Agenda of Great Barrier Local Board

I hereby give notice that an ordinary meeting of the Great Barrier Local Board will be held on:

Date:

Time:

Meeting Room:

Venue:

Wednesday, 13 August 2014

10.00am

Claris Conference Centre
19 Whangaparapara Road
Claris
Great Barrier Island

Great Barrier Local Board

OPEN AGENDA

MEMBERSHIP

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

(Quorum 3 members)

Guia Nonoy

Local Board Democracy/Engagement Advisor

5 August 2014

Contact Telephone: (09) 373 6218

Email: Guia.Nonoy@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Great Barrier Local Board

13 August 2014

ITEM TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE

1 Welcome 5

2 Apologies 5

3 Declaration of Interest 5

4 Confirmation of Minutes 5

5 Leave of Absence 5

6 Acknowledgements 5

7 Petitions 5

8 Deputations 5

9 Public Forum 5

10 Extraordinary Business 6

11 Notices of Motion 6

12 Annual Report 2013/14 7

13 Quarterly Performance Report for the period ending 30th June 2014 11

14 Auckland Transport Report – 13 August 2014 – Great Barrier Island 45

15 Great Barrier Island Small Local Improvement Projects (SLIPs) Programme 2013/2014 49

16 Great Barrier Island Mobile Voice and Broadband Project Update 89

17 Chairperson's report 93

18 Board Members' Reports 99

19 Reports Requested/Pending 119

20 Correspondence 123

21 Great Barrier Local Board Workshop Proceedings 129

22 Consideration of Extraordinary Items

1 Welcome

Chairperson IM Fordham will welcome everyone in attendance. Member JC Cleave will lead a karakia.

2 Apologies

At the close of the agenda no apologies had been received.

3 Declaration of Interest

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

4 Confirmation of Minutes

That the Great Barrier Local Board:

a) confirm the ordinary minutes of its meeting, held on Wednesday, 9 July 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

Standing Order 3.20 provides for deputations. Those applying for deputations are required to give seven working days’ notice of subject matter and applications are approved by the Chairperson of the Board. This means that details relating to deputations can be included in the published agenda. Total speaking time per deputation is ten minutes or as resolved by the meeting.

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

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 Local Board

13 August 2014

Annual Report 2013/14

File No.: CP2014/16318

Purpose

1. This report compares the actual activities and actual performance with the intended activities and the intended level of service as set out in the Great Barrier Local Board Agreement for 2013/14. The information is prepared as part of the Great Barrier Local Board’s accountability to the community for the decisions made throughout the year.

Executive summary

2. The Local Board is required to monitor and report on the implementation of the Local Board Agreement for 2013/14. The requirements for monitoring and reporting are set out in the Local government (Auckland Council) Act 2009. These requirements include providing comment on actual local activities against the intended level of service and for these comments to be included in the Auckland Council Annual Report.

3. The attached report is proposed for approval from the Great Barrier Local Board.

4. The Auckland Council Annual Report will be audited and then reported to the Governing Body for adoption on 25 September 2014.

Recommendation/s

That the Great Barrier Local Board:

a) Notes the monitoring and reporting requirements set out in the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009 and the local board information proposed for the Auckland Council Annual Report 2013/14.

b) Approves:

I. The message from the Chairperson, which provides the Local Boards comments on local board matters in the 2014 annual report.

II. The list of achievements and the list of capital projects that form part of the local board information for the Auckland Council Annual Report 2013/14.

c) Gives authority to the Chair and Deputy to make typographical changes before submitting for final publication.

Discussion

5. The Local Board is required to monitor and report on the implementation of its local board agreement for 2013/14. The requirements for monitoring and reporting are set out in the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009, as follows:

Section 23 Monitoring and reporting

(1) Each local Board must monitor the implementation of the local board agreement for its local board area.

(2) Each annual report of the Auckland Council must include, in rep [sect of local activities for each local board area, an audited statement that –

i) Compares the level of service achieved in relation to the activities with the performance target or targets for the activities (as stated in the local board agreement for that year); and

ii) Specifies whether any intended changes to the level of service have been achieved; and

iii) Gives reasons for any significant variation between the level of service achieved and the intended level of service.

