Agenda of Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee

Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee

10 June 2014

Parks, Sports & Recreation - Manager's Report

File No.: CP2014/09684

Purpose

1. To update the Committee on activities undertaken by the Department of Parks, Sports and Recreation to support implementation of plans and policies of Auckland Council.

Executive summary

2. This report has been written to briefly update the Committee across a range of issues and progress with respect to approved work programmes.

Recommendation/s

That the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee:

a) receive the update report from the Manager, Parks, Sports & Recreation Department.

Comments

Operations Stability

Achievements and Highlights

3. Auckland Council’s Tepid Baths “Learn to Swim” team was awarded the top prize at this year’s New Zealand Swimming Coaches and Teachers Association (NZSCTA) Awards.

4. At the 2014 New Zealand Institute of Architects annual awards, the revitalisation upgrade of Takapuna’s Hurstmere Green received an award in the Planning and Urban Design category. The project was commended as “an excellent example of multi-layered urban planning and design”.

5. The Point Resolution Bridge has been shortlisted for the World Footbridge 2014 awards in London. The award will be presented on 16 July 2014.

6. The Auckland Botanic Gardens was re-endorsed as an Enviro Gold Qualmark business. The Gardens received a 96% rating.

7. Barry Curtis Park received recognition for ‘Creating new Cultural Landscapes’ within the international magazine “Topo”. Barry Curtis Park is a 100 hectare park development, the largest urban park under development in New Zealand.

8. Te Papa the Museum of New Zealand announced that approval from the government has been received for the National Centre for Collections, Education and Exhibitions proposed for Hayman Park Manukau City Centre to progress to a second stage business case. It is expected that the business case will form the basis for decision making by government in 2015.

9. The Kokako Management Area within Hunua Ranges Regional Park celebrated 20 years of operation. In 1994 the area contained 1 female, today the area provides for 30 breeding pairs.

10. Later in 2014 the Tāwharanui Regional Park will welcome the arrival of takahē. There are only 260 takahē left in the world, including 60 safe breeding pairs, making them one of New Zealand’s most threatened bird species. Through its partnership with Tāwharanui Open Sanctuary Society Inc (TOSSI), Mitre 10 MEGA Warkworth, iwi, and Department of Conservation, council is supporting the transition of the birds to their new home.

11. The pest control programme supported by regional parks at Te Waha Point at Piha resulted in 63 Grey Faced Petrel being banded. This is significantly higher than numbers that have been recorded in the past.

12. The Government has announced that Rosedale Park will be redeveloped into the National Hockey Centre. Sport New Zealand will invest $2.5 million. Additional funding will be necessary to implement the proposed redevelopment.

13. A small group of young parks professionals from Auckland Council will join others from DOC and New Zealand local authorities to help set up and deliver the World Parks Conference scheduled for November in Sydney. It is a major conference and the first time it has been held in the Southern Hemisphere.

14. New contracts have been finalized for 12 of Auckland Council’s pools and recreation centres. The changes are effective from 1 July 2014. The facilities and their new operators are Massey Leisure Centre (YMCA), Mt Albert Community and Recreation Centre (YMCA), Cameron Pool (YMCA), Lynfield Youth and Recreation Centre (YMCA), Parnell Baths (CLM), Pt Erin Pool (CLM), Ellerslie Recreation Centre (YMCA), Lagoon Stadium (YMCA), Lagoon Leisure and Fitness Centre (YMCA), Glen Innes Pool (YMCA), Onehunga War Memorial Pool (YMCA) and the Sir William Jordan Recreation Centre (YMCA).

15. Work is now underway regarding contracts for a further six facilities which are scheduled to be effective from July 2015.

16. Full facility parks maintenance contract renegotiations have been concluded in the northern and southern areas. The revised contract values were approved by the Tenders and Procurement Committee in late May.

17. Significant work went into preparing cenotaphs and public memorial sites together with surrounding gardens for Anzac Day commemorations. We are well advanced through a program of cleaning and refurbishment which aims to ensure each cenotaph and public memorial is fit for purpose given the upcoming commemorations of World War One.

18. The highly successful Out & About Summer Programme concluded with 8,900 people attending 235 events.

19. With the full support of the Mangere Otahuhu Local Board, the Parks, Sports & Recreation south team launched the Sturges Park Revitalisation Project. This is a collaborative effort where Council and the community will work together over the long term to improve the park.

20. Auckland Cemeteries hosted the NZRA Cemeteries and Crematoria Conference held in Auckland. Auckland Cemeteries staff presented a number of papers and hosted a successful site visit at Waikumete Cemetery.

21. ANZAC Day ceremonies were held across Auckland Cemeteries with excellent feedback from the RSA and the public.

22. A successful workshop was held for Monumental Masons that work within cemeteries across the Auckland region. This was an opportunity to discuss challenges and opportunities for improvement and to develop a more collaborative working relationship.

23. North Shore Memorial Park staff have been working with the “Working Together Group”, a charity that provides a Muslim burial service, to provide a Muslim burial area at a Northern cemetery.

24. Cemeteries Bylaw and Code of Practice went to public consultation with 12 submissions received. These are currently being analyzed.

25. In April Auckland Botanic Gardens held the second ‘Eye on Nature’ event. This partnership with The Manukau Beautification Trust was successful and received positive support and feedback from the Manurewa Local Board, programme partners, schools and volunteers. Over 1,400 children attended the three school days. The public day on Saturday 12 April attracted 6,000 visitors. The next Eye on Nature' event has been booked for 28 March 2015.

26. Preparation is well advanced for the winter public planting season with a planting at Long Bay, which saw approximately 5000 trees planted. Two further plantings this month include Scandrett and Tawharanui regional parks.

27. An excellent partnership between the Waitemata Local Board and the arts team has seen a range of exciting ventures POP up in parks. POP and parks team and local artists have resulted in a couple of excellent innovations in parks in the Waitemata Local Board area. The first was a short term opportunity to be able to climb into the massive and historic tree crown in Albert Park. The second - a longer term installation - is part of the reintroduction of bees into our urban environment. Bees are now resident in Victoria Park along with associated planting to help support their survival.

28. The Fukuoka Friendship Garden Steering Group has been established. The Group has been tasked with reporting back to the Committee regarding the replacement of the Garden which was removed from the Auckland Zoo.

29. New Zealand health authorities released the results of a global survey of physical activity. Nearly all young New Zealanders aged 5-9 years met physical activity guidelines but this reduced to 78% for those aged 10 to 14 and 32% for those aged 15-19.

Issues / Challenges

30. Research published by the medical journal The Lancet and drawing upon worldwide research found that New Zealand rates of obesity are among the highest in the world. Overall some 66% of the population are overweight. Obesity rates for girls was 9% rising to 30% for women over 20 years of age. Some 10% of boys are obese, rising to 28% for men.

31. The dry extended summer has adversely impacted the standard of sports fields in some areas. A decision has been taken that given experience over recent years and expected weather patterns all development of sports fields will be associated with appropriate irrigation.

32. In order to reduce costs associated with using drinking water for irrigation, more drought resistant turf species shall be used and work will be undertaken to identify and use alternative sources of water.

33. Storm damage along the east coast beaches of the northern sector together with the eastern beaches of Howick and Franklin is an ongoing issue.

34. The Minister of Conservation announced, as part of Budget 2014, dedicated kauri dieback funding to understand, manage and mitigate the effects of this disease on New Zealand’s nation’s kauri.

35. Kauri dieback is an insidious disease caused by a microscopic, fungus-like organism which infects the tree’s roots and damages the tissues that carry nutrients and water within the tree, effectively starving it to death. Once infected nearly all infected trees die and there is no known cure, although research is currently under way. The disease has been found in Northland, the Waitakere Ranges, Great Barrier Island, and most recently in the Coromandel.

36. The Kauri Dieback Management Programme, which is a partnership between the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), the Department of Conservation (DOC), Auckland Council, Northland Regional Council, Waikato Regional Council, Bay of Plenty Regional Council, and northern tangata whenua.

37. Survey work has found that the Waitakere Ranges, including the regional park and surrounding private land, has been confirmed to date as the most contaminated disease zone with kauri dieback known in the country.

38. The exact affected land area is not known but an estimate from confirmed sites exhibiting above-ground symptoms tells us a minimum of 3500 hectares contains kauri dieback infected trees – this is within the Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area only.

39. Other parts of the Auckland region affected include many more diseased trees in West Auckland and other sites in the Auckland region, like North Auckland, Franklin and Great Barrier Island.

40. A significant programme has been implemented across parks in the Auckland region. In the Waitakere Ranges, as the most affected area, a range of protection measures to try and slow down the spread of the disease have been introduced.

41. There are currently 13 kauri protection zones for healthy kauri in the Waitakere Ranges that are closed to the public to prevent the spread of the disease into areas we believe to be unaffected.

42. An additional track with infected kauri, Lower Kauri Track in the Cascade Kauri area of the park, was closed in 2013 to assist research into how the disease spreads.

43. Within the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park alone 29 kilometers of track has been upgraded to improve drainage and reduce impacts on kauri root zones; 116 hygiene stations have been installed and maintained; and signage has been installed to remind people of the importance of using these stations.

44. An awareness programme across the region and the parks network has included communication of basic phytosanitary practices for park users to help prevent the spread of kauri dieback, namely: Be sure to keep to walking tracks and off kauri roots and clean shoes, tyres and other equipment before and after visiting kauri forests.

45. The dead Kauri tree beside entrance ramp to Arataki visitor centre has that was infected with a Phytophthora Multivora was removed by qualified ranger staff. The removal was photographed by NZ Geographic photographer and is likely to feature as part of a story about kauri health.

Health & Safety

46. Auckland parks and cemeteries have been the location of a number of homicides and sudden deaths. Support was offered to staff of a parks contractor who discovered two such cases.

Projects

47. The new sealed runway at Okiwi Airfield on Great Barrier Island was opened in May. The runway is an element of the Local Board’s strategy to promote increased visitation to the island. Other elements include enhanced tracks within parks and associated promotion.

48. Construction has started on the Otahuhu Precinct (Pool and Library) with the facility on track to be completed by June 2015. The Albany Stadium Pool is now in the developed design phase with construction due to start late 2014.

49. A resource consent has been obtained for the new pool at the Millennium Centre, North Shore.

50. Crossfield perimeter pathway received public congratulations for a wonderful outcome, path already being well used by kids on bikes.

51. Rangihoua / Onetangi Sports Park ‘perimeter track’ completed.

52. Mt Albert Railway Station Phase 2: Construction of a “greenwall” creating a “living” barrier between a residential slip road and the Mt Albert train station.

53. May Road Physical Circuit improvements: Supply and install four additional fitness stations for parents to use while their children are playing in the playground.

