Environment and Community Committee

 

OPEN MINUTES

 

 

 

Minutes of a meeting of the Environment and Community Committee held in the Reception Lounge, Auckland Town Hall, 301-305 Queen Street, Auckland on Tuesday, 14 February 2017 at 9.35am.

 

present

 

Chairperson

Cr Penny Hulse

 

Deputy Chairperson

Cr Alf Filipaina

 

Members

IMSB Member James Brown

From 11.06am, item 14

 

Cr Dr Cathy Casey

 

 

Deputy Mayor Bill Cashmore

 

 

Cr Ross Clow

 

 

Cr Fa’anana Efeso Collins

 

 

Cr Linda Cooper, JP

From 1.30pm, item17

 

Cr Chris Darby

 

 

Cr Hon Christine Fletcher, QSO

 

 

Mayor Hon Phil Goff, JP

Until 2.00pm, item 17

 

Cr Richard Hills

 

 

Cr Denise Lee

 

 

Cr Mike Lee

From 9.42am, item 5.3

 

Cr Daniel Newman, JP

 

 

Cr Dick Quax

 

 

Cr Greg Sayers

 

 

Cr Desley Simpson, JP

 

 

Cr Sharon Stewart, QSM

From 9.40am, item 5.3

 

Cr Sir John Walker, KNZM, CBE

From 10.18am, item 11; until 1.30pm, item 17

 

Cr Wayne Walker

 

 

Cr John Watson

From 10.15am, item 11

 

IMSB Member Glenn Wilcox

From 10.21am, item 11

 

ABSENT

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALSO PRESENT

 

 

Phelan Pirrie, Rodney Local Board Deputy Chair

For item C1

 

Cameron Brewer, Rodney Local Board Member

For item C1

 


Environment and Community Committee

14 February 2017

 

 

 

1          Apologies

 

Resolution number ENV/2017/1

MOVED by Chairperson P Hulse, seconded by Deputy Chairperson A Filipaina:  

That the Environment and Community Committee:

a)         accept the apologies from Member J Brown, Member G Wilcox, Cr L Cooper and Cr S Stewart for lateness and Mayor P Goff for early departure.

CARRIED

Note:   A subsequent apology was received from Cr J Walker for lateness and early departure.

 

 

2          Declaration of Interest

 

Cr R Clow declared an interest in item 9 - Whau Coastal Walkway Environmental Trust MOU review .

 

 

3          Confirmation of Minutes

 

Resolution number ENV/2017/2

MOVED by Chairperson P Hulse, seconded by Cr D Newman:  

That the Environment and Community Committee:

a)         confirm the ordinary minutes of its meeting, held on Tuesday, 6 December 2016, including the confidential section, as a true and correct record.

CARRIED

 

 

4          Petitions

 

There were no petitions.

 

 

5          Public Input

 

Note:   Item 5.3  was taken at this time.

 

 

5.3

Weed Policy governance, monitoring, research and reporting - Hana Blackmore on behalf of Weed Management Advisory

 

Hana Blackmore on behalf of the Weed Management Advisory addressed the meeting regarding the weed Policy governance, monitoring, research and reporting.

A page from the Auckland Council Weed management Policy for Parks and Open Spaces  outlining the ‘Governance, monitoring, research and reporting’ role was tabled at the meeting.

The Chairperson tabled the ‘Proposed work programme for the Weed Management Political Advisory Group 2017’ for information.

 

 

A copy of the documents has been placed on the official minutes and are available on the Auckland Council website as minutes attachments.

 

Cr S Stewart entered the meeting at 9.40 am.

Cr M Lee entered the meeting at 9.42 am.

 

Resolution number ENV/2017/3

MOVED by Chairperson P Hulse, seconded by Cr W Walker:  

That the Environment and Community Committee:

a)        receive the presentation and thank Hanna Blackmore for her attendance.

CARRIED

 

Attachments

a     14 February 2017 - Environment and Community Committee - Item 5.3 Public Input - Governance, monitoring, research and reporting - tabled document

b     14 February 2017 - Environment and Community Committee - Item 5.3 Public Input - Proposed work programme for the Weed Management Political Advisory Group 2017 - tabled document

 

 

5.1

Te Whau project - Whau Coastal Walkway Environmental Trust

 

This was taken at item 9 - Whau Coastal Walkway Environmental Trust MOU review.