6. Each local board must comment on the matters included in the annual report under s subsection (2) in respect of its local board area and the Council must include those comments in the annual report.

7. This report focusses on the formal reporting referred to in Section 23 above. Attachment A provides the draft local board information for inclusion into the Annual Report 2013/14. The draft report contains the following sections:

· message from the Chair

· key achievements

· financial results

· performance measures.

8. Local board comments on local board matters in the annual report will be included in the annual report as part of the message from the Chair.

9. The next steps for the Annual Report are:

· Audit during August 2014

· Report to the Finance and Performance Committee in September

· Report to the Governing Body for adoption on 18^th September

· Full New Zealand Stock Exchange disclosure on 26^th September

· Publication on 24 October

· Copies of the annual Report will be provided to the local board office.

Consideration

Local board views and implications

10. Local Board comments of local board matters are included in the annual report as part of the message from the Chair.

Maori impact statement

11. The annual report provides information on how the Auckland Council has progressed its agreed priorities in the annual plan over a 12 month period. This includes engagement with Maori, as well as projects that benefit various population groups, including Maoris.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	The 2014 Annual report will be tabled at the board's business meeting.	9

Signatories

Author

Christine Watson - Manager Financial Advisory Services - Local Boards

Authorisers

Kevin Ramsay - Manager Finance, Auckland CFO

John Nash – Relationship Manager/ Senior Local Board Advisor

Great Barrier Local Board

13 August 2014

Quarterly Performance Report for the period ending 30th June 2014

File No.: CP2014/10369

Purpose

1. To update the Great Barrier Local Board members on progress towards their objectives for the year from 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014 as set out in the Local Board agreement.

Executive summary

2. This report contains the following Great Barrier local board reports:

- Highlights and achievements for the June 2014 quarter

- Watching brief and recommendation

- Progress updates on key initiatives and projects for the June 2014 quarter

- Activity overview for CDAC for the June 2014 quarter

- Activity overview for Libraries for the June 2014 quarter

- Activity overview for Sports, Parks and Recreation for the June 2014 quarter

Financial report to June 2014

- Parks capital projects summary to June 2014 (Appendix A)

- CDAC work plan to June 2014 (Appendix B)

Recommendation/s

That the Great Barrier Local Board:

a) note the Quarterly Performance Report for the Great Barrier Local Board for the period ended June 2014.

Consideration

Local board views and implications

3. This report informs the Great Barrier Local Board of the quarterly performance to date for the period ending June 2014 Q4.

Maori impact statement

4. Maori as stakeholders in the council, are affected and have an interest in any report on financial results. However this report does not impact specific outcomes or activities. As such the content of this report has no particular benefit to, or adverse effect on Maori.

Implementation

5. This is a quarterly report the next report will be presented to the board in November 2014

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	Great Barrier Quarterly Performance Report	13

Signatories

Author

Jane Koch - Business Performance Advisor

Authorisers

John Nash – Relationship Manager/ Senior Local Board Advisor

Christine Watson - Manager Financial Advisory Services - Local Boards

Great Barrier Local Board

13 August 2014

Auckland Transport Report – 13 August 2014 – Great Barrier Island

File No.: CP2014/17375

Purpose

1. The purpose of this report is to respond to local board requests on transport–related matters and to provide information to elected members about Auckland Transport (AT) activities in the local board area.

Executive summary

2. This report covers matters of specific application and interest to the Great Barrier Island Local Board and its community, matters of general interest relating to Auckland Transport activities or the transport sector, and relevant Auckland Transport media releases for the information of the board and community.

3. In particular, this report provides and update on;

· Local Board Transport Capital Fund

· Public Transport Funding

· Brief Update on storm clean-up (10 June 2014)

· Recent Auckland Transport Media

Recommendation/s

That the Great Barrier Local Board:

a) Receives the Auckland Transport Report – August 2014 to the Great Barrier Island Local Board.

