Agenda of Great Barrier Local Board

1 Welcome

Chairperson IM Fordham will welcome everyone in attendance. Member 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 Local Board:

confirm the ordinary minutes of its meeting, held on Wednesday, 8 July 2015, as a true and correct record.

confirm the Annual Plan Hearings minutes, held on Wednesday, 26 March 2014, as a true and correct record.

confirm the Local Board Plan Hearings minutes, held on Thursday, 28 August 2014, 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 Local Board. This means that details relating to deputations can be included in the published agenda. Total speaking time per deputation is ten minutes or as resolved by the meeting.

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

9 Public Forum

A period of time (approximately 30 minutes) is set aside for members of the public to address the meeting on matters within its delegated authority. A maximum of 3 minutes per item is allowed, following which there may be questions from 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 Local Board

12 August 2015

Allocation of discretionary capital budget to local boards

File No.: CP2015/14059

Purpose

1. This report seeks direction from Local Boards on the proposed discretionary fund for local board capital expenditure (Capex fund) regarding the:

· model for allocating the fund

· criteria for the fund.

Executive Summary

2. The Governing Body has created a discretionary fund for capital expenditure for local boards. Local boards are to work with staff to develop a formula for allocation and criteria for qualifying projects.

3. The Capex fund enables local boards to deliver small local asset based projects, either directly, in partnership with the community, or through joint agreements between boards.

4. The Capex fund will be managed over three years. Local boards can use their entire three year allocation for one project or spread it over the three years for smaller projects.

5. Local boards provided views on how funding should be allocated during the review of the Local Boards Funding Policy (LBFP) in 2014. The resulting funding formula for Locally Driven Initiatives (LDI) allocates 90 per cent based on population, 5 per cent on deprivation and 5 per cent on land area. The same allocation formula can be used for the Capex fund to maintain consistency in the policy. Staff note however that the link between costs and land area is weak and leads to major shifts in the allocation of funding.

6. A formula based approach provides limited funding for the Great Barrier Island and Waiheke boards. Local boards should consider what level of funding over three years is appropriate for these boards. Staff recommend setting funding at one per cent of the fund for Great Barrier and two per cent for Waiheke.

7. Using the Capex fund is preferable to LDI funding as the Governing Body funds the consequential opex. Boards should consider whether they need to continue to use LDI funding for minor (less than $1 million) capital projects. Boards should also consider whether they need to be able to bring forward regionally funded projects using the Capex fund.

8. The proposal to allocate a Capex fund to local boards will require an amendment to the LBFP. This will amend the Long-term Plan and requires the use of the special consultative procedure.

Recommendation/s

That the Great Barrier Local Board:

a) Provide feedback on the allocation of Capital expenditure (Capex) funding to local boards.

Comments

Background

9. The Governing Body has created a discretionary fund for capital expenditure for local boards. On May 7 the Budget Committee passed the following resolution:

a) Provide a new Local Board discretionary capex fund of $10 million per annum noting that this will incorporate the existing Facilities Partnership Fund.

b) Approve the following parameters for this fund:

i. The fund may be managed as a three year amount

ii. Local Boards may use the fund to build council owned assets, add to an existing council funded renewal or new capital project, work in partnership with an external provider or seed fund a community project.

10. The Budget Committee requested that staff and local boards develop a formula for allocation and criteria for qualifying projects to report to the Finance and Performance Committee.

Purpose of the Capex fund

11. The purpose of the fund is to ensure locally important projects are given appropriate priority. It is envisaged that the fund will be used for projects similar to those historically funded by the local improvement projects (LIP’s) or small local improvement projects (SLIP’s).

Funding Allocation Model

Principles for funding allocations

12. The core principles for allocating funding to local boards are an:

· equitable capacity for each local board to enhance well-being

· administrative effectiveness

· transparency.

Attributes for funding allocation

13. The Local boards funding policy (LBFP) makes allocations on the following basis:

· 90 per cent based on local board population size

· 5 per cent based on the relative level of deprivation of the board

· 5 per cent based on the land area of the board

· Waiheke and Great Barrier Island are funded for a fixed amount set by the Governing Body.

14. The following table shows the level of local board support for the use of the above factors for allocating LDI recorded during the review of the LBFP.

Local Board Attribute	Local Boards that supported use during last review of LBFP	Relationship to need for funding	Staff Comments
Population	21	Strong	Strongly relates to demand for services
Deprivation	17	Weak	Little objective evidence for relationship to demand for services
Geography	16	Weak	High distortion effect on allocation that does not relate to need for services

15. A key decision for the allocation of the Capex fund will be to determine the appropriate level of capital funding for Great Barrier Island and Waiheke. The discussion document considers the two current allocation models used to fund these boards:

· LDI allocation: Great Barrier Island and Waiheke receive the same proportion of the Capex fund as they currently receive of the total funding pool for Locally Driven Initiatives. (This is 2.3% of the total pool for Great Barrier Island and 2.7% for Waiheke)

· Transport Model: Great Barrier Island receives 1 per cent and Waiheke 2 per cent of the total funding pool.

16. Five models have been considered for allocating the Capex fund between all boards based on the population, deprivation and land area attributes of the boards:

· Model A: All boards funded based on 100% population

· Model B: All boards funded based on 95% population and 5% deprivation

· Model C: All boards funded based on 90% population, 5% deprivation and 5% land area

· Model D: Great Barriers receives 2.3% and Waiheke receives 2.7% of total funds, remaining funds allocated to all other boards based on 90% population, 5% deprivation and 5% land area

· Model E: Great Barriers receives 1% and Waiheke receives 2% of total funds, remaining funds allocated to all other boards based on 90% population, 5% deprivation and 5% land area.

17. The following pages present these five models in table and chart form.

18. Other potential funding attributes that have not been included in the modelling are:

· rates paid: there is no relationship with need for services, and support was low for this attribute during the last review, with six boards in favour.

· current levels of capital expenditure: data on regional activities is unavailable at local level. Levels of expenditure on local assets are not relevant to the purpose of the Capex fund. Gaps in the provision of assets will be met through the relevant network facilities plan.

· population growth: growth will be addressed every three years through the proposed allocation formula.

19. The charts show the following:

· Using land area as an allocation factor significantly increases funding to Rodney and Franklin local boards.

· Great Barrier Island receives less than $7,000 under a population based allocation. This rises to $77,000 under the allocation formula that includes deprivation and land area.

· Providing Great Barrier Island and Waiheke with fixed allocations under the LDI allocation and Transport models only has a small impact on the other 19 boards.

