Agenda of Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee

1 Apologies

Apologies from Deputy Mayor Hulse and Councillor Filipaina for absence.

2 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.

3 Confirmation of Minutes

That the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee:

a) confirm the ordinary minutes of its meeting, held on Tuesday, 22 July 2014, including the confidential section, as a true and correct record.

4 Petitions

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

5 Public Input

Standing Order 3.21 provides for Public Input. Applications to speak must be made to the Committee Secretary, in writing, no later than two (2) working days prior to the meeting and must include the subject matter. The meeting Chairperson has the discretion to decline any application that does not meet the requirements of Standing Orders. A maximum of thirty (30) minutes is allocated to the period for public input with five (5) minutes speaking time for each speaker.

5.1 One Voice update

Purpose

1. To introduce the new Independent Chair, Mr Gary Troup and to give an update on One Voice activities.

2. One Voice is an independent and unfunded group who give their time voluntarily, with representatives are from a range of organisations.

Recommendation/s

That the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee:

a) thank Mr Gary Troup and representatives of One Voice for their presentation.

Attachments

a One Voice membership......................................................................... 91

5.2 Fukuoka Friendship Garden

Purpose

1. The representatives from the Friends of Fukuoka Gardens will address the Committee regarding the Fukuoka Friendship Garden.

Recommendation/s

That the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee:

a) thank the representatives from the Friends of Fukuoka Gardens for their presentation.

5.3 Karekare Surf Club

Purpose

1. The Karekare representatives Mr Stephen Pye and Andy Shaw will address the Committee in support of the Karekare access report.

Recommendation/s

That the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee:

a) thank the representatives for their presentation.

6 Local Board Input

Standing Order 3.22 provides for Local Board Input. The Chairperson (or nominee of that Chairperson) is entitled to speak for up to five (5) minutes during this time. The Chairperson of the Local Board (or nominee of that Chairperson) shall wherever practical, give two (2) days notice of their wish to speak. The meeting Chairperson has the discretion to decline any application that does not meet the requirements of Standing Orders.

This right is in addition to the right under Standing Order 3.9.14 to speak to matters on the agenda.

At the close of the agenda no requests for local board input had been received.

7 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.”

8 Notices of Motion

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

Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee

05 August 2014

Parks, Sport and Recreation - Manager's Report

File No.: CP2014/16874

Purpose

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

Executive summary

2. This report has been written to 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 Sport and Recreation.

Comments

Operations Stability – Achievements and Highlights

3. Council representatives attended the third reading of the Ngā Mana Whenua o Tāmaki Makaurau Collective Redress Bill at Parliament on Thursday 24 July. The passing of the legislation acknowledges the unique relationship iwi and hapu have in relation to the maunga and motu and their role as kaitiaki. The passing of the legislation enables the establishment of the Tūpuna Maunga o Tāmaki Makaurau Authority which comprises of representatives of both council and iwi. The inaugural meeting is scheduled to take place on the 15 September at the Town Hall.

4. Teams and individuals from Pools and Leisure have made it to the second round of the Exercise New Zealand Awards. Tepid Baths is in the medium club category, Barbara Joseph and Matt Nash (Manurewa Leisure Centre) are in the Gym Instructor category, Romina Veseli (WestWave) is in the Club Support category and Cindy Stewart (WestWave) is in the Community category. Making the second round is an outstanding effort and we wish them all the best when the winners are announced late November.

5. Approximately 8.9 million visitors used our 41 pools and recreation centres last year which is line with visits in 2012/13. This is a strong result during a year of change as we aligned the 41 facilities under the new unit of Auckland Council Pools and Leisure. During that time we have successful rolled out the Leisure Identify Project to ensure a much stronger attribution to Auckland Council and at the same time improved our website to be more user friendly and informative. The final stage of the Leisure Identify Project is to upgrade signage on our contracted pools and recreation centres. This process is now underway.

6. The two major pool developments are progressing well, the Otahuhu Pool and Library is a third of the way through construction while the Albany Stadium Pool is now in the developed design phase and going out to the market for a physical works contract in September 2014.

7. The highly successful Sport Partnerships workshop was hosted by the Sport and Recreation Partnerships team in conjunction with the Regional Sports Trusts and Sport New Zealand at Papatoetoe Sports Centre. More than 100 people attended the workshop from a variety of grass roots sport and recreation organisations. The workshop is the first of a series designed to up skill and inform the sector on ways to encourage partnering across sports codes and community around facilities and programmes. Sessions included legal structures for sports partnerships, effective governance, and two case studies showcasing different approaches for achieving great partnering: Papatoetoe Sports Centre and Fraser Park Sportsville in Hutt.

8. The department recently hosted Tier 2 staff from Wellington City Council and the CE of Sport Wellington. Their visit looked at a range of initiatives that the Department is working on such as the Local Board State of Play reports, youth research and partnerships, pools and leisure metrics and management and partnering with groups such as One Voice – Sport and Recreation Auckland.

9. One Voice - Sport and Recreation Auckland, an independent unfunded and multisectoral group that provides strategic advice to council and is co-sponsor of the Sport and Recreation Strategic Action Plan, has appointed Gary Troup as their Independent Chair. Gary will attend the committee in the Open Forum section to introduce himself to the Chair, deputy Chair and committee and update on One Voice activities.

General Updates

Theft of ‘Tuna’ by Bing Dawe at Auckland Botanic Gardens

10. In mid-July, thieves sawed 90kg bronze sculpture Tuna from its carved base in the Threatened Native Plants Garden at the Auckland Botanic Gardens.

