Agenda of Waitākere Ranges Local Board

1 Welcome

2 Apologies

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

3 Declaration of Interest

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

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.

The following are declared interests of the Waitakere Ranges Local Board.

Board Member	Organisation / Position
Sandra Coney	· Waitemata District Health Board – Elected Member · Women’s Health Action Trust – Patron · New Zealand Society of Genealogists – Member · New Zealand Military Defence Society – Member · Cartwright Collective – Member · Titirangi RSA – Member · Portage Trust – Member · West Auckland Trust Services - Director
Neil Henderson	· Portage Trust – Elected Member · West Auckland Trust Services (WATS) Board – Trustee/Director · Whau River Catchment Trust - Employee
Greg Presland	· Lopdell House Development Trust – Trustee · Titirangi Residents & Ratepayers Group – Committee Member · Whau Coastal Walkway Environmental Trust – Trustee · Combined Youth Services Trust – Trustee · Glen Eden Bid - Member
Steve Tollestrup	· Waitakere Licensing Trust – Elected Member · Waitakere Task force on Family Violence – Appointee
Saffron Toms	NIL
Denise Yates	· Friends of Arataki Incorporated – Committee member · EcoMatters Environment 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 · Rural Advisory Panel - Member
Steve Tollestrup	· Glen Eden Business Improvement District
Greg Presland	· Glen Eden Business Improvement District (alternate)
Saffron Toms	· Ark in the Park

4 Confirmation of Minutes

That the Waitākere Ranges Local Board:

a) confirm the ordinary minutes of its meeting, held on Thursday, 11 May 2017, as a true and correct record.

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.

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

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

There were no notices of motion.

Waitākere Ranges Local Board

25 May 2017

Auckland Transport update - May 2017

File No.: CP2017/09114

Purpose

1. The purpose of this report is to; respond to requests on transport-related matters, provide an update on the status of Local Board Transport Capital Fund (LBTCF), provide a summary of consultation material sent to the Board and, provide transport related information on matters of specific application and interest to the Waitakere Ranges Local Board and its community.

Executive summary

2. In particular, this report covers:

· Progress report on the Board’s advocacy initiatives

· Progress report on the Board’s transport capital fund projects

· Consultation documents on proposed safety improvements

· Local Board requests on transport-related matters

Recommendation/s

That the Waitākere Ranges Local Board:

a) receive the Auckland Transport update May 2017 report.

Comments

Strategic alignment

3. 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, each with a number of key initiatives relating to transport and the enhancement of public space along the road corridor.

4. Theme 1 - The Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area is protected.

· Developing a Road Corridor Design Guide for the Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area (completed). This will form part of the Auckland Transport Design Manual.

· 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.

5. Theme 2 - Our Unique natural environments are healthy and restored.

· Implementing the Waitakere Ranges Strategic Weed Management Plan,

6. Theme 3 - 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.

7. Auckland Transport is supporting the Local Board initiatives and delivering on its Statement of Intent themes, in the following ways:

· Electric Trains have been rolled out and are in full operation on the western line.

· Feedback on the West Auckland New Bus Network closed at the end of 2014. The feedback was analysed and the final bus route decisions confirmed in mid-2015. The next steps involved tendering for operators, required infrastructure changes and implementation of the New Network in mid 2017.

· Auckland Transport policy around rural and remote communities is currently under review, in light of evaluation of the Kowhai Connection trial and available funds for bus services in the coming 3 years.

· The Swanson Park and Ride and Glen Eden Park and Ride, now relocated in Waikumete Road, have been completed and are now open.

· Auckland Transport is working to determine an indicative Cost Benefit Ratio for a substantially off road shared path facility along the Western Line, between Waitakere Station and New Lynn.

· Auckland Transport will investigate all public requests to: improve road safety, review speed limits, and provide further walking and cycling infrastructure. Auckland Transport also has a proactive programme of work across these areas. Auckland Transport has an annual Crash Reduction Programme which identifies areas with high crash rates or a high risk of crashes. Where these are identified, AT will study the location and implement improvements. Auckland Transport reviews speed limits that are above 50 km/h on a regular basis. These reviews focus on areas that are known to be a focus for land development or change in use and they also focus on known problem areas.

Transport capital fund update

8. Sunnyvale Station to Oratia Stage 1

Project

Description

Current Status

West Coast Road Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety Improvements

To construct a shared path outside Oratia Kindergarten and continue along the southern side of West Coast Road until its intersection with Parrs Cross Road. A raised table on West Coast Road between Settler’s Hall and Oratia Kindergarten. A new raised table will be installed at the intersection of West Coast Road and Shaw Road to provide a safe crossing point for pedestrians and cyclists.