Comments

Local Board Transport Capital Fund

4. At the Local Board meeting on the 12 March 2014 the Board were provided with a list of potential Local Board Transport Capital Fund projects.

5. The below table outlines an up-date as to decisions by the Board and on the progress of the projects.

Table 1: Great Barrier Local Board project update for Board approval:

Resolution # GBI/2013/234 (2013)

Resolution # GBI/2014/20 (April 2014)

ID#	Project Description	Progress/Current Status
221	Mulberry Grove School Footpath Shoal Bay Rd · ROC estimated Option A at $83,000 · ROC estimated Option B at $64,000	There are two options as there is a boundary issue along the school frontage. · Option “A” is to build a path that would encroach onto the school property, requiring an easement from Ministry of Ed · Option “B” is a new footpath within the road reserve of which would require widening on the north side Board has requested this project is put on hold due to School project. However project Engineer to discuss with AT safety team re the possibility of speed calming device’s either side of the school and to obtain costing for such.
220	Aotea Play Centre Carpark Kaitoke Lane · ROC estimated at $8,700	Metal existing grass area Board approved construction of this project 12 March 2014
211	Hector Sanderson Road Broken the 1.7km into sections, “A” to “K” · “A” ROC estimated at $24,000 · “B” ROC estimated at $6,000 · “C” ROC estimated at $41,000 · “D” ROC estimated at $63,000 · “E” ROC estimated at $4,700 · “F” ROC estimated at $36,000 · “G”ROC estimated at $3,500 · “H”ROC estimated at $58,000 · “I” ROC estimated at $13,000 · “J” ROC estimated at $59,000 · “K”ROC estimated at $53,000 Total ROC for project estimated at $361,200	1.7km stretch of Footpaths The ROC does not include; · Resource, tree and building consent costs · Cost fluctuations · Land Purchase/lease agreements Board approved in principle, working with SLIP’s and frame Group on design. Resolution GBI/2014/63 (15 May 2014) “The design element of the project will be led by the Local Parks and SLIP’s project team”
222	Fitzroy Wharf parking · ROC – Unable to determine at present	Auckland Transport is still looking at options; every option investigated to date suggests huge costs for the benefit of a few cars. This is still a work in progress Board working with principle Engineer Reg Cuthers.

	Kaiaraara Bay Road Footpath Resolution GBI/2014/63 (d)(15 May 2014) Project submitted to AT for consideration	Auckland Transport looking in to feasibility of this project Deemed not cost effective (approx. 1 Million)

Note: ROC = rough order of costs; FEC = firm estimate of cost)

Public Transport Funding

Resolution # GBI/2014/62 (15 May 2014)

6. At the Local Board meeting on the 15 May 2014, the Board made a resolution in that, “it request that Auckland Transport consider airline and ferry services to Great Barrier being made part of the wider Public Transport system which is considered to be included in the public transport operating model (PTOM), with these services being included in subsidies similar to those afforded to passengers on the isthmus, to address the prohibitive costs of travel for island residents”.

7. This request is with The Public Transport Team to investigate fully and to report back once a decision has been made.

8. Awaiting decision.

Storm Up-Date (10 June 2014)

9. Auckland Transport has been working with its contractor to ensure the clean-up has been carried out efficiently and effectively, in order to reinstate all roads to a usable, safe condition and accessible to all modes of transportation.

10. As at the 29 July 2014, all but one road has been reinstated to a safe and usable condition.

11. Karaka Bay Road will need further work to reinstate it after large machinery working on the clean up significantly damaged the road surface.

12. Currently designed and to be installed are;

· 1 Culvert replacement and rock walls on the Fitzroy Hill

13. The following items are to be approved for design and then considered for budget streams are;

· Box Culvert at DOC Headquarters

· 1 retaining wall at Fitzroy Boat Ramp

· 1 debris fence at Fitzroy boat ramp to “catch’ further falling debris

· 2 retaining walls in the vicinity of Windy Cannon

· 2 culvert replacements and rock walls on Fitzroy Hill

Media

Design Progress for the City Rail Link

14. Design of the Britomart end of the City Rail Link (CRL) is being progressed with Auckland Transport asking the construction industry to register its interest in the work.

