13.4 REPORT TITLE: TRANSPORT MASTER PLAN PROPOSED PROCESS DATE OF MEETING: 15 DECEMBER 2008 TECHNICAL SERVICES INFRASTRUCTURE AND PROJECTS

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1 13.4 REPORT TITLE: TRANSPORT MASTER PLAN PROPOSED PROCESS DATE OF MEETING: 15 DECEMBER 2008 AUTHOR: AUTHOR S TITLE: REPRESENTORS: ATIS BERZINS MANAGER ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL SERVICES N/A FILE NUMBER: 46/060/019 ATTACHMENTS: DEPARTMENT: DEPARTMENT MANAGER: NIL INFRASTRUCTURE AND PROJECTS BRIAN CLANCEY PURPOSE To outline the proposed process for the finalisation of the Transport Master Plan (TMP), and indicative time lines particularly in relation to the State Government Future Growth Study. RECOMMENDATION That Council: 1) Note that an abridged working draft TMP has been recently provided to the Department of Transport, Energy and Infrastructure (DTEI) for review and comment. 2) Note that a further report is to be presented to Council at the meeting on 2 nd February 2009 following comments from DTEI with the intention that the abridged working draft as revised then be released for community engagement. 3) Issue a public statement on the status of the TMP pre Christmas 2008 as to the process that is being followed for completion of the TMP explaining the reasons for this, and the associated timing. 4) Forward a further letter pre Christmas 2008 to Sims Road and environs property owners/occupiers to provide an update to them on the process regarding external infrastructure works associated with the two residential developments proposed for Sims Road, Mount Barker.

2 5) Note that the elements not included in the abridged working draft TMP will be the subject of a subsequent report to Council as soon as practicable with community engagement to follow. BACKGROUND The objective of the TMP is to develop a safe, integrated and efficient transport network for the Mount Barker District. Earlier this year the consultant, InfraPlan, appointed by Council to develop the TMP undertook the first phase of community consultation. A summary of the feedback was received by Council on 16 June 2008 and a copy of the report has been posted on Council s web site. In addition there is the important relationship of the TMP to Council s: Strategic Plan - Council has resolved to carry the previous Strategic Plan forward while amendments are made to the latest iteration. The revised work will include targets and linkages to the South Australian Strategic Plan and so provide a clearer direction for Council in achieving an integrated approach to future planning and development. Anticipated completion time early The Draft Long Term Financial Plan was adopted by Council at the meeting on 3 November 2008 for community consultation, which has been completed. The Long Term Financial Plan is being presented to Council for adoption, refer separate agenda item. Transport Infrastructure Asset Management Plan which is designed to demonstrate responsive management of assets, compliance with regulatory requirements, and communicate the funding required to provide agreed levels of service from infrastructure assets. The first generation plan is currently in draft form and is expected to be released for community consultation in early State Government Growth Study refer deputation from the Chief Executive and Deputy Chief Executive of the Department for Planning and Local Government. Bald Hills Road Upgrade and additional freeway interchange concept designs are being developed by Council in preparedness for future funding submissions. All of the above need to come together if Council is to achieve an integrated approach.