20. In determining the appropriate funding levels for Great Barrier Island and Waiheke consideration should be given both to the total value of the funding over three years, and the typical costs of activities likely to undertaken by these boards. The following table shows the level of funding these boards would receive over three years in comparison to the next smallest board, Papakura:

Allocation formula model	Three year capex funding allocation for
Allocation formula model	Great Barrier	Waiheke	Papakura
Board Population size	900	8,400	45,000
A: 100% population	$20,000	$180,000	$970,000
B: 95% population + 5% deprivation	$130,000	$260,000	$1,000,000
C: 90% population + 5% deprivation + 5% land area	$230,000	$290,000	$970,000
D: GBI: 2.3% Waiheke 2.7% (Current LDI allocation)	$690,000	$820,000	$940,000
E: GBI: 1% Waiheke 2% of total fund	$300,000	$600,000	$960,000

21. The average cost for SLIPs projects in the last financial year was $31,000 for Great Barrier Island and $27,000 for Waiheke. Under Model E Waiheke would receive two per cent of the fund, and be able to deliver 20 average cost projects over three years. Great Barrier would receive one per cent of the fund and be able to deliver 10 average cost projects over the same period. They can of course accumulate funds over the three year period to undertake larger projects.

22. Staff consider there is a strong case for using the same formula for LDI and the capex fund to maintain consistency in the allocation. However, there is also a case for excluding land area given its impact on the distribution of funding.

23. Staff consider that allocating Great Barrier and Waiheke the same proportion of funding as they receive from the LDI opex fund would over fund these boards compared to other board areas. Staff recommend an allocation of one per cent of the total fund to Great Barrier, and two per cent to Waiheke would be appropriate.

Decision making process for capex projects

24. The chart on the following page provides an overview of decision making pathways for each type of project.

25. Staff will work with boards to develop guidelines for facilities partnerships (including feasibility studies) and community-led projects.

Bringing future capex allocation forward

26. The governing body has proposed that the fund be managed over a three year period, aligned with the Long-term Plan planning cycle. Local boards can use their entire three year allocation for one project or spread it over the three years for smaller projects. This provides boards with greater choice in the size and timing of projects they undertake.

27. As a practical consideration, it is unlikely that all 21 local boards would be in a position to bring forward their three years of funding to 2015/16. However, in the event that this was to happen, the projects would need to be assessed against the modified “gateway” process to ensure they were able to be delivered.

28. Budget for the Capex funding is included in the ten year plan. Local boards’ can only bring three years budgets forward however so future decision making is unencumbered.

Role of LDI funding

29. The table below sets out how the Capex Fund and LDI Opex Fund could be used for different types of projects.

Funding Type	Project Type	Capex Fund		LDI Opex fund
Capex	Minor Asset based projects (less than $1M)	ü	GB funds consequential opex	?	LBs fund consequential opex (feedback sought)
	Top-up of regional projects and renewals	ü	GB funds consequential opex	?	LBs fund consequential opex (feedback sought)
	Major Asset based projects (greater than $1M)	ü	GB approval required. GB funds consequential opex.	û	Must use Capex fund for large projects
Opex	Capital grants to community groups	ü	Debt funded opex. Must be included in annual plan	ü	Standard opex expenditure
Opex	Feasibility Studies	ü	Debt funded opex. Must be included in annual plan	ü	Standard opex expenditure

30. Local boards are currently able to fund capital projects using their LDI budget by funding the consequential opex. The capex fund largely does away with the need for this and the Mayor’s report proposed the removal of the ability to fund major new facilities with opex funded by their LDI. This raises the question of whether local boards still need the ability to use LDI to fund minor capital projects. The table sets out the key differences between the Capex fund and the LDI opex fund for capital projects.

Capex fund	LDI opex fund
GB funds consequential opex	LB funds consequential opex
Easier for GB to control and plan for debt (set amount available for three years)	Creates variable unknown capex requirements on an annual basis
Simplified reporting processes	Complex financial reporting required to track LB funding vs regional funding

31. Staff recommend that local boards’ do not fund minor (less than $1 million) capital projects with LDI opex from 1 July 2016. This will not impact projects that boards have already committed to funding.

32. Local boards should provide feedback on whether they see a need to use:

· LDI to fund minor capital projects

· Capex funding to bring regionally funded projects forward.

Transferring LDI to Capex

33. Local boards may transfer their currently approved capex projects paid for by LDI (as outlined in their LB Agreement 2015/16), to the new discretionary fund. This will free up their LDI opex again and remove the need to fund consequential opex.

Deferral of Capex

34. Normal deferral conditions apply to the Capex fund. Projects cannot be planned outside of the three years but funds may be deferred if projects are unable to be completed within this period.

Transition for current Capex allocations

35. There will be no transition mechanism for any existing Capex budgets held by some local boards. The Governing Body has decided that this fund will replace the current Facilities Partnership fund.

36. Projects that have already been committed to through the Facilities Partnership fund will need to be funded from the relevant boards’ Capex fund allocation.

Local Boards Funding Policy

37. The current Local Boards Funding Policy must be amended to provide for the allocation of capex funding. This is an amendment to the Long-term Plan requiring use of the Special Consultative Procedure with a public consultation period of one month.

38. Staff propose to amend the LBFP to provide a general formula for allocating any non LDI funding. This will avoid the need to amend the LBFP every time the Governing Body decides to give local boards funding that is not for Locally Driven Initiatives.

Consideration

Local Board views and implications

39. The proposal does not impact the allocation of decision making.

Significance and Engagement

40. The proposed Capex fund is a minor change in the scale of the Council’s budget and funding for Local Activities. As such it is not a significant change. However, creating a new funding allocation for local boards requires an amendment to the Local Board Funding Policy, and consequently the Long-term Plan.

41. The Council is required to undertake a special consultative process for any amendment to the Long-term Plan.

Implementation

42. The proposed amendment to the Local Board Funding Policy is not significant. As such, the amendment to the Long-term Plan will not need to be audited.

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report.

Signatories

Authors

Beth Sullivan - Principal Advisor Policy

Authorisers

Matthew Walker - General Manager Financial Plan Policy & Budgeting

Karen Lyons - Manager Local Board Services

Great Barrier Local Board

12 August 2015

Local and sports park annual work plan - Great Barrier Island

File No.: CP2015/15667

Purpose

1. To seek approval of the Local and Sports Parks annual work programme 2015-2016 for the Great Barrier Local Board area.

Executive Summary

2. The Local and Sports Parks annual work programme for the 2015-2016 financial year includes park asset renewals, capital works, locally driven initiatives (LDI), and parks maintenance programmes.

3. The work programme excludes any projects that have not been fully funded. Additional projects may be prioritised for funding from the discretionary CAPEX budget, which has yet to be agreed and will be discussed with the local boards in the next two months.

4. If unforeseen works are needed or work priorities change from the approved annual local and sports parks work programme the parks advisor will discuss this with the local board park portfolio holder.

