Agenda of Auckland Domain Committee

I hereby give notice that an ordinary meeting of the Auckland Domain Committee will be held on:

Date:

Time:

Meeting Room:

Venue:

Wednesday, 14 October 2015

9.30am

Room 1, Level 26
135 Albert Street
Auckland

Auckland Domain Committee

OPEN AGENDA

MEMBERSHIP

Chairperson	Cr Hon Christine Fletcher, QSO
Deputy Chairperson	Member Shale Chambers
Members	Cr Mike Lee
	Cr Calum Penrose
	Member Vernon Tava
	Member Rob Thomas
	Member Glenn Wilcox
	Member Karen Wilson
Ex-officio	Mayor Len Brown, JP

(Quorum 4 members)

Tam White

Democracy Advisor

8 October 2015

Contact Telephone: (09) 890 8156

Email: tam.white@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

TERMS OF REFERENCE

AUCKLAND DOMAIN COMMITTEE

Parent Bodies:

Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee (PRSC) and Waitemata Local Board (WLB)

Area of Activity

Decision-making responsibility for parks, recreation and community services and activities in Auckland Domain including those anticipated in the Auckland Domain Act 1987 which are currently exercised by PRSC or the WLB

Powers

All powers of the PRSC and WLB necessary to perform the Committee’s responsibilities including those powers conferred on Council pursuant to the Auckland Domain Act 1987 except:

a. powers that the Governing Body cannot delegate or has retained to itself (section 2)

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

c. where a matter is the responsibility of another committee or local board

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

e. the approval of expenditure of more than $2 million

f. the approval of final policy

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

Membership

Chairperson: Appointed from the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee

Deputy Chairperson: Appointed from the Waitemata Local Board

Members: 2 other members from the Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee 2 other members from the Waitemata Local Board

Ex officio: Mayor

IMSB appointees (s 85 (1)): Two appointees

Quorum: Half or majority

Frequency of meetings: Quarterly or as required but at least annually

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.

Independent Maori Statutory Board (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.

Council Controlled Organisations (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 Auckland Domain Committee:

a) confirm the ordinary minutes of its meeting, held on Tuesday, 4 August 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 Tennis Auckland

Purpose

1. Brent Robinson, Chief Executive Officer, Tennis Auckland will address the committee in relation to the resource consent for an upgrade to the ASB Tennis Arena.

Recommendation/s

That the Auckland Domain Committee:

a) thank Brent Robinson, Chief Executive Officer, Tennis Auckland for his presentation.

5.2 Auckland Bowling Club

Purpose

1. Graeme Scott, chair of the Auckland Bowling Club will address the committee regarding their application for renewal of their lease.

Recommendation/s

That the Auckland Domain Committee:

a) thank Graeme Scott, Chair, Auckland Bowling Club for his presentation.

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.

Auckland Domain Committee

14 October 2015

Park Managers Report

File No.: CP2015/20992

Purpose

1. To provide an update for the Auckland Domain Committee on activities associated with the management of Auckland Domain over the last quarter, in accordance with relevant plans and policies, for the benefit of Auckland.

Executive Summary

2. Over the last quarter highlights or significant changes include:

a) The development of Parnell Rail Station has progressed rapidly. Both platforms are largely complete. Although the station is not proposed to open in until 2017 or 2018 it is now very evident on site how well this development will significantly improve access to Auckland Domain.

b) As part of the developments to the north of Auckland Domain both the connection with Ngahere Terrace and future greenways connections are currently being discussed between the Waitematā Local Board, the developer, Auckland Transport and Auckland Council.

c) Auckland Tennis is proposing a major redevelopment of their site which requires landowner approval (due to their leased occupation of Auckland Domain land). This development will largely reconfigure and make more functional the current facility leased to Auckland Tennis.

3. These, and a number of other routine but important activities, are detailed in this report.

Recommendation/s

That the Auckland Domain Committee:

a) receive the Park Managers report.

b) delegate landowner approval for Auckland Tennis to the Manager Local and Sports Parks Central who must consult with the Chair and Deputy Chair who can, in turn, elect to refer the decision to the Committee if deemed appropriate.

