I hereby give notice that an ordinary meeting of the Great Barrier Environment Committee will be held on:
Date: Time: Meeting Room: Venue:
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Tuesday, 23 June 2015 10.00am Claris
Conference Centre |
Great Barrier Environment Committee
OPEN AGENDA
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MEMBERSHIP
Chairperson |
Susan Daly |
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Deputy Chairperson |
Jeff Cleave |
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Members |
Izzy Fordham |
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Judy Gilbert |
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Christina Spence |
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(Quorum 3 members)
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Jacqueline Fyers Democracy/Engagement Advisor
17 June 2015
Contact Telephone: (09) 373 6218 Email: jacqueline.fyers@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz Website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
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Great Barrier Environment Committee 23 June 2015 |
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1 Welcome 5
2 Apologies 5
3 Declaration of Interest 5
4 Confirmation of Minutes 5
5 Leave of Absence 5
6 Acknowledgements 5
7 Petitions 5
8 Deputations 5
9 Public Forum 5
10 Extraordinary Business 5
11 Notices of Motion 6
12 Infrastructure and Environmental Services Update Report 7
13 Mullberry Grove Community Pest Coordinator Role 19
14 Interim funding for water quality monitoring programme 21
15 Draft Auckland Stormwater Network Discharge Consent application 23
16 Aotea local voluntary fishing code of conduct 35
17 Community group and agency reports 39
18 Consideration of Extraordinary Items
1 Welcome
Chairperson SP Daly will welcome everyone in attendance. Deputy Chair JC Cleave will lead a karakia.
2 Apologies
At the close of the agenda no apologies had been received.
3 Declaration of Interest
Members are reminded of the need to be vigilant to stand aside from decision making when a conflict arises between their role as a member and any private or other external interest they might have.
4 Confirmation of Minutes
That the Great Barrier Environment Committee: a) confirm the ordinary minutes of its meeting, held on Wednesday, 22 April 2015, including the confidential section, as a true and correct record.
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5 Leave of Absence
At the close of the agenda no requests for leave of absence had been received.
6 Acknowledgements
At the close of the agenda no requests for acknowledgements had been received.
7 Petitions
At the close of the agenda no requests to present petitions had been received.
8 Deputations
Standing Order 3.20 provides for deputations. Those applying for deputations are required to give seven working days notice of subject matter and applications are approved by the Chairperson of the Great Barrier Environment Committee. This means that details relating to deputations can be included in the published agenda. Total speaking time per deputation is ten minutes or as resolved by the meeting.
At the close of the agenda no requests for deputations had been received.
9 Public Forum
A period of time (approximately 30 minutes) is set aside for members of the public to address the meeting on matters within its delegated authority. A maximum of 3 minutes per item is allowed, following which there may be questions from members.
At the close of the agenda no requests for public forum had been received.
10 Extraordinary Business
Section 46A(7) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (as amended) states:
“An item that is not on the agenda for a meeting may be dealt with at that meeting if-
(a) The local authority by resolution so decides; and
(b) The presiding member explains at the meeting, at a time when it is open to the public,-
(i) The reason why the item is not on the agenda; and
(ii) The reason why the discussion of the item cannot be delayed until a subsequent meeting.”
Section 46A(7A) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (as amended) states:
“Where an item is not on the agenda for a meeting,-
(a) That item may be discussed at that meeting if-
(i) That item is a minor matter relating to the general business of the local authority; and
(ii) the presiding member explains at the beginning of the meeting, at a time when it is open to the public, that the item will be discussed at the meeting; but
(b) no resolution, decision or recommendation may be made in respect of that item except to refer that item to a subsequent meeting of the local authority for further discussion.”
11 Notices of Motion
At the close of the agenda no requests for notices of motion had been received.
Great Barrier Environment Committee 23 June 2015 |
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Infrastructure and Environmental Services Update Report
File No.: CP2015/09535
Purpose
1. To inform the Great Barrier Environment Committee (the Committee) about the activities of the Infrastructure and Environmental Services (I&ES) department over April and May 2015.
