Puketapapa Local Board Performance Report as at 30 June 2015

File No.: CP2015/14632

Purpose

1.       To update the Puketapapa Local Board members on progress towards their objectives for the year from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015 as set out in the Local Board Agreement.

Executive Summary

2.       A financial performance report is presented to the local boards for the accounting quarters ending September, December, March and June. Except the September quarter was replaced by four months reporting ending in October 2014.

3.       Auckland Council departments and Council Controlled Organisations (CCOs) also present regular performance reports to the local boards

4.       To improve overall performance reporting the Financial Advisory Services – Local Boards team produces a combined quarterly financial report, department report and CCO report

5.       The attached omnibus consolidation contains the following reports this quarter

·    Local board financial performance report

·    Local Community Development, Arts and Culture (CDAC) activity overview

·    Local Libraries overview

·    Local Infrastructure and Environmental Services (IES) overview

·    Local Parks Sports and Recreation (PSR) overview

·    Local Board Services Department Update (LBSD) overview

6.       Treasury Report

7.       Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) report

Comments

8.       In consultation with local boards this omnibus report provides the elected members with a comprehensive and common overview of local activities from council departments and CCO’s.

9.       The Performance Report includes departmental and CCO reports for inclusion and discussion. Some of these will be six monthly reports depending on their traditional reporting cycles.

Consideration

Local Board Views and Implications

10.     The report is presented to the Puketapapa Local Board members at a workshop prior to the ordinary meeting.

Maori Impact Statement

11.     Maori, as stakeholders in the council, are affected and have an interest in any report of the local board financials.  However, this financial performance report does not impact specific outcomes or activities. As such, the content of this report has no particular benefit to, or adverse effect on Maori

Attachments

Signatories

Puketapapa Local Board Annual Report 2014/15 - DRAFT

File No.: CP2015/15033

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 Puketapapa Local Board Agreement for 2014/15.  The information is prepared as part of the Puketapapa 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 Puketapapa Local Board.

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

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 rep[sect 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 s 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 17th September

·          Report to the Governing Body for adoption on 24^th September

·          Full New Zealand Stock Exchange disclosure on 30^th 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

Signatories

Stream enhancement works for offset mitigation

File No.: CP2015/15329

Purpose

1.       To seek landowner approval in principle from the Puketāpapa Local Board for possible future works associated with stream offset mitigation. 

Executive Summary

2.       A project is being undertaken by the Auckland Council Stormwater Unit to identify sites within the Auckland area which may be suitable for carrying out stream enhancement works as offset mitigation for consented stream loss or degradation.

3.       Through this process the naturalisation and riparian enhancement of sites within the Puketāpapa Local Board area have been identified as sites which could be considered for possible offset mitigation opportunities. These include:

a.   Te Auaunga Awa/Oakley Creek within Mt Roskill War Memorial Park and Keith Hay Park

b.   The Whau Stream within Haycock Avenue Reserve, Margaret Griffen Park and Boundary Road Reserve. Attachment A shows the overview plans of the areas identified.

4.       Whilst there are also other opportunities in the region, the identified sites may be considered good candidates for offset mitigation since they are in Council ownership, and naturalising the channel and planting a riparian margin can provide significant improvements to the ecological value of the stream

5.       At present there are no specific projects identified at these sites, and there is no guarantee that a project will eventuate.

6.       Landowner approval for possible future works is being sought in two stages. This request is for stage one landowner approval in principle that these sites may be included as potential sites should future offset mitigation projects arise for which these sites would be suitable. If any of the sites are selected as potential options, then there would be further consultation at stage two to verify the in-principle landowner approval (as circumstances may change over time) and to consider in greater depth the detail of any proposal. This would include a review of any design proposals, working together with interested parties, and council would at that stage be seeking final landowner approval from the local board.

Comments

7.       An offset is where a stream is enhanced to improve its values to make up for a loss in stream values elsewhere. When Council or a private developer has a negative impact on a stream or waterway (e.g. where streams are piped), this impact is required to be mitigated, with the resource consent process detailing the extent of mitigation required. Ideally this mitigation should occur on the impacted site or catchment, however this is seldom possible. In these cases offset mitigation work must occur elsewhere.

8.       To date the process of finding sites to carry out offset mitigation has been carried out in an ad hoc, case by case basis. This process may not result in the required environmental outcomes and often results in consenting delays. There is a need for a more efficient and proactive process.

9.       A number of potential offset sites have been identified on council land.  The stormwater unit of council is seeking landowner approval in principle from the affected land owners for potential offset sites that may be considered for future offset mitigation requirements.

10.     The proposed sites include long stretches of concrete lined stream channel with limited riparian vegetation. These characteristics make them good candidates for offset mitigation, because the current ecological value can be significantly improved.

11.     At this stage there is no commitment to carry out works at these sites. If the any of the sites are at some stage considered suitable for the purpose of offset mitigation, then the works would be carried out either by council or a private developer, and funded by that party. Council would however always retain oversight of any works on its land.

12.     Any potential works may include:

·        removal of the concrete channel to recreate a natural stream bed;

·        removal of fish barriers;

·        riparian planting;

·        improving stream channel shape.

13.     The Local Board would be provided with the opportunity to assess any future proposal in detail, and at that stage has an opportunity to raise any additional concerns. 

Consideration

Local Board views and implications

14.     The Puketapapa Local Board Plan identifies ‘Our precious waterways’ as an outcome and high priority for the local community.  Any sites selected for offset mitigation would help achieve the aims of enhanced and valued biodiversity and restoration of local streams.

15.     The proposed work is consistent with the Keith Hay Park Final Long-Term Concept Plan (Puketāpapa Local Board 2012). Any plans to implement the offset mitigation work at the identified sites will also take into account any existing reserve management plans for the affected parks.

16.     Landowner approval in principle is sought for the sites listed above to be included on a list of possible offset mitigation sites for the region. If landowner approval in principle is provided, and one or more projects is selected for implementation, then the Local Board and relevant council staff would be involved in the development of preliminary and detailed designs. The final design plans would be submitted to the Local Board for land owner approval.

Māori impact statement

17.     The streams of Auckland have been depleted and continue to be under threat as a result of urban expansion. Mana whenua feel this keenly, and consistently work to restore the mauri of lost and damaged streams and waterways.

18.     The Puketapapa Local Board are currently working with mana whenua on visioning workshops to develop an overall strategy for the upper catchment of Te Auaunga Awa, and these hui are ongoing.  The outcomes from these hui will be sent to the storm water unit for their information and consideration. 

19.     If a site is selected for offset mitigation mana whenua will be engaged through the development of the concept and detailed design plans.

Implementation

20.     If the proposed sites receive in-principle landowner approval from the local board, then the sites will be listed with other potential sites from around the region as possible offset mitigation sites in the Stormwater Unit’s database

Attachments

Signatories

Stream offset mitigation works report to Puketapapa Local Board - Attachment A

Overview

Mt Roskill War Memorial Park

Keith Hay Park

Haycock Avenue Reserve

Margaret Griffen Park

Auckland Transport Report for August 2015

File No.: CP2015/15393

Purpose

1.       The purpose of the 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 since the last report.

Monthly Overview

2.         The Transport Portfolio Lead briefing on transport matters in the Puketapapa area was scheduled for 23 July 2015. Matters on the agenda for discussion included:

·      Proposed transit lanes on Pah Road.

·      Local Board Transport Capital Fund

·      Various other transport matters.

3.       A cluster workshop for central Local Boards was held on 20 July to advise Local Boards of Auckland Transport’s overall programme as outlined in the Regional Land Transport Programme. Individual workshops with Local Boards will be held in the upcoming month.

4.       A workshop with the P

5.       Puketāpapa Local Board was held on 22 July to discuss the Local Board’s project to provide a cycle link from Ernie Pinches overbridge to Wesley Community Centre.

4.       A meeting was held on 4 August with Local Board members, Roskill-Eden and Mt Eden Hockey Clubs representatives, Auckland Transport officers and Cr Fletcher to discuss safety concerns regarding the delivery of a cycling scheme on Somerset Road. Auckland Transport conducted a walk over of the route for the Safe Routes scheme with Local Board members and officers in early July.

Consultation Report

6.       One consultation was forwarded to the Local Board for comment in the last reporting period, details are in Attachment A

Resolution PKTPP/2014/165

7.       Puketapapa Local Board expressed the view that the Local Board supported encouraging and enabling the community use of grass berms as much as practicable and requested Auckland Transport to develop berm planting guidelines.  Auckland Transport can now advise that a draft approach to berm planting has been considered by the AT Board’s Customer Focus Committee and has been approved for consultation with Local Boards.

8.       A workshop with the Puketapapa Local Board to discuss the berm planting guidelines and receive feedback has been scheduled for 19 August 2015.

