Agenda of Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee

1 Apologies

Apologies from Member G Wilcox, Mayor LCM Brown and Deputy Mayor PA Hulse have been received.

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, 7 October 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 Auckland Volcanic Cones Society

Purpose

1. Mr Greg Smith on behalf of the Auckland Volcanic Cones Society will address the committee regarding the following:

i. the Council owned land in Epsom

ii. the land in Mt Wellington (privately owned)

iii. Crater Hill (privately owned).

Recommendation/s

That the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee:

a) thank Mr Greg Smith on behalf of the Auckland Volcanic Cones Society 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

04 November 2014

Parks, Sports & Recreation - Manager's Report

File No.: CP2014/24516

Purpose

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

Executive summary

2. This report updates 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. Auckland’s 16km Coast to Coast walkway has been recognised by Lonely Planet as one of the world’s “top ten wonderful workouts”.

4. Ken Maplesden - Sport and Recreation Partnerships Manager was named Coach of the Year for Hockey. Ken coaches the Southern Premier Men’s team who won the Auckland League. Five of the team made the New Zealand Black Sticks squad. Ken has also been asked onto the national Community Recreation Advisory Group and the AUT Sports Management Advisory Group.

5. Leisure Team organised a “Make a Difference Day” during the school holidays, raising money for Kidz First Hospital and Starship Hospital. They raised a total of $2,311.20. Last year they chose the Cancer Society for their fundraising efforts and $1,835.50 was raised.

6. The Sustainability of Sport Panel fora have been confirmed and will occur one per week over the month of November. Panel members include representatives appointed from this committee and Local Board sport and recreation portfolio holders. All Panel members will receive a pre-pack with background information. An interim report is expected to be presented to the December meeting of this Committee with a full report in March 2015.

7. The Auckland Sport and Recreation Chief Executives Forum met for the second time and considered the following issues: (1) facilities and assets required for the World Masters Games 2017 are appropriately provided for within the Long Term Plan to ensure they are event ready and (2) working with the sport and recreation sector to support pre-hearings mediation on issues associated with proposed rules in the Draft Unitary Plan that impact grassroots participation in sports and recreation.

8. Signage signaling that Regional Parks are smoke free is in place. The roll-out of signage across Council’s local parks network is underway. New and renewed signage includes the smoke free logo and associated information. Stickers containing this information are being placed on existing signage commencing with high profile locations. The roll-out is uneven; budgets vary Board by Board while some Local Boards commenced the program earlier than others.

9. We recently saw the first ever release of takahē into the wild on the Auckland mainland, at Tāwharanui Regional Park. Work on this release began in January 2013 and was built on the success of the open sanctuary and its pest-free status. Many partners and supporters provided input from DOC’s Takahē Recovery Project team near Te Anau to Tāwharanui Open Sanctuary Society Inc (TOSSI) and the community members who have volunteered and fundraised. This release also highlights an important role we play with iwi. Takahē are taonga (treasures) and the Tāwharanui birds were entrusted into the care of mana whenua, Ngati Manuhiri, by South Island tribe Ngāi Tahu in a moving powhiri at the park.

While not involving the department it is noted that Kiwi were also released on Rotoroa Island in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf. Kiwi chicks, hatched at Auckland Zoo from eggs collected from Te Mata in the Coromandel, were released with more due for release in November.

10. Ambury Farm Day on 5 October was successful despite the untimely power outage and inclement weather in Auckland. Over 20,000 people attended the day with many favorable comments. Regional Park rangers with Communications and Engagement planned and delivered the event, with the support of over 200 volunteers.

11. An inter-agency management group (including police, rural fire, Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara, Auckland Transport and others) at Muriwai was re-established by Regional Parks with a meeting held on September 30 which was well supported by all agencies. There was agreement on working collaboratively to improve public safety (water, vehicles on the beach), reduce environmental impacts in the sensitive dunes habitats, reduce the risk of fire and prevent unauthorised access into the Woodhill Forest.

