Agenda of Albert-Eden Local Board

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.

4 Confirmation of Minutes

That the Albert-Eden Local Board:

a) confirm the ordinary minutes of its meeting, held on Wednesday, 5 March 2014, including the confidential section, 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 Petitions

At the close of the agenda no requests to present petitions had been received.

8 Deputations

At the close of the agenda no requests for deputations had been received.

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.

9.1 Kevin McCaffrey - Auckland Irish Club

Executive Summary

Kevin McCaffrey, Auckland Irish Club, will be in attendance during Public Forum to deliver to board members a presentation on the proposed Celtic Festival at Fowlds Park.

Recommendation/s

a) That Kevin McCaffrey, Auckland Irish Club, be thanked for his public forum presentation.

9.2 Selwyn Pearson - Auckland Rugby League

Executive Summary

Selwyn Pearson, Auckland Rugby League, will be in attendance during Public Forum to speak to board members in support for creation of an artificial field at Fowlds Park.

Recommendation/s

a) That Selwyn Pearson, Auckland Rugby League, be thanked for his public forum presentation.

9.3 Adrian Roche - Fruit trees in Point Chevalier parks

Executive Summary

Adrian Roche, Point Chevalier Transition Town Group, will be in attendance during Public Forum to present to board members a proposal for fruit tree planting at parks in Point Chevalier.

Recommendation/s

a) That Adrian Roche, Point Chevalier Transition Town Group, be thanked for his public forum presentation.

9.4 Handweavers and Spinners Guild

Executive Summary

Janie Gummer, Handweavers and Spinners Guild, will be in attendance during Public Forum to present to board members an update of the guild’s activities during the past few months.

Recommendation/s

a) That Janie Gummer, Handweavers and Spinners Guild, be thanked for her public forum presentation.

9.5 Brian Carter - Fowlds Park development

Executive Summary

Brian Carter, resident, will be in attendance during Public Forum to speak to board members on the proposed development at Fowlds Park.

Recommendation/s

a) That Brian Carter, resident, be thanked for his public forum presentation.

9.6 Toni Dale - Cancer Society Auckland Division

Executive Summary

Toni Dale, Health Promotion, Cancer Society Auckland Division, will be in attendance during Public Forum to speak to board members on the results of recent research on Smokefree public spaces.

Recommendation/s

a) That Toni Dale, Health Promotion, Cancer Society Auckland Division, be thanked for her Public Forum presentation.

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.

Albert-Eden Local Board

02 April 2014

Fowlds Park and Nixon Park Sportsfield Developments

File No.: CP2014/03184

Purpose

1. To inform the Albert-Eden Local Board of the feedback obtained through public consultation on the Fowlds Park and Nixon Park Sportsfield Development projects and to present recommendations with regard to sportsfield developments at these two sites.

Executive Summary

2. Auckland Council allocated $85M in the Long Term Plan for capital works to increase the playing capacity of the region’s sportsfields to meet current and projected demand, particularly for training. The allocation and spend of this investment, which will be delivered through the Sports Field Capacity Development (SFCD) programme, includes funding for the build of one artificial sportsfield at Fowlds Park and one at Nixon Park.

3. Consultation with all major stakeholders and partners (sports clubs, park users, residents, business associations) on the intended field developments at the two sites has been undertaken. Two artificial field options were consulted on for both sites but with the consultation around Nixon Park also including an option for a sandcarpet field as an alternative to an artificial field.

Recommendation/s

That the Albert-Eden Local Board:

a) Approves the installation of an artificial turf on the number three field at Fowlds Park and as detailed in the Fowlds Park artificial playing field concept 2.

b) Requests Local and Sports Parks investigate the possible night time closure of car parks and the access road through Fowlds Park and report back to the board with regard to the options available.

c) Defers the decision on sportsfield developments at Nixon Park until a minor change to the Nixon Park Management Plan, to reflect current use and support for better recreation provision at the site, has been made.

Discussion

4. The Auckland Plan sets out the vision for how Auckland will be developed over the next 30 years and Strategic Direction 5 in the plan relates to Auckland’s Recreation and Sport. The three following targets directly relate to the need to increase sportsfield capacity across the city:

· Increase the number of Aucklanders actively participating in recreation and sport every week from 79% to 90% by 2014.

· Increase the number of school-aged children participating in organised sport and informal physical activities by 2040.

· Increase the number of Council sports fields that are useable throughout the year from 80% to 90% by 2020.

5. From these targets cascade two key priorities:

· Provide quality opportunities for all Aucklanders to participate in recreation and sport.

· Prioritise and optimise our recreation and sport facilities and public open space use and the capability of recreation and sport organisations.

6. The Albert-Eden Local Board area has one of the largest shortfalls in capacity identified in the 2011 study of supply and demand for sportsfields. This critical need for extra sportsfield capacity in the Albert-Eden ward and the development framework set out in the Auckland Plan provides a compelling argument to justify the installation of artificial fields at both Fowlds Park and Nixon Park.

7. The choice of field capacity improvements for the Albert-Eden board area included consideration of the current and projected shortfall in playing hours in the area, the cost per hour of increased capacity, the impact on and opportunities for summer sports and leisure users, environmental/landscape effects, auxiliary infrastructure, regional sports organisations facility plans and economies of scale.

8. All sports parks within the Albert-Eden Local Board area were evaluated and eight have been identified for works to be delivered as part of the SFCD programme over the next eight years. The installation of artificial fields on the number three field at Fowlds Park and on the number one field at Nixon Park will be the first two SFCD projects to be delivered in Albert-Eden and represent key pieces of infrastructure required to meet some of the current shortfall in sportsfield capacity in this area. The two relevant fields are both soil based and capable of carrying about ten hours of play per week. Both fields are also very susceptible to closures in the winter after heavy rain. Converting them into artificial fields would allow each field to carry in excess of forty hours of play/training per week and eradicate the need for any winter closures.

9. Two reports were submitted to the Albert-Eden Local Board on the Draft SFCD programme (October and November 2012) and the previous local board endorsed the intended SFCD spend for the Albert Eden Local Board area. Community consultation however did not form part of the initial SFCD analysis and the current board requested that consultation be carried out before they consider approving implementation of these two projects.

10. A pre consultation work-shop was held with the board in November 2013 at which two design options were requested for Fowlds Park. Concept one presents a reduced sized field (62m X 116m) that would allow for the retention of a strip of approx. 12 semi-mature Pohutukawa trees (plus mix of younger self seeding native trees including Karaka, Pittosporum, Coprosma and Totara) that are located between the number three field and the park road. This option would not however meet all the needs of the sporting codes since it would only accommodate training and junior games for both softball (the main summer user) and rugby league (the main winter user). Concept two presents a wider field (67m x 116) that would accommodate the full needs of softball and rugby league (ie would allow senior games to be played on the field) but that would necessitate the removal of the Pohutukawa trees.

11. For Nixon Park the board requested that three design options be presented; two concepts showing an artificial field in two different alignments and the third concept presenting one and a half natural turf sand carpet fields as an alternative to the artificial field options. This was on the basis that an artificial field at Nixon Park would, because of the reserve’s relatively small size, significantly alter the look, feel and visitor experience. The sandcarpet option in contrast offers a ‘no change’ (other than the relocation of the playground) alternative to the existing set up at Nixon Park.

12. In addition, all three of the Nixon Park concepts show two additional site changes (improving footpath connections and relocating buildings) in order to gauge their popularity and assist future planning for the park. Both changes are based on the assumption that visual and physical links through the park need to be improved and that this could be achieved by:

· Creating a stronger pedestrian link between Bond Street and Central Road through the creation of a wide and direct route from east to west through the park.

· Removal of the two existing buildings (club room and changing room) and combining the two buildings in one new facility on the western side of the park.

13. Relocation of the club rooms would have a significant and beneficial impact on the landscape and open up the road frontage along Central Road.

Consultation feedback (undertaken Feb 2014) on Fowlds Park Sportsfield Upgrade

Question	Yes	No	Don’t know
Do you support Fowlds Park being developed to better provide for the active recreation needs of Aucklanders	304	13	7

If your preference is for an artificial field, please indicate which of the two artificial field design options you prefer	Yes	Yes	Don’t know
Development Concept 1 – Smaller Field	18
Development Concept 2 – Larger Field		283
			23

Do you support more flood lights to enable winter sports evening training and/or games	Yes	No	Don’t know
	296	19	9

14. The response to the Fowlds Park consultation was extremely high with 324 questionnaires being returned. There was overwhelming support (94%) for ‘Fowlds Park being developed to better provide for the active recreation needs of Aucklanders’. Concept option 2 (larger field that better serves the needs of the codes and clubs, but which would involve the potentially controversial removal of approximately 12 Pohutukawas and other mixed natives) was supported by 87% of respondents compared to 6% in favour of concept 1 (smaller field) and 7% who gave a ‘don’t know’ response. There were equally strong levels of support (91%) for field lights.

15. Formal submissions in favour of concept 2 (wider field) were obtained from Auckland Softball Association, Mt Albert Rugby League Football Club and David Shearer (MP for Mt Albert).

16. A formal submission from the Tree Council supported concept one (narrower field) with retention of the Pohutukawa trees and a submission from a resident raised a number of general issues that are addressed below.

17. While this feedback provides a very strong endorsement for a larger artificial field with lights the voting was inevitably polarized and with the majority of respondents (76%) being linked to formal sport at the site. Unanimous support for design option two came from members of the resident sports clubs and with a small but vocal group not supporting either artificial field option. This feedback predominantly came from local residents and park users who enjoy the park for its landscape and passive recreation qualities. Immediate neighbours have been most vociferous in articulating their concerns. Many of these concerns don’t relate directly to the installation of an artificial field but rather to the current day to day maintenance and management issues that arise largely from antisocial behavior (including noise) and alcohol. The fear on the part of residents is that these issues will escalate with the installation of an artificial field and the associated increased sport activity.

18. What also came through strongly in feedback to the questionnaire, and at the two drop in meetings (1st and 15th Feb 2014) held on site, was that there was a desire to ensure that any sportsfield development at the site was balanced by both improvement to / development of, the passive recreation values of the park (a summary of feedback comments is provided in attachment F).

19. This message was further articulated at a meeting held at the Mt Albert Rugby League Football Club (12 March 2014). The meeting was to give residents and users further opportunity to ask questions about the project. The issues raised are addressed below and broken down into those that are considered to be directly related to the sportfsfield upgrade and those that are current and therefore indirectly related to an artificial field in the sense that users are concerned that the artificial will lead to an escalation of these issues.

Issues directly related to the field upgrade

Noise related to sport

20. Noise generated by sports activity is inevitable at sports parks. While the noise emanating from an artificial field will be the same as from a natural turf field, an artificial field will allow for more play and training time. Therefore while noise levels won’t be higher than current levels, noise associated with sport will extend over a longer period of the day.

