I hereby give notice that an ordinary
meeting of the Environment and Community Committee will be held on:
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Date:
Time:
Meeting Room:
Venue:
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Tuesday, 12
February 2019
9.30am
Reception
Lounge
Auckland Town Hall
301-305 Queen Street
Auckland
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Komiti Taiao ā-Hapori Hoki /
Environment and Community Committee
OPEN AGENDA
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MEMBERSHIP
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Chairperson
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Cr Penny Hulse
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Deputy Chairperson
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Cr Alf Filipaina
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Members
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Cr Josephine Bartley
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Cr Richard Hills
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IMSB Member Renata Blair
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Cr Mike Lee
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IMSB Member James Brown
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Cr Daniel Newman, JP
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Cr Dr Cathy Casey
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Cr Greg Sayers
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Deputy Mayor Cr Bill Cashmore
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Cr Desley Simpson, JP
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Cr Ross Clow
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Cr Sharon Stewart, QSM
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Cr Fa’anana Efeso Collins
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Cr Sir John Walker, KNZM, CBE
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Cr Linda Cooper, JP
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Cr Wayne Walker
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Cr Chris Darby
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Cr John Watson
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Cr Hon Christine Fletcher, QSO
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Cr Paul Young
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Mayor Hon Phil Goff, CNZM, JP
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(Quorum 11 members)
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Maea Petherick
Senior Governance Advisor
7 February 2019
Contact Telephone: (09) 890 8136
Email: maea.petherick@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
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Terms of Reference
Responsibilities
This committee
deals with all strategy and policy decision-making that is not the
responsibility of another committee or the Governing Body. Key
responsibilities include:
·
Development and
monitoring of strategy, policy and action plans associated with environmental,
social, economic and cultural activities
·
Natural heritage
·
Parks and reserves
·
Economic development
·
Protection and
restoration of Auckland’s ecological health
·
Climate change
·
The Southern Initiative
·
Waste minimisation
·
Libraries
·
Acquisition of property
relating to the committee’s responsibilities and within approved annual
budgets
·
Performing the
delegations made by the Governing Body to the former Parks, Recreation and
Heritage Forum and Regional Development and Operations Committee, under
resolution GB/2012/157 in relation to dogs
·
Activities of the
following CCOs:
o ATEED
o RFA
Powers
(i) All
powers necessary to perform the committee’s responsibilities, including:
(a) approval of a submission
to an external body
(b) establishment of working
parties or steering groups.
(ii) The
committee has the powers to perform the responsibilities of another
committee, where it is necessary to make a decision prior to
the next meeting of that other committee.
(iii) The
committee does not have:
(a) the
power to establish subcommittees
(b) powers
that the Governing Body cannot delegate or has retained to itself (section 2)
Exclusion of
the public – who needs to leave the meeting
Members of the
public
All members of
the public must leave the meeting when the public are excluded unless a
resolution is passed permitting a person to remain because their knowledge will
assist the meeting.
Those who are
not members of the public
General
principles
·
Access to confidential information is managed on
a “need to know” basis where access to the information is required
in order for a person to perform their role.
·
Those who are not members of the meeting (see
list below) must leave unless it is necessary for them to remain and hear the
debate in order to perform their role.
·
Those who need to be present for one
confidential item can remain only for that item and must leave the room for any
other confidential items.
·
In any case of doubt, the ruling of the chairperson
is final.
Members of the
meeting
·
The members of the meeting remain (all Governing
Body members if the meeting is a Governing Body meeting; all members of the
committee if the meeting is a committee meeting).
·
However, standing orders require that a
councillor who has a pecuniary conflict of interest leave the room.
·
All councillors have the right to attend any
meeting of a committee and councillors who are not members of a committee may
remain, subject to any limitations in standing orders.
Independent Māori Statutory Board
·
Members of the Independent Māori Statutory Board who are appointed
members of the committee remain.
·
Independent Māori Statutory Board members and staff remain if this is necessary in
order for them to perform their role.
Staff
·
All staff supporting the meeting
(administrative, senior management) remain.
·
Other staff who need to because of their role
may remain.
Local Board
members
·
Local Board members who need to hear the matter
being discussed in order to perform their role may remain. This will
usually be if the matter affects, or is relevant to, a particular Local Board
area.
Council
Controlled Organisations
·
Representatives of a Council Controlled
Organisation can remain only if required to for discussion of a matter relevant
to the Council Controlled Organisation
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Environment
and Community Committee
12 February
2019
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ITEM TABLE
OF CONTENTS PAGE
1 Apologies 7
2 Declaration of
Interest 7
3 Confirmation
of Minutes 7
4 Petitions 7
5 Public Input 7
5.1 Public Input : Study by
Ngai Tai ki Tamaki and NIWA re sediment discharging effects form Wairoa river
into the Tamaki straight 7
6 Local Board
Input 8
7 Extraordinary Business 8
8 Waikumete
Cemetery: initial public engagement on potential development zones 9
9 Natural
environment targeted rate update - Quarter two 2018/2019 37
10 Water quality targeted
rate update - Quarter two 2018/2019 51
11 Submission on New
Zealand's possible assession to IMO Treaty MARPOL Annex VI: Prevention of Air
Pollution from Ships 63
12 Retrospective approval for
Submission on Child and Youth Wellbeing and Strategy and Proposed Outcomes
Framework 87
13 Approval of a discussion
document for informal public consultation on inter-regional marine pest pathway
management 107
14 Auckland Council’s
submission on the proposed National Disaster Resilience Strategy: Rautaki
Manawaroa Aituā ā-Motu 127
15 Summary of Environment and
Community Committee Information - updates, memos and briefings - 12 February
2019 191
16 Consideration of
Extraordinary Items
At the close of
the agenda no apologies had been received.
2 Declaration
of Interest
Members are
reminded of the need to be vigilant to stand aside from decision making when a
conflict arises between their role as a member and any private or other
external interest they might have.
3 Confirmation
of Minutes
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That the Environment and Community Committee:
a)
confirm the ordinary minutes of its meeting,
held on Tuesday, 4 December 2018, including the
confidential section, as a true and correct record.
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4 Petitions
At the close of
the agenda no requests to present petitions had been received.
5 Public
Input
Standing Order
7.7 provides for Public Input. Applications to speak must be made to the
Governance Advisor, in writing, no later than one (1) clear working day
prior to the meeting and must include the subject matter. The meeting
Chairperson has the discretion to decline any application that does not meet
the requirements of Standing Orders. A maximum of thirty (30) minutes
is allocated to the period for public input with five (5) minutes
speaking time for each speaker.
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5.1 Public
Input : Study by Ngai Tai ki Tamaki and NIWA re sediment discharging effects
form Wairoa river into the Tamaki straight
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Te take mō te pūrongo
Purpose of the
report
1.
To present a six year study by Ngai Tai ki Tamaki and NIWA of
the fine sediment discharging effects from the Wairoa river into the Tamaki
straight.
2.
Andrew Swales, NIWA and representatives of Ngai Tai ki Tamaki
will present the study
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Ngā tūtohunga
Recommendation/s
That the Environment and
Community Committee:
a) receive
the presentation regarding the six year study of sediment discharging effects
from Wairoa river into the Tamaki straight and thank the representatives from
Ngai Tai ki Tamaki and Niwa for their attendance.
