Agenda of Albert-Eden Local Board

1 Welcome

2 Apologies

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

3 Declaration of Interest

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

4 Confirmation of Minutes

That the Albert-Eden Local Board:

a) confirms the minutes of its ordinary meeting, held on Wednesday, 5 November 2014, including the confidential section, as a true and correct record.

5 Leave of Absence

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

6 Acknowledgements

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

7 Petitions

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

8 Deputations

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

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

9 Public Forum

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

9.1 Julie Craig - Oak and Thistle

Executive Summary

Julie Craig, Oak and Thistle, will be in attendance during Public Forum to deliver a presentation to the Board following the club’s recently completed community gardening workshops.

Recommendation/s

That the Albert-Eden Local Board:

a) thanks Julie Craig, Oak and Thistle, for her Public Forum presentation.

9.2 Steve Hodges - OnBoard Skate Incorporated

Executive Summary

Steve Hodges, Chief Executive Officer, OnBoard Skate Incorporated, will be in attendance during Public Forum to deliver a presentation introducing the Board to the club and outlining the various programmes it delivers to local schools and communities.

Recommendation/s

That the Albert-Eden Local Board:

a) thanks Steve Hodges, Chief Executive Officer, OnBoard Skate Incorporated, for his Public Forum presentation.

9.3 Ellen Schindler - Transition Town Pt Chevalier, Old Homestead Community Garden Group

Executive Summary

Ellen Schindler, Transition Town Pt Chevalier, Old Homestead Community Garden Group, will be in attendance during Public Forum to deliver a presentation to the Board outlining the club’s activities over the past 12 months and discuss plans for relocation in the future.

Recommendation/s

That the Albert-Eden Local Board:

a) thanks Ellen Schindler, Transition Town Pt Chevalier, Old Homestead Community Garden Group, for her Public Forum presentation.

9.4 Martin Lee - Auckland Lacrosse Association

Executive Summary

Martin Lee, Auckland Lacrosse Association, will be in attendance during Public Forum to deliver a presentation to the Board outlining the club’s activities in the local area and exploring potential opportunities to collaborate together.

Recommendation/s

That the Albert-Eden Local Board:

a) thanks Martin Lee, Auckland Lacrosse Association, for his Public Forum presentation.

9.5 Christine Foley - Kingsland Business Society Incorporated

Executive Summary

Christine Foley, Manager, Kingsland Business Society Incorporated, and Gavin Smith, Manager, New Zealand Alsco Fresh and Clean, will be in attendance during Public Forum to deliver a presentation updating the Board on the Alsco Pocket Park project.

Recommendation/s

That the Albert-Eden Local Board:

a) thanks Christine Foley, Manager, Kingsland Business Society Incorporated, and Gavin Smith, Manager, New Zealand Alsco Fresh and Clean, for their Public Forum presentation.

10 Extraordinary Business

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

11 Notices of Motion

11.1 Notice of Motion - Regional Land Transport Plan

In accordance with Standing Order 3.11.1, the following Notice of Motion has been received from Member Tim Woolfield for inclusion on the agenda for the Albert-Eden Local Board meeting being held on day, Wednesday, 3 December 2014:

Recommendation/s

That the Albert-Eden Local Board:

a) Provides the following feedback on the draft Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP):

I) All five benefits, listed below, of the RLTP are important to the Albert-Eden Local Board and their communities:

i) Increased access to a wider range of quality affordable transport choices

ii) Auckland transport system moves people and goods efficiently

iii) Better use of transport investment

iv) Auckland’s transport system enables growth in a way that supports communities and a high quality urban form

v) 1) Reduce adverse effects from Auckland’s transport system- Safety

2) Reduce adverse effects from Auckland’s transport system- Environmental and Health

3) Reduce adverse effects from Auckland’s transport system- Cultural

II) The assessment criteria used to rank projects in the draft RLTP is unlikely to reflect the benefits of delivering related projects.

III) Supports a greater proportion of available resources being invested directly in Public Transport (PT) or those projects that would have indirect benefits to PT with the aim of achieving a more balanced modal split by improving the quality and reliability of service to PT users to support increased patronage and improve fare-box recovery.

b) Requests Auckland Transport progress the following projects and initiatives through the RLTP process:

I) Continue with the Dominion Road Upgrade Project as scoped, including approving funding

II) Complete the work at Mt Albert station with respect to the connection to New North Road from the station as originally planned

III) Implement upgrades to intersections around St Lukes Mall based on Plan change 8 with greater priority than listed, while leveraging off the proposed developments

IV) Balmoral Road bus connection improvements be delivered in co-ordination with the proposed bus route optimisation project

V) The 12 programmes of work listed below be progressed to the next stage so specific projects can be determined:

Current Rank (out of 139)	Programme
9	Walking and Cycling Programme
10	Bus Priority Improvements & Transit Lanes
14	Safety programme – 5 projects listed separately
16	Red Light Cameras new
28	Route optimisation
37	Tactile paving /pram crossing upgrades
57	Network Operating Plan Capital Programme
59	Traffic Signals New
67	Street lighting improvements
69	Bus stop improvements programme
103	Intersection upgrade programme (less than $5 million)
130	Design and construction of destination and urban route signage

c) thanks Auckland Transport for their work in assessing and prioritising the RTLP programme and projects in readiness for public consultation and welcomes further discussion on the proposed programme and projects.

Background

The Albert-Eden Local Board has provided informal feedback through an initial workshop with Auckland Transport based on the below information. This Notice of Motion seeks to provide this feedback formally for Auckland Transports records, including but not limited to the following points:

The Albert-Eden Local Board notes:

I) All five benefits, listed below, of the RLTP are important to the Albert-Eden Local Board and their communities:

i) Increased access to a wider range of quality affordable transport choices

ii) Auckland transport system moves people and goods efficiently

iii) Better use of transport investment

iv) Auckland’s transport system enables growth in a way that supports communities and a high quality urban form

v) 1) Reduce adverse effects from Auckland’s transport system- Safety

2) Reduce adverse effects from Auckland’s transport system- Environmental and Health

3) Reduce adverse effects from Auckland’s transport system- Cultural

II) The assessment criteria used to rank projects in the draft RLTP is unlikely to reflect the benefits of delivering related projects.

