Agenda of Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Areas of Activity

· Provision of regional facilities and open space

· Regional frameworks for local facility and open space provision

· Encouraging healthy lifestyles through participation in sport and recreation sectors

· Facilitating partnerships and collaborative funding models across the sport and recreation sectors

· Performing the delegation made by the Governing Body to the former Parks, Recreation and Heritage Forum, under resolution GB/2012/157 in relation to the Dog Policy

Responsibilities

Within the specified area of activity the Committee is responsible for:

· In accordance with the work programme agreed with the parent committee, developing strategy and policy, including any agreed community consultation, to recommend to the Regional Strategy and Policy Committee

· Acting as a community interface for consultation on policies and as a forum for raising community concerns, while ensuring community engagement is complementary to that undertaken by local boards

· Making decisions within delegated powers

Powers

All powers necessary to perform the Committee’s responsibilities

Except:

(a) powers that the Governing Body cannot delegate or has retained to itself (see Governing Body responsibilities)

(b) where the Committee’s responsibility is limited to making a recommendation only

(d) the approval of expenditure that is not contained within approved budgets

(e) the approval of expenditure of more than $2 million other than for land purchases which shall have a limit of $5 million

(f) the approval of final policy

(g) deciding significant matters for which there is high public interest and which are controversial

(h) the commissioning of reports on new policy where that policy programme of work has not been approved by the Regional Strategy and Policy Committee

EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC – WHO NEEDS TO LEAVE THE MEETING

Members of the public

All members of the public must leave the meeting when the public are excluded unless a resolution is passed permitting a person to remain because their knowledge will assist the meeting.

Those who are not members of the public

General principles

· Access to confidential information is managed on a “need to know” basis where access to the information is required in order for a person to perform their role.

· Those who are not members of the meeting (see list below) must leave unless it is necessary for them to remain and hear the debate in order to perform their role.

· Those who need to be present for one confidential item can remain only for that item and must leave the room for any other confidential items.

· In any case of doubt, the ruling of the chairperson is final.

Members of the meeting

· The members of the meeting remain (all Governing Body members if the meeting is a Governing Body meeting; all members of the committee if the meeting is a committee meeting).

· However, standing orders require that a councillor who has a pecuniary conflict of interest leave the room.

· All councillors have the right to attend any meeting of a committee and councillors who are not members of a committee may remain, subject to any limitations in standing orders.

Staff

· All staff supporting the meeting (administrative, senior management) remain.

· Only staff who need to because of their role may remain.

Local Board members

· Local Board members who need to hear the matter being discussed in order to perform their role may remain. This will usually be if the matter affects, or is relevant to, a particular Local Board area.

IMSB

· Members of the IMSB who are appointed members of the meeting remain.

· Other IMSB members and IMSB staff remain if this is necessary in order for them to perform their role.

CCOs

Representatives of a CCO can remain only if required to for discussion of a matter relevant to the CCO.

1 Apologies

At the close of the agenda no apologies had been received.

2 Declaration of Interest

Members are reminded of the need to be vigilant to stand aside from decision making when a conflict arises between their role as a member and any private or other external interest they might have.

3 Confirmation of Minutes

That the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee:

a) confirm the ordinary minutes of its meeting, held on Wednesday, 29 July 2015, as a true and correct record.

4 Petitions

At the close of the agenda no requests to present petitions had been received.

5 Public Input

Standing Order 7.7 provides for Public Input. Applications to speak must be made to the Democracy Advisor, in writing, no later than one (1) clear working day prior to the meeting and must include the subject matter. The meeting Chairperson has the discretion to decline any application that does not meet the requirements of Standing Orders. A maximum of thirty (30) minutes is allocated to the period for public input with five (5) minutes speaking time for each speaker.

5.1 Mahurangi Coastal Trail Trust

Purpose

1. Mr Cimino of the Mahurangi Coastal Trail trust will address the Committee regarding the Coastal Trail project.

Recommendation/s

That the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee:

a) Thank Mr Cimino of the Mahurangi Coastal Trail trust for his attendance.

5.2 Central United Football Club - Allocation of playing fields

Purpose

1. Ivan Vuksich, President, Central United Football Club will address the Committee regarding allocation of playing fields in the Auckland City area.

Recommendation/s

That the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee:

a) thank Mr Ivan Vuksich, President Central United Football Club for his presentation.

Attachments

a 20150916, Parks Recreation and Sports Committee, Central United Football Inc - Supporting Document........................................................ 4

6 Local Board Input

Standing Order 6.2 provides for Local Board Input. The Chairperson (or nominee of that Chairperson) is entitled to speak for up to five (5) minutes during this time. The Chairperson of the Local Board (or nominee of that Chairperson) shall wherever practical, give one (1) day’s notice of their wish to speak. The meeting Chairperson has the discretion to decline any application that does not meet the requirements of Standing Orders.

This right is in addition to the right under Standing Order 6.1 to speak to matters on the agenda.

At the close of the agenda no requests for local board input had been received.

7 Extraordinary Business

Section 46A(7) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (as amended) states:

“An item that is not on the agenda for a meeting may be dealt with at that meeting if-

(a) The local authority by resolution so decides; and

(b) The presiding member explains at the meeting, at a time when it is open to the public,-

(i) The reason why the item is not on the agenda; and

(ii) The reason why the discussion of the item cannot be delayed until a subsequent meeting.”

Section 46A(7A) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (as amended) states:

“Where an item is not on the agenda for a meeting,-

(a) That item may be discussed at that meeting if-

(i) That item is a minor matter relating to the general business of the local authority; and

(ii) the presiding member explains at the beginning of the meeting, at a time when it is open to the public, that the item will be discussed at the meeting; but

(b) no resolution, decision or recommendation may be made in respect of that item except to refer that item to a subsequent meeting of the local authority for further discussion.”

8 Notices of Motion

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

Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee

16 September 2015

Parks, Sports & Recreation - Acting General Manager's Report

File No.: CP2015/18663

Purpose

1. To update the Committee on activities undertaken by the Department of Parks, Sports and Recreation to support implementation of plans and policies of Auckland Council.

