Cross Valley Connection Programme Business Case
Darren Conway made this Official Information request to Hutt City Council
The request was refused by Hutt City Council.
From: Darren Conway
Hello
This is a request for the economics assessment spreadsheet used to generate the dollar values in the Cross Valley Connection Programme Business Case.
In addition, this request is for latest version of the economics assessment spreadsheet (or its replacement) if it is different to the economics assessment spreadsheet requested above.
This request includes any spreadsheets or other files linked in the economics assessment spreadsheet. All worksheets and cells are expected to be unlocked and unhidden.
Darren Conway
Lower Hutt
From: Information Management Team
Hutt City Council
Kia ora Darren
Thank you for your information request of 1 July 2022. You have asked for:
"… the economics assessment spreadsheet used to generate the dollar values in the Cross Valley Connection Programme Business Case.
In addition, this request is for latest version of the economics assessment spreadsheet (or its replacement) if it is different to the economics assessment spreadsheet requested above.
This request includes any spreadsheets or other files linked in the economics assessment spreadsheet. All worksheets and cells are expected to be unlocked and unhidden."
The worksheets used for the Cross Valley Connection Programme Business Case were provided in response to a previous LGOIMA request. They are available on Hutt City Council’s public website at the following link:
https://hccpublicdocs.azurewebsites.net/...
The Council contracted the drafting of the business case for the Cross Valley Connection to a private entity. The methodology, formulae and spreadsheets generated are the intellectual property of this third party. Accordingly, unlocked worksheets, spreadsheets and formulae for the economics assessment are withheld under section 7(2)(b) of the LGOIMA, to protect the commercial position of this party. The worksheets are therefore provided as a pdf.
Further, there are an extensive number of spreadsheets associated with the Business Case. As such, we are also refusing this part of your request under section 17(f) of the LGOIMA, as the information requested cannot be made available without substantial collation or research.
The economics assessment was carried out in January 2020, hence the previous version of New Zealand Transport Agency’s Economics Evaluation Manual (EEM) was used. The EEM was later superseded by the new Waka Kotahi Monetised Benefits and Costs Manual (MBCM) in August 2020.
The EEM and MBCM calculations and spreadsheets used are provided in the following links from the Waka Kotahi website:
www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/economic-eval...
www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/monetised-ben...
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this response. Information about how to make a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
Please note that this letter may be published on the Council’s website.
Nâku noa, nâ
Susan Sales
Ringa Âwhina Tâhûhû ki Te Koromatua | Senior Advisor
Te Kaunihera o Te Awa Kairangi | Hutt City Council, 30 Laings Road, Private Bag 31912, Lower Hutt 5040, New Zealand
Paetukutuku: www.huttcity.govt.nz
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From: Darren Conway
Dear Information Management Team,
The request for spreadsheets or documents linked to the economics analysis is specific and limited to the Excel feature that allows information and calculations on other spreadsheets to be used in a separate spreadsheet. This part of the request does not ask for all of the spreadsheets that might have been produced, but are not directly linked to the business case spreadsheet.
I struggle to see how calculations based on publicly accessible spreadsheet templates on a now superseded manual could have any commercial or intellectual value that might prevent their public release. The point is moot because according to the Guide Making official information requests: A guide for requesters
"Agencies sometimes have individuals or companies do work for them under contract.
Information which an independent contractor holds in their capacity as a contractor to the agency is considered to be held by that agency. " (Ref s 2(5) OIA; s 2(6) LGOIMA.)
In the simplest of terms, I am seeking the spreadsheet, plus any directly linked spreadsheets, used to produce the pdf you have referenced.
The information requested has not been delivered.
My request for that information remains extant.
Yours sincerely,
Darren Conway
From: Information Management Team
Hutt City Council
Kia ora Darren
There are an extensive number of spreadsheets associated with the Business Case, but none of these spreadsheets is labelled as being the 'Economic Assessment'. To search for, identify and collate any information within the spreadsheets that may be relevant to your request will involve considerable work. Your request for this material is therefore refused under section 17(f) of the LGOIMA.
Further, we have advised that the methodology and formulae used and spreadsheets generated are the intellectual property of the third party contractor. Accordingly, any of this information that is relevant to your request is withheld under section 7(2)(b) of the LGOIMA, to protect the commercial position of this party.
I regret that we are unable to fulfil your request on this occasion. As previously advised, you have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of our response. Information about how to make a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
Ngā mihi
Susan Sales
Ringa Āwhina Tāhūhū ki Te Koromatua | Senior Advisor
Te Kaunihera o Te Awa Kairangi | Hutt City Council, 30 Laings Road, Private Bag 31912, Lower Hutt 5040, New Zealand
Paetukutuku: www.huttcity.govt.nz
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From: venILECM
Hello Darren Conway,
Thank you for your Request for Information submission, it has been received by Hutt City Council and is currently being reviewed.
Your request has been classified as a Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act (LGOIMA) request.
If you'd like to follow up on this, please ensure you quote the following:
* Request: Darren Conway - Cross Valley Connection
* Subject: Cross Valley Connection
* Reference #: 206
* Date of submission: 2022-07-03T21:22:31Z
Yours sincerely,
Hutt City Council
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