21. There are rules within the district plan that determine that noise from sport must not exceed 55 decibels on the boundary with private property. A noise engineer has already done some analysis of field three and concluded that noise emanating from a new artificial turf would comply with these noise limits. If the project gets approval, noise will also be considered by independent commissioners as part of a publicly notified resource consent application for the lights and residents at this stage will have opportunity to make submissions and speak at a hearing. The commissioners are charged with ensuring that all impacts relating to the project are assessed, the neighbour’s concerns are heard and that impacts fall within the planning parameters set out in the District Plan.

Sunday Play

22. The reference in the Fowlds Park Management Plan (1992), with regards to Sunday play, reads as follows:

Under the Reserves Act and the Local Government Act Council is empowered to grant approval to private organisations for the Sunday use of a reserve and the restriction of public entry to a reserve without payment of an admission charge. The necessity for Sunday play usually arises when sports clubs hold tournaments and an extra day is needed to complete play. Also, the need occasionally arises for one day events to be held on a Sunday because on Saturdays the reserve is committed to its regular uses.

23. This statement has been interpreted by some as being restrictive of the amount of formal recreation that can take place at the park on a Sunday. However, the plan merely states that council has the power to approve exclusive use of the reserve for formal sport and including the imposition of an admission charge to those who wish to spectate. This is followed by an explanation of why tournaments/events may occur on a Sunday. The explanation is both outdated and largely irrelevant in so far as formal tournaments/events that charge a fee or restrict access are a rarity. A spectator charge has not been applied at the site for many years and would only be applied in exceptional circumstances. The reference in the management plan to Sunday sport is therefore not seen as an impediment to more training, casual or even code organized competition play occurring on a Sunday and for which an admission charge is unlikely to be applied.

24. The more appropriate guide with regards to this part of the management plan would be the Reserves Act, which empowers the administering body, in this case the Albert-Eden Local Board, to determine use within the parameters of the classification.

Lights

25. The quality of sportsfield lights is now such that there are no issues with spillage and glare and residents did not regard this as a problem.

Traffic and Parking

26. Because no new fields are being created the current peak carrying capacity (ie use levels on a Saturday morning) will remain unchanged. What an artificial field will do is increase periods of play during any given day and which will produce an increase in medium to low levels of activity around the entrance road and car park particularly during mid-week evenings.

27. There are currently 125 parking bays provided at the site and there is considerable parking available along the access road running through Fowlds Park. When larger competitions or events are held at the site parking does sometimes spill onto surrounding residential roads. However, accommodating all peak parking demand within Fowlds Park would involve building a much larger hard standing tar sealed car park that would remain under utilised during the week and at the loss of valuable green open space.

28. Pedestrian safety around the park access road was raised as an issue and a safety study will be undertaken in order to firstly ascertain if there is a problem particularly for pedestrians and secondly what measures can be put in place if pedestrians are considered to be at high risk during periods of high car activity.

Height of retaining walls

29. There is a significant height difference between the number two and three fields. They are linked by a grass bank, which although steep, currently allows free and open pedestrian movement. One of the most significant landscape and user impacts relating to an artificial field will be the installation of a 2m to 4m (the height increases from east to west) retaining wall on the southern side of the number three field. The difference in the height of this retaining wall in the two options presented is minimal because concept 2 (the wider field option) extends out over the pohutukawa on the northern side of the field.

30. In concept two there is a strip of green space (which is grassed and planted up with specimen trees on the concept plan) between the northern side of field three and the road. This acts as a buffer between the field and road and at its narrowest point is approximately 9/10 metres wide. There is the option of reducing the height of the retaining wall on the southern side of the field by moving the whole field into this buffer zone particularly in the north western corner. However, the view of the internal landscape team and an external landscape consultant is that the buffer on the northern side creates balance and structure to the placement of the artificial field and that issues relating to the height and landscape impact of a retaining wall on the southern side should be addressed by landscaping around the wall. This could be achieved by battering up over the lower part of the retaining and planting into the batter in order to soften the appearance of the wall. A photo simulation of how this would look is provided in attachment E.

Removal of the Pohutukawa

31. Concept two (wider field) favoured by the majority of questionnaire respondents and Parks Sport and Recreation staff involves the removal of 12 semi mature Pohutukawa trees (plus mix of self-seeding younger native trees). The Tree Council provided a submission that favoured concept one (narrower field) largely because it allowed for the retention of this group of trees. While it would be preferable to retain the trees, the view of Parks Sports and Recreation is that they do not represent an outstanding landscape feature that should be retained at all cost. It is in fact the large stand of gum trees that are located just the other side of the access road to field three that provide one of the most significant landscape features in Fowlds Park and which will provide the back drop on the northern side of the field if the strip of pohutukawa and other mixed species are removed. The loss of these trees is not therefore considered significant from a landscape perspective and does provide a positive spin off by improving passive surveillance from the road, a factor which has been highlighted by both the police and the council’s own landscape architects. Given this and the scale of investment required to build an artificial field, it is considered that the trees should be removed in order to allow for the wider field to be built but that replacement planting occurs at suitable locations around the reserve.

Existing site maintenance/management issues

Alcohol consumption and associated anti-social behaviour including noise

32. The consumption of alcohol at the site is prohibited at night time (8pm to 8am during the winter and 10pm to 8am during the summer). Residents feel that there is a direct correlation between the consumption of alcohol in the park and anti-social behavior and they have requested that the liquor ban time be extended from the night time only hours, to be 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

33. Alcohol bans are enforced by the Police and their support, along with supporting evidence, is required before Council governance approve a change to the bylaw. Feedback given (6 March 2014) by the Ponsonby Community Policing Team states that during the past six months there have been no reports of breaches of the liquor ban, serious or minor assaults, disorder, unlawful assemblies, drunk or suspicious behaviour at Fowlds Park. The limited supporting evidence on file means there is not currently the required weight of evidence to build a case for the extension of the liquor ban.

34. Further monitoring of this issue by the Police in collaboration with Community Development Arts and Culture (CDAC) is therefore recommended and residents will be encouraged to phone through incidents to the police when they occur. While the incident may not get an immediate response from the police, all incidents are logged and this will enable a realistic picture of what’s happening on the ground to be built up.

35. Drinking is also often indirectly related to noise and the impact of alcohol on residents therefore extends beyond those aspects of antisocial behaviour monitored and measured by the police. Auckland council responds to noise control issues and over the last two years five calls relating to noise in Fowlds Park have been logged. Three of these were made in July 2012, one in November 2012 and one in January 2014. Residents maintain the problem is much bigger than this on the ground and that the number of incidents phoned through far exceeds those detailed above.

Safety

36. While the police report does not support the picture of an unsafe park environment the perception held by some park users is that there are safety issues on site. The most effective tool that Auckland Council has to turn around this perception is to get more genuine users in the park during all hours of the day and this is something that will clearly be achieved by the installation of an artificial field. Future design work, whether related to sportsfield or general park development, will also be key in ensuring user safety and Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design principles will be applied in all instances.

Park security and road closure

37. Parks with access roads and car parks can be a magnet for antisocial behavior at night and at some sites car parks, and in some cases the access roads to the car park, are locked at night. The car park at Fowlds Park is locked at night although residents complain that the security contractor has been unreliable and there have been numerous instances when locking has not occurred. Parks staff have been informed that issues relating to contractor reliability have now been ironed out and the gate is being locked every night.

38. Residents have requested that the road entrances off Malvern Rd and Rocky Nook be locked at night. Since the access is heavily used as a through road, discussions with Auckland Transport should ideally take place. It is assumed that at night traffic is relatively light and this option should therefore be investigated further.

Litter

39. The mid-week appearance of the park is considered good with levels of litter being low. At the weekend immediately after intensive field use, litter can be an issue. Additional bins will be installed around a new artificial field and Auckland Council will also work with resident clubs to encourage all their members to be mindful of litter generally, to put litter in the bins provided and to take litter home where possible.

40. There are clearly general park management issues that require further investigation and monitoring, but the build of an artificial field at Fowlds Park should not be considered an action that automatically exacerbates existing issues, particularly with regard to anti-social behaviour. Genuine park use and activity is in fact found to displace anti-social behaviour and the development of an artificial field is considered to be beneficial to the overall wellbeing of the park and its surrounding community.

41. Parks Sports and Recreation staff consequently consider the community benefits to outweigh the negatives associated with an artificial field and that implementation of concept two should proceed. However, there is clearly a concurrent piece of work that needs to be undertaken in order to enhance the passive recreation qualities of the reserve and tackle current issues that mainly relate to antisocial behavior. The community feel that this latter issue could most effectively be addressed through a 24/7 alcohol ban and the closure of the access road at night. It is therefore recommended that the Albert-Eden Parks Advisor investigates the practicalities of shutting the through road at night. Physical works to improve the passive recreation qualities of the reserve could be delivered through renewals, the Small Local Improvement Project programme or money secured through the LTP for big ticket items such as improved toilet facilities.

Consultation feedback (undertaken Feb 2014) on Nixon Park Sportstfield Upgrade

Questions	Yes		No		Don’t know
Do you support Nixon Park being developed to better provide for the active recreation needs of Aucklanders	180		4		3

Do you have a preference as to the type of sportsfield you would like to see developed at Nixon Park	Yes	Yes		Yes		Don’t know
Concept 1 – 1.5 Sandfield with lights	13
Concept 2 – Artificial field with lights - east west alignment		122
Concept 3 – Artificial field with lights – north south alignment				15
						37

Do you support more flood lights to enable winter sports evening training and/or games	Yes		No		Don’t know
	174		5		8

The clubroom and changing room located beside Central Road have been relocated and merged into one building on the concept plans to open the interface between the park and the road and reduce the number of buildings on the park. Do you support this change?	Yes		No		Don’t know
	140		4		43

An improved footpath connection between Bond Street and Central Road has been shown on the plan in order to improve linkages through the park. Do you support this change?	Yes		No		Don’t know
	159		2		26

Nixon Park analysis of feedback

42. 187 Nixon Park questionnaires were returned to Auckland Council with 180 (96%) supporting the development of the reserve in order to better provide for the active recreation needs of Aucklanders. The majority of respondents (65%) supported development concept two (artificial field in an east west alignment) with 8% supporting an artificial field in a north south alignment. Only 7% supported concept one (sand carpet field option), however a significant group of people (20%) said they didn’t know which option they preferred.

43. The additional suggested improvements (new combined club building and improved footpath links) were also well supported but again with a significant number of ‘don’t knows’.

44. Formal submissions in full support of an artificial field were provided by Auckland City Football Club, Central United Football Club, Auckland Football Federation and David Shearer (MP for Mt Albert). Email feedback from the Kingsland Business Association argued that an artificial field would close off most of this well-used park to local residents/ratepayers and recreational users 7 days a week and result in the abandonment of the Kingsland Festival and other community events at Nixon Park. The fifth submission was from Cycle Action Auckland and highlighted the fact that the park is poorly defined, that option three would involve the removal of a significant amount of vegetation and that provision for bike parking should be made.

