Andrew Curthoys

Agree this is an excellent document released by Engineers Australia in Road Safety Week (Australia). Couple of key takeaways for me..... Background: Contrary to Safe System principles, blaming drivers and victims remains commonplace in driver education and safety campaigns. This is reinforced by comments urging motorists to take more care on the roads whenever a senior official or politician is interviewed after a fatal crash. We never tell pilots to take more care after a fatal airplane crash; we investigate thoroughly and take action to eliminate or reduce the probability of the event recurring. We need to keep shifting the conversation more towards improving the transport system, not just driver behaviour, if we are going to drive down deaths and serious injuries. We know in New Zealand 50% of fatal crashes and 75% of serious injury crashes are a result of common human error, not serious violations. Opportunities: Governments must establish dedicated and independent road safety agencies or departments responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive strategies, coordinating efforts across different sectors, and monitoring progress without unwarranted external influence. These agencies can collaborate with law enforcement agencies, transport departments, and industry associations to ensure a comprehensive, coordinated and holistic approach. When I started my career New Zealand did have such an agency (Land Transport Safety Authority - LTSA) and that agency made huge strides in improving road safety. Having looked back at the work of agency, its clear that it contributed to the reduction in deaths and serious injuries through the 1990s and 2000s. Many of the current senior safety experts across both countries made a start in that organization or did work for it. See my road safety history posts. I need to do a few more post on the contribution of LTSA.

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Some information was released overnight about the LNP Housing Plan, ahead of today's State Budget reply speech. While there are still many details to come, it's encouraging to see some of the proposed measures in scope, including shared equity programs and major infrastructure partnerships with local government to increase housing supply. New and innovative concepts for maximising church-owned land and utiliising vacant bedrooms make for interesting reading. And if the reports are accurate, there is a strong commitment to achieving housing targets leading up to 2046. Q Shelter is looking forward to unpacking all the details and providing useful budget analysis for the sector. This will include areas of convergence with the major parties on housing policy and differences in approaches. https://lnkd.in/g6FcR_Qh Stay tuned. #StateBudget #Housing #Homelessness #HomeMatters #BetterTogether #Queensland

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Take a look at the newest edition of the Public Sector Journal from IPANZ, the Institute of Public Administration New Zealand. This issue covers: - Realising the potential of the first 2000 days: A social investment opportunity. - Embracing accountability: Chief Ombudsman New Zealand, Peter Boshier's reflections on public sector complaints processes. - He Māori Ahau conference: Empowering Māori in public service. - Why ethical AI and governance is just good information management practice, with Stephen Clarke MRIM. - Meaningful performance reporting: How do we get there? John Ryan, Controller and Office of the Auditor-General, New Zealand. - Cracking the code: What drives our behaviours and how to harness them for policy-making, with Abigail Bender. - Digital public infrastructure explained Luke Collier outlines what digital public infrastructure is and why the public sector and all of Aotearoa New Zealand need to get on board with it. - Kiwis under the lens: An inside look at New Zealand’s social media surveillance, with Rachel Levinson-Waldman. - Is New Zealand a world leader in public budgeting? derek gill looks at New Zealand’s Open Budget survey results and highlights the need for continuous improvement. - Zaira Najam reviews the 'Here Now' podcast episode and the recently published book 'Social Developments' written by Tim Garlick. - Learn about the Policy Project, based at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. I have been a member of IPANZ for several years, and recently joined as a member of their Journal Advisory Group because I see real value from this organization. If you have topics you think should be covered in future issues, pass me a message. If you are a public servant, you likely have more access than you know through your employer's membership status. Take a look at some of the resources, training, events and the Journal. Thanks Kay for the connection.

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South Australia was number one across four key pillars, praised for its legislative framework, efficiency, clarity and progressive planning system. The report found: “…bold leadership on planning reform has led to creating a planning system that is the gold standard for being user-friendly and demonstrates how planning can be facilitated. Other states should take note.” It follows a similar recent result, with SA’s planning system ranked number one by the Business Council of Australia.