Local Board Transport Capital Projects

9.       The Puketapapa Local Board has access to the Local Board Transport Capital Fund (LBTCF) for the construction of transport related projects in its area. This fund is administered by Auckland Transport.  Each year, Local Board’s transport capital fund allocation is $379,117, and this amount can be accumulated within each electoral term.

10.     As the electoral term extends beyond the financial year, it is also possible to anticipate the allocation from the first year of the new electoral term.  As project planning for the selected projects proceeds, it will become clearer if this is necessary. Some projects, such as cycling projects, can take some time to plan and deliver and may need two electoral cycles to plan, consult and construct.

11.     Local Board Capital Projects approved:

Mt Roskill Safe Routes Scheme

12.     Planning work for the construction of the cycleway is continuing with nearby residents being reminded of the work to take place outside their properties. In addition, some safety issues raised by the hockey clubs who use the turf on Somerset Road that are still being worked through

13.     Once the consents have been obtained, and a decision from Auckland Transport’s Traffic Control Committee is finalised, the project can be tendered out for construction. This is expected to be in this calendar year.

East West Connections

14.     This project aims to provide road connections between SH20 and SH1 to improve traffic flow, particularly for heavy trucks.  The southern component of the project seeks to provide improved bus travel and cycling connections between Mangere and Otahuhu Town Centres and Sylvia Park.

15.     From 17 June to 17 July the NZ Transport Agency and Auckland Transport undertook public engagement on the preferred approach for the East West Connections project. The overall aim of engagement was to seek public and stakeholder feedback on the East West Connections Preferred Approach which includes two parts – the Onehunga-Penrose connections and bus priority from Māngere and Ōtāhuhu to Sylvia Park.

16.     The public and stakeholders were made aware of the project through media releases, emails, newsletters, letters to landowners and the NZ Transport Agency and Auckland Transport’s websites. Feedback was collected in a range of ways such as feedback forms, emails, in person and phone calls. The project team undertook a number of engagement events in order to seek feedback on the Preferred Approach. These events included open days, briefings, hui and meetings.

17.     In total, there were approximately 1700 pieces of feedback received during this round of engagement. The key themes from the feedback included transport performance, the cost of the project, the environmental and community impacts, the business impacts and the importance of a variety of transport modes and process (i.e. consultation and key steps going forward).

18.     Pending funding approval, the NZ Transport Agency and Auckland Transport will undertake further investigations on the preferred approach and confirm the land or area needed to protect the route. 

Auckland Transport News

Otahuhu Transport Interchange

19.     The design of the Otahuhu Bus -Train interchange has been finalised and construction will commence in October 2015.  This will see the existing Otahuhu train station upgraded to a fully integrated bus and train interchange.  The project is being undertaken in partnership with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) and Auckland Council and funding from both is confirmed. 

20.     The Otahuhu interchange is a key part of the new simpler and more connected south Auckland public transport network.  It is also one of a series of major improvements on the way for public transport between Mangere, Otahuhu and Sylvia Park, which include: high frequency buses; bus and transit lanes; new bus shelters and bus stations along the route.

21.     The new Otahuhu interchange will offer the following benefits:

·    A high quality accessible modern facility

·    The design and architecture will reflect local and historical stories for mana whenu (portage site for waka)

·    Clear separation of buses, trains and a shared pedestrian and cycle pathway (including cycle storage racks), separated cycle crossing at the adjacent signalised intersection

·    Passenger drop off zone

·    Covered bus platforms for passengers moving between bus and train services

·    More frequent bus services from mid-2016

·    Better connections between bus and rail networks

22.     The new interchange will open in 2016.

A Modern Twist on Auckland’s Māori history

23.     As part of Māori Language Week, Auckland Transport, COMET (an Auckland Council educational department) and Kiwa Digital have produced a bilingual App that showcases historic Auckland. The App called “Whānau Fun Day on the Train” features the story of a family trip by train from Pukekohe to Eden Park for a day at the Dick Smith Auckland NRL Nines. Along the way the family shares stories about sites of significance such as maunga, traditional names for landmarks and some family history.

24.     The interactive book is voiced story-acted by children from Te Raki o Pukekohe/Pukekohe North School. The children also helped develop the characters.

25.     The App introduces Māori history in an interactive way as you can choose English or Māori and then swipe to read, double tap to spell or just listen to get the correct pronunciation. Other interactive features let users record their own voice for the story, paint the pictures and learn more about the history of landmarks on the journey.

26.     The App covers the Māori cultural heritage of Tāmaki Makaurau in a general way, taken from published sources, books and treaty settlement material. It is available free from Google Play Store and iTunes (search: whanau tereina) and downloadable via Auckland Transport’s website. (http://at.govt.nz).

Winter Sober Driver Campaign

27.     Auckland Transport is implementing a winter sober driver campaign targeting host responsibility within the corporate environment.

28.     Friday afternoon drinks have become part of the corporate culture at many organisations, however with the lower drink-driving limit and many crashes attributed to alcohol, host

29.     responsibility has become increasingly important. Alcohol and drug related crashes make up 27.4% of all Auckland’s death and serious injury crashes.

30.     The campaign objectives are to change perceptions around work/office drinking and to encourage forward planning when it comes to work drinks by providing hosts with a range of tips, tools and solutions to enable them to do so.

31.     Based on the tagline of ‘Don’t let Friday’s fun, turn into Monday’s mess’, the key message is that if companies are putting on work drinks, they encourage their staff to have a sober driving solution sorted. AT has a range of solutions and ideas to help stop Friday drinks leading to a drink-driving incident, and turning into a headache on Monday. There are simple solutions to help staff get home safely.

32.     Visit www.AT.govt.nz/soberdriver for tips, tools and solutions.

Train Passenger Numbers

33.     Annual rail patronage has exceeded 14 million for the first time and this year has seen the highest ever 12 month total for passenger trips on rail.

34.     Rail patronage in Auckland grew 21.7% in the year to the end of June - two and a half million more passengers than in June last year. In contrast, when Britomart Transport Centre opened in 2003, annual patronage was less than three million.

35.     The new record comes just days after the introduction of the full fleet of electric trains on 20 July. AT is now running the new trains from Papakura to Swanson on the electrified network and the response from customers has been extremely positive to both the quality of the trains and the extra services provided.

36.     Auckland Transport, with its operator Transdev, now provides six trains per hour on the Eastern and Southern Lines and four trains per hour on the Western Line during peak weekday periods.

37.     The last of Auckland’s 57 trains arrive in the city next week and will go into service once certified. After this, AT hopes to increase the size of some peak services to six cars to cope with the increasing demand.

38.     The number using all public transport in Auckland reached 79 million in the year to June, an increase of 9.5% or on average 19,000 extra boardings per day.

New Tender System for Auckland’s Bus Services

39.     In a milestone for the city’s transport services, Auckland Transport will soon be calling for tenders to operate its New Network bus services in south Auckland (including Pukekohe and Waiuku).

40.     These will be the first tenders called under the new Public Transport Operating Model (PTOM) system and the first PTOM tenders called to create the long awaited New Network. This will mean major improvements to the way people travel on bus, train and ferry.  

41.     With the southern tender process leading the way, invitations will be called progressively for bus operators to tender in other sectors; west Auckland will be next later this year.

42.      The tenders for Auckland’s south bus services will open on 17 August and close on 28 September. The successful tenderers will be named early in 2016 and should be operating the New Network Services by October 2016.

43.     The New Network will create a region-wide network of bus, train and ferry services.  The key principle is to run a number of high frequency services that are designed to work together through easy connections, using what is called a “hub and spoke connected network”.  

44.      By having more frequent services operating every 15 minutes, 7am to 7pm, seven days a week, passengers can just turn up and go.  They will meet connecting services at transport interchanges - the spokes, the interchanges being the hubs.

45.     The services, where appropriate, will feed train services rather than duplicating them to maximise the efficiency of the new electric rail fleet and between buses and trains and provide more direct and frequent journeys for south Auckland and the rest of the region.

46.     The call for tenders represents a milestone both in providing bus services to Auckland’s travelling public and also in the way they are provided.  PTOM is a service contracting framework under the Land Transport Management Act (LTMA) 2003, ratified by NZ Transport Agency (NZTA). It subsidises passenger routes and incentivises service providers to maximise efficient and effective delivery of public transport in a partnering arrangement with AT.

47.     PTOM is welcomed by NZTA, it recently approved AT’s Request for Tender process and documentation that will be used to attract tenderers and select the operators.

48.     Under PTOM about half the region’s bus services will be contracted by competitive tender and the balance will be directly negotiated with the current bus operators.

49.     These arrangements differ significantly from the current part contracted and part-deregulated system in which bus companies receive fare revenues and subsidies.

