I hereby give notice that an ordinary meeting of the Waitākere Ranges Local Board will be held on:
Date: Time: Meeting Room: Venue:
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Thursday, 13 February 2014 6.30pm Waitakere
Ranges Local Board Office |
Waitākere Ranges Local Board
OPEN AGENDA
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MEMBERSHIP
Chairperson |
Sandra Coney, QSO |
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Deputy Chairperson |
Denise Yates, JP |
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Members |
Neil Henderson |
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Greg Presland |
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Steve Tollestrup |
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Saffron Toms |
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(Quorum 3 members)
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Glenn Boyd Relationship Manager Local Board Services (West)
Riya Seth Democracy Advisor
5 February 2014
Contact Telephone: (09) 839 3512 Email: riya.seth@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz Website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
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Waitākere Ranges Local Board 13 February 2014 |
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1 Welcome 5
2 Apologies 5
3 Declaration of Interest 5
4 Confirmation of Minutes 6
5 Leave of Absence 6
6 Acknowledgements 6
7 Update from Ward Councillors 6
8 Presentations/Deputations 6
8.1 Maui's Dolphins - Will Trusewich 6
8.2 Living Wage West 7
9 Public Forum 7
10 Extraordinary Business 7
11 Notices of Motion 8
12 Western Joint Funding Committee 9
13 Submissions for approval 23
14 Chairperson’s Report - February 2014 41
15 Portfolio update: Member Greg Presland 43
16 Portfolio update: Member Steve Tollestrup 45
17 Consideration of Extraordinary Items
1 Welcome
2 Apologies
At the close of the agenda no apologies had been received.
3 Declaration of Interest
Members are reminded of the need to be vigilant to stand aside from decision making when a conflict arises between their role as a member and any private or other external interest they might have.
At its meeting on 28 November 2013, the Waitakere Ranges Local Board resolved (resolution number WTK/2010/5) to record any possible conflicts of interest in a register.
Register
Board Member |
Organisation / Position |
Sandra Coney |
· Waitemata District Health Board – Elected Member · Friends of Arataki Incorporated – Trustee · Women’s Health Action Trust – Patron |
Neil Henderson |
· Portage Trust – Elected Member · Friends of Arataki Incorporated – Trustee · West Auckland Trust Services (WATS) Board – Trustee/Director · Weedfree Trust – Employee |
Greg Presland |
· Portage Trust – Elected Member · Lopdell House Development Trust – Trustee · Titirangi Residents & Ratepayers Group – Treasurer |
Steve Tollestrup |
· Waitakere Licensing Trust – Elected Member · Community Waitakere – Trustee · West Auckland Trust Services (WATS) Board – Trustee/Director · Henderson Valley Residents Association – Committee Member |
Saffron Toms |
No current conflicts of interest |
Denise Yates |
· Ecomatters Environment Trust – Deputy Chair · Keep Waitakere Beautiful Trust – Board Member · Huia-Cornwallis Ratepayers & Residents Association – Co-chairperson · Charlotte Museum Trust – Trustee |
4 Confirmation of Minutes
That the Waitākere Ranges Local Board: a) Confirms the minutes of its meeting, held on Thursday, 12 December 2013 as a true and correct record. |
5 Leave of Absence
At the close of the agenda no requests for leave of absence had been received.
6 Acknowledgements
At the close of the agenda no requests for acknowledgements had been received.
7 Update from Ward Councillors
An opportunity is provided for the Waitakere Ward Councillors to update the board on regional issues they have been involved with since the last meeting.
8 Presentations/Deputations
Purpose 1. Will Trusewich will be in attendance to give a presentation to the Waitakere Ranges Local Board on the outcome of the recent Maui's Dolphin Threats Management Plan review process.
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Recommendation That the Waitākere Ranges Local Board: a) Receives the presentation from Will Trusewich regarding review of the Maui’s Dolphin Threat Management Plan and thanks him for the presentation.
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Purpose 1. Diana Yukich and Annie Newman from Living Wage West, will be in attendance to give a presentation to the Waitakere Ranges Local Board seeking support and funding from the board. “Living Wage West, a network of Living Wage Aotearoa NZ which includes churches, community groups and unions, intends holding a Waitakere wide event for families/community in West Auckland which will provide free food, entertainment, children's activities and information. The idea behind the event is to give families/communities a chance to enjoy an event that low wages put out of their reach. We will be seeking the support of the Local Boards for this event. We have a provisional booking for a venue on the 22nd March at Corbans Estate.
The funding we will be seeking from the Local Boards will be for fixed items such as the sound system, the groups providing entertainment and children's activities one of which is called GOFORIT, venue hire, We will have approximate costings for each meeting.
The draft Auckland Plan 2014-15 states that its outcome will include firstly, a fair, safe and health Auckland and secondly, an Auckland of prosperity and opportunity. Our delegation will be speaking of the relevance of these outcomes to the Living Wage and seeking the support of Waitakere Ward in the submission process.”
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Recommendation That the Waitakere Ranges Local Board: a) Receives the presentation from Diana Yukich and Annie Newman from Living Wage West and thank them for the presentation.
