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 Tuesday, 23 June 2015, as a true and correct
record.
|
5 Leave of Absence
At the close of
the agenda no requests for leave of absence had been received.
6 Acknowledgements
At the close of the agenda no requests for acknowledgements had been
received.
7 Petitions
At the close of the agenda no requests to present petitions had been
received.
8 Deputations
Standing
Order 3.20 provides for deputations. Those applying for deputations are
required to give seven working days notice of subject matter and applications
are approved by the Chairperson of the 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
26 August 2015
|
|
Proposed 2015/2016 Environment Work Programme
File No.: CP2015/16425
Purpose
1. To present the
proposed 2015/2016 Great Barrier environment work programme to the Great
Barrier Environment Committee (the Committee) for consideration and approval.
Executive
Summary
2. The Great
Barrier Local Board (the board) has included $181,000 in its 2015/2016 locally
driven initiatives (LDI) budget to support the delivery of environmental
projects. This includes biosecurity and biodiversity initiatives, as well as
specific budget lines for supporting water quality monitoring, a community pest
coordinator role and to continue the ecology conversations work.
3. This report
presents the proposed 2015/2016 environment work programme to the Committee for
consideration and approval, noting that the community pest coordinator budget
line was agreed at the June Committee meeting (resolution number
GBESP/2015/25).
|
Recommendations
That the Great Barrier
Environment Committee:
a) Approves the
2015/2016 local environment work programme as outlined below;
|
Budget Line
|
Project
|
Objective
|
Cost
|
|
(Line item)
|
Ecology Conversations
|
· To engage the
Great Barrier community in developing a plan for the island’s environmental
future
|
$50,000
|
|
(Line item)
|
Pest Control Coordinator
|
· To support Great
Barrier residents to undertake pest control on private land at Mulberry
Grove
|
$11,000
|
|
(Line item)
|
Water Quality Technician
|
· To continue
monitoring of eight sites in Tryphena
|
$20,000
|
|
Biodiversity Initiatives
|
Threatened plant conservation
|
· To continue to
support the management of the threatened leptinella population at
Awana
|
$5,000
|
|
Biosecurity Initiatives
|
Communications Material
|
· To design and
print biosecurity and biodiversity information specific to Great Barrier
|
$10,000
|
|
Rabbit and Cat Control
|
· To undertake
rabbit control at four sites
· To undertake cat
control at Awana
|
$20,000
|
|
Argentine ant and plague skink[1]
surveillance
|
· To survey for
presence and absence in several locations where there are gaps in current
information
|
$15,000
|
|
West Coast Bays Weed survey
|
· To continue the
survey of the west coast bays for pest plants (eg. rhamnus)
|
$10,000
|
|
Kaitoke Weed and Pest Control
|
· To support ongoing
weed control and wildlife (rats) monitoring at Kaitoke
|
$8,000
|
|
Support for Treasure Islands
Programme
|
· To support a
person employed to manage pest pathways to Great Barrier
|
$25,000
|
|
(Line item)
|
Sustainability Initiatives
|
· To research
options for expanding Retrofit your Home to support Great Barrier residents
|
Not applicable
|
|
· To support the
development of a locally-focused website on alternative, renewable
technologies.
|
$10,000
|
b) Notes that
approval to continue the Mulberry Grove pest coordinator role was received at
the June 2015 meeting.
c) Notes that
phase 2 of the Ecology Conversations project will be formally agreed at an
upcoming Environment Committee or Great Barrier Local Board meeting.
|
Comments
4. The board has
allocated $181,000 of its LDI budget to support the delivery of a local
environment work programme. Table 1 below outlines the proposed programme
recommended by officers, with additional detail noted in paragraphs 5 to 42 below.
