I hereby give notice that an ordinary meeting of the Waitākere Ranges Local Board will be held on:
Date: Time: Meeting Room: Venue:
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Thursday, 12 February 2015 6.30pm Waitakere
Ranges Local Board Office |
Waitākere Ranges Local Board
OPEN AGENDA
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MEMBERSHIP
Chairperson |
Sandra Coney, QSO |
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Deputy Chairperson |
Denise Yates, JP |
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Members |
Neil Henderson |
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Greg Presland |
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Steve Tollestrup |
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Saffron Toms |
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(Quorum 3 members)
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Glenn Boyd (Relationship Manager) Local Board Services (West)
Tua Viliamu (Democracy Advisor)
5 February 2015
Contact Telephone: (09) 813 9478 Email: Tua.Viliamu@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz Website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
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Waitākere Ranges Local Board 12 February 2015 |
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1 Welcome 5
2 Apologies 5
3 Declaration of Interest 5
4 Confirmation of Minutes 5
5 Leave of Absence 5
6 Acknowledgements 5
7 Update from Ward Councillors 5
8 Deputations 5
9 Public Forum 5
10 Extraordinary Business 5
11 Notices of Motion 6
12 Local Board delegations for Have Your Say events 7
13 Local Board members attendance at the Community Development Conference 2015 9
14 Chairperson's Report 13
15 Portfolio update: Member Greg Presland 17
16 Consideration of Extraordinary Items
1 Welcome
2 Apologies
Received an apology for absence from Member Steve Tollestrup.
3 Declaration of Interest
Members were 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.
Specifically members are asked to identify any new interests they have not previously disclosed, an interest that might be considered as a conflict of interest with a matter on the agenda.
At its meeting on 28 November 2013, the Waitakere Ranges Local Board resolved (resolution number WTK/2010/5) to record any possible conflicts of interest in a register.
Register
Board Member |
Organisation / Position |
Sandra Coney |
· Waitemata District Health Board – Elected Member · Women’s Health Action Trust – Patron |
Neil Henderson |
· Portage Trust – Elected Member · West Auckland Trust Services (WATS) Board – Trustee/Director · Weedfree Trust – Employee |
Greg Presland |
· Portage Trust – Elected Member · Lopdell House Development Trust – Trustee · Titirangi Residents & Ratepayers Group – Committee Member · Whau Coastal Walkway Environmental Trust – Trustee · Combined Youth Services Trust - Trustee |
Steve Tollestrup |
· Waitakere Licensing Trust – Elected Member · Community Waitakere – Trustee · West Auckland Trust Services (WATS) Board – Trustee/Director |
Saffron Toms |
· NIL |
Denise Yates |
· Ecomatters Environment Trust – Deputy Chair · Keep Waitakere Beautiful Trust – Board Member · Huia-Cornwallis Ratepayers & Residents Association – Co-chairperson · Charlotte Museum Trust – Trustee |
Member appointments
Board members are appointed to the following bodies. In these appointments the board members represent Auckland Council.
Board Member |
Organisation / Position |
Sandra Coney |
· Friends of Arataki Incorporated – Trustee |
Neil Henderson |
· Friends of Arataki Incorporated – Trustee · Living Cell Technologies Animal Ethics Committee – Member |
Saffron Toms |
· Ark in the Park – Governance Group Member |
4 Confirmation of Minutes
That the Waitākere Ranges Local Board: a) Confirm the ordinary minutes of its meeting, held on Thursday, 11 December 2014, including the confidential section, as a true and correct record.
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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 Update from Ward Councillors
An opportunity is provided for the Waitakere Ward Councillors to update the board on regional issues they have been involved with since the last meeting.
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 Waitākere Ranges 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.
At the close of the agenda no requests for public forum had been received.
10 Extraordinary Business
Section 46A(7) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (as amended) states:
“An item that is not on the agenda for a meeting may be dealt with at that meeting if-
(a) The local authority by resolution so decides; and
(b) The presiding member explains at the meeting, at a time when it is open to the public,-
(i) The reason why the item is not on the agenda; and
(ii) The reason why the discussion of the item cannot be delayed until a subsequent meeting.”