11. The artwork, which was part of the 2013/14 Sculpture in the Gardens exhibition, was created by Christchurch artist Bing Dawe and worth $30,000. It depicts a native long fin eel Anguilla dieffenbachii, a species in serious decline, and was purchased for the Gardens’ permanent collection by the Friends of the Auckland Botanic Gardens, as part of its biennial exhibition bequest.

12. Gardens staff alerted police, scrap metal merchants and council’s media team immediately upon learning of the theft and a very wide reaching media and social media campaign followed.

13. A Takanini-based scrap merchant phoned police to report that two men had brought in the damaged sculpture, hoping to sell it. The men have been charged with theft.

14. The artwork was significantly damaged – the tail was cut off and fins removed – and will be returned to the artist for repair.

15. We firmly believe that the approach taken by staff to contact potential recipients of the stolen work, use of social media and the media interest generated, helped in the recovery of the artwork. Follow up media items, reporting that Tuna had been found, also received nationwide coverage.

Waitawa Regional Park closure

16. Significant slips caused by heavy rainfall have caused the closure of Waitawa Regional Park until further notice. The park received 192mm of rain over 13 hours on Saturday 12 July, with 145mm of that in just seven hours.

17. The slips affect the hill leading down to Mataitai Bay, the park’s main beach and picnic area, and the cutting that leads through to the wharf.

18. Geotechnical assessments are being carried out and engineers’ recommendations are being sought. We anticipate the work required to remove debris, re-stabilise the hill and cutting, and repair damage to the road to take some months.

19. Once these assessments are complete, staff will consider partial reopening of the park, restricting access to the affected areas. Public safety considerations are a priority.

20. Waitawa Regional Park opened to the public in March 2014 and is already a popular destination for visitors, particularly families wishing to hike and mountain bike.

Starling Park Sports Club

21. Late last year council was made aware of a misuse of funds by a former Starling Park Sports Club president. This has resulted in a charge of theft and sentencing, including home detention and an order to repay funds.

22. The money was originally a Waitakere City Council grant intended to cover the cost of a new artificial turf and its disappearance left the turf contractor unpaid. Council agreed to reach a compromise with the contractor and subsequently settled the outstanding debt.

23. The club, through its victim impact statement, requested that any reparation ordered through court proceedings be made to Auckland Council.

24. An initial lump-sum payment of $50,000 has been received and a regular re-payment schedule has been arranged.

25. The Club has reviewed its operating and management procedures and continues to work with council officers to resolve this situation.

Consideration

Local board views and implications

26. 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

27. 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.

28. 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.

29. 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.

30. There are no specific Māori impacts in relation to this update report. Māori impacts with regard to specific operational delivery programme are reported as and when those specific projects are reported.

Implementation

31. No issues

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

05 August 2014

Fukuoka Friendship Garden

File No.: CP2014/14839

Purpose

1. This report seeks the endorsement for the re-establishment of the Fukuoka Friendship Garden at a site adjacent to the Auckland Zoo car park entrance to Western Springs Lakeside Park. The report outlines the decision making process for the location and site selection and estimated funding requirements for the garden design, development and ongoing operational costs.

Executive summary

2. The Fukuoka Friendship Garden was established in 1989 as a gift to Auckland City Council from the city of Fukuoka in recognition of their sister city relationship. This Japanese garden was constructed in the grounds of Auckland Zoo.

3. The Auckland Zoo Master Plan initially developed in 2012 identified the site of the Fukuoka Friendship Garden for redevelopment. The zoo briefed interested parties about removal and relocation of the garden. In addition, Council staff discussed the zoo’s plans with the Mayor of Fukuoka who then confirmed Fukuoka City’s support for the removal and relocation of the garden in a letter to Mayor Brown. The garden was dismantled in December 2013 and key elements have been retained and stored at the zoo.

4. There was wider public concern and media interest about the removal and relocation of the Japanese garden. The Mayor made a verbal apology on behalf of Auckland Council during the meeting of the Governing Body on 30 January 2014. The Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee resolved at a meeting on 4 March 2014 to set up a steering group to undertake an analysis of suitable locations and recommend a location, concept design and indicative costing for the re-establishment of the garden.

5. Following a robust decision making process against a range of criteria, the steering group has settled on Western Springs Lakeside Park as the site it wishes to recommend for re-establishment of the garden (refer to Section 3 of Attachment A). The proposed site has been reported to the Waitemata Local Board and the board endorsed the site in principle at their meeting on 8 July 2014.

6. The Parks Recreation and Sport Committee are now asked to endorse this site and consider the cost implications of re-establishing the garden.

Recommendation/s

That the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee:

a) endorse the recommendation from the Fukuoka Friendship Garden Steering Group that the Fukuoka Friendship Garden be re-established at the zoo entrance of Western Springs Lakeside Park.

b) acknowledge the Japanese cultural significance of the Fukuoka Friendship Garden and the relationship the garden represents between Auckland and Fukuoka.

c) note the next step for the Fukuoka Friendship Garden Steering Committee is to report to the Finance and Performance Committee on 21 August to seek funding for the design phase of the new garden.

d) note that timing and implementation of the Fukuoka Friendship Garden will be subject to budget considerations as part of the Long Term plan 2015-2025 process

e) support the installation phase of the new garden being considered by the Budget Committee as part of the Long Term Plan process.

f) note that following the endorsement of the chosen site and provision of funding that the detailed design will be developed in consultation with the Fukuoka Friendship Garden Steering Committee, the Fukuoka Greenery Department, the Waitemata Local Board and Mana Whenua.

g) approve the Fukuoka Friendship Garden Steering Group to see the overview of the re-establishment of the garden.

h) refer the report to the CCO Governance and Monitoring Committee for information.