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Attachments a Presentation from Living Wage West.................................................... 51 |
9 Public Forum
A period of time (approximately 30 minutes) is set aside for members of the public to address the meeting on matters within its delegated authority. A maximum of 3 minutes per item is allowed, following which there may be questions from members.
At the close of the agenda no requests for public forum had been received.
10 Extraordinary Business
Section 46A(7) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (as amended) states:
“An item that is not on the agenda for a meeting may be dealt with at that meeting if-
(a) The local authority by resolution so decides; and
(b) The presiding member explains at the meeting, at a time when it is open to the public,-
(i) The reason why the item is not on the agenda; and
(ii) The reason why the discussion of the item cannot be delayed until a subsequent meeting.”
Section 46A(7A) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (as amended) states:
“Where an item is not on the agenda for a meeting,-
(a) That item may be discussed at that meeting if-
(i) That item is a minor matter relating to the general business of the local authority; and
(ii) the presiding member explains at the beginning of the meeting, at a time when it is open to the public, that the item will be discussed at the meeting; but
(b) no resolution, decision or recommendation may be made in respect of that item except to refer that item to a subsequent meeting of the local authority for further discussion.”
11 Notices of Motion
At the close of the agenda no requests for notices of motion had been received.
Waitākere Ranges Local Board 13 February 2014 |
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Western Joint Funding Committee
File No.: CP2014/00484
Purpose
1. To seek the local board’s agreement:
· to re-instate the Western Joint Funding Committee to oversee the relevant legacy community funding schemes
· the Terms of Reference for the Western Joint Funding Committee
· to nominate a member and an alternate on the Western Joint Funding Committee.
Executive Summary
2. The Western Joint Funding Committee was a joint committee established by the three Western local boards and has decision-making responsibility for the allocation of grants through the legacy community funding schemes.
3. In accordance with Clause 30(7) of the Local Government Act 2002, the committee has been automatically dissolved following the 2013 Local Government elections.
4. The Western Joint Funding Committee needs to be operational for the 2013/2014 financial year to administer legacy community funding budgets. This report seeks the board’s approval to re-instate the Western Joint Funding Committee for the rest of the 2013/2014 year, approval of the Terms of Reference and appointment of a member and an alternate to the Committee.
5. The establishment of the committee is an interim approach until a region-wide community funding policy is finalised. Financial analysis is currently underway to inform options and a supporting budget structure for the new funding policy. Formal consultation on the draft policy will be undertaken with local boards in 2014.
That the Waitakere Ranges Local Board: a) Agrees to re-instate the Western Joint Funding Committee for the rest of the 2013/2014 year to administer the legacy funds as per the Terms of Reference b) Endorses the draft Terms of Reference for the Western Joint Funding Committee presented in Attachment B c) Appoints a board member to the Western Joint Funding Committee for 2013/ 2014 with appropriate delegated authority to bind the board on decisions relating to the legacy community funding schemes made by the Committee d) Notes that a region-wide Community Funding Policy is being developed and will in time replace the current interim funding arrangements. Officers will engage with the board in the coming months. |
Discussion
6. The Western Joint Funding Committee was a joint committee established by the three Western local boards - Henderson-Massey, Waitakere Ranges and Whau Local Boards. It had decision-making responsibility to allocate grants from the legacy community funding schemes.
7. Local boards continue to have full decision-making authority over their individual Local Boards Discretionary Grants schemes. These schemes were established as part of the interim funding programme, using budgets inherited from legacy community board funding schemes.
8. At its March 2013 meeting, the Regional Development and Operations Committee resolved to continue the Community Assistance Programme for 2013/2014 within unchanged structural and budgetary parameters, while the region-wide Community Funding Policy is in development.
9. This means that, as per previous years, legacy community funding budgets are allocated to sub-regional joint funding committees of local boards, and that the Western Joint Funding Committee needs to be operational for the 2013/2014 financial year.
10. The previous local board agreed to the continuation of the Western Joint Funding Committee for 2013/2014, approved amended terms of reference and appointed a member and an alternate to the Committee. Attachment A presents the rationale behind this decision, as well as the details of the funds to be allocated.
11. In accordance with Clause 30(7) of the Local Government Act 2002, the committee was automatically dissolved following the 2013 Local Government elections.
12. Officers recommend that the local board re-instates the Western Joint Funding Committee for the rest of the 2013/2014 year, approves the Terms of Reference and appoints a member and an alternate to the Committee.
13. Each of the legacy councils favoured a different approach to investing in their communities, and community grant funding is only one of several mechanisms for making this investment. In April 2013, the Regional Development and Operations Committee requested comprehensive financial analysis of all community development-related spending, including but not limited to the legacy community funding budgets that local boards are administering through the interim programme (Resolution number RDO/2013/55). The Regional Development and Operations Committee required this work to be completed prior to development of the second iteration of a new Community Funding Policy.
14. The financial analysis is currently underway, and will be reported to the relevant committee early in 2014. It is anticipated that the findings will provide a clearer picture of current budget distribution and show the variation in inherited community investment models in place around the region. This will provide a valuable basis for developing new policy options and outlining the appropriate budget structures to underpin them. However, any changes to current budget distribution will be proposed as part of the Local Board Funding Policy (not the Community Funding Policy) for implementation as part of the Long Term Plan (from 2015).