This project is mostly completed but there are some minor changes to road marking to be carried out weather permitting.

Sunnyvale Station to Oratia Stage 1

Request the Local Board to approve the amount of $300,000 to move into construction of a raised zebra crossing across West Coast Road.

Approved. Resolution number WTK/2017/1

Financials update

Waitakere Ranges Local Board Transport Capital Fund Financial Summary
Total Funds Available in current political term	$1,900,714
Amount committed to date on projects approved for design and/or construction	$1,330,118
Remaining Budget left	$570,596

Upcoming projects and activities

Consultation Documents on Proposed Safety Improvements

9. Consultation documents for the following proposals have been provided to the Waitakere Ranges Local Board for its feedback. The material below is included for general information purposes only:

· 2496 and 2497 West Coast Road, Glen Eden - Proposed New Bus Stops

· West Coast Road, Glen Eden No Stopping At All Times Restriction (Broken Yellow Lines)

· Swanson Road, Waitakere 40 km/h Speed Zone on

Local Board Response

10. The Local Board were in support of the above proposals.

Traffic Control Committee (TCC) report

11. Decisions of the TCC over the month of April 2017 affecting the Waitakere Ranges Local Board Local Board area are shown below:

Rangiwai Road

Titirangi

No Stopping At All Times

Sunvue Road / Brunner Road

Glen Eden

No Stopping At All Times, Bus Stop, Traffic Island, Give-Way Control, Flush Median

Glendale Road / Glengarry Road

Glen Eden

No Stopping At All Times, Bus Stop, Lane Restrictions, Traffic Island, Give-Way Control, Flush Median, No Passing Restriction

Horsman Road Parking Issues

12. Auckland Transport are in in process of undertaking consultation in regards to parking restrictions along Horsman Road. Once this is completed we will report findings back to the local board. We are also working with the Department of Conservation (DoC) as they have expressed a few concerns around the number of restrictions being proposed.

Parau Residents and Ratepayers Transport (R&R) Issues – Public Meeting

13. Auckland Transport, along with local board members, attended the Parau R&R annual general meeting, to listen to the concerns of the community in regards to speed and safety on Huia and Cornwallis Roads.

Update

14. Unfortunately, this meeting didn’t take place at the beginning of May due to unforeseen circumstances. The Local Board is rescheduling this meeting.

Mountain Road Slip Repairs – Road Closure

15. The Local Board has received complaints from some residents in Mountain Road about the estimated 6-9 weeks’ road closure, to repair a slip. This closure is causing problems for primary school children and high school students living on upper Mountain Road and Turanga Road.

Update

16. Auckland Transport is working with the Local Board, Councilor’s and residents to find common ground and a solution. AT will update the board once this has been worked through.

Regional and sub-regional projects

Major Changes For West Auckland Bus Service

17. The West Auckland New Network will be implemented on 11 June this year. Everything about West Auckland buses is changing including bus routes, bus numbers, timetables, operators, and branding.

Key changes for West Auckland buses:

· A simpler, more frequent and better connected public transport network

· 30% increase in kilometres travelled and hours operated

· Single, all-day high frequency route (to be operated with double-deckers from August) along Great North Road between New Lynn and the city centre, replacing multiple current routes and improving access to the Zoo and MOTAT for residents and visitors

· All-day service for the first time on the Northwestern Motorway from Westgate to the city centre

· Frequent all-day service between Westgate, Lincoln Rd, Henderson and New Lynn via Great North Road

· More direct and more frequent all-day service between Henderson, Westgate, Hobsonville and Constellation on the North Shore

· More regular local services feeding the rest of the network at New Lynn, Henderson and Westgate

· Better customer information at bus stops

For an overview of the New Network for Auckland see our webpages at www.AT.govt.nz/newnetwork

For details of the changes happening in West Auckland including maps see our webpages at www.AT.govt.nz/newnetworkwest

Helping people to get ready

18. Building on the success of the New Network implementation in South Auckland in 2016, AT has a comprehensive marketing campaign to notify bus users of the changes and provide the information they need to know once the new routes are operating. This campaign includes mailing an information brochure and timetable to 97,000 in West Auckland, posters at bus stops, newspaper advertising (including Chinese newspapers), AT Ambassadors, language videos on social media, utilising our database of public transport users, and working with stakeholder and community groups to spread the word.