Executive Summary
2. This report is a regular update to inform and update the Committee on the Great Barrier environment work programme. The report also informs the Committee on regional programmes that impact on the local board area.
That the Great Barrier Environment Committee: a) Notes the information in the Infrastructure and Environmental Services update report. |
Discussion
3. The committee partially agreed its environment work programme at its September 2014 meeting (resolution number GBESP/2014/29), with further decision-making to support a sustainability stocktake and community pest coordinator delegated to the Committee Chair and Deputy Chair. The work programme is funded from the board’s biosecurity pest management and environmental enhancement budget lines, and is made up of the following projects;
· Management of leptinella population at Awana;
· Water quality monitoring at Tryphena;
· Community Pest Coordinator;
· Sustainability stocktake;
· Weed survey;
· Weed management and rodent monitoring at Kaitoke;
· Rabbit control; and
· Rainbow Skink monitoring.
4. An update on the local environment work programme is appended as Attachment A, with highlights noted in Table 1 below.
Project |
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Water Quality Monitoring Programme |
· A total of two monitoring rounds (including both high tide and freshwater samples) have been undertaken, with samples sent to the Watercare laboratory in Auckland for analysis. · The results will be analysed following three or four months of data collection. |
Threatened Plants |
· Construction of the fence to protect the leptinella population at Awana has been completed. |
Table 1: Highlights – Local Environment Work Programme
5. A detailed update on both local and regional biosecurity update is appended as Attachment B.
6. Local environmental initiatives are also supported through regional funding. Highlights noted in Table 2 below.
The Environment Is At Its Best Here |
Zero Waste |
· The governing body resolved that there will be no removal of the subsidy for waste services on Great Barrier. Any costs of providing such services over and above revenue received from the targeted rate collected from Great Barrier properties would be met from the solid waste targeted rate for the Auckland region. |
Table 2: Highlights – Regional Environment Work Programme
Consideration
Local Board Views
7. This report and attachments specifically detail the activities delivered by the three units of I&ES (Stormwater, Solid Waste and Environmental Services) within the local board area which support and contribute to the Great Barrier Local Board outcome – The environment is at its best here.
8. The Committee has full delegation to consider matters relating to biodiversity and biosecurity, water quality, and waste management. Therefore, it is the appropriate forum for reporting of activities delivered by the I&ES department.
Maori Impact Statement
9. While this report is for information only and does not require any decision making, it is recognised that environmental management, water quality and land management has integral links with the mauri of the environments and concepts of kaitiakitanga.
General
Implementation Issues
10. There are no implementation issues arising from this report. Although the water quality monitoring programme funded by the board is not being delivered by the I&ES department, it has been included in this report to provide a comprehensive update on the board’s entire environment work programme.
11. A report back on the entire 2014/2015 environment work programme will be provided to the August 2015 Environment Committee meeting, alongside a report recommending the 2015/2016 local environment work programme for approval.
No. |
Title |
Page |
aView |
Local Environment Work Programme updated |
11 |
bView |
Local Board Biosecurity Update - May |
15 |
Signatories
Authors |
Emma Joyce - Relationship Advisor Jeremy Warden – Biosecurity Advisor |
Authorisers |
John Dragicevich - Manager Infrastructure and Environmental Services John Nash - Senior Local Board Advisor |
Great Barrier Environment Committee 23 June 2015 |
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Mullberry Grove Community Pest Coordinator Role
File No.: CP2015/10694
Purpose
1. To approve funding to ensure continuity of the Mulberry Grove pest coordinator over the 2014/2015 2015/2016 financial year cross-over period.
Executive Summary
2. The Great Barrier Environment Committee (the Committee) allocated funding of $11,000 to support community pest control and monitoring at Mulberry Grove as part of its 2014/2015 environment work programme. This funding has supported a Great Barrier resident to work with the Mulberry Grove community on a rat trapping and monitoring programme and to survey weeds for control.