54. Lovelock Track mural – Owairaka Athletics Building Scope: Design and paint an anti-graffiti mural on the back of the Owaikara Athletics Club Building, facing the Lovelock Track of historical athletes who ran at the track.

55. Sacred Grove (Takapuna) walkway renewal: Replace all rotten timber decking, raise lower handrails and kick rails to allow leaf litter to fall away and replace existing steps and geogrid.

56. Hooton Reserve Walkway Renewal: Construct new retaining wall following slip to back fill track.

57. Shoesmith Reserve Sportsfields Training Lighting Renewal: Install new modern compliant sports lighting around the perimeter of the No.1 & 2 sand fields and remove the existing dated lighting originally installed by the Soccer Club.

58. Waikumete Cemetery: Eucalyptus Glade and seating completed.

59. Barry Curtis Park Sportsfield Development - Upgrading of six (6) individual sports fields over four (4) platforms to sand carpet type sports fields including 2x cricket wicket, drainage and irrigation.

60. Barry Curtis Park Earthworks and Road Surfacing Development: Earthworks, construction of roadways, footpaths, cycleway, drainage and sewage works, swale and power services

61. McLennan Park Upgrade: Implementation of six (6) sand carpet fields. Four (4)were previously soil based fields, while two (2) training areas were earth worked and extended to create two new full sized football platforms. Works are part of a wider master plan for the park.

62. Planning and design work is underway for a new entrance road at Long Bay Regional Park which will link to a major arterial route from the adjacent Todd Group subdivision at the back of Vaughan Flats. This route will become the primary access road park visitors to the park. The design will allow for pedestrian, pushchair and cycle access.

63. North Harbour artificial surface project complete: This project includes two artificial playing fields that cater for football and rugby.

64. Sportsfield renewals: Five sand carpet renewal projects have been completed within the last 3 months including Stanmore Bay, North Harbour and McFetridge Reserve.

65. Colins Park skate facility completed: This innovative skate facility caters for a range of age groups.

66. Laketown Green playground completed: This playground caters for preschool kids. It has a variety of play equipment such as swings, a sandpit with sculpture animals, large spinning disc, xylophone, two in ground trampolines, balance walk, and embankment slide. A small children’s bike track runs around the entire exterior. Extensive planting along the boundaries include numerous fruit trees.

67. Onepoto Walkways completed: Construction of a new boardwalk in the wetlands area and renewal of the existing bush track on the eastern boundary of the reserve. Council has received a lot of praise from the local community on these projects.

68. Roberta Reserve Playground, on the corner of Riddell Road and Roberta Avenue in Glendowie, was opened on 17 May following a comprehensive rebuild earlier this year. Exciting new additions to the playground include a swing basket, fort and an eagle’s nest. The new equipment was selected based on what the community asked for at an open day held by the board in October.

69. Mangere All Tide Boat Ramp completed.

70. Beachlands to Maraetai walkway.

71. William Green Domain artificial field completed.

72. Randwick Park skate park development.

73. Norana Park changeroom development.

74. East Tamaki Sport field development.

Leadership

75. Discussion/Liaison with the Minister of Conservation seeking discussions with respect to joined up approaches with respect to Kauri die Back disease, provision of public open spaces to serve a rapidly growing population, community use of reserve land, shared delivery of species / ecosystem management, integrated invasive species control, approach to commercial partnerships and concessions, marine reserves.

54. The initial Sports CEO forum was held bringing together the Chief Executives of Sport New Zealand, Auckland Sport, Auckland Council, ATEED, Auckland Regional Facilities. The aim is to ensure improved coordination with respect to the sport sector in Auckland.

Sport and Recreation Strategic Action Plan (SARSAP) Implementation

55. The Mayor launched SARSAP in March 2014. An implementation framework and detailed initiative plans are being developed for SARSAP. The priority initiatives that Council has a lead role in implementing are being developed and incorporated into work programmes within the departments of Parks Sports and recreation together with Community Policy and Planning. (see table attached). A Senior Leaders group has been established and meeting bi-monthly to lead the implementation working through Sport NZ, Auckland Sport and Auckland Council.

56. Partnering with the Ministry of Education and Sport NZ to progress the Auckland Plan target of increasing the number of education facilities open for community group use by 2040. First stage is a survey to schools at get a view on the current provision and community access to school sport and recreation assets, this will take place in the next month. Next stages will involve developing guidelines and a framework to support school community partnerships.

57. Working with Auckland Sport to develop a regional and local delivery framework for Council's 2014/2015 funding grant. The existing funding grant allocation of $553,000 in 2014/2015 will be allocated through Auckland Sport, aligned to priority initiatives in the Sport and Recreation Strategic Action Plan (SARSAP) and the delivery of regional and local initiatives.

58. Investigating options for the legacy community sport funding. The funding was provided to legacy Territorial Authorities from the previous Hillary Commission to allocate for sport and recreation outcomes via grants or loans. The Hillary Commission community sport fund ceased in 2002. The funding balance is from the remaining funds that Auckland and Waitakere City Council's had from community sport and recreation loans that have been repaid over the last 10 or so years, or the balance of grant funding that was unallocated when the fund ceased. The principle balance available is $2.3M and options will include alignment with the SARSAP and the community grants policy.

59. A team of staff have formed a “young people in sport and recreation team" and have assessed the ideas generated from the Youth Speak Sport Summit and young people's survey results and recommended four projects for implementation and future scoping. These projects include a social sport doorstep programme, sports equipment recycling scheme across Auckland, a sport and recreation discount card for young people (including discounted travel to sport and recreation destinations), and a new initiative targeting teenage girls.

60. The department is collaborating with other agencies on a project to provide more targeted programmes to inactive teenage girls. Teenage girls were identified as having large drop off rates in physical activity between 15 and 18 years as evidenced in the research report “Sport and Recreation in the lives of Young Aucklander’s” This research was jointly published by Sport New Zealand and Auckland Council in 2013 and is available on council’s website. The project also draws on the insights and ideas of young people from the Youth Speak Sport Summit in 2013. The project will focus on modification of existing or design of new programmes to better meet the needs for example: adapted gym and fitness programmes, working with recreation and sport codes to establish family based programmes for teenage girls and their younger siblings to recreate together, providing opportunities for groups of girls to recreate and socialize and improved pathways between social sport and formal sport. The collaboration group supporting the project has been successful in attracting new investment of $400,000 from central government.

61. Completing final stages of the facility partnership funding rounds for 2014/2015. The North facility partnership funding committee received 22 applications and allocated $1,137,000 across 20 community partnership projects with a total project value of $4,300,000. The central facility partnership funding committee considered 23 applications and makes final decision for the $1.5M 2014/2015 funding round on 16 June. The five Southern Local boards received 24 applications and are finalising funding decisions for the $940,000 fund allocation. The funding rounds for 2014/2015 will open in July.

Consideration

Local board views and implications

62. There has been no specific engagement with Local Boards in relation to this update report. Local Board views are sought with regard to specific operational delivery within the work programme, and these views are reported as and when those specific projects are reported.

Maori impact statement

63. Parks Sports and Recreation is of significant importance to tangata whenua, their culture and traditions. Sites of significance to tangata whenua are an important part of their heritage, established through whakapapa.

64. The activities identified in the report will have varying degrees of impact upon Māori and staff have or will engage directly with Māori where appropriate. Where these matters are reported separately to council, then issues affecting Māori are specifically covered. As a summary of the unit’s activities, this report does not address these matters specifically.

65. Where appropriate, Parks Sports and Recreation will engage with Māori on particular projects and programmes and/or advise other departments where activities may impact upon Māori values.

66. Projects with specific Māori impacts include those outlined below.

67. Seventy people, including a representative from the Waitakere Ranges Local Board attended the blessing on Tuesday 15 April 2014 of the last of the “ten Pou on Parks”, a project run in partnership with Friends of Arataki and Te Kawerau A Maki within the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park. The Pou was installed at Lake Wainamu.

68. A long term project with Makaurau Marae came to fruition in April with the placement of a traditional Po on reserve land at the entrance to Ihumatoa village.

69. The third and final reading of the Nga Mana Whenua o Tamaki Makaurau Collective Redress Bill is scheduled to be undertaken in Parliament on 26 July. Staff have had a significant role in the establishment of operational processes in preparation for the implementation of this legislation, in particular with respect to the co-governance of parkland.

70. In this regard the Volcanic Cones Draft Interim Operational Plan has been completed and presented to the Tamaki Collective meeting for review and feedback. A final plan will now be produced for the Maunga Authority’s consideration once established.

71. Staff are developing a weed control plan for the maunga to inform the members of the Tāmaki Collective on the current state, approach and methodology for weed management. The approach is consistent with weed management policy.

72. Supporting decision making by two co-governance “reserve management boards” focused upon lands at Orakai and Parakai.

73. The first official meeting of the Pukekiwiriki Pa Co-management Committee was held. This comprises members from eight iwi groups, the Papakura Local Board and staff of the Department of Parks, Sports and Recreation.

74. Work continues with the Office of Treaty Settlements providing information regarding lands potentially the subject of future settlement between individual iwi and the Crown.

75. Presentations to Local Boards are underway to inform them of the changes in relation to Treaty Settlements. The presentations cover the legislation, how boards will be affected, changes to budget management, and lease and licenses. To date the meetings have been well received and supported.

76. Managing cultural issues associated with the development of a café at Long Bay Regional Park.

General

77. The activities in this report do not trigger the Significance Policy. All programmes and activities are within budget / in line with Council’s plans and policies. There are no legal or legislative implications arising from the activities outlined in this report.

Implementation

78. No issues.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	SARSAP Table	17

Signatories

Authors	Ian Maxwell - Manager Parks, Sports & Recreation
Authorisers	Dean Kimpton - Chief Operating Officer

Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee

10 June 2014

Proposed reclassification of part of Mervan Reserve, Mangere, to allow for an additional Early Childhood Education Centre lease

File No.: CP2014/01106

Purpose

1. To reclassify part of Mervan Reserve from recreation reserve to local purpose (community building) reserve, pursuant to s24 (2)(b) and s61 (2A) of the Reserves Act 1977, to enable a new lease for an Early Childhood Education Centre (ECE).

Executive Summary

2. The Tavaesina Trust (the Trust) is requesting an additional ECE occupy the southern portion of Mervan Reserve. The Trust has funding from the Ministry of Education (MoE) until the end of December 2014 for construction, and resource consents have been lodged.

3. It is understood no alternative sites have been assessed by the Trust. They were given site allocation (approval in principle) in 2009 with an expiry date of 2012 by the former Manukau City Council.

4. Conditional land owner approval has been obtained from the Mangere-Otahuhu Local Board, subject to successfully reclassifying Mervan Reserve to local purpose (community building) reserve under the Reserves Act (Resolution Number MO 2013/496). See attachment A for Mangere-Otahuhu September 2013 resolutions.

