Agenda of Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee

I hereby give notice that an ordinary meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee will be held on:

Date:

Time:

Meeting Room:

Venue:

Tuesday, 12 May 2015

2.30pm

Level 26
135 Albert Street
Auckland

Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee

OPEN AGENDA

MEMBERSHIP

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

Ex-officio	Mayor Len Brown, JP
	Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse
Independent Maori Statutory Board (alternate)	Member David Taipari

(Quorum 8 members)

Tam White

Democracy Advisor

5 May 2015

Contact Telephone: (09) 890 8156

Email: tam.white@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Areas of Activity

· Provision of regional facilities and open space

· Regional frameworks for local facility and open space provision

· Encouraging healthy lifestyles through participation in sport and recreation sectors

· Facilitating partnerships and collaborative funding models across the sport and recreation sectors

· Performing the delegation made by the Governing Body to the former Parks, Recreation and Heritage Forum, under resolution GB/2012/157 in relation to the Dog Policy

Responsibilities

Within the specified area of activity the Committee is responsible for:

· In accordance with the work programme agreed with the parent committee, developing strategy and policy, including any agreed community consultation, to recommend to the Regional Strategy and Policy Committee

· Acting as a community interface for consultation on policies and as a forum for raising community concerns, while ensuring community engagement is complementary to that undertaken by local boards

· Making decisions within delegated powers

Powers

All powers necessary to perform the Committee’s responsibilities

Except:

(a) powers that the Governing Body cannot delegate or has retained to itself (see Governing Body responsibilities)

(b) where the Committee’s responsibility is limited to making a recommendation only

(d) the approval of expenditure that is not contained within approved budgets

(e) the approval of expenditure of more than $2 million other than for land purchases which shall have a limit of $5 million

(f) the approval of final policy

(g) deciding significant matters for which there is high public interest and which are controversial

(h) the commissioning of reports on new policy where that policy programme of work has not been approved by the Regional Strategy and Policy Committee

EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC – WHO NEEDS TO LEAVE THE MEETING

Members of the public

All members of the public must leave the meeting when the public are excluded unless a resolution is passed permitting a person to remain because their knowledge will assist the meeting.

Those who are not members of the public

General principles

· Access to confidential information is managed on a “need to know” basis where access to the information is required in order for a person to perform their role.

· Those who are not members of the meeting (see list below) must leave unless it is necessary for them to remain and hear the debate in order to perform their role.

· Those who need to be present for one confidential item can remain only for that item and must leave the room for any other confidential items.

· In any case of doubt, the ruling of the chairperson is final.

Members of the meeting

· The members of the meeting remain (all Governing Body members if the meeting is a Governing Body meeting; all members of the committee if the meeting is a committee meeting).

· However, standing orders require that a councillor who has a pecuniary conflict of interest leave the room.

· All councillors have the right to attend any meeting of a committee and councillors who are not members of a committee may remain, subject to any limitations in standing orders.

Staff

· All staff supporting the meeting (administrative, senior management) remain.

· Only staff who need to because of their role may remain.

Local Board members

· Local Board members who need to hear the matter being discussed in order to perform their role may remain. This will usually be if the matter affects, or is relevant to, a particular Local Board area.

Independent Maori Statutory Board (IMSB)

· Members of the IMSB who are appointed members of the meeting remain.

· Other IMSB members and IMSB staff remain if this is necessary in order for them to perform their role.

Council Controlled Organisations (CCOs)

Representatives of a CCO can remain only if required to for discussion of a matter relevant to the CCO.

1 Apologies

Apologies from Mayor LCM Brown and Deputy Mayor PA Hulse have been received.

2 Declaration of Interest

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

3 Confirmation of Minutes

That the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee:

a) confirm the ordinary minutes of its meeting, held on Tuesday, 10 March 2015, as a true and correct record.

4 Petitions

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

5 Public Input

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

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

6 Local Board Input

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

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

6.1 Local Boards charging sport-field fees within former Auckland City Council boundary - Orakei and Waitemata Local Board Chairs

Purpose

1. To address the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee regarding local boards charging sport-field fees within the former Auckland City Council area boundary (Waitemata, Albert Eden, Orakei, Puketapapa, Maungakiekie-Tamaki and Waiheke Local Boards).

Executive Summary

2. The Chairs of Orakei and Waitemata Local Boards have requested to speak at this meeting.

Recommendation/s

That the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee:

a) receive the presentation and thank the Chairs for their attendance.

6.2 Acquisition of land for reserve purposes - Red Beach - Hibiscus and Bays Local Board

Purpose

1. To address the Committee regarding the acquisition of land for reserve purposes at Red Beach.

Executive Summary

2. Julia Parfitt, Hibiscus and Bays Local Board Chairperson will address the committee during the confidential part of the agenda.

Recommendation/s

That the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee:

a) receive the presentation and thank Julia Parfitt for her attendance.

7 Extraordinary Business

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

8 Notices of Motion

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

Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee

12 May 2015

Parks, Sports & Recreation - General Manager's Report

File No.: CP2015/06297

Purpose

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

Executive Summary

2. This report has been written to update the Committee across a range of issues and progress with respect to approved work programmes.

Recommendation/s

That the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee:

a) receive the update report from the General Manager – Parks, Sports and Recreation.

Comments

Operations Stability – Achievements and Highlights

3. A number of Auckland Council projects were recognized by the New Zealand Institute of Architects 2015 awards. These include:

Outstanding Design Award: Cost to build under $200,000

Children’s playground located adjacent to the Navy Museum, Devonport

Outstanding Design Award: Cost to build over $2m

Beachlands Maraetai Coastal Walkway

Sustainability Award

La Rose Reserve Stream Daylighting

Visionary Landscape Award

Hobson Bay: Adding Heart to the Bay

4. Lifeguards at West Wave Pool and Leisure responded with first aid and a defibrillator to a customer who suffered a massive heart attack while in the pool. The man is recovering in the coronary care unit of North Shore Hospital.

5. The Minister of Conservation announced government funding for the purchase of the Glenfern Sanctuary on Great Barrier Island. This followed liaison with the Ministry in response to the Committee’s resolutions of 10 June 2014.

6. Sport New Zealand released a new Strategic Plan and an associated Community Sport Strategy 2015-20. Both signal an increased focus and associated resourcing upon communities in Auckland.

7. Staff have commenced work to ensure venues associated with the World Masters Games 2017 will be available and fit for purpose.

8. Preparations were completed for hosting of ANZAC Day 2015. As part of commemorations of 100 years since World War One, cenotaphs, many of which are located upon parkland, have been the subject of inspections, repair and, in some cases, substantial renewal. Within the Auckland Domain, two new initiatives were provided for – the placing of white crosses in the ceremonial lawn in front of the Museum and the creation of a massive commemorative poppy, made up from hundreds of smaller poppies, on the sportsfields adjacent to the Museum.

9. Further takahe were released into the Tawharanui Open Sanctuary. Some 17 threatened species are now breeding in the sanctuary.

10. The endangered Auckland Green Gecko has been confirmed to be breeding in the Open Sanctuary within Shakespear Park.

11. Artists have been selected for the Sculpture in the Garden event scheduled for the Auckland Botanic Gardens 26 November 2015 -6 March 2016. The last event attracted 400,000 visitors.

12. Staff have been engaged in supporting decision making with respect to the 2015-25 Long Term Plan. This has included analyzing submissions and the provision of technical advice to Local Boards and Councillors.

13. In April, West Wave Pool and Leisure Centre hosted the National Swimming Championships. During the event, national records were broken and a high number of swimmers qualified for the world championships.

14. The Leisure and Pools team have completed the procurement of 19 facility management contracts which commenced in August 2013. The latest 7 contracts will take effect from the 1 July 2015. All but one of Council’s facility management contracts are now aligned and consistent with Council’s policies and direction. The exception is Newmarket pool.

15. In order to reduce costs to ratepayers for the pools and leisure network, campaigns to attract membership to fitness gyms have been launched. From mid-February to the end of March, 2,026 new members joined our centres. Similarly over 306,000 learn to swim lessons have been delivered this year, an increase of 15,367 classes compared to last year.

16. The Great Barrier Walking Festival occurred on 27 – 29 March. This was the second annual walking festival. This year the festival was delivered by Ngati Rehua Ngati Wai Ki Aotea with guidance and funding from the Great Barrier Island Local Board and department staff.

17. The first stage of a project was completed to remove willows from the Mangatawhiri Valley in the Hunua Ranges Regional Park. Over 16 hectares of willow were removed from the stream banks.

18. The Auckland Teaching Gardens Trust has been established with support from Manurewa, Otara-Papatoetoe and Mangere-Otahuhu Local Boards. This Trust now manages the six teaching gardens which are part of the southern parks network.

