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Annual Plan
Hearings - Hibiscus and Bays
26 March 2014
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Summary
of public submissions on the draft Annual Plan/Hibiscus and Bays Local Board
Agreement 2014/2015
File No.:
CP2014/03797
Purpose
1. To provide a
high-level analysis of key themes contained in submissions on the draft Annual
Plan and Hibiscus and Bays Local Board Agreement 2014/2015 relevant to the
Hibiscus and Bays Local Board. The report also provides high-level analysis of
the regional submissions on the draft Annual Plan 2014/2015.
Executive
Summary
2. 1,967 submissions were received on the draft Annual Plan 2014/2015,
87 of which were received after the submission deadline. The draft Annual Plan includes the draft
Hibiscus and Bays Local Board Agreement.
3. Legislation requires that submitters to the draft Annual Plan be
given reasonable opportunity to be heard.
4. Submissions that cover both regional and local content will be heard
at local board hearings, with the ward councillors present to hear regional
content. For the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board, there were a total of 68
submissions, with nine (9) submitters
requesting to be heard.
5. The Hibiscus
and Bays Local Board proposed one budget change. While the majority of
submitters from the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board area did not respond to this
question, of the submitters that did respond, most were supportive of
increasing the budget for replacing the toilet facilities at the Western
Reserve in Orewa.
6. In addition,
the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board proposed a change to the fee structure for
Stanmore Bay Leisure Centre. While the majority of submitters from the
Hibiscus and Bays Local Board area did not respond to this question, of the
submitters that did respond, most did not support the change.
7. Local issues
arising from the submissions include a relatively low level of general support
and/or advocacy for improvements to local transport, with the main focus being
on improving local roads and public transport options. There was also support
and/or advocacy for improvements/additions to local parks.
8. The most significant regional issues arising from the submissions
were in regards to the consultation questions, i.e. the Stadium Strategy and
Arts Festival proposals.
9. A total of 1,069 submitters
(54.4% of all submitters) provided
an opinion on the proposed stadium strategy. Of these, 230 (21.5%) supported the proposal, while 501 (46.9%) did not support it, and 338
(31.6%) were unsure. The most notable opposition was
attributed to moving the speedway, with 362 submitters expressing a desire to
keep the speedway at Western Springs.
10. 985 submitters (50.1% of all submitters) provided
an opinion on the Arts Festival proposal. Of these, 503 (51.1%)
supported the proposal, while 226 (22.9%) did not support it, and 256 (26.0%) were unsure.
11. The most notable other topic was opposition to fluoridation of the
water supply. 237 submitters raised this point, with 217 of them coming in the
form of a pro forma.
12. The submissions relevant to the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board area
are attached to this report.
13. The Hibiscus and Bays Local Board will consider all submissions
relevant to the local board area at discussion workshops on the draft Annual
Plan and Hibiscus and Bays Draft Local Board Agreement prior to making final
decisions.
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Recommendation/s
That the Annual Plan/Local/Board Agreement Hearings - Hibiscus and Bays:
a) receive
submissions on the draft Annual Plan 2014/2015, including the draft Hibiscus
and Bays Local Board Agreement, relevant to the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board
b) hear
the relevant submissions on the draft Annual Plan 2014/2015
c) thank
submitters for their verbal presentations
d) consider any potential amendments to the draft Annual Plan
2014/2015, including the draft Hibiscus and Bays Local Board Agreement.
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Discussion
Context
14. The Local
Government Act 2002 and Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009 require
Council to use the special consultative procedure in adopting the draft Annual
Plan 2014/2015. This includes ensuring any person submitting on the draft
Annual Plan is given reasonable opportunity to be heard.
15. The governing
body agreed at the meeting on 19 December 2013, that submissions containing
both regional and local content would be heard at local hearings.
16. This report
provides statistics on submissions received regionally and locally, and a brief
high-level analysis of key themes and topics.
17. More detailed
analysis of submissions will be provided to the local board workshop on 28
March 2014.
18. The consultation
period for the draft Annual Plan 2014/2015, incorporating the draft Hibiscus
and Bays Local Board Agreement, was held from 23 January 2014 to 4pm 24
February 2014.
Submissions
19. Council received
and processed 1,967 submissions. Of these submissions, 68 are relevant to the
Hibiscus and Bays Local Board area with nine (9) submitters requesting to be
heard.
20. Copies of
submissions for the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board area are provided in
attachments A and B to this report.
Overview of feedback
from submissions relevant to the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board area
21. The submission form asked for
views on local board budget changes for 2014/2015. The
Hibiscus and Bays Local Board proposed one budget change. In addition, the
Hibiscus and Bays Local Board proposed a change to the fee structure for
Stanmore Bay Leisure Centre. Table 1 below shows whether respondents
agreed, disagreed or were unsure about the proposed changes.
Table 1 - Hibiscus and Bays
proposed budget change
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Proposed budget
change
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Support
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Do not support
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Unsure
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No response
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No.
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%
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No.
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%
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No.
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%
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No.
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%
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Western Reserve toilet facilities
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10
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14.7%
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3
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4.4%
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0
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0.0%
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55
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80.9%
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Stanmore Bay Leisure Centre fees
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4
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5.9%
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11
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16.2%
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0
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0.0%
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53
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77.9%
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22. While the
majority of submitters from the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board area did not
respond to these questions, of the submitters that did respond, most were
supportive of increasing the budget for replacing the toilet facilities at the
Western Reserve in Orewa. In contrast, most did not
support the change in fee structure for the Stanmore Bay Leisure Centre.