15. Officers will be formally engaging with local boards around further development of the region-wide Community Funding Policy in the coming months.
Consideration
Local Board Views
16. The legacy funding schemes are a key way for local boards to support their communities.
Māori Impact Statement
17. The legacy community funding schemes are of general interest to communities and accessible to a wide range of groups, including Māori. No particular implications for the Māori community or Māori stakeholders have been identified as arising from this report.
General
18. The recommendations contained in this report fall within the local board’s delegated authority.
Implementation Issues
19. The Western Joint Funding Committee would administer the following legacy Waitakere City community funding schemes:
· Accommodation Assistance Fund
· Community Halls and Marae fund (general)
· Community Halls and Marae fund (capital works)
· Community Wellbeing Fund – citywide
· Fee waivers fund
· Youth programme fund
· Heritage fund
20. The Western Joint Funding Committee will hold a workshop in the first quarter of 2014 to consider procedural matters including but not limited to:
i) Electing a Chair and Deputy Chair
ii) Adopting the Terms of Reference (attached)
iii) Considering the applications received.
No. |
Title |
Page |
aView |
Agenda report to the local boards May / June 2013 |
13 |
bView |
Draft terms of reference |
21 |
Signatories
Author |
Carole Canler - Advisor |
Authorisers |
Karen Lyons - Manager Local Board Services Glenn Boyd - Relationship Manager Henderson-Massey, Waitakere Ranges, Whau |
13 February 2014 |
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File No.: CP2014/01254
Purpose
1. To seek retrospective approval of submissions made by the Waitakere Ranges Local Board during January 2014.
Executive Summary
2. Two submissions were made on behalf of the Waitakere Ranges Local Board in January 2014 on:
Waitakere Range Local Board Submission on the consultation draft of the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects – Non-notified Activities) Regulations 2013.
Waitakere Ranges Local Board Submission on the Trans-Tasman Resources South Taranaki Bight Offshore Iron Sand Project Marine Consent Application (EEZ000004).
3. The submission period for both consultations closed before the next scheduled business meeting of the local board. To ensure the local board was able to provide input on matters it had identified as being of interest, the submissions have been lodged and are now being reported to the board to seek retrospective approval.
a) That the Waitākere Ranges Local Board gives retrospective approval for the submissions on: (i) the consultation draft of the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects – Non-notified Activities) Regulations 2013. (ii) the Trans-Tasman Resources South Taranaki Bight Offshore Iron Sand Project Marine Consent Application (EEZ000004). |
No. |
Title |
Page |
aView |
Submission on the draft Exclusive Economic Zone Regulations 2013 (relating to non-notification of oil exploration applications) |
25 |
bView |
Report to the Governing Body (30 January 2014) on the draft EEZ Regulations 2013 |
31 |
cView |
Waitakere Ranges Local Board Submission on the Trans-Tasman Resources South Taranaki Bight Offshore Iron Sand Project Marine Consent Application (EEZ000004). |
37 |
Signatories
Author |
Brett Lane - Local Board Democracy Advisor |
Authorisers |
Glenn Boyd - Relationship Manager Henderson-Massey, Waitakere Ranges, Whau |
13 February 2014 |
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Submission on draft regulations for exploratory oil and gas drilling under the EEZ Act
File No.: CP2013/29429
1. To present a draft submission on the draft regulations for exploration drilling for petroleum in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The draft regulations state that drilling will not be notified provided the application is within a geographical area where the applicant holds an exploration permit under the Crown Minerals Act.
Executive Summary
2. The Ministry for the Environment (MfE) released draft regulations for exploratory oil and gas drilling in the EEZ (12 to 200 nautical miles from shore) on 12 December 2013. Submissions on the draft regulations close on 31 January 2014.
3. Auckland Council made a submission to MfE in September 2013 on a discussion document which proposed that exploratory drilling in the EEZ be a non-notified discretionary activity. The council’s submission did not support this proposal and stated that such applications should be notified.
4. The draft regulations take the same approach as that proposed in the discussion document. The draft council submission (attachment 1) reiterates that the council does not support a non-notified classification for this activity.
5. Deep water oil and gas exploration has a low probability of blow outs and oil spills. However, the significant consequences of such an event justify the additional costs and delays for applicants that notification would cause. Public input would enhance environmental protection through increased independent assessment of proposals and the conditions on their operation.
6. There has been recent government and industry interest in expanding offshore petroleum drilling around New Zealand. The Taranaki Basin is currently New Zealand’s only producing petroleum basin. A deep-sea drilling operation is currently underway 100 nautical miles offshore from Raglan in the Taranaki Basin. An exploration well was drilled off the East Cape last year but was abandoned due to poor survey results. Shell has announced that they will undertake exploration in the Great South Basin in the next two years. There has been considerable concern in the community regarding these developments.