5. The occupation of an additional ECE on Mervan Reserve raises a number of matters for consideration:

· Council’s commitment through the Auckland Plan, local area plans and the southern initiative to increase ECE participation, especially in South Auckland;

· Mervan Reserve is 4902m2 in area, with one existing ECE to the north and this proposed ECE to the south. This would result in 57% of the reserve being occupied by buildings, and will reduce the use of the site as a public neighbourhood reserve;

· The public grass/play space area would diminish from 3688m2 to 2107m2 – which does not meet the 3000m2 (approximate size) recommended for neighbourhood parks. This will place greater demand pressure on the informal recreation reserve network in the area, with the two other neighbourhood parks within 500m radius of this site also limited in their opportunities at less than 2200m2;

· Renewal of the playground was to occur in 2013 but is on hold until the outcome of this process is completed; and

· The District Plan zoning and the proposed Unitary Plan zoning for the site is consistent with ECE use, although there are likely to be traffic and noise effects on reserve users and local residents which need to be assessed.

· This tension between the need to support ECE participation and the need to preserve public open space was considered by the local board, and the decision to support the ECE was made on the basis of the relative needs in the local community.

Recommendation/s

That the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee:

a) support the intent to lease 918m2 of Mervan Reserve for Early Childhood Education Centre by Tavaesina Trust, and gives approval to proceed with public notification to seek submissions on reclassifying part of Mervan Reserve from recreation reserve to local purpose (community buildings) reserve under s24(2) and s24(2)(b) of the Reserves Act 1977.

b) require that all costs of the reclassification are met by the Tavesina Trust.

c) appoint three committee members (or delegates to Mangere-Otahuhu Local Board) for hearings under the Reserves Act 1977 as the decision-making body, if submissions are received in opposition or wish to be heard.

d) delegate decision making to Mangere-Otahuhu Local Board if no opposition is received and no submitter wishes to be heard.

e) note that consent from the Minister of Conservation is required for reclassification to be authorised prior to lodging a gazette notice with Land Information NZ.

f) note that successful reclassification of the site would allow for a lease to be entered into with Tavaesina Trust without public notification under s61(2A) of the Reserves Act 1977 (subject to necessary regulatory consents being granted).

Discussion

The Application

6. The Tavaesina Trust has applied for a land use resource consent to establish an ECE on Mervan Reserve in Mangere (see Attachment B for site plan). The proposed ECE is designed to cater for 50 children. The total area of reserve required to accommodate the proposed ECE, which includes the building at 387m2 and sealed parking area, is 1568m2.

7. A landowner approval from the Local Board is required before any resource consent (if granted) can be given effect. This resource consent application is on hold until the land owner approval process is completed and it is likely the application will be publicly notified under the Resource Management Act 1991.

8. The Trust has identified Mervan Reserve because it sits within the Harania West Census Area Unit, which is identified as a low participation priority area for early childhood learning by the Ministry of Education (MoE).

9. The Trust was incorporated in 2009 and has a strategic plan with a focus of preserving the Samoan language and culture. It runs an existing ECE as part of a shared facility at 29 Wickman Way, Mangere, but requires more space. The Trust seeks to develop an ECE at Mervan Reserve and expand its other education and social programmes. The Tavaesina Trust was successful in securing a Targeted Assistance Programme (TAP) funding grant for their Mervan Reserve project. The trustees comprise experienced, committed and professional people with a strong focus on ECE provision.

Mervan Reserve

10. Mervan Reserve is described as Lot 107 Deposited Plan 51854 and measures 4902m2 in area. It contains a playcentre, a playground that was scheduled to be redeveloped in 2013, and grassed open space with specimen trees. The site provides for informal recreation opportunities for the local community.

11. It was vested as a recreation reserve in 1963 after the land was subdivided. Under section 16 of the Reserves Act 1977 the principal purpose of a recreation reserve is:
“providing areas for the recreational sporting activities and the physical welfare and enjoyment of the public, and for the protection of the natural environment and beauty of the countryside, with emphasis on the retention of open spaces and on outdoor recreational activities”.

12. The current classification does not anticipate the establishment of ECEs and requires that the reserve is used for the purpose for which it is classified.

13. The reserve is zoned POS4 in the District Plan. POS4 is an open space zone that provides for a range of community uses and recreation facilities such as Marae, cultural centres, art centres, recreation centres, youth groups as well as pre-schools.

14. The general intention of this zone is to provide for a mix of community activities and provide sufficient open space for some informal recreation.

Auckland Council support for ECE’s

15. The benefits of ECEs are well documented and include educational, social, cultural and economic outcomes. Children benefit from improved socialisation skills, early learning outcomes and better preparedness for primary education, leading to medium term educational success and longer term benefits to the economy and society.

16. Auckland Council has indicated its support for ECE services through the Auckland Plan. Key priorities under Chapter 1 include ‘Put Children and Young People First’, and “improve the education, health and safety of Aucklanders, with a focus on those most in need”. A further action in the Auckland Plan is to “improve provision, access to, and participation in quality, culturally appropriate early learning services, particularly in areas of high need”.

17. The Southern Initiative also supports early learning centres with one of its objectives being “Early, strong family attachment and learning opportunities that set children up for success at school and life”.

18. It is recognised that in parts of South Auckland including Mangere, low participation rates in ECE are symptomatic of other wider social issues such as low incomes, low employment levels, deprivation and poverty.

19. The Auckland Plan goals are set at an aspirational level. There are currently no policies/directives in place that provide more detailed guidance on how council will respond to this need in decision-making. On the 11th of September 2013, the Mangere-Otahuhu Local Board requested (Resolution Number MO 2013/495) an analysis of ECE demand in the southern area, and urged the governing body to develop a strategic approach to the development of ECEs.

20. Staff have been collecting the information sought by the Board. A cluster meeting is scheduled in May 2014 with the southern local boards to discuss ECE demand and provide guidance on how local boards might respond to requests from ECE providers to build on council land.

Matters for consideration

21. It is considered that the committee should have regard to the following when considering this reclassification request:

a) The MoE is responsible for the regulation of ECE services. They also provide access to funding and grants as well as ensuring the provision of a network of services. The MoE seeks to increase ECE participation, particularly among Māori and Pasifika children, and children from low socio-economic communities. One of their current areas of focus is on ECE provision in South Auckland.

b) MoE funding does not generally extend to land purchase. Not for profit applicants are reluctant to purchase their own land, and have been approaching council seeking to use reserve land.

c) Auckland Council does not collect development or reserve contributions specifically for community facility provision or acquisition of facilities such as ECEs. As a consequence, council is dealing with applications for ECE on reserve land on a case by case basis.

d) There are reserve areas which are more appropriate than others on which ECEs could be located. These include those zoned as POS4 which provide for community uses and recreation facilities which are also classified under the Reserves Act as local purpose (community buildings) reserves.

e) While an ECE will cater for the needs of one part of a community, it essentially removes that open space from use and enjoyment by the general community and can lead to a cumulative net loss in open space provision in that area. This in turn places greater demand and pressure on the remaining reserve network.

f) The Parks and Open Space Acquisition Policy (2013) considers proposals to develop buildings on a park or open space (that are not ancillary to their purpose) as a divestment in terms of how parks and open space is assessed for impacts.

g) Recently, a land use resource consent application for an ECE on a reserve zoned for informal recreation purposes in Manurewa, was refused consent by the planning commissioner (application no 40598, 32R Hyperion Drive, Randwick Park). This was because of the effects it would have had on the reserve and on the neighbouring residential area, and because the loss of reserve land could not be sustained.

h) This decision confirms that reserve land is a limited resource, and degree of caution and careful informed consideration needs to be taken when making decisions on the location of ECEs on council reserves.

22. Considerations specific to this site include:

i. The land is zoned POS4 which provides for community uses and recreational facilities.

ii. The reserve has always been classified as a recreation reserve. If the proposed ECE was to proceed then a portion of the recreation land would be replaced by a community activity and become a local purpose reserve.

iii. The proposed ECE will cover 1568m2 of the reserve which equates to 32% of the entire reserve area. The existing playcentre occupies 1214m2. This means 57% of the reserve will be occupied by ECE use, leaving an entrance strip from Mervan Street to the small remaining area available for the neighbourhood playground. Although the land is zoned POS4, the balance between coverage of open space and buildings needs to be considered. The effects on the current open space recreational use of this reserve from development of the ECE would be difficult to mitigate.

iv. There are two neighbourhood parks within a 500m radius of Mervan Reserve, Ben Loa Park at 2183 m2 which has a small playground and Stevens Park at approximately 2200 m2. At this size these reserves provide limited informal recreation opportunities.

v. Development of Mervan Reserve will reduce the land available on the park for informal recreation, and in a wider context, will result in reduced provision of informal recreation land for the block. In the same area and beyond, there are no other known publicly owned areas (except for schools), which might be considered appropriate for ECE location in terms of size and zoning.

vi. The cumulative impact from the loss of public open space land in this local board area has not been assessed. Mangere-Otahuhu Local Board also has low provision of public open space in the east.

vii. There would be noise and traffic effects associated with the operation of the ECE and the parking area that would have a material impact on other reserve users and nearby residents. The ECE is proposed to be located 2.1m from the adjoining council owned Topping Court housing for the elderly complex and 3m from other residences.

viii. The council does not normally construct car parks on neighbourhood reserves as a means to discourage vehicular entry to them.

ix. The location of the proposed ECE will impact on the Local Board approved playground redevelopment and minimise options to relocate the playground elsewhere. This will impact on the recreational values of the reserve.

x. The ECE is proposed to be surrounded by 1.8m high double sided timber fencing which will have a visual effect of isolating and separating the ECE from the rest of the park.

xi. Some park trees will be lost.

Consideration

Local Board Views

23. In September 2013 the Mangere-Otahuhu Local Board resolved to provide conditional land owner approval to Tavaesina Trust for use of the reserve for Early Childhood Education Centre. One of the conditions is to successfully reclassify part of the reserve to local purpose (community buildings) reserve, prior to entering into a lease arrangement (refer to Attachment B).

Maori Impact Statement

24. If support is received for the reclassification process, iwi groups will be consulted prior to public notification on this proposal.

25. Lot 107 Deposited Plan 51854 (Mervan Reserve) vested as recreation reserve on deposit of the survey plan of subdivision 1963 and is not directly Crown derived. The reserve is held directly by Auckland Council in Fee Simple and does not trigger any Treaty of Waitangi settlement issues or matters in relation to customary right outcomes.

General

26. At a general level, work is underway to establish how council should support ECE, and if reserve land held under the Reserves Act is appropriate for ECE use. This includes looking at how they will be addressed from a regulatory perspective in the Proposed Unitary Plan. Other work is progressing with the Ministry of Education, ECE applicants and their agents to educate and inform them of councils requirements and obligations under the RA 1977 when groups request to use reserves for community activities or for non-recreation uses.