50.     Check out the New Network: https://at.govt.nz/about-us/campaigns/next-steps-in-public-transport/new-bus-network/.

Upgrade to White Light for Auckland Streets

51.     Auckland Transport has begun New Zealand’s most ambitious LED replacement programme.

52.     It is replacing 44,000 high pressure sodium (golden yellow light) street lights with energy efficient light emitting diodes (LED) luminaires. Auckland Transport owns more than 100,000 street lights, approximately one third of the country’s total lighting stock.

53.     The first phase of the programme is being rolled out over five years and will see half the regions street lights change from golden yellow light to white light.

54.     The rest of the conversion to LEDs will potentially follow in four to five years and project is expected to see net savings of $32 million over the 20 year design life of the LED luminaires.

55.     In March, Transport Minister Simon Bridges – who is also the Minister of Energy and Resources – announced a policy change that would allow local authorities looking at upgrading road lighting to LED to access funding faster.

56.     Auckland Transport has just awarded for four new Street Light Maintenance and Renewals contracts for four years beginning this month. This includes the replacement LED programme which began in May 2015.

57.     Mr Bridges says this is an excellent result and that the accelerated renewal LED conversion programme ensures capital is available to all councils that wish to undertake this work. LED technology – which is cheaper over time, safer and more efficient – is a smart choice for communities and for New Zealand.

58.     The region is divided into four contract areas: Electrix Ltd won the north and west contracts, Downer ITS won the central and south contracts. Auckland Transport is in the process of awarding a contract to Northpower for Waiheke Island. Northpower is the Vector contractor on the island so has a depot and staff there.

59.     Phase one of the contracts focuses mainly on residential roads which comprise approximately 40 per cent of the regions street lighting network.

60.      AT has had a policy since 2012 that all new lights on pedestrian dominated roads will be LED luminaires. Changing the old lights to LEDs will reduce the energy consumption by more than 60 per cent.  Auckland Transport already has approximately 2,000 energy efficient LED luminaires in service. The roll-out will immediately see 1,000 lights replaced in the Mount Albert/Mount Roskill area.

61.     At the same time the new luminaires are changed a Tele-management System (TMS) is being installed to manage and monitor the network.  Through better management of light levels a further 15 to 20 per cent of energy savings can be achieved. The TMS will provide enhanced customer service as any faults on the network will be reported daily.

62.     AT already has LED luminaires around Eden Park which are controlled by a TMS system. This was established under an earlier project and has worked well by increasing light levels before and after events.

63.      International experience has shown that white light is also a factor in crime prevention; delivers greater comfort and security and improves visibility and reaction times for drivers and pedestrians, resulting in fewer vehicle crashes and injuries.

Issues Raised through/ by Board Members

Attachments

Signatories

Auckland Transport Quarterly Update to Local Boards
For the quarter - 1 April to 30 June 2015

File No.: CP2015/16561

Purpose

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.

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).

Significant activities during the period under review

Strategy and Planning

2.  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.

3.   AT Parking Strategy 2015 – The Strategy was approved in April and successfully launched at the end of May.

4.    RPTP Variation – Public consultations and hearing deliberations on the Regional Public Transport Plan were completed this quarter.

Investment and Development

4.    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

5.    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.

6.    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.

7.    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.

8.    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

9.    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%

10.  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.

11.  Bus & Ferry Improvements

a.    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.

b.    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

12.  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.

13.  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.

14.  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.

15.  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

16.  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. 

17.  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.

18.  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.

19.  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.

20.  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

21.  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

22.  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

23.  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

24.  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.

25.  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

Signatories

Future Urban Land Supply Strategy

File No.: CP2015/14863

Purpose

1.       To inform Local Boards about the purpose and content of the draft Future Urban Land Supply Strategy and seek their feedback.

2.       To outline the Special Consultative Procedure being undertaken and the anticipated role of Local Boards in this consultation process.

3.       To obtain Local Board views on the draft Future Urban Land Supply Strategy.

Executive Summary

4.       The Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan provides for approximately 11,000 hectares of Future Urban zone land.  This land is located within the Rural Urban Boundary (RUB), but outside the 2010 Metropolitan Urban Limit (MUL).

5.       The Future Urban Land Supply Strategy (the “Strategy”) (Attachment A) provides direction on the next stage in planning for the following Future Urban zone areas:

·        North: Warkworth, Wainui and Silverdale-Dairy Flat

·        North-west: Whenuapai, Redhills, Kumeu-Huapai and Riverhead

·        South: Takanini, Opaheke-Drury, Karaka, Paerata and Pukekohe.

6.       The Strategy sets out Auckland Council’s intention for when the above Future Urban areas are proposed to be development ready.  The Strategy was developed in collaboration with infrastructure providers such as Watercare, Auckland Transport and the New Zealand Transport Agency.

7.       The Strategy has significant implications for Rodney, Upper Harbour, Henderson-Massey, Papakura and Franklin Local Boards as they contain areas of Future Urban land which are sequenced for development readiness by the Strategy.

8.       At its July meeting the Auckland Development Committee resolved to approve the draft Strategy for public consultation in accordance with the Special Consultative Procedure set out in s83 of the Local Government Act (2002) (Attachment B).  They also appointed a five person hearing panel consisting of four Councillors and a member of the Independent Maori Statutory Board.

9.       The consultation period will run from 17 July to 17 August 2015. Public engagement on the Strategy will include a series of ‘Have your say’ events to be held in Warkworth, Dairy Flat, Drury and Kumeu.

10.     The final Strategy will be submitted to the Auckland Development Committee in October for adoption.

11.     This report seeks views from the Puketāpapa Local Board] for consideration by the Auckland Development Committee and hearing panel in making a determination on if and how the Strategy will be amended.

Comments

Background

12.     The Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan provides for approximately 11,000 hectares of Future Urban zone land. This land is located within the Rural Urban Boundary (RUB) but outside the 2010 Metropolitan Urban Limit (MUL). The Future Urban zone indicates that this land is appropriate for future urban development.

13.     A key goal of the Auckland Plan Development Strategy is to achieve a quality compact form.  This requires urban intensification, supplemented by well-managed urban expansion. The Auckland Plan advocates for 70 per cent of growth in the existing urban area and up to 40 per cent of growth in locations outside the 2010 MUL. The Future Urban land is intended to provide a significant portion of the growth outside the 2010 MUL – around 110,000 dwellings. The balance of growth outside the RUB and the satellite towns of Warkworth and Pukekohe, will be accommodated in rural and coastal towns, rural villages, countryside living and general rural areas.

14.     The draft Strategy focuses on the Future Urban land areas located in:

·        North: Warkworth, Wainui and Silverdale-Dairy Flat

·        North-west: Whenuapai, Redhills, Kumeu-Huapai and Riverhead

·        South: Takanini, Opaheke-Drury, Karaka, Paerata and Pukekohe.

15.     Local Board areas which contain Future Urban land directly affected by this Strategy include Rodney, Upper Harbour, Henderson-Massey, Papakura and Franklin.

16.     The draft Strategy marks the next step in planning the Future Urban areas that started with the Auckland Plan.  The Auckland Plan identified ‘greenfield areas of investigation’ to provide for future growth outside the MUL. The Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan formalised this concept through the location of the RUB and the proposed zoning of this land as Future Urban.

17.     High-level planning was undertaken to provide more detail around possible land use, key infrastructure and potential housing yield and business land location. Based on this, the Strategy sequences the order for when this land is intended to be ready for development over the three decades of the Auckland Plan. It is a proactive approach to long-term planning, infrastructure provision and providing housing and business capacity.

18.     Most of the Future Urban areas are predominantly rural and have not previously been identified for urbanisation.  Bulk infrastructure will therefore have to be provided to these areas. All Future Urban areas require some degree of bulk infrastructure; development will therefore not be able to occur until this infrastructure is in place. In areas where bulk infrastructure projects are large and complex, longer lead-in times (for design, consenting and build) are required. This affects the timing for when land can be development ready.

Purpose of the Strategy

19.     The purpose of the draft Strategy is to provide a robust and logical sequence for when the Future Urban areas are proposed to be ‘development ready’ across the three decades of the Auckland Plan. This will enable coordination of timely structure planning and bulk infrastructure provision to these areas and provide clarity and certainty to all key stakeholders, including infrastructure providers.

Drivers for the Strategy

20.     The key driver for the draft Strategy is the significant current and projected growth in Auckland and the pressure this growth places on housing supply and key infrastructure. The Strategy therefore aims to proactively plan for, coordinate and deliver bulk infrastructure so that this land can be brought on stream for both residential and business development i.e. contributing to development capacity across the region.

