Introduction

As issues arise which require a coordinated approach from the sector to resolve, the RCA Forum establishes a working group. These working groups seek to complete their task as expeditiously as possible, but continue as long as the issues require attention. Membership normally comprises representatives of local authority members and New Zealand Transport Agency members as appropriate. Some issues, such as the spillage of stock effluent onto roads from trucks or the demands on footpaths, involve organisations outside of the Forum membership, as such wider-sector cooperation is essential to achieving successful outcomes.

Similarly, new issues and sector challenges are constantly arising. Providing for cycling and active transport modes has become an important issue for members and a working group has been established to ensure that a coordinated approach identifies best practice. The increasing demands being placed on footpaths by an expanding range of modes prompted a new working group to be established to address this issue in 2016. The challenges facing many rural members are being recognised, too, with a new group being established to investigate funding the accelerated pavement consumption of low volume roads from unplanned heavy vehicle traffic.

Membership of working groups turns over regularly and new volunteers are always welcome to ensure that the membership is fully represented. Where members have a particular interest in any issue, they should make this known, so that they can be given an opportunity to become involved in a working group or reference group on that issue if the need arises. Contact us.

The Forum will also work with outside working groups, such as the NZ Utilities Advisory Group, the RIMS (Road Information Management Systems) Group and the Road Efficiency Group (REG).

Current working groups and members

A working group has been established to identify, prioritise and seek to address a range of road-rail issues that currently impact local government.  The first meeting will be held Oct/Nov 2021. The Road-Rail Working Group comprises: Bruce Conaghan (Christchurch), Andrea Nicol (Ruapehu District Council), Darrell Statham (Porirua City Council), Eddie Cook (KiwiRail), Gareth Williams (Auckland Transport), Jennifer Forret (KiwiRail), Matt Williams (mdc), Mike Harrison (Waitaki District Council), Sebastian Jew (Waka Kotahi), Tiffany Edwards (KiwiRail). Bruce Conaghan is the convener.

Closed working groups and members

The Road-Rail Issues Group comprises: Bruce Conaghan (Christchurch), Eddie Cook (KiwiRail), Glenn Bunting (NZTA), Philip Shackleton, (LGNZ). Bruce Conaghan is the convener.

The Dust Working Group, which comprises: Tom Simonson (LGNZ), Louise Wickham (for Ministry of Health), Bernard Peterson (Kaipara), Steve Murrin (NZTA – Marlborough), Jacqui Robson and Cr Ann Court (Far North), Greg Haldane (NZTA), Karen Parcell (BoP Regional Council and National Air Quality Working Group), Glen Mackie and Grant Rutledge (NZ Forest Owners Association).

The Active Modes Infrastructure Group comprises: Gerry Dance (NZTA), Glenn Bunting (NZTA), Tim Hughes (NZTA), Simon Kennett (NZTA), Paul Barker (Wellington), Claire Sharland (Taupo), Ina Stenzel (Auckland Transport), Clare Cassidy (Tauranga), Jodie Lawson (Rotorua Lakes), Nick Marshall or Sandi Morris (Whangarei), Steve Dejong (Christchurch), Simon Cager (Hutt), Mark Edwards, Adam Beattie, Hjarne Poulsen, Kelera Qaraniqio, and Glen Koorey, representing the IPENZ Transportation Group. Gerry Dance and Wayne Newman are co-conveners.

Research and Guidelines Steering Group

Special Interest Group on Low Volume Roads

Shared Footpaths Group Issues relating to shared footpaths have been transferred to the Active Modes Infrastructure Group.