Agenda of Great Barrier Environment Committee

1 Welcome

Chairperson SP Daly will welcome everyone in attendance. Member JC Cleave will lead a karakia.

2 Apologies

An apology from Member IM Fordham has been received for absence on Council business.

3 Declaration of Interest

Members are reminded of the need to be vigilant to stand aside from decision making when a conflict arises between their role as a member and any private or other external interest they might have.

4 Confirmation of Minutes

That the Great Barrier Environment Committee:

a) Confirm the ordinary minutes of its meeting, held on Wednesday, 28 May 2014, as a true and correct record.

5 Leave of Absence

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

6 Acknowledgements

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

7 Petitions

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

8 Deputations

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

9 Public Forum

A period of time (approximately 30 minutes) is set aside for members of the public to address the meeting on matters within its delegated authority. A maximum of 3 minutes per item is allowed, following which there may be questions from members.

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

10 Extraordinary Business

Section 46A(7) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (as amended) states:

“An item that is not on the agenda for a meeting may be dealt with at that meeting if-

(a) The local authority by resolution so decides; and

(b) The presiding member explains at the meeting, at a time when it is open to the public,-

(i) The reason why the item is not on the agenda; and

(ii) The reason why the discussion of the item cannot be delayed until a subsequent meeting.”

Section 46A(7A) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (as amended) states:

“Where an item is not on the agenda for a meeting,-

(a) That item may be discussed at that meeting if-

(i) That item is a minor matter relating to the general business of the local authority; and

(ii) the presiding member explains at the beginning of the meeting, at a time when it is open to the public, that the item will be discussed at the meeting; but

(b) no resolution, decision or recommendation may be made in respect of that item except to refer that item to a subsequent meeting of the local authority for further discussion.”

11 Notices of Motion

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

Great Barrier Environment Committee

23 July 2014

Election of Deputy Chairperson for the Great Barrier Environment Committee

File No.: CP2014/15683

Purpose

1. The purpose of this report is to select a new Deputy Chairperson to the Great Barrier Environment Committee to replace Member JJ Gilbert who is standing down from the role.

Executive Summary

2. In accordance with Schedule 7, clause 21(5)(e) of the Local Government Act 2002, the Chairperson will call for nominations for the Deputy Chairperson of the Great Barrier Environment Committee.

3. The Committee must elect a member to the Deputy Chairperson position in accordance with Schedule 7, clause 25 of the Act, noting that no member has a casting vote.

4. The Committee will also need to determine what method they will apply to elect the Deputy Chairperson.

Schedule 7, Part 1, Clause 25 of the Local Government Act 2002 stipulates that:

25 Voting systems for certain appointments

(1) This clause applies to -

(a) the election or appointment of the chairperson and deputy chairperson of a regional council; and

(b) the election or appointment of the deputy mayor; and

(d) the election or appointment of a representative of a local authority.

(2) If this clause applies, a local authority or a committee (if the local authority has so directed) must determine by resolution that a person be elected or appointed by using one of the following systems of voting:

(a) the voting system in subclause (3) (system A):

(b) the voting system in subclause (4) (system B).

(3) System A -

(a) requires that a person is elected or appointed if he or she receives the votes of a majority of the members of the local authority or committee present and voting; and

(b) has the following characteristics:

(i) there is a first round of voting for all candidates; and

(ii) if no candidate is successful in that round there is a second round of voting from which the candidate with the fewest votes in the first round is excluded; and

(iii) if no candidate is successful in the second round there is a third, and if necessary subsequent, round of voting from which, each time, the candidate with the fewest votes in the previous round is excluded; and

(iv) in any round of voting, if 2 or more candidates tie for the lowest number of votes, the person excluded from the next round is resolved by lot.

(4) System B -

(a) requires that a person is elected or appointed if he or she receives more votes than any other candidate; and

(b) has the following characteristics:

(i) there is only 1 round of voting; and

(ii) if 2 or more candidates tie for the most votes, the tie is resolved by lot.