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6 Local
Board Input
Standing Order
6.2 provides for Local Board Input. The Chairperson (or nominee of that
Chairperson) is entitled to speak for up to five (5) minutes during this
time. The Chairperson of the Local Board (or nominee of that Chairperson)
shall wherever practical, give one (1) day’s notice of their wish
to speak. The meeting Chairperson has the discretion to decline any
application that does not meet the requirements of Standing Orders.
This right is
in addition to the right under Standing Order 6.1 to speak to matters on the
agenda.
At the close of
the agenda no requests for local board input had been received.
7 Extraordinary
Business
Section 46A(7) of
the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (as amended)
states:
“An item
that is not on the agenda for a meeting may be dealt with at that meeting if-
(a) The local
authority by resolution so decides; and
(b) The presiding member
explains at the meeting, at a time when it is open to the public,-
(i) The
reason why the item is not on the agenda; and
(ii) The reason why the
discussion of the item cannot be delayed until a subsequent meeting.”
Section 46A(7A) of
the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (as amended)
states:
“Where an
item is not on the agenda for a meeting,-
(a) That item may be discussed
at that meeting if-
(i) That item is a minor
matter relating to the general business of the local authority; and
(ii) the presiding member
explains at the beginning of the meeting, at a time when it is open to the
public, that the item will be discussed at the meeting; but
(b) no resolution, decision or
recommendation may be made in respect of that item except to refer that item to
a subsequent meeting of the local authority for further discussion.”
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Environment
and Community Committee
12 February
2019
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Waikumete
Cemetery: initial public engagement on potential development zones
File No.: CP2018/24445
Te take mō te
pūrongo
Purpose of the report
1. To
seek approval from the Environment and Community Committee for public
engagement in relation to the potential development zones for additional burial
capacity within Waikumete Cemetery.
Whakarāpopototanga matua
Executive summary
2. Waikumete
Cemetery is one of three large cemeteries operated by Auckland Council. There
is currently little remaining lawn burial capacity at Waikumete, and no
remaining areas within the cemetery that allow for easy development of
additional burial plots.
3. The
governing body is the allocated decision maker for council’s operational
cemeteries.
4. Council
is investigating the opportunities for the development of additional burial
capacity within Waikumete Cemetery. The first phase of this work has been to
undertake an initial assessment of potential zones for development.
5. A
number of factors influence the feasibility of creating additional burial
capacity, including:
· Ecological
values, particularly of the existing ‘gumlands’ ecosystem
· Historic
heritage values of the graves, memorials and buildings
· Physical
constraints such as topography, ground conditions, drainage, access
· Regulatory
constraints including the Unitary Plan and Heritage NZ
· Operational
requirements for the continuing delivery of cemetery services
· Financial
constraints such as cost of development, operations and maintenance.
6. Areas
have been identified within the cemetery where expansion of burial capacity may
be possible, alongside areas where development is not recommended.
7. A
range of burial methods has also been identified which could increase burial
capacity.
8. Staff
recommend a period of public engagement to gauge the public’s appetite
for both expansion of new areas for burials, and for different forms of burial.
The feedback from this engagement will inform the recommendations in the
Waikumete Cemetery Feasibility Study.
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Ngā tūtohunga
Recommendations
That the Environment and
Community Committee:
a) approve
the proposed public engagement plan to inform the Waikumete Cemetery
Feasibility Study
b) approve
the inclusion of the potential development Zones 1 and 2 in the public
consultation documentation
c) approve
the exclusion of the potential development Zone 3, 4 and 5 from the
public consultation documentation
d) approve
the inclusion of the information about different burial types in the
public consultation documentation.
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Horopaki
Context
Background
9. At
107 hectares, Waikumete Cemetery is the largest cemetery in New Zealand, and
the largest public open space in west Auckland between the CBD and the
Waitakere Ranges.
10. Waikumete Cemetery is a record of Auckland society and culture of
the last 140 years. Due to the incremental nature of development, the cemetery
has developed distinctive historical landscapes, with different denominational
areas, historical buildings, monuments, graves, and memorials to those who died
in the 1918 influenza epidemic, two world wars and the Erebus disaster.
11. The whole of the Waikumete Cemetery is identified in the Unitary
Plan as a Category A* historic heritage place which is applied to places
considered to be of outstanding significance well beyond their immediate
environs.
12. The cemetery landscape encompasses formal patterns of the burial
plots in parallel lines, natural patterns of vegetation on the steep hills and
gullies, as well, as the valued ecological areas of gumlands, which are a
transitional landscape over the original kauri gum digging areas. It is also
home to regionally significant flora (native orchid) and fauna (skink, gecko).
Originally there were kauri growing on the ridges, kauri and podocarp forest on
the hillsides, and broadleaf wetlands in the gullies.
Cemetery
provision and capacity in Auckland
13. Waikumete Cemetery is one of three large cemeteries in Auckland,
alongside Manukau Memorial Gardens and North Shore Memorial Park.
14. Within
four years it is anticipated that Waikumete Cemetery will run out of lawn
burial plots available for purchase. It will remain an active cemetery
for at least another sixty years due to the use of pre-purchased plots, the
option for double burials in a plot, space available for many more ash and natural
burials and the ongoing use of the crematorium.
15. Manukau Memorial Gardens has sufficient space for to accommodate
lawn burial sales until 2035, and North Shore Memorial Park until 2050.
16. While
existing cemeteries provide adequate capacity in the north and south of the
region, there is an identified need to provide additional capacity in the west.
This may be provided in part through increasing the burial capacity at
Waikumete.
17. Panuku is leading a concurrent project exploring land purchase options
for future designated public cemeteries in north west Auckland.
Past
planning for additional burial capacity at Waikumete
18. Plans
for increasing burial capacity at Waikumete Cemetery have been considered for
many years. These plans have variously sought to balance the need for burial
space against the desire to protect other values within the cemetery,
particularly ecological values.
19. In 1998, the Waitakere City Council prepared the Waikumete Cemetery
Management Plan. In this plan, much of the undeveloped areas of the cemetery
were protected due to their ecological values. This aligned with the Waitakere
City Plan (Waitakere Section, Natural Areas, map F9).
20. In 2001, a Conservation and Reserve Management Plan was approved.
These plans had a strong emphasis on history and conservation, but proposed
development of new burial plots into the vegetated gumlands spur while
retaining the vegetated gullies.
21. In
2010, with the growing pressure for more plots within the cemetery, the
Waitakere City Council prepared the Waikumete Cemetery Expansion Report. This
report proposed maximising burial plots by developing much of the gumlands
area. New suitable cemetery sites within the Waitakere City boundaries were
also investigated.
22. In
2015, Auckland Council adopted a revised Reserve Management Plan. The publicly consulted and supported 2015 Reserve Management Plan
proposed development of much of the vegetated upper slopes to
‘accommodate an additional 50 years of burial plot demand’.