15. The focus of the design will be on the downtown section of the City Rail Link, from Britomart through Queen, Customs and Albert streets to Wyndham Street.

16. It is the area that most affects other planned and proposed inner city development by Auckland Council and private developers.

17. This stage is a sensible next step to get design certainty for the part of the CRL that will most affect everyone else’s plans in the city. It is also important to have the design advanced so any consents can be identified and applied for.

18. Auckland Council believes this next step is important as it will ensure the sequencing of city centre improvements is well planned over the next 3 years.

19. Auckland Transport wants to be in a position to progress work in the downtown area so other city development can proceed without unnecessary delay, once CRL construction funding is approved.

20. Auckland Transport’s early engagement with the construction industry in this way is routine on major projects, it ensures a cost effective design that minimises adverse effects.

Consideration

Local board views and implications

21. The board’s views will be incorporated during consultation on any proposed schemes.

Maori impact statement

22. No specific issues with regard to the Maori Impact Statement are triggered by this report.

General

23. The activities detailed in this report do not trigger the Significance Policy. All programmes and activities are within budget/in line with the Council’s Annual Plan and LTP documents and there are no legal or legislative implications arising from the activities detailed in this report.

Implementation

24. All proposed schemes are subject to prioritisation, funding and consultation.

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report.

Signatories

Author	Ivan Trethowen – Auckland Transport Elected Member Relationship Manager
Authoriser	Jonathan Anyon – Auckland Transport Elected Member Relationship Team Manager

Great Barrier Local Board

13 August 2014

Great Barrier Island Small Local Improvement Projects (SLIPs) Programme 2013/2014

File No.: CP2014/16558

Purpose

1. This report provides an overview of the Great Barrier Local Board 2013/2014 Small Local Improvement Project (SLIP) programme and recommends one project for approval and commencement in 2014/2015.

Executive Summary

Operational Expenditure

Total Budget

YTD Allocated (%)

Allocation Including Recommendations (%)

Remaining Budget

SLIPs Opex 2013/2014

$197,000

$184,347.25

94%

$184,347.25

94%

$12,652.75

Returned Savings

Capital Expenditure	Total Budget	YTD Allocated (%)		Allocation Including Recommendations (%)		Remaining Budget
SLIPs Capex 2013/2014	$437,000	$471,128.90	108%	$471,128.90	108%	*-$34,128.90
Deferrals	$311,000	$150,201.86	48%	$150,201.86	48%	*$160,798.14
Total Capex	$748,000	$621,330.76	83%	$621,330.76	83%	*$126,669.24

*2014/2015 SLIPs Budgets still to be confirmed

2. The Great Barrier Island Local Board had $197,000 SLIPs operational funding and $437,000 SLIPs capital expenditure available to allocate in the 2013/2014 financial year.

A further $311,000 capital expenditure has been carried forward from previous years. Decisions on the availability of this deferral for expenditure are awaited.

3. To date the Great Barrier Local Board has allocated $184,347.25 or 94% of their operational expenditure budget and $471,128.90 or 108% of their capital expenditure budget.

4. This report includes one SLIPs project for consideration by the board to enable a code compliance certificate to be obtained for the public toilet wastewater system at the Historical Village.

Recommendation/s

That the Great Barrier Local Board:

a) Receives the Great Barrier Island SLIPs 2013/2014 final programme.

b) Receives and acknowledges completion of the projects during the 2013/2014 as summarised in the Attachment A- “SLIPS End of Year Project Summary July 2014”.

c) Approves the following project for scoping from SLIPs 2014/2015 opex budgets, (noting projects approved for scoping may take 1 to 3 months to scope depending on the complexity of the projects involved):

No	Project Description
1	Provision for a producer statement to enable code compliance certificate to be obtained for the wastewater system at the Historic Village 80 Hector Sanderson Road

The detail regarding the above project is attached to this report as the Attachment B- “SLIPS Proposal forms for August 2014”.