 

 

5.2

Acquisition of land for open space - Riverhead - Riverhead Residents and Ratepayers Association

 

This item was taken at item C1 - Acquisition of land for open space - Riverhead.

 

 

 

6          Local Board Input

 

6.1

Acquisition of land - Riverhead - Rodney Local Board

 

This item was taken at item C1 - Acquisition of land for open space - Riverhead.

 

 

 

7          Extraordinary Business

 

There was no extraordinary business.

 

 

 

8          Notices of Motion

 

There were no notices of motion.

 


 

 

9

Whau Coastal Walkway Environmental Trust MOU review

 

Cr Clow declared conflict of interest in this item as he is a member of the Trust and neither spoke or voted on this matter.

 

Iris Donoghue, Chair and Tony Miguel, Deputy Chair of Whau Coastal Walkway Environmental Trust spoke on behalf of the Whau Coastal Walkway Environmental Trust in support item 9 - Whau Coastal Walkway Environmental Trust MOU review.

 

Staff were present in support of the item.

 

Resolution number ENV/2017/4

MOVED by Chairperson P Hulse, seconded by Deputy Chairperson A Filipaina:  

That the Environment and Community Committee:

a)      approve the change to clause 11 of the Memorandum of Understanding between Auckland Council and the Whau Coastal Walkway Environmental Trust from John Dragicevich to Mace Ward as Council Project Sponsor and Contact Person

b)      endorse the MOU including Council officer time to coordinate the project until project completion.

c)      report back on the progress of the Whau Coastal Walkway in May 2017.

CARRIED

 

 

 

10

Te Muri Regional Park - variation to the Regional Parks Management Plan

 

Staff were present in support of the item.

 

Resolution number ENV/2017/5

MOVED by Cr C Fletcher, seconded by Cr W Walker:  

That the Environment and Community Committee:

a)      adopt the recommendations of the independent commissioners in the ‘Te Muri variation - Commissioners report October 2016’, as set out in Attachment A of the agenda report.

b)      approve the variation to the Regional Parks Management Plan 2010 to include Te Muri Regional Park, including the accompanying map, as set out in Attachments B and C of the agenda report.

c)      approve consequential changes to the Mahurangi Regional Park section of the Regional Park Management Plan and map, as set out in Attachments D and E of the agenda report.

CARRIED

 


 

11

Friends of Auckland Botanical Gardens Expenditure Request

 

Staff were present in support of the item.

 

Cr J Watson arrived at the meeting at 10.15 am.

Cr J Walker arrived at the meeting at 10.18 am.

IMSB Member G Wilcox arrived at the meeting at 10.21 am.

 

MOVED by Cr C Fletcher, seconded by Deputy Mayor B Cashmore:  

That the Environment and Community Committee:

a)      approve the use of $74,000 of the funds held in the Friends of Auckland Botanic Gardens artwork acquisition account to cover operational expenses associated with the 2017/2018 Sculpture in the Gardens exhibition.

b)      agree that the Friends of Auckland Botanic Gardens retain earnings from commissions on sculpture sales during future Sculpture in the Gardens exhibitions, and can utilise this funding for the general purposes of running the exhibitions.

c)      delegate the General Manager Parks, Sport and Recreation authorisation to negotiate with the Friends of Auckland Botanic Gardens updated licence and conditions to support operation of future Sculpture in the Gardens exhibitions.

 

 

 

MOVED by Cr D Simpson, seconded by Cr C Darby an amendment to the original recommendation as follows:  :

That the Environment and Community Committee:

a)      approve the use of $74,000 of the funds held in the Friends of Auckland Botanic Gardens artwork acquisition account to cover operational expenses associated with the 2017/2018 Sculpture in the Gardens exhibition on the condition this is repaid after the 17/18 event into the art acquisition fund

b)      request the GM Parks, Sport and Recreation to work with Friends of Auckland Botanical Gardens to ensure sponsorship is in place to ensure future events from 18/19 onwards are self funding and meet agreed art licence agreements.

The amendment was put and declared Lost .

