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Waiheke Local
Board
07 May 2015
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Review of dog
access rules
File No.: CP2014/29774
Purpose
1. To
seek approval to options to be included in a statement of proposal containing
changes to local dog access rules for the Waiheke local board area.
Executive Summary
2. The
local board resolved at its 25 September 2014 business meeting to undertake a
review of local dog access rules on selected park, beach and foreshore areas.
3. As
part of the review process, the local board must adopt a statement of proposal
of any proposed changes to local dog access rules for public consultation, and
consider submissions to the proposal before making a final decision.
4. To
assist the local board decision on proposed changes to include in the statement
of proposal, staff have identified a range of options that the local board may
select from.
5. Staff
recommend adopting options that would:
· significantly
increase under control off-leash dog access on beaches on Waiheke and Rakino
Islands
· allow
dogs under control off a leash on the following beaches from 6.00pm to 9.00am
from Labour Weekend to 31 March (summer) and under control off a leash at all
other times and dates. Dogs are prohibited from 9.00am to 6.00pm from Labour
Weekend to 31 March (summer):
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Big Oneroa Beach
headland to headland
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Palm Beach headland
to headland
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Enclosure Bay
headland to headland
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Picnic Bay headland
to headland (accessed from Esslin Road Reserve)
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Kauakarau Bay
headland to headland (known as Rocky Bay)
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Putaki Bay headland
to headland (Shelley Beach/Shelley Bay)
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Little Oneroa Beach
headland to headland
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Sandy Bay headland to
headland
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Onetangi Beach
headland to headland
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Surfdale Beach
headland to headland (excluding Hooks Lane Beach)
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· allow dogs under control off-leash
on other current beaches on Waiheke Island (approximately 24) and all beaches
on Rakino Island currently subject to a time and season rule
· allow dogs under control off-leash
on Ostend Domain and on the larger grassed area of the of Little Oneroa Beach
Reserve
· apply the region-wide prohibition of
dogs on sports fields on Onetangi Sports Park to better protect the health of
sports users and protect fields from damage
· apply an under control on-leash rule
to Anzac Reserve to better provide for public safety and comfort
· reclassify the current ‘dog exercise
areas’ as ‘under control off-leash’ areas. This is largely a technical change
that does not reduce the amount of under control off-leash dog access
· apply an under control on-leash rule
to Blackpool Beach and adjacent parks to support the protection of wildlife.
6. Staff
do not recommend changes to current dog access rules on Man O War Bay, Orapiu Bay,
Te Matuku Bay and Awaawaroa Bay, other parks adjacent to beaches, or the
perimeter track around the Golf Course and to the Round Waiheke Walkway.
7. Following
the decision on proposed changes, staff will update the statement of proposal
to reflect the option selected by the local board.
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Recommendation/s
That the Waiheke Local Board:
a) Adopt the
following options in relation to the dog access rules reviewed:
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Topic
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Option
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Time and
season beaches – which beaches
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EITHER
Option 1: retain a time and season rule on all beaches currently subject
to a time and season rule, OR
Option 2: allow dogs under control off-leash on 24 beaches currently
subject to a time and season rule (staff recommended option)
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Time and
season beaches– what times, dates, and type of dog access
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EITHER
Option 1: retain the current time and season rules, OR
Option 2: amend the time and season rules to 1 December to 31 March and
from 10am to 6pm, OR
Option 3: amend the time and season rules to Labour Weekend to 31 March
and from 9am to 6pm (staff recommended option), OR
Option 4: amend the time and season rules to 9am to 6pm during daylight
savings
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Time and
season beaches – adjacent parks
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EITHER
Option 1: retain current rules on parks adjacent to time and season
beaches, OR
Option 2: allow more under control off-leash dog access on two parks
(staff recommended option):
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Time and
season beaches – Rakino Island
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EITHER
Option 1: retain the same time and season rule as Waiheke Island, OR
Option 2: change the time and season rule to apply 1 December – 1 March
and from 10am-5pm, OR
Option 3: allow dogs under control off-leash on all beaches (staff
recommended option)
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Onetangi
Sports Park
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EITHER
Option 1: retain current rule, OR
Option
2: apply region-wide prohibition of dogs on
sports fields and use temporary change to dog access provisions to allow
continued use by dog obedience club (staff recommended option)
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Perimeter
track outside Waiheke Golf Course and Round Waiheke Walkway
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EITHER
Option 1: retain current under control off-leash rule (staff recommended
option), OR
Option 2: replace the current off-leash rule with an under control
on-leash rule
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Anzac
Reserve
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Option1 retain current under control off-leash rule and use temporary
change to dog access provisions on market days, OR
Option 2: replace current off-leash rule with an on-leash rule (staff
recommended option)
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Clarification
of confusing and ambiguous dog access rules - dog exercise areas
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EITHER
Option 1: retain current rules, OR
Option
2: reclassify the three dog exercise areas as
under control off-leash areas (staff recommended option)
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Clarification
of confusing and ambiguous dog access rules – safe swimming areas, picnic
and fitness apparatus areas
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EITHER
Option 1: retain the current rules, OR
Option 2: revoke the general picnic area, fitness apparatus and swimming
area rules (staff recommended option)
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Clarification
of confusing and ambiguous dog access rules – significant ecological areas
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EITHER
Option 1: retain the current rules, OR
Option 2: revoke general wildlife rule. On Blackpool beach replace time
and season rule with an off-leash and clarify on-leash rule to protect
wildlife, OR
Option 3: revoke general wildlife rule and better protect wildlife on
Blackpool (staff recommended option)
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b) Confirm
its intention to amend the Auckland Council Policy on Dogs 2012 pursuant to
section 10(8) of the Dog Control Act 1996.
c) Subject to any
amendments to reflect the local board decision in (a):
i) adopt the
statement of proposal titled ‘Statement of Proposal Amendments to Auckland
Council Policy on Dogs 2012 – Waiheke Local Board Area May 2015’ in
Attachment A for public consultation using the special consultative
procedure.
ii) Confirm that
the proposed amendments contained in the Statement of Proposal:
· are consistent with the policy,
principles and criteria for making dog access rules contained in the Auckland
Council Policy on Dogs 2012
· are not inconsistent with any
decision in relation to region-wide dog access rules contained in the
Auckland Council Policy on Dogs 2012
· are in accordance with relevant
legislative requirements in particular the Local Government Act 2002 and Dog
Control Act 1996.
iii) Authorise
the Manager Social Policy and Bylaws to make any minor edits or amendments to
the Statement of Proposal to correct any identified errors or typographical
edits.
iv) Authorise the Manager Social Policy and Bylaws, in consultation
with the local board chair, to make any amendments to
the Statement of Proposal to reflect decisions made
by the local board.
v) Appoints [insert name] (as chair), [insert
at least two more board members names] as a panel to receive, hear and
deliberate on submissions and other relevant information and recommend
changes to the Board.
vi) Delegates to
the Chairperson the ability to make changes to the panel appointed under v)
where this becomes necessary because of the withdrawal or unavailability of
any of those persons.
