Final Report June 2006

Transcription

1 Wairau/Tahart Crridr Rad Widening Prject Mini Health Impact Assessment Final Reprt June 2006 Reprt prepared fr the Auckland Reginal Public Health Service / Auckland Reginal Transprt Authrity / Nrth Shre City Cuncil Rbert Quigley and Catherine Cnland Quigley and Watts Ltd

2 Cntents Acknwledgements...4 Intrductin...5 What is HIA?...5 Prject Cntext...5 The HIA prcess used...6 Chsing the HIA...6 Setting the scpe/bundaries f the HIA...7 Aims f the Health Impact Assessment:...7 Elements f the framewrk t be assessed...7 Ppulatins affected...7 Ppulatin grups f mst interest...8 Determinants f health and wellbeing affected...8 Carrying ut the appraisal...8 Cmmunity prfile Westlake, Nrth Shre City...9 The Cmmunity...9 Westlake, Nrth Shre City Cmmunity Bundaries...10 Ppulatin & Ethnicity...10 Culture...11 Age distributin...11 Incme...11 Educatin...12 Labur Frce Status...12 Scial Chesin...12 Transprt...12 Envirnment...13 Safety and Crime...14 Health...14 Husing...14 Physical activity...14 Yuth health...15 Lcal Cmmunity Cncerns...15 Smales Farm Business Park...16 Westlake Girls High Schl...16 Atlas Cncrete...16 Findings...18 Prject cmpnent 1. Widening the crridr t accmmdate bus lanes...19 Prject cmpnent 2. New bus statin...21 Prject cmpnent 3. Widening the crridr t accmmdate cycle and pedestrian lanes...23 Prject cmpnent 4. Linkages between majr sites imprved...25 Prject cmpnent 5. Whle prject issues...26 Evidence f health impacts...29 Transprt...29 Different Mdes f Transprt...29 Urban/Streetscape Design...29 Rad traffic accidents...30 Physical activity

3 Benefits f physical activity & activity friendly envirnments...30 Cmmunity severance/scial cnnectedness...31 Access and mbility...31 Nise related health impacts...32 Pllutin related health impacts...32 Cnclusins and recmmendatins...33 Recmmendatins...33 Overarching and pririty cncepts...33 Specific cncepts and design cnsideratins fr the Wairau/Tahart Crridr.34 References...38 Appendix A...40 Plicy Cntext fr Health Impact Assessment n the Wairau/ Tahart Rad Widening Prject...40 Appendix B...44 Affected areas fr the future upgrade f the Wairau/Tahart Rad Crridr...44 Appendix C...45 Selected examples f the determinants f health and wellbeing...45 Appendix D...46 Summary f Findings abut Key Urban Design Elements relating t Scial / Cultural Values

4 Acknwledgements As with any apprach that requires crss-sectr wrk, this mini health impact assessment (HIA) has benefited frm the knwledge, experience and skills f many peple. Aimee Mackay at Nrth Shre City Cuncil and Deepak Rama frm the Auckland Reginal Public Health Service have played key rles in the HIA. A steering grup has prvided directin and insight int the prcess. An initial scping meeting was held and stakehlders were invited t set the bundaries fr the HIA. Invited members (thse wh attended are highlighted) were: Sunil Kushr (ARPHS) Aimee McKay (Nrth Shre City Cuncil) Anna Percy (ARTA) Rbert Quigley (Quigley and Watts Ltd) Deepak Rama (Auckland Reginal Public Health Service) Matt Seberg (ARPHS) Te Miha Ua-Cksn (ARPHS) Bernadine Walsh (Ministry f Transprt) A rapid appraisal wrkshp was held that was infrmed by (thse wh attended are highlighted): Catherine Cnland (Quigley and Watts Ltd) Angela Drake (Ministry f Educatin) Rachel Hayward (Transit New Zealand) Virginia Hpe (Auckland Reginal Public Health Service) Tim Hughes (Land Transprt NZ) Sunil Kushr (Auckland Reginal Public Health Service) Isy Kennedy (Nrth Shre City Cuncil) Sandy Latimer (Waitemata District Health Bard) Andrew Lindsay (Waitemata District Health Bard?) Cralie MacDnald (Land Transprt NZ) Kit O Hallran (Nrth Shre City Cuncil) Aimee Mackay (Nrth Shre City Cuncil) Stuart McDugal (Auckland Reginal Transprt Authrity) Deepak Rama (Auckland Reginal Public Health Service) Anna Percy (Auckland Reginal Transprt Authrity) Rbert Quigley (Quigley and Watts Ltd) Bernie Walsh (Ministry f Transprt) Tracey Wheeler (Nrth Shre City Cuncil) Other grups/rganisatins that assisted with the HIA were: Smales Farm Business Park Atlas Cncrete 4

5 Intrductin Quigley and Watts Ltd was cmmissined t undertake a mini Health Impact Assessment (HIA) f the Nrth Shre City Cuncil s Wairau/ Tahart Crridr Rad Widening Prject. This wrk is being undertaken as a cmpnent f the Transprt and Urban Frm wrk-strand, a sub-strand f the Sustainable Cities Prgramme f Actin fr a Public Transprt Prject and Rading Prject. Auckland Reginal Public Health Service is the lead agency in partnership with the Auckland Reginal Transprt Authrity and Nrth Shre City Cuncil. The designatin fr this transprt crridr is already cmplete, and the assessment can infrm the utline plan and infrm future utline plans f similar develpments. This mini HIA is fcused n the future upgrade f the Wairau/ Tahart Rad Crridr, which are amng the busiest rads in the Nrth Shre City carrying n average 26,000 and 30,000 vehicles per day respectively. What is HIA? Health impact assessment represents a new apprach t addressing the scial, ecnmic, health and envirnmental cnsequences f plicies, prgrammes and prjects. Its imprtance has been endrsed by the current gvernment, and it can frm a majr plank f the Gvernments drive t reduce inequalities in health. The scpe fr imprving the health f cmmunities rests t a large part with the nn-health sectr - where the plicies, plans and develpments that fundamentally underpin health, wellbeing and health determinants are decided. Mre health cnscius develpment plicies, plans and prjects wuld greatly prmte and prtect the health and wellbeing f ppulatins. This ties in well with the Lcal Gvernment Act 2002 which states that lcal authrities must prmte the wellbeing f cmmunities, clearly linking HIA int the lcal gvernment sectr. T ensure that future plicies and prgrammes are likely t prmte wellbeing, HIA can be used t assess their ptential impact, just as Cuncil s already use envirnmental and ecnmic assessments t ensure that thse activities under their jurisdictin are cnsidered. Cmmunity utcmes are als imprtant, and HIA is ne apprach that planners can use t shw that they are wrking twards cmmunity utcmes in a rigrus manner. Transprt planners in particular are nw increasingly cnsidering the wider impacts f transprt develpments, as als indicated in the New Zealand Transprt Strategy. Als, within the Nrth Shre City Cuncil, transprt planners must nw build in wider urban design requirements int transprt crridr plans. Many levers are nw acting t prmte a systematic cnsideratin f health, wellbeing and the prmtin and prtectin f public health. Because f these requirements there is increased interest in lcal gvernment plicy decisins and prject develpments underging an assessment f mre than just their ecnmic and envirnmental impacts. T prvide additinal infrmatin, HIA prvides ne way f infrming such decisins abut the direct and indirect cnsequences n ppulatin health and wellbeing that are likely t arise frm lcal gvernment strategies, prgrammes, prjects r plicies. Prject Cntext A significant new transprt element is t be intrduced int the Tahart/Wairau crridr by the prpsed Westlake Bus Statin. This bus statin is planned t pen in 2007 as part f the Nrthern Busway system. The Westlake Bus Statin will 5

6 functin as a fcus fr public transprt in this part f the City. A diagram shwing the affected areas fr the future upgrade f the Wairau/Tahart Rad Crridr is in Appendix B. The Wairau/Tahart crridr prvides an imprtant rute fr thrugh traffic (26,000-30,000 vehicles per day) and serve as primary access pints t the mtrway system and emplyment areas bth t the nrth and suth, including Central Takapuna and the Wairau Valley industrial area. Many f the land uses within the crridr itself and immediately adjining it are majr generatrs f traffic in their wn right. These include the Smales Farm Business Centre, Nrth Shre Hspital, St Jhn s Ambulance Centre, Atlas Cncrete and varius schls alng the crridr and the immediate vicinity (with apprximately 6,500 students affected, mst f whm travel by private transprt r bus). This Ntice f Requirement prvides fr further widening f the main rads within this crridr, namely Frrest Hill Rad, Wairau Rad, Tahart Rad and Shakespeare Rad with a view t addressing the freging issues. This widening will accmmdate the fllwing: A new exclusive central bus lane fr suth bund traffic between Nile Rad and the Westlake Bus Statin. Extensin f Shakespeare Rad westwards int the prpsed Westlake Bus Statin. Redesign f the three main intersectins f Frrest Hill, Shakespeare and Nrthcte Rad t imprve standards f pedestrian facility and t facilitate integrated management f general vehicle mvement within and thrugh the crridr. Wider ftpaths fr pedestrians, especially within the vicinity f the main schls. Exclusive cycle lanes alng the full length and n bth sides f the Wairau/Tahart crridr General envirnmental and amenity upgrade thrugh enhanced planting and landscaping alng bth sides f the crridr. Undergrunding f pwer and telephne lines. The HIA prcess used Chsing the HIA The Transprt and Urban Frm wrk strand f Sustainable Cities selected the Wairau/ Tahart Rad crridr prject frm a number f ptential rading prjects underway in the Auckland Regin. Initial discussins between representatives frm ARPHS, ARTA and Nrth Shre City Cuncil identified the crridr as ptentially apprpriate fr an HIA. Further discussins between ARPHS and Q&W Ltd cnfirmed that the crridr was highly likely t be suitable fr an HIA based n pprtune timing, interest frm the Nrth Shre City Cuncil and the scpe f the crridr. The scpe f the plan als meant that many determinants f health wuld likely be affected, the number f peple affected wuld be large, the magnitude f ptential health impacts large and the ptential t affect vulnerable grups was als cnsiderable given the high prprtin f children using the area. 6