19. AT are holding a series of information events where people can come to pick up a timetable and get help to work out their new journey before the changes are made. These events are listed in our brochure, website and newspaper advertisements.

20. When the new routes are implemented we’ll be at the busy bus stops to assist bus users get where they need to go to make the transition as smooth as possible.

21. AT has produced accessible and Simplified Chinese versions of the information.

22. These changes were consulted on in late 2014.

Waitakere Ranges Local Board Quarterly Report for the period January – March 2017

23. The following reports are attached to this monthly report:

· Attachment A – report from Auckland Transport departments on their activities in the Waitaker Ranges Local Board area and regionally over the last quarter

· Attachment B – report on Travelwise Schools activities in the Waitakere Ranges Local Board area over the last quarter.

Consideration

Local board views and implications

24. The Board’s views will be incorporated during consultation on any proposed schemes.

Māori impact statement

25. No specific issues with regard to impacts on Maori are triggered by this report and any engagement with Maori will be carried out on an individual project basis.

Implementation

26. All proposed schemes are subject to prioritisation, funding and consultation.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	Auckland Transport activities over the October – December 2016	15
b ⇩	AT School Community Transport	29

Signatories

Authors

Owena Schuster, Elected Member Relationship Manager

Authorisers

Jonathan Anyon, Manager Elected Member Relationship Unit

Glenn Boyd - Relationship Manager Henderson-Massey, Waitakere Ranges, Whau

Waitākere Ranges Local Board

25 May 2017

Waitakere Ranges Local Board Community Grants Programme 2017/2018

File No.: CP2017/07334

Purpose

1. The purpose of the report is to present the Waitākere Ranges Local Board Community Grants Programme 2017/2018 for adoption.

Executive Summary

2. The Auckland Council Community Grants Policy was implemented on 1 July 2015. The policy guides the allocation of local, multi-board and regional grant programmes to groups and organisations delivering projects, activities and services that benefit Aucklanders.

3. The Community Grants Policy supports each local board to review and adopt their own local grants programme for the next financial year.

4. This report presents the Waitākere Ranges Local Board Community Grants Programme 2017/2018 for adoption (see attachment A).

Recommendation/s

That the Waitākere Ranges Local Board:

a) adopt the Waitākere Ranges Local Board Community Grants Programme 2017/2018.

Comments

5. The Auckland Council Community Grants Policy was implemented on 1 July 2015. The policy guides the allocation of local, multi-board and regional grant programmes to groups and organisations delivering projects, activities and services that benefit Aucklanders.

6. The Community Grants Policy supports each local board to review and adopt their own local grants programme for the next financial year. The local board grants programme guides community groups and individuals when making applications to the local board.

7. The local board community grants programme includes:

· outcomes as identified in the local board plan

· specific local board grant priorities

· which grant types will operate, the number of grant rounds and opening and closing dates

· any additional criteria or exclusions that will apply

· other factors the local board consider to be significant to their decision-making.

8. Once the local board community grants programme for the 2017/2018 financial year, has been adopted, the types of grants, grant rounds, criteria and eligibility with be advertised through an integrated communication and marketing approach which includes utilising the local board channels.

Consideration

Local Board views and implications

9. The Community Grants Programme has been developed by the local board to set the direction of their grants programme. This programme is reviewed on an annual basis.

Māori impact statement

10. All grant programmes should respond to Auckland Council’s commitment to improving Maori wellbeing by providing grants to organisations delivering positive outcomes for Maori. Applicants are asked how their project may increase Maori outcomes in the application form.

Implementation

11. An implementation plan is underway and the local board grants programme will be locally advertised through the local board and council channels. Targeted advertising and promotion will be developed for target populations, including migrant and refugee groups, disability groups, Maori and iwi organisations.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	Waitakere Ranges Local Board Grants Programme 2017/2018	33

Signatories

Authors

Marion Davies - Community Grants Operations Manager

Authorisers

Jennifer Rose - Operations Support Manager

Glenn Boyd - Relationship Manager Henderson-Massey, Waitakere Ranges, Whau

Waitākere Ranges Local Board

25 May 2017

Chairperson's report - May 2017

File No.: CP2017/08420

One of the most satisfying parts of my job is the writing of the Chair’s report each month.

This makes me focus on what we want to achieve this term and on what has happened so far.

This month, like all of the other months, has been full of events and matters of interest and interaction with people wanting to have a say about how our area can be made better.