Recommendation/s

That the Great Barrier Local Board:

a) approve the 2015-2016 Great Barrier Local and Sports Parks annual work plan;

b) delegates approval for changes to the work programme to the Great Barrier Local Board parks portfolio holders in discussion with other board members as appropriate.

Comments

Background

5. This report presents the final draft of the Local and Sports Parks annual work programme for the 2015-2016 financial year. The work programme includes park asset renewals, capital works, locally driven initiatives (LDIs) and the parks maintenance programme.

6. Officers will have ongoing discussions with the board on the priority for other projects that may be eligible for other sources of funding once there is more clarity around how these will be allocated across the region.

Financial implications

7. The annual work programme is not a budget report and therefore budget figures are indicative only.

8. The final draft Local and Sports Parks annual work programme 2015-2016 includes some projects that will be delivered over a number of financial years. Some flexibility is needed in the delivery of long term complex parks projects to adapt to changing situations. These include external factors beyond council control such as weather, or issues that may arise during the detailed design, community engagement and consenting stages. Any of these factors may affect project delivery outcomes singly or in combination.

9. In particular, staff may need to adjust asset renewal priorities if unforeseen renewals or complexities in delivering planned renewals arise.

10. Given the scale of the work programme, the limited amount of time to get the work done, and the dynamic nature of the parks asset base, it is recommended that the board delegates changes to the parks work programme to its parks portfolio holders in discussion with other board members as appropriate.

Alignment with strategies and policies

11. The draft annual work programme fits with the following Auckland Council guiding documents.

· Auckland Plan – the world's most liveable city

· Aotea Great Barrier Local Board Plan

· Sport & Recreation Strategic Action Plan - Aucklanders: more active more often.

· Parks and Open Spaces Strategic Plan - quality open spaces that meet community needs

Consideration

Local board views and implications

12. The local board provided feedback on the first draft of the Local and Sports Parks work programme 2015-2016 at workshops on 7 April and 7 July 2015. Feedback from these workshops has informed this final draft annual work programme for approval.

13. Completion of the annual work programme 2015-2016 as approved by the Local Board will result in projects that will contribute to the local board objectives for parks.

Māori impact statement

14. Parks and open spaces contribute to Maori well-being, values, culture and traditions. Where any aspects of the work programme are anticipated to have an impact on tangata whenua, appropriate engagement and involvement in decision making will follow.

15. It is the aspiration of the park officers to share the long term local and sports parks development plans with mana whenua for comment. Following board approval, officers will engage with iwi to discuss the programme and understand interest in future development. Further engagement will follow these initial meetings as the projects within the programme progress.

Implementation

16. Following approval of the local and sports park annual work programme staff will begin planning the implementation of projects, ensuring the work programme is completed on time and to budget for the 2015/16 financial year. Monthly updates to the parks portfolio holder will continue and quarterly reports will be sent to the Local Board.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	Attachment A - Local and sports park annual work plan 2015 -16	17

Signatories

Authors

Gary Wilton - Parks Adviser Hauraki Gulf Islands

Authorisers

Ian Maxwell - General Manager Parks, Sports and Recreation

John Nash - Senior Local Board Advisor

Great Barrier Local Board

12 August 2015

Auckland Transport Report – August 2015 – Great Barrier Island

File No.: CP2015/15211

Purpose

1. The purpose of this report is to respond to local board requests on transport–related matters and to provide information to elected members about Auckland Transport (AT) activities in the local board area.

Executive Summary

2. This report covers matters of specific application and interest to the Great Barrier Local Board and its community, matters of general interest relating to Auckland Transport activities or the transport sector, and relevant Auckland Transport media releases for the information of the board and community.

3. In particular, this report provides an update on;

· Local Board Transport Capital Fund

· Consultation documents on proposed safety improvements

· Previous Resolutions - Update

· Okupu Wharf update

· Footpaths

· Media

Recommendation/s

That the Great Barrier Local Board:

a) Receives the Auckland Transport Report – August 2015

b) Allocates the full $385,524.00 available to it from the Local Board Transport Capital Fund on determined sections of the Hector Sanderson Road project, as detailed in the attached plan. (Attachments A to C)

Comments

Local Board Transport Capital Fund

4. At the Local Board meeting on the 12 March 2014 the Board were provided with a list of potential Local Board Transport Capital Fund projects.

5. The below table outlines an up-date as to decisions by the Board and on the progress of the projects.

Table 1: Great Barrier Local Board project update for Board approval:

Resolution # GBI/2013/234 (2013)

Resolution # GBI/2014/20 (April 2014)

ID#	Project Description	Progress/Current Status
211	Hector Sanderson Road · Split into sections for funding purposes	· Resolution GBI/2014/63 (15 May 2014) “The design element of the project will be led by the Local Parks and SLIP’s project team” · Resolution GBI/2014/154 (December 2014) Requests that those parts of projects 221 and 211 currently being progressed by the board be funded from Local Board Transport Capital Fund. Board agreed to fund from the LBTCF April 2015. AT and AC working with Board on this and Board further supported the use of the LBTCF in the May 2015 Board meeting (GBI/2015/53) ROC attached for discussion/decision Attachments A, B, C
	Kawa Rd concreting	May 2015 the GBI Board made a resolution, GBI/2015/53; Requests AT prioritises the following projects; iii. Kawa Road concreting agreed sections ROC Section 1 $204K Section 2 $223K Section 3 $93K Attachment D
222	Fitzroy Wharf parking · ROC – Unable to determine at present	Auckland Transport is still looking at options; every option investigated to date suggests huge costs for the benefit of a few cars. The area is very short of available space. Four parking spaces were identified, however the wall above these spaces slipped, forcing a reconsideration of location This car park extension has been put on hold until the slip has been repaired. There are currently rubbish bins occupying the proposed new car park spaces and these will be relocated once slip work carried out.

Note: ROC = rough order of costs; FEC = firm estimate of cost)

Consultation documents on proposed safety improvements

6. Consultation documents for the following proposals have been provided to the Great Barrier Local Board for its feedback. As the Board’s transport portfolio holders provide feedback on the Board’s behalf, the material below is included for general information purposes only.

7. There was no proposed projects this month.

Resolution Updates

August 2014 resolutions;

8. On the 13 August 2014 the Great Barrier Local Board made the following resolution;

a. Request a response from Auckland Transport on the following matters at the September 2014 business meeting which are not included in the officers report:

· An update on the speed limits project.

9. Auckland Transport response;

Auckland Transport’s legislative team is still working on this project and have additional resources allocated in the 2015/16 financial year. Once delivery time frames are confirmed the Board will be updated.

Okupu Wharf update

10. Auckland Transport has recently carried out a tendering process for the up-grade of this wharf and subsequently has commissioned Hallett Enterprises from Warkworth to carry out the work.

