I hereby give notice that an ordinary meeting of the Waitākere Ranges Local Board will be held on:
Date: Time: Meeting Room: Venue:
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Thursday, 12 November 2015 6.30pm Waitakere
Ranges Local Board Office |
Waitākere Ranges Local Board
OPEN AGENDA
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MEMBERSHIP
Chairperson |
Sandra Coney, QSO |
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Deputy Chairperson |
Denise Yates, JP |
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Members |
Neil Henderson |
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Greg Presland |
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Steve Tollestrup |
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Saffron Toms |
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(Quorum 3 members)
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Glenn Boyd (Relationship Manager) Local Board Services (West)
Tua Viliamu (Democracy Advisor)
6 November 2015
Contact Telephone: (09) 813 9478 Email: Tua.Viliamu@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz Website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
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Waitākere Ranges Local Board 12 November 2015 |
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1 Welcome 5
2 Apologies 5
3 Declaration of Interest 5
4 Confirmation of Minutes 5
5 Leave of Absence 5
6 Acknowledgements 5
7 Update from Ward Councillors 5
8 Deputations 5
8.1 Glen Eden Baptist Church 6
9 Public Forum 6
10 Extraordinary Business 6
11 Notices of Motion 7
12 Waitākere Ranges Local Board Local Grants: Round One 2015/2016 9
13 Waitākere Ranges Quick Response Grants Round Two 2015/2016 89
14 2015/16 lease workplan - expedited renewal process and review of ongoing lease management 95
15 Auckland Transport Update Report - October 2015 103
16 Auckland Transport Quarterly Update to Local Boards - 1 July to 30 September 2015 129
17 Waikumete Cemetary Open Day 151
18 Urgent Decision Report - Friends of Arataki Free Kids Day 155
19 Appointment of a Waitakere Ranges Local Board Member to the Rural Advisory Panel 157
20 WRLB submissions on Block Offer 2016 - Proposal for Petroleum Exploration Permit Round, Before the Unitary Plan Independent Hearing Panel: Topic 24 GMO's and Rural Rates Discussion Document - feedback 167
21 Chairperson's Report - November 2015 179
22 Confirmation of Workshop Records - 16 July - 24 September 2015 191
23 Consideration of Extraordinary Items
1 Welcome
2 Apologies
At the close of the agenda no apologies had been received.
3 Declaration of Interest
Members were 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.
Specifically members are asked to identify any new interests they have not previously disclosed, an interest that might be considered as a conflict of interest with a matter on the agenda.
At its meeting on 28 November 2013, the Waitakere Ranges Local Board resolved (resolution number WTK/2010/5) to record any possible conflicts of interest in a register.
Register
Board Member |
Organisation / Position |
Sandra Coney |
· Waitemata District Health Board – Elected Member · Women’s Health Action Trust – Patron |
Neil Henderson |
· Portage Trust – Elected Member · West Auckland Trust Services (WATS) Board – Trustee/Director · Weedfree Trust – Employee |
Greg Presland |
· Portage Trust – Elected Member · Lopdell House Development Trust – Trustee · Titirangi Residents & Ratepayers Group – Committee Member · Whau Coastal Walkway Environmental Trust – Trustee · Combined Youth Services Trust - Trustee |
Steve Tollestrup |
· Waitakere Licensing Trust – Elected Member · West Auckland Trust Services (WATS) Board – Trustee/Director · Waitakere Task force on Family Violence – Appointee |
Saffron Toms |
NIL |
Denise Yates |
· Friends of Arataki Incorporated – Committee member · Ecomatters Environment Trust – Trustee · Charlotte Museum Trust – Trustee |
Member appointments
Board members are appointed to the following bodies. In these appointments the board members represent Auckland Council.
Board Member |
Organisation / Position |
Sandra Coney |
· Friends of Arataki Incorporated – Trustee |
Neil Henderson |
· Friends of Arataki Incorporated – Trustee · Living Cell Technologies Animal Ethics Committee – Member |
Saffron Toms |
· Ark in the Park – Governance Group Member |
4 Confirmation of Minutes
That the Waitākere Ranges Local Board: a) Confirms the ordinary minutes of its meeting, held on Thursday, 8 October 2015, including the confidential section, as a true and correct record.
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5 Leave of Absence
At the close of the agenda no requests for leave of absence had been received.
6 Acknowledgements
At the close of the agenda no requests for acknowledgements had been received.
7 Update from Ward Councillors
An opportunity is provided for the Waitakere Ward Councillors to update the board on regional issues they have been involved with since the last meeting.
8 Deputations
Standing Order 3.20 provides for deputations. Those applying for deputations are required to give seven working days notice of subject matter and applications are approved by the Chairperson of the Waitākere Ranges Local Board. This means that details relating to deputations can be included in the published agenda. Total speaking time per deputation is ten minutes or as resolved by the meeting.
Purpose Senior Pastor Neil Baker from Glen Eden Baptist Church and Lisa Woolley, CEO of VisionWest Community Trust have asked for an opportunity to speak to the board regarding the following: · To get to know and engage with the local board in a face to face manner. · To highlight the collaborative work of Glen Eden Baptist and VisionWest Community Trust for the benefit of the local community. · To explore and answer any questions the board may have about working collaboratively and constructively with the wider community
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Recommendation/s That the Waitākere Ranges Local Board: a) Receives the deputation from Senior Pastor Neil Baker from Glen Eden Baptist Church and Lisa Woolley, CEO of VisionWest and thank them for their presentation.
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9 Public Forum
A period of time (approximately 30 minutes) is set aside for members of the public to address the meeting on matters within its delegated authority. A maximum of 3 minutes per item is allowed, following which there may be questions from members.
At the close of the agenda no requests for public forum had been received.
10 Extraordinary Business
Section 46A(7) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (as amended) states:
“An item that is not on the agenda for a meeting may be dealt with at that meeting if-
(a) The local authority by resolution so decides; and
(b) The presiding member explains at the meeting, at a time when it is open to the public,-
(i) The reason why the item is not on the agenda; and
(ii) The reason why the discussion of the item cannot be delayed until a subsequent meeting.”
Section 46A(7A) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (as amended) states:
“Where an item is not on the agenda for a meeting,-
(a) That item may be discussed at that meeting if-
(i) That item is a minor matter relating to the general business of the local authority; and
(ii) the presiding member explains at the beginning of the meeting, at a time when it is open to the public, that the item will be discussed at the meeting; but
(b) no resolution, decision or recommendation may be made in respect of that item except to refer that item to a subsequent meeting of the local authority for further discussion.”
11 Notices of Motion
At the close of the agenda no requests for notices of motion had been received.
Waitākere Ranges Local Board 12 November 2015 |
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Waitākere Ranges Local Board Local Grants: Round One 2015/2016
File No.: CP2015/20573
Purpose
1. The purpose of this report is to present applications received for round one of the Waitākere Ranges Local Board Local Grants 2015/2016. The local board is required to fund, part-fund or decline these applications.
Executive Summary
2. The Waitākere Ranges Local Board has set a total community funding budget of $23,000 for the 2015/2016 financial year.
3. A total of $5,500 was allocated in quick response round one, leaving a balance of $17,500 to allocate.
4. Thirty two applications were received in this round, with a total requested of $159,614.12
That the Waitākere Ranges Local Board: a) consider the applications listed in Table One and agree to fund, part-fund or decline each application in this round. Table One: Waitākere Ranges Local Grants applications
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Comments
5. The implementation of the new Community Grants Policy commenced on 1 July 2015. The policy supports each local board to adopt a grants programme for 2015/2016 and the Waitākere Ranges Local Board adopted its grants programme on 30 April 2015 (see Attachment A)
6. The local board grants programme sets out:
· local board priorities
· lower priorities for funding
· exclusions
· grant types, the number of grant rounds and when these will open and close
· any additional accountability requirements.
7. The Waitākere Ranges Local Board will operate two local grants and five quick response rounds for this financial year. The first local grants round closed on 11 September 2015.
8. The new community grant programmes have been extensively advertised through the new council grant webpage, local board webpages, local board e-newsletters and Facebook pages, council publications, radio, local newspapers and community networks. Staff have also conducted a series of public workshops in local board areas, which have been attended by approximately 1000 people across the Auckland region.
9. For the 2015/2016 financial year, the Waitākere Ranges Local Board set a total community grants budget of $23,000.
10. Thirty two applications were received for this local grant round, requesting a total of $159,614.12
Consideration
Local Board views and implications
11. Local boards are responsible for the decision-making and allocation of local board community grants. The Waitākere Ranges local board is required to fund, part-fund or decline these grant applications against the local board priorities identified in the local board grant programme.
12. The board is requested to note that section 50 of the Community Grants Policy states “We will also provide feedback to unsuccessful grant applicants about why they have been declined, so they will know what they can do to increase their chances of success next time.”
Māori impact statement
13. The provision of community grants provides opportunities for all Aucklanders to undertake projects, programmes, activities that benefit a wider range of individuals and groups, including Maori. As a guide for decision-making, in the allocation of community grants, the new community grants policy supports the principle of delivering positive outcomes for Maori.
Implementation
14. The allocation of grants to community groups is within the adopted Long Term Plan 2015-2025 and local board agreements.
15. Following the Waitākere Ranges Local Board allocating funding for round one local grants, Commercial and Finance staff will notify the applicants of the local board decision.
No. |
Title |
Page |
aView |
Waitakare Ranges Grants Programme |
15 |
bView |
Waitakere Ranges Local Grants application summaries |
17 |
Signatories
Authors |
Fua Winterstein - Community Grants Advisor |
Authorisers |
Marion Davies - Community Grants Operations Manager Jennifer Rose - Operations Support Manager Glenn Boyd - Relationship Manager Henderson-Massey, Waitakere Ranges, Whau |
12 November 2015 |
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Waitākere Ranges Quick Response Grants Round Two 2015/2016
File No.: CP2015/22593
Purpose
1. The purpose of this report is to present applications received for round one of the Waitākere Ranges Local Board Quick Response Grants 2015/2016. The local board is required to fund, part-fund or decline these applications.
Executive Summary
2. The Waitākere Ranges Local Board has set a total community funding budget of $23,000 for the 2015/2016 financial year.
3. A total of $5,500 was allocated in quick response round one, leaving a balance of $17,500 to allocate, noting that the balance would have changed according to what was allocated to the previous report (Waitakere Ranges Local Grants Round One – 2015/2016).
4. Six applications were received in this round, with a total requested of $7,393
That the Waitākere Ranges Local Board:
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Comments
5. The implementation of the new Community Grants Policy commenced on 1 July 2015. The policy supports each local board to adopt a grants programme for 2015/2016 and the Waitākere Ranges Local Board adopted its grants programme on 30 April 2015 (see Attachment A)
6. The local board grants programme sets out:
· local board priorities
· lower priorities for funding
· exclusions
· grant types, the number of grant rounds and when these will open and close
· any additional accountability requirements.
7. The Waitākere Ranges Local Board will operate two local grants and five quick response rounds for this financial year. The second quick response grants round closed on 16 October 2015.
8. The new community grant programmes have been extensively advertised through the new council grant webpage, local board webpages, local board e-newsletters and Facebook pages, council publications, radio, local newspapers and community networks. Staff have also conducted a series of public workshops in local board areas, which have been attended by approximately 1000 people across the Auckland region.
9. Six applications were received in this round, with a total requested of $7,393
Consideration
Local Board views and implications
10. Local boards are responsible for the decision-making and allocation of local board community grants. The Waitākere Ranges local board is required to fund, part-fund or decline these grant applications against the local board priorities identified in the local board grant programme.
11. The board is requested to note that section 50 of the Community Grants Policy states “We will also provide feedback to unsuccessful grant applicants about why they have been declined, so they will know what they can do to increase their chances of success next time.”
Māori impact statement
12. The provision of community grants provides opportunities for all Aucklanders to undertake projects, programmes, activities that benefit a wider range of individuals and groups, including Maori. As a guide for decision-making, in the allocation of community grants, the new community grants policy supports the principle of delivering positive outcomes for Maori.
Implementation
13. The allocation of grants to community groups is within the adopted Long Term Plan 2015-2025 and local board agreements.
14. Following the Waitākere Ranges Local Board allocating funding for round one local grants, Commercial and Finance staff will notify the applicants of the local board decision.
No. |
Title |
Page |
aView |
Waitakere Ranges Local Board Grants Programme 2015/2016 |
93 |
Signatories
Authors |
Fua Winterstein - Community Grants Advisor |
Authorisers |
Marion Davies - Community Grants Operations Manager Jennifer Rose - Operations Support Manager Glenn Boyd - Relationship Manager Henderson-Massey, Waitakere Ranges, Whau |
12 November 2015 |
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2015/16 lease workplan - expedited renewal process and review of ongoing lease management
File No.: CP2015/22103
Purpose
1. The purpose of this report is two-fold. Firstly, to introduce the operational approach to the delivery of this year’s community lease work programme. Secondly, to seek Local Board approval of the community lease renewal being advanced via this approach.
Executive Summary
2. Community leases are one of the ways in which Council provides support to local community organisations, assisting them to sustain the activities and experiences they provide in alignment with recognised local priorities.
3. Council has a substantial programme of community leasing work to complete this year. The scale of the programme includes a number of existing leases that have rolled over beyond their anticipated expiry date and require attention. There are also a number of leases reaching their renewal or expiry date this year. Staff provided an update to a meeting of the Local Board Chairs on 28 September 2015, which identified the scale of the programme at a network level and introduced a programme approach to help deliver the extra volume of work this year.
4. The programme approach aims to simplify procedures to enable a large number of more routine leases to be fast tracked, whilst focusing necessary attention on those community leases that are more complex. Extra staff resources have been made available to support this peak of work.