Implementation Issues

27. If the committee supports the proposal to advertise the intent to reclassify, the occupancy of Mervan Reserve by Tavaesina Trust should be conditional on the following:

a) All costs of the reclassification process (anticipated to be $20,000 plus) are to be met by Tavaesina Trust;

b) The hearings panel decision supports the application and reclassification;

c) Area is surveyed and gazette notice drafted (subject to minister approval);

d) The Minister of Conservation consent (delegated to Auckland Council) is provided; and

e) An appropriate lease is entered into (signed by Auckland Council and Tavaesina Trust) under s61(2A)a of the RA 1977. Noting that no further public notification is required.

If all the steps above are met, Tavaesina Trust needs to:

i. Successfully obtain a resource consent for the proposed development;

ii. Successfully obtain a building consent for the development;

iii. Be able to meet all conditions of those consents; and

iv. Be financially able to undertake the project and be sustainable.

v. If the committee resolves to decline the intent to reclassify and advertise, the Tavaesina Trust is to be advised to withdraw their resource consent application as it cannot be given effect to without the land being reclassified and without a lease.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	Mangere-Otahuhu Local Board September 2013 resolutions	27
b View	Proposed lease area for Tavaesina Trust (Early Childhood Education Centre)	31

Signatories

Authors

Sarah Mossman - Principal Policy Analyst

Authorisers

Penny Pirrit - Regional & Local Planning Manager

Ian Maxwell - Manager Parks, Sports & Recreation

Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee

10 June 2014

Draft Waikumete Cemetery Reserve Management Plan

File No.: CP2014/09951

Purpose

1. This report seeks approval to publicly notify the Draft Waikumete Cemetery Reserve Management Plan (Draft RMP) and to update the Committee on issues and timeframes for formal public notification and consultation, through to completion of the final plan.

Executive Summary

2. Waikumete Cemetery has been in operation since 1878 but has not had an effective planning instrument to manage aspects of the site. The Draft RMP sets out a pathway to address the historic part of the cemetery, while developing the reserve towards its ultimate use as a memorial park.

3. Waikumete Cemetery is expected to reach burial capacity by 2018. There is 43 hectares of undeveloped land potentially available for future burials on the site Based on specialist work prepared by the former Waitakere City Council in 2010, the Draft RMP proposes to expand burial and ash interment services into approximately 18 hectares of the 43 hectares of undeveloped land. This would allow the cemetery to meet the demand for new burial plots until 2060 and provide an adequate timeframe for council to budget for the progressive acquisition of open space for a new cemetery beyond 2060.

4. A Hearing Commissioner is proposed to be appointed to consider submissions to the Draft RMP and to make a recommendation to the Parks, Recreation & Sport Committee on amendments to the Draft RMP.

Recommendation/s

That the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee:

a) approve for public notification, the Draft Waikumete Cemetery Reserve Management Plan pursuant section 41(6) of the Reserves Act 1977 and,

b) endorse the appointment of an Independent Hearings Commissioner to hear the submissions and recommend a final Reserve Management Plan for adoption by the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee.

Comments

5. Waikumete Cemetery has been in operation since 1878 but has not had an effective planning instrument to manage aspects of the site. The Draft RMP sets out a pathway to address the historic part of the cemetery, while developing the reserve towards its ultimate use as a memorial park.

6. Waikumete Cemetery is expected to reach burial capacity by 2018. There is 43 hectares of undeveloped land potentially available for future burials on the site, which is currently protected under the Natural Area rules of the Operative Plan (Waitakere section).

7. Based on specialist ecological, landscape and engineering investigations, the Draft RMP proposes to expand burial and ash interment services into approximately 18 hectares of the 43 hectares of undeveloped land. This would allow the cemetery to meet the demand for new burial plots until 2060 and provide an adequate timeframe for council to budget for the progressive acquisition of open space for a new cemetery beyond 2060.

8. A project team, comprised of specialists from the relative departments across council, have discussed and agreed on issues surrounding cemetery expansion, which anticipates the highest quality and bulk of the remaining vegetation continuing to be protected.

9. A Hearing Commissioner is proposed to consider submissions to the Draft RMP and to make a recommendation to the Parks, Recreation & Sport Committee on amendments to the Draft RMP.

10. The revised timeframe for completion of the reserve management plan is;

· 16 July 2014 - Publicly notify the Draft RMP

· 16 September 2014 – end of two-month public notification & consultation period

· October 2014 – Submissions analysis

· November 2014 – Hearings & amendments to Draft RMP

· February 2015 – Report to Committee for approval to adopt the Waikumete Cemetery Reserve Management Plan

Consideration

Local Board Views

11. Multiple combined West Local Board workshops have contributed to the Draft RMP, the latest was held on the 18th February 2014.

Maori Impact Statement

12. Te Kawerau a Maki has been advised of the project and received invitations to the workshops and open day. The Independent Maori Statutory Board was advised of the project in a report to the Regional Development and Operations Committee in October 2012.

13. The Waikumete Urupa Committee has been engaged with two members attending workshops and conducting karakia to open proceedings. The Urupa Committee is acknowledged as a key stakeholder at the cemetery.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	Waikumete Cemetery Draft Reserve Managment Plan	35

Signatories

Authors

Richard Mann - Principal Policy Analyst

Authorisers

Penny Pirrit - Regional & Local Planning Manager

Ian Maxwell - Manager Parks, Sports & Recreation

Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee

10 June 2014

Parks and Open Space Policy Programme

File No.: CP2014/10275

Purpose

1. To provide an update on Auckland Councils approved parks and open space policy programme.

Executive summary

2. In December 2012 Council adopted the Strategy and Policy Forward Programme, which included a suite of open space related policy, and has been largely completed.

3. In September 2013, Council adopted the Parks and Open Space Strategic Action Plan, which set out a prioritised programme of work in relation to: policy and planning; development and management; advocacy, partnership and promotion; and research and monitoring.

4. Work is progressing across a range of policy and planning work in accordance with the Parks and Open Space Strategic Action Plan, within the resources available.

Recommendation/s

That the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee:

a) note the current open space policy and planning work programme priorities

Comments

Auckland Councils Strategy and Policy Work programme

5. The Auckland Plan Committee adopted the Strategy and Policy Forward Programme in December 2012 (CP2013/26522). This programme coordinated the range of strategy and policy work being undertaken across council to ensure that the council focuses on those areas of greatest strategic priority.

6. The Forward Programme includes the Public Open Space Strategic work programme, which consists of five discrete areas of policy work. This approved work programme has been largely completed, although a number of items have ongoing work associated with them. The approved Public Open Space Strategic work programme includes:

· Parks and Open Space Strategic Action Plan
Adopted by the Regional Development and Operations Committee (RDOC) at its meeting of 19 September 2013 (RDO/2013/168). Implementation deliver approved actions is ongoing (note that the Strategic Action Plan identifies actions over a 10 year period).

· Open Space Acquisition Policy
Adopted by RDOC at its meeting of 20 June 2013 (RDO/2013/96). The Acquisition Policy provides the basis for ongoing open space acquisition assessments as and when opportunities arise.

· Open Space Level of Provision Guidance
Proposed interim guidance is reported to Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee (PSRC) at its meeting of 10 June 2013. Staff recommend a six month period of testing and refinement prior to adoption of final Levels of Provision guidance.

· Weed Management Policy
Adopted by RDOC at its meeting of 15 August 2013 (RDO/2013/137). Implementation of the policy actions are being delivered across the Auckland Council group.

· Reserve management planning methodology
Issues, obligations and opportunities in relation to reserve management planning where reported to PRSC at its meeting of 4 March 2013 (PAR/2014/19). Further work in relation to the preparation of a suite of management policies is ongoing.

Parks and Open Space Strategic Action Plan

7. The Parks and Open Space Strategic Action Plan (POSSAP) sets out “what needs to happen to Auckland’s park and open space network over the next 10 years in order to implement the aims of the Auckland Plan. The action plan identifies what Auckland Council will focus on, outlines how we will do it and what the priorities are.”

8. POSSAP groups actions into four activity areas:

· Policy and planning

· Development and management

· Advocacy, partnership and promotion

· Research and monitoring

9. Attachment A sets out the full list of actions included in POSSAP, and includes brief comments on progress and/or issues to be considered in the delivery of the actions.

10. POSSAP provides the programme framework for the current range of activities undertaken by councils parks and open space policy and planning team. At this time, the following activities are prioritised:

Open Space Level of Provision Guidance (POSSAP action P2)

11. Proposed interim guidance will be reported to Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee (PSRC) at its meeting of 10 June 2014. It is proposed that these interim guidelines are tested and refined with developers, council staff, and local boards over the next six months before being reported back for adoption

Treaty settlement and co governance (POSSAP action A2)

12. The ongoing Treaty of Waitangi settlement process requires a significant council staff resource, supporting both councils due diligence process during the pre-settlement process, and meeting the range of obligations placed on council post settlement.

13. A small number of settlements with individual iwi have created co-governance entitles (e.g. Ngati Whatua Orakei and Ngati Whatua o Kaipara). More significantly, the Ngā Mana Whenua o Tāmaki Makaurau Collective Redress Bill, which will establish a co governance entity over 14 maunga, has to date required a considerable level of staff resource. Councils obligations under the Bill include the preparation of an integrated Reserve Management Plan for the 14 maunga, which will be the single largest open space policy work undertaken by council in the coming years.

Open space needs for growth (esp. Special Housing Areas)(POSSAP action D5 and A4)

14. Planning for the open space needs of greenfield developments is essential to ensure new areas of Auckland are delivering on the vision of the world’s most liveable city. The introduction of Special Housing Areas, which aim to deliver a rapid design and consenting process, requires responsive open space advice across multiple areas and multiple developer teams.

15. Established open space policy assists staff in meeting these demands, and the interim Levels of Provision Guidelines will further support this work. It is however an area of rapidly growing resource demands, with a further 41 SHA’s recently being recommended to central government, bringing the total number of SHA’s to 63.

Open space acquisition (and divestment) processing (POSSAP action D2)

16. Councils open space policy and planning team undertakes assessment and reporting of open space acquisitions as and when these arise. Such opportunities are routinely drawn to staffs attention by Councillors, Local Boards, owners and their agents, interest groups and members of the public. Assessment of opportunities is undertaken against the criteria set out in councils Open Space Acquisition Policy.

17. In addition, Councils property rationalisation process routinely requires assessment of non-service properties (i.e. council owned land not currently used for open space). This process is similar in nature to open space acquisition assessments, where the potential divestment properties are assessed against the open space acquisition policy, with staff recommendations regarding future use as open space being made where appropriate.