Comments

Background

7. The Fukuoka Friendship Garden was opened by Dame Catherine Tizard in 1989, and was a gift to the former Auckland City Council from Fukuoka City, Japan, in recognition of the sister city relationship.

8. The garden was situated inside the Auckland Zoo on a secure site; it was maintained by zoo staff and was accessible to visitors who paid entry to the zoo. Refer to Section 1 of Attachment A for further background on the original garden. Through the master planning process for the zoo, the site of the garden was identified for the development of a Tasmanian Devil precinct and to improve circulation routes.

9. During September to November 2013 the zoo provided briefings to interested parties about removal and relocation of the garden. Members of the International Relationships unit consulted the mayor and officials from Fukuoka City about the proposed removal and relocation of the gardens in November 2013. The Mayor of Fukuoka subsequently wrote to Mayor Brown in December 2013 confirming his support for the removal and relocation of the garden.

10. The dismantlement of the garden started in December 2013 in accordance with a plan provided by the Fukuoka Greenery Department and was completed in early February 2014. Stone and other hard elements of the garden have been catalogued and boxed and are stored at the zoo. The specialist plant material from the garden is also being cared for at the zoo with advice from the Auckland Botanic Gardens.

11. On 30 January 2014, the Governing Body received public input from the Friends of the Fukuoka Friendship Garden about the decision to remove the garden and the lack of certainty around the process for finding a new location. The Governing Body subsequently resolved that an apology would be made to the Mayor and people of Fukuoka City and the people of Auckland including the Japanese community regarding the removal of the Fukuoka Friendship Garden. The Governing Body referred the matter to the Parks, Recreation and Sports Committee and the Council Controlled Organisations (CCO) Monitoring Committee for consideration.

12. The Mayor sent a letter of apology to the Mayor of Fukuoka City in February 2014. The letter outlined the Governing Body’s discussion and assured the Mayor of Fukuoka that the garden would be re-established.

Process for re-establishing the Fukuoka Friendship Garden

13. A Fukuoka Friendship Garden Steering group was established following a report to the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee on 4 March 2014. The purpose of the committee was to consider and recommend options for the re-establishment of the Fukuoka Friendship Garden. The resolution of the 4 March noted:

Resolution number PAR/2014/12

That the Parks, Recreation and Sport committee:

e) agree that the Fukuoka Friendship Garden Steering Group report back to the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee by August 2014, recommending a location, concept design and indicative costing for the re-establishment of the garden.

14. The steering group is made up of seven members, three councillors, two members of the Independent Maori Statutory Board and two representatives from the Friends of Fukuoka Gardens. Recently the Waitemata Local Board has resolved that two board members also join the steering group. Steering group meetings are not open to the public.

15. Five meetings have been held resulting in a recommendation on a preferred site to report back to the Governing Body and through the financial planning process.

Location and site selection process

16. Nine potential locations were put forward by elected members, council officers, community groups, and the media. A robust assessment criterion was developed and applied to all potential locations. At this point, it was also confirmed that locations outside of the former Auckland City Council boundary would not be assessed, as the garden was originally gifted to Auckland City Council.

17. The assessment process is outlined in Section 2 of Attachment A. The nine potential locations were first assessed against critical criteria, deemed critical to the timely delivery and the success of the project. The locations that meet all these critical criteria were then assessed against twelve non-critical criteria. The Friends of Fukuoka Gardens had requested that the original zoo site be retained in the short list for further assessment.

18. The top ranking locations were prioritised for further site visits being the Eden Gardens, Western Springs Lakeside Park and the Auckland Zoo. Specific sites were identified within each of these three locations. Identified sites were:

o based on their suitability to develop and maintain a Japanese garden in the long term, with a focus on landscape characteristics - both as they relate to Japanese garden design, and also potential visual impacts on the wider park.

o generally positioned where they backed on to existing vegetation, walls and/or level changes, both to settle the garden in its surrounding context and to avoid the need to fence the entire perimeter of the garden.

19. Following site visits the steering group identified their chosen site for the re-establishment of the garden was in Western Springs Lakeside Park, adjacent to the park entrance from the zoo car park. The reason for selecting this site over the others was:

o how the site could support the Japanese garden principles of borrowed scenery, naturalness and tranquillity

o free entry

o security of the site due to its proximity to the zoo boundary

o proximity to the zoo so that their trained staff could continue to maintain the garden

o proximity of water and power connection

20. The original garden site within the zoo covered 350m². The extent of the site identified in Western Springs Lakeside Park covers an area of 800m²; however, the larger footprint allows flexibility for the garden to sit well within the surrounding landscape context.

21. A preliminary concept design has been developed to illustrate how the garden would be incorporated into the site with the potential inclusion of existing mature trees and a picnic area as shown in Section 3 of Attachment A.

Cost estimates

22. The original garden cost $350,000 to $400,000 when it was established in 1989, with much of the material being gifted by Fukuoka City. The indicative cost to re-establish the garden is $1,042,000. It is anticipated the project would be delivered over a two year timeframe with the design undertaken in the first year and the installation in the second year.

