efficiency, affordability and value for money is required (for example Penlink).
The National Land Transport Fund can only be used to fund activities listed in the NLTP. The tables in this NLTP list:
This NLTP provides an investment of $2.802 billion for the Auckland region over the 2009–2012 period. The delivery of this first three-year NLTP will be based on achieving the government's economic stimulus objectives. We expect to see significant progress made on projects that improve inter-regional links and freight and tourism routes, and those that reduce congestion.
Projects have been prioritised according to their value for money and ability to support economic activity, employment and productivity. Those that may be funded, subject to affordability and value for money criteria include:
For an overview of all projects in the region likely to receive funding in the next three years, see the regional maps. More details on these projects are provided later in this document, as well as on Auckland's three roads of national significance whose future development, consistent with the GPS, will have national benefits to the roading network and to national economic development and that require significant development to reduce congestion, improve safety and support economic growth.
The NZTA and the Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) are also working with Rugby World Cup 2011 organisers to plan the transport support required to move up to 62,000 rugby fans around our city.
In the past 12-plus months, we've achieved many milestones in making our region's transport system better for the businesses and people that use it every day. These include:
¹ School and Workplace Travel Planning is a community programme in the Auckland region delivered by ARTA and the region's seven local authorities.
I'd like to acknowledge ARTA for its pivotal role in shaping the region's transport future.
One of ARTA's key tasks is to develop Auckland's three-year regional land transport programme (RLTP), which prioritises all of the regional transport activities proposed by the NZTA and regional and local authorities.
This regional perspective enabled the NZTA to build a geographic view of land transport requirements nationwide, and to align regional and national views in deciding on the most appropriate allocations of funds to give effect to the GPS priorities. Public submissions on Auckland's draft RLTP were reflected in the final programme that went to the NZTA Board, which made the ultimate funding decisions for the NLTP.
I believe this NLTP augurs well for Auckland's future as a key contributor to New Zealand's social and economic wellbeing. I look forward to working closely with ARTA, our local authority partners, New Zealand Police and the Auckland community to ensure it is implemented successfully.
Wayne McDonald
Regional Director
Last updated: 6 October 2009