Open Space Network Planning (including Greenways Planning)(POSSAP action P3 and P4)

18. Greenways plans (which focus on establishing recreational and ecological corridors and connections within local board areas) have been completed or are currently in progress for 11 local board areas. These documents provide a good evidence base for local boards to identify and prioritise open space projects that relate for enhancing or establishing new connections.

19. Staff are currently piloting a more comprehensive open space network planning approach with the Henderson and Massey Local Board. This approach encompasses the work of the Greenways plans, but takes a more holistic view of the current and future open space needs of the local board area. The network plan will inform identification and prioritisation of all open space projects, including identification of areas of need for new open space.

World Heritage – Heritage Case and Strategic Assessment (POSSAP action P8)

20. Two related assessments have been undertaken over the last 12 months, exploring:

· The feasibility of seeking successful World Heritage bid (i.e. could we achieve World Heritage inscription)

· The case for proceeding with a World Heritage bid (i.e. what are the relative benefits and costs associated)

21. The findings of these assessments and recommendations for how to proceed will be reported to both central government and council over the coming months. Subject to decisions in relation to proceeding with the preparation of a nomination file, the World Heritage project may become a significant component of the future open space policy work programme.

Local Board open space planning (POSSAP action D5)

22. Local Boards are allocated decision making responsibility for the vast majority of parks and open spaces in Auckland. Councils open space policy and planning team provides open space planning advice to Local Boards as required and within resources available. Most local boards have a programme of open space planning (both development planning and management planning) which they actively pursue.

Parkland design guidance (POSSAP action P10 and A6)

23. An initial design guidance document was endorsed by the Parks, Recreation and Heritage Forum (PRHF) at its meeting of 6 August 2013 (PH/2013/76). This guidance is hosted on the Auckland Design Manual (ADM). Since that time staff have continued to develop and refine content as the ADM website is further developed.

Reserve management planning methodology (POSSAP action P9)

24. Staff are progressing with the approved approach of preparing overarching management policy which can in time be used as a basis for omnibus management plans.

Open Space Policy and Planning Resources

25. Council’s open space policy and planning activity is led by staff within the Community Policy and Planning unit. The policy and planning teams work closely with colleagues in the operational division, notably the Parks Sport and Recreation Department (PSR) and the Community Development, Arts and Culture Department (CDAC), to provide a coordinated policy, planning and delivery service.

Future open space policy priorities

26. POSSAP sets out a 10 year policy work programme and identifies relative priorities for work within that period. There are a number of policy and planning areas identified by POSSAP to be delivered within the first two years, and these form the current priorities for council open space policy work programme.

27. Importantly, council has a fixed and finite resource to deliver the open space policy and planning work programme. It is anticipated that future resource demands arising from the essential and high priority areas identified below are likely to increase significantly in the short to medium term. These demands are likely to limit the capacity to deliver lower priority policy work and/or any new policy work.

Essential policy and planning activity areas

28. These are policy and planning activity areas that are ongoing and necessary to meet councils obligations:

· Supporting Treaty of Waitangi settlement process (A2)
Resource demands to meet councils obligations arising from the Treaty of Waitangi settlement process are anticipated to increase significantly as and when the Ngā Mana Whenua o Tāmaki Makaurau Collective Redress Bill and other iwi specific settlement legislation is passed.

· Open space advice for Special Housing Areas and other development (D5, A4)
Resource demands to meet councils obligations under the Auckland Housing Accord will increase significantly due to the increasing number of SHA’s across the region.

· Open space acquisition (and divestment) assessment and reporting (A2)
Resource demands to assess acquisition opportunities as and when they arise are anticipated to continue at current levels and form a significant area of activity for staff.

High priority policy and planning activity areas

29. These are policy and planning activity areas that are more discretionary than those identified above, but which staff consider to be of high priority. These areas are currently being spatially prioritised (alongside the essential activity areas identified above) within the resources available.

· Levels of provision for open space, and subsequently recreation and sports facilities (P2, P16)

· Open space network planning (P3, P4): Both local board focused network plans and a regional open space network plan that will help coordinate and prioritise the delivery of open space initiatives across the region. Staff consider this activity area is the most effective means to ensure the ongoing delivery and development of a high quality open space network across Auckland. Prioritising local board areas for future open space network planning would be informed by the spatial planning priority areas which are being proposed as part of the 2015 Long Term Plan.

· Local Board open space planning: The scope of this work is largely driven by the aspirations and priorities of each of the local boards. In the medium term, it is anticipated that local board demands would be informed by an open space network plan.

Medium priority policy and planning activity areas

30. These are policy and planning activity areas that are identified in POSSAP to be delivered within the next two years, and will be prioritised subject to available resources. There is currently no capacity to advance work in these areas.

· Play strategy to provide a framework for councils provision of play opportunities in its open space network, include principles, levels of provision and design guidance (P13)

· Develop visitor strategies for parks that receive high levels of visitation (P11)

· Improving signage systems (both wayfinding and interpretation) throughout the open space network (D3)

· Establish a region-wide customer research programme to understand how Aucklanders use and value parks and open spaces (R1)

Other policy and planning areas not explicitly identified in POSSAP

31. There are a small number of policy and planning activity areas that have been identified since the adoption of POSSAP that do not currently form part of the approved open space policy work programme. While these are not explicitly identified in POSSAP, there are both strategic and operational drivers for advancing policy work in these areas. Such activity areas include:

· Commercial use and concessions

· Coastal access and coastal structures

· Education and council, particularly the use of open space for Early Childhood Education providers and shared use of school and council open space

32. Policy work in these specific areas is not currently included in the open space policy work programme, and inclusion of work in these areas cannot be pursued within the current resource levels.

Consideration

Local board views and implications

33. Local Boards were engaged during the preparation of POSSAP, and the adopted Action Plan incorporates and reflects feedback received (refer 19 September 2013 RDOC report for full details).

34. Local Boards take either a lead decision making role (i.e. for local park related policy and planning) or are engaged in the delivery of regional policy and planning in accordance with Auckland Council decision making allocation and agreed protocol for collaborative working (adopted Governing Body 22 August GB/2013/86).

Maori impact statement

35. Iwi were engaged during the preparation of POSSAP, and the adopted Action Plan incorporates and reflects feedback received (refer 19 September 2013 RDOC report for full details).

36. Iwi engagement in the delivery of the open space policy and planning work programme is undertaken as an integral and essential part of policy and planning process. The specific approach to iwi engagement, including the timing of engagement within the process, specific iwi engaged with, and how the engagement is undertaken, is determined in response to the specific policy or planning work being undertaken.

Implementation

37. There are no implementation issues arising from this report

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	POSSAP Progress Summary	131

Signatories

Authors

Rob Cairns - Manager Regionwide

Authorisers

Penny Pirrit - Regional & Local Planning Manager

Ian Maxwell - Manager Parks, Sports & Recreation

Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee

10 June 2014

New licence request to manage and operate Rose Hellaby House

File No.: CP2014/11353

Purpose

1. To seek approval for a new licence to be granted to the incumbent licensee Karen Lawson for the continued management and operation of Rose Hellaby House; including authorisation to continue the operation of an antiques and collectables retail business from the house.

Executive summary

2. Rose Hellaby House is a heritage property located on Scenic Drive at Waiatarua in the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park. The house and gardens were bequeathed to the Auckland Regional Authority by Rose Hellaby in 1974 for the enjoyment of the people of Auckland and has been open to the public and operated and managed under a licence since 1980.

3. Karen Lawson, current custodian and licensee since 2004, is seeking a new five year licence to continue managing and operating the house and grounds as a publicly accessible historic precinct and to continue operating a small scale antiques and collectables retail business from the public area(s) of the house.

4. Ms Lawson is a proven and able custodian and host to visitors to the property. She has successfully secured licence extensions in 2005 and 2009. Interest in managing and operating the house and gardens has been difficult to attract in the past with only Ms. Lawson expressing interest in recent times. This is in part due to the number of constraints on the use of the house resulting from the Aranui Rose Hellaby House Conservation Plan 2001, covenants contained in Ms Hellaby’s bequest and parking limitations within grounds and immediate vicinity of the property. It is considered that the current use and management is consistent with the requirements set out in these documents.

5. There is no requirement under the Regional Parks Management Plan 2010 to publically notify a new licence or formally seek expressions of interest to manage and operate the facility.

Recommendation/s

That the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee:

a) approve the granting of a licence agreement to Karen Lawson to manage and operate Rose Hellaby House for a term of 5 years on the same terms and conditions as are contained in the recently expired licence between Auckland Regional Council and Karen Lawson (dated 11/01/10).

Comments

Background

6. Rose Hellaby House is a heritage property located on Scenic Drive at Waiatarua, in the Waitakere Ranges Parkland. The house was designed by the notable architect Horace Massey and built for Ms Hellaby in 1939. She resided there until her death in 1974, at which time she bequeathed the property to the Auckland Regional Authority for the enjoyment of the people of Auckland as a scenic park in terms of Section 30 of the Auckland Centennial Memorial Park Act 1941.

7. Following the departure of the West Auckland Historical Society Inc. in June 2002 who managed the site, the Auckland Regional Council advertised for expressions of interest in management and future use of the house. Interest was difficult to attract. Eventually three applications were received. Ms Lawson and Mr Lockwood were the successful applicants and subsequently became caretakers in residence in March 2004 for a term of one year.

8. Ms Lawson successfully secured licence extensions in 2005 and 2009. The most recent licence, granted for a term of 4 years and 364 days, expired on 30/04/2014 and is now rolling over on a month to month basis. Ms Lawson has formally requested a new licence for a term of 5 years with the same terms and conditions.

9. The house and gardens are maintained in excellent condition. Recently new roofing, painting and electrical rewiring works have been undertaken by council. No further major maintenance works are required or planned for in the near future.

Assessment of request

10. There are a number of constraints on the use of the house resulting from the Aranui Rose Hellaby House Conservation Plan 2001. It states no use should be considered that intrudes on the principal heritage elements or spaces of the house. It also requires the house to be preserved as far as practicable in its current configuration with only minimal alterations to be considered. Covenants contained in Ms Hellaby’s bequest and parking limitations within the grounds and immediate vicinity also limit opportunity for other activities to be considered.

11. Any use of the house and gardens must also be consistent with the Regional Parks Management Plan 2010 (RPMP) which contains the following policies:

· Manage Rose Hellaby House and gardens as a historic precinct and lookout with a small car park, a lookout platform, and directional and interpretation signs.

· Manage Rose Hellaby House and gardens under licence, and continue to implement the recommendations of the Aranui Rose Hellaby House Conservation Plan 2001 and Rose Hellaby House Garden: Historic Investigation and Planting Proposal 2005.

12. It is considered that the current management of the house and gardens is consistent with the protection and enhancement of the heritage values envisaged in the conservation plan, covenants and RPMP.