Recommendation/s

That the Great Barrier Environment Committee:

a) elects Member xxx as Deputy Chairperson for the remainder of the 2013-2016 political term, utilising either System A or System B of Schedule 7, Part 1, Clause 25 of the Local Government Act 2002.

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report.

Signatories

Author	John Nash – Relationship Manager/Senior Local Board Advisor
Authorisers

Great Barrier Environment Committee

23 July 2014

2013/2014 Environment Work Programme - Summary of Achievements and Outcomes

File No.: CP2014/15662

Purpose

1. To provide a report back to the Great Barrier Environment Committee (the Committee) on achievements and outcomes, including financial information, of the 2013/2014 environment work programme.

Executive summary

2. The Great Barrier Local Board (the board) allocated $49,068 to biosecurity and pest management programmes and $52,142 to environmental enhancement in its 2013/2014 Local Board Agreement (LBA).

3. In addition, the board allocated $10,482 for dune restoration rabbit control. A work programme supporting these budget lines was agreed by the former Great Barrier Environment Strategy Planning Committee (GBESP Committee) at its September 2013 meeting (resolution number GBESP/2013/61).

4. This report summarises the key achievements and outcomes of the 2013/2014 environment work programme.

Recommendation

That the Great Barrier Environment Committee:

a) Receives the 2013/2014 Environment Work Programme – Summary of Achievements and Outcomes report.

Comments

5. In 2013/2014, a comprehensive work programme supporting the Board’s objective to ‘preserve and enhance our environment priority’ was developed.

6. The implementation of this work programme was supported by the Board’s budget lines for biosecurity and pest management programmes and environmental enhancement initiatives, as well as the Board’s discretionary funds. The board’s budget for dune restoration and rabbit control was allocated to the rabbit control programme.

7. Table one below outlines the 2013/2014 work programme, notes the key objectives of each project and provides an overview of the budget for each project.

Budget Line	Project	Objectives	Budget allocated	Budget spent
Environmental Enhancement	Threatened Plants	· To support the immediate conservation management of Leptinella squalida subsp. squalida at Awana. · To undertake a further survey of leptinella species to identify additional sites for protection.	$21,000	$18,543
Environmental Enhancement	Fencing and Planting Fund	· To support private landowners to protect riparian areas on their land.	$20,000^{^[1]}	$20,000
Biosecurity / Pest Management	Rabbit Control	· To control rabbits at 9 sites on Great Barrier Island	$49,068	$47,923
Biosecurity / Pest Management	Rainbow Skink surveillance	· To determine the presence / absence of rainbow skinks on Great Barrier	$15,000	$15,000
Discretionary Funding	Kaitoke Restoration	· To support ongoing weed control and re-planting of the area destroyed by a fire in January 2013.	$7,791	$7,791
		Total	$112,589	$109,257