11. Works on the up-grade are expected to begin in early August 2015.

12. This will see nine piles and some 400 linear meters of bearer and bracing timber being replaced.

13. It is hoped this upgrade of the facility will be valued by the residents and the rules around vehicular access will be respected.

14. This is a significant investment by Auckland Transport in a facility that is purely for recreational use by residents, so is at a cost to all ratepayers of greater Auckland.

GBI Footpaths

15. As requested by the Great Barrier Local Board, Auckland Transport has recently carried out an audit of the footpaths on Great Barrier Island, as detailed below:

16. Mulberry Grove to Omanawa Lane. Boardwalks, concrete and grass. Condition: some subsidence. Some areas require replacement.

· Inspected monthly and waterblasted when required as part of monthly maintenance.

17. Oceanview Rd to Claris Centre. Mown track with some boxing. Frequency of mow depends on growth and standards in the contract.

· Inspected when mown.

18. Okiwi School for 400m. Concrete path. Condition: some trip hazards (particularly in vehicle crossing areas) require replacement of sections.

· Inspected monthly.

19. Costs of maintenance of these footpaths are covered in the current maintenance contract between Auckland Transport and Fulton and Hogan and any variation to this would require the contract to be renegotiated.

20. Any new footpaths would need to be funded via the Regional Footpath budget, of which is prioritised regionally based on the attached criteria. Attachment E.

21. Footpaths can be added to this programme, via requests from the Local Boards, members of the public and other council staff, however all requests are considered on a regional basis and will be assessed under the regional criteria and prioritised on this basis. (Criteria – Attachment E).

Auckland Transport media release

Touch Pads help the blind use HOP machines

22. Auckland Transport has worked with the Blind Foundation to make it easier for people who are blind or have low vision to use Auckland’s public transport system.

23. Bright yellow raised tactile markers have been installed on 74, AT HOP ticket and top-up machines to help people find their way round the screen.

24. Blind Foundation Environmental Awareness Advisor Chris Orr welcomes the move, he says “This means anyone who is blind or has low vision can top-up their HOP card or buy a ticket like anyone else.”

25. The AT HOP ticket and top-up machines already have a voice prompt. People can also select a mode which makes the font on the machine larger and increases the colour contrast to make it easier to read.

26. It is hoped that this new function will help to make people in the blindness community to be more independent, as they will now be able to do their HOP transactions at their local station, in their own time.

27. Photo Attachment F.

Consideration

Local Board views and implications

28. The board’s views will be incorporated during consultation on any proposed schemes.

Māori impact statement

29. No specific issues with regard to the Maori Impact Statement are triggered by this report.

General

30. The activities detailed in this report do not trigger the Significance Policy. All programmes and activities are within budget/in line with the Council’s Annual Plan and LTP documents and there are no legal or legislative implications arising from the activities detailed in this report.

Implementation

31. All proposed schemes are subject to prioritisation, funding and consultation.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	Hector Sanderson Rd ROC Summary	29
b View	Hector Sanderson Rd Plan 1	31
c View	Hector Sanderson Rd Plan 2	33
d View	Kawa Rd ROC	35
e View	New Footpath Prioritization-Criteria	37
f View	Hop machine photo	41

Signatories

Authors	Ivan Trethowen – Auckland Transport Elected Member Relationship Manager
Authorisers	Jonathan Anyon – Auckland Transport Elected Member Relationship Team Manager

Great Barrier Local Board

12 August 2015

Auckland Transport Quarterly Update to Local Boards

For the quarter - 1 April to 30 June 2015

File No.: CP2015/15221

Executive Summary

1. The purpose of this report is to inform local boards about progress on activities undertaken by Auckland Transport (AT) in the three months April – June 2015 and planned activities anticipated to be undertaken in the next three months.

2. Attachments include:

A – Auckland Transport activities

B – Travelwise Schools activities

C – Decisions of the Traffic Control Committee

D – Report against local board advocacy issues

E – Report on the status of the local board’s projects under the Local Board Transport Capital Fund (LBTCF).

Recommendation/s

That the Great Barrier Local Board:

a) Receives the Auckland Transport Quarterly update to Local Boards.

Significant activities during the period under review

Strategy and Planning

3. Corridor Management Plans (CMPs)

Seven new CMP studies and one CMP review were completed this quarter. These are (1) Gillies Avenue CMP, (2) Henderson Metropolitan Centre Transport Study, (3) Glenfield Road-Birkenhead Avenue CMP, (4) Remuera Road-St Johns Road CMP, (5) Parnell Road-Parnell Rise CMP, (6) Hillsborough Road-Kinross Street CMP, (7) Rosebank Road-Patiki Road CMP and (8) Great South Road Stage 1 (Manukau to Drury) CMP Review.

4. AT Parking Strategy 2015

The Strategy was approved in April and successfully launched at the end of May.

5. RPTP Variation

Public consultations and hearing deliberations on the Regional Public Transport Plan were completed this quarter.

Investment and Development

6. SMART (Southwest Multi-modal Airport Rapid Transit)

Investigation to identify the best public transport mode (heavy or light rail) to support the employment and passenger growth at the Airport. It also includes the identification of a preferred corridor for protection. Construction has started on the Kirkbride interchange which includes widening for SMART.

PT Development

7. Otahuhu Bus Rail Interchange

Detailed design is complete and NZTA funding has been approved for construction. The Signal Box was removed and the overhead live line lowered over Queens Birthday weekend. Enabling works are on schedule, with the main works tender deferred until all funding is approved (now approved) and planned for July release. It is expected that main works will begin in October 2015 and be completed in early June 2016.

8. Half Moon Bay New Ferry Facility

This project includes the design and development of a new passenger ferry facility at Half Moon Bay, including integration with Public Transport, and accessibility and passenger amenity improvements. A site inspection of the pontoon and gangway units was completed in early July prior to placing these units into storage in readiness for the Stage 2 physical works completion. The wharf design is progressing with the submission of the building consent to Auckland Council expected in July/August 2015.

9. City Rail Link

· Enabling Works Package: Phase 1 ECI design service contracts 1 and 2 have been awarded. Construction is to commence November 2015 with services relocation.

· Main Works: Construction to start in 2018/19, subject to a funding agreement with Government.

10. EMU Procurement

54 units have been provisionally accepted and the final three are in transit and due in Auckland in early August. Peak period EMU services began on 8 June from Papakura, and on 20 July the network became fully electric with Papakura and Swanson to Britomart service introduction.