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Today I announced I am investigating five local authorities, including two big, council-controlled, infrastructure providers. I have decided it is time to look at Auckland Transport and Wellington Water because of their huge impact on millions of New Zealander’s lives. Between the two entities, they provide roading, public transport and parking in New Zealand’s biggest city, and deliver water services to its capital and surrounding areas. It is really important for residents to have open and transparent access to information about the decisions that affect them. I am also investigating Wellington City Council, Queenstown Lakes District Council, and Marlborough District Council, as part of my regular programme of looking at Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (LGOIMA) practice and compliance at local authorities. I want to hear from anyone who has requested information from Auckland Transport, Wellington Water, Wellington City Council, Marlborough District Council or Queenstown Lakes District Council. I also want to hear from anyone who has attended a public meeting, workshop or informal meeting organised by the Councils, or an Auckland Transport meeting about making, or made, a bylaw. I’m interested in your views on these local authorities’ commitment to openness and transparency. The surveys are open until Friday 29 November 2024 Public survey for Marlborough District Council, Wellington City Council, Wellington Water and Queenstown Lakes District Council - https://lnkd.in/gvZKBFsn Public survey for Auckland Transport - https://lnkd.in/g_BvEtnt More about my investigation, and links to my terms of reference, are available at https://lnkd.in/gU3ywtUZ My public surveys look at the experience people had with any of these agencies. They are not designed to reopen individual cases. For any new complaint, please go to https://lnkd.in/gf7K4f24

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Explaining the mahi with property data

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Earlier today, together with Chief Executive Chris McLay and Councillor Warren Maher (Chair of the Strategy and Policy Committee), I spoke to Waikato Regional Council's submission on the Fast Track Approval Bill, being heard by the Environment Select Committee. Many people speaking to the select committee serve communities to improve their quality of life, to support regional economies, and to ensure the longevity of the environment that we all enjoy. To do this effectively we need an understandable, implementable and defensible statutory framework. WRC supports the intention to provide a simplified consenting pathway for significant projects, and I acknowledge the economic productivity outcomes being sought by the Bill. We want the Waikato to continue its significant contribution to the country, but we are mindful that this must occur within a frame of responsible environmental management. In essence we support a fast-track process which ensures the right projects are enabled in the right places and in a manner that does not create unintended consequences or legacy impact for our ratepayers, communities and our environment. Our submission provides recommendations to improve workability, clarity and certainty for those using and providing input to the fast-track approvals process. Here are some of our recommendations: 🔹 Cost-recovery provisions need to be extended to include all reasonable costs incurred by councils in participating in fast-track processes. As stewards of ratepayer investment our council is focused on who covers the costs of the new process. 🔹 Final decisions on approvals, including setting consent conditions, should be made by the expert panel. This has worked well in the previous fast track consent process. 🔹 We want certainty that comments from local authorities be effectively considered. 🔹 That the Bill requires a more balanced consideration of economic and environmental matters and that prohibited activities (in a resource management planning document) be listed as ineligible activities. 🔹 That the Bill requires consideration of a project’s potential impacts on council assets such as drainage and flood protection schemes and that any upgrades to these schemes required following approvals under the Bill are funded by the applicant. We believe there's potential for the Bill to achieve the economic outcomes it seeks. But in its current form there are some potentially unintended consequences and unfunded mandates. We think improvements can be made to ensure efficiency of process and management of the impacts can occur. Regional councils play a significant role in providing expert advice on fast-track applications. We believe voices of local authorities should be strongly considered in the development of the Bill, particularly given the reduction in councils’ responsibilities in exercising their own plans and policies which are developed in conjunction with, and funded entirely by, our communities.