12. Safe public walking access was established to the recently acquired property at Piha in the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park. A coastal hazard assessment has been undertaken plus the immediately accessible areas of the property have been assessed by members of the Botanical Society to identify and ensure protection of threatened and endangered plant species.

13. The first business meeting was held for the Maunga Authority, where agenda items included updates on expired leases, financial planning, activity fees and charges, filming and events.

14. “The Boroughs” - an innovative project involving pick-up basketball jointly developed and implemented with a commercial partner, Spark, was launched. This project is associated with the development over the next 6-9 months of five hi-tech street ball courts. It will be associated with Steven Adams, New Zealand’s premier basketball player. The initiative integrates social media with informal sports that is expected to provide a new type of experience.

15. Staff are following up the resolution of the Auckland Domain Master Plan Panel that it be renamed the Auckland Domain Committee and operate as a Joint Committee of the Governing Body and the Local Board.

16. Asset Management Plan’s have been reviewed with a particular focus upon identifying renewals given the extent and condition of assets across parks, cemeteries and pools.

17. Staff from across the department have been involved in briefing Local Board members and Councillors with respect to the proposed 2015-25 Long-term Plan. At today’s meeting the opportunity will be taken to briefly update the committee with respect to the role of development contributions.

18. Staff are engaged in implementation planning with regard to initiatives targeting efficiencies, revenue and proposed changes to service levels consistent with the proposed Long-term Plan. This work includes reviewing all capital projects scheduled to commence within the current 2014-15 Annual Plan but, if proceeded with, would commit expenditure in 2015-16 and beyond. The delivery of a range of projects have thus been slowed or delayed in the light of the Governing Body’s resolution that managers exercise prudence to ensure we do not commit expenditure ahead of the Long-term Plan decision making process.

Issues / Challenges

19. Sport New Zealand released fact sheets arising from their 2011 Young People’s Survey. The information highlights the relationship between socio economic background and participation in sports for both girls and boys. The fact sheets are attached.

20. Auckland Council released information concerning the role that gaming plays in the support of local community sport and recreation. The information is attached.

Health & Safety

21. Structures and playgrounds across the parks network are the subject of safety audits as part of Council’s asset management planning processes. The aim is to avoid failures through regular maintenance, but where significant issues are identified, structures are closed and remediation works prioritised.

22. Signage warning people of the danger of rock falls has been placed at priority locations around the Auckland coast. Priority locations include popular walkways and beaches located below coastal cliffs, including many on the North Shore.

Projects

23. Glover Park sports fields and carpeting: Re-levelling of existing sports field surface and installation of new sand carpet surface and associated drainage including all civil works. Contract includes the design and build of an irrigation system for the new sand carpet turf. Develop a concrete pavement path and associated drainage on the perimeter of the sports fields. Design and build new cricket nets, installation of four new concrete cricket wickets, installation two new shot put circles and installation one new long jump pit.

Before

After

24. Mission Bay fountain upgrade: Replace lighting, electrical and water mechanical fittings. Install new touch table lighting system. Remove all old tiles and replace with new

25. Jack Pringle Park toilet block: Replacement of existing toilet with new precast concrete toilet block.

WP_20141014_011

26. Piha Domain toilet and changing block: Demolish existing toilet block and construct a new facility

2014-10-15 13 16 17

27. Completion of the Brett Avenue pocket park, which forms part of the popular Milford to Takapuna coastal walkway. Works include landscaping, furniture / shower, planting, deck, step / concrete work, stone wall and bike rack

28. Completion of the Tui Park public toilet

29. Opening of the Orakei Point to Shore Road walkway occurred on 16th October with participation from all local schools that also provided the artwork on the new section of coastal walkway. This has extended safe pedestrian connection around Hobson Bay.

30. Playtime Park within the Stonefields development in Glen Innes opened at the beginning of October. This park is one of a number that have opened in this new housing area over recent months. This innovative park is based on sand.