Table 1: Work programme objectives

8. Table two below notes the key achievements and outcomes of the above projects.

Project	Summary of Achievements
Threatened Plants	· Completed further survey of potentially suitable Leptinella sites across Great Barrier and confirmed that there is only one known Leptinella population on the island – at Awana. · Developed a detailed conservation management plan for the Leptinella tenella population at Awana. · Initiated priority actions at Awana (fencing and weed control) - as outlined by the Leptinella tenella conservation management plan. · Conducted first stage weed control for Centipeda minima populations at Okiwi and Whangapoua.
Fencing and Planting Fund	· A key objective of the Indigenous Biodiversity Strategy is supporting landowners to manage their land in a manner that protects and enhances native biodiversity. · Applications were received from two landowners for fencing and planting. Including the 50% contribution from the landowners, the total value of new planting and fencing is over $60,000. This resulted in almost 1.5 kilometres of riparian margin planted and fenced.
Rabbit Control · Kaitoke · Palmers · Awana · Okiwi · Whangapoua south · Whangapoua north · Karaka Bay · Kawa · Motairehe	· Notable reductions in rabbit numbers were achieved at Okiwi and Awana following the warren destruction and night shoot control work undertaken over March and April 2014. · Rabbit control work (night shoot and warren fumigation) was also undertaken in June 2014, and included the addition of Karaka Bay, Motairehe and Kawa areas as requested by the board. · The relative abundance counts and shoot tally is appended as Attachment A for the committee’s information. This table does not include the information from the June work. · As a new approach to rabbit control on Great Barrier was undertaken in 2013/2014, a full review of the programme will be completed. This review will identify opportunities for amendments and refinements for the 2014/2015 year. A copy of this review and its recommendations will be provided to the Committee when available.
Rainbow Skink surveillance stage 2 Rainbow Skink-Shoal Bay Wharf Incursion Control & Delimitation	· In addition to the 18 sites already surveyed in stage 1 (April - May 2013), an additional 14 high risk sites were surveyed in stage 2 of the programme (January - May 2014). Two of the sites included residential lots on Ocean View and Sandhills Roads. The surveillance programme involved visual and hand searching and the use of tracking tunnels and cards. The Stage 2 surveillance on Great Barrier has detected no new populations of rainbow skinks. · The regionally funded trapping control programme is outlined in paragraphs 9 to 10 below.
Kaitoke Restoration	· A continuation of wildlife monitoring using a network of 80 tracking tunnels. The most notable result from this work was the significant increase in the tracking of mice in the coastal monitoring lines. Weed control · A large amount of brush wattle has been removed from the Grandstand swamp along with Psoaralea and Mexican Devil weed across from the pound. · Lilypily has been cut and stump treated in front of the police station. · Eucalyptus saligna seedlings have been removed from the swamp edge. · Banksia, Indian Hawthorn, and Cotoneaster on the Grandstand hill have been cut and stump treated. · Pampas has been controlled throughout. · Tasmanian Blackwood has been cut and pasted on the coastal fire break and a single Bone seed plant was found at this location. · Isolated pockets of gorse were treated in the fixed Dune area Planting · 500 Harakeke and 40 cabbage tree were planted in the area that brush wattle used to occupy around the Grandstand swamp.

Project

Summary of Achievements

Threatened Plants

· Completed further survey of potentially suitable Leptinella sites across Great Barrier and confirmed that there is only one known Leptinella population on the island – at Awana.

· Developed a detailed conservation management plan for the Leptinella tenella population at Awana.

· Initiated priority actions at Awana (fencing and weed control) - as outlined by the Leptinella tenella conservation management plan.

· Conducted first stage weed control for Centipeda minima populations at Okiwi and Whangapoua.

Fencing and Planting Fund

· A key objective of the Indigenous Biodiversity Strategy is supporting landowners to manage their land in a manner that protects and enhances native biodiversity.

· Applications were received from two landowners for fencing and planting. Including the 50% contribution from the landowners, the total value of new planting and fencing is over $60,000. This resulted in almost 1.5 kilometres of riparian margin planted and fenced.

Rabbit Control

· Kaitoke

· Palmers

· Awana

· Okiwi

· Whangapoua south

· Whangapoua north

· Karaka Bay

· Kawa

· Motairehe

· Notable reductions in rabbit numbers were achieved at Okiwi and Awana following the warren destruction and night shoot control work undertaken over March and April 2014.

· Rabbit control work (night shoot and warren fumigation) was also undertaken in June 2014, and included the addition of Karaka Bay, Motairehe and Kawa areas as requested by the board.

· The relative abundance counts and shoot tally is appended as Attachment A for the committee’s information. This table does not include the information from the June work.

· As a new approach to rabbit control on Great Barrier was undertaken in 2013/2014, a full review of the programme will be completed. This review will identify opportunities for amendments and refinements for the 2014/2015 year. A copy of this review and its recommendations will be provided to the Committee when available.

