CITY SERVICES COMMITTEE

9 JULY 1996

A meeting of the City Services Committee

was held on Tuesday 9 July 1996 at 4.00 p.m.

PRESENT: Councillor Denis O'Rourke (Chairman),

Councillors David Buist, David Close, Graham Condon, Gordon Freeman, Ian Howell, Garry Moore and Ron Wright.

IN ATTENDANCE: Councillors Graham Berry and Barbara Stewart.

APOLOGIES: Apologies for absence were received and accepted from the Mayor, Ms Vicki Buck and Councillor Carole Anderton.

Councillor David Close arrived at 4.15 pm and was present for all clauses.

Councillor Barbara Stewart arrived at 4.40 pm and retired at 6.15 pm and was present for clauses 4 & 5.

Councillors Gordon Freeman and Graham Berry retired at 6.20 pm and were present for clauses 4 & 5.

The Committee reports that:

PART A - MATTERS REQUIRING A COUNCIL DECISION

1. STATE HIGHWAY REVIEW RR 3241

Officer responsible	Author
City Streets Manager	Paul Roberts, Transport Planning Engineer
Corporate Plan Output: Information and Advice, page 9.5.4

The purpose of this report is to update the Council with respect to changes to State Highways proposed by Transit New Zealand.

BACKGROUND

In 1995 Transit New Zealand initiated a State Highway Review - the purpose being to identify proposed changes to the location of State Highways throughout the country.

The Council approved a submission to Transit New Zealand on this review at its meeting in December 1995.

The submission called for:

* Retention of existing State Highways within the city (1, 73, 74 and 75).

* Addition of Marshland Road and the Woolston/Burwood Expressway to the State Highway network.

* Addition of Gasson Street between Brougham Street and Moorhouse Avenue to the State Highway network.

* Designation of the Summit Road as a Special Purpose Road between Gebbies Pass and Evans Pass.

Transit New Zealand has now considered all submissions and written a document which describes their evaluation of the submissions and conclusions which lead to the changes they propose to State Highways and Special Purpose Roads.

CHANGES PROPOSED BY TRANSIT NEW ZEALAND

The evaluation and conclusions of Transit New Zealand with respect to Christchurch are attached:

- Marshland Road/Woolston/Burwood Expressway

- Brougham Street/Tunnel Road and Gasson Street

- Summit Road

In summary Transit New Zealand propose:

(i) to relocate SH74 to the east side of Christchurch from Chaneys via Marshland Road, QEII Drive, Travis Road, the proposed Woolston/Burwood Expressway, Bexley Road, Dyers Road and Tunnel Road (once the Expressway is constructed)

(ii) to revoke the current status of Main North Road south of Johns Road, Cranford Street and Madras/Barbadoes Streets to Moorhouse Avenue as SH74 (once the Woolston/Burwood Expressway is constructed)

(iii) to extend SH73 via Brougham Street, Opawa Road and Port Hills Road to link with the proposed route of SH74 at Tunnel Road (ie a numbering change only)

(iv) not to declare Gasson Street as a State Highway

(v) not to declare the Summit Road as a Special Purpose Road.

WOOLSTON/BURWOOD EXPRESSWAY

With regard to the relocation of SH74 it should be reiterated that this is proposed only once the Woolston/Burwood Expressway is completed.

A further factor is the separation of Transit New Zealand, the State Highway Authority, from Transfund, the funding authority.

To be reported to the Strategy and Resources budget meetings in July is the continuing difficulty in securing financial assistance for this project. Funding is not available in the 1996/97 National Land Transport Programme for this project.

Given Transit's signal that this is their preferred route, the Council should now consider whether it is prepared to consider beginning this project unsubsidised and begin negotiation with Transit New Zealand as to financial arrangements for a transfer of the route to State Highway status. This in turn would require Transit to secure funding from Transfund.

This matter could be further considered by the Committee when it considers a submission on the outcomes of the Review at its September meeting.

CONSULTATION

The Council has been invited to comment on the changes proposed to the State Highway network and Special Purpose Roads by Transit New Zealand, by 20 September 1996.

Recommendation: 1. That the Council accept the Transit New Zealand proposals (i) to (iv) listed above.

2. That the Council resubmit with more information the proposal that the Summit Road be designated a Special Purpose Road between Gebbies Pass and Evans Pass.

3. That the Council negotiate with Transit New Zealand the extent of works required on the current SH74 before its relocation.

4. That the Funding issues be addressed in a submission to be prepared by the City Streets Manager for approval at the September Committee meeting.

(Councillor Ron Wright requested that his vote against this recommendation be recorded).

2. CYCLE PROJECTS: CONFERENCE RR 3256

Officer responsible	Author
City Streets Manager	Alix Newman, Transport Projects Officer
Corporate Plan Output: Cycleway Planning/Implementation, page 9.5.37 and 38

The purpose of this report is to advise the Council of an upcoming conference and invite the attendance of a Councillor.