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New on WalkSydney.org: Submission on Guide to Traffic Impact Assessment Marc Lane and Regina Haertsch wrote a submission to the Draft Guide to Transport Impact Assessment, lightly edited below. The parts of the Guide that directly address walking are unobjectionable in themselves, requiring consideration of walking space and safe crossing locations. Our concerns are rather with the lack of imagination around continuing to design for high levels of car mode share, and this is what the submission focuses on. As the peak body advocating for walking in the Greater Sydney region, WalkSydney welcomes the opportunity to provide input into this new guide.  Transport Assessment should start with walking and cycling In London, a mandatory Healthy Streets Transport Assessment starts by identifying all the destinations within walking and cycling distance required to support a car-free lifestyle, and then identifying what infrastructure supports accessing them.  Where infrastructure is missing, the development must contribute to that infrastructure being built: Example Healthy Streets TA mapping of nearby destinations that would enable residents to live a car-free lifestyle – which results in the remainder of the transport assessment mapping walking, cycling and bus links within and around the proposal to be delivered by the project, in support of accessing the destinations above, by Arup for Meridian Waters, UK This approach turns on its head the approach of the Guide to Traffic Generating Development (GTGD) and, to a degree, the Guide to Traffic Impact Assessment (GTIA).  Rather than assuming a traffic generation rate (with slightly less, or more cars), It starts with the proposition that new development should be car-free.  This has a direct and clear line of sight not only to transport policy but also public health and Net Zero, which is equally important here.  Such an explicit objective will complement and be consistent with the NSW Government’s Transport Oriented Development Program.  As The Netherlands has demonstrated since the 1960’s, it is essential to design for a desired transport outcome. This same logic should be taken into Chapter 4 Travel Demand Management – requiring for example Green Travel Plans (ie reduction of car travel) as its primary aim, rather than merely peak-spreading or rerouting of the same volume of traffic elsewhere. The GTIA must adapt to the Climate Change (Net Zero Future) Act 2023 The Net Zero Commission is due to set sectoral targets including Transport, the second largest emitter after energy.  As WalkSydney recently stated to the Federal Climate Change Authority (CCA), mode shift is key to low emissions transport. The countries that are changing their transport emissions the fastest are doing so by embracing mode shift.  Compare Australia, where the CCA are predicting GHG emissions to rise from cars, vs France where GHG emissions from transport are stable and falling, particularly cars: CCA ‘O...

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NEW PROJECT, with Transport for NSW and the University of Technology Sydney. This research project is a continuation of the Evaluation and Implementation of Shared Spaces in NSW research program, which to date has provided a summary of existing knowledge concerning the topic and background research to define a local evidence base. This project initiates data collection by conducting a macroscopic speed and safety analysis of the road network in the context of the location of shared spaces. It will provide a high-level understanding of the effectiveness of implementations, serving as guidance for future strategic planning of shared road infrastructure. #roadsafety #transportplanning cc. Stephanie T., Felix Hamilton, Ben Cebuliak, Yanos Fill-Dryden, Luke Wilby, Emma Koh, Kasun Wijayaratna, Cecilia da Rocha

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On point, with "playing" being the operative word here. And when they say regional, I'd differentiate the 3 or 4 centres that typically comprise regional WA from a housing delivery perspective, - with the remaining 110 or so local government areas.

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“The productivity of work is not the responsibility of the worker, but of the manager” - Peter Drucker I am delighted to announce the commencement of our research programme in Rotorua, which is testing an innovative approach to materials supply, logistics and contracting. The Kāinga Ora Delivery Transformation group is helping to synergise the link between the sequencing of tasks, the in-progress work and materials supply, linking our organisation more closely to its partners as we undertake construction projects together. The Delivery Transformation System team leading this research programme have been guided by a few key principles; - Strong focus on outcomes through training and development - Transparency on all levels - Eliminating ill-placed risk - Synergistic partnerships - Systematic study - Time in motion - Standardisation - Clear division of labour - Empowering people at the coalface On our first project, we are privileged to be partnering with TW Construction (Formerly Hawke's Bay Construction Company) and Mitre10 who share our vision for industry-wide improvement. Gareth Hawthorn – Waikato Regional Manager says: “We are excited to get this pilot started and to see some great results for New Zealanders. Planning together and having a strong focus on mutual success is a needed industry shift and we are eager to move in this direction with Kāinga Ora.” This programme is part of the wider Kāinga Ora transformation programme, which continues to seek out ways we can improve the speed of delivery across the business. https://lnkd.in/gxmQnvBC

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Victoria's Big Build program has ambitious plans to reshape the state’s transport infrastructure, but program challenges are an inevitable part of such a large-scale initiative. The complexity of coordinating multiple projects and stakeholders can lead to unforeseen setbacks. However, these challenges also provide opportunities for reflection and adaptation. Early risk management strategies, transparent communication, and stakeholder engagement are crucial in navigating delays. Learning from past experiences can lead to more resilient planning processes that not only mitigate impacts but also enhance the overall quality of project delivery. As the program evolves, adaptability will be key to ensuring these projects deliver lasting benefits for Victorians. #JohnstonPMC #JohnstonProjectManagementConsulting #VictoriasBigBuild #Infrastructure #BigBuild

