Category: News

A News Post on something that has happened

Auckland Council Correcting a Resolutions Error

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Whoops – bit too quick off the mark there

 

From Auckland Council

Auckland Council correcting minor issue on rates resolution – no change to rates bills

 

 

Auckland Council is correcting a minor technical issue in the setting of this year’s rates.

 

At the 26 June Governing Body meeting, the Council voted to set its rates immediately prior to adopting the Annual Plan, rather than immediately after as required by the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002.

 

To remove any potential ambiguity created by this issue, Auckland Council’s Governing Body will be asked to repeat its 2014-15 rates resolutions as part of its ordinary meeting on 14 August.

 

The resolution will not change rates as set on 26 June, and there will be no change to what appears on people’s rates bills.

 

A Council spokesperson said:

 

“Unfortunately the ordering of the agenda was not strictly in line with what is required by the Act. This resolution will remove any potential ambiguity this may have created. It will have no impact on the rates that were set by Council.”

 

Auckland Council will publish a notice in the New Zealand Herald tomorrow, pursuant to section 119 of the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002.

—ends—

 

First Unitary Plan Pre-Hearing to get Under-Way

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Ironically on Further Submissions

 

Okay this one is more for your Unitary Plan wonks (like me) but it pays to keep an eye on Unitary Plan Hearing Panel proceedings to gauge the debate and reactions on the Proposed Unitary Plan.

Last night I saw from the Unitary Plan Page (the one the Hearings Panel runs) a Procedural Minute from the Chair – Judge Kirkpatrick in regards to the Further Submission process recently completed.

Before I embed the material just a note on the Hearings Panel and relevant information:

 

From the Unitary Plan Independent Panel Procedures Page:

Some of the important things to note about the hearing process are listed here.

  • You will only be contacted about pre-hearing meetings and hearing sessions if you have said on your submission that you wish to be heard, or if you have contacted the panel office to let us know that you wish to be heard.
  • If you are a submitter but do not wish to be heard, your submission will still be considered by the Panel when making their recommendations on the Plan.
  • Hearing sessions and pre-hearing meetings are open to the public and the media as observers. Only submitters or their representative and their witnesses are allowed to speak.
  • Expert conferences and mediations are not open to the public. This is because discussions at those meetings should encourage an open exchange of views and may need to be on a “without prejudice” basis. Panel decisions do not get made at these meetings.
  • The Panel will expect all submitters who wish to be heard, or their representative and any witnesses they call, to attend in person. In some circumstances the Panel may agree to other arrangements, but that will need to be arranged in advance of a hearing session.
  • Because of the large number of submissions and the limited time available, submitters will be given a fixed amount of time at the hearing to make their main points. There will generally not be time to read in full your submission or evidence to the Panel.
  • If you are required by the Panel to attend any pre-hearing meeting it is important that you do attend. If you do not have a reasonable excuse for not attending, the Panel may exclude you from the rest of the hearing process.
  • The Panel’s hearing rooms at 205 Queen Street have limited capacity. Pre-hearing meetings and hearing sessions that have a large number of submitters and a high level of expected public interest may be held in other locations. Please check this website for details.
  • If the number of people at the hearing exceeds the maximum allowed for building safety, priority will be given to the people who need to be there for that part of the hearing to proceed.
  • All records of hearing and pre-hearing processes will be available on the IHP website, unless there is good reason for withholding any particular information under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987.
  • All publicly available documents for the hearing sessions will be placed on this website. Parties involved in a hearing session will be sent a link to the website so they can go direct to the documents relating to their hearing session. Other arrangements will be made if you cannot access the website.
  • The hearings will not be transcribed. The hearings will be recorded digitally and a copy of the audio record can be provided on request.

Source: http://www.aupihp.govt.nz/procedures/

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Meaning anything I post in regards to the pre hearings or hearings is public information unless stated otherwise.