13. Policy 13.5.1.15 of the RPMP sets out other matters that should be given particular regard when considering renewing existing licences on regional parks. It is considered that Ms Lawson has complied with previous terms and conditions adequately and has successfully promoted appropriate behaviour within the historic precinct. Although the financial return from the antiques and collectables retail business is relatively low, Ms Lawson has continued to be a suitable custodian and host at the property since 2004. This is confirmed by council staff and supported by extracts from the Visitors Book, and copies of cards and letters of appreciation (see Attachment A).

14. Council staff have not received any other interest regarding occupation and management of Rose Hellaby House. Given the suitability of the current licensee and previous lack of interest from other parties it would appear little would be achieved through a formal expressions of interest process.

Licence arrangements

15. It is proposed the terms and conditions in the recently expired licence be included in a new licence. In summary the main conditions are:

a) The house will be required to be kept open to the public at no charge between the hours of 10am and 5pm on weekends and public holidays year round.

b) Continued authorisation for the licensee to display and/or sell furniture and collectables on the ground floor in keeping with the style and period of the house, both on her own behalf and for other people (on commission), so long as her trading activities do not constitute a fire hazard or restrict public access within the house.

c) Annual base rental of $1 per annum payable on demand with the licensee able to retain 90 per cent of the proceeds of trading. The remaining 10 per cent of net profit is to be paid to council at six monthly intervals.

d) Market rental for accommodation will continue to be paid under a separate tenancy agreement for so long as the licensee resides on the property.

e) The provision of an annual report to the council on activities at the house during each preceding 12 month period.

f) The licensee shall allow the use of the Premises and at other times by groups and/or individuals to use it for weddings, organised meetings, seminars or private functions on such terms and for such fees as may be agreed in advance between council and the Licensee, provided that such use does not compromise the purpose of the Premises as a historic community facility open to the public.

g) Retain a small area adjacent to and inside one of the two ground floor public entrances to the house, as an option for the display of interpretive material relating to the councils regional parks.

Consideration

Local board views and implications

16. The Local Board Delegation Protocols (22 January 2013) sets out that the local board will be consulted on occupancy agreements within parks where decision-making is allocated to the Governing Body that require public notification. While this licence request does not need to be publicly notified, Local Board feedback is being sought and will be presented at the meeting.

Maori impact statement

17. The Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area Act 2008 recognises Te Kawarau ā Maki and Ngāti Whatua as tangata whenua of the land within the heritage area; including the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park.

18. Both iwi were engaged through the development of the RPMP which specifically provided for the management of Rose Hellaby House by way of a licence. Neither iwi confirmed a specific interest in the site.

19. The Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan does not identify Rose Hellaby House and gardens as a site or place of significance to tangata whenua.

20. No particular impacts on Maori are identified which are different from general users of this particular area of park land.

Implementation

21. The application for a new licence is consistent with the policies and objectives outlined in the discretionary activities section of the RPMP and does not trigger the requirement for public notification.

22. If approved, council’s legal team will draft up the licence agreement for Ms Lawson to sign.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	Visitor Book extracts, copies of cards and letters of appreciation.	145

Signatories

Authors	Dafydd Pettigrew - Parks and Open Space Specialist - Region Wide
Authorisers	Ian Maxwell - Manager Parks, Sports & Recreation

Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee

10 June 2014

Interim Open Space Provision Guidelines

File No.: CP2014/09264

Purpose

1. To update the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee on development of the Parks and Open Spaces Provision Guidelines (the guidelines) and seek endorsement of interim guidelines (attachment A) for testing and further development over a six month trial period.

Executive summary

2. The guidelines provide direction on the quantity, distribution and configuration of parks and open space sought by the council in both greenfield developments and the existing urban area.

3. Interim guidelines have been developed (attachment A). It is proposed to test the interim provision guidelines over a six month trial period before final guidelines are reported to the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee in 2015.

4. The primary focus of the guidelines is ensuring the open space network provides access to a range of high-quality recreation, social and environmental experiences. The guidelines direct how open space should be distributed within both greenfield developments and the existing urban area by establishing triggers in relation to travel distance, resident population or the proximity of other land uses (such as an urban centre) that determine when the open space network should provide for the following experiences:

· Neighbourhood parks

· Suburb parks

· Sub-regional parks

· Civic spaces

· Local sports parks

· Connections

5. For existing urban areas the guidelines focus on improving the quality, accessibility and connectivity of existing open space. The guidelines establish how council will determine the capacity of open space within existing urban areas in relation to the criteria of the Parks and Open Spaces Acquisition Policy 2013.

6. A target for the quantity of local recreation open space within greenfield developments of 2 hectares per 1000 residents is proposed.

7. The guidelines set out how different types of open space should be laid out and configured in relation to other land uses, such as housing and streets, to ensure that a high quality open space network is achieved.

Recommendation/s

That the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee:

a) endorse the use of the Interim Parks and Open Spaces Provision Guidelines for further testing and development (attachment A).

b) note that final Parks and Open Spaces Provision Guidelines will be reported to the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee in 2015 following the conclusion of a trial period.

c) agree that the Manager, Community Policy and Planning - Regionwide Open Space be authorised to amend the interim provision guidelines during the trial period.

Comments

Background and strategic context

8. The guidelines are part of the Parks and Open Spaces Policy Programme and are a key tool to implement the policy direction of the Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan (PAUP), the Parks and Open Spaces Strategic Action Plan 2013, the Sport and Recreation Strategic Action Plan 2013 and the Parks and Open Space Acquisition Policy 2013 (the acquisition policy).

9. The guidelines provide direction on the distribution, quantity and configuration of parks and open space sought by the council in both greenfield developments and the existing urban area. They will inform a range of council activities including:

· Assessing open space acquisition opportunities

· Development of spatial plans (area plans, precinct plan and structure plans)

· Identifying strategic infrastructure requirements, including development of a regional open space network plan

· Informing the development of local open space network plans for local board areas

· Providing advice on council’s open space requirements to developers

10. Interim guidelines have been developed (attachment A). It is proposed to test and further develop the interim guidelines over a six month trial period.

11. A successful open space network responds to the local context and therefore it is expected that variation in the provision of open space will occur across Auckland. The guidelines are intended to set out a framework for assessing open space provision rather than establish strict targets for council or developers to achieve.

12. The guidelines apply to greenfield developments and existing urban areas. They primarily focus on the provision of local parks, rather than sub-regional or region scale open space.

13. The guidelines have three parts, each of which are explained further below:

· Distribution of open space

· Quantity of open space

· Configuration of open space

Distribution of open space (pages 4 to 8)

14. Ensuring the open space network provides the community with access to a range of high quality recreational, social and environmental experiences is the primarily focus of the guidelines.

15. The first part of the guidelines direct how open space should be distributed within both greenfield developments and the existing urban area by describing six experiences the open space network should deliver:

· Neighbourhood parks

· Suburb parks

· Sub-regional parks

· Civic spaces

· Local sports parks

· Connections

16. The guidelines establish triggers in relation to travel distance, size of resident population or the proximity of other land uses (such as an urban centre) that determine when the open space network should provide for each of the experiences. Criteria relating to the size of open space required and key activities provided for are also established for some experiences. Provision targets used by the legacy councils in Auckland as well as other councils in New Zealand and overseas have been considered in establishing the distribution targets (attachment B).

17. Each of the experiences and the relevant triggers for provision are explained below:

Neighbourhood parks and suburb parks

18. Neighbourhood parks and suburb parks describe open space that provides common informal recreation experiences throughout urban areas. The guidelines establish criteria about the typical area of open space required for a neighbourhood park (0.3ha) and suburb park (3ha) and the activities they should provide for (such as play opportuniites, respite, walking)

19. Walking distance targets are proposed for neighbourhood parks and suburb parks relative to PAUP zoning. Shorter walking distance targets are proposed for the PAUP zones that provide for higher density residential development. This assists with providing residents in higher-density housing with easy access to informal recreation open space. The following walking distance targets are proposed:

Neighbourhood Park

Suburb Park

High density areas:

(Terraced Housing and Apartment Zone, Local Centre, Town Centre, Metropolitian Centre and Mixed Use)

400m walk

(approx. 5 mins)

1000m walk

(approx. 12 mins)

Remaining urban residential areas

600m walk

(approx. 7.5 mins)

1500m walk

(approx. 18 mins)

Sub-regional parks

20. Sub-regional parks describe large (typically >30ha) areas of open space that provide for a variety of informal recreation and sport experiences. These parks are usually located within, or on the periphery of, the urban area. Examples include Barry Curtis Park, Western Springs, Auckland Domain.

21. It is envisaged that Auckland Council will proactively acquire sub-regional parks when opportunities arise and needs are identified through network planning, rather than expect sub-regional parks to be planned for by developers in greenfield areas. The guidelines do not propose a travel distance target for sub-regional parks, but state that residents within each of the northern, central, southern and western areas of urban Auckland should have easy access to a variety of sub-regional parks.

Civic space

22. Civic space describes the squares, plazas, greens, streets and shared spaces within urban centres which provide for social and informal recreation experiences. The provision guidelines propose the quantity and diversity of civic space relate to the scale of the urban centre. A local centre is proposed to be the smallest urban centre to trigger civic space requirements.

Local sports parks

23. Local sports parks describe open space which is used for organised sport, and typically includes facilities such as sports fields, courts and club buildings. Sports parks are also provided for at a sub-regional scale.

24. The guidelines propose that greenfield developments should provide for the local sport park requirements of their residents. Based on existing levels of sports field demand this equates to approximately 3ha of land per 2000 households. A threshold of 2000 households is proposed, as this generates sufficient demand for two sports fields, and results in larger sports parks which have efficiencies in terms of layout, facility use and maintenance. The 3ha minimum size includes allowances for club rooms, car parking and for other facilities such as courts.

25. No target for local sports parks provision is proposed for existing urban areas. The sports park network within the urban area is largely in place, and acquisition opportunities of land suitable for new sports parks are rare.

Connections

26. Creating a connected open space network is one of the areas of focus of the Parks and Open Spaces Strategic Action Plan 2013. The guidelines encourage open space to be distributed to create contiguous networks that have a range of recreational, transport and ecological benefits.

Quantity of open space (pages 9 to 11)

27. Different policy responses are required for guidance on the quantity of open space between greenfield developments and the existing urban area. In greenfield developments there is generally no existing open space network and there is the ability to determine the amount and distribution of open space. In existing urban areas the open space network is largely in place and there are significant constraints on increasing the amount of open space, including the cost and availability of suitable land.

28. Achieving quantity targets is a secondary focus for the provision of open space.

Quantity of open space in existing urban areas

29. The guidelines do not establish a target for the quantity of open space relative to the population within existing urban areas. Due to the amount of population growth projected within existing urban areas, achieving and maintaining a ratio of open space to population would be unachievable due to financial (the cost of land) and practical constraints (the availability of suitable land).

