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26. 3. 97
CITY SERVICES COMMITTEE
11 MARCH 1997
A meeting of the City Services Committee
was held on Tuesday 11 March 1997 at 2.00pm
PRESENT: Councillor Denis O'Rourke (Chairman),
Councillors Carole Anderton, David Buist,
Graham Condon, Garry Moore and Ron Wright.
APOLOGIES: Apologies for absence were received and accepted
from The Mayor, Ms Vicki Buck and Councillors Evans and Howell.
An apology for lateness was received and accepted from Councillor Moore.
Councillor Condon was temporarily absent from 5.00pm to 5.06pm and was absent for clause 8 and part of clause 9.
Councillor Moore arrived at 3.04pm and was present for part of the discussion on clause 4.
An apology for early departure was received from Councillor Anderton who retired at 4.20pm and was not present for clauses 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 and 11.
The Committee reports that:
PART A - MATTERS REQUIRING A COUNCIL DECISION
1. WOOLSTON/BURWOOD EXPRESSWAY UPDATE REPORT RR 4707
| Officer responsible | Author |
| City Streets Manager | Chris Kerr |
| Corporate Plan Output: |
The purpose of this report was to update the Committee on progress on both stages of the Woolston/Burwood Expressway.
WOOLSTON/BURWOOD EXPRESSWAY STAGE I
This project has been submitted for inclusion in the 1997/98 National Roading Programme as a State Highway project. Discussions have been continuing with Transfund Officers regarding validation of the economic analysis. Transfund has taken issue with the traffic growth rates used by the City for the analysis. This project is particularly sensitive to these rates with the B/C varying from 3.1 to 4.1 dependant on the rate used.
It now seems likely that the recommendation of the Transfund officers to their Authority will be the lower of the traffic growth rates leaving the B/C below the national funding threshold of 4.0.
Council officers have tried every possible approach to convince Transfund of the validity of the economic analysis submitted. Unfortunately it now seems unlikely that we will succeed in achieving funding to allow construction to proceed in 1997/98. Given the traffic growth rate supported by Transfund officers the project is unlikely to reach the national funding threshold for approximately three years.
WOOLSTON/BURWOOD EXPRESSWAY STAGE II
A report (tabled) has been forwarded to the Transfund Authority for the March 1997 meeting. This report recommends that Transfund and this Council form a joint working party to progress development on a deferred funding policy. The intent is to use the Woolston/Burwood Expressway Stage II project as the `guinea pig' for this policy with the aim of achieving a deferred funding agreement with Transfund for the 1997/98 year.
Funding for starting property purchase is included in the 1997/98 year of the Draft City Streets budget.
DISCUSSION
The Council will now have to reconsider its approach to progressing the total Woolston/Burwood Expressway project now that Stage I is unlikely to proceed in 1997/98.
Options available include:
1. Submitting the total project (Stage I plus Stage II) as a deferred funding project. This project would have a capital cost in excess of $10m and a B/C of around 2.0 - 2.5.
2. Seeking an innovative method of funding for Stage I. Transfund policy allows the Local Authority to meet part of the project cost based on `community' benefits. This approach was used successfully recently by Timaru District with Timaru meeting the cost of all landscaping work hence improving the B/C for a major project.
3. Not proceeding with Stage I until the B/C reaches the national threshold but starting land purchase for Stage II in 1997/98 so that the two stages could be built concurrently. This would be dependant on reaching agreement with Transfund for deferred funding.
4. As above for Stage I and also delaying Stage II until Stage I proceeds.
Of the above options Option 1 is the least desirable as it requires the Council to fund a considerable capital investment and the low B/C means that it would be some time before Transfund would provide the deferred funding.
The other options all have some merit, we could proceed with Option 2 and either Options 3 or 4 concurrently though Option 2 requires the Council to agree to providing additional funding for Stage I.
Recommendation: That the Council strongly pursue its original approach based on Transfund funding Stage 1 in the 1997/98 financial year on the basis of current Council research.
PART B - ITEMS DEALT WITH BY THE COMMITTEE AND
REPORTED FOR INFORMATION ONLY
2. CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE FOR TRAFFIC SAFETY RR 4702
A report, prepared by Susan Cambridge, which provided information on the last meetings of the Traffic Safety Co-ordinating Committee and the Road Safety Awareness Campaign run by the Council, was received.
It was noted that the Public Health Service of Healthlink South had, last month, become the Crown Public Health. The new organisation has decided to discontinue the collection of data from Christchurch Hospital. The Emergency Department now has a computer, and it may be timely to review data collection methods, but it would be a loss to the city if data is not collected and analysed in some form.