IV) Requests Auckland Transport progress the following projects and initiatives through the RLTP process:

i) Continue with the Dominion Road Upgrade Project as scoped, including approving funding

ii) Complete the work at Mt Albert station with respect to the connection to New North Road from the station as originally planned

iii) Implement upgrades to intersections around St Lukes Mall based on Plan change 8 with greater priority than listed, while leveraging off the proposed developments

iv) Balmoral Road bus connection improvements be delivered in co-ordination with the proposed bus route optimisation project

v) The 12 programmes of work listed below be progressed to the next stage so specific projects can be determined:

Current Rank (out of 139)	Programme
9	Walking and Cycling Programme
10	Bus Priority Improvements & Transit Lanes
14	Safety programme – 5 projects listed separately
16	Red Light Cameras new
28	Route optimisation
37	Tactile paving /pram crossing upgrades
57	Network Operating Plan Capital Programme
59	Traffic Signals New
67	Street lighting improvements
69	Bus stop improvements programme
103	Intersection upgrade programme (less than $5 million)
130	Design and construction of destination and urban route signage

Information provided by Auckland Transport

Auckland Transport presented a list of projects and assessment criteria to the Albert-Eden Local Board on the 19^th November 2014 for consultation as part of the RLTP process.

The assessment criteria are as follows:

I) Benefit 1: Increased access to a wider range of quality affordable transport choices

II) Benefit 2: Auckland’s transport system moves people & goods efficiently

III) Benefit 3: Better use of transport investment

IV) Benefit 4: Auckland’s transport system enables growth in a way that supports communities and a high quality urban form

V) Benefit 5: Reduce adverse effects from Auckland’s transport system

i) Safety

ii) Environmental & Health

iii) Cultural

Ranked Capex Projects for Albert-Eden

Of the projects ranked in the draft RLTP, the below are the projects listed for Albert-Eden:

Current Rank (out of 139)	Project	Recommendation / Comment
8	Dominion Road Corridor upgrade	Continue with project including upgrade to village centres
63	Plan change 8 St Lukes Mall Transport Mitigation	This should be co-ordinated with developments at St Lukes
86	Mt Albert Interchange
87	Point Chevalier Shops bus-bus connection
93	Mount Eden Village – bus movements Stokes to Mt Eden Road
91	St Lukes Road bus-bus connection
98	Park n Ride – Mt Albert Station
102	Park n Ride – Dominion Road
113	Balmoral Road bus connection improvements	Should be incorporated in coordination with proposed new bus routes
114	Mt Albert Road bus connection improvements
120	Greenlane Station access improvements

Programmes

Also included were programmes of works. They are ongoing initiatives that may result in specific projects or influence the design and delivery of others.

Current Rank (out of 139)	Programme
9	Walking and Cycling Programme
10	Bus Priority Improvements & Transit Lanes
14	Safety programme – 5 projects listed separately
16	Red Light Cameras new
28	Route optimisation
37	Tactile paving /pram crossing upgrades
57	Network Operating Plan Capital Programme
59	Traffic Signals New
67	Street lighting improvements
69	Bus stop improvements programme
103	Intersection upgrade programme (less than $5 million)
130	Design and construction of destination and urban route signage

Signatory:

Tim Woolfield, Local Board Member

Albert-Eden Local Board

03 December 2014

Draft Point Chevalier Community Facility and Recreation Action Plan

File No.: CP2014/26489

Purpose

1. To seek the Albert-Eden Local Board’s endorsement of the Point Chevalier Community Facility and Recreation Action Plan (the action plan).

Executive summary

2. The action plan supports the local board’s aspiration identified in the Albert-Eden Local Board Plan 2014, that providing community and recreation facilities is a key component in building strong communities. It is a tool for the Albert-Eden Local Board to support improved use, access, and investment in community and recreation facilities in Point Chevalier.

3. From March to May 2013, officers conducted research, data mapping and analysis, as well as engagement with community groups and residents in Point Chevalier to create a profile of the community and its use of community and recreation facilities. Data was gathered from venues, sites visits and desktop research and GIS data was mapped and analysed. Two workshops were held with stakeholders and 40 people responded to an online survey. The data collected was used to identify issues and opportunities for Point Chevalier’s community and recreation facilities and develop a draft action plan.

4. In September 2013 the draft action plan was presented to the Albert-Eden Local Board. It was noted that officers would complete the Point Chevalier Community Facilities and Recreation Action Plan in 2014 in order to incorporate the new census data and align outcomes to other community facility and recreation projects and planned work for the Point Chevalier area.

5. In early to mid 2014 a second round of information gathering occurred on venues in the Point Chevalier area and new census information was incorporated into the mapping and analysis of the action plan.

6. Within the short to medium term any financial implications associated with delivering the action plan can or will need to be sourced from within the Albert- Eden’s local board operational and capital budgets including from existing renewal budgets. Longer term any significant budget requirements associated with major facility upgrades or new facility developments would need to be considered as part of future Long Term Plan processes, at the appropriate time.

Recommendation/s

That the Albert-Eden Local Board:

a) Endorse the Point Chevalier Community Facility and Recreation Action Plan.

b) Note that officers have developed a summary action sheet for Point Chevalier Community Facility and Recreation Action Plan.

Comments

7. The action plan supports the local board’s aspiration in the Albert-Eden Local Board Plan 2014, that providing community and recreation facilities is a key component in building strong communities.

8. The purpose of the action plan is to identify and assess community strengths and needs for community and recreation facilities in Point Chevalier, and to identify actions and opportunities to improve community and recreation facilities. The action plan is a tool to support improved use, access and investment in community and recreation facilities in Point Chevalier. It will help influence planning decisions for community and recreation facilities and assist the local board to prioritise future investment.

9. From March to May 2013, offices conducted research, data mapping and analysis, as well as public engagement with community groups and residents in Point Chevalier to create a profile of the community and its use of community and recreation facilities. Data was gathered from venues, sites visits and desktop research and GIS data was mapped and analysed.

10. Public engagement on the action plan took place between 19 April and 12 May 2013. Public engagement was promoted through posters in the Point Chevalier area and information releases on the local board website and Point Chevalier Community Hub website. A workshop invite was emailed to stakeholders and residents in the Point Chevalier area. Workshops were held to identify barriers to use of community and recreation facilities and to seek feedback on issues and opportunities. An online survey was used to gather information on community facility use, hireage and identify actions for improvement. Ten people participated in workshops and 40 people responded to the online survey.

11. In September 2013 the draft action plan was presented to the Albert-Eden Local Board. It was noted that officers would complete the Point Chevalier Community Facilities and Recreation Action Plan in 2014 in order to incorporate the new census data and align outcomes to other community facility and recreation projects and planned work for the Point Chevalier area.

12. In early 2014 a second round of information gathering occurred on venues in the Point Chevalier area and new census information was incorporated into the mapping and analysis of the action plan.

Consideration

Local board views and implications

13. Officers have been working with a local board members Margi Watson and Graeme Easte on an ongoing basis in the development of all material for the action plan.

14. Two workshops were held with the Albert-Eden Local Board to support the development of the draft action plan. The first workshop was held in July 2013 to present the information gathered through the research and public engagement and discussed the identified opportunities and actions. The second workshop was held in October 2014 during which the revised draft action plan was presented to the board.