 

The “Procedural Minute” that was recently issued in regards to Further Submissions (that recently closed)

 

The Letter of the upcoming Pre Hearing Conference

 

From what I can gather the Memorandum of Counsel is on the Further Submission process, the complexity of the Unitary Plan, and Auckland Council’s large submission to the Unitary Plan. The applicants have asked the Hearings Panel in this case for an IT expert and independent planning consultant to assist people through both the Unitary Plan and the Unitary Plan website. While the pre hearing is to go ahead it seems the Panel will decline this request by the applicants (hmm I could have done that for them having waded through all 7,000 pages of that cumbersome document a few too many times).

However, it is to note that we could see the Hearings grind down if pre hearings and hearings get stuck on the complexity of the Unitary Plan let alone anything else including rezoning at site specific level.

 

As for my submission I had five oppose it and one in support. Going to be fun times ahead

 

Theory: Why Our Electric Trains are Grounded and Will Face Future Issues

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Possible Cause: Cost Cutting

 

I have seen a bit of activity, chatter and news going around about our Electric Trains. If you are wondering why they are not running at the moment on the Onehunga Line my Electric Train Fleet Grounded [updated] post gave the heads up on it.

An extract from TVNZ stated:

Fault prompts electric train replacement on Auckland network

Published: 1:15PM Wednesday July 23, 2014 Source: ONE News

A power fault has led to Auckland’s new electric trains being replaced on the Onehunga Line.

Auckland Transport has stressed the faults had not resulted in any safety issues.

The power fault has occurred twice in the last 24 hours and while it could take several days to fix timetables will remain unchanged.

Auckland Transport chief operations officer Greg Edmonds says the organisation intends to get to the root of the issue.

“So as not to inconvenience customers we have decided to run diesel units,” he says.

Mr Edmonds also says issues such as this are expected while phasing in a new train fleet.

….

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Source: http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/fault-prompts-electric-train-replacement-auckland-network-6036157

 

After some checking and some chats in regards to the EMU fault I came up with a theory into what MIGHT be causing the issues with our electric trains that has resulted in the grounding of the fleet. Now I stress this is a theory in what possibly might have occurred from deductions and observations. Naturally when such a theory is presented the relevant authority would carry out tests to either prove or disprove the theory. Now we know according to Auckland Transport’s Chief Operating Officer Greg Edmonds that equipment is being installed on the two substations that feed the juice into the electric network for the trains to see if they can find the fault. I hope they do however, I theorise that the fault while found, it can not be remedied if Auckland Transport and Kiwi Rail have done cost cutting with the infrastructure thus we will have continual issues until the proper remedy is in position.

 

The Theory? This is what I have thus far

I have previously picked up on the EMU fault that is plaguing our electric trains resulting in their grounding until further notice.  You can see the post in regards to the fleet grounding: https://voakl.net/2014/07/23/electric-train-fleet-grounded/
My theory on the Electric Train grounding has come from chatter and observations from the saga.  Specifically these three links which have raw information on the problems of our EMU fleet
In short on Sunday (20th July) the problems with the EMU’s shutting down in revenue service (so carrying passengers) got pretty bad. Monday got really bad when two EMU’s broke down causing delays and congestion inside Britomart.
Tuesday AT withdrew the entire fleet.

There is NO problems with the trains (rolling stock) themselves from what I have observed. The fault is with the infrastructure used to run the system. I can not stress this enough to readers!

I have been told by many sources inside the rail industry that the problems of over voltage, surges and train fuses being blown COULD BE caused by what is known as dirty power.
Dirty power being:

Power quality

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Power quality determines the fitness of electrical power to consumer devices. Synchronization of the voltage frequency and phase allows electrical systems to function in their intended manner without significant loss of performance or life. The term is used to describe electric power that drives an electrical load and the load’s ability to function properly. Without the proper power, an electrical device (or load) may malfunction, fail prematurely or not operate at all. There are many ways in which electric power can be of poor quality and many more causes of such poor quality power.

The electric power industry comprises electricity generation (AC power), electric power transmission and ultimately electricity distribution to an electricity meter located at the premises of the end user of the electric power. The electricity then moves through the wiring system of the end user until it reaches the load. The complexity of the system to move electric energy from the point of production to the point of consumption combined with variations in weather, generation, demand and other factors provide many opportunities for the quality of supply to be compromised.