Issues/Challenges

19. Visitation to parks, holiday camps and pools has remained high. This is associated with the continuation of warm sunny conditions. Through this period, we have had occasions where staff and the police have been called to manage anti-social behavior by visitors.

20. Significant renovations and redevelopment projects are currently underway at both the Mt Albert Pool and the Glenfield Pool & Leisure Centre. Both facilities are currently closed to allow for the works.

21. Significant sea swells associated with the passage of ex Cyclone Pam to the east of Auckland caused erosion at Orewa and other points along the east coast. Sand replenishment has taken place at Orewa.

22. Sheep within Ambury Farm Regional Park were killed over a three week period during a spate of maulings by dogs.

23. The 2014-15 kokako breeding program within the Hunua Ranges has been a failure. No chicks survived and adult birds lost. The failure is linked to pest numbers, in particular rats and stoats, both within and outside the Hunua Kokako Management area.

24. In order to maintain populations of threatened and endangered species in the Open Sanctuary within Shakespear Regional Park, community volunteers and staff undertake active programs to reduce the impact of predators. This includes actions such as trapping and killing rats, stoats, cats, mice etc. This program is integral to the open sanctuary. While a predator fence exists, the fence does not extend past coastal edges at low tide. Furthermore, gates within the fence operate to allow the passage of vehicles. CCTV does operate to provide staff information concerning predators which have entered the sanctuary. Revised procedures are being developed in response to issues associated with the killing of a domestic cat which had entered the sanctuary past the fence.

25. The Waitakere Ranges Local Board are leading a process with the local community to resolve how best to manage coastal erosion at the Huia Domain. Feedback is being sought from the community regarding three options - renew the existing seawall, undertake and manage retreat, or construct a new larger seawall.

26. Waitawa Regional Park slip remediation project is out for tender following an extensive engineering design and consent phase. The park remains open at present, and is attracting high levels of visitation. Works requiring closure of the park are planned for May/June when visitor use is low. Geotechnical investigation identified that the road was constructed on fill material. A significant retaining structure is required to support the road.

27. Engagement with iwi is progressing regarding the protocols for removing koiwi at the site of the Long Bay Restaurant. Agreement has been reached on excavating the site, removal of a concrete slab and relocating any archaeological remains that may be on the building area. An authority from Heritage New Zealand will be required for this work

Projects

28. New interpretation signage has been installed at Iona Mine on Great Barrier Island. This was developed in partnership with local settler families and a Great Barrier metalworking artist. Local artists were also employed to create a picnic table installed as a renewal project at Tryphena foreshore on Great Barrier Island.

29. Walter Massey Park, Mangere, installation of three sand carpet sports fields and irrigation on two further fields.

30. Gallaher Park, Manurewa, irrigation on two sports fields.

31. Lloyd Elsmore Park, Pakuranga, irrigation on sports fields.

32. Paparoa Park, Howick, installation of irrigation on two fields.

33. Prince Edward Park, Papakura, lights completed.

34. Two fields at Bayswater Park, Bayswater, together with two fields at Rosedale Park and a field at Windsor Park (photo) have been completed.

35. Sports fields improvement works at Walter Massey Park in Mangere and Kohuroa Park in Papatoetoe have significantly improved the playing surfaces. Both parks are former landfills and the project benefitted from engineering advice from Council staff in the closed landfills team of Infrastructure and Environmental Services.

36. Opaheke Sports Field, Opaheke, eight field platforms completed and associated access and car park.

37. Windsor Park No. 1 Sandfield, East Coast Road, Windsor Park, renewal completed.

38. The Algies Bay seawall project was completed. This project provides public access to the beach, while protecting the reserve and park assets from coastal erosion.

39. Stage 1 of the Te Whau Coastal Walkway, New Lynn, commenced construction. This project is funded by the Whau Coastal Walkway Trust in association with the Local Board.

40. Mt Roskill War Memorial, Mt Roskill, upgrade completed.

2015-03-20 13.24.10.jpg 2015-03-20 13.24.59.jpg

41. In April, members of the Western District RSAs together with Kaumatua and representatives from Council attended the blessing and unveiling of the newly restored 25-pounder field artillery piece at the Quartermasters’ Quadrant, Waikumete Cemetery, Glen Eden. The display is associated with the largest military cemetery in New Zealand.

42. Kowhai Reserve Boardwalk, Glen Eden, completed

43. Carpark Renewals completed at Te Pai Park - Henderson, Ceramco Park-Glen Eden and Te Atatu Peninsula Park (Matipo Road)-Te Atatu Peninsula.

44. Brains Park Softball Backstop, Kelston, completed.

45. Pollard Park, Mt Roskill, toilet and changing room upgrade completed. This project provided new shower units and hot water for the changing rooms, new floor coating, vandal resistant toilet plans, lighting and toilet partitions.

46. Hillsborough Park, Hillsborough, toilets completed. This project provided new floor coatings, new toilet partitions, new resin toilet pans, painting together with replacement of rusting roofing iron and rust removal on all structure iron works.

47. Hamlin Park, Mt Wellington, Footpath Pavement Renewal completed. Removal of areas of cracked and displaced concrete and potholed asphalt footpath pavement, reconstruction/compaction of the metal sub-base and laying of 142m2 of exposed aggregate concrete pavement.

48. Coxs Bay Reserve, Herne Bay, Footpath Pavement Renewal completed. Removal of areas of potholed and root heaved asphalt footpath pavement, root protection and reconstruction/compaction of the metal sub-base and laying of footpath and associated kerbing.

49. Bassett and Bonnie Brae Reserve Footpath Pavement Renewal completed. Repair and installation of timber edging and laying of fresh aggregate surfacing on walking tracks within Bassett and Bonnie Brae Reserves, Remuera.

50. Takutai Reserve, Parnell, Footpath Pavement Renewal completed. Removal of sections of cracked and displaced concrete footpath pavement, reconstruction/compaction of the metal sub-base and laying of concrete pavement.

51. Ferndale Reserve, Mt Albert, Footpath Pavement Renewal completed. Repair and asphalt overlay of footpath pavement located under the trees in the grounds of Ferndale House.

52. May Road, Mt Roskill, Fitness Trail Signage completed

53. John Walker Playground,Manurewa, renewal of playground completed.

54. Hamilton Estate Playground, Waiuku, renewal of playground completed.

55. Huntington Park, Eat Tamaki, shade sail.

56. McFetridge Park, Hillcrest, sports building entrance area.

57. Buttercup Lane, Waimauku, walkway renewal.

58. Mathesons Bay Pathway, walkway renewal.

Consideration

Local Board views and implications

59. There has been no specific engagement with Local Boards in relation to this update report. Programmes and initiatives associated with Local and Sports Parks, together with Pools and Leisure are led by Local Boards. Local Boards are consulted with respect to specific operational aspects of Regional Parks and Cemeteries within their District.

Māori impact statement

60. There has been no specific engagement with Māori in relation to this update report. The report briefly summarises the status of initiatives and projects which are however, on an individual basis, the subject of engagement with Māori.

Implementation

61. No issues.

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report.

Signatories

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

Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee

12 May 2015

Auckland Domain Committee - Appointment of Committee and Committee Members

File No.: CP2015/07958

Purpose

1. To request the appointment of a joint committee for Auckland Domain and the appointment of three members from the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee to the newly proposed Auckland Domain Committee.

Executive Summary

2. At the 10 February Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee meeting it was resolved to establish the Auckland Domain Committee comprising of three members of the Waitemata Local Board, three members of the Parks, Recreation and Sports Committee and a member of the Independent Maori Statutory Board (IMSB).

3. The establishment of this Committee is a two-step process. The first being to agree on the establishment of the Committee and terms of reference and the second to appoint the Committee and members to that Committee, including the Deputy Chair.

4. Since the February meeting, the IMSB has now advised that they wish to appoint two members to the Committee. This has been reflected in the terms of reference.

5. Given both the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee and the Waitemata Local Board agreed to the establishment of this Committee, this report seeks to conclude the process and appoint members.

Recommendations

That the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee:

a) agree to the amended terms of reference.

b) appoint the Committee and appoint three members to the newly established Auckland Domain Committee.

c) nominate the Chair of the Auckland Domain Committee.