Section 46A(7A) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (as amended) states:
“Where an item is not on the agenda for a meeting,-
(a) That item may be discussed at that meeting if-
(i) That item is a minor matter relating to the general business of the local authority; and
(ii) the presiding member explains at the beginning of the meeting, at a time when it is open to the public, that the item will be discussed at the meeting; but
(b) no resolution, decision or recommendation may be made in respect of that item except to refer that item to a subsequent meeting of the local authority for further discussion.”
11 Notices of Motion
At the close of the agenda no requests for notices of motion had been received.
Waitākere Ranges Local Board 12 February 2015 |
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Local Board delegations for Have Your Say events
File No.: CP2015/00344
Purpose
1. To provide for local board delegations for the public consultation process for the local board agreement in the Long-term Plan 2015-2025 (LTP).
Executive Summary
2. Under the Local Government Act 2002, Auckland Council is required to follow the special consultative procedure to seek public feedback to inform the Long-term Plan 2015-2025 (including local board agreements).
3. Recent changes to the Local Government Act 2002 provide council with more flexibility in how it consults with Aucklanders, in particular in how council can hear the views of Aucklanders. The consultation process is introducing a number of changes that satisfy legislative requirements while also enabling Aucklanders to engage in the public consultation process in a variety of ways to suit their personal preferences.
4. A key change involves replacing traditional hearings with public spoken interaction events called Have Your Say (HYS) events across the Auckland region from 14 February through to the 14 March 2015. Aucklanders can provide feedback on regional and local issues at these events which will be attended by a mix of governing body members, local board members, Auckland Transport Board members (or their delegates) and well supported by staff to record all feedback.
5. Aucklanders who choose to attend a HYS event will be able to present their views through spoken interaction with decision makers or their representatives. Local boards are decision makers for their local board agreements, which form a part of the LTP. As the governing body are also decision makers on local board agreements it is important that both hear feedback on local proposals.
6. To make sure that there are sufficient decision-makers (or delegates) to hear all the feedback provided if attendance is higher than expected for a HYS event, or if a board member is unable to attend, it is recommended that the local board make delegations to staff to hear on their behalf. At their meeting on 18 December the governing body made delegations to cover this risk.
That the Waitākere Ranges Local Board: a) Delegate to the following staff the power and responsibility to hear from the public on the local board agreement through “spoken interaction/NZ sign language interaction” at the “Have Your Say” events: i) Tier 2 staff ii) Tier 3 staff iii) Local Board Relationship Manager, Local Board Senior Advisor, Local Board Advisor iv) any additional staff approved by the Chair. b) Notes that a “Have Your Say” event is scheduled to be held at the Waitakere Ranges Local Board Office, 39 Glenmall Place, Glen Eden on Tuesday, 3 March 2015, and that pre-registration is required. |
Discussion
7. Each Have Your Say session will run for approximately two hours, however there could be more than one session held at an event depending on the number of people who register. Public feedback will be collected across three broad areas:
· The key LTP issues including balancing affordability with progress; transport, rates and a more active development role for the council.
· Local priorities and proposals
· Other regional matters
8. A range of options are available for the structure and format of these events. This flexibility will enable events to be tailored to account for the community preferences, logistical variations in the number of Aucklanders who attend, what they would like to talk about, and the number and mix of elected members available.
9. To help manage this, Aucklanders will be asked to register their attendance for these events online through the Shape Auckland website. It would be at this point where they would request a sign interpreter or Māori interpreter if required.
10. Aucklanders who choose to attend a HYS event will be able to present their views through spoken interaction with a decision maker or their representative. Local boards are decision makers for their local board agreements, which form a part of the LTP. If attendance is higher than expected for a HYS event, it may be difficult for the local board members present to hear all the feedback on local proposals. To manage this eventuality it is recommended that the local board make delegations to staff to hear on their behalf. These delegations would only come into play if needed due to high public attendance at the HYS event. They are not intended to undermine the importance of local board members being present to hear from their communities.
11. Local board members attendance at the HYS event is important to enable them to hear the views of their communities on local proposals given the board’s decision making role. The HYS event also provides an important opportunity for local board members to hear the views of their communities on regional proposals to inform their advocacy.
Consideration
Local Board Views and Implications
12. Local board views have not been sought on this report as it is recommending a pragmatic delegation to staff to manage events that attract larger numbers.
Maori Impact Statement
13. Te Waka Angamua staff will attend all HYS events to facilitate and capture feedback from Maori participants. Therefore it is not anticipated that the recommendation in this report has a specific an impact on Maori.