45. As with Fowlds Park the debate is polarized with sports users and groups giving 100% backing to the principle of an artificial field but with the Kingsland Business Association and a small group of residents expressing concerns that an artificial would effectively privatise at least two thirds of the open grass area for use by formal sport.

46. On top of analysis of this feedback, there are additional considerations to be made for Nixon Park, particularly in relation to the management plan (1984) which uses language that suggests sports activities on the reserve will continue to be low key and informal. This has not been the case for several years and the open space zoning has been changed since the drafting of the management plan from open space 2 zoning (informal recreation) to open space 3 zoning (organised recreation). The management plan therefore no longer reflects current formal recreation use levels at the site and does not accommodate increases in local demand for sportsfields. It is therefore recommended that, on the back of the consultation and support for ‘Nixon Park being developed to better provide for the active recreation needs of Aucklanders’, a minor change to the management plan is undertaken. This would also provide some time in which to consider a request from Auckland Rugby to have access to the fields at Nixon Park for training purposes and which if supported would impact on the design option. Parks Sports and Recreation therefore intend to come back to the board with recommendations regarding Nixon Park once the management plan has been updated and the Auckland Rugby proposal fully considered.

Consideration

Local Board Views

47. Parks Sports and Recreation have work-shopped and updated the Albert-Eden Local Board throughout the consultation process but the views of board members with regard to the resolutions presented in this report are not known.

Maori Impact Statement

48. The contribution of parks outcomes is of significant importance to tangata whenua, their wellbeing, values, culture and traditions. Sites of significance to tangata whenua are an important part of their heritage, established through whakapapa. Maori are also major participants in sport and the provision of high quality sporting infrastructure is therefore of great importance to the Maori community.

General

49. The SFCD budget only provides for the upgrade of sportsfields (field surface, drainage, lights and footpaths immediately surrounding the facility) listed in the SFCD programme. The development of any ancillary assets that need to be upgraded as a result of sports field improvements will have to be secured through capex budgets allocated to the Albert-Eden Local Board.

Implementation Issues

50. If the installation of an artificial for Fowlds Park is approved then planning works (detailed design, resource consent and procurement) will be starting immediately. This would be with a view to starting physical works in November 2014. However, the time lines are very tight and there is a possibility that if there are significant delays to the planning process, the start of physical works will be delayed by a year. The build of an artificial field would take approximately six months.

51. The sandcarpeting and lighting of field 4 at Fowlds Park is planned for 2015/16. This work would be defered to 2016/17 if the artificial field was built in 2015/16.

52. Sportsfield developments at Nixon Park are now likely to be deferred until 2015/16.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	Fowlds Park - Concept 1	19
b View	Fowlds Park - Photo simulation for concept 1	21
c View	Fowlds Park - Concept 2	23
d View	Fowlds Park - Photo simulation for concept 2	25
e View	Fowlds Park - Photo simulation showing planting at base of retaining wall	27
f View	Breakdown of improvements requested for Fowlds Park via questionnaire	29
g View	Nixon Park - Concept 1	31
h View	Nixon Park - Photo simulation for concept 1	33
i View	Nixon Park - Concept 2	35
j View	Nixon Park - Photo simulation for concept 2	37
k View	Nixon Park - Concept 3	39

Signatories

Author

David Barker - Team Leader Parks Specialists and Programmes

Authorisers

Ian Maxwell - Manager Parks, Sports & Recreation

Adam Milina - Acting Relationship Manager - Albert-Eden & Orakei Local Boards

Albert-Eden Local Board

02 April 2014

Update on Draft Newton Plan

File No.: CP2014/05356

Purpose

1. This report is for the purpose of updating the Albert-Eden Local Board on the Draft Newton Plan and to seek the Board’s endorsement for further community engagement.

Executive Summary

2. The Albert-Eden Local Board has appointed Board Chair Peter Haynes and Board Member Graham Easte to participate in the development of the Newton Plan. The Waitemata Local Board is responsible for the sign-off of the content of the Newton Plan, although it is acknowledged that a small portion of the study area falls within the Albert-Eden Local Board boundary. For this reason, the endorsement of the Albert-Eden Local Board is also sought in relation to the draft Newton Plan prior to its release for public engagement.

3. The draft plan will be presented to the Waitemata Local Board at their 8 April 2014 meeting for endorsement, with public engagement events planned for a five-week period commencing on 10 April 2014.

4. A copy of the draft plan will be attached to this report on 28 March 2014.

Recommendation/s

That the Albert-Eden Local Board:

a) Approves the draft Newton Plan, insofar as it relates to land under the jurisdiction of the Board, for community engagement.

b) Authorises Board Chair Peter Haynes and Board Member Graham Easte to approve minor amendments to the draft Newton Plan, insofar as it relates to land under the jurisdiction of the Board, prior to the commencement of community engagement.

Discussion

Background

5. In June 2013, the Albert-Eden and Waitemata Local Boards endorsed the planning process for the development of the local-area based plan for Newton.

6. The draft Newton Plan takes into consideration the direction set by the Auckland Plan, City Centre Masterplan and Local Board Plans specific to the Newton area.

7. Only a small portion of the study area adjacent to the North Auckland Rail Line falls under the jurisdiction of the Albert-Eden Local Board. A report on the draft Newton Plan is going to the Waitemata Local Board 8 April 2014 meeting to update the Board on the plan and to seek endorsement of the draft plan for community consultation.

8. Council has been working to produce the draft plan and has completed the following steps to inform its development:

§ Review of previous and current plans, projects, studies and policy work relevant to Newton and the Auckland Central Business District developed under Auckland Council and the former Auckland City Council

§ reviewed current regional and local strategies, including the Auckland Plan, Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan, Long Term Plan 2012-2022, Auckland Economic Development Strategy, Regional Land Transport Strategy, City Centre Masterplan and relevant Local Board Plans

§ reviewed technical reports on the proposed City Rail Link (CRL)

§ reviewed consultation and feedback received by Council on previous public processes relevant to the study area

§ undertaken research on land-use, economic development, community facilities and open space, transport, and heritage for the plan area

§ commissioned an independent Maori Heritage report

§ undertaken targeted stakeholder engagement sessions with representatives from the business and resident associations, local community, social organisations and special interest groups; and

§ held a public ideas ‘visioning’ session with residents in the community and members of various stakeholder groups for both areas.

9. Engagement with local communities and stakeholders is a key component in the planning process. Targeted engagement with key local stakeholders identified by Council and the Waitemata Local Board has been undertaken through a series of stakeholder engagement sessions and a public ideas evening. Through both of these forums, Council has heard a wide range of views from within the community about its vision for the area and this has been used to inform the development of the draft plan.

10. In addition to the two forums, Council officers have also met with the Uptown Business Association, infrastructure providers, community groups, key property owners, Watercare and Auckland Transport during the preparation and development of the plan.

11. The five-week consultation period will allow wider community input into the development of the final plan.

Key components of the draft Newton Plan

12. The draft plan:

§ outlines the purpose of the document, planning process, study area and what we have heard to date through feedback and initial engagement on the plan;

§ the local context, in particular the issues and opportunities of the area.

§ a vision and corresponding ‘key moves’ that we have identified for the area that respond to the challenges and opportunities facing that area and guide the more detailed responses set out later in the document. The vision and key moves have been developed from the extensive feedback and input received from stakeholder and public engagement undertaken to date as well as the research and analysis work completed.

§ a number of proposed actions and projects to achieve the key moves and vision. These actions are divided and themed to the key moves.

§ our next steps including commentary on how the plan will be implemented. It is envisaged that this section will be further developed and refined after the public feedback period.

13. Post-engagement, a full document will be developed with enhanced background information, strategic context and a detailed implementation strategy. The final plan is likely to be presented to the Local Board for adoption in July 2014.

Community Engagement – 10 April to 14 May 2014

14. It was outlined in the planning process that the Waitemata Local Board will lead the community consultation process. Community engagement is planned for a five-week period beginning Thursday 10 April 2014 and ending on the 14 May 2014.

15. Community engagement on the draft plan will include a launch with stakeholders who have contributed to the project, and four public drop-in engagement sessions. A flyer will be distributed to local businesses and community organisations with information about the draft plan and associated engagement events.

16. As part of the engagement, Council will be promoting the draft plan at the ‘Mayor in the Chair’ session in St Kevin’s Arcade on K’Road on Monday 14 April 2014, and the ‘First Thursdays’ event in May 2014.

17. Once the engagement period has ended, all feedback collected will be reviewed and any recommended changes to the draft plan will be discussed with the Albert-Eden and Waitemata local boards.

Consideration

Local Board Views

18. The Waitemata Local Board is the primary decision-maker on the content of the two plans and will be signing off on the final plan for adoption in July 2014. The Albert-Eden Local Board will also have a review and sign-off role for the Newton Plan as part of the study area for that plan sits within the jurisdiction of the Albert-Eden Local Board.

19. Council officers have met with Albert-Eden Local Board Chair , Peter Haynes and Board Member, Graeme Easte to discuss the draft Newton Plan, prior to releasing the draft plan for public consultation.

20. Board Members Dempsey and Thomas have represented the Waitemata Local Board through the process of developing the draft Newton Plan. The project team has met with them on a regular basis to discuss the development of the Newton Plan and address any issues that have arisen. Both have also attended the public ideas evening session for Newton, and Board Member Dempsey has attended all targeted stakeholder engagement sessions.

Maori Impact Statement

21. An invitation to participate and contribute knowledge to the development of the draft plan was sent to all of the iwi which registered an interest in the Waitemata Local Board area with Council’s Te Waka Angamua – Māori Strategy and Relations department. The following iwi were invited:

§ Ngāti Whātua O Orākei

§ Te Kawerau a Maki

§ Ngai Tai Ki Tāmaki

§ Ngati Te Ata

§ Ngati Maru

§ Te Runanga o Ngāti Whātua

§ Ngāti Whātua Nga Rima o Kaipara

§ Te Akitai Waiohua

§ Ngati Paoa

§ Ngati Whanaunga

§ Ngati Tamatera

22. An initial hui and walk around the study area was set up between officers and the iwi representatives. To date, none of the above were able to attend the initial hui and site walk.

23. Through the planning process, it was agreed that a Maori Cultural Values Report would be commissioned on both plan areas to inform the development of the draft plan. The Council commissioned Independent Consultant, Mr Ngarimu Blair to develop and collate the Maori Cultural Values report and facilitate iwi input and review of the report. The report focuses on Maori stories / relationships, aspirations and opportunities and how they can inform contemporary design and place-making initiatives in the study area.

24. The report’s outcomes and recommendations were presented and discussed at the targeted stakeholder engagement and public ideas evening sessions for both plan areas, and have informed the development of the draft plan. A copy of the Maori Cultural Values report is being circulated to the above iwi listed.

25. A copy of the draft plan will be sent to the above iwi listed for feedback and comments. Council officers will engage with iwi on the draft plan and development of the final plan.