7. Basins to the west of Auckland have similar geology to offshore Taranaki and it is possible that exploration may expand into this area in future. In December 2013, Norwegian firm Statoil were granted an exploration permit for an area to the west of Northland. This is in the northern part of the Reinga Northland basin which extends past Auckland. Also in December last year, MultiClient Geophysical Pte Ltd applied to New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals (NZPM) for a Crown Minerals Act permit to prospect for petroleum offshore of Auckland in the EEZ. The permit is currently being processed by NZPM. Prospecting does not include drilling and there is no consultation process for prospecting permits.
8. The government has been promoting such expansion around New Zealand and has developed several work programmes to support exploration or to manage its environmental effects.
9. Auckland Council has been following these proposals and has provided feedback on several areas, either through formal submissions or through officer-level comments. A report with a summary of feedback provided in the last few months was presented to the Auckland Development Committee in November 2013.
10. There is significant potential for economic benefits for Auckland if oil or gas production wells were developed off our coast. This benefit would be from increased jobs and spending on infrastructure. Exploration activity may require new support bases that could be developed around the Manukau or Kaipara harbours.
11. In 2012 oil was New Zealand’s fourth largest merchandise export (after dairy, meat and wood) at a value of over $2 billion. The government receives around 42% of the profits of the petroleum industry in the form of company tax and royalties. At the current rate of exploration and production this equates to around $400 million in royalties and $300 million in company tax annually.
The draft regulations
12. Exploratory drilling in the EEZ requires a marine consent under the Exclusive Economic Zone and continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Act 2012 (EEZ Act) as well as an exploration permit under the Crown Minerals Act. The purpose of the EEZ Act is to promote the sustainable management of the natural resources of the EEZ and continental shelf. It is the equivalent of the Resource Management Act 1991 which applies to land and the territorial sea.
13. Under the EEZ Act, activities can be classified as either permitted, non-notified discretionary (inserted by the EEZ Amendment Act 2013), discretionary (must be notified) or prohibited. At present, exploratory drilling is classified as a discretionary activity as this is the default for activities not otherwise classified through regulations. The petroleum industry has argued that the notification process creates uncertainty, costs and delays and has no environmental benefit. The government has responded to these concerns and proposed that the activity be classified as non-notified.
14. Prior to the development of the EEZ Act, there was no specific environmental legislation applying to exploratory drilling in the EEZ. Environmental effects were managed through approvals under legislation such as the Crown Minerals Act 1991, Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 and Maritime Transport Act 1994. The EEZ Act covers the gaps in existing legislation for the EEZ and provides an extra layer of environmental oversight that ensures a full assessment of impacts and conditions to mitigate impacts if required.
15. The non-notified classification was proposed in a discussion document on classifications under the EEZ Act in September 2013. That document included very little justification for the proposal and the Auckland Council submitted that it did not support the non-notified classification due to the lack of clarity on how risks associated with the activity would be assessed and managed.
16. The Ministry for the Environment received a total of 21,221 submissions in the September 2013 consultation process. The majority of submissions (21,102) were made using online template forms and were opposed to exploratory drilling as an activity generally. An additional 97 submissions that were unique opposed the proposed classification. Four submitters supported the classification and three supported it with amendments. Key issues raised in the consultation included: the ability for the public to participate in decision making; the risk associated with exploratory drilling and the probability of significant adverse environmental effects or effects to existing interests; and a lack of clarity about what activities were included in exploratory drilling.
17. The draft regulations classify exploratory drilling as a non-notified activity, include a definition of exploratory drilling, and list related activities that will also be non-notified (eg placing a rig, taking samples, seismic surveying down a well and capping a well). The only condition on the activity is that the application is within a geographical area where the applicant holds an exploration permit under the Crown Minerals Act or authorized by an existing privilege held under the Crown Minerals Act.
The draft submission
18. The attached draft submission reiterates the council’s position from the September 2013 process and does not support the proposed non-notified classification for exploratory drilling. Some additional points are also made about aspects of the regulations that should be amended to improve their clarity.
19. The probability of an oil spill from exploration activities is low but could have significant consequences. Exploration in deep water is complex and relatively rare for New Zealand. It is appropriate that notification be required to ensure a robust assessment process is applied.
20. The supporting information for the draft regulations (MfE, 2013) includes a short summary of drilling in New Zealand and an assessment of the risk of spills. Since offshore drilling for oil and gas began in 1968, 177 wells have been drilled. There have been eight petroleum exploration wells drilled in deep water. The majority of offshore drilling has occurred in the territorial sea adjacent to Taranaki. The largest recorded spill from oil and gas drilling was a spill of 23 tonnes of oil from the Umuroa processing vessel on the offshore Tui field. By comparison, the spill from the cargo ship Rena grounding in Bay of Plenty in 2011 was 350 tonnes. A Maritime NZ review of international experience has suggested that a loss of well control event occurs in approximately 2.54 out of every 1000 deep offshore exploration wells drilled. The majority of events result in discharges that are contained and recovered without significant environmental effects. Of the over 2000 wells drilled in the Gulf of Mexico, five reported spills have been attributed to loss of well control. A spill such as the Deepwater Horizon blowout in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010 is unlikely in New Zealand because the geophysical situations are quite different and it would require multiple failures in multi-stage systems and planning. Based on this assessment, the Minister for the Environment concluded that the probability of significant adverse effects caused by exploratory drilling is low.