7 Setting the scpe/bundaries f the HIA A steering grup (listed in the acknwledgements) was set up t determine the bundaries fr the HIA. The grup were sent infrmatin prir t the ½ day meeting utlining issues fr them t cnsider. At the meeting the grup made the fllwing recmmendatins abut the HIA and its scpe: Aims f the Health Impact Assessment: Aim: Assess the psitive and negative health and wellbeing impacts f the Wairau/Tahart Crridr prject t infrm the utline plan. Objectives: Highlight the benefits and disbenefits f the integrated planning prcess undertaken, and the increased number f transprt ptins being prvided fr. Enhance partnership wrking between the Nrth Shre City Cuncil, Auckland Reginal Transprt Authrity, Auckland Reginal Public Health Services and ther agencies. Prmte and maintain a safe and active envirnment fr crridr users and nearby ppulatins. Infrm future utline plans that will be develped within the Auckland regin. Elements f the framewrk t be assessed When cnsidering the Wairau/Tahart Crridr prject, it was nted that it is a discrete prject within a defined gegraphical area, with bth majr and mre minr redesign. All f the majr cmpnents f the prject culd be assessed: Widening f the crridr t accmmdate dedicated bus lanes. Widening f the crridr t accmmdate dedicated walking and cycling areas. New bus statin. Altered capacity f the crridr fr mdal shift twards pedestrians, cyclists and buses. Linkages between majr transprt, business, health and educatinal sites in the vicinity. The stakehlders acknwledged the budget and timeframe cnstraints f this prcess and were able t recmmend a pririty list f determinants. They were: Transprt, particularly access t schls, business park and hspital; and prvisin f multiple mdes f transprt. Physical activity Urban and streetscape design that prmtes safety and use f buses, cycleways and walkways. Ppulatins affected All peple living, wrking and cmmuting in the area (see map belw fr bundaries) are likely t be affected, specific grups f interest are: Cmmuters 7

8 Schl children (three large schls near r beside the crridr) Yung peple (33.9% aged 0-14 years) Wrkers (Nrth Shre hspital and Smales Farm business park near the crridr) Husehlds withut access t a mtr vehicle (13.6%) Higher educatin students Emplyers Residences and businesses directly affected by lss f land Mari (4.1% f the ppulatin) Pacific (0.6% f the ppulatin). Asian (12.8% f the ppulatin). Surce: (Based n Census 2001data) Discussin centred n the majr sites in the area: the hspital, Smales Farm business park and the schl as large ppulatin grups that will be affected by the prject. These were characterised by typical ppulatin grups f schl children and wrkers. Smaller businesses mre directly affected als were cvered, in part, by an interest in the ppulatin grup wrkers. Cuncil wrk had shwed that the Crridr was nt just a cmmuting thrughfare, but a significant destinatin. This was expected t increase as the new bus statin and expansin f the business park mved ahead. Ppulatin grups f mst interest Wrkers at the Smales Farm business park and the Nrth Shre hspital Schl children frm Westlake Girls Determinants f health and wellbeing affected The majr determinants affected by this prpsal, and that will be cnsidered in the HIA are: Transprt access, mdes, prximity t ppulatin, travel plans, Scial chesin Cmmunity facilities Open spaces Urban design, landscape and streetscape, crime preventin and safety Husing (new develpments and Residential 8 planning rules) Waste Educatin lifelng and quality Waterways/Envirnment Emplyment and twn centre develpment Carrying ut the appraisal A half-day rapid appraisal, stakehlder wrkshp was hsted by Nrth Shre City Cuncil with the purpse f infrming the health impact assessment. It is the key pprtunity fr wider stakehlders t be invlved in the health impact assessment prcess, and there was a brad representatin at the wrkshp. The wrkshp aimed t gather stakehlder views n the questin hw will the Wairau/Tahart Crridr affect the health and wellbeing f the lcal ppulatin? It then gathered suggestins fr the prpsal t imprve health and wellbeing, r reduce any harmful impacts n health and wellbeing. The peple included were thse wh are: 8

9 - knwledgeable abut the lcal cmmunity, and/r the ppulatin grups that this HIA is fcusing n - interested in the health and wellbeing f peple Nrth Shre The participants are listed in the acknwledgements. In preparatin fr the wrkshp a cnsiderable amunt f data was cllected and summarised fr presentatin t, and use by wrkshp participants. This included a descriptin f the transprt prject; evidence abut the link between relevant interventins and health impacts; and a prfile f the cmmunity and ppulatin. Data were sught frm a variety f agencies. The wrkshp split participants int tw self-selected grups and each grup was given a list f specified aspects f the Wairau/Tahart prject t wrk n. This rganisatin allwed fr each part f the prject t be cnsidered. Bth grups were asked t then cnsider the prject as a whle. The grups fllwed a set structure f wrk grup questins adapted frm the Public Health Advisry Cmmittee s HIA Guide. The matrix included: The determinant f health affected by the actin pint s implementatin (with particular reference placed n determinants f interest in this HIA) A descriptin f the direct r indirect health impact predicted A descriptin f key factrs that may encurage r prevent the health impact A judgement n the psitive r negative nature f the health impact A listing f the ppulatins ptentially affected (with particular reference t ppulatins f interest in this HIA) A listing f ppulatins wh may be differentially affected (with particular reference t ppulatins f interest in this HIA) Fllwing the wrkshp, the results frm the wrkshp tl were re-wrked thrugh the Public Health Advisry Cmmittee s (2004) plicy level HIA tl (by the authrs) t further test, integrate and explre cncepts and impacts. Cmmunity cnsultatin cmprising meetings with the lcal businesses and key stakehlders identified as ppulatins f interest fr the HIA were undertaken. The infrmatin frm these meetings is presented in the cmmunity prfile sectin f this reprt. Cmmunity prfile Westlake, Nrth Shre City This Cmmunity Prfile is intended t give a snapsht f the Westlake area f Nrth Shre City, drawing n data frm the 2001 Census and the Quality f Life Reprt 2003 giving a sense f what makes this cmmunity unique. The bundary chsen was based n typgraphy and the design f the cllectr and arterial rads that surrund the area. This is an indicatin f wh the cmmunity is and is nt a cmprehensive, in-depth analysis f the entire Westlake area. The Cmmunity The area that is being prfiled: is a majr hub fr business (eg, Smales business park, Atlas Cncrete). 9

10 educatin (Westlake Girls High, Carmel Cllege, Westlake Bys High, Rsmany Cllege, Takapuna Nrmal). health prviders (Nrth Shre Hspital). retirement (Lady Allum village). cmmuters (thrugh rute frm Milfrd, Fresthill and Wairau Valley t the mtrway). has a limited residential ppulatin. Westlake, Nrth Shre City Cmmunity Bundaries Westlake Bys High Schl Lady Allum Village Carmel Cllage Atlas Cncrete Nrth Shre Hspital Westlake Girls High Schl Smales Business Park Ppulatin & Ethnicity - New Zealand Eurpean descent are just abve the city average fr the Westlake area - The Asian ppulatin fr this area is als just abve the city average - Mari and Pacific Peples are belw the city average. 10

11 Statistic Westlake Area Defined n Nrth Shre City Map Ppulatin ,820 Ethnic Grups - NZ Eurpean 80.2% 79.2% - Mari 4.1% 6.5% - Pacific Peples 0.6% 3.2% - Asian 12.8% 12.3% - Other 0.6% 1.6% - Nt Elsewhere Included 4.7% 3.1% Surce: (Based n Census 2001data) Culture English is the mst cmmn spken language in Nrth Shre City hwever the mst cmmn languages spken (after English) in the city is Krean with 2.7% f the ppulatin speaking this language. This is an apprpriate reflectin f the ppulatin and ethnicity figures mentined abve. Surce: (Based n Census 2001data) Age distributin The age distributin fr this lcal ppulatin is significantly lder than ther areas in Nrth Shre City. Ages 0-29 are under represented hwever a number f years travel int the Westlake zne everyday t attend the surrunding schls which increases the representatin f this age grup as peple wh are part f the cmmunity n a daily basis. Age distributin Westlake Area 12% 16.3% 22% 17.4% 32.2% Surce: (Based n Census 2001data) Nrth Shre City 20.7% 20.8% 24.2% 19.5% 15% Incme The median husehld incme fr this area is $34,570, which is lwer than the city median f $53,355. It is likely that a number f peple are living n a pensin due t the cncentratin f peple ver the age f 60 living in the area. (Based n Census 2001data) 11