Discussion

6. On the 10 February the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee resolved to:

a) Support the establishment of an Auckland Domain Committee, as outlined in option B of this report, to be made up of three members of the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee, three members of the Waitematā Local Board and a member of the Independent Maori Statutory Body.

b) Approve that the Chair of the Auckland Domain Committee being nominated by the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee and the Deputy Chair being nominated by the Waitemata Local Board at the time of appointment

c) Approve the terms of reference outlined in the tabled revised Attachment A and delegates the power to the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Auckland Domain Committee to make minor amendments to the Terms of Reference without surpassing the delegations granted to the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee and the Waitematā Local Board.

d) Request all budgets for Auckland Domain be transferred to a new regional account to be reported to and governed by the new Auckland Domain Committee.

e) Note that the Auckland Domain Committee shall set its own delegations to officers.

f) Support a process whereby any variation to the terms of reference be established by mutual agreement and that appointment of members be reported back to the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee and Waitemata Local Board.

g) Note that a further report will come to this Board and the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee with feedback from each body and, if in agreement, to appoint members to the new Auckland Domain Committee.

h) Note that general updates on Auckland Domain will come to the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee and the Waitemata Local Board respectively as part of routine reports from the General Manager, and Local Board Quarterly reporting.

7. The rationale behind this decision was outlined in the February report.

8. The establishment of this Committee is a two-step process.

9. The draft Terms of Reference, attached to the February agenda item, identified one member of the Auckland Domain Committee from the IMSB. This was a reflection of feedback from the Auckland Domain Master Plan Panel which currently has one member and is working well. The Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee asked for further advice on IMSB membership. The further advice confirmed that it was an IMSB decision to appoint one or two members to the Auckland Domain Committee (being an Auckland Council committee that will deal with the management and stewardship of natural and physical resources). Since then, the IMSB has formally advised that they would appoint two members to the Auckland Domain Committee. This was relayed to Councillor Christine Fletcher and Chair Shale Chambers.

10. There is one other minor change to the terms of reference: the Mayor is listed as an ex officio member, by virtue of his office, to reflect the Mayor’s statutory powers to be a member of each committee of the governing body.

11. Now that the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee and the Waitemata Local Board have agreed to establish this Committee, all that is now needed is to formally appoint (i.e. establish) the committee and appoint members including the Chair and Deputy Chair. The new Committee can then commence.

Consideration

Local Board Views and Implications

12. In addition to the resolutions noted earlier in this report (from the February 2015 meeting) the Waitemata Local Board asked a question about finances. This has been discussed in a meeting with the parks portfolio holders of the Waitemata Local Board. In establishing this Committee the operational funds that were assigned to the Waitemata Local Board have been ring fenced and will be held as a regional budget with the responsibility resting with the new Committee. Renewal funding has also being identified for Auckland Domain. During the development of the Long Term Plan all renewal needs, across the region, were reassessed and, based on the most up to date asset condition, renewal forecasts were made for all parks including Auckland Domain. The funding for this came from the total regional pool of renewal funding sitting in the Annual Plan and draft Long Term Plan.

13. In simple terms, the funding that will be allocated to the Auckland Domain for operating the park is the same as the level of funding previously allocated and this decision will therefore have no impact on service delivery or funding for other parks in the Waitemata Local Board area.

Maori Impact Statement

14. Auckland Domain is considered of great importance to many iwi in the region and beyond. It is a historic site of conflict and peace. Both the memorial on Pukekaroa and the displays and interpretation managed by the Auckland War Memorial Reserve pay tribute to significant events and the importance of the site to iwi.

15. Iwi have been invited to be involved in all developments and major decisions pertaining to the Domain including renewals and will continue to be an important partner in the ongoing development and management of the Domain.

Implementation

16. One of the primary streams of work associated with Auckland Domain, at this point in time, is the development of a master plan. The new Auckland Domain Committee will effectively take over the role of the previously established Auckland Domain Master Plan Panel and as a result the new Committee will need to meet in the very near future and on a regular basis until the master plan is adopted. Thereafter the meetings will be quarterly or as required but at least annually.

17. There are a large range of stakeholders associated with the Auckland Domain that will be an important part of the dealings of the Auckland Domain Committee. Of particular note is the Auckland War Memorial Museum. The Museum is subject to the Auckland War Memorial Museum Act 1996 and the Auckland Domain Act 1987 although the Auckland Domain Act notes that nothing within it shall in any way derogate from the provisions of the Auckland War Memorial Museum Act.

18. This committee, as with all committees, will be automatically discharged when the next electoral term starts. The future of this committee can be considered as part of the overall committee structure in the new term.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	Terms of Reference	31

Signatories

Author	Jane Aickin - Manager Local and Sports Parks Central
Authoriser	Ian Maxwell - General Manager Parks, Sports and Recreation

Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee

12 May 2015

Sustainability of Sport and Recreation Project progress report

File No.: CP2015/08164

Purpose

1. This report provides an update for noting by the Parks Recreation and Sport Committee on the joint governing body/local board Sustainability of Sport and Recreation project and sets out the timeframes for the confirmation of a work programme to address key issues and initiatives resulting from the investigation.

Executive Summary

2. In March 2014 Council launched the Auckland Sport and Recreation Strategic Action Plan (ASRSAP) which sets out a prioritised work programme against four key areas: participation, infrastructure, excellence in sport and recreation, and sport and recreation sector development. ASRSAP is a sector wide strategy developed and implemented in partnership with the sport, recreation and community sector.

3. Auckland Council is the lead agency on a number of key initiatives. ASRSAP action 6.4 requires council to look at innovative ways to “address inequities including access to facilities, funding and differing participation costs for different activities, codes and population groups.” (ASRSAP page 35).

4. To undertake this work, the Parks Recreation and Sport Committee signalled an interest in understanding how the current community sport and recreation delivery system works across Auckland and potential impacts to the success or failure of the system.

5. The committee resolved to progress a series of grassroots fora to “further investigate working with the Auckland sport and recreation sector aimed at identifying issues concerning the long term financial viability of community sport and recreation together with options to mitigate such issues.” (PAR/2014/13)

6. A Sustainability of Sport workshop will be held immediately prior to the May 12^th Parks Recreation and Sport Committee with panel members. The workshop will outline possible responses and a draft work programme arising from the panel’s engagement with grassroots sport and recreation.

7. The final work programme will be provided at the July 9^th Parks Recreation and Sport Committee meeting incorporating workshop feedback.

Recommendation/s

That the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee:

a) accept the Sustainability of Sport and Recreation Project – Community Speak Sport report, March 2015,

b) approve the Community Speak Sport report for distribution to local boards, the Independent Maori Statutory Board, OneVoice Sport and Recreation Auckland and advisory panels,

c) request that staff note feedback from the Sustainability of Sport and Recreation workshop May 12^th 2015,

d) request staff to report back the final work programme to the July 2015 Parks Recreation and Sport Committee, inclusive of workshop feedback and post discussions with other agencies (such as Sport New Zealand) to ensure resources required to deliver the work programme are identified and committed.

Comments

Auckland Sport and Recreation Strategic Action Plan implementation

8. Through the development of ASRSAP a number of common challenges facing the sport and recreation sector were identified that impact on the long term viability of the sector and may in turn negatively impact on rates of participation and volunteering. These include:

i) increasing casualization of sport whereby traditional fee paying members are harder to attract and retain,

ii) increase in participants desire to see “pay for play” options and concerns by clubs that this may lead to a diminishing desire to volunteer to help run and manage club affairs and activities as participants have less ownership of and connection to traditional club structures,

iii) changing lifestyles and demands for certain sports, a desire to see a more personalised approach to sport and recreation products and services including expectations around the use of technology to enhance or in fact drive the services and products on offer,

iv) increasing costs of health and safety compliance and the increased liability for those in governance roles,

v) an aging asset estate post a building boom in community facilities in the late 60’s and 70’s and the costs of adequately renewing and maintaining the assets

vi) a perception by sports and recreation groups of diminishing access to grants such as gaming societies, councils and central government, charitable trusts and community foundations.

9. ASRSAP has a number of key initiatives that have been prioritised for action and are connected to the above issues, such as:

i) create more opportunities for informal physical activity and recreation in parks and open spaces across Auckland (ASRSAP key initiative 1.1, Auckland Council lead)

ii) review and implement changes to pricing policies, to improve affordability for recreation and sport opportunities delivered by Auckland Council (ASRSAP 1.4, Auckland Council lead)

iii) develop innovative ways to address inequities identified through assessing the equity of access to facilities, funding and differing participation costs for different activities, codes and population groups (SARSAP 6.4 Auckland Council lead)

iv) review investment into asset management of council recreational facilities and club facilities located on council land (ASRSAP 7.6 Auckland Council lead)

v) investigate new models of funding to support organisations becoming more self-sufficient and financially independent (ASRSAP 17.3 Auckland Sport lead).