Māori impact statement

15. Improving community and recreation facilities is identified in the Albert-Eden Board Plan and funded through the 2013/2014 Annual Plan. Both of these plans underwent iwi consultation in their development.

16. As part of council’s commitment to Maori, implementation of actions identified within the action plan will undergo a consultation process consistent with the Maori Responsiveness Framework.

Implementation

17. Within the short to medium term any financial implications associated with delivering the action plan can or will need to be sourced from within the Albert- Eden’s local board operational and capital budgets including from existing renewal budgets. Longer term any significant budget requirements associated with major facility upgrades or new facility developments would need to be considered as part of future LTP processes, at the appropriate time.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	Point Chevalier Community Facility and Recreation Action Plan	5
b View	Summary Action Sheet - Point Chevalier Community Factility and Recreation Action Plan	5

Signatories

Author

Antonia Butler - Principal Policy Analyst

Authorisers

Anaru Vercoe - Manager, Community Policy & Planning

Adam Milina - Relationship Manager - Albert-Eden & Orakei Local Boards

Albert-Eden Local Board

03 December 2014

Auckland Transport Monthly Update Report – December 2014

File No.: CP2014/27867

Purpose

1. This report provides an update on local transport matters over the last month for the Albert-Eden Local Board.

Executive Summary

2. This report contains a general monthly update on transport matters both locally and from across Auckland and a list of issues currently being addressed by Auckland Transport for the Albert-Eden Local Board.

Recommendation/s

That the Albert-Eden Local Board:

a) Receives this report

Discussion

Responding to Previous Resolutions

3. Resolution Number: AE/2014/10

b) That Albert-Eden Local Board requests Auckland Transport assess the installation of permanent parking (angle and/or parallel) on the western and eastern side of Cricket Avenue in Mount Eden.

c) That Albert-Eden Local Board requests Auckland Transport to consider traffic calming measures along Cricket Avenue.

This resolution was forwarded to the Manager Road Corridor Operations (Central) for investigation. The Manager Road Corridor Operations (Central) has reported back that angle parking is not feasible. Instead of angle parking, permanently marked, parallel parking will be installed.

Assessment of the street for traffic calming is still on-going and initial findings point to there being possible benefits from installing of speed tables. But their effect on parallel parking is still being discussed and it may be that it would be prudent to allow a monitoring period between the parking change and any installation of new traffic calming. When this discussion is resolved a report on the final decision will be provided.

Resolution number AE/2014/79

That the Albert-Eden Local Board:

a) Receives the Notice of Motion – Dominion Road – New North Road Intersection Proposal

b) Notes that:

· Suggestions have been made that the bleak environment of the existing structure should be replaced with a more human-scale and pedestrian-friendly design.

· The existing structure with its sweeping ramps at each corner occupies at least two hectares more land than would be required for a conventional at-grade intersection.

· Adjoining commercial properties have current land valuations in the range of $948 to $1,781 per square metre so this land is conservatively worth at least $20 million and probably substantially more.

· Dominion Road has an existing grade-separated crossing of the North Western Railway line – unlike Porters Avenue some 200 metres East of Dominion Road and George Street 200 metres to the West, which both have level crossings.

· The Porters Avenue level crossing needs to be resolved soon by closure or grade-separation as the Central Rail Link (CRL) project requires the existing two lines at this point to become four, significantly increasing the risk of accidents for motorists and pedestrians.

· Grade separation of the Porters Avenue crossing would require a bridge six metres above the tracks with approach ramps some 80 metres long to the north and south, flanked by slip lanes serving properties that would otherwise lose their road access and become land-locked.

· Although an optimistic 2004 report suggested that this might be achieved for as little as $3.28 million, more recent investigations suggest a range of the order of $15-20 million including land purchase as well as construction costs.

· In addition to the potential income from sale of surplus land there is an opportunity to divert the substantial funding otherwise required for grade separation of the Porters Avenue level-crossing to fund demolition of the Dominion Road-New North Road interchange and its replacement with a signalised at-grade intersection.

c) Requests Auckland Transport to investigate the feasibility of replacing the grade-separated intersection of Dominion Road and New North Road with a signalised at-grade intersection.

d) Should this proposal be progressed, the Board requests Auckland Transport to collaborate with other parts of the Council organisation, including the two affected Local Boards, Planners and Parks officers, to ensure that adjoining land no longer needed for roads is appropriately developed, including consideration of amenity and park uses.

e) Draws this proposal to the attention of the Waitemata Local Board and Ludo Campbell-Reid, Auckland Council’s Urban Design Champion.

This resolution is very complex and will take some time to for Auckland Transport to respond to formally. At this time the key actions that have been taken can be reported as follows:

· The resolution has been discussed with the Central Rail Link Team and the Auckland Transport’s Manager of Strategy; and

· The Strategy Team are the appropriate point of contact for Auckland Transport and a meeting is currently being scheduled with the Manager Strategy to discuss the resolutions with Member Easte.

In summary The Albert-Eden Local Board does need to be aware of the complexity of this request. Essentially in sub-para (c) Auckland Transport has been asked to consider bringing a project worth tens of millions of dollars into an already very financially constrained programme. A decision of this nature requires a detailed assessment of feasibility that will cost between $50-100,000 before it can be confirmed that the idea is worth further consideration. The reasons this expense is required are:

· This intersection is a key part of the future public transport network and any change to it needs to be carefully investigated and the effects of that change carefully studied; and

· Each of the hypotheses in the resolution will need to be tested i.e.

i. Would a new level intersection that providing a similar level of public transport operability have a smaller ‘foot print’ than the current intersection?

ii. What would be the actual amount of land, able to be developed to offset cost?

iii. What is the actual current estimated cost of the proposal?

The scale of the potential project imposes a degree of rigour on this ‘due diligence’. The cost is significant ($50-100,000) because applying resources (whether Auckland Transport or contracted) to a project of this scale that is not warranted, is not a good use of scare resource.

Auckland Transport’s Manager Strategy will meet with Member Easte (who proposed the original Motion) to discuss the proposal but it is important that the Albert-Eden Local Board understands the potential cost implications and the complexity of this request and supports that the initial investigation of this project’ feasibility, warrants this level of investment.

Once the Manager Strategy has met with Member Easte a decision will be made by Auckland Transport about whether the organisation believes that the project warrants this level of investment and Auckland Transport will report back to the Albert-Eden Local Board.

Discussion

Auckland Transport Work Programme

4. Auckland Transport aims to provide an annual work programme, to all Local Boards.

5. Auckland Transport’s work programme is decided after Auckland Council’s budget is confirmed so briefing Local Boards has taken longer than predicted.

6. Central Auckland Local Boards were briefed about the overall effect of the Long Term Plan by Auckland Transport’s Chief Executive on 30 October 2014.