VELO-AUSTRALIS CONFERENCE

During the period 27 October - 1 November 1996, the Velo-Australis conference is being held in Perth, Western Australia. Velo-City is an international bicycle conference held once every three years, Velo-Australis is the Australian version. Topics under discussion at this years conference range from Agenda 21 issues right through to marketing cycling and on-street cycle facility design.

The conference organisers have reserved a place in the "Successful Local Government Programmes" forum for a City Council speaker, and the Transport Projects Officer is planning to attend and speak in this forum. The organisers have also indicated that they advocate the attendance of an elected representative, particularly so that cycling issues can reach a wide audience of different levels of involvement in Local Government programmes.

The Council is requested to consider whether an elected council representative should attend the conference.

Recommendation: That the Chairman (Councillor Denis O'Rourke) attend the Velo-Australis conference as the Council's representative.

3. REFUSE BYLAW : DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY RR 3179

Officer responsible	Author
Waste Manager	Simon Collin, Contracts Manager
Corporate Plan Output: Collection Operations

The purpose of this report is to have the Council delegate the authority to proceed with prosecutions under the Refuse Bylaw to specific Senior Council Officers.

BACKGROUND

Since amalgamation the issue of the administration of Council's Refuse Bylaw has not been satisfactory. No one person has been allocated the specific responsibility to follow-up on breaches of the Bylaw, and both Service Centre staff and the refuse collection contractors have felt increasingly frustrated at the lack of any attempt to take action when such breaches occur.

Typical problems that occur which result from a breach of the current Bylaw (updated October 1995) are:

1. Dumped refuse bags:

Any type of refuse bag which is outside a callers property and which they claim does not belong to them. Currently all such bags are picked up without question. However they could be:

a) A bag put out too late for the collection.

b) A complying bag dumped by someone from elsewhere in the city, but after the collection vehicle has passed.

2. Non complying bags:

Overweight, non regulation, and dangerous bags. Overweight and non regulation bags usually have a sticker applied by the collection contractor but people will often ring up claiming the bag is not theirs. A particular problem occurs in areas with a lot of flats. The owners may acknowledge the bag is theirs but won't bother to take it back in.

Bags with glass or sharp objects in them are a continual problem with many of the refuse collectors having received very bad gashes to their legs. These often require stitches and time off work.

3. Bags and refuse dumped in litter bins:

Particularly in February /March just before the annual allocation of refuse bags, a lot of rubbish in non complying bags is dumped next to litter bins.

PROPOSAL

It is proposed that two Council Officers be delegated the authority to make decisions as to whether a prosecution should be proceeded with. It is anticipated that suitable staff from the service centres (eg General Inspectors) would collect evidence as appropriate in the field, and forward a short report to the Council officers concerned. Two officers are proposed, one to handle aspects of the Bylaw that affect the collection contract and the second to handle all the other aspects.

The primary objective is for the procedure to be used as an educational tool. There are a significant number of problems that result from the same people doing the wrong thing with their refuse on a regular basis eg non-conforming bags outside particular block of flats. If these can be actively followed up in person they may accept that they have a responsibility to comply with the Bylaw. If the Council is seen to be active in this area compliance may also rub off in areas where we have ongoing problems.

It is not anticipated that many prosecutions would actually occur.

Recommendation: That the Council delegate the authority to initiate prosecution proceedings under the Refuse Bylaw to the Waste Management Unit Solid Waste Manager and the Contracts Manager severally.

PART B - ITEMS DEALT WITH BY THE COMMITTEE AND

REPORTED FOR INFORMATION ONLY

4. DEPUTATIONS BY APPOINTMENT

Mr P Farrow, spokesman for the Riccarton Business Association presented submissions on the Riccarton Road bus lane proposals.

Mr Ian McChesney presented submissions on the Riccarton bus lane proposals on behalf of the Canterbury Regional Council.

5. RICCARTON ROAD BUS LANES

The Committee received a further report on progress of investigations into the proposal to introduce bus clearways along part of Riccarton Road (between Puriri Street and Deans Avenue) for use by buses, taxis and cyclists.

A possible implementation programme was adopted by the Council by its June meeting.

* External Independent Safety Audit 6-13 June

* Consultation Process Late June

* Meeting between City Services Committee and

Riccarton/Wigram Traffic Committee Late June

* Committee Site Visit End of June

* Public Meeting Early July

* Report to City Services Committee on consultation process 9 July

* Further consultation if required Through July

* Design and tender of project By Mid August

* Construction period Mid September - Early November

The report to the Committee informed of the outcome of the public consultation to date and the result of independent safety audit. A proposal for an overall traffic management plan for Riccarton Road was included (attached).

The consultation process to date had included a meeting and site visit with the Riccarton/Wigram Community Board Traffic Subcommittee and a public meeting held at St Teresa's school hall in the evening of Tuesday 2 July 1996.

Deputations were received at the Committee meeting on 9 July.

Mr P Farrow, spokesman for the Riccarton Business Association supported by Flick Holmes, presented the Riccarton Road retailer strong opposition to the introduction of the clearways expressing the view that it would have very adverse effects on long established businesses. The benefits to patrons of public transport would be substantially outweighed by loss of business and in some cases, jobs. The retailers were asking that no further investigation or consultation take place and that the bus lane proposal not proceed.