31. Tenders have been sought for the construction of the Albany Swimming Pool.

32. We worked to achieve a partial opening of Waitawa Regional Park for Labour Weekend. Major slips are preventing full vehicle access however the public had access into parts of the park which allowed them to walk to the main beach. The remedial roading works required to fully reopen the park are currently being consented and works are scheduled for early in 2015.

33. The Western Block development at Manukau Memorial Gardens is completed. This development provides additional burial space serving communities across southern Auckland for some 40 years.

34. Information brochures and web content is being prepared for the implementation of the Cemetery and Crematoria Bylaw 2014.

Consideration

Local Board views and implications

35. 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.

Māori impact statement

36. Staff are supporting work led by Te Waka Angamua regarding Te Whai Oranga, a Maori Sport and Recreation Wellbeing Plan. The team attended a series of community engagement hui across Auckland and will continue to support this work programme, including those areas of implementation that are consistent with the portfolio of the department.

37. An interagency coalition has formed around tackling issues on physically inactivity as evidenced in population health data. Agencies include the health sector (Ministry of Health, Health Boards, Primary Health Organisations), agencies across the Auckland Council family, together with community and sport groups). The Auckland physical activity and health profile is especially challenging in the south where data shows growing obesity and physical inactivity among Maori and Pacific Island communities in particular.

38. Further to a request at a previous meeting of the committee, the department’s draft Maori Responsiveness Plan “Te Whaka Oranga” has been provided to the Independent Maori Statutory Board. While the plan remains a draft, several initiatives are being progressed including:

· face to face Te Reo lessons are being rolled out across offices in the department. This supplements online training available to all staff

· support for and contribution to Matariki celebrations including the Ki o Rahi Festival and planting days

· graduate, cadet and internment opportunities.

39. Maori impacts with regard to the specific operational and capital expenditure delivery programs are reported as and when specific projects are reported.

Implementation

40. No issues.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	Gaming Fund for Sport and Physical Activity/Recreation 2012	3
b View	New Zealand Young People's Survey	3

Signatories

Author	Ian Maxwell - Manager Parks, Sports & Recreation
Authoriser	Dean Kimpton - Chief Operating Officer

Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee

04 November 2014

Sports field supply and demand review

File No.: CP2014/25046

Purpose

1. To report the outcome of a planned review and update on sports field supply and demand across the Auckland region, and how this impacts the current Sports Field Capacity Development programme.

Executive summary

2. A planned review of the Sports Field Capacity Development (SFCD) programme is being undertaken. A new sports field supply and demand study has been completed to inform the SFCD programme review.

3. The sports field supply and demand study has identified a current field capacity shortfall of 772 hours per week, comprising a shortfall of 144 hours at weekends (mainly for competition) and 628 hours per week on weekdays (mainly for training).

4. These figures include the impact of weather related field closures as this is the practical reality faced by sports clubs. The Auckland Plan has a target to reduce field closures to 10% by 2020.

5. If there were no field closures, there would be a 511 hour reduction in the 2014 shortfall, ie, the shortfall would be 261 hours per week, down from 772 hours.

6. The 2025 projected capacity shortfall is 1,682 hours per week, comprising 519 hours for competition and 1,163 hours for training. These figures include:

a. the 2014/15 SFCD programme capacity increase projects that will be delivered for the 2015/16 season

b. provision to reduce the level of field closures to the Auckland Plan target of 10%.

7. Summary table: Current and 2025 projected shortfall in field playing hours per week

	2014 - includes full weather related field closures - what sports clubs experience	2014 - assumes no weather related field closures	2025 projections – weather related field closures reduced to 10%
Competition	144	58	519
Training	628	203	1,163
Full week total	772	261	1,682

8. Based on the average cost per hour for the capacity increase projects undertaken to date as part of the SFCD programme, capital expenditure of $96m will be required to meet this capacity shortfall of 1,682 hours (an average of $9.6m per annum).