10. The Parks Recreation and Sport Committee resolved at the June 10^th 2014 meeting to:

a) agree the establishment of a Sustainability of Sport and Recreation Panel to lead an investigation into the issues and long term viability of the Auckland sport and recreation sector,

b) appoint Parks Recreation and Sport Committee members to form the Sustainability of Sport and Recreation Panel comprised of Councillors Fletcher (panel chair) Penrose, Clow, Watson and Sir John Walker to represent each of the four sectors (north, south, central, west)

c) request staff to work with the Chair of the Parks Recreation and Sport Committee, panel members and Local Board Services to establish the panel including: development and confirmation of the Terms of Reference and delivery of four fora across Auckland.

d) agree that the Sustainability of Sport and Recreation Panel report back to the December 2014 Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee meeting.

Sustainability of Sport and Recreation Panel Approach

11. In accordance with the resolution, the Chair of the Parks Recreation and Sport Committee (the Chair) established and chaired a joint Sustainability of Sport and Recreation Panel consisting of Parks Recreation and Sport Committee representatives and the local board sport and recreation portfolio holders.

12. The panel initially held four sector fora in the north, west, central and south. Due to demand a further two fora were held to accommodate additional input from the south and targeted input from multi-sport organisations. The committee representatives attended each of the fora while local board representatives attended those in their sector and the multi-sport forum.

13. Sport and recreation organisations were provided an opportunity to submit feedback online via a survey and to attend the forum most convenient to them. Most groups (96 organisations out of 121) took up both written and in-person feedback opportunities. A number of those organisations attending fora provided additional written information to the panel at the time. All feedback received was considered in the findings attached.

14. The fora were structured in a way that sport and recreation organisations presented key issues and opportunities to the panel followed by discussion and questions. The fora were very positively received by participants as an opportunity for grass roots sport and recreation to feedback directly to councillors and local board members.

15. Groups and organisations represented came from an even mix of summer and winter sport and recreation areas and represented over 224,000 sport and recreation participants. Full transcripts of each fora were completed and analysed, along with written feedback.

16. The attached Sustainability of Sport and Recreation For a “Community Speak Sport” report March 2015 has been circulated to the panel and to all fora attendees.

Consideration

Local Board views and implications

17. Local Boards were consulted about the formation of the panel and were directly involved appointing representatives to the panel.

18. In December 2014 a progress report was circulated to all local boards for formal agendas with the Community Speak Sport report circulated April 2015.

Māori impact statement

19. Sport and recreation contributes to the Health and Wellness focus area within the Manaakitanga key direction of the Māori Plan. The Schedule of Issues of Significance to Māori also includes an outcome around the empowerment and enabling of Mataawaka organisations (page 22). Opportunities inherent in a strong and sustainable sport and recreation sector are also aligned with actions in the outcomes areas of Education, Tamariki and Rangatahi Development, Health, Economic development and Tourism.

20. ASRSAP includes an action to develop a Māori sport and recreation plan. Te Waka Angamua is leading work on Te Whai Oranga – Māori Sport and Recreation alongside He Oranga Poutama and with the support of the Parks Sport and Recreation department. A series of hui to guide the development of Te Whai Oranga were held between July and September 2014.

21. Given the recent Te Whai Oranga hui, staff worked with He Oranga Poutama to invite organisations to participate in the fora acknowledging recent engagement via the hui. Several groups took up this offer and their feedback is included in the data collated for the Community Speak Sport report.

22. Issues and insights identified from the groups attending included access to resources for cultural practice eg timber from approved felling for mau rākau, storage for waka ama and sharing with the panel approaches to sport and recreation from a cultural perspective eg Okahu watersports and their work on improving water quality in the bay.

23. Staff will be guided by Te Whai Oranga and the work programme resulting from the Sustainability of Sport when implementing initiatives to support Māori sport and recreation.

Implementation

24. The final work programme will be reported to the July Parks Recreation and Sport Committee for adoption and implementation.

25. Progress will be reported at six monthly intervals in line with ASRSAP progress reporting.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	Sustainability of Sport and Recreation Project: Community Speak Sport report March 2015	37

Signatories

Author	Lisa Tocker - Manager, Recreation Facilities & Service Delivery Central
Authoriser	Ian Maxwell - General Manager Parks, Sports and Recreation

Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee

12 May 2015

Waikumete Cemetery Reserve Management Plan

File No.: CP2015/06589

Purpose

1. To present the Hearing Panel’s Report and recommended amendments to the Draft Waikumete Cemetery Reserve Management Plan.

Executive Summary

2. The Draft Waikumete Cemetery Reserve Management Plan was notified for a two month period of public consultation on 16 June 2014.

3. The Hearings Committee appointed a Hearing Panel which has reviewed consultation feedback and heard submissions to the Draft Waikumete Cemetery Reserve Management Plan.

4. The Hearing Panel’s Report sets out the panel’s deliberation of issues and recommendations to the Draft Waikumete Cemetery Reserve Management Plan and, is included as Attachment A of this report.

5. The Hearing Panel’s recommendations have been edited into the Waikumete Cemetery Reserve Management Plan which is included as Attachment B of this report.

Recommendation/s

That the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee:

a) note the contents and findings of the Hearing Panel’s Report

b) note that the content of the Draft Waikumete Cemetery Reserve Management Plan has been reviewed and edited to provide updated information, and to incorporate matters raised and dealt with during the submission process

c) approve the amendments to the Draft Waikumete Cemetery Reserve Management Plan recommended in this report

d) refer the approved changes to the Regional Strategy and Policy Committee for adoption as the final Waikumete Cemetery Reserve Management Plan

e) endorse the proposal that the Auckland Council gives appropriate consideration to the Other Matters raised in the section on pages 30/31 of the Waikumete Hearing report (Attachment A of the agenda)

f) note that the Waikumete Cemetery Reserve Management Plan is a long term aspirational document, which despite setting implementation timeframes, is subject to financial resourcing being available through the council budget process.

Comments

6. In June 2014, the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee approved the Draft Waikumete Cemetery Reserve Management (draft plan) for public consultation, and endorsed the appointment of an Independent Hearings Commissioner, three affected Local Board members and Councillor Ross Clow to hear submissions (PAR/2014/26).

7. The draft plan was notified on 16 July 2014 for a two-month period of public consultation. A total of 67 submissions were received of which 24 requested to speak to their submissions at a public hearing.

8. In September 2014, the Hearings Committee noted the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee June 2014 meeting resolution PAR/2014/26, and appointed an Independent Hearings Commissioner (Gerry Rowan), Councillor Ross Clow, one Independent Maori Statutory Board member (John Tamihere) and one Henderson Massey Local Board member (Brenda Brady) to hear submissions on the draft plan (HEA/2014/122).

9. Hearings were held on 10 and 11 November 2014, to which 15 submitters spoke to their submissions. The Hearing Panel held deliberations on 11 and 20 November 2014.

10. The consultation period and hearing process focused on 5 key topic areas as follows:

· Relocation of the main entrance

· New burial plot development

· Increased (passive) recreational use

· Improved safety and security

· Vegetation management

11. The majority of submissions were supportive of the objectives and policies of the draft plan and in particular, the 5 key topic areas as set out above.

12. The Hearing Panel, having considered all submissions and staff advice, provided a hearing report (Attachment A) which includes some minor recommended amendments to the draft plan and are summarised as follows;

· Provision of additional internal parking, particularly adjacent entrances.

· An investigation and assessment of alternative land-efficient burial methods/land use models.

· Permitted on-road ‘casual’ cycling and ‘greenway’ connecting routes within and through the site (but strictly no off-road motorcross and mountain bike activity).

· Identification of specimen trees and/or historic plantings (within developed cemetery areas) that are deemed to have sufficient heritage value so as to be retained.

13. Auckland Council is the administering body of the reserve. Decision-making with regard to cemeteries is allocated to the governing body of Auckland Council which is charged with the duty of administrating, managing and controlling the reserve within the appropriate provisions of the Reserves Act 1977.

14. The amended Waikumete Cemetery Reserve Management Plan, which incorporates the Hearing Panel’s recommendations, is included as Attachment B.

Consideration

Local Board views and implications

15. The sites historic associations with many areas in west Auckland and particularly the suburb of Glen Eden, deemed it essential to work closely with the three west Local Boards and the Waitakere Ranges Local Board in particular. Multiple combined workshops with the west Local Boards have contributed to the Waikumete Cemetery Reserve Management Plan.

Māori impact statement

16. Te Kawerau a Maki and Ngati Whatua are mana whenua for the area and hold Waikumete to have high cultural values which require the exercise of kaitiakitanga, as kaitiakitanga and mana sit over the whole site, not just the urupa (although that is an area of primary concern).

17. The Urupa located at Waikumete is managed together with Auckland Council by a komiti comprising membership from Te Kawerau a Maki, Ngati Whatua, Te Piringatahi o Te Maungarango Marae, Hoani Waititi Marae and Kakariki Marae.