Executive Summary

2. This report has been written to update the Committee across a range of issues and progress with respect to approved work programmes.

Recommendation/s

That the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee:

a) receive the update report from the Acting General Manager – Parks, Sports and Recreation.

Comments

Operations Stability – Achievements and Highlights

1. The Northern sector planted 1,000 trees as part of the annual specimen tree planting programme. In addition, 6 community planting days were held during July, which concluded a very successful volunteer planting programme for 2015.

2. The three council owned holiday parks in the north (not on regional parks) achieved an average customer satisfaction result of 94% in a recent ‘mystery shopper’ survey. The surveys were undertaken at Orewa, Martins Bay and Whangateau holiday parks with ratings ranging from 89% to 98%. This represents a significant improvement on previous years.

3. Pahurehure Inlet in Manukau – Council’s southern ecological contractor, NZ Biosecurity has completed a targeted programme of weed control and in fill planting within the Pahurehure Inlet.

4. David Nathan Park in Manurewa - Downers working to higher specifications that prescribed at their own cost for the benefit of the community. Nathan Homestead Arts Centre manager has been very complimentary about the appearance of the site overall. The Manurewa Local Board are very happy about this as it is one of their high profile sites.

5. Community Restoration and Maintenance Funding Agreements are to be implemented in 2015/2016 with several Not For Profit Community Focused Organisations who will (primarily through the engagement of volunteers) deliver maintenance services in the Project Twin Streams catchments in West Auckland. These funding agreements represent a change in service delivery with the intention of achieving wider social outcomes alongside restoration/maintenance outcomes.

6. When the Avondale Netball Club left their home behind the Avondale Town Centre, the Parks team was left with a park resembling “an abandoned lot in New York”. There are great plans for this space in 3-4 years with the building of a community centre and library but in the interim the Whau Local Board was keen to temporarily activate the space. Parks teamed up with Community Development Arts and Culture (CDAC), Auckland Transport (AT), Sport Waitakere, Avondale Community Action and Housing New Zealand (as their housing neighbours the park) to design a space that would draw in the community, but not “waste” ratepayers money through the building of infrastructure that would then be torn down in a few years time. An elaborate kid’s roadway was painted along with a futsal and basketball court. All benches, bikes racks, road signs, goals are installed so they can be removed in future years and relocated. The kid’s roadway in particular has been a huge hit showing that you don’t need to spend a large amount of money to create a dynamic space.

This has been recognised externally and has been featured on a couple of facebook pages as below:-

https://www.facebook.com/bubsonbikes

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Playground-Auckland/744027155641071?sk=timeline

7. Workshop for New Migrants - Staff members Sinead Brimacombe and Marie Jenkins did a presentation in New Lynn and Henderson on Local & Sports Parks at a Welcome to Auckland workshops for new migrants (migrants in New Zealand for less than a year). The purpose of the workshops was to introduce them to Auckland Council services, the NZ health system, Treaty of Waitangi and local community connections. The presentation covered an introduction to Local Parks, useful contacts, how to access your local parks including navigation of the Auckland Council website, volunteering, holding events and a sample of some of our great parks in their area.

8. TŌIA - On Saturday, 8 August the much anticipated Tōia, including the new Library Ōtāhuhu Pātaka Kōrero - and the Ōtāhuhu pool and leisure centre was officially opened by Mayor Len Brown and Local Board Chairperson Lydia Sosene. The opening of Tōia is a significant milestone for the Ōtāhuhu community and realises its vision for new and better community facilities. Construction started in October 2013.

Tōia includes:

· Ōtāhuhu Pātaka Kōrero – Library;

· five swimming pools (including private pool), spa and saunas, and access for people with disabilities (pictured below);

· a dedicated outdoor area with splash water play area (pictured above);

· indoor recreation centre with two basketball courts;

· large fitness space and programme room; and

· community garden area.

The $30.9m development in the Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board area has been built by Auckland Council with significant involvement from PSR staff who worked together with colleagues from Libraries to design and implement this fully integrated facility which is set to become the hub of the community. It sets the benchmark for integrated design and how the organisation can effectively work together to deliver an outstanding facility that meets the diverse needs of a community.

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9. Leisure recently held its annual Be Inspired Awards to acknowledge and recognise their high performers. It is the only time throughout the year when the team can come together and it is always a fun and energetic night. Eleven awards were presented with the Manurewa Pool and Leisure Centre winning the supreme award of Centre of the Year for an outstanding year where they have grown their business, inspired more of their local community to be active and developed a winning culture with exceptionally high staff engagement scores. The other winners were:

1. Customer Support Representative of the Year – Ameria McLeod Papatoetoe Centennial Pools and Leisure Centre.

2. Early Childhood Educators of the Year – Cindy Starnes Beachhaven ECE.

3. Activation Award – Manurewa Fitness.

4. Inspirational Leader Award – Co winner Linda Luiten Stanmore Bay Pool and Leisure Centre and Paul Umaki Manurewa Pool and Leisure Centre.

5. Recreation Assistant of Year – Roberta Story – Otara Pool and Leisure Centre.

6. Learn to Swim Instructor of the Year – Fiona Porter West Wave Pool and Leisure Centre.

7. Lifeguard of the Year – Grace Blackett – West Wave Pool and Leisure Centre.

8. Fitness Instructor of the Year – Barbara Joseph Otara Pool and Leisure Centre.

9. Winning Culture Award – Takapuna Pool and Leisure Centre.

10. Continuous Improvement Award – Manurewa Pool and Leisure Centre.

11. Centre of the Year – Manurewa Pool and Leisure Centre.

Congratulations to Manurewa Pool and Leisure Centre along with all of the other winners and finalists who are leading the way in delivering on our high performance culture.

10. A collection of 250 species of Aloe has been bequeathed to the Botanic Gardens by the late Geoff Etherington of Nelson. It is considered one of the largest collections of this genus in the world. It has been planted in the Rock Garden, African Garden and in raised planters in the covered courtyard.

