Early conversations (pre-GPS release)

Early conversations (pre GPS A Government Policy Statement on Land Transport Funding issued under section 86 of the LTMA release)

To help Approved Organisations and the NZTA (state highways) to develop their transport programmes and to assist Regional Transport Committees (RTCs) to develop their Regional Land Transport Plans Plans describe the tactics to give effect to a strategy. They are specific in content, action oriented and outputs focussed, resulting in a tangible set of activities to be delivered within a clear timeframe. (RLTPs Regional land transport plans, prepared under Part 2 of the LTMA, as from time to time amended or varied. ), the NZTA has identified the following topics for early conversations that will provide direction and investment signals.

There can be no certainty around investment signals until the Government Policy Statement (GPS A Government Policy Statement on Land Transport Funding issued under section 86 of the LTMA ) on Land Transport is formally released to the public.  However, there are a number of areas in which the NZTA can help its investment partners prior to the release of the GPS.

The NZTA (planning and investment) will work with Approved Organisations, the NZTA (state highways) and RTCs and their Regional Advisory Groups (RAGs) to:

• identify regional issues, challenges and opportunities
• discuss high level funding availability
• discuss high level investment signals, and
• develop timelines for RLTP A regional land transport plan, prepared under Part 2 of the LTMA, as from time to time amended or varied. and NLTP A National Land Transport Programme Interrelated and complementary combination of activities that, when delivered in a coordinated manner, produce synergies – can span more than one work category and more than one activity class, e.g. a programme could include a road improvement and public transport improvement activities. adopted by the NZTA under section 19 of the LTMA, as from time to time amended or varied delivery.

Identify regional issues, challenges and opportunities

The NZTA (planning and investment) will work in partnership with Approved Organisations and the NZTA (state highways) to assist  RTCs to develop a ‘Regional Strategic Context’ that outlines the visions, priorities and objectives that key stakeholders, industries and sectors have in the region as well as the key transport drivers that influence their decision making.  If appropriate, this may be sourced primarily from the current Regional Land Transport Strategy.

At this point the potential for misalignment between the NZTA’s planning and investment priorities at a strategic level and the Regional Strategic Context can be discussed and resolved.  Long-term plans will be a key document in this discussion.    

Discuss high level funding availability

The NZTA will provide as much information, as early as possible, around funding availability. 

For the 2012-15 NLTP A National Land Transport Programme Interrelated and complementary combination of activities that, when delivered in a coordinated manner, produce synergies – can span more than one work category and more than one activity class, e.g. a programme could include a road improvement and public transport improvement activities. adopted by the NZTA under section 19 of the LTMA, as from time to time amended or varied , the key messages were:

• There is limited discretionary funding available after providing for the core programme activities of road operations and maintenance and passenger transport services.
• Any discretionary funding needs to be targeted to high priority activities that will deliver the outcomes we seek and achieve best value for money Selecting the right things to do, implementing them in the right way, at the right time and for the right price. .  
• Re-tendering of contracts should provide an opportunity to improve value for money Selecting the right things to do, implementing them in the right way, at the right time and for the right price. and align with the NZTA priorities for the maintenance, renewal and operations activity classes. 

NZTA’s Regional Planning and Investment Teams will also be able to provide information on regional funding commitments.

Discuss high level funding availability

It is difficult to provide exact figures, particularly on a regional basis, for the amount of discretionary funding available for the next NLTP A National Land Transport Programme Interrelated and complementary combination of activities that, when delivered in a coordinated manner, produce synergies – can span more than one work category and more than one activity class, e.g. a programme could include a road improvement and public transport improvement activities. adopted by the NZTA under section 19 of the LTMA, as from time to time amended or varied because this is dependent on:

• the revenue availability for the next NLTP A National Land Transport Programme Interrelated and complementary combination of activities that, when delivered in a coordinated manner, produce synergies – can span more than one work category and more than one activity class, e.g. a programme could include a road improvement and public transport improvement activities. adopted by the NZTA under section 19 of the LTMA, as from time to time amended or varied (Noting that the 2012-15 NLTP will be based on the March 2012 revenue forecast). 
• the NZTA’s overdraft position at the end of the current NLTP A National Land Transport Programme Interrelated and complementary combination of activities that, when delivered in a coordinated manner, produce synergies – can span more than one work category and more than one activity class, e.g. a programme could include a road improvement and public transport improvement activities. adopted by the NZTA under section 19 of the LTMA, as from time to time amended or varied
• the amount of emergency works undertaken, and
• cost scope adjustments on committed activities.

High level investment signals

The NZTA can provide high level investment signals prior to the release of the GPS A Government Policy Statement on Land Transport Funding issued under section 86 of the LTMA where these have been made explicit by the Minister of Transport.

These investment signals are currently an increased focus on:

• economic growth and productivity
• ensuring value for money Selecting the right things to do, implementing them in the right way, at the right time and for the right price. , and
• road safety.

Timelines for RLTP A regional land transport plan, prepared under Part 2 of the LTMA, as from time to time amended or varied. delivery

When the NZTA’s Regional Planning and Investment Teams meet with Approved Organisations and RTCs they will outline the NLTP A National Land Transport Programme Interrelated and complementary combination of activities that, when delivered in a coordinated manner, produce synergies – can span more than one work category and more than one activity class, e.g. a programme could include a road improvement and public transport improvement activities. adopted by the NZTA under section 19 of the LTMA, as from time to time amended or varied development timeframes and will also discuss:

• timelines for development of Approved Organisation transport programmes
• regional timelines for preparation and consultation of RLTPs Regional land transport plans, prepared under Part 2 of the LTMA, as from time to time amended or varied.  
• dates around submission of RLTPs Regional land transport plans, prepared under Part 2 of the LTMA, as from time to time amended or varied. , and
• dates as to when the state highway plan will be available at the regional level for consideration by the RTC A regional transport committee established under section 105 or clause 11 of schedule 7 of the LTMA. .

The outcome of this will be clear agreement on delivery dates at national and regional levels.