While “power quality” is a convenient term for many, it is the quality of the voltage—rather than power or electric current—that is actually described by the term. Power is simply the flow of energy and the current demanded by a load is largely uncontrollable.

To use a household appliance like a computer as an example: our household appliances run on 240 volts and usually 3-10 amps at 50Hz frequency. When you have dirty power the Hz frequency jumps all over the place and as a result it will cause your computer to either blow its fuse (same way when there is too much amps coming through) or damage the equipment.
To make things more interesting I have been told of over voltage issues especially around the Onehunga Line where the trains go from receiving its normal 25,000 volts to all of a sudden 27,000 volts. Again this will cause the train to shut down if not blow its fuses.
Now as Greg Edmonds has stated only two sub stations were built to feed and filter power to the network and trains. HOWEVER four if not five substations were meant to be built (as noted by the Better Transport Links above) yet we only have two.
Mr Edmonds said special measuring equipment had been installed at both of the electrification system’s two power supply substations, and on the trains themselves, ready for simulated services to be trialled last night.
As substations act as the surge protector, power feeder, and power filter (to prevent the Hz running all over the show thus giving dirty power that shuts the trains down) we are lacking the full set that would serve the entire network and all 57 EMU trains.
And if we are getting faults now owing to two sub stations ever only being built instead of the 4 or 5 that were meant to be with just 6 EMU trains running then how is the system meant to cope with all 57 by the end of next year?
To make problems more interesting I have been told by reliable sources that there could be issues with the earthing system as well. That is houses near the rail line could have their electronics affected if the rail earthing system is not strong enough. Now I have not heard any complaints from residents or business yet. But if we are getting issues with the substations now then no doubt there will be an issue with the earthing system.

 

Power quality issues (so dirty power) also give harmonics issues which have been mentioned before again here:  http://www.bettertransport.org.nz/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2460&start=2760 (I think one page back from where that one will open). More on harmonics can be seen here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmonics_(electrical_power) (extract below)

Harmonics (electrical power)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Harmonics voltages and currents in an electric power system are a result of non-linear electric loads. Harmonic frequencies in the power grid are a frequent cause of power quality problems. Harmonics in power systems result in increased heating in the equipment and conductors, misfiring in variable speed drives, and torque pulsations in motors. Reduction of harmonics is considered desirable.

…

Effects

One of the major effects of power system harmonics is to increase the current in the system. This is particularly the case for the third harmonic, which causes a sharp increase in the zero sequence current, and therefore increases the current in the neutral conductor. This effect can require special consideration in the design of an electric system to serve non-linear loads.[2]

In addition to the increased line current, different pieces of electrical equipment can suffer effects from harmonics on the power system.

Motors

Electric motors experience losses due to hysteresis and losses due to eddy currents set up in the iron core of the motor. These are proportional to the frequency of the current. Since the harmonics are at higher frequencies, they produce higher core losses in a motor than the power frequency would. This results in increased heating of the motor core, which (if excessive) can shorten the life of the motor. The 5th harmonic causes a CEMF (counter electromotive force) in large motors which acts in the opposite direction of rotation. The CEMF is not large enough to counteract the rotation, however it does play a small role in the resulting rotating speed of the motor.

 

And that is my theory behind the situation resulting in the costly grounding of our electric train fleet. The theory stems from the simple fact that currently only two of the four or five substations that would feed the electrified rail network power as well as filter the power to prevent dirty power and over voltage have been built. We only have 50% of the total supply potential and filtering (or protecting) capacity installed for a 25,000 volt system. Thus because of the reduced capacity to filter, protect and supply we get these problems with just SIX electric trains running let alone the full 57.

 

So the question is what will Auckland Transport do? The remedies that I have seen are quite costly if we are to prevent the entire EMU revenue service fleet being pulled again like last week.

Something that could have been in theory very easily avoided!