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Cultural change is critical to success in all professions but particularly as we embrace technology, digital and data and the benefits and opportunities that will be delivered. You are part of the cultural change opportunity in your organisation, so are you embracing data and digital to help improve your service delivery? As a planner it is great to see the Planning Institute of Australia release these new PlanTech resources. The first document of its kind to be tailored to planners, by planners, the guideline introduces practical and well-tested approaches to digital innovation. Each section addresses common cultural and technical challenges faced when getting started with digital innovation, including strategies to get your team on board with doing something new and how to establish a healthy relationship with software vendors. Embracing change is important if we want our profession to thrive and grow. These are resources well worth examining. #plantech #embracingchange #culturalchange #betteroutcomes #data #digital #planning #betterfutures #bettercities #smartcities #improvedprocess #digitisation #engagement #consultation #projectdelivery #betterplanning https://lnkd.in/geXzuA9T

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The Government has released the transport update to the ACT Infrastructure Plan, outlining work completed since 2019 and further short, medium and long-term investments in the Territory’s transport system. The release of the ACT Infrastructure Plan Update: Transport outlines projects the Government will continue to invest in to make it easier for Canberrans to get from A to B, whether on foot or by bicycle, car, bus or light rail. This includes the extension of the light rail network south through the city to Commonwealth Park, the National Triangle and on to Woden. Other initiatives include the Garden City and Kingston Cycleways, the Molonglo River Bridge, and road upgrades right across Canberra. The release of the transport sector update reinforces the Government’s commitment to delivering the transport options needed for our growing city, which is on track to reach 500,000 people by 2027. For more information about what we’re building today to transform tomorrow, visit: builtforcbr.act.gov.au.

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This morning I was reflecting on the strengths and challenges of the better planning approval program that the Victorian State Government ran until 2023. The program was effective, delivering tangible improvements. Hypereal supported two Councils to streamline processes, digitise services and tackle some real pain points for staff and customers. As a program it would have been a stretch to address headline-grabbing issues like housing shortages, but let's be honest - the issue there isn't with Council approval processes. But it did bring some consistency to the way the planning scheme is delivered, without removing the agency of individual Councils to customise their service to the local context. While it's a shame the program isn't ongoing, their legacy is a library of tried and tested tools that Councils can adapt to improve their operations. If Councils in Vic (or beyond) are looking to implement these resources and need some guidance, reach out for a chat. #LocalGovernment #Planning #ContinuousImprovement #CustomerExperience #DigitalTransformation #PlanningReform

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We kicked off #AusRail Day 1 with an insightful presentation from Narelle Rogers, MAPP, Executive Advisor of Rail Capability and Engagement, at the NTC.  Narelle outlined how the National Rail Action Plan, led by the NTC, is connecting people and systems to create a mobile workforce. The program of significant national reform is reducing the burden on workers across the rail industry by achieving greater consistency and harmonisation of operating rules, processes, standards and technology. It’ll mean less time lost to training, better workforce mobility and reduced safety risks. Digital transformation in rail and the roll out of modern signalling systems will require the development of new skills and competencies. This presents an opportunity to align on operating rules and worker training from the outset. It’ll support a nationally skilled workforce that can build, operate and maintain these new digital signalling systems into the future. We’re also excited to hear from our Chair, Carolyn Walsh, who will be giving tomorrow’s opening keynote on how the National Rail Action Plan is shaping the future of rail in Australia. You can find out more about the National Rail Action Plan at https://shorturl.at/ASWgK AusRAIL