3. At a Great Barrier Local Board (the board) workshop in May 2015, board members noted that they did not want to see the programme lapse while discussions on funding other local environmental initiatives continued. As such, this report recommends agreeing funding for continuing the Mulberry Grove Pest Coordinator role independent of the full local environment work programme.
That the Great Barrier Environment Committee: a) Agrees to continue funding the Mulberry Grove Community Pest Coordinator in 2015/2016 from the Great Barrier Local Board’s Community Pest Coordinator budget line. b) Notes that the full 2015/2016 local environment work programme will be considered at the August 2015 Committee meeting. |
Comments
4. As part of its 2014/2015 environment work programme, the Committee created a community pest coordinator role to lead and facilitate community-led pest control in Mulberry Grove. The coordinator has been engaging with properties in rat trapping and monitoring. Recently, the focus is on weed control.
5. Current funding for the coordinator will expire at the end of June 2015. However, approval of the 2015/2016 environment work programme will not be considered by the Committee until August 2015. As such, this report recommends that the Committee confirm that its 2015/2016 community pest coordinator budget line be used to support the continuation of the Mulberry Grove role.
Consideration
Local Board views and implications
6. The Committee funded a pest coordinator position as part of its 2014/2015 environment work programme.
7. Funding community-led pest control work is listed as key initiative in the Aotea Great Barrier Local Board Plan.
Māori impact statement
8. No consultation with Maori was undertaken for the purposes of this report.
Implementation
9. There are no implementation issues arising from this report. Regular reporting on project delivery will be as part of the regular report from the Infrastructure and Environmental Services department, or as required.
10. A report seeking approval of the full 2015/2016 local environment work programme will be considered at the August 2015 Committee meeting.
There are no attachments for this report.
Signatories
Author |
Emma Joyce - Relationship Advisor |
Authorisers |
John Dragicevich - Manager Infrastructure and Environmental Services John Nash - Senior Local Board Advisor |
Great Barrier Environment Committee 23 June 2015 |
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Interim funding for water quality monitoring programme
File No.: CP2015/09413
Purpose
1. To approve interim funding to ensure continuity of the Tryphena water quality monitoring programme over the financial year end period, while recruitment for a person to undertake the sample collection is completed.
Executive Summary
2. The Great Barrier Environment Committee (the Committee) allocated funding to a water quality monitoring programme in Tryphena as part of its 2014/2015 environment work programme. Monitoring of eight sites in the Tryphena is undertaken monthly with analysis of samples undertaken at the Watercare laboratory in Auckland.
3. In order to ensure there is no period when monitoring is not undertaken, it is recommended that the board allocate interim funding of $6,400 to continue monitoring at Tryphena. Interim funding will allow the programme to continue while discussions continue on the full 2015/2016 environment work programme.
4. In addition, this report seeks approval for funding of $500 to support the costs of advertising for a person to undertake the monthly sample collection.
That the Great Barrier Environment Committee: a) Agrees interim funding of $6,400 to continue monitoring the water quality of eight sites in Tryphena until end of October 2015 from the Great Barrier Local Board’s 2015/2016 local environment development water quality monitoring budget line. b) Approves funding of $500 from the Great Barrier Local Board 2015/2016 local environment development water quality monitoring budget line to support advertising for a local resident to undertake sample collection. c) Notes that recommendations to continue the water quality monitoring programme, and possible expansion beyond Tryphena, will be considered as part of the 2015/2016 environment work programme. |
Comments
5. As part of its 2014/2015 environment work programme, the board instituted a freshwater monitoring programme in Tryphena. The aim of this programme was to respond to community interest in understanding water quality issues in the catchment, and to build on existing knowledge of stream health on Great Barrier. A total of eight sites in the Tryphena catchment are monitored on a monthly basis, with samples sent to the Watercare laboratory in Auckland for analysis.