11. Community Engagement morning at East Coast Bays library. This was an invite to the NSMP cemetery manager and Manager of H Morris Funeral services to hold open discussions to the local community on business aspects of Cemeteries and Funerals. Very good turnout and positive results.

12. Settlement for the purchase of a 77 hectare addition to Te Rau Puriri Regional Park was completed on 1 July 2015. Conversations have been commenced with Nga Maunga Whakahii o Kaipara (Ngati Whatua o Kaipara) around identification and protection of areas significant to them and on the initial management of the property to bring it into service as a regional park and neighbours were advised of the acquisition. Some work has commenced to ensure that fences are stock proof.

13. Events at Arataki celebrating Matariki through late June and July were well attended with the number of people attending several of the lectures / presentations well exceeding that planned for. One event was attended by in excess of 80 people, twice the number anticipated. Some great feedback was received from people attending various events. Feedback included the following comments: ‘We (would) just like to say how much we enjoyed the evening talks on Tuesday, it was all very interesting. Both talks were great. We were really intrigued with the archaeologist from Otago and his findings, so up to date and so fascinating. Rewi was great too and reinforced a lot of stuff we learned while doing the paper for the Huia Museum. We need to reinforce using the correct names with the Geographic Board. Thanks for your initiative in organising the talks, well done.’

14. Planting days aimed at restoring native vegetation at specific sites through the Waitakere Ranges, Muriwai and Te Rau Puriri have been completed. The majority of the western sector planting programme is supported by school groups who return each year. Many of the children get the benefit of seeing their previous year’s work growing.

15. Full access to Waitawa Regional Park reopened on Monday 3 August after a year of limited access due to a major slip on the road to the main beach.

16. Auckland Sport and Recreation Strategic Action Plan (ASRSAP) – progress report

Parks and Recreation Policy and the Sport and Recreation Partnership’s team are collaborating to develop the first progress report for ASRSAP due to be reported to this committee in November. As a sector wide and council plan, the first annual report will provide an overview of how the Council family (Council and CCO’s) and the wider sport and recreation sector are going to progress key actions.

17. Healthy Families is a Ministry of Health (MoH) led initiative to improve health and wellbeing through physical activity and nutrition from a community based model. MoH have chosen 10 pilots throughout NZ, three of which are in Auckland. Auckland Council is a partner in these initiatives and as we move from project initiation to implementation, progress will be reported to the PRS Committee as part of the Auckland Sport and Recreation Strategic Action Plan progress reporting.

18. Healthy Families Waitakere launch - Minister Jonathan Coleman along with Councillor Linda Cooper and Local Board members launched the Healthy Families Waitakere collaboration on 28 August. This collaboration, funded by Ministry of Health aims to improve the health and wellbeing in the west by encouraging agencies to collaborate better using community centric approaches. Auckland Council is represented on the Healthy Families Waitakere Steering Group by Lisa Tocker from the Parks Sport and Recreation Department. The project is led by Sport Waitakere and other partners include The Fono, ProCare, HealthWest, Waipareira Trust, Unitec, Waitemata DHB, and Ministry of Health.

19. Healthy Families South - The Healthy Families Manukau and Healthy Families Manurewa – Papakura are jointly led by Auckland Council, Alliance Health Plus and the Tamaki Collective. The contract is held by Auckland Council through the Southern Initiative. Auckland Council and MoH have signed a contract for $12.4m over four years, and planning is underway for the official launch.

20. Volunteers in parks project update:

· Initial volunteering insights research has been commissioned to understand the motivations and drivers for both current and future volunteers. The outcomes of this research are due by the end of November 2015.

· Achieving consistent practice on health and safety for volunteers has also been progressed, with in an initial focus to understand the legislative requirements under the amended legislation (effective April 2016), and managing areas of most risk.

· Initial conversations aimed at targeting key partnership opportunities with others in the volunteering sector.

21. Waiheke Volunteering - New record – over 800 volunteer hours on Waiheke for July.

22. Sustainability of Sport Project Update - The draft work programme was presented to the Sustainability of Sport Panel and members of the PRS Committee in June. Next steps were to liaise with key external agencies to gain support for proposed programme and projects and report back the final work programme along with progress to the PRS Committee in November. Some projects are already in train such as the Sport Facility Network Plan led by Policy. Other elements such as the desire to see a customer centric and streamlined leases and permissions process have been fed into the Operations Division ReShape project. Of note this month is the confirmation that Sport New Zealand will fund work to progress school/community/council partnerships for three years starting FY16. A Partnership Plan will be developed between Council, MoE, Sport New Zealand and the Aktive/Regional Sports Trust group to clarify and confirm roles and responsibilities. Any partnerships will be developed using an evidence base that includes the recent MoE/council/Sport NZ survey of community access to school sport facilities plus provision gaps identified through the Sports Facility Network Plan.

23. Sportsfield Charges - on 20 August the Finance and Performance Committee passed a resolution to waive fees for sportsfields in central local board areas until a region-wide policy is adopted in the 2016/2017 financial year.

· This resolution was made, following advocacy from Auckland Football Federation and Local Board Chairs, in order to address issues around equity and consistency, whereby sportsfield charges were only applied to the central isthmus area covering the six central local board areas (Albert-Eden, Maungakiekie-Tāmaki, Orākei, Puketāpapa, Waitematā, Waiheke).

· The waiver of fees is effective from 1 July 2015 and means that no invoices will be sent out in the 2015/2016 financial year for sportsfield use in the central area of the city. The ‘waiver’ will apply to all of the 2015 winter season but Auckland Council will continue to collect all charges for unpaid invoices sent out in the 2014/2015 financial year and which relate to the 2014/2015 summer season and the 2014 winter season.

· Sportsfield charges will also continue to be applied at privately run facilities such as Bill McKinley Park and Ngahue Reserve.

24. Auckland Domain Committee - the inaugural meeting of the Auckland Domain Committee occurred on 4 August. The Committee canvassed a range of issues including bylaws, events, the Master Plan, Renewals and were introduced to relevant policy. The next meeting, to be held in October, will seek to adopt the draft Auckland Domain Master Plan.