5. In addition it
is noted that the board wishes to retain budget for marine protection
initiatives although this is not being delivered by Infrastructure and
Environmental Services. It is understood the board will resolve on this (and
any other changes to the proposed programme) at the meeting as it considers
appropriate.
|
Budget
Line
|
Project
|
Objective
|
Cost
|
|
(Line item)
|
Ecology Conversations
|
· To engage the Great
Barrier community in developing a plan for the island’s environmental future
|
$50,000
|
|
(Line item)
|
Pest Control Coordinator
|
· To support Great
Barrier residents to undertake pest control on private land at Mulberry Grove
|
$11,000
|
|
(Line item)
|
Water Quality Technician
|
· To continue
monitoring of eight sites in Tryphena
|
$20,000
|
|
Biodiversity Initiatives
|
Threatened plant conservation
|
· To continue to
support the management of the threatened leptinella population at
Awana.
|
$5,000
|
|
Biosecurity Initiatives
|
Communications Material
|
· To design and print
biosecurity and biodiversity information specific to Great Barrier
|
$10,000
|
|
Rabbit and Cat Control
|
· To undertake rabbit
control at four sites
· To undertake cat
control at Awana
|
$20,000
|
|
Argentine ant and plague skink[2]
surveillance
|
· To survey for
presence and absence in several locations where there are gaps in current
information.
|
$15,000
|
|
West Coast Bays Weed survey
|
· To continue the
survey of the west coast bays for pest plants (eg. rhamnus)
|
$10,000
|
|
Kaitoke Weed and Pest Control
|
· To support ongoing
weed control and wildlife (rats) monitoring at Kaitoke
|
$8,000
|
|
Support for Treasures Islands
Programme
|
· To support a person
employed to manage pest pathways to Great Barrier
|
$25,000
|
|
(Line item)
|
Sustainability Initiatives
|
· To develop a website
and associated material to provide locally specific information to Great
Barrier residents on alternative energy.
|
$10,000
|
|
· To research options
for expanding Retrofit your Home to support Great Barrier residents
|
Not applicable
|
Table 1: Proposed Environment Work Programme
Ecology
Conversations ($50,000)
6. At the time of
writing this report, the board had not yet received the final report on phase
one of the ecology conversations project undertaken from March to the end of
June 2015. This report will inform how phase two of the ecology conversations
will proceed, and as such it is recommended that decision making on the ecology
conversations budget line be delayed until the board has had the opportunity to
consider that report.
7. Due to its
significance, the ecology conversations project has been noted in the table
above outlining the proposed environment work programme.
Pest
Control Coordinator ($11,000)
8. This project was
formally agreed by the Committee at its June 2015 meeting (resolution number
GBESP/2015/25). This allowed for the role to continue over the financial year
end period. It is noted in this report is for reference only, and to ensure the
board receives a report on the entire proposed environment work programme.
Water Quality
Technician ($20,000)
9. The board
implemented a specific monitoring programme as part of its 2014/2015
environment work programme in response to community interest in understanding
freshwater quality issues, and to build on existing knowledge of stream health
on Great Barrier.
10. At its June 2015
meeting, the Committee agreed to continue water quality monitoring of eight
sites in Tryphena. A map showing the location of each site is appended at
Attachment A. Collection is undertaken once a month with samples collected
overnight on the high tide and low tide. Samples are then sent to the Watercare
laboratory in Auckland for testing.
11. An advertisement
to contract a local person to undertake the water quality monitoring will be
placed in the Barrier Bulletin in August 2015. The contracting of a
local person will incur costs to the board as this work is currently undertaken
by Council staff. Sample collection and handling takes about eight hours. Table
2 below provides a summary of the costs of the water quality monitoring
programme based on a suggested hourly rate of $25.00 for the collection.
|
|
Cost per month
|
Total
|
|
Sample Collection
|
$200
|
$1,800
|
|
Freight
|
$100
|
$900
|
|
Sample Testing
|
$1,600
|
$14,400
|
|
|
Total
|
$17,100
|
Table 2: Proposed Water Quality Monitoring Programme
12. A high level
assessment of the water quality monitoring data to date is included on this
agenda. It is recommended that the board continue monitoring the eight sites
until April 2015 to allow for a full 12 month of information, at which time the
board may wish to consider whether it continues to fund a local water quality
monitoring programme.
13. Board members
have raised questions about water quality in the Kaitoke Stream. No excess of
nutrients or bacterial contamination was indicated following recent testing of
the Kaitoke Stream (funded regionally through the Waste Solutions team). It is
recommended that no further water quality testing of this stream be undertaken.
Threatened Plant
Conservation ($5,000)
14. In 2014/2015,
various weed control methodologies were trialed to protect the leptinella
population at Awana. A full report assessing those methodologies is being
drafted, and will inform the future management of the population.
