Timaru, like many cities across New Zealand and globally, has struggled to maintain patronage and as a result, financial viability of public bus routes. Running empty buses on fixed routes and timetables is an inefficient use of resources and an unnecessary source of emissions. Many of us know we should be using public transport more and relying less on our cars, however matching fixed bus routes and timetables with our own schedules can be a hassle. Despite these problems, public transport is important if we are to reduce transport emissions and congestion, as well as ensure our cities are accessible for all people – locals and visitors, young and old, and of varying physical abilities and resources.

Enter “on-demand public transport” as one possible solution. Advances in technology in recent years have seen the emergence of private ride sharing services such as Uber, which have disrupted the conventional model of taxis and private car trips. Similar smart phone and GPS technology can also be used to provide public transport at an affordable price for daily travel.

The general idea is that passengers can choose where they travel to and from, and the time that suits them. Hail a ride from your smart phone and take a short walk to wait at a nearby street corner or landmark. A bus or van will collect you and drop you off close to your destination. Buses don’t keep to fixed routes or schedules.  Instead, navigation software directs the driver on the most efficient route according to who is sharing the journey and where they want to go.

Below are a few examples of how on demand public transport is currently working around the world:

Replacing buses

Some cities have done away with fixed bus routes, replacing them completely with with on-demand services.  Two years ago, the city of Arlington in Texas introduced an on demand “micro transit” model, using customized Mercedes vans to shuttle people around the city. Customers pay a flat fee of US $3 per ride or buy a weekly pass for US $15, which covers up to four trips a day. Since its introduction, the system has received a 97% approval rating, and has been expanded to service wider areas of the city.

Filling gaps

On demand public transport is also being used to fill gaps in existing public transport networks. Berlin, the second largest city in Europe has an extensive public transport service, but on-demand public transport is being used to fill gaps in the service, particularly late-nights, weekends, and where there are geographic gaps.  A two year pilot of the world’s largest on demand public transport service launched a year ago, with ridership continuing to grow each month.

First/last mile solutions:

In other cities and towns on demand public transport is being used to shuttle people to and from existing public transport hubs. In May this year, a service was launched in New South Wales, which provides first- and last- mile connections with Sydney Metro public transportation hubs. The bus picks them up at a safe and convenient “virtual bus stop”, and pay a far between AUD$1.12 to$4.80 for their trip to the train or metro station. Ridership has grown quicker than projected, and more than half of riders have switched from driving their private car to public transport.

Environment Canterbury is adopting an innovative approach with this new pilot in Timaru.  It will be interesting to watch how the trial is received over the next year, and whether this solution could work in other New Zealand cities and towns. There is certainly a need for new and innovative solutions to address our transport needs in urban centres.  No one solution will be the magic bullet for reducing transport emissions and relieving congestion, however, on demand public transport may well be one important piece of the puzzle for creating more flexible, user friendly, affordable and sustainable transport solutions in the future.

Avanzar Consulting is a boutique firm providing expert planning and transport engineering services, with offices in Christchurch and Timaru. Find out more about our team and services at www.avanzar.co.nz 

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As stated in the headline in the Christchurch Press, “Redevelopment plans for Lyttelton’s Naval Point are finally being considered”. As a local resident I would definitely agree with the inclusion of the word “finally”, particularly when you consider that the previous marina was destroyed by a storm in 2000!

The Council is asking for submissions on the proposal by 28th July. It has proposed two options for consultation, however it wants to receive all views people might have on the redevelopment. Essentially, Option 1 involves retention of the recreation ground in its current location, retention of the scout building, relocation of the rugby pavilion, provision of 270 car and boat parks and the establishment of a solid breakwater to give partial protection to the public boat ramp. Option 2 involves the Council acquiring 1.2 hectares of land, the reorientation of the recreation ground, construction of a floating breakwater to protect the public boat ramp, relocation of the scout building and rugby club and provision of 400 car and boat parks. Both options include the provision for a new building for the Naval Point Club and the coast guard, and the provision of pedestrian connections. In Option one pedestrian connections are provided along Godley Quay, Charlotte Jane Quay and the waterfront. In Option two this is there is also provision for access along the rail corridor. Both options involve the removal of the existing haul out area and do not include any future provision for haul out facilities.