Projects

25. The official opening of the Victoria Wharf in Devonport upgrade project occurred on 24 July.

26. The Pin Oak half court in Albany was completed.

27. The Rautawhiri Park in Helensville No. 1 League Field Training Lights was installed and is now operational.

28. A new track at Jacaranda Avenue in Beach Haven leading to Charcoal Bay was completed.

29 Youngs Beach Reserve in Papakura – a new toilet block has been installed for users at this boat ramp reserve within the Pahurehure Inlet along with a bbq and shelter funded by the Pahurehure Inlet Protection Society.

30. Waitangi Falls in Alenbrook - successful minor intervention including planting an unstable slope and new informal steps to direct people to the safer route to the base of the fall. Council effort much appreciated by local residents.

31. Seaside Park in Otahuhu - Stage one of the renewal and upgrade of Seaside playground has been completed. Existing playground with additional swings and vertical play equipment surrounded by informal piles of large tree trunks, earth mounds to create a space for climbing and imaginative play.

32. Howlett Reserve in Waterview - weed removal, revegetation planting and a new path have occurred recently NZTA project part of mitigation for SH2016/2020.

33. A plain tennis wall at Anderson Park in Manurewa was transformed into a games wall and bird mural with Hillpark Primary School.

34. A walkway to the David Nathan Park in Hill Park - tower has been formalised to draw negative behaviours away. Volunteers built a path and signage was installed to help educate and elevate the significance of this asset.

35. Shona Esplanade recycled plastic boardwalk in Henderson - This project consisted of the renewal of an existing 15metre long footbridge within Shona Esplanade. The substructure was assessed and being in good condition however the decking and barrier required replacement. The entire structure is timber with the exception of the decking which is an easy to install, recycled plastic product called Enduroplank. Enduroplank is imported by Metal Art from Replas Recycled Plastic Products in Australia. It is a durable and hard wearing product that requires little maintenance. The decking surface is cambered to shed water and grooved for built in slip resistance. See below photos of the completed bridge.

36. Barry’s Point Reserve in Takapuna – Korean garden project - The Korean Garden ceremony was held to welcome the stone monument that arrived from Gapyeong County, South Korea. It was the scene of the Battle of Kapyong, a major battle of the Korean War where our Korean War Veterans played significantly part in the battle. The monument will be the centre piece in the first stage of the Korean Gardens.

37. Greville Reserve - Artificial Turf in Forest Hill- Official opening of the new artificial field at Greville Reserve. The project has been a great success as a satellite field catering for rugby, rugby league and football. It is consistently booked and utilised between 4pm- 9pm daily and frequent Friday night football games.

38. Greville Reserve in Forest Hill - Learn to ride - Official opening of the Greville Reserve learn to ride facility, which is painted on top of a large water reservoir with the consent of Watercare. This is an example of an innovative project utilisation an otherwise dead space. This has been a huge hit for children between the ages of 1 and 7.

39. Essex Reserve - Mt Eden Village - This was a key project for the Albert-Eden Local Board and it has given the precinct on Newnham Lane a new lease of life. This included renewal of the playground, new paths, landscape planting, seats and lawn areas.

40. Sainsbury Reserve in St Lukes - Upgrade of the northern part of Sainsbury Reserve with a new play area, paths, trees and landscape planting, converting what had been essentially a paddock on the outskirts of St Luke’s shopping centre into a useful community asset. Note educational/fun pavement markings.

41. Gribblehirst Park in Sandringham - Play area renewal - innovative new designs to fort structure and swings.

42. Sandringham Reserve public Open Day 29 August 2015 - Part of consultation by SPiCE (Sandringham Project in Community Empowerment) with the local community about a joint Parks/Arts team project, working in partnership with SPiCE. The outcome will be a renewed and enhanced playground and surrounds-an ‘integrated urban design’ for Sandringham Reserve.

An example of community partnership in action.

43. Owairaka Shared Path project - An Auckland Transport-funded and delivered project on behalf of NZTA and in consultation with LSP, for part mitigation of the SH 16/20 motorway. Starting at Maioro Street, New Windsor, it has now reached New North Road, where it will cross via a new pedestrian bridge at Soljak Place, on through Harbutt and Phyllis Reserves, across another new pedestrian bridge over Oakley Creek where it will end at Great North Road. This path will greatly expand walking and cycling opportunities throughout Owairaka and adjoining suburbs and sits on a major Greenways route.

44. Okiwi Reserve in Great Barrier Island - Visitor path doubles as kids bike and skate park. A new concrete path through Okiwi Reserve. The path doubles as a link between Aotea Road and the bush area at the back of the reserve as well as a bike and skate facility for kids at the neighbouring primary school.

The clear, accessible concrete path invites passing visitors in to the reserve, which has large native trees, native kakariki and interpretive signage designed by kids from the school. Its organic shape softens its impact and makes it interesting and challenging to ride. Low ‘speed humps’ in the path provide a focus for the kids and encourage them to share with care. Superseding an original idea to build a small concrete skate area, the path was designed in conjunction with the neighbouring primary school and the Great Barrier Local Board and was delivered by local contractors Aotea Contracting and Envirokiwi.

45. Tole Reserve in Ponsonby- Playground renewal/upgrade opened on 11 August. Theme is ’Get Moving’ with a new learn to ride route painted onto the basketball half court. Plus a ‘3D hopscotch’ pavement painting.

46. Otara/Papatoetoe - The sod turning for the construction of the Pavilion at James Watson Park – 26 August. Spark basketball court at Otamariki Park will be opened on 12 September – weather permitting

47. Mangere/Otahuhu - Blessing and opening of new playgrounds at Boggust Park and Seaside Park. Mangrove removal project in the Manukau Harbour is well underway

48. Manurewa - The Randwick Community Facility physical works commenced late August. Manurewa Netball Complex – work completed on 7 new courts in time for the winter season.

49. Howick - The new 80metre double flying fox is now complete in Macleans Park and will be officially opened by the local board on 20 September.

50. North Shore Memorial Park Southern Development Project: Early discussions on Scope of works and developing a concept plan for consultation for the cemeteries southern development project.