Regulatory
protection of gumlands
23. In
2013, the gumlands were identified as a Significant Ecological Area (SEA) in
the Draft Auckland Unitary Plan. Vegetation alteration or removal within a SEA
requires resource consent.
24. The
area of vegetation identified as SEA in the draft plan was reduced in the
Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan. This reduction enabled an easier regulatory
process for the expansion of burials into the gumlands.
25. A submission was made at the 2015 Proposed Auckland
Unitary Plan Hearings seeking to reinstate the larger area of SEA as it was
published in the draft plan, with the addition of the Department of
Conservation reserve on the northwest boundary. It was successfully argued that
the gumlands are regionally significant, requiring
protection for the larger area.
26. The
Auckland Unitary Plan reinstated the total area of the gumlands as SEA. To
alter or remove any of this vegetation within this area requires a resource
consent.
27. The
Reserve Management Plan 2015 is now not aligned with the SEA, as defined in the
Operative in part Auckland Unitary Plan.
Tātaritanga me ngā
tohutohu
Analysis and advice guidance
Option for
no development of additional capacity at Waikumete
28. Council
could potentially decide not to develop further burial areas at Waikumete. This
option would result in incremental reduction in the burial capacity at
Waikumete.
29. Without
further burial site development the cemetery will reach capacity within the
next four years. At this point the community would need to consider other
cemeteries for burial.
30. As
previously noted, work has commenced to identify land for a new cemetery in the
north west, which would effectively act as a replacement for Waikumete
Cemetery. Any new cemetery will not be operational before the currently
available plots in Waikumete run out.
31. Therefore,
the implication of a decision not to develop additional burial capacity at
Waikumete would be a period during which council is not able to offer burial
plots in the north west area of the city. In addition, demand would increase at
other council cemeteries.
Assessment
of options for potential development zones
32. The
current project focuses on assessing potential development zones within
Waikumete Cemetery that could enable development of additional burial capacity,
with consideration of all constraints including ecological and heritage values,
site conditions, consent risks, operations and maintenance issues, and whole of
life costs.
33. The
feasibility study will also consider Waikumete Cemetery as a valued public open
space within an increasingly denser Auckland, and as a memorial park for
informal recreation into the future.
Potential
Development Zones
34. In total,
23 discrete areas have been identified that offer potential for development for
additional burials. These areas have been grouped into five zones, which
represent groupings of potential development areas that have broadly similar
characteristics and constraints.
35. Table 1
below provides a summary of five zones. This information should be read
alongside the maps of potential development zones. See Attachment 1:
Waikumete Cemetery Potential Development Maps (Maps of Zones page 1-7 and Maps
of Constraints 8-11).
Table 1 – Summary of
potential development zones
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Potential
Development Zone
|
Description
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Colour
on map
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Zone 1
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Seven discrete areas
(1A–1G) of varying size that are the readily accessible and generally
lower ecological value fringes of the SEA. This zone also includes the
existing operations/maintenance depot (area 1D).
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Yellow
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Zone 2
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Five discrete areas
(2H-2L) that are areas generally well served by existing infrastructure but
that are of greater ecological value.
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Orange
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Zone 3
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Two larger areas (3M, 3N)
that are high value ecological areas on moderately steep land, not well
served by existing infrastructure.
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Red
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Zone 4
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Area within the older part
of the cemetery, with high valued historic heritage and protected wildflowers
sanctuary.
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Pale blue
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Zone 5
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Five areas (5O-5S) which
form a cluster in the north west of the cemetery with steep topography of
ridges and gullies, high value ecology, and no existing infrastructure.
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Pale pink
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Assessment criteria
36. A range
of criteria have been used to assess the feasibility of development for burial
plots. Criteria are described below.
· Ecological:
criteria relate to the value of the regionally significant, critically
endangered gumlands ecosystem, the presence of rare native orchid, skink and
gecko. Assessment has considered reducing fragmentation and maintaining areas
of contiguous forest.
· Historic
heritage: constraints include the risk of damaging historic memorials and
unintended disinterment. Only double empty plots can be considered due the
increase in size of the current plots.
· Physical:
site topography, soil conditions, groundwater and stormwater characteristics
all influence the feasibility of developing additional burial capacity and have
a direct impact on operational requirements for burial and maintenance, the
type of burials that may be suitable, and the cost of new supporting
infrastructure and additional burial plots.
· Regulatory:
the Auckland Unitary Plan identifies much of the undeveloped area of the
cemetery as a SEA and the whole cemetery has a Historic Heritage overlay. All
development work within Waikumete cemetery requires resource consent. Higher
value zones will have a higher consenting risk.
· Operational:
ability to access burial sites, prepare plots for burial and maintain grounds
are all important considerations. In addition, there are operational
requirements for storage of vehicles, burial equipment and for staff facilities
for the cemetery to operate effectively.
· Financial:
the development of different types of burial plots will require large scale
earthworks, drainage and construction, as well as a large upfront budget.
Construction and infrastructure costs will rise if there is difficulty in
accessing the site. If consent is achieved to develop some of the SEA, there
will be mitigation costs additional to construction whole of life
costs.
Summary of assessment
37. Table 2
summarizes the level of risk involved in developing the zones against the
identified assessment criteria.
Table
2 – Summary of assessment
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Zone
|
Zone 1
|
Zone 2
|
Zone 3
|
Zone 4
|
Zone 5
|
|
Ecological
|
Moderate
|
Significant
|
Very significant
|
Minor
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Very significant
|
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Historic Heritage
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Minor
|
Minor
|
Minor
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Very significant
|
Minor
|
|
Regulatory
|
Moderate
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Significant
|
Very Significant
|
Very significant
|
Very significant
|
|
Physical
|
Moderate
|
Moderate
|
Significant
|
Significant
|
Very significant
|
|
Operational
|
Moderate
|
Moderate
|
Significant
|
Very Significant
|
Very
Significant
|
|
Financial
|
Significant
|
Significant
|
Very Significant
|
Moderate
|
Very significant
|
38. Staff
recommend further investigation, including engagement with the public for areas
within zones 1 and 2, for the following reasons.
· Zone
1: these areas are considered to have the lowest risk to existing ecology and
are readily accessed from existing roads. Initial estimates suggest that Zone 1
could yield up to 17,000 plots through the use of modular vault retaining
systems and a large public mausolea (Zone 1G), which could meet demand for up
to the next 20 years. The inclusion of the existing depot area in this zone
will require further investigation, as there is a requirement to identify a
suitable alternative location for this infrastructure to allow use of the area
for burials.
· Zone
2: these areas are more challenging to develop and have a greater impact due to
the more significant ecological values. If consented, it is anticipated that
significant ecological mitigation will be required. Zone 2 could contribute
another 10,000 burial plots utilising a modular vault system, which could help
meet demand for a further 12 years.
39. Staff do
not recommend further investigation is warranted for areas within zones 3, 4
and 5. It is recommended that these areas are not included in the proposed
engagement with the public for the following reasons.
· Zone
3: these areas have high ecological values and challenging physical
characteristics. They would be difficult and expensive to develop the necessary
infrastructure to allow burials.