There are no attachments for this report.
Signatories
Authors |
Karen Titulaer – Senior Policy Advisor |
Authorisers |
Karen Lyons - Manager Local Board Services Glenn Boyd - Relationship Manager Henderson-Massey, Waitakere Ranges, Whau |
Waitākere Ranges Local Board 12 February 2015 |
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Local Board members attendance at the Community Development Conference 2015
File No.: CP2014/29665
Purpose
1. This report seeks approval for the Waitakere Ranges Local Board Members Saffron Toms and Steve Tollestrup to attend the Community Development Conference 2015 to be held at the Unitec Mt Albert and Waitakere campuses, Auckland from 18th – 20th February 2015.
Executive Summary
2. The Community Development conference 2015 is an opportunity to bring together practitioners, academics and students to share their knowledge, research and stories about community development. Major themes include placemaking, community economic development, diverse communities and re-claiming democracy, with quality assured papers, poster presentations and practical skills workshops.
3. The conference will showcase community development training opportunities and initiatives. It will also celebrate the launch of Whanake, the Pacific Journal of Community Development and Social Enterprise.
4. Registrations is $300.00 per person
Implementation
5. Local Board Services has resources available to support board members learning and development through such activities as attendance to conferences which are related to their portfolios and responsibilities.
That the Waitākere Ranges Local Board: a) Endorses Members Toms and Tollestrup to attend the Community Development Conference in February 2015. b) Agrees that any related expenses for attending the Community Development Conference 2015 be provided for in line with the latest Auckland Council's Elected Members' Expense Policy 2014.
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No. |
Title |
Page |
aView |
Community Development Conference 2015 |
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Signatories
Authors |
Tua Viliamu – Democracy Advisor |
Authorisers |
Glenn Boyd - Relationship Manager Henderson-Massey, Waitakere Ranges, Whau |
12 February 2015 |
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File No.: CP2015/01126
1. This unbelievably hot settled summer has produced great holidays with crowds enjoying the many parks and beaches that are the glory of the Waitakere Ranges Local Board area.
2. The Local Board’s Operation Speedo – a joint effort of safety, policing and emergency services on the West Coast beaches over summer – was there to keep people safe and it is well received by the public who rely on surf clubs, police, fire service, 1st response, St Johns and so on, to keep them safe when things go pear-shaped.
3. Lifeguards were busy with swimmers and fishers. Sadly there was one drowning at O’Neills Beach to the north of Bethells Beach. Well-used by surfers, O’Neills is unsafe for inexperienced swimmers and there is no patrol on the beach itself. A beautiful place it is best to give a miss for swimming unless you are familiar with the West Coast.
4. The long hot summer is not so good for the health of the environment with sometimes fragile eco-systems cooked and the risk of fire high.
5. Despite a ban on fireworks in public places, and with a new bylaw that bans the letting off of fireworks on private property that might leave the property and cause damage – to bush or buildings – it didn’t stop thoughtless people partying with fireworks and even driving to remote places to let them off.
6. Numerous fires have been caused in the heritage area by fireworks over the past decade and most of the crews who then fight fires in inaccessible and often dangerous places, are volunteers, who get dragged out in the middle of the night to deal with the damage.
7. One problem we have, is that only police can enforce bylaws, and they are thin on the ground in the places where the problems are occurring, and not inclined to travel miles to get there.
8. Just what damage fire can do can be seen following the fire at Kakamatua/Cornwallis where 12 hectares of gumland scrub and bush in the regional park was destroyed. It is not clear how this fire started, but it will surely cause headaches for the Auckland Council to get such a large area back into healthy forest and not have it degenerate into a weed nightmare, a source of seed dispersal by wind and birds.
9. The Local Board has offered what support it can to regional parks and will be meeting with them soon to discuss plans to restore the area.
10. One of the big topics of conversation out west was the publicity given to the periodically polluted lagoons of the West Coast. All four lagoons, at Piha, North Piha, Karekare and Bethells, are regularly unsafe for swimming, the first three mainly because of pollution from human faeces, and Bethells from bovine sources.
11. The Auckland Council stormwater team has developed an action plan for cleaning up these lagoons and the Board is fully supportive of these efforts.