PT Operations

11. Public Transport overall

For the 12 months to the end of June, patronage was 79.25 million trips which is up 9.5% on the 2014 result. This is an increase of almost 7 million trips over the course of a year and, given the strong weekday growth, likely represents around an extra 30,000 trips being taken each working day. The changes for individual modes were:

· Bus (excluding Northern Express) – 57 million trips, up 6.6%

· Northern Express – 2.8 million trips, up 17.2%

· Rail – 13.9 million trips, up 21.7%

· Ferry – 5.5 million trips, up 8.3%

12. Rail Improvements

· The big performer was rail which reached 13.9 million passenger trips for the year, representing an annual increase of 21.7%. The growth is put down to the enhanced travel experience and additional capacity provided by the new electric trains and greater service frequency introduced over recent years.

· The AT network became fully electric on 20 July, except for the link between Papakura and Pukekohe which will continue to use diesel trains. These will be refurbished over time to provide an enhanced experience. The electric trains will provide improved travel experience and more capacity on all lines.

13. Bus & Ferry Improvements

· June was also a record-breaking month on the Northern Express, with patronage up 17% on the same month last year. The 12 month total patronage reached 2.8 million. It was also a record for other bus services as patronage rose 6.6% to 57 million trips. Ferry numbers for the year totaled 5.5 million trips, up 8.3% on an annual basis.

· Growth on bus services is attributed to increased services and frequency, improving travel times from new bus priority lanes and a significant improvement in service punctuality being achieved by bus operators through new timetables. Further service level increases and punctuality improvements are planned for later this year along with the introduction of double decker buses on a number of routes. New network routes will also be introduced from later this year.

Road Design and Development

14. Te Atatu Road Improvements

Road Corridor Improvement project on Te Atatu Rd from School Road/Edmonton Road intersection to SH16. The evaluation of the construction tenders is now completed, with the award of the contract being imminent. Construction is targeted to start in August 2015 with completion expected around February 2017. A public open day will be arranged prior to the starting of physical works.

15. Albany Highway

The Albany Highway North Upgrade project involves widening of Albany Highway between Schnapper Rock Road and the Albany Expressway. Construction is approximately 40% complete. Disruption to land owners and road users due to construction is being well managed, with any issues being quickly resolved. The Rosedale Road intersection signalisation has been brought forward to July to assist with traffic management and pedestrian safety.

16. Lincoln Road Improvements

The project involves widening Lincoln Road between Te Pai Place and the motorway interchange to accommodate additional transit/bus lanes on both sides. Stakeholder feedback has been received for the 2-D layout plan, and the NZTA funding application for the detailed design is progressing. The designation process is expected to start in late November 2015.

17. Mill Road Improvements

The Redoubt Road - Mill Road corridor project will provide an arterial road connection east of State Highway 1 between Manukau, Papakura and Drury and includes Murphys Road improvements from Redoubt Road to Flatbush School Road. Submissions to the NOR have closed and AT is now preparing evidence for the formal hearing due at the end of August.

Services

18. Road Safety Highlights

· Over 4,000 young people and their parents have participated in the Crossroads young driver programme.

· The Oi! Mind on the road, not on the phone driver distraction campaign in May targeted 20-29yr old drivers.

· The Love Being a Local road safety campaign enabled rural communities to take a lead role in raising awareness of local speed issues.

19. Schools Travelwise Programme Highlights

· The United Nations Global Road Safety Week took place from 4 to 10 May. 146 teachers registered for Road Safety Week information and resources and 27 schools entered the competition.

· On 25 June 2015, 400 volunteers attended the Walking School Bus (WSB) megastars event to recognize the efforts of WSB volunteers.

· Recently completed research has found that crash rates involving children walking and cycling at schools with Safe School Travel Plans (SSTPs) and Active School Signage were significantly reduced by 37% after the implementation of these measures.

20. Road Safety Education in Schools: (2014/15 Year)

· 79 new Walking School Buses were established, bringing the regional total to 369 and exceeding the target of 347

· 23 schools and 1,683 students received cycle training against a target of 1500

· 4 new schools joined the Travelwise programme, creating a total of 408 schools

· 2 regional ‘Slow Down Around Schools’ campaigns were delivered

· 536 students and 77 teachers attended Travelwise Primary and Secondary school workshops

· 4 high risk schools received rail fare evasion prevention campaigns.

21. Road Safety Promotion and Training: (2014/15 Year)

· A number of Local campaigns were delivered including: 5,275 drivers through local Drink/Drive operations with NZ Police.

· The #Drunksense radio advertisement won the Outstanding Radio Creativity Award and Driver Distractions won the Social and Community Platinum Award.

22. Travel Demand (2014/15 Year)

The ‘Commute’ programme promotes behavioural change to reduce the reliance on and impact of Single Occupancy Vehicle (SOV) trips. Focused on the morning peak period of congestion, the programme works with businesses to support public transport, carpooling and active modes of getting to work. Seventeen new organisations joined the ‘Commute’ programme, and 23 organisations progressed or launched their travel plan activities.

2014/15 Performance Outcomes

23. School Travel Trips Avoided

· The 2015 Community and Road Safety Team target of 16,700 morning car trips avoided through school travel planning activities was exceeded with 17,164 trips avoided.

· The total number of deaths and serious injuries (DSI) on Auckland Local Roads in the 2014 calendar year was 398, representing a 7.4% reduction from 2013. For the 2014 calendar year, the Auckland region had the lowest rate of road deaths and serious injuries (DSI) per capita in New Zealand – 31 DSI per 100,000 population.

Road Corridor Delivery

24. The Asset and Maintenance Group is tasked with the responsibility for a wide range of activities within the Road Corridor. These include but are not limited to:

· The delivery of roading and streetlight maintenance and renewal programmes.

· Managing the access, co-ordination and traffic management impacts of activities taking place within the road corridor

· Promoting design innovation and efficiency around how work is carried out on the network

· The development of long term asset management plans and modelling which support the decision making process around the management of AT’s roading assets.

April – June Quarter key highlights

25. The Road Corridor Delivery Team have a year to date target (YTD) to deliver 581km of resurfacing (asphalt or chipseals), pavement renewals and footpath renewals. As outlined in figure 1, for 2014/2015 the group delivered 568km, or 98% of the planned programme.

Figure 1: Actual vs planned lengths (km) for June YTD

	YTD Planned Targets (KM)	Actuals (KM)	%
Resurfacing	427.4	418.9
Pavement Renewals	37.4	40
Footpath Renewals	116.7	110
Total	581.5	568.9	98%

26. The new Streetlighting contracts have been awarded to Downer (for Central and Southern areas) and Electrix (for North and West areas). The four new contracts align with the road maintenance contracts and replace the nine legacy contracts which have been in place until now. The new contracts are for a four year term with an additional 1+1 year right of renewal at AT’s discretion.