30. The criteria of the Parks and Open Space Acquisition Policy 2013 (the acquisition policy) establish how the council prioritises acquisition opportunities within the existing urban area in response to population growth. The acquisition policy generally prioritises acquisition opportunities where there is:

· High levels of expected population growth

· Relatively poor access to informal recreation open space

· Low capacity within the existing open space network

The provision guidelines assist with interpretation of the acquisition policy by establishing how council will measure accessibility to open space, and the capacity of the open space network, that allow provision to be compared across urban areas of Auckland.

31. For the purpose of informing open space acquisition priorities the capacity of the open space network across the region has been assessed in relation to following criteria:

· The quantity of open space (all types) within each census area unit

· The quantity of recreational open space within each census area unit

· Projected population growth between 2014 and 2030

· Strategic alignment with the Auckland Plan Development Strategy and PAUP zonings

32. Draft capacity analysis is included within the interim guidelines (attachment A, page 10). This map identifies where moderate and significant shortfalls in open space capacity are located within the existing urban area when assessed against the above criteria. The results of the capacity analysis are draft and will be refined during the trial period.

Quantity of open space in greenfield developments

33. In greenfield development areas the guidelines set a target for the quantity of local informal recreation open space of 2 hectares per 400 households (approximately 1000 residents). Local informal recreation open space is defined as having an informal recreation, sport or civic open space function and excludes parks considered to serve a sub-regional or regional catchment.

34. Analysis of the existing provision of open space with the urban areas of Auckland, local board areas and ten case study areas has informed recommending a target of 2 hectares per 400 households of informal recreation open space (see attachments C and D). The target of 2 hectares of local recreation open space per 400 households is relatively consistent with the existing amount of local recreation open space provided in the urban area of Auckland

35. The Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan introduces a green infrastructure corridor zone which is to be applied to land within the 1 in 100 year floodplain in greenfield developments. The integration of green infrastructure and open space land is integral to creating a connected open space network. The guidelines allow for up to 50% of local recreation open space to be provided in the form of green infrastructure where this has demonstrable recreation benefits (such as creating trail networks).

36. No target for the amount of open space required for conservation or green infrastructure corridor purposes is proposed. The values and characteristics of an area determine the need for these open space functions rather than the population of a development. Targets are also not proposed for large sub-regional or regional recreation open space, as it is expected council will identify and acquire land for these functions outside of the greenfield development process (structure planning and subdivision).

Configuration of open space (pages 12 and 13)

37. The third part of the guidelines sets out how different types of open space should be laid out and configured in relation to other land uses, such as housing and streets, to ensure that a high quality open space network is achieved.

Consideration

Local board views and implications

38. The views of local boards on the interim provision guidelines will be sought during the trial period.

Maori impact statement

39. The guidelines are not considered to have any greater benefit to, or adverse effect on, Maori than the general population.

Implementation

40. It is proposed to undertake further development and testing of the provision guidelines during a trial period for the remainder of 2014. This will involve:

· Assessing open space acquisition opportunities against the guidelines

· Testing the guidelines with developers preparing structure plans for special housing areas and future urban zone land

· Engagement with local boards

· Refinement of the modelling of provision targets

· Illustration of the concepts within the guidelines

41. Final provision guidelines will be report to the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee in early 2015 following the trial period.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	Draft Interim Open Space Provision Guidelines	165
b View	Examples of provision targets used by former Auckland councils, other NZ and overseas park authorities	179
c View	Existing provision of local recreation open space – geographic case study areas	181
d View	Quantity of local recreation open space within Auckland	183

Signatories

Authors

Andrew Beer - Principal Policy Analyst

Authorisers

Penny Pirrit - Regional & Local Planning Manager

Ian Maxwell - Manager Parks, Sports & Recreation

Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee

10 June 2014

Open space experience	Description:	Provision guidance:
Neighbourhood park	An area of open space that provides a basic informal recreation experience for nearby residents, including: · Play opportunities · Flat, kick-around space · Areas for respite and relaxation	Each neighbourhood park requires around 0.3ha of open space in greenfield developments. This should be of a configuration that provides transition / buffer space from adjacent roads and housing and contains a flat kick-around space of approximately 30 by 30m. Residents in high density areas should have access to a neighbourhood park within a 400m walk^{^[1]} Residents in other urban residential zones should have access to a neighbourhood park within a 600m walk^{^[2]}
Suburb park	An area of open space that provides a variety of informal recreation experiences for residents from across a suburb. They are often well known by the wider community, and help create distinctive suburbs and urban centres. A suburb park typically provides experiences such as: · Walking circuits or trails within the park · Multiple kick-around spaces · Socialising spaces, including picnic and bbq facilities · Larger and more specialised informal recreation facilities, such as large playgrounds, skate parks, hard courts	A suburb park requires approximately 3ha of open space. Networks of linear open space and multifunctional sports parks may be able to achieve the experiences of a suburb park. Residents in high density areas should have access to a suburb park within a 1000m walk. Residents in other urban residential areas should have access to a suburb park within a 1500m walk. Suburb parks should be located in a prominent position within a suburb and have good transport access.
Sub-regional park	A large area of open space consisting of a variety of environments and that provides a range of informal recreation experiences. They are destinations that can accommodate large number of visitors, who often will visit for an extended period of time, and may travel from across Auckland. A sub-regional park typically provides experiences such as: · Large events or tournaments · Networks of walking circuits and trails · Destination and/ or multiple playgrounds and specialised recreation facilities · Distinct natural or heritage features · Multiple places for gatherings and socialising such as bbq and picnic facilities.	Sub-regional parks are often large (greater than 30ha) and are typically acquired outside of the structure planning or subdivision process. There is no target travel distance to a sub-regional park. A variety of sub-regional parks should be located to serve each of the northern, western, central and southern areas of urban Auckland. Some regional parks located close to urban areas may serve this purpose (e.g. Long Bay, Omana)
Civic space	Civic open spaces are places for meeting, socialising, play and events located with Auckland’s urban centres. Civic space is made up of a network of spaces including squares, plazas, greens, streets and shared spaces which Civic spaces are typically highly designed and developed spaces consisting predominately of hard-surfaces.	The extent of the civic space network should reflect the scale of the urban centre. As the size of an urban centre increases, the extent and diversity of civic space will also increase. Local Centre: · Small civic space such as a green, plaza or square (<1000m²) Town Centre · Multiple small civic spaces (<1000m²) · A medium civic space capable of hosting small events (1500m²-2000m²) Metropolitan Centres · Multiple small civic spaces · Multiple medium civic spaces · A large civic space (3000m²-4000m²)
Local Sports Park	Open space that accommodates facilities for organised sport. These include sports fields, hard-court areas, club facilities as well as associated infrastructure such as car parking and changing rooms.	A local sports park is required in greenfield development areas catering for more than 2000 households Local sports parks require approximately 3ha of flat land per 2000 households. Local sport park sites should be of a configuration that can provide a minimum of two full-sized sports fields in a side-by-side configuration.
Connections	Open space should be distributed to create a contiguous network where possible that establishes recreational trail networks, cycling and walking linkages and ecological connections.	The provision of open space for linkages and connections will depend on the particular characteristics of an area, such as: · If water-bodies are present that trigger esplanade reserve/strip requirements · The location of green infrastructure corridors within greenfield developments. · Opportunities to provide public access to the coast · Opportunities to link nearby open spaces either through streetscape design or providing contiguous areas of open space. · Movement networks and destinations within the urban area, such cycleway routes or schools and train stations A 20m esplanade reserve or strip will typically be required adjacent to the coast all qualifying water bodies.

Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee

10 June 2014

Green Infrastructure Corridors

The Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan introduces a Green Infrastructure Corridor zone that should be applied to land that primarily has a stormwater function within greenfield developments. This includes areas such as stormwater ponds / wetlands, and riparian corridors subject to flooding (as defined by the 1% AEP floodplain). The zone requires planting of riparian corridors in native vegetation and also anticipates recreational use of these areas

Green infrastructure corridor land should be vested at no cost to the council.

The topography of land and configuration of a development may mean it is logical for the green infrastructure corridor zone to be applied beyond the 1% AEP floodplain, such as to embankments or where narrow strips of land exist between the 1%AEP floodplain and other land uses.

Green infrastructure corridor land can form an important part of the open space network in both greenfield developments and the existing urban area when the planning and design of stormwater, recreation and ecological functions are integrated.

Amenity spaces

Auckland Council will generally not acquire small areas of open space that primarily serve an amenity purposes for a development.

Open spaces smaller than a neighbourhood park (around 0.3ha) should typically be retained in common or private ownership unless they have an important linkage or conservation function as part of the wider open space network.

Developments are encouraged to take advantage of the amenity provided by public open space network and avoid creating small areas of surplus, undevelopable land.

Provision of open space in rural and business areas

These guidelines do not apply to rural areas. Open space network plans, which consider local needs and opportunities in greater detail, will be the primary tool to identify open space requirements in rural areas.

The targets for recreational open space exclude business areas^{^[3]} . Within business areas open space provision will primarily be for connections, green infrastructure corridors and conservation purposes.

Quantity of open space

The quantity of open space required varies between greenfield developments, which typically have no existing open space network, and existing urban areas where the open space network is largely established. This section of the guidelines explains Auckland Council’s view on the quantity of open space to be provided in both of these situations.

Achieving quantity targets is a secondary focus for the provision of open space. The primary focus for the planning and development of the open space network is to provide access to a diversity of high-quality open spaces that provide the experiences described in the distribution section of the guidelines.

Existing urban areas

Auckland Council does not have a target for the amount of open space that should be provided relative to the population within existing urbanised areas. This is because the open space network is largely in place in urbanised areas and there are constraints on significantly increasing the amount of open space, such as the cost and availability of suitable land.

The Parks and Open Spaces Acquisition Policy sets out criteria for prioritising open space acquisition opportunities within the existing urban area. To meet the needs of a growing population, the acquisition policy prioritises land acquisition towards areas where there is:

· High levels of expected population growth

· Relative poor access to informal recreation open space

· Low capacity within the existing open space network

To inform prioritising open space acquisition opportunities, the quantity of open space across the region has been assessed in relation to the current and projected future population. Areas with a significant or moderate shortfall in open space relative other areas in the region are identified on the map below:

Greenfield development areas

The following default quantity guidelines for public open space apply to new greenfield development areas which do not have an existing open space network serving residents:

Local recreation open space

(informal recreation, sport and civic functions)

2 hectares per 400 household units

Sub-regional and regional recreation open space

No quantity guidance, requirements for sub-regional and regional recreational open space will be identified through network planning

Conservation open space

(ecology, heritage and landscape functions)

Green infrastructure

(riparian corridors, stormwater ponds including surrounds)

No quantity guidance, the amount of open space for these functions will depend on the characteristics of the area

The quantity target for local recreation open space is indicative only. Existing open space located nearby, or variation in local demographics and geography, may mean that more or less recreational open space may be required in some situations.