Comments

Parnell Rail Station

4. The Parnell Rail station build has proceeded at pace with both platforms being close to completion. Although the current build is based on the provision of a very basic station the platform that is hard against/within Auckland Domain (under a previously consented a designation) it is almost complete and the impact (as shown below) is minimal with all but weedy vegetation retained. There were several areas along the boundary where the platform was above or below the platform however the design was particularly empathetic to the contours and has generally resulted in very low cuts against the Domain boundary. The area that was most significantly above the platform level is shown below. It has coped well with a short steep geotech cloth lined treatment.

New platform against the boundary of Auckland Domain showing an area of high elevation against the platform treated by geotech cloth and nails with little/no impact on existing vegetation/parkland.

This photo is taken from Auckland Domain on an existing track near the “woodchip yard”. The new Parnell Rail station is only meters away and on a very similar level.

5. The previously consented new links include a new link from the station to the underpass, a connection from the platform to Nicholls Lane (Carlaw Park), a link to the track that passes through the woodchip chipyard and a connection to the south east connecting with the Museum. The link at the underpass is currently under construction. The link to the chipyard from the station has been future proofed by installing foundations for a ticket tag on/off machine at this point and the potential to install a gate in the fence line (shown above). The link to Carlaw Park is important to the station and alignments are under review in coordination with a possible cycle way project. A fourth link is to the southeast of the underpass and creates a stronger connection to the museum. All track connections are only required (as part of the consent) upon opening of the station and this is not currently planned until 2017/2018.

6. Auckland Transport (AT) have held off designing and installing some of these path connections due to the potential for a cycle route that could be incorporated and also because the station is not due to open for some time. They therefore do not want to direct people to a non-operational platform at this time.

7. The opening of the station is not planned until 2017 or early 2018 and is subject to another project associated with the Sarawira Level crossing. However, AT is still investigating ways to bring this date forward.

Ngahere Terrace connection

8. Land at the northern end of the Domain (around the new Parnell Rail Station platforms) is being cleared following Kiwi Rail’s sale of this block to Sommerset homes. The eastern end of this block severs Auckland Domain from Ngahere Terrace. A walkway has existed from Ngahere Terrace through to Auckland Domain, under the rail tunnel, for many generations but this route has always involved crossing a sliver of Kiwi Rail land that has since been sold to Sommerset homes. Auckland Transport and Auckland Council are in discussions with Sommerset homes with a view to securing ongoing access to Auckland Domain from Ngahere Terrace. This is a linkage that is in the interest of all parties.

9. An idea recently raised by Luke Nuie, Parnell Community Group, is the possibility of reconfiguring the Ngahere Steps so they are less steep especially in winter when traversing down this steep grade. This is something that could be considered as part of the Auckland Domain Master Plan.

Waipapa Stream restoration and day lighting

10. The restoration of the Waipapa Stream, also to the North of Auckland Doman is in its fourth year of a ten year project

11. To date $60,000 has been spent on extensive pest plant control and native planting (4,000 plants). Two community days are held annually; a planting day in July and a stream clean-up day in September (as part of the Auckland Heritage Festival).

12. $11,000 is planned to go towards this year’s works. The majority of the project is funded by Waitematā Local Board.

Council staff, local community and Waitematā Local Board members at a recent volunteer day

Waipapa Valley to Newmarket Park Greenway

13. This is another concept for the northern boundary of Auckland Domain. It is a concept being championed by members of the Waitematā Local Board and is included in their Greenways Plan. It involves cycle access near or alongside the rail line and through an old rail tunnel. Seismic checks on the old tunnel have not raised any issues. Auckland Transport, Panuku Development Auckland and Community Policy and Planning are investigating options for this proposal and further information will be provided in due course.

Auckland Tennis

14. The Auckland Tennis Club are proposing a significant redevelopment. Their lease requires land owner approval.

15. The ASB Tennis upgrade project involves redevelopment of the facility to better cater to, and deliver, the ASB Classic International Tennis Tournament. This is a significant project as the ASB Classic remains one of the highlights of Auckland and New Zealand’s annual sporting calendar.

