NLTP Bulletin

Welcome to the NLTP Bulletin, our newsletter with information about management of the current National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) and what we're working on for the development of the 2021-24 NLTP.

COVID-19 update

Our CE Nicole Rosie met this morning with local government CEs and transport executives to provide a COVID-19 update.

She reiterated that Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is here to work with you, to help navigate the new landscape that we find ourselves in with COVID-19 and as you develop your Regional Land Transport Plans (RLTPs).

Nicole acknowledged that, like ourselves, local government is facing significant financial constraints in the 2020/21 financial year and that the top priority is to get on with projects that will help create jobs and inject cash into local economies. It was noted that local government is looking to Waka Kotahi for greater financial assistance, particularly in the areas of public transport and Road to Zero safety initiatives, and for help in making the funding application process simpler.

She told the meeting that Waka Kotahi would not be able to provide everything being sought by the sector but the below had already been done to make it easier to deliver better outcomes for your community.

One thing we know is that there is likely to be change to the draft 2021 Government Policy Statement on land transport (GPS) because of the impacts of COVID-19 and that the Government’s economic stimulus package will impact on the Transport Agency Investment Proposal (TAIP).

Waka Kotahi is committed to making things simpler - where we can - and ensure we are not placing any greater strain on your time and resources. In light of that, we have already done the following:

• We have deferred consultation on the draft Investment Prioritisation Method (IPM) as part of the Investment Decision-Making Framework (IDMF) review. It has been developed in response to the draft Government Policy Statement on Land Transport 2021 (released in March) and will be used to prioritise activities in the 2021-24 NLTP. We made this decision as we know there will be changes to the draft GPS because of COVID-19 and only want to engage once on the IPM.
   
• The draft IPM is intended to replace the Investment Assessment Framework for the 2021-24 period. 
   
• We will be looking to communicate early investment signals once the GPS is finalised - so expect to see these toward the end of June/early July. This will help with your RLTP development.
   
• We have delayed the release of the Transport Agency Investment Proposal (TAIP) until August - this will provide us with the time to consider the impact of the economic stimulus package on the TAIP. We will, however, continue to  work with you throughout the next three months, as we develop the updated proposal to enable you to keep developing your Regional Land Transport Plans (RLTPs).
   
• We have deferred development of the Arataki 30-year view for some months. We will continue to develop the next version of Arataki by June 2020. Version 2 will address our post-COVID-19 role and identify opportunities over the next 10 years.

In the coming weeks, we will:

• Keep developing RLTP guidance to share with you: with a focus on ensuring a consistent approach to RLTP development.
   
• Only communicate the guidance that we know will not change. We will release further  guidance, as and when we know that no further change is likely.
   
• Propose to set the Funding Assistance Rate (FAR) for the 2021-24 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) by the end of June.
   
• Look to encourage greater use of our evidence-based data to enable a more consistent approach to RLTPs.
   
• Review proposed changes within the Investment Decision-Making Framework review to make it easier for the sector over the next year.
   
• Continue to develop tools and collateral to build understanding and capability in areas of change and roll out only what is critical for the development of the next NLTP

As part of our Business Continuity Planning, we will be considering whether there is anything we can do to change any of our existing policies, processes, practices and/or procedures that will help make it easier for you. This work is already underway, and we’ll keep you updated as it progresses.

We will look into what possibilities there are for us to consider any changes in our levels of funding. However, Waka Kotahi is also facing a significant drop in funding as a result of COVID-19, lower fuel prices and less vehicles on our roads, and this may not be possible.

Programme updates

	Document releases - IDMF and Arataki We have released two key documents that feed into the development of the 2021-24 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) – the summary of the key themes from our recent engagement on changes to the Investment Decision-Making Framework (IDMF), in particular the assessment of investment proposals, the development of business cases and low cost, low risk programmes; and Arataki Version 1.1.   A summary of the key themes that came through in consultation on the IDMF Draft Design Report is now available on our website. View the summary of key themes   If you have any questions, please email idmfconsultation@nzta.govt.nz.   Arataki Version 1 was released for feedback in December 2019. It has been well received by the sector, with some regions are relying on the evidence base and insights as their starting point for RLTPs.   We received almost 50 pieces of feedback from individuals and organisations which resulted in a series of technical amendments. Feedback that requires more substantial changes to Arataki will be considered as part of future updates.   Arataki Version 1.1 recognises the significant potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, but does not consider in detail the nature, scale or location of these impacts, or include details of potential economic stimulus packages to support New Zealand businesses and communities post lockdown.   This will be part of Arataki Version 2, which we will be developing at pace to assess the impacts of COVID-19 on the land transport system and identify the post-COVID opportunities over the next 10 years. View Arataki Version 1.1   The Arataki team welcomes your questions and feedback, please email arataki@nzta.govt.nz. Innovating Streets pilot fund for councils Waka Kotahi has launched an Innovating Streets for People pilot fund - more than $7 million - to help create more people-friendly spaces in our towns and cities.   The Innovating Streets programme supports councils to use tactical urbanism to help make our existing towns and cities great places to live, work and play. The pilot fund provides councils with a 90% funding assistance rate (FAR) for tactical urbanism projects as well as capability building support for successful applicants, including participation in a community of practice.    Innovating Streets is fundamentally about reconsidering how we allocate street space, and it’s a relevant time for councils to help their communities re-imagine public space.   There’s a huge amount of planning underway for economic stimulus but we know permanent upgrades can be challenging. This fund is an opportunity to pilot changes that make our streets safer and more liveable.    COVID-19 is having a significant impact on our transport systems and services. The Innovating Streets programme can contribute by providing councils with an opportunity to adapt their streets to better support active and safe transport needs, while following official advice about people movement.   There are two application rounds. The first closes on Friday 8 May with successful applications announced in early June. The second round opens on Monday 8 June and closes on Friday 3 July with successful applications announced by the end of July.    Tactical urbanism projects designed as part of a COVID-19 response package can be considered immediately, on a case-by-case basis. This involves projects that can be delivered in a short time frame to support social distancing on footpaths and cycle lanes, and the temporary use of streets for physical activity. Guidance for councils on how to respond to the challenges COVID-19 is presenting on our streets has been developed and will be added to over time. View the guidance Find out more about the fund

More information

For more information on the NLTP, you can visit our website or contact us online.