· Zone
4: there are a number of challenges in creating additional burials within this
historic area. Firstly, historic plots are smaller than current
requirements, and excavation between historic plots comes with high risk of
unintended exhumation and potential damage to adjacent historic memorials. Only
unused double plots are considered viable, and only eight suitable plots have
been identified.
· Zone
5: these areas are of high ecological value and very challenging topography,
with steep slopes and deep gullies. The cost and feasibility of developing
infrastructure to enable burials is likely to be prohibitive.
Burial
methods
40. The
traditional form of burial at Waikumete Cemetery is lawn burial. This required
relatively flat and stable ground conditions.
41. Most of
the proposed development areas will not be suitable for lawn burials, and to
achieve burial capacity and warrant investment it is anticipated that are wider
range of interment types will be required.
42. These
systems will have higher development costs and require new operations equipment
and methods.
43. Staff
propose to include information on different forms of interment as part of the
public consultation material to explore public perceptions and preferences for
different burial methods in light of availability, cost and location.
44. Table 3
provides a brief summary of types of interment available. Further information
is provided in Attachment 2: Interment Types.
Table 3 – Summary
of Interment types
|
Interment
type
|
Description
|
Current
availability at Waikumete Cemetery
|
|
Lawn burial
|
Traditional in-ground interment
of casket on relatively flat, stable land in lawn.
Opportunity for
memorialisation.
|
Yes
|
|
Vault burial
|
Interlocking modular
vaults installed underground which retain steeper, less stable land. Grass
can be grown over the vault cover, which is lifted for interment.
Opportunity for
memorialisation.
|
No
|
|
Natural burial
|
Un-embalmed interment of
body in biodegradable shroud or untreated coffin.
Grave marked only by
planted tree.
|
Yes
(average 4 per year)
|
|
Private mausolea
|
Privately owned and
constructed small buildings with stacked chambers for family
members.
|
Yes
|
|
Public mausolea
|
Publicly owned and
constructed large buildings with a large number of stacked chambers available
for individuals or groups.
|
Yes
|
|
Ash interment and ash
scattering
|
Use less space, can
utilise land not suitable for other burial types.
Opportunities for
memorialisation – plaques on small berm, cover to niche in wall.
|
Yes
|
Proposed
Engagement Plan
45. Early
public engagement is important to inform the development of the master plan, as
it will help staff to understand the public appetite for development of burial
plots within the SEA, and for different types of burial methods such as public
mausolea, vault systems and natural burials.
46. The proposed Public Engagement Plan (Attachment 3) sets out the
proposed approach. Key aspects include:
· An
online ‘Have Your Say’ survey, which will be open for feedback for
four weeks from 5 March till 2 April 2019
· Two
public drop-in sessions at Waikumete Cemetery will occur at different times of
the day on Saturday 9 March and Wednesday 20 March
· Identified
stakeholder groups will be invited to attend workshops. The number will be
dependent on the level of interest expressed when the invitations are sent out.
47. The
feedback from the online surveys, public open days, invited stakeholder
sessions, local board workshops and engagement with mana whenua and urupa
komiti will be analysed and inform the feasibility study.
Ngā whakaaweawe me ngā
tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera
Council group impacts and views
48. The
governing body is the allocated decision maker for council’s operational
cemeteries.
49. Waikumete
Cemetery operational staff are engaged in the project and have provided
operational input into the assessment of potential development areas.
50. Operational
considerations include access to new burial areas, maintenance of grounds,
health and safety of staff, visitors and contractors, soil conditions, cost to
develop and maintain, and customer demand for particular interment types.
51. The
operations team have a stated preference the depot facilities required to
enable the cemetery operations is located within the cemetery grounds, central
to the current and future operational areas. This will help ensure burial areas
can be accessed efficiently and safely.
Ngā whakaaweawe
ā-rohe me ngā tirohanga a te poari ā-rohe
Local impacts and local board views
52. The
Waitakere Ranges, Whau and Henderson-Massey Local Boards will be consulted as
part of the stakeholder engagement process. The consultation material
will be presented at a joint local board workshop on 21 February 2019, where
feedback will be sought.
Tauākī whakaaweawe
Māori
Māori impact statement
53. The
project was introduced to the North West Mana Whenua Engagement Forum and the
Waikumete Cemetery Urupa Komiti who advise on operation matters, in November
2018.
54. Mana
whenua will advise on their preferred form and method of engagement to provide
feedback on the consultation material.
Ngā ritenga
ā-pūtea
Financial implications
55. The cost
for the public and stakeholder consultation, and iwi engagement is estimated to
be $20,000. This includes the preparation of the consultation material, staff
and consultants’ time to organise workshops, arrange open days, as well
as, collate and analyse the feedback.
56. The
current project budget is $2.6 million. Until the extent and form of future
burial areas has been determined and the necessary resource consents obtained,
it is difficult to estimate how much budget will be available for the developed
design and construction of new burial plots, including the supporting
infrastructure, and any potential mitigation measures.
Ngā raru tūpono me
ngā whakamaurutanga
Risks and mitigations
57. Consultation
fatigue arising from previous Waikumete Cemetery consultations on the Reserve
Management Plan and the Unitary Plan may contribute to a lack of engagement and
reduced feedback.
58. Engagement
opportunities will be broadly advertised, with a clear focus on assessing
potential additional development areas.
59. The
engagement plan offers people the opportunity to provide their views on a
number of potential development areas, which will inform the design process and
decision makers.
60. Feedback
can be provided through a variety of channels, creating increased accessibility
to participation.
61. Public
consultation is necessary to meet the requirements of the RMA process as it is
anticipated that the master plan, stage 2 of the project, will require a
publicly notified consent. There is no certainty that any resource consent
application will be successful.
62. There may
be insufficient project budget to develop the consented burial plots and the
necessary infrastructure and associated mitigation measures that might be
required.
Ngā koringa ā-muri
Next steps
63. Consultation
material based on the approved information will be prepared. This will include
the online survey, information brochures and billboards.
64. Consultation
material and invitations to attend stakeholder workshops and public open days
will be provided to all councillors.
65. Engagement
activities will be undertaken as outlined in the attached proposed Engagement
Plan.
66. Feedback
from the consultation will inform the draft Feasibility Report.
67. Further
development of the Feasibility Report will include the cost/yield analysis and
planning risk for the recommended development zones.
68. A further
workshop with the Environment and Community Committee will be scheduled in
mid-2019.
Ngā tāpirihanga
Attachments
|
No.
|
Title
|
Page
|
|
a⇩ 
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Waikumete Cemetery potential development zones
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19
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b⇩
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Waikumete Cemetery Interment types
|
33
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c⇩
|
Proposed public engagement for Waikumete
Cemetery feasibility study
|
37
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Ngā kaihaina
Signatories
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Author
|
Lucy Ullrich - Growth Development Specialist
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Authorisers
|
Mace Ward - General Manager Parks, Sports and
Recreation
Rod Sheridan - General Manager Community Facilities
Dean Kimpton - Chief Operating Officer
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Environment
and Community Committee
12 February
2019
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Environment
and Community Committee
12 February
2019
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12 February
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12 February
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12 February
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Environment
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12 February
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Environment
and Community Committee
12 February
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Environment
and Community Committee
12 February
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Environment
and Community Committee
12 February
2019
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Environment
and Community Committee
12 February
2019
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Environment
and Community Committee
12 February
2019
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Environment
and Community Committee
12 February
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Environment
and Community Committee
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Environment
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12 February
2019
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Environment
and Community Committee
12 February
2019
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Environment
and Community Committee
12 February
2019
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Natural environment targeted rate update
- Quarter two 2018/2019
File No.: CP2018/24619
Te take mō te
pūrongo
Purpose of the report
1. To
note a progress update on the natural environment targeted rate funded work
programmes.