The quantity of open space needs to contribute towards achieving the full range of experiences across the open space network described in distribution section of the guidelines^{^[4]}. Some of the experiences (such as suburb parks and local sports parks) may be located outside of the property boundaries of a development area. This means that less than 2ha per 400 households may be required within a development, particularly small developments.

Green infrastructure and conservation open space may provide up to 50% of local recreation open space requirements where it has demonstrable recreation benefits. For green infrastructure or conservation open space to provide recreation benefits it should be:

· Of suitable topography and scale to accommodate paths or trails.

· Configured and located to create a contiguous network with other open spaces.

· Able to be accessed safely by the public (such as in terms of natural hazards and CPTED^{^[5]} principles).

Configuration of open space

Where open space is located and how it is configured in relation to other land uses, such as housing and streets, influences its use and quality. This section of the guidelines sets out some of the layout and configuration factors that determine the success of different types of open space.

Informal recreation open space

· Maximise street frontage and locate in prominent locations within a development or neighbourhood to provide good passive surveillance from passer-by’s and neighbouring properties. This will help to make the space well-used and safer.

· Relatively flat terrain is desirable as it provide for a wide range of activities, however some variation in terrain can add interest and play opportunities.

· An open space with relatively equal proportions is best, as this is easy for users to understand and orientate themselves. Avoid overly elongated, narrow or irregular shapes with dead-ends.

· Allow for transition spaces between actively used areas of the park, such as playgrounds or kick-about spaces, and neighbouring properties or streets.

· Provide multiple entrance points and connections through the open space to link with the surrounding neighbourhood

Sport and active recreation open space

· Each sport and activity will have specific requirements for the size, configuration, topography and orientation

· Ensure there is space for safety buffers, walkways, and associated facilities such as clubrooms and car parking

· Consider compatibility with surrounding land uses and allow for a buffer if necessary to address noise and lighting issues.

· Locate many sports facilities on one site to create a hub that allows clubs to share resources and reduce costs

· Co-locate with other recreation facilities, such as a playground and walking circuits to make a multifunctional open space.

· Sports facilities can attract large numbers of visitors and require good access from roads and public transport

· Ensure locations for buildings and structures are both functional and compliment the design and attractiveness of the park.

Civic open space

· Locate at prominent focal points where people naturally congregate

· Carefully consider the size and proportions of the space in relation to the intended uses. Large spaces can be great location for events but may not be good as social spaces.

· Ensure surrounding buildings front the space and have active uses at street level

· Orientate to form a sunny, sheltered space. Consider how surrounding buildings will shade the space. Take advantage of views to landmarks

· Consider opportunities to extend the civic space into the road reserve

Conservation open space

· All the area of conservation value should be included in the open space, along with land to buffer between sensitive areas and other land uses.

· Including sufficient space around built heritage features can help to provide context and assist with people understanding the values.

· The configuration of open space conserving natural values should reflect the landform and extent of the area of habitat or feature. A boundary following a contour can be appropriate to incorporate natural features.

· Maximise connections between areas of ecological value

· Consider what access is appropriate for the values of the site and purpose of the open space. Street frontage and public access points may be less important than for other types of open space.

· Varied topography can provide for a range of ecosystems and niches for species, increasing biodiversity.

Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee

10 June 2014

Sustainability of sport and recreation panel

File No.: CP2014/11501

Purpose

1. This report seeks approval to establish a joint governing body/local board Sustainability of Sport and Recreation Panel to investigate common issues across Auckland in relation to the viability of the sport and recreation sector.

Executive summary

2. In September 2013 Council adopted the Sport and Recreation Strategic Action Plan (SARSAP) which sets out a prioritised work programme against four key areas: participation, infrastructure, excellence in sport and recreation, and sport and recreation sector development. SARSAP was launched in March 2014 and is a sector wide strategy.

3. Auckland Council is the lead agency on a number of key initiatives. SARSAP action 6.4 requires council to look at innovative ways to “address inequities including access to facilities, funding and differing participation costs for different activities, codes and population groups.” (SARSAP page 35).

4. To undertake this work, the Parks Recreation and Sport Committee has signalled an interest in understanding how the current sport and recreation delivery system works across Auckland and potential impacts to the success or failure of the system.

5. The committee resolved at the March 4^th 2014 meeting to consider a brief that would “further investigate working with the Auckland sport and recreation sector aimed at identifying issues concerning the long term financial viability of community sport and recreation together with options to mitigate such issues.” (PAR/2014/13)

6. This report outlines a proposed approach that involves the formation of a joint governing body/local board Sustainability of Sport and Recreation Panel.

Recommendation/s

That the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee:

a) agree the establishment of a Sustainability of Sport and Recreation Panel to lead an investigation into the issues and long term viability of the Auckland sport and recreation sector,

b) nominate a minimum of four Parks Recreation and Sport Committee members to form the Sustainability of Sport and Recreation Panel comprised of one ward councillor to represent each of the four sectors (north, south, central, west).

c) request staff to work with the Chair of the Parks Recreation and Sport Committee, nominated panel members and Local Board Services to establish the panel including: development and confirmation of the Terms of Reference and delivery of four fora across Auckland.

d) agree that the Sustainability of Sport and Recreation Panel report back to the December 2014 Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee meeting.

Comments

Sport and Recreation Strategic Action Plan implementation

7. Through the development of SARSAP a number of common challenges facing the sport and recreation sector were identified that impact on the long term viability of the sector and may in turn negatively impact on rates of participation and volunteering. These include:

i) increasing casualization of sport whereby traditional fee paying members are harder to attract and retain,

ii) increase in participants desire to see “pay for play” options and concerns by clubs that this may lead to a diminishing desire to volunteer to help run and manage club affairs and activities as participants have less ownership of and connection to traditional club structures,

iii) changing lifestyles and demands for certain sports, a desire to see a more personalised approach to sport and recreation products and services including expectations around the use of technology to enhance or in fact drive the services and products on offer,

iv) increasing costs of health and safety compliance and the increased liability for those in governance roles,

v) an aging asset estate post a building boom in community facilities in the late 60’s and 70’s and the costs of adequately renewing and maintaining the assets

vi) a perception by sports and recreation groups of diminishing access to grants such as gaming societies, councils and central government, charitable trusts and community foundations.

8. SARSAP has a number of key initiatives that have been prioritised for action and are connected to the above issues, such as:

i) create more opportunities for informal physical activity and recreation in parks and open spaces across Auckland (SARSAP key initiative 1.1, Auckland Council lead)

ii) review and implement changes to pricing policies, to improve affordability for recreation and sport opportunities delivered by Auckland Council (SARSAP 1.4, Auckland Council lead)

iii) develop innovative ways to address inequities identified through assessing the equity of access to facilities, funding and differing participation costs for different activities, codes and population groups (SARSAP 6.4 Auckland Council lead)

iv) review investment into asset management of council recreational facilities and club facilities located on council land (SARSAP 7.6 Auckland Council lead)

v) investigate new models of funding to support organisations becoming more self-sufficient and financially independent (SARSAP 17.3 Auckland Sport lead).

9. The Parks Recreation and Sport Committee resolved at the March 4^th 2014 meeting to:

c) agree that at its next meeting the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee consider a brief for an investigation lead by members of the Parks, Recreation and Sport committee working with the Auckland sport and recreation sector aimed at identifying issues concerning the long term financial viability of community sport and recreation together with options to mitigate such issues.

Brief for a Sustainability of Sport and Recreation Panel

10. In accordance with the resolution, it is proposed that the Chair of the Parks Recreation and Sport Committee (the Chair) establish and chair a joint Sustainability of Sport and Recreation Panel consisting of Parks Recreation and Sport Committee representatives and the local board sport and recreation portfolio holders.

11. The Panel would hold four fora one in the north, west, central and south. The committee representatives would attend each of the fora while the local board representatives attend the one for their sector.

12. The fora would be structured in a way that sport and recreation organisations present key issues and opportunities to the Panel followed by discussion.

13. The Panel will use key findings and learnings from the fora as the basis of draft programme of action to report back to committee. The programme of action will include assessment of what responses fall within council’s ability to lead, influence or collaborate with others to resolve to support the implementation of key initiatives within SARSAP. Some responses may not involve council and would be passed on to relevant agencies.

Consideration

Local board views and implications

14. Local Boards were consulted during the preparation of SARSAP. At this stage local boards have not been formally consulted on the concept of a panel. Staff sought guidance from Local Board Services in the development of this report.

15. Local board sport and recreation portfolio holders will form part of the Panel for the relevant fora in their area. Local Boards will also be included in the report back.

Maori impact statement

16. Sport and recreation contributes to the Health and Wellness focus area within the Manaakitanga key direction of the Maori Plan. Work to understand the wider range of challenges and impacts for sport and recreation groups and organisations is inclusive of Maori sport and recreation organisations.

17. SARSAP includes an action to develop a Maori sport and recreation plan. Te Waka Angamua is leading work on Te Whai Oranga – Maori Sport and Recreation alongside He Oranga Poutama. Over the next few months a series of hui will guide the development of Te Whai Oranga which is due to be reported to council later this year.

18. The Schedule of Issues of Significance to Maori includes an outcome around the empowerment and enabling of Mataawaka organisations (page 22). In the context of the Panel, the findings of the Panel and the consultation undertaken as part of Te Whai Oranga can fuse to prioritise work programmes in operations. Opportunities inherent in a strong and sustainable sport and recreation sector are also aligned with actions in the outcomes areas of Education, Tamariki and Rangatahi Development, Health, Economic development and Tourism.

Implementation

19. Findings would be reported back to the December Parks Recreation and Sport Committee and local boards along with a proposed programme of work aligned to SARSAP key initiatives. Progress would be reported at six monthly intervals in the context of SARSAP implementation.

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report.

Signatories

Authors	Lisa Tocker - Manager, Recreation Facilities & Service Delivery Central
Authorisers	Ian Maxwell - Manager Parks, Sports & Recreation

Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee

10 June 2014

Exclusion of the Public: Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987

That the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee:

a) exclude the public from the following part(s) of the proceedings of this meeting.

The general subject of each matter to be considered while the public is excluded, the reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter, and the specific grounds under section 48(1) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 for the passing of this resolution follows.

This resolution is made in reliance on section 48(1)(a) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 and the particular interest or interests protected by section 6 or section 7 of that Act which would be prejudiced by the holding of the whole or relevant part of the proceedings of the meeting in public, as follows:

C1 Proposal to acquire land at Oratia, West Auckland

Reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter

Particular interest(s) protected (where applicable)

Ground(s) under section 48(1) for the passing of this resolution