LOST

 

 

 

Resolution number ENV/2017/6

MOVED by Cr C Fletcher, seconded by Deputy Mayor B Cashmore:  

That the Environment and Community Committee:

a)      approve the use of $74,000 of the funds held in the  grant Friends of Auckland Botanic Gardens approval to utilise $74,000 of the funds held in their artwork acquisition account to cover operational expenses associated with the 2017/2018 Sculpture in the Gardens exhibition.

b)      agree that the grant the Friends of Auckland Botanic Gardens further approval to retain earnings from commissions on sculpture sales during future Sculpture in the Gardens exhibitions, and to can utilise this funding for the general purposes of running the exhibitions.

c)      delegate the General Manager Parks, Sport and Recreation authorisation to negotiate with the Friends of Auckland Botanic Gardens updated licence and conditions to support operate operation of future Sculpture in the Gardens exhibitions.

CARRIED

 

 

 

12

Regional Pest Management Plan - Determination of inconsistency with the National Policy Direction for Pest Management 2015

 

Staff were present in support of the item.

 

Resolution number ENV/2017/7

MOVED by Cr C Fletcher, seconded by Chairperson P Hulse:  

That the Environment and Community Committee:

a)      determine that the Auckland Regional Pest Management Plan 2007-2012 is inconsistent with the National Policy Direction for Pest Management 2015.

b)      agree that it is necessary to resolve the inconsistencies with the National Policy Direction for Pest Management 2015, and that the changes to necessary cannot be addressed by minor amendment.

c)      endorse the intention to formally initiate and notify a review of the Auckland Regional Pest Management Plan prior to 17 December 2017,  in accordance with s100D(5) of the Biosecurity Act 1993.

CARRIED

 

 

13

Proposed reclassification of a portion of Warkworth Show Grounds Reserve

 

Staff were present in support of the item.

 

Resolution number ENV/2017/8

MOVED by Deputy Chairperson A Filipaina, seconded by Cr G Sayers:  

That the Environment and Community Committee:

a)      resolve, pursuant to Section 24 (1)(b) of the Reserves Act 1977, to reclassify Section 1 SO 348663 of the Warkworth Showgrounds Reserve from a recreation reserve to a local purpose (community buildings and showgrounds) reserve, subject to the completion of all statutory processes.

CARRIED

 

 

14

Facility Partnerships Policy Project: findings and next steps

 

Staff were present in support of the item.

 

Cr R Clow left the meeting at 10.57 am.

IMSB Member J Brown entered the meeting at 11.06 am.

 

Resolution number ENV/2017/9

MOVED by Chairperson P Hulse, seconded by Cr C Fletcher:  

That the Environment and Community Committee:

a)      approve the proposed deliverables and timelines for Phase 2 of the Facility Partnerships Policy project, as outlined in Table 3 of the report.

b)      request this report and attachments be circulated to all local boards for their information.

CARRIED

 

15

I Am Auckland 2017 Progress Update

 

Staff were present in support of the item.

 

Cr R Clow returned to the meeting at 11.15 am.

Cr D Lee left the meeting at 11.16 am.

 

Resolution number ENV/2017/10

MOVED by Cr E Collins, seconded by Deputy Chairperson A Filipaina:  

That the Environment and Community Committee:

a)      endorse the I Am Auckland Status Report for publication.

b)      approve the development of an implementation plan and evaluation framework for I Am Auckland.

CARRIED

 

 

Cr M Lee returned to the meeting at 11.25 pm.

The meeting adjourned at 11.28am and reconvened at 11.31am.

 

 

16

Future Options for Safeswim Programme

 

Staff were in attendance in support of this item.

 

Resolution number ENV/2017/11

MOVED by Chairperson P Hulse, seconded by Cr D Simpson:  

That the Environment and Community Committee:

a)      note the findings of the independent audit on Safeswim prepared by MartinJenkins Ltd.

b)      endorse the recommended improvements to the Safeswim programme, specifically;

i.     shift the programme from a weekly reporting of retrospective monitoring results to a validated modelling and forecasting approach by 1 November 2017, and

ii.    upgrade communication tools to include mobile reporting and active beach information signs.

c)    approve implementation of this initiative within existing budgets, including an initial capital investment of $325,000.

d)    request staff to prepare a report on costs and benefits associated with the ‘white box’ model proposed in the MartinJenkins Ltd report.

e)    forward this report and resolutions to all Local Boards and the Independent Maori Statutory Board for their information and their assistance with awareness.