23. The design phase of the project is estimated to cost $269,000. This would include input from the Fukuoka Greenery Department and the involvement of a Japanese landscape architect at both the concept and detailed design stages and would include travel for both the Japanese and a New Zealand based landscape architect to travel between Fukuoka and Auckland.

24. The cost for the physical works have been estimated at $773,000; this would include a water feature, a viewing platform, fencing of the site, a decorative entrance, utility connections, planting and paths.

25. The operational costs for the garden have been assessed at $75,000 per annum, based on vegetation and pond management (including the bonsai), rubbish collection and security costs. When the garden was located within the zoo it required an average of 20 hours work per week, involving both regular weekly maintenance and more intensive programmed seasonal work. It is suggested if the garden is free and more accessible to the public it will likely experience greater use, harder wear and tear and possible higher incidences of vandalism that will result in higher maintenance costs.

Consideration

Local board views and implications

27. The local board, at their meeting on 10 July 2014, has endorsed the recommendation from the Fukuoka Friendship Garden Steering Group in principal on its preferred site for the re- establishment of the Fukuoka Friendship Garden within Western Springs Lakeside Park. The board has also delegated two members to join the steering group so they can be involved in oversight of the re-establishment and ongoing funding arrangements of the re- established garden.

28. The local board also resolved they will address landowner approval when a complete proposal is put forward.

Maori impact statement

29. The steering group has two members from the Independent Maori Statutory Board who have provided guidance on cultural sensitivity and significance during the site selection process.

30. Consultation with Maori that are likely to have an interest in Western Springs Lakeside Park has been initiated. Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara, Ngāti Whātua o Ōrākei, Te Kawerau a Maki, Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, Ngāti Tamaoho, Ngāti Te Ata Waiohua, Te Akitai Waiohua, Ngāti Paoa, Ngāti Whanaunga, Ngāti Maru, Ngāti Tamaterā and Te Patukirikiri have been advised about the proposed re-establishment of the garden in the park. To date Te Kawerau has noted they would not oppose the relocation of the garden within Western Springs provided there were no cultural or environmental impacts.

31. The Western Springs Lakeside Park Management Plan 1995 states:

o 4.1.2 Historical and cultural issues,
“The lake and springs are identified under the District Plan as a Maori Heritage site.”

o 4.1.3 Historical and cultural policies, Policy 24
“To recognise, protect and interpret the cultural and historical values of the park.”

32. Of note is that this proposed site is some distance from the lake which is identified in the Unitary Plan as being a site or place of significance to Mana Whenua. The site set back in the corner abutting the car park and the zoo minimises the potential impact on the cultural footprint of the park.

33. Further engagement with interested Maori will be undertaken once the decision is made to re-establish the Fukuoka Friendship Garden at Western Springs Lakeside Park.

Implementation

34. This is a report for site endorsement and to provide the committee information about the potential cost estimates and timeframes. There is no capacity to fund this project within existing budgets. A further report is scheduled to go to the Finance and Performance Committee on 21 August to outline the funding requirements for the re-establishment of the garden and seek funding for the design phase of the project. The funding and timing of the installation of the garden will need to be considered by the Budget Committee as part of the 2015 -2025 Long Term Plan process.

35. Once funding has been secured for the garden’s re-establishment, the concept and detailed design for the garden will be progressed in consultation with the Fukuoka Friendship Garden Steering Committee, the Friends of Fukuoka Friendship Garden, officials from Fukuoka City including the Fukuoka Greenery Department, the Waitemata Local Board and the wider community.

36. The International Relations unit have on-going dialogue with Fukuoka City about the overarching sister city relationship and related activities. The Fuluoka Friendship Garden Steering Group and Parks Sport and Recreation department will engage directly with Fukuoka City on the detailed design for the established garden.

37. The sister city relationship with Fukuoka City will commemorate its 30^th anniversary in 2016. It has been proposed it would be a very fitting gesture for the Fukuoka Friendship Garden to be re-established by this time.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	Fukuoka Garden summary of site assessment	21

Signatories

Authors

Annette Campion - Project coordinator

Authorisers

Mace Ward - Acting Manager - Parks, Sports and Recreation

Lisa Tocker - Manager, Recreation Facilities & Service Delivery Central

Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee

05 August 2014

QE2 Update

File No.: CP2014/16989

Purpose

1. To update the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee on the key discussion points from the 30 July 2014 workshop evaluating potential alternative public space options for Queen Elizabeth Square.

Executive summary

2. At its meeting of 15 May 2014, the Auckland Development Committee approved “in principle the disposal of land on which Queen Elizabeth Square stands”, and directed staff to evaluate “‘offsite’ public civic space options” which could provide an alternative public space to Queen Elizabeth Square.

3. As part of the evaluation of possible alternative public space, a workshop was held on 30 July 2014 with Councillors, members of the Independent Maori Statutory Board and members of the Waitemata Local Board.