Recommendation/s

That the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee:

a) receive this report

b) endorse the use of the 2025 projections from the sports field supply and demand study in the review of the SFCD programme

c) express on-going commitment to continue upgrading sports fields to address supply and demand issues

d) support inclusion of capital investment to upgrade sports fields in the Long Term Plan 2015-25

e) recommend to the Budget Committee the inclusion of $9.6m capital funding per annum in the LTP 2015-25, to address sports field capacity issues

f) circulate this report to Local Boards for their information.

Comments

Background

9. The planned review of the Sports Field Capacity Development (SFCD) programme is being undertaken in response to a number of key changes, in particular, adoption of the Auckland Plan and the measures put in place in the Proposed Unitary Plan for the distribution of population growth over the next 10 years.

10. The SFCD programme was informed by the sports field supply and demand study undertaken in 2011. The model assumptions used in that study were based on data collected for an earlier study undertaken for Auckland City Council.

11. A new sports field supply and demand study has just been completed. All winter code Regional Sports Organisations (RSO) and 96% of the region’s winter code sports clubs provided information to base the current model assumptions on. The number of categories the model works with have been extended to provide more detailed analysis across the different age groups. The net result has been a marked reduction in the field hours required per team for training. The model assumptions have been reviewed by the RSOs and are considered to be a more accurate reflection of field utilisation.

2014 supply and demand

12. For the 2014 winter season there were about 5,054 community football, rugby and league teams playing in the Auckland region. This is an 8.3% increase from 4,666 teams in 2011.

13. Overall demand is for 6,771 field hours per week, down from 7,849 hours identified in the 2011 study. The reduction is due to more accurate reflection of training demand. The 6,771 field hours per week is made up of 2,382 hours for competition and 4,389 hours for training.

14. Demand hours vary across the region and are largely dependent on the popularity of the codes, the mix of senior and junior teams and the number and grade of centralised modules played in each area.

15. There are 818 winter fields secured for community use, up from 777 identified in the 2011 study. The assessed playing capacity of these fields is 8,769 field hours per week, up from 8,544 field hours in 2011 due to projects delivered through the SFCD programme.

16. Since 2011 Council officers have reviewed the playing capacity of all fields. The capacities of a number of fields were reduced, including adjusting capacities of partially floodlit fields to reflect the hours of lit space available after dark. A small number of privately owned fields that, in 2011, were understood to have formal use agreements have since been identified as being at risk due to the lack of a formal agreement and, as such, have not been included in the field supply.

17. Playing capacity varies across the region and is largely dependent on the location and size of sports parks, the nature of the field surface and the provision of flood lighting.

18. Each winter, weather conditions often require Council to close fields as further play could result in long term damage to the field surface. When fields are closed at weekends the RSO revisits the game schedule and tries to transfer games to other available fields. If few other fields are available games often have to be cancelled due to difficulties in rescheduling, particularly if closures are advised late in the week. Weekday field closures result in club’s cancelling training sessions as few have other fields available to them. Council has acknowledged the disruption resulting from closures through the Auckland Plan target to reduce the level of closures to 10% across the region by 2020.

19. Council records for the three year period 2011 to 2013 have been used to calculate an average closure rate for each field. These closure rates have been applied to the field capacities with adjustments made as appropriate to fields that have been upgraded during that time. The average closure rate across the region was 18%, comprising 13% for competition fields and 21% for training fields.

20. Field closures reduce the available capacity from 8,769 hours per week, to 7,446 hours comprising 2,886 hours for competition and 4,560 hours for training. Whilst the potential capacity is higher, sports field capacity, based on field closure data, is the practical reality that sports clubs experience on a day to day basis.

Current capacity surplus and shortfall

21. Three current scenarios have been modelled, based on field allocation and field closures. Most fields are allocated to a particular club or code with allocation based on club association, historic links and need.