Rainbow Skink surveillance stage 2

Rainbow Skink-Shoal Bay Wharf Incursion Control & Delimitation

· In addition to the 18 sites already surveyed in stage 1 (April - May 2013), an additional 14 high risk sites were surveyed in stage 2 of the programme (January - May 2014). Two of the sites included residential lots on Ocean View and Sandhills Roads. The surveillance programme involved visual and hand searching and the use of tracking tunnels and cards. The Stage 2 surveillance on Great Barrier has detected no new populations of rainbow skinks.

· The regionally funded trapping control programme is outlined in paragraphs 9 to 10 below.

Kaitoke Restoration

· A continuation of wildlife monitoring using a network of 80 tracking tunnels. The most notable result from this work was the significant increase in the tracking of mice in the coastal monitoring lines.

Weed control

· A large amount of brush wattle has been removed from the Grandstand swamp along with Psoaralea and Mexican Devil weed across from the pound.

· Lilypily has been cut and stump treated in front of the police station.

· Eucalyptus saligna seedlings have been removed from the swamp edge.

· Banksia, Indian Hawthorn, and Cotoneaster on the Grandstand hill have been cut and stump treated.

· Pampas has been controlled throughout.

· Tasmanian Blackwood has been cut and pasted on the coastal fire break and a single Bone seed plant was found at this location.

· Isolated pockets of gorse were treated in the fixed Dune area

Planting

· 500 Harakeke and 40 cabbage tree were planted in the area that brush wattle used to occupy around the Grandstand swamp.

Table 2: Summary of Achievements

Regional Projects

9. A number of regional programmes support the board’s priority of preserving and enhancing the unique Great Barrier environment. An update on these programmes is provided in paragraphs 10 to 27 below.

Rainbow Skinks – Incursion response

10. Regional funding has supported the implementation of a trapping regime in response to the detection of rainbow skinks at Shoal Bay Wharf in April 2013. The trapping regime initially consisted of insect bug traps located at the back of the wharf sheds. However, it was soon observed that the infestation was more extensive than first identified and two trapping grids were installed across the known area of the infestation over summer 2013/2014. Additionally, delimitation tools were installed around the perimeter of the trapping grids, along Shoal Bay Road and across all properties at Gibb’s Landing.

11. In May 2014, the delimitation was moved up to the Taylors Bay access track and consists of 280 tracking tunnels as well as a series of radial lines of tracking tunnels that provide continuity between the trapping grid and new delimitation line. Pitfall traps, insect glue cards in covers, and G minnows on steeper ground were trailed for the efficacy.

12. Although the use of insect glue cards is labour intensive, this methodology has proven to be the most effective with over 600 rainbow skinks being captured to date. With the advent of cooler weather trapping has ceased until August 2014. The delimitation line remains active and cards are being checked periodically.

Leptinella

13. The management plan for the Leptinella site at Awana was supported with funding from the regional species conservation budget. The management plan is designed to be accessible to those implementing any management recommendations. Biodiversity staff are currently reviewing the recommendations of that management plan to ensure the prescribed actions are suited to the site. This will require a further site visit to Awana by biodiversity staff in August 2014 to undertake the following;

· Assess environmental factors affecting experimental trials of fencing and weed control; and

· Meet with on-island contractor to provide training on the experimental trial methodology, and associated monitoring.

Fish Passages

14. A survey was undertaken to identify culverts acting as barriers to fish passage on Great Barrier Island. Following presentation of this report to the board, regional funding was allocated to support the rehabilitation of up to 25 defective culverts.

15. Unfortunately, some of this work was destroyed during the June storm. Infrastructure and Environmental Services staff are now looking to work with Auckland Transport to identify opportunities where repairs to roads damaged in the storm can provide fish passage.

Pest Animal Control

16. Over the past seven years, monitoring and treatment work has been undertaken at seven sites where Argentine ants are located. In addition, a single site of Darwin’s ants has been monitored and treated. No Argentine ants have been detected at the Medlands and Omanawa Lane sites for the past four years, and no Argentine ants have been detected at the Sandhills Road site for the past two years. Last season, no Argentine ants were detected at Masons Road. The Argentine ant monitoring and treatment programme is reinforced with surveillance work undertaken at 40 high risk sites.