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Background
8. Local
boards have the delegated responsibility to review dog access rules for local
park, beach and foreshore areas. This does not include the review of regional
parks.
9. The
governing body has established a standard annual process to assist local boards
with the review of local dog access rules as follows:
· the local board
will need to adopt a Statement of Proposal by May of proposed changes to local
dog access rules (the topic of this report). It is noted here that where no
changes are proposed, the review process for that location ends at this point
· the proposal
(together with proposals from other local boards) will be publicly notified for
submissions as part of the dog registration process in June
· the local board
will hold hearings, deliberations and make decisions on submissions by August
· the governing body
will review a report to update the bylaw on dogs in September
· changes to dog
access rules will commence in October.
10. The
board resolved at its 25 September 2014 business meeting (CP/2014/19024) to
undertake a review of local dog access rules on selected park, beach and
foreshore areas in 2015 using this process.
11. To
assist the development of the Statement of Proposal information and community
views were obtained from:
· council staff
involved in parks, animal management, biodiversity and biosecurity
· selected dog
interest and environmental groups by direct contact or at a workshop in March
2015
· maori at two hui in
March 2015
· residents and
visitors through an online survey in March 2015
The survey had 234
responses. The analysis focusses on the 209 responses from persons living in
the Waiheke local board area, of which 113 were dog owners and 96 were non-dog
owners (Attachment B).
· residents and
visitors through feedback at the Waiheke Saturday Market on 7 March 2015
The survey had a low
number of responses, however, the views expressed were largely consistent with
the views expressed in the online survey.
· Rakino Island
residents and ratepayers through an online survey in March 2015.
The survey had 52
responses, of which 25 were dog owners and 27 were non-dog owners (Attachment B).
12. The
decision required of the board is to decide whether or not to propose any
changes, and where necessary to adopt a statement of proposal for public
consultation and to appoint a hearing panel.
Decision-making requirements
13. In
making a decision on the statement of proposal, the local
board must be satisfied that any proposed changes
comply with a range of statutory, policy and delegated authority requirements.
14. The
most important statutory requirement is to ensure decisions on dog access
provide for public safety and comfort and the needs of dogs and their owners.
This means having regard to:
· the need to
minimise danger, distress, and nuisance to the community generally
· the need to
avoid the inherent danger in allowing dogs to have uncontrolled access to
public places that are frequented by children, whether or not the children are
accompanied by adults
· the importance
of enabling, to the extent that is practicable, the public (including families)
to use streets and public amenities without fear of attack or intimidation by
dogs
· the exercise and
recreational needs of dogs and their owners.
Section 10(4) Dog
Control Act 1996
15. The
most important practical requirement is to make dog access rules easy to
understand ‘on the ground’.
16. Further
detail of the decision-making requirements is provided in Attachment C.
Comments
17. Dog
access rules are an effective way to provide for public safety and comfort,
protection of animals, property and habitat, and the needs of dogs and their
owners.
18. How
this is to be achieved is guided by the Auckland Council Policy on Dogs 2012.
The policy seeks to manage requests for changes to dog access rules by ensuring
all (and often polarised) views are considered in a way to achieve a fair and
reasonable decision.
19. The
following is an analysis to assist the local board in determining whether or
not to propose any changes.
Time and season beaches – which beaches
20. A
time and season rule currently applies to approximately 34 beach and foreshore
areas on Waiheke Island. All the areas are located on the western part of the
island between Omiha Bay (also known as Rocky Bay) and Piemelon Bay.
21. Man
O War Bay, Orapiu Bay, Te Matuku Bay and Awaawaroa Bay were included in this
part of the review to determine whether the current under control off-leash
rule or a time and season rule is the most appropriate way to ensure public
safety and comfort.
22. It
is noted here that some current signage contradicts the current rule and in
some instances has done so for many years.
Community and staff
views
23. Community
and staff views were sought in relation to when and how people use the beaches
under review and what sort of rules they consider should be in place for dogs.
24. Of
the 209 locals responding to the online survey:
· the beaches visited
year round by 50 per cent or more of all respondents are Onetangi Beach, Big
Oneroa Beach, Little Oneroa Beach, Matiatia Bay[1],
Surfdale Beach, Blackpool Beach, Enclosure Bay, Palm Beach, Sandy Bay and
Owhanake Bay.
· 78 per cent of respondents
stated the beach they visited most in summer was Onetangi Beach, Big Oneroa
Beach, Palm Beach, Little Oneroa Beach or Surfdale beach.
25. Feedback
received from Auckland Council parks and animal management staff was that:
· the following
beaches should retain a time and season rule:
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Big Oneroa Beach
headland to headland
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Palm Beach headland
to headland
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Enclosure Bay
headland to headland
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Picnic Bay headland
to headland (accessed from Esslin Road Reserve)
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Kauakarau Bay
headland to headland (known as Rocky Bay)
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Putaki Bay headland
to headland (Shelley Beach/Shelley Bay)
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Little Oneroa Beach
headland to headland
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Sandy Bay headland to
headland
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Onetangi Beach
headland to headland
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Surfdale Beach
headland to headland (excluding Hooks Lane Beach)
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· the following beaches should change to the
under control off-leash areas as there are no significant concerns regarding
public safety and comfort:
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Omiha Bay (known as
Rocky Bay)
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Cable Bay
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Hitapi Bay
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Church Bay
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Te Whau Bay
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Te Miro Bay
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Oakura Bay
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Matiatia Bay
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Wharetana Bay
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Island Bay
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Okoka Bay (Dead Dog
Bay)
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W Bay/Fossil Bay
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Causeway Beach
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Hekerua Bay
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Putiki Bay
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Repo Bay
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Kennedy Point Wharf
Beach
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Waiheke Bay
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Takirau Bay
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Opopoto Bay
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Te Wharau Bay -
headland to headland
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Piemelon Bay
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Matarahui Bay
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· the following beaches should remain under
control off-leash areas:
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Beach
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Comments
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Man O War Bay
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No known
issues of public safety and comfort at beach. Remote location means any rules
would be difficult to enforce. Well known as a ‘dog friendly’ beach during
summer for resident families with dogs.
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Awaawaroa Bay
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Remote beach,
very limited public access.
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Te Matuku Bay
(McLeods Bay) (including Pearl Bay)
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Beach and
foreshore area covered by an existing Department of Conservation dog
prohibition. Dogs are also prohibited on the adjacent local reserve.
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Orapiu Bay
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Is not
considered a ‘destination’ beach for locals or visitors. No known issues of
public safety and comfort.
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26. The review of dog access on Blackpool Beach is addressed in the
section on ‘significant ecological areas’ due to wildlife issues, and not included in the above feedback.