21. Although a drilling well blowout is unlikely, it must be managed cautiously due to the possible consequences. Oil spills could affect fishing and tourism activities, marine ecology and beach amenity.
22. A Greenpeace commissioned report (released on 23 October 2013) gauged the effects if a deepwater exploratory oil well blowout took place off Taranaki or Otago. The modelling used a lower rate of oil loss than the Mexico event. It found that about 80 percent of spills impacted the coastline between the Kaipara Harbour mouth and Raglan, while the entire coastline between Opononi and Cape Egmont would be affected in 50 percent of spills. It could take less than a week for an oil spill to reach the coastline at Muriwai, Piha or Manukau Harbour in a worst-case scenario.
23. Representatives of the oil industry and the government have refuted the study and noted that the Gulf of Mexico oil spill scenario is highly unlikely in New Zealand due to differences in the geology, type and pressure of oil likely to be found, and improvements in drilling processes. They stated that contingency plans are in place to respond to any spills should one occur.
24. Oil and gas exploration and production can also result in pollution and ecological effects from their general operations, including disposing of waste materials and discharges to the coastal marine area. Structures and sampling can disturb the seabed and affect the natural character of the coastal environment. Discharges could be from leaks in the well casing or from disposal of chemical substances used in drilling operations.
25. Many of the potential environmental effects of oil exploration, including drilling, can be adequately managed through processes that ensure well integrity and use appropriate disposal of hazardous substances. Public notification is an important aspect of ensuring that such activities are managed robustly. Notification, submissions and a hearing allow independent experts to assess drilling proposals and whether they have adequate operational procedures, risk reduction plans and spill response capacity. It would also enhance integration of EEZ Act processes and RMA processes for the coastal marine area where proposed activities are close to the 12 nautical mile boundary. The cost reduction benefits for applicants do not appear to justify the exclusion of public participation in the approval process.
Consideration
Local Board Views
26. Local boards were notified of the draft regulations in late December 2013 and a draft of the submission was circulated mid-January. An update on any responses from the local boards will be provided at the Governing Body meeting.
27. The Waitakere Ranges Local Board wrote to the Minister of Energy and Resources in response to the Crown Minerals Act Block Offer 2014 consultation process in October 2013. Their letter opposed any offshore oil exploration off the west coast of Auckland and highlighted the values of the Waitakere Ranges coastline that would be affected by an oil spill. These points have been reflected in the attached draft submission on the draft EEZ regulations.
Maori Impact Statement
28. Feedback has been sought from local iwi on the classification of exploratory drilling in the EEZ in response to both the September 2013 discussion document and the draft regulations.
29. In September, responses were received from Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua and Te Kawerau Iwi Tribal Authority. They both supported the council position that exploratory drilling should be a notified activity given the level of public interest and concern in this activity. Ngatiwai Trust Board advised the council that they were making a submission on the Government’s proposals. Ngatiwai did not support the use of non-notified discretionary classification and sought greater iwi and public input into the process.
30. In response to the current process, support for the council’s position was also received from Waikato Tainui. If any other responses are received from iwi, they will be reported at the Governing Body meeting.
General
31. There has been significant public and media interest in the proposals for oil and gas exploration around New Zealand.
Implementation Issues
32. The submission period for the draft regulations closes on 31 January 2014.
No. |
Title |
Page |
a |
Draft Auckland Council submission on the consultation draft of proposed regulations for exploratory oil and gas drilling under the EEZ Act. |
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Signatories
Authors |
Kath Coombes - Principal Specialist Coastal |
Authorisers |
Ludo Campbell-Reid - Environmental Strategy & Policy Manager Roger Blakeley - Chief Planning Officer Doug McKay - Chief Executive |
13 February 2014 |
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Waitakere Ranges Local Board Submission on the Trans-Tasman Resources South Taranaki Bight Offshore Iron Sand Project Marine Consent Application (EEZ000004).
Part A
1. Submitter Details
Organisation: The Waitakere Ranges Local Board (WRLB) of Auckland Council
39 Glenmall Place,
Glen Eden,
Waitakere,
Auckland.
Contact 1: WRLB Chair Sandra Coney
Sandra.Coney@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
021446370
Contact 2: WRLB Member Saffron Toms
Saffron.Toms@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
021322803
***Please note:
As the submission period closes before the first formal business
meeting of the Waitakere Ranges Local Board for 2014, this submission is yet to
be officially endorsed by The Board. If there are any changes to the submission
as a result of our next business meeting, Chair Sandra Coney or Member Saffron
Toms will be in contact.
Part B: Submission
Background:
The Waitakere Ranges Local Board area covers the western coastline of Auckland
from Te Henga/Bethells to Whatipu, and the northern Manukau Harbour edge from
Whatipu to Titirangi/French Bay.
The Waitakere Ranges Local Board (hereafter WRLB or the Board) is concerned about any activity that has potential to harm the west coast of Auckland, a stretch of coastline that has the status of an outstanding natural landscape and is a significant ecological area. The special nature of this stretch of coastline is enshrined in law in the Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area Act 2008 and is recognized within the proposed Auckland Unitary Plan.