5. The main categories of work that are being advanced are:
· The renewal of existing leases
· The award of new land related leases
· The award of new building related leases
· Progressing more complex or involved cases
6. This report includes details of the first batch of fast tracked lease renewals. In every case the group has an existing right of renewal. Staff recommend that these leases be renewed.
7. To maintain productive delivery of this year’s programme, staff will be working closely with the portfolio holder and will operate to any delegations that are in place.
That the Waitākere Ranges Local Board: a) Approves the renewal of lease to the community organisation shown on Attachment A on the existing terms and conditions. This community organisation being: · Glen Eden Railway Restoration Trust (Incorporated) b) Notes that a community outcomes plan is not required or provided with this lease renewal.
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Comments
8. There is a substantial programme of community leasing work to complete this year, with leases due for renewal and/or expired leases to be re-established in all 21 of Auckland’s local board areas. In total there are about 500 work items to complete. Attachment B shows the distribution of this activity by local board.
9. Given the scale of the programme, staff have adopted a new approach to operational delivery this year, aimed at increasing productivity whilst supporting good governance. The approach will simplify procedures to enable a large number of more routine leases to be fast tracked, whilst focusing necessary attention on those community leases that are more complex. Extra staff resources have been made available to support this work.
10. There are three routine categories of work are being advanced.
· The renewal of existing leases
· The award of new land related leases
· The award of new building related leases
Staff will work closely with the appointed local board portfolio holder (where applicable) and progress this work in batches.
11. The following table shows the initial assessment of work in the Waitakere Ranges Local Board area.
Type of leases |
Fast track |
Complex |
Renewals |
1 |
1 |
New Leases |
0 |
7 |
12. Progressing renewals is the priority first phase of this year’s programme. Alongside the fast track renewals, new leases and more complex renewals that require further input will be progressed.
13. Some of the leases requiring consideration are more complex or involved. These typically relate to situations where there are multiple stakeholder interests, external dependencies or issues related to the classification of reserves. Again, staff will work closely with the local board portfolio holder to prioritise and progress these cases once the more routine renewals are able to be progressed.
14. Attachment A includes the details of the lease renewals that are of a routine nature and it is recommended that these renewals be approved.
Consideration
Local Board views and implications
15. Staff provided an update to a meeting of the Local Board Chairs on 28 September 2015, which identified the scale of the community lease workload at a network level and introduced a programme approach to help deliver the work this year.
16. The content of this report has been discussed with the local board portfolio holder, including the rationale applied to the assessment of routine and more complex leases.
17. To maintain productive delivery of this year’s programme, staff will continue to work closely with the portfolio holder and will operate to the delegations that are in place.
Māori impact statement
18. Community leases generally supporting a wide range of activities and groups and are awarded based on an understanding of local needs, interest and priorities. As such, they are designed to create local benefits to many communities, including Maori.
Implementation
19. Staff will execute the decisions sought within this report promptly to ensure the occupying groups have clarification / confirmation of their tenancy.
No. |
Title |
Page |
aView |
Community Lease Renewals Schedule |
99 |
bView |
Distribution of leases by local board |
101 |
Signatories
Authors |
Donna Cooper - Community Lease Advisor |
Authorisers |
Graham Bodman - Manager - Community Development, Arts and Culture Glenn Boyd - Relationship Manager Henderson-Massey, Waitakere Ranges, Whau |
Waitākere Ranges Local Board 12 November 2015 |
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Attachment A: Community Lease Renewals Schedule
Waitakere Ranges Local Board
Group and Location |
Building Ownership |
Renewal Due |
Renewal Term and current rent |
Notes |
Glen Eden Railway Station Restoration Trust (Incorporated), The Old Glen Eden Railway Station, 145 West Coast Road, Glen Eden |
Council |
01.05.2016 |
Term: 5 years Rent: $500 plus GST per annum |
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The Waitakere Ranges Local Board is asked to approve the following lease renewal. The renewal process has included a review of the lessee’s performance to ensure that all lease conditions are being met, that the organisation is financially sustainable and that the services or programmes offered from the premises align with the objectives stated in the local board plan. Council staff have sought the input from relevant council departments to ensure all compliance requirements are met and that the facility is well maintained. In each of the leases noted below there have been no issues or concerns raised.
12 November 2015 |
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Auckland Transport Update Report - October 2015
File No.: CP2015/21141
Purpose
1. The purpose of the report is to respond to Waitakere Ranges Local Board requests on transport related matters and to provide information about Auckland Transport’s activities in the board area.
That the Waitākere Ranges Local Board: a) Receives the Auckland Transport Update Report October 2015. b) Provides feedback in regards to the Seaview Road timber edging proposal.
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Comments
2. The Waitakere Ranges Local Board Plan 2014 - 2017 provides direction to Auckland Transport on the views and preferences of the local community. It has three main themes, with a number of key initiatives, relating to transport and the enhancement of public space along the road corridor.
3. The Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area is protected.
· Developing a Road Corridor Design Guide for the Heritage area.
· Implementing Local Area Plans (LAPs). The five existing LAPs for Oratia; Henderson Valley-Opanuku; Waiatarua; Muddy Creeks; Te Henga (Bethells Beach) and the Waitakere River Valley have transport related actions for each area.
4. Our Unique natural environments are healthy and restored.
· Implementing the Waitakere Ranges Strategic Weed Management Plan
5. Public transport, cycling and walking are easy, safe and connected.
· Support rail electrification and improvements to bus services
· Work with our communities on a proposal for a connector shuttle service for coastal / rural areas, similar to the Kowhai connection in Warkworth,
· Support the development of park and ride in Glen Eden.
· Working with Auckland Transport to improve the road corridor in Glen Eden.
· Develop a greenways plan for walking and cycling.
· Investigate options for a cycleway from Project Twin Streams pathway to Glen Eden town centre.
· Support the development of a cycleway alongside the Western Rail Line.
· Advocate for rural road safety improvements – including sensible speed limits and provisions for walking and cycling.
LOCAL BOARD TRANSPORT FUND APPLICATION UPDATE REPORT
MOUNTAIN ROAD WALKWAY - Detail Design Stage
6. Project scope
A footpath design and construction on Mountain Road from 6 Mountain Road to the Opanuku Pipeline Track.
Status
7. The draft detailed design was presented and agreed with the local board, R & R and all other stakeholders. Safety audit on proposed design has been completed. The resource consents application is in progress and will be lodged by 19th October, 2015. The final detailed design will be handed over to the delivery team by mid next week to start the tender documentation for the construction phase (Subject to resource consents approval).
ORATIA PROJECTS: IMPROVEMENTS TO WALKING & CYCLING FACILITY - Preliminary design stage
8. Project scope (Updated)
· The widening of the existing footpath into a 3m wide shared path on the southern side of West Coast Road starting from the Oratia Kindergarten and ending near the intersection of West Coast Road and Parrs Cross Road.
· Improvement to the pedestrian crossing facility opposite Oratia Kindergarten and the Settlers Hall.
· Improvement to the pedestrian crossings on Shaw Road and a planted kerb build-out to slow down the turning traffic.
9. Please note: A new footpath on the Northern Side of West Coast Road (starting from outside 543 West Coast Road and ending outside 515 West Coast Road) has been excluded from the scope of the project as instructed by the WRLB during the workshop dated 17 September, 2015.
Status
10. Local Board has approved a construction budget of $400,000 over and above the previously allocated $30,000 for design of this project. Procurement for the design phase is in progress and the preliminary design stage is anticipated to be started by 20th October 2015.
WALKING & CYCLING CONNECTION FROM ORATIA TO TWIN STREAMS WALKWAY AND SUNNYVALE TRAIN STATION THROUGH PARRS PARK - Investigation Stage
Project scope (updated)
11. The project scope includes investigation & preliminary design for provision of a safe and improved off-road walking & cycling connection link from Oratia to the Project Twin Streams walkway and Sunnyvale Train Station. The further investigation and design will be based on the preferred option revealed through feasibility studies supported by WRLB.
Status
12. The final feasibility report was presented to the WRLB during the September workshop. The LB has now allocated $35,000 to start the investigation phase on the preferred option that the study recommended. The procurement process for the consultant for further investigation and concept design will be started by 20 October 2015.
CAPTAIN SCOTT ROAD (NEAR ITS INTERSECTION WITH WEST COAST ROAD) – PEDESTRIAN & STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS - Investigation Stage
Status
13. A presentation on this project was made to the WRLB in September, during which the LB endorsed two options to be taken further and consulted on with the local businesses. Consultation with the local businesses was scheduled for the end of October 2015.
RESPONSES AND PROGRESS REPORTS
CORNWALLIS SLIP UPDATE
14. The physical works were completed at the beginning of October.
O’NEILS ROAD SPEED
15. The Local Board has received a complaint requesting Auckland Transport investigate reducing speeds on O’Neils Road.
Response
16. Following the enquiry about safety when exiting a driveway at 70 O’Neils Road, an engineer has undertaken an assessment of the area. Auckland Transport’s site observations showed that existing measures to assist with visibility, are by way of a convex mirror and concealed exit sign.
17. While AT do appreciate the concerns, police crash records do not indicate there to be a significant safety issue at this location, sufficient to justify further changes. However, AT do acknowledge the complainants concerns and make the recommendation of only turning left out the driveway.
18. Auckland Transport’s engineer has also reviewed the speed limit on the southern part of O’Neills Road, in accordance with the requirements of the Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2003, and under the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) Draft Speed Management Guide.
19. The Speed Limits Rule is a central government regulation which governs how speed limits are set and seeks to achieve a consistent approach across the entire country. Under the current speed limit rule the existing speed limits on O’Neills Road are correctly set. The dominant factor in determining the speed limits under the current rule is the level of roadside development, with the rural open road speed limit (100km/hr) being applied to the southern section of the road due to the sparse level of roadside development.
20. The Draft Speed Management Guide is the development of a new approach to speed limit setting and planned changes to the speed limit rule, that shift the focus towards the national safe system approach. The speed management guide places greater emphasis on the function and use of the road, the geometry of the road and the crash risk. The speed management guide is still a work in progress and has not yet been finalised. However, it is expected that when it is finalised the changes to speed limits will be initially targeted at areas with the greatest crash risk.
21. O’Neills Road functions as a local road. It has low traffic volumes and constrained geometry. O’Neills Road has a low-medium crash risk based on crash records from the last five years.
22. Taking into account these various factors it is likely that O’Neills Road would qualify for a lower speed limit under the new approach, although in terms of priority, the low-medium crash risk means it may need to wait for higher priority sites to be addressed first, when a roll out of changes under the new speed management guide proceeds.
TRAM VALLEY ROAD SPEED LIMIT
23. The Local Board has received a complaint requesting Auckland Transport investigate reducing on speed on Tram Valley Road.
Update
24. Auckland Transport is investigating this request.
HUIA ROAD SPEED LIMIT
25. The Local Board has received a complaint requesting Auckland Transport investigate extending the 50 km/h speed limit up to the hill in Parau.
Update
26. Auckland Transport (AT) has visited the site and undertaken an initial review of the issue raised. Further detailed investigation now needs to be undertaken to ensure a comprehensive review of this issue. This investigation has been prioritised and programmed for review, following which Auckland Transport will be able to provide the Local Board with the outcome and recommendations based on AT’s assessment. The Local Board is expected to receive an update from Auckland Transport by early November 2015.
DRAFT DESIGN GUIDELINE UPDATE
27. Update on timeline for the Local Board:
· Consultation on draft document October-November with Local Board, Residents & Ratepayers group and in-house AT teams
· Final draft for review November/December 2015
· Publication Jan/Feb 2016 (Provisional)
KAREKARE ROAD POHUTUKAWA TREE
28. Auckland Transport identified a pohutukawa tree on Karekare Road as a potential hazard for users of this road, due to the lack of vertical clearance above the road carriageway. Following discussion with Park’s Arborists, the decision was made to commission an arboricultural assessment of the tree. The arborist’s report identifies that this pohutukawa tree is very old and will progressively decline but potentially has many years of life left. It is also only 3.25 metres, at its lowest point, above the carriageway, when the generally permitted minimum vehicle height clearance is 4.5 metres. Auckland Transport has decided to not remove the limb of the tree but have instead installed further warning signage to alert road users to the potential hazard. A monitoring programme is also being introduced. Additionally, the option of propping the limb, as a means of preventing the limb from lowering further, is currently being investigated by staff. AT and AC staff met recently with the Waitakere Ranges Local Board to provide a briefing and seek feedback.
29. If the propping option is not viable then the issue is likely to be revisited.
MOUNTAIN ROAD, HENDERSON VALLEY – SIGNAGE
30. The Ward Councillor and Local Board Transport Portfolio Lead have been contacted by a local resident about roading issues on Mountain Road. The resident would like Auckland Transport to investigate installing signage to slow traffic on this road.
Update
31. An Auckland Transport engineer has visited the site and undertaken an initial review of the concerns raised. Further detailed investigation now needs to be undertaken to ensure a comprehensive review of this issue. This investigation has been prioritised and programmed for review, following which AT will be able to provide the local board with the outcome and recommendations of the assessment.
32. The Local Board can expect to receive an update from Auckland Transport by end of January, 2016.
ARAPITO ROAD – PARKING RESTRICTIONS
33. A request for installation of No Stopping At All Times (NSAAT) restrictions at this location.
Response
34. Auckland Transport acknowledges that parking of vehicles along the curve, in the vicinity of numbers 24-28 Arapito Road, is considered unsafe. This is due to the lack of forward visibility available to drivers, particularly drivers travelling east on Arapito Road. Therefore, AT support the installation of No Stopping At All Times (NSAAT) restriction at this location.