16. The current facilities are outdated and in need of upgrade on an almost continual basis to meet minimum building standards. Some of the facilities are original, constructed up to 57 years old, and of a sub-par quality to continue to deliver an international tournament. Currently the facility itself does not meeting the ATP and WTA requirements to host the ASB Classic and this includes the 3,500 seating capacity. However, through dispensation from tennis governing bodies the ASB Tennis Centre has been able to keep the tournament.

17. The proposed upgrade envisages numerous improvements including pedestrian/visitor lanes with food and beverage facilities, improved player amenities and an overall efficient layout which seeks to enhance the tournament experience and maximise the positive outcomes of the event.

18. The proposal includes the following features:

a. Redeveloped entrance area from Tennis Lane which includes a more open entrance to Auckland Domain. This is to function as a public space and is a key benefit of the proposal in terms of enhancing this entrance to the Auckland Domain.

b. A new retractable roof over the main courts within the Tennis Centre to allow cover in the event of rain. This has been proposed to maximise the views towards the city centre and views over the Domain’s magnificent and iconic treescape.

c. Better pedestrian and player circulation within the facility itself to cater to the international event.

d. The ASB Tennis Centre team has met with Auckland Council Parks, Sport and Recreation staff. They are working through the landowner approval process. They are looking at lodging resource consent in the near future to ensure that applications for funding the build/redevelopment can be achieved. It is understood that none of the Auckland Domain trees outside the leased area are to be affected nor removed, while some within the leased area have also been protected and plans redrafted to ensure such protection.

e. The actual build is anticipated to begin at the end of January 2017.

Road closure update

19. In July this year the road to the north of the Grandstand was closed on a permanent trial basis. This followed failure of several oak trees in the area and also acknowledges that the area was a priority for improved pedestrian and cycle access in the draft Auckland Domain Master Plan. Anecdotal evidence shows that this permanent trial has been very successful with the lane consistently traversed by pedestrians or cyclists who no longer have to drop onto the slopping grass embankment to avoid car movements. Other than one initial concern raised prior to the closure occurring there have been no recorded complaints or concerns raised about this initiative.

Events update

20. Lantern Festival will be moving from Albert Park to Auckland Domain for the first time this year. Final details around site lay out are being finalised by Parks, ATEED and the organisers, and Landowner Approval will be sought from the delegated Domain Committee members in the near future.

21. Laneways Festival has been found an alternative venue for this and next year, but is also expected to seek a place in Auckland Domain from 2017.

Spring in Auckland Domain

22. One of the spectacular aspects of any park with a heavy horticultural component is the spring display. This year is no exception with a powerful display of spring colour occurring throughout the park. The picture below is typical of the images that can be expected in the Domain during spring.

Spring photo taken on sunday 27 September 2015 by the duck ponds

Operational maintenance update

23. The garden at the entrance to Auckland Domain, off Carlton Gore Road, has been replanted and now creates a striking feature for those entering the Domain from this highly used entrance.

New planting (lavender and berberis) at Carlton Gore Road entrance

24. Working in collaboration with the Parnell Tennis Club, the boundary between both sites has been replanted with the aim of slowly phasing out the current boundary that is currently comprised of tree privet.

25. The Wintergardens courtyard has had 76 pavers re-laid. These pavers were creating a tripping hazard where roots were growing up underneath them. This has now been fixed.

26. Gardens on the corner of Football Rd and Wintergarden Rd have been planted up to improve the overall look of the area

27. The Cenotaph has been cleaned this month. This was arranged through Stone Conservation a specialty heritage cleaning provider to ensure that the methodology minimised all potential damage to this prized heritage asset.

28. Auckland Council parks staff met with Ian D’Young and Phil Schulze of the Auckland District Health Board with the aim of improving communication channels between Auckland Domain and Auckland Hospital.

Volunteer Animal Pest Control

29. Following the usual one month break in July, the nine animal pest control volunteers recommenced trapping for rodents and possums at the beginning of August. The Auckland Domain continues to be a possum hotspot and the volunteers’ ongoing efforts are invaluable in reducing the number of pests living in the park.