21.     Accommodating this growth will come at a significant cost.  Preliminary, high level estimates of bulk infrastructure costs are provided within the draft Strategy; however it does not include costs for any local network infrastructure.  The significant costs are primarily driven by the size of the Future Urban areas (these equate to approximately one and a half times the area of urban Hamilton); the scale of the bulk infrastructure that will be required; and the current lack of such infrastructure in these areas.  For these reasons it would be prohibitively expensive for Council, CCOs and, more broadly, for central government (e.g. the New Zealand Transport Agency and Ministry of Education) to invest in all Future Urban areas at the same time.

The draft Future Urban Land Supply Strategy

22.     The draft Strategy sets out a logical timed sequence for development readiness. It integrates information on key infrastructure required to get these areas ready for urban development.  The sequencing is based on a suite of principles (attached to the Strategy) that include the consideration of the lead-in times for the bulk infrastructure required. Bulk infrastructure refers to water, wastewater, stormwater and the transport network. This draft Strategy will also assist with the forward planning of community facilities and services critical for creating sustainable communities.

23.     The sequencing set out in the draft Strategy was developed with input from a number of infrastructure providers including Watercare, Veolia, Auckland Transport and the New Zealand Transport Agency.

24.     The analysis done for this draft Strategy is of sufficient scale and specificity to broadly determine bulk infrastructure requirements. There are two subsequent parallel and inter-dependent processes to get land ready for development – more detailed structure planning, and bulk infrastructure planning and build.

25.     Structure planning and plan changes (to urban zones) will be done prior to the areas being ready for development and will be undertaken by the Council (or in partnership with others) in line with the programme set out in the draft Strategy. This is the stage of the process where Local Boards, mana whenua and communities will be involved in the detailed planning of these areas.

26.     The sequencing programme ensures the infrastructure costs are distributed over three decades to smooth spikes in capital expenditure, allow all infrastructure providers to forward plan their asset management and assist with prioritising key enabling projects.

27.     A monitoring programme is an integral part of the Strategy and will be used to monitor trends over time. This is to ensure that the proposed sequencing remains relevant. This monitoring will be part of an overall strategy to provide information on development capacity in brownfield and greenfield locations. Given the 30-year timeframe, a number of factors could change the proposed sequencing and timing as set out in the Strategy. These include funding constraints, possible alternative funding options and changes to population growth and housing demand. Therefore, for the Strategy to remain relevant and effective, it must be a ‘living’ document, able to respond to changes identified through the monitoring programme.

The Consultation Process

28.     The public consultation period will run from 17 July – 17 August 2015.  It will follow the Special Consultative Procedure set out in s83 of the Local Government Act (2002).  This procedure requires all interested parties to be given an opportunity to present submissions in a manner which enables spoken interaction.

29.     The Auckland Development Committee has appointed Councillors Cashmore, Darby, Webster and Quax and one member of the IMSB (to be confirmed) to form a hearing panel to receive the spoken submissions.

30.     A series of ‘Have your say’ events will be held to provide an opportunity to all interested parties to provide spoken feedback.  These events will be held at the following dates, times and locations:

·        Monday 3 August (7pm-8.30pm) – Warkworth Masonic Hall

·        Wednesday 5 August (7pm-8.30pm) – Drury Hall

·        Monday 10 August (7pm-8.30pm) – Dairy Flat School Hall

·        Tuesday 11 August (7pm-8.30pm) – Kumeu Community Hall

31.     Invitations will be extended to Ward Councillors and Local Board members to attend these events.

32.     Public notices will be placed in the New Zealand Herald and relevant local newspapers notifying interested parties about the Strategy itself and the ‘Have your say’ events.  The Strategy and a feedback form will be available on the Shape Auckland website and a media release will be distributed at the commencement of the consultation period.  A targeted direct mail out will also be undertaken for key stakeholders.

33.     Local Board participation at the events and feedback and input to the draft Strategy are welcomed.

34.     Feedback received during the period, including that received from Local Boards, will be analysed, summarised and reported to the Auckland Development Committee and the hearing panel.  The panel will then make a determination about amendment of the Strategy.

35.     The final Strategy will be submitted for adoption at the Auckland Development Committee meeting in October.

Consideration

Local Board views and implications

36.     The Strategy has significant implications for Local Boards particularly Rodney, Upper Harbour, Henderson-Massey, Papakura and Franklin Local Boards as they contain areas of Future Urban land sequenced by this Strategy.  The consultation period and the ‘Have your say’ events provide an opportunity for Local Boards to become involved in the process, hear the views of their communities and form their own views and response to the Strategy.

37.     Local Boards were informed about the Strategy at a joint workshop held with the Auckland Development Committee on 16 June 2015. A briefing on the Strategy and the consultation process was held for Local Board members on 15 July 2015. This was to ensure Local Boards have a sound understanding of the Strategy and consultation process prior to the commencement of the consultation period.

38.     Preliminary issues raised by attendees included the need to manage community expectation about land purchases in the future urban areas, the need to ensure Council is fully resourced to undertake the structure planning work, a need to forward plan land purchase for community facilities and a proactive engagement approach with central government around provision of education and health facilities and services to deliver the best outcomes for local communities.

39.     This report seeks Local Board views on the Strategy and these issues and any other feedback will be reported to the Auckland Development Committee and the hearing panel. 

Māori impact statement

40.     This Strategy has significant implications for Maori and has the capacity to contribute to Maori well-being and development of Maori capacity.  It is acknowledged that Maori have a special relationship with Auckland’s physical and cultural environment.  Ongoing liaison has occurred with Te Waka Angamua around the Strategy and the suite of principles which sit behind it.  One of the principles reflects Council’s commitment to Maori social and economic well-being as a transformational shift set out in the Auckland Plan.  Independent Maori Statutory Board staff were briefed at the commencement of the project, provided with background documentation and invited to workshops as the Strategy was developed.  A representative from the IMSB is to be appointed to the hearing panel for this project.  A hui was held with mana whenua chairs on 29 June 2015 and individual meetings will occur with interested Chairs who were unable to attend the hui.

41.     Iwi responses will be sought as part of the public consultation process outlined in this report. Consultation submissions from iwi will be reported to the Auckland Development Committee and the hearing panel.

Attachments

Signatories

Puketāpapa Local Board Dog Access Review Panel decision report on local dog access rules in the Puketāpapa Local Board area 2015

File No.: CP2015/17130

Purpose

1.       To recommend amendments to local dog access rules in the Puketāpapa Local Board area.

Executive Summary

2.       The Puketāpapa Local Board at its business meeting on 12 May 2015, adopted for public consultation proposed changes to local dog access rules.

3.       The Puketāpapa Local Board appointed a panel, Puketapapa Local Board Dog Access Review Panel (the Panel). with members Wood (as chair), Holm, Turnbull and Fairey to receive, hear and deliberate on submissions and other relevant information and recommend changes to the local board (resolution number PKTPP/2015/65).

4.       The public consultation submission period opened on 12 June and closed on 17 July 2015. The Panel considered 33 submissions and heard from one submitter on 13 August 2015.

5.       Following the hearings, the Panel deliberated and a key recommendation agreed by the Panel is to allow dogs under control off-leash in the naturally formed bowl on the north-eastern side the Park between Pah Homestead and the Knoll. 

6.       The Panel also recommends that the board:

a)      support investigation into measures to clearly delineate the off-leash dog area to provide clarity to all park users, and asks parks staff for information about options to achieve this.

b)      support implementation of the new dog access rules from 1 January 2016 in order to allow for implementation of any measures recommended in response to (a) to be put in place prior to the new rules coming into effect.

c)      support a review of the Monte Cecilia dog access rules in 2017.

d)      request that enforcement officers conduct more regular spot monitoring of dog access rules compliance at Monte Cecilia Park in the twelve month period following implementation of the new access rules.

7.       The decision required of the local board is whether to approve the recommendations of the hearing panel.

8.       If approved, the decisions of the panel will be reported to the Governing Body business meeting on 24 September 2015 to make any necessary amendments to the Auckland Council Policy on Dogs 2012 and Auckland Council Dog Management Bylaw 2012.

Comments

Proposal

9.       The Puketāpapa Local Board at its business meeting on 30 April 2015 adopted for public consultation proposed changes to allow dogs under control off-leash in the naturally formed bowl of Monte Cecilia Park (resolution number PKTPP/2015/65).

Submission process

10.     The public consultation submission period opened on 12 June and closed on 17 July 2015.

11.     The proposed changes were notified in a variety of ways, including:

·     notices to all registered dog owners with their dog registration reminder letter

·     a public notice in the New Zealand Herald on 12 June 2015

·     on the Auckland Council website

·     in the June People’s Panel e-update

·     to local board registered stakeholders

·     notices to previous submitters on dog access in affected local board areas.