7. All elected members were invited to attend and the Chief Executive and the Strategy Team spoke about:

· The funding constraints that Auckland Transport is subject too;

· How projects are prioritised within Auckland Transport’s work programme; and

· An opportunity was provided to see ‘live’ examples of how projects are prioritised.

8. On 19 November 2014 a more detailed workshop was conducted with the full Albert-Eden Local Board and a number of key points were discussed. The workshop was also an opportunity to circulate the detailed annual work programme.

Corridor Management Plans

9. Auckland Transport is developing six, Corridor Management Plans (CMPs) in the Albert-Eden Local Board’s area and their current status is as follows:

· Great North Road from Karangahape Road to Ash Street – is in its final form and has been reviewed by the Albert-Eden Local Board;

· Manukau Road, Mt Albert/Carrington Roads, Greenland Road West, New North Road and Great South Road are all in the stages of drafting and when they are finished will be brought back to the Albert-Eden Local Board when it is finished for final review.

· The new Sandringham Road CMP has now started.

10. On 26 November 2014 the Sandringham Road CMP will be introduced to the Albert-Eden Local Board.

Dominion Road Update

11. The project aims to provide continuous bus lanes along Dominion Road from SH 20 to View Road. The project aims to improve bus travel times on this important route. The upgrade is planned to include upgraded footpaths through the three Dominion Road ‘villages’, safety improvements for pedestrians and improved optimisation of traffic signals.

12. Currently there is no start date for physical works. Auckland Council’s budget discussions are not yet complete and until the final budget is decided all major projects not already committed to are ‘on hold’. When there is greater clarity about the status of this project more information will be provided.

13. Construction of the Dominion Road Alternative Cycle Route started in early June 2014 and continues as planned. The Dominion Road Alternative Cycle Routes are nearly finished and it is planned that there will be an official launch early in 2015.

14. Minor issues with marking traffic calming measures continue to be identified and remedied.

Albert-Eden Local Board Transport Capital Fund

15. The Albert - Eden Local Board has $664,933 per annum of discretionary funding for transport-related capital projects. It may allocate funding for the whole electoral term (i.e. $1,994,799) at any stage during its term.

16. The uncommitted $119,016 from the previous electoral term may also be rolled over on this occasion, giving the Albert-Eden Local Board a total pool of approximately $2,113,815 available in this electoral term to spend on transport projects.

17. This money can be used for projects identified by the Local Board, the principal constraints being that the project:

· Will not compromise transport safety;

· Is transport-related;

· Does not compromise the efficiency of the road network.

18. So far, in this electoral term, the Albert-Eden Local Board has requested a number of projects that are listed in Attachment A with information about their status and progress.

19. This month Auckland Transport is able to report back about the following projects that have progressed significantly in the last month:

· The Balmoral ‘Residential Quiet Zones project is now complete. However, there are a couple of outstanding issues that are still being fixed:

- In Volcanic Street the red threshold ‘bands are in the wrong place and engineers are trying to work out the best solution because blacking out or burning off the coloured bands will result in unsightly surface scarring.

- Producing uniform speed bumps is impossible and there are some that are too steep. As they are identified they will be rectified.

A review of the project will be undertaken. A date has not been set yet but it will not be for at least three months. This time lets traffic use patterns settle before we try and study the effect of these interventions.

· Auckland Transport has started planning delivery of the LED lighting requested by the Albert-Eden Local Board in the Mt Albert and Mt Eden shopping areas and plans that delivery will be undertaken by mid-2015. The Albert-Eden Local Board has requested that the Mt Albert part of the project is sped up and Auckland Transport is working to achieve this request.

· Auckland Transport continues to work on a final design for the pedestrian refuge at approx. 259 Manual Road.

· The engineer working on the Cadman Road footpath has made contact with Auckland Council’s Parks Department and both groups are working together to deliver the footpath that was requested.

· The engineer doing the Sainsbury Road Traffic Calming Project has made contact with Katrina Morgan Auckland Council’s Small Local Projects Fund team leader (who is project managing the work in Sainsbury Reserve) and they are working together to develop a solution that will meet the Local Board’s objectives.

· Detailed design for installing cycle racks and lockers at Greenlane and Kingsland Rail Stations is progressing. The team has identified that the land originally identified as a possible site for bicycle facilities at the Greenlane Station is no longer available having been leased by Kiwi Rail. This means that the Local Board must decide if it wishes to continue with either a scaled down option at Greenlane Station, switch funding to another station or, accelerate another project from the Local Board’s prioritised list of projects.

· The Morningside Drive’s pedestrian refuge project is being re-investigated because the Albert-Eden Local Board is concerned that three refuges were originally requested but only one delivered. The engineer managing the project has provided initial feedback on the reasons for this. One was deleted due to there not being a safe location for it to be installed (i.e. sufficient visibility). The other one was deleted because of strong local opposition during consultation. The engineer is keen to meet with any Local Board Members with an interest in discussing the situation.

20. The Albert-Eden Local Board has provided an ‘in principle’ prioritisation of projects that Auckland Transport can use to plan its work programme.

21. The Albert-Eden Local Board is encouraged to start thinking about projects that could be considered in the next electoral term. This is a strategic step that would provide the next Board with potential ideas for future projects.

