Finding the right funding

Travel choices and reliability are imperative, says a transport expert

Investing in appropriate infrastructure is critical to stimulate economic growth and develop liveable cities, says Richard Hancy, Head of NZ Transport at Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM).

This approach plays into the range of infrastructural projects in which the company is involved, working to achieve sustainable long-term outcomes in the way New Zealand invests in its large-scale asset base.

As an adviser in the City Centre Future Access Study (CCFAS), Hancy reminds us that Auckland today is beginning to grapple with some of the issues that other international cities have had to face in the past.

"Certainly, when you look at other large cities around the world, having a strong public transport network is a very important part of the transport system, and we certainly recognise that there is significant room for improvement with Auckland's public transport network, both in rail and bus."

Hancy emphasises that three goals need to be assessed when looking toward Auckland's long-term transport needs: reliability, choice and interaction. Making sure that Auckland has travel choices and reliability will be imperative if Auckland is to be able to deliver a quality of life similar to that of other international cities.

"At the moment there are parts of our transport network which are vulnerable, so if there's an accident, or if something happens that blocks a particular road, then that can cause a lot of congestion and confusion because there isn't a way of dealing with that. So a reliable and a robust transport network is a really important thing."

A public transport network that provides people with choices will also be vital, so that there is the ability to travel either by car or using public transport. According to Hancy, the North Shore busways are an example of a project which made a big difference in delivering quality public transport, and therefore in providing those kind of choices.

Finally, Hancy suggests that our transport system in 50 years time will need to interact much more with the people who are using it. Technology will play into this, with in-car technology and technology that is part of the wider transport infrastructure providing people with the information to enable better choices about when and where to travel.

Coming out of the CCFAS were a number of holistic recommendations, which constitute a wide range of measures needed to enable further access to and from the city centre. "That's very much aligned with the Auckland Plan, which talks about Auckland being a great place to work and play. Having a strong CBD is a very important part of that."

The City Rail Link has been the most high profile output, and is set to enable the rail network to be utilised in a far more efficient and effective way across the region. But Hancy stresses that no one project on its own will support all the plans for Auckland's future.

"There are also other measures, such as further investments in roads and bus services which will be used as well to satisfy the needs of others. A combination of all those will enable Auckland to achieve its aspirations."

Roads continue to play a very strong freight role in and out of Auckland, meaning that maintaining a high quality road network alongside public transport strategies will be imperative.

The study's multi-disciplinary and collaborative focus aimed to ensure that the considerations of all users and interest groups were catered for.

"Success is not just about technical skills, but a multi-disciplinary approach with a high level of collaboration.

"This allows strategic planning, design and construction which considers the whole infrastructure network, rather than one aspect in isolation," Hancy says.

In this case, the fact that the central city is currently a very well-developed area meant that it was important to very carefully configure the impacts of proposals, considering transport opportunities alongside issues of land use, availability and economic growth in the central area.

SKM is continuing to work alongside Auckland Transport to assist with further development projects, and hopes to maintain this role as the plans coming out of the CCFAS are implemented.

In recent times, the company has been involved in other transport projects around New Zealand, notably as part of the Wellington Tunnels Alliance refurbishing Mt Victoria Tunnel, and involved in the State Highway 16 causeway widening.

"The level of investment that is occurring in our infrastructure at the moment is a good thing, and will help, not just cities grow, but help New Zealand's economy grow," Hancy says.

He believes community and central government buy-in to such projects has been positive, but states that finding the right funding approach for each project is imperative for success. More innovative funding mechanisms, which allow for both current and future users to play a role in this financing, will be important. Such initiatives will enable us to deliver on infrastructure earlier, allowing users to receive the benefits of these investments more rapidly.

"There is certainly the ability to fund those projects, the choice as to how that actually falls into place is something that will need to be worked through with the people of Auckland and the people of New Zealand."

SKM has also been involved in the Christchurch rebuild, working on both horizontal infrastructure, such as pipe networks, and playing a role in structural reviews for Christchurch buildings.