15. It is recommended
that the board provide partial funding of $5,000 to continue weed management
supporting the leptinella population at Awana. Further monitoring will be
required to observe long-term changes as a result of the weed control and
fencing. The cost in 2015/2016 for monitoring will be up to $4,000. Ongoing
weed control is also likely to be required at the site at a cost of between
$1,500 and $2,000.
16. Additional
funding from regional budgets will allow a biodiversity technical expert to
work alongside the local contractor undertaking the monitoring work, data
management and analysis, and future management planning.
Communications
Material ($10,000)
17. The community
pest coordinator work has demonstrated the need for Great Barrier-specific
information on common pest plants, and how to control them. It is recommended
that the Committee support the development of a brochure on managing pest
plants found on Great Barrier, similar to the brochure produced by the
Waitakere Ranges Local Board for managing weeds in the Waitakere Ranges.
18. Many visitors to
Great Barrier may not be aware that the island is currently free of possums and
mustelids. It is recommended that the above brochure include advice on pest
animals present (or absent) on Great Barrier.
19. In order to tell
the full story as to why pest control on Great Barrier is important, it is
suggested to produce a complementary brochure featuring some of the island’s
biodiversity ‘jewels’. This could include the leptinella at Awana. As
the Department of Conservation (DOC) has a similar brochure, staff will discuss
with DOC any opportunities to co-design this brochure.
20. The Committee
will be invited to provide feedback and comment on the design and content of
both brochures before they are printed and distributed.
21. It is also
suggested that a brief fact sheet be prepared for local residents interested in
keeping goats. An incorrect perception exists that goats are not permitted to
be kept on Great Barrier. While goats are permitted, they need to be registered
and not allowed to wander off property.
Rabbit
and Cat Control ($20,000)
22. The board has
funded rabbit control as part of its environment work programme for the past
two financial years. It is noted that some board members have queried the effectiveness
and success of the rabbit control programme, as well as the contribution of DOC
to the programme. However, relative abundance counts show the numbers of
rabbits has reduced. In addition, rabbit control at Kaitoke and Okiwi ensures
that rabbits do not impact on the adjacent airfields.
23. It is recommended
that the board continue to fund rabbit control in 2015/2016, albeit at reduced
locations. Tables 2 and 3 below provide a breakdown of the costs of the rabbit
and cat control programme.
|
Night Shoot Hours (off Island Contractor)
|
|
Location
|
Shoot Hrs
|
# Nights
|
Total
|
|
Kaitoke
|
16
|
3
|
$1248
|
|
Awana
|
16
|
3
|
$1248
|
|
Whang Sth
|
|
|
|
|
Okiwi Township -Optional
|
24
|
4
|
$1872
|
|
Transport/Accommodation
|
|
|
$1500
|
|
Total
|
56
|
10
|
$5868
|
|
Warren Fumigation/Pindone (Local Contractor)
|
|
Location
|
Fumigation
|
Pindone
|
Total
|
|
Kaitoke
|
$320
|
|
|
|
Awana
|
$960
|
|
|
|
Whang Sth
|
$2880
|
$4000
|
|
|
Okiwi Township
|
$920
|
|
|
|
Materials
|
$1200
|
$700
|
|
|
Total
|
$6280
|
$4700
|
$10,680
|
Tables 2 and 3: Proposed rabbit control programme
24. It is proposed
that feral cat control also be undertaken at Awana at a cost of $4,000.
Argentine
Ant and Plague Skink Surveillance ($15,000)
25. A total of three
new Argentine ant sites have been identified over the past year. It is likely
that additional populations exist on the island, and as such it is recommended
that funding be allocated to undertake further surveying at Gooseberry Flat,
Claris, Okupu, Whangaparapara, Awana, Okiwi and Port Fitzroy settlement areas.
26. Argentine ant and
plague skink share similar incursion pathways so surveillance for the two
species can be run as one programme. In 2014/2015, at total of 51 sites (18 of
which were funded by the board) were surveyed for plague skink populations. As
no further populations were found, researchers are reasonably certain that plague
skinks are contained at Shoal Bay. A report back on the 2015 surveillance
programme is appended as Attachment B.
27. Plague skinks are
an unwanted organism under the Biosecurity Act 1993. The RPMS notes that
“regional intervention is necessary to prevent and reduce the spread of
Argentine Ants to new locations in the Hauraki Gulf”. As such, regional funding
of over $100,000 is available to support the incursion response, and associated
interventions.
