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Introduction from the Regional Director

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 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.

The NZTA has adopted a national prioritisation approach to ensure increased efficiency and effectiveness, with an ongoing focus on improving safety and reducing the adverse environmental effects of land transport. Inevitably there is a greater investment in areas where these expectations are clearly met.

This document details the funding provided for the Northland 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.

Northland – the context

The Northland NLTP seeks to improve connectivity within the Northland region and between Northland and the rest of the country to help stimulate economic growth and productivity. It reflects our commitment to delivering value for money in all activities and across all regions – and to ensuring we get the best return on our investments.

Northland's transportation is governed by its challenging terrain, widely spread rural population and a manufacturing economy based on pastoral farming, forestry, fishing and tourism. As a result, the region's economic growth and development depend on high-quality, efficient transport corridors connecting its cities, towns and ports.

We're tasked with addressing a number of issues, including:

• increasing congestion through Whangarei on State Highway (SH) 1 owing to intensifying land use around the city
• a likely increase in forestry traffic over the next few years owing to more harvesting
• the need to create secure, efficient and safe corridors, especially between Whangarei and Auckland
• the need to improve regional access to Marsden Point
• increasing tourist traffic as Northland continues to develop as a tourism destination
• the need to manage the impacts of weather events.

Northland's geology and climate often mean the roads are winding and undulating with uneven surfaces. This makes safety and route security major issues, so we aim to focus on improving the network's resilience to protect important transport routes that contribute to economic growth. Other priorities are to create more passing lanes and rest areas, widen roads and separate heavy freight and general traffic.

Transport infrastructure also supports tourism, an important contributor to the region's economy. One of our projects that will deliver economic, tourism and safety benefits is the completion of the last unsealed section of SH1 in New Zealand, from Waitiki Landing to Cape Reinga.

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 in this NLTP, providing a guaranteed minimum level of funding for Northland. 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.

Note that while the prioritisation process has resulted in some projects in Northland's regional land transport programme (RLTP) being reflected in this NLTP, others are unlikely to receive funding. Some projects, such as Lily Pond Bridge to Quarry seal widening and Salesyard Road intersection improvements, may attract funding when more information is known about them (particularly in terms of economic efficiency).

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.

Highlights of Northland's NLTP

I'm confident that this NLTP gives effect to the GPS. All funds have been allocated to activity classes within the GPS limits and in line with the NZTA's Investment and Revenue Strategy – and we've targeted funding in Northland to activities that deliver against the GPS' required impacts and investment priorities. This NLTP provides an investment of $317.3 million for the Northland region over the 2009/10-2011/12 period.

We look forward to the next three years in Northland in which we may be:

• doubling the number of lanes on SH1 between Selwyn Avenue and Tarewa Road in Whangarei. Starting in 2010, this project will reduce congestion through Whangarei and improve access to this major Northland economic centre
• providing a new connection between Western Hills Drive and the existing bypass north of Kamo Road with the Kamo bypass stage 2 project north of Whangarei
• improving the Kensington Avenue intersection and extending Spedding Road to improve access to the Kamo bypass from the northeast. This will reduce the current bottleneck and benefit freight and tourism traffic
• developing the second crossing of the Lower Hatea River
• easing congestion between Whangarei's central business district (CBD) and the Okara Park retail area and port with a $7.5 million extension to Porowini Avenue. This project includes a new bridge over the north Auckland rail line
• working on the Gorge Road to Artillery Road curves realignment project on SH1 in the Brynderwyns to improve safety and travel time reliability
• progressing numerous bridge replacement projects in Whangarei and Kaipara
• completing the Whangarei urban area south roading strategy study to establish current and future travel demands
• conducting the Wellsford to Whangarei strategic study to assess the route's efficiency, security and resilience.

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

Recent achievements

We've achieved a number of milestones in the past 12 months in making our region's roads safer, more resilient and more suitable for the people that use them each day.

Northland's connection to Auckland was boosted in 2009 with the opening of the new SH1 Northern Gateway Toll Road, which has created a faster, safer and more efficient route between the two centres. Looking ahead, the government's designation of the Puhoi to Wellsford section of SH1 as a 'road of national significance' (one of seven in New Zealand) is another important commitment to further enhancing inter-regional connections.

As mentioned earlier, work has started on sealing the remaining 17 kilometres of SH1 to Cape Reinga. When this project is completed in 2010, there will be no dust clouds, fewer accidents and better conditions for all road users. In addition:

• widening the road and straightening curves will enable tour buses and campervans to negotiate corners more easily
• more advisory signs and lower speed differences between bends will make this road safer
• new rest areas will make it easier for drivers to refresh and enjoy views and walking tracks on the way to the Cape.

Public transport services have also been improved in Whangarei, with more buses and expanded routes.

Working with the Northland region

I'd like to acknowledge the work of the Northland Regional Transport Committee, which has an influential role in shaping the region's transport future.

One of the committee's key tasks is to develop Northland's three-year regional land transport programme, 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 Northland'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 Northland'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 Northland community on ensuring it is implemented successfully.

Wayne McDonald

Regional Director

Last updated: 6 October 2009