35. Consultation will be undertaken shortly to seek feedback from the most affected parties of this proposal. Please note that the implementation of the proposed parking restriction will be subject to a number of considerations, including the feedback from those consulted.
36. With regards to the request for the NSAAT restriction on the western side of Arapito Road, in the vicinity of number 33 Arapito Road, AT advise that the installation of the additional restriction at this location, is not supported. Given that there is a NSAAT restriction already in place on the eastern side (inside) of the curve. This is considered to be the critical location and thereforeinstallation of an additional NSAAT restriction at this location is not considered to be required. However, the site will be monitored in the future and if the issues persist, additional restrictions will be considered.
Local Board Response
37. The Local Board Transport Portfolio holder was supportive of the proposal.
RED HILLS ROAD, MASSEY ROAD SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS
38. Auckland Transport will be introducing a number of new road safety improvements along Red Hills Road. Attached is an overview plan showing the proposed (attachment A).
What are the proposed changes?
39. Auckland Transport will be introducing the following improvements:
· New warning signs and road marking lines along Red Hills Road, to encourage slower speeds.
· High friction road surfacing on the bend outside No. 11 Red Hills Road, to increase the grip of the road surface.
· Sealing of driveways at private property Nos. 22, 45, 67, 83, 170, 185, 187, 235, 315 and 319 Red Hills Road, to stop gravel coming onto the road.
· Vegetation trimming at a number of locations to help improve visibility.
For further details about these changes, please refer to the attached plan.
Why are the changes required?
40. A review of the recorded crash history over the past five years for Red Hills Road has indicated 37 crashes. As a result of this, Auckland Transport has carried out a Crash Reduction Study to identify possible road safety improvement measures.
41. Auckland Transport expects to introduce these road safety improvements before the end of the current financial year, June 2016, subject any design and funding issues.
Next Steps
· Completion of the detailed design of the proposed improvement work.
· Implementation of the proposed improvement measures.
· Please note that Contractors will notify all the affected residents 48 hours prior to the commencing the construction work.
Local Board Response
42. The Local Board Transport Portfolio holder was supportive of the proposal.
PEDESTRIAN REFUGE ISLANDS AT SEYMOUR ROAD
43. Auckland Transport is seeking feedback on a proposal to introduce road safety improvements along Seymour Road.
What are the proposed changes?
44. Auckland Transport is proposing the following improvements:
· Installing a new pedestrian refuge island and new pram crossings near No.72 Seymour Road.
· Installing a new pedestrian refuge island at the existing pram crossings near No. 102 Seymour Road.
Why are the changes required?
45. Auckland Transport has carried out site observations and investigations to identify road safety issues along Seymour Road. Site observations have shown that there is a high pedestrian crossing demand near Nos.72 and102. Auckland Transport believe pedestrians use these two locations to access the existing walkway adjacent to Seymour Road, which in turn, also provides access to several community services such as schools, child care centre and sports centre.
46. Currently there are no crossing facilities at this location, so to improve safety, Auckland Transport is proposing to install new pedestrian refuge islands to assist people in crossing the road safely.
Why are we removing parking?
47. Auckland Transport acknowledges that this proposal will result in a loss of some on-street parking spaces. However, the removal of parking is necessary to improve the visibility of pedestrians at the new crossing facilities. Twelve spaces near No.104 and nine near No.74 Seymour Road are likely to be removed as a result of these changes. Attached is an overview plan showing the proposed (attachment B)
Local Board Response
48. The Local Board Transport Portfolio holder was supportive of the proposal.
NEW NO PASSING LINE - 182 - 214 BETHELLS ROAD, BETHELLS
49. This is to notify you of the new no-passing line which is planned to be installed on Bethells Road between Nos.182 and 214 Bethells Road, Bethells.
50. Auckland Transport received concerns from the Bethells Summer Ranger, regarding vehicles travelling along the centre of the road in the vicinity of 192 – 204 Bethells Road, Bethells Beach.
51. Site investigation indicated that due to the existing crest on Bethells Road, in the vicinity of property No.186, oncoming traffic would have limited visibility of the vehicles travelling along the centre of the road.
52. In addition, as the posted speed limit changes from 70kph to 50kph immediately north of this crest, oncoming vehicles are likely to be travelling at higher speeds. This has the potential to cause head-on crashes.
53. Therefore a decision was made to install a no-passing line between no. 182 and 214 Bethells Road, Bethells as shown in the attached diagram (attachment C).
54. The legalisation of this work has now been completed.
55. Auckland Transport expect the no-passing lines to be installed before the end of November 2015.
Local Board Response
56. The Local Board Transport Portfolio holder was supportive of the proposal.
TITIRANGI VILLAGE – REMOVAL OF SPEED HUMP
Introduction
57. Following complaints from Auckland Transport’s Public Transport team regarding the safety and comfort of buses travelling over a speed hump on Titirangi Road, Titirangi, an investigation was carried out.
Site description
58. The speed hump is located at the eastern end of the village near the intersection with Rangiwai Road. This site is constructed out of block paved units, with advance warning signs and painted white lines denoting the raised domed-shaped profile speed hump. Parking is permitted on both sides of Titirangi Road at this location. In the 5 year period 2010-2015, there have been 3 reported crashes near this location but none of these reports mentioned the speed hump.
Location Plan
Site photographs
59. From site observations, the road surface and the speed hump block paved units have become dislodged and are in need of repair. This has created an uneven surface for all vehicles and in particular, causes discomfort for bus passengers.
Photo 1 – Rangiwai Road intersection looking towards the speed hump
Photo 2 – Location of Speed hump
60. In addition, it is clear that a number of vehicles travel too fast over the calming measure and create damage to the road surface itself, as shown by significant indentations in the road surface.
Photo 3 – Dislodged block paved units Photo 4 – Road surface damage
61. Auckland Transport propose to remove the speed hump and reconstruct the road surface and by relaying the existing blocks so they have a small 10mm lip on the entry/exit. This work would create an entry treatment traffic calming measure in place of the existing vertical design feature. No loss of car parking is proposed.
62. There were some questions raised by the Titirangi Residents and Ratepayers which Auckland Transport has responded to through the Local Board Transport Lead.
Local Board Response
63. The Local Board Transport Lead is happy with what is being proposed
TAHI TERRACE AND FRUITVALE ROAD, GLEN EDEN - PROPOSED ‘NO STOPPING AT ALL TIMES’ RESTRICTION
64. Auckland Transport, in response to concerns that have been raised by local residents with regards to the safety and accessibility issues caused by parked cars on Tahi Terrace, near the intersection of Tahi Terrace and Fruitvale Road, is proposing installing NSAAT restrictions
65. At present, vehicle parking is allowed on both sides of Tahi Terrace, in the vicinity of this intersection. However, vehicle parking in the vicinity of this intersection, including adjacent to the existing splitter island on Tahi Terrace, causes access issues, as there is insufficient space for oncoming drivers to pass the parked vehicles.
66. In addition, site visits have confirmed that drivers currently park vehicles on Fruitvale Road within the intersections of Tahi Terrace/Fruitvale Road and Northall Road/Fruitvale Road. Please note the Land Transport Road User Rule 2004: “A driver must not stop, stand, or park a vehicle on any part of a road, whether attended or unattended, within an intersection or within 6 m of an intersection unless the stopping, standing, or parking is authorised by signs or markings maintained by the road controlling authority.”
67. As per the above road rule, vehicle parking within these intersections or within 6m of these intersections is illegal, as it causes safety and operational issues at these locations.
68. Therefore, to help improve accessibility and ensure safe operations at these intersections, AT are proposing to implement ‘No Stopping At All Times’ (NSAAT) through installation of ‘Broken Yellow Lines’ at the locations indicated on the attached aerial photograph (attachment D).
Local Board Response
69. The Local Board Transport Portfolio holder was supportive of the proposal.
BOWERS ROAD – KEEP CLEAR SIGN REQUEST
70. A blocked intersection or driveway can cause frustration, however experience has shown ‘Keep Clear’ markings are generally ineffective and, potentially dangerous as they tend to provide motorists with the expectation that vehicles will not drive onto the marked area, giving them a false sense of security. This tends to increase the risk for motorists turning into the ‘Keep Clear’ area, to be hit by an approaching vehicle and this risk is increased in multi-laned roads. As such, Auckland Transport rarely install ‘Keep Clear’ markings except in high use or emergency access situations, such as at fire stations and medical centres.
71. While AT are unable to install ‘Keep Clear’ markings, a site investigation was undertaken to identify the possibility of installing a right turning bay on Bowers Road to improve access for vehicles entering the Fresh Choice car park.
72. Our investigation indicated that at present, the Fresh Choice car park can be accessed via both Bowers Road and West Coast Road, as there is an entrance/exit on both Bowers Road and West Coast Road.
73. It was also identified that the entry/exit of Fresh Choice on Bowers Road is located approximately 35 metres south of the signalised intersection at West Coast Road, and opposite the entry/exit of Mobil Petrol Station. Installation of a right turning bay at this location may create adverse effects for the right and left turning vehicles from West Coast Road into Bowers Road, as well as for the vehicles exiting from the Mobil Service Station.
74. Therefore, while AT understand the reason behind the request, due to the conflicting vehicle movements at this location, and the close proximity to the signalised intersection, neither ‘Keep Clear’ signage nor a right turning bay, can be provided at this location.
LOCAL BOARD FEEDBACK REQUESTED
SEAVIEW ROAD, PIHA - PROPOSED TIMBER EDGING
75. Auckland Transport is has received concerns that have been raised by the Piha Ratepayers and Residents’ Association with regards to safety issues experienced by pedestrians when walking along Seaview Road, Piha.
76. At present, timber edging is provided on the southern side of Seaview Road to provide a walking area for pedestrians. The timber edging starts in the vicinity of the Piha Community Library and continues up to the western end of Seaview Road. However, a gap in the timber edging was provided east of the Piha Domain access way, to allow for vehicle parking. The pedestrian movement at this location was intended to move south from the road edge, through the grassed area, and connect back to the road edge west of Piha Domain access way. However, due to the existing planting at this location, pedestrians experience difficulty walking through this grass area.
77. Therefore, in order to provide a safe area for pedestrians to walk, Auckland Transport recommends extending the timber edging up to the Piha Domain accessway as shown in the attached diagram (attachment E).
Local Board Response
78. Auckland Transport is seeking the Local Board comments on this proposal.
ISSUES PENDING |
|||
Subject Name |
Description |
Due Date |
|
Huia Road Speed Limit & Footpath, Parau |
A request has been received from the Local Board Portfolio Lead to look at the speed on Huia Road with a view to speed restriction being introduced. |
December 2015 |
|
ISSUES COMPLETED |
|||
Subject Name |
Decision Description |
Date Requested |
Completion date |
Sarona Avenue, Glen Eden - Proposed No Stopping At All Times (Nsaat) Restriction |
The Local Board Transport Portfolio holder was supportive of the proposal |
September 2015 |
October 2015 |
No. |
Title |
Page |
aView |
Red Hills Road Crash Route Study Proposed Improvements Consultation Plan |
113 |
bView |
Seymour Road Pedestrian Refuge Island for Consultation |
121 |
cView |
Bethells Road, Bethells Beach, WRLB No Passing Lanes |
123 |
dView |
Tahi Terrace and Fruitvale Road, Proposed No Stopping at all times restriction |
125 |
eView |
CONSULTATION PLAN - Seaview Road Piha |
127 |
Signatories
Authors |
Owena Schuster - Elected Member Relationship Manager - West, Auckland Transport |
Authorisers |
Jonathan Anyon, Elected Member Relationship Team Manager Glenn Boyd - Relationship Manager Henderson-Massey, Waitakere Ranges, Whau |
12 November 2015 |
|
Auckland Transport Quarterly Update to Local Boards - 1 July to 30 September 2015
File No.: CP2015/22407
Executive Summary
1. The purpose of this report is to inform local boards about progress on activities undertaken by Auckland Transport (AT) in the three months 1 July – 30 September 2015 and planned activities anticipated to be undertaken in the next three months.
Attachments include:
A – Auckland Transport activities
B – Travelwise Schools activities
C – Decisions of the Traffic Control Committee
D – Report against local board advocacy issues
E – Report on the status of the local board’s projects under the Local Board Transport Capital Fund (LBTCF).
That the Waitākere Ranges Local Board: a) Receives the Auckland Transport Quarterly update to Local Boards
|
Significant activities during the period under review
Strategy and Planning
2. Penlink
· The Notice of Requirement for the alteration to the designation and consents has been completed.
· Auckland Transport and its witnesses have completed their evidence and submitted these to the independent hearings panel.
· The evidence was presented at the hearing held during the week 22 – 25 September 2015.
· A set of designation conditions was agreed to between Council and AT and these were presented to the commissioners.
· Recommendations from the commissioners are expected later this year.
3. RPTP Variation
The AT Board adopted the Hearings Panel recommendations on changes to the RPTP with minor alterations on 27 July 2015. A revised RPTP will be published over the next quarter
Investment and Development
4. SMART (Southwest Multi-modal Airport Rapid Transit)
· Feasibility level alignments for both a heavy rail and light rail corridor have now been identified.
· The benefits and risks of the two mode options were documented in an Interim Business Case.
· Independent peer review has been concluded on the costs of each option.
· Risk assessment was completed on the route protection for each option
PT Development
5. Double Decker Network Mitigation works
Of the total 8 double decker bus routes identified to be delivered in the long term plan 3 routes (Botany, Mt Eden and Northern Busway 2) will be implemented this FY. The remainder (Great North Road, Manukau, Remuera, New North Road and Onewa) will be delivered in the next two years.