6. Current funding for the programme will expire at the end of June 2015. However, approval of the 2015/2016 environment work programme will not take place until the following month. As such, this report recommends that interim funding of $6,400 be allocated to ensure that monthly monitoring continues until such time as the full 2015/2016 environment work programme is approved by the Committee. This funding will ensure there are no months where no monitoring is undertaken.
7. A breakdown of the costs is noted in table 1 below;
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Approximate Cost |
Sampling Cost |
$1,500 per month |
Freight |
$100 per month |
Total |
$1,600 |
Table 1: Costs of freshwater monitoring programme
8. The board have requested that the sample collection be undertaken by a local resident to align with the board’s priority of local jobs for local people. Interim funding until end of October 2014 will allow the sample collection to continue while recruitment of a resident to undertake this work is completed. It is also recommended that local funding be approved to cover the costs of advertising the role in the Barrier Bulletin.
9. This monitoring programme is in addition to monitoring undertaken at six streams across the island as part of the regional state of the environment monitoring reporting, and at Okupu, Mulberry Grove and Pah Beach as part of the SafeSwim programme.
Consideration
Local Board views and implications
10. The Aotea Great Barrier Local Board Plan notes that a freshwater monitoring programme for the island will address claims of poor stream health resulting from septic tanks or farming practices.
Māori impact statement
11. No specific consultation with Maori was undertaken for the purposes of this report.
Implementation
12. In order to support the board’s priority of supporting local jobs for local people, the board has noted this programme as an opportunity to contract an island resident to undertake the sampling. As available funding may not be sufficient to cover an individual’s costs to establish themselves as a supplier to Auckland Council (such as obtaining personal liability insurance), it is suggested that employment of a person to undertake the sampling be contracted through an existing Great Barrier business.
13. As part of its decision making on the full water quality programme, the board will need to decide an appropriate hourly rate for the person(s) undertaking the sampling.
There are no attachments for this report.
Signatories
Author |
Emma Joyce - Relationship Advisor |
Authorisers |
John Dragicevich - Manager Infrastructure and Environmental Services John Nash - Senior Local Board Advisor |
Great Barrier Environment Committee 23 June 2015 |
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Draft Auckland Stormwater Network Discharge Consent application
File No.: CP2015/11035
Purpose
1. To request formal feedback from the Great Barrier Environment Committee (the Committee) on stormwater management priorities as part of consultation on the development of an Auckland wide stormwater network discharge consent, with particular reference to the Great Barrier Local Board (the board) area.
Executive Summary
2. Auckland Council is seeking formal feedback from the board on Council’s application for consent to allow the diversion and discharge of water from the urban public stormwater network (the Network Discharge Consent). Council is seeking a 35 year, process based, consent as it allows for greater flexibility in managing stormwater issues, such as flooding, stream health and asset maintenance and renewal. The consent will support the implementation of a water sensitive design approach to infrastructure development in Auckland.
3. It is noted that the network discharge consent (NDC) relates mostly to the management of stormwater in urban Auckland. However, it is anticipated that the Committee may want to comment on issues such as coastal health (contaminants) and the management of freshwater streams.
4. This report provides an opportunity for the Committee to provide input into the consent application, with particular reference to what they see as local priorities for stormwater management.
That the Great Barrier Environment Committee: a) receives the Draft Auckland Stormwater Network Discharge Consent application report. b) provides feedback on the draft stormwater network discharge consent application, with particular reference to local priorities for stormwater management.
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Comments
5. Auckland Council is developing an application for a network discharge consent (NDC) to allow for the discharge and diversion of stormwater from the urban public stormwater infrastructure. The consent will be valid for 35 years with a requirement that it will be reviewed on a six yearly basis. The consent will both guide council’s management of stormwater infrastructure, and address priority issues such as reducing the risk of flooding, improving freshwater quality and managing the stormwater impacts of growth and development. Further information on the NDC is appended as Attachment A.