Option two is more expensive than Option one due to the inclusion of the floating breakwater, rotating the sports fields and some additional roading infrastructure. Option two however has the advantage of providing increased capacity, better connectivity, more car and boat parking and greater protection for the public boat ramp.

I attended a meeting at Naval Point Club about the redevelopment. At the meeting, Paul Devlin (Council Head Ranger, Ports Hills and Banks Peninsula), said the Council was keen to know all views including what people would “die in the ditch for”, the relative priority of land/sea facilities and how the redevelopment should be staged. From the Council’s point of view, the main issues seemed to be the provision of improved recreational facilities for the enjoyment of all the people of Christchurch, separation of activities from fuel tanks, the need for control of hazardous substances in association with any haul out facility, and ongoing maintenance of the area.

Club members were pleased that redevelopment was being considered. A major concern however was the removal of the haul out yard as such facilities are essential to enable boat owners to maintain their vessels, and the retention of the ability to provide members with access to facilities that they would otherwise not have access to. It was also noted at the meeting that Naval Point is a unique resource as it is the only area close to Christchurch that is suitable for the safe launching of marine craft with adjacent flat land and as such, its use for this purpose should be prioritised.
People’s views on how Naval Point should be redeveloped will vary depending on their perspective and interests. It’s for this reason that it is important that everyone with an interest in the redevelopment of Naval Point makes a submission to the Council regarding the plan. To make a submission to to:
https://ccc.govt.nz/…/consultations-an…/haveyoursay/show/248

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City and district plans traditionally set out specific zones for commercial activities and others for residential use. However, some small businesses choose to operate in residential zones, where they are closer to their clientele and rents may be lower.

What kinds of business activities need consent?
If your site is zoned residential, but is used mainly for commercial activities, then you’ll generally need to apply for a resource consent.  Common examples include:

• physios, dentists, doctors and health clinics
• early childhood centers
• lawyers, accountants & professional services
• accommodation providers.

A resource consent application will be required to assess the effects on the neighbourhood, i.e.:

• is there sufficient parking and safe access for customers?
• what noise will be generated?
• what hours will your business operate?
• what signage is proposed?

Home businesses
Many city and district plans have exemptions for small business operating from your own home.  Perhaps you run a small beauty therapy clinic, provide IT support, run an online business or are a home based carer.

You may not need a consent if your business is secondary in scale to the residential use of your home. Requirements differ according to different city and district plans.  Check out these guidelines for Christchurch City, or speak to your local Council.

Help is at hand
The team at Avanzar have plenty of experience preparing successful consent applications for businesses such as early childhood centres, health clinics and professional services.  As a boutique consultancy, we’ve been through this process ourselves, so we understand your concerns.

Get in touch if you’d like to find out more about how we can assist your businesses with your planning or traffic assessment needs.

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Let them know what’s important to you, what you think works on the current wharf, and what could make it better.  This will be incorporated into the draft plan being developed for the future of the wharf.

If you’ve got an opinion or a brilliant idea, now is the time to share it!  It doesn’t take much to have your say – you can do it online here.

Our staff at Avanzar Consulting are experienced in preparing submissions on a range of planning matters. Contact us if you’d like advice or you’d like us to prepare a submission on your behalf.

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Avanzar Consulting staff often provide advice and information to prospective purchasers of property.    You might be looking at buying a site with the view to subdivide; add additional dwelling units; convert a property to a commercial use; or to use a property for a home based business or Airbnb type use.