The Committee was provided with an overview of cycle training programmes, both current and proposed, being delivered to schools. Representatives from the Police, YMCA, and Council staff are involved in the organisation and running of these courses. The Land Transport Safety Authority is to provide an updated "safe cycling" CD-Rom for schools.
Inspector Jim McKee represented the Christchurch Police at the meeting (replacing Inspector Hames who recently retired), and gave a brief outline of his position as Officer in Charge of the Traffic Safety Branch in Christchurch.
It was resolved that the Council strongly request the Crown Public Health to continue the collection of data from Christchurch Hospital, and that a copy of the letter be sent to the appropriate Minister.
3. CYCLE PROJECTS RR 4703
This report, prepared by Alix Newman, advised the Committee of the status of some current cycle projects and activities undertaken in support of these projects.
The Committee met with a deputation from the Riccarton Bush Trust, and considerable discussion followed concerning alignment options for the proposed Riccarton Bush Cycle Route.
It was resolved that:
1. an indicative plan be prepared for the Riccarton Bush Cycleway, showing Option C, and Option B straightened as far as practicable;
2. the plan be referred to the Cycle Steering Group, local residents, and cyclists currently using the road; and
3. the matter be referred to the April meeting of the City Services Committee.
Discussion followed on the proposal to widen the MacLeans Island Road Cyclepath, which will eventually form part of an around-the-city road cycle route.
It was resolved that the MacLeans Island Cyclepath widening be approved.
4. TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT IN SHIRLEY MALL AREA RR 4709
This report, prepared by Mike Calvert, informed the Committee of proposed traffic management measures to be carried out in the vicinity of The Palms Shopping Centre.
It was recommended that the following actions be taken:
Stage 1
Stage 2
The construction of:
It was resolved that:
1. The Committee endorse the actions recommended above.
2. That the Burwood/Pegasus Community Board be advised of the Traffic Management Plan and asked to formally resolve the parking restrictions to enable Stage 1 to proceed.
3. That Stage 2 proceed as soon as possible.
4. That the report be referred to the Residents' Association.
5. That the Council look at establishing parking restrictions on the roads surrounding the Mall.
6. That the entrance to the Mall from Marshland Road be reconsidered.
5. PROPOSED RULE FOR SETTING SPEED LIMITS RR 4710
Brian Neill presented his report on the Land Transport Safety Authority (LTSA) proposed rule for setting speed limits in New Zealand and a submission on the red draft of the rule. The closing date for submissions was 15 April 1997. The red draft rule is complementary to the recent Council speed limit review on roads and highways in the city.
It was resolved that the information be received and that the Committee endorse the principles of the Land Transport Safety (Setting of Speed Limits) red draft rule and provide support for the Council's detailed submission to the Land Transport Safety Authority.
6. COUNCILLOR INPUT TO RESOURCE CONSENT PROCESS RR 4694
Concern had been expressed by members of the Committee regarding the effects of traffic produced by recent major developments, such as The Palms and Riccarton Mall. A report, presented by Mike Calvert, summarised the existing resource consent process, presented options and made a recommendation on the most appropriate form of input for the Committee.
Several potential methods of input for the City Services Committee were presented. These were:
1. Status Quo - the existing process for resource consent applications does not involve the direct input of any Council Committees other than the Councillors and Community Board members involved in the hearing panels. Although this avoids any potential conflict of interest the committee is not made aware of major developments in the City until construction begins.
2. Information Only - the major developments could be reported to the Committee in the form of a report, for information only, when applications are received. The committee is made aware of impending developments which may impact on the network, but would not have input into the process.
3. Report to City Services and Receive Comments - this would involve a report being prepared as above with comments being received from the committee. The reporting officer would subsequently choose whether some, or all, of these comments were included in his/her evidence. The report is the officer's input to the consent process and as such must reflect his/her professional expertise and opinion, which may not always concur with that of the committee.
4. Report to Subcommittee and Receive Comments - this would follow the form of the above option except that it has one advantage. This is that due to the time constraints of the consent process (tabled) it would not be possible to report all relevant applications to the full City Services Committee before evidence is required for the hearing.
5. Personal Submissions by Councillors - all Councillors and Community Board members have the opportunity with notified resource consent applications to have input into the consent process through individual personal submissions. This would require the consent application to be heard by a commissioner.
It was resolved:
1. That major developments be defined as:
Any activity, or activities, on a site having access to an arterial road which potentially generates in excess of 250 vehicle trips per day.
2. That all notified consents for major developments be reported to the City Services Committee for their information.
3. That input to resource consents by the City Services Committee be in the form of a personal submission by the Chairperson or nominee.
