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

Submission summary
• The Council will coordinate the feasibility assessment of establishing a
Hamilton to Auckland passenger rail service, including a funding policy for such a
service, and ensure continued liaison with stakeholders
• The Council will monitor demand for public transport rail and ferry
services across the region
• The Council will encourage local authorities to identify and protect public
transport corridors and stations, including future station locations
The BCA would like to highlight the importance of taking a holistic view when
assessing options for inter-regional passenger transport. An assessment that
looks at the relative costs and benefits of all viable modes is the only way of
ensuring that the best options for delivering the region’s needs is chosen.
There are currently at least 18 bus services a day running from 4.00am to
8.00pm from Hamilton to Auckland without any direct contribution from
ratepayers or taxpayers. With the support of Waikato Regional Council, these
services could be increased to meet Hamilton’s demand for inter-regional
transport to Auckland with relatively minimal capital expenditure.
With the results and recommendations of the rail working group yet to be
released, the Bus and Coach Association would like to indicate its desire to be
part of any consultation surrounding recommendations made by the working
group in future. Clearly we would also like to see a greater level of consideration
given to options for increased bus and coach services and would welcome any
opportunity for further discussion surrounding these.
Decision
are accepted by partner Councils then public consultation of the full proposal is
expected to be carried out as part of the 2012 Long Term Plans of partner
Councils.
In summary, subsequent to the release of the Final Recommendations report by
the RWP, funding or otherwise of the rail service will be considered through the
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.
Doc # 2072711 Page 85