You might also be looking at a property that adjoins a commercial use, or that adjoins a property that has potential for development.  You cant assume when you buy property that the neighbouring land use will stay the same.  Being aware of what your neighbours can do with their properties is important, as it may impact on your decision to purchase!   Knowing how large an extension a neighbour might be able to build on their site can have an impact on the amenity of a property that you might want to buy, and may also have an impact on the purchase price.

If you need assistance to fully understand the implications of the District Plan rules on a property you are looking at buying, then get in touch with our experienced staff.  We can assist with:

• Advising on existing District Plan rules, and providing guidance on how those rules can affect how you propose to use a site,
• Advising on what forms of development you might expect to arise on neighbouring sites,
• Assistance on understanding how neighbouring development might affect you in reality,
• Providing advice as to whether you are likely to be able to gain consent for a particular form of development,
• Providing advice on potential costs such as application fees, development contributions and consultants fees,
• Providing advice and input into concept designs in such a way to enhance your chances of getting consent for your proposal.

Its so important to fully understand the planning constraints and opportunities of a site before you spend the big dollars on buying it!  Contact our staff to see how we can assist you with your property purchasing due diligence phase.

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Do you agree with this approach?  Are you a dryland landholder in the Hurunui District? Do you think greater controls should be sought with regards to nutrient losses, or do you think that lesser controls should be the way forward for land management in this area?

Whichever is your view, the Council is now seeking comment. Submissions close on the 31st May 2019.  Our staff at Avanzar Consulting can assist you to prepare your submission.

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Over the last few years, New Zealand has seen a massive boom in short-term rental market. In response, many Councils have tightened regulations for short-term accommodation, or are considering doing so.  This is due to concerns such as:

• the amenity of residential neighbourhoods and effects such as noise and parking issues,
• housing supply and affordability,
• building safety standards, and
• ensuring fair property rates are charged.

Current Regulations:

The current approaches of Councils in New Zealand’s top three Airbnb destinations are as follows:

1. Auckland: Speak to the Council about your situation, as the need for consent is determined on a case by case basis.
2. Queenstown: New district plan rules for visitor accommodation came into legal effect on 21 March 2019.  You are required to notify the Council prior letting your property and keep up to date records. If your property is in the high-density residential zone, then it is generally permitted to offer accommodation for up to 90 nights a year (providing parking and health and safety standards are met).  In other residential parts of Queenstown and central Arrowtown, you will require a resource consent. The type of consent you will need (controlled, restricted discretionary or non-complying) will depend on how many days of the year your property is let. If you live on site and just rent out a part of your property, then you may be classified as a ‘homestay’ provider, which is a permitted activity providing you can meet certain standards. To find more, click here.
3. Christchurch: Currently, people running a traditional bed and breakfast where the hosts live on site are usually not required to obtain a resource consent. However, if you are renting a whole house for short-term guest accommodation then in most cases you will need a resource consent. For more information on your obligations, see the Council’s website.

Our Advice:

We advise that you get in touch with your local council to find out more about your obligations.  They can advise you on whether you need a resource consent, as well as any obligations relating to rates and the building code. If you need to apply for a resource consent, then you may also need to consult with your neighbours and obtain their written approvals. 

If you need help with consents, then talk to the planning team at Avanzar Consulting.  We’re more than happy to sort this out for you, so you can focus your energies on being the host with the most!

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The Christchurch City Council has recently notified Proposed Plan Change 1 to the Christchurch District Plan. It proposes changes to the Risk Management Areas in the District Plan, and includes properties within the risk management area that were previously not included.

This may have an impact on what activities you could carry out on your property in the future. If you are affected, it is important that you submit on the Proposed Plan Change so the Council is aware of your concerns, and to seek changes if necessary.

Our staff at Avanzar Consulting are experienced in preparing submissions. We can help you to determine whether or not you are affected by proposed changes. We can then assist you to prepare your submission if you require guidance. Contact us on 03 358 1117 to discuss this further!

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