23. Local issues
arising from the submissions include a relatively low level of general support
and/or advocacy for improvements to local transport, with the main focus being
on improving local roads and public transport options. There was also support
and/or advocacy for improvements/additions to local parks.
Consultation questions
24. Consultation Question 1: Stadium Strategy – A total of 1,069 submitters
(54.4% of all submitters) provided
an opinion on the proposed stadium strategy. Of these, 230 (21.5%) supported the proposal, while 501 (46.9%) did not support it, and 338
(31.6%) were unsure. The most notable opposition was
attributed to moving the speedway, with 362 submitters expressing a desire to keep
the speedway at Western Springs. Similarly, 51.1% of the 45 submitters from
the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board also do not support the stadium strategy.
This is outlined in figure 1 below.
Figure 1 – Stadium Strategy proposal
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Overall
(1,069 submissions)
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Hibiscus and Bays Local
Board submitters
(45 submissions)
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25. 985 submitters (50.1% of all submitters) provided
an opinion on the Arts Festival proposal. Of these, 503 (51.1%)
supported the proposal, while 226 (22.9%) did not support it, and 256 (26.0%) were unsure. Similarly,
48.6% of the 35 submitters from the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board were also
supportive of an annual Arts Festival. This is
outlined in figure 2 below.
Figure 2 – Arts Festival proposal
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Overall
(985 submissions)
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Hibiscus and Bays Local
Board submitters
(35 submissions)
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Regional overview
26. There were 165 regional
submissions, with 44 requesting to be heard.
High-level information on the regional submissions is provided below. Of those
requesting to be heard at a regional hearing, 8 were
from individual submitters, 22 from special interest
groups, 11 from businesses or business associations,
and a further 3 from Maori organisations.
27. The topics listed below in table
2 indicate the most commonly raised submission points relating to regional
activities (not including the consultation questions), with a summary of the
most significant issues below.
Table 2 - Regional topics
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Topic
Description
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Number of submissions commenting on topic
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% of total submissions
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Watercare
– Water Supply
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247
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12.6%
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Regional
arts & culture initiatives
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54
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2.7%
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Social
housing proposal – Do not support
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51
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2.6%
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Expenditure
– too high
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38
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1.9%
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Transport
strategy
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35
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1.8%
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Request
for funding
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31
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1.6%
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Auckland
Transport – Public transport
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29
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1.5%
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General
comments about the plan
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29
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1.5%
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Auckland
Transport – Roads
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27
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1.4%
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Rates –
too high
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24
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1.2%
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Environmental
strategy, policies & programmes
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23
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1.2%
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28. Watercare
Services – Water supply – 226 of the 236
submissions regarding water supply were opposing fluoridation of the water
supply. Of those submissions, 206 came via a pro forma. The points raised
outline a believed violation of human rights in that ratepayers have no choice
as to whether their water is treated to include fluoride chemicals. The form
also outlines a perceived health risk and that fluoride should be obtained
through toothpaste only.
29. Regional
arts & culture initiatives – of the 54
submitters that commented on this topic, 48 are requests for Council to
consider Massive Theatre Company for annual investment and assistance to find a
home. While most of which are from members/supports, the Theatre does also
make an official submission requesting funding itself.
30. Social
Housing proposal – 51 submitters outlined their reasons for
not supporting the proposal to increase social housing rental charges by 5%.
Just over half of these submitters outlined the major reason being the increase
was not affordable.
Next steps
31. Decisions on the
final Hibiscus and Bays Local Board Agreement will be made at the
decision-making meeting on Wednesday 16 April 2014. Members may require
additional information to support their decision-making. Officers’ responses
to requests for information will be provided prior to final decisions.
Consideration
Local
Board Views
32. The Hibiscus and
Bays Local Board will consider all submissions relevant to the local board area
at the workshop on the draft Annual Plan 2014/2015 and Hibiscus and Bays Draft
Local Board Agreement.
Maori
Impact Statement
33. The
implementation of the Annual Plan 2014/2015 has the potential for positive outcomes
for Māori. Notwithstanding the projects already identified in the draft
Annual Plan 2014/2015 that contribute to Māori the impact will be clearer
when consideration and decisions are made by the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board
and the governing body, at their respective decision-making meetings, on the draft
Annual Plan and the draft Hibiscus and Bays Local Board Agreement.
34. Mana Whenua
authorities were sent a letter about the consultation process. Maatawaka
received information via standard communications processes that Auckland
Council use to disseminate Annual Plan information.
35. Te Reo
Māori regional summaries and submission forms were available, as well as
translators for submissions received in, and/or submitters wishing to address
the hearing in Te Reo Māori.
Implementation
Issues
36. Implementation issues on the various matters raised in submissions
will be considered when making decisions at
decision-making meetings on the draft Annual Plan 2014/2015 and draft Hibiscus
and Bays Local Board Agreement on 16 April 2014.
Attachments
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No.
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Title
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Page
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aView
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Draft Annual Plan 2014-2015 -
Hibiscus and Bays Local Board Submissions (Volume 1) (Under Separate
Cover)
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b
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Draft Annual Plan 2014-2015 -
Hibiscus and Bays Local Board Submissions (Volume 2) (Under Separate
Cover)
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Signatories
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Authors
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Dean McIntosh - Governance Analyst - Governance
Project Team
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Authorisers
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Lesley Jenkins - Relationship Manager
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