Issues Register

	Description	AT Response
Taylors Road	Issues with the width of Taylors Road and the ability of cars and trucks to safely negotiate the street have been highlighted by the Albert-Eden Local Board.	This matter has been logged previously by the Transport Portfolio Lead (Ref #CAS-432376-M1F7S1) Investigation has been undertaken and the following response provided. Auckland Transport staff have visited the site and reviewed the situation. Safety issues were not identified by the engineers. On-site inspection confirmed that Taylors Road is approximately 8.5 metres wide. This means that it is not (technically) a ‘narrow street’ because the technical definition of a narrow street is being less than 6.5 metres wide. This is the minimum width because it allows: · Two metres worth of parking on each side of the road; and · A 2.5 metre through lane, which emergency services have confirmed is the minimum space required for their vehicles to have access (i.e. Large fire engines and large trucks are less than 2.5 metres wide) In the opinion of the traffic engineers the width of 8.5 metres provides enough space to accommodate parked vehicles and for vehicles to move slowly along the road. The parked vehicles also to discourage drivers from speeding as cars parked on either side of the road give drivers the impression of a ‘narrow street’, encouraging greater care when driving. Auckland Transport believes that the on-street parking serves as an effective tool for maintaining acceptable speeds in the street. This issue has been raised in the past and Auckland Transport has suggested removing some parking spaces to improve vehicle access. This was not supported by local businesses. In the future it is possible that Taylors Road may be widened when it’s kerb and channel is due for renewal but this is not in the foreseeable future and that that road widening to provide more parking is not consistent with current policy. In summary the engineer’s position is that the street is wide enough for vehicles to safely traverse. It is narrow but not narrow enough to warrant removal of parking or widening the road. In fact the narrowness improves safety by making the traffic environment slower and more cautious which is safer for the local school and helps stop the road becoming a ’rat-run’.
Parking in Epsom in vicinity of Queen Mary Avenue	Concerns have been raised about a lack of retail parking for the cinema and shops on Manukau Road, Queen Mary Avenue and in surrounding areas.	A simple solution to the problem is not readily apparent but the Auckland Transport Parking Team is working closely with the Board’s Transport Representative to try and develop a solution.
Mountain Road Traffic Issues	Residents have raised concerns about the amount and behaviour of traffic on Mountain Road during school morning and afternoon peaks. Of particular concern was the difficulty for traffic to negotiate the intersections of Mountain Road and: · Glenfell / Almorah Roads; and · Gilgit Road.	Considerable work has been done ‘behind the scenes’ and in the next few months stakeholders will start to become more involved as the Safety Around Schools Team starts wider community engagement. The Transport Portfolio Leader met the Manager Community Transport to discuss this project on 23 September 2014. The Manager Community Transport briefed the Transport Portfolio Leader on progress, outlined current situation and committed to ensuring that information flows better between the different agencies working on this issues. Since this meeting there has been greater information flow and on 12 November 2014 the Transport Representative for the area attended and consultation plans were discussed.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	Summary of Albert-Eden Local Board Transport Capital Fund Projects: 2013-2016 Electoral Term	5

Signatories

Author	Ben Stallworthy - Elected Member Relationship Manager, Auckland Transport
Authoriser	Jonathan Anyon - Elected Member Relationship Team Manager, Auckland Transport

Albert-Eden Local Board

03 December 2014

2014/2015 Albert Eden Local Board SLIPs Programme Update December 2014

File No.: CP2014/26278

Purpose

1. This report provides a project summary for the Albert Eden Local Board 2014/2015 Small Local Improvement Projects (SLIPs) programme, and recommends projects for approval and commencement.

Executive summary

2. In the 2014/2015 financial year the Albert Eden Local Board has $557,828 capital budget to complete deferred projects and for allocation to new projects.

3. A sum of $82,500 capital expenditure is required to complete projects deferred across from 2013/2014 for delivery.

4. To date an additional $163,100 capital expenditure has been allocated to projects within the 2014/2015 financial year.

5. A sum of $312,228 capital expenditure remains for allocation to projects within the 2014/2015 financial year.

6. Recommendations are being sought in this report that will allocate a total of $295,000 capital funding. The proposal recommendations being sought are summarized below:

PROJECT NAME	BUDGET REQUESTED	COMMENTS
1. Sainsbury Reserve Improvements – Stage one of two physical works	$150,000 Capex	To deliver stage one physical works in the northern section of the Reserve. Works include for footpaths, playground, seating, gardens, signage.
2. Essex Reserve Improvements Plan – Stage two design, consent and physical works.	$100,000 Capex Noting contribution from FY15 renewals funding	Once public consultation has been completed and the final concept plan has been agreed, undertake physical works that include for improved footpaths, seating, access and playground equipment.
3. Potters park concept plan - Consultation and design	$25,000 Capex	To progress public consultation and stakeholder engagement in concept planning for the Park, through to developed design and eng costing.
4. Windmill Reserve : Pathway from entrance to basketball court	$20,000 Capex	To construct a 1.8 mtr wide exposed aggregate pathway from Windmill Rd entrance to the basketball courts

5. It is expected the remaining capital expenditure of $17,228 will be allocated to the below proposals still currently in scoping :

PROPOSAL NAME	COMMENTS
1. Bike racks at Te Mahurehure	Installation of bike racks at Te Mahurehure Marae
2. Wooden boards produce & install - WWI memorial boards for Mt Albert hall	Production and installation of memorial boards in remembrance of those that died in action during WWI And WWII
3. Learn to ride (Design plan)	Plan for a learn to ride circuit for juniors

4. In the 2014/2015 financial year the Albert Eden Local Board has $89,454 operational budget to allocate to projects; to date $19,742 or 22% of the operational budget has been allocated.

5. Recommendations are being sought in this report that will allocate a total of $51,000 operational funding. The proposal recommendations being sought are summarized below:

PROJECT NAME	BUDGET REQUESTED	COMMENTS
1. Edenvale Park - Landscaping stage one	$50,000 Opex	To deliver stage one landscaping physical works in the park as per the Improvements plan
2. Delphine-McGehan Close Reserve	$1,000 Opex	Community strengthening project - on site gathering with the locals to find our their wishes / needs for the reserve

3. It is expected the remaining operational expenditure of $18,712 will be allocated to the below proposals still currently in scoping :

PROPOSAL NAME	COMMENTS
1. Pt Chevalier heritage walks brochure : formatting and printing	Undertake the formatting of the finalised Pt Chevalier heritage walks brochure and printing
2. Pa Harakeke - Walmer Reserve (planning & consultation)	Community strengthening project – working with local residents to establish their wishes and future needs for the reserve.

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

4. Most projects will need eight months or more to be successfully delivered within the 2014/2015 financial year. Projects that have budget allocated to them with less than six months remaining within the current financial year will be at risk of not being completed by 2014/2015 financial year end.

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

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

Recommendation/s

That the Albert-Eden Local Board:

a) Receives the Albert Eden 2014/2015 SLIPs programme – December 2014 update.

b) Approves the following capital SLIPs projects for 2014/ 2015 year and confirms the Project Spokesperson/s.

No	Project description	Capex	Budget value	Local Board Spokesperson/s
1.	Sainsbury Reserve Improvements – Stage two physical works	Capex	$ 150,000	Members Watson & Easte
2.	Essex Reserve Improvements Plan – Stage two design, consent and physical works (contribution top up).	Capex	$100,000	Members Langton & Corrick
3.	Potters park concept plan - Consultation and design	Capex	$25,000	Members Haynes and Langton
4.	Windmill Reserve : Pathway from entrance to basketball court	Capex	$20,000	Member Haynes & Fryer
	Total		$295,000

c) Approves the following operational SLIPs projects for 2014/ 2015 year and confirms the Project Spokesperson/s.

No	Project description	Opex	Budget value	Local Board Spokesperson/s
1.	Edenvale Park - Landscaping as per the Improvements Plan	Opex	$50,000	Members Haynes & Watson
3.	Delphine-McGehan Close Res (community strengthening project)	Opex	$1,000	Members Watson & Easte
	Total		$51,000

d) Notes upon approval of the above recommendations there will be $17,228 SLIPs capital funding remaining for deferred projects and for allocation to new projects in the 2014/2015 financial year.

e) Notes upon approval of the above recommendations there will be $18,712 SLIPs operational funding remaining to allocate in the 2014/2015 financial year.

f) Delegates authority to the Chair and Deputy Chair the power to allocate the remainder of the 2014/2015 SLIPs capital and operating expenditure to ensure additional projects can be approved and delivered before the end of the financial year.