Submission on Auckland Council’s annual budget

1. The local board recently made a submission to the Auckland Council on the draft annual budget.

2. The Mayor is committed to capping the rates increase for the coming year to no more than 2.5%. The local board discussed this and reached the view that we should advocate for the rates increase to be that anticipated in Council’s long term plan which is 3.5%. The basic reason for this is that the city is growing extraordinarily quickly. In the year to June 2015 it grew by 2.9% and in the year to June 2016 it grew by 2.8%. A 2.5% increase means that per head of population Council’s spend is going backward. I accept that some things can be done more efficiently but the infrastructure cost of growth is huge and this makes the head of population spend even worse.

3. This has an effect on all areas of council activities. An example is libraries where our local libraries have had a reduction in staff resources of 10% following a restructure despite early indications to the contrary. Another example is in the environmental area where already stretched budgets are being further stretched. Rampant weed and pest problems are a consequence.

4. In other parts of our submission we supported the maintenance of the current split between residential and business ratepayers, did not support a targeted rate on accommodation providers in the local area for tourism promotion, supported a living wage being paid to council staff and contractors, and supported greater contribution to the cost of new infrastructure by developers.

Watercare

5. This issue continues to dominate our time and our email inboxes. Over the past few weeks I have received many, many emails from people concerned at the proposal that Watercare will build a new water treatment plant either in Oratia or in Woodlands Park. The number is in the thousands. I have spent a lot of time reading emails and replying to them.

6. There have been some especially memorable examples. Like this email from a young woman who is 12 years old and lives in the red zone. I have removed identifying details:

My name is ** I am 12 years old and I live ** in the red zone.

I am writing this by myself to give a child's perspective on things and attempt to explain the magic of Oritia community.

Me and my family moved to Oritia on March 2015. I remember the first day of living in Oritia, the day we moved. Driving down the twisting road called Parker Road I knew that this was right, that this was my home.

The way down the road we were greeted with waves and smiles that to this day make me smile.

I am lucky enough to live down a shared driveway with neighbors who have turned into our family.

We have formed many relationships with our community and we are not willing to be separated.

I said we have made friends who have turned into family but really the whole of Oritia is one big family who look out for each other and ALWAYS have each others back.

I first heard about WTP in Oritia about a month ago while on my way to school. I carpool with my friends who live down my driveway as we go to the same school when I was told that a water treatment plant may be built in Oritia.

Through the next few days I learnt a bit more on what was going on but then a few days later I woke up to see my dad very stressed and worried as he scrolled through his phone.

He told me that our house and many others may be destroyed for this giant water plant.

We were in shock as were many other families in Parker Road.

Since then Oritia has been fighting and fighting for our homes.

I can’t even begin to imagine living anywhere else but here. It would take away our community family.

One of the best things about Oritia is the feeling of freedom away from everything outside our little corner of the world.

Around the driveway there is a lot of bush where me and my friends can run and play in the bush whenever we want, thats what will be taken away.

I can walk over to any of my neighbours houses and be welcome, thats what will be taken away.

I intend to live in Oritia as long as I possibly can, that will be taken away.

The soul and heritage of Oritia is the heart of our community, that will be taken away. Our community has grown strong this past month and it makes me so proud to say, I live in Oritia and we are not going anywhere and we will never stop fighting!

I hope this has helped you understand Oritia a bit better and show you what will be taken away and that lives will be ruined. My family's life's will be ruined.

Or this example from another young Oratia resident:

dear watercare

please dont bild on my house

this is where my hut is where my frend *** and me play

and my pets live here

thankyou

7. There is also this video created by Oratia children. I challenge you to watch it and not be affected https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6FyoGQdXqI&t=185s

8. The Oratia resistance started early and has been very well organised. I have been involved in a number of citizen based protest movements over the years and the Oratia effort is one of the best I have witnessed.

9. The residents of Woodlands Park have also become active however. Like Oratia they fear the devastation of their environment and the disruption that the construction of a large industrial plant would cause their area.

10. They are worried not only about the destruction of high quality bush and the felling of significant trees but also about the chaos that the construction of a large plant will cause to their neighbourhood.

11. The number of emails from the Woodlands Park community is in numeric terms lower than the number received from Oratia but in terms of passion and content are just as impressive.

12. There has been a huge expectation that local democratic power should have significant control over what is happening. The basic problem is there is a deficit of democratic control. When a Council controlled organisation is making a decision that will have a significant effect on a local community the consultation should be spectacular. Watercare’s consultation is, in my personal view, only what is required to meet RMA requirements and for democratic representative purposes it should be better.