12. Ecomatters Trust, which is contracted by the Local Board to carry out a number of environmental projects, has been contracted by Council to carry out a programme called Living Lagoons. This involves offering advice and technical assessments of people’s septic tanks. The aim is to get badly performing septic tanks working properly to stop effluent getting into stormwater systems and waterways that lead to the lagoons.
13. The Board is looking at how it can offer incentives to people to invest in repairs or new systems if these are needed. This “friendly” approach is being rolled out by Council as a first step. If it does not lead to sufficient improvements then firmer regulatory action will be considered.
14. The National Surfing Championships went off over seven days without a hitch – except for not very good surf – at Piha, and the Local Board approved numerous requests to film or photograph on the West Coast beaches, especially at Piha and Bethells. This is a little known role of the Board and I have asked for a report on this activity which showcases New Zealand to the world and helps local businesses.
15. You may have seen a couple of ads over summer - Rebel Sports and Cricket World Cup – with Bethells beach as the backdrop. The Board’s role is to make sure no environmental harm is caused by filming and that inconvenience to residents and visitors is minimised. Members of the public are often quite intrigued by filming. In late January, some advertising for Black Grace Dance Group was filmed on Piha beach, with lithe dancers poised on artificial rocks with crashing surf as a backdrop, Lots of people stopped to have a look.
16. Sometimes we suggest changes or set conditions of filming. For example, we got the actors playing fishermen on the Rebel Sport ad to wear life-jackets, in line with the Council’s rock fishing project. People filming in public places cannot prevent members of the public walking through their “scene” but most people are happy to cooperate for the few minutes that filming takes.
17. With the start of the new year, and only about 20 months left in the term, the Board is now concentrated on finishing things we have started, or bedding in new programmes.
18. One of the big ticket items for us is the plan for controlling weeds in the Heritage Area, the biggest threat, we feel, to the health of the forests, wetlands and dunes.
19. We have contracted Jack Craw, former Biosecurity Manager for Auckland Council (and before that Auckland Regional Council) to do a weed plan for the Board. This will mainly be focused on weeds on private property as we are already working through regional and local parks to control weeds on parkland, and we have an ongoing dialogue with Auckland Transport to control roadside weeds in the Heritage Area. We were delighted to see they had controlled gorse on most outer roads, though from a fire-risk point of view we would have preferred it had been done at the end of summer rather than the beginning.
20. Jack has delivered us a draft of his plan and once we have had time to absorb it and work through any changes, we will be calling a meeting of voluntary environmental organisations in our board area to discuss how we can work together to transform our area into one where plant pests are under control for the long-term.
21. We have a number of other projects that we will concentrate on to implement the Local Board Plan. These will be outlined by the various portfolio holders in their reports on this agenda in the next couple of months.
Sandra Coney
Chair, Waitakere Ranges Local Board
That the Waitākere Ranges Local Board: a) Receives the Chairperson’s report.
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There are no attachments for this report.
Signatories
Authors |
Tua Viliamu – Democracy Advisor |
Authorisers |
Glenn Boyd - Relationship Manager Henderson-Massey, Waitakere Ranges, Whau |
Waitākere Ranges Local Board 12 February 2015 |
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Portfolio update: Member Greg Presland
File No.: CP2015/00899
Purpose
1. This report provides an opportunity for Member Greg Presland to give an update with regards to activity within his portfolio areas.
2. Portfolio holders are responsible for leading policy development in their portfolio area, proposing and developing project concepts, overseeing agreed projects within budgets, being active advocates, accessing and providing information and advice.
3. Member Presland has lead for the portfolios of Transport and Regulatory/Planning.
Executive Summary
A few thoughts on current transport issues for Auckland and the region.
Glen Eden Park and Ride
4. The draft land transport programme recently released suggests a construction phase in 2017-18 at a cost in the vicinity of $400,000. Investigation and design will happen over the previous two years and cost in the region of $300,000. I am not sure of the repercussions as it appears that the project has been delayed and the amount of money set aside has been decreased.
Light Rail
5. In the draft LTP Auckland Transport created something of a stir by announcing the investigation of light rail for Auckland, specifically the Mount Roskill, Mount Eden and Sandringham areas.
6. The city used to have light rail. A super-efficient tram system used to be a significant provider of transport for Auckland’s residents up until the late 1950s when a group of crazed motorway builders decided to tear the tracks up.