This is the Waitakere Ranges Local Board’s submission on the Trans-Tasman Resources South Taranaki Bight Offshore Iron Sand Project Marine Consent Application (EEZ000004).
To summarise briefly, the reasons it concerns us are set out below:
1. Coastal effects (including erosion) beyond Taranaki by altering the volume and the movement of sand.
The application is for an activity that is at an unprecedented scale in this country and is highly likely to have environmental effects far beyond the Taranaki marine and coastal area, including the alteration of the sand supply for beaches up the coast.
o The activity is likely to cause coastal erosion far afield
o The activity will reduce iron-sand supply to our beaches, therefore threatening our iconic black sands
The modification of the sea floor, with increased and altered waves and currents due to the removal and replacement of sand will have adverse effects at the coast. At risk is a hugely valued coastline, including may of New Zealand’s best swimming beaches, surf breaks, and fishing spots.
2. Threats to endangered marine life because of plumes from dumping unwanted sand again
Plumes from dumping unwanted and chemically altered sand back in will affect phytoplankton and other marine biology, which will impact on valued and some endangered marine species. These include the Southern Right Whale, Maui's dolphins, Orcas and other marine mammals.
3. It will increase pressure on fisheries beyond Taranaki as noise, light and seafloor disturbance degrades fisheries nearer the activity.
This is a significant issue for the local board because of the increased pressure on the area we have jurisdiction over, should fishing be compromised further south.
4. Possibility of oil spills from vessels
That the applicant has
not provided any evidence of contingency plans for accidental spills is of
grave concern. The West Coast is characterised by steep cliffs and beaches
which meet the high energy of the Tasman Sea. Cleaning up after an oil spill in
these cliff environments would be extremely difficult, if not impossible. This
is also true of the Waitakere Ranges Coast.
Thank you for the opportunity to make a submission.
We look forward to speaking to our submission.
Yours sincerely,
Member Sandra Coney (Chair) and Member Saffron Toms
The Waitakere Ranges Local Board
Auckland Council
13 February 2014 |
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Chairperson’s Report - February 2014
File No.: CP2014/01506
The Waitakere Ranges local Board has been in office for three months and it has been a hectic time.
We were concerned when our Deputy-Chair Denise Yates had unexpected ill health, and we welcome her back in place in 2014.
Our Senior Board Adviser Sharleen Grounds left us at the end of the year to take up a position in Parks West, so she will not be lost to us, and we look forward to our ongoing relationship.
Early in the term we sorted out our Portfolios, and adopted these in late 2013. With a small board, a large geographic area and very active communities, we will all be busy.
The Board has been identifying priorities for this term, to inform the Local Board Agreement (Annual Plan) and Long-Term Plan (three-year plan).
We have been developing our consultation on these plans, which will be a major task over the next couple of months. The new Board has adopted much of the focus of the last term, but with some additions and adjustments in emphasis. Weed control, ecological restoration and kauri dieback will be high on our agenda, heritage will increase in focus, the opening of Lopdell House and Gallery will provide an opportunity to enhance Titirangi village as an arts hub, and we plan to create pedestrian and cycle linkages between our urban and foothills towns and villages. We look forward to feedback and new ideas from our communities when we call for submissions.
In November, we started as we mean to go on, objecting to plans to offer large areas off our coast for petroleum exploration. We were disappointed that we had no chance to contribute to the Governing Body submission to Government, so wrote directly to the Minister, Simon Bridges. We were delighted that our submission was accepted as a late submission. We have followed up with input into the Council’s submission to Government on the process for hearing applications on petroleum exploration. We argued strongly that hearings on applications for petroleum exploration should be notified, so Council and the public can have a say.
We also submitted on the new boundary changes for parliamentary electorates when we found our Local Board area (which approximates to the Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area) has been carved up with pieces going to a number of electorates. Worst of all, the West Coast and Ranges have been incorporated into the Helensville electorate! We intend to say our piece when hearings take place.
We are continuing various projects inherited from the last term, including ecological restoration of reserves at Piha, the Bethells Local Area Plan, the Foothills Walkway and the Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area Visitor Management Plan. Glen Eden continues to be a major focus and we are familiarising ourselves with the existing community development work, and the design plans for improving the town centre, including Auckland Transport’s plans for improved park and ride. We are taking the time to get up to speed on these and other existing projects, and readjust them where we need to.
We’ve also had two whole-day site visits to look first hand at issues. There’s nothing like getting out and seeing things on the ground for understanding of issues.
This year we will welcome electrification of the Western Line, but there are many other transport issues on the boil. We are particularly keen to see Auckland Transport develop Design Guidelines for infrastructure and vegetation management in the Heritage Area, that recognise the objectives of the Act. We have had a number of workshop sessions with AT.
Among a number of events attended, I was pleased to speak at a ceremony at Arataki Visitor Centre to mark 50 years since the parks committee was established in the former Auckland Regional Authority, the first step in establishing the regional parks network. The event honoured the first chair of the committee, Arnold Turner, one of our most distinguished West Aucklanders, and other regional parks’ chairs such as Assid Corban and Bill Burrill. Ann Holdaway represented her husband Jim Holdaway, another parks’ chair.