13. I believe that Watercare should go back to the drawing board and engage in a real consultation with local communities. Rather than one huge plant we should have a discussion about two or more smaller plants. We should talk about the possibility of a being plant situated in an industrial area and what the energy implications are. We should also talk about options like modern technology filter plants at the dam sites and what that would mean. We should also see if the existing plant can be retrofitted to give it further life or if parts of it such as the settlement tanks can be retained for ongoing use.

14. But the problem is that we are being asked to agree to huge industrial water filter plant options, one in Oratia that will displace many families from their land and one in Woodlands Park that will result in the clearance of pristine bush. There has to be a better option that will avoid both of these consequences.

Piha

15. Recent events at Piha have caused a lot of consternation. A number of fires have occurred, most involving bush but the iconic cafe Adey's Place also suffered from fire. The fires are suspected to be because of arson and an arrest has occurred. There should be no further comment about this aspect of what has happened until the justice system has finalised its treatment of the allegations.

16. But the incident brought home to me what an outstanding job our volunteer fire brigades and the services perform for us all. To acknowledge them the local board intends to hold a civil event in Piha where their contribution and their commitment will be formally recognised.

Anzac Day

17. Anzac Day is one of the busiest yet most enjoyable of the calendar of a Local Board member. In the Waitakere Ranges Local Board area there are no less than eight ceremonies. They are all quite unique and have their own particular favour. Local Board members fan out to different events to make sure that we cover them all.

18. It was my privilege to attend three of them this year, the dawn ceremony at Waikumete, the morning ceremony at Titirangi and the afternoon ceremony at Piha.

19. The dawn ceremony is a very solemn event, the cold and the dark adding to sense of ceremony. The numbers attending this year were huge and the event went flawlessly. The staff, some of who were up at 3 in the morning preparing the area deserves a large vote of thanks.

The event is especially memorable as dawn breaks during a very important part of the ceremony.

21. I then attended the Titirangi ceremony.

22. The Titirangi RSA under the guidance of Dave Lawrence is a very gentle happy yet solemn reminder of the importance of the day. Dave has guided the ceremony for many years and has perfected the art of doing so.

23. The schools have a major part to play with a number of young Primary School students singing the Anzac song. This year was especially noticeable because of a group of young women from Green Bay High School singing John Lennon’s “Imagine”. A more suited yet more radical song for an Anzac day ceremony I could not imagine.

24. The final ceremony was that at Piha. This is something everyone should experience. Locals walk behind a Highland Band from the RSA to Lion Rock where that most beautiful of areas is used as a backdrop. People then get to contribute to the ceremony each in their own way.

25. After that there is a trip back to the local RSA. To cap off a very memorial day bagpipe players compete with each other to play well known tunes that do not normally get the bagpipe treatment.

Until next month ...

Greg Presland

Chair Waitakere Ranges Local Board

Recommendation/s

That the Waitākere Ranges Local Board:

a) receive the Chairperson’s report.

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

25 May 2017

Portfolio Update Report: Member Sandra Coney

File No.: CP2017/08421

Purpose

1. This report provides an opportunity for Member Sandra Coney to give an update with regards to activity within her portfolio areas.

2. Portfolio holders are responsible for leading policy development in their portfolio area, proposing and developing project concepts, overseeing agreed projects within budgets, being active advocates, accessing and providing information and advice.

3. Member Coney has lead for the portfolios of Historic Heritage/Character and Parks area.

Parks Portfolio

4. Parks has been undergoing a major restructuring and it is not currently easy to identify who is in charge of particular projects. We welcome new staff we are working with, including Linda Smith and Dawn Bardsley.

Events Policy

5. The Board recently passed a Notice of Motion I put up to set some policy around events on local parks. While regional parks have quite a well-developed events policy, this has been lacking for local parks, and a number of local boards have developed their own. The WRLB started down this route about three years ago, but the events policy has not been completed. The Notice of Motion was designed to set some interim policy to guide staff in when they bring events to the parks portfolio and events portfolio holders and when it needs to come to the whole board. It also sets out the Board’s desire to foster healthy food choices, keep alcohol away from beaches and parks (except in special circumstances) and enforce that parks and therefore events on parks are smokefree.