30. In response to a suggestion from the Domain volunteers, the parks team are looking into the feasibility of installing a third trap line in the park. This will primarily depend on recruiting and training a sufficient number of people to service a new line.

Consideration

Local Board views and implications

31. Auckland Domain is the only example of a park in the Auckland Region that is subject to split governance. Three members of the Waitematā Local Board are on the Auckland Domain Committee and effectively represent the views of the local board. However all of the Waitematā Local Board are highly engaged in Auckland Domain and will be informed of significant projects, opportunities, events and issues as they arise.

Māori impact statement

32. Auckland Domain is a site of significance for a range of iwi in the region. Acknowledging the importance of the park, staff work with iwi on changes and proposed projects as they arise.

Implementation

33. This reports details the day to day management of Auckland Domain and implementation of the planning, renewal and development work programme.

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report.

Signatories

Authors

Jane Aickin - Manager Local and Sports Parks Central

Mark Miller - Acting Manager, Local and Sports Parks Central

Authoriser

Mark Bowater - Manager Local and Sports Parks

Auckland Domain Committee

14 October 2015

Approval of the Auckland Domain master plan for consultation

File No.: CP2015/19475

Purpose

1. To seek the Auckland Domain Committee’s approval of the draft Auckland Domain master plan for public consultation.

Executive Summary

2. The Auckland Domain Committee is overseeing the development of a master plan which seeks to consolidate the Auckland Domain’s position as one of the region’s premier parks.

3. The master plan responds to issues identified during an initial consultation phase and hui with mana whenua, including:

· vehicle dominance / poor pedestrian environment

· clutter

· poor signage

· limited awareness of the history and significance of the Auckland Doman.

4. Council is seeking to enhance the Auckland Domain for peaceful respite and to create safe, people-friendly places and routes with high amenity and improved connectivity.

5. The report seeks the Auckland Domain Committee’s approval of the draft master plan for public consultation in November and December 2015.

Recommendation/s

That the Auckland Domain Committee:

a) approve the draft Auckland Domain master plan, provided under separate cover, for public consultation during November and December 2015.

Comments

Background

6. The development of a master plan for Auckland Domain was approved by the Parks, Recreation and Heritage Forum at its February 2013 meeting. The master plan is a twenty-year aspiration for how the park can develop and consolidate its position as Auckland’s premier park. It responds to issues and pressure points as well as coordinating projects and work streams impacting on the Auckland Domain.

Key issues

7. Initial consultation has taken place to identify key issues in the Domain. Interviews were held with stakeholders, including the Parnell Community Committee, Friends of Mangawhau, Academic Colleges Group and the Auckland War Memorial Museum. Four hui have also been held with mana whenua.

8. Use of Auckland Domain has increased significantly over the last ten years. Key pressure points are major events and vehicle use. A range of stakeholders are actively advocating for a change in the park access to reduce the impact of cars. A reduced vehicle footprint will enhance safety and provide greater pedestrian access to meet current and future community needs. Construction of the Parnell Rail Station, currently underway, will create two new pedestrian access points into the park and is expected to change the way people use the Domain.

9. Other key issues that have emerged during the initial consultation phase include:

· too much clutter

· poor signage

· the history and stories of the Auckland Domain are not well told.

Key principles

10. It is recommended that the Auckland Domain Committee approve a set of key principles to formally guide consultation and inform the development of the master plan. The following draft principles have been discussed by the committee in response to the above issues:

i. enhance the Auckland Domain for peaceful respite

ii. enhance the legibility of the Domain as an important cultural and heritage site

iii. create safe, people friendly places and routes with high amenity

iv. improve connectivity to the Auckland Domain and to the key features within it

v. improve the Auckland Domain as a recreation and event destination

vi. enhance and maintain the amenities and facilities within the Auckland Domain

vii. create an environmentally sustainable park that is an exemplar on the world stage

11. At the time of going to print, some amendments to these principles were being considered and will be talked to on the day of the committee meeting

Next steps

9. A programme of community and stakeholder consultation is proposed to gather feedback on the master plan.

10. It is proposed that consultation take places in late November 2015 for a period of three weeks. Engagement activities will consist of:

· holding an open day at Auckland Domain where staff, the project team and Auckland Domain Committee members provide further information on each of the draft proposals and listen to feedback

· disseminating information about the master plan via Shape Auckland as well as an online feedback form

· advertising in the community newspaper, posts to Neighbourly and the Auckland Council and Waitemata Local Board Facebook Pages

· emailing all people in the Waitematā Local Board database inviting them to participate in the consultation exercise.