27. AT’s second asset management plan (AMP) covering the period 2015-2018 will be published in August 2015. This document details the strategies and management systems deployed by AT and sets out the future renewals and maintenance investment required to continue building the assets, infrastructure and delivery systems of a world-leading, transformational, sustainable and affordable urban transport service. The AMP also addresses the shortfalls that will begin to accrue if current budget levels continue over the medium to long term. Electronic copies will be available for download on the AT website and a hard copy will be sent to each Local Board.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	Auckland Transport activities	49
b View	Travelwise Schools activities	59
c View	Decisions of the Traffic Control Committee	61
d View	Report against local board advocacy issues	63
e View	Report on the status of the local board’s projects under the Local Board Transport Capital Fund (LBTCF)	65

Signatories

Authors	Various Auckland Transport authors
Authorisers	Jonathan Anyon – Auckland Transport Elected Member Relationship Team Manager

Great Barrier Local Board

12 August 2015

Annual Report for Great Barrier Local Board

File No.: CP2015/15483

Purpose

1. This report compares the actual activities and actual performance with the intended activities and the intended level of service as set out in the Great Barrier Local Board Agreement for 2014/15. The information is prepared as part of the Great Barrier Local Board’s accountability to the community for the decisions made throughout the year.

Executive summary

2. The Local Board is required to monitor and report on the implementation of the Local Board Agreement for 2014/15. The requirements for monitoring and reporting are set out in the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009. These requirements include providing comment on actual local activities against the intended level of service and for these comments to be included in the Auckland Council Annual Report.

3. The attached report is proposed for approval from the Great Barrier Local Board.

4. The Auckland Council Annual Report will be audited and then reported to the Governing Body for adoption on 24 September 2015.

Recommendation/s

That the Great Barrier Local Board:

a) Notes the monitoring and reporting requirements set out in the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009 and the local board information proposed for the Auckland Council Annual Report 2014/15

b) Approves:

i. The message from the Chairperson, which provides the Local Board’s comments on local board matters in the 2014/15 annual report

ii. The list of achievements and the list of capital projects that form part of the local board information for the Auckland Council Annual Report 2014/15

c) Gives authority to the Chair and Deputy to make typographical changes before submitting for final publication

Discussion

5. The Local Board is required to monitor and report on the implementation of its local board agreement for 2014/15. The requirements for monitoring and reporting are set out in the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009, as follows:

Section 23 monitoring and reporting

(1) Each local board must monitor the implementation of the local board agreement for its local board area.

(2) Each annual report of the Auckland Council must include, in respect of local activities for each local board area, an audited statement that –

i) Compares the level of service achieved in relation to the activities with the performance target or targets for the activities (as stated in the local board agreement for that year); and

ii) Specifies whether any intended changes to the level of service have been achieved; and

iii) Gives reasons for any significant variation between the level of service achieved and the intended level of service.

6. Each local board must comment on the matters included in the annual report under subsection (2) in respect of its local board area and the council must include those comments in the annual report.

7. This report focusses on the formal reporting referred to in Section 23 above. Attachment A provides the draft local board information for inclusion into the Annual Report 2014/15. The draft report contains the following sections:

· message from the Chair

· key achievements

· financial results

· performance measures.

8. Local board comments on local board matters in the annual report will be included in the annual report as part of the message from the Chair.

9. The next steps for the Annual Report are:

· audit during August 2014

· report to the Finance and Performance Committee on 17September

· report to the Governing Body for adoption on 24 September

· full New Zealand Stock Exchange disclosure on 30 September

· publication on 23 October

· copies of the annual report will be provided to the local board office.

Consideration

Local board views and implications

10. Local Board comments of local board matters are included in the annual report as part of the message from the Chair.

Maori impact statement

11. The annual report provides information on how the Auckland Council has progressed its agreed priorities in the annual plan over a 12 month period. This includes engagement with Maori, as well as projects that benefit various population groups, including Maori.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	Great Barrier Annual Report 2015	71

Signatories

Authors

Jane Koch - Lead Financial Advisor

Authorisers

John Nash - Senior Local Board Advisor

Christine Watson - Manager Financial Advisory Services - Local Boards

Great Barrier Local Board

12 August 2015

GREAT BARRIER LOCAL BOARD

QUARTERLY PERFORMANCE REPORT

For the quarter ending June 2015

Table of contents

· 1. Executive Summary	· 3
· 1.1 Highlights and achievements	· 3
· 1.2 Watching brief	· 3
· 1.3 Recommendation	· 3
· 2. Update on key projects and initiatives	· 4
· 3. Performance report by department	·
· 3.1 Libraries	· 6
· 3.2 Community development arts and culture (CDAC)	· 7
· 3.3 Infrastructure and environmental services	· 8
· 3.4 Parks, sports and leisure	· 11
·	·
· 4. Financial performance information	· 13
· 5 Appendices	·
· A. Parks, sports and Leisure	· 22
· B: CDAC Work Programme	· 25
· C: Treasury Report to June 2015	· 27

1. Executive Summary

1.1 Highlights & Achievements

This quarter, Great Barrier Island Community Health Trust and Aotea Family Support Group signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU). The MOU’s are the result of funding from the local board to support key outcomes from the Local Board Plan, and focuses on building working relationships and collaborating. Aotea Family Support Group and the Great Barrier Island Community Health Trust are delivering a series of seminars as part of their Preparation for Aging Campaign. The first seminar was held on 26 June, focused on legal issues such as wills, living wills and powers of attorney.

1.2 Watching Brief

Youth Advisory Panel: The Youth Advisory Panel selection process is currently underway for the election or nomination of a new representative to sit on the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Panel. The incoming YAP member will join the new cohort of YAP members in September.

Financial Performance

The net cost of service is 6% below budget for the year ending 30^th June 2015. This reflects underspends in consequential opex (depreciation) and the balance of the Broadband budget which subject to Governing Body approval will be carried forward to next financial year to complete the project.

Capital expenditure 83% against budget for the year and $116k below budget, the main variances were: $35k Parks renewals, $58k for Okiwi airport sealing and $25k in relation to the Small Local Improvement Project (SLIPS) budget.

1.3 Recommendation

· To receive this performance report for the year ending June 2015

2. Update on key projects and initiatives (As detailed in Local Board Plan 2014/15)

2.1 Local libraries

This group of activities covers the local libraries located within the local board area. We plan to spend $1000 operating expenditure (opex) and $3000 capital expenditure (capex) on these activities in 2014/2015.

June 2015 update

· After a very busy summer, the quieter months allow the assessment and refreshing of our collection.

o Magazines have been evaluated and new subscriptions taken with the aim of increasing variety and discontinuing less popular titles.

o DVDs from the Top Picks collection have been very popular and we hope to increase the number available.

2.2 Local community services

This group of activities covers local community facilities, local community development initiatives and local community safety programmes. Great Barrier is unique in the Auckland Council area, in that it has no council-owned community halls, community centres, or sports fields and facilities and local groups mostly provide community services.

Instead the board’s discretionary budget is a significant contributor to island community group funding needs and this will continue to be our focus.