Discussion

5. Projects to be scoped from the SLIPs 2014/15 budgets:

The SLIPs proposal form has been received for the board’s consideration:

To enable a producer statement to be completed for the Wastewater system at the Historic Village 80 Hector Sanderson Road

6. The previous local board and community board before it funded the development of the Heritage and Arts Village at Claris. Most recently this included a public toilet which required a wastewater system to be installed. A code compliance certificate for the system cannot be issued until a producer statement is prepared. This can be provided for a cost of $700.00 and approval from the board to fund this from the 2014/2015 SLIPs opex budget is sought to enable obtain that to be achieved.

7. Details are included in the SLIPs proposal form at Attachment B to this report.

Consideration

Local Board Views

8. This report canvasses the views of the Great Barrier Local Board.

9. The recommendations contained within this report fall within the Local Boards delegated authority.

Maori Impact Statement

10. Parks and open spaces contribute significantly to Maori well-being, values, culture and traditions. Where any aspects of the proposed work programme are anticipated to have a significant impact on sites of importance to Tangata Whenua, appropriate consultation will follow.

General

11. Communities are impacted by SLIPs projects. They provide an opportunity for staff and elected representatives to engage with the communities on their specific needs. SLIPs staff will liaise directly with all residents and stakeholders impacted by any SLIPs or Discretionary funded projects to be delivered.

Funding for the proposed projects within this report would be obtained from the Great Barrier Local Board’s Small Local Improvement Project budget allocation. After allocating budget to all the projects listed in this report and elsewhere, the Great Barrier Local Board will still have SLIPs capital and operational funding remaining unallocated. Further reporting as part of the monthly work programme reporting will be used to determine what other projects the board may wish to fund.

SLIPs need to comply with all relevant legislation, including the Resource Management Act 1991, the Local Government Act and all Auckland Council policies.

Implementation Issues

12. All 2014/2015 projects should have budget allocated to them within the first quarter of the 2014/2015 financial year; to enable commencement and completion between prior to 30th June 2015.

13. Most projects will need eight months or more to be successfully delivered within the 2014/2015 financial year. Projects that have budget allocated to them with less than six months remaining within the current financial year, will be at risk of not being completed by 2013/2014 financial year end. As a result the project completion, as per the agreed delivery programme, may be deferred across into the following 2015/2016 financial year for completion.

14. Longer term projects will result in SLIPs capital funding being carried forward to the 2015/2016 financial year and these projects not being delivered within the 2014/2015 financial year.

15. Budgets for projects funded from 2014/2015 SLIPs operational expenditure must be fully expended within the 2014/2015 financial year.

16. The ability to spend/deliver outcomes is dependent on the availability of experienced staff or consultant project management resource.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	SLIPs end of year Project Summary July 2014	53
b View	SLIPs Proposal form July 2014	79
c View	SLIPS Project Schedule final 2013 2014	81

Signatories

Author

Janine Field - SLIPS Project Portfolio Leader

Authorisers

Katrina Morgan - Team Leaders SLIPs

Julie Pickering - Manager Asset Development & Business Support Central

Ian Maxwell - Manager Parks, Sports & Recreation

John Nash - Senior Local Board Advisor

Great Barrier Local Board

13 August 2014

Great Barrier Island Mobile Voice and Broadband Project Update

File No.: CP2014/16291

Purpose

1. The Purpose of this report is to provide the Great Barrier Local Board with an update on the Great Barrier Island Mobile Voice and Broadband Project, including:

· An update on the construction of the Medlands cell-site

· An update on the development phase of the Okiwi cell-site

· Guidance regarding the impact of the Remote Schools Project on the existing Mobile Voice and Broadband Project

· Guidance on future opportunities to improve connectivity in the north of the island

Executive summary

2. This report follows the workshop session held with Great Barrier Local Board on 2 June 2014 in which the current state of the Mobile Voice and Broadband Project was discussed. This included an overview of the Remote Schools Project and the potential implications on the proposed Okiwi cell-site.