12 Educatin Schl Rlls fr Surrunding Area (Sept 2005) The Westlake area is surrunded by a number f schls hwever this Health Impact Assessment has nly included Westlake Girls and Carmel Cllage. This des nt exclude the ther schl as they are recgnised as majr cntributr t traffic generatin f the rad netwrk. Educatin Number f Students - Westlake Girls Carmel Cllage Westlake Bys Rsmany Cllage Takapuna Nrmal 620 Surce: Nrth Shre City Cuncil City Statistics Labur Frce Status Due t the aging ppulatin in the Westlake area there is a significantly higher prprtin f the cmmunity wh are nt in the labur frce, this is likely t be due t many peple being retired. Hwever there is still a relatively high percentage f peple living in the area wh are emplyed full time. Part-time emplyment and unemplyment are belw the city average. Emplyment - Emplyed Full-Time - Emplyed Part-Time - Unemplyed - Nt in the Labur Frce - Unidentifiable Surce: Based n Census 2001 Westlake Area 39.9% 7.8% 2.6% 50.3% 0.7% Nrth Shre City 49.7% Scial Chesin 42% f Nrth Shre City residents agree r strngly agree that the cmmunity wrks tgether and supprts each ther. This is similar t results frm ther big cities Surce: MSD Quality f Life in the Big Cities Reprt, 2003 Transprt The majrity f husehlds in the Westlake area have n car r wn ne car per husehld, which are much higher than the rest f the city. This likely reflects the 12

13 lder ppulatin in the area. Due t the age f the residents and the fact that many f them d nt currently wrk and generally wn nly 1 car it is unlikely that the residents are themselves cntributing t the cngestin n the rad netwrk. Residents in the Westlake area als have much higher prprtin f peple walking r jgging t wrk. Surce: MSD Quality f Life in the Big Cities Reprt, 2003 Number f Mtr Vehicles per Husehld Nne One Tw Three r mre Nt Stated Surce: Based n Census 2001 Travel t Wrk (Residents) Did nt g t wrk Wrked at hme Car, Truck, Van Public Buses Mtrcycle Bicycle Walked/Jgged Other Nt Stated Surce: Based n Census 2001 Westlake Area 19.4% 52.8% 16.7% 8.3% 1.4% Westlake Area 12.2% 8.1% 54.1% 6.8% 1.4% 0.0% 10.8% 0.0% 5.4% Nrth Shre City The wrkers wh travel int the Westlake Area frm elsewhere have a high number f peple travelling by private transprt at 73.6% this is even higher than the Nrth Shre City Average f 67.1%. A very lw prtin f peple use public in cmparisn t the city average f 5.6% Travel t Wrk (Wrkers) Did nt g t wrk Wrked at hme Car, Truck, Van Public Buses Mtrcycle Bicycle Walked/Jgged Other Nt Stated Surce: Based n Census 2001 Westlake Area 18.9% 1.5% 73.6% 1.7% 0.3% 0.7% 2.2% 0.3% 0.6% Envirnment - Nrth Shre has 7.3 hectares f green space per 1000 ppulatin - 12% f residents f Nrth Shre City felt air pllutin was a prblem r a big prblem in their neighburhd % f Nrth Shre City residences felt water quality was a prblem r a big prblem in their neighburhd. 13

14 - 66% f the city residence felt that nise pllutin was nt a prblem r nt much f a prblem. Surce: MSD Quality f Life in the Big Cities Reprt, 2003 Safety and Crime - Residents Nrth Shre City feel much safer than resident f the ther big cities - Dangerus driving and Traffic risk hwever are the tw highest prblems fr Nrth Shre Residents. - Rad cash deaths in Nrth Shre City are n generally n par with the ther 8 cities in New Zealand where the verall fatality rates are ntably lwer than the rest f New Zealand. - Crime rates in Nrth Shre City are lwer than any ther city in the Auckland Regin. Surce: MSD Quality f Life in the Big Cities Reprt, 2003 Health - Life expectancy in Nrth Shre City is the highest f all the cities in New Zealand with the male average at 75.7 years and female 81.1 years. - The residents f Nrth Shre City as with mst f the cities cnsider their wn health extremely gd r gd and their lifestyle t be very healthy r health Surce: MSD Quality f Life in the Big Cities Reprt, 2003 Husing 1 Hme wnership is slightly mre prevalent in Nrth Shre City, at 70 percent cmpared t 68.8 natinally. This may reflect the fact that Nrth Shre peple are mre likely t be emplyed and are n average better paid. Surce: Enterprise Nrth Shre Physical activity There was n breakdwn f physical activity data fr the Westlake area. The Waitemata DHB data shws apprximately 70 percent f the district s adults are physically active fr at least 2.5 hurs a week, with half achieving the Sprt and Recreatin Cuncil f New Zealand (SPARC) guideline f exercise fr 30 minutes r mre n at least five days f the week. Asian, and t lesser extent Pacific peple, exercise less than the Mari and Eurpean/Other ethnic categries. Males were mre likely than females t be physically active. These prprtins are similar t natinal estimates. Surce: Waitemata DHB Health Needs Assessment Update (2005) 1 The husing data relate t the greater area f Nrth Shre City, nt just the Westlake radius. 14

15 Yuth health It is likely that many yung peple living in Waitemata are generally healthy, as was fund in the recent large New Zealand study f secndary schl students aged 12 t 18 years. Hwever, the findings f this survey cannt be generalised t the whle yuth ppulatin. Tbacc 26% percent f all Year 10 students in the Nrth Shre smke. 18% smke daily, weekly r mnthly Alchl Natinally, amng year ld high schl students, 39% f female and 41% f male students reprted binge drinking within the last fur weeks. Natinally, amng year lds in 2000, nly 51% drank rarely r never. Auckland data indicates that the quantity cnsumed n a typical drinking ccasin by year ld drinkers in a 1999 survey was 5-6 drinks. In ne study, within Waitemata, 42% f alchl purchases by 18 year ld vlunteers in Rdney, 36% in Waitakere and 30% in Nrth Shre were made withut prviding ID. It was easier fr males t purchase alchl withut ID, cmpared with females. Other drugs Marijuana is the mst cmmnly used illegal drug. Natinally, amng year ld high schl students, 38% f female and 39% f male students reprted ever having smked marijuana, while 6% f female and 8% f male students reprted weekly r mre frequent marijuana use. Stimulants (uppers, speed, amphetamine, and methamphetamine) became the secnd mst ppular illegal drug type after marijuana in Natinally, between 1998 and 2001, last-year use f stimulants increased frm 1.6% t 5.3% in year lds, and als increased in year lds. Surce: Waitemata DHB Health Needs Assessment Update (2005) Yuth mental health Data available fr the Nrth Shre relating t yuth mental health shw that: Mst yung peple referred t mental health services are seen by general mental health services Abut 65% f yuth seen in the Nrth are Eurpean. The Mari (6-7%) and Pacific (1-3%), Asian (3%) and Other ethnicity (10%) Lcal Cmmunity Cncerns Meetings were arranged with tw f the majr lcal users f the Wairau Crridr Smales Farm Business Park and Atlas Cncrete. Infrmatin frm previus Cuncil cnsultatin with Westlake Girls High utlined the schls key cncerns. 15

16 Smales Farm Business Park Any delay n traffic will cause stress t emplyees. Smales Farm is cnscius f creating a wrk space that is envirnmentally sustainable and nly 2/3 f the land will be develped t its zning capacity as it wants t maintain space fr peple. They want t create an pen space develpment with bulevard internal streets, pedestrian linkages and places fr children t play. The buildings have been set back frm the street as the wners believe the widening will create nise and an increase in vehicle emissins, as mre traffic will use the rad. The wners f Smales Farm say they are highly tuned t their sense f cmmunity respnsibility and want much better cnnectins and a reductin f severance fr pedestrians at the intersectin utside the schl gates. Key cncerns arund bus statin and links Pedestrian safety is the key issue: particularly fr children and the elderly and they are als cncerned abut the severance issues arund this area. Cuncil shuld be cnsidering sme much better ptins surrunding pedestrian access instead f minimum requirements. Pedestrians are the key users f the statin. Smales Farm is develping key linkages within its site t prvide safe access t and frm the site. Cycling Wuld like t see designs that wuld encurage cycling fr all including students and nt simply white lines n the rad. Overall Smales Farm are in full supprt f the Busway and want the design fr pedestrians t wrk s peple are encuraged t use it and stp driving t wrk r schl. Westlake Girls High Schl (btained frm previus Cuncil cnsultatin) The key issues fr the schl were arund pedestrian safety, bth during the cnstructin f the radway and fllwing cmpletin. Atlas Cncrete Issues and Suggestins Atlas had sme difficulty cmmenting n the prpsal because they hadn t heard much abut the prject. Hwever, after discussin with the HIA team they were able t identify a number f ptential impacts. Cnstructin was believed t have a number f impacts: Disruptive t trucks and custmers Traffic management impact 16