Options in relation to time
and season beaches – which beaches
A map showing
the proposed locations of time and season beaches is provided in Attachment D.
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Option
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Advantages and Disadvantages
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Option 1 retain
a time and season rule on all beaches currently subject to a time and season
rule
Effect of change
No change.
This option would retain the a time and season rule on all 34 beaches on the
western side of Waiheke Island between Omiha Bay (also known as Rocky Bay)
and Piemelon Bay currently subject to a time and season rule.
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Advantages
· broader provision for public safety and
comfort.
Disadvantages
· may unnecessarily restrict dog owners
from meeting their needs.
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Option 2 (preferred
option) allow dogs under control off-leash on 24
beaches currently subject to a time and season rule
Effect of change
Significantly more off-leash beach
access. Retains a time and season rule on only ten beaches:
· Big Oneroa Beach headland to headland
· Enclosure Bay headland to headland
· Kauakarau Bay headland to headland (known as
Rocky Bay)
· Little Oneroa Beach headland to headland
· Onetangi Beach headland to headland
· Palm Beach headland to headland
· Picnic Bay headland to headland (accessed from
Esslin Road Reserve)
· Putaki Bay headland to headland (Shelley
Beach/Shelley Bay)
· Sandy Bay headland to headland
· Surfdale Beach headland to headland (exluding
Hooks Lane Beach)
Dogs would be allowed under control
off-leash on the remaining 24 beaches currently subject to a time and season
rule unless otherwise restricted for the protection of wildlife (refer
‘significant ecological areas’).
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Advantages
· retains public safety and comfort on
high use summer beaches
· provides a significant increase in
off-leash dog access opportunities available to dog owners on the western
side of Waiheke Island.
Disadvantages
· may not provide the level of public
safety and comfort on proposed off-leash beaches sought by non-dog owners.
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Staff recommendation
27. Staff recommend
to retain a time and season rule on ten beaches and to allow dogs under control
off-leash on 24 beaches currently subject to a time and season rule unless
otherwise restricted for the protection of wildlife (refer ‘significant ecological
areas’) (Option 2).
28. The reasons for
this recommendation are that this option:
· retains public safety and comfort on high use summer beaches
· provides a significant increase in the opportunities available to
dog owner to access 24 beaches on the western side of Waiheke Island at any
time with their dogs under control off-leash.
Time
and season beaches– what times, dates, and type of dog access
29. The current time
and season rules are as follows:
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Summer 1
(Labour Weekend until December 23)
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10am to 4pm
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Before 10am and after 4 pm
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Prohibited
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Off-leash
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Summer 2 (24 December to February 1)
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10am to 6pm
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Before 10am and after 6pm
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Prohibited
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Off-leash
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Summer 3 (February 2 to Easter)
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10am to 4pm
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Before 10am and after 4 pm
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Prohibited
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Off-leash
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Winter (Easter to Labour Weekend)
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Off-leash at any time
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30. It is noted here
that the Waiheke Local Board is exempt from the requirement to consider using
the region-wide standard summer beach times and season (10am to 5pm, Labour
weekend to 1 March).
Community and staff views
31. Community and
staff views were sought in relation to when and how people use the beaches
under review and what sort of rules they consider should be in place for dogs.
32. Of the 209
locals responding to the online survey:
· the largest proportion of dog owners use the beach for ‘summer’
activities starting in December, followed by year round, and ending in April
· the largest proportion of non-dog owners use the beach for ‘summer’
activities year round, followed by between November and April
· 83 per cent of dog owners and 49 per cent of non-dog owners consider
beaches are not busy between 9am and 10am on a summer weekend
· the highest proportion of non-dog owners visiting a beach on a
summer weekend is between 10am and 4pm, with over a half of non-dog owners also
using the beach between 4pm and 6pm
· 52 per cent of dog owners do not consider that beaches are busy
between 4pm and 6pm on a summer weekend. Conversely 69 per cent of non-dog
owners consider beaches are moderate to very busy between 4pm and 6pm on a
summer weekend
· dog owners favour a time and season rule
that allows dogs under control on-leash between 10am and 5pm from 1 December to
1 March, and allows dogs under control off-leash at all other times and seasons
· non-dog owners favour a time and season rule that prohibits dogs
between 10am and 6pm during daylight savings (last Sunday in September to the
first Sunday in April), and allows dogs under control off-leash at all other
times and seasons
33. Feedback received
from Auckland Council parks and animal management staff was that dogs should be
prohibited on identified beaches from 10am to 6pm between 1 December and Easter
Monday.
34. Feedback from
representatives of two dog groups was that the current time and season is too
restrictive, particularly between Labour weekend and the beginning of December,
and that they supported a finishing time of 4pm.
Options for time and season
beaches – what times, dates, and type of dog access
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Option
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Advantages and Disadvantages
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Option 1 retain
the current time and season rule
Effect of change
No change
to rules.
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Advantages
· provides for public safety and comfort
during busiest times
Disadvantages
· does not provide for the level of dog
access sought by dog owners. However, this is more than off-set by the
reduction in time and season beaches from 34 to ten
· does not provide for the level of
public safety and comfort sought by non-dog owners.
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Option 2 amend
the time and season rule to 10am to 6pm from 1 December to Easter.
Effect of change
Dogs will have significantly more
under control off-leash opportunities with a shorter summer season and
prohibited hours. However dogs would be prohibited for an extra two hours in
the evening between 1 and 23 December and between 2 February and Easter
weekend.
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December 1 to Easter
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10am to 6pm
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Before 10am and after 6 pm
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Prohibited
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Off-leash
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Tuesday after Easter Monday to
Friday before Labour Weekend
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Off-leash at all times
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.
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Advantages
· better provides for the needs of dogs
and their owners with a shorter summer season
· better provides for public safety and
comfort between 4pm and 6pm.
Disadvantages
· does not provide for the level of
public safety and comfort sought by non-dog owners during daylight savings
· does not provide for the level of dog
access sought by dog owners, however this is more than off-set by the
reduction in time and season beaches from 34 to ten
· Easter closing date is variable and as
such less certain than a fixed date.
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Option 3 (preferred option) amend the time and season rules to 9am to 6pm from Labour Weekend
to 31 March.
Effect of change
Provides a shorter summer season on 31
March instead of Easter (typically in April), but increases the prohibition
times to between 9am to 6pm during the whole summer period.
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Labour Weekend to 31 March
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9am to 6pm
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Before 9am and after 6 pm
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Prohibited
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Off-leash
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April 1 to Friday before Labour
Weekend
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Off-leash at all times
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Advantages
· better provides for public safety and
comfort
· fixed closing date of 31 March provides
for greater certainty
Disadvantages
· may not provide for public safety and
comfort to an acceptable level during daylight savings.
· does not provide for the needs of dogs
and their owners to the level desired. However this is more than off-set by
the reduction in time and season beaches from 34 to ten.
