New Zealand Utilities Advisory Group New Zealand Utilities Advisory Group Utilities and the Road Corridor 12–21 July 2005 Have Your Say on Current NZUAG Issues Peter Berry Utilities and the Road Corridor 12–21 July 2005 Have Your Say on Current NZUAG Issues Peter Berry

Current Issues Competency and Qualifications Civil Defence Emergency Management Facilitating Partnering Agreements/Working in the Roads Promoting the use of Best Practice Guidelines Promoting Debate: – Poles in Roads – Trees in Roads – Space in Road Reserve – Undergrounding of Services – Safety Around Utilities in Road Reserve

“RCAs and Principal Providers are concerned about ensuring the total quality of a project and that the contractor had in place safety, health and quality plans and processes to enable these outcomes.” Competency & Qualifications

Concerns from Employers/Contractors: Level of training required Suitability of current training Role of safety and quality management systems Role of “non-NZQA” based training Recognition of Current Competencies (RCC) Compliance costs Competency & Qualifications

NZUAG Actions: Independent review of work to date TQS1 and TQS2 (Review? Usage?) Traffic Management (COPTTM/LRS) Multi-utility safety Update Working in the Road Handbook Competency & Qualifications

Working in the Road Acknowledges existing legislation and responsibilities. Sets out the minimum requirements for working in the roads. To succeed SNZ HB 2002:2003 needs the commitment required from all parties to work together, co-operate and co-ordinate.

Technical excellence Quality National consistency Competency in our workforce Excellence in health and safety Working in the Road - Outcomes

Market Size 74 local authorities 12 regional councils Transit NZ 50 utility organisations More Partnering Agreements! Working in the Road/Partnering Agreements

So, what are the impediments to using Working in the Road?

Share works programmes: – 12 month major works – 3 month minor works Problem solving: – 3 rd party damage – Obstructions – Bark gardens One-stop-shop for traffic management plans. Working Together: The Rotorua Experience

Breaks down barriers between council and utilities. Formalises what we were doing anyway. Proves we talk and listen to each other. Fixes any gaps in communications. Rotorua says…

National consistency Improved safety performance Improved quality Lower compliance costs How are Best Practice Guidelines reflected in Principal Provider and Service Provider documents? Promoting Use of Best Practice Guidelines

Best Practice Document

“…We are moving to a situation now where the roads are becoming a modern day commons, and are inadequately regulated, and fail to encourage co-operation and collaboration.” [Mai Chen, NZUAG Conference 2002] Promoting Debate – “The Tragedy of the Commons”

 What are the “communities” acceptable level of benefit/risk for utilities in roads?  How should the risks (community, utility, road users) be managed?  Costs/benefits/who defines the “hazard” and who pays for “hazard” mitigation?  Legislative framework – consistency, equity  Economic impact of utilities Issues in the Utility/Roading Debate

1. Trees & Poles in Roads  New Zealand Transport Strategy – Utility Discussion?  Transit NZ/LTSA “research” – Utility Discussion?  RCA “policies” – Utility Discussion?  Utility position - Existing services/new services - Risk management - Private land?  Cost/benefit  Legislation Specific Issues

2. Undergrounding of Services  Utility/RCA/TLA policies  Existing services  New services  Costs/benefits  Maintenance/operation costs Specific Issues contd…

3. Space in Road Reserve  Management of the “commons”  Planning and co-ordination of utilities services in road corridors/economic growth  Trees and other amenity services 4. Safety Around Utilities in Road Reserve  Asset damage  Road/utility reinstatement  Working around utility assets Specific Issues contd…

Utility Access to Road Reserve The road corridors (“commonland”) Competing interests amongst utilities “Space” management Public good/economic development/safety Costs/benefits Voluntary agreements or legislated outcomes? Co-ordination/planning/discussion Promoting Debate