Comment

4. At its meeting of 15 May 2014, the Auckland Development Committee considered a report regarding the future use and development of Queen Elizabeth Square, located off lower Queen Street in down town Auckland. The Committee made the following resolutions (AUC/2014/64):

That the Auckland Development Committee:

a) approve in principle the disposal of land on which Queen Elizabeth Square stands as part of the wider redevelopment of the Downtown Shopping Centre block subject to the outcome of associated statutory public processes (road stopping and rezoning of the land).

b) agree to the sale only if the proceeds from the potential disposal of Queen Elizabeth Square are reinvested in new or enhanced public civic space/s that :

i) is of at least the same quantum and higher quality to the existing space

ii) is located either within or in reasonable proximity to the Downtown Shopping Centre block

iii) is capable of being delivered broadly at the same time as the permanent loss of the existing space.

c) direct staff to work with the Waitemata Local Board and Iwi on evaluating ‘offsite’ public civic space options with the findings to be considered by the Parks, Recreation and Sports Committee prior to being presented back to the Auckland Development Committee for approval in August.

d) agree to the sale of Queen Elizabeth Square being considered as part of the preparation of a Development Agreement between Auckland Transport, Auckland Council Property Limited and Precinct Properties New Zealand Limited on the basis that:

i) its final inclusion remains subject to statutory public processes (road stopping and rezoning of the land).

ii) the Development Agreement include conditions relating to the built form outcomes sought by council.

e) agree that any disposal of Queen Elizabeth Square is done so in the context of the overall masterplan and its vision for the city centre and achieving world class outcomes befitting this unique space in the context of Auckland.

5. In meeting the requirements of resolution c), a workshop was held on the 30 July 2014 with Councillors, members of the Independent Maori Statutory Board and members of the Waitemata Local Board.

6. A record of the key discussion points from that workshop will be tabled at the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee meeting of 5 August 2014.

7. The findings, conclusion and recommendation arising from the evaluation will be reported to the Auckland Development Committee at its meeting of 14 August 2014.

Recommendation/s

That the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee:

a) receive the information.

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report.

Signatories

Authors

Rob Cairns - Manager Regionwide

Authorisers

Rob Cairns - Manager Regionwide

Penny Pirrit - Regional & Local Planning Manager

Ian Maxwell - Manager Parks, Sports & Recreation

Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee

05 August 2014

Karekare access

File No.: CP2014/15922

Purpose

1. This report provides the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee an update on the proposal to develop a formed accessway at Karekare that would provide access to the Karekare Surf Club and improve public access to the beach.

Executive summary

2. Karekare Beach is a dynamic west coast environment. Over a number of years sand accretion at Karekare has altered the beach and the flow of the Karekare Stream, reinforcing the stream outflow to the north and restricting the amount of water flowing from the stream.

3. Over the past four years a lagoon has developed in the stream making it difficult or at times impossible to get access to the Karekare Surf Club (the surf club). This has also impacted public access to the beach which has traditionally been gained by walking across a shallow section of the Karekare stream from the car park.

4. The surf club obtained consent in late 2010 to develop new clubrooms on their site. The current access issue presents a very real hurdle to the surf club seeking funding to support their development and is having a significant impact on the clubs ability to provide a high standard of lifesaving service, on club morale and membership retention.

5. Council has commissioned various reports on issues around access to the surf club and sustainable solutions to managing that access. Over the past few years a number of short and long term options have been explored to enable the surf club to continue to operate, including the club’s use of the Pohutukawa Glade track, use of a tractor, seeking to realign the Karekare Stream in an effort to manage water levels and looking at alternate locations for the surf club. Each of these options has proven to be either not viable or unsustainable.

6. The option recommended to the committee is to develop a formed accessway to the surf club. This option has not been fully considered in the past due to the cost implications and potential impact on the natural and cultural heritage values. However, all other options have now been exhausted and this would address both access to the surf club and considerably improve the public’s access to the beach.

7. The report outlines a draft concept and preliminary cost estimates for the development of a bridge over Karekare Stream and a causeway and board-walk along the northern banks of the stream.

Recommendation/s

That the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee:

a) endorse the development of the concept design as outlined in the report.

b) note that once more definitive estimates are available as the design is developed that these costs be reported to the Finance and Performance Committee and these be considered by council during the 2015 -2025 Long Term Plan process.

c) note that consultation with the local community will be undertaken once a concept design is developed.

Comments

Background

8. Annually Karekare attracts between 70,000 and 90,000 visitors who have enjoyed the confidence of having a surf life saving club patrol the beach during the high use summer period. The surf club has been operating at Karekare since 1935. Their current clubrooms are sited at the base of the Watchman alongside the north bank of the Karekare Stream about 270m seaward of the car park.

9. The surf club owns their site but utilise the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park (the park) and the Karekare Stream to access their clubrooms. The club currently has a licence for restricted vehicle access, which when feasible requires two crossings of the stream to access the building, and when servicing patrols at the beach requires a further crossing of the stream to get to the beach. Refer to Attachment A showing the surf club’s location and access route.

10. Sand accretion in the Whatipu and Karekare area over the past 60 years has significantly increased the volume, height and width of beach. This periodically blocks or restricts the flow of water from the Karekare stream to the point that a lagoon forms and the stream deepens. On several occasions over the past 30 years, this has resulted in access to the beach and the surf club becoming all but impossible.

11. This has had the effect of also restricting visitor access to the beach, as pedestrian access has been traditionally gained by walking across the stream adjacent to the car park. The point that people walk across had gone from ankle deep to thigh deep at times. Alternative pedestrian access to the southern end of the beach is available through Pohutukawa Glade but leads potential swimmers to a dangerous area for swimming and a much longer walk to get to the patrolled area of the beach. This area also floods during the winter and at times when the lagoon level is high.

