RUB Evidence Summary. Joshua Arbury - Strategic Transport Considerations
1. My full name is Joshua Reuben Arbury. I hold the position of Principal Specialist
Infrastructure Strategy at Auckland Council, which is the lead transport technical expert
for the Council.
2. I have been asked by the Council to provide an overview of transport-related
considerations that were used to help determine the location of the Rural Urban
Boundary in the Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan.
3. My evidence-in-chief highlights how major urban expansion at the periphery of Auckland
will place significant pressure on the ability of the entire transport network, requiring
major investment .and careful planning. From a transport perspective, this confirms the
importance of both carefully selecting areas for urbanisation and providing certainty
about what areas will and will not be urbanised over time.
4. The careful selection of areas for urbanisation was undertaken by establishing a number
of principles, which together seek to ensure that the areas contribute to the effective and
efficient provision and use of transport infrastructure. This is an important process to
ensure that value for money is obtained from major public investment in transport and to
ensure that development within these area.s contribute to strategic transport outcomes
sought by both Council and Central Government.
5. My rebuttal evidence specifically addresses the statements submitted on behalf of
Karaka Harbourside Estate Ltd. on the need for a Karaka-Weymouth crossing to support
growth in the south. Preliminary traffic modelling results show current and planned
transport investments in the south appear sufficient to cope with future growth expected
until at least 2026 and potentially through to 2046. In my opinion, a Karaka-Weymouth
crossing does not appear to be necessary before 2046 to support growth in the south.
6. The evidence of other witnesses, most particularly Ms Dawne Mackay and Mr Douglas
Fairgray, highlights the additional capacity of the Karaka West and Karaka North areas is
not necessary to meet Auckland's growth requirements over the period of the Unitary
Plan. In my opinion it is clear that the areas proposed for urbanisation in the south more
closely align with the transport principles for locating the RUB than Karaka West and
Karaka North. Therefore I remain of the opinion that the purpose of the Act is best served
by not including these locations within the RUB.