11. Consultation feedback will be summarised and presented to the Auckland Domain Committee. It is expected that this could take place in early 2016 subject to the scale and nature of feedback provided. The costs, benefits and risks of various options will also be reported.

12. The Auckland Domain Management Plan may need to be updated to reflect the final Auckland Domain and Auckland War Memorial Museum master plans which are being developed concurrently.

Consideration

Local Board views and implications

13. The Auckland Domain Committee includes three representatives of the Waitematā Local Board. This representation has allowed the views of the local board to be incorporated into the development of the master plan.

Māori impact statement

14. Auckland Domain is of great importance to iwi across the region and beyond. The Auckland Domain is a historic site of conflict and peace. The memorial on Pukekaroa and the displays and interpretation managed by the Auckland War Memorial Museum pay tribute to significant events and the importance of the site to iwi.

15. Four hui and a site visit have been held with mana whenua. Particular issues of importance include:

· incorporating Māori stories and names in interpretation and wayfinding material

· support for reducing vehicles and car parking in the park and improving the pedestrian environment

· the development of pedestrian and cycle paths provides the opportunity to incorporate more planting and to increase the bio diversity, in particular native species in the park

· where exotic trees are removed native species should be considered for replanting.

16. This feedback is being incorporated into the master plan and considered as part of the Auckland Domain Operational Tree Plan which is currently being developed.

17. Staff are also working with mana whenua to identify how Te Aranga, Māori Design Principles, can be incorporated throughout the master plan.

18. At the time of going to print several ideas are being considered, including greater context for Te Aranga, Māori Design Principles by re-ordering some of the sections within the plan and the inclusion of a Mana Whenua Heritage and Culture Map, showing archaeological sites, sites of significance/value to Mana Whenua and historic heritage from the Proposed Unitary Plan.

Implementation

19. An implementation plan will be included with the final report to adopt the master plan. It will outline how projects will be funded and delivered. Attachment 1 is a summary of the projects proposed

Attachments

Due to the size of the draft Auckland Domain Master Plan this document is available online as Attachments

Signatories

Authors

Shyrel Burt - Principal Policy Analyst

Paul Marriott-Lloyd - Team Leader

Authorisers

Rob Cairns - Manager Parks and Recreation Policy

Mark Miller - Acting Manager, Local and Sports Parks Central

Jane Aickin - Manager Local and Sports Parks Central

Auckland Domain Committee

14 October 2015

Capital Developments

File No.: CP2015/20789

Purpose

1. To update the Committee on current and projected future developments in Auckland Domain.

Executive Summary

2. There are currently three developments planned and funded for delivery at Auckland Domain over the next five years:

· WWI Centennial Memorial

· Natural play space development

· Sportsfield capacity upgrade

3. Other developments are proposed in the draft Auckland Domain Master Plan, however no funding is available for detailed planning or implementation as part of the 2015-2025 Long-term Plan.

4. While the final outcome of the draft Auckland Domain Master Plan will not be known until the end of the financial year, there are several high priority projects emerging from the draft master plan. These all relate to safe and accessible paths and connections through Auckland Domain. A preliminary long term budget was provided for consideration as part of the 2015-20125 Long-term Plan (LTP) however no additional funding was included in the LTP. Although the Annual Plan is not an opportunity to re-litigate the LTP it does provide an opportunity to correct any significant omissions or gaps.

5. It is recommended that a small amount of funding be advocated for, through the Annual Plan, for urgent way-finding signage to improve way finding and the user experience as well as planning for project delivery associated with walking and cycleway connections (which can then be considered again as part of the next LTP).

