Traffic planning and policy

Christchurch City Council (CCC) as part of the Christchurch Transport Plan (CTP) process commissioned ViaStrada to develop a GIS based cycle network. The development focus was on creating a contiguous level 1 (novice riders) and level 2 route (basic traffic skills) network. This was to align with the Christchurch Transport Plan (CTP).

Did you know that the Christchurch City Plan requires Resource Consent for any new outdoor advertising on buildings that adjoin Important Open Spaces such as the Christchurch Cathedral Square?

ViaStrada has recently obtained Resource Consent for this type of development on the Grant Thornton building in Cathedral Square, which included assessments on the heritage and visual amenity effects of the proposed signage. Please contact our planning staff to discuss your next signage project.

ViaStrada prepared and lodged a resource consent application for the expansion of the existing Doctors on Riccarton medical facility into a Living zone at 183 Riccarton Road. The Council issued resource consent in September 2010 on a non-notified basis (i.e. without the need for limited or public notification, and without the need for a Council hearing).

ViaStrada recently obtained resource consent for the erection of a 36m² advertising billboard at Westfield Riccarton. Our involvement included the preparation of the initial resource consent application, preparation of expert evidence and attendance at a Council hearing.

ViaStrada has provided transport planning advice to the Christchurch City Council with respect to the transport-related provisions in the Christchurch City Plan to support the Central City South Master Plan. The master plan was adopted by Council in May 2009 and established the main characteristics (desired outcomes) that Council is seeking to encourage for the precinct. The desired outcomes focus on achieving mixed use development (especially residential, commercial and retail land uses) with high levels of urban amenity, active street life and reducing the dominance of motor vehicles.

ViaStrada has provided technical assistance to the Christchurch City Council with respect to its review of transport-related provisions in the Christchurch City and Banks Peninsula Proposed District Plans, in preparation for their combined review.

After extensive planning, the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has begun construction of a nine-year, $700M+ series of projects, the Christchurch Roads of National Significance (RoNS).

ViaStrada produced a discussion document identifying various principles to clarify and standardise the CCC's position on RoNS and helped CCC staff and other stakeholders understand the complex inter-relationships amongst the many projects.

ViaStrada’s planners and traffic planners assisted Akaroa Orchards Ltd to obtain consent for a comprehensive residential development in the L1A5 (Deferred) zone at  Prebbleton. The consents obtained enabled development of the first 9 residential units straight away, with subsequent development occurring as further sewer capacity becomes available. The consent also allowed for the continued operation of an existing plant nursery on the site until the commencement of Stage 2.

The Hamilton City Council commissioned ViaStrada to undertake a review of physical barriers to cycling in the Hamilton central city, as well as identification of current and potential cycle routes.

John, Axel and Jeanette have developed an automatic cycle counting programme for Hamilton City Council (HCC). The project identifies approximate site locations, counter types, time frames and indicative costs.