Process for inclusion of activities in regional land transport plans

This page relates to the 2021-24 National Land Transport Programme.

Introduction

This section provides the process steps for approved organisations and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (for its own activities) to prepare their programmes of transport activities for input to a regional land transport plan (RLTP).

Process steps

Developing programmes of transport activities for inclusion in an RLTP involves a number of steps.

Prior to release of the final GPS

1. Prior to release of the draft Government Policy Statement on land transport (GPS), we (Waka Kotahi as investor) review government policies and direction, and our evidence base. We then provide early national and regional investment signals to approved organisations and Waka Kotahi (for its own activities), and to regional transport committees (RTCs). Approved organisations, Waka Kotahi (for its own activities) and RTCs join us in identifying and reviewing regional transport issues and discussing RLTP alignment to planning and investment signals.
2. We also advise RTCs of the indicative date and process for RLTP submission (initial or reviewed document and programme) at this time.
3. When the draft GPS, our draft Investment Prioritisation Method, and any other investment policy requirements to give effect to the GPS are released, we strengthen our investment signals and check the RLTP processes and timelines to ensure the RLTP delivery deadline is achievable.
4. Approved organisations and Waka Kotahi (for its own activities) develop new or update earlier proposed land transport activities in Transport Investment Online (TIO) to align with investment policies. Note that drafting continuous programmes will be possible once the TIO templates have been updated for the next National Land Transport Programme (NLTP).
   Transport Investment Online(external link)

5. In partnership with Waka Kotahi (for its own activities), approved organisations and RTCs, we discuss the proposed activities and their alignment to the draft GPS and consider their affordability and value for money. We commence negotiations with applicants on their continuous programmes (for example road maintenance and public transport) and low-cost, low-risk programmes.

Once the final GPS has been released

When the final GPS is released:

1. We (Waka Kotahi as investor) finalise our Investment Prioritisation Method, and confirm our investment signals and the final date for RLTP delivery.
2. Approved organisations and Waka Kotahi (for its own activities) complete information requirements for their new improvement activities proposed for inclusion in the RLTP and submit these for inclusion in the RLTP via TIO.
   Transport Investment Online(external link)

3. RTCs review the completeness of information provided for proposed activities and their eligibility, and decide whether to accept them into the draft RLTP.
4. From an NLTP perspective, we assist RTCs with the review of activities and information provided in TIO and provide feedback to assist development/review of the RLTP.
5. If the activity is not accepted into the draft RLTP, the RTC informs the approved organisation or Waka Kotahi (for its own activities) of the reason(s) for its decision.
6. The approved organisation or Waka Kotahi (for its own activities) then decides whether to modify the activity and resubmit it to the RTC, or to withdraw the activity.
7. If the approved organisation or Waka Kotahi (for its own activities) decides to withhold the activity from the RLTP it may also decide to withdraw it from TIO; otherwise it will stay in TIO as ‘submitted for inclusion in the RLTP’.
8. Once the RTC has decided whether or not to accept any amended activities into the draft RLTP, it finalises the document and consults as required under legislation.
9. The approved organisations and Waka Kotahi (for its own activities) review all activities in response to RLTP consultation (if any is required).
10. The approved organisations and Waka Kotahi (for its own activities) finalise negotiations on the continuous programmes.
11. The approved organisations and Waka Kotahi (for its own activities) make any final input adjustments to TIO for the final RLTP; for example, where activities have been reviewed in response to any RLTP consultation.
12. The RTC considers the changes made following the RLTP consultation, finalises the RLTP and recommends its adoption to the regional council.