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Option 4 amend
the time and season rules to 9am to 6pm during daylight savings
Effect of change
Increases the prohibition times to
between daylights savings and from 9am to 6pm during the whole period, and
introduces a winter rule.
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Daylight savings
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9am to 6pm
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Before 9am and after 6 pm
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Prohibited
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Off-leash
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Outside daylight savings
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10am to 4pm
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Before 10am and after 4pm
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On-leash
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Off-leash
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|
|
|
.
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Advantages
· provides for public safety and comfort
in alignment with non-dog owner preferences.
Disadvantages
· does not provide for the needs of dogs
and their owners to the level desired. However this is more than off-set by the
reduction in time and season beaches from 34 to ten
· less certainty due to variable daylight
savings dates.
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Staff recommendation
35. Staff
recommend to change the time and season rule to prohibit dogs between 9.00am
and 6.00pm from Labour Weekend to 31 March, and to allow dogs under control
off-leash at all other times and seasons.
36. The
reasons for this recommendation are that this option:
· better provides for
public safety and comfort to the level sought by non-dog owners
· any perceived
reduction in dog access is more than off-set by the reduction in time and
season beaches from 34 to ten.
Time and season beaches – adjacent parks
37. Currently
four parks that are adjacent to time and season beaches are subject to an under
control on-leash rule - Little Oneroa Beach Reserve, Ostend Domain, Palm Beach
Reserve, and Surfdale Reserve.
38. The
remainder of local parks adjacent to time and season beaches are currently
subject to the default under control off-leash rule.
Staff views
39. Staff
views were sought on dog access on parks adjacent to time and season beaches.
40. Feedback
received from Auckland Council parks and animal management staff was that:
· the on-leash rule
should remain for Palm Beach Reserve, Surfdale Reserve, and Little Oneroa Beach Reserve in the area adjacent to carpark
and around the playground. These are busier areas where public safety and
comfort is a concern
· the default
off-leash rule for parks adjacent to the time and season beaches is generally
appropriate, including for Ostend Domain and Little Oneroa Beach Reserve from
the footbridge, because there are no public concerns.
Options for dog access on
parks adjacent to time and season beaches
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Option
|
Advantages and Disadvantages
|
|
Option 1 retain
current rules on parks adjacent to time and season beaches
Effect of change
No change.
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Advantages
· broader provision for public safety and
comfort on four current under control on-leash parks.
Disadvantages
· may unnecessarily restrict dog owners
from meeting their needs.
|
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Option 2
(preferred option) allow more under control
off-leash dog access on two parks
Effect of change
This option
increases opportunities for under control off-leash dog access.
Replaces the
current under control on-leash rule with an under control off-leash rule on
Ostend Domain, and on Little Oneroa Beach Reserve on the large grass area
from the footbridge northwards.
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Advantages
· provides more under control off-leash
opportunities for dog owners to meet their needs.
· provides for public safety and comfort
on high use parts of parks, while still providing for integration with under
control on-leash dog access.
· aligns the proposed rules for Causeway
Beach and the adjacent Ostend Reserve
Disadvantages
· may not provide the level of public
safety and comfort sought by other park users.
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Staff recommendation
41. Staff
recommend to allow dogs under control off-leash on Ostend Domain and on the
larger grassed area of the Little Oneroa Beach Reserve (Option 2).
42. The
reasons for this recommendation are that this option:
· better provides for
the needs of dogs and their owners on both parks
· provides for public
safety and comfort on high use parts of parks
· aligns the proposed
rules for Causeway Beach and the adjacent Ostend Reserve.
Time and season beaches – Rakino Island
43. All
beaches on Rakino Island are subject to the Waiheke Island time and season
rule.
Community
and staff views
44. Community
and staff views were sought in relation to when and how people use Rakino
Island beaches and what sort of rules they consider should be in place for
dogs.
45. Of
the 52 respondents to the online survey:
· Woody Bay and Sandy
Bay are the beaches used by the majority of respondents (over 90 per cent both
summer and winter)
· overall 35 per cent
of respondents considered there shouldn’t be a time and season rule on Rakino
Island (18 of a total of 51 responses)
· the majority of dog
owners preferred an under control off-leash at all times rule
· of the dog owners
who favoured a time and season rule, the majority preferred a rule that begins
on 1 December and finishes on 1 March
· of the non-dog
owners who favoured a time and season rule, the majority preferred a time and
season rule that prohibits dogs from 10am to 5pm between the start of daylight
savings and 1 May
· knowledge of the
existing rules appears limited. Only eight per cent of dog owners and 11 per
cent of non-dog owners identified the correct summer time and season rule (a
mix of off-leash, on leash and/or prohibited throughout the day)
· 56 per cent of
non-dog owners either have no concerns (41 per cent) or rare concerns (15 per
cent) about the behaviour of dogs on Rakino beaches
· 56 per cent of
non-dog owner stated they usually don’t mind if dogs come up to them when at a
beach (41 per cent) or like it when dogs come up to them on a beach (15 per
cent). However 34 per cent are either nervous when dogs come up to them or
avoid beaches if there are likely to be dogs there.
46. Feedback
received from Auckland Council animal management staff was that there have been
no particular issues reported, and enforcement is difficult.
47. Data
for 2013/14 from the Rakino Island ferry service provider shows that visitation
increases markedly in December (677 fares compared to 185 in November) with a
peak in January (1,412 fares) which then drops again from February onwards (426
fares).
Options in relation to Rakino
Island
|
Option
|
Advantages and Disadvantages
|
|
Option 1 retain
current time and season rule
Effect of change
No change
to current time and season rule.
|
Advantages
· better provides for the level of public
safety and comfort sought by non-dog owners in summer
· rule easier for the public to
understand.
Disadvantages
· does not provide for the level of under
control off-leash dog access sought by dog owners in summer.
· continues use of complex and variable
rules which are not clearly understood by the public.
|
|
Option 2 change
the time and season rule to apply 1 December – 1 March and from 10am-5pm
Effect of change
Dogs will have significantly more
under control off-leash opportunities with a shorter summer season and
prohibited hours. That said, dogs would be prohibited for an extra hour in
the evening between 1 and 23 December and between 2 February and 1 March.
|
1 December to 1 March
|
|
10am to 5pm
|
Before 10am and after 5 pm
|
|
Prohibited
|
Off-leash
|
|
2 March to 30 November
|
|
Off-leash at all times
|
.
|
Advantages
· provides for public safety and comfort
in peak visitation period, during times identified by non-dog owners
· better provides for the needs of dogs
and their owners than Option 1
· rule easier for the public to
understand.
Disadvantages
· does not provide for the level of under
control off-leash dog access sought by dog owners in summer
· may unnecessarily restrict dog access
as a large proportion of non-dog owners have no or little concern with
regards to dogs on Rakino Island beaches.
|
|
Option
|
Advantages and
Disadvantages
|
|
Option 3 (preferred option) allow dogs under control off-leash on all beaches
Effect of change
Significantly more off-leash beach
access.