3. The Medlands site was delayed by weather conditions and the estimated completion date was pushed back to late July. As of Friday 25^th July 2014, the Medlands site is fully operational and providing agreed coverage and services to the Medlands community. Communications are being developed for the September edition of Our Auckland and for the Barrier Bulletin and Radio Aotea.

4. The remote schools project being delivered by Araneo on behalf of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) was discussed with Nick Lourantos, General Manager of Araneo. The Local board was keen to understand the implications for the Mobile Voice and Broadband project and whether or not the Remote Schools project could improve internet access on the island.

5. Following damage to the Department of Conservation’s headquarters in Okiwi, Vodafone has been trialling its femtocell technology to deliver cell-phone coverage to DOC. Vodafone raised the possibility of incorporating this technology into the proposed solution.

6. After further assessment, it is Vodafone’s position that femtocells are not appropriate for this application, and the most suitable solution is the original Okiwi cell-site proposal.

7. This report confirms the intention to continue with the original Okiwi proposal and to move into development of the site within the 2014/15 financial year.

Recommendation/s

That the Great Barrier Local Board:

a) receives the report.

b) notes Vodafone’s intention to continue with the original plan to deliver a cell-site providing mobile voice and data capability to Okiwi.

c) notes that Vodafone intend to move into the development phase of the Okiwi site.

d) notes that Council officers continue to explore opportunities to improve infrastructure and service availability to the northern communities of Great Barrier Island.

Comments

8. The Great Barrier Local Board requested at the 2 June 2014 Local Board workshop a report clarifying:

· The status of the Medlands site construction

· An explanation of the technical differences between the Mobile Voice and Broadband Project and the Remote Schools Project, and how the combined projects impact Great Barrier Island

· Potential opportunities flagged by Vodafone to improve coverage / outcomes following a trial of Vodafone’s new femtocell technology with Araneo and the Department of Conservation

· Further opportunities available to northern communities not covered by the Okiwi site

· Addressing issues experienced by Great Barrier residents accessing Rural Broadband Initiative retail offerings from Vodafone.

9. The Medlands site has been completed and is fully operational. Residents receiving coverage can use the service for Vodafone mobile calls, data and access Rural Broadband Initiative retail plans.

10. Vodafone has assessed the potential to improve coverage in Okiwi by integrating smaller femtocell sites into the proposal and providing more targeted wireless coverage through multiple sites with smaller coverage areas. The assessment of this option has lead Vodafone to recommend moving forward with the original proposal to deliver one cell site, based on the following considerations:

· Femtocells have a maximum coverage radius of up to 500m. To provide similar coverage to the original repeater site proposal, multiple sites would be required and similar coverage would be unlikely.

· The original Okiwi repeater proposal will benefit from future upgrades to Vodafone’s Kaikoura Island backhaul site as part of Vodafone’s national 4G upgrades, which will improve speeds and service capabilities in Okiwi. No specific date has been provided for these upgrades as yet.

11. The combination of Araneo’s Remote Schools project and Vodafone’s Okiwi site provide for diverse telecommunications connectivity on Great Barrier Island. Both projects are complimentary and provide different services. Key points include:

· 3G and Wi-Fi networks are two different wireless technologies operating at different frequencies with different capabilities. 3G can be characterised as ‘mobile’ while Wi-Fi is usually tethered to a fixed location – usually through an ‘access point’ in a home or business such as a Wi-Fi capable router.

· Vodafone’s service provides 3G (mobile) voice and data coverage, which is a cellular network that can be used by any Vodafone 3G capable device. This includes cell-phone calls and mobile internet access anywhere within the coverage footprint of the repeater site.

· Araneo’s services under the Remote schools project provide dedicated internet connections to schools and Wi-Fi access around the schools. The school connections are dedicated wireless connections.

· The remote schools project is expected to provide connections to Okiwi, Kaitoke and Mulberry Grove Schools by the end of August 2014 to enable them to connect to the Ministry of Education’s Network for Learning. Premises around the schools are expected to have access to fixed W-Fi connections through Araneo’s retail partners.

