Supplementary Agenda of Planning and Environment Committee

Notice of Meeting:

I hereby give notice that an ordinary meeting of the Planning and Environment Committee will be held on:

Date: Thursday 14 May 2020

Time: 1:30pm

Venue: to be held remotely by audio and audio visual link.

Sue Bidrose

Chief Executive Officer

Planning and Environment Committee

SUPPLEMENTARY AGENDA

MEMBERSHIP

Chairperson	Cr David Benson-Pope
Deputy Chairperson	Cr Sophie Barker	Cr Steve Walker
Members	Cr Rachel Elder	Cr Christine Garey
	Cr Doug Hall	Mayor Aaron Hawkins
	Cr Carmen Houlahan	Cr Marie Laufiso
	Cr Mike Lord	Cr Jim O'Malley
	Cr Jules Radich	Cr Chris Staynes
	Cr Lee Vandervis	Cr Andrew Whiley

Senior Officer Sandy Graham (General Manager City Services)

Governance Support Officer Jennifer Lapham

Jennifer Lapham

Governance Support Officer

Telephone: 03 477 4000

Jenny.Lapham@dcc.govt.nz

www.dunedin.govt.nz

Note: Reports and recommendations contained in this agenda are not to be considered as Council policy until adopted.

Planning and Environment Committee

14 May 2020

Part A Reports

DCC Submission - Accessible Streets

Department: Transport

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1 This report seeks approval of the attached submission (Attachment A) to the Ministry of Transport and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) on the 'Accessible Streets' rules package.

RECOMMENDATIONS

That the Committee:

a) Approves the DCC submission to the Ministry of Transport and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency on the 'Accessible Streets' rules package.

BACKGROUND

2 The Ministry of Transport and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) are seeking public feedback on the 'Accessible Streets' rules package, that will increase the safety and accessibility of our footpaths and streets and encourage active modes of transport.

3 The package proposes a number of new rules to respond to the rise of micro-mobility devices like e-scooters. Rule changes are also proposed to improve the safety and efficiency of active transport modes and buses.

4 Accessible Streets proposes new rules that would require anyone riding a device on the footpath to give way to pedestrians, to not exceed a speed limit of 15km/h, and for the device to be no wider than 75cm.

5 After consulting with their local community, local authorities would be able to reduce the maximum footpath speed limit and restrict which devices can use areas of footpaths, such as during busy times or in high pedestrian areas. Accessible Streets also proposes that bicycles would be able to use the footpath under these conditions.

6 The Government is also seeking feedback on a number of other rule changes aimed at making streets safer for vulnerable users. This includes requiring a minimum overtaking gap when passing vulnerable road users like cyclists, horse riders, or those walking on roads without footpaths. The proposed rule is for a one metre minimum passing gap for vehicles when the speed limit is 60km/h or less and 1.5 metres when the speed limit is over 60km/h.

7 Other proposed changes include:

a) Allowing e-scooters to use cycle lanes and cycle paths;

b) Giving buses priority when existing bus stops on roads with a speed limit of 60km/h or less;

c) Clarifying road controlling authority powers in relation to parking on berms;

d) Categorising vehicles to reflect changes in technology;

e) Improving the safety of people walking, cycling and using micro mobility devices by making several give way rule changes.

8 Public consultation for the Accessible Streets rules package is being hosted by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (NZTA). The consultation document, FAQs and further information on how to make a submission can be found on the NZTA website: www.nzta.govt.nz/accessible-streets-consultation.

9 The consultation was initially open from 9 March to 22 April 2020. The deadline for the consultation was extended in the light of the national response to COVID-19 to 20 May 2020.

DISCUSSION

10 The draft DCC submission supports the 'Accessible Streets' rules package. Staff have reviewed the ‘Accessible Streets’ rules package and have drafted a DCC submission using the NZTA feedback form (Attachment A). The People’s Panel Survey Report on the footpath courtesy zone will be attached to the submission as a supporting document.

OPTIONS

Option One – Submit on the 'Accessible Streets' rules package (recommended option)

Advantages

· Enables the DCC to contribute at a national level on development of rules to improve the safety and accessibility of our footpaths and streets and encourage active modes of transport.

Disadvantages

· There are no identified disadvantages for this option.

Option Two – Do not submit on the 'Accessible Streets' rules package (status quo)

Advantages

· There are no identified advantages for this option.

Disadvantages

· Missed opportunity for the DCC to engage on the development of rules to improve the safety and accessibility of our footpaths and streets and encourage active modes of transport.

NEXT STEPS

11 If the Committee approves the submission, it will be sent to NZTA ahead of 20 May 2020.

Signatories

Author:

Tami Sargeant - Team Leader Regulatory Management - Transport

Simone Handwerk - Senior Transport Planner

Authoriser:

Nick Sargent - Transport Strategy Manager

Jeanine Benson - Group Manager Transport

Attachments

	Title	Page
⇩a	Draft DCC Accessible Streets submission	8

SUMMARY OF CONSIDERATIONS

Fit with purpose of Local Government

This decision enables democratic local decision making and action by, and on behalf of communities and supports the social, environmental, economic and cultural well-being of communities in the present and for the future.

Fit with strategic framework

	Contributes	Detracts	Not applicable
Social Wellbeing Strategy	☒	☐	☐
Economic Development Strategy	☐	☐	☐
Environment Strategy	☐	☐	☐
Arts and Culture Strategy	☐	☐	☒
3 Waters Strategy	☐	☐	☒
Spatial Plan	☒	☐	☐
Integrated Transport Strategy	☒	☐	☐
Parks and Recreation Strategy	☒	☐	☐
Other strategic projects/policies/plans	☐	☐	☐

The submission has been developed in line with the goals and objectives of the strategic framework, in particular, the objectives of the Integrated Transport Strategy, the Social Wellbeing Strategy.

Māori Impact Statement

There are no known impacts for tangata whenua.

Sustainability

Sustainability is an underlying principle of the DCC’s strategic framework. While there are no specific impacts for sustainability resulting from a decision to approve the draft DCC submission, the proposals note the significant potential for reduced emissions through encouraging modal shift.

10 year plan/Annual Plan / Financial Strategy /Infrastructure Strategy

There are no implications for the 10 year plan.

Financial considerations

There are no financial implications.

Significance

The significance of this decision is considered low in terms of the Council’s Significance and Engagement Policy.

Engagement – external

There has been no external engagement.

Engagement - internal

Staff from Transport Strategy and Regulatory Services have contributed to the development of this submission.

Risks: Legal / Health and Safety etc.

There are no known risks.