Comments

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

8. Funding for the proposed projects within this report will come from the Albert Eden Local Board’s SLIPs budget. After allocating budget to all the projects listed in this report and elsewhere, the Albert Eden Local Board will still have unallocated SLIPs capital and operational funding. Further reporting as part of the monthly work programme reporting will be used to determine what other projects the Board may wish to fund.

9. The ability the SLIPs delivery team to deliver outcomes is dependent on the timing of the decisions made by the Local Board to allocate budgets to projects to allow for a minimum of six to eight months delivering those outcomes.

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

Proposed 2014/15 Local Improvement Projects (SLIPs)

11. Detailed information regarding projects carried forward from the 2013/2014 financial year is shown in the Albert Eden 2014/2015 combined programme attachment.

12. In the 2014/2015 financial year the Albert Eden Local Board has $89,454 operational budget to allocate to project and $557,828 capital budget to complete deferred projects and for allocation to new projects.

13. Recommendations are being sought in this report that will allocate a total of $51,000 operational funding, and a total of $295,000 capital funding.

14. After approval of the recommendations in this report a total of $540,600 or 97% (percentages rounded) of the available SLIPs capital expenditure will be allocated and a total of $70,742 or 79% (percentages rounded) of the available SLIPs operational expenditure will be allocated.

Capital Expenditure Projects

15. Sainsbury Reserve Improvements Plan – Stage one of two physical works (northern Reserve). Design planning and public consultation has been completed to advance amenity improvements in Reserve. The finalised Sainsbury Reserve Improvements Plan will be communicated with the local community prior to public adoption of the Plan by the Albert Eden Local board at their next business meeting. The approval of the capital budget will enable the confirmation of quotes and resource consent planning to progress. Stage one physical works include footpaths, playground, seating, gardens, and signage.

16. Essex Reserve Improvements Plan – Stage two design, consent and physical works The approval of the capital budget will enable the public consultation and detailed design phases to progress. Upon completion of the public consultation phase, the agreed finalised Essex Reserve Improvements Plan will be formally adopted by the Albert Eden Local Board outlining the physical works to be undertaken during the FY2014/2015 financial year. Once formally approved, the physical works phase can then progress, which includes contribution funding from the parks renewals budget and Auckland Transport Capital Improvement Funding.

17. Potters park concept plan - Consultation and design. The initial background information has been investigated and is complete. The approval of this capital budget will enable intensive public consultation and developed design phases to progress. Upon completion of the public consultation and engagement phase, the agreed Potters Park Concept Plan will be formally adopted by the Albert Eden Local Board.

18. Windmill Reserve pathway from Windmill Road entrance to the basketball courts. Construction of an exposed aggregate concrete pathway 1.8 mtrs wide (approximately 120 sq mtrs). This includes for design, tree consent for works in the tree drip line, potential tree root bridging detail, dealing with the man hole lids in situ and contingency. Any savings to be returned for reallocation within the 2014/2015 financial year.

Operational Expenditure Projects

19. Edenvale Park – Stage one landscaping as per the Improvements Plan. Landscaping improvements include for clearance of all low growing shrub planting as per the Concept plan where shrubs are overgrown and stump grind trunks. Remove existing phoenix palm, reinstall garden edges, crown lift low branched trees to 2m, supply and install low planting (approx 835 sq mtrs), supply and plant 5x codyline australis tree size PB95 and install 25 sq mtrs of concrete footpath to the new playground (funded through renewals budgets).

20. Delphine-McGehan Close Reserve. To undertake an engagement exercise with the local community around Delphine-McGehan Close Reserve with a view to building community ties and address their needs for their local reserve.

Consideration

Local board views and implications

21. This report canvasses the views of the Albert Eden Local Board.

22. The recommendations contained within this report fall within the Local Boards allocated authority.

Māori impact statement

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

Implementation

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

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

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

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

28. The ability to spend/deliver outcomes is dependent on the timing of the decisions made by the Local Board to allocate budgets to projects to allow the project team a minimum of six to eight months to deliver those outcomes.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	Albert-Eden SLIPs Funding Local Improvements Programme 2014/2015 December update	5

Signatories

Author

Katrina Morgan - Team Leaders SLIPs

Authorisers

Ian Maxwell - Manager Parks, Sports & Recreation

Adam Milina - Relationship Manager - Albert-Eden & Orakei Local Boards

Albert-Eden Local Board

03 December 2014

Request for feedback on the draft Local Approved Product Policy

File No.: CP2014/25744

Purpose

1. The purpose of the report is to seek local board feedback on the draft Local Approved Product Policy (LAPP).

Executive summary

2. On 9 October 2014 the Regional Strategy and Policy Committee approved the draft LAPP for public consultation (REG/2014/123). The LAPP sets rules regarding where retail outlets of psychoactive substances may operate. The Psychoactive Substances Act 2013 provides that a policy may regulate the location of retail outlets by reference to broad areas within a district, proximity to other premises selling approved products and/or distance from certain types of premises such as schools, places of worship and other community facilities.

3. Local boards are being asked to provide formal feedback on the draft LAPP by the end of December. There will be an opportunity for local boards to present their views to the hearings panel in February 2015.

Recommendation/s

That the Albert-Eden Local Board:

a) provides feedback on the draft Local Approved Product Policy in the attached report.

Comments

4. On 9 October 2014 the Regional Strategy and Policy Committee approved a draft LAPP for public consultation (REG/2014/123).

5. The LAPP sets rules regarding where retail outlets of psychoactive substances may operate. The Psychoactive Substances Act 2013 provides that a policy may regulate the location of retail outlets by reference to broad areas within a district, proximity to other premises selling approved products and/or distance from certain types of premises such as schools, places of worship and other community facilities.

6. The draft LAPP will prevent licences being granted in areas of high deprivation, near high schools and near addiction and mental health treatment centres. It would also limit how close to an existing shop a new shop could open. The policy also has a separate set of rules for the city centre where licences won’t be granted in areas of high residential deprivation and new shops would have to be a certain distance from existing shops. This draft would reduce the availability of these substances in areas where their presence is likely to have the greatest potential for harm.

7. Public consultation on the draft LAPP will be conducted via a special consultative procedure. The consultation will begin on 28^th October and run for four weeks. The consultation is being publicised via social media, Our Auckland, the peoples panel, various public events and advisory panel networks.