Scenario

Explanation

1. Current code allocation

Impact of weather related field closures included

This is what clubs experience on a day to day basis

Based on field availability – current field allocations applied with weather related closures deducted from field capacity

2. Current code allocation

No weather related field closures

This is what clubs would experience if there were no weather related field closures

Note: although allocations are reviewed regularly it is unrealistic to expect optimal allocation each year^{1
-}

3. Optimal code allocation

Each code is assumed to have the same level of field supply relative to demand, i.e. field allocation is optimised

Fields are assumed to be available for play, ie, no closures

¹ Changes in the size and nature of the population, participation trends, code popularity, club strength and viability and historic field associations all add to continuing changes in demand

22. A 2006 Auckland City sports club study found the limiting factor for parents was travel time to training with much more than 10 minutes likely to see a drop in child participation. For analysis purposes the region has been divided into 67 smaller analysis areas. It is assumed that a capacity shortfall in one area can be accommodated by a capacity surplus in a neighbouring area providing the travel distance or time is not too great. The analysis for this study is based on a maximum 15 minute travel time in urban areas.

23. Under Scenario 1, which models the day to day reality for sports clubs, there is a capacity shortfall of 772 hours per week, comprising 144 hours for competition and 628 hours for training.

24. If there were no weather related closures the level of shortfall experienced by clubs would drop from 772 hours per week to 261 hours comprising 58 hours for competition and 203 hours for training.

25. This level of shortfall could be reduced again to 63 hours per week if it was possible to perfectly match field allocation to each code’s demand with an acceptable travel distance. As noted earlier, this is unrealistic.

Region wide sum of shortfall hours (2014 FFE per week)

	Scenario 1 Current club experience	Scenario 2 What club’s would experience if there were no weather related closures	Scenario 3 What clubs would experience if field allocation was optimised across codes AND there were no weather related closures
Competition	144	58
Training	628	203	63
Full week	772	261	63

Projected 2025 capacity surplus and shortfall

26. Projections for 2025 are based on optimised field allocation, population growth in the 5 to 49 age group, an allowance for some code growth based on current growth trends (albeit at a lower trajectory than recent years) and a reduction in field closures to 10%. The growth figures have been discussed and confirmed by the RSOs.

27. Several other future projection scenarios have been considered based on field allocation and code growth. The rationale for selecting this scenario is:

a. this provides for a level of growth which, whilst reflecting historic trends, is a lower growth trajectory than recent years

b. a growth level which will see winter sport play its part in helping council achieve its annual plan participation target

c. the level of growth is considered conservative and a reduced code growth level, based on available evidence, is considered to under-estimate future participation

d. it allows for the use of all available fields to be maximised and allocated to codes based on the demand for competition and training

e. this reflects that it is likely that field allocations will change over the next 10 years with a continued move away from traditional / historical field allocations towards more shared fields which will allow field allocations between codes to be more finely tuned based on needs.

28. The supply and demand study is a ‘slice in time’ and is based on 2014 demand and supply. During 2014/15 the SFCD programme will deliver a further 210 playing hours per week. These hours have been included as capacity in the 2025 projections.

29. Projections for 2025 are for a capacity shortfall of 1,682 hours per week. This compares with a 2011 projected shortfall of 2,904 hours per week. Since then capacity has been added and more accurate information on current training demand has reduced demand. The 1,682 hours per week shortfall comprise 519 hours for competition and 1,163 hours for training.

30. The table below shows how this shortfall is distributed across the region.

Sector	Local Board	Analysis Area	Competition	Training	Total
North	Takapuna Devonport	Takapuna	38	57	95
		Devonport	7		7
		Hauraki Belmont	6	7	13
	Hibiscus & Bays	East Coast Bays	22	20	42
		Long Bay Torbay	6	16	22
		Silverdale		21	21
	Upper Harbour	Brighams Creek Hobsonville	19	28	47
	Rodney	Kumeu Huapai		19	19
		TOTAL NORTH	98	168	266