West
Coast Bays Survey ($10,000)
28. In 2014/2015, the
board funded a survey of weed species on the west coast bays. The survey
reached Mangati Bay, Whangaparapara with moth plant and cotoneaster amongst the pest plants identified
and removed. It is recommended that the survey continue in 2015/2016 with the
priority being to continue south to Cape Barrier.
29. This survey is
supported by DOC who supply the vessel.
Kaitoke
Pest Plant and Animal Control ($8,000)
30. In 2015/2016, it
is recommended that further funding be allocated to continue pest plant and
animal control at Kaitoke. The focus will be on controlling those pest plants
in low numbers such as Bushy Asparagus and Bone seed and maintaining suitable
habitat for threatened plants and maintaining the unique ecology of the area.
31. Monitoring of
rodent populations is also undertaken as part of this project.
32. A full report
back on the 2014/2015 Kaitoke project had not yet been received at the time of
writing this report. However, interim feedback from the wildlife monitoring has
indicated a large increase in rat densities. Weed control focused on pampas, Tasmanian blackwood, gorse and blackberry have been
controlled in key ecological areas around the Grandstand swamp and Kaitoke
creek.
Support
for Treasure Islands Programme ($25,000)
33. In 2013, regional
funding supported a trial of a biosecurity ambassador role to support the
management of pest pathways to Great Barrier. This mainland-based role focused
on educating ferry passengers about the risk of pests hitching a ride to Great
Barrier in their luggage and equipment. The trial was undertaken from the end
of April to the end of June 2014 and attended 27 sailings, talking to and
advising approximately 700 passengers. The ambassador operated under the
umbrella of the Treasure Islands programme – a joint programme aimed at
educating users of the Hauraki Gulf about the biosecurity risks to the gulf.
34. It is recommended
that the board contribute funding of $25,000 to support a similar ambassador
role in 2015/2016. As well as talking to ferry passengers, this role would also
support inspection of landscape supply yards and plant nurseries who supply
Great Barrier residents and businesses for pest populations such as Argentine
ants and plague skinks. Board members have questioned local funding being used
to contract someone to manage pest vectors on the mainland. It was suggested as
an alternative that local funding be targeted towards just the inspection of
supply yards and plant nurseries popular with Great Barrier residents. The cost
of this would be approximately $10,000.
Sustainability
Projects ($10,000)
35. A sustainability
stocktake survey was completed as part of the board’s 2014/2015 environment
work programme to provide a baseline for measuring progress on the board’s
sustainability goals and assist with the development of initiatives to support
the uptake of sustainable and renewable practices and technologies. Analysis of
the survey results identified three possible sustainability initiatives for the
board to consider for future funding. The three initiatives are noted below;
· Information provision to promote and
support off-grid decisions;
· Developing a concept paper to extend the
Retrofit Your Home programme to better support the needs of Great Barrier
residents; and
· Scoping study for a potential microgrid for Claris.
36. It is recommended
that the board support the first two initiatives as part of its 2014/2015
environment work programme. These initiatives are summarised in Table 4 below.
|
Initiative
|
Project
|
Objective
|
Cost
|
|
Information Provision
|
Website Development
|
· To develop
a locally focused website to provide information on options to support off
the grid living.
|
$10,000
|
|
Barrier Bulletin
|
· To provide
information on off the grid technology for those without access to the
internet.
|
|
Finance
|
Retrofit Your Home
|
· To develop a concept
paper for an expanded version of the Retrofit your Home financial assistance
scheme for Great Barrier residents including assistance for:
o solar
electricity and energy efficient hot water systems
o on-site
waste water system upgrades
o rain water
collection systems
|
Not applicable
|
Table
4: Proposed Sustainability Projects
37. The
sustainability stocktake showed that Great Barrier residents are interested in
having easier access to quality information on off-grid technologies, examples
of local successes and to share information and experience between residents.
It is recommended that the Committee support the development of a Great Barrier
website to provide a hub for locally relevant information about living off the
grid.
38. The website would
include links to quality information sources and local case study examples that
respond to the particular information needs and priorities identified from the
sustainability stocktake survey. For example, the website could provide
locally specific information on solar PV and hot water heating systems, and
onsite wastewater systems. In addition to a website, it is recommended that the
Committee provide funding for a regular off-the-grid column in the Barrier
Bulletin with monthly articles adapted from the website material and case
studies.