Implementation

18. Should the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee approve amendments to the draft plan and recommend it for adoption, it will become operative. The Waikumete Cemetery Reserve Management Plan is a long term aspirational document, which despite setting implementation timeframes, is subject to financial resourcing being available through the council budget process.

Financial and resourcing implications

19. The draft LTP 2015-2025 includes provision of $46.5million of capital expenditure for cemeteries over the next 10 years as follows:

· development of new cemetery capacity at North Shore Memorial Park

· extension of burial areas at Waikumete, Papakura, Gatland Road and local cemeteries across the Auckland region

· acquisition of additional land at Manukau Memorial Gardens when required

· initial development of a new north western cemetery for future burial capacity across the north western area, the site of which has yet to be identified.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	150420 Waikumete Hearing Report (Under Separate Cover)
b View	150420 Waikumete Cemetery RMP (final) (Under Separate Cover)

Signatories

Authors

Richard Mann - Principal Policy Analyst

Andrew Wood - Team Leader Parks and Recreation Policy - North/West

Authorisers

Kataraina Maki – General Manager - Community & Social Policy

Ian Maxwell - General Manager Parks, Sports and Recreation

Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee

12 May 2015

Regional Parks Use and Investment

File No.: CP2015/06657

Purpose

1. To report on the trends in visitor demand on regional parks, levels of visitor satisfaction, including facilities, information and natural features.

Executive Summary

2. Auckland’s public open spaces, its parks, reserves and harbours, are a major factor in making Auckland the world’s most liveable city and why a third of New Zealanders choose to live here. They contribute to creating and maintaining the quality of life, especially in an intensifying urban setting.

3. They are also a major contributor to the attraction of the city as a visitor destination. Tourism is a fundamental contributor to New Zealand’s economy representing almost nine percent of New Zealand’s gross domestic product (GDP) as well as directly and indirectly employing nearly one in nine New Zealanders. Total tourism expenditure reached $23.8 billion for the year ended March 2014.

4. Public open space generates a wide range of benefits for individuals, groups and the community as a whole. They include;

· Physical benefits, measure in terms of participation in organised sports and informal exercise contributing to public health

· Amenity of places creating a sense of place, adding value to surrounding properties and the enhancing the cityscapes as a whole.

· Social benefits contributing to personal wellbeing, human development, social interaction, cultural and spiritual identity.

· Environmental outcomes such as landscape protection, ecological viability and biodiversity.

· Economic outcomes as a context for tourism, commercial activity and the value of private property.

Recommendation/s

That the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee:

a) take into consideration the implications of the analysis contained in this report in future budgeting for the provision and development of regional parks.

Comments

5. The Auckland Council Visitor Plan 2011 estimates that the Auckland visitor economy was worth $3.33 billion in 2010. Expenditure by international visitors made up $1.96 billion and the remaining $1.37 billion was contributed by domestic visitors. The Plan comments: Á successful visitor economy requires a rich social fabric and unique attractions that appeal to locals and visitors alike. These elements play an important role in informing the city’s brand and delivering on its promise”.

6. Public open space also supports the sports and recreation sector. Research undertaken by Lincoln University for SPARC (now Sport NZ) in 2011 showed that in 2008/09 sports and recreation contributed an estimated $1.6 billion to the Auckland economy.

7. Over and above the direct economic benefits of tourism and the sport and recreation sector, public open space has wider benefits. Public open space is a vital part in preserving and giving people access to the region’s unique natural features and cultural settings, such as its bush settings, volcanic cones and harbours. They are essential in maintaining the environmental qualities and the region’s waterways. Public open space or green infrastructure is therefore an investment in more than its direct value for recreation. It is often seen as a ‘cost’ to the community rather than an investment to its overall wealth, both short term and over the longer term. As a consequence it does not get the same recognition that factors such as roads and other city infrastructure does, with more immediate and more easily quantifiable benefits.

8. The Auckland Council Parks and Open Space Strategic Action Plan 2013 identifies four areas of focus for the council and sets out the council’s priorities and actions for each of these. The foci of the plan are to “treasure, enjoy, connect and utilised” our parks and open space.

9. The regional parks play a unique and special role in meeting these outcomes. They fulfil the outcomes sought for each focus in the following ways;

Treasure

10. The regional parks contain many of the region’s representative and iconic places and landscapes. They protect and conserve some of the region’s most sensitive and valued ecosystems and are the home for rare and endangered plants and wildlife. Most, being located on the coast, contain locations and features of significant cultural value to tangata whenua.

Enjoy

11. The regional parks network are popular playgrounds for people seeking outdoor adventure, the opportunity to enjoy pristine nature, or more importantly, the opportunity for respite from the pressures of everyday life.

Connect

12. One of the key roles of regional parks is providing people access to the region’s coastline, harbours and the Hauraki Gulf, which are so much part of Auckland’s identity and quality of life. But more critically, as Auckland expands and intensifies, is the fact that these are undeveloped portions of the coastline.

Utilise

13. The best demonstration of whether people value an asset is the fact that they make use of it. The regional parks receive between five and six million visits each year and some, such as Long Bay, Muriwai and the Auckland Botanic Gardens, are among the most popular venues in the region, each receiving one million visits per year. Overall approximately 10 percent of visits to regional parks are visitors from outside the region but some parks, such as the Ambury, Arataki, Glen Esk, Karekare and Whatipu receiving between 15 percent and 20 percent of visits from outside Auckland.

Future Population Growth

14. The Auckland Plan forecasts that the region’s population could grow to 2.5 million by 2040. This represents ain the order of a 60 percent increase in population. The Auckland Plan provides for 60 percent to 70 percent of this growth to be absorbed within the existing urban area and 30 percent to 40 percent to occur in rural locations, focussed on major growth nodes at East Tamaki, Papakura, Hobsonville, Westgate, Kumeu, Orewa and Warkworth.

15. The Auckland Plan also predicts changing housing forms and lifestyles as a result of urban intensification with smaller household units and less personal open space. Changing demographics, such as changing age, income and ethic patterns, will influence people’s lifestyle and recreation choices. These pressures and changes pose a specific challenge for the managing of the region’s public open space including the regional parks.

Monitoring on Regional Parks

16. The council has monitored public awareness, use and satisfaction with the regional parks network since the late 1980’s. This has involved surveys of the wider public and park users through annual telephone and on-park intercept surveys. These surveys are often followed up by specific research where the general survey has identified an issue that requires deeper investigation. Data on the demographic and preference profile of visitors is also periodically collected. This builds a picture of whom and why people visitor regional parks and more importantly what elements could be improved on the parks.

17. The use of the parks has been monitored using vehicle counts at selected park entrances where it is practicable to set up vehicle counters. The number of persons per vehicle is periodically calibrated by survey. Because not all entrances can be monitored in this manner and many people enter the parks on foot or by cycle, the total number of visits calculated by this means tends to be undercount but is a fair representation of the trend in the level of use.

Visitor Number Trends

18. Auckland Regional Parks continue to experience an increase in use that exceeds the rate of population growth. Between the 2006 and 2013 census the number of visits to regional parks has increased by 20.4 percent whereas the regional population grew by 8.5 percent over the same period.

The level of use of individual parks tends to fluctuate over time. Weather can have a major impact on park use, for example. The general pattern is that newly opened parks tend to build up use steadily as they are discovered by the public. Between five to 10 years from opening the use levels off and then maintains a gradual increase roughly in pace with or slightly ahead of population growth. The continued provision of adequate facilities and activation of destinations is important in maintaining use of and satisfaction with parks.

Visitor Satisfaction Trends

19. Overall, visitor satisfaction with regional parks has been consistently high over the years. Visitor satisfaction with the quality of their visit to the parks scores at between 92 percent and 99 percent.

Visitor satisfaction with quality of visit - ten year trend

05/06

06/07

07/08

08/09

09/10

10/11

11/12

12/13

13/14

14/15

Not

Measured

20. The quality and presentation of the natural settings of the regional parks is the main factor contributing to these high scores. Visitor satisfaction with the facilities, on the other hand, has measured consistently lower at between 95 percent and 82 percent but, more significantly, has declined over the last five years.

Visitor satisfaction with quality of facilities - ten year trend

05/06

06/07

07/08

08/09

09/10

10/11

11/12

12/13

13/14

14/15

Not

Measured

21. Respondents to surveys, when questioned on the factors that cause dissatisfaction on the parks, raise a number of issues that almost always relates to the availability and state of park facilities. The most frequently refer to, in order of importance, are toilets, car parking, signage and picnicking facilities, such as barbeques, picnic tables and seats, drinking water and shade and shelter.

