I'm pleased to introduce to you this National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) for 2009-2012 – the mechanism through which the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) 'gives effect' to the Government policy statement on land transport funding 2009/10 – 2018/19 (GPS)(external link).
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 GPS.
The GPS is the government's statement of its short- to medium-term goals for transport investment. Issued in May 2009 and covering the 10 years between 2009 and 2019, it has a clear message: the number one priority for investment in land transport is increasing economic growth and productivity in New Zealand.
In particular, this means directing investment into high-quality infrastructure projects and transport services that encourage the efficient movement of people and freight and contribute to economic activity and employment. It's to be achieved by investing in the transport network, extracting better value for money from all land transport activities and enhancing individual projects' economic efficiency.
The NZTA's role is to allocate money from the National Land Transport Fund to activities within activity classes in the GPS. Through our Investment and Revenue Strategy and a rigorous assessment and prioritisation process, we aim to draw a balance between national and regional priorities (identified in the regional land transport programme [RLTP]), and between networks' local and regional, and inter-regional and national roles. We're also committed to delivering value for money in all transport activities, in all regions.
A strong commitment to value for money has also led to changes in how R (regionally distributed) funding is used. R funds come from fuel excise duty and light road user charges and are allocated proportionally to regions based on population. In the past, R funding was used to fund lowerpriority projects that would otherwise not qualify for funding.
To ensure value for money, 'R' funding will be used for the highest-priority projects in this NLTP, providing a guaranteed minimum level of funding for Hawke's Bay.
The National Land Transport Fund can only be used to fund activities listed in the NLTP. The tables in this NLTP list:
This document details the funding provided for the Hawke's Bay 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.
Hawke's Bay continues to be one of the fastest-growing regions in the country – a trend that, while offering all the benefits of economic development, also poses challenges. This NLTP aims to deliver the best value to the Hawke's Bay region by improving travel times and the reliability of key routes, while also improving safety.
The NLTP recognises the importance of enabling safe and reliable freight movement and access to and from the Napier port and regional markets via state highways and local urban arterials. Hawke's Bay's primary industry sectors of pastoral farming, horticulture, forestry and wood processing generate much of this freight, while tourist traffic has also increased in the region.
To ensure we achieve this, the NZTA will be working with Hawke's Bay Regional Council, Napier City Council and Hastings District Council on the Heretaunga Plains Transportation Study review, which will develop a long-term sustainable transport strategy for moving people and freight around the region.
The link between Hawke's Bay and Gisborne is vital for both regions from economic growth and social wellbeing perspectives. Keeping this route safe and reliable is therefore an important aspect of this NLTP. The State Highway (SH) 2 Matahorua Gorge project, as advanced by the government's Jobs and Growth stimulus package, will play a significant part in this.
The stimulus package has also advanced the construction of the SH50 Hawke's Bay Expressway southern extension, which is a key part of improving route efficiency and safety.
All regional activities included in this NLTP were drawn from the Hawke's Bay RLTP. However, RLTPs throughout New Zealand proposed greater levels of activity than could be supported by the funding available. As a result, this NLTP prioritises and indicates which activities that the NZTA anticipates funding because their indicative priority is sufficient to warrant it.
This NLTP provides an investment of $214.1 million for the Hawke's Bay region over the 2009–2012 period. A main highlight of the NLTP is the advancement of two large projects enabled by the government's stimulus package: the SH2 Matahorua Gorge realignment and the SH50 Hawke's Bay Expressway southern extension. The former addresses critical route security problems on a vulnerable section of SH2 and a major route for logging traffic travelling to and from the Napier port, and both projects will improve access and travel times through the Hawke's Bay region while addressing safety concerns. Both are due to be completed by 2012.
Another feature of this NLTP is provision for Napier City Council's four-laning of Prebensen Drive, which will improve network efficiency in central Napier. This is a priority for the Hawke's Bay Regional Transport Committee.
The state highway portion of the project, the Hyderabad Road Interchange, has not been identified as a priority in this programme but the NZTA will work closely with the Napier City Council to ensure the Prebensen Drive project delivers its expected benefits as an integrated transport solution.
The NLTP also provides for the design of a replacement Waitangi Washout Bridge, which would provide route security and reliability along this stretch of SH2. Meanwhile, the upcoming completion of the SH2 Waipukurau overbridge realignment will deliver safety benefits to this important stretch of highway in central Hawke's Bay.
The NZTA remains committed to enhancing Hawke's Bay's proud reputation as a region that encourages and caters for walking and cycling – and the results are already evident with the completion of pathways throughout the region that include Wairoa, Napier, Hastings and central Hawke's Bay. The construction of the Waipawa and Waipukurau cycle lane networks will continue this commitment.
In terms of safety, the number of crashes per vehicle kilometre on Hawke's Bay state highways and local roads is higher than the national average. Recognising the significant social and economic costs, the local authorities and the NZTA are implementing a range of road safety measures that include intersection and other engineering improvements and safety initiatives, while audio-tactile profile markings (rumble strips) on the state highways have been enabled by the government's stimulus package.
Maintenance is also a focus of this NLTP, reflecting its role as a cornerstone of road safety. Funding for operations and maintenance is sustained at existing levels for both the state highway and local roading networks to ensure we maintain current service levels. Also remaining at current levels is funding for our passenger transport services, which ensures that all existing bus and total mobility services continue.
For an overview of all projects in the region likely to receive funding in the next three years, see the regional maps.
The Hawke's Bay Regional Transport Committee has a pivotal role in shaping the Hawke's Bay region's transport future through the Regional Land Transport Strategy and the RLTP.
The committee comprises elected members from the regional and local authorities, the NZTA, and 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 Hawke's Bay's three-year RLTP, which prioritises all the regional transport activities proposed by the NZTA, the region's local authorities and Hawke's Bay Regional Council.
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 Hawke's Bay'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 will support Hawke's Bay's social and economic wellbeing and augurs well for the region's future as a significant contributor to New Zealand's economy. I look forward to working closely with our regional partners and the Hawke's Bay community to ensure it is implemented successfully.
Jenny Chetwynd
Regional Director, Central
Last updated: 6 October 2009