CARRIED

 

 

Adjourn item of business

Resolution number ENV/2017/12

MOVED by Chairperson P Hulse, seconded by Cr E Collins:  

That the Environment and Community Committee:

a)         agree that meeting be adjourned at 12.30pm and reconvene d at 1.30pm.

CARRIED

 

 

The meeting reconvened at 1.30pm. Cr D Newman, Cr C Fletcher, Cr R Clow, Cr G Sayers and Cr J Walker  were not present.

 

Cr L Cooper entered the meeting at 1.30 pm.

 

 

17

Role of the council in addressing homelessness

 

Staff were present in support of this item and tabled an overview slide of the project.

 

Cr G Sayers returned to the meeting at 1.34 pm.

Cr C Fletcher returned to the meeting at 1.34 pm.

Cr D Newman returned to the meeting at 1.35 pm.

Mayor P Goff left the meeting at 2.00 pm.

Cr R Clow returned to the meeting at 2.00 pm.

 

Resolution number ENV/2017/13

MOVED by Cr C Casey, seconded by Cr W Walker:  

That the Environment and Community Committee:

a)    approve the scope of policy work on council’s role in addressing homelessness including, preventing, managing and eliminating homelessness in all its forms.

CARRIED

 

Attachments

a     14 February 2017 - Environment and Community Committee - Item 17 - Role of the council in addressing homelessness - tabled presentation  

 

 

Note:   Items 18, 19 and 20 were taken together.

 

 

18

Submission to Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Amendment Bill

 

Staff were in attendance in support of this item.

 

Resolution number ENV/2017/14

MOVED by Chairperson P Hulse, seconded by Cr R Clow:  

That the Environment and Community Committee:

a)      confirm the political working party of Councillors P Hulse, D Lee, A Filipaina and L Cooper to consider and lodge a submission to the Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Amendment Bill by 2 February 2017

b)      approve the attached submission to Central Government’s Health Committee on the Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Amendment Bill.

CARRIED

 

Note:   Pursuant to Standing Order 1.8.6 Cr C Casey and W Walker requested their dissenting votes be recorded.

IMSB Members Brown and Wilcox abstained from voting on the above resolution.

 

 

 

 

19

Energy Innovation (Electric Vehicles and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2016 Submission

 

Staff were present in support of the item.

 

Resolution number ENV/2017/15

MOVED by Chairperson P Hulse, seconded by Cr R Clow:  

That the Environment and Community Committee:

a)      endorse the joint Auckland Council/Auckland Transport submission on the Energy Innovation (Electric Vehicles and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2016.

CARRIED

 

Note:   IMSB Members Brown and Wilcox abstained from voting on the above resolution.

Pursuant to Standing Order 1.8.6 Cr M Lee requested that his dissenting vote be recorded.

 

 

20

New Zealand Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy 2017-2022 Submission

 

Staff were present in support of the item.

 

Resolution number ENV/2017/16

MOVED by Chairperson P Hulse, seconded by Cr R Clow:  

That the Environment and Community Committee:

a)      receive and retrospectively endorse Auckland Council’s submission on the New Zealand Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy 2017-2022

CARRIED

 

Note:   IMSB Members Brown and Wilcox abstained from voting on the above resolution.

 

 

21

Appointment of a governing body representative to the Forestry Liaison Group

 

Resolution number ENV/2017/17

MOVED by Chairperson P Hulse, seconded by Cr D Simpson:  

That the Environment and Community Committee:

a)      appoint Cr L Cooper and Cr D Quax to the Forestry Liaison Group for the 2016-2019 electoral term.

CARRIED

 

 

22

James Wallace Arts Trust - Joint Liaison Body Appointment

 

Resolution number ENV/2017/18

MOVED by Cr C Casey, seconded by Cr L Cooper:  

That the Environment and Community Committee:

a)      note that Cr R Clow was appointed in the previous term of council to the Joint Liaison Body set up under the Relationship Agreement between Auckland Council and the James Wallace Arts Trust.

b)      confirm that Cr R Clow’s appointment will continue for the remainder of the term.

