Hamilton City Council’s Infrastructure Operations Committee meeting yesterday (Tuesday 31 May) featured several discussions around the city’s proposed changes to its transport network, technological improvements to our parking systems, and an update on Council’s water stimulus projects.
Safety upgrades at Tristram Street/Collingwood Street roundabout
As part of the planned safety improvements at the Tristram Street and Collingwood Street roundabout, yesterday Council approved the location of raised zebra crossings to help people safely cross the road.
Council staff reviewed multiple options, as requested by Elected Members, to identify the safest and most practical location for the new raised zebra crossings at this intersection. The review found that the original plan to place the mid-block crossings further away from the roundabout is the safest option for all users and will cause less disruption to traffic flow.
Infrastructure Operations Committee Chair, Councillor Angela O’Leary, supported the motion to listen to staff advice when it comes to our core infrastructure – noting safety and practicality must be considered.
“Although I appreciate the robust discussion and debate that has got us to this decision, the wellbeing of Hamiltonians must be our number one priority – and that’s what this option achieves,” said Councillor O’Leary.
Now the proposed design has been approved, Council plans to engage with nearby residents and businesses over the coming months on the improvements, with construction planned to start later this year.
Low-cost low-risk transport improvements
Yesterday Council approved the 2022-23 low-cost low-risk programme of transport improvement works. These transport projects fit certain guidelines set by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, and the total cost for each project must be less than $2 million.
Each project will have 51% co-investment from Waka Kotahi, with the remaining local share funded from Council’s 2021-31 Long-Term Plan. The works programme for 2022-23 has been developed by staff based on community requests, Elected Member requests, crash reports, and safety assessments.
During yesterday’s discussions, Elected Members requested five additional minor transport projects to be included in the programme which weren’t part of the programme list. Staff will be investigating these options and reporting back to the Infrastructure Operations Committee meeting on 9 August.
Projects outlined include the continued rollout of Safer Speed Areas (40km/h speed limits on residential streets and around high-use pedestrian and cycle areas), new footpaths, biking and pedestrian facility upgrades, bus stop facilities such as shelters, roadside safety fences at high-risk locations, and more.
The future of car parking management
Council is looking to roll out smarter and more efficient ways of managing car parking within the central city, starting with the introduction of hybrid licence plate recognition (LPR) vehicles.
The vehicles will operate with new ‘pay by plate’ devices – that will replace the single-head parking meters with a paperless system where you can use your licence plate number to pay for parking. Together, these new elements will be five times more efficient than current parking systems. Two vehicles are in the final stages of testing, and a further two LPR parking meters are planned for the Garden Place and Sonning carparks.
LPR will deliver an efficient surveillance method to ensure better parking compliance, helping deliver a safer and more efficient integrated network. It will also result in improved staff safety, reducing face-to-face contact by about 66%.
Water stimulus project update
Alongside the current reform programme for three waters (drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater) being undertaken by central government, Hamilton City Council entered into a funding agreement to complete a programme of three waters projects to a total value of $17,460,000 by 30 June this year.
This programme is fully funded by a central government stimulus grant for investment in water service delivery, to both improve waters network systems and support economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since confirmation of funding in late 2020, staff have set up the programme and projects, including confirmation of project scopes, milestone programmes and procurement strategies, as well as creating internal project governance and reporting structures.
Yesterday’s discussion was focussed on delivery of the stimulus investment programme and its 19 projects. Updates on progress and matters relating to the wider three waters reform will be reported to future full Council meetings.
State Highway 26 Morrinsville Road update
Yesterday Council approved capital improvements for intersections on State Highway 26 Morrinsville Road, subject to funding from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, to start after the road comes under Hamilton City Council control in late 2022. These improvements include variable school zone speed limits, separated cycle facilities, and upgraded, raised crossings.
Elected Members also approved staff to investigate and confirm the costs for installation of traffic signals at the intersection of Silverdale Road, Morrinsville Road and Matangi Road, and to compare these costs with a proposed roundabout for that same intersection. Currently two separate intersections, these options both propose changing the layout for this stretch of road and combining them into one. Staff will report back to the appropriate committee in early 2023 with those details.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and renewal of all State Highways in New Zealand. State Highway 26 will undergo ‘revocation’ in late 2022, meaning the section of Morrinsville Road between Cambridge Road and the city boundary will come under the control and responsibility of Hamilton City Council, and no longer be named a State Highway. This change is happening due to the Hamilton section of the Waikato Expressway opening in July, reducing the need for Morrinsville Road to function as part of the region’s State Highway network.
Paths and cycleways network update
Yesterday’s Committee discussed options for reviewing and assessing how effective the networks of paths and cycleways are throughout the city. A late motion to the agenda was put forward by Councillor Dave Macpherson requesting an audit and assessment of the existing city cycleway networks, to see where there are opportunities and gaps in the city’s current infrastructure.
Council has asked staff to report to the Infrastructure Operations Committee on 9 August for immediate improvements that can be made, focusing on cyclist safety, temporary signage, and issues of construction works spilling into cycle lanes. Longer term, staff will report back to Council on service improvements across the city for the education, operations, and maintenance and renewals programmes in time to be considered for the draft 2023-24 Annual Plan, 2024-34 Long-Term Plan, and the draft National Land Transport Programme 2024-27.
For more information on Council’s Infrastructure Operations Committee, including its overview, delegations, and other information, visit our committee page here.