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Resolution
number WTK/2017/38
MOVED by Member S Coney, seconded by Member D
Yates:
That the Waitākere
Ranges Local Board:
a) provides the following feedback on the
proposed maintenance contracts:
Standard
and Enhanced Assets (Attachment C)
i) expect
a reduction in the amount of spray used overall and especially in parks in
sensitive areas like community gardens, orchards and play based parks, and on
other parks where there is a community preference for this.
ii)
expect
all assets to be managed in accordance with the relevant local plans and
policies, including design guidelines and reserve management plans.
iii) seek to make the most of the
opportunity of coordinate town centre maintenance and this include a more
active cleaning and maintenance of sidewalks, plazas, open areas adjoining
council facilities, directional and interpretive signage, and street gardens.
iv) ask that the asset list be
further reviewed to ensure it is correct. There are some errors.
Full Facilities Contract Service Specifications (Attachment D)
v)
Auckland
Council Weed Management Policy. Support the stated commitment to minimise
agri-chemical use in the contract in accordance with the weed management
policy.
vi) support the development of
regional service level standards and the intent of equity of service to all
communities across Auckland
vii)
support the specifications outlined
noting that the service levels / assets are intended to meet community
outcomes; be fit for purpose and be in good condition.
viii)
Note that there are buildings and sites
of local significance and the board seeks to contribute to identifying this
significance in the asset database.
ix) support the focus on
independent monitoring and effective evaluation of performance.
x) note that the local board
will have the opportunity to meet successful suppliers in May to discuss and
refine local service level variations
xi) note the board continues to
have an interest in housing for older persons and requests that an update be
provided with regards to renewals and maintenance processes.
xii)
support opportunity for community
empowerment in managing council assets and note that any relationship with
volunteer groups should be held by council and enabled by the contract.
xiii)
Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area.
“Specifications of Full Facilities Contract” as well as
specialist contracts for arboriculture and ecological need to include a
section referencing the Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area Act 2008, with a list
of heritage features and objectives that should be taken into account. This
is similar to your approach in identifying Tupuna Maunga Values to
contractors.
xiv)
Archaeological and Historic Sites
guidance to contractors is inadequate. More information is needed on
protocols around heritage sites. One of the main risks to heritage sites on
public land is from council contractors who may not realise it is a heritage
site, or its extent. The Full Facilities Contract specifications in
sections 1.17-1.18 are very light on detail in this area.
xv)
request that the contractor undertake
regular education of its workforce and sub-contractors on the WRHA, heritage,
RMPs and other specialist subjects to ensure that our natural and historic
heritage is protected.
xvi)
Community volunteers: the relationship
with volunteer groups should be held by council and enabled by our contracts.
We have concerns the contracts will get in the way of community groups and
individuals doing volunteer work, rather than enabling it. And that
contractors are not able to provide land owner consent or enter into Memorandum
Of Understanding with volunteer groups. We ask that a streamlined process be
put in place within council with final decisions on community led activities
in parks and places resting with the local board.
xvii)
Cost implications for changing from
contractor to volunteer management need to be clear and transparent, though
should not be a barrier to community innovation.
Ecological
and arboriculture contracts
xviii)
Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area: More
than 80 percent of the Waitakere Ranges is covered in native vegetation. How
vegetation is managed on public land in this area is of vital importance to
the Waitakere Ranges Local Board, our local communities, and visitors to the
area. Much of the open space is zoned as Significant Ecological Area,
Outstanding Natural Landscapes, Features and Character and the maintenance
practices in the specialist contracts need to reflect this context.
xix)
Ecological contract: we support the
intent outlined in paragraph 36 of the report to prepare ecological restoration
plans for our significant ecological areas. We would like to see more detail
on this and have the opportunity to engage on the direction, priorities and
performance of these contracts. The contract covering this area needs to
reflect and implement the relevant recommendations of the Waitakere Ranges
Strategic Weed Management Plan.
xx)
Road reserves in the Waitakere Ranges
Heritage Area: recommend the road reserves be managed under the maintenance
contract for significant ecological areas to prevent the spread of pest and
weed infestations.
xxi)
Arboriculture Specialist Contracts: the
contract should include a section on managing trees and vegetation in the
Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area with a set of principles and objectives to
provide guidance to the contractor. We would like to see more information on
this. There are often strongly held views in the community about how we
manage trees so council contractors will need to seek direction from council
to avoid controversy. The contracts should set out guidelines.
b) note that the local board will
have the opportunity to meet successful suppliers in April and May to discuss
and refine local service level variations.
c) Notes that a number of key stakeholders are
not identified in the initial list which includes several errors. The local
board will supply a more definitive list.
CARRIED
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