7. Then Mayor Robbie advocated for and campaigned on the construction of a mass transit system for Auckland. His foresight was visionary and possible. Regrettably a change of Government in 1975 meant that the proposal never became reality.
8. Then in the late 1990s the region reached agreement amongst the ARC and all of the territorial local authorities to significantly improve public transport. The proposals included the provision of light rail which would branch off from existing rail lines and travel along such important corridors as Anzac Avenue by the University and Great North Road in New Lynn. The election of John Banks as Auckland City Mayor and a pro road Auckland City Council meant that these plans were also scuppered.
9. And so this latest proposal has some historical context. It is something that needs to be considered seriously as most advanced urban areas in the world have a light rail system.
10. What are the benefits? Light rail is a superior transport option. Modern units are fast and efficient. As they are powered by electricity, as long as the electricity source is clean they produce no carbon dioxide. The benefit for the transport routes is that the units are very quiet. Their ability to travel off the main railway corridors and down main streets means that they are more attractive than conventional rail. They are more capable of transporting large numbers of commuters than any other option apart from heavy rail. The areas proposed for current investigation do not have access to any rail.
11. If AT approve the proposal once the system is up and running the prospects of growth are tremendous. For instance I have always thought that a light rail system along Tamaki Drive would have tremendous potential to reduce car use and congestion and parking problems in downtown Auckland.
12. Some councillors have complained that they have been blind sided by the proposal. Of course cost is a significant issue and needs to be investigated fully. But in the light of the need to have a transport system that works post oil I believe that the proposal requires serious consideration.
13. Some may question why the Waitakere Ranges Local Board should be sympathetic to a transport proposal that if agreed to would be constructed in other board areas. My response is that the efficiency of Auckland’s transport system affects us all and that the reduction of congestion anywhere in the network has a beneficial effect on all parts of the network.
The Pohutukawa Six
14. First the bouquet and now the brickbat. Can I first congratulate the Waitemata Local Board on the proactive stance they have taken on the issue, including the seeking of alternative professional advice so that a proper discussion of the issues could occur.
15. Can I also add my voice to that of many others and urge Auckland Transport not to fell the magnificent six pohutukawa which are opposite MOTAT on Great North Road. These trees contribute significantly to the local amenity and their felling would produce marginally improved outcomes which could be matched by alternative proposals.
Walking to Work
16. As something of an experiment and in the hope of improving my health and fitness and shedding a bit of weight I have recently walked to work a few times. The trip, from South Titirangi to the Glen Eden commercial area, is about 5 kilometres and takes about 45 minutes. By car it takes about 5 minutes.
17. Walking really makes you realise the importance of good quality infrastructure. The walk up the stairwell and past Lopdell House is a pleasure, and the walkway that goes across Ceramco Park and along the back of the roads until Routley Drive is also very pleasant. The completion of this part of the walkway to Wilson Road is something the Board is keen to do if possible and having now walked there a few times I think this should be a priority.
18. Can I urge everyone to do the same if at all possible. The health and environmental benefits are considerable. And the slower more measured mode of transport is very calming.
Auckland Regional Land Transport Plan
19. Auckland Transport has released its draft Regional Land Transport Plan for discussion and consultation.
20. The Plan is an important one and will set Auckland’s funding and activity priorities for the next decade. With the population predicted to grow by 250,000 during that time managing and adjusting for this growth is important.
21. There is a great deal of current and recent activity including completion of the Western Ring Road, the introduction of Electric Trains, significant growth in public transport trips and renewed support for walking and cycling infrastructure.
22. The numbers are large with NZTA expecting to spend $3.8 billion dollars in the next decade and Auckland Council augmenting this spend. The emphasis in the document is important. Spending on roading projects still dominates, but the most effective, the most advantageous for our neighbourhoods and the healthiest options are further emphasis on public transport and walking and cycling.
23. If you want to have your say go to the Auckland Transport Website (https://at.govt.nz/about-us/transport-plans-strategies/regional-land-transport-plan/) or contact one of the local board members. Consultation closes 4 pm March 16.
That the Waitākere Ranges Local Board: a) Receives the portfolio update from Member Greg Presland.
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There are no attachments for this report.
Signatories
Authors |
Tua Viliamu – Democracy Advisor |
Authorisers |
Glenn Boyd - Relationship Manager Henderson-Massey, Waitakere Ranges, Whau |