6. Bus Infrastructure Programme
There are 200 bus stop improvement sites planned to be delivered this year across the region. At the end of September 30 sites are now complete.
7. City Rail Link
Project continues with reference design, enabling works detailed design, property purchase and consenting process. Notice of Requirement Environment Court reached decision and the NoR was confirmed. Pipe Jack resource consent was granted. Britomart to Wyndham Street resource consent hearing concluded and decision reached (currently in appeals period). Enabling Works detailed design scope continues to make progress (Contract 2 substantially complete).
8. EMU Procurement
All 57 electric trains are now in Auckland, and provisional acceptance has been issued for all but the last, which is due to be completed early in October.
PT Operations
9. Highlights for the quarter
· AT Metro 12 month rolling Patronage record passed the 80 million mark in August with rail services exceeding 14 million.
· Train services record performance on the network. On September 7th recorded the best performance ever for a single business weekday, with 97.6% punctuality and 99.2% reliability and only 4 cancellations out of 500. Statistics also showed 100% service delivery and no cancellations on the Pukekohe Shuttle.
· Swanson station’s new park and ride carpark with eco-rain gardens opened on 6 July providing an additional 136 parking spaces.
· 53 new double decker buses have been ordered by Howick & Eastern Buses, Ritchies and NZ Bus, under contract to AT. The first buses arrive in the next few weeks for testing with the new fleet targeted for full operation by mid-2016. A second vehicle was introduced to the Northern Express service in July by Ritchies.
· First tenders for Auckland’s New Network bus services and first under the fully contracted PTOM procurement model were released on 17 August, with responses received on 28 September.
· Central and East Auckland New Network: Public consultation commenced on 1st October and runs through to 10th December 2015.
Road Design and Development
10. Te Atatu Road Improvements
Underground services relocation works continue within the road berm of Edmonton Road and Flanshaw Road. Removal of trees, hedges and the like is underway, in accordance with the resource consent; this is site clearance in preparation for both the road widening and the agreed property works.
11. Jennys Road Construction – Great Barrier Island
This road was established as an outcome of an Environment Court decision. The road has been designed as a single lane road with passing bays. Stage 1 was completed in May 2014. Stage 2 of this project commenced in October 14. Physical works completed. Final walkover completed with contractor.
12. Mill Road Improvements
Redoubt Road four lanes SH1 to Murphys Road, includes bus priority lane cycle lanes, 60km speed limit. Hollyford Drive Redoubt Road intersection improved with signals and bus priority lane. The hearing has now been completed and the commissioners are making a decision which is likely to take one to two months.
Services
13. Driver Licensing Challenge
Young Driver safety is a high priority in the national Safer Journeys strategy, and Auckland Young Driver DSI (death and serious injury) makes up 30% of the regions DSI crashes. This issue is exacerbated by the high proportion of unlicensed young drivers in the region. An inter-agency Co-Design Lab was founded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment that explores ways to improve access to driver licensing. Auckland Transport is part of the team along with ACC, Ministry of Education, Auckland Council, Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC) and Otara youth based at the Otara's Crosspower youth centre. The Co-Design team will engage with Maori and Pasifika youth at Crosspower where over 250 youth attend each week.The initial stage of this four month project will end in November with recommendations to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
14. Primary Schools Lead Teacher Workshop
Over the past five years there has been an increase in deaths and serious injuries (DSI) for 5-10 year old pedestrians during weekdays in peak traffic hours. The Travelwise team looked to address this issue at a recent Primary School lead teacher workshop in the CBD. Seventy teachers attended the workshop by rail to explore ‘Transporting our Students into the Future’ and develop curriculum programmes that would support safer travel for students and increased use of active transport (PT, Walking and Cycling) options to help reduce congestion.
15. Travel Demand (2014/15 Year)
The Commute travel planning programme has a focus on engagement with commuters and businesses this year. This quarter has seen the development of a campaign to promote travel choice which will be launched in October. A focus has been the development of travel demand plans for the Devonport Peninsula, Albany Highway and City Rail Link. Implementation of these plans is underway.
16. Route Optimisation
The regional Route Optimisation is underway, which forms part of the programme for Network Optimisation, including traffic signal improvements, minor changes to the road network and inclusion of transit lanes, freight lanes and trial of Dynamic lanes.
Road Corridor Delivery
17. Key Highlights
In the 2015/2016 financial year we are planning to deliver 37.7 km of pavement rehabilitation, 480.1 km of resurfacing (this includes 88.9 km of hotmix and 391.2 km of chip sealing), 75.7 km of footpath renewals and 82.7 km of kerb and channel replacement. This represents a total of 676km or around 9% of work on our 7,300km network. Table 1 outlines this work in more detail.
Table 1: Progress against Asset Renewal Targets
18. The new Streetlight maintenance and renewal contracts commenced on 1 August 2015. There are now 4 contracts across the region with 1 dedicated contract for the Hauraki Gulf Islands. The new contractors are Downer (Central and South), Electrix (North and West) and NorthPower (HGI).
Tenders have also been called for the supply of 8,000 LED luminaires to replace existing 70W HPS lamps on the network in the 2015/2016 financial year.
19. AT’s second Asset Management Plan (AMP) covering the period 2015-2018 has been published is available to download from the Auckland Transport website.
20. Monitoring of Temporary Traffic Management (TTM) at work sites is continuing to ensure compliance with the approved traffic management plans and to identify opportunities for improvement. The average percentage of low risk sites for Quarter 1 is 96%*[1] (The target is 90%)
Fig 1: Compliance with approved traffic management plans
21. The Corridor Access Request (CAR) team continues to process around 1,300 applications per month. These requests are for network operators from the water and telecommunication industry to access and maintain the assets sitting within the road corridor. Access is sought by private operators and individuals who need to access the road network to undertake activities such as private water connections etc.
No. |
Title |
Page |
aView |
Schedule of activities undertaken for the first quarter (2015/16) ending 30 September 2015 |
133 |
bView |
Travelwise Schools activities broken down by local board |
143 |
cView |
Traffic Control Committee Decisions broken down by local board |
145 |
dView |
Local Board Advocacy Report |
147 |
eView |
Local Board Transport Capital Fund Report |
149 |
Signatories
Authors |
Various Auckland Transport authors |
Authorisers |
Jonathan Anyon, Elected Member Relationship Team Manager, Auckland Transport Glenn Boyd - Relationship Manager Henderson-Massey, Waitakere Ranges, Whau |
12 November 2015 |
|
File No.: CP2015/23565
Purpose
1. This report provides information to the Waitākere Ranges Local Board on a planned Waikumete Cemetery Open Day event scheduled for early 2016, and enables the local board to resolve a funding allocation to the event.
Executive Summary
2. A Waikumete Cemetery Open Day event is being scheduled for Sunday 28 February 2016.
3. The open day event is a collaboration between the cemetery management, Waitākere Ranges Local Board, Urupa Committee and Friends of Waikumete.
4. The event will include various destinations around the cemetery where people would be available to talk to people, take guided walks and see demonstrations.
5. The local board has a programme named WW1 commemorations and heritage with a $22,000 budget allocation. It is recommended that the local board consider allocating $12,000 to support the implementation of this event.
That the Waitākere Ranges Local Board: a) Allocates a $12,000 grant from its WW1 commemorations and heritage budget line to support the implementation of 2016 Waikumete Cemetery Open Day event. |
Comments
Background
6. The Waikumete Cemetery is located within the boundaries of the Waitakere Ranges Local Board. While responsibility for governance and management sits with the Governing Body the Waitākere Ranges Local Board has a close relationship with the cemetery both as a heritage site and a large area of open space within the urban area of the local board.
7. Waikumete also has a historic relationship with Glen Eden township which developed around the rail station that was built to bring mourning parties to the cemetery. Glen Eden was originally called Waikumete.
8. Waikumete Cemetery is the second largest cemetery in the Southern Hemisphere. It is the largest military cemetery in New Zealand.
9. The cemetery has considerable historic significance as the main burial place in Auckland from the 1880s. The entire cemetery is a Category A heritage site in the schedules of the District Plan.
Open day event
10. The desire to hold an open day at the cemetery has been identified and discussed by Waitakere Ranges Local Board, cemetery management, the Urupa Committee and the Friends of Waikumete.
11. The Returned Services Association (RSA) has been identified as a key stakeholder and the Glen Eden RSA has been identified as a next point of contact.
12. The scheduled date for the event is Sunday 28 February 2016. This date was set to work around a number of other events in the first three months of the year.
13. Auckland Council’s event’s, and communications areas are providing support to the event committee.
Purposes of the Waikumete Cemetery open day
14. The broad purposes of the have been identified as to:
· Demystify the cemetery, open doors, show what happens behind the scenes.
· Enable people to connect with ancestors and relatives buried in the cemetery, identify where they are buried and learn about the care of graves.
· Highlight the heritage and unique aspects of the cemetery.
· Provide an opportunity for people of different religions and ethnic groups to explain their funerary practices.
· Highlight the military parts of cemetery, especially as it is the WW1 centenary, and also highlight the history of burials of 1918 influenza victims.
· Provide an educative and enjoyable day for visitors with choices of things to do.
· Be respectful of the cemetery as a burial place and ensure that activities on the day are appropriate.
· Provide a range of activities to appeal to all ages.
Consideration
Local Board views and implications
15. The Waitākere Ranges Local Board plan identifies that the protection of the area’s heritage values is a primary focus for the local board. In addition to working with their communities on World War One commemorations it has also been identified that support will be given to heritage celebrations.
16. The local board has allocated $22,000 in its 2015/16 local board agreement to the programme area WW1 commemorations and heritage.
Māori impact statement
17. Waikumete Cemetery has an Urupa Committee who have been part of the collaborative team who have developed the event concept.
18. Guidance has been given by the Urupa Committee ensuring Te Ao Maori is considered throughout the process.
Implementation
19. Council represented by Chair Coney and staff is a collaborative partner in the event working with an enabled community of interest group.
20. The Waitākere Ranges Local Board is being requested to allocate funding to enable the delivery of the event.
Attachments
There are no attachments for this report.
Signatories
Authors |
Tua Viliamu – Democracy Advisor |
Authorisers |
Glenn Boyd - Relationship Manager Henderson-Massey, Waitakere Ranges, Whau |
Waitākere Ranges Local Board 12 November 2015 |
|
Urgent Decision Report - Friends of Arataki Free Kids Day
File No.: CP2015/19827
Purpose
1. To advise the Waitakere Ranges Local Board of a decision made under the Urgent Decision Process.
Executive summary
2. The Waitakere Ranges Local Board at their 28 November 2013 meeting adopted the Urgent Decision Progress as follows:
20 |
Urgent Decision Process for the Waitakere Ranges Local Board |
|
Resolution number WTK/2013/1 MOVED by Member GB Presland, seconded by Member S Toms: That the Waitakere Ranges Local Board a) Adopts the urgent decision process for matters that require a decision where it is not practical to call the full board together and meet the requirement of a quorum. b) Delegates authority to the Chair and Deputy Chair or any person acting in these roles to make an urgent decision on behalf of the local board. c) Requests that all urgent decisions be reported to the next ordinary meeting of the local board.
CARRIED |
3. The local board received attached grant application from the Friends of Arataki and Waitakere Ranges Regional Parkland Incorporated (Friends of Arataki) group for a Free Kids Day activity on Sunday, 8th November 2015.
4. The decision triggered the urgent decision process as the activity was for the weekend before the grants allocations were being formally considered at the business meeting on 12 November and the Waitakere Ranges Local Board has a position of not supporting retrospective grant applications.
5. The grant had a level of discussion with members and $2,000 was a figure identified for support from the local events fund.
6. It was noted that Deputy Chair Yates has a declared interest in the group as a trustee. It was also noted that Chair Coney and Member Henderson are council representatives by way of appointment.
7. Members Saffron Toms, Neil Henderson and Greg Presland approved the request on 5th November 2015 under the urgent decision process adopted by the board.
That the Waitākere Ranges Local Board: a) Notes the approval of a grant of $2,000 from the local events fund to the Friends of Arataki and Waitakere Ranges Regional Parkland Incorporated (Friends of Arataki) group for a Free Kids Day activity on Sunday, 8th November 2015, made under the adopted local board urgent decision process. |
There are no attachments for this report.
Signatories
Authors |
Tua Viliamu – Democracy Advisor |
Authorisers |
Glenn Boyd - Relationship Manager Henderson-Massey, Waitakere Ranges, Whau |
Waitākere Ranges Local Board 12 November 2015 |
|
Appointment of a Waitakere Ranges Local Board Member to the Rural Advisory Panel
File No.: CP2015/23091
Purpose
1. The purpose of this report is to appoint a Waitakere Ranges Local Board Member to the Rural Advisory Panel.
Executive Summary
2. The Rural Advisory Panel was established to identify and communicate the interest and preferences of the rural-based industries and community of Auckland to the council.
3. The 2013-2016 panel is a two tier structure, meeting on a monthly basis under the Chair, Auckland Councillor Bill Cashmore.
4. A wider second tier industry group will meet three times a year.
5. Membership of the advisory panel has been determined by the mayor’s
office,
in consultation with rural councillors and members of the rural industry group. The Mayor has agreed to a recent proposal that a Waitakere Ranges
local board member be appointed as a member of the Rural Advisory Panel.