This options
replaces the current time and season rule on all beaches on Rakino Island
with an under control off-leash rule.
|
Advantages
· better provides for the needs of dogs
and their owners
· reflects the relatively low level of
concerns for public safety and comfort of non-dog owners
· rule easier for the public to
understand.
Disadvantages
· may not provide for public safety and
comfort in peak visitation period.
|
Staff recommendation
48. Staff
recommend to replace the current time and season rule on all Rakino Island
beaches with an under control off-leash rule (Option 3).
49. The
reasons for this recommendation are that this option:
· better provides for
the needs of dogs and their owners
· reflects the
relatively low level of concerns for public safety and comfort of non-dog
owners
· provides a rule
that is easier to understand.
Onetangi Sports Park
50. An
exemption applies to the region-wide prohibition of dogs on sports fields at
Onetangi Sports Park. Currently dogs are allowed under control on-leash on the
sports fields at Onetangi Sports Park when not in use or closed. Dogs are
allowed under control off-leash elsewhere on the park, but must be under
control on-leash in the vicinity of the sports fields when in use.
51. Existing
signage at the field contradicts the rule stating that dogs are prohibited on
the sports fields.
Community and staff views
52. Community
and staff views were sought in relation to the appropriateness of the current
rule.
53. Of
the Onetangi Sports Park user groups contacted, two responses were received.
The rugby club considered the sport surface should be off-leash at all times
when not in use, the football club requested that dogs be prohibited from the
sports surfaces at all times.
54. One of the dog groups who use the park for training purposes wishes
to continue to do so and expressed a preference for the status quo.
55. Feedback
received from Auckland Council parks and animal management staff are that:
· there is confusion
in the community who consider the exemption means dogs are allowed off-leash
rather than on-leash
· the rule should be
changed to the region-wide prohibition of dogs on sports fields
· existing informal
arrangements (e.g. usage by the dog obedience group when surface not in use)
can be accommodated by way of temporary change provisions under the Auckland
Council Dog Management Bylaw 2012.
Options for exemption to
sports surface prohibition on Onetangi Sports Park
|
Option
|
Advantages and Disadvantages
|
|
Option 1 retain current rule
Effect of change
No change to rule. Retains current
on-leash rule on sports fields when not in use or closed.
|
Advantages
· none.
Disadvantages
· rule inconsistent with region-wide
prohibition of dogs on sports fields
· does not provide the level of access
needed by the dog club without additional temporary change provisions
· does not provide the level of
protection sought by council staff and the football club.
|
|
Option 2
(preferred option) apply region-wide prohibition
of dogs on sports fields and use temporary change provisions to allow
continued use by dog obedience club
Effect of change
Replaces the exemption rule on sports
fields with the region-wide prohibition of dogs. No change to under control
off-leash dog access elsewhere on the reserve.
Provides less dog access than Option 1.
|
Advantages
· better protects the health of sports
users
· better protects sports fields from
damage
· existing use by dog club can be
accommodated through temporary change provisions
· aligns with existing signage
· improves consistency and clarity for
users of the sports fields.
Disadvantages
· may not provide for the needs of dog
owners.
|
Staff recommendation
56. Staff
recommend to apply the region-wide dog prohibition on sports fields (Option 2).
57. The
reasons for this recommendation are that this option:
· is consistent with the region-wide prohibition of dogs on
all sports fields
· better protects the health of sports users
· better protects sports fields from damage
· exemptions can be given for
specific dog training purposes when fields are not in use or closed.
Perimeter track outside Waiheke Golf Course and Round
Waiheke Walkway
58. Currently
dogs are allowed under control off-leash on the perimeter track around the Golf
Course and on the Round Waiheke Walkway.
Community
and staff views
59. Waiheke
Golf Club and staff views were sought in relation to whether the existing
off-leash rules in place for the two walkways are appropriate in terms of
public safety and comfort.
60. The view of the Waiheke Golf Club is that there
are no concerns with the current rule in relation to the perimeter track.
61. Feedback
received from Auckland Council parks and animal
management staff are that:
· the current under
control off-leash rule should continue to apply to both walkways as there are
no known issues of public safety and comfort
· key users of the
Round Waiheke Walkway are generally visitors to Waiheke rather than locals.
Locals view the parks contained within the walkway as individual areas rather
than as part of the walkway.
Options for perimeter track
outside Waiheke Golf Course and Round Waiheke Walkway
|
Option
|
Advantages and Disadvantages
|
|
Option 1 (preferred
option) retain current under control off-leash rule
Effect of change
No change to rules. Golf course
perimeter track and parks that form part of the Round Waiheke Walkway remain
under control off-leash.
|
Advantages
· provides for the needs of dogs and
their owners
· no public safety and comfort issues
identified.
Disadvantages
· none.
|
|
Option 2 allow
dogs under control on-leash rule on the Round Waiheke
Walkway
Effect of change
Provides less dog access. Would change the current off-leash rule with an under control on-leash rule on
the parks that form part of the Round Waiheke
Walkway.
No change
to the under control off-leash rule on the perimeter track outside Waiheke
Golf Course.
|
Advantages
· may better provide for public safety
and comfort, in particular visitors to the Round Waiheke Walkway
· the needs of dogs and their owners are
still provided for, albeit on-leash.
Disadvantages
· reduces the level of under control
off-leash dog access which is likely to be preferred by dog owners.
|
Staff recommendation
62. Staff
recommend to retain the current off-leash rules for the two walkways (Option
1).
63. The
reason for this recommendation is that there is insufficient evidence of a
significant risk to public safety and comfort to justify a change.
Anzac Reserve
64. During
the review of beaches and parks, staff raised an additional concern at Anzac
Reserve, Ostend. Dogs are currently allowed under control off-leash on the
reserve.
Staff views
65. Feedback
received from Auckland Council parks and animal
management staff are that:
· the current under
control off-leash rule should be changed to under control on-leash at all times
· the reserve has
high usage, particularly on market days, and known incidents of conflict have
occurred
· the style and
location of the reserve is not ideally suited as an off-leash area
· there are
alternative off-leash parks and beaches nearby.
Options for Anzac Reserve
|
Option
|
Advantages and Disadvantages
|
|
Option 1 retain current under control off-leash rule and use temporary
change to dog access provisions on market days
Effect of change
No change
to rules.
|
Advantages
· better provides for the needs of dogs
and their owners
· allows for temporary change provisions
to apply on market days to prohibit dogs.
Disadvantages
· possible continued conflict with public
safety and comfort on non-market days.
|
|
Option 2 (preferred option) replace current off-leash rule with an on-leash rule
Effect of change
Dog access would be retained on Anzac
Reserve but would be reduced from off-leash to on-leash.
|
Advantages
· better provides for public safety and
comfort
· the needs of dogs and their owners
still provided for with on-leash access, alternative off-leash parks and
beaches nearby.