7. CITY STREETS PERFORMANCE MEASURES RR 4706
Chris Kerr presented his report, which detailed a proposal for changing the focus and nature of the performance measures reported by the City Streets Unit in the Annual Plan.
The process followed to date is:
1. An internal review of outcomes and development of technical measures.
2. Focus groups with stakeholders - Transport, Business, Environmental, Disabled and Residents, to discuss outcomes and determine performance measures which each group would like to see reported.
3. Discussions with a few Councillors to ascertain further preferences for reporting of performance.
The table below displays the outcome of this series of meetings:
| Outcome | Performance Measure(s) |
| People are satisfied with the level of service for personal mobility, and they have an appropriate choice of transport mode - by car, public transport, cycle or foot | 1. Satisfaction level with different modes among
representative sample of population. Include reasons for
(dis)satisfaction. 2. Comparative economic and community cost of each mode reported as cost/km. 3. Comparative travel time measured for each mode. |
| Businesses, and therefore the economy, are supported by levels of service for goods movement that are consistent with efficient business operations | 4. Trend over time for length of travel time on key
major access routes at peak and off-peak times. 5. Satisfaction levels among the business community with the efficiency of the road network. |
| Christchurch is perceived a safe city for road users | 6. Perception of safety among a representative sample
of residents for each mode by journey type and location. 7. Collision data trend over time for each mode. |
| Christchurch is safe and accessible for cyclists | 8. Perceptions of safety among a representative
sample of residents, both cyclists and non-cyclists. 9. Collision data plus measure of `near-miss' incidents. |
| More people use public transport than they do today - and it keeps growing as a proportion of all trips | 10. Use of public transport per capita 11. Proportion of public transport trips to all trips. |
| Christchurch is regarded as a pedestrian friendly city - especially for children, the elderly and the disabled | 12. Perception of ease of access and of motorist
attitude to pedestrians among a representative sample of
residents. 13. Trend for collision data over time. |
| The streets meet agreed community expectations and they are managed in the most cost effective way | 14. Satisfaction with street assets among a
representative sample of residents. 15. Overall measure (indices) of standard compared to cost. |
| The City's physical environment is protected and enhanced | 16. Trend measure of transport generated pollution
over time. 17. Satisfaction with protection and enhancement of `Garden City' image and community value of street space. 18. Proportion of length of street with trees to total length of street where trees can be planted. |
The Committee resolved that these outcome performance measures be approved for inclusion in the Council's 1997/98 draft Annual Plan.
8. WORCESTER STREET IMPROVEMENTS RR 4701
This report, prepared by Tony Lange and Andrew Craig, had been referred to the Central City Committee meeting on 6 March 1997. The purpose of the report was to obtain approval for the amended scheme plan for Worcester Street between Cathedral Square and Manchester Street as reported in November 1996. The proposal is to pave the carriageway as part of the reconstruction of Worcester Street and remove the four existing trees. It was noted that the Central City Committee had approved the carriageway paving in Worcester Street between Cathedral Square and Manchester Street, and strongly supported the retention of the four trees outside the Old Government Buildings for the present.
The report proposed that the four trees be replaced with 15 lime trees (the same tree species as in Worcester Boulevard), to create and continue the avenue effect. Further reasons considered for the removal of the trees were:
- that they are too close to the old Government Building which is forcing them to lean out from it, and will consequently cause the trees to become increasingly distorted. These trees will grow considerably larger than they are now;
- that their roots will eventually distort and break up the footpath and adjoining kerb;
- that their current size would be out of scale with new planting;
- that the view of the Old Government Building is obscured because of the present size; and
- that the effectiveness of the existing streetlighting is reduced because of the size of the tree canopy.
The Committee resolved to recommend that the four existing trees outside the Old Government Buildings be removed and replaced with four mature lime trees.
9. SHERATON SITE PARKING RR 4693
Mike Calvert presented his report to the Committee on the parking issues related to the land purchased by the Council, commonly referred to as the Sheraton site, for the development of a new Art Gallery. It was noted that the redevelopment of this site will mean the potential loss of over 200 casual parking spaces. Therefore the development of 265 public parking spaces plus parking for the Art Gallery needs to be taken into account.
It was resolved that a project team investigate options for parking in this area.
10. 1996/97 CORPORATE PLAN MONITORING REPORTS
It was resolved that a special meeting be held on Thursday 20 March 1997 at 2.00 pm to consider the six monthly reports from the Parking Operations Unit, Waste Management Unit, Water Services Unit and City Streets Unit.
The meeting concluded at 5.50 pm.
CONSIDERED THIS 26TH DAY OF MARCH 1997
MAYOR