West	Henderson Massey	Henderson Glendene	14	55	69
		Te Atatu Peninsula	3	18	21
		Massey West Harbour		9	9
	Waitakere Ranges	Waiatarua Henderson Valley	3	23	26
		Glen Eden Oratia		60	60
		Titirangi Laingholm		36	36
	Avondale	Blockhouse Bay		39	39
		TOTAL WEST	20	240	260

Central	Orakei	Remuera	60	86	146
		Eastern Bays	39	13	52
		Meadowbank St Johns	12	13	25
		Ellerslie	4		4
	Maungakiekie Tamaki	Mt Wellington Mt Richmond	16		16
		Panmure Glen Innes	9		9
		Onehunga One Tree Hill		48	48
	Albert Eden	Mt Albert Morningside	45	119	164
		Mt Eden Balmoral	44	84	128
		Epsom	33	89	122
		Pt Chevalier Waterview	7	73	80
	Puketapapa	Mt Roskill Hillsborough	58		58
		Lynfield Waikowhai	1	15	16
	Waitemata	Herne Bay Westmere	3	78	81
	Waiheke	Waiheke		11	11
		TOTAL CENTRAL	331	629	960

South	Papakura	Papakura	24		24
	Manurewa	Manurewa	16	14	30
	Franklin	Ardmore Hunua Bombay	1	21	22
		Pukekohe	29	44	73
	Howick	Dannemora Botany North		26	26
		Howick		21	21
		TOTAL SOUTH	70	126	196

	TOTAL REGION		519	1163	1682

31. The estimated capital budget required to address the projected shortfall of 1,682 hours is $96m over the next 10 years (an average of $9.6m per annum). This estimate has been based on the average cost per hour for the capacity increase projects in the SFCD programme undertaken to date. The average has been calculated on a sector basis (north, west, central, south), and provides a reasonably robust cost forecast.

32. The 2025 projected shortfall of 1,682 playing hours is based on providing capacity to meet demand within an acceptable travel distance. An alternate view is to consider the total field supply and demand for the region as a whole. Under this scenario it is assumed that excess demand can be met in any area, ie, people would have to travel to use spare capacity (e.g., junior training demand in Mt Albert could be met by capacity in Warkworth. Whilst taking this regional approach would reduce the projected shortfall by 410 hours there would still be a large shortfall of 1,272 hours, ie, the region as a whole would be short by 1,272 hours.

Consideration

Local board views and implications

33. Local Boards are actively involved in the implementation of the Sports Field Capacity Development programme. Sports field provision and capacity is a common issue for most Local Boards, and accordingly is referenced in most Local Board Plans as a priority. There has been no specific input by Local Boards into this planned review and update of the sports field supply and demand model.

Māori impact statement

34. Maori are key participants in sport along with other members of the community. No particular implications for Maori participants, the Maori community or Maori stakeholders have been identified.

Implementation

35. The Parks, Sport and Recreation Department is leading the delivery of the sports field capacity increase programme. The projects in the SFCD programme will be reviewed to ensure alignment with the updated projected supply shortfall.

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report.

Signatories

Author	Mark Bowater - Manager Local and Sports Parks
Authoriser	Ian Maxwell - Manager Parks, Sports & Recreation

Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee

04 November 2014

Approval to publicly notify a request from Muriwai Lifeguard Service Amenities Trust to vary its licence to occupy on Muriwai Regional Park.

File No.: CP2014/24894

Purpose

1. To seek approval from the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee to publicly notify a request from Muriwai Lifeguard Service Amenities Trusts to vary their licence to occupy on Muriwai Regional Park.

Executive summary

2. Muriwai Lifeguard Service Amenities Trusts (MLSAT) has recently applied to council for a variation to their licence to occupy their facility at Muriwai Regional Park.

3. Due to the threat of coastal erosion at the Muriwai Volunteer Lifeguard Service’s (surf club) original site close to the coast on Muriwai Regional Park, new surf club facilities were opened in February 2011 on a new site within the park set back from the coastline. A new entity called MLSAT was created to manage the facilities. The new facilities serve primarily as a location for day to day surf lifesaving activities for the surf club; however, they accommodate 9 other clubs and provide a venue for a range of other activities to take place on a regular basis. These activities include: private and club functions, education and training, exercise classes and accommodation for patrolling lifeguards.