Implementation Issues

26. The work of area planning, both at a local / place based or precinct level, and at the area-wide level, is the responsibility of teams in the Regional and Local Planning Department in collaboration with Council and Council Controlled Organisations. This will require ongoing resource and staff commitment to integrate planning approaches and project management to coordinate activities. This work is only partly budgeted for in the Regional and Local Planning Department budget. Thus far, targeted use of external resources for purposes of community engagement, options development or research has been sourced from within the Regional and Local Planning Department budget.

27. Out of each plan will fall a range of actions contained in an implementation / action plan that will need to be considered for funding as part of future Long Term Plan and Local Board Planning processes.

28. The planning and delivery of the plan’s actions will require agreements with delivery partners to ensure the timely implementation of each action. Advocacy will also be critical with delivery partners and infrastructure providers in their long-term budget allocations and prioritisation planning to achieve the outcomes of the two plans.

29. A full version of the implementation / action plan will be developed post engagement for each plan and be presented to the Local Board for adoption with the final plans in July 2014.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a	Draft Newton Plan (Under Separate Cover)

Signatories

Author

Ross Cooper - Planner, CBD and Islands, Operative Plans

Authorisers

Penny Pirrit - Regional & Local Planning Manager

Adam Milina - Acting Relationship Manager - Albert-Eden & Orakei Local Boards

Albert-Eden Local Board

02 April 2014

Auckland Transport Monthly Update Report – April 2014

File No.: CP2014/05488

Purpose

1. This report provides an update on local transport matters over the last month for the Albert-Eden Local Board.

Executive Summary

2. This report contains a general monthly update on transport matters both locally and from across Auckland and a list of issues currently being addressed by Auckland Transport for the Albert-Eden Local Board.

Recommendation/s

That the Albert-Eden Local Board:

a) Receives the Auckland Transport Monthly Update Report – April 2014.

Discussion

Responding to Resolutions

3. Resolution Number: CP2014/02752

g. The Albert-Eden Local Board request that Auckland Transport engage with the Board regarding the use of its matrix as early as possible in order to define the Board’s requirements for information on projects in its area.

Auckland Transport will start working with the Albert-Eden Local Board in April and May 2014 to define the Member’s collective requirement for information about transport projects in the Local Board Area.

The proposed plan involves working with the Board to develop an engagement ‘matrix’ that provides clear guidance about what scale and type of transport works the Members would like information about or would like the opportunity to discuss.

Bearing in mind that Auckland Transport delivers hundreds of different sized projects every month in this area, it is important that we know exactly what the Local Board’s expectations are so that we avoid issues and can give clear direction to our staff about Albert-Eden Local Board’s requirements.

The proposed plan for developing the ‘matrix’ is outlined below:

· Liaising with the Transport Representatives to develop a first ‘cut’;

· The first ‘cut’ can then be circulated by email to all Board Members for comment; and

· There may be some discussion and if required the ‘matrix’ can be work-shopped; but

· The overall aim is to that we confirm the ‘matrix’ so that we can provide clear guidance to Auckland Transport Teams working in the area

h. The Albert-Eden Local Board request Auckland Transport officers to attend a local board workshop to update members on the Dominion Road upgrade.

This request has been forwarded to the Project Manager and the meeting is currently being scheduled. By the date of the April Albert-Eden Local Board meeting we should be able to confirm the date and time.

Corridor Management Plans

4. Auckland Transport is developing five Corridor Management Plans (CMP) in the Albert-Eden Local Board’s area.

5. CMPs are strategic documents designed to provide a 30 year framework for agencies working to maintain and improve transport along broad ‘corridors’ of movement. CMPs are an internal document used to coordinate the work of agencies like Auckland Transport, New Zealand Transport Agency and Auckland Council.

6. A CMP is not a detailed plan but outlines the types of planning that may be needed so that agencies can start planning budgets and work programmes in a coordinated way as early as possible.

The ‘corridors’ currently being investigated are:

· Great North Road from K Road to Ash Street;

· Manukau Road from Broadway to the Royal Oak Roundabout;

· Mt Albert and Carrington Roads;

· Great North Road from K Road to Ash Street; and

· New North Road Mt Eden Road to Blockhouse Bay Road.

7. The Albert-Eden Local Board has been asked to participate in the development of these plans and the following opportunities have and are being provided:

· On 12 March 2014 the Albert-Eden Local Board Transport Relationship Manager briefed the Board about CMPs at a workshop and Members were asked to feed ideas through to the Transport Portfolio Leaders;

· On 16 April 2014 the team developing the Great North Road CMP will workshop this plan with the Albert-Eden Local Board; and

· On 30 April 2014 the other four CMPs will be workshopped with the Albert-Eden Local Board

8. Information provided by the Local Board members will be collated by the Transport Portfolio Leaders and provide to the CMP teams prior to the scheduled workshops. The aim being to maximise opportunities for Board member feedback.

Dominion Road Update

9. Detailed design work on the upgrade to Dominion Road continues.

10. The project will provide continuous bus lanes along Dominion Road from SH 20 to View Road in an effort to improve bus travel times down this important route and include necessary road widening between Mt Albert Road and SH 20. Other features include the removal of indented bus bays, replaced by in line stops to allow bus passengers to board efficiently and buses to continue their journey without having to merge with general traffic.

11. The upgrade will also see footpaths upgraded and widened through the three villages, safety improvements for pedestrians and improved optimisation of traffic signals.

12. The Village Design Group with representatives from the Local Boards, iwi and business community have met on several occasions to provide input into appropriate designs and street furniture for the village centres.

13. Public open days to showcase the plan will be conducted on 10 and 12 April 2014.

14. It is expected that construction of the parallel cycle routes will now start in early May 2014 rather than in April 2014 as previously reported.

15. The plan still sees construction starting on the main corridor in August 2014.

April Local Board Workshops – Pre-engagement on Transport Long Term Plan

16. Auckland Transport is scheduling workshops for Councillors and Local Board members, in the second and third weeks of April 2014.

17. The workshops aim to gain early feedback to inform advice and options for Transport as input to Auckland Council’s 2015-25 Long Term Plan (LTP) and by extension, the Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP). The key aims of the workshops are to:

· Help Local Boards develop the Transport Advocacy component of their Local Board Plans by providing information about Auckland Transport’s current priorities and plans; and

· Help Auckland Transport to understand community preferences and look for opportunities to improve the alignment of Auckland Transport and Local Board priorities.

18. The importance of participating in the workshops is that local boards will be able to help shape the options that eventually make it into the draft RLTP.

19. The workshop date for central Auckland Local Boards is 14 April 2014.

20. The period of formal consultation about the transport component of Auckland Council’s Long Term Plan, and on Auckland Transport’s Regional Land Transport Programme, will be January and February 2015.

Albert-Eden Local Board Transport Capital Fund

21. The Albert-Eden Local Board has $ 664,933 per annum of discretionary funding for transport-related capital projects.

22. Albert–Eden Local Board can either spend $ 664,933 per annum or may use up to three years’ worth of funding i.e. $1,994,799.

23. The uncommitted $ 119,016 from the previous electoral term are also rolled over giving the Albert – Eden Local Board a total pool of approx. $ 2,113,815 available in this electoral term to spend on transport projects.

24. This money can be used for projects identified by the Local Board, the principal constraints being that the project:

1. Will not compromise transport safety;

2. Is transport-related;

3. Is in the ‘road corridor’; and

4. Does not compromise the efficiency of the road network.

25. In its first electoral term the Albert Eden Local Board requested that the following projects (in the accompanying table) are investigated and their progress is summarized below.

Serial	Project	Approx. Potential Commitments to Date	Status Update
1.	Traffic Calming - Mont Le Grand, Mewburn, Dexter	$ 1,040,000	These projects have been grouped together under one project manager who will be responsible for planning, consultation and delivery of these projects. In November 2012 a ROC for these projects was provided. The Albert-Eden Local Board then passed resolution AE/2012/272 that noted the ROC and authorised construction of these projects if costs were “in line” with the ROC. The project costs are within the ROC provided in November 2012 although the original scope of the project has been refined through the planning process. On 22 August 2013 maps of the proposed works were circulated to the Albert-Eden Local Board and the members asked to comment. In late 2013 consultation with local residents was conducted. Generally feedback was supportive but some residents have raised concerns and Auckland Transport officers and Local Board Members are addressing these concerns directly with the concerned residents. Balmoral North and South LATM projects have layouts that are outside the normal technical standards applied by Auckland Transport and there has been a period of technical discussion to decide whether or not Auckland Transport can deliver the Local Board’s intent. This process has now been completed and finalised plans that: · Address resident’s concerns from the initial consultation period; and · Are able to be technically support by Auckland Transport. Are now complete. The next step is to complete a final round of information and feedback between 7-22 April 2014. After this is complete there will be another review of the feedback. The tentative timeframe for delivery is June – July 2014 for the works in Balmoral North and South. Monte Le Grande and Dexter do not have the same technical issues and work is planned to start in early April 2014.
2.	Traffic Calming - Balmoral North and South
3.	Morningside Drive Pedestrian Refuges
4.	Valley Rd Pedestrian Crossing Smartstuds Installation	$ 38,000	Completed.
5.	Carrington Road footpath	$28,000	Construction of this project has been authorised and the date for delivery has changed and it is now planned for late April or early May 2014.
6.	School Travel Zone in The Drive	$ 17,000	Construction of this project has been authorised by the Albert-Eden Local Board and by the Traffic Control Committee for this project but a date for delivery is now estimated as May 2014.
7.	Pedestrian Crossing Signals - installation of Countdown Timers (Various locations)	$ 7,850	Project completed.
8.	Wheturangi Road	$20,000	Detailed assessment of this project has been completed and a Final Cost of $ 20,000 has been provided. The cost of the delivering this project will be less than estimated because this estimate includes the cost of building a footpath that is no longer required. This project Road Corridor Operations and a date for delivery had not been confirmed at the time this report was written.
9.	Walters Road	$30,000	This project involves very similar works in the LATM areas listed in above in Serials 1-4. Therefore the project managers are willing to use this information to provide a Final Cost of $30,000. This project was authorised to start construction by the Albert – Eden Local Board in the previous electoral term and design work is progressing but like the LATM project is outside the normal technical standards applied by Auckland Transport. Technical discussions are still on-going and by the May 2014 Albert-Eden Local Board an answer should be available.
10.	Milton Road	$30,000	This project involves very similar works in the LATM areas listed in Serials 1-4 above. Therefore the project managers are willing to use this information to provide a Final Cost of $30,000. This project was authorised to start construction by the Albert – Eden Local Board in the previous electoral term and design work is progressing. A start date was not available when this report was submitted. Like the Balmoral North and South LATM projects this project has a layout that is outside the normal technical standards applied by Auckland Transport and at the time this report was written they both required Traffic Control Committee approval. Technical discussions are still on-going and by the May 2014 Albert-Eden Local Board an answer should be available.
11.	Cycle delineators on St Lukes Road	N/A	Investigated and last reported back on in the February 2014 report.
12.	St Andrews Road	N/A	This project is currently being investigated and the project is now being designed and a ROC will probably be available for next month.
Total - potentially committed in the previous electoral term		$1,210,850	Total funds potentially committed in the projects listed above

26. A key point is that the Albert–Eden Local Board now has a significant amount of money that can be used to pursue Local Board transport initiatives and this should be taken into account during Local Board Plan deliberations.