17 Affect safety (il tankers) Buses unable t stp at bus stp t drp ff children s they might drp ff children at Atlas (fr Westlake Girls) Ftpaths are already busy fr yung peple and cnstructin will make ftpath-use mre difficult Atlas might lse pwer if the lines are put undergrund The final design Ptentially very psitive When it s all finished it will be psitive because anything that helps with traffic flw helps their business as it s a transprt business basically. Anything that helps business and custmers will be psitive. Atlas helped the prcess by buying the petrl statin and huses near them. Business can t extend until everything is srted ut (n certainty) If transprt imprves, then their business imprves due t the imprved mvement f 130 trucks. Als cncrete has a 1.5 hur usable life nce in the truck, s imprved transprt might mean businesses further away culd get the cncrete delivered. Is believed it is likely t imprve lcal business Design trees are nice t lk at but hard fr traffic t pull in and ut. Schls dn t have bike sheds nw r facilities, and parents believe it is unsafe fr children t cycle. Facilities will need t be put in Atlas dn t believe that trucks crssing cycle and pedestrian lanes will be an issue as lng as there is gd sight lines fr drivers The bus statin hub will cnnect the east and west f the city, and cnnect t lcal buses. Atlas issues Has shwers n site if the staff want t use them. Staff walk, bike, mtrbike, but mst drive t wrk. Shwers and lckers are nt used much as mst have t get t wrk early, s they drive t wrk. Bikes are left utside (n premises) with n prblems f theft r damage. The business is nt interested at the mment in travel plans / fd / smking health prmtin activities (althugh they d knw they are imprtant fr individual health). Instead the fcus is n Occupatinal Safety and Health because f safety and truck dwn time if there are accidents. Expensive husing in the area staff can t live near here s peple dn t walk/cycle. There is n public transprt at the times that wrkers start their shifts. Will buses service lcal places f wrkers (ther parts f the city nt accessible by bus currently), r just shuttle t the city and back? Linkages in the area nt imprtant s much staff d g walking at lunch time ut the back f the site. Might g dwn t the hspital r t Smales nce it s develped Buses are gd fr kids. They might be k fr wrkers wh are services and timed. Staff live well away frm here s can t easily get there by 5am. N transprt. Health and Safety wrk practices are a high pririty fr this business need t drp accident rates. Knws abut smking, diet and exercise but can t fcus n thse befre OSH issues dwn times fr trucks etc if peple ff wrk cst $ t the business. Suggestins fr the crridr by Atlas Cncrete Timing f cnstructin is key bus stps shuld be built first 17

18 The mst disruptive cnstructin shuld ccur at schl hliday times Wuld like t meet with prject peple (wh get the cntract) and fr traffic cntrl t be included in the tender dcuments. Timing is imprtant phasing Wuld like t knw what is prpsed Wuld like a well managed prcess (ie, wuld like t see the prject managed t minimise disruptin t their business access, pwer, delays) Drivers need t have a clear view s careful chice and placement f trees arund the Atlas site is imprtant. Atlas want mre infrmatin and t be cnsulted n decisins affecting them: ptential lss f pwer when pwerlines are placed undergrund Rezne husing n frntage as cmmercial? Physical barrier must be required wide ftpaths Tell cyclists abut trucks Bike lanes need t be segregated design is vital. Cycling must be n the ftpath as cycling arund parked cars etc is dangerus, s the paths need t be wide enugh fr pedestrians and cyclists. New bus statin kay if aligned with the right timing and rutes. Early and late times fr shift wrkers needed. Need better cmmunicatin with stakehlders abut the prject. Meet with the cntractr befrehand. Invlve in design Landscaping clear sightlines imprtant fr trucks getting in and ut f the site. Nt s interested in design detail, but keen t hear abut very lcal stuff eg, plants/pavers/lighting. Interested in prcess f develpment day vs. night, traffic cntrl, access/pwer cut ff when and which side first Want t knw abut nearby design details. Decent pedestrian width with cycles n it. Des want t be cnsulted n the 50 metre radius f Atlas site. Schl cycle facilities are required t supprt the prpsal. Findings It was nt pssible in the half-day wrkshp t fcus n every aspect f the Wairau/ Tahart crridr prject. The main aspects f the prject were cvered and are listed under the five headings belw with the matrices fr each included: widening f the crridr t accmmdate bus lanes the new bus statin widening f the crridr t accmmdate cycle and pedestrian lanes linkages between majr sites imprved whle prject issues 18

19 The ptential impacts f the prpsed actins, ppulatins affected and cmments frm wrkshp participants are presented in the matrix belw. This summarises the main findings f the HIA, and infrmed the recmmendatins. Prject cmpnent 1. Widening the crridr t accmmdate bus lanes Fr each element r aspect f the prject: what determinant f health is that a direct r indirect may be affected by the health impact? What s the prjects implementatin? causal chain? Cmmunity severance pedestrians perceived fear and difficulty crssing six lanes f traffic. Accidents pedestrians nt waiting fr signal f lights t safely crss the rad (Jwalking) Indirect reduced access t services and the cmmunity; reduced scial cnnectedness; reduced physical activity frm nt walking r cycling fr trips that invlve crssing the rad. Indirect reduced free will mvement f children as parental perceptin f rad is ne f danger. Direct risk f accidents Indirect mental health frm running the gauntlet each day what key factrs may encurage r prevent the health impact Safety f crssing pints; density f traffic; knwledge-level f pedestrians; encuragement frm wrkplace r schl; ease f use f crssing pints fr peple with mbility issues r peple with prams. Safety f crssing pints; density f traffic; parental infrmatin Phasing f lights t give pririty t pedestrians; Desire-line f pedestrian travel catered fr; ther ptins that may be Fr the health impact: is it likely wh may be t be affected psitive r negative Negative Lcal ppulatin, schl children Negative Negative Parents, children Lcal ppulatin, schl children. which grups may be differentially affected Peple with disabilities, children, lder peple, peple with mbility issues. Children Schl children. 19

20 Increased vlume f traffic n the rad (number f car lanes maintained, but mre buses). Faster mvement f traffic n the rad Altered sight-line visibility f the envirnment fr buses and increased numbers f buses Indirect reduced access t services and the cmmunity; reduced scial cnnectedness; reduced physical activity frm nt walking r cycling fr trips that invlve crssing the rad. Direct risk f accidents; increased pllutin. Direct increased risk f accidents; Indirect cmmunity severance; Direct decreased pllutin. Indirect - faster delivery f freight and reduced travel time Direct increased risk f accidents available fr crssing the rad, fr example walkways, underpasses, cars n a flyver r cutthrugh, etc Inducement f traffic, urban sprawl, mix f lcal land-use. Phasing f traffic signals; use f pedestrian barriers frcing pedestrians t crssing pints (which may further increase vehicle speed). Other ptins fr crssing the rad. Inducement f traffic leading t reductins in private vehicle travel time, fuel-type use f vehicles, directin f exhaust pipes Driver and student educatin; planting chices, pavement widths, vehicle speeds Negative Negative Psitive Negative Lcal ppulatin, schl children, lcal wrkers Lcal cmmunity Cmmuters, businesses Lcal ppulatin, bus users Children, lder peple Children, lder peple, peple with mbility issues Children Prximity f bus lanes t Direct increased risk f Width f ftpaths; lcatin Negative Schl children, Children 20

21 ftpaths (that have hundreds f students ver-flwing them at peak times) Substantial ftpath widths Cyclists and buses sharing the same zne, particularly at bus stps and dual bus/cycle lanes accidents Direct reduced risk f accidents Indirect perceived safety, increased physical activity Direct increased risk f accidents f bus stps fr schls; number f schl exitpints nt crridr, schl clsing times. Width f ftpaths, jint cycle-use f shared space, lcatin f bus stps fr schls; number f schl exit-pints nt crridr, schl clsing times. Purpse f cycling cmmuting r cycling t schl, segregatin f cycling, number f bus stps, educatin f drivers and cyclists Psitive care-givers Schl children, care-givers Negative Cyclists cmmuters, schl children and lcal wrkers. Children Children Prject cmpnent 2. New bus statin Fr each element r aspect f the prject: what determinant f health is that a direct r indirect may be affected by the health impact? What s the prjects implementatin? causal chain? New bus statin Indirect increased access t emplyment (incme), educatin, recreatin, the cmmunity and services (t lcal pprtunities fr peple frm elsewhere, and distant what key factrs may encurage r prevent the health impact Bus timetables and rutes, quality f bus service, quality and quantity f lcal jbs t attract peple, Fr the health impact: is it likely wh may be t be affected psitive r negative Psitive Lcal cmmunity, wrkers, schl children which grups may be differentially affected Lw incme wrkers can nw travel mre easily t the area by public transprt 21

22 Large numbers f peple cngregating at, and walking t and frm the bus statin Sense f safety, persnal safety arund the new statin catered fr in design Distance frm the Lady Allum rest hme t the bus statin is cnsiderable fr the residents. pprtunities fr lcals). Indirect additinal nise fr music department and ther classrms frnting the bus statin Direct increased physical activity Indirect scial cnnectedness Indirect increased perceptin f safety when using the statin at all times; including late at night and early in the mrning; sense f belnging fr all cmmunity members yung, ld and ethnic grups; increased physical activity; Indirect reduced scial cnnectedness, reduced physical activity Landscape design, nise levels f buses, frequency and timing f buses, sund-prfing f schl classrms Cvered areas fr peple t cngregate; cvered walkways t main pedestrian destinatins frm the statin, shelters at waiting areas (at rad crssing pints). Crime preventin thrugh envirnmental design principles used t infrm statin and surrunding areas design; mix f land use (retail, residential, wrk, etc) Other pprtunities t cnnect Lady Allum residents int the bus netwrk, particularly the buses travelling alng Naplen rad. Negative Westlake Girls Psitive Bus users Bus users, peple withut access t a car, peple with mbility issues Psitive Negative Lcal cmmunity, wrkers, public transprt users Lady Allum residents Older peple, children, ethnic minrities, wmen, yung men Access fr peple frm the Direct increased physical Design ptins fr creating Negative Lcal residents Peple with 22

23 suth west t the bus statin requires a lng ut-f-the-way walk. activity fr the few wh chse t make the jurney n ft, but decreased activity fr the many wh will be put ff making the jurney n ft. cnnectivity fr suth-west residents; use f CPTED principles arund the statin. mbility issues Access fr peple frm the suth east t the bus statin is direct due t a ftbridge. Direct increased physical activity as peple are mre likely t walk t the statin. Use f CPTED principles arund the statin and the walking rute. Psitive Lcal residents Peple with mbility issues, lw-incme ppulatin f Nrthcte. Prject cmpnent 3. Widening the crridr t accmmdate cycle and pedestrian lanes Fr each element r aspect f the prject: What determinant f Is that a direct f indirect health may be affected by health impact? What s the the prjects causal chain? implementatin? Cmmunity severance created by existing rad Direct Sense f cmmunity, currently severed activities, current dairy is fcus f yung peple Direct sense f cmmunity culd be imprved What key factrs may encurage r prevent the health impact? Lighting, design, planting trees, ftpath layut and Fr the health impact: Is it likely Wh may be t be affected? psitive r negative Negative Wrkers, Yung peple, Elderly living nearby Psitive Wrkers, Yung peple, Elderly Which grups may be differentially affected? Wrkers, Yung peple, Elderly living nearby Wrkers, Yung peple, Elderly 23

24 Physical activity Scial chesin Access - add pedestrian facilities Direct access acrss rad, better access t schls and wrk places Direct wider crridr lnger crssing time Direct stress n drivers waiting fr pedestrians t crss increase in number f crssings Better access fr yung and elderly. Mre and bigger islands in the rad. New crssing with signals Lighting, design, planting, trees Signals set at a faster pace than elderly can crss at Nise frm traffic Direct Mitigated already by majr landwners, but increases are likely Air quality Physical activity Direct increase in traffic due t better access fr cars and buses Direct increase in ability t cycle better cycle lanes Any reductin in car travel reduces verall impact n air quality Can be mitigated in case f buses Better prvisin fr cmmuter and lcal cyclists Better prvisin fr cycling at schls If cycle lanes are n level f rad and bus lanes may be seen by parents as nt safe enugh Psitive Psitive living nearby Elderly, Yung peple Elderly Yung peple living nearby Negative Elderly Elderly Elderly, Yung peple Elderly Yung peple Negative Traffic/drivers Traffic/drivers Negative Psitive and Negative Residents Yung peple Elderly Wrkers Psitive Yung peple Yung peple Negative Yung peple Yung peple 24

25 Reduce inequalities - access t educatin, wrk Segregated cycle lanes Psitive Cyclists Fewer cyclist crashes Better perceived safety fr cyclists and pedestrians Nn-segregated lanes are suitable fr cmmuters, but nt safe enugh fr children Indirect Mre transprt chice better cnnectin fr thse nt well prvided fr currently Direct Remve bus traffic frm crridr int bus statin Less need t crss rad fewer pedestrian crashes Smther flw f traffic Negative Wrkers/ husehlds Yung peple Prject cmpnent 4. Linkages between majr sites imprved Fr each element r aspect f the prject: What determinant f health may be affected by the prjects implementatin? Greater accessibility t whle area peple able t cme in and ut mre freely Safety f transprt ptins Is that a direct f indirect health impact? What s the causal chain? Indirect emplyment and educatin Direct mre bus traffic frm crridr int busway statin What key factrs may encurage r prevent the health impact? Cmprehensive transprt ptins buses, cycling, walking Less need t crss rad, fewer pedestrian crashes, Fr the health impact: Is it likely t be Wh may be psitive r affected? negative Psitive Psitive Lwer incme families, Yung peple, Wrkers Yung peple, Which grups may be differentially affected? Lwer incme families, Yung peple Yung peple, Elderly 25

26 smther flw f traffic and schl drp-ffs (less chauffeuring by parents) Wrkers Residents including elderly, Prject cmpnent 5. Whle prject issues Fr each element r aspect f the prject: What determinant f health Is that a direct r indirect may be affected by the health impact? What s the prjects implementatin? causal chain? Develpment alng the crridr attracting large numbers f peple t the area Altered Westlake bus statin intersectin with Wairau/ Tahart rad Direct increased expsure t air pllutin and risk f accidents Direct increased risk f accidents due t cmplexity f the intersectin, the number f vehicle mvements, and the cnflict created with pedestrians crssing. What key factrs may encurage r prevent the health impact Number f peple, age f peple attracted, urban and crridr design Phasing f signal crssings, number and density f traffic, relative pririty given t pedestrians crssing frequently and safely versus traffic flw, Fr the health impact: Is it likely Wh may be t be affected negative r psitive Negative Lcal ppulatin, wrkers, Negative Lcal ppulatin, wrkers Which grups may be differentially affected Children, lder peple, peple with existing respiratry prblems Children, lder peple, peple with mbility issues Increased density f traffic n Wairau/Tahart rad and planned cycle-rutes in this zne (currently nt segregated) Direct risk f accidents Segregatin f cycles and traffic; Alternative rutes als made available thrugh back streets fr cycling; facilities fr cyclists built int Negative cyclists Children 26

27 Cmmunity severance created by existing rad Cmmunity severance because the crridr defines the place n sense f entry r f place Sense f cmmunity, currently severed activities, current dairy is fcus f yung peple Feelings f islatin - Residents dn t currently meet wrkers f yung peple destinatin pints eg safe cycle strage Extend the cmmunity t mitigate fr a 9 lane highway Name the suburb t encurage a feeling f pride eg, Westlake, Create entry pints t the area, attentin t detail f design (use urban designers) Ease f public transprt Bus statin Cvered walkways t encurage walking t and frm the bus statin Increased traffic Undergrund pwer, remve radside hazards Negative Wrkers, yung peple Smales develpment t include café If café available it will increase demand in the area in line with increased flw Hspital develpment Need a gd travel plan Wrkers Direct increased traffic needs managing acrss all sites Hspital develpment Ptentially mre cars int area increase in air pllutin, nise etc Direct fewer and less serius crashes fr mtrists NSCC decisins n detailed rading design and travel plans fr schls, hspital, Smales Farm Hspital required t develp travel plan Safety f lanes, design suitable fr Psitive All Residents, Wrkers, Yung peple Residents Wrkers Yung peple 27

28 Cmmunity severance Better pedestrian facilities Create mre pprtunities f fd traffic by increasing the cmmunity nature f pedestrian flw Bus statin Bus statin currently planned as functinal space, n retail, less sense f cmmunity Future develpment f statin and creatin f cmmunity space in the vicinity via Smales develpment Psitive All Residents, Wrkers, Yung peple Psitive Wrkers, residents, yung peple 28

29 Evidence f health impacts There are several health impacts which related t a transprt HIA such as this ne. Thse specifically lked at in the HIA and ther related impacts are presented here. All impacts and subsequent health impacts mentined belw are knwn t definitely ccur, unless therwise indicated. Transprt The Health Prmting Influences f transprt include: Physical activity Scial cnnectedness & interactin Scial & cultural participatin Ecnmic develpment Enables access t: Emplyment, educatin & training Gds & services Recreatin Scial supprt netwrks Health services Different Mdes f Transprt Walking The walkability f neighburhds, and a having mix f shps and businesses within easy walking distance is assciated with higher levels f physical activity. Cycling Cycling prvides access and transprtatin t segments f the ppulatin that wuld therwise nt be able t travel, r travel as far, independently. It extends the gegraphical range fr trips usually made n ft and prvides a lw cst transprt alternative fr shrt t medium length trips usually made with mtrised vehicles. Cycling als cmplements the public transprt system prviding multi-mdal jurney ptins fr lnger trips and thus increased catchments fr existing services. Increased cycling fr transprt and recreatin supprts this intentin. Peple cycle fr many reasns including transprt, recreatin, health, ecnmics, sprt and scial interactin and are present acrss all sci-demgraphic grups. T meet these diverse needs, cycling needs t be given equal treatment as a transprt chice. (Australia Cycling 1999) Public Transprt Public transprt can play a rle in encuraging physical activity. On average a jurney by public transprt requires a 10-minute walk. Therefre, if a persn uses the bus twice a day they will be physically active fr 20-minutes tw thirds f the required amunt fr health benefits (PHAC, 2003). Public transprt has a much lwer accident rate than private car transprt a mde shift t public transprt can help reduce accidents. Reduced number f car trips als reduces traffic nise reducing stress and in additin high quality public transprt can reduce stress fr cmmuters. Urban/Streetscape Design Recent internatinal research shws cnclusively that gd urban design creates, amng ther things, better public health, greater scial equity and reduced vehicle emissins. Gd urban design can encurage peple t undertake physical exercise which in turn prvides health benefits. Mre attractive, better cnnected and safer streets can create mre walkable cities which enables better access t services by 29

30 thse wh cannt drive r access public transprt. (Ministry fr the Envirnment 2005) Cnnectivity is the degree t which netwrks streets, railways, walking and cycling rutes, services and infrastructure intercnnect. Gd cnnectins encurage access within a regin, city, twn r neighburhd. (Ministry fr the Envirnment 2005) Mixed use f a neighburhd, with different activities taking place, can allw parking and transprt infrastructure t be used efficiently and reduce car use. This can enhance scial equity when peple are able t access services, schls and wrkplaces and the like mre easily (Ministry fr the Envirnment 2005). Envirnments which are well planned can prmte safety as well as the use f buses, cycleway and walkways. (see Appendix 4) Rad traffic accidents Rad traffic accidents accunt fr ver 400 deaths per year, with even mre peple injured causing bth shrt and lng-term incapacity/injury. Pedestrian and cyclist deaths and injuries are significant in New Zealand, with such accidents being mre likely fr these grups than fr drivers. Vulnerable cmmunities experience far greater cyclist and pedestrian injury and death rates than less vulnerable cmmunities, particularly fr children, and children are mst likely t be killed r injured in built up areas clse t their hmes. This is further cmpunded by the mst deprived areas als having mre children living in them (Land Transprt Safety Authrity, 2005; The Institute fr Public Plicy Research, 2002; Natinal Health Cmmittee, 2003). Perceived danger frm traffic restricts children s independent mbility, with subsequent increases in traffic t transprt children, and decreases in fitness and psychlgical well-being f children wh n lnger cycle r walk at will (speculative) (Transprt and health study grup, undated). Children and adults in deprived areas are less likely t travel by car (due in part t lwer car wnership) and are mre likely t make jurneys n ft. Abve 50 km/h the risk f killing a pedestrian child during an accident rises dramatically (Prctr, 1991). Where mdal share fr pedestrian and cycling is lwer, the relative risk f having an accident increases sharply therefre there is safety in numbers fr cyclists and pedestrians (Jacbsen, 2003). Physical activity Inactive lifestyles are a causal factr fr besity and verweight, and New Zealand is in the middle f an besity epidemic (Ministry f Health, 2005). Physical activity reduces the risk f heart disease, strke, cancer, diabetes, high bld pressure, depressin, steprsis, besity and imprves well-being (Health and Transprt Study grup, undated). Thse withut private transprt have n ther ptins ther than t use lcal pprtunities, and these shuld always be maintained where pssible. Gd public transprt increases pprtunities fr physical activity by users (getting t and frm public transprt hubs), and reduces the number f private vehicles n lcal rads (increases desirability and perceived safety fr all walkers and cyclists) (Public Health Advisry Cmmittee, 2003). This is particularly true fr shrt lcal trips. Reduced free-will mvement f children due t increased traffic flws and lwer perceived safety f the envirnment impacts n children s mental health and physical health (Frumkin, 2001). While rad traffic accidents are a significant issue fr pedestrians and cyclists, the numbers f deaths pales in cmparisn t the numbers f deaths attributable t crnary heart disease, strke and cancer. Benefits f physical activity & activity friendly envirnments Creating an envirnment that supprts physical activity has health, scial, envirnmental and ecnmic benefits fr individuals and cmmunities. 30

31 Regular exercise prtects against heart disease and, by limiting besity, reduces the nset f diabetes. It prmtes a sense f well-being and prtects lder peple frm depressin (Wilkinsn & Marmt, WHO 2003). Cycling, walking and the use f public transprt prmte health in fur ways. They prvide exercise, reduce fatal accidents, increase scial cntact and reduce air pllutin (Wilkinsn & Marmt, WHO 2003). Physical activity is nw cnsidered a majr mdifiable factr fr preventing and reducing the mrtality frm cardivascular disease, diabetes and sme cancers, as well as imprving musculskeletal and mental health. Increasing epidemilgical evidence cnfirms the health benefits f mderate regular physical activity (Bauman & Owen, 1999). [T]here is cnvincing evidence that nt ding enugh physical activity (being sedentary) increases the risk f develping sme cancers. Being sedentary increases the risk f develping cancer f the cln and rectum. It is als pssible that being sedentary increases the risk f lung and breast cancer (Cancer Sciety, 2005). Regular physical activity benefits cmmunities and ecnmies in terms f reduced health csts, increased prductivity, better perfrming schls, lwer wrker absenteeism and turnver, and increased participatin in sprts and recreatin activities (WHO, 2005). Getting mre peple mre active mre ften enhances health, imprves individual and cmmunal sense f wellbeing, increases scial cnnectedness and prtects the envirnment (SPARC, 2004). Cmmunity severance/scial cnnectedness Cmmunity severance ccurs when peple are separated frm scial netwrks/supprt, cmmunity facilities and services by a physical barrier, such as a busy rad. Fr example there is a reductin in the number f friends in the same street when there are high vlumes f traffic n that street (Appleyard, 1981). Many studies have shwn that peple withut scial supprt have higher death rates (Hawe and Shiell, 2000), but there is nt direct evidence between transprt prjects and scial supprt. Cmmunity severance als results in reduced play areas fr children and reduced access t lcal educatin, wrk, shps and healthcare fr thse withut cars (Frumkin, 2001). Scial exclusin can als result in reduced physical activity and since thse withut private transprt are mre predminantly vulnerable grups, further inequalities arise (see abve fr affects). UK wrk shws that nn-car wning peple n lw incmes make 25% fewer jurneys than lw incme peple with a car, and 56% fewer jurneys than high incme car wners (Transprt Statistics Great Britain, 2001). Fr sme peple transprt can have psitive impacts n health by facilitating scial supprt, such as enabling better access t friends and family (Public Health Advisry Cmmittee, 2003). Access and mbility Access t educatin, wrk, shps, healthcare and scial netwrks ften requires transprt. Thse withut a car (highly represented in this cmmunity) have reduced access t thse facilities designed that assume car use. Within car-wning husehlds the elderly, children and wmen are less likely t have access t the car. Accrding t the New Zealand Transprt Survey, car usage is lwer in wmen, 31

32 in Mari and Pacific peples and in peple with lw incmes (Land Transprt Safety Authrity, 1999). Peple with disabilities are particularly affected by access issues. Health impacts f these are definite. Ensuring safe, accessible and reliable public transprt, walking and cycling ptins ges sme way t mitigating a lack f private vehicle transprt (Public Health Advisry Cmmittee, 2003; Transprt and Health Study Grup, undated). Hwever increased use f prly maintained public transprt, such as use f ld buses, will increase air pllutin (Fleeman and Sctt- Samuel, 2000). Nise related health impacts Nise related health impacts are unlikely t lead t hearing lss but cntribute t high bld pressure (able t be estimated), minr psychiatric illness, lss f sleep, increased cmmunicatin difficulties (speculative), and a pssible interference with cncentratin (speculative) (Transprt and health study grup, undated; Natinal Health Cmmittee, 2003). High nise levels can impair the perfrmance and educatinal attainment f children (Dejy, 1983; Sanz et al, 1993). Children with a lw level f educatinal attainment are mre likely t suffer frm pr adult health in later life (Bynner and Parsns, 1997; Zritch and Rberts 1998). Pllutin related health impacts Pllutin related health impacts include cancers, leukaemia, increased deaths and hspital admissins frm cardivascular diseases and respiratry diseases. Asthma symptms and brnchdilatr use will increase (Transprt and health study grup, undated). Fur hundred and frty peple annually are estimated t die frm PM10 air pllutin in Auckland annually. This is higher than the natinwide rad tll. Extremely cnservative average hspitalisatins in Auckland frm PM10s in Auckland are estimated t be 200 per year. Restricted activity days (spent in bed, missed frm wrk and when activities are partially restricted due t illness) in Auckland frm PM10s are estimated t be arund 750,000 every year. Health effects f PM10s are cughs, asthma symptms, brnchitis, respiratry illness and mrtality (Ministry fr the Envirnment, 2003). Radside cncentratins f carbn mnxide, nitrgen dixide, sulphur dixide and benzene in Auckland exceed ambient air quality guidelines. A significant decrease in wrk capacity in healthy adults, decreased exercise capacity at nset f angina and increased duratin f angina in peple with ischaemic heart disease are health effects f carbn mnxide. Ozne is estimated t cntribute t ver 100 deaths per year in Auckland. Benzene cncentratins are estimated t cause less than 70 cases f leukaemia ver lifetime expsure in Auckland (Ministry fr the Envirnment, 2003a). Due t heavy cncentratins f pllutants in the centre f rads, air intakes f vehicles and exhausts directed at grund level pllutin inside cars is up t three times higher inside vehicles than utside (Health Educatin Authrity, 2000) 32

33 Cnclusins and recmmendatins The ptential health impacts f the Wairau/ Tahart prject have been categrised as bth psitive and negative, althugh many are psitive. The impacts n health and the determinants f health that were identified under ne part f the prject were ften replicated in ther parts f the due t the intercnnected nature f different aspects f the prpsal. This is beneficial because prpsing slutins t enhance r mitigate health impacts fr ne issue ften enhances r mitigates ther aspects in the framewrk als. Such a situatin is cmmn, reflecting hw the determinants f health and wellbeing are similarly interrelated. Crridr ptins that are likely t prmte public health include the additinal bus lanes and cycle lanes, the new bus statin and imprved linkages t majr sites. Hwever, t maximise these psitive impacts it is imprtant that ptential negative impacts frm these same develpments are minimised, and these are recmmended belw. A number f recmmendatins were put frward by the invited stakehlders in the rapid HIA wrkshp and thrugh subsequent wrk. Hwever nly thse that: had matching evidence, and were practically able t be mitigated r enhanced, and/r matched residents cncerns r addressed cmmunity issues, and/r affected a large number f peple, and/r caused a significant impact, and/r disprprtinately affected a vulnerable grup have been brught thrugh int these recmmendatins. This ensures that any recmmendatins taken up by Nrth Shre City Cuncil are rbust, practical, evidence-based and desirable fr the cmmunity and stakehlders. The HIA recmmendatins have been split int sectins that reflect the rganisatin that has the mst ability t implement each recmmendatin. Recmmendatins suggested fr the Prject are: Recmmendatins Overarching and pririty cncepts. Recmmendatin That Nrth Shre City Cuncil (NSCC), Auckland Reginal Transprt Authrity (ARTA) and Auckland Reginal Public Health Service (ARPHS) hld a meeting t discuss the HIAs recmmendatins, which nes t take frward, wh will lead each recmmendatin and what timeframes and resurces might be required (develping an implementatin plan). That the Nrth Shre City Cuncil develp a Westlake area-plan. At the mment there is a crridr plan and n current attempt t create a cmmunity fr the lcal residents and incming children and wrkers. A series f liveable areas, linked t the main sites that can be develped in cnjunctin with the lcal cmmunity and stakehlders is needed. While it is seen by transprt Organisatins respnsible ARTA, ARPHS NSCC Additinal resurces required N Yes 33