4. MLSAT now wish to increase to the total number of people permitted in the facilities at any one time from 120 to 250 to allow them to sufficiently accommodate the surf clubs’ growing membership, programmes and activities and to enable other member clubs to hold full club functions.

5. The request represents a significant change to the current maximum occupancy of 120 people that was deemed the appropriate limit by the Auckland Regional Council after considering submissions received through the public notification process.

6. In addition to a licence variation, an increase of the maximum occupancy to 250 will trigger the need for a variation to MLSAT’s resource consent for the facilities. An additional 43 car parks will be required to satisfy the Rodney District Plan requirements along with an assessment and mitigation of noise and other impacts related to increased numbers. Council’s Parks and Resource Consents staff and MLSAT representatives have met and identified a low impact car parking solution that would require minimal physical works to achieve and which would be consistent with the Regional Parks Management Plan 2010 and resource consent requirements.

7. The next stage of this process is public notification of the request to vary the licence to occupy. Given the significant change to the licence, likely public interest and location of the facilities on land subject to the Reserves Act 1977, council has a responsibility to publically notify the request in accordance with the Regional Parks Management Plan 2010.

Recommendation/s

That the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee:

a) approve public notification of the Muriwai Lifeguard Service Amenities Trusts (MLSAT) request to vary clause 6.2.2 of their licence to occupy part of Muriwai Regional Park, increasing the total number of people permitted in the facilities at any one time, from 120 to 250.

b) approves the appointment of an independent commissioner if required to hear and consider submissions, and make recommendations to be presented in a further report to the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee at the earliest possible opportunity.

c) requires Muriwai Lifeguard Service Amenities Trust to meet all costs incurred by the council relating to the variation request.

Comments

Background

8. The Muriwai Volunteer Lifeguard Service has been based on Muriwai Regional Park since 1979. Due to the threat of coastal erosion at the original clubrooms site close to the coast near Motutara Road and the Motutara car park, council and the Muriwai Volunteer Lifeguard Service worked together to identify a new site for the club.

9. After significant public consultation that included a public notification and hearing process, Auckland Regional Council entered into an interim agreement for MLSAT (an umbrella organisation for the Muriwai Volunteer Lifeguard Service (surf club) and other various clubs that are domiciled within the new building) to develop new facilities on a site between the Muriwai campground to the west and Village Green to the east (see attachment A).

10. The Muriwai Surf Club project represented the first project to be commenced under the Surf Life Saving Northern Region’s Surf 10:20 project which aimed to redevelop 10 surf clubs in the Auckland region over 10 years. Auckland Council supported the construction of the new surf club facilities by providing a $1 million grant and other support of around $800,000 towards the overall total project cost of approximately $5.5 million. In addition, MLSAT borrowed funds from the ASB Bank and Auckland Council has provided a loan guarantee. To date MLSAT has not been able to discharge its obligations to the ASB Bank by reducing the loan to below $500,000, at which point the loan would revert to an Auckland Council community loan and the loan guarantee would cease.

11. The new facilities were built and opened in February 2011 and Auckland Council entered into the current licence agreement with MLSAT on 1 July 2013. The term of agreement is 20 years with one right of renewal of 14years and 364 days. Information provided by MLSAT in response to submitters formed the basis of a number of conditions, including maximum occupancy, that were required for inclusion in the current licence under the ARC Reduced Quorum (Reduced Quorum) approval in 2009.

12. Muriwai Volunteer Lifeguard Service currently has an overall membership of 650+ members. Within this are 140 active patrolling members, 240 nippers (accompanied by parents), and some 200 associate members. Eight other clubs are presently domiciled within the premises; including the Maori Bay Board Riders and Muriwai Fishing Club which both have memberships in excess of 120 people.