27. This money provides an opportunity for the Board to deliver some pretty significant transport projects and it is important that we start to identify potential projects as soon as possible. At this time Auckland Transport is working through a plan to resource investigation, design and construction of these projects and at the Albert-Eden Local Board’s May 2014 meeting it is planned that a report will be tabled with information about the recommended time line to ensure delivery of these projects within the current electoral term.

28. Issues Register

	Description	AT Response
Locarno Ave Walkway	The walkway linking Kent Street, Fergusson Ave, Locarno Ave and Waegener Place is in a poor state of repair.	This issue was reported to the Road Corridor Maintenance Team in January 2014 and a thorough investigation of the walk is currently being undertaken and work should start soon to repair any damage.
Cornwall Park Primary	The safety of making a right turn into Cornwall Park Primary parking area from Greenlane Road and of turning right out of the school has been raised.	Auckland Transport engineers have completed an initial investigation. Initial investigations assessed the effectiveness of the Broken Yellow Lines and whether they provided sufficient visibility for exiting vehicles. The team also looked at the possibility of banning right turns but the general feeling is that this may create other safety issues if people ‘U’ turn further down the street. This is initial feedback and the team are still looking at other options. We will provide another update in May 2014.
Parking in Epsom in vicinity of Queen Mary Avenue	Concerns have been raised about a lack of retail parking for the cinema and shops on Manukau Road, Queen Mary Avenue and in surrounding areas.	Auckland Transport has investigated this issue and the problem appears to be generated by students from the Sports Academy across the road parking out the side streets and preventing retail and cinema customers parking. Auckland Transport’s Parking Policy Team proposed introducing ‘Pay and Display’ with a free short stay (30/60mins) option in the area to dissuade long-stay parking. This idea was not supported by local residents or the Albert–Eden Local Board without a supporting resident’s parking scheme. Auckland Transport cannot commit to a resident’s parking scheme in this area until a new Parking Strategy is approved by the Auckland Transport Board. A verbal update about development of the new parking strategy was provided at the March 2014 Albert-Eden Local Board meeting. More information about the new parking strategy will be available soon.
Owens Road Safety Issues	Residents have raised concerns about the curved section of Owens Road that extends from Epsom Ave to approx. Numbers 113/78. Residents are concerned about speeding drivers ‘spinning out’ on the corners.	The Road Corridor Operations Team investigated this issue in the previous term and signs were installed in mid–September 2013 to provide early warning of the curve. Based on the concerns traffic engineers visited the site in November 2013 and reassessed the signs. Currently the area of Owens Road between Brightside Road and Epsom Ave is being investigated by the Road Corridor Operations Team. This investigation is not yet finished but a report on the area between approx. Number 113 and Epsom Ave will be available soon. Initial improvements that are planned or have been done include: · Reassigning the warning signs near Number 113; and · It is also planned that there will be improvements to signage at the junction of Epsom Ave and Owens Road. The details are not yet signed off. When the details of the proposed changes are signed off we will provided a detailed report to the Transport Portfolio Leaders.
Manukau Road Bus Stop Changes	Auckland Transport is currently proposing to re-assign a number of bus stops on Manukau Road. The reasons for this planned change are: · Ensure that the distances between bus stops are consistent; · Try to make the placement of bus stops more user friendly (i.e. closer to shops more sheltered etc) · Enhance the efficiency of the bus network (i.e. if one shelter or stop can service two routes it makes it easier for a passenger to transfer between routes.	Consultation information has been provided to the Albert–Eden Local Board Transport Representatives and they have provided feedback. On 21 November 2013 a meeting was held with the Transport Representative responsible for this part of the Local Board Area and the team managing this project is currently re-assessing the placement of bus stops based on this discussion. A further meeting was organized between the Transport representative and the Auckland Transport Manager responsible for developing the new route on 17 December 2014. The final plan has been confirmed. Work is the aimed to be finished by June or July 2014.
Mountain Road Traffic Issues	Residents have raised concerns about the amount and behaviour of traffic on Mountain Road during school morning and afternoon peaks. Of particular concern was the ability for traffic to negotiate the intersections of Mountain Road and: · Glenfell / Almorah Roads; and · Gilgit Road.	This issue has been logged and is under investigation. Road Corridor Operations is informed and pointed out that Auckland Grammar School is currently developing a School Travel Plan that should analyse these concerns. Road Corridor Operations and Community Transport will work together to analyse the issue and report back. This issue is taking sometime to resolve and has been followed. At this time the initial study has not started but the work is on Auckland Transport’s agenda and will be progressed as soon as possible.
Mount St John Ave	Currently there is a Kea crossing installed in front of Diocesan School for Girls in Margot Ave. It is requested that this crossing be moved from its current location in Margot Ave to Mount St John Ave and installed just east of the intersection of Margot and Mount St John Aves. The reasons for this request are: · Margot Ave is quiet and has slow traffic; · The current crossing is under utilised because the students normally cross Mt St John road east of the intersection of Margot and Mount St John Aves; and · Moving the crossing to the location in which the students actually cross would seem to be safer than retaining a crossing that is not well utilised.	Initial investigations of this issue have been undertaken. Pedestrian counts at the existing Kea crossing indicated that it is sufficiently well utilised that it should stay. Currently the team is looking at the proposed installation of new crossings that capture the Margot Ave ‘desire line’. This needs more study though because trying to achieve the desired result (an easy to use crossing on the Margot Ave ‘desire line’) is difficult because of the behavior of traffic turns at the intersection of Margot and Mt St John Ave. Essentially there is a requirement for further study before the best location can be proposed and if that position would achieve the desired result. More information will be provided as this study is completed.
Kingsland parking	The Kingsland Business Association, the Albert–Eden Local Board and Auckland Transport are working together to improve parking options in Kingsland. The aims are to develop a parking regime that provides turnover for businesses and can be used without change during events at Eden Park.	All parties have engaged in a series of meetings and discussions and two potential options have been developed. Public consultation started in November 2013 and was completed in January 2014. The results have been collated and final options are being discussed with the business association.
Wheturangi Road Driveways	It is reported that some parents dropping their kids at school in this street are blocking people’s driveways.	Auckland Transport was initially asked to investigate installing Broken Yellow Lines over the effected driveways or to look at using white ‘hockey sticks’. Both options have been looked into. Parking and Road Corridor Operations concur that these are unlikely to be effective solutions (experience shows that in school drop off areas parking restrictions are routinely ignored) and are not generally supported because the cost of installation and long-term maintenance is not justified by their effectiveness. The most prudent course of action at this time is to see if enforcement is effective before committing to road markings. The issue has been discussed with the Parking Enforcement Team and the area is on their list of targeted schools. Further information will be provided at the Albert–Eden Local Board’s May 2014 meeting.
Alford Street	It has been reported that there are issues with excessive speed in this street.	The issue has been logged and is being investigated.

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report.

Signatories

Author	Ben Stallworthy, Elected Member Relationship Manager, Auckland Transport
Authoriser	Jonathan Anyon , Elected Member Relationship Team Manager, Auckland Transport

Albert-Eden Local Board

02 April 2014

Local board input into the council-controlled organisations current state assessment

File No.: CP2014/05769

Purpose

1. This report seeks input from the local board into the first phase of the council controlled organisations review: the current state assessment.

Executive Summary

2. Auckland Council is undertaking a review of its seven substantive council controlled organisations (CCOs).

3. The first step of this review consists of an assessment of the current state. Auckland Council has prepared a preliminary assessment reviewing the experience of the council and its CCOs over the last three years from a council perspective, along with a discussion document to guide input.

4. Local boards are invited to provide their input based on the discussion document. Feedback will be reported back to the governing body and will inform the first phase of the CCO review: the current state assessment as well as subsequent phases of the review.

Recommendation/s

That the Albert-Eden Local Board:

a) Delegates to member/s to provide the Board’s input into the council controlled organisations review by 30 April 2014.

Discussion

5. Auckland Council is undertaking a review of its substantive council controlled organisations (CCOs): Auckland Transport, Auckland Council Property Ltd, Auckland Council Investments Ltd, Auckland Waterfront Development Agency, Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development, Regional Facilities Auckland, and Waterfront Services Ltd.

6. The review aims to determine whether there is a need to change the scope of activities and functions within any CCO, the structures that the CCOs operate within, or any accountability mechanisms between the CCOs and Auckland Council.

7. Governing body members, local board chairs, the CCOs and the Independent Māori Statutory Board were all given the opportunity to provide feedback into the draft Terms of Reference. Common themes amongst the feedback received included:

· the need to reduce duplication between Auckland Council and CCO activities

· views as to where responsibility should lie for strategy/policy development

· questions around effectiveness where an activity is split between Auckland Council and one or more CCO

· the need to assess the impact of change on outcomes and delivery

· the need for effective communication and collaboration across organizations

· the need to achieve constructive and positive engagement with Aucklanders.

8. The feedback contributed to the development of the Terms of Reference. The final version was adopted by the governing body on 27 February 2014. It is presented in Attachment A.

9. The Terms of Reference specify the objectives of the review of CCOs as follows:

i. To ensure the governance structures and accountability mechanisms:

a. Facilitate appropriate alignment of the CCO operations with the Auckland Plan and other council strategies and policies

b. Provide an effective and efficient model of service delivery for Auckland Council and Aucklanders

c. Provide a sufficient level of political oversight and public accountability.

ii. In addition the review will seek to:

a. Provide clarity of role and responsibilities e.g. development of strategies, prioritisation of work programmes

b. Eliminate duplication and gaps between the Auckland Council group organisations

c. Identify any opportunities for better integration of activities and functions.

10. The intention is to complete the review and be ready to implement agreed outcomes by 30 June 2015, which aligns the CCO review with the Long Term Plan process. This timeline is extended from what was initially proposed to allow for full participation and feedback at the appropriate points of the process.

Current state assessment: preliminary findings

11. The first step of the CCO review consists of an assessment of the current state. Auckland Council has prepared a report reviewing the experience of the council and its CCOs over the last three years from a council perspective.

12. The report, entitled “Auckland Council CCO Review, Current State Assessment (Council Perspective)”, is presented in Attachment B. It is referred to as the CSA in the rest of this report. The CSA is based on interviews with governing body members and input from Auckland Council staff.

13. Key preliminary findings in the CSA are as follows:

· CCOs were seen to deliver well for Auckland, and significant progress has been made over the last three years.

· Some governing body members are considering fine tuning the model while others expect more significant change.

· Views differ about the relative role of the council and its CCOs in developing mid-level strategies – i.e. strategies that bridge the gap between the Auckland Plan and implementation plans.