6. While the NDC applies only to the urban stormwater network, the consent is suggesting performance measures and targets for managing freshwater streams and contamination of the marine environment from urban and landuse. As such, feedback from the board is invited on the NDC. The table appended at Attachment B shows the targets for stormwater management and how priorities for action in the board area relate to these.
7. This report provides an opportunity for the board to provide input into the consent application, with particular reference to what they see as local priorities for stormwater management. Paragraphs 8 to 16 below suggest three questions which may guide how the board frames its feedback alongside comments noted by the stormwater unit, and the board at an initial workshop in March 2015.
8. Question 1: Does the Great Barrier Local Board have any comments on the proposed framework of the Auckland-wide Stormwater Network Discharge Consent?
9. No specific feedback on the above question was noted at the March 2015 workshop. The Committee may wish to comment on whether it supports a 35 year process consent, reviewed every six years, or the water sensitive design approach underpinning the consent application.
10. Question 2: Is there any feedback the Local Board would like to provide relating to the management of the public stormwater network?
11. At the March 2015 workshop, the board commented on current approaches to stormwater management in the road corridor. It was noted that water sensitive design approaches to runoff from the road can create issues with managing weeds but kerbing and channeling may not be appropriate for Great Barrier roads.
12. The Waitakere Ranges and Waiheke Local Boards presented to the Environment Climate Change and Natural Heritage Committee (ECCNH Committee) in March 2015 on their concerns that ‘urban’ approaches to stormwater management in the road corridor were not appropriate for their areas. In receiving the presentation, the ECCNH Committee requested a report on water sensitive design approaches to stormwater management in the road corridor. If requested by the Committee, feedback from this consultation with the board could be incorporated into that report.
13. The board also commented on community frustration about the amount of litter washing up on Great Barrier beaches. A report outlining existing council and community initiatives to reduce litter in the marine environment will be considered at the June ECCNH meeting.
14. Question 3: Are there any initiatives relating to stormwater management that the Local Board is investigating, in addition to those identified in the Great Barrier Local Board Plan?
15. For reference, the following initiatives were identified in the Great Barrier Local Board Plan relating to improving stream and coastal health:
· Establish a freshwater quality monitoring programme;
· All culverts under roads will be fish passage friendly; and
· Develop a road seal priority plan with our community and agree funding with Auckland Transport for staged implementation.
16. It is noted that the board have established a freshwater quality monitoring programme in Tryphena. Regional (stormwater) funding supported a review of fish passages on Great Barrier, and remediation of some culverts, in 2013/2014.
17. Any additional feedback from the Committee on improving stream and coastal health received as part of this consultation will be referred to stormwater waterways planning specialists, as well as other relevant Council units.
Consideration
Local Board views and implications
18. This report asks for formal feedback from the Great Barrier Local Board on stormwater management priorities for their local area.
Māori impact statement
19. Stormwater and environmental management have integral links with the mauri of the environment and concepts of kaitiakitanga. Council recognises the significance of stormwater management to mana whenua and mataawaka.
20. Consultation on this draft Network Discharge Consent is currently being carried out with all mana whenua who have indicated an interest in being involved in this project. Mana whenua have also been consulted on development of the Waitematā Harbour, Manukau Harbour and Great Tāmaki Consolidated Receiving Environment and their feedback has informed this consent.
Implementation
21. Once consultation on this consent has been completed, it is anticipated the consent application will be submitted in late 2015. If approved, the consent is likely to become active by mid-2016 and will help to guide stormwater management going forward.
22. While not all stormwater-related issues can be addressed through the network discharge consent process, any additional feedback on stormwater management the board provides will be provided to the relevant council staff to be addressed in the appropriate fashion.