13. The facilities are primarily utilised for day to day surf lifesaving activities and gear storage, however, the design of the building has incorporated various community spaces that allow a range of other activities to take place including functions, education and training, exercise classes and accommodation for patrolling lifeguards.

14. MLSAT has recently applied to council for a variation to clause 6.2.2 which states ‘Ensure the total number of people in the facilities does not exceed 120 at any one time, subject to Clause 6.2.3(a).’ It has been requested that the total number of people permitted in the facilities at any one time is increased from 120 to 250 to enable the Muriwai Volunteer Lifeguard Service’s to accommodate its growing membership and associated programmes and activities and to enable member clubs to hold full club functions.

Assessment of request

15. While the requested increase of the maximum occupancy from 120 to 250 doesn’t involve a change to the building footprint, it does trigger the need for an additional 43 car parks under the Rodney District Plan and is likely to generate other impacts associated with increased traffic to the facilities and increased numbers of people using the facilities.

16. Council’s Parks and Resource Consents staff (including a council consultant transport planner), have met with MLAST representatives and agreed on a potential car parking and traffic management solution consistent with the Regional Parks Management Plan 2010 (RPMP 2010) and resource consent requirements. The preferred location is identified in the RPMP 2010 as a site to be developed for car parking. Minimal physical works to achieve the additional number of spaces would be required allowing the rural character and amenity of the space to be retained. A minimalist approach to the development of car parking including limiting hard structures and barriers has been endorsed by council staff.

17. It is likely the thresholds and mitigation measures set out in the Marshall Day Acoustics - Muriwai Operational Noise Management Plan will still be applicable to the increased numbers and will continue to satisfy the requirements of the Rodney District Plan.

18. Given the substantial change to clause 6.2.2 in the current licence, from what was originally notified and approved, and taking account of the associated impacts and likely level of community interest, council has a responsibility to publically notify the request in respect of s54(2) of the Reserves Act 1977 and policy 13.5.1.9 a),b) and c) of the RPMP 2010.

19. Once submissions have been received, council and/or an independent commissioner will undertake a comprehensive assessment of the request in order to provide recommendations back to the committee.

Consideration

Local board views and implications

20. The Local Board Delegation Protocols (22 January 2013) sets out that the local board will be consulted on occupancy agreements within parks where decision-making is allocated to the Governing Body that require public notification. The Rodney Local Board Chair supports the public notification of MSLAT’s request. A report will be presented to the next Rodney Local Board meeting to seek their formal views on the request.

Māori impact statement

21. Iwi were engaged through the development of the RPMP 2010 which specifically provided for the continued operation of the Muriwai Volunteer Surf Lifesaving Service, new surf club location and development of new car parking area. While supportive of the new facility concerns were raised about potential for archaeological disturbance on the site. As such an archaeological assessment was undertaken prior to construction.

22. Consultation with mana whenua to obtain their formal views will be undertaken as part of the public notification process.

Implementation

23. The public notification period of one month is required to give mana whenua, other Muriwai Regional Park licence holders and the general public the opportunity to provide comment and submissions.

24. It is anticipated that the public notification process will commence November 2014. Depending on the nature of submissions received a hearing may be required.

25. MLSAT have been made aware of the process council must follow and the costs involved and had agreed to meet all costs associated with their request to vary their licence to occupy.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	Aerial Map	3

Signatories

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

Chairperson	Hon Christine Fletcher, QSO
Deputy Chairperson	Cr Calum Penrose
Members	Cr Dr Cathy Casey	Cr Dick Quax
	Cr Bill Cashmore	Cr Sharon Stewart, QSM
	Cr Ross Clow	Cr Sir John Walker, KNZM, CBE
	Cr Chris Darby	Cr Wayne Walker
	Cr Alf Filipaina	Member Glenn Wilcox
	Cr Mike Lee	Member Karen Wilson

Ex-officio	Mayor Len Brown, JP
	Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse