NZ Transport Agency - Southern Region

19 December 2012

Transport providers adopt new network planning framework

The Urban Development Strategy Implementation Committee has adopted the Greater Christchurch Transport Statement, a partnership framework for integrated transport planning and network development.

Designed to help guide the development and management of the Greater Christchurch transport programmes and partners' investment strategies, the Statement will ensure a one network approach to planning and development of the network.

“This Statement is about all of us looking ahead and working together to deliver better outcomes which build resilience, efficiency and reliability into the transport network, while ensuring the community is provided with sustainable transport choices” say the 10 partners.

The partners of the Greater Christchurch Transport Statement are the New Zealand Transport Agency, Ministry of Transport, Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA), Selwyn District Council, Christchurch City Council, Waimakariri District Council, Environment Canterbury, Christchurch International Airport, Lyttelton Port of Christchurch and KiwiRail.

“This is a significant milestone representing a commitment by key transport providers in Greater Christchurch to work together, to support earthquake recovery and growth, and connect people and places by developing a range of sustainable and affordable transport options,” says Jim Harland, NZTA Southern Regional Director and project sponsor on behalf of the UDS Chief Executive Advisory Group.

The Statement recognises the partners’ short-term strategic transport priorities for Greater Christchurch are:

Port access;
Public transport operation and growth;
Western corridor, airport access and overall freight growth and opportunities;
Northern and south-west access, future growth and changing land use; and
Central City linkages to other key places.

In his foreword to the Greater Christchurch Transport Statement, the Minister of Transport and Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Gerry Brownlee recognises the commitment of the transport partners of Greater Christchurch working together.

“The recovery of Greater Christchurch was always going to be a complex journey. It requires leadership, integration, working together and looking to the future. I can see all of these aspects coming to the fore in the Greater Christchurch Transport Statement.”

“It is very heartening to see the commitment of the transport partners of Greater Christchurch to work together. This will ensure that the hard work ahead leads to rapid success and best possible outcomes.”

The Greater Christchurch Transport Statement is available online at http://www.greaterchristchurch.org.nz/News/index.asp#GCTS
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