12.     All relevant documents were made available on council’s website and through local libraries and service centres.

13.     A total of 33 submissions were received.

Hearing and deliberations process

14.     The Puketāpapa Local Board appointed a Panel (members Wood (as chair), Holm, Turnbull and Fairey) to receive, hear and deliberate on submissions and other relevant information and recommend changes to the local board (resolution number PKTPP/2015/65).

15.     Five submitters indicated they wished to be heard. The Panel heard from one submitter and following the hearing held deliberations on 13 August 2015.

16.     Copies of all submissions received were available.

17.     Hearings provide an opportunity for submitters to speak in support of their submission and for members of the hearing panel to ask questions to better understand the views of submitters.

18.     In conducting the hearing and making decisions, the Panel was required to consider:

·        the need to meet a range of statutory, policy and delegated authority decision-making requirements summarised in Attachment B, including the need to:

o  ensure decisions provide for public safety and comfort, protection of wildlife and habitat and the needs of dogs and their owners

o  ensure dog access rules are easy to understand ‘on the ground’.

·        the weight the hearing panel puts on the matters raised by the submitters

·        information used to develop and contained in the statement of proposal

·        other information received by the hearing panel.

19.     At the conclusion of the hearing, the panel deliberated on the matters raised in submissions and the panel’s recommendations to the board are contained in this report.

20.     The decision required of the board is whether to approve the recommendations of the hearing panel.

21.     If approved, the decisions of the Panel will be reported to the Governing Body business meeting on 24 September 2015 to make any necessary amendments to the Auckland Council Policy on Dogs 2012 and Auckland Council Dog Management Bylaw 2012.

Recommendations on proposed amendments

22.     The recommendations of the Panel are grouped by topic. The changes to local dog access rules to give effect to the decisions are provided in Attachment A, together with the current rules for comparison and completeness.

Submission Topic 1 – Monte Cecilia Park

Summary of proposed change

23.     The proposed change is to allow dogs under control off-leash in the naturally formed bowl on the north-eastern side the Park between Pah Homestead and the Knoll with dogs continuing to be allowed under control on-leash in the remainder of the park.

Summary of matters raised in submissions

24.     A total number of 43 submission points were received that relate to the topic. Twenty-two submission points supported the creation of the under control off-leash area within the naturaly formed bowl with five submission submision points in oposition.

25.     Seven submission points supported the retention of the under control on-leash rule outside of the bowl area with seven submission points seeking the area to either be under control off-leash or an extension of the under control off-leash area.

Hearing panel decision

26.     The decision of the hearing panel is as follows:

Submission topic 2 - Other matters

27.       Matters raised by submitters outside the scope were presented to the panel for completeness.

Summary of matters raised in submissions

28.     One submission point related to an area outside the scope of the proposal at Te Tatua a Riukiuta (Big King).

29.     A total of 6 points of submission points related to operational matters, including more enforcement (1), dog parks (1), park amenities (3), and provision of education (1).

Hearing panel decision

30.     The decision of the hearing panel is as follows:

·       to note that Te Tatua a Riukiuta (Big King) is currently an under control off- leash area. Dog access rules on Te Tatua a Riukiuta (Big King) are determined by the Governing Body of Auckland Council (not the local board).

·       to note that Auckland Council’s Licensing and Compliance Services provides enforcement and education services.

·       to note that the provision of dog parks and park amenities is a matter for the local board as part of its administration of local parks.

·       to note that information provided on Auckland Council’s website will be improved as areas are reviewed.

Consideration

Local Board views and implications

31.     Other local boards have not expressed any views or implications of the proposed changes through the public submission process.

Māori impact statement

32.     Managing dog access in areas of significance to Maori can help achieve outcomes of the Māori Plan for Tāmaki Makaurau. In this instance, no impacts have been identified.

33.     Feedback from Mana Whenua representatives at a Hui held in March 2015 related to the ability of iwi to determine dog access on Marae, a focus on control, responsible dog ownership, and ensuring the protection of sensitive ecological areas.

Implementation

34.     Any decision that makes changes to dog access rules will require updates to signage and information, and training of animal management officers and park rangers.

35.     The administration and implementation of the changes to dog access rules will be provided for within existing budgets.

Attachments

Signatories

Auckland Regional Amenities Funding Act (ARAFA) Funding Model Review - Local Board Input

File No.: CP2015/14892

Purpose

1.       Auckland Council is undertaking a review of the funding model under the Auckland Regional Amenities Funding Act 2008 (ARAFA Funding Model Review). Feedback from the local boards is sought on the level of change proposed in the options and the impacts on local boards and local communities (if any).

Executive Summary

1.       The Auckland Regional Amenities Funding Act 2008 (the Act) established a distinct model for contributing funds to specified regional amenities (regional amenities). This funding model is now under review to consider whether it remains fit for purpose and to identify how it might be improved. The Governing Body adopted Terms of Reference for the review on 26 February 2015.

2.       Working closely with representatives of the regional amenities, seven funding model options were generated along a spectrum, ranging from:

·        retaining the status quo

·        seeking improvements within the existing ARAFA legislative framework

·        modifying the existing ARAFA framework by amending legislation, to

·        repealing the existing ARAFA framework and replacing it with an Auckland Council policy framework. (The options are discussed in paragraphs 15 - 32)

3.       The Finance and Performance Committee endorsed the seven options for evaluation on 18 June 2015. The options will be evaluated against criteria previously endorsed by Finance and Performance on 21 May 2015. (The criteria is discussed in paragraph 14)

4.       When viewed across the spectrum, the options shift the role of Auckland Council from influencing decision-making under the Act (by a Funding Board) to becoming the decision-maker itself. The closer Auckland Council becomes to being the decision-maker the more opportunities there are to align the council’s strategic outcomes with those of the regional amenities. The options also incorporate improvements relating to information flows, longer term planning, communications and relationship building.

5.       The options are also associated with a progressively increasing volume of further work that would be required to implement them. The implementation of options requiring legislative change is particularly complex. The necessary trade-offs involved will be teased out and considered through the evaluation of the options.

6.       The evaluation is to be completed and will be reported to the Finance and Performance Committee on 17 September 2015. The evaluation will identify the preferred option/s which may be a refined version, comprising different elements of the options proposed.

7.       Local board feedback is sought on the level of change proposed in the options as set out in this report and the impacts on local boards and local communities (if any).

Comments

The Funding Model under the Auckland Regional Amenities Funding Act 2008

2.       The Auckland Regional Amenities Funding Act 2008 (the Act) has two purposes; to provide adequate, sustainable and secure funding for specified regional amenities, and to ensure that local government in Auckland contributes funding.

3.       The Act came into force prior to amalgamation of Auckland’s former councils. It was designed to ensure that all councils in the region contributed fairly to funding the regional amenities given the amenities operated across and benefited the whole of the Auckland region. It also sought to ensure that qualifying regional amenities remained financially viable.

4.       The regional amenities apply each year to a Funding Board for next year’s funding. The Funding Board confers with Auckland Council and prepares and consults on a funding plan, before recommending a levy to Auckland Council for the next financial year. Auckland Council approves the recommended levy and if not, arbitration takes place. The Funding Board subsequently receives the levy and allocates funding to the regional amenities.

5.       Auckland Council appoints six of the Funding Board’s 10 members with four members appointed by an Amenities Board, also created by the Act.

6.       Only the regional amenities specified under the Act may apply for funding and funding is not available for any part of services or facilities provided outside of the Auckland region. Funding is to contribute towards the operational expenditure that regional amenities must incur and is not available for capital expenditure.

7.       The regional amenities must make all reasonable endeavours to maximise funding from other sources. The regional amenities are prohibited from receiving operating funding form Auckland Council, other than via the Funding Board. However, staff are aware that local boards may receive funding requests from groups affiliated with the amenities.

8.       The Funding Board and Auckland Council must have regard to the funding principles prescribed in the Act. The Act makes provision for additional funding principles to be adopted.

Regional Amenities

8.       The purpose of the Act is to ensure the regional amenities are funded to provide services or facilities that contribute to “the well-being of the whole region” and “towards making Auckland an attractive place to live in and visit”. Organisations that wish to become regional amenities must possess these qualities to satisfy criteria for admission. The Act as enacted specified 10 regional amenities in Schedule 1:

·     Auckland Observatory and Planetarium Trust Board       

·     Auckland Philharmonia

·     Auckland Regional Rescue Helicopter Trust 

·     Auckland Theatre Company           

·     Coast Guard Northern Region Incorporated

·     New Zealand National Maritime Museum

·     New Zealand Opera Limited

·     Surf Life Saving Northern Region Incorporated

·     Auckland Festival Trust

·     Watersafe Auckland Incorporated

9.       The following examples illustrate the way the regional amenities serve the Auckland region:

·     The Auckland Philharmonia (APO) was accorded the status of Metropolitan Orchestra as part of the Ministry of Culture and Heritage’s Orchestra Review in 2012. In that year the APO presented 31 performances in the Auckland Town Hall and performed in the Bruce Mason Centre (Takapuna) Telstra Events Centre (Manukau), Massey High Schools and Trusts Stadium (West Auckland) and the Holy Trinity Cathedral (Parnell). It also presented chamber concerts in Takapuna, Remuera and Howick and five free community performances and events in west, central, north and south Auckland. 