17. In 2011, pest animal surveillance systems were installed at ports and airfields on Great Barrier Island in response to public concern that Norwegian rats, mustelids and brush- tailed Possums could arrive on the Island amongst cargo. If not quickly detected, these pest animals could establish populations that would have a major environmental and economic impact on the island. The surveillance programme entails monthly checks and servicing of bait stations, traps and detection devices by contractors. Corresponding surveillance is carried out at mainland wharves and marinas.

18. Maintenance of zero density of rodents on the Broken and Grey group Islands is a priority for biosecurity in the Hauraki Gulf. This is achieved by activating and servicing an array of 120 bait or trapping stations to intercept rats that on occasion, swim from Great Barrier to the 15 islands and islets south of Port Fitzroy harbour. This work is reinforced with rodent detection dogs ‘Tui’ and ‘Hairy’ who visit the islands with the biosecurity team.

19. Incursion response is an important part of biosecurity work. In recent months Ferret, Indian ring necked parakeet, and possum sightings have initiated a response from biosecurity. New weed species (Pennywort and water plantain) have been dealt with and members of the public have had plants, ants and skinks identified.

Pest Plant Control

20. An annual weed survey has been undertaken for the past three years, working from the north end of the island south. The aim of the weed survey is to:

· locate new infestations;

· monitor trends in current infestations, of threatening plant species on Great Barrier Island; and

· The focus is on species with low distribution and high or potentially high threat, so they can be eradicated before they spread.

21. Invasive species have been found and removed during the survey or in the case of larger weed sites revisited and treated at a later date. These include ‘Pennywort’ found at Kaitoke and a moth plant seedling found in Awana.

22. Auckland Council and the Department of Conservation have a memorandum of understanding on weed control prioritisation on Great Barrier Island. This entails a targeted and focused campaign on 10 key weed species that the two organisations hope to eradicate from the island. In addition, Biosecurity weed control plans have been developed to support Parks and Auckland Transport in reducing the incidence of weeds on public land in their control.

Kauri Dieback Management

23. Great Barrier has three confirmed kauri dieback sites. Aerial surveys have identified a number of dead or unhealthy kauri trees outside of these three sites that need further investigation. Biosecurity have a ground survey programme which will arrange a team to visit any suspicious looking trees to carry out a visual assessment and if necessary, collect soil samples for analysis.

Biosecurity Community Programmes

24. Biosecurity are distributing rat traps and stations as part of a local board initiative. The traps are available to property owners that are keen on reducing rat numbers in their areas.

25. Community groups and landowners wanting to carry out environmental projects are supported directly by council or assisted in attaining funding from the Environmental Initiatives or Natural Heritage Funds.

26. As part of the Hauraki Gulf Islands Treasure Islands programme, staff assist charter boat operators and freight carriers to gain and maintain Pest Free Warrant accreditation. Compliance with the Pest Free Warrant conditions reduces the chance of unwanted pests being shipped or transferred to islands within the Hauraki Gulf.

27. Regional funding supported a nine week awareness programme focused on promoting biosecurity checks and advocacy on Sealink barges travelling out to Great Barrier Island. The ‘Treasure Islands Ambassador’ engaged with passengers and crew highlighting the biosecurity risks associated with transporting cargo to the Island.

Consideration

Local board views and implications

28. The Great Barrier Local Board Plan notes that a priority for the Board and its community is to ‘protect and enhance our environment’. The 2013/2014 work programme was developed so that individual projects align with this outcome.

29. The Chair and Deputy Chair met regularly with the Great Barrier Biosecurity Officer to discuss biosecurity projects.

Maori impact statement

30. No consultation with Maori was required for the purposes of this report. Individual projects noted in this report may impact on Maori who are consulted as part of the development of the project.

31. It is recognised that environmental management, water quality and land management has integral links with the mauri of the environments and concepts of kaitiakitanga.

Implementation

32. There are no implementation issues arising from this report. Regular reporting on programme delivery was provided through the monthly report from the Infrastructure and Environmental Services department, or as required.