12. During 2010, a natural process of sand accretion altered the flow of the Karekare stream leading to the development of a lagoon. The lagoon and stream continued to deepen to the extent that vehicle access to the surf club was no longer possible and access to the beach no longer practical via the stream crossing. There have been fluctuations in the stream levels since this time, but generally they have remained high and continued to restrict access. Refer to Attachment B for a photo of these high stream levels.

13. Over the years Council has commissioned various reports on issues around access to the surf club and sustainable solutions to managing that access. To assist Council understand the impact of decisions around providing ongoing access, a further report by Tonkin and Taylor (T&T) was commissioned in August 2012. This was a site-specific coastal hazard assessment of the area that sits between the Karekare car park and end of the Watchman, in particular as this relates to ongoing access to the surf club’s site and the operation of its activities.

14. The assessment highlighted the impact of sand accretion at Karekare on the stream location and water flows and the potential impact of sea level rise increasing the risk of inundation in the area surrounding the surf club’s site. The report suggests the beach crest may rise as a result of predicted sea level rise and may control the levels within the stream which will continue to make access problematic.

Karekare Surf Club redevelopment plans

15. The surf club gained consent to develop new clubrooms on their site in late 2010. At this time the surf club was also granted an access licence by the Auckland Regional Council. The current clubrooms were built in 1950s with additions in 1980 and 1997. They are in poor condition, nearing the end of their current construction and design life, and no longer meet the needs for storage of modern life saving equipment.

16. The surf club has identified that the access issue is an on-going challenge that they need resolved to seek funding for the development of their new building.

17. The surf club has experienced a decline in their membership as a direct result of the access issue. The chart in Attachment C shows the club’s overall membership since 2000 and the decline in the past three years, dropping from 350 members in 2012 to 219 members in 2014. The junior surf programme has shown a small decline while the lifesaving membership has dropped off significantly and is now at the lowest it has been in 20 years.

18. Club statistics show that volunteers and professional surf lifesavers carried out eight rescues and undertook 632 preventative actions on the beach through the past summer period involving a total of 2,162 people.

Regional Parks Management Plan

19. The Regional Parks Management Plan 2010 in Section 17.19.5 includes a specific section on Karekare. This notes that Karekare is a popular surf beach with limited parking capacity and that the Karekare Surf Lifesaving Club has clubrooms located near the beach and provides lifesaving services from the beach.

This section includes the following policies:

141. “No vehicle access will be permitted in the Pohutukawa Glade unless for operational or emergency response services.”

144. “Work with the Karekare Surf Lifesaving Club to maintain an effective lifesaving and emergency response service at Karekare, including investigating an all-weather and tide vehicular access to service the Surf Lifesaving Club and the provision of licences to enable access to their site, the retention of the foreshore wall and landscaping of parkland.”

Options explored to date

20. The former Auckland Regional Council had worked with the local community on a number of occasions over the past decades to address access issues at Karekare beach, but had been unable to reach a consensus.

21. Since 2011 council officers have been working with the surf club to identify options that would enable the surf club to access their clubrooms and continue to deliver surf lifesaving services over the summer seasons. The local community have been kept abreast of these options with an open day held in December 2011, a survey seeking their feedback in January 2012, a workshop with key stakeholders in late 2013 and ongoing consultation with key stakeholders.

22. These options include:

a) Providing alternate access for the Club to the beach via Pohutukawa Glade. This was trialled over the 2011/12 summer but was not supported. This added approximately one kilometre to the trip and still required club members to cross the stream to access the clubrooms. There were public safety risks with the limited visibility on areas of the track through the dunes being used by both pedestrians and quads. Areas of Pohutukawa Glade are also prone to flooding at times of high rainfall, which can restrict access to the beach via that route.

b) Enabling the surf club to use a tractor to transport members and equipment to the clubrooms from the car park and from the clubrooms to the beach/patrol areas. This was trialled over the 2013/14 summer but was not supported by the club as there were concerns about public safety with the large vehicle and public access to the beach, as well as the environmental impact on the stream bed. This also did not address the general public’s access to the beach.

c) Manual realignment of the stream mouth to assist lower water levels. Following support from the Parks Recreation and Heritage Forum on13 November 2012 and the Regional Development and Operations Committee on 6 December 2012, Regional and Specialist Parks prepared a resource consent application which was notified in late July 2013.

Shortly after the public notification, however, there was a significant change in beach morphology (sand accretion) that would have considerably increased the cost of dredging and required a modification to the consent. Given this was only ever viewed as a short term solution, that there was no guarantee this realignment would stay open in the dynamic environment, or that the consent would be granted because of opposition to this proposal from some members of the local community, the decision was made to withdraw the application.

d) Relocating the surf club to an alternate location within Karekare. A number of alternate sites were explored with the surf club; however, the issue of providing access to the beach to provide their service still remained with these other sites. Investigations into the potential to provide access to the beach on the south side of Karekare Stream showed this was not a viable option given the dynamic nature of the dune system, the environmental impacts on the dunes and the ongoing cost of maintaining a formed access. It has therefore been agreed that the club’s current site provides the least obstacles in regard to addressing the access issue.

e) Building a bridge and track to enable access from the car park to the clubrooms. This has been an option very much supported by members of the surf club and other key stakeholders, but to date has not been well explored due a number of factors as outlined below. The surf club has provided a letter of support for this option, refer to Attachment D. Letters from the regional and national surf lifesaving bodies have also been received, outlining their full support for the access proposal.

