Report Pursuant to S 42A Resource Management Act 1991 in the Matter Of: a Notice of Requirement to Construct, Operate, Use, Main
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Report pursuant to s 42A Resource Management Act 1991 In the matter of: A Notice of Requirement to construct, operate, use, maintain and improve approximately 11.5km of new State Highway connection between Ashhurst and Woodville And: A hearing by Manawatū District Council, Palmerston North City Council and Tararua District Council pursuant to s102 Requiring Authority: New Zealand Transport Agency Hearing date: 25 March 2019 S42A Technical Evidence: Tourism and Recreation By: Jeff Baker NJ-015652-992-533-V1:KZ-e Executive Summary The NZTA Project proposes a new road, known as the Manawatū-Tararua Highway, is constructed to replace the former Gorge Road which was closed indefinitely following a landside in April 2017. This evidence provides an assessment of the recreation and tourism aspects of the NOR proposal and the Te Apiti area it is to be located in. The Te Apiti area is a place of regional and national significance with its unique geological, cultural, environmental and recreational features centred around the Manawatū Gorge, and the Manawatū and Pohaninga Rivers. It is a land of opportunity and a highly valued recreation resource by visitors who access these areas in numbers totalling tens of thousands each year. The Project does not include any direct recreation or tourism elements in its design and it appears that planning has been almost exclusively focused on construction of the road. To this end, the construction of the new road will benefit recreation and tourism in the sense that it will make it easier for visitors to access both sides of the Manawatū Gorge. With respect to other users of the road, such as walkers, cyclists or horse riders, there are no dedicated facilities to provide safe passage across the Ranges despite strong direction from all levels of Government to do so. The Project does not provide any assessment of options to achieve a safe walking and cycling facility, and instead relies singularly on a narrow shoulder to provide access to cyclists. NZTA’s approach could result in a significant, once in a lifetime, missed opportunity to provide a safe and separated shared path to the Tararua region from the Manawatū via the network that already exists and/or is planned to be extended. The Project also provides an opportunity to maximise the recreation and tourism benefits that could arise on top of the popularity of the area as it presently stands. NJ-015652-992-533-V1:KZ-e Page 3 of 68 Contents 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 7 1.1 Expert Witnesses – Code Of Conduct ............................................................................... 8 2 Background and Scope of Evidence ........................................................................................ 8 2.1 Background ........................................................................................................................ 8 2.2 Scope of evidence ............................................................................................................. 9 2.3 Reports and material considered ..................................................................................... 9 2.4 Site visit ........................................................................................................................... 11 2.5 Statutory Context ............................................................................................................ 11 3 Existing Environment ............................................................................................................. 19 3.1 Manawatū Gorge ............................................................................................................ 20 3.2 The Designated Corridor ................................................................................................ 22 3.3 The broader Te Apiti Area ............................................................................................... 24 3.4 Tourism Context .............................................................................................................. 29 4 The Project ............................................................................................................................. 41 4.1 Operational Phase Effects.............................................................................................. 52 4.2 Construction Phase Effects ............................................................................................ 53 5 Consideration of alternative sites, routes or methods ........................................................ 