3 Given the status and implications of some of the concurrent projects underway or to commence shortly, there are basically two options with the TMP. Either the total TMP goes on hold and be resumed in parallel with other related processes particularly with the State Government growth study and then community engagement occurs on the draft plan, OR community engagement occurs on an abridged TMP prior to the completion of the State Government growth study. Though either option is not ideal, on balance the latter option is considered to be the preferred option given the objective of providing information to the community. Work undertaken to date on the TMP will provide valuable input to these other related processes. DISCUSSION Option Community Engagement on Abridged Draft TMP February mid March 09 Currently the State Government is undertaking a Growth Study which depending on the findings and recommendations may affect the outcomes of the TMP. The timing of the Growth Study is not under the direct control of Council and the finalisation of the TMP could be subject to the outcomes of the State Government Growth Study and subsequent decision making by State Government. It is proposed to omit elements from the draft plan that could be significantly affected and influenced by the State Government Growth Study. Community engagement on these elements left out of the abridged version would occur later on a stand alone basis similar to current community consultation on the proposed Bald Hills Road upgrade. The timing of this will be dependent on the State Government process of the Growth Study. To seek to proceed to complete the TMP now would be unwise with the very real risk that it would be out of date almost immediately. The Department of Transport, Energy and Infrastructure have been a major stakeholder and contributor to the TMP. The abridged draft has identified a number of matters where Council would be advocating to DTEI to undertake action/works which would be a DTEI responsibility and the abridged working draft has recently been provided to DTEI for review and comment. This is seen as a key step in the process. A further report will be presented to Council following feedback received from DTEI.

4 The elements not included in the abridged working draft TMP will be progressed and reported to Council with subsequent community engagement as soon as practicable once the State Government Growth Study and other related processes have been finalised. These elements are: 1. New Southern connector road (from Flaxley Road to Wellington Road); 2. New local collector road (from Wellington Road to Sims Road/Paech Road junction); 3. New Eastern connector road (from Sims Road/Paech Road junction to Springs Road/Bald Hills road intersection); 4. Sims Road external infrastructure. 5. Traffic congestion and pedestrian safety in the vicinity of the Nairne Primary School; 6. St Francis De Sales College and adjacent Council land Given the above circumstances further consideration needs to be given to the future role and connectivity of Sims Road. Further negotiations will also need to occur with the developers of the two residential sites on Sims Road regarding their external infrastructure obligations. Point 5 is subject to negotiations between Council, the State Government and the Federal Government. Point 6 is subject of Master Planning being undertaken by St Francis College inclusive of the adjacent land. The outcome of these elements could be affected by the State Government Growth Study. POLICY IMPLICATIONS 1. Financial/budget The preparation of the TMP has been included within the current budget. 2. Legal N/A 3. Staffing/Work Plans The TMP is being prepared through consultants and managed internally. Council officers have been involved in the preparation of the TMP with regular meetings with the consultants. These have involved the Manager, Engineering and technical Services (Atis Berzins), Technical Officer, Traffic (Wayne Dunningham) and Land Use

5 Planners Policy Planner (Nathan Sim) with input from other staff as required. 4. Environmental The project brief requires that the appointed consultant considers environmental factors. 5. Social The community expectation is that there will be: A safe road network for vehicles; Off road shared pedestrian/bicycle paths; Adequate on and off street car parking; A long term program for footpath construction and maintenance; and Accessible public transport. 6. Strategic Plans Community Strategic Plan 1 Lifestyle Objective 6 Ensure that public safety is optimised at all times. The relationship to other plans needs to be considered including: Southern and Hills Local Government Association Regional Transport Plan New Community Strategic Plan Long Term Financial Plan Asset & Infrastructure Management Plan Trails Strategy Development Plan 7. Risk Assessment With the rapid growth of Mount Barker to seek to proceed to complete the TMP now would have a very real risk that TMP would be out of date almost immediately. It is acknowledged that in undertaking Community engagement on the abridged TMP the community may express concern on what has been left out and how this may fit in with the other processes. 8. Asset Management The TMP has reviewed the existing transport assets and identified appropriate actions to improve service levels for current and future needs. The TMP will provide valuable input into the Asset Management Plan to cater for transport needs.

6 COMMUNITY CONSULTATION 1. Customer Needs Analysis The elements on hold would be actioned in parallel with other related processes and be subject to subsequent community engagement, probably around the Autumn/middle of Community engagement is proposed to occur in early 2009 in relation to concept designs for the proposed freeway interchange at Bald Hills Road once this has been authorized via a Council meeting resolution. 2. Promotion/Communications To occur to maximise community feedback through the community engagement phase.