CARRIED

 

23

Information Report - 14 February 2017

 

Resolution number ENV/2017/19

MOVED by Chairperson P Hulse, seconded by Deputy Chairperson A Filipaina:  

That the Environment and Community Committee:

a)      receive the information report.

CARRIED

 

Note:   Pursuant to Standing Order 1.8.6 Cr W Walker, Cr J Watson and Cr C Casey requested their assenting votes be recorded.

  

 

24        Consideration of Extraordinary Items

There were no extraordinary items.

  

 

25        Procedural motion to exclude the public

Resolution number ENV/2017/20

MOVED by Deputy Chairperson A Filipaina, seconded by Cr C Fletcher:  

That the Environment and Community Committee:

a)      exclude the public from the following part(s) of the proceedings of this meeting.

b)      agree that Claire Walker, representing Riverhead Residents and Ratepayers Association be permitted to present the public input item 5.2 in the Confidential section of the meeting.

The general subject of each matter to be considered while the public is excluded, the reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter, and the specific grounds under section 48(1) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 for the passing of this resolution follows.

This resolution is made in reliance on section 48(1)(a) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 and the particular interest or interests protected by section 6 or section 7 of that Act which would be prejudiced by the holding of the whole or relevant part of the proceedings of the meeting in public, as follows:

C1       Acquisition of land for open space – Riverhead

Reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter

Particular interest(s) protected (where applicable)

Ground(s) under section 48(1) for the passing of this resolution

The public conduct of the part of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding exists under section 7.

s7(2)(h) - The withholding of the information is necessary to enable the local authority to carry out, without prejudice or disadvantage, commercial activities.

In particular, the report identifies land the council seeks to acquire for open space purposes

s7(2)(i) - The withholding of the information is necessary to enable the local authority to carry on, without prejudice or disadvantage, negotiations (including commercial and industrial negotiations).

In particular, the report identifies land the council seeks to acquire for open space purposes.

s48(1)(a)

The public conduct of the part of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding exists under section 7.

 

C2       Acquisition of Land for Open Space - Flat Bush

Reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter

Particular interest(s) protected (where applicable)

Ground(s) under section 48(1) for the passing of this resolution

The public conduct of the part of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding exists under section 7.

s7(2)(h) - The withholding of the information is necessary to enable the local authority to carry out, without prejudice or disadvantage, commercial activities.

In particular, the report contains information about land that council may acquire for open space purposes.

s7(2)(i) - The withholding of the information is necessary to enable the local authority to carry on, without prejudice or disadvantage, negotiations (including commercial and industrial negotiations).

In particular, the report contains information about land that council may acquire for open space purposes.

s48(1)(a)

The public conduct of the part of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding exists under section 7.

 

The text of these resolutions was made available to the public who were present at the meeting and formed part of the minutes of the meeting.

CARRIED

 

 

2.35pm            The public was excluded.

 

 

 

Resolutions in relation to the confidential items are recorded in the confidential section of these minutes and are not publicly available.

 

 

 

4.31pm            The public was re-admitted.

 

 

restatementS

 

It was resolved while the public was excluded:

 

 

C1

Acquisition of land for open space - Riverhead

 

Resolution number ENV/2017/24

MOVED by Cr G Sayers, seconded by Cr L Cooper:  

That the Environment and Community Committee:

c)        confirm that there be no restatement of this confidential report, attachments or resolutions for the acquisition of land for public open space in Riverhead.

CARRIED

 

 

C2

Acquisition of Land for Open Space - Flat Bush

 

Resolution number ENV/2017/25

MOVED by Cr D Newman, seconded by Cr C Fletcher:  

That the Environment and Community Committee:

b)      confirm that there be no restatement of this confidential report, attachments or resolutions for the acquisition of land for public open space at Flat Bush until settlement of the purchase, and only then is the resolution to be restated.

CARRIED

  

 

 

4.32 pm                                              The Chairperson thanked Members for their attendance and attention to business and declared the meeting closed.

 

CONFIRMED AS A TRUE AND CORRECT RECORD AT A MEETING OF THE Environment and Community Committee HELD ON

 

 

 

DATE:.........................................................................

 

 

 

CHAIRPERSON:........................................................