· The majority view is that the formal accountability framework between the council and its CCOs needs to be simplified and streamlined, with more rigorous debate when priorities are being communicated through the letter of expectations.

· Informal accountability and communication is seen just as important as the formal accountability framework.

· Feedback was received on the importance of integration within the council group for effective operation, and of a strong culture of collaboration, as well as other integration mechanisms.

14. The CCOs have prepared a report to reflect their own perspective, with support from PricewaterhouseCooper (PWC) and informed by interviews with CCO board members and staff of each of the seven CCOs. The CCO perspective was sought in recognition that the experience of the CCOs is different from that of council, and to utilise the considerable skills and experience within the CCOs to help inform the review.

15. The intention is to augment the current state assessment with input from local boards.

Local board feedback into Auckland Council’s discussion document

16. CCOs, as delivery agents of Auckland Council, have the potential to have a significant impact on positive outcomes for Auckland residents, ratepayers, and visitors. Local boards have an interest in the extent to which CCOs can contribute to their priorities, in projects being undertaken in their area, and in being kept up-to-date on wider regional projects. While the CCOs are accountable to the governing body as shareholder, they also have relationships with local boards who share decision-making responsibilities of the Auckland Council with the governing body.

17. Local boards’ views on the CCO current state will enrich the council perspective and local boards are invited to provide feedback based on the discussion document prepared by Auckland Council. The discussion document, entitled “Auckland Council CCOs, Current State, Council Perspective: Discussion and Questions for Local Boards” provide a series of questions addressed to local boards. It is presented in Attachment C.

18. The local boards are encouraged to:

· reflect on their experience working with the CCOs over the last three years

· reflect on what worked well and what can be improved

· provide feedback on the issues and opportunities that the CCO review may address.

19. In providing their feedback, local board members are invited to base their comments on experience and to provide examples to illustrate the local board’s views.

20. Local board input will inform the analysis of CCOs and related activities and functions as part of the first phase of the CCO review: the current state assessment as well as informing subsequent phases of the review.

Consideration

Local Board Views

21. This report seeks the views of the local board, which will inform the CCO review.

Maori Impact Statement

22. The Independent Māori Statutory Board and Te Waka Angamua will be involved at several points in the process of reviewing the CCOs. They have inputted in the development of the Terms of Reference and have been asked to provide comments on the discussion document.

23. Consultation with Māori, including mana whenua, mataawaka and iwi, would form part of any public consultation, should this occur during the third phase of the review.

Implementation Issues

24. There are no implementation issues at this stage of the CCO review.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	Review of Auckland Council CCOs: Terms of Reference	59
b View	Auckland Council CCO Review, Current State Assessment (Council perspective)	65
c View	Auckland Council CCOs, Current State, Council Perspective: Discussion and Questions for Local Boards	81

Signatories

Authors

Carole Canler – Advisor, Local Board Services

Anna Bray - Policy and Planning Manager, Local Board Services

Authorisers

Karen Lyons – Manager, Local Board Services

Albert-Eden Local Board

02 April 2014

Local economic development July to December 2013: Albert-Eden Local Board

File No.: CP2014/04644

Purpose

1. This report provides an update for the Albert-Eden Local Board on local economic development activities delivered by the Economic Development Department for the period July to December 2013.

Executive Summary

2. The 2013/2014 local economic development work programme in the Albert-Eden Local Board area includes:

· Preparation of an economic development overview presenting a range of indicators on the Albert-Eden economy, issues and opportunities

· Investigation of the Morningside Drive and Normanby Road industrial areas

· Completion of a local economic development action plan for Albert-Eden

· Business Improvement District (BID) partnership programmes in Dominion Rd, Kingsland and Mt Eden Village

· Support for the roll out of ultrafast broadband and the sustainable and targeted provision of public WiFi.

3. The proposed 2014/2015 work programme builds on existing activities.

Recommendations

That the Albert-Eden Local Board:

a) Receives the six-monthly update on local economic development activities from July to December 2013.

Approves the indicative 2014/15 local economic development work programme as:

i. Economic analysis and planning on the local economy in Albert-Eden.

ii. Business Improvement District Partnership programmes in Dominion Rd, Kingsland and Mt Eden Village.

iii. Implementation and monitoring of the Albert-Eden Local Economic Development Action Plan.

iv. Support for the roll out of ultrafast broadband and the sustainable and targeted provision of public WiFi.

b) Nominates Local Board Member(s) to attend the Business Improvement District Policy (2011) review workshops and represent the view of the Local Board.

Discussion

4. The Economic Development Department champions Auckland’s Economic Development Strategy (EDS), which aims to develop an economy that delivers opportunity and prosperity for all Aucklanders and New Zealand. The department works with ATEED, business, Government and community stakeholders to lead local economic development, regional economic strategy and policy advice, economic analysis and advocacy, digital policy and international relations on behalf of Auckland Council.

5. This report focuses on local economic development activities in the Albert-Eden Local Board area. An overview of the regional economic work programme undertaken by the Economic Development Department and ATEED to implement the EDS is provided to the Economic Development Committee, and is made available for information to Local Boards.

6. Under the guidance of global city development expert Greg Clark, and with the assistance of representatives from business, the wider Auckland Council and Government, critical priorities for Auckland’s future economic performance have been identified. These are to:

· Establish a new Auckland Leadership Team

· Raise youth employability. At the local level this means:

o Increasing the number of opportunities for young people to gain work experience

· Build, retain and attract talent. At the local level this means:

o encouraging our businesses to invest in skills

o thoroughly understanding Auckland’s skills shortages

· Build the Auckland business proposition for a business-friendly city

· Boost the investment rate into Auckland’s economy and infrastructure

· Motivate greater investment in products, services and markets. At the local level this means:

o promoting the benefits of innovation and entrepreneurship

o creating and connecting spaces for innovation and entrepreneurship

· Increase Auckland’s visibility internationally

· Optimise Auckland’s platforms for growth: housing, transport and availability of employment land. At the local level this means:

o developing and adopting a new implementation model to achieve growth in key locations – CBD and metropolitan centres

o leveraging the fibre network to its full potential

· Support improved performance of Māori businesses. At the local level this means:

o working to support Māori businesses to grow.

7. We are planning a workshop with Local Board economic development portfolio holders, ATEED and the Economic Development Committee on making local economic development in Auckland more strategic, focused and united. Further information will be provided through the Local Board Advisors.

Economic Development Overview

8. An economic development (ED) overview has been prepared for the Albert-Eden Local Board area. The overview outlines the current economic picture in Albert-Eden, recent trends, and identifies particular strengths or points of difference the local board area has in comparison to the region wide picture. It is primarily a data driven view drawing on the statistics available covering a range of indicators including demographics, incomes and housing, education and skills, employment and occupation, sectoral strengths, business growth and development trends.

9. The overview has been distributed to Local Board members, Council departments and BIDs. It will be used as a key input to developing the ED Action Plan for Albert-Eden and can also inform the Local Board Plan currently under development.

10. In 2012, GDP^{^[1]} in Albert-Eden was $4.2 billion, which was 5.1 per cent of the Auckland regional GDP.

Albert-Eden’s industrial mix by GDP (2012)

Source: Infometrics

11. Stand out facts about Albert-Eden from the ED overview include:

· Highly skilled labour force with a high proportion employed as managers and professionals.

· Information, media and telecommunications, finance and insurance, rental, hiring and real estate and professional, scientific and technical services combined account for 38 per cent of Albert-Eden GDP in 2012 compared to 29 per cent for the same sectors across Auckland.

· Albert-Eden has strengths in biotechnology which underpins growth in other sectors, including food and beverage, health technologies, and pharmaceuticals.

· GDP growth in Albert-Eden has been lower than the Auckland wide average from 2002-2012.

· Third highest number of businesses of any Local Board area.

12. Employment in Albert-Eden increased by 0.5 per cent per annum in the ten years from 2002–12, compared to a 1.9 per cent increase in Auckland. Over this period employment growth in Albert-Eden has been one of the lowest of any area in Auckland, although the return to growth over 2011-2012 was one of the strongest. Over the last decade, Albert-Eden job numbers increased the most in professional, scientific and technical services; education and training; information media and telecommunications and declined the most in wholesale, manufacturing, and administrative and support services.

13. The current Albert-Eden Local Board Plan supports development of local employment opportunities and growth focussed around its existing centres. The ED overview recognises these priorities and includes the following initial assessment of the strengths, challenges and opportunities within the local economy.

An assessment of Albert-Eden’s economic potential

Strengths		Challenges
Location and infrastructure · A number of large employers. · Significant employment area, with employment spread across many small business areas. · Proximity to the CBD and CBD fringe. · Large event and tourism facilities. · Several parks, arts and entertainment venues hosting a wide range of events. Labour force skills · A well-educated population. Town centres · Some town centres recognised for their speciality shops. Strong business Base · High number of businesses in the area. · Very high share of employment in knowledge intensive industries with strengths in key sectors like biotechnology.		Low growth · GDP and employment growth over the last decade has lagged the regional average. Maximising the potential of town centres · Improve performance of town centres in face of expansion of Westfield St Lukes. Transport · Improving congestion on key routes. · Managing disruption from City Rail Link construction.
Opportunities
Business friendly	· Close to CBD and fringe with good links. · BID partnerships in Mt Eden, Dominion Road and Kingsland. Potential to strengthen business networks in other areas. · Large levels of public investment in town centres and corridors such as Mt Albert and Dominion Rd. · Ultrafast broadband deployment to attract higher value businesses. · Potential for growth of home-based businesses. · Transformation of Dominion Rd. · Potential for growth following City Rail Link construction.
Innovation and exports	· Invest to offer an attractive environment for high-paid, knowledge-based employment. · Potential ‘high-value precincts’ around Unitec / CRIs, and Normanby Road.
Skills	· Well educated and skilled local workforce, a high proportion of residents have a university degree.
Vibrant and creative city	· Scope to provide more events to promote economic activity in centres. · Important Māori heritage sites e.g. Maungawhau, Owairaka.

Morningside/Normanby Study

14. The Albert-Eden Local Board allocated $30,000 towards a study in the Morningside/Normanby industrial areas in the Local Board area. The scope of the study is to undertake a land use survey of the two areas and provide a database of businesses in these areas, survey business owners and employees about their needs and drivers, and recommend high-level actions to the Local Board.

15. GHD were employed to undertake this study in December 2013. GHD have completed the land use study and are currently designing the surveys in conjunction with the local economic development team. The surveys will be undertaken in April with a report to the Local Board expected in May 2013.

16. This study will provide the Albert-Eden Local Board with a better understanding of their industrial areas, which will face increasing pressure over the coming years due to intensity of development and changing land uses. The Local Board may be able to provide support to these areas and enable them to continue to provide employment for local people and services for residents.