No. |
Title |
Page |
aView |
Further information on the Network Discharge Consent |
27 |
bView |
Table - What Network Discharge Consent Means for Great Barrier |
31 |
Signatories
Authors |
Emma Joyce - Relationship Advisor Janet Kidd – Senior Stornwater Specialist |
Authorisers |
John Dragicevich - Manager Infrastructure and Environmental Services John Nash - Senior Local Board Advisor |
Great Barrier Environment Committee 23 June 2015 |
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Aotea local voluntary fishing code of conduct
File No.: CP2015/11274
Purpose
1. The purpose of this report is to enable the Great Barrier Environment Committee to consider its response to the draft April 2015 voluntary code of fishing conduct for Great Barrier waters tabled at the Great Barrier Local Board’s 13 May 2015 meeting.
Executive Summary
2. A copy of the code is included at Attachment A. The draft code was presented in public forum by Bill Carlin and was co-authored with Peter Blackwell and Steve Oxborough. The sub heading says “Supported by the Aotea Local Board of Auckland Council” and the authors advised they are seeking the board’s support for the proposal and its assistance in promoting community discussion on the proposal.
3. The Aotea Great Barrier Local Board Plan’s Outcome 1 The Environment is at its best here, includes a section on marine protection. This notes that the board is continuing the work of the previous local board which proposed that fishing for the table by locals and visitors at reduced limits be introduced, that commercial fishing be banned from inshore waters, and that a network of marine protected areas be stablished. The plan supports these initiatives being progressed as part of Sea Change – Tai Timu Tai Pari which is due for completion later in 2015.
4. The local board plan also states that it will continue to pursue these initiatives in partnership with Ngati Rehua Ngatiwai ki Aotea and that discussions with the Ministry for Primary Industries and the Department of Conservation are needed. Consultation with these parties would therefore be expected as a first step if the board agrees to assist with community consultation on the proposed code.
That the Great Barrier Environment Committee receive the report
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No. |
Title |
Page |
aView |
Copy of proposed voluntary fishing code of conduct tabled at 13 May 2015 Great Barrier Local Board meeting |
37 |
Signatories
Author |
Jacqueline Fyers - RM PA/Office Administrator |
Authoriser |
John Nash - Senior Local Board Advisor |
Great Barrier Environment Committee 23 June 2015 |
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Community group and agency reports
File No.: CP2015/10825
Purpose
1. The purpose of this report is to provide a place where Great Barrier community groups and agencies with an interest or role in the environment, or the work of the Great Barrier Environment Committee, can have items considered as part of the committee’s agenda.
Executive Summary
2. At its 27 February 2014 meeting, the Great Barrier Environment Committee “agreed to create a community reports item on its meeting agenda to enable community groups and agencies with an interest in the environment on Great Barrier to have material formally considered by the committee noting that this approach may be discontinued at any time if the committee finds it necessary”.
3. Although the preference is that reports be submitted in time for inclusion on the agenda, the option of material being pre-circulated to the committee and other interest groups is available at the chair’s discretion.
4. The recommendation against reports included on the agenda will be that the report be received. It is up to the committee whether it wishes to pass any additional resolutions to action these requests if appropriate once it has considered the material provided.
5. The items received and approved for inclusion on this agenda are attached to this report as outlined below.
That the Great Barrier Environment Committee: a) Receives the Memo from Roger Blakeley, Chief Planning Officer re Sea Change –Tai Timu Tai Pari (Hauraki Gulf Marine Spatial Plan) Project outline and update AoteaOra Community Trust’s introduction and Trustees’ profiles.
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No. |
Title |
Page |
aView |
22 April - Memo from Chief Planning Officer re Sea Change –Tai Timu Tai Pari (Hauraki Gulf Marine Spatial Plan) Project outline and update |
41 |
bView |
AoteaOra Community Trust - Introduction |
47 |
cView |
AoteaOra Community Trust - Trustees Profiles |
53 |
Signatories
Author |
Jacqueline Fyers - RM PA/Office Administrator |
Authoriser |
John Nash - Senior Local Board Advisor |