Formed accessway concept and preliminary costs

23. The option of building a formed accessway to the surf club was raised at a councillor workshop in November 2012 and at this time the potential to develop a causeway was not supported, but it was suggested a route along the base of the Watchman could be considered. However, this route predominantly runs through private land creating a requirement to seek easements from multiple property owners.

24. An ecological assessment undertaken in December 2011 suggested the adverse effects on the natural environment of a formed accessway passing through the wetland would be high. Furthermore, there have been concerns raised by members of the local community that further structures should not be added to what is considered a nationally significant landscape. It is acknowledged, however, that these effects can be partly mitigated in the design of the accessway and the use of planting.

25. The area on the north side of the stream is also the location of the heritage tramway that ran from Karekare to Whatipu. Any modification to this scheduled site would require consent and authority from Heritage New Zealand (formerly the Historic Places Trust). Once a concept design has been developed an archaeological assessment of the proposed area to be covered by the accessway will need to be undertaken.

26. As all other options have now been exhausted, the provision of a formed access is now considered the most viable solution. T&T has been commissioned to develop a technically feasible design for the accessway. This has included undertaking a topographic survey and geotechnical investigations. T&T will also build on their depth of knowledge of Karekare from their previous studies in the area.

27. T&T has been provided parameters or design principles for the conceptual design based on input from council officers including Coastal Management Services, surf club members and the Karekare community. These are:

a) Built on council land / paper road

b) Aesthetically fit with the environment

c) Low visual impact (ideally not visible from people using the stream – screen planted or similar)

d) May use a number of elements but will use natural materials wherever possible (use of sand fill causeway / low vehicle platforms / bridge over stream etc.)

e) Enable the most natural movement of water from the south to north / north to south side of the stream (does not create ponding or water entrapment)

f) Able to withstand inundation from time to time (which may temporarily halt club access)

g) Safely provide both vehicle and pedestrian access (club members and public)

h) Be single lane with a passing bay

i) Provide access for the club and emergency services vehicles (ambulance) from Karekare Road to the surf club in a manner that does not become blocked / inhibited by public use

j) Acknowledge elements of Te Kawerau a Maki and the kauri milling narrow gauge railway

k) Designed to 50 year timeframe (reflective of most recent predictions for sea level rise)

l) Be low maintenance.

28. A preliminary sketch in Attachment E shows the proposed alignment of the bridge, causeway and board-walking sections of accessway.

29. T&T has provided a preliminary estimate for the construction costs of the proposed accessway, being in the order of $650,000 to $1,115,000. This does not include detailed designs and consenting costs but a generous contingency. The estimate is based on an initial site visit and the sketch concept using global rates for similar type of construction or from T&T’s experience with other similar projects. The estimate is based on construction occurring in 2014. A price range has been provided given the early stage of design development and thus uncertainty at this stage of the project. The variation in costs also partly relate to whether there is a steel framed timber bridge or the bridge has some significant architectural features, or whether the accessway is 2.5m or 3m wide.

30. The priced concept assumes the accessway to consist of 145m of causeway (starting at the bridge) then 85m of boardwalk. Initial investigations indicate that there may be provision to extend the causeway along the full length of the access way (omitting the boardwalk) and potentially reducing the overall price by approximately 10%. If the boardwalk were to be extended along the entire length of the accessway (which may reduce environmental effects), the overall price would increase by approximately 20%.

31. Once the initial concept design has been developed, consultation will be undertaken with the surf club, members of the Karekare Resident and Ratepayers Association, the Waitakere Ranges Protection Society and the Environmental Defence Society. At this stage input will also be sought from council ecologists, coastal engineers and scientists, landscape architects, archaeologists and planners. An onsite workshop will be arranged to get feedback from all stakeholders.

32. A further detailed concept will then be developed with an expectation that this will be received from T&T in late October.

Consideration

Local board views and implications

33. The Waitakere Ranges Local Board has provided a letter of support to the Karekare Surf Life Saving Club in regard to its clubroom redevelopment project and is aware of the issue created by the Karekare stream mouth blocking and access issues that it creates. The Parks Portfolio Holder on the local board has been advised of the proposal to develop the accessway and the views of the wider local board will be obtained prior to the meeting.

Maori impact statement

34. Karekare is an area of significant importance to Te Kawerau a Maki with the area around the Watchman being particularly significant. Te Kawerau a Maki believes that surf life saving is necessary and valuable service along the west coast of the Waitakere Ranges and is strongly supportive of the Karekare Surf Life Saving Club and its continued ability to deliver life saving services at Karekare beach. Recent discussions with Te Kawerau have identified their support for the proposed accessway.

Implementation

35. This is a report is to provide the committee with an update on the accessway proposal and provide indicative cost estimates and timeframes. A further report will need to go to the Finance and Performance Committee outlining the funding requirements, once these are confirmed. The funding and timing for implementation of this proposal will need to be considered by council during the 2015 -2025 Long Term Plan process.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	Surf club and pedestrian access to Karekare Beach	45
b View	Photo of high stream levels	47
c View	Chart of Karekare Surf Club membership	49
d View	Karekare Surf Club letter of support	51
e View	Karekare accessway preliminary sketch	53

Signatories

Authors

Annette Campion - Project coordinator

Stephen Bell - Principal Ranger

Authorisers

Richard Hollier - Acting Manager Regional and Specialist Parks

Ian Maxwell - Manager Parks, Sports & Recreation

Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee

05 August 2014

Feedback for Proposed Long-term Plan 2015-2025 Performance Measures

File No.: CP2014/16966

Purpose

1. To receive an overview of the performance information review process and outline the process to finalise the LTP 2015-25 performance information and targets.

