Resources

Introduction from the Regional Director

I am 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 the GPS with a focus on supporting economic activity and employment throughout the country. It aims to deliver the best possible returns for New Zealand through prioritising a wide range of national and regional activities and investing $8.7 billion in the next three years (a 17 percent increase on the past three years). The programme takes a long-term approach, such as by investing in roads of national significance that will help grow the national economy and improve productivity in our largest cities.

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.

While each region's regional land transport programme (RLTP) has been an essential building block, this NLTP inevitably makes greater investments in areas where key expectations, such as economic return and value for money, are clearly met.

This document details the funding provided for the Canterbury 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 NLTP document.

Canterbury – the context

This NLTP is committed to maximising value for money across all activities in the Canterbury region. It emphasises efficiency and effectiveness in all spending, and ensuring that the highest-priority projects (from both the national and Canterbury regional perspectives) have first call on available funds.

The rapid growth in developments on the fringes of Christchurch is having a major impact on transport, with people living in these areas become increasingly reliant on motor vehicles as they often have few other transport options available. It's a trend that's contributing to rising traffic congestion in and around the city – and an issue that we're striving to manage through the Greater Christchurch Urban Development Strategy.

Developed through a partnership involving the Christchurch City Council, Selwyn District Council, Waimakariri District Council, Environment Canterbury and the NZTA, the strategy:

• takes a collaborative approach to providing the leadership and institutional arrangements necessary to manage the area's growth effectively
• reinforces the importance of managing carefully a range of issues, including the impact of land use and change on transportation networks, and addressing issues in a more integrated way.

Working together, we hope to ensure that the greater Christchurch area and the wider Canterbury region have the resources and facilities to support long-term economic growth and productivity.

A strong commitment to value for money has led to changes in how R (regionally distributed) funding is used. R funding will be used for the highest-priority projects in this NLTP, providing a guaranteed minimum level of funding for Canterbury. 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.

Highlights of Canterbury's NLTP

This NLTP provides an investment of $636.2 million for the Canterbury region over the 2009/10- 2011/12 period. I'm confident that the NLTP gives the required effect to the GPS, that all funds have been allocated to activity classes within the GPS limits and in line with the NZTA's priorities.

We look forward to the next three years, in which we'll be:

• starting construction (in March 2010) on the $176 million Southern Motorway extension in Christchurch
• undertaking preparatory works to four-lane State Highway (SH) 1 past the Christchurch International Airport from Sawyers Arms Road to Waterloo Road near Hornby Mall
• building passing lanes on SH1 at Winchester and Orari in southern Canterbury
• helping to fund upgrades to walking and cycling infrastructure and facilities in Timaru, Ashburton, Selwyn, Christchurch, Waimakariri and Kaikoura
• improving Christchurch's public transport services and infrastructure
• widening the Factory Road Bridge in Timaru.

For an overview of all projects in the region likely to receive funding in the next three years, see the regional maps.

The National Land Transport Fund can only be used to fund activities listed in the NLTP. The tables in this NLTP list:

• Activities that have been given funding approval and represent committed funding.
• Activities that the NZTA anticipates may be given funding approval during 2009-12 (category 2 activities). More activities are listed than will be funded because many do not progress as planned.
• Reserve activities that are expected to be funded beyond 2009-12, but might be funded in 2009-12 (if circumstances justify it).
• Activities that are not expected to be funded because they have too low a priority to warrant funding.

Working with the Canterbury region

The Canterbury Regional Transport Committee has a pivotal role in shaping the Canterbury region's transport future.

The committee comprises elected members from the regional and local authorities and Environment Canterbury, a representative from the NZTA, and six community representatives with expertise in areas such as access and mobility, safety and personal security and economic development.

One of the committee's key tasks is to develop Canterbury's three-year RLTP, which prioritises all the regional transport activities proposed by the NZTA, the region's local authorities and Environment Canterbury.

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 Canterbury's draft programme 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 Canterbury's future as a key contributor to New Zealand's social and economic wellbeing. I look forward to working closely with our regional and local authority partners, New Zealand Police and the Canterbury community on ensuring it is implemented successfully.

Mark Yaxley

Regional Director

Last updated: 6 October 2009