34 planners as a hub and a crridr, it is rapidly turning int a large cmmunity f lcal residents (smaller prprtin) and incming students and wrkers (larger prprtin). This wuld help the transprt planners and land use planners t wrk tgether fr this cmmunity. Wairau Rad is likely t be insurmuntable bstacle fr sme peple regardless f mitigatins fr the design. Therefre ensuring that cmmunity cnnectins and adequate cmmunity facilities are prvided fr n bth sides f the crridr is imprtant. Thrugh the use f the prpsed Westlake area-plan the linkages can be made between thse, rather than acrss the crridr. ARTA and Nrth Shre City Cuncil jintly develp travel plans fr the cmmunity (lcal peple, wrkplaces, resthme and schls) t tie int the new public transprt initiatives being develped as part f the Crridr Prject. This wuld maximise the use f the new transprt facilities, and prvide a ratinale fr implementing travel plans within the cmmunity. Partners in this venture culd include The Rad Safety Trust, the Energy Efficiency and Cnservatin Authrity, the Auckland Reginal Cuncil, Infrastructure Auckland and Transfund. Develpment f the travel plans (if started in 2006/07) are in gd time t tie-in with the bus statin cmpletin in 2008 and the fully cmpleted prject in The Nrth Shre City Cuncil wrk particularly clsely with the Smales Farm Develpment t require travel plans, as the Farm has the ptential t greatly increase vehicle traffic flws int the cmmunity. Transprt mdal assessments f peple cming t and frm Smales Farm are required t ensure that the Travel Plans are implemented incentives frm the Nrth Shre City Cuncil shuld be cnsidered t ensure that privatevehicle access is capped at a manageable level. The Nrth Shre City Cuncil investigates the ecnmic effect f its wrkplace travel plans, and fr this data t be used t infrm ther Nrth Shre businesses f the impacts that can be accrued. NSCC ARTA Smales Farm, ARTA NSCC Part f the area-plan Name the suburb Westlake. NSCC N Create definite entry and exit pints t the suburb, as part NSCC Part f the f the area plan. area-plan Carry ut a safety audit f the cmpleted crridr (fr Transit NZ Build int example the phasing f the lights), but include wider usual cnsideratins such as the effectiveness f the crridr audit supprting cmmunity expectatins and prmtin f public health. Specific cncepts and design cnsideratins fr the Wairau/Tahart Crridr Recmmendatin Organisatins respnsible Cycling Ftpath widths shuld be a minimum f three metres NSCC N Yes Yes N Additinal resurces required 34

35 and as large as pssible (within the designatin limits). Mixed-use ftpaths that allwed cycling wuld create additinal safe space fr children t cngregate, and place a physical barrier between cyclists and traffic/bus lanes. If this is nt pssible under current by-laws then the by-laws shuld be changed. Schl children wh cycle culd be let-ut f schl 5 minutes befre ther students t ensure a relatively clear cycleway fr them (this ccurs in ther Auckland schls as part f travel plans). Prmtin f cycle-lanes thrughut the area, s that cyclists have multiple ptins (quiet rutes) ther than just Wairau/Tahart rad fr safe cycling, using back streets. This wuld include a netwrk f safe cycle-ways t and frm key areas such as the hspital, the bus statin and the shps. Prmtin f cycle-friendly destinatins, such as safe cycle strage facilities, shwers at wrk-places, etc. Schl cycle facilities are required t supprt the prpsal. Cnstructin Phasing f cnstructin is key bus stps shuld be built first. The mst disruptive cnstructin shuld ccur at schl hliday times. Crssing the rad Signal phasing shuld be develped that favurs pedestrians in the am and pm peak, with a particular fcus n timings that are favurable t pedestrians utside schls at peak schl hurs. Signal phasing fr pedestrian crssings must cnsider the speed at which lcal residents may be able t crss this rad. A high prprtin f residents greater than 60 years (50% f all lcals) suggests that the standard 1.2 metre/secnd timings fr a 30m rad-way may be inadequate. This requires investigatin when setting the phasing f the lights. Signal phasing at peak times fr wrkplaces and schls shuld nt rely n SCAT data as pedestrians require pririty ver cars at these times. Pedestrian tracking data shuld set the basis fr phasing at these times f the day. Crssing pints shuld be easy t use fr peple with mbility issues and peple with prams, fr example use f kerb-less crssing pints. Transit and Nrth Shre City Cuncil wrk tgether t ensure the phasing f the signals at the Westlake Bus statin intersectin with Wairau and Tahart Rads is ptimised fr cmmunity safety. Transit and Nrth Shre City Cuncil wrk tgether t cnsider ther ptins fr the Westlake Bus statin NSCC schls, ARTA ARTA ARTA schls cnstructin cmpany cnstructin cmpany NSCC NSCC NSCC cnstructin cmpany Transit Transit N N Yes Yes Yes N N N N Yes N N Yes 35

36 intersectin with Wairau and Tahart Rads t reduce the cnflict between pedestrians and vehicles Design pints Use crime preventin thrugh envirnmental design principles when develping the new bus statin, the surrunding area and wider crridr. Use injury preventin thrugh envirnmental design principles when develping the new bus statin, the surrunding area and wider crridr. Use urban designers t cntribute t the design f the streetscape and tree planting (nt just traffic engineers), but ensure that truck drivers (such as Atlas trucks) have a clear view when accessing the Atlas site. That future design decisins emply a transprt hierarchy f privilege: pedestrians> cyclists> public transprt> freight> private vehicles. Quantify the number f pedestrians and include this infrmatin in design planning Alternative and mitigating ptins Apprpriate mitigatin fr Westlake Girls classrms that are expsed t higher nise levels frm the new bus statin, such as landscaping and sund-prfing f classrms. Develp an ver-bridge fr peple frm the suth-west t access the bus statin, including desire-line paths thrugh the glf curse. Ensure exit pints frm schls d nt lead directly nt the crridr. Cnsider the use f cvered walkways t the bus statin frm majr pedestrian destinatins, including cvered areas at majr rad crssing pints. Encurage less parking and mre pen space in Smales Farm develpment t create cmmunity feel Cnsider rezning the husing n the street frntage as cmmercial. Cnsider ther ptins fr the crner f Wairau/Shakespeare including flyvers fr vehicles, cut-thrughs fr vehicles ne-way, cmmunity spaces and pedestrian access built abve the intersectin using a cncurse apprach, etc. cnstructin cmpany cnstructin cmpany cnstructin cmpany NSCC cnstructin cmpany schls, Transit NSCC schls ARTA Smales Farm NSCC Transit, ARTA N N N N Yes Yes Yes N Yes N N Yes Cmmunicatin Include affected businesses in decisins abut design that are within 50m either side f the business, but mre imprtantly ensure meetings are scheduled between the cntractr wh wins the cntract t deliver the services and the business wners t discuss the prcess f develpment day vs. night, traffic cntrl, access/pwer cut ff, when and which side f the rad first, etc Cnstructin cmpany Cmmunicate with businesses and schls abut the N N 36

37 prpsed design, particularly timing and mitigatin measures t reduce disruptin. Cmmunicate with students, wrkplaces, vehicle drivers and bus cmpanies abut the new layut and altered risks. Transprt services prvided New bus statin and rutes must align the timing and rutes fr lcal wrkers, fr example Atlas wrkers have very early and late shits. Ensure the bus services that use Naplen Rad cnsider the needs f the Lady Allum Resthme residents. Prmte alternative fuel buses and vehicles by all stakehlders. Encurage prviders t vent exhaust fumes frm heavy vehicles using a vertical exhaust (rather than current grund-level exhaust) t aid dispersal f pllutants cnstructin cmpany Transit, ARTA bus prviders bus prviders ARPHS, ARTA, bus prviders bus prviders Yes N N Yes Yes 37