Consideration

Local board views and implications

8. Local board views are being sought via this report. Local boards have previously provided feedback on possible options and on a proposed draft. Workshops on the proposed draft were held with a number of boards. 17 boards provided feedback on the specific options, three requested a complete ban. Great barrier declined to comment as they did not consider it an issue for their area.

9. As a result of local board feedback to the proposed draft the following changes were made:

· Buffer zones around schools were increased

· Buffer zones around mental health and addiction treatment centres were increased

· New rules for the city centre were added.

10. Local board feedback is being sought in in a parallel process to the special consultative process. The local board process will last until the end of December with local boards having the opportunity to present their views to the hearings panel in February 2015.

Maori impact statement

11. Māori are over represented amongst the groups of vulnerable people likely to be affected by using approved psychoactive substances. This over representation has two effects. Firstly getting the right option for the LAPP to maximize harm reduction will be more effective for Māori. Secondly, any solutions need to be designed in close collaboration with Māori to ensure they are workable and support wider initiatives aimed at improving Māori outcomes. Both of these goals are consistent with outcomes set out by Auckland Council to improve social outcomes for Māori in Auckland.

12. The consultation process with Māori has been developed in partnership with Māori agencies. A workshop has been undertaken with representatives from Hapai Te Hauora Tapui, an agency representing Māori health providers in the Auckland region, to provide initial feedback. Council staff are working with the Independent Māori Statutory Board, Te Waka Angamua and Hapai Te Hauora Tapui to ensure effective engagement with Māori. The initial work has centred on ensuring information is available to iwi and maata waka.

Implementation

Step	Estimated timeframe
1. Special consultative procedure	28 October – 28 November
2 Local board consultation	20 October – 19 December
3 Hearings	February 2015
4. Adopt final policy	April 2015
5. Implementation and review	Ongoing

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	Changes from proposed to draft summary	5
b View	Statement of Proposal - draft LAPP	5

Signatories

Author	Callum Thorpe - Principal Policy Analyst
Authoriser	Adam Milina - Relationship Manager - Albert-Eden & Orakei Local Boards

Albert-Eden Local Board

03 December 2014

Why were these rules chosen?

Why restrict where they can be sold?

Because psychoactive substances are new and continue to change composition there is almost no information on their impact on communities or groups of people. In lieu of this information the proposed approach is to use the available data concerning the effects of similar substances. The best comparisons concern the effect of alcohol, smoking and other substance use. One of the ideas to reduce harm from substances that a lot of people support is that decreasing the availability of a substance will tend to reduce its use.

Why high deprivation?

One impact that stands out from the research is that areas with high levels of deprivation experience more harm from substance use than areas with low levels of deprivation. When this finding is combined with the idea that decreasing the availability of a substance will tend to reduce its use, there is a strong case that preventing the sale of psychoactive substances in high deprivation areas will prevent harm to those who are more vulnerable to harm.

Why schools?

The youth council representatives and a number of treatment providers advised that the use of these substances in high school aged youth was a considerable problem. Similar to the high deprivation restriction a reduction in availability is proposed to reduce harm.

To reduce the availability of these substances to youth, a control on the location of where they can be sold is needed. To achieve this control over access it is proposed that a 500m zone around schools with year 7 and older students and a 200m buffer zone around schools with year six and younger students.

The 200m buffer zone around schools with year six and younger students is considered to be appropriate as these children are less likely to be able to purchase substances due to their age. This has been demonstrated by the low numbers of youth in this age bracket being treated for substance use or coming to the attention of the Police.

Why treatment centres?

As with schools and high deprivation areas; limiting the availability of these substances to vulnerable people is likely to be the most practical approach to minimising harm. Both mental health treatment centres and addiction treatment centres serve people who would be considered particularly vulnerable to the effects of these substances. Many of the treatment providers expressed a strong preference that they should not be for sale close to any mental health treatment centre. To reduce the availability of these substances to this group of people a 500m buffer around treatment centres is proposed.

Why Neighbourhood centres?

It is proposed to not allow psychoactive substances to be sold in neighbourhood centres. These centres are the small groups of shops within residential areas. People who don’t tend to travel large distances like youth and people struggling with addictions or mental health issues find these locations convenient. By removing the sale of these products out of neighbourhood centres there is an increased probability of reducing harm to those most at risk of harm from using psychoactive substances.

Why restrictions on how close a shop can be to another shop?

Research in New Zealand and overseas has established a link between the density of alcohol outlets and the alcohol related harm experienced by the local communities. It is considered reasonable to assume that there is a high likelihood of a similar link for psychoactive substances. It follows then that a density control mechanism will help the other measures to minimise the harm experienced by users of psychoactive substances. To achieve this control it is proposed to not allow a new licence to sell psychoactive substances within 500m of an existing licence.

Why have other identified areas?

Two small areas have been identified that are commercial areas in mainly high deprivation areas and are only partially covered by the high deprivation census areas. These areas are Hunters Corner in Papatoetoe, and the Manurewa commercial area. In both cases a significant portion of the commercial area is in a very high deprivation area. These are also areas where the local boards have advised that the areas experienced high levels of harm related to the sale of psychoactive substances in the past. It is considered that leaving small areas within these commercial zones where a licence could be granted would be contrary to the stated purpose of the LAPP. These areas are indicated on map1a and 1b.

Why not have other types of sensitive sites?

For each area considered for inclusion as a sensitive site there is a trade-off between the restriction that is imposed and the benefit of reduced harm gained from the decision. There were a number of areas considered as possible sensitive sites where it was difficult to match the potential with the restriction required to achieve it. Potential sites that did not meet the criteria for inclusion were early childhood education centres, churches, playgrounds, public spaces, libraries and community centres.

For example it is difficult to determine what harm would be minimised from adding a buffer to early childhood education centres. The restriction would not protect the students as they are far too young to buy the substances and they would not be exposed to the trade occurring in local shops as the centres tend to be enclosed. .

A buffer zone around places of worship was also strongly considered. A number of stakeholders argued that these places provide services to vulnerable populations and thus should be protected. However the services they provide tend to be of a short duration such as a support meeting and are not conducted equally at every place of worship. Also these places may only offer such services for a portion of the year. This lack of consistency makes it impossible for a general restriction to apply to all places of worship. The alternative option of having a different restriction for each place of worship based on the work they do is not practical to develop or maintain.

Why have separate rules for the city centre?

The city centre of Auckland has been clearly set out as a separate and very different urban landscape from the rest of Auckland. Planning and policy documents such as the Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan and the Local Alcohol Policy make this distinction very clear. This uniqueness means the rules that work well for the rest of Auckland will not work so well for its centre.

Why not use the deprivation index?

The New Zealand Deprivation Index is calculated by scoring nine items. These items are effective and providing a measure that closely matching social deprivation in New Zealand. However, when the city centre population is considered it is not so effective. The high number of students who share factors with high deprivation households such as low personal income, no access to a car and no home ownership lead to a high deprivation index that is not a good measure of overall social deprivation in the residential population.