·     Coast Guard Northern Region Incorporated has 14 units located across the Auckland region at Waiuku, Papakura, Titirangi, Kaipara, Kawau, Great Barrier, Hibiscus, North Shore, Auckland, Waiheke, Howick and Maraetei, with the Operations Centre and the Auckland Air Patrol operating centrally.

·     Similarly, there are 10 clubs in the Auckland Region under the umbrella of Surf Life Saving Northern Region Incorporated, located at Karioitahi Beach, Karekare, Piha (2), Bethels Beach, Murawai, Omaha, Red Beach, Orewa and Mairangi Bay.

The ARAFA Funding Model Review

10.     Auckland Council’s establishment and issues arising out of the Act’s operation have raised the question of ‘whether the funding model remains fit for purpose’. Auckland Council agreed to review the ARAFA Funding Model through its deliberations on the Mayor’s proposal for the 2014 Annual Plan. The Governing Body endorsed Terms of Reference (Attachment A) for this review on 26 February 2015. It records stakeholder issues and objectives (Schedule 2) and sets the overarching objective to:

“achieve long term sustainable, affordable and predictable funding of the existing amenities while recognising the Council’s purpose and responsibilities under the Local Government Act 2002 and other legislation.” (paragraph 12):

11.     The ARAFA funding model and changes to enhance its effectiveness are the focus of the review:

·     The review will not consider whether to add or remove any of the regional amenities from the funding mechanism. That would be a separate piece of work.

·     The review will also not consider how much funding each regional amenity currently receives but rather look at the process that determines the amount of funding provided.

12.     The Terms of Reference set out the basic process for the review with the identification of criteria for the evaluation of options, identification of options and their subsequent evaluation. In undertaking this review we are working closely with representatives of the amenities and engaging with the Funding Board.

Criteria for the Evaluation of Options

13.     The following criteria for evaluating options were endorsed by the Finance and Performance Committee on 21 May 2015:

i.   Financial sustainability and certainty

-      Addresses the ‘sufficiency’ of the contribution provided by the funding model in terms of “adequate, sustainable and secure funding for specified amenities.” It includes the predictability of that funding over the short to medium terms in support of financial planning.

ii.  Affordability

-     Addresses the affordability of the sum of the contributions allocated under the funding model including the impact on rates.

iii. Independence and continuity

-     Considers the extent to which the option provides for objective decision making and the extent it provides for continuity of decision-making over time. These considerations go to the stability of the funding model over time.

iv. Accountability and transparency

-     Considers the information and the processes to support decision-making required by an option to ensure there is a clear chain of accountability from the recipient through to the funder. Transparency supports accountability, providing clarity around decision-making processes. Public sector responsibility requires accountability and transparency generally, and particularly in respect of public funds.

v.  Administrative efficiency

-     Considers the efficiency of the funding model, with regard to the costs associated with the information and processes required by an option. Funding arrangements should have regard to the costs of implementation, and how effective they will be in achieving their objectives.

vi. Alignment of outcomes and goals

-     Considers the extent to which the option allows for alignment between the outcomes and goals sought and achieved by the regional amenities and those of the Auckland Council on behalf of Auckland’s ratepayers.

vii.       Fairness

-     Considers the extent to which the funding model provides for fairness.

viii.      Flexibility

-     Requires consideration of the extent to which the option provides a funding model with sufficient flexibility to take account of changing circumstances.

Options to Enhance Effectiveness

14.     Working closely with representatives of the amenities, seven options along a spectrum have been generated, ranging from:

·     retaining the status quo

·     seeking improvements within the existing ARAFA legislative framework

·     modifying the existing ARAFA framework by amending the legislation, to

·     repealing the existing ARAFA legislative framework and replacing it with an Auckland Council policy framework.

15.     The options were endorsed for evaluation by the Finance and Performance Committee on 18 June 2015.

16.     Figure 1 illustrates the options and where they are located on the spectrum. Viewed across the spectrum, the options shift the role of Auckland Council from influencing the Funding Board’s decision-making to becoming the decision-maker itself. Similarly, there are increasing opportunities along the spectrum to align Auckland Council’s strategic outcomes with those of the amenities.

17.     The review to date has identified that processes relating to funding bids and reporting have evolved under the existing arrangements. There appear to be further opportunities to pursue improvements through a focus on, information, communication, developing relationships and longer term planning which are being investigated through the final evaluation.

18.     Implementation of the options will require further work, some of which is significant. The implementation of options requiring legislative change is particularly complex.

19.     Options 1 to 4 are based on current arrangements which provide the pathway for regional amenities to seek operational funding from Auckland Council. Improvements under these options would be available for the 2016/2017 funding year.

20.     Option 5 limits opportunities for Auckland Council to scrutinise the funding sought by the regional amenities, whereas Options 6 and 7 increase Auckland Council’s role in decision-making. The level of funding provided under Option 7 would be dependent on the policy and decisions of the governing body. There may therefore be a greater level of uncertainty for the regional amenities which may hold implications for the level of services and facilities they provide.

21.     Options 5 to 7 require legislative change through the parliamentary process and it is not possible to indicate when they might become available for implementation.

22.     The necessary trade-offs in relation to implementation will be considered through the evaluation of the options.

Figure 1.

23.     Option 1 – Status Quo

The existing funding model prescribed by the Act is the benchmark against which the other options will be compared. It is described in paragraphs 1 to 7.

Seeking Improvements from within the existing ARAFA legislative framework

24.     The following three options seek to introduce changes to enhance the legislative framework and the sharing of information between the regional amenities, the Funding Board and Auckland Council.

25.     Option 2 – Enhanced Status Quo – ‘Clear Pathway to Capital Funding’

This option provides a ‘clear pathway for capital funding’ to augment the status quo.

While the amenities can currently apply for capital funding from Auckland Council via the Long Term Plan process, the granting of such funding is considered to be by exception. Under this option, applications for capital could be anticipated from any of the regional amenities. Potential applications would need to be signaled well ahead of time to assist financial planning and to enable the provision of funding.

26.     Option 3 - Enhanced Status Quo – ‘Sustainable Funding’

This option introduces financial planning over a longer time frame with a 3 year rolling funding cycle and supporting information, and establishes how the sustainable level of funding for each regional amenity might be determined:

Introduction of a three year ‘rolling’ funding cycle

This cycle would align with Auckland Council’s Long Term Plan/Annual Plan cycle. Applications for the first year of funding (the year of application) would seek that year’s funding and identify anticipated funding for the next two years. Annual applications made in the second and third year would be considered in the light of all the relevant information then provided.

Information supporting ‘rolling’ applications

The clarity and timeframe of information accompanying applications would be reviewed to ensure it supports the rolling funding cycle.

‘Sustainability’

A definition of the sustainable level of funding would be developed for application in the context of each of the regional amenities. This would also establish appropriate levels of reserves amenities would be able to build-up and maintain to help manage the peaks and troughs of the funding requirements.

27.     Option 4 – Enhanced Status Quo – ‘Alignment/Groupings’

This option similarly proposes the three year rolling review, maximises opportunities to improve strategic alignment between the regional amenities and Auckland Council and addresses the diverse range of regional amenities.

The three year ‘rolling’ funding cycle / Information supporting applications becomes available as set out in the previous option.

Auckland Council and the Funding Board confer

Auckland Council would be more explicit in clarifying its expectations, its funding constraints and its intentions when conferring with the Funding Board on the draft Funding Plan. The purpose would be to ensure transparency about the Auckland Council context and any funding constraints the council might face.

Auckland Council supports public notification

Auckland Council supports public notification of the Draft Funding Plan. The council could support the notification of the Draft Funding Plan on the council’s web site, through the media centre and/or in publications. This would help rate payers provide feedback and make submissions.

More particular consideration relevant to the type of amenity

This could include:

·     Criteria and considerations as relevant to different types of amenities – e.g. safety, arts & culture, and facilities

·     Clarification and guidance around what might be meant by ‘sustainability’ and the sustainable contribution required could be developed with reference to the activities undertaken by the particular regional amenities.

Modifying the existing ARAFA framework by amending legislation

28.     The two following options amend the ARAFA legislative framework, proposing specific amendments to the way funding is determined or the roles of institutions and the processes through which they work.

