Chapter / Clause / Subclause – General 22 submitters - Waikato ...

Submission summary
deliverable benefits to potential customer base. Surely, with 18 services, and
fares from $11 one way, the existing service level needs Council support, not
ratepayer funded competition.
We would urge the committee, to terminate expenditure on this consultation, and
redirect limited PT funds onto other urgent and far more valiant areas.
Decision
Long Term Planning processes of the partner Councils. Sections 3.11 and 7.2.7
have been amended to reflect the latest status.
Amend text in paragraph 3 of section 3.11 to read
The establishment of a Hamilton to Auckland passenger rail service is currently
under consideration by a working party comprising key stakeholders.
Recommendations from this work stream and the outcome of any subsequent
community consultation could potentially require a variation to this plan if the
service was deemed to go ahead.
The establishment of a Hamilton to Auckland passenger rail service has been
investigated by a Rail Working Party (RWP) comprising of key stakeholders.
Recommendations of the RWP from this work stream need to be considered by
the RWP partner Councils as part of their 2012 Long Term Plan processes. The
outcome of these considerations by partner Councils (mainly Hamilton City
Council, Waikato District Council, Waipa District Council and Waikato Regional
Council) and any subsequent community consultation could potentially require a
variation to this plan if the service was deemed to go ahead.
Amend text in 2 nd paragraph of section 7.2.7 to read
Waikato Regional Council has worked collaboratively is collaborating with other
stakeholders to work through the operational, logistical, infrastructural and
funding aspects of establishing an inter-city rail service between Auckland and
Hamilton. In September 2010 a Rail Working Party was established for this
purpose. Inputs and advice from Auckland Transport and the Auckland Council
have been particularly valuable in working through the operational feasibility of
establishing such a service. Maintaining and enhancing this relationship will be
mutually beneficial going into the future. This is particularly important given the
population and economic growth occurring in the two regions which will require
collaborative planning and an integrated response to effectively manage the
resultant growth pressures.
The Rail Working Party released is expected to prepare its final recommendation
report in by August/ September 2011. If The recommendations need to be
considered by the RWP partner Councils as part of their 2012 Long Term Plan
(2012 LTP) processes. Any public consultation of such a service and funding
thereof needs to be decided through the 2012 LTP processes of partner Councils
Doc # 2072711 Page 81