POLICIES IN DETAIL 

 

Transport.

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Transport has to be one of the top priorities. Our roading network is unfinished and holding us back.  Regional Council is responsible for completing the Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP) 10 year plan which is then reviewed every three years. Once finalised it is then sent to Waka Kotahi for them to use in prioritising the National Land Transport Plan (NLTP) and the budget from the National Land Transport Fund. (NLTF)

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Because we host the largest port in NZ and are one of the fastest growing cities in NZ it is important that when ranking the priorities of projects, de-congesting the freight routes to the Port and projects that enable opening of land for housing and commercial/industrial land are given high priorities.

Continuing progress on a multi-modal transport system is an essential part of achieving less congestion for both private and commercial road users by providing better public transport and walking and cycling for all.

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I will strongly support the following but would seek some of them to be prioritised differently;

 

(Rankings listed in order from current Regional Transportation Plan) 

• Tauranga bus service and supporting infrastructure (currently ranked 1)

• Tauriko West Enabling works package  (currently ranked 4)

• Tauranga City Centre public transport facility (currently ranked 5)

• Turret and 15th Ave multi-modal improvements  (currently ranked 6)

• Hewletts Rd sub area accessibility improvements   (Currently ranked 10)

• Tauriko – West enabling works package - Cambridge Road (currently ranked 11)

• SH29A multi-modal corridor improvements (currently ranked 12)

• SH29A strategic function and mode/movement priorities  (currently ranked 13)

• Western Corridor Ring Route (SH29 to SH36 - Tauriko)  (currently ranked 33)

• Papamoa East Interchange and connections to Te Tumu (currently ranked 28)

• Western Corridor Ring Route - SH29 to SH36 -inTauriko  (currently ranked 34)

Link to RLTP and look at pages 77-90 for the full schedule  

https://atlas.boprc.govt.nz/api/v1/edms/document/A3884906/content

 

Air Quality

The Mount Maunganui industrial area around the port is a polluted airshed and has not been monitored properly until recently as a result of a significant amount of public protest.

Some of the long standing industries need to consider and plan for their relocation as they are no longer compatible with being within or near an urban area the size of Tauranga.

 

Supporting the transition to Electric Vehicles (including Hybrid and Hybrid PHEV’s vehicles as well as alternative fuels like hydrogen) will not only help us meet Central Government’s CO2 reduction targets, but also greatly reduce Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) pollution.

 

A recent NZ study called Health and Air Pollution in New Zealand 2016 (HAPINZ 3.0), shows that 3,300 NZers are dying annually and prematurely from health issues related to air pollution. The majority of these are NO2 related. With more road freight moving to the port and some large industrial plants contributing to poor air quality we must improve our monitoring and enforcement of better air quality standards.

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Restoration of our waterways.

We have a great climate and natural beauty in this area, but we need to continue to work hard restoring our waterways and Te Awanui harbour from past degradation and continuing non-compliance.

 

Improving our Bus services

Completing the review of the Public transport system and a more adaptable bus service that meets the diverse needs of all our communities is essential. The current ‘one size fits all’ yellow buses approach is still resulting in many empty bus trips, more CO2 & NO2 emissions, leaving many frustrated with limited transport options.

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I will support the trialing of ‘on demand’ bus services that has already been carried out in Timaru. A recent My Way trial there has been extended through to June 2024 and a trial in Hastings began in June this year - $2 a fare (free for gold card and children) anywhere to anywhere in Hastings!

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Local Government review. One Unitary Council for the Western Bay.

In April 2021 the Labour Government established the Future for Local Government review with the establishment of a Review Panel. There have been two major changes to Local Government in the past 25 years. The largest in 1989 restructured some 850 local bodies into our current 86 Regional, City, District and Unitary Councils. The creation of the Auckland Super City in 2010 amalgamated 1 regional and 7 Territorial authorities further reduced the number of Local Government Councils to 78.  The Local Government Act 2002 then reformed how Councils were to operate with a major change to Local Governance procedures.

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The next stage of the current Governments review will be announced after the elections this October so we cannot know yet what the Panel will be recommending for further consultation in 2023 before final decisions are made.

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However, in the Western BOP (where we have the Tauranga City Council, Western BOP District Council, and BOP Regional Council) we elect 30 local politicians to oversee an area of 2261 sq kms (2,120WBOPDC) and 141TCC) Thus we have 18.5% of the land area with 61% of the population of the Regional Council.  

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One long standing Councilor has often said “while we are not a Unitary Council but we must try and act like one. That attitude has worked at times but is no long-term solution for getting things done in the fastest growing area of the country for the past 30 years. I support a Unitary Council for in the Western Bay, and will say so at the next local government review hearing

 

3 waters reforms.

What is certain is that changes are coming. The 3 waters review is part of this process, and the Minister of Local Government has made it clear that the proposal will proceed. No one should mislead voters in this election by claiming that they can stop the 3 waters reforms. What we can do, and I will certainly do so if elected, is have input into the new structures and delivery of services as much as possible.

 

An incentive scheme to increase domestic solar power installation.

Recently we saw advertising by the ANZ bank offering low interest loans to help homeowners install solar systems on their roofs. This would not only reduce power costs but also potentially power their EV or Hybrid PHEV vehicles. I will support investigations into such a scheme the Regional Council could make available to rate payers.    

 

The Port of Tauranga (POT) 54% Shareholding.

It is good to see rates reduced because of dividends from Council’s investment arm, Quayside holdings. After 30 years tt would be a timely to review the arrangement to make sure the community is getting the most benefit from this.

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The shares originally worth $53mil in 1991 have grown to $2.6bil as reported by Quayside in June 2021 because of the leadership and huge growth and success of the POT.

The contribution of $42.4mil from Quayside to BOPRC (pre-election report) amounts to a return on investment of 1.37% on assets. 

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There may be other opportunities to use this massive asset for the benefit of the communities. That applies across the region but especially here in Tauranga. We have significant challenges in financing vital social and economic infrastructure.