For example in the 2012/2013 year the board allocated over $500,000 to community groups for such things as building repairs, power systems, youth training and development, sporting equipment, and printing of community information.

The key initiatives we have planned for 2014/2015 include identifying gaps and constraints to community service provision and the provision of suitable sites for these services on council land.

June 2015 update

· A total of $248k has been allocated to community capital projects by the way of grants.

2.3 Local arts, culture and events

This group of activities covers local arts and culture facilities, local arts and culture initiatives and local events. Local events in the Great Barrier Local Board area include local Christmas events, the Wharf-to-Wharf marathon, the New Year Picnic and Mussel Fest. The second Great Barrier walking festival will also be held.

For the first time the board has established a dedicated fund of $10,000 to support the work of the island’s art gallery and to explore options for more local arts projects. Arts, culture and events are important for the local community, but they also provide an opportunity for visitors to share in the community’s life. These events also provide local community groups with valuable fundraising opportunities.

June 2015 Update

· The Art Gallery Grant of $10k has been established.

· A total of $34k has been allocated from the event funding; a further $25k has been allocated from the discretionary budget for the Great Barrier Walk Fest.

2.4 Local parks

This group of activities covers local parks located within the local board area. Our focus will be continuing to develop our open space network, including walkways, view shafts, interpretation and signage and coastal access.

The key initiatives we have planned for 2014/2015 include continuing with the Harataonga track upgrade, Station Rock Road walkway development, additional viewshaft development and more interpretive signage and local story telling. Development of Okiwi Park will also continue.

June 2015 update

· The third stage of the four-year programme to upgrade the Harataonga Track is now underway. It includes two more bridges and 3km of track widening and surfacing.

· Design and consultation of the Station Rock Road walkway between Medland’s Road and Rosalie Bay Road has started.

· The new track to the Iona Mine in Okupu has been completed.

2.5 Local economic development

This group of activities covers initiatives that the local board can progress to grow the economy and the island’s population. Our focus will be on continuing to identify and progress projects and initiatives to improve the island’s economic viability and provide jobs for our local workforce.

The key initiatives we have planned for 2014/2015 include further exploring opportunities in these areas with the council’s Economic Development department and Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development.

June 2015 update

· No update at this time

2.6 Local built and natural environment

This group of activities covers local environment and heritage protection. Our focus will be on continuing to progress existing environmental protection initiatives, commencing a conversation with islanders on their vision for the island’s future ecology, and agreeing next steps on the local Aotea marine protection initiative. We will also investigate opportunities to develop alternative energy technologies and an increased and better coordinated rabbit control programme. These will be progressed through the board’s new environment committee.

June 2015 update

· The board has established an Environment committee to focus on biosecurity, and pest management programmes and environmental enhancement. The combined budget for specific programs exceeds $102k. Full details of the programmes can be found in Section 3.3 Infrastructure and environmental services of this report.

· A number of biosecurity projects and biodiversity projects were delivered in the 2014/2015 financial year. This included community pest control at Mulberry Grove and rabbit control at four locations across the island.

· The water quality programme will continue in the new financial year focusing on the eight sites in Tryphena. A high level analysis of results to date will be considered at the August Environment Committee meeting.

· The governing body resolved that there will be no removal of the subsidy for waste services on Great Barrier as part of its decision making on the long-term plan 2015-2025.

3. Performance report by department

3.1 Libraries: Great Barrier Library

Performance Measures

Note: Library visit data was not available in Q1 or Q2 of 2013/14.

Regional Update

· Our new buildings were recognised at this year’s Property Council Awards. Devonport, Te Atatu and Waiheke Libraries were all shortlisted in the Education & Arts category; Devonport Library won an Excellence Award as well as an Award of Merit for sustainability. Waiheke Library was also shortlisted for the recent NZ Institute of Architects Awards.

· Libraries marked Anzac Day. We have supported local and national efforts to commemorate the World War I Centenary including extensive digitisation of unique resources such as the RSA journals and creation of the “Our boys, your stories” website, a resource for Auckland’s families and communities to tell their stories and share their WWI memorabilia. The Research Centres have supported a number of related exhibitions and many individual researchers.

· The build of servers that will host Libraries’ new public computing network has commenced. The public computing network project will move into pilot phase and then rollout in early 2015/16.

· The Auckland Libraries app has been downloaded by over 19,000 people.

· Libraries contributed to cyclone relief in Vanuatu by assembling almost half a tonne of deselected books for libraries and schools as they are rebuilt.

· We Love Feedback, the Net Promoter Score, is being piloted in 10 libraries to capture feedback from customers about their experience in the library. Participating libraries report that there are lots of quick wins where they can make changes immediately in response to the feedback.

· Libraries added 250 eMagazine titles, including New Zealand content, to our Zinio collection. There are now 534 titles available to customers. A promotional campaign was launched to increase use of Zinio eMagazine platform among our customers and, in the longer term, instil in customers a habit of downloading and eReading.

3.2 Community development, arts and culture (CDAC)

Regional

Matariki Festival

The month-long regional Matariki Festival 2015 started on 20 June marking the rising of the star constellation known as Matariki. It is an important time in the Māori calendar, heralding in the Māori New Year, which is a time to connect with, and give thanks to the land, sea and sky.

Creative Communities

The Creative Communities Scheme (CCS) is a contestable funding scheme administered by Auckland Council on behalf of Creative New Zealand. The scheme provides funding to local communities to assist them to create and present arts activities, prioritising direct participation in the arts, diversity and young people. In Q4, 61 applications were received for the central area requesting a total of $285,268 from an available pool of $127,505. Thirty-four applications were successful, of which one ($3,468) related to activities in the Great Barrier Local Board area and five (totalling $19,235.30) expect to include participants from the Great Barrier Local Board area.

In addition, 17 applications were received for region-wide projects requesting a total of $117,521 from an available pool of $61,834. Thirteen applications were successful, of which three (totalling $16,850) expect to include participants from the Great Barrier Local Board area.

ANZAC Day

Attendances increased at ceremonies this year, continuing a recent trend. Of 78 services across the region, council delivered 23, facilitated 41, and supported 14 in other ways. With 2015 being the 100^th anniversary of Gallipoli greater numbers were expected and this resulted in associated increases in activity and costs, especially traffic management. There was also increased involvement by NZ Defence Forces and a larger television broadcast at the Auckland War Memorial Museum / Cenotaph with improved screens and sound systems provided for those attending.

Lovebirds (one of the events support by the local board)

3.3 Infrastructure and environmental services

Local Board-funded projects: Infrastructure and Environmental Services was allocated the 2014/2015 Great Barrier Local Board budget lines for biosecurity pest management programmes ($52,936) and environmental enhancement ($49,558) for delivery.

The table below provides a brief update on the local environment work programme as agreed by the Committee.