Recommendations

That the Auckland Domain Committee:

a) Consider the opportunity for some funding to be allocated through the 2016/2017 Annual Plan, to enable core signage works to be delivered and project planning to be undertaken for delivery through the next Long-term Plan.

b) Endorse, in principle, the plans for the WWI Centennial Memorial, natural playspace and sportsfield capacity improvements detailed in this report, noting that further information will be reported back to the Auckland Domain Committee as the detailed designs are advanced.

Comments

6. As part of the Long-term Plan three capital projects were funded for Auckland Domain. These are the WWI Centennial Memorial, a natural play space and sportsfield capacity improvements. These are described in more detail below.

WWI Centennial Memorial

7. On the centenary of World War One an opportunity exists to create a commemorative and contemplative feature or place on the northern slopes of Pukekawa in front of Auckland War Memorial Museum. The Auckland War Memorial Museum building, the Court of Honour, and the Cenotaph are collectively the direct memorial to individual battles, the combatants and the fallen, and this new feature will respect and enhance this fact. Since the original construction of the Auckland War Memorial Museum, suggestions have periodically been made that the axial approach to the Museum from the north should be enhanced or formalised. This project therefore seeks to honour that intent while also memorialising all in the community whose lives were affected by conflict.

8. The feature is to be an exception to the normal concept of war memorials and to express the more personal and emotive impacts of conflict and to World War One in particular with its very significant loss of life. It is to be conflict-generic to avoid setting a precedent for post-World War One conflicts to have equal representation in the vicinity.

9. $1million was set aside for this project in the Long-term Plan. This funding has been spread over the life of the project and includes $300,000 operational funding this financial year for engagement, design, consent, funding and other associated project costs.

10. Expressions of Interest were called for on 14 September 2015.

11. Iwi engagement commenced a few months ago and the first phase of stakeholder engagement was undertaken on the 14^th September, when a good turnout of interested parties attended a launch in the Town Hall.

12. It is anticipated up to five successful candidates will be selected from the Expression of Interest process and they will all be invited to develop designs during November and December 2015.

13. A decision on a final design will need to be made in January as national lottery grant funding applications close in February 2016. An additional $2million external funding is being sought to complement council funding to enable this project to be implemented in time for the conclusion of the World War One commemorations in 2018.

Looking up the site and the Auckland War Memorial Museum Axis – Domain Drive at the bottom

14. The figure below is included in the Expression of Interest document and provides a useful overview of the site and context for the proposed development.

Natural Play Space

15. Auckland Domain has no formal provision for play, but it does have a wide range of natural features and habitats that children can enjoy.

16. In particular, the split pohutukawa trees, duck pond and kiosk already attracts children and their parents/caregivers, making this area the most logical for developing a natural playscape.

17. The Auckland Domain Masterplan identifies this opportunity as one of several recommendations to improve amenities.

18. $20,000 capital expenditure from the council’s growth fund has been allocated in 2015/2016 for detailed design work to create a natural playscape in this area. A provisional sum of $350,000 has been allocated in 2016/2017 to implement the project however this is subject to a regional review of the priorities noting that the growth fund is predominantely required to deliver projects that cater for future growth.

19. Natural play elements will complement the surrounding landscape and be visually recessive. They will utilise natural materials such as timber, rocks, rope, stepping logs, planting and earthworks such as mounds.

20. It may also be possible to align natural play features with swales associated with the future sportsfield upgrades.

21. These play features will cater for a wide range of ages and abilities and encourage imaginative play, whilst introducing children to the wonders of the natural environment and helping them connect with it. Natural play differs from more traditional, formalised playgrounds as there is less uniformity. This has been proven to benefit young children in developing balance and motor skills, as well as an early understanding of important life skills such as how to assess risk.

22. The designs will be presented to the committee for approval.

An artist impression of a very basic natural play environment with rocks and landscape features providing an opportunity to climb and expore

Sportsfields

23. In 2008, a proposal was put forward to increase the sports field capacity of the lower fields at Auckland Domain, while still taking into consideration the large events that have historically taken place on the fields.

24. This was initially to be achieved by installing a full sand carpet over the whole lower field area with reinforced sand (to be used in specific locations to accommodate for the setting up of events), in ground irrigation and lighting installed on two fields (the plan is to light the two fields furthest from the museum (i.e. western side of lower fields)). The lighting was to include moveable poles where it impacts on summer use.