51. Preparations are underway for this year's Ambury Farm Day event to be held at Ambury Regional Park on Sunday 4 October.

52. Wairau Stream Bridge commenced – to be completed prior to Christmas.

53. Positive Community feedback received on the completion of the 1.8 kilometre Cascades walkway through Golflands to Ti Rakau Drive.

54. Dawn Blessing held for the development of the Randwick Park Pavilion which is a Community driven development in Manurewa.

Issues/Challenges

55. The short term access bridge and track to the Karekare Surf lifesaving Club has been inundated by high stream water levels over the past few months. The development of a permanent vehicle access way to the surf club and public access to the beach has been approved for this financial year although design and consenting processes may delay the completion of the physical works until 2016/2017 financial year.

56. The Hunua pest control program is well underway with poison baits dropped over half the park. This has been a major operation involving many staff and volunteers. Working closely with our neighbours and other stakeholders has been essential to ensure a successful operation.

Consideration

Local board views and implications

57. There has been no specific engagement with local boards in relation to this update report. Programmes and initiatives associated with Local and Sports Parks, together with Pools and Leisure are led by Local Boards. Local Boards are consulted with respect to specific operational aspects of Regional Parks and Cemeteries within their District.

Māori impact statement

58. There has been no specific engagement with Māori in relation to this update report. The report briefly summarises the status of initiatives and projects which are however, on an individual basis, the subject of engagement with Māori.

Implementation

59. No issues.

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report.

Signatories

Authors	Mark Bowater - Acting General Manager – Parks, Sports and Recreation
Authorisers	Dean Kimpton - Chief Operating Officer

Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee

16 September 2015

Growth Programme

File No.: CP2015/18587

Purpose

1. The Auckland Council’s Long-term Plan included a significant programme of works, referred to as the Sports and Park Development programme, also known as the Growth Programme. This programme is substantially funded from development contributions and supported by rates funding and asset sales. This report provides an overview of the allocation of this funding in year one of the plan and a recommended process for managing and reporting on this programme in the future.

Executive Summary

2. With the adoption of the Long-term Plan (LTP) the Auckland Council committed to an investment of just under $28 million in the 2015/2016 financial year for Sports and Park Development/Growth Programme. An amount of $267 million is allocated across this programme over the 10 year life of the LTP.

3. A detailed Sports and Park Development/Growth Programme has been built to enable delivery in 2015/2016. The detailed programme was developed based on evidence including growth projections, demand and provision work, best practice guidelines, development plans, park provision work etc. For immediate planning purposes the programme was broken into four sub-programmes being:

· Greenways.

· General Park Development.

· Play.

· Sport.

4. Local boards were informed of the draft programme through workshops and later adopted the 2016 programme of work as part of their annual work programmes. Detailed planning and delivery is currently been undertaken and there is a high degree of comfort that a comprehensive programme of development plans and developments (implementation) will be completed in 2016.

5. The programme development for 2015/2016 was created with urgency under significant time constraints in order that the projects could be scoped and delivered in 2015/2016. However in the future it is appropriate for this programme to be given more visibility and considered oversight at a governance level. It is therefore proposed that, each year, staff report back to the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee and seek confirmation of the programme for the following year.

6. It is recommended that council staff be given discretion to deliver the programme within the budget envelope set for each year and to make necessary project scheduling changes to the programme in instances where projects are delayed. Where any project realignment effects on the ground delivery the impacted Local Boards will be consulted.

7. The bulk of the funding for this programme comes from development contributions and therefore the projects must necessarily meet the highest regional need for parks and recreation facilities to meet growth across the region. The programme includes both regional and local project. Any surplus or underspent project budgets that sit in the Local Board at year end must be returned from Local Board budgets to the regional fund for re-allocation to the next highest priority regional growth related project.

Recommendations

That the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee:

a) circulate this report to Local Boards for their information.

b) request that, each year, officers report back to the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee and seek confirmation of the Growth Programme for the following year and receive an update on delivery progress for the prior year.

c) agree that a programme delivery approach be taken when implementing the projects within the Growth Programme, which will involve and require a level of budget re-alignment throughout the year, and that officers be given discretion to deliver the projects within the total budget envelope set for each year.

d) request that where officers are proposing changes to the regionally funded Growth Programme, which need to be dealt with outside of an annual programme review, the impacted Local Boards will be consulted.

e) advise Local Boards that any surplus or underspent project budgets must be returned from Local Board budgets to the regional Growth Programme fund for re-allocation to the next highest priority regional growth related project.

Comments

Background

8. With the adoption of the Long-term Plan (LTP) the Auckland Council committed to an investment of just under $28 million in the 2015/2016 financial year for Sports and [Park] Development. An amount of $267 million is allocated across this programme over the 10 year life of the LTP.

9. The Sports and Development programme is the name referred to in the LTP however it is essentially a Park Development programme and more commonly and simply referred to as the Growth Programme (herein after referred to as the Growth Programme).

10. The Growth Programme is funded from a variety of sources with the majority of funding (70%) coming from development contributions. This programme necessarily sits alongside an acquisition programme however this paper does not specifically address the acquisition programme.

11. With parts of the programme the Parks, Sports and Recreation department is taking a community-led partnership approach with regard to planning and/or implementation and/or a commercial partnership approach. In both instances this approach enables development that also leverages funding from other sources (in addition to development contributions, asset sales and rates).

12. The Growth Programme was initially developed in response to proposed changes in the draft Long-term Plan (LTP) that would have significantly reduced the development programme for parks. This would have also reduced the ability to leverage development contributions. A range of strategies and plans indicate the need for open space acquisition and development to keep pace with growth and therefore the LTP evolved to include a development programme that addresses this need and can, in part, be funded from development contributions.

13. In general terms the Growth and Acquisition Programmes deliver acquisition, development and ongoing management of new open space in green-field areas and urban areas that are experiencing growth.

14. The Growth Programme model was built on evidence including growth projections, demand and provision work, best practice guidelines, development plans, park provision work etc. For immediate planning purposes the programme was broken into four sub-programmes being:

· Greenways.

