A staff report to GDC said should the council’s plan be adopted, the council would need to consider budget allocation through future long-term planning processes and the Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP) 2024-2034.
However, when asked by The Gisborne Herald if he agreed with mode shift plans being funded by NZTA through the RLTP, Transport Minister Simeon Brown was more interested in roading and fixing potholes.
“My focus is on building and maintaining the roading network to support economic growth, reliable public transport, and delivering a safe network which makes efficient use of every dollar spent. Maintenance and fixing potholes are also immediate priorities.
“I’m currently writing the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport for 2024 as part of our 100-day plan, which will set out the Government’s priorities for investment in the transport network.
“Once the GPS is released and finalised, the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme will be developed to give effect to the GPS, and it is my expectation that Regional Land Transport Plans will be reviewed to have regard to these priorities also.”
The national plan, Keeping Cities Moving’, acknowledges behaviours might have to be influenced.
“Changing behaviour may also require a mix of incentives and disincentives (or ‘push’ and ‘pull’ factors) to either discourage use of private vehicles (by making them less attractive relative to other options) or making people more aware of their options and incentivising them to try something new. This may include parking policies, road pricing, travel planning and education.
The National Action Plan builds off existing plans and programmes such as the current NLTP, the Auckland Transport Alignment Project (ATAP), Access Hamilton, and Let’s Get Wellington Moving ( the latter was dissolved in December).
It also sets out a series of “interventions” to be taken, in partnership with local councils, including “delivery of proven interventions (eg raised crossings)” and delivering speed management programmes in partnership with councils.
“We will provide councils with standard intervention tools to streamline investment and accelerate transformation of urban streets through mass action programmes that improve safety and raise the level of service for people travelling by shared and active modes.
“We will work with councils to develop network operating plans that discourage short car trips and reduce local air and noise pollution.
“We will work in partnership with councils to target large organisations and employers. We will use best practice evidence to update our travel planning guidance and tools to support the reduction of travel by single occupancy vehicles.”
The document identified Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown as urban areas with the highest potential to achieve mode shift.
“NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi staff did provide advice on the request for proposal for the mode shift plan in early 2022 to ensure alignment with NZTA’s plan Keeping Cities Moving and other strategic Gisborne District Council plans,” a NZTA spokesman said.
“NZTA staff support and provide advice around all transport-related planning matters. However, in this instance, NZTA staff were not involved in compiling or advising during the development of the plan.
“The Keeping Cities Moving plan is on our website and councils are encouraged to strategically align local and regional plans with national plans to the extent appropriate.”
GDC’s public submissions phase on its plans closes on February 29.
Under the plan, which has a 30-year timeframe, the council will not prioritise private vehicle travel time over active travel infrastructure (for example, bus stops).
It envisages installing active travel corridors by removing some on-street parking and promoting the use of more “modern” pedestrian crossings, with narrowed approaches, raised platforms and median refuges.