2. To provide feedback on the performance measures proposed by the business in order to aid the development of the measures in the draft LTP 2015-25.

Executive summary

3. Following the process agreed at the Finance and Performance Committee meeting on 19th June 2014, the business have developed a draft set of proposed Levels of service statements and performance measures for the groups of activities that are relevant for this Committee (Resolution no. FIN/2014/37).

4. This performance information is currently being reviewed by officers and internal stakeholders. Our intention is to collate all feedback from this committee and our internal process and provide this to the business.

Recommendation/s

That the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee:

a) receive the draft level of service statements and performance measures for the Regional and Local Parks, Sport & Recreation groups of activities.

Comments

5. The Performance Measure work-stream is conducting a council and CCO wide review of performance measures for the Long-term Plan 2015-2025. This process was outlined and agreed at the Finance and Performance Committee on 19th June 2014 (Resolution no. FIN/2014/37).

6. The intended outcome of this in-depth review is that there will be a succinct set of community focused performance measures for each group of activities proposed for the draft LTP, which is aligned to the Auckland Plan.

7. This work needs to be substantially completed (including political engagement) by the end of October 2014 to support publication of the draft LTP for public consultation in early 2015.

8. The business has completed an in-depth review of their level of service statements and measures and these have been provided in an attachment to this report. This performance information is currently under review by key internal stakeholders and officers, including IMSB.

9. Feedback provided through this committee, our internal processes and IMSB, will be provided back to the business for them to finalise their proposed performance information.

10. These performance measures will have targets that will reflect the intended levels of service to be delivered by the council and CCOs and which will align with financial budgets. These targets will be discussed at the budget committee workshops in September 2014.

11. The Budget Committee will review the entire suite of measures and targets proposed for inclusion in the LTP 2015-25 between September and October 2014. The Budget Committee will adopt the measures and targets on 5th November 2014.

Consideration

12. Performance Information proposed for Regional and Local Parks, Sport & Recreation groups of activities are included in Attachment A.

13. The internal review is considering feedback to the business to ensure that the business:

a) reduce the number of measures that are reported at the LTP level where possible,

b) reduce an over-reliance of survey related measures, especially at a local level, where sampling errors are significant, and

c) include only those measures that have a robust reporting methodology in place.

Auckland Plan Alignment

14. In developing performance measures, we are ensuring alignment of levels of services with Auckland plan outcomes and targets which have been set.

15. The performance measures will be considered only for those levels of services that directly contribute to or enable an Auckland plan target to be met.

Local board views and implications

16. Local boards will be able to provide feedback on performance measures at Local Boards Workshops and meetings in August. Once the Budget Committee have endorsed the performance measures, we will engage with Local Boards to determine their targets. This is expected to take place in September 2014.

Maori impact statement

17. There are a number of existing Maori outcome related performance measures that are being reviewed. Te Waka Angamua and IMSB are part of the key stakeholders group for this work-stream and are providing feedback and support on that part of the review.

Implementation

18. No significant implementation issues are applicable.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	LTP Group of Activity	85

Signatories

Authors

Tushar Shreyakar - Senior Advisor Financial Planning

Taryn Crewe – Financial Planning Manager

Authorisers

Matthew Walker - Manager Financial Plan Policy and Budgeting

Ian Maxwell - Manager Parks, Sports & Recreation

Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee

05 August 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 Open Space Acquisition Programme Overview

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

The public conduct of the part of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding exists under section 7.

s7(2)(i) - The withholding of the information is necessary to enable the local authority to carry on, without prejudice or disadvantage, negotiations (including commercial and industrial negotiations).

In particular, the report contains indicative property aquisition locations.

s48(1)(a)

The public conduct of the part of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding exists under section 7.

C2 Land Acquisition for Open Space, Whangaparaoa

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

The public conduct of the part of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding exists under section 7.

In particular, the report contains information on property values. .

s48(1)(a)

The public conduct of the part of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding exists under section 7.

C3 Proposed Acquisition of Land for Reserve Purposes, Huapai

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

The public conduct of the part of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding exists under section 7.

In particular, the report contains.

s48(1)(a)

The public conduct of the part of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding exists under section 7.

C4 Transfer of Routine Management of Maungauika/North Head to Auckland Council

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

The public conduct of the part of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding exists under section 7.

In particular, the report contains information on costs associated with deferred maintenance which are still under negotiation with the Department of Conservation..

s48(1)(a)

The public conduct of the part of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding exists under section 7.

C5 Proposed Acquisition of Land for Reserve Purposes, Waimauku

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

The public conduct of the part of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding exists under section 7.

In particular, the report contains.

s48(1)(a)

The public conduct of the part of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding exists under section 7.

Chairperson	Hon Christine Fletcher, QSO
Deputy Chairperson	Calum Penrose
Members	Mayor Len Brown, JP (Ex-officio)	Cr John Watson
	Cr Dr Cathy Casey	Member Glenn Wilcox
	Cr Bill Cashmore	Member Karen Wilson
	Cr Ross Clow
	Cr Chris Darby
	Cr Alf Filipaina
	Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse (Ex-officio)
	Cr Mike Lee
	Cr Dick Quax
	Cr Sharon Stewart, QSM
	Cr Sir John Walker, KNZM, CBE
	Cr Wayne Walker