Disadvantages
· reduces the level of under control
off-leash dog access which is likely to be preferred by dog owners.
|
Staff recommendation
66. Staff
recommend to change the rule for Anzac Reserve to on-leash (Option 2).
67. The
reason for this recommendation is that this option supports identified public
safety and comfort issues.
Clarification of confusing and ambiguous dog access
rules - dog exercise areas
68. The term ‘dog exercise area’ is used to describe three beach areas
on Waiheke Island where dogs are able to be taken under control off a leash.
However, in general dogs can be taken under control off a leash on all beaches
on Waiheke Island not subject to the time and season rule. The three beach
areas are:
· Owhanake Beach
· Anzac Bay adjoining Natzka Road
· Surfdale Beach from the point below Mitchells Road, eastwards to the
beach area below the high school grounds (also known as Hooks Lane Beach)
69. The
policy on dogs provides an Auckland-wide definition for ‘under control
off-leash areas’ which refer to a place shared with other users. ‘Designated
dog exercise areas’ refer to a place where dog owners are the priority user
(e.g. what is often also referred to as a ‘dog park’).
70. The
policy on dogs provides criteria for assessing the suitability of a location as
a designated dog exercise area.
71. It
is important to note that regardless of the name, dog owners will still be able
to take their dogs to these beaches under the default under control off-leash
rule, unless a dog has been classified by council as a ‘dangerous dog’.
72. A
dangerous dog is an individual dog known to be a threat to the safety of people
or animals. One dog classified as dangerous was identified in the Waiheke Local
Board area in 2014. Classified dangerous dogs must be muzzled in public at all
times and under control on-leash in any public place that is not a designated
dog exercise area.
Staff views
73. Feedback received from Auckland Council parks and animal management
staff is that all three beaches are considered to be
shared spaces and should be reclassified as ‘under control off-leash areas’.
Options for
dog exercise areas
|
Option
|
Advantages and Disadvantages
|
|
Option 1 retain the current rules
Effect of change
No change
to rules.
|
Advantages
· none.
Disadvantages
· inconsistent with the policy on dogs,
the three areas are more appropriately classified as ‘shared spaces’.
|
|
Option 2 (preferred option) reclassify the three dog exercise areas as under control off-leash
areas
Effect of change
Change is primarily technical in
nature. The three beach areas become under control off-leash areas on which
dogs classified as a dangerous dog must be under control on-leash.
|
Advantages
· implements the policy on dogs
· all three beaches are shared spaces
· no space meets the criteria for a
designated dog exercise area in the policy on dogs
· no change in dog access for the
majority of dog owners
· provides greater protection for other
users because it will prohibit dangerous dogs from being allowed off-leash.
Disadvantages
· none.
|
Staff recommendation
74. Staff
recommend to reclassify the three dog exercise areas as under control off-leash
areas (Option 2).
75. The
reasons for this recommendation are that this option:
· implements the
policy on dogs by clearly distinguishing between shared spaces where dogs can
be taken under control off-leash, and spaces where dog owners are a priority
user (e.g. what is often also referred to as a ‘dog park’)
· all three beaches
are shared spaces
· the majority of dog
owners will continue to be able to take their dog under control off-leash in
these spaces.
Clarification
of confusing and ambiguous dog access rules – safe swimming areas, picnic and
fitness apparatus areas
76. Currently
the Waiheke local board area has general rules that prohibit dogs from ‘safe
swimming areas or lanes’ and require dogs to be under control on-leash in
‘picnic areas’ and ‘fitness apparatus areas’. None of these terms are defined.
Staff views
77. Staff
views were sought in relation to the relevance and appropriateness of the
current rules.
78. Feedback
received from Auckland Council parks and animal management staff is that:
· there are no local
picnic areas or fitness apparatus that have boundaries that are easily
identifiable or are of a meaningful size that justify a specific dog access
rule
· there are no
identified swimming lanes or areas on Waiheke Island.
Options for safe swimming
areas and picnic and fitness apparatus areas
|
Option
|
Advantages and Disadvantages
|
|
Option 1 retain the current rules
Effect of change
No change
to rules.
|
Advantages
· none.
Disadvantages
· there are no ‘safe swimming areas or
lanes’ or ‘fitness apparatus areas’ on Waiheke Island
· there are no local picnic areas or
fitness apparatus that have easily identifiable boundaries or are of a size
to justify a specific rule. It is better practice for the existence of picnic areas to inform decisions on the whole or
more meaningful part of a park (e.g. Anzac Reserve)
· the rules are not well known, not
widely communicated, not easily communicated, and not easily enforced.
|
|
Option 2 (preferred option) revoke general picnic area, fitness apparatus and swimming area
rules
Effect of change
Minimal practical effect. Removes
general rules and relies on rule for the wider area (e.g. time and season,
on-leash or off-leash).
|
Advantages
· removes confusing and ambiguous rules.
Disadvantages
· none.
|
Staff recommendation
79. Staff
recommend to revoke the general picnic area, fitness apparatus and swimming
area rules (Option 2).
80. The
reason for this recommendation is that this option removes current confusing
and ambiguous rules.
Clarification of confusing and ambiguous dog access
rules – significant ecological areas
81. Currently
dogs are allowed under control on-leash in park, beach or foreshore areas
identified as a significant ecological area (unless the area is specifically
identified as a prohibited area or a dog exercise area).
82. J
Options for significant
ecological areas
|
Option
|
Advantages and Disadvantages
|
|
Option 1 retain the current rules
Effect of change
No change
to rules.
Retains the current
general wildlife rule, retains the on-leash and time and season rule on the
identified areas of Blackpool Beach and adjacent reserves
|
Advantages
· none, best practice is to identify
specific locations and apply appropriate rules to support ecological
concerns.
Disadvantages
· dog owners are unlikely to undertake
the detailed research required to ascertain where a significant ecological
area is
· current description of beach area and
adjacent reserves unclear.
|
|
Option
|
Advantages and Disadvantages
|
|
Option 2 revoke
general wildlife rule. On Blackpool beach replace time and season rule with
an off-leash and clarify on-leash rule to protect wildlife
Effect of change
Minimal practical effect of removal of
general rule.
Rules for on-leash areas of Blackpool
beach clarified to include Blackpool Cemetery Reserve and the area of Te
Huruhi Bay Reserve between the beach and the boundary of the Marae.
Removal of time and season rule on
eastern part of beach allows for increased off-leash dog access during
summer.
|
Advantages
· removes the current confusing and
ambiguous general rule
· clarifies rules on Blackpool Beach
adjacent parks to support on-leash beach rule
· better provides for needs of dogs and
their owners on eastern area of beach
· wildlife protection continues on the
western part of Blackpool Beach.
