Tuesday 11 June 2019, during the Urban Form and Transport Development Committee meeting, Elected Members made a decision on how to move forward with some of Tauranga City Council's main transport projects. This followed clarification on funding received from the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA). Staff presented recommendations on eleven projects aimed at futureproofing infrastructure, improving connections on main corridors, resilience work and/or unlocking land for residential development.
Key projects that the committee discussed were amongst others the 15th Avenue Upgrade, Domain Road Improvements and Arataki Multimodal project. NZTA categorised these projects as ‘Unlikely' to receive partnership funding during the 2018-21 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP). These projects had previously been put on hold pending the funding decision from NZTA.
Meeting outcomes are that council will fully fund construction of stage 1 of the 15th Avenue Upgrade and the planning for the later stages. Stage 1 is focussed on improving traffic flow in the evening peak by developing one new southbound lane, installing traffic lights at the Burrows Street/15th Avenue intersection and restricting access at other side roads. The committee also agreed to fund construction for the Domain Road Improvements (with the maintenance and renewals aspects receiving NZTA funding) and the Arataki Multimodal project. Proceeding with construction of these projects will still be subject to the approval of relevant committees.
The total impact for 2019-20 based on the recommended options is:
- Reduction in CAPEX: 2,150,000
- Reduction in NZTA Funding: 6,309,802
- Increase in Loans: 4,159,802
- Debt Servicing 2019-20: 103,995
- Debt Servicing 2020-21 onwards: 207,990
* Impact of changes to OPEX not included and impact on depreciation not included
Committee Chair Larry Baldock explains that Tauranga City Council must make progress on these key transport projects.
'We cannot sit still and wait. As such, we are committed to going ahead with planning and in some cases construction for these important projects. We need to be ready to act should new funding be available from NZTA.”
For a full overview of all of the projects and approved recommendations, please see the table below.
Project Name | Business case funding | Construction funding | Recommendation |
---|---|---|---|
15th Avenue Upgrade | Likely | Unlikely | Continue with construction of Stage 1 using local share and planning for future stages |
Cycle Plan | N/A | Unlikely | Continue planning and design. Progress projects with construction funding through the low-cost/low-risk category |
Domain Road Improvements | N/A | Unlikely | Complete project as planned without NZTA funding for the improvement elements |
State Highway Intersection Improvements | N/A | Likely | Relinquish potential funding back to NLTF |
Maunganui Road Improvements | Likely | Likely | Complete business case and hold until funding is secured |
Ngatai Road Improvements | Likely | Likely | Proceed with construction only if funding is secured from NZTA |
Arataki Multi-modal | Likely | Unlikely | Continue with project as planned, loan funding the cycleway and bus lane elements |
Cameron Road multi-modal | Likely | Unlikely | Continue with Business Case, engagement and planning |
Seismic Resilience | Likely | Unlikely | Continue planning and discussions with NZTA |
Smith's Farm Access Road | N/A | Likely | Continue planning and discussions with NZTA |
Tauriko West Connections | Likely | Likely | Continue planning and discussions with NZTA |
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