That the Waitākere Ranges Local Board: a) Appoints a representative to the Rural Advisory Panel.
|
No. |
Title |
Page |
aView |
Rural Advisory Panel Terms of Reference |
159 |
bView |
16 October 2013 memo to Mayors office re the Rural Advisory Panel |
163 |
cView |
2016 Meeting schedule |
165 |
Signatories
Authors |
Tua Viliamu – Democracy Advisor |
Authorisers |
Glenn Boyd - Relationship Manager Henderson-Massey, Waitakere Ranges, Whau |
Waitākere Ranges Local Board 12 November 2015 |
|
AUCKLAND COUNCIL RURAL ADVISORY PANEL
TERMS OF REFERENCE 2013 – 2016 TERM
1. PURPOSE
· To identify and communicate to the Council the interest and preferences of the rural based industries and rural communities of Auckland in relation to:
- the content of the strategies, policies, plans, and bylaws of the Council, and
- any matter that the Panel considers to be of particular intest or concern to the rural based industries and rural communities of Auckland.
· To advise the Mayor and the Council’s Governing Body and local boards, of the Council processes and mechanisms for engagement with the rural based industries and communities in Auckland.
· To deliver recommendations for accelerating the social, economic, environmental and cultural performance of the rural part of the Auckland Council region.
2. SCOPE
To provide a forum for consideration of issues affecting the rural part of the Auckland Council area and recommendations to Council including (but not limited to):
· Driving economic growth
· Food and fibre production and associated food and beverage processing (value adding) and equine based activities
· Research and development support
· Environmental resource issues including quarrying and aggregate production
· Ecological, landscape and coastal values
· Service delivery
· Rural infrastructure, including transport
· Biosecurity
· Amenities and open space
· Transport
· Rating.
3. MEMBERSHIP
The Advisory Panel will be a two tier structure representing rural based industries and communities, meeting on a monthly basis under the Chair, Auckland Councillor Bill Cashmore. A wider second tier Rural Industry Group will meet three times a year (once every four months).
The Advisory Panel is intended to work with the Rural Industry Group to develop recommendations regarding the rural economic sectors and rural based industries and communities relating to the planning, policy, regulatory and compliance, bylaws, rating, infrastructure requirements, etc.
The wider rural community will be represented by rural councillors and members of rural local boards.
Membership of the Advisory Panel has been determined by the Mayor’s office, in consultation with rural councillors and members of the Rural Industry Group and has sought to achieve a degree of spread of members from both north and south of the Auckland urban area.
Members:
Chair Cr Bill Cashmore Auckland Council
Deputy Chair Thomas Grace Rodney Local Board
4. PRIORITIES
The priorities for the Panel in this term will include:
· Monitoring of Unitary Plan progress
· Rural Land & Water Forum
· Water policies for Franklin and Rodney’s productive growing industries
· Growth of the equestrian economy
· Partnerships and expansion in the rural economy
· Input from a rural perspective into the Long Term Plan.
5. OFFICER SUPPORT
Auckland Council staff are responsible for:
· Administrative support for the Group, including organising meetings, setting agendas, and the drafting and distribution of minutes
· Development of the work programme and provision of technical advice on identified topics
· Response to requests generated
· Assistance with other reporting requirements as they arise.
6. MEETING LOGISTICS
· Chair – Auckland Council – Bill Cashmore
· Rural Advisory Panel meets monthly
· Initial meeting at Auckland Council offices
· Venues determined by meeting agenda topics
· Rural Industry Group meets three times yearly.
12 November 2015 |
|
Friday 4 March 2016 |
Friday 15 April 2016 |
Friday 27 May 2016 |
Friday 8 July 2016 |
Friday 19 August 2016 |
Friday 30 September 2016 |
Friday 16 October 2016 |
Friday 27 November 2016 |
RURAL ADVISORY PANEL 2016 MEETING SCHEDULE
VENUE: ROOM 1, LEVEL 26, 135 ALBERT STREET
Lunch at 12.00 for a 12.30pm meeting start
12 November 2015 |
|
WRLB submissions on Block Offer 2016 - Proposal for Petroleum Exploration Permit Round, Before the Unitary Plan Independent Hearing Panel: Topic 24 GMO's and Rural Rates Discussion Document - feedback
File No.: CP2015/22398
Purpose
1. This report seeks the Waitakere Ranges Local Board’s formal retrospective endorsements on the following submissions:
· Block Offer 2016 – Proposal for Petroleum Exploration Permit Round submitted on 5th October 2015.
· Before the Unitary Plan Independent Hearing Panel: Topic 24 GMO’s submitted on 28th September 2015.
· Rural Rates Discussion Document – feedback submitted to Financial Policy Department, Auckland Council on 14 October 2015.
That the Waitākere Ranges Local Board: a) Retrospectively approves its submissions, Block Offer 2016 – Proposal for Petroleum Exploration Permit Round (attachment A), Before the Unitary Plan Independent Hearing Panel: Topic 24 GMO’s (attachment B) and Rural Rates Discussion Document –feedback (attachment C).
|
No. |
Title |
Page |
aView |
Submission on Block Offer 2016 |
169 |
bView |
Unitary Plan submission - GMO topic |
173 |
cView |
Rural Rates Discussion Document - feedback |
177 |
Signatories
Authors |
Tua Viliamu - Administrator Local Board and Reporting |
Authorisers |
Glenn Boyd - Relationship Manager Henderson-Massey, Waitakere Ranges, Whau |
12 November 2015 |
|
28 September 2015
Before the Unitary Plan Independent Hearing Panel: Topic 24 GMO’s
Waitakere Ranges Local Board presentation
I am speaking on behalf of the Waitakere Ranges Local Board of Auckland Council, as elected representatives of the community.
We support the precautionary approach in the proposed Auckland Unitary Plan (PAUP) of prohibiting the general release of a GMO, with the associated objectives, policies and rules. We have concerns about the discretionary activity status of GMO field trials, however, and the permitted activity status of veterinary vaccines.
The west was declared GE free in field and food by the former Waitakere City Council, and the Waitakere Ranges Local Board has re-affirmed that position. We believe this view is strongly held by our communities. The policies and rules within the PAUP are the main means of ensuring we stay a GE free area.
Our local board area stretches from Swanson, Waitakere Township, and Te Henga / Bethells Beach the north, and from Whatipu to Titirangi in the south. The rural urban boundary divides our area into urban and rural parts.
In the proposed unitary plan, the rural zoning includes rural production land in the north, neighbouring Rodney, and in the Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area it becomes rural conservation, rural coastal and countryside living. The various rural zones neighbour the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park which is a vast conservation estate of some 17,000 hectares.
GMO field trials would be particularly inappropriate in our area for a number of reasons and we would ask that it be a prohibited activity.
The Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area Act 2008 established the Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area and identified it as a place of national and regional significance. The heritage features detailed in Section 7 of the Act include:
(a)its terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems of prominent indigenous character that—
(i) include large continuous areas of primary and regenerating lowland and coastal rainforest, wetland, and dune systems with intact ecological sequences:
(iii) provide a diversity of habitats for indigenous flora and fauna:
(vi) are of cultural, scientific, or educational interest:
(i) the subservience of the built environment to the area’s natural and rural landscape, which is reflected in—
(iii) the rural character of the foothills to the east and north and their intricate pattern of farmland, orchards, vineyards, uncultivated areas, indigenous vegetation, and dispersed low-density settlement with few urban-scale activities:
(j) the historical, traditional, and cultural relationships of people, communities, and tangata whenua with the area and their exercise of kaitiakitanga and stewardship:
(m) the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park and its importance as an accessible public place with significant natural, historical, cultural, and recreational resources.
In Section 8, the objectives of the act include protecting and enhancing indigenous habitat values and retaining rural character.
The potential adverse effects of GMO activities would be significant if field trials were allowed in rural land neighbouring a conservation area, and accidental release occurred. We have concerns about the impact on significant ecological areas, for example through the unintended creation of spray resistant weed species. We also question the use of GM veterinary vaccines as a permitted activity.
Sections 10 and 11, of the heritage area act require Council to give effect to the purpose of the Act when developing regional and district plans.
We are near to completing a local area plan for Te Henga (Bethells Beach) and the Waitakere Valley. The character and amenity of the area is described in the plan:
Te Henga (Bethells Beach) and the Waitākere Valley is a place of exceptionally beautiful and diverse landscapes. Its succession of varied landforms and ecosystems makes it the home of rare and threatened species of coastal, estuarine, wetland and forest plants and animals.
The lower Waitākere Valley was once an important place of occupation for Te Kawerau a Maki. The resources provided by its generous fresh water environment and its proximity to the coast made it an ideal place for settlement and cultivation. It remains of high importance to iwi, and there is a renewed presence of Te Kawerau a Maki in the area.
Along the upper reaches of Te Henga Road, the landscape is dominated on the southern side by bush clad slopes extending towards Cascade Kauri Park. On the northern side, much of the land is held in lifestyle blocks, some of them productive farmlets or orchards with small bush patches, others nearly entirely covered in bush.
The valley floor and its north facing slopes are dominated by small farm holdings, dissected by vegetated streams and exotic shelter belts on the ridges. A variety of land-based uses exist there, including beef cattle, sheep and goat farming, orcharding, horticulture and honey production. Some farms offer fresh organic or spray free produce for sale.
We would like to protect the existing rural industry of the area, as well as its cultural, lifestyle, and environmental values. Being GE free in field and food provides protection to our existing farming and horticulture industry.
We ask that the precautionary principle be applied to all GMO activity where there is a lack of certainty around the risks involved, and the potential adverse effects. We question whether the test can ever be met for the safe introduction of GM material into nature, including the use of outdoor or field trials.
The controls for undertaking GMO field trials as a discretionary activities require applications to include details of proposed containment measures, which suggests a case by case approach. If there are no existing New Zealand Standards that containment measures would have to adhere to, then that raises the question of whether we should permit field trials at all.
The term GMO field trial needs to be better defined to include, for example, a maximum size and scale of what can be considered a field trial.
We support the bond requirements though question how practical they will be in determining the amount of bond required given the uncertainty around the level of risk and the likely scale of costs associated with remediating any adverse effects from the activity.
12 November 2015 |
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14 October 2015
Andrew Duncan
Manager
Financial Policy
Auckland Council
Rural Rates Discussion Document – feedback from Waitakere Ranges Local Board
The Waitakere Ranges Local Board would like to give feedback on the rural rates discussion document, following the recent public meeting hosted at our office.
The discussion document proposed, on average, increasing rates for small rural lifestyle blocks (less than 6 hectares), decreasing rates for large blocks (50+ hectares), with no change for those in the medium sized category.
In the Waitakere Ranges Local Board area there are over 1500 small blocks, and only 12 large blocks. Large landowners in Rodney and Franklin are the chief beneficiaries of the proposal as it stands, (see Table A overleaf).
The prevailing local view at the meeting (held on 30 September 2015) was opposed to the proposed changes.
The local board has an interest in seeing a review of rural rates happen in tandem with the development of a rates remission policy to encourage rural land owners to look after land with high conservation value. We would like to look at the draft Heritage Incentives Policy at the same time as we consider any changes to rural rates.
Most of our rural area is within the Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area which was established by the Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area Act 2008 (the Act). The area’s natural scenic beauty, contrasting landscapes, extensive forests and ecosystems, and rural values are recognised as being of national and regional significance and listed as heritage features in Section 7 of the Act.
The Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan is required to give effect to the objectives of the Act, and places additional controls on land in the heritage area with the aim of protecting natural heritage. The vast majority of our rural properties have Significant Ecological Areas on them.
The local board has an interest in promoting good stewardship of ecological areas in private ownership to ensure weed infestations and pests are managed responsibly and heritage features are protected, restored or enhanced.
We would like to see a strong alignment between council plans and strategies, and policies on rates relief.
The case presented in the rural rates discussion document was more around a user pays argument - paying rates according to your access or proximity to services.
A number of reasons were given in the document to suggest that small property owners had better access to council services than those with large properties, though there were significant presumptions. Access to public transport is one that does not hold true in the Waitakere Ranges. Most if not all of our rural lifestyle blocks have no access to public transport.
Regards
Neil Henderson
Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area portfolio holder
Waitakere Ranges Local Board
Cc: Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse, Councillor Linda Cooper, Councillor Bill Cashmore
Table A: number of rural properties in each category across the region
Local Board |
Land use Category |
Small |
Medium |
Large |
less than 6ha |
6 up to 50ha |
50+ ha |
||
Franklin |
Lifestyle |
6360 |
1265 |
5 |
Franklin |
Rural Industry |
499 |
943 |
360 |
Great Barrier |
Lifestyle |
158 |
84 |
21 |
Great Barrier |
Rural Industry |
36 |
37 |
15 |
Rodney |
Lifestyle |
8044 |
2147 |
22 |
Rodney |
Rural Industry |
288 |
506 |
804 |
Waiheke |
Lifestyle |
261 |
98 |
2 |
Waiheke |
Rural Industry |
94 |
38 |
8 |
Waitakere Ranges |
Lifestyle |
1495 |
173 |
5 |
Waitakere Ranges |
Rural Industry |
33 |
5 |
7 |
Total |
|
17268 |
5296 |
1249 |
12 November 2015 |
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Chairperson's Report - November 2015
File No.: CP2015/23358
Annual Plan 2015/16
1. It seems we have only just dealt with the Long-term Plan but we are already working on the Annual Plan 2016/17. As this is the first year of the LTP it is not expected that there will be many changes, though we are keen to have a greater focus on the coastal marine environment. We have also been advised that the Board can conduct less extensive consultation in the first LTP year.
Proposal on rural rates
2. Our meeting about rural rates was well attended with about 45 people coming to hear the proposal.
3. Councillor Bill Cashmore, who represents Franklin, explained that the proposal to apply a higher rate small rural properties to enable reduction in rates for properties over 50ha originated with lifestyle block owners in Whitford and Clevedon. They appreciated the rural outlook provided by large properties and did not want large landowners forced into subdivision by big rates bills.