 

Council Consolidating Buildings

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From Seven to Three

 

From Auckland Council

Council accommodation moves to save $100m

 

Auckland Council is in the process of reducing the number of its council buildings in the central city from seven to three to save money and create more efficient and productive work spaces.

The council purchased the former ASB Tower at 135 Albert Street in July 2012 for $104m and staff are presently moving in. The move to 135 Albert Street results in savings of about $2.7m a year over the next 10 years. Over the next 20 years, the savings will be over $100m. 

 A decision on future accommodation had to be made as leases on rented buildings were coming up for renewal.

Purchasing 135 Albert Street was the cheapest of all options examined, which included staying in existing buildings, building a new building or purchasing an alternative existing building.

Savings are being realised through exiting leases on rented offices, operational efficiencies, better utilisation of space and reduced time travelling between offices. Staff productivity and effectiveness are also expected to improve as teams and groups work more closely together.

In the long term, approximately 2400 staff will be accommodated in 135 Albert Street, including space for elected members.

Some departments that were in Bledisloe House have already moved to 135 Albert Street, enabling staff in rented office space, such as on Hereford Street, to move to Bledisloe House or Albert Street.

As part of the current work to upgrade Bledisloe Lane, the customer services centre and reception presently in the ground floor area of the Civic Administration Building will be moved into the ground level of Bledisloe House.

These works sit within existing renewal budgets.

—ends—

 

 

 

Speculation Second Harbour Crossing (as Road only) Could Be Accelerated

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Labour questions Government on leaked document that states Prime Minister is set to announce advancing second harbour crossing in August (on the campaign)

 

I caught this from Labour’s Phil Twyford and thought that was the joke rather than Minister of Transport Gerry Brownlee offering up his resignation:

 

As expected Twitter lit up with a lot of people Tweeting their displeasure over this apparent upcoming announcement.

Road Only Auckland Harbour Crossing “Makes No Sense”

The Campaign for Better Transport said today that the Government’s idea of an additional road only Waitemata Harbour Crossing hasn’t been thought through.

“We all know that the Northern Motorway and approaches are notoriously congested at peak times, so local support probably stems from the belief that this congestion will somehow be solved,” said spokesperson Cameron Pitches.

“However, the net effect of a road only crossing will be that in the morning peak, the Auckland CBD will be flooded with thousands of extra single occupant cars looking for a car park. The Central Motorway Junction will also be a bottleneck without more lanes, but there is no room for more.

“And in the evening peak the already congested Northern Motorway will grind to a halt, as six lanes converge into three.”

Mr Pitches says a far better solution would be a rail only crossing that would extend from the City Rail Link to Albany on the North Shore.

“The Northern Busway is enormously popular and is a great example of a system that can carry far more people at peak times than single occupant cars. High capacity rail would be the logical next step.”

Mr Pitches said that a recent report identified that the cost of a rail link connecting the City Rail Link to Albany on the North Shore would be about $2.5bn.

“It is clear that the Government’s proposal and any alternatives have not been through Treasury’s better business case process.  There is no urgency with the project either as the yet to be completed Western Ring Route is designed to reduce traffic volumes on the bridge,” said Mr Pitches.

The Government is yet to make an official announcement on how a new crossing would be funded, but Mr Pitches suspects it would have to be tolled due to the multi-billion dollar cost of the project.

“The Government also needs to be honest and reveal how much the toll will be for the new crossing, and if the current Harbour Bridge will be tolled as well.”

“It just makes no sense.  The Government has just been caught out not doing a comprehensive assessment of alternatives for the Basin Reserve.  You would think they would want to avoid making the same mistake twice,” concludes Mr Pitches.

For more analysis of the proposed Harbour Crossing, visit transportblog.co.nz: http://bit.ly/1niNuZq

—ends—

 

And of course I picked up this from Councillor George Wood: This will mean that the SkyPath will now not be required Keith. Savings all around.

I am also not particularly amused that all the millions spent on revitalising the City Centre and surrounds to turn it from its car dominated past into a more humanised place will be wasted with the City Centre to be turned back into a car sewer rat run thanks to the second crossing funnelling all the cars from the North Shore back into the City Centre…