Whakarāpopototanga matua
Executive summary
2. In
July 2018 Auckland Council introduced a new natural environment targeted rate.
This will provide $311 million of additional investment into environmental
outcomes over ten years.
3. These
outcomes will be delivered through nine work programmes comprising over 50
projects. The three largest work programmes are:
· plant
pathogens management programme, including kauri dieback ($102 million over ten
years)
· protecting
our parks programme ($71.7 million over ten years)
· expanding
community action programme ($37.5 million over ten years)
4. The
other six work programmes are island biosecurity, marine ecology, marine
biosecurity, freshwater biosecurity, region-wide mainland biosecurity, and
bio-information tools.
5. Significant
achievements in quarter two of 2018/2019 are summarised as follows:
· Four
tracks around the Kitekite Falls in the Waitākere Ranges were re-opened to
the public on Boxing Day 2018, after being closed in May 2018 for upgrades to
‘kauri-safe’ standards.
· Over
30 kauri dieback ambassadors have been deployed around the Auckland region over
the summer season to help prevent the spread of kauri dieback disease.
· A
new community co-ordination and facilitation grant opened in December 2018,
with the aim of increasing collaboration, capacity and on the ground delivery
of environmental outcomes. The total value of the grant is $300,000 per annum.
· An
additional $200,000 was allocated to 29 community conservation projects in
December 2018 through the Regional Environment and Natural Heritage Grant.
· The
1080 programme in Hunua Regional Park was expanded to cover more land in the
regional park and privately-owned land adjoining the park. This will reduce the
reinvasion pressure on the park, extending the time until pests, such as
possums, re-establish. Results show that the pest management operation in 2018
was very successful in controlling rat and possum numbers.
· A
new inspector and dog team has been engaged to operate on the waterfront at
vehicle departure points for Great Barrier and Waiheke. The new team will
include additional pest detection dogs specialising in plague skinks, stoats, ferrets
and rodents. The stoat dog (Gecko) has been recently deployed to respond
to a suspected stoat incursion on Aotea Great Barrier.
· Nine
ambassadors have also been stationed at ferry terminals since December to
educate the public on preventing the spread of pests and pathogens to Hauraki
Gulf islands. A kauri dieback passenger cleaning station has been
installed on Pier 2, with ambassadors directing passengers to clean their gear
before departing for Waiheke.
6. Eight
of the nine work programmes are on track and, in some cases, ahead of planned
scoping and delivery. The capital investment on track upgrades for kauri
dieback management within regional parks is either on track or ahead of
schedule. The track upgrade work on local parks has been delayed as information
in relation to kauri health and parks is being gathered ahead of the
development of options for consideration by the respective local boards. An
accelerated local park kauri dieback programme is now in place and plans for
upgrades have been completed for Kaipātiki, Waiheke and Waitākere
local parks.
7. The
work on regional park track upgrades has been brought forward to offset the
delay in local parks work. In addition, there are some delays arising from the
availability of suppliers with the technical expertise needed to upgrade tracks
to the required standards which staff are working through.
8. Maps
showing an increase in activities funded by the natural environment targeted
rate compared to business as usual are provided in Attachment A.
|
Ngā tūtohunga
Recommendation
That the Environment and
Community Committee:
a) note
the progress update provided on the natural environment targeted rate work
programmes for quarter two 2018/2019.
|
Horopaki
Context
9. In
June 2018 the governing body adopted Auckland Council’s ten-year budget
for the period 2018-2028. This included a natural environment targeted rate
which will provide $311 million of additional investment towards environmental
outcomes.
10. This
investment is focused on programmes to achieve Pest Free Auckland outcomes
by:
· controlling
pest plants and animal species, at high priority sites on council parks, in our
harbours, Hauraki Gulf islands and high priority freshwater lakes;
· reducing
the risk of plant pathogens spreading, particularly kauri dieback;
· supporting
community groups, schools and households to take action for conservation.
11. This
investment creates a significant opportunity for Auckland Council to address
the ongoing and gradual decline in wellbeing of our native ecosystems and
species.
12. An update on progress on implementing the natural environment
targeted rate work programmes from October to December 2018 (quarter two of
2018/019) is provided below.
Tātaritanga me ngā
tohutohu
Analysis and advice
13. The approximately
50 new or scaled up natural environmental projects being funded by the targeted
rate are being delivered across nine work programmes.
14. The
budget, key objectives of each work programme and some highlights from quarter
two of 2018/2019 are summarised in Table One below.
Table One. Update on the natural environment targeted
rate work programmes
|
Work Programme
|
Budget (millions)
|
|
Plant
pathogen management
Key
outcome: To reduce
the risk of spread of plant pathogens (including kauri dieback, myrtle leaf
rust and Dutch elm disease). For kauri dieback this will be achieved
through upgrading the track network and hygiene stations, as well as
awareness raising and monitoring.
The targeted rate has increased funding for this area
by $7.6 million in 2018/2019, in addition to the existing general rates
budget of $250,000. The majority of this budget will be spent on track
upgrades. These will decrease the risk of kauri dieback disease spreading and
enable closed tracks to be re-opened.
Highlights:
· Four
tracks around the Kitekite Falls were re-opened to the public on Boxing Day
2018, after they were closed in May 2018 to be upgraded to
‘kauri-safe’ standards. Another two track upgrades in the Hunua
Ranges Regional Park will be completed by end of February 2018. A plan for
track upgrades in Waitākere Ranges Regional Park is now open for public
feedback.
· Over 30 kauri dieback ambassadors have been deployed
around the Auckland region over the summer season to educate Aucklanders
about ‘scrub, spray and stay’ messaging and help prevent the
spread of kauri dieback disease.
· A kauri dieback passenger cleaning station was
installed on Pier 2 of the Auckland ferry terminals, with ambassadors
directing members of the public to clean their gear before departing for
Waiheke Island.
· Phosphite treatment of 7,000 trees with kauri dieback
disease has begun in the Piha catchment.
· A request for proposals for a summer surveillance and monitoring
programme for kauri dieback has gone to market.
|
Ten years:
$102 m
2018/2019:
$7.6 m
|
|
Expanding community
action
Key outcome: To provide a high level of support to over 600
community groups, iwi, households, landowners and schools to achieve
biodiversity outcomes. Currently council provides a low level of ad hoc
support to around 450 community groups.
The
targeted rate has provided $2.0 million of funding for this programme in
2018/2019, in addition to $150,000 from general rates funding.
The focus in 2018/2019 is on enabling expansion of
community-led conservation action in corridors of high ecological value.