39. The development
of such a website and news column could be undertaken by a local community
group through a contract or funding agreement. If this was the preferred option
of the Committee, it is recommended that a portion of the $10,000 budget is set
aside to contract subject matter expert(s), if required, to assist with content
development and peer review. This would ensure that the information provided is
accurate, comprehensive and unbiased.
40. It is proposed
that an expanded version of the Retrofit your Home programme is investigated
for Great Barrier residents. The investigation would include options for
financial assistance for solar electricity and energy efficient hot water
systems, on-site waste water system upgrades and rain water collection systems.
As developing a concept paper would be undertaken in-house at no cost to the
board, it is recommended that the Committee formally request this work to be
undertaken as part of its environment work programme.
41. The Aotea Great
Barrier Local Board Plan (the Plan) includes a vision to ‘establish Aotea Great
Barrier as a world leader in alternative, renewable technologies’. Given this
aspiration, and suggestions from the community through the Sustainability
Stocktake survey to investigate communal energy systems, a scoping study for a
solar powered microgrid at Claris has been discussed with the board. The
scoping study would initially consider the feasibility, costs and benefits of
alternative energy for powering the Auckland Council service centre, local
board office, senior-net office and the health centre (the Council
complex). It is recommended that the board await the outcomes of its
initiative to investigate a shared community facility at Claris so that any
significant potential future changes to building and energy use can be
considered within the scoping study.
42. The board has
noted that the reliance on diesel generators to power its office and the
Auckland Council service centre at Claris is in contrast to the Plan’s vision.
In light of the above, it is recommended that as a first step the
Property department investigate whether the board office alternative energy
systems are fully functional. Monitoring equipment will also be installed to understand
the load profiles of the individual buildings in the Council complex over the
course of the year. This comprehensive data will help progress the board's
aspiration for the board office to operate using renewable energy, and enable a
future scoping study for solar power at the wider complex to be developed. It
is also intended to install the same kind of monitoring equipment at the Claris
airfield to provide information on energy use where alternative energy is
already used. This work will be undertaken at no cost to the board, however, it
has been noted here as part of the broader environment work programme.
43. Funding for a
future scoping study for a renewable energy system for the Council complex in
Claris will be necessary. Funding has been proposed as part of a memorandum of
understanding between Auckland Council and the Energy Efficiency and
Conservation Agency (EECA) may assist with this. The board will be advised if
this is agreed as part of the MOU.
Consideration
Local
Board views and implications
44. A number of the
projects noted above, such as water quality monitoring, community pest
management, and sustainability projects, are noted as key initiatives in the
Plan.
45. The draft work
programme was discussed at a board workshop in May 2015. Two separate workshops
to discuss the sustainability programme were held with the board in June and
July 2015.
46. The Committee has
full delegation to consider and approve all matters pertaining to environmental
management, stormwater, and solid waste management on Great Barrier.
Māori
impact statement
47. No consultation
with Maori was undertaken for the purposes of this report.
Implementation
48. The Committee has requested that the water quality technician and
community pest coordinator roles be undertaken by local residents. Residents
are likely to incur significant costs, including insurance, if they are not
already established as council supplier. These costs may make it prohibitive
for local residents to take up the roles, and it may mean contracting residents
through existing Great Barrier businesses.
49. Weed control and pest control often require ongoing funding.
50. A full report back on the 2014/2015 local environment work programme
is being prepared for an upcoming Committee meeting.
51. There are no
other implementation issues arising from this report. Regular reporting on
project delivery will be through the bimonthly update to the Committee from the
Infrastructure and Environmental Services department, or as required.
Attachments
|
No.
|
Title
|
Page
|
|
aView
|
Tryphena Water Quality Monitoring Sites
|
31
|
|
bView
|
2015 Plague Skink Surveillance Report
|
33
|
Signatories
|
Authors
|
Emma Joyce – Relationship Advisor
Jeremy Warden – Biosecurity Advisor
(Great Barrier)
Jeff Cook – Senior Regional
Biosecurity Advisor
Liz Ross – Environmental Programmes
Advisor
Michael Ngatai – Biodiversity Advisor
|
|
Authorisers
|
Gael Ogilvie – Environmental Services
Manager
John Dragicevich – Infrastructure and
Environmental Services Manager
John Nash – Relationship Manager
|