Disadvantages
· current confusion on which rules apply
to which parts of Blackpool beach retained, resulting in potential increased
risk to protected wildlife from off-leash dogs.
|
|
Option 3 (preferred option) revoke general wildlife rule and better protect wildlife on
Blackpool Beach
Effect of change
Minimal practical effect of removal of
general rule.
Replaces the current under control
on-leash rule and time and season rule with an under control on-leash rule to
all of Blackpool Beach (headland to headland). Clarification of on-leash
rules for Blackpool Cemetery Reserve and the area of Te Huruhi Bay Reserve
between the beach and the boundary of the Marae. Applies and on-leash rule on
Esplanade Reserve Blackpool.
|
Advantages
· removes the current confusing and
ambiguous general rule
· more broadly supports the protection of
wildlife at Blackpool Beach than Option 2
· clarifies and extends on-leash rules on
Blackpool Beach adjacent parks to support on-leash beach rule
· alternative off-leash options for dogs
include the adjacent Surfdale and Hooks Lane beaches and Blackpool Park
· provides an under control at all times
beach which may better provide for the needs of some dog owners and the safety
and comfort of other beach users.
Disadvantages
· reduces the level of under control
off-leash dog access which is likely to be preferred by dog owners.
|
Staff recommendation
86. Staff
recommend to replace the general rule for significant ecological areas and the
time and season rule on Blackpool Beach with a specific under control on-leash
rule on the whole of Blackpool beach and adjacent parks (Option 3).
87. The
reasons for this recommendation are that this option:
· removes the current
confusing and ambiguous rule
· makes rules easier
to understand
· supports the
protection of wildlife at Blackpool Beach
· provides an under
control at all times beach which may better provide for the needs of some dog
owners and the safety and comfort of other beach users
· is supported
through other under control off-leash at all times options in the immediate
vicinity.
Next steps
88. Following
the decision on proposed changes, staff will update the statement of proposal
to reflect the option selected by the local board.
89. The
statement of proposal (together with proposals from other local boards) will be
publicly notified for submissions as part of the dog registration process in
June 2015.
Consideration
Local Board Views and Implications
90. The
views of other local boards have not been sought.
Maori Impact Statement
91. Managing
dog access in areas of significance to Maori can help achieve outcomes of the
Māori Plan for Tāmaki Makaurau. In this instance, no impacts have
been identified.
92. Feedback
from Mana Whenua representatives at a Hui held in March 2015 related to the
ability of iwi to determine dog access on Marae, a focus on control,
responsible dog ownership, and ensuring the protection of sensitive ecological
areas.
Implementation Issues
93. There
are no implementation issues associated with this decision to adopt a statement
of proposal.
Attachments
|
No.
|
Title
|
Page
|
|
aView
|
Statement of Proposal
|
31
|
|
bView
|
Key survey results
|
57
|
|
cView
|
Decision-making framework and considerations
|
67
|
|
dView
|
Map - proposed time and season beaches
|
73
|
Signatories
|
Authors
|
Shireen Munday - Policy Analyst
Paul Wilson - Team Leader Bylaws
|
|
Authorisers
|
Kataraina Maki - GM - Community & Social Policy
|
|
Waiheke Local
Board
07 May 2015
|
|
ACPL Six Monthly Report
File No.: CP2015/06476
Purpose
1. To give the
Waiheke Local Board an overview of Auckland Council Property Limited’s (ACPL)
activities for the six months 1 July to 31 December 2014.
Executive Summary
2. ACPL’s vision
centreson “creating value from property assets” by providing commercial
expertise and value for money to Auckland Council in managing its property
portfolio, and acquisition and disposal activities. The concept of “value”
includes but is not limited to financial value. In addition to financial value,
a growing aspect of ACPL’s work has been to use surplus council property to
help achieve the council’s housing supply and urban regeneration objectives. We
will also identify opportunities to add value by improving the use of council
service property such as redevelopment of under-utilised sites
3. This report
sets out a summary of ACPL activities for the past six months that contribute
to our seven key outcomes as outlined in our Statement of Intent (SOI) 2014 to
2017 and noted below. Activity detail is broken down by business unit or
work-stream, with a focus on local board specific activities where applicable.
4. ACPL’s seven
key outcomes:
· Properties managed for the council and
Auckland Transport (AT) are maintained to be fit for purpose and achieve
optimum net returns.
· Redevelopment/regeneration projects
involving other sector partners are efficiently planned and managed to help
achieve a quality compact Auckland.
· ACPL contributes exemplar housing
developments to increase the supply of housing in Auckland, particularly in the
more affordable spectrum of the market, working with partners.
· Council business interests are managed
to protect long term value and achieve budgeted net income.
· Property acquisitions are undertaken in
a commercially robust manner and in accordance with the council and AT agreed
requirements and relevant legislation.
· Properties are disposed of for the
council in a commercially robust manner once declared surplus.
· The council is provided with a
commercial perspective on planning and development initiatives to support
effective implementation of those initiatives.
5. Local Board Specific supporting
detail is included in Attachments A, B, and C.
|
Recommendation/s
That the Waiheke Local Board:
a) receives the Auckland Council
Property Limited Local Board Six-Monthly update 1 July to 31 December 2014.
|
Comments
Workshops and Meetings
6. A schedule of
Waiheke Local Board workshops and meetings attended by ACPL representatives
from July to December is included as Attachment A. The list includes
property specific meetings and workshops relating to general property
management and the ongoing portfolio Rationalisation Process.
Property Portfolio Management
7. ACPL manages property
owned by the council and AT that are not currently required for service or
infrastructure purposes. These are properties that are not immediately required
for service delivery or infrastructure development but are being held for use
in a planned future project such as road construction/widening or the expansion
of parks.
8. The property
portfolio continued to grow during the last six months and now totals 1306
properties, an increase of 121 since our January-June 2014 update. The current
property portfolio includes industrial sites and buildings, retail tenancies,
cafés, restaurants, offices and a substantial portfolio of residential
properties.
9. ACPL’s
specialist property knowledge and understanding enables us to optimise revenue
streams and identify future opportunities. ACPL’s return on the property
portfolio for the six months ending 31 December 2014 provides the shareholder a
net surplus of $2.9m ahead of budget, with an actual surplus of $11.8m against
budget of $23m. The average monthly vacancy rate for the period is 1.68% which
is under the SOI targets of 5%.
10. A Properties
Managed schedule is included as Attachment B of this report. The
schedule details:
· Current ACPL-managed commercial and
residential property within the Waiheke Local Board
· Each property’s classification or reason
for retention
· The nature of the property, such as a
café within a library, or a residential property with a tenancy in place
· The budget under which operating
expenditure and lease revenue for the property is reported eg regional or local
board.
11. A report
indicating portfolio movement in the local board area is attached as Attachment
C. The report details all new acquisitions including the reason for
acquisition, any transfers and the reason for transfer, and any disposals.