29.     Option 5 – Baseline Plus CPI

Under this option the specified amenities would determine the ‘sustainable’ level of funding required for year 1, which would be CPI adjusted for the next two years. The level of sustainable funding would then be reset for the next (4^th) year and CPI adjusted in each of the next two years.

The basis for determining the sustainable level of funding would need to be developed and the implications for the Funding Board explored.

30.     Option 6 - Strong Funder

This option remaps the relationship between the regional amenities and the Auckland Council with Auckland Council providing funds directly. Under this option the ARAFA legislative framework would be amended so that:

·     the regional amenities apply to Auckland Council directly for funding

·     three year rolling funding cycle / supporting information applies

·     Auckland Council sets the funding envelope

·     Auckland Council prepares and adopts the Funding Plan

·     the role of the Funding Board becomes one of providing expert advice to Auckland Council

·     the regional amenities report annually to the Auckland Council.

Auckland Council sets the funding envelope

The funding envelope from which contributions to the regional amenities would be drawn would be set for the 10 year period though the Council’s Long Term Plan process. This longer term approach to funding would likely require a review of the information required in support of setting the envelope.

Auckland Council prepares and adopts the Funding Plan

The Funding Plan mechanism could be similar to the status quo or be modified in terms of the process and matters to be taken into consideration.

The role of the Funding Board

The Funding Board’s role would change to one of providing expert advice to assist Auckland Council. Appointments may still be made by Auckland Council and by the regional amenities.

Repeal of the existing ARAFA framework and replacement with an Auckland Council policy framework

31.     Under this model the existing ARAFA legislative framework would be repealed and replaced with a policy framework established and maintained by Auckland Council.

32.     Option 7 - Auckland Council Dedicated Fund

The repealed ARAFA legislative framework would be replaced by a specific policy of Auckland Council where:

·     Auckland Council sets the funding envelope

·     there is no Funding Board and the regional amenities apply to Auckland Council for funding

·     Auckland Council considers applications and determines the funding allocated following public consultation

·     there is separate policy and consideration for different types of amenity – for example, safety, arts & culture and facilities for example.

·     a three year rolling funding cycle with supporting information would apply

·     the amenities annually report to the Auckland Council.

This option replicates many of the policy intentions of the Strong Funder option within Auckland Council formulated policy, though without the legislation or the Funding Board. As Council policy, the funding model/policy framework would be amenable to any amendment subsequent Councils may require.

Evaluation

33.     The evaluation involves considering the performance of each option against the criteria, relative to the performance of the status quo. Working closely with the amenities representatives, this process is currently underway and the results will be reported to the Finance and Performance Committee on 17 September 2015. The evaluation will identify the preferred option/s which may be a refined version, comprising different elements of the options proposed.

34.     Local board feedback on the level of changes proposed in the options and the impacts on local boards and local communities (if any) is sought and will be an input into the evaluation along-side feedback received from the Funding Board and Regional Facilities Auckland.

35.     From the work completed to date it is clear that Option 4- ‘Alignment/Groupings’ is compromised. The idea of grouping amenities by the nature of their operations is unworkable due to the extent of the difference between each of the regional amenities. The other features of this option continue to offer merit however and will be included in the evaluation.

36.     Implementation is a particular consideration in addition to the identified criteria. With the exception of the status quo, each option will require further work to become operational. The amount of work required and the level of complexity is likely to:

·     be less from options seeking improvement within existing frameworks (options 2, 3 and 4)

·     increase where improvements are sought through amendments to the Act (options 5 and 6)

·     further increase with the repeal of the Act and its replacement by an alternative regime (option 7).

37.     Seeking amendments to or the repeal of the Act would require sponsorship by a Member of Parliament to drive it through the Parliamentary processes. These include three readings in Parliament and the Select Committee Hearings process. The Act is a private Act. A private bill seeking changes would be subject to parliamentary processes required and it is not possible to indicate the time it might take for it to be enacted.

Next Steps

38.     Local Board feedback will be collated and incorporated into the final report to the Finance and Performance Committee on 17 September 2015.

Consideration

Local Board views and implications

39.     The ARAFA funding model review considers the funding model established under the ARAFA legislation and will not directly impact on local board funding or decision-making. However, communities across all of Auckland are able to benefit from the services and facilities provided by the amenities funded through the Act.

40.     Local board views on the level of change proposed in the options and their impacts on local boards (if any) are being sought via this report. This report follows a memo circulated to Local Board Chairs in February 2015 and a briefing to Local Board Chairs and members on 22 June 2015. This report follows the structure of that briefing while elaborating on the information provided.

Māori impact statement

41.     The ARAFA funding model review focuses on how Auckland Council’s funding contribution to the specified amenities is determined. Using Whiria Te Muka Tangata: The Māori Responsiveness Framework as a lens there do not appear to be any statutory or treaty obligations, direct Māori or value Te Ao Māori outcomes affected by this review. Enquiries were made of mana whenua in March 2015 to ascertain whether the ARAFA funding model review held any interest. No interests were identified.

Attachments

Signatories

Auckland Council Property Limited Local Board Six-Monthly Update 1 January to 30 June 2015

File No.: CP2015/17218

Purpose

1.       To give the Puketāpapa Local Board an overview of Auckland Council Property Limited’s (ACPL) activities for the six months 1 January to 30 June 2015.

Executive Summary

2.       In May 2015 the Governing Body voted in favour of merging ACPL with Waterfront Auckland to form Development Auckland (DA). The merger responds to feedback from the wider council organisations and seeks to address some key growth, development, housing provision and funding challenges that Auckland will face over the next 20 years. As a CCO Development Auckland will have a commercial orientation, but it will also have explicit public good outcomes to pursue.

3.       Substantive elements of the purpose of DA relate to urban redevelopment, strategic advice on council’s property portfolio and the redevelopment of underutilised council assets to achieve commercial and strategic outcomes.

4.       In August the governing body will receive recommendations from council staff in respect of the proposed locational priorities for DA.

5.       It would be anticipated that DA will specifically engage with local boards post the formal establishment on the 1 September to consider what activities DA can undertake to benefit their local communities.

6.       As this will be our final six-monthly update to you as ACPL, we are including both the full business summary as included in previous versions and additionally providing an outline of some of the strategic and organisational changes we will be making as we transition to Development Auckland.

7.       ACPL activity detail is broken down by business unit or work-stream, with a focus on local board specific activities where applicable.

Local board specific supporting detail is included in Attachments A, B and C.

Comments

Development Auckland

8.       Council formally approved the establishment of Development Auckland, being a merger of Waterfront Auckland and Auckland Council property Limited, in May 2015.

9.       The essential purpose of DA is to contribute to the implementation of the Auckland Plan and encourage economic development by facilitating urban redevelopment that optimises and integrates good public transport outcomes, efficient and sustainable infrastructure and quality public services and amenities. DA will manage council’s non-service property portfolio and provide strategic advice on council’s other property portfolios. It will recycle or redevelop sub-optimal or underutilised council assets and aim to achieve an overall balance of commercial and strategic outcomes.

10.     A number of objectives fall within the purpose including facilitating the redevelopment of urban locations and optimising the council’s property portfolio.

11.     The process to establish the operating structure of DA is well advanced and a combined work stream between DA and council staff is looking at the future priorities for DA that will provide focus in terms of geographic locations and project priorities. In respect of the locational analysis work recommendations will be made to the governing body in August.

12.     It would be anticipated that DA will specifically engage with Local Boards post the formal establishment on the 1 September to consider what activities DA can undertake to benefit their local communities.

Workshops and Meetings

13.     A schedule of Puketāpapa Local Board workshops and meetings attended by ACPL representatives from July to December is included as Attachment A. The list includes property specific meetings and workshops relating to general property management and the ongoing portfolio Rationalisation Process.

Property Portfolio Management

14.     ACPL manages property owned by the council and AT that are not currently required for service or infrastructure purposes. These are properties that are not immediately required for service delivery or infrastructure development but are being held for use in a planned future project such as road construction/widening or the expansion of parks. This work will largely remain unaffected by the transition to Development Auckland.

15.     The property portfolio continued to grow during the last six months and now totals 1347 properties containing 1080 leases. , an increase of 41 since our July-December 2014 update. The current property portfolio includes industrial sites and buildings, retail tenancies, cafés, restaurants, offices and a substantial portfolio of residential properties.

16.     ACPL’s return on the property portfolio for the year ending 30 June 2015 provides the shareholder a net surplus of $ 6.8m ahead of budget, with an actual surplus of $ 29.8 m against budget of $ 23m. The average monthly vacancy rate for the period is 1.6% which is under the SOI targets of 5%.