Mr Ian McChesney spoke on behalf of the Canterbury Regional Council and emphasised the importance of Riccarton Road to the public transport system. Currently 6000 people daily used the services along Riccarton Road with a 13% pa growth being recorded over the past 2 years.

Approximately 20% of patrons using public transport in the city travelled the Riccarton Road route. He asked that further consultation take place to ensure the project is a success. The clearways would be part of a wider package proposed by the Canterbury Regional Council to improve the image of public transport in the city.

In discussion on the process to date Councillor D Buist moved an amendment inter alia that the present proposal for Riccarton Road including the clearways does not proceed. The Chairman sought the Committee's support in continuing the consultation process and the preparation of a traffic management plan before a decision on the clearway proposal is made.

The amendment when put to the vote was declared lost on the Chairman's casting vote.

It was resolved:

1. That consultation continue to get responses from groups yet to respond and to seek to redress issues of concern already identified.

2. That work be initiated through the Joint Christchurch City Council/ Canterbury Regional Council Committee to address the poor public transport image and lack of understanding of the benefits of public transport amongst the general public.

3. That the preparation of a traffic management plan to encompass the full length of Riccarton Road from Hagley Park to Church Corner be proceeded with in line with the attached report using external traffic engineering consultants. (The terms of reference for the consultants to be approved by the City Services Committee).

4. That ways of compensating Riccarton Road retailers for loss of retailer parking be investigated.

5. That a landscape plan be included as part of the bus lane proposal.

6. CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE FOR TRAFFIC SAFETY

The report outlined the Road Safety Awareness Campaigns to be co-ordinated by the Committee and other projects with Sub-committee involvement. This included:

- education/awareness campaigns for 1996/97

- pedestrian safety

- driver licence reviews

It was resolved: 1. That the Education Awareness Campaign for 1996/97 be endorsed by the Committee.

2. That the City Streets Manager investigate and clarify the rules for pedestrians on pedestrian crossings.

3. That as part of the programme discussions be held with the Police on awareness of pedestrians' rights.

7. PEDESTRIAN SAFETY

The Chairman had sought comment from members of the Co-ordinating Committee on pedestrian safety issues. Inspector Garth Hames, NZ Police raised issues relating to elderly road users. A major concern for elderly is the length of the phasing of pedestrian lights which in the opinion of the elderly, did not give the pedestrian sufficient time to completely cross the roadway safely.

It was believed by Committee members that some pedestrians appear to be confused by the red flashing "wait" signal at light controlled pedestrian crossings. The City Streets Manager has undertaken to investigate this issue, recommend options which may be more acceptable to pedestrians, and ascertain the policies adopted in other cities.

8. STRATEGY FOR CHILDREN

The City Streets Unit's proposed strategy to improve road safety for children in Christchurch was received. This included the safe routes to schools project.

A steering group had been set up to oversee the safe routes to schools pilot project and designated the Queenspark School and the Chisnalwood Intermediate School as the first two schools to take part. A job description is currently being prepared for a facilitator for the programme. It is intended for the programme be carried out in two schools before Christmas and extended to another two schools in the New Year.

Committee members noted that there will be increased traffic activity in the Shirley area with the redevelopment of the Mall and see this as a priority area for the development of the safe routes to school programme.

It was resolved that the Shirley Intermediate School be included in the initial pilot project by way of addition and if this is not feasible that the Shirley Intermediate be a substitute for one of the two schools currently included.

9. ITEMS RECEIVED

The Committee received the following reports.

9.1 BITUMEN USE ON CITY STREETS

The City Streets Manager provided information on the quality of bitumen used in chipseals on city streets.

9.2 SPEED LIMIT REVIEW

Further progress on the speed limit review was reported including a summary of survey results.

9.3 CHRISTCHURCH SPEED CAMERA ACTIVITY

A report on speed camera activity in Christchurch from the Commissioner of Police was received. The Ministers of Transport and Police have advised that enquiries are being into the Council's request for a review of the legislation controlling the operation of speed camera sites to enable sites other than black spots to be targetted.

9.4 ASSET MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT PLAN

The report on progress and developing the asset management plan for roading/traffic/water supply liquid waste, land drainage and parks was submitted. The City Services Committee undertook to hold the level of service review meeting at 8.30 am on Thursday 1 August 1996.

9.5 WASTE MANAGEMENT UNIT RESOURCE CONSENT APPLICATIONS

The Waste Manager advised of progress with four resource consent applications from the Liquid Wastes Section. The Waste Manager undertook to report back in more detail on the discharge of treated effluent from the Christchurch wastewater treatment plant and would submit the brief for the consultants and recommendations for the appointment of a consultant to the Committee.

The meeting concluded at 7.50 pm.

CONSIDERED THIS 24TH DAY OF JULY 1996 MAYOR

---

Top of Page ~ Council Proceedings ~ Council & Councillors