Portfolio Review and Rationalisation
Overview
12. ACPL is
required to undertake ongoing rationalisation of the council’s non-service
assets. This includes identifying properties from within council’s portfolio
that may be suitable for potential sale and development if appropriate. ACPL
has a particular focus on achieving housing outcomes. Identifying potential
sale properties contributes to the Auckland Plan focus of accommodating the
significant growth projected for the region over the coming decades, by
providing the council with an efficient use of capital and prioritisation of
funds to achieve its activities and projects.
Performance
13. July 2014 to June 2015 Target
|
UNIT
|
TARGET
|
ACHIEVED
|
COMMENTS
|
|
Portfolio Review
|
$30m disposal recommendations
|
$36.4m
|
These recommendations include
$33.2m of sites that are identified for development projects.
.
|
14. In setting future disposal targets
ACPL is working closely with the council and AT to identify potentially surplus
properties.
15. 2014/2015 Targets
|
UNIT
|
TARGET
|
COMMENTS
|
|
Portfolio Review
|
$30m gross value recommended for sale
|
These targets include disposal
recommendations and sales for sites that are identified for place-shaping and
housing development projects
|
|
Development & Disposals
|
$30 net value of unconditional sales
|
Process
16. Once Identified
as a potential sale candidate a property is taken through a multi-stage
Rationalisation Process. The agreed process includes engagement with: the
council, CCOs, local board and mana whenua. This is followed by ACPL Board
approval, engagement with local ward and the Independent Māori Statutory
Board and finally a governing body decision.
Under
Review
17. Properties
currently under review for future use opportunities via the Rationalisation
Process in the Waiheke area are listed below. The list includes any properties
that may have recently been approved for sale or development and sale by the
governing body. Further details are included in Attachment B.
Redevelopment/Regeneration and Housing Supply
Initiatives
Overview
18. ACPL is
contributing commercial input into approximately 54 region wide council-driven
regeneration and housing supply initiatives. Involvement extends from provision
of initial feasibility advice through to implementation, with projects ranging
in size from $415k to in excess of $100million. ACPL works closely with the
local boards on ACPL-led developments to ensure we give effect to the local
boards’ place-shaping role.
19. ACPL is
working with the wider council group to formulate a process or approach for
identifying and realising optimisation opportunities that exist for service
assets. This will provide opportunities to work with local boards on
development opportunities that deliver wider strategic benefit consistent with
the Auckland plan such as intensification, town centre regeneration and
affordable housing. It will also improve service outcomes through obtaining
more effective use of property assets.
20. ACPL is also actively
contributing to the Housing Strategy Action Plan, which is a council initiative
focusing on non-regulatory efforts to encourage and increase affordable
residential development. We have an SOI target to undertake five housing
development projects over three years that will improve housing affordability
and the supply of affordable housing encompassing CHO involvement. We are
currently actively working on 13 such projects.
Local Activities
21. There are
currently no regeneration and housing initiative proposal activities in the
Waiheke Local Board area.
Acquisitions
Overview
22. ACPL continues
to support council and AT programmes and projects by negotiating required
property acquisitions. All such acquisitions are funded through approved
council or AT budgets. We also provide advice to assist with budgets, business
cases and strategy to support an acquisition.
23. From the
commencement of the 2015 financial year, 1 July 2014 to 31 January 2015, 73
property purchases were completed for the council and AT to the value of $56m.
All of the property acquisitions met independent valuation thresholds agreed with
AT, the council and Public Works Act 1981 requirements.
Council Acquisitions
24. Over the past
six months 15 properties were acquired to meet council legal, open space and
storm water requirements and to contribute to City Transformation projects. There
were no acquisitions undertaken in the Waiheke Local Board area.
Auckland Transport Acquisitions
25. 58 properties were
also acquired over the past six months on behalf of AT. The focus was on
acquisitions to support major transport projects including AMETI (17
acquisitions) City Rail Link Property Acquisition (23 acquisitions) and
Northern Strategic Growth Area (4 acquisitions). Full details of relevant AT
projects and associated acquisitions will come to the local board directly from
AT.
Business Interests
26. ACPL also optimises
the commercial return from assets it manages on council’s behalf. This
comprises two forestry enterprises, two landfills and four quarries. A high
level update on business interests in the Waiheke Local Board area is outlined
below.
Hoporata
Quarry
27. Hoporata
Quarry has been in operation on this site since the 1950s. Origin Quarries is
the operator, paying a royalty to the council based on sales on a monthly
basis. The resource consent for Hoporata Quarry requires that weed control,
restoration and revegetation planting be undertaken in accordance with the
resource consent and Landscape Implementation and Maintenance Plan. The
work is being completed in accordance with the resource consent and in order to
comply with the requirements for the 2015 planting season.
28. ACPL has been approached by Origin Quarries to renegotiate the terms of the
operating agreement. ACPL and Origin Quarries have made moderate
progress on the proposed new operating agreement. The parties are of the
view that the aggregate being sold from the quarry does not result in an
adequate return for either ACPL or the operator and are considering how to
address this issue.
Consideration
Local Board views and implications
29. This report is
for the Waiheke Local Board’s consideration.
Māori impact statement
30. Whatungarongaro te tangata, toitū te whenua. The
importance of effective communication and engagement with
Māori on the subject of land is understood. ACPL has accordingly
developed robust engagement with the 19 mana whenua groups for our core
business activities.
31. Key engagement activities include: identifying cultural
significance concerns regarding disposal properties, flagging commercial
interests, development partnering discussions and issues relating to property
management such as protection of wāhi tapu or joint management arising
from the resolution of Treaty Settlements. ACPL also engages with relevant mana
whenua in respect of development outcomes for ACPL lead projects where appropriate.
ACPL will advise the Waiheke Local Board as appropriate of any discussions that
arise in the local board’s area.
32. ACPL continues
to in discussions with Ngāti Paoa on issues relating to Mātiatia,
headland Sculpture on the Gulf and Hoporata Quarry.
33. ACPL undertook
to be part of council’s Māori Responsiveness Plan (MRP) pilot programme.
The project’s key output is an operational document outlining ACPL’s
contribution to council’s strategic and operational commitments to Māori.
The MRP was finalised and approved by the ACPL Board in December 2014 and the
focus will move to identifying priority areas for implementation. A copy of
this is available on the ACPL website.
Implementation
34. There are no
implementation issues.
Attachments
|
No.
|
Title
|
Page
|
|
aView
|
Local Board Briefing Schedule 1 July - 31 December
2014
|
81
|
|
bView
|
Properties Managed 1 July - 31 december 2014
|
83
|
|
cView
|
Portfolio changes 1 July - 31 December 2014
|
87
|
Signatories
|
Authors
|
Ebony Duff – Engagement Advisor Local Boards
|
|
Authorisers
|
Allan McGregor – Manager Property Asset Development
|