· General Park Development.

· Play.

· Sport.

15. The reason for choosing these four programmes is that they have a distinct body of evidence and strategic drivers attached to them i.e. they are well understood areas of park development and they are substantial pieces of work in their own right.

16. As the Growth Programme is intended to respond to growth it has been shaped as a regional programme that can remain flexible to respond to changes in demand. However for practical purposes it is necessary to lock in a 1-3 year programme in some detail in order to deliver the programme. An overview of the 10-year Growth Programme, broken into the four sub-programmes, is attached along with a 10-year budget view (refer Attachment A). This shows year one dropped into local board budgets and outer years held as a regionally unallocated budget.

17. The year two and three programme delivery for the sub-programmes shown in Attachment A is necessarily draft as it will need to be reviewed annually to ensure we are continuing to respond to evidence of growth, regional policy, local board plans and the programme meets Council’s capacity and readiness to deliver.

18. The overall 10-year Growth Programme budget was not confirmed until late in the development of the LTP (and remained draft until the LTP was adopted in June 2015) however as it was a new regional programme with a high expectation of delivery to meet demand in 2015/2016 a detailed programme had to be developed in a very small window of time. This was not ideal however, as noted above, staff were able to draw on local board plans, regional plans and wide variety of sources of information to build this programme with quite a high degree of rigour. Local boards were informed of the draft programme through workshops and later adopted the 2016 programme of work as part of their work programmes.

Scope of programme

19. Attachment A contains a three year programme of work for all of the sub-categories of the Growth Programme. A three year programme is a sensible and commonly used approach to programme delivery planning as many projects take two to three years from design to delivery. However given the need for this regional programme to remain flexible and responsive and always test its ability to meet growth only the first year of the programme is confirmed and “dropped” into local board budgets (where these projects are in local parks). The outer two years can therefore only be considered provisional at this stage and will be reviewed prior to the 2016/2017 Annual Plan.

Sports

20. The sports programme is similar to the programme previously referred to as the Sports Field Capacity Development (SFCD) Programme. The change is the inclusion of hockey and netball courts into this funding stream. Auckland Regional Hockey Facilities Plan, 2014 and Auckland Regional Netball Facilities Regional Strategy, 2015 both provide an excellent evidence based guide to provision that sits comfortably alongside the 2014 Sports Field Supply and Demand Study to collectively inform a very robust sport development programme for 2015-2018.

21. The partnership that has been formed with netball and hockey is a community-led partnership approach. Not only have the demand studies which outline the future facility needs been led by the sports but there are joint planning groups, again being led by the sports, which are developing the implementation plans and leading the facility projects. Council’s future investment into these sports will be utilised as seed funding that the sports will leverage against funding from other sources.

22. The revised sport programme has been developed to meet a 2025 projected shortfall in capacity of sportfields of 1,682 hours per week, a projected 2031 shortfall in capacity of hockey turfs of 814 hours per week and a projected 2031 shortfall in provision of netball courts of 73 courts.

23. The Sports Turf advisors have assessed all council owned, leased or managed winter sports fields within the shortfall areas, or considered within an acceptable travel distance, and considered which of a wide range of capacity increase options was the most appropriate. These options included improving drainage, sand carpeting or use of fibre reinforced sand carpets of existing soil fields, flood lighting, installing artificial turf, field reconfiguration and new field development.

24. The Sport and Recreation Partnerships team have worked in partnership with and supported the Auckland regional hockey and netball and national associations since 2010 to develop demand based facility plans which were comprehensively reviewed in 2014 and 2015 respectively. These plans provide the basis for decision making about future facility investment, including councils investment, for these sports.

25. For field sports a prioritisation approach has been taken to ensure the programme delivers on the requirement to provide capacity in the areas of the region that have the greatest need. The objective was to get all areas to the same level of capacity relative to projected demand and then lift capacity progressively across all areas.

26. In scheduling capacity improvement projects over the 10 years consideration has been given to:

· The priority assigned to the project.

· Minimising, as far as possible, the impact to both summer and winter codes.

· The cost savings achieved in scheduling physical works on multiple fields in a park at the same time.

· Industry capability to deliver the works programme.

27. Most projects will be delivered in two stages spanning two years. Stage 1, comprising design and consenting will be undertaken in year 1, and Stage 2, comprising the physical works, in year 2. Attachment A shows the full extent of delivery – from design to completed development.

28. The first 3 years of the programme will deliver 443.5 additional full field equivalent playing hours per week and new hockey and netball facilities as follows:

· 36.75 sand carpet fields

· 44.75 fields floodlights

· 4.25 fibre reinforced sand carpet fields plus floodlights

· 2.5 artificial turf fields

· 3 hockey turfs

· 27 netball courts

29. In 2016 the programme will deliver 97 additional full field equivalent winter sports field playing hours per week through:

· 3 sand carpet fields

· 10.5 fields floodlights

· 2.25 fibre reinforced sand carpet fields

· 1 hockey turf

Greenways

30. The regional greenways opportunity was reported in detail to the 7 May 2015 Budget Committee where it was resolved to:

a) endorse the development of a regional greenways network plan to complement Local Board greenways plans

b) endorse the establishment of a greenways advisory group to oversee the development and implementation of the regional greenways plan.

31. This agreement followed several meetings amongst Local Boards to discuss a collaborative approach to the delivery of greenways and to share information and best practice across local boards.

32. The 7 May 2015 report acknowledged that there are several sources of funding for Greenways and a high level of interest from external funders.

33. Greenways provides exciting opportunities to connect communities and ecosystems, get people more active and activate many parts of Auckland. However it is also a complex area with multiple plans, many hundreds of kilometres of current or potential greenways and many funding streams. A portion of the Growth Programme funding was set aside for greenways development noting that many have an ability to provide for new growth.

34. In May/June 2015 a comprehensive review of the current strategies and plans (not just greenways plans but also local board plans, concept plans etc) was coupled with a review of the readiness to deliver on projects and a short term programme was drawn up to ensure that there was some certainty for programme delivery in 2016. This is also included in attachment A.