Local Board Outcome - The Environment Is At Its Best Here
Environmental Enhancement budget line
Water Quality Monitoring Programme - $12,063
· Monitoring of eight sites in Tryphena is undertaken to provide the board with an understanding of local freshwater stream quality. The Committee agreed interim funding to continue monitoring of the eight sites at its June 2015 meeting while a local person is found to continue the sampling work. · A high level report providing an assessment of results to date will be presented to the Board at its August 2015 meeting. Depending on the results of that assessment, the board may wish to consider its ongoing funding for the monitoring programme.
*Threatened Plants Conservation (Leptinella* at Awana) - $10,000**
· The construction of the fence to protect the leptinella population at Awana has been completed. · Regional funding will support the analysis of the monitoring results to help determine which weed control treatment best supports the conservation of this threatened plant. This analysis will be reported to the board when completed.
Sustainability Stocktake - $10,000
· A workshop was held with the board in June 2015 to discuss three initiatives (information provision; options around financing sustainable technologies; developing a microgrid at Claris) arising from the sustainability stocktake. · The three initiatives will be discussed by the board in time for consideration by the Committee to fund as part of the board’s 2015/2016 environment work programme.
Kaitoke fire site – weed management and rodent monitoring - $7,775
· Pampas, Tasmanian Blackwood, Gorse and Blackberry have been controlled in key ecological areas around the Grandstand swamp and Kaitoke creek.
Community Pest Coordinator - $10,729
· The Community Pest Coordinator role was established to engage the Mulberry Grove community in undertaking pest control (rats) on private land. · This role will be continued to be funded as part of its 2015/2016 environment work programme. As such, a stocktake of equipment was undertaken in June 2015 to determine requirements for delivering the programme in the new financial year.
Biosecurity / Pest Management budget line
Plague skinks - $15,000
· Surveillance of all 51 sites across Great Barrier (including the 18 funded by the board) found no additional incursions. Therefore, it is highly likely that the skinks are confined to Shoal Bay. · Recommendations arising from the report on the 2014/2015 surveillance programme will be incorporated into the proposed 2015/2016 environment work programme to be considered at the August 2015 Committee meeting.
Rabbit Control - $27,020
· The 2014/2015 rabbit control programme concluded in June with the control works undertaken in the area north of the Okiwi airstrip through to Venters to the south. This operation will help create a buffer around the airfield to help minimise rabbit damage to the grass runway and to reduce rabbits burrowing under the tar seal. Relevant abundance accounts indicate that the number of rabbits has reduced.
Weed Survey - $9,037
· The 2014/2015 weed survey was carried out to proceed as far south as Mangati Bay, Whangaparapara where a number of moth plant seedlings were removed from a previously known site. It is proposed to continue the survey in 2015/2016, subject to confirmation of board funding.

Regional Programmes: The table below reports on activities undertaken by the Infrastructure and Environmental Services Department as part of regional programmes of interest to the Great Barrier Local Board.

The Environment Is At Its Best Here

Thriving Ecosystems

· Ongoing control of a number of weeds including ginger, moth plant, climbing asparagus and smilax.

· Continual monitoring of bait traps at wharves, and private jetties and boat ramps.

· A proposal was supported to establish a National Māori Biosecurity Network to help manage and protect New Zealand from biosecurity incursions. The purpose of the network is to connect Māori organisations with researchers and provide a culturally safe place for Māori to discuss biosecurity issues of importance to them. The partnership and network will increase participation of mana whenua and tangata whenua in the Auckland region to support the development of the Regional Pest Management Plan and other operational biosecurity projects.

· A Facebook page for ‘Auckland Biodiversity’ has been established to support connections between council environment experts, individuals, and the community interested in working towards environmental outcomes.

· A workshop for elected members on implementing the regional weed management policy was held in June 2015. This workshop also provided information on control methods, and provided an opportunity for participants to ask questions of weed control experts. Auckland Council actively manages over 220 weed species.

· The isolation of a kauri dieback ‘smell’ has enabled training of a detection dog to ‘smell’ kauri dieback.

Pristine Waterways and Harbours

· The Wai Care programme is a finalist for the Local Government New Zealand Excellence Award for Environmental Impact. This is fantastic recognition effort of the Waicare programme which involves community groups and schools monitoring and restoring their local streams. There are now over 140 Waicare sites across Auckland region.

· An action plan for addressing pollution of lagoons on Auckland’s west coast has been completed. The action plan includes recommendations around septic tank management, reducing duck numbers around lagoons, increasing dog control and providing grants to encourage farmers to fence their livestock out of streams. Outcomes from the implementation of this plan will inform similar action elsewhere to address faecal contamination of waterways.

Zero Waste

· As part of its decision making on the Long-term Plan 2015-2025, the governing body resolved that there would be no removal of the subsidy for waste services on Waiheke. Any costs of providing such services over and above revenue received from the targeted rate collected from Waiheke properties will be met from the solid waste targeted rate for the Auckland region.

· The contract for the community waste educator role has been renewed for 2015/2016. In addition, a group of 16 people from Great Barrier undertook a visit to the waste learning centre at the Waitakere Transfer Station. As a result of the visit the group, supported by Envirokiwi, have formed an action group to progress key waste projects.

· The Compost Collective has been recently launched as a fresh approach to supporting the growth of gardening and composting across the region. Compost Facilitators are supporting home composting and with community groups through an approach that is flexible and responsive to local needs. The network reaches urban, rural, Hauraki Gulf Islands as well as communities of interest e.g. Chinese, Pacific Islands, Korean and South Asian Communities.

Photos of the Tryphena stone wall prior to and after the completed restoration works funded from the SLIPs budget.

3.4 Sports, parks and recreation

Local and Sports Park

Following consultation with the kids and families of the Motairehe settlement, the playground at Motairehe has been renewed.

cid:image002.jpg@01D0B4CA.35873030

Recreation Planning and Programming Facility Partnerships:

Great Barrier Island Community Heritage and Arts Village Trust project to complete renovation and refurbishment of the Grey Homestead as a heritage museum has being completed and grant drawdown is complete.

Sustainability of Sport Forums: Sustainability of Sport and Recreation Project:

The six fora have now been completed with over 140 sport and recreation organisations participating. The analysis report “Community Speak Sport 2015” has been provided to Local Boards and a draft work programme shared with the Local Board, Governing Body representatives at a workshop in May. If Local Board Chairs and portfolio holders would like a further briefing and opportunity to feed into the next steps, Lisa Toc

Chairperson	Izzy Fordham
Deputy Chairperson	Susan Daly
Members	Jeff Cleave
	Judy Gilbert
	Christina Spence

Authors	Brodie Rafferty - Hazards Advisor
Authorisers	John Nash - Senior Local Board Advisor