33. There was a slight underspend in the budget allocated to threatened plant work. As reported to the Committee at its May 2014 meeting, the finding that the Awana site was the only site of leptinella on Great Barrier resulted in a re-assessment of the previously agreed management option for that site.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	Rabbit Control - Relative abundance counts and shoot tally (excluding June control round)	15

Signatories

Authors

Emma Joyce – Relationship Advisor

Jeremy Warden – Biosecurity Advisor

Authorisers

Gael Ogilvie – Environmental Services Manager

John Dragicevich – Infrastructure and Environmental Services Manager

John Nash – Relationship Manager/Senior Local Board Advisor

Great Barrier Environment Committee

23 July 2014

Infrastructure and Environmental Services Update Report

File No.: CP2014/15207

Purpose

1. To inform the Great Barrier Environment Committee (the Committee) about the activities of the Infrastructure and Environmental Services (I&ES) department over May and June 2014.

Executive Summary

2. I&ES delivers on the Auckland Plan and local board plans through the provision of environment and sustainability programmes, regional waste and stormwater services, as well as the maintenance and enhancement of Auckland's natural environment.

3. This report has been written to inform the local board about the delivery of activities and work programmes by I&ES. A number of these regional activities have a distinct local involvement and impact and are detailed in the attachments to this report.

Recommendation

That the Great Barrier Environment Committee:

a) Notes the information in the Infrastructure and Environmental Services update report.

Discussion

4. This report and attachments specifically detail the activities delivered by the three units of I&ES (Stormwater, Solid Waste and Environmental Services) within the local board area which support and contribute to the Great Barrier Local Board priority of “protect and enhance our environment and showcase our unique qualities”.

5. Local environmental initiatives are supported through regional funding. Highlights of our regional activities are noted in Table 1 below with additional detail provided in Attachment A.

*Unit*	*Highlights:*
Environmental Services	· Hosted a national workshop on the management of rainbow skinks in New Zealand. The Tryphena incursion provided the attendees with a useful case study to identify knowledge gaps in the detection and control of this pest. Recommendations will be used to develop an eradication plan for Great Barrier Island as well as a national research implementation plan. Representatives from the Department of Conservation (DOC), Wellington and Taranaki Regional Council, and Auckland and Massey Universities were in attendance.
Solid Waste	· The roll out of new waste collection services and disposer pays to the Hauraki Gulf Islands will be pushed forward to approximately 2017. There will continue to be a weekly pick up of waste to landfill in the up lead to changes. The roll out of the Waste Management and Minimisation Plan (WMMP) will be tailored to meet the special circumstances of Great Barrier, in discussion with the Great Barrier Environment Committee.

6. As a separate report summarising the achievements of local board funded projects in 2013/2014 is included on this agenda. This update does not include an update on local board funded projects for 2014/2015. The 2014/2015 environment work programme is currently under development.

Consideration

Local Board Views

7. The Committee has full delegation to consider matters relating to biodiversity and biosecurity, water quality and waste management. Therefore, it is the appropriate forum for reporting of activities delivered by the I&ES department.

Maori Impact Statement

8. While this report is for information only and does not require any decision making, it is recognised that environmental management, water quality and land management has integral links with the mauri of the environments and concepts of kaitiakitanga.

General

Implementation Issues

9. There are no implementation issues arising from this report.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	Regional Infrastructure and Environmental Services Activity	19

Signatories

Author

Emma Joyce - Relationship Advisor

Authorisers

John Dragicevich - Manager Infrastructure and Environmental Services

John Nash – Relationship Manager/Senior Local Board Advisor

[1] The total value of this fund was $30,000 with a $10,000 contribution from the regional Waterway Protection Fund.

Chairperson	Susan Daly
Deputy Chairperson	Judy Gilbert
Members	Jeff Cleave
	Izzy Fordham
	Christina Spence

No.	Title	Page
a View	Windy Hill Sanctuary newsletter	23