I attended the AGM of Community Waitakere and spoke at the AGM of the West Auckland Historical Society. I am keen to see a greater focus on heritage in the Local Board area - more on that next report.
At times it is easy to get frustrated with how slowly things move in this large entity called Auckland Council, and we can understand how communities can get impatient, especially when it looks as if items important to them have been forgotten. But it’s better to get things right slowly, than wrong quickly, and the three of us who are new to the Board, need time to get up to speed.
That the Waitākere Ranges Local Board: a) Receives the Chairperson’s report.
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There are no attachments for this report.
Signatories
Author |
Sandra Coney, Chairperson, Waitakere Ranges Local Board |
Waitākere Ranges Local Board 13 February 2014 |
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Portfolio update: Member Greg Presland
File No.: CP2014/01255
Purpose
1. This report provides and opportunity for Member Greg Presland to give an update with regards to activity within his portfolio areas.
2. Portfolio holders are responsible for leading policy development in their portfolio area, proposing and developing project concepts, overseeing agreed projects within budgets, being active advocates, accessing and providing information and advice.
3. Member Presland has lead for the portfolios of Transport and Regulatory/Planning.
Executive Summary
4. I thought that I should start this report with a recent personal experience. I have decided to usually catch the train when I have any meeting in Auckland. Twice during the past fortnight I have caught the train from Glen Eden to downtown. Both times were during the morning peak. Both trips were very relaxing. Instead of stressing in a traffic jam I was able to relax and do some work on my laptop. What is usually dead time became very productive. And in my own little way I slightly, very slightly, improved congestion.
5. The trip downtown took about the same time (40 minutes) as a peak hour drive in. The cost ($11.20) was probably the same cost as parking and less than the total cost of a car trip. I would recommend to everyone to try our train system.
6. This neatly leads into the subject of the proposed park and ride for Glen Eden. The car park which is on the corner of West Coast and Glenview Road is leased and the lease is due to end in the next couple of years. The plan is to replace this car park with a slightly larger car park on Waikumete Road. The Board is keen to maximise the number of parks so there will be an incentive to locals to catching the train when heading downtown. There is a real need however to aid in the rejuvenation of Glen Eden by tapping into the increasing numbers of commuters forecast to use the system once the new electric trains are brought into action and persuading them to shop locally and parking is an important facet of this. Glen Eden could become a vibrant transport hub if we do things properly. There is also work under way on a park and ride in Swanson and the Board is keen to ensure that all local park and ride car parks are sufficient for local needs.
7. Auckland Transport has recently been consulting on proposed changes to the bus system. The Local Board has filed a submission supporting the proposed new Glen Eden connection to Titirangi, an increase in Laingholm services as well as the trial provision of a Saturday service and more frequent services between Titirangi Village and New Lynn.
8. The submission stated that the Board does not support a reduction in public transport services to communities in Wood Bay, French Bay and Tanekaha or the removal of service from Kaurilands Road. The Board has expressed its concerns at the removal of service from Kaurilands Road as it is economically a lower decile area, safety on Atkinson Road with more frequent services and the replacement of train service between Waitakere and Swanson with a bus service as this may have an adverse effect on train patronage.
9. The Atkinson Road safety improvements are being rolled out. One particular judder bar was causing a local resident concern at the noise implications and the possible effect of vibrations from passing vehicles on her house. This was investigated urgently by Auckland Transport and this judder bar has been removed. Auckland Transport’s responsiveness is welcome. I am keen to see what other ideas they have to ensure that Atkinson Road is safer. Certainly the intent of the improvements is to make the area safer for school children and residents. There has been a measured reduction in average speeds so at least in this respect the improvements have been beneficial.
10. The board has taken a great deal of interest in walkways and cycleways. The completion of a walkway going from Kaurilands into Glen Eden has been a focus of discussions and there has also been some thought put into a cycleway along Waikumete Road linking Glen Eden with Sunnyvale. I am keen for us to put some work into establishing a lock up cycle building at Glen Eden station similar to one recently constructed in Papakura.
11. There has been ongoing work with Auckland Transport and involving local resident and ratepayer groups on consultation with locals on AT projects and activity. The work has I believe produced some benefits and improved the ability of local people to be involved in discussions concerning transport work in their area.
12. Finally there has been some work into the never ending problem of speed in the Ranges area. The use of open speed limit signs makes some think that 100 km limits apply whereas the topography and the physical limitations of the roads mean that safe speeds are well below this. Changing speeds presents all sorts of bureaucratic problems but the Board intends to stick to this.
That the Waitākere Ranges Local Board: a) Receives the portfolio update from Member Greg Presland.
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There are no attachments for this report.
Signatories
Author |
Member Greg Presland, Waitakere Ranges Local Board |
Waitākere Ranges Local Board 13 February 2014 |
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Portfolio update: Member Steve Tollestrup
File No.: CP2014/01259
Purpose
1. This report provides and opportunity for Member Steve Tollestrup to give an update with regards to activity within his portfolio areas.