4. Attendees at the Waitakere meeting explained that many small rural properties in Waitakere could never generate income as they were bush clad and owners often had expenses caring for them. Properties in Waitakere were also constrained by the Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area Act 2008.
5. On a motion from the floor, the meeting voted unanimously to reject the proposal, with some expressing the view that if relief should be sought for large rural properties, the burden should be applied to all ratepayers across the region not just small rural property owners.
6. Subsequently the Governing Body decided to consult on a proposal through this year’s Annual Plan process. The proposal is to give relief to property owners with large rural properties, but spread the rates’ burden across all ratepayers.
7. Ratepayers can comment on this proposal as part of the consultation on the Annual Plan.
Te Wao Nui a Tiriwa Forum
8. Over 50 attended the forum on the Heritage Area. We heard from Te Warena Taua and Edward Ashby about Te Kawerau a Maki’s aspirations for the future including the recent Treaty settlement which allocated significant parts of Woodhill Forest as well as Crown lands at Te Henga and Hobsonville.
9. The Board is looking at feedback from the forum which will be available soon, and will be considering future forums to discuss the Heritage Area with residents.
10. Although originally we had asked Deputy-Mayor Penny Hulse to set the scene at the beginning of the night, unfortunately she was unable to attend, and I stepped in. Appended to this is the welcoming speech I gave.
Climbing asparagus project
11. The Local Board is working with EcoMatters Trust and the council’s Biosecurity Department to control climbing asparagus in two parts of the Ranges: Huia and Piha. EcoMatters staff are going door to door and often surveying properties for the presence of the pest plant which is considered the biggest threat to native forest especially in the regional parkland. Surveying is often followed by control work if land owners are unable to carry it out themselves.
12. The project is expected to take several years as the Board has restricted funds, and follow up will be necessary for some time after initial control. Residents are urged to remove climbing asparagus if they have it, by digging up small plants and by cutting back and spraying larger infestations.
13. Climbing asparagus was once a popular plant in bridal bouquets, because of its delicate feathery trailing habit, but it now high on the “worst weeds” list. It smothers native plants and prevents the growth of native seedlings. It is highly tolerant of shade and the bright orange seeds are spread by birds.
14. The Board is currently discussing Stage 2 of this project with Biosecurity and Environment Services staff.
Open Studios Waitakere Weekend
15. Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November will be the Open Studios Waitakere Weekend event funded by the Local Board. Over 60 artists and 40 studios are opening their doors 10am to 4 pm to allow members of the public to view artists at work and see their ware.
16. The studios are located from Huia to Henderson Valley and Titirangi to Te Henga. As well there is a bus tour you can join to view a selection and later in the day a music, food and drinks event on the rooftop of Lopdell House.
17. The Board has also funded the West Coast Gallery at Piha to hold a Coastal Art Festival on Piha beach on Monday 1 February, Anniversary Day, chosen because of the tides.
Caring for Kauri meeting
18. The Waitakere Ranges Local Board funds a Kauri Dieback Community Coordinator, Christine Rose, to work with local communities around Kauri dieback. The Laingholm District Citizens Association hosted a meeting at which Christine and others spoke on Thursday 12 November at the Laingholm Hall.
19. About 30 people attended to learn more about kauri dieback and it was generally a well-informed audience with many questions to ask. I learned a lot from Dr Ian Horner, Team Leader, Pathogen Biology at NZ Institute for Plant and Food Research Ltd.
20. Ian has been conducting trials into the use of phosphites to treat kauri PTA which has a new name kauri agathidicida. Phosphites have been used overseas to treat other phytophthoras, and in NZ avocado orchards.
21. Ian explained that infected kauri trees can take 20-30 years to exhibit symptoms of the disease, especially bleeding on the trunk. He felt Auckland Council was doing a good job of containing infected forest and stressed that many kauri forests have been tested for PTA and are clear of it.
22. The fungicide phosphite or phosphoric acid has low toxicity and does not accumulate in soil. It works by attacking the pathogen and also stimulates the plant to resist.
23. Trials so far have been in vitro (laboratory) trials where the pathogen has seemed to be susceptible to phosphites; glasshouse trials where plants are injected with phosphites and have shown a reduced level of disease; and field trials at four places, including Huia and Whatipu.
24. Field trials have been carried out since 2012 and have used different strengths and regimens to test the efficacy of phosphites on infected kauri. With high rates of phosphites, there have been toxicity problems resulting in leaf yellowing, browning, some leaf and twig drop and trunk cracking above the injection points on some trees.
25. With lower rates these problems did not occur and lesions dried up and healed. It seems that phosphites will suppress the growth of PTA and restrict lesion spread. It is not clear whether they will stop kauri dying.
26. However, there is still a lot to be learned. It is not known how long the benefit will last, or how often retreatment is needed, nor whether the trees will recover to full health, or whether it is possible to treat large kauri.
27. Altogether it is not an answer for kauri forests, but could be a short-term tool to slow the disease down.
Meetings with other local boards
28. On 20 October, the Waitakere Ranges Local Board met with members of the Rodney Local Board at Arataki. We share a boundary and a coast with the Rodney board so it was a good opportunity to learn what they are doing and discuss mutual concerns such as environment and transport, or lack of it!
29. On 30 October, the Board visited Great Barrier Island to meet with the Great Barrier Local Board and Waiheke Local Board.
30. The “outer” boards have much in common in the areas of environment, transport etc, and we had some fruitful discussions. The GB board were great hosts and showed us a variety of projects and problems they have. The kaka below was a treat, up-close at Glenfern Sanctuary.
Kaka at Glenfern Sanctuary;
Great Barrier, Waiheke and Waitakere Ranges Local Boards at Glenfern Sanctuary, 30 October 2015
31. The beauty of GB is breathtaking and if we didn’t love our own area so much, a few board members were heard to say they could imagine living there. GB has been protected from much development by its remoteness, and we were blown away at their lack of weed pests, and lack of animal pests – no possums, stoats, weasels - but lots of rats and rabbits, and of course, argentine ants.
32. Biosecurity has dubbed GB and the Hauraki Gulf islands “Treasure Islands” and we think this helps us as we think through our own Heritage Area and how we present it to the world. GB has an enviable amount of interpretation and resources for visitors, many produced by DOC, which is a major presence on the island, but many produced by the LB.
33. Having visited GB at the beginning of amalgamation in 2011, I was very impressed at what a difference the LB has made to services on the island. Really, a success story of the Super City.
34. We were lucky to watch the Rugby World Cup final with locals at GB and celebrate that historic win in such a hospitable and beautiful place.
35. We also had a bit of fun when we found an old Yellow Bus Company bus in a field at Awana, with a “Piha” destination showing. The owner kindly let us muck around and take some photos – we joked we would take it back to spear-head the proposed outer area shuttle service we are hoping Auckland Transport will help us provide.
Our thanks to Izzy Fordham and the rest of the
Great Barrier Local Board
That the Waitākere Ranges Local Board: a) Receives the Chairperson’s report.
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No. |
Title |
Page |
aView |
Te Wao Nui o Tiriwa speech |
185 |
Signatories
Authors |
Tua Viliamu – Democracy Advisor |
Authorisers |
Glenn Boyd - Relationship Manager Henderson-Massey, Waitakere Ranges, Whau |
Waitākere Ranges Local Board 12 November 2015 |
|
Sandra Coney, Chair, WRLB
15 October 2015, Titirangi War Memorial Hall
Kia Ora, Welcome everyone
I see many faces who were part of achieving the Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area Act, a special welcome to you all.
This workshop aims to look at how well we are protecting the Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area.
The passing of the Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area Act in 2008, required the councils who had sought the passing of the legislation – Waitakere City Council, Auckland Regional Council and Rodney District Council – to produce every five years a monitoring report on the state of the environment in the heritage area and progress towards it objectives.
Of course, the three councils no longer exist, but the responsibilities of those councils have passed to the Auckland Council, which includes the Governing Body and the Local Boards who have the Heritage Area within their boundaries.
This is primarily the Waitakere Ranges Local Board whose boundaries include the great proportion of the Heritage Area, but also the Rodney and Whau Local Boards who have small parts of the Heritage Area within their borders.
The passing of the Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area Act was the culmination of over a century of effort to protect the Waitakere Ranges.
The first step towards this that has been found in the archives was in 1891 when an unknown official of the Department of Lands and Surveys tried to get the Government of the day to set aside 1100 acres of land covered in forest in the Waitakere Ranges.
This was around 40 years after the first milling operations started on the Manukau Harbour, and at Henderson and Swanson, so there had been ample time to see the impacts of kauri milling in the Waitakeres.
This unknown official’s attempt to save some of the ranges was followed in 1894 by a formal deputation to Auckland City Council by Sir Algernon Thomas, Professor of Biology at Auckland University, Sir John Logan Campbell, WS Wilson of Wilson and Horton and other prominent citizens, to set aside some 3500 acres of Crown land as future reserve. The Government agreed to this, expanding the final amount protected to nearly 5000 acres of largely interior land.
This was the nucleus of today ‘s 17,000 hectares of public parkland.
I am not going into detail of how the land that today makes up the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park was accumulated, but it has taken over a century and indeed goes on, with the purchase by Auckland Council in 2014 of the Byers block at The Gap at Piha.
I just wanted to read you, though, a few words from Sir Algernon Thomas when he was campaigning for the Ranges. In 1894 he gave a public lecture, which speaks to us over a century later of the vision that has united lovers of the Waitakere Ranges:
“While speaking of the beauty of the Waitakerei Ranges, Professor Thomas said he could not refrain from mentioning a fact which would cause regret to every lover of nature. It was that the forest was gradually disappearing. Fires, kindled intentionally or accidentally, were sweeping away a portion every year. At one time all the country near Auckland was covered with beautiful native forest, but now the visitor could only find it in the Waitakere ranges. It occurred to him while travelling in the ranges that unless some action was taken there would soon be none left within reasonable distance of Auckland. A national park had been proclaimed on the summits of Ruapehu and Tongariro, and it had been decided that the Little Barrier should be reserved for the preservation of the native fauna and flora, but excellent as these movements were, they did not meet a real want of the citizens of Auckland, namely, a place which could be visited readily on a holiday, and which would serve as a recreation reserve and a place where citizens and tourists could see a noble native forest – beautiful scenery of hill and valley, of ravine and waterfall. In parts of the ranges were still to be found patches of stately kauri. There could be no doubt that a patch of such trees should be left to future generations out of the glories of the New Zealand flora where the kauri will otherwise be extinct.”
He went on to talk about the creation of a reserve, the potential for providing Auckland’s water supply, the inauguration of a Domain Board to administer it, and the creation of a ranger to protect the bush.
Sir Algernon Thomas’s advocacy was the beginning of a long period of advocacy by individuals and by groups to protect the Waitakere Ranges. The relationship between the Ranges, as a natural wonderland, and the people of Auckland, that Sir Algernon stressed, has remained key to the future of the Ranges, and is both asset and risk.
Asset because the people of Auckland care about the Ranges, they can see them from many parts of Auckland and they gravitate towards them for their beaches and wilderness places, where they can gain respite from the urban life of Auckland.
Indeed, they care so much they chose the creation of a great Waitakere park as their preferred project to commemorate the centenary of Auckland in 1940.
But closeness to the booming metropolitan centre of Auckland is also a risk, because Aucklanders’ desire to be amongst the forest risked loving it to death.
There is a continuum of advocacy for the Ranges over the 19th century, but that took on new urgency at the turn of the 21st century. The history of the Waitakere Ranges Protection Society talks about 1999 as a year of crisis. Go Waitakere, a pro-development anti-environment team, was elected as a majority on WCC, and the WCC was reviewing its District Plan.
One of the catalysts for the legislation was the then Commissioner for the Environment, Morgan Williams’, statement that the Waitakere Ranges risked “death by a thousand cuts”. This became a rallying call for all who cared for the Ranges.
Led by Mayor Sir Bob Harvey, Team West was put together to contest the 2001 election with a platform that included protecting the Waitakere Ranges from subdivision and development.
Team West swept into office with both positions taken in the Auckland Regional Council, myself and Paul Walbran, most positions on the city council and all members on the Waitakere Community Board.
With such a clean sweep and the clear policy direction to protect the Ranges you would have thought achieving legislation to do this would have been straightforward.
But it was not. I am not party to exactly what went on within WCC, but some who seemed to support protection were less enthusiastic once in office, especially when it came to legislation.
WCC embarked on community consultation and this seemed to go on for ever. While successive surveys showed support for the proposal, consultation went on for a needlessly protracted time. For example, a survey of regional citizens by ARC showed 92% of respondents thought protecting the Ranges and foothills in the long-term was very important (66%) or important (26%). 73% supported doing this by using the law, 16% were neutral and 8% opposed.
Paul Walbran, Christine Rose and I represented ARC on a political liaison group that worked through the legislation. Greg Presland and Denise Yates, now on our Board, initially represented WCC, later Bob Harvey and Penny Hulse. Lynne Pillay was the sponsor of the legislation as she was taking it as a private member’s bill through Parliament. Iwi and MP David Cunliffe were other members of this group. While the MPs and ARC were unchanging in their support, the position of WCC kept shifting especially as the years, yes, years dragged on.
In the event, we went through not one but three election cycles, the Team West influence on Council dwindled and new councillors wanted greater emphasis on economic development. The lay of the land was changing in Parliament too.
At times it looked as if the whole project would be derailed, and in my view it was only a massive show of support from the community, organised by Waitakere Ranges Protection Society, that convinced WCC politicians there would be hell to pay if after all the effort the legislation did not go through.