Another priority is funding co-ordinator roles embedded in community
organisations so they can operate more effectively. A co-design approach is
being taken to the programme to ensure council understands what the community
most needs and to build ownership external to council.
Highlights:
· An additional $105,000 was provided to the Trees for
Survival programme to fund delivery of conservation planting with school
students in priority areas. The programme was able to enrol another eight
schools in late 2018, which will each receive seedlings and support with
planting.
· A new community co-ordination and facilitation grant
opened in December 2018, with the aim of increasing collaboration, capacity
and delivery of environmental outcomes by community groups. The total value
of the grant is $300,000 per annum and applications up to $50,000 are being
accepted until 15 February 2019.
· An additional $200,000 was allocated to 29
community-led conservation projects from the Regional Environment and Natural
Heritage grant scheme in December 2018.
· An expanded programme of environmental education is
being co-delivered with Toimata Foundation (Enviroschools). Initial projects
have been developed that will provide the basis for further expansion in
future years. The intended outcomes are to increase the support
available for early childhood centres and Enviroschools to achieve natural
environment outcomes and develop a vibrant Te Aho Tū Roa network in
Tāmaki Makaurau.
· The
following projects are being co-designed with representatives from community
groups:
o a
new region-wide funding strategy to ensure that support to community groups
from council and other entities is aligned to provide maximum positive
outcomes for Auckland’s natural environment and encourage innovation
o research
into best practice behaviour change to grow Aucklanders’ awareness of
the natural environment and how their actions can contribute to improving
current state.
· Approximately
$120,000 of pest control tools and nursery supplies were purchased by council
and distributed to six community conservations groups (including two iwi), to
support landscape projects. A procurement plan is being developed to spend a
further $915,000 over the next three years on pest control and restoration
resources, which community groups will be able to access at reduced prices.
|
Ten years:
$37.5 m
2018/2019:
$2.0 m
|
|
Protecting
our parks
Key
outcome: To protect
66 per cent of highest ecological value areas on regional and local parkland.
The current level protected is 30 per cent. The targeted rate has increased funding by $2.2
million in 2018/2019, in addition to the $5 million available through general rates funding.
Highlights:
· A variation to the contract for ecological restoration
services in local parks has been agreed with the suppliers. They are now
developing management plans and carrying out expanded pest plant and animal
control in ecologically significant areas in local parks.
· Significantly upscaled plant and animal pest control is
being delivered in our regional parks. Key focus areas include:
o feral
pigs in Waitākere Ranges and Hunua Regional Parks
o rats
on Waiheke Island and in the Waitākere Ranges
o stoat
and ferret control in the Hunua Ranges Regional Park
o pest
plants at Whatipu, Muriwai, Waiheke and Brown’s Islands, Mahurangi
East, Te Muri and Waitawa Regional Parks, Atkinson Reserve, Lion Rock and
Cornwallis.
· The Project Hunua pest animal control operation was
completed in October 2018. Targeted rate funding enabled staff to expand the
treatment area in the regional park and on privately-owned land around the
park. This will significantly reduce the ‘re-invasion’ risk for
pests such as possums into the park. Results show that the 1080 pest
management operation last year was successful in controlling rat and possum
numbers, enabling native species to thrive.
|
Ten years:
$71.7 m
2018/2019:
$2.2 m
|
|
Island biosecurity
Key outcome: To either control, or where possible, eradicate
plant and animal pests from Hauraki Gulf Islands. The natural environment targeted rate
enables a five-fold increase of investment in biosecurity in the Hauraki Gulf
Islands, providing $2.1 million in addition to the existing general rates
funded budget of $420,000 in 2018/2019.
Projects are
focused on reducing the risk of members of the public and commercial
businesses transporting pests to the islands. These include freight
companies, nurseries, building and landscape suppliers.
Highlights:
· The Pest-Free Warrant scheme is on track to
issue 10 new warrants to commercial businesses in this year. These warrants
show commercial operators are meeting biosecurity standards for visiting the
islands.
· A new biosecurity inspector and dog team is
now engaged to operate at vehicle departure points for Aotea/Great Barrier
and Waiheke.
· Nine ambassadors have been stationed at the
waterfront since December 2018 to provide public education on how to reduce
the risk of spreading pests and pathogens to the gulf islands.
· The new targeted-rate funded dog handler
with her stoat detection dog (Gecko) were deployed immediately to assist with
a joint Auckland Council and Department of Conservation stoat incursion
response on Aotea/Great Barrier in January 2019. Neither the dog tracking
tunnels, traps or trail cameras were able to confirm the stoat sighting.
· Construction has begun of a pest detector dog day
facility at the Domain to provide a base for the biosecurity team’s
dogs, which are a key resource for emergency responses, surveillance on
islands and inspections on mainland.
· Various activities were delivered to raise awareness
among boat users over the summer. These included digital messaging on the Met
Service marine forecast website which generated 379,858 impressions and 349
click throughs to www.pestfreehaurakigulf.co.nz.
Approximately, 12 educational decals were also installed near boat loading
ramps and quay access points.
· Doubling the programme for Argentine and Darwin’s
ant treatment and monitoring on Aotea Great Barrier.
· Eradication of weeds on Rakino has been significantly
expanded. On Waiheke staff are surveying the eastern boundary of distribution
of key pest plants and currently procuring a feasibility study of eradication
on Waiheke.
|
Ten years: $35.8 m
2018/2019:
$2.1 m
|
|
Region-wide
biosecurity
Key
outcome: To control
priority pest plants and animals in priority ecosystems across the region. The targeted rate has provided $1.8 million
of funding in 2018/2019, in addition to $430,000 in general rates
funding.
Highlights:
· An increased possum control and monitoring
programme, with a budget of $1.05 million, is on track for planned delivery.
Target sites include the Hunua Halo, South Kaipara, Awhitu Peninsula, Dome
Valley and northwest Waitākere Ranges.
· Expanded control for deer and feral goats is
on track. Some goat control work planned for quarter two of 2018/2019 was
delayed as a result of the concurrent 1080 work in the Hunua Ranges. This was
because contractors and staff would usually work with dogs, but could not during
the operation. This underspend is being offset by additional possum work.
· Rabbit control work is currently focused on
Aotea/Great Barrier Island, with research also underway into appropriate
controls for other sites.
· The council is part of a national collective
reviewing a range of biocontrols that may be appropriate for our region.
· A monitoring programme for low incidence
pest plants is being developed, including a large number on Aotea/Great
Barrier. This will ensure possible threats are contained before they become
widespread.
|
Ten years:
$31.5 m
2018/2019:
$1.8 m
|
|
Marine
ecology
Key
outcome: To increase
protection of marine habitats and seabird populations. This programme is a
new area of work, with the main focus in 2018/201, as well as, being on
seabird data collection for monitoring and research supporting a plan change
process to broaden the scope of significant ecological areas included in the
Unitary Plan.
Highlights:
· Survey and monitoring plans for marine
habitats and seabirds are being developed alongside gap analyses to determine
priority areas.
· Additional seabird monitoring equipment,
including sound recorders and trackers, has been purchased and will be
deployed at key locations, based on the results of the gap analysis described
above.