Filming

6. Filming on our beaches and parks is welcomed by the Board as a way of generating economic activity. Film production and the Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area are an excellent fit. The Ranges provide a range of locations with spectacular scenery, while filming doesn’t leave a footprint and also relies on unchanging natural landscapes as settings for dramas, commercials, music videos and photo shoots. Add to that, it’s only 30 minutes to the CBD, and West Auckland has a range of studios, suppliers, established cast and crews and pre-and post-production infrastructure, and you can see why filming is booming.

7. The production which originally sparked the filming boom was Jane Campion’s The Piano, released in 1993. That was quickly followed by Xena Warrior Princess which screened from 1995-2001. Overseas production houses were introduced to the spectacular scenery the Waitakeres offered. More recently, high profile productions like Shannara, Power Rangers and the Australian series 800 Words have been some of the productions filmed in the Waitakeres. 800 Words fictional town of “Weld” is actually the coastal village of Piha.

8. Filming goes through a permit system run by Film Auckland through ATEED and the Waitakere Ranges Local Board or Regional Parks give permission for using public land, depending on the location. The Local Board makes sure filming will not unduly inconvenience local communities or harm the environment, and for Te Henga has developed a Dotterel Management Plan.

9. The Board is discussing extending this approach to other vulnerable wildlife and locations. Most filming does not raise any concerns, but the Board is keen to minimise the use of vehicles on beaches for safety and environmental reasons, and also does not allow filming for alcohol products on beaches.

10. In any six-month period around 26 permits are issued and the number is growing. Filming provides a way of bringing employment to local communities, and opportunities for local businesses, which have some constraints through the Heritage Area Act. Altogether it’s a “win-win” for the Board and industry alike.

Huia Sea Wall

11. Work has not yet started on the Huia Seawall, one of the Board’s most costly projects. It is anticipated it will start soon, once resource consents are gained.

Piha sand-dune topping

12. Last year the Piha Surf Life Saving Club contacted the Board about loss of visibility from its control room in the surf club. The club could no longer see the beach and sea near Lion Rock because of the growth of the dune on the north side of the board ramp.

13. The dunes in front of the carpark have long been a problem as basically the carpark prevents the dune system operating properly. No thought was given to such things back in the 60s when the carpark was extended and sealed. There has been a long-tern issue about sand blowing onto the carpark and more recently, the dunes in front of the carpark have increased in height quite dramatically.

14. The Council is in the process of applying for resource consent to take the top off the dune. The sand will be redistributed back on the beach in front of the dune. Originally it had been intended to take the sand north of Lion Rock, but this proposal raised concern for the Board and Piha community alike. The work will take place this winter, with replanting to be carried out this winter also.

Fire at The Gap

15. In May a series of fires were lit on regional parkland at The Gap as well as the destruction of the takeaway bar on the beachfront. It took 100 firefighters and two helicopters nearly 12 hours to put out the fires on Tasman Lookout Track and the new Byers Block (to be called Taitomo Block). An arrest was made in early May, but the regional parks staff now faces the task of revegetating the area and removing the large areas of gorse which proved so flammable. There is a need also for water tanks that were recommended through a “wildfire” assessment carried out on the block.

16. The Board is planning a “thank you” to the many firefighters, police and helicopter crews who so skilfully contained the fire and investigated the cause.

Concept Plan at The Gap

17. The Board is pleased to note that the Governing Body accepted the advice it gave in its submission, that the policies for the Taitomo Block needed to be developed through a variation to the Regional Parks Management Plan. That way, the management of the new parkland can draw on all the tools available through the RPMP. It is proposed that the block constitute a Special Management Zone which enables caps to be set on sporting activities.

18. Feedback from individuals and groups who made submissions through the concept plan consultation, said that parks needed to focus more on the environment and less on recreation and that restoration of weedy areas should be a priority. The submissions opposed cutting new tracks through gorse areas which echoes earlier advice given to parks by wildfire experts not to cut tracks through gorse.

19. In the light of subsequent fires, the submissions showed considerable wisdom and local knowledge about what the dangers were in this highly scenic but vulnerable area. At its May meeting, the Environment and Community meeting passed resolutions to include Taitomo Block in the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park, seek an Order in Council to protect it in Perpetuity, and also seek a variation to the RPMP to include the new parkland. A variation will be notified and there may be hearings with a commissioner before a report goes back to the committee.

Heritage Portfolio

20. The Board is currently full steam ahead with two major projects: a second Waikumete Cemetery Open Day and a second Heritage Conference during Heritage Week in October.

Waikumete Open Day

21. The Waikumete Open Day will occur in November 2017 and will be modelled on the previous one, but incorporating many of the learnings from that event.