25. This sand carpet design was based on the assumption that all the water that entered the sand carpet base must exit the root zone via the installed drainage system. Because stormwater infrastructure in and around Auckland Domain is at capacity the design relied on the installation of a significant number of in ground detention tanks that would slowly release water after a stormwater event.

26. However, the cost of the consented design was estimated at $10 million.

27. A review of the design was therefore undertaken in 2013. It was ascertained that drainage down through the soil profile on the lower fields is good and that the main problems to achieving good drainage are due to the soil surface and the heavy traffic that seals the surface. Providing good drainage on the soil surface will achieve a much improved winter playing surface without having to install a complicated drainage outfall system. The proposed system (a 200mm sand profile with a reduced level of slit drains and soakage pits) aims to enable water to drain vertically down through the profile, directly to ground water.

28. The reviewed design still includes the installation of two lit fields and reinforced sand to be used at specific locations in order to facilitate event set up.

29. The cost of delivering the revised plan is approximately $3.2 million.

30. The proposal involves replacing the existing six under sized fields with five full sized sports fields, two of which will be lit. This sports field layout (shown in attached plan) will deliver 19 hours of extra sports field capacity per week during the winter and reduces the number of field closures.

31. Even though consideration has been given to the three major events per year held at Auckland Domain in the design, it is still recommended that, where possible any new events requested for the site be staged on the upper fields. This is due to the upper fields remaining soil based with no irrigation or slit drains and less likelihood of any damage to the surface occurring during the summer.

32. Heritage and iwi have both been consulted as part of the resource consent process. An authority to modify has been applied for through Heritage New Zealand.

Funding

33. All three projects detailed above are included in the LTP and reflected in the draft Auckland Domain Master Plan due to be consulted on at the end of this year.

34. While the final outcome of the draft Auckland Domain Master Plan will not be known until the end of the financial year there are many projects included in the draft Master Plan that do not have any funding in the LTP. Most of these relate to safe and accessible paths and connections through Auckland Domain. A preliminary long term budget was provided for consideration as part of the LTP at approximately $1million per year but no additional funding was included.

35. Although the Annual Plan is not an opportunity to re-litigate the Long-term Plan it does provide a means of correcting any significant omissions or gaps. Given the amount of works required in Auckland Domain to enable safe and legible access some funding for planning and signage, at the very least, is desirable in the next few years. There may also be an opportunity to partner with other parts of council or other agencies to assist with short term delivery or some projects.

Consideration

Local Board views and implications

36. Park representatives from the Waitematā Local Board have workshopped the revised sportsfield plans. A member of the Waitematā Local Board sits on the Auckland Domain Centennial Memorial Working Party. The Waitematā Local Board will be informed of the three projects as they progress so their feedback can be taken into consideration.

Māori impact statement

37. In relation to the WWI Centennial Memorial, mana whenua engagement is underway. An initial meeting was held on site on 11 August 2015. A hui between mana whenua and the project team is planned for 15 October, and a separate meeting to appraise the Office of the Maori King is scheduled for 22 October.

38. Engagement with mana whenua has also being undertaken in relation to the sportsfield project. Mana whenua that responded and requested further involvement were Ngāti Whātua, Ngāti Tai Ki Tāmaki and Ngāti Maru Rūnanga. Ngāti Maru Rūnanga submitted a Cultural Impact Assessment stressing the historical importance of the Auckland Domain and requesting that cultural monitoring be undertaken when any excavations occur to safeguard any accidental discovery of any cultural significance.

39. Consultation is yet to be undertaken in relation to the natural play space.

Implementation

40. All three projects have maintenance implications. These are worked through as part of the project planning and funding for operational maintenance implications for all three projects is included in the Long Term Plan.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a View	Sportsfield Plan	29

Signatories

Authors

Mark Miller - Acting Manager, Local and Sports Parks Central

Christopher Felton - Sports Turf Advisor Central

Jane Aickin - Manager Local and Sports Parks Central

Authoriser

Mark Bowater - Manager Local and Sports Parks