22. The most persistent issue raised by respondents is the state of toilets. While people generally accept that the type of toilet will vary from location to location. For example, people expect to find pit or vault toilets in remote areas rather than flushing toilets, they nevertheless expect them to fit for service and clean. The smell of old style pit and vault toilets is particularly off-putting for many visitors, especially families with young children.

23. People’s expectations have changed over time. Many urban parks now contain self-cleaning, stainless steel ‘superloos’. This has raised the ‘expectation bar’ with respect to facilities such as toilets on parks.

24. A relationship between aging infrastructure and visit numbers can also be seen in some of the older regional parks. Parks such as Wenderholm (opened in 1965), Shakespear (1967), Mahurangi (1966), Tawharanui (1973), Whatipu (1903) and Tapapakanga (1979) have experienced no significant growth or an incremental decline in patronage over the last ten years.

25. While this decline cannot be attributed entirely to aging infrastructure, there is a correlation, and visitor satisfaction results tend to reinforce this relationship between aging infrastructure and low levels of satisfaction with the facilities at those parks. Conversely, new and improved infrastructure on parks can have a major influence on the number of visits and the level of satisfaction. For example, the construction of Huakaiwaka, the visitor centre and café at Auckland Botanic Gardens, in 2005 saw declining visitor numbers increased from 520,000 to 958,000 by 2010.

26. This trend is also noticeable where, infrastructure such as new style toilet blocks have been constructed on regional parks. For example, people had commented on the new toilets at Hunua Falls, Atiu Creek and more recently at the new Wenderholm campground.

Growth and Demand

27. There is no doubt about the popularity of regional parks with the Auckland populous and visitor alike. The use of regional parks is increasing at a rate greater than the population growth rate.

28. People are voting with their feet. Much of this popularity can be contributed to the large scale natural settings that the regional parks offer. These are also the factors that are threatened by population growth and urban expansion. One of the unique and special attributes of regional parks is the fact that they offer free access to undeveloped coastline. Coastal locations are a prime target for future growth. As the city intensifies, the demand for access to open space within easy access of the city will increase.

Consideration

Local Board views and implications

29. Local Boards have not been consulted on the matters covered in this report but would be consulted on any future proposals that would be informed by the analysis contained in this report.

Māori impact statement

30. Maori are a significant user of public open space in Auckland and represent overall eight percent (c.f. 11 percent census) of visits to regional parks and are fully consulted during the preparation of management plans for the regional parks and any development works on regional parks.

Implementation

31. While this report does not propose any particular action that requires implementation, the analysis in the report will inform future capital works and operational matters on regional parks in response to visitor use and growth.

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report.

Signatories

Author

Neil Olsen - Parks and Recreation Advisor

Authorisers

Mace Ward - Group Manager Regional and Specialist Parks

Ian Maxwell - General Manager Parks, Sports and Recreation

Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee

12 May 2015

Proposed classification of Birdwood Winery Estate Reserve.

File No.: CP2015/06690

Purpose

1. To classify Birdwood Winery Estate Reserve Lot 2 DP 50606 as part recreation reserve and part local purpose (community buildings) reserve.

Executive Summary

2. In September 2006 the former Waitakere City Council resolved to classify Birdwood Winery Estate Reserve as a local purpose (historic site) reserve under section16 of the Reserves Act 1977. Resolution number 1771/2006 No 15 (Attachment A).

3. Although a resolution to classify the reserve was approved the reserve remains unclassified as no record has been found of the resolution having been registered against the property title or notification given to Land Information New Zealand as required under s16 of the Reserves Act. Therefore the reserve is not classified.

4. In order to correctly classify the reserve and enable the Henderson-Massey Local Board to enter into appropriate leases with community organisations using the reserve, a resolution is required from the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee to partially rescind the former Waitakere City Council resolution dated 7 September 2006, and classify the reserve as part recreation reserve and part local purpose (community buildings) reserve.

Recommendation/s

That the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee:

a) partially rescind the Waitakere City Council resolution dated 7 September 2006 (1771/2006) to classify the whole of Lot 2 DP 50606 Birdwood Winery Estate (Attachment A) as a local purpose (historic site) reserve;

b) approve those parts of Lot 2 marked Section 1 on the attached copy plan SO477190 (Attachment C) to be classified as local purpose (community buildings) reserve under section 16(2A) of the Reserves Act;

c) approve the balance area marked Section 2 on plan copy SO477190 (Attachment C of the agenda) to be classified as recreation reserve under s17 of the Reserves Act.

Comments

Background

5. Birdwood Winery Estate Reserve (Lot 2) (Attachment B) is located at 99 Glen Road. The site comprises of approximately 8.2 hectares of largely open grassland in addition to the former Birdwood Winery building and homestead.

6. In September 2006 the former Waitakere City Council resolved to classy the site as a local purpose (historic site) reserve under section 16 of the Reserves Act 1977. Section 16 of the Act requires council to notify Land Information New Zealand and provide evidence of a resolution to classify a reserve. No record has been found to indicate that Land Information New Zealand was notified of council’s decision to classify the reserve in 2006. As the requirements of section 16 of the Act were not fully complied with, the reserve is not considered to be classified.

7. The Henderson-Massey Local Board approved a Recreation and Park Development Plan for the reserve in December 2012. This identified how recreation and use objectives set out in the Reserve Management Plan 2002, would be achieved.

8. The development plan supports the ongoing use of the reserve and buildings by the current users: BMX, darts, model railway and pony clubs. These current users are all operating on a month by month lease agreement as the reserve remains unclassified.

9. To operate appropriate leases on a long term basis, a resolution is required from the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee to partially rescind the former Waitakere City Council resolution dated 7 September 2006, and classify the reserve as part recreation reserve and part local purpose (community buildings) reserve.

Comments

10. The Reserves Act requires reserves to be classified according to their principal or primary purpose. The appropriate classification for the range of current use is part recreation reserve and part local purpose (community buildings) reserve.

11. The Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee are delegated as the local authority to classify the reserve under s16 of the Act in accordance with its principal or primary purpose, as defined in sections 17 to 23.

12. In order to appropriately classify the reserve the following procedural actions are required:

· rescind the relevant part of the Waitakere City Council resolution from September 2006 (Attachment A), which sought to classify the whole of Lot 2 DP 50606 as local purpose (historic site) reserve

· classify those parts of the reserve containing the footprints of the winery and homestead buildings as local purpose (community buildings) reserve under s16 of the Act. This area is marked as Section 1 on the attached plan SO477190 (Attachment C).

· classify the balance of Lot 2 marked as Section 2 on the attached plan SO477190 as recreation reserve (under s17 of the Act) pursuant to s16 (2A) of the Reserves Act.

13. The successful classification of the reserve will allow the Henderson-Massey Local Board to go through the process of making new leases with community orgainisations consistent with future plans for the reserve.

Next step

14. Once a resolution has been passed a copy of the resolution will be lodged with Land Information New Zealand to be registered against the property title to endorse it as classified for the purpose specified in the resolution.

Consideration

Local Board views and implications

15. The classification of Birdwood Winery Estate Reserve was discussed at a workshop with the Henderson Massey Local Board on 9 September 2014 and reported to its business meeting on 11 December 2014, where the local board resolved (resolution number HM/2014/54).

That the Henderson-Massey Local Board:

a) Recommends to the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee that it partially rescind the Waitakere City Council resolution dated 7 September 2006 (1771/2006) to classify the whole of Lot 2 DP 50606 Birdwood Winery Estate as a local purpose (historic site) reserve;

b) Confirms those parts of Lot 2 marked Section 1 on the attached plan copy SO477190 to be local purpose (community buildings) reserve and recommend approval by the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee;

c) Confirms the balance area marked Section 2 on the SO477190 plan to be a recreation reserve (under section 17 of the Reserves Act) pursuant to section16(2A) of the Reserves Act 1977 and recommend approval by the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee.

Māori impact statement

16. Te Kawerau a Maki do not oppose the reclassification, however they do not support the granting of leases of longer than five years without full engagement with them by council and the lease holders.

17. Nga Maunga Whakahii o Kaipara has no direct issue or areas of cultural interest relating to the proposed reclassification. They have requested further consultation if the purpose of the reclassification changes in the future.

Implementation

18. There is no significant cost associated with the reserve reclassification.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	Waitakere City Council Resolution number 1771/2006	67
b View	Aerial map Birdwood Winery Estate Reserve	71
c View	Section 1 and 2 Plan SO477190	73

Signatories

Author

Roma Leota - Policy Analyst

Authorisers

Kataraina Maki – General Manager - Community & Social Policy

Ian Maxwell - General Manager Parks, Sports and Recreation

Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee

12 May 2015

Proposed classification of Brains Park, 35 Vanguard Road, Kelston

File No.: CP2015/06829

Purpose

1. To classify part of Brains Park, 35 Vanguard Road, Kelston as a recreation reserve pursuant to Section 16 (1) of the Reserves Act 1977 to enable the community lease to West Auckland Association Football and Sports Club Incorporated (the Club) to be executed.