Play and general park development

35. The play and general park development programmes (also included in Attachment A) have been informed by evolving work on levels of provision, local board plans, subdivision and growth plans, Auckland Design Manual and much more.

36. The following is an example of level of provision for neighbourhood parks (which sits under the General Park Development category noted above) used to inform the development of this programme:

· Minimum size ~ 3,000m2

· Quantum 2 ha / 400 households

· Distribution 600m – 400m from residence (depending on PAUP zone)

· Overall 8-18ha new neighbourhood park land per annum in greenfield areas

Future management

37. The programme development for 2015/2016 was created with urgency under significant time constraints in order that the projects could be scoped and delivered in 2015/2016. Approximately one million dollars remains unallocated in 2015/2016 however there are projects flagged for this funding based on the allocation criteria used for the rest of the programme. The reason that these are unallocated is that the details of these projects could not be confirmed before the LTP went to print. These projects will be reviewed in the next month and the programme finalised. Where relevant, local boards will be informed.

38. In the future it is appropriate for this programme to be given more visibility and considered oversight at a governance level prior to the adoption of the annual plan.

39. It is therefore proposed that, each year, officers report back to the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee and seek confirmation of the programme for the following year.

40. A project structure has been put in place that will enable ongoing review of the programme. This may result in the need for regionally funded projects to be rescheduled, changed or substituted should unavoidable delays occur in one area or opportunities arise to the benefit of council and the community collectively to achieve the most practicable outcomes and efficiencies. In line with this need for ongoing review and a focus on delivering outcomes it is recommended that council officers be given discretion to deliver the programme within the budget envelope set for each year and to make necessary project scheduling changes to the programme in instances where projects are delayed.

41. Where any project realignment affects on the ground delivery the impacted Local Boards will be consulted.

42. It is important to recognise that the bulk of the funding for this programme comes from development contributions and therefore the projects must necessarily meet the highest regional need for parks and recreation facilities to meet growth across the region. Accordingly Local Boards will not own the funding but rather they will own the project outcome in the year of delivery. Any surplus or underspent project budgets must be returned from Local Board budgets to the regional fund for re-allocation to the next highest priority regional growth related project (using the same methodology as that used to develop the draft programme).

Consideration

Local board views and implications

43. While the programme is necessarily regional (to respond to growth across the region) the bulk of delivery will occur on local parks and therefore local board approval is required. Given the tight timeframes available prior to the adoption of the LTP staff developed a detailed one to three year programme utilising the Local Board Plans and local board advocacy as well as facility plans/sportsfield capacity plans, service level provision targets and an assessment of readiness to deliver. The programme was informally reported back to all local boards in workshops prior to the adoption of the LTP and has since been adopted in local board work programmes.

44. On the whole anecdotal feedback from local board workshops suggests that the Growth Programme met a high level of local board demand. The biggest area of feedback, which has been a persistent point from all boards, is more demand for sportsfield development than can be met by even the very progressive programme outlined in this report.

Māori impact statement

45. Consultation with mana whenua will be undertaken as part of project scoping and delivery as required throughout the delivery of capex development. Many of the development projects have had mana whenua input.

46. In addition to this the Parks, Sport and Recreation department are working with Te Waka Angamua and Environmental Services to arrange an inaugural meeting with all interested manu whenua to show a comprehensive programme view of the developments over the next few years to enable mana whenua to see a more comprehensive overview of the work undertaken than is currently possible with the project by project consultation approach.

Implementation

47. As noted above an ongoing review of the programme will be undertaken to respond to implementation challenges. This may result in the need for regionally funded projects to be rescheduled, changed or substituted should unavoidable delays occur in one area or opportunities arise to the benefit of council and sport collectively to achieve the most practicable outcomes and efficiencies.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	Sports Programme	4

Signatories

Authors	Jane Aickin - Manager Local and Sports Parks Central
Authorisers	Mark Bowater - Acting General Manager – Parks, Sports and Recreation

Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee

16 September 2015

Sports Field Capacity Development Programme - Annual Report

File No.: CP2015/18567

Purpose

1. To report on the delivery of the regionally funded 2014/2015 Sports Field Capacity Development (SFCD) programme.

Executive summary

2. Staff are reporting back to the Parks, Recreation and Sports Committee as requested in the minutes of the Parks Recreation and Heritage Forum meeting of 13 November 2012 (PH/2012/138).

3. The regionally funded projects delivered 5 sand carpets, 8 floodlit fields, 2 artificial turf fields with floodlights and the platform for 1 new field.

4. Overall, the completed regionally funded projects deliver an additional 120 playing hours per week against the updated 2025 shortfall of 1,682 hours per week. Once 2014/2015 Local Board funded projects are included a total of 209 playing hours have been added.

5. Since its inception the SFCD programme has delivered 796 additional playing hours, of which 286.5 hours were provided by regionally funded SFCD projects. Total expenditure on the SFCD programme for the 2014/2015 year was $24,163,600 of which $6,696,712 was from the regional SFCD fund.

Recommendations

That the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee:

a) receive this report

b) circulate this report to Local Boards for their information.

Comments

6. The 2012 Sports Field Capacity Development Programme outlined the 10 year physical works programme to increase sports field capacity to meet current and/or 2022 projected capacity shortfall across the Auckland Region. The programme included regionally funded SFCD projects and Local Board funded projects.

7. The 2012-2022 Long-term Plan (LTP) allocated an additional $84.95 million of regional funding towards increasing the capacity of sports fields, particularly for training.

8. In November 2012, the Parks, Recreation and Heritage Forum endorsed the regionally funded projects in the programme and recommended approval to the Regional Development and Operations Committee (PH/2012/138). The resolution included a number of reporting requirements as detailed below:

b. ‘notes that annual reviews of the programme will be undertaken that may result in the need for regionally funded projects to be rescheduled, changed or substituted should the opportunities to the council and sport collectively achieve the most practicable outcomes and efficiencies.

c. notes that where officers are proposing changes to the regionally funded programme as a result of annual reviews, impacted Local Boards will be consulted.

d. notes that, each year, officers will report to the Governing Body and seek confirmation of the programme for the following year.

e. notes that, each year officers will report to the Governing Body on budget variance on the previous year’s projects and request that any surplus or underspent project budgets be returned from Local board budgets to the regional fund for re-allocation to unfunded projects using the same methodology as that used to develop the draft programme’.