53 6 Review of submissions .......................................................................................................... 58 7 Draft Requirement conditions ............................................................................................... 65 NJ-015652-992-533-V1:KZ-e Page 4 of 68 Figures Table 1 – Relevant Statutory Documents and relationship to Project. Table 2 – Non-Statutory Documents and relationship to Project. Map 1 – Te Apiti Area. Photo 1 – Manawatū Gorge and Environs by David Lupton. Photo 2 – Showing northern end of Manawatū Gorge. Table 2 – Existing Recreation and Tourism Activities in Te Apiti Area. Table 3 – Manawatū Gorge Track Counts Source: DOC. Photo 3 – Showing Meridian Wind Farm viewing turbine – Source, PNCC Aerial photo 2015. Photo 4 – Ferry Reserve 29 January 2019. Photo by Jeff Baker. Map 2 – Map showing NZCT Heartland Rides routes in the Region. Map 3 – Map showing alternative alignment opportunity. Photo 5 – From Wharite Peak looking south along the Ranges, July 2018. Photo 6 – Identifies Shannon Farm. Photo 7 – Ferry Reserve, eastern end of Manawatū Gorge. Table 4 – References to Road Shoulder Width. Photo 7 – ‘Pahiatua Track’ April 2015. Source: Google Streetview. Photo 8 – Ashhurst Bridge SH3 April 2015 Source: Google Streetview. Photo 9 – Example 1 – Thermal Explorer highway SH5 south of Rotorua April 2015 Source: Google Streetview. Photo 10 – Example 2 – Thermal Explorer highway SH5 south of Rotorua April 2015 Source: Google Streetview. NJ-015652-992-533-V1:KZ-e Page 5 of 68 Photo 11 – Example 2 – Shared Path on Kapiti Expressway December 2017 Source: Google Streetview. Photo 12 – Saddle Road April 2015 Source: Google Streetview. Photo 13 – Coastal Section of Rimutaka Cycle Trail. Photo 14 – Napier Road SH3 (Closed section through Manawatū Gorge) April 2015 Source: Google Streetview. Photo 15 – Barneys Point connection using closed section of SH3. NJ-015652-992-533-V1:KZ-e Page 6 of 68 1 Introduction 1. My full name is Jeffrey Alan Baker. I hold the qualification of Bachelor of Resource and Environmental Planning (Massey University 1995-1998). I am an Associate Member of the New Zealand Planning Institute and a Member of the New Zealand Recreation Association. 2. I am a Senior Planner in the Strategy & Planning Unit of Palmerston North City Council. I have 20 years of experience in consents planning (12 years) in New Zealand and England and recreation planning (8 years). 3. I have prepared this evidence on behalf of Palmerston North City Council (“PNCC”), Manawatū District Council (“MDC”) and Tararua District Council (“TDC”) (the “Territorial Authorities”) in relation to the Notices of Requirement (“NOR”) for Te Ahu a Turanga – Manawatū Tararua Highway Project (the “Project”) lodged by the New Zealand Transport Agency (“NZTA”). I understand that my evidence will accompany the planning report being prepared by the Territorial Authorities under s 42A of the Resource Management Act 1991 (“RMA”). 4. During my career I have specialised in planning and project management of major projects as a Council reporting officer. Key projects include the Arsenal Football Stadium redevelopment in London and, in Palmerston North, the Motorimu Wind Farm and Turitea Wind Farm proposals. I appeared for PNCC through all stages, including the Environment Court for Motorimu Wind Farm, and the Board of Inquiry process for the Turitea Wind Farm. 5. In 2010 I moved into specialist recreation planning work with PNCC and have led a variety of park development projects and the acquisition, upgrade and expansion of PNCC’s shared path and walkway network. A key highlight is the completion of Stage 1 of the shared path connection along the true right bank of the Manawatū River between Ashhurst and the City. 6. Since 2016 I have focussed on the preparation on masterplans for the protection and enhancement of the City’s premiere park, the Victoria Esplanade (approved December 2018), and Te Apiti (the Manawatū Gorge) where I am representing the Manawatū Gorge Governance Group. I also prepared PNCC’s ‘Manawatū River Action Plan’ and have NJ-015652-992-533-V1:KZ-e Page 7 of 68 been involved in the roll out of some of the projects associated with the ‘Manawatū River Framework’. 1.1 Expert Witnesses – Code Of Conduct 7. I confirm that I have read the Code of Conduct for Expert Witnesses in the Environment Court Practice Note 2014 and that I agree to comply with it. I confirm that I have considered all the material facts that I am aware of that might alter or detract from the opinions that I express, and that except where I state I am relying on information provided by another party, the content of this evidence is within my area of expertise. 8. I note that my direct manager at PNCC is the City Planning Manager David Murphy, who has been involved in the preparation and discussions with NZTA concerning