Executive Summary

2. Brains Park has a total land area of 5.6504 hectares. Located on the two largest parcels of the reserve are the West Auckland Association Football and Sports Club Incorporated Clubrooms, a Scout Hall, several concreted games courts, a toilet block and a few trees. The other smaller parcels of land are access ways onto the park.

3. The first and largest parcel of land is described as Lot 1 on Deposited Plan 45106 contained in NA849/95 (Cancelled) being 5.2634 hectares. Lot 1 is held by the Crown through the Department of Conservation as an unclassified recreation reserve and vested in Auckland Council, in trust, for recreation purposes.

4. The second parcel of land where the Scout Hall is sited is described as Lot 11 on Deposited Plan 43250 being 1095m² and is held in fee simple by Auckland Council as a classified local purpose (community buildings) reserve and is subject to the Reserves Act 1977. This classification aligns to the activities of the Scouts.

5. A Reserves Management Plan for Brains Park was completed in 1981 by legacy Waitemata City Council and includes an extensive explanation of the Club’s activities and proposed development including the building plans for the clubrooms that were erected on the land between 1982 and 1984. With Lot 1 remaining unclassified, the plan has no validity in terms of the Reserves Act 1977.

6. On 19 February 2014 the Whau Local Board passed a resolution approving the classifying of Brains Park being Lot 1 on Deposited Plan 45106 as a recreation reserve pursuant to Section 16 (1) of the Reserves Act 1977 and granting a new lease to the Club for a term of 10 years commencing 1 July 2013 with two 10-year rights of renewal (Attachment A: Local Board Resolution WH/2014/13 and Attachment B: Site Plan of Brains Park). The Club owns their building.

7. Council has the authority to classify the reserve in terms of Section 16 (1) of the Reserves Act 1977, and for one of the three council staff appointed as delegates of the Minister of Conservation to sign a gazette notice declaring the classification and to arrange to publish the notice in the New Zealand Gazette. Public notification is not required since the land is already held as an unclassified recreation reserve so Section 16 (5) (a) of the Reserves Act 1977, the provision available to exempt the council from advertising, can be triggered.

Recommendation/s

That the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee:

a) resolve, pursuant to Section 16 (1) of the Reserves Act 1977, to classify part of Brains Park being Lot 1 on Deposited Plan 45106 contained in NA849/95 (Cancelled) being 5.2634 hectares as a recreation reserve.

Comments

8. Brains Park has a total land area of 5.6504 hectares. Located on the two largest parcels of the reserve are the West Auckland Association Football and Sports Club Incorporated Clubrooms, a Scout Hall, several concreted games courts, a toilet block and a few trees. The other smaller parcels of land are access ways onto the park.

9. The first and largest parcel of land is described as Lot 1 on Deposited Plan 45106 contained in NA849/95 (Cancelled) being 5.2634 hectares. Lot 1 is held by the Crown through the Department of Conservation as an unclassified recreation reserve and vested in Auckland Council, in trust, for recreation purposes.

10. The second parcel of land where the Scout Hall is sited is described as Lot 11 on Deposited Plan 43250 being 1095m² and is held in fee simple by Auckland Council as a classified local purpose (community buildings) reserve and is subject to the Reserves Act 1977. This classification aligns to the activities of the Scouts.

11. A Reserves Management Plan for Brains Park was completed in 1981 by legacy Waitemata City Council and includes an extensive explanation of the Club’s activities and proposed development including the building plans for the clubrooms that were erected on the land between 1982 and 1984. With Lot 1 remaining unclassified, the plan has no validity in terms of the Reserves Act 1977.

12. West Auckland Association Football and Sports Club Incorporated (the Club) had a community lease with legacy Waitemata City Council from 1 July 1980 for a term of 33 years expiring on 30 June 2013. On 19 February 2014 the Whau Local Board passed a resolution approving the classifying of Brains Park being Lot 1 on Deposited Plan 45106 as a recreation reserve pursuant to Section 16 (1) of the Reserves Act 1977 and granting a new lease to the Club for a term of 10 years commencing 1 July 2013 with two 10-year rights of renewal (Attachment A: Local Board Resolution WH/2014/13 and Attachment B: Site Plan of Brains Park). The Club owns their building.

13. Council has the authority to classify the reserve in terms of Section 16 (1) of the Reserves Act 1977, and for one of the three council staff appointed as delegates of the Minister of Conservation to sign a gazette notice declaring the classification and to arrange to publish the notice in the New Zealand Gazette. Public notification is not required since the land is already held as an unclassified recreation reserve so Section 16 (5) (a) of the Reserves Act 1977, the provision available to exempt the council from advertising, can be triggered.

14. The classification of Lot 1 would validate the Reserves Management Plan and allow for the community lease to the Club to be prepared and executed.

Consideration

Local Board views and implications

15. On 19 February 2014 the Whau Local Board resolved to classify Brains Park being Lot 1 on Deposited Plan 45106 as a recreation reserve pursuant to Section 16 (1) of the Reserves Act 1977.

Māori impact statement

16. Local iwi were contacted on 31 October 2013 and invited to give feedback on the classifying of Brains Park and the granting of a new lease to the Club. No feedback was received from the iwi groups.

Implementation

17. If the Committee resolves to classify the land as recreation reserve this will validate the Brains Park Reserve Management Plan and allow the lease to the Club to be executed.

18. The cost implications for Auckland Council associated with the classification process are estimated at $300.00.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	Local Board Resolution WH/2014/13	79
b View	Site Plan of Brains Park, 35 Vanguard Road, Kelston	81

Signatories

Author

Donna Cooper - Community Lease Advisor

Authorisers

Graham Bodman - Manager - Community Development, Arts and Culture

Ian Maxwell - General Manager Parks, Sports and Recreation

Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee

12 May 2015

Disposal of land - Auckland Botanic Gardens

File No.: CP2015/07263

Purpose

1. To advise the council of the proposal by the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) to widening the southern motorway and the implications for the Auckland Botanic Gardens (the Gardens).

2. To seek the Committee approval to divest approximately 2400m² of land to the NZTA for the purpose of constructing a stormwater treatment facility.

3. To seek the Committee approval to retain the funds from the sale of the land for compensatory amenity improvements at the Gardens.

4. To seek the Committee approval to uplift the Auckland Botanic Gardens designation on that portion of the land to allow the road designation to be the primary designation.

Executive Summary

5. NZTA propose to widen the southern motorway in the vicinity of the Gardens. The proposal requires the construction of a stormwater treatment facility. The preferred option is to locate the facility on a portion of land within the boundary of the Gardens. The area of land affected of approximately 2400m²has little functional value to the Gardens as it is effectively separated from the Gardens by existing noise bunds. It will however necessitate some modification to the existing noise bund in this area and NZTA would prefer to own the land so that it has unrestricted access for maintenance purposes. These works will be carried out at NZTA’s cost.

6. NZTA will undertake measures to mitigate the additional traffic noise caused by the proposal but the parts of the Gardens remain adversely affected by existing traffic noise. NZTA have agreed by way of a memorandum of understanding to undertake some further mitigation if this proves necessary. It is recommended however that the funds raised by the sale of the land should be used for compensatory works at the Gardens.

Recommendations

That the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee:

a) recommend to the Regional Policy and Strategy Committee the divestment of approximately 2400 m²of land on the north-west corner of the Auckland Botanic Gardens to the New Zealand Transport Agency for the purpose of constructing a stormwater treatment facility.

b) recommend to the Regional Policy and Strategy Committee the uplifting of the Auckland Botanic Gardens designation on that portion of the land sold to the New Zealand Transport Agency in terms of section 182 of the Resource Management Act, 1991.

c) recommend to the Finance and Performance Committee the retention of the funds from the sale of the land for compensating improvements to the Auckland Botanic Gardens, to compensate for the loss of amenity.

Comments

7. New Zealand Transport Authority has lodged a notice of requirement and resource consents to widen a 9.5 km section of the southern motorway between Manukau and Papakura. The proposed changes involve widening of the carriageway to include one extra traffic lane in each direction and providing a new off-road shared-use pedestrian/cycle way adjacent to the western carriageway of the motorway. The proposal includes the installation of noise barriers along the majority of its length. While the majority of the works will be contained within the current designated corridor there will be a need for minor alterations to the designation on a temporary basis in some locations to facilitate the works during construction and, in some locations, to alter the designation on a permanent basis to accommodate the proposed works.