Why are there restrictions on areas of high density social housing?

These broad areas replace the deprivation zones used in the other areas of Auckland. These zones more effectively capture the intent of the deprivation restriction. They represent areas of the city centre where the residents with the highest social deprivation live. By targeting these areas it is considered this restriction will have the same effect as the deprivation restrictions outside the city centre.

Why not have buffer zones around schools?

After discussion with the schools and other city centre stakeholders it was decided that the buffer zone around city centre schools did not provide the same level of protection as it does in a suburban environment. This lack of protection is due to the nature and the density of businesses in the city centre. It was also felt that due to the commercial density in the city the buffer zones would be more restrictive than those in other zones. This mix of reduced effectiveness and increased restriction led to the removal of the buffer zones.

Why is there a smaller exclusion zone around retailers

The smaller buffer zone is due to the significantly greater commercial density in the city centre. This reduction has been supported by the Waitemata Local Board, Heart of the City and Auckland City Mission.

Why is there no mention of neighbourhood centres?

There are no neighbourhood centres in the city centre.

How will the LAPP decide between two licence applications close to each other?

The LAPP is not able to make any provision to distinguish between two licences apart from where they are located. Due to the proposed density rules there may be a situation where two people apply for a licence close to each other. In this case both licences cannot be granted because they would be too close to each other. Deciding which licence should be granted is the job of the Psychoactive Substance Regulatory Authority who makes all of the licensing decisions.

Albert-Eden Local Board

03 December 2014

Interim Open Space Provision Guidelines

File No.: CP2014/26944

Purpose

1. To seek feedback from local boards on the Interim Open Space Provision Guidelines.

Executive summary

2. The Interim Open Space Provision Guidelines (the guidelines) provide direction on the quantity, distribution and configuration of parks and open space sought by the council in both greenfield developments and the existing urban area.

3. The guidelines were adopted by the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee in August for interim use and feedback during a six month trial period (attachment A). An updated version of the guidelines, incorporating amendments based on feedback, will be reported in early 2015 to the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee and Regional, Strategy and Policy Committee for adoption.

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

· Neighbourhood parks

· Suburb parks

· Sub-regional parks

· Civic spaces

· Local sports parks

· Connections

5. For existing urban areas the guidelines focus on improving the quality, accessibility and connectivity of existing open space. The guidelines identity areas of significant and moderate shortfall in the quantity of open space relative to the current and future population within the existing urban area.

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

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

Recommendation/s

That the Albert-Eden Local Board:

a) Provide feedback on the Interim Open Space Provision Guidelines

Comments

Background and strategic context

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

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

· Assessing open space acquisition opportunities

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

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

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

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

10. The guidelines were adopted by the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee in August for interim use and feedback during a six month trial period.

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

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

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

· Distribution of open space

· Quantity of open space

· Configuration of open space

Distribution of open space (pages 4 to 8 of the guidelines)

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

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

· Neighbourhood parks

· Suburb parks

· Sub-regional parks

· Civic spaces

· Local sports parks

· Connections

16. The guidelines establish triggers in relation to travel distance, size of resident population or the proximity of other land uses (such as an urban centre) that determine when the open space network should provide for each of the experiences. Criteria relating to the size of open space required and key activities provided for are also established for some experiences.

17. Provision targets used by the legacy councils in Auckland as well as other councils in New Zealand and overseas have been considered in establishing the distribution targets (attachment B).

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

Neighbourhood parks and suburb parks

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

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

Neighbourhood Park

Suburb Park

High density areas:

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

400m walk

(approx. 5 mins)

1000m walk

(approx. 12 mins)

Remaining urban residential areas

600m walk

(approx. 7.5 mins)

1500m walk

(approx. 18 mins)

Sub-regional parks

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

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

Civic space

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

Local sports parks

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

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

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

Connections

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

Quantity of open space (pages 9 to 11 of the guidelines)

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

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

Quantity of open space in existing urban areas

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

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

· High levels of expected population growth

· Relatively poor access to informal recreation open space

· Low quantity of existing open space relative to the current and future population

32. For the purpose of informing open space acquisition priorities, the quantity of open space across the region has been assessed in relation to:

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

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

· Projected population growth between 2014 and 2030

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

33. Draft quantity analysis is included within the interim guidelines (attachment A, page 10). This map identifies where moderate and significant shortfalls in the quantity of open space relative to the current and future population are located within the existing urban.

Quantity of open space in greenfield developments

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

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

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

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

Configuration of open space (pages 12 and 13 of the guidelines)

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

Consideration

Local board views and implications

39. This report seeks the views of local boards on the interim open space provision guidelines. The view of local boards will be reported to the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee and will inform proposed amendments to the guidelines prior to their adoption.

Maori impact statement

40. Engagement with Maori on the guidelines will occur during the trial period.

Implementation

41. Further development and testing of the provision guidelines is occurring during the period for the remainder of 2014. This involves:

· Assessing open space acquisition opportunities against the guidelines

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

· Engagement with iwi and property developers

· Refinement of the modelling of provision targets

· Illustration of the concepts within the guidelines

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

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	Interim Open Space Provision Guidelines	5
b View	Examples of provision targets used by former Auckland Council and other NZ and overseas park authorities	5

Signatories

Author

Andrew Beer - Principal Policy Analyst

Authorisers

Penny Pirrit - Regional & Local Planning Manager

Adam Milina - Relationship Manager - Albert-Eden & Orakei Local Boards

Chairperson	Peter Haynes
Deputy Chairperson	Glenda Fryer
Members	Helga Arlington
	Lee Corrick
	Graeme Easte
	Rachel Langton
	Margi Watson
	Tim Woolfield

Term	Definition
Distance restriction	Distance restrictions will be measured from the two nearest points on the properties boundaries – that is, the boundary of the property not just the building.
City centre	As defined in the Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan.
Neighbourhood centre	As defined by the Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan.
Mental health treatment centre	A residential facility where people are treated for mental health issues and has been identified by Auckland Regional Public Health Services as at risk of their clients experiencing harm if they were to have easy access to psychoactive substances.
Addiction treatment centre	A residential facility where people are treated for addiction issues and has been identified by Auckland Regional Public Health Services as at risk of their clients experiencing harm if they were to have easy access to psychoactive substances.
High Deprivation	Census Area Units that have a score on the New Zealand Deprivation Index of 8, 9 or 10. This indicates the area is in the most deprived 30% of New Zealand.
Residential deprivation	An area which has a high proportion of people living in social housing.

Author	Michael Mendoza - Democracy Advisor
Authoriser	Adam Milina - Relationship Manager - Albert-Eden & Orakei Local Boards