38 References Appleyard, D. (1981). Liveable streets. Ls Angeles, University f Califrnia Press. Australia Cycling, Natinal Strategy ( Bauman, A. Owen, N. (1999). Physical activity f adult Australians: epidemilgical evidence and ptential strategies fr health gain. Jurnal f Science and Medicine in Sprt, 2(1):30-41 Bynner, J and Parsns, S (1997). It desn t get any better: the impact f pr basic skills n the lives f 37 year lds. Lndn: The Basic Skills Agency. Cancer Sciety f New Zealand (2005). Fact Sheet: Bdy fat, physical activity and cancer: Wellingtn. Dejy, D. (1983) Envirnmental nise and children: A review f recent findings. J Aud Res, 23: Fleeman, N and Sctt-Samuel, A. (2000). A prspective HIA f the Merseyside Integrated Transprt Strategy. J Public Health Medicine, 22(3): Frumkin, H (2001). Urban sprawl and public health. Public Health Reprts, 117: Hawe, P, Shiell, A. (2000). Scial capital and health prmtin: a review. Scial Science and Medicine, 51, Health Educatin Authrity (2000). Health update: envirnment and health: rad transprt. Lndn: HEA. Jacbsen PL. Injury Preventin 2003; 9: Land Transprt Safety Authrity (1999). The NZ Transprt Survey. Wellingtn: Land Transprt Safety Authrity. Land Transprt Safety Authrity (2005). Research and statistics. Available at Ministry fr the Envirnment (2003). Health effects f PM10 in New Zealand. Air quality technical reprt N 39. Wellingtn: Ministry fr the Envirnment. Ministry fr the Envirnment (2003a). Health effects f CO, NO 2, SO 2, zne, benzene and benz(a)pyrene in New Zealand. Air quality technical reprt N 43. Wellingtn: Ministry fr the Envirnment. Ministry fr the Envirnment (2005) The Value f Urban Design, Wellingtn Ministry f Health (2005). Tracking the besity epidemic. New Zealand Wellingtn: Ministry f Health. Ministry f Scial Develpment (2003) Quality f Life in the Big Cities Reprt Natinal Health Cmmittee (1998). The scial, cultural and ecnmic determinants f heatlh in New Zealand. Actin t imprve health. Wellingtn: Natinal Health Cmmittee. Prctr S. (1991) Accident reductin thrugh area-wide traffic schemes. Traffic Engineering and Cntrl 1991; 32(12): Public Health Advisry Cmmittee (2003). Impacts f transprt n health an verview. Wellingtn: PHAC, Natinal Health Cmmittee. 38

39 Public Health Advisry Cmmittee (2004) A Guide t Health Impact Assessment: A plicy tl fr New Zealand. Wellingtn: PHAC, Natinal Health Cmmittee. Sanz SA, Garcia, A. (1993). Rad traffic nise arund schls: A risk fr pupils perfrmance. Int Arch Occupatinal Envirnmental Health, 65(3): SPARC (2004). The NZ physical activity questinnaires: Reprt n the validatin and use f the NZPAQ LF and NZPAQ SF self reprt physical activity survey instruments. Wellingtn: SPARC/MH Statistics New Zealand (2001) Census f Ppulatin and Dwellings 2001; Wellingtn. The Institute fr Public Plicy Research (2002). Streets ahead: Safe and liveable streets fr children. Available at Transprt and health study grup (undated). Carrying ut a health impact assessment f a transprt plicy guidance frm the transprt and health study grup. Stckprt: Faculty f Public Health Medicine and Transprt and Health Study Grup. Transprt Statistics Great Britain, Cited in Pitches, D. The 2003 West Midlands Lcal Transprt Plan. A rapid HIA. Birmingham: The University f Birmingham. Waitemata DHB (Lindsay A, Latimer S, Bramley D Eds) (2005) Health Needs Assessment Update The health status f the residents f Waitemata. Waitemata District Health Bard. April Wilkinsn, R. & Marmt, M. (Eds) (2003). Scial Determinants f Health: The Slid Facts. 2 nd Editin. Geneva: Wrld Health Organizatin Wrld Health Organizatin (2005). Benefits f Physical Activity Factsheet. Geneva: WHO. Zritch, B and Rberts I (1998) The health and welfare effects f day care fr pre-schl children: a systematic review f randmised cntrl trials. In: The Cchrane Database f Systematic Reviews. The Cchrane Library Issue 2. Oxfrd: Update Sftware. 39

40 Appendix A Plicy Cntext fr Health Impact Assessment n the Wairau/ Tahart Rad Widening Prject Land Transprt Management Act: The purpse f this Act is related directly t the imprvement f scial and envirnmental respnsibility in terms f land transprt funding, planning and management. This is reflective f the impact transprt has n peples daily lives including the impacts transprt has n health in the bradest terms. 3. Purpse (1)The purpse f this Act is t cntribute t the aim f achieving an integrated, safe, respnsive, and sustainable land transprt system. (2) T cntribute t that purpse, this Act (b) imprves scial and envirnmental respnsibility in land transprt funding, planning, and management; and Lcal Gvernment Auckland Amendment Act 2004 (LGAAA): The LGAAA is prmting the integratin f land use and land transprt. The ability t prvide mre sustainable land use and transprt pprtunities inevitably has a spin ff effect in terms f imprvement t peple s health. Imprved access t public transprt services, the ability t make shrt trips by nn- mtrised mdes in a safe and direct manner start t imprve the quality f the urban envirnment. This in turn imprves peple s health as they have much better chices in terms f transprt and access and they are much mre scially cnnected t their cmmunity. Schedule 5: s(40(1)(b) Land Transprt and Land Use Changes (a) and (d) relates t imprvements fr public health (a) prviding increased certainty in the assessment f resurce cnsents, designatins, and plan changes related t transprt and urban frm, and ensuring that transprt and land use patterns are aligned t achieve sustainability, efficiency, and liveability in the Auckland Regin; and (d) supprting cmpact sustainable urban frm and sustainable land use intensificatin (including lcatin, timing and sequencing issues, and assciated quality, character and values f urban frm and design; 40

41 Reginal Plicy Statement: The RPS acknwledges that the regin s transprt system needs t be develped in a mre sustainable manner thrugh an increase in the use f energy efficient and space efficient mdes f transprt, such as passenger transprt, cycling and walking, and an increase in the ccupancy f vehicles. New Zealand Transprt Strategy: Objective 5: PROTECTING AND PROMOTING PUBLIC HEALTH Transprt will cntribute t healthy cmmunities and human interactin. Health utcmes will be imprved thrugh regulatin, educatin, encuragement and investment. Walking and cycling fr shrt trips will be prmted and reduced dependence n private vehicles fr mbility is encuraged. The gvernment will put in place plicies that encurage mdal shifts that enhance air and water quality and reduce expsure t transprt nise r ther aspects f transprt systems that can impinge n cmmunity and persnal health. The Gvernment recgnizes in this strategy the health impacts f rad transprt n sciety in general and that the effects are nt cnfined t exhaust emissins and nise. The strategy ntes that sme individuals find that transprt negatively affects their ability t participate in sciety and their cmmunity and thus presenting the gvernment and cmmunities with a brader set f physical and mental health challenges. The negative health impacts f transprt can cme frm a wide range f areas including emissins, cntaminants, nise and accidents. These impacts can affect bth physical and mental wellbeing. High vlumes f traffic can restrict peple s sense f mbility and their ability t interact in public spaces. This in turn increases stress and islatin. Slving the impact f transprt n health will require mre than regulatin, imprved infrastructure design and new technlgies. It is als recgnized that substantial health benefits will be achieved if even a small prprtin f the fewer than tw kilmetre trips currently made by car were made by active health mdes such as walking r cycling. These benefits wuld cme frm increased physical activity, reduced emissins, less nise and less water pllutin. The gvernment has set aside additinal funding in the Natinal Land Transprt Fund fr walking and cycling initiatives and infrastructure and enhanced public transprt systems t imprve public health utcmes thrugh reduced vehicle emissins. Lnger-term develpments, such as the planned imprvements t the rail system in Auckland and the develpment f the Nrth Shre Busway system, prmise further psitive trends in this area. Auckland Reginal Land Transprt Strategy Objective 4: PROTECTING AND PROMOTING PUBLIC HEALTH Transprt plays a vital rle in building healthy cmmunities. Reducing the levels f cngestin, the amunt f travel by mtr vehicles and imprving fuel quality can imprve public health by reducing air pllutin, water 41

42 pllutin and nise. Active Transprt chices including walking and cycling can als imprve individual s fitness and health. Transprt chices can indirectly affect the amunt f physical activity f the ppulatin undertakes. By having the ability t chse frm mre active mdes such as public transprt, cycling and walking are likely t result in imprvements in peple s physical and mental wellbeing. Mre Specific utcmes sught by the Reginal Land Transprt Strategy - Fewer and cleaner vehicle emissins - Transprt chices which cntribute t making healthier chices easier and which prmte a mre active ppulatin - Reduced effects n cmmunities frm nise and vibratin which riginate frm the transprt system - The cumulative travel made by the regin delivers the greatest amunt f health benefit. Auckland Reginal Transprt Plan (ARTA) Strategic Alignment f the Land Transprt Prgramme Public Health Reliance n less active methds f transprts is seen as cntributing t the grwing health issues such as besity and general decrease in fitness. Encuraging mre peple t walk and cycle, especially children wh carry their habits int later life is seen as supprting natinal public health initiatives. ARTA nte there has been a nticeable increase in walking and cycling prjects. A significant factr is the travel planning wrk carried ut by ARATA in cnjunctins with territrial authrities, which aims t change travel behaviur at schls, universities, wrkplaces and arund cmmunity centres. Nrth Shre City Transprt Strategy The Nrth Shre City Transprt Strategy Visin Statement: T prvide and supprt an integrated, safe, respnsive and sustainable transprt system that meets the transprt needs f the Nrth Shre Cmmunity, enhances city develpment and minimise adverse and envirnmental impacts. The strategy requires a transprt system that: - Is safe fr all mdes - Prvides access fr all - Efficiently cnnected - Affrdable - Enables mde chice - Integrates with land use 42

43 - Attractive fr pedestrians and cyclists - Has an acceptable adverse impact n the envirnment and cmmunities. This will prvide fr cmmunity that; - Walk, cycle and use public transprt in increasing numbers - Are mre safety cnscius and mre able t drive, walk and cycle safely - Are healthier and fitter - Are less likely t be injured r killed. 43

44 Appendix B Affected areas fr the future upgrade f the Wairau/Tahart Rad Crridr 44