The Council and the Regional Transport Committee are responsible for Taranaki's major strategic planning documents.
These include the Regional Land Transport Strategy, the Regional Passenger Transport Plan for Taranaki (part of the Strategy) and the Regional Walkways and Cycleways Strategy for Taranaki.
Regional Land Transport Strategy for Taranaki 2011-2041
This Strategy was approved by the Taranaki Regional Council on 17 May, 2011.
You can download a copy by clicking on the link on this page. To obtain a hard copy (including a large-format A3 copy for people with visual impairments), email publications@trc.govt.nz, or call 0800 736 222.
Regional Land Transport Strategy for Taranaki 2011-2041 (2.2 MB)
What is a Regional Land Transport Strategy?
The Regional Land Transport Strategy for Taranaki (RLTS) sets the strategic direction for transport in the Region by describing the vision and land transport outcomes sought, as well as setting out specific policies, actions and targets that will guide the development of the region’s transport network over the next 30 years. The Strategy covers all forms of land transport, including public transport, rail, local roads, state highways, walking and cycling.
The RLTS also looks at what the transport network looks like now, where the Region wants to be in 30 years and how it intends to get there.
It takes into account several statutory changes that have occurred since the previous strategy was adopted in 2006. Among other things, the draft Strategy is required to include:
- Inter-regional and intra-regional transport outcomes relevant to the region and the strategic options for achieving those outcomes.
- A statement of any relevant regional economic or land-use considerations, and the likely funding of any land transport infrastructure associated with those considerations.
- A demand management strategy.
- An assessment of the appropriate role for each land transport mode in the region.
- An assessment of the role of education and enforcement in contributing to the land transport outcomes.
- A statement that identifies any strategic option for which co-operation is required with other regions.
- A statement that identifies persons or organisations who should be involved in the further development of strategic options.
- Measurable targets to be achieved to meet the outcomes of the Regional Land Transport Strategy.
Taranaki is required to produce a strategy like this (with its broad 30 year outlook) every six years. More detailed planning reflecting the overall focus of the strategy is then developed every three years via a Regional Land Transport Programme.
Who develops the RLTS?
The RLTS has been developed by the Regional Transport Committee for Taranaki, which is made up of representatives from Taranaki Regional Council, each district council in the region, the New Zealand Transport Agency and individuals representing the New Zealand Transport Strategy objectives of: access and mobility, environmental sustainability, economic development, public health, safety and personal security, as well as a cultural interest representative.
How did we get here?
The RLTS 2011-2041 is essentially a refresh of the previous strategy. The process for developing this Strategy began in late-2009 with the release of RLTS Discussion Paper which was publicly consulted on throughout the Region. As the previous RLTS was only developed four years ago, many of the issues from that document were still relevant in the current context and thus formed the basis for the Discussion Paper. As a result of this consultation, two new challenges for the Region were added – peak oil issues and transport's contribution to climate change and global warming.
Our vision
The vision of the Strategy is:
To contribute to the transformation of New Zealand through a transport system in Taranaki that is safe, reliable and effective, and connects Taranaki with other parts of New Zealand and the world.
To achieve this vision, several land transport outcomes have been developed to help define the region's priorities. That is, a land transport system that:
- Encourages and assists economic development and a thriving economy.
- Promotes tourism opportunities.
- Contributes to New Zealand's economic growth and productivity.
- Provides for and supports agricultural production and growth.
- Is safe, secure and reliable.
- Encourages and assists access and mobility.
- Protects and promotes public health.
- Promotes healthy transport choices.
- Promotes environmental sustainability and recognises cultural values.
- Avoids, minimises and/or mitigates environmental impacts.
- Is safe, efficient and responsive to changing needs of all transport modes to reduce travel times and congestion.
- Is convenient and attractive to use.
- Is efficient and accessible to everyone.
- Is well integrated.
- Connects Taranaki with the rest of New Zealand and the world.
- Has improved safety, consistency of service, efficiency and reliability of road, rail, walking and cycling, freight, public transport and intermodal (sea and air) links with neighbouring regions.
Background documents
These reports and studies were prepared during the development of the current RLTS, and fed information into it:
RLTS Background Report: Relationship of policies with key strategic documents (138 KB)
RLTS Background Report: Taranaki Region – key regional characteristics and relevant statistics (1.3 MB)
RLTS Background Report: Development of Strategic Options (55 KB)
Regional Passenger Transport Plan for Taranaki
The Regional Public Transport Plan is prepared by the Taranaki Regional Council under the Public Transport Management Act 2008.
The Plan’s vision is for accessible and integrated public passenger transport services that cater for the needs of the people of Taranaki (including the transport disadvantaged) at a reasonable cost and in a manner which contributes to a prosperous, connected, healthy, vibrant and environmentally sustainable community.
The Plan:
- specifies how the Taranaki Regional Council will give effect to the Regional Land Transport Strategy for Taranaki;
- sets out the Regional Council’s plans for public transport in Taranaki for the next ten years and describes the public transport services the Council intends to provide in the region with a focus on the next three years and sets out a programme of action;
- gives an overview of the public transport in the Taranaki region; and
- outlines the Regional Council’s approach to funding and working within the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) funding constraints.
Regional Public Transport Plan for Taranaki 2012-2022 (497 KB)
Regional Walkways and Cycleways Strategy for Taranaki
The Council developed the Regional Walkways and Cycleways Strategy to promote the increased uptake of walking and cycling activities throughout Taranaki.
This is the first such strategy document for the region and provides a framework for developing and implementing a range of walking and cycling related initiatives. It is also an extension of New Zealand's commitment to promoting walking and cycling throughout the country.
Regional Walkways and Cycleways Strategy for Taranaki (4.1 MB)