17.     A Properties Managed schedule is included as Attachment B of this report. The schedule details:

§ Current ACPL-managed commercial and residential property within the Puketāpapa  Local Board

§ Each property’s classification or reason for retention

§ The nature of the property, such as a café within a library, or a residential property with a tenancy in place

§ The budget under which operating expenditure and lease revenue for the property is reported eg regional or local board.

18.     A report indicating portfolio movement in the local board area is attached as Attachment C. The report details all new acquisitions including the reason for acquisition, any transfers and the reason for transfer, and any disposals.

Portfolio Review and Rationalisation

Overview

19.     ACPL is required to undertake ongoing rationalisation of the council’s non-service assets. This includes identifying properties from within council’s portfolio that may be suitable for potential sale and development if appropriate. ACPL has a particular focus on achieving housing outcomes. Identifying potential sale properties contributes to the Auckland Plan focus of accommodating the significant growth projected for the region over the coming decades, by providing the council with an efficient use of capital and prioritisation of funds to achieve its activities and projects.

Performance

20.     July 2014 to June 2015 Target

21.     In setting future disposal targets ACPL is working closely with the council and AT to identify potentially surplus properties.

22.     2014/2015 Targets

Process

23.     Once identified as a potential sale candidate a property is taken through a multi-stage Rationalisation Process. The agreed process includes engagement with: the council, CCOs, local board and mana whenua. This is followed by ACPL Board approval, engagement with local ward and the Independent Māori Statutory Board and finally a governing body decision.

Under review

24.     Properties currently under review for future use opportunities via the Rationalisation Process in the Puketāpapa Local Board area are listed below. The list includes any properties that may have recently been presented to the governing body and either approved for sale or development and sale or designated for retention. Further details are included in Attachment B.

Redevelopment/Regeneration and Housing Supply initiatives

Overview

25.     ACPL in its current form is contributing commercial input into approximately 54 region wide council-driven regeneration and housing supply initiatives. Involvement extends from provision of initial feasibility advice through to implementation, with projects ranging in size from $415k to in excess of $100million.

26.     ACPL is also actively contributing to the Housing Action Plan, which is a council initiative focusing on non-regulatory efforts to encourage and increase affordable residential development. ACPL has an SOI target to undertake five housing development projects over three years that will improve housing affordability and the supply of affordable housing encompassing CHO involvement. ACPL is currently actively working on 13 such projects.

27.     In our expanded role as Development Auckland we will be extending on this work to play a much stronger role in urban development through greater scale, enhanced capability and the ability to partner with others. We will have a key role in helping deliver the council priority of quality urban living and will have the mandate to deal with the challenge of Auckland’s rapid growth through regeneration and investment.

28.     Development Auckland’s roles and responsibilities will be customised to each specific project initiative and location. A few will be of a high custodial nature associated with urban regeneration. Some will be at the other end of the scale with a more facilitative role; and some will be much more able to be delivered in the short term.

29.     ACPL already works closely with the local boards on ACPL-led developments to ensure we give effect to the local boards’ place-shaping role. As Development Auckland engagement will in some areas be of a much broader scope, with the potential for involvement in master-planning activities for significant land areas.

Optimisation Update

30.     Optimisation is a programme of work aimed to achieve better use of council’s planned and funded service assets.  The programme targets housing and urban regeneration outcomes along with the delivery of cost-neutral service investment on appropriate sites.  ACPL and ACPD are leading a cross-council project to establish the rules and methodology for service optimisation activity. The programme will be carried across to Development Auckland.

31.     Local board engagement and workshops will be provided to demonstrate the scope of optimisation and the benefits of driving optimal asset performance from qualifying service property.  Timeframes for these workshops have been pushed out due to Development Auckland transition work.   However ACPL welcomes suggestions of service sites that may have potential for improved service function along with housing or urban regeneration outcomes

Local Activities

A high level update on place-shaping and housing initiative activities in the Puketāpapa area is outlined below.

32.     Three Kings Quarry: ACPL has been working with, and reporting to the Puketapapa Local Board on the development of an exchange of reserve land at 1011 Mount Eden Road and 23-25 Fyvie Ave, with land in private ownership at 985 Mount Eden Road.  The exchange proposal is part of a plan modification request PM372 submitted by Fletcher Residential Ltd relating to a master plan to provide an integrated residential and open space development of the Three Kings quarry and parts of the Three Kings Reserve.

33.     Following a resolution on 11 June by the Auckland Development Committee to issue a notice of intention to exchange land under s.15 of the Reserves Act, a public consultation period seeking objections to the exchange has been held between 22 June and 24 July.  The submissions will be heard by a consideration panel who will report to the ADC with its recommendations.  This will occur during August and September.

Acquisitions

Overview 

34.     ACPL continues to support council and AT programmes and projects by negotiating required property acquisitions. All such acquisitions are funded through approved council or AT budgets. We also provide advice to assist with budgets, business cases and strategy to support an acquisition.

35.     From 1 January 2015 to 31 June 2015, 49 property purchases were completed for the council and AT. All of the property acquisitions met independent valuation thresholds agreed with AT, the council and Public Works Act 1981 requirements.

Council Acquisitions

36.     Of the 49 property acquisitions over the past six months, 12 were purchased to meet council legal, open space and storm water requirements and to contribute to City Transformation projects. These included the following acquisitions in or neighbouring the Puketāpapa Local Board area.

Auckland Transport Acquisitions

37.     The remaining 37 properties were acquired on behalf of AT. The focus was on acquisitions to support major transport projects including AMETI (five acquisitions) City Rail Link Property Acquisition (seven acquisitions), Redoubt Road Mill Road Corridor Upgrade (six acquisitions) road widening across the region (10 acquisitions) and Northern Strategic Growth Area (one acquisition). Full details of relevant AT projects and associated acquisitions will come to the local board directly from AT.

Business Interests

38.     ACPL also optimises the commercial return from assets it manages on council’s behalf. This comprises two forestry enterprises, two landfills and four quarries. There are currently no ACPL managed business interests in the Puketāpapa Local Board area.

Consideration

Local Board Views and Implications

39.     This report is for the Puketāpapa Local Board’s information.

Māori Impact Statement 

40.     Whatungarongaro te tangata, toitū te whenua. The importance of effective communication and engagement with Māori on the subject of land is understood.  ACPL has accordingly developed robust engagement with the 19 mana whenua groups for our core business activities. We are currently working with Waterfront Auckland on a future strategy for Development Auckland.

41.     Key engagement activities currently include: identifying cultural significance concerns regarding disposal properties, flagging commercial interests, development partnering discussions and issues relating to property management such as protection of wāhi tapu or joint management arising from the resolution of Treaty Settlements. ACPL also engages with relevant mana whenua in respect of development outcomes for ACPL lead projects where appropriate. As Development Auckland we will work with iwi to consolidate and build on strengths from ACPL and Waterfront Auckland’s approaches along with successful work being done elsewhere in the council family.

42.     ACPL additionally undertook to be part of council’s Māori Responsiveness Plan (MRP) pilot programme. The project’s key output is an operational document outlining ACPL’s contribution to council’s strategic and operational commitments to Māori. The MRP was finalised and approved by the ACPL Board in December 2014 and is in the implementation phase. A copy of this is available on the ACPL website. This work will be carried over and reflected in the new organisation.

43.     As we transition to Development Auckland, the local board can expect to be advised or involved as appropriate in any discussions that arise in the local board’s area.

Implementation

44.     There are no implementation issues.

Attachments

Signatories

Urgent Decisions by the Puketāpapa Local Board

File No.: CP2015/15388

Purpose

1.       To advise the Puketāpapa Local Board of a decision made under the Urgent Decision process.

Executive Summary

2.       Pursuant to resolution MT/2013/137, the board’s urgent decision process was followed to make a formal submission to object to the proposed exchange of reserve land at Three Kings Reserve in response to the Notice of Intention under section 15 of the Reserves Act 1977.  Details of the urgent decision included with this brief report as Attachment A.

Attachments

Signatories

Record of Puketāpapa Local Board Workshop Proceedings

File No.: CP2015/15394

Purpose

1.       The purpose of this report is to provide a summary of Puketāpapa Local Board (the Board) workshop proceedings.

Executive Summary

2.       The attached summary of workshop proceedings provides a record of the Board workshops held in July 2015.

These sessions are held to give an informal opportunity for board members and officers to discuss issues and projects and note that no binding decisions are made or voted on at workshop sessions.

Attachments

Signatories

Resolutions Pending Action Schedule, August 2015

File No.: CP2015/15396

Purpose

1.       The purpose of this report is to provide the Board with a schedule of resolutions that are still pending action.

Executive summary

2.       Updated version of the Resolutions Pending Actions schedule is attached.

Attachments

Signatories

ATTACHMENTS

Item 7.1      Attachment a    Copy of Petition                                             Page 277