2. Portfolio holders are responsible for leading policy development in their portfolio area, proposing and developing project concepts, overseeing agreed projects within budgets, being active advocates, accessing and providing information and advice.
3. Member Tollestrup has lead for the portfolios of Community Development, Economic Development, and Placemaking/Urban Renewal.
Executive Summary
4. The first quarter has been marked as a period of new member orientation, portfolio assignment, identifying and prioritising key strategic initiatives, meeting key stakeholders and preparation of the Waitakere Ranges Local Board Agreement. This quarter has also provided opportunity to meet with local constituents at council and community hosted summer events.
Community Development Portfolio
5. A key strategic priority is community well-being and supporting local community groups committed to social development and those working to close the social and economic gaps in our local board area and beyond. The first quarter has focused on meeting with community service providers such as Greater Glen Eden, Community Waitakere, Lifewise, independent agencies and faith-based groups to establish links and begin an understanding of both agency and community needs.
6. Moving forward I am establishing regular cluster and sector meetings with community groups to provide positive engagement and dialogue with the local board.
7. I am on the Glen Eden Food Hui which is planned for March 22nd. The Hui is a community education day around healthy eating, local food production and preparation, cultivation, economic meal planning right through to minimising and composting of waste.
8. I am also engaged with council staff on planning for Neighbours Day March 29-30th, a nationwide initiative to build safer, more engaged and happier communities through locally initiated neighbourhood events.
9. Early March in partnership with Community Waitakere, agency and community development stakeholders in our area will meet to discuss the Board’s Long Term Plan and suggest areas for further inclusion or prioritisation.
10. I would also acknowledge the close and effective working relationship in place with Council staff working in Community Development.
Community Safety
11. The present focus for Community Safety is developing better community based policing around Glen Eden town centre particularly Glen Mall which from time to time can be mildly disruptive with a tendency to drive shoppers elsewhere. Together with the police we discussing ways we can have a more visible and community friendly policing strategy in place.
New migrants
12. As a board we received a delegation from the Waitakere Ethnic Board and as Portfolio holder I have been in contact with their President, Kudakwashe Tuwe with the intention of developing a strong and positive relationship between WEB and the Local Board.
Civil Defence
13. Civil defence briefing and liaison begins early this quarter.
Economic Development Portfolio
14. Except for a few pockets of light industry the Local Board area is not industrialised with most businesses being smaller retail and home based enterprises. Indeed part of the charm of our community is the absence of enclosed shopping malls and large scale retailers in favour of our local shops and owner run businesses.
15. As a board we believe that there is significant potential to develop further economic activity in our area. This includes our town centres as well as home based and rural businesses on the eastern slopes. Building on the work of the previous board I have had early discussions with the local Glen Eden Business Association as well as the BID ( Business Improvement District ) on ways we might move forward on town centre economic revitalisation, especially Glen Mall area. Wider networking opportunities between the GE business association/BID and other city precincts of similar character that have progressed well in revitalisation e.g. K’road and Onehunga are presently being established. Likewise some early discussions with Swanson representatives has begun.
16. I have been appointed to an Auckland Council ‘place-making champions’ working group tasked with providing a community place-making toolkit and successful case studies on revitalisation. At present the working group has an 18 month time time-frame for project completion.
17. We are keenly aware of the poor broadband access at Bethell’s / Te Henga and other parts of our local board area. This is a situation that compromises lifestyle and undermines home based business reliant on internet access. Working together with affected communities we are looking for solutions to the current unsatisfactory situation. Meetings have taken place with Chorus and others are planned with provider services..
18. In early March business and enterprise stakeholders in our area will meet to discuss the Board’s Long Term Plan and suggest areas for further inclusion or prioritisation.
19. Again I note positive relations with council economic and business development staff are in place.
Urban Renewal Portfolio
20. Urban Renewal of Glen Eden is a priority for this board. The importance of this is evidenced by the Portfolio being co-convened with member Saffron Toms and myself. Saffron brings her professional urban planning, place making and human geography skills to the portfolio. We have initiated meetings with council planners and designers, as well as reviewing historical plans as we begin research in what will be a long term project. As portfolio holders and a board we recognise the importance of community participation in design and future urban development.
Residents and Ratepayers Associations.
21. I am appointed to Henderson Valley Residents Association and Waitakere Residents Association this quarter actively engaged with Henderson Valley Residents Association and in particular pedestrian safety on Mountain Rd.
Miscellaneous
22. I conducted a multi-day trek of the Hillary Trail to better understand the condition of this increasing popular trek, both for locals and international trekkers. I had the opportunity to view the state of the track, levels of kauri die-back and control strategies such as board walks and the placement and use of tri-gene stations, weed proliferation and control, volume of traffic, campsite amenities and homestays, human safety features such as signage, support chains, barriers and viewing platforms.
That the Waitākere Ranges Local Board: a) Receives the portfolio update from Member Steve Tollestrup.
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There are no attachments for this report.
Signatories
Author |
Member Steve Tollestrup, Waitakere Ranges Local Board |
Waitākere Ranges Local Board 13 February 2014 |
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Item 8.2 Attachment a Presentation from Living Wage West Page 51