· Araneo sites can provide fixed wireless access (requiring a roof-mounted antenna) to local households. “fixed wireless” means that a wireless connection is used instead of a wired (copper or fibre) connection between the telecommunications site and the customer. These are most commonly used in rural settings where a physical connection is not always possible.

· The key distinction between the two services is that Vodafone’s mobile network provides 3G mobile voice and data to any Vodafone 3G capable device over a wide coverage area. Wi-Fi coverage is usually provided to a smaller footprint and cannot be used to make phone calls over the cellular network i.e. from a mobile number to a mobile number.

· For completeness, voice calls can be made over Wi-Fi through voice services such as Skype, but require that the device receiving the call is connected to the internet and is capable of running the appropriate software or application. The device receiving the call could be connected through a Wi-Fi or 3G connection, however most mobile phone calls are made over the 3G mobile network as it is available more widely and consistently than Wi-Fi which is provided in smaller coverage pockets.

12. Council officers will investigate further opportunities to expend the coverage of cell-phone and internet connectivity to northern communities as requested and report to the Local Board with any potential options as information becomes available.

Consideration

Local board views and implications

13. The Local Board has indicated an appetite to explore opportunities to extend coverage to northern communities not currently included in the proposed coverage of the Okiwi site. Northern areas have been worst affected by recent weather events and have been isolated by lack of communications channels. It is noted that improved cell-phone coverage will not guarantee uninterrupted telecommunications access to the north, particularly in relation to the impacts of weather events.

14. The Local Board indicated support for the existing Okiwi proposal, subject to any potential changes that may arise from changes in technology and coverage outcomes. This report confirms that any potential changes / impacts arising from the Remote Schools Project and technology changes have been assessed, and that the proposed solution is the most appropriate method to provide mobile voice calls and data capability in Okiwi.

15. Concern was expressed regarding the proliferation of cell-sites on the island. Both Vodafone and Araneo sites are small and unobtrusive in comparison to Vodafone’s Okupu Rural Broadband Initiative tower. Specifically:

· Vodafone have conducted visual impact modelling for the Okiwi site and have found that the site is virtually indistinguishable from the surrounding terrain and is not expected to be visible from Okiwi Village

· The Okiwi site is designed to the same specifications as the Medlands site which was successfully granted resource consent and is now operational

· All sites under both projects are solar powered and do not generate noise or emissions.

16. Concerns regarding access to Vodafone’s retail services have been passed on to Vodafone for investigation and the Local Board will be notified of any outcomes as information becomes available.

Maori impact statement

17. Ngāti Rehua Ngatiwai Ki Aotea has been consulted on the proposed Okiwi site. There was a possibility that the proposed site was subject to the Treaty of Waitangi settlement process. The Department of Conservation has since confirmed that this site is not subject to the Treaty process.

18. Vodafone proposes to proceed with site development on the basis that the Department of Conservations is the decision-making authority for the required concession application and lease agreement.

19. Council officers are seeking additional confirmation from Ngāti Rehua’s legal counsel that the site is not subject to the Treaty process, and that the Department of Conservation is the decision-making authority for the concession application / lease agreement.

Implementation

20. Project implementation is now 50 per cent complete. The Medlands site has been completed and the Okiwi site is moving into the development phase. The project is scheduled to be complete by June 2015 but is expected to be complete prior to this date.

21. Implementation of the Okiwi site is now subject to the following processes:

· Successful negotiation between Vodafone and the Department of Conservation for a peppercorn / token lease on favourable terms

· Successful resource consent application following lease acquisition

· Final commissioning of the site and integration into the Vodafone national network

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report.

Signatories

Author

Anthony Acres - Advisor

Authorisers

Harvey Brookes - Manager Economic Development

John Nash – Relationship Manager/ Senior Local Board Advisor

No.	Title	Page
a View	Board member Susan Daly's report	101
b View	Board member Jeff Cleave's report	109
c View	Board member Judy Gilbert's report	113
d View	Board members Christina Spence's report	115