Updates to the New Zealand Guide to Temporary Traffic Management (NGTTM)

From 1 November 2024 the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA), across all its state highway network, is retiring the Traffic Management Code of Practice for Temporary Traffic Management, (CoPTTM) and adopting a new guide, named the New Zealand Guide to Temporary Traffic Management, (NZGTTM). The NZGTTM outlines how to use a risk-based approach to plan and mitigate the risks to road workers and road users to keep them safe.

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) has sole jurisdiction over local roading corridors through the Road Corridor Manager (RCM) under the legal provisions. For the time being, we will allow our local industry to apply either a CoPTTM or NZGTMM approach. Importantly, neither approach removes a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) accountability to identify and manage risks, which has been in place since the introduction of the Health, Safety at Work Act 2015.

We acknowledge we are at the beginning of a transition period, and we are committed to working with you to make this as smooth as possible.

Corridor Access Requests (CAR) and Traffic Management Plans (TMPs)

It is our expectation that when applying to QLDC for a CAR the Traffic Management Plans must be in accordance with CoPTTM. If a planner deviates from the CoPTTM, a full explanation is required to accompany the CAR application through the Submitica portal along with any applicable supporting documents (as per existing EED requirements).

Please refer to the CAR process below for a guide on how QLDC undertakes its regulatory function under either CoPTTM or NZGTTM.

• QLDC Corridor Access Flowchart (PDF, 66KB)

TMPs without a Risk Register or Risk Assessment documentation

If a TMP is submitted without a Risk Register or Risk Assessment documentation, it will be treated as a CoPTTM based TMP by default for its lifetime, regardless of any contrary position by the PCBU following approval. It is not acceptable to state a site is operating under NZGTTM principles after the TMP has been approved, and without prior submission of the required documentation. Thorough documentation and compliance with the required processes are necessary from the outset.

On-site management of TMPs

If your TMP was configured using the CoPTTM during its development and approval, that basis cannot be changed on-site without proper procedures. The TMP has been designed and agreed upon between all PCBUs, and any deviation requires appropriate risk management processes that are robust, well-documented, and collaborative. Managing risk on-site remains an ongoing obligation. If risks are not managed or control measures are ineffective, this must be addressed by the PCBU. However, the duties of consultation, coordination, and cooperation still apply, regardless of the management philosophy adopted. Deviation from the agreed TMP requires a thorough and collaborative approach to risk management.

TTM Site Condition Reviews (TTM SCR) and NZGTTM TMPs

We will continue to use the current TM SCR from CoPTTM for monitoring the performance of all worksites and the implementation of TMPs, including those operating under a NZGTTM based TMP.  We will continue to use this methodology until there is a viable alternative that provides the ability to better measure the performance of any implemented TMP.

Pending changes and retirement of the NZTA warrant card system

Given the pending changes and retirement of the NZTA warrant card system for TTM qualifications, QLDC will recognise the current expiry date of the warrant cards held by traffic management staff as proof of competency and training until they expire. Looking ahead, it will be up to each PCBU to determine who is sufficiently trained and capable to work in a particular environment of road. Unit standard training and assessment may contribute to this determination and your own record keeping of the categories of road you’ve been trained and assessed on will further help you to decide if PCBU obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA) have been met. To meet our obligations QLDC may request evidence of staff competency at any time during TMP development through to implementation.