· A new initiative to agree how to share data,
with other organisations is on track. These include:
o Waikato Regional Council - sharing data
layers across council boundaries for the Hauraki Gulf Marine Plan and developing
new joint survey programmes.
o Land Information New Zealand – focus on
geospatial analysis and solutions to store large marine data sets. Data from previous
surveys of areas such as Tamaki Strait will be shared with council.
o NIWA – is providing survey information for Great
Barrier Island and working with council and Department of Conservation on a
shared habitat evaluation decision support tool.
· Auckland Council is working with other
regional councils to develop consistent methodologies for mapping nearshore
habitats and will be trialling estuarine habitat surveys this year.
|
Ten years:
$3.9 m
2018/2019:
$0.4 m
|
|
Marine biosecurity
Key outcome: To protect threatened marine ecosystems and species
from pests. This area is critically important given the current threats and
heightened spread risk arising from the upcoming America’s Cup event. The targeted rate enables a significant
increase in incursion response management. It also supports inter-regional
collaboration to strengthen advocacy and enforcement to reduce the spread of
marine pests by waterbody users. The targeted rate has provided increased funding of
$700,000 in 2018/2019, in addition to the general rates funded budget of
$100,000.
Highlights:
· The first round of dive team surveillance
has been completed at Great Barrier Island, as this is a high-risk site for
Mediterranean fanworm incursions. Council staff are working with Ministry of
Primary Industries to manage this species.
· Staff are in contract negotiations with NIWA
to undertake targeted marine pest surveys in the Kaipara and Manukau
Harbours. This work will provide data on the presence or absence of marine
pests.
· Staff are working with other agencies to
develop the Inter-regional Marine Pest Pathway Management Plan, due to open
for consultation in March 2019. The plan will help protect the marine
environment by increasing regulation of waterbody users. The draft discussion
document for the plan is included on this agenda for Environment and
Community approval for public consultation.
· Biosecurity and compliance staff are working
in collaboration to raise boat users’ awareness of biofouling rules for
hulls in the Unitary Plan. This will lead to better monitoring and regulation
of the rules.
· Summer engagement and behaviour change
initiatives are underway, including ambassadors being positioned at high-use
marinas and boat ramps.
|
Ten years:
$2.1 m
2018/2019:
$0.7 m
|
|
Bio-information tools
Key outcome: To deliver a suite of ICT solutions that
will collate data on native species, ecosystems, pest plants, pest animals,
community groups and conservation activity. This will inform decision
making and allow us to report on environmental outcomes. The targeted rate has provided $1.0 million
of funding for these tools in 2018/2019, a significant increase as no budget
was previously available for this work through general rates.
Highlights:
· A prototype is currently being created of a system to
spatially map our wide range of internal biological datasets, connect to a
growing number of external datasets and manage current data quality
processes. This will allow the council to go to market with a clear
understanding of our requirements for a comprehensive biological database
that is fully aligned with external information.
· Staff are developing a monitoring and
evaluation framework to provide quantitative and qualitative evidence for the
immediate and long-term outcomes/benefits arising from the natural environment
targeted rate funded programme of work.
· An improved volunteer management system is
being developed in partnership with Department of Conservation. This will
enable people to participate more easily in community conservation
activities.
· A Community Relationship Management system
is being developed. This will respond to feedback from both community groups
and staff that council support for community-led conservation work is
currently fragmented and inefficient. The community response management system
will provide both council and community groups with up-to-date information on
support being provided and interactions occurring. Specific requirements for
the system were confirmed in quarter two through a co-design process with
community groups and a business case is now being developed.
|
Ten years:
$6.6 m
2018/2019:
$1.0 m
|
15. The
freshwater biosecurity work programme is not included in Table 1 above, as it
is a small programme of work and there have been no significant developments
during quarter two. This programme will be reported on in future update
reports.
16. Maps
showing recent activities funded through the natural environment targeted rate
and currently planned work for the rest of 2018/2019 are provided in Attachment
A.
Ngā whakaaweawe me
ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera
Council group impacts and views
17. Delivery
of the natural environment targeted rate work programme requires close
coordination between the Environmental Services department, Community Services
and Community Facilities divisions, as well as, the Research Evaluation and
Monitoring Unit (RIMU). These teams are working closely together and have
established a joint governance structure, to ensure coordinated delivery.
18. Other
members of the council family, such as Panuku, will also be impacted by some
aspects of the targeted rate work programme. Council staff are working closely
with these council controlled organisations on specific projects. For example,
Panuku is being consulted on installing kauri dieback washdown stations at
gateways to the gulf.
Ngā whakaaweawe
ā-rohe me ngā tirohanga a te poari ā-rohe
Local impacts and local board views
Local impacts
19. The
natural environment targeted rate will benefit local communities across
Auckland. It will enhance protection of their local ecologically significant
areas and provide additional support and funding to community conservation
projects. A co-design approach is being used to develop support mechanisms for
community groups, to ensure they are useful to local communities. The rate will
also provide additional support to schools for local projects.
Local board views
20. Staff ran
workshops from September to November 2018 to discuss the proposed natural
environment targeted rate programme of work with local boards. Local boards and
the Manukau Harbour Forum were invited to provide feedback on potential new
community-led biodiversity conservation projects that could be considered for
targeted funding.
21. Staff are
now considering feedback and suggested projects from the local boards against
regional priority criteria. An update on which projects have been short-listed
for further assessment will be provided to local boards in early 2019. Further
updates will be provided once the projects to be included in targeted rate work
programmes are confirmed.
Tauākī whakaaweawe
Māori
Māori impact statement
22. Teams
delivering the natural environment targeted rate work programme are committed
to ensuring the principle of partnership set out in Te Tiriti o Waitangi and
Māori outcomes are integrated throughout the programme.
23. In
December 2018, staff presented to the Mana Whenua Kaitiaki Forum. The
forum’s feedback on the targeted rate work programmes was generally
supportive. Staff are now working with the Environment Pou of the forum to
identify opportunities for Māori outcomes including:
· kaitiaki
participation in advisory and governance discussions;
· Māori leading the scoping and delivery of key projects;
· a structured
programme to build capacity and capability across iwi to work alongside council
in their capacity as kaitiaki for the natural environment;
· developing
key performance indicators for targeted rate funded programmes that reflect
matauranga Māori perspectives;
· iwi involvement in local environmental projects delivered in their
rohe.
24. A strategic assessment is currently being
completed to identify and further scope opportunities to integrate Māori outcomes
into work programmes. The strategic assessment will enable council staff
to work with mana whenua and mataawaka to develop a mutually agreed
implementation plan for the targeted rate.
Ngā ritenga
ā-pūtea
Financial implications
25. Budget
expenditure on the targeted rate has been allocated to work programmes as shown
in Table 2 below.
