|
Annual Plan
Hearings - Waitākere Ranges
18 March 2014
|
|
Summary
of public submissions on the draft Annual Plan 2014/2015 – Waitākere
Ranges Local Board
File No.:
CP2014/03779
Purpose
1. This
report provides a high-level analysis of key themes contained in submissions on
the Draft Annual Plan 2014/2015 relevant to the Waitākere Ranges 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 Waitākere Ranges
Draft 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 at least the ward councilor(s) present to hear regional content.
For the Waitākere Ranges Local Board, there were a total of 88 submissions, with 22 submitters requesting to be heard.
5. The
Waitākere Ranges Local Board did not propose any budget changes.
6. Local
issues arising from the submissions include a low level of general support for
environmental and heritage initiatives, and also for parks improvements. Six
submitters also specifically expressed support for development of Lopdell House.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. The
submissions relevant to the Waitākere Ranges Local Board area are attached
to this report.
12. The
Waitākere Ranges Local Board will consider all submissions relevant to the
local board area at discussion workshops on the Draft Annual Plan and
Waitākere Ranges Draft Local Board Agreement on 27 March 2014.
|
Recommendations
That the Annual Plan Hearings - Waitākere Ranges:
a) Receives
submissions on the Draft Annual Plan 2014/2015, including the Waitākere
Ranges Draft Local Board Agreement, relevant to the Waitākere Ranges
Local Board
b) Hears the
relevant submissions on the Draft Annual Plan 2014/2015
c) Thanks
submitters for their verbal presentations
d) Considers
any potential amendments to the Draft Annual Plan 2014/2015, including the
Waitākere Ranges Draft Local Board Agreement.
|
Discussion
Context
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. This
report provides statistics on submissions received regionally and locally, and
a brief high-level analysis of key themes and topics.
16. More
detailed analysis of submissions will be provided to the local board workshop
on 27 March 2014.
17. The
consultation period for the Draft Annual Plan 2014/2015, incorporating the Waitākere
Ranges Draft Local Board Agreement, was held from 23 January 2014 to 4pm 24
February 2014.
Submissions
18. Council
received and processed 1,967 submissions. Of these submissions, 88 are
relevant to the Waitākere Ranges Local Board area with 22 submitters
requesting to be heard.
19. Copies of
submissions for the Waitākere Ranges Local Board area are provided in
Attachment A to this report.
Overview of feedback from submissions relevant to the Waitākere
Ranges Local Board area
20. The
submission form asked for views on local board budget changes for 2014/2015.
However, the Waitākere Ranges Local Board proposed no budget changes for
2014/2015.
21. The
local themes or topics that received the most significant number of comments
from submissions to the Waitākere Ranges Local Board are outlined below:
· 7 submitters were
supportive of and/or advocating for local environmental and heritage
initiatives
· 7 submitters were
supportive of and/or advocating for local parks initiatives
· 6 submitters were supportive
of the Lopdell House development.
Consultation
questions
22. 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. Waitākere Ranges Local Board submitters were
slightly less supportive, with 55.1% of the 49 submitters not supporting the
stadium strategy. This is outlined below in figure 1.
Figure 1 – Stadium Strategy proposal
|
Overall
(1,069
submissions)
|
Waitākere
Ranges Local Board submitters
(49 submissions)
|
23. 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. Submitters from the
Waitākere Ranges Local Board were even more supportive of the proposal
with 61.9% of the 42 submitters supporting an annual Arts Festival. This is
outlined below in figure 2.
Figure 2 – Arts Festival proposal
|
Overall
(985 submissions)
|
Waitākere
Ranges Local Board submitters
(42 submissions)
|
Regional
overview
24. 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.
25. The topics listed below in table 1 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 1 - Regional topics
|
Topic Description
|
Number of submissions commenting on topic
|
% of total submissions
|
|
Watercare – Water Supply
|
247
|
12.6%
|
|
Regional arts & culture initiatives
|
54
|
2.7%
|
|
Social housing proposal – Do not support
|
51
|
2.6%
|
|
Expenditure – too high
|
38
|
1.9%
|
|
Transport strategy
|
35
|
1.8%
|
|
Request for funding
|
31
|
1.6%
|
|
Auckland Transport – Public transport
|
29
|
1.5%
|
|
General comments about the plan
|
29
|
1.5%
|
|
Auckland Transport – Roads
|
27
|
1.4%
|
|
Rates – too high
|
24
|
1.2%
|
|
Environmental strategy, policies & programmes
|
23
|
1.2%
|
26. 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.
27. 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.
28. 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
29. Decisions
on the final Waitākere Ranges Local Board Agreement will be made at the
decision-making meeting on Thursday 10 April 2014. Members may require
additional information to support their decision-making. Officers’ responses to
requests for information will be tabled at the deliberation meeting.
Consideration
Local Board Views
30. The
Waitākere Ranges Local Board will consider all submissions relevant to the
local board area at the workshop on the Draft Annual Plan and Waitākere
Ranges Draft Local Board Agreement on 27 March 2014.
Maori Impact Statement
31. 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 Waitākere
Ranges Local Board and the Governing Body, at their respective decision-making
meetings, on the Draft Annual Plan 2014/2015 and the Waitākere Ranges
Draft Local Board Agreement.
32. 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
33. 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
34. Implementation
issues on the various matters raised in submissions will be considered when
making decisions at decision-making meetings on the Draft Annual Plan and
Waitākere Ranges Draft Local Board Agreement on 10 April 2014.
Attachments
|
No.
|
Title
|
Page
|
|
a
|
Draft Annual Plan 2014-2015 -
Waitakere Ranges Local Board Submissions (Under Separate Cover)
|
|
Signatories
|
Author
|
Dean McIntosh - Governance Analyst -
Governance Project Team
|
|
Authoriser
|
Glenn Boyd - Relationship Manager
Henderson-Massey, Waitakere Ranges, Whau
|