8. The proposal will impact on a number of local parks and the Gardens. The implications for the local parks are the subject of a separate report to the committee. This report focusses on the impacts on the Gardens.

9. The motorway corridor is designated in terms of section 168 of the Resource Management Act 1991 as a ‘public work’ for the construction and operation of the motorway. The proposal has been dealt with on a limited notification basis; only directly affected parties have been notified, including the Gardens. The department has had the opportunity to comment on matters of concern to be considered as part of the resource consent and will have the opportunity to input at a later stage into the Outline Plan of Works that will be lodged once the proposed works have been fully designed.

Impacts on the Auckland Botanic Gardens

10. There are three main impacts on the Gardens; the impact of traffic noise, the visual impact of moving traffic close to the boundary and the need to accommodate a stormwater treatment facility in the vicinity of the Gardens.

i) Stormwater treatment

11. A number of options for stormwater treatment were examined with council staff, including the option of accommodating wetlands as a feature within the Gardens so that they could be used to demonstrate best practice and be used for education purposes. This option has been discounted on the basis, as an NZTA facility, it would only deal with the treatment of motorway stormwater and would not include treatment of existing stormwater generated from the Auckland Transport roads and housing development on the western side of the motorway. It would also necessitate NZTA having to have access to the Gardens to maintain the facility under a licence agreement. On balance there was no obvious benefit to the Gardens from this option.

12. The option favoured is to utilise the north western corner of the Gardens immediately adjacent to the motorway (refer attachment A and B). This would allow the wetland to be maintained directly from the motorway. The area of land affected has little functional value to the Gardens as it is effectively separated from the gardens by existing noise bunds. It will however necessitate some modification to the existing noise bund in this area and NZTA would prefer to own the land so that it has unrestricted access for maintenance purposes.

13. The area of land concerned is 2400 m²and the loss of amenity could be compensated through enhancement in the Gardens. NZTA have agreed to purchase the land from the council at market value. In order to facilitate the wetland and maintain the noise attenuation of the noise bund in this location, NZTA have also agreed, at their cost, to install a retaining wall around the wetland and reinstate the bund, with suitable planting on the Garden side of the wall. The wall will also incorporate a destination sign for the Gardens, on the wall facing the motorway (refer attachment C) Council staff are supportive of these proposals.

14. Council will need to approve the disposal of the land and to approve to uplift the regional parks designation off that portion of the land in terms of section 182 of the RMA. It would be desirable that the funds generated from the sale of this land be assigned to compensating improvements on the Gardens, such as additional landscaping or further noise attenuation, if this proves necessary.

ii) Traffic Noise

15. The departmental staff raised concerns that insufficient consideration was given to the mitigation of traffic noise from the southern motorway and the effects on the Gardens. The Assessment of Environmental Effects (AEE) accompanying the Notice of Requirement addresses the increase in noise levels resulting from the additional lanes but does not address the impacts of the existing motorway noise, the subjective perception of noise levels and the changes to these, and the annoyance effects of road noise and movement on visitors to the Gardens. The Manager, Auckland Botanic Gardens has sought independent advice on these matters.

16. The department believes the gardens qualify for consideration as a ‘protected premises and facilities’ (PPFs) in terms of The New Zealand Road Noise Standard, NZS 6806:2010 “Acoustics – Road-traffic Noise – New and Altered Roads”. The gardens receive annual visitation of between 900,000 and 1 million and caters for more than 9,000 school children attending NZ curriculum- based education programmes each year, and many more on informal educational visits. The areas most affected by traffic noise are the native plant collections (Native Plant Identification Trail, Threatened Native Plant Garden, Native Plant Ideas and Harakeke Collection) that are all immediately adjacent to the Southern Motorway. These are the most important plant collections for educational purposes. The Gardens are therefore not only one of Auckland’s most visited venues but they are also an important education facility.

17. The Gardens suffer from the noise emanating from the existing motorway to a level that parts, notably the native plant collection, are no longer usable for teaching purposes and are an unpleasant environment for park visitors generally. Traffic levels have increased over time and the noise levels have increased since the Gardens were first located at Manurewa. The proposed addition of a lane on the motorway will exacerbate this situation but also poses a unique opportunity to improve an unsatisfactory existing situation.

18. The mitigation proposed includes the construction of a 1.1 metre high ‘TL5’ concrete barrier along the eastern edge of the new motorway lane adjacent to the boundary of the Gardens. The department does not believe that this will offer sufficient mitigation of the traffic noise. As a later stage of development, NZTA proposed to install a five metre high noise attenuation wall on the western side of the motorway in the vicinity of the Gardens. This is to provide protection to the residential dwelling on that side of the motorway. The AEE has not demonstrated that the proposed five metre high barrier on the western side of the motorway will not result in increased adverse noise levels caused by reflection off that wall.

19. The proposed new lane, parts of which are elevated above the gardens, will bring in the traffic movement closer to the Garden’s boundary and, because of the narrow nature of the road reserve, will result in the removal of some of the existing vegetation currently screening the movement of vehicles. Larger vehicles, such as trucks, will be more visible and, as much of the motorway noise is of a low frequency nature, the impacts on park visitors will be significantly increased. The AEE has not given adequate attention to the psychological effects of this noise on visitors and teaching activities.

iii) Agreement with NZTA

20. The department has reached agreement with NZTA on a number of matters that will be reflected in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and facilitate an ongoing relationship, as the works proceed. While, at this stage, NZTA have not agreed to provide additional mitigation to the effects of the existing traffic noise, they have agreed to monitor the noise levels once the five metre high wall opposite the Gardens has been installed and will erect additional noise attenuation structures on the Gardens side of the motorway if this proves necessary.

Delegations

21. The Regional Strategy and Policy Committee have delegation for disposal of property relating to the committee’s responsibility. Approval will be sought from this committee to uplift the Auckland Botanic Gardens designation over the subject site and to sell the subject site to the NZTA.

22. The Finance and Performance Committee has delegation for approval of non-budgeted expenditure. Their approval is required to direct the proceeds from the sale of the subject site to non-budgeted mitigation projects in the Botanic Gardens.

Consideration

Local Board views and implications

23. The Manurewa and Papakura Local Boards have been fully briefed and consulted on the proposal by NZTA. These matters, as they relate to the local parks, will also be reported separately to these boards.

Māori impact statement

24. NZTA have undertaken full consultation with mana whenua as part of their consenting responsibilities and have taken their concerns into consideration.

Implementation

25. While the proposals will have some potentially negative impacts on the Gardens, the NZTA has shown a willingness to work with council to mitigate these impacts where practicable. The proposed MOU between NZTA and council will help ensure a satisfactory outcome. Also while the council will forgo use of a small portion of the Gardens, this is not critical to the gardens functions and the compensation received will help off-set these impact provided it is spent on improvement to the Gardens.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	Area of land for disposal	87
b View	Proposed wetland design	89
c View	Proposed wetland concept plan	91

Signatories

Author

Neil Olsen - Parks and Recreation Advisor

Authorisers

Mace Ward - Group Manager Regional and Specialist Parks

Rob Cairns - Manager Parks and Recreation Policy

Kataraina Maki – General Manager - Community & Social Policy

Ian Maxwell - General Manager Parks, Sports and Recreation

Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee

12 May 2015

Exclusion of the Public: Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987

That the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee:

a) exclude the public from the following part(s) of the proceedings of this meeting.

The general subject of each matter to be considered while the public is excluded, the reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter, and the specific grounds under section 48(1) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 for the passing of this resolution follows.

This resolution is made in reliance on section 48(1)(a) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 and the particular interest or interests protected by section 6 or section 7 of that Act which would be prejudiced by the holding of the whole or relevant part of the proceedings of the meeting in public, as follows:

C1 Acquisition of open space land - Whenuapai

Reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter

Particular interest(s) protected (where applicable)

Ground(s) under section 48(1) for the passing of this resolution

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

s7(2)(h) - The withholding of the information is necessary to enable the local authority to carry out, without prejudice or disadvantage, commercial activities.

In particular, the report identifies land council seeks to acquire for open space purposes.

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

In particular, the report identifies land council seeks to acquire for open space purposes.

s48(1)(a)

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

C2 Acquisition of Land for Open Space Purposes, Orewa West

Reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter

Particular interest(s) protected (where applicable)

Ground(s) under section 48(1) for the passing of this resolution

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

In particular, the report identifies land council seeks to acquire for open space purposes.

s48(1)(a)

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

C3 Proposed Acquisition of Land for Reserve Purposes, Red Beach

Reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter

Particular interest(s) protected (where applicable)

Ground(s) under section 48(1) for the passing of this resolution

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

In particular, the report contains information on land to be acquired for open space purposes.

s48(1)(a)

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