Latest news with #WakaKotahiNZTransportAgency
Otago Daily Times
01-08-2025
- Automotive
- Otago Daily Times
25% of district's cars unwarranted
A quarter of Waitaki's total passenger vehicle fleet is unwarranted, latest data shows. Data supplied from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency show, as of July 28, a total of 4651 private, passenger-class vehicles did not have a warrant of fitness. That is 24% of the 19,070 passenger vehicles (car or van) that are required have an up-to-date, "passed" warrant. Nationally, just 16% of the vehicle fleet is unwarranted. Of those lacking a warrant of fitness in Waitaki, 1009 vehicles are also lacking a current registration (annual licence). There are 813 vehicles that have a warrant but no registration. The situation was put into the spotlight after an Oamaru man questioned why vehicles regularly parked on a street in Oamaru with no valid warrant and/or licence were not being issued tickets or infringement notices. He was told the issue dated back six years and a decision of the Waitaki District Council not to apply to central government for the necessary delegated power to issue stationary vehicle offence notices. "Registration of vehicles is a central government licensing and taxation requirement; warrant of fitness is a vehicle safety issue which is outside the enforcement capability of council," WDC regulatory manager Andrew Bardsley said. "Council has a bylaw that allows it to enforce 'parking' related issues, not vehicle safety or licensing non-compliance. Applying for this delegation would make us the enforcement, and revenue collection agency for central government, but would require resourcing from the council. "Waitaki District Council is responsible for the safety of council roads, and enforcement of parking-related issues. New Zealand Police are responsible for the safety and licensing of vehicles using the roads." Police say they attend parking issues "if available, depending on other deployment priorities". The government will be reviewing warrant frequency and inspection requirements for light vehicles as part of the Land Transport Rules Reform Programme, which encompasses several workstreams that aim to reduce compliance and improve safety and fleet quality. "One of these workstreams is reviewing warrant of fitness and certificate of fitness frequency and inspection requirements for light vehicles while ensuring the safety of those vehicles is of a high standard," Associate Transport Minister James Meager said. "This work is ongoing. We'll have more information to share in due course."
Otago Daily Times
01-08-2025
- Automotive
- Otago Daily Times
25% of district's cars un-warranted
A quarter of Waitaki's total passenger vehicle fleet is un-warranted, latest data shows. Data supplied from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency show, as of July 28, a total of 4651 private, passenger-class vehicles did not have a warrant of fitness. That is 24% of the 19,070 passenger vehicles (car or van) that are required have an up-to-date, "passed" warrant. Nationally, just 16% of the vehicle fleet is un-warranted. Of those lacking a warrant of fitness in Waitaki, 1009 vehicles are also lacking a current registration (annual licence). There are 813 vehicles that have a warrant but no registration. The situation was put into the spotlight after an Oamaru man questioned why vehicles regularly parked on a street in Oamaru with no valid warrant and/or licence were not being issued tickets or infringement notices. He was told the issue dated back six years and a decision of the Waitaki District Council not to apply to central government for the necessary delegated power to issue stationary vehicle offence notices. "Registration of vehicles is a central government licensing and taxation requirement; warrant of fitness is a vehicle safety issue which is outside the enforcement capability of council," WDC regulatory manager Andrew Bardsley said. "Council has a bylaw that allows it to enforce 'parking' related issues, not vehicle safety or licensing non-compliance. Applying for this delegation would make us the enforcement, and revenue collection agency for central government, but would require resourcing from the council. "Waitaki District Council is responsible for the safety of council roads, and enforcement of parking-related issues. New Zealand Police are responsible for the safety and licensing of vehicles using the roads." Police say they attend parking issues "if available, depending on other deployment priorities". The government will be reviewing warrant frequency and inspection requirements for light vehicles as part of the Land Transport Rules Reform Programme, which encompasses several workstreams that aim to reduce compliance and improve safety and fleet quality. "One of these workstreams is reviewing warrant of fitness and certificate of fitness frequency and inspection requirements for light vehicles while ensuring the safety of those vehicles is of a high standard," Associate Transport Minister James Meager said. "This work is ongoing. We'll have more information to share in due course."
Scoop
30-07-2025
- Automotive
- Scoop
TruckSafe New Zealand Supports AFMS
Press Release – TruckSafe New Zealand The AFMS is a flexible risk-based system that allows transport businesses to vary driver work and rest times beyond standard legal limits, but only where robust fatigue management systems are in place and approved by the regulator. TruckSafe New Zealand, the industry-designed and independently audited safety management system, is now supporting transport operators nationwide in preparing for and achieving approval under the Alternative Fatigue Management Scheme (AFMS) framework set out by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency. The AFMS is a flexible risk-based system that allows transport businesses to vary driver work and rest times beyond standard legal limits, but only where robust fatigue management systems are in place and approved by the regulator. TruckSafe New Zealand provides operators with exactly that: a comprehensive, fit-for-purpose safety management structure that aligns with the AFMS performance standards. 'TruckSafe is uniquely positioned to help operators meet the rigorous expectations of AFMS,' says Carol McGeady, Director of TruckSafe New Zealand. 'It provides the documented policies, procedures, training frameworks, and internal review systems that the Transport Agency requires for AFMS approval. It takes the guesswork out of compliance.' TruckSafe New Zealand has been developed by industry, for industry, and covers key areas critical to fatigue management, including driver fitness for duty, safe scheduling and rostering, training and supervision, and vehicle safety. Through independent auditing and structured documentation, TruckSafe gives operators the confidence to demonstrate compliance with both the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and the Land Transport Act 1998. Benefits of TruckSafe-aligned AFMS readiness include: Clear fatigue prevention policies and responsibilities Proven systems for monitoring driver work/rest time Driver consultation and engagement processes Documented countermeasures for flexible operating limits Independent verification through external audit TruckSafe also provides tools and guidance to help operators plan effective rest strategies, document countermeasures, and gather the evidence needed to submit a strong AFMS application. For operators that subcontract or work with contractors, TruckSafe's structure supports Joint Management provisions ensuring wider compliance across the transport supply chain. 'We know that setting up an AFMS can seem complex and time-consuming, but TruckSafe makes it manageable,' said Carol McGeady (TruckSafe New Zealand Director) 'It's a proactive step that enhances operational flexibility and positions businesses as leaders in safety and compliance.' With AFMS approval increasingly recognised as a mark of excellence in fatigue management, and likely to feature in future procurement and tender requirements operators who act now will be better placed to win contracts, retain good drivers, and reduce fatigue-related incidents.