Local Economic Development Action Plan

17. The Albert-Eden Local Board have committed $20,000 to the development of a Local Economic Development Action Plan. This action plan will be a collation of all local economic development activities in the Local Board area. The action plan will be created by consultation with stakeholders including the Local Board, BIDs, Business Associations, Auckland Council, CCOs and private sector companies.

18. The local economic development team will be developing the action plan between March – May 2013.

19. A Local Economic Development Action Plan is a comprehensive list of actions that the Local Board can undertake, support, advocate and monitor. It will help to feed into the Local Board Plan process and provides a work programme for local economic development in the area.

BID Partnership Programmes

20. The BID Partnership Programme approach is a public-private partnership between business associations that have a commitment to develop and promote their local business environment and Auckland Council. In work to date since Auckland Council was established there has been a focus on sharing best practice and developing consistent governance, processes and practices across the region’s 46 BIDs.

21. Each BID has signed a Partnering Agreement with Auckland Council. These agreements define the relationship between Auckland Council and individual business associations operating as BIDs. Several have also signed a discretionary Memorandum of Understanding with their Local Board. The MOU is an opportunity to agree mutual goals and objectives and to support each other’s programme of work where applicable.

22. BID Partnership Advisors hold monthly networking meetings for BID managers and interested business associations that focus on professional development and sharing information and best practice. Topics covered from July to December 2013 include:

· Auckland Transport (importance of good parking in our centres)

· AGM checklist and meeting procedures

· ATEED – local events

· WiFi– how to make the most of Apps

· Overseas conferences–report back and learnings from BID attendees

· Signs and alcohol bylaws

· Social enterprises

· Using Marketview results for business attraction

· Media awareness

· Your Website – how to review it and improve it

· Using information from Local ED Overviews and opportunities to engage with Local ED Action Plans.

23. A refresh of the Auckland Region Business Improvement District Policy (BID Policy 2011) will be undertaken in 2014. The proposed BID Policy will go before the Regional Strategy and Policy Committee for final approval in November 2014.

24. The process to review the BID Policy will involve consultation with both business associations and Local Board representatives. Separate workshops will initially be held for the two stakeholder groups, followed by a combined workshop with both the business associations and Local Board representatives. Local Board representative(s) are sought for involvement in the review process.

25. Any suggestions made at these workshops to amend the existing BID Policy (2011) will be brought before the Local Board for its consideration and feedback.

26. There is much activity happening with the establishment of new BID areas (including State Highway 16 and Devonport, who will be balloting in March 2014). Several other locations are actively working with the BID team on preparatory work towards establishment. Existing BIDs undertaking expansion ballots prior to June 2014 include Otahuhu and Manukau Central.

27. Twenty-seven existing BIDs have chosen to increase their amount of target rate for the 2014/2015 financial year. Every one of these proposed increases has followed the process of advising all members and receiving approval of the proposed new amount from members at Annual General Meetings.

Dominion Road BID

28. The Dominion Road Business Association (DRBA) has complied with the BID policy having held their AGM in August 2013. There was no increase to the targeted rate ($117,500). However, an alternative higher budget ($187,500) was put forward subject to the successful outcome of a boundary expansion ballot which was planned for March 2014 but has now been deferred to June / July 2014. This later ballot would mean that any increase to the targeted rate would not come into effect until the 2015/2016 financial year.

29. A business survey was carried out across the proposed boundary expansion area which identified issues and opportunities. An extensive communications programme will follow with the property and business owners of the proposed expansion area. Communication on the Auckland Transport (AT) road corridor upgrade is a key topic of discussion.

30. The AT road corridor upgrade project is scheduled to begin in July 2014 and the DRBA has continued to take a leadership role with the project now in the detailed design phase. A Dominion Road Village Design Group has been established incorporating representatives from each of the three village centres. A travel plan survey is being developed to engage with all businesses and will be undertaken in March or April 2014. Ngati Whatua Orakei and Boffa Miskell have prepared and presented a Cultural Landscape Plan to the DRBA for consideration as part of the AT upgrade project.

31. The DRBA’s re-branding initiative, including the website, has now been completed and was successfully launched at the AGM in August 2013.

32. In addition to a seasonal Christmas promotion, the DRBA delivered a successful promotion for the NRL Auckland Nines Tournament at Eden Park in February 2014.

33. The business survey results will also inform the development of a new 2014-2016 Strategic Plan for DRBA. Engagement with members will begin in March when the DRBA will be hosting David West, an internationally recognised retail precinct consultant, and seeking his input on marketing plans.

Kingsland BID

34. The Kingsland Business Association has complied with the BID policy having held their AGM in October 2013. The membership voted to hold the targeted rate at $200,000 for 2014/2015.

35. The winning entry in the Kingsland Urban Design Competition was entitled “Kingsland Revealed” and provided a model for holistic streetscape development based on a staged approach. The project established key stakeholder relationships with Auckland Transport, UNITEC, Auckland Council and Albert-Eden Local Board.

36. The Kingsland Business Association presented a schedule of events as part of the Auckland Heritage Festival programme and was actively involved in activities around the NRL Auckland Nines tournament.

37. The Kingsland Business Association connected with the larger membership of the association by organising the following presentations:

· “Social Media and Your Business” by local marketing expert Craig Connelly in September 2013

· “Cloud Computing and Networking” to members of Kingsland Creative Sector

· An indepth Marketview analysis of card spend in Kingsland on the purchasing habits of customers residing in the Albert-Eden Local Board area.

38. The sculptural marker incorporating the Kingsland brand at the gateway to Kingsland Village was unveiled in December 2013.

39. The latest initiative from the business association showcases the attractions and facilities of Kingsland. It highlights Kingsland’s services and hi tech businesses: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xvpMONoR1Q

Mt Eden Village BID

40. The Mt Eden Village Business Association (MEVBA) has complied with the BID policy having held their AGM in October 2013. The membership voted for an increase of $2500 in the targeted rate and therefore the target rate for 2014/2015 will be $83,035.

41. A website project is underway, with funding from the Local Board, to promote the value-added focus to members and tell village stories.

42. The MEVBA continues with their advertising and promotional campaign to increase consumer spending and is attracting good business support. Current event planning is for the Village Fete, which will take place on 29 March.

Ultrafast Broadband

43. The third year of the rollout of Ultrafast broadband (UFB) ends on 30 June 2014. The rollout is a third of the way through the nine year programme. So far over 60,000 premises region wide can connect to UFB with just over 11 per cent of these premises connected. This is in line with the rate of uptake predicted at the start of the UFB rollout.

44. Chorus intends to provide updates to Local Boards on the progress of the rollout in each area and Council officers will work with Local Board Services to arrange times in the appropriate Local Board Workshops as the updates become available.

Public WiFi

45. Public WiFi is available in all 56 libraries and in 23 public open spaces around Auckland. In January 2014 the Libraries WiFi service was used 173,000 times by 110,000 people totalling 7.7 million minutes of free Wi-Fi usage. The public open space service has been experiencing network stability issues and this has limited usage. These issues are now resolved and we expect to see usage grow in line with Libraries usage. The public open space service was used 49,631 times by 44,419 people totalling 893,494 minutes of free WiFi usage.

Work programme 2014/2015

46. The proposed 2014/2015 local economic development work programme in the Albert-Eden Local Board area is set out below.

OPEX Project description

Economic analysis and planning on the local economy in Albert-Eden.

BID Partnership programmes in Dominion Rd, Kingsland and Mt Eden Village.

Implementation and monitoring of the Albert-Eden Local Economic Development Action Plan

Support for the roll out of ultrafast broadband and the sustainable and targeted provision of public WiFi.

Consideration

Local Board Views

47. This report informs the Albert-Eden Local Board on progress implementing the agreed local economic development work programme. Feedback from the Board is welcome to shape ongoing activities.

Maori Impact Statement

48. Matters relating to Māori wellbeing are addressed as part of specific projects and are reported in the relevant Board and committee reports.

General

49. N/A.

Implementation Issues

50. There are no implementation issues.

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report.

Signatories

Author

Trudi Fava - Strategic Planner

Authorisers

Janet Schofield - Business Area Planning Manager

Adam Milina - Acting Relationship Manager - Albert-Eden & Orakei Local Boards

Albert-Eden Local Board

02 April 2014

Auckland Council Property Limited Local Board Six-Monthly Update 1 July to 31 December 2013

File No.: CP2014/05828

Purpose

1. The purpose of this report is to give the Albert-Eden Local Board an overview of the activities of Auckland Council Property Limited (ACPL) for the six months 1 July to 31 December 2013.

Executive Summary

2. ACPL’s goal is to be recognised as a “centre of excellence” that brings commercial expertise and provides value for money to Auckland Council across a discrete property portfolio valued at approximately $1 billion. ACPL provides commercial expertise in property management, the buying, selling of properties and by and strategically developing council assets. As a substantive CCO with a commercial focus ACPL provides crucial support to a council organisation that efficiently and effectively achieves social, economic, cultural and environmental outcomes for Auckland.

3. In order to achieve our goal and meet the expectations of the Mayor and the council, ACPL will work towards seven key outcomes over the next three years. These are:

· Properties managed for the council and Auckland Transport (AT) are fit for purpose and net returns optimised.

· Place-shaping partnerships are effectively planned and managed to project completion and in accordance with Auckland Plan objectives.

· ACPL identifies housing opportunities and collaborates with partners to deliver exemplar housing developments, particularly in the more affordable spectrum of the market.

· Council business interests are managed to protect long term value and achieve budgeted net return.

· Property acquisitions are undertaken in a commercially robust manner and in accordance with the council and AT agreed requirements and relevant legislation.

· Council and AT property disposals are undertaken in a commercially robust manner.

· The council is provided with a commercial perspective on planning and development initiatives to support effective implementation of those initiatives.

4. A summary of ACPL activities specific to the Albert-Eden Local Board is outlined in the Discussion section of this report with supporting detail included in Attachments B, C, and D.

Recommendation/s

That the Albert-Eden Local Board:

a) Accepts the Auckland Council Property Limited Local Board Quarterly Update Report 1 July to 31 December 2013.

Discussion

Principles for working together

5. ACPL’s Local Board Engagement Plan (LBEP) states that a successful working relationship between local boards and ACPL is founded on the following high-level principles which will guide our engagement with the local boards:

· a shared understanding of and mutual respect for the roles, responsibilities and decision-making authority of local boards, the governing body and ACPL;

· transparent and timely communication with no surprises;

· understanding and acknowledgment of shared responsibilities between the parties;

· a commitment to a timely response to and resolution of issues raised by local board members;

· a commitment to early inclusion in the planning and decision making process where issues have a specific relevance to a Local Board;

· a commitment to flexibility in terms of engagement, recognising differing levels of interest and local relevance across the Auckland region.

6. ACPL’s commitment to the local boards is outlined in detail in our LBEP, which is attached as Attachment A for reference.

Workshops and Meetings

7. A schedule of Albert-Eden Local Board workshops and meetings attended by ACPL representatives from July to December 2013 is attached as Attachment B. The list includes property specific meetings and workshops relating to general property management and the ongoing portfolio Rationalisation Process.