Eventually the Bill was taken by Lynne Pillay to Parliament where she, David Cunliffe and Chris Carter worked tirelessly to get support. The Bill passed into law on 8 April 2008. Labour, Green, Maori and Progressive parties supported it, as, critically, did a lone independent, Taito Phillip Field. The Bill passed on a single vote.
After 7 years, I think we can tentatively say the Act has been successful in limiting the spread of development and subdivision, which was one of its main purposes. Yes, there is still some development, mainly of vacant sites, and there has been limited subdivision, but very little.
The Regional and District Plan rules that were put in place to implement the Act have been largely carried over into the Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan, although right now that is still subject to decisions made by Commissioners and Auckland Council.
The PAUP also enshrines Plan Change 36 which was opposed by many of the parties who supported the Heritage Area Act. It is too early to say whether this plan change, which loosens up the rules around commercial development in the Ranges, will have a detrimental impact.
As we have seen with Paturoa Road, the WRHA Act cannot save individual trees, when there is a clash between development rights and the environment. That tree felling was stopped only by good old community action, and we still have to keep an eye on that issue as we may not have heard the end of it.
And when changes are made in the RMA, as with urban tree rules, the Heritage Area Act is powerless, as the heritage legislation states that it is trumped by the RMA.
The first five-year monitoring report was largely the work of the WRLB. The report showed that the Heritage Area was in fairly good shape. The process of natural vegetation growth was actually softening the effects of development so that landscapes were little impacted. The main area the monitoring report drew attention to was infrastructure installed by Auckland Transport which was creating the most visible impacts on the natural environment.
Indeed, socialising the Act within the Auckland Council has become a significant task of the WRLB.
We need to remember that at the time the Act went through, there were only two main councils involved, and they had lived and breathed the passage of the Act. No need for socialising there.
Amalgamation created a unitary authority, combining the regional planning and environmental protection functions of the ARC and the district plan functions of WCC, along with 6 other city and district councils.
In the case of ARC, only two politicians, myself and Mike Lee, got elected to the new body, and very few senior staff were appointed to positions in the new council.
In my view, the new Council does not prioritise regional planning functions nor environmental protection. It operates more like a big city council, so some valuable strategic functions have been weakened.
As far as the HA Act goes, it has been necessary to constantly socialise the Act amongst elected members and the bureaucracy with varying degrees of success. Councillors from other parts of the region tend to be not particularly knowledgeable about the Act. This is not surprising. The Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area is the only area of mainland Auckland with an Act over it that gives the area national, regional and local significance. So there is a lack of familiarity with the concept and its responsibilities.
At a staff level there has not been as far as I am aware any systematic orientation in the legislation for new staff. Consequently one of the key tasks of the Local Board is to play this role, though it is often reactive.
The Council’s Infrastructure and Environmental Services Unit is reasonably au fair with the legislation but the Board has struggled with Auckland Transport, the Consents Department and ATEED. We are making progress with AT, which is working on design guidelines for the Heritage Area, and are now having regular meeting with consents, but there is still work to do.
It seems ironical that one of the current threats to the objectives of the Heritage Area is the Council itself.
But by far the largest current threat to the Heritage Area is a by-product of development. Unlike other heritage or national conservation areas, people live within the Waitakere Ranges Heritage area. While they have been attracted to live there by the very heritage features that the Act sought to protect, they do not always do their best to protect them.
This is particularly so in the area of plant pest control Often this is through ignorance. It is important to note that many of the resources and programmes that the legacy councils had in place to support communities to protect their environment were lost on amalgamation. Sometimes this was as simple as information resources being trashed because they had the wrong branding, but in other cases successive budget cuts have seen some programmes down-sized or lost. Consequently, support for landowners and communities has reduced. Saffron Toms will be expanding more on this aspect of the Board’s work shortly.
We hope today we can get feedback on how well the Council is doing in protecting the Waitakere Ranges. We are currently half way through the second 5-year monitoring period so it is important to know whether we are on the right track, or where there are gaps that need more attention.
I hope you enjoy this evening . The Board’s is looking forward to it and to hearing what our communities have to say on the protection of the Heritage Area.
12 November 2015 |
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Confirmation of Workshop Records - 16 July - 24 September 2015
File No.: CP2015/22399
Purpose
1. This report presents records of workshops held by the Waitakere Ranges Local Board on:
· 16 July 2015
· 23 and 30 July 2015 – cancelled
· 4 August 2015
· 13 August 2015 – cancelled
· 20 August 2015
· 27 August 2015
· 03 September 2015
· 10 September 2015
· 17 September 2015
· 24 September 2015
Executive Summary
2. <Enter summary>
That the Waitākere Ranges Local Board: a) Confirms that the attached records of the workshops held 16, 23 and 30 July, 4, 13, 20 and 27 August, 03, 10, 17 and 24 September 2015 are true and correct record. Grab |
No. |
Title |
Page |
aView |
Record of workshop - 16 July 2015 |
193 |
bView |
Record of workshop - 23 July (cancelled) |
197 |
cView |
Record of workshop - 30 July 2015 (cancelled) |
199 |
dView |
Record of workshop - 4 August 2015 |
201 |
eView |
Record of workshop - 13 August 2015 (cancelled) |
203 |
fView |
Record of workshop - 20 August 2015 |
205 |
gView |
Record of workshop - 27 August 2015 |
209 |
hView |
Record of workshop - 3 September 2015 |
211 |
iView |
Record of workshop - 10 September 2015 |
213 |
jView |
Record of workshop - 17 September 2015 |
215 |
kView |
Record of workshop - 24 September 2015 |
219 |
Signatories
Authors |
Tua Viliamu – Democracy Advisor |
Authorisers |
Glenn Boyd - Relationship Manager Henderson-Massey, Waitakere Ranges, Whau |
Waitākere Ranges Local Board 12 November 2015 |
|
Record of Workshop –
Waitakere Ranges Local Board
Date: Thursday 16 July 2015
Time: 9.30am – 5.15pm
Venue: Waitakere Ranges Local Board Office
PRESENT:
Members Sandra Coney, QSO
Denise Yates, JP
Greg Presland
Neil Henderson
Saffron Toms
Steve Tollestrup for absence
MATTERS DISCUSSED:
|
Item |
Presenter |
1.0 |
Weed Plan Implementation session Next steps
Key discussion points: · Continuation from last weeks workshop discussion on the next steps to deliver on the weed plan recommendation. · Funding allocated for weed control initiatives requires direction from the board on priorities
|
Raewyn Curran |
2.0 |
Administration The members dealt with various administration items |
Sharon Davies |
3.0 & 4.0 |
Portfolio catch-up and board only session Opportunity for members to discuss their portfolio updates
|
Members |
5.0 |
Auckland Long-tailed Bat Survey 2015 report To discuss the report on the outcomes of the bat survey and get boards feedback on the project so far.
Key discussion points: · The outcomes of the bat survey within the Waitakere Area · Acoustic Box monitors Monitoring which help identifies critical habitat for bat protection zone · How the cumulative effects of urban development put bats at high risk · Community bat-spotting initiatives - Nocturnal tours run by Park Rangers every January - Look out for bookings from December on www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz - You can also “discover” other nocturnal creatures like pūrātoke, pūngāwere and tuna - Borrow a bat detector • Look for bats in your backyard, local park or school grounds • Bats require specific conditions: - Water source - Open areas - Mature trees - Warm nights Action: Officer to provide the board with an update on areas where bats are roosting at a future workshop. |
Simon Mills
|
6.0 |
West Resource Consents A general update to the board.
Key discussion points: · Tree rules in effect from September 2015 o RMA Changes 4 September 2015. o Majority of trees no longer protected o Any site considered an urban environment allotment, o PAUP provisions around Significant Ecological Areas (SEA) still apply – this is not a tree protection rule o Scheduled trees still exist o Messaging of “Check before you Chop” · New Road Naming guidelines o Local Boards have responsibility for the naming of new roads under the Local Government Act. o New Auckland wide guidelines will standardise road naming practice · General discussion on the Paturoa Road · Opportunity to build between Resource Consents and Local Board
Action: Ongoing updates with Member Greg Presland at a portfolio level. |
David Oakhill James Dowding
|
7.0 |
Communication & Engagement Communication and Engagement requirements and processes.
Key discussion points: · Processes around communication and engagement
Action: Ongoing catch-up at a portfolio level |
Justin Kary |
8.0 |
Local Board Community Forum Planning for Community Forum with the board that was rescheduled from May
Key discussion points: The draft agenda for the LB Community Forum and for members to provide feedback
Action: Officer to amend the draft agenda |
|
12 November 2015 |
|
Record of Workshop – CANCELLED
Waitakere Ranges Local Board
Date: Thursday 23 July 2015
Venue: Waitakere Ranges Local Board Office
12 November 2015 |
|
Record of Workshop – CANCELLED
Waitakere Ranges Local Board
Date: Thursday 30 July 2015
Venue: Waitakere Ranges Local Board Office
12 November 2015 |
|
Record of Workshop –
Waitakere Ranges Local Board
Date: Tuesday, 4 August 2015
Time: 1.00pm – 3.00pm
Venue: Waitakere Ranges Local Board Office
PRESENT:
Members Denise Yates, JP
Greg Presland
Saffron Toms
Steve Tollestrup
APOLOGIES: Sandra Coney, QSO
Neil Henderson
MATTERS DISCUSSED:
|
Item |
Presenter |
1.0 |
Local Board input on Local Board Capex Fund Seeks direction from Local Boards on the proposed discretionary fund for local board capital expenditure (Capex fund) regarding the: • model for allocating the fund • criteria for the fund.
Key discussion points: · Feedback on changes proposed to the Local board Funding Policy o Use of the Local Board Funding policy for future funding allocations o Rules for using LDI opex and capex funding o Funding early start of regionally funded projects · Five models have been considered for allocating the Capex fund between all boards based on the population, deprivation and land area attributes of the board. Members supported Model E · Members asked whether they would support three changes to the Local Board Funding Policy: o Use the Local Board Funding Policy allocation to allocate any additional future funding? – members support this option o Remove the option to fund consequential opex of capital projects from the LDI? – members support this option o Remove the ability to use the Capex fund allocation to bring forward regionally funded projects? – members oppose this option Actions: Members to provide feedback to the Finance and Performance Committee meeting in September. |
David Rose |
2.0 |
Finance Quarterly Performance Report for the year ended June 2015 Presentation of Finance Quarterly Performance Report for the year ended June 2015. Discussion of its progress towards their objectives for the year from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015, as set out in their Local Board Agreement. |
David Rose |
12 November 2015 |
|
Record of Workshop – CANCELLED
Waitakere Ranges Local Board
Date: Thursday 13 August 2015
Venue: Waitakere Ranges Local Board Office
12 November 2015 |
|
Record of Workshop –
Waitakere Ranges Local Board
Date: Thursday, 20 August 2015
Time: 9.00am – 4.00pm
Venue: Waitakere Ranges Local Board Office
PRESENT:
Members Sandra Coney, QSO
Neil Henderson from 9.15 am
Greg Presland from 9.30am
Saffron Toms from 9.50am
Steve Tollestrup
APOLOGIES: Denise Yates, JP
MATTERS DISCUSSED:
|
Item |
Presenter |
1.0 |
Community Waitakere Work Programme To present the Community Waitakere work programme :
Key discussion points: · Work programme · How to network through the organisation re Community Houses · Project Twin Streams discussion · Relationship – what that looks like going forward with the disestablished of CDAC and how to establish with Swanson and Penihana
Actions: Member Tollestrup – Portfolio holder and Community Waitakere to keep in contact. Officer to provide an agenda report to the WRLB business meeting in September 2015.
|
Paul Prestidge Charlie Moore
|
2.0 |
Glen Eden Summer Event General discussion with the boar don a direction with the Glen Eden Summer Square event going forward:
Key discussion points: · Opened discussion around the Glen Eden Summer Event including ¾ Clarifying roles ¾ Funding available ¾ What worked/did not worked previously · Members support another Glen Eden Summer Event – for a shorter period and shorter closed off with car parks. · Discussion around the project concept and going forward Actions: Office distributed a memo for members to provide feedback Officers to set-up another workshop for a further discussion and going forward- design/scope. |
Raewyn Curran |
3.0 |
Community Environmental Services work programme To discuss the Community Environmental Services work programme
Key discussion points: Key Outcomes · The WRHA is protected · Maintenance and infrastructure work in the Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area respects the natural, cultural and historical environments · Thriving communities ¾ A strong, diverse and healthy community · Revitalised town centres and urban villages ¾ Revitalising Glen Eden – place-making and neighbourhood development ¾ Enhancing our centres, while keeping their essential character ¾ We have high-quality parks and open spaces that meet the needs of our communities · WRLB and Ecomatters to work together · Pocket Parks – There are more pocket parks but not in use can it be more useful for the community. Members suggested signs, chairs, walkarea, trees – an opportunity for a garden/fruit trees · EcoWest Festival – members would like smokefree to be made aware at this event · Members support the idea of Ecomatters in Glen Eden · Ecomatters work programme
Actions: Damon to breakdown the feedback provided by members and email through to Officer Officer to provide an agenda report to the WRLB business meeting in October 2015
|
Robbie Sutherland Matt Foster Damon Birchfield (Ecomatters Environment Trust) |
4.0 |
Water safety signage at Piha, Bethells and O’Neills Bay To discuss an intended programme of work for the renewal of water safety signage at Piha, Bethells and O’Neills Bay and seeks advice from the board.