Otago Daily Times
15-07-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
WW2-type bridge considered for flood-prone Canterbury stream
A bailey bridge is being considered for the Wharekiri Stream. Photo: Supplied by Shirley Millard A bailey bridge is one option being considered to give Clarence Valley residents more reliable road access. Developed during World War II, bailey bridges are commonly used as temporary structures or for emergency situations. Kaikōura District Council chief executive Will Doughty said a range of options are being considered, following Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency's (NZTA) decision last month not to extend a sunset clause on funding for a replacement bridge on the Waiau Toa Clarence River, north of Kaikōura. Doughty said the council has previously considered a bailey bridge as a temporary solution, but the cost blew out to $2m when it became clear steel abutments would be needed. ''The stream has changed, so we will relook at that. The elected members are keen to see what is the best bang for buck.'' The Glen Alton bridge was destroyed in the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in 2016. The NZTA board approved emergency works funding of $12.6m from the National Land Transport Programme in 2019 to replace the bridge - a 95 percent subsidy. But the project has been beset by delays, leading to NZTA's funding being withdrawn and leaving landowners high and dry. The council has left the local share of $500,000 in the 2025/26 annual plan budget. The remains of the Glen Alton bridge in the Clarence Valley, north of Kaikoura. Photo: Supplied by Kaikōura District Council Doughty said property owners have not given up on the goal of a replacement bridge over the Waiau Toa Clarence River. The cost of the building a new bridge is now estimated to cost $16.5m and the council would need to acquire land for an access road and a resource consent from Environment Canterbury. The previous road access was taken out by the earthquake. ''The indications are a consent might only be valid for five years, so we would need to look at what is the likelihood of getting the funding within that timeframe,'' Doughty said. The Clarence Valley is home to several properties, including forestry blocks, large hill country properties and Department of Conservation land. For now access in and out is via Waipapa Road, Wharekiri Stream and a paper road through several properties. But the Wharekiri Stream is prone to flooding in heavy rain events and can be impassable for up to two weeks. Access is by four-wheel-drive only. Doughty said the cost of installing a bailey bridge on the Wharekiri Stream would depend on the size of the bridge and how long it was needed for. Bailey bridges were typically hired, rather than being a permanent structure, and could cost upwards of $30,000 a year for a single span bridge. It was unclear how any solution would be paid for or whether property owners would be asked to contribute. ''No conversations have been had with landowners about contributing,'' Doughty said. ''It is too early to say, but we've got to look at all options. By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter ■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Scoop
01-07-2025
- Climate
- Scoop
Damaging Storm Costs Waimakariri Council Nearly $1m
Severe weather and rain which hit Canterbury in May cost Waimakariri District Council nearly $1m in emergency works, but council staff say it could have been a lot worse. Speaking at a council meeting on Tuesday, July 1, the council's utilities and roading general manager Gerard Cleary said the investment of more than $20m in drainage improvements in Kaiapoi in recent years has paid off. Heavy rain swept through Canterbury between April 29 and May 2, causing flooding in Christchurch and Selwyn. In Waimakariri, there was damage to roading and three waters infrastructure, resulting in 49 services request and a repair bill of $972,953. ''This event really showed the benefit of some of the investment the council has made,'' Mr Cleary said. ''In previous events such as 2014 we saw substantial surface flooding in parts of Kaiapoi.'' The extra drainage capacity also relieved pressure from excess water getting into the sewer network, he said. Mr Cleary said around half of the nearly $1m of emergency works is being funded from existing budgets. With the majority of the expense for road repairs, the council has applied to Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency for emergency works funding. The Christchurch and Selwyn councils declared local states of emergency following the flooding, but Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon said his council's infrastructure investment had made the district more resilient. ''When nature comes along we are bound to respond. It is what our community expects and we need to keep our community safe and protected. ''We were close to a declaration, but because of the work which had been done and the updates we received from Environment Canterbury, we felt we didn't need to. ''These aren't one off events and they are occurring more often than we would like so we need to keep on top of it.'' The council's investment from the 2024/34 Long Term Plan in an infrastructure resilience team also meant the district was prepared, he said. Mr Gordon said more work is planned to improve the district's resilience to future flooding, including for the Mandeville area. ''In our capital budgets for future years there is quite substantial money set aside for drainage projects and I know that the Mandeville drainage project, which I know councillor [Paul] Williams has been pushing for, would mean about $22m in debt if we choose to go to stage two.'' Mr Cleary said even with taking on extra debt to fund further infrastructure investment, the council would be able to respond to a future earthquake or major flood event. He said the council has insurance to cover its three waters infrastructure in a major event, and it can apply for NZTA emergency works funding, alongside debt funding. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