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Macroplan recently lodged a submission to a new Plan for Victoria. Here is a summary of our recommendations: 1. Review of current open space planning and community infrastructure funding arrangements to give Councils and developers greater certainty and better tools for funding and delivering infrastructure. The Victorian Government’s housing targets suggest a requirement for up to 14,000 hectares of new open space in the next three decades. Where will it be delivered? 2. Review building heights to enable sensible densification in locations where it makes most sense e.g. no height limits in activity centre zones. Our discussions with the construction sector shows when ‘efficiencies of scale’ are achieved in multi-unit residential developments, this supports housing diversity, improves housing affordability and reduces rental prices. 3. Extend the urban growth boundary in areas where there are limited or no significant environmental or cultural heritage issues. Many of Melbourne’s key growth corridors have less than 5 years zoned residential land supply, which will start to put upward pressure on land and house prices in fringe locations. 4. Review the existing retail hierarchy to allow for supermarkets / express format uses in residential areas. The Victorian Government’s housing targets suggest a requirement for at least 300 new full-line supermarkets in the next three decades. Where will they be located? 5. Remove local Council rate caps and review existing ICP/DCP provisions to allow further cost-recovery for local infrastructure similar to NSW. 6. Include broader definitions of ‘affordable dwelling’ types in Planning Schemes, which may be built in Residential Zones, Green Wedge Zones, Farm Zones and Special Use Zones e.g. - Affordable Housing Estate (i.e. 30% affordable housing/10% social housing). - Affordable Housing Building (i.e. 30% affordable units). - Affordable Caravan Parks (30% affordable stock). - Affordable Retirement Villages / Land Lease Communities. (30% affordable/10% social). 7. Institute an Affordable Housing Corporation (or similar) with a mandate to oversee and support the delivery of affordable dwellings, with a requirement to ensure 10% affordable dwellings (which may equate to up to 6,000 dwellings p.a. or up to $3 billion in new dwellings. 8. Consider other scenarios for Melbourne’s future growth, besides a compact city model, which according to Infrastructure Victoria would have greater potential to increase affordable housing supply, improve whole-of-city amenity and reduce carbon emissions. 9. Engage in an ongoing dialogue with industry and the consumer market about the realities of what’s happening on the ground. We encourage all interested individuals and organisations to share their submissions, thoughts, recommendations, and feedback. See our submission https://lnkd.in/g3pj7VcZ. #anewplanforvictoria, #housingsupply, #housingcrisis, #macroplan

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The Labor-Greens Government has failed to deliver on an equitable fare system for Canberrans, a Liberal Government will implement a cheaper fare system that is equitable to all Canberrans. We need a fare system that is simpler and innovative to increase the use of public transport and secure more new passengers. A Canberra Liberals Government will: • Deliver more flexible payment options through MyWay+ • Set up a free travel zone in the city area. • Provide discounts for regular use through capped weekly fares. We will cap weekly public transport fares, with the weekly adult journey in 2025 being capped at $25. The current single one way adult fare is $3.55, our weekly cap would save commuters up to $19.70 a week or $1024.40 a year. Our policy would encourage the use of public transport off peak and on the weekends, as weekend usage would essentially become free for weekday commuters.

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Day in the life of.... Welcome to a part of my world where we deal with bridge strikes. Most of us have been impacted by these in one way or another. Despite us all knowing that they cause so much disruption and significant fall-out, we as asset owners (as well as operational and emergency response groups) are still having to respond to them. Advertising campaigns are a great way to raise awareness of bridge strikes in the event to prevent strikes - for example, see a recent one here for Queensland: https://lnkd.in/gvXJqHu7 As are websites like this 😃 https://lnkd.in/gu3Qs_PT To help improve better outcomes around these issues, the Austroads Bridge Task Force are running a project with our delivery partners Hartecs Group to explore all aspects of bridge strikes of Australia, leveraging off some good work PIARC - World Road Association have released in 2022 (https://lnkd.in/gDSx622T) We are in the phase of capturing feedback from our broader bridge community/industry in order to capture best Australian and New Zealand practice and things that we should consider in the development of a broader guideline on this topic (see more information here: https://lnkd.in/g_jBDTrp). This could include those doing 'prevention and cure' designs, those responding from a network operations perspective, those with technology and ways to mitigate/manage strikes, and what works and doesn't work. Noting that there is no silver bullet to solve bridge strikes, but collectively there are some great strategies, processes and tools that all contribute to better outcomes. The survey due date has been extended to Friday 18 October. Please take some time to complete this survey to share your thoughts and experiences on this important topic. Any questions, feel free to reach out directly to myself, Sujitha Gopal, David Freer or Tara Page.

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