Key discussion points: · General discussion on the Water Safety Signage Assessment for Piha and North Piha, Bethells Beah and O’Neills Bay · Concerns from members around signs in access-ways and the position of these signs may not be acceptable or visible. The community may need to be consulted. · Water Safety Signage report, members have asked to be flexible with signage and access tracks.
Action: Officer to report back to the board on how they are approaching the community.
|
Kaitlyn White / Helen Biffin |
5.0 |
Administration The members dealt with various administration items
|
Sharon Davies |
6.0 |
Parking in Glen Eden To seek members views and comments on Parking in Glen Eden and Park and Ride in Glen Eden
Key discussion points: · Parking in Glen Eden – Auckland Transport is reviewing the Town Centre parking. For a better understanding of Glen Eden Parking, a survey will take place in October early November 2015. An opportunity for members to input in the Glen Eden Parking and how far study needs to go. · General discussion and update on the Park and Ride in Glen Eden
Action: AT Officers to book another workshop to update the board on the Parking in Glen Eden - occupancy survey and also an update on the Park and Ride in Glen Eden
|
Owena Schuster Simon Milner Nick Seymour Kelsey Carter Alok Vashista |
7.0 |
Board Members Portfolio update Opportunity for members to discuss their portfolio updates: Chair Coney Deputy Chair Yates Member Toms |
|
8.0 |
Board only session Members only time
|
Members |
12 November 2015 |
|
Record of Workshop –
Waitakere Ranges Local Board
Date: Thursday, 27 August 2015
Time: 12.00pm – 4.00pm
Venue: Waitakere Ranges Local Board Office
PRESENT:
Members Sandra Coney, QSO
Denise Yates, JP
Neil Henderson
Greg Presland
Saffron Toms
Steve Tollestrup
MATTERS DISCUSSED:
|
Item |
Presenter |
1.0 |
Arts and Culture To brief the board on progress on the Open Studio event and Art on the Beach
Key discussion points: · Open Studios Waitakere 2015 – Developed work programme and an update of the Open Studio financial report to date · Members support the Open Studios work programme, however concerns raised around the costs of the website development · Name Art on the Beach to be replaced with West Coast Beach festival · Members discussed ideas that can be incorporated in the development of the work programme eg what outcomes currently in LB Plan and themes for the West Coast Beach festival
Actions: Portfolio holder Sandra Coney and Denise Yates to meeting with Julie Nash – Events Facilitator (for open studios) for a further discussion. |
Xanthe Jujnovich
|
2.0 |
Community Environment Services Work Programme 2015/16 Continuation of the previous workshop 20/08 where EcoMatters were asked to provide more detailed contents of the proposed projects.
Key discussion points: · Discussion on the Community Environmental services work programme for 2015/16 and the proposed projects.
Actions: Officer to provide an agenda report for the September WRLB business meeting. |
Matt Foster Robbie Sutherland Damon Birchfield - Ecomatters |
3.0 |
Administration The members dealt with various administration items |
Sharon Davies |
4.0 |
Board Members Portfolio update Opportunity for members to discuss their portfolio updates: Member Greg Presland Member Neil Henderson Member Steve Tollestrup |
|
5.0 |
Board only session Members only time
|
Members |
12 November 2015 |
|
Record of Workshop –
Waitakere Ranges Local Board
Date: Thursday, 03 September 2015
Time: 2.00pm – 4.00pm
Venue: Waitakere Ranges Local Board Office
PRESENT:
Members Sandra Coney, QSO
Denise Yates, JP
Neil Henderson
Greg Presland
Saffron Toms
Apology: Steve Tollestrup
MATTERS DISCUSSED:
|
Item |
Presenter |
1.0 |
Karekare Pohutakawa Tree To brief the board on the Karekare Pohutukawa tree issues
Key discussion points: · General discussion around the KareKare Pohutakawa tree issues and the Karekare Road - Overarching Pohutukawa Assessment report prepared by Treescape Environmental Ltd · Legal requirement for the road corridor height is 4.25m · AT are currently investigating options to different props - Prop installation may be undertaken to support the main horizontal stem of the tree from subsiding further toward the ground. · Resource Consents is required for removal of tree and for props · Concerns around different props – how will this be communicated to the community? · Members requested more signs to be displayed on Karekare Road to make drivers aware of the overarching tree
Actions: AT Officer to provide the members with an update on the AT Design Guidelines for the Heritage Area AT Officers to keep the members up-to-date with the investigation, and return with progress at a later date |
Mar Maxlow Kaitlyn White Owena Schuster Allan Wallce (Regional Road Corridor Delivery Manager) Johan Swanepoel (Western Road Corridor Delivery Manager) Erle Bencich (West Contracts Team Leader) Chris Beasley (Principal Technical Specialist)
|
2.0 |
Board only session Members only time
|
Members |
12 November 2015 |
|
Record of Workshop –
Waitakere Ranges Local Board
Date: Thursday, 10 September 2015
Time: 12.00pm – 5.15pm
Venue: Waitakere Ranges Local Board Office
PRESENT:
Members Sandra Coney, QSO
Denise Yates, JP
Neil Henderson
Greg Presland
Saffron Toms
Steve Tollestrup
MATTERS DISCUSSED:
|
Item |
Presenter |
1.0 |
Community based weed project Potential Community based weed project fund
Key discussion points: · To define purpose of an Environmental grants fund and use of any other monies
|
Raewyn Curran
|
2.0 |
Auckland Transport Forward Works programme The Auckland Transport Forward works programme
Key discussion points: · Auckland Transport capital programme – 2012-2015 delivery and 2016-2018 capital programme · Future transport network – major projects (local road and public transport projects, state highway projects and light rail, costs and indicative completion dates) · Safety Initiatives in Waitakere Ranges (1 year indicative programme)
Actions: To provide updates at Portfolio catch-ups
|
Owena Schuster |
3.0 |
Glen Eden Library upgrade To discuss the Glen Eden Library upgrade – Lighting, Signage and Entrance
Key discussion points: · General discussion around entrance options, landscaping – including looking at green space · Members would like to see: - quality design - enhanced sunny space - do good not harm - enhanced not taken away from existing building - opportunity for landscaping eg outside seats - time restrictions at the library carpark - better signage/lighting for the library
Actions: Officer to organise another workshop to provide the members with the following: concept design and a quote from an Architect re the entrance of the building.
|
|
4.0 |
Administration The members dealt with various administration items
|
Sharon Davies |
5.0 |
Board Members Portfolio update Opportunity for members to discuss their portfolio updates: Chair Sandra Coney Deputy Chair Denise Yates Member Saffron Toms |
|
6.0 |
Board only session Members only time
|
Members |
12 November 2015 |
|
Record of Workshop –
Waitakere Ranges Local Board
Date: Thursday, 17 September 2015
Time: 10.00am – 5.30pm
Venue: Waitakere Ranges Local Board Office
PRESENT:
Members Sandra Coney, QSO
Neil Henderson
Greg Presland
Saffron Toms
Steve Tollestrup
Apology: Denise Yates, JP
MATTERS DISCUSSED:
|
Item |
Presenter |
1.0 |
Mountain Road Walkway Project To seek advice/approval on draft design and estimated cost before finalising the current detail design stage for construction.
Key discussion points: · AT staff provided an update on activity to date and noted design considerations of: - Concrete with black oxide and exposed aggregate finish is proposed on steep grounds - Gravel with Geocell footpath is proposed on sections with gentle grades - Low timber board walk with handrails where marshy ground is present - Small concrete sections of footpath adjacent to existing concrete driveways to avoid regular maintenance · Member discussion on information presented and the mix of concrete, geocell gravel & boardwalk · Members requested that AT go to Oratia R&R to discuss aspects of design and surface mix between Hayes Rd towards west crossing point · Options - Geocell all the way - Geocell with new concrete buffers and driveways - Concrete all the way - N: identify advantages and disadvantages Actions: Request an agenda report to come post R&R discussion with a recommendation of preferred option and to commit to construction.
|
Owena Schuster Hussam Abdul-rassol |
2.0 |
Oratia, Twin Stream & Sunnyvale shared path connection project To present all possible options and seek advice on preferred option with cost estimates and discuss forward plans. Current stage – Feasibility study and options assessment to be completed by 10th September for Locla Board review/advice.
Key discussion points: · Investigation costs and amount to be allocated · Presentation by staff of options considered and investigated. · Based on the scope provided by AT, and following a high level assessment of options, the proposed preferred route options, consist of: - Option 2A – Sunnyvale Train Station to West Coast Road: Sunnyvale Train Station to Parrs Park via a new shared path and new pedestrian refuge on Seymour Road - Option 4A – Oratia walk and cycleway to Parrs Park via new shared paths on Parrs Cross Road and Seymour Road. Path users cross Seymour Road utilising existing pedestrian refuge - Option 5D – Connection from proposed shared path on West Coast Road to Parrs Park via new shared path and new raised zebra crossing on West Coast Road · New shared path in Parrs Park – Upgrade existing pathway in Parrs Park to create shared path · Member indicated general support for preferred route linkages. · Was support for creating meaningful linkages, however noting budget available request staff to give further consideration and advice to: - preferred route and could further consideration be given staging. - opportunities for other budget (safety budget from AT for crossing?) areas, specifically park. · Discussion and generally support to note that aspect 5D of crossing and path widening will have most significant aspect in opening up access to park. Staff did note that would require road and pavement reconfiguration and would be a high level of interest from adjoining retail businesses.
Actions: Request report back to board to take forward to next level of design.
|
Owena Schuster Hussam Abdul-rassol Sandy Mills |
3.0 |
Walking and cycling improvement projects along West Coast/Shaw Road, Oratia To present summary of public feedback on proposal and seek advice on forward plan for preliminary design.
Key discussion points: · AT staff provided an update of activity to date including consultation feedback. · Four options taken to community - New proposed footpath on Northern side of West Coast Road (Question No: 1) - New off road shared path on Southern side of West Coast Road (Question No: 2) - Improvements to pedestrian crossing in front of Settlers Hall and Oratia Kindergarten (Question No: 3) - Improvement to pedestrian crossings on Shaw Road / West Coast Road intersection (Question No: 4) · Members discussed consultation feedback was noted that Northern side footpath extension has potential for significant heritage impacts and a lesser support was given from respondents · Members indicated preference to not progress further investigation of element 1 at this stage · A budget figure of $ 355,000 estimated for delivery of 2, 3 and 4
Actions: Members indicated support to have a report to progress elements 2, 3, 4
|
Owena Schuster Hussam Abdul-rassol Sandy Mills |
4.0 |
Captain Scott Streetscape Improvements projects Present summary of investigation/options and seek advice on draft design options.
Key discussion points: - Intervention 1 – Signalled pedestrian crossing and train station - Members see advantage in reducing vehicle movements - Note that some localised business impacts - Intervention 2 – Left turn in angle parking · Intervention 2b – as 2, with park let - Paint “keep clear” - Member feedback to look to manage slope · Intervention 3 - Angle parking push outs - How to improve cycle connectivity · Intervention 4 – Close off Captain Scott Rd - Not recommended by staff · Improve outdoor amenity outside new shops
Actions: Support consultation and report 2b and 3b. Workshop with the retail owners
|
Owena Schuster Hussam Abdul-rassol Brittany Morgan Anthony Williams |
5.0 |
Mana Whenua Relationship Agreements To provide an overview of the Mana Whenua Relationship Agreement Framework and the proposed approach to developing these agreements
Key discussion points: · Purpose, background information and moving forward · Relationship/communication between Local Board and mana whenua · Capacity within the agreement for further discussion – a standard agreement that LB’s and Iwi can tailor to suit · Public involvement - will the community be consulted · Iwi’s within the Waitakere Ranges area
Action: Officer to provide information regarding community consultation
|
Keith Williams Bernard Tepau |
6.0 |
Boat Shed and Staircase at Taumatarea Reserve Briefing the board on the Boat Shed and Staircase at Taumatarea Reserve.
Key discussion points: Brief on upcoming request for land owner approval for a property in Laingholm in relation to an access way through boat shed at a coastal area.
|
Mimouk Hannan |
7.0 |
Administration The members dealt with various administration items
|
Sharon Davies |
8.0 |
Board Members Portfolio update Opportunity for members to discuss their portfolio updates: Member Greg Presland Member Neil Henderson Member Steve Tollestrup |
|
9.0 |
Board only session Members only time
|
Members |
12 November 2015 |
|
Record of Workshop –
Waitakere Ranges Local Board
Date: Thursday, 24 September 2015
Time: 1.00pm – 5.30pm
Venue: Waitakere Ranges Local Board Office
PRESENT:
Members Sandra Coney, QSO
Denise Yates, JP
Neil Henderson
Greg Presland left at 2.00pm
Steve Tollestrup
Apology: Saffron Toms
MATTERS DISCUSSED:
|
Item |
Presenter |
1.0 |
Board only session Members only time
|
Members |
2.0
|
Board Members Portfolio update Opportunity for members to discuss their portfolio updates: Chair Coney
|
|
3.0
|
Administration The members dealt with various administration items
|
Sharon Davies |
4.0 |
Te Henga LAP Following from the business meeting 10/09, this report was deferred to enable staff to provide further information regarding the inclusion of Ark in the Park in the LAP boundary.
Key discussion points: · Clarifying the LAP boundary · Ark in the Park area · Members support the LAP boundary · LAP will be launched at the Community Day in February 2016
Key discussion points: Requested an agenda report to the business meeting on the 8th October 2015. |
Claire Liousse |
|
WRLB Quick Response Grants: Round One 2015/16 To discuss applications received for the WRLB Quick Response Grants – Round One 2015/16
Key discussion points: · Quick Response Round One Summary · Applications received
Actions: Requested an agenda report to the WRLB business meeting.
|
Fua Winterstein |