9. In December 2012 the Regional Development and Operations Committee approved the SFCD programme and confirmed the 2013/2014 regionally funded programme of work. (RDO/2012/249). The resolution included a number of delegations to council officers as detailed below:

a. ‘agrees that council officers be given discretion to deliver the programme within the budget envelope set for each year and to make necessary project scheduling changes to the programme in instances where projects are delayed.

d. agrees that a programme delivery approach be taken when implementing the projects, which will involve and require a level of budget re-alignment throughout the year and that officers be given discretion to deliver the projects within the budget envelope set for each year’.

10. In September 2014 the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee endorsed the regionally funded projects in the 2014/2015 programme of works including several amendments (PAR/2014/65).

2014/2015 projects

11. The 2014/2015 regionally funded SFCD projects were:

Local Board	Sports Park	Project
Albert-Eden	Walker Park	1 x field lights
Devonport-Takapuna	Becroft Park	3 x fields lights
Devonport-Takapuna	Greville Reserve	1 artificial turf field + lights
Henderson-Massey	Ranui Domain	1 x field lights
Henderson-Massey	Royal Reserve	1 x field sand carpet
Hibiscus-Bays	Red Beach Park	1 x field lights
Mangere-Otahuhu	Walter Massey Park	3 x fields sand carpet
Maungakiekie-Tamaki	Point England Reserve	1 x field lights
Orakei	Shore Road Reserve	Platform for new field
Puketapapa	Margaret Griffen Reserve	1 x field lights
Upper Harbour	Stadium Domain	1 x cricket wicket
Waiheke	Ostend Domain	1 x field sand carpet + lights
Whau	Crum Park	1 artificial turf field + lights
Waitemata	Grey Lynn Park	1 x field lights

12. The three following three projects were deferred.

Point England Reserve Lights	Lack of resources
Stadium Domain cricket wicket	Pending further discussion with Auckland Regional Facilities
Red Beach Park lights	Lack of resources

13. Total expenditure on the SFCD programme for the 2014/2015 year was $24,163,600 of which $6,696,712 was from the regional SFCD fund.

2014/2015	Budget	Project actual	Surplus / (Shortfall)
Regionally funded
2014/2015 regionally funded SFCD projects	$7,079,040	$6,264,360
Design and consent for 2015/2016 projects		$ 402,604
Other regional fund costs		$ 29,748
Total regional SFCD funding	$7,079,040	$ 6,696,712	$382,328*

Local Board funding – capacity increase		$12,203,854
Renewals		$ 5,263,034
Total expenditure		$24,163,600

*$382,328 deferred to FY 2015/2016 to cover committed amount of $339,238 for FY2014/2015.

14. In addition to the capacity increase projects, drainage and irrigation improvements, funded through Local Boards, were carried out on a number of fields. Both drainage and irrigation, whilst not adding capacity, will improve the quality of the playing surface and lower field closure rates.

15. The LTP funded capacity increase project to install floodlights at Michaels Avenue Reserve in Ellerslie has not been completed due to the resource consent being appealed to the Environment Court. The hearing is scheduled for November.

16. All other LTP funded, and all regionally funded, capacity increase projects have been completed.

17. Under the programme’s continuous improvement process learnings from each project are captured and are being used to update the design standards and up-skill officers, consultants and the industry.

18. Research and innovation are priorities with key projects including:

a) Partnering with Infrastructure and Environmental Services to undertake research on the impact of stormwater on parks and parks on stormwater.

b) Trial of fibre reinforced technology with sand carpet overlay.

c) Further research on rubber infill used on artificial turf fields and possible substitutions.

d) The Auckland Council Green Engineering Symposium – this is a cross Council and industry think tank looking at options for inclusion of design elements or materials in Auckland Council developments that will deliver a more sustainable long term outcome.

e) Upskilling staff to carry out the sand carpet field performance and condition testing which informs the renewals programme.

Consideration

Local board views and implications

19. To ensure projects can be delivered. Local Boards have been kept informed on progress and any issues that have arisen on the projects in their area, and consulted on any programme changes.

Māori impact statement

20. In the early planning stages of each of the SFCD developments iwi consultation is undertaken. Iwi consultation is generally carried out in a project specific/site specific manner however, in late September 2015, parks staff will address a regional hui to which all iwi are invited/participate with a view to sharing the full parks development programme, including the SFCD Programme. This will provide a better context and overview for iwi engagement to complement the site specific engagement process.

Implementation

21. The Parks, Sport and Recreation department is leading the delivery of the sports field capacity increase programme, and working closely with the relevant contracting/supplier industry to build suitable market capability to deliver on the scale of the work involved. Issues pertaining to implementation will be reported to the relevant Local Board as they arise through the Sport and Recreation Portfolio Leader, and through quarterly update reports.

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report.

Signatories

Authors

David Barker - Team Leader Parks Specialists and Programmes

Authorisers

Jane Aickin - Manager Local and Sports Parks Central

Mark Bowater - Acting General Manager – Parks, Sports and Recreation

Chairperson	Cr Hon Christine Fletcher, QSO
Deputy Chairperson	Cr Calum Penrose
Members	Cr Dr Cathy Casey	Cr Sharon Stewart, QSM
	Cr Bill Cashmore	Cr Sir John Walker, KNZM, CBE
	Cr Ross Clow	Cr Wayne Walker
	Cr Chris Darby	Cr John Watson
	Cr Alf Filipaina	Member Glenn Wilcox
	Cr Mike Lee	Member Karen Wilson
	Cr Dick Quax
Ex-officio	Mayor Len Brown, JP
	Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse
Independent Māori Statutory Board (alternate)	Member David Taipari
Ex-officio (without voting rights)	All other Councillors