Property Portfolio Management

8. ACPL manages all non-service properties. These are properties not immediately required for service delivery or infrastructure development that are owned by Auckland Council or Auckland Transport. The current property portfolio includes industrial sites and buildings, retail tenancies, cafés, restaurants, offices and a substantial portfolio of residential properties. ACPL’s improved property knowledge and understanding has enabled it to optimise revenue streams and identify future opportunities.

9. The property portfolio has continued to grow during the last six-months and now totals 1095 properties. Rent arrears and vacancies were effectively managed throughout the period. During Q1 the average monthly collectable arrears rate and vacancies rate were respectively 1.35% and 2.93%. ACPL’s return on the property portfolio for the quarter ending 30 September 2013 provides the shareholder a net surplus above YTD budget of $2m.

10. Property portfolio information detailing current ACPL managed commercial and residential property within the Albert-Eden Local Board area is attached at Attachment C of this report. The report includes each property’s classification or reason for retention along with additional notes to identify the nature of the property, such as a café within a library, or a residential property with tenancy in place. It has also been updated to show properties for which council directs that the operating budget and lease revenue will be included in local board budgets from July 2014.

11. A report indicating portfolio movement in the local board area is attached as Attachment D. The report details all new acquisitions including the reason for acquisition, any transfers and the reason for transfer, and any disposals.

Portfolio Review and Rationalisation

12. ACPL is required to undertake ongoing rationalisation of the council’s non-service assets. This includes identifying properties from within council’s portfolio that may be suitable for potential sale and development if appropriate. ACPL has a particular focus on achieving housing outcomes. Identifying potential sale properties contributes to Auckland Plan outcomes by providing the council with an efficient use of capital and prioritisation of funds to achieve its activities and projects. ACPL and Auckland Council’s Property Department work collaboratively on a comprehensive review process to identify such properties.

13. Once identified as a potential sale candidate a property is taken through a multi-stage Rationalisation Process. The agreed process includes engagement with; council, CCOs, local board and mana whenua. This is followed by ACPL Board approval, engagement with local ward and the Independent Maori Statutory Board and finally a governing body decision. A detailed process flowchart is provided as Attachment E.

14. Council is budgeting to receive proceeds from the sale of surplus properties of $58 million in 2013/2014. The financial implication of not achieving these budgets would be higher debt and therefore higher interest costs compared to budget.

15. Properties currently under review for future use opportunities via the Rationalisation Process in the Albert-Eden area are listed below. The list includes any properties that may have recently been approved for sale or development and sale by the governing body. Further details are included in Attachment C.

PROPERTY	DETAILS
214 – 222 Dominion Road, Mt Eden	Released by Auckland Transport (AT) as not required for infrastructure purposes. Approved for sale with controlled development by the governing body in September 2013. ACPL development team working on scoping exercise to evaluate full development potential.
161 Dominion Road, Mt Eden	Released by AT as not required for infrastructure purposes. Processing through the Rationalisation Process to evaluate future use requirements and considerations. Anticipated to present to committee for decision early-mid 2014.
514 Dominion Road, Mt Eden	Released by AT as not required for infrastructure purposes. Processing through the Rationalisation Process to evaluate future use requirements and considerations. Anticipated to present to committee for decision early-mid 2014.
113 & 115 Valley Road, Mt Eden	Released by AT as not required for infrastructure purposes. Approved for sale with controlled development by the governing body in September 2013. ACPL development team working on scoping exercise to evaluate full development potential.
660 New North Road, St Lukes	Split title property adjacent to railway line. Total 104m2. Progressing through Rationalisation Process to evaluate future use requirements and considerations.
27 Normanby Road, Mt Eden	ACPL evaluation for development potential. Presented to committee in March 2013. Decision deferred pending exploration of the site as the potential location for a refuse transfer station. See paragraph 18 below for more detail.
2 Wiremu St, Balmoral	Commercial Childcare centre who want to remain on as a commercial site and not run as a community group. Rationalistion Process identifies CPP interest. Six months allocated for CPP to finalise their current state assessment of requirements in the area.

Place Shaping and Housing Initiatives

16. ACPL is contributing commercial input into around 40 council-driven place-shaping and housing initiatives region wide. Involvement extends from provision of initial feasibility advice through to implementation, with projects ranging in size from $400k to in excess of $100million.

17. A high level update on place-shaping and housing initiatives and proposals activities in the Albert-Eden area is outlined in points below.

18. Dominion Road/Valley Road, Mt Eden – scoping work is ongoing around potential mixed use development including parking and a residential component.

Status: The rationalisation process for these properties commenced in May 2013. ACPL updated the local board in June 2013 with the results of the EOI process. The local board requested a report be tabled at their August meeting for them to formalise their position. Following receipt of the local board’s position ACPL recommended sale and redevelopment of the sites at council’s Strategy & Finance Committee’s September 2013 meeting. The properties were approved for sale with the resolution as copied below:

Disposal Recommendation Report

Resolution number SF/2013/94

MOVED by Cr P Webster, seconded Cr SL Stewart:

That the Strategy and Finance Committee:

a) approve the disposal at current market value subject to the satisfactory conclusion of any required statutory processes, of the land at:

i. 113 Valley Road, Mount Eden comprised of Lot 1 DP 54203, NA 5C/568,

ii. 115-117 Valley Road, Mount Eden comprised of Pts Lot 3 DP, NA185/140, NA88C/665, NA31B/1219,

iii. 214-216 Dominion Road, Mount Eden comprised of Pt Lot 3 Allot 8 sec 10 AK Sub Lot 2 DP 54203, NA117/69; and

iv. 218-222 Dominion Road, Mount Eden, comprised of Pt Lot 1 DP 31896, NA5C/567.

b) note that ACPL will undertake the sales process for these prominent sites in a manner that maximizes the opportunities to achieve quality urban design outcomes.

c) note that ACPL will actively consult with the Albert-Eden Local Board and Dominion Road Association as part of the master-planning exercise for the sites.

d) note that the final terms and conditions to be approved under the appropriate delegations.

Scoping work is ongoing to establish optimum development outcomes for the site.

19. 27 Normanby Road, Mt Eden – This property was presented to committee in March. The divestment decision was delayed in order to progress a business case by the Solid Waste Business Unit around potential for using the site as a refuse transfer station. The ACPL development team has done some preliminary evaluation which suggests the site is ideally suited to a mixed use development comprising retail, child care, gym, office and residential apartments. The property is also being considered for use as a potential refuse transfer station. A business case outlining the refuse transfer station potential for this site, and that of an alternative property at 956 Great North Road, Western Springs, has been put together by the Solid Waste Business Unit. The development work will continue pending a decision by council on use of the site in April 2014.

Acquisitions

20. ACPL continues to support Council and Auckland Transport programmes and projects by negotiating required property acquisitions. All such acquisitions are funded through approved Council or Auckland Transport budgets. We also provide advice to assist with budgets, business cases and strategy to support an acquisition.

21. A total of 54 property purchases to the value of $8.9m were completed during Q1. The number of acquisitions under active negotiations at the end of Q1 was 300 (253 AT and 47 AC).

22. Recent council acquisitions have included;

· meeting open space requirements, particularly for subdivisions

· City Transformation projects

· Heritage projects

· Storm water projects.

23. Current acquisitions programmes for AT include;

· AMETI (Auckland Manukau Eastern Tamaki Initiative)

· CRL (City Rail Link)

· Te Atatu Road, Te Atatu road widening

· Dominion Road, Mt Eden road widening.

24. All properties were purchased within the valuation threshold agreed with Auckland Council and Auckland Transport.

25. Due to commercial sensitivities any Albert-Eden Local Board specific acquisitions detail will be provided direct to the local board by the Auckland Council or AT project owner.

Business Interests

26. ACPL manages eight business interests region wide on council’s behalf. This comprises two forestry enterprises, two landfills and four quarries. There are currently no ACPL managed business interests in the Albert-Eden Local Board area.

Consideration

Local Board Views

27. This report is for the Albert-Eden Local Board’s information and seeks the views of the Local Board.

Maori Impact Statement

28. During the past six months ACPL has further developed our Maori engagement initiatives. Our enhanced process engages with the 19 key mana whenua groups in the Tamaki region on three fronts: identifying cultural significance concerns regarding disposal properties, flagging commercial interests and development partnering discussions. ACPL also engages with relevant mana whenua in respect of development outcomes for ACPL lead projects. ACPL has additionally undertaken to be part of council’s Maori Responsiveness Plan pilot programme. The project’s key output will be an operational document outlining how ACPL will contribute to council’s strategic and operational commitments to Maori. The Current State Assessment phase of this project has been completed and we are now in the Improvement Planning phase. ACPL will advise the Albert-Eden Local Board as appropriate of any specific discussions that arise in the local board’s area.

General

29. This report is intended to help ACPL meet its statutory obligations under the Local Government Act 2002. The relevant sections of the Local Government Act 2002 are noted below for information.

30. As provided in section 59(1) of the Local Government Act 2002, the principal objective of a CCO is to:

a. achieve the objectives of its shareholders, both commercial and non-commercial, as specified in the statement of intent; and

b. be a good employer; and

c. exhibit a sense of social and environmental responsibility by having regard to the interests of the community in which it operates and by endeavoring to accommodate or encourage these when able to do so; and

d. the CCO is a council-controlled trading organisation, conduct its affairs in accordance with sound business practice.

31. As provided in clause 1 of Schedule 8 of the Local Government Act 2002, the purpose of the SOI is to:

· state publicly the activities and intentions of a CCO for the year and the objectives to which those activities will contribute;

· provide an opportunity for shareholders to influence the direction of the organisation; and

· provide a basis for the accountability of the directors to their shareholders for the performance of the organisation.

Implementation Issues

32. There are no implementation issues.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	ACPL Local Board Engagement Plan	121
b View	Schedule of meetings and workshops	137
c View	Properties Managed by ACPL in the Local Board area	139
d View	Property movement in the Local Board area	143
e View	Rationalisation Process Flowchart	145

Signatories

Author	Caitlin Borgfeldt - Local Board Liaison
Authoriser	David Rankin - Chief Executive

[1]Gross Domestic Product is the total market value of goods and services produced in the Local Board area, minus the cost of goods and services used in the production process. GDP for each Local Board was estimated by Infometrics Ltd using 1995/96 prices and a top down approach. These have been converted to 2012 prices by an inflation multiplier.

Chairperson	Peter Haynes
Deputy Chairperson	Glenda Fryer
Members	Helga Arlington
	Lee Corrick
	Graeme Easte
	Rachel Langton
	Margi Watson
	Tim Woolfield

Author	Anna Bray, Policy and Planning Manager Local Board Services
Authoriser	Karen Lyons, Manager Local Board Services

Author	Michael Mendoza - Democracy Advisor
Authoriser	Adam Milina - Acting Relationship Manager - Albert-Eden & Orakei Local Boards