22. In particular, improving ways of getting people around this very large site: more vehicles, more frequently, with more knowledgeable drivers and guides on board. We hope to work with the same team we did last time, the cemetery staff, Friends of Waikumete, Urupa Committee, iwi, RSA, Muslim group and so on. This is a partnership between the Waitakere Ranges Local Board, cemetery management and community, with the Board putting in $12,000 of funding to make it all happen. Once again we are grateful that the Events Team is supporting this, and Angela Radosits is coming on board to be the organiser.

23. The aim of the event is to familiarise people in Auckland with the cemetery, demystify death and burial, and get people in the habit of visiting their loved ones and looking after their final resting places.

Heritage Conference

24. The Heritage Conference is growing this year. We still plan a one-day conference with papers on Sunday October 8. On the Saturday we currently have planned two walks: around Titirangi and the Piha radar site, and also the launch of the much-awaited history of Henderson.

25. Sir Bob Harvey’s film evening was a great introduction to the conference last year, with clips he had put together from iconic films filmed in the West, such as Sleeping Dogs. We are hoping for something similar this year, we just have to work out the logistics.

26. We are lucky that Annalilly van den Broeke has taken on the organisation again this year, and once again we will be building on past experience.

WW1 commemoration concert

27. There will also be a concert in July from the New Zealand Regiment of Artillery Band. This will be at the Glen Eden Playhouse Theatre followed by afternoon tea.

Heritage and Unitary Plan

28. It has been a bit of a shock to realise that not all heritage sites nominated through the Unitary Plan were assessed during that process and some are still waiting for assessment. We are also told that any trees nominated for scheduling cannot expect to be looked at till 2018.

29. I recently visited a lovely old house for sale in the historic Hetana Hamlet. It had a beautiful totara in the garden. The house sold and the tree is now gone, resulting in a much diminished setting for the old villa and the loss of a well-formed healthy tree.

30. We are very “behind” in the west on recognising and protecting our heritage. It’s not that the old Waitakere City did a bad job, it didn’t and was quite proactive about protecting heritage, but with the new UP rules, and development pressure full on, we are losing our heritage as old houses get removed from sites, sites get subdivided and intensified housing is happening all around us.

Recommendation/s

That the Waitākere Ranges Local Board:

a) receive the Portfolio Update from Member Sandra Coney.

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

25 May 2017

Confirmation of Workshop Records

File No.: CP2017/09429

Purpose

1. This report presents records of workshops held by the Waitākere Ranges Local Board on:

· 23 March 2017

· 06 April 2017

· 13 April 2017

· 20 April 2017

· 27 April 2017

· 04 May 2017

· 11 May 2017

Executive Summary

1. At the workshop held on Thursday, 23 March, the Waitakere Ranges Local Board had briefings on:

· Review of community grants programme

· Roads and Streets Framework and Transport Design Manual

· Te Henga Road Quarry Update

· Project Twin Streams

· Underspends discussion

2. At the workshop held on Thursday, 06 April 2017, the Waitakere Ranges Local Board had a briefing on:

· Draft work programmes – discussion with I&ES/Development Programme Office and Chief Planning Office

· Draft work programmes – discussion with ACE

· Draft work programmes – discussion with Libraries

· Draft work programmes – discussion with ATEED

· Draft work programmes – discussion with Community Facilities

· Draft work programmes – discussion with Community Services

· Local Board Transport Fund – West Coast Road

· Glen Eden Parking Review

3. At the workshop held on Thursday, 13 April 2017, the Waitakere Ranges Local Board had briefings on:

· WRLB Quick Response Grants – Round 3

· WRLB Annual Agreements

4. At the workshop held on Thursday, 20 April 2017, the Waitakere Ranges Local Board had briefings on:

· Deliberation Consideration of consultation feedback

· Shadbolt House

· WRHA Local Parks Design Guide project

· Sport Waitakere Work Programme

5. At the workshop held on Thursday, 27 April 2017, the Waitakere Ranges Local Board had briefings on:

· Titirangi Waka Ama project update

· Work Programme and Community Hall check-in

· Waitakere Ranges projects for 2017/18

· Piha Sand Dunes

6. At the workshop held on Thursday, 04 May 2017, the Waitakere Ranges Local Board had briefings on:

· Open Studio

· Art on the Beach

· Going West Festival

· Te Henga kiosk

· Weed Spray and Vegetation Clearance in the Waitakere Ranges Area

· New Network West presentation to local boards

· Continuation of discussion with proposed Community Facilities Work Programme

7. At the workshop held on Thursday, 11 May 2017, the Waitakere Ranges Local Board had briefings on:

· Continuation of discussion with proposed Community Facilities work programme

· Building in the Bush design guide draft for consideration

8. The workshop records are attached to this report.

Recommendation/s

That the Waitakere Ranges Local Board:

a) receive the workshop records held on 23 March, 06, 13, 20 and 27 April, 04 and 11 May 2017.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	Workshop Record - 23 March 2017	49
b ⇩	Workshop Record - 06 April 2017	51
c ⇩	Workshop Record - 13 April 2017	53
d ⇩	Workshop Record - 20 April 2017	55
e ⇩	Workshop Record - 27 April 2017	57
f ⇩	Workshop Record - 04 May 2017	59
g ⇩	Workshop Record - 11 May 2017	61

Signatories

Authors	Tua Viliamu - Democracy Advisor
Authorisers	Glenn Boyd - Relationship Manager Henderson-Massey, Waitakere Ranges, Whau

Waitākere Ranges Local Board

25 May 2017

Governance Forward Work Calendar

File No.: CP2017/08424

Purpose

1. To present to the board with a governance forward work calendar.

Executive Summary

2. This report introduces the governance forward work calendar: a schedule of items that will come before the board at business meetings over the upcoming months. The governance forward work calendar for the board is included in Attachment A.

3. The calendar aims to support local boards’ governance role by:

· ensuring advice on agendas and workshop material is driven by local board priorities

· clarifying what advice is required and when

· clarifying the rationale for reports.

4. The calendar will be updated every month. Each update will be reported back to business meetings and distributed to relevant Council staff. It is recognised that at times items will arise that are not programmed. Board members are welcome to discuss changes to the calendar.

Recommendation/s

That the Waitākere Ranges Local Board:

a) notes the updated Governance Forward Work Calendar for May 2017 (attachment A).

Comments

5. Council’s Quality Advice Programme aims to improve the focus, analysis, presentation and timeliness of staff advice to elected representatives. An initiative under this is to develop forward work calendars for governing body committees and local boards. These provide elected members with better visibility of the types of governance tasks they are being asked to undertake and when they are scheduled.

6. Although the document is new, there are no new projects in the governance forward work calendar. The calendar brings together in one schedule reporting on all of the board’s projects and activities previously approved in the local board plan, long-term plan, departmental work programmes and through other board decisions. It includes governing body policies and initiatives that call for a local board response.

7. This initiative is intended to support the boards’ governance role. It will also help staff to support local boards, as an additional tool to manage workloads and track activities across council departments, and it will allow greater transparency for the public.

8. The calendar is arranged in three columns, “Topic”, “Purpose” and “Governance Role”:

· Topic describes the items and may indicate how they fit in with broader processes such as the annual plan

· Purpose indicates the aim of the item, such as formally approving plans or projects, hearing submissions or receiving progress updates

· Governance role is a higher-level categorisation of the work local boards do. Examples of the seven governance categories are tabled on the following page.

Governance role	Examples
Setting direction/priorities/budget	Capex projects, work programmes, annual plan
Local initiatives/specific decisions	Grants, road names, alcohol bans
Input into regional decision-making	Comments on regional bylaws, policies, plans
Oversight and monitoring	Local board agreement, quarterly performance reports, review projects
Accountability to the public	Annual report
Engagement	Community hui, submissions processes
Keeping informed	Briefings, cluster workshops

9. Board members are welcome to discuss changes to the calendar. The calendar will be updated and reported back every month to business meetings. Updates will also be distributed to relevant Council staff.

Consideration

Local Board views and implications

10. All local boards are being presented with governance forward work calendars for their consideration.

Māori impact statement

11. The projects and processes referred to in the governance forward work calendar will have a range of implications for Māori which will be considered when the work is reported.

Implementation

12. Staff will review the calendar each month in consultation with board members and will report an updated calendar to the board.

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	WR Governance Forward Work Programme\2017\Governance Forward Work Calendar - May 2017	65

Signatories

Authors	Tua Viliamu - Democracy Advisor
Authorisers	Glenn Boyd - Relationship Manager Henderson-Massey, Waitakere Ranges, Whau

Chairperson	Greg Presland
Deputy Chairperson	Saffron Toms
Members	Sandra Coney, QSO
	Neil Henderson
	Steve Tollestrup
	Denise Yates, JP