Table 2. Phased budget across natural environment
targeted rate workstreams
|
Work Programmes
|
Year One 2018/2019
|
Total (thousands)
|
|
Plant pathogens (e.g., kauri dieback)
|
$7,592
|
$102,087
|
|
Expanding community action
|
$2,012
|
$37,522
|
|
Protecting our parks
|
$2,167
|
$71,714
|
|
Other work programmes (region-wide mainland, island, marine
and freshwater biosecurity, marine ecology and bio-information tools
|
$5,896
|
$99,523
|
|
Total
|
$17,666
|
$310,846
|
26. In the
first six months of 2018/2019, approximately $2.72 million has been spent on
natural environment targeted rate projects. Delivery and associated spend for
2018/2019 is currently on track for 100 per cent forecast completion by end of
the financial year. The delay in the local parks capital expenditure to upgrade
tracks to prevent kauri dieback is being offset by accelerating the planned
track upgrades on regional parks.
27. If there
are any delays in the delivery and financial spend for 2018/2019, the funds
will be carried over to the next year. In the event there are delays in the
delivery and financial spend for this financial year the funds will be
allocated to next year.
Ngā raru tūpono me
ngā whakamaurutanga
Risks and mitigations
28. Some key
risks to successful delivery of the natural environment targeted rate funded
work programme are identified below, along with proposed mitigations.
Table Three. Risks and proposed mitigations
|
Risks
|
Mitigation
|
|
Implementation
of the natural environment targeted rate work programme is dependent on
participation by a range of departments across council.
|
Governance
structure established to enable efficient implementation of the targeted rate
work programme across key departments of council.
|
|
Successful
achievement of targeted rate outcomes will require coordination of work
across the council, with external partners such as Department of Conservation
and input from a wide range of environmental community groups.
|
An Executive
Advisory Group including key external partners, such as Department of
Conservation, and other representatives is being established. A co-design
approach to projects will enable high levels of community participation and
ownership.
|
|
Insufficient
staff capacity to deliver a work programme that is approximately 300 per cent
larger than previous workload.
|
22 staff
recruited in initial phase and future needs are being confirmed.
|
|
Market
capacity to provide capital works (such as track upgrades or hygiene
stations) is limited.
|
Staff are
developing training and best practice procedures to build capability of
contractors to deliver these works.
|
29. As
described above the 2018/2019 targeted rate spend represents a significant
increase in budgets for natural environment programmes, with a two to six-fold
increase in some areas. Staff are working to deliver as much additional
environmental activity as possible in the short-term, while scoping detailed
ten-year work programmes that will deliver maximum positive outcomes for the
natural environment.
30. The
ability of the existing market to deliver on the expanded work programmes is
being tested. Staff are working to ensure that any outsourced delivery (to both
existing and new suppliers) is procured as effectively and efficiently as
possible.
Ngā koringa ā-muri
Next steps
31. Staff
will continue to deliver those environmental programmes that can be immediately
expanded, while also completing the detailed design for new work programmes.
The key next steps for delivery of individual work programmes are listed below:
· scoping
and delivery of initiatives to maximise Māori outcomes, as described above
· continued
track upgrades and installation of hygiene stations in Waitākere Ranges
and Hunua Regional Parks.
· finalising
the Regional Pest Management Plan by March 2019.
· significant increases in the ecological restoration contracts to
achieve best practice pest management in high ecological value Auckland Council
parks.
· increase in Pest Free Warrant holders and increased inspections of
high risk vessels and vehicles going to the Hauraki Gulf Islands.
· increase in marine biosecurity activities in the lead up to the
America’s Cup event in 2021.
32. The next
update on the natural environment targeted rate will be provided in April 2019.
Ngā tāpirihanga
Attachments
|
No.
|
Title
|
Page
|
|
a⇩
|
Maps of activities to be delivered through the natural
environment targeted rate
|
49
|
Ngā kaihaina
Signatories
|
Author
|
Gael Ogilvie, General Manager Environmental Services
|
|
Authorisers
|
Barry Potter - Director Infrastructure and
Environmental Services
Dean Kimpton - Chief Operating Officer
|
|
Environment
and Community Committee
12 February
2019
|
|
|
Environment
and Community Committee
12 February
2019
|
|
|
Environment
and Community Committee
12 February
2019
|
|
Water quality targeted rate update -
Quarter two 2018/2019
File No.: CP2018/24620
Te take mō te
pūrongo
Purpose of the report
1. To
note a progress update on the water quality targeted rate work programmes.
Whakarāpopototanga matua
Executive summary
2. Auckland
Council is working with Watercare to significantly improve the health of
Auckland’s harbours, beaches and streams, as these are being polluted by
overflows of stormwater and wastewater, during and after periods of heavy
rainfall.
3. In
June 2018, Auckland Council introduced a new water quality improvement targeted
rate. This will provide $452 million of additional investment over the next ten
years into water quality outcomes. At the same time, Watercare will invest $1.2
billion into The Central Interceptor and $412 million into the Western Isthmus
water quality improvement programme.
4. Projects
funded through the targeted rate are delivered through five key work
programmes:
· western isthmus
water quality improvement programme ($361 million)
· contaminant
reduction programme ($54.3 million)
· urban and rural
stream rehabilitation programme ($22.3 million)
· septic tank and
onsite wastewater programme ($9.4 million)
· safe networks
programme ($5.6 million)
5. These
five programmes are currently on track with key projects for each programme
either underway or progressing through the design phases. Highlights for this
quarter include:
· Resource consent for the St Mary’s Bay and Masefield Beach water quality
improvement project was granted in November 2018. Four appeals have been made
against the consent to the Environment Court. These will be addressed through
mediation in late February 2019. A main contractor for the first phase of the
construction project will be appointed in March 2019. The project is
currently on track to start construction in mid-2019 and be completed by late
2020.
· The construction consent for the
Daldy Street outfall upgrade was lodged in October 2018 and is expected to be
granted in February 2019. This project will improve water quality in the
Freeman’s Bay, Viaduct Harbour and Wynyard Wharf areas.
· Resource consent for the Picton
Street stormwater outfall extension has been lodged and the affected landowners
are being notified. The project was tendered for construction in November 2018.
Construction is expected to commence in May 2019, and be completed around
November 2020.
· Council and
Watercare are working together to complete significant network investigations
in the areas of Laingholm, Takapuna, Red Beach and Meadowbank to trace sources
of contamination found in the stormwater network and identify solutions.
· Council
has completed detailed inspections of onsite wastewater systems in the Piha
South Lagoon sub-catchment and a follow up of issues identified is near completion.
Monitoring is now underway to evaluate the impacts of this pilot on water
quality.
· An additional
$200,000 has been allocated to the Waterways Protection Fund to support
projects in the Wairoa and Papakura catchments to improve water quality.
6. Overall,
the water quality targeted rate programmes are on track with a number of
projects moving through investigation, design and consenting stages. Delivery
of capital works will accelerate as projects are procured and move into
construction.
7. Maps
showing safe network investigations and current or potential healthy waters
capital works projects that will contribute to water quality outcomes are
provided in Attachment A.
|
Ngā tūtohunga
Recommendation
That the Environment and
Community Committee:
a) note the update on the water quality targeted rate work programmes
for quarter two 2018/2019.
|
Horopaki
Context
8. Auckland’s harbours, beaches and streams are being polluted by
overflows from ageing water infrastructure, particularly during and after periods
of heavy rainfall. Pollution also comes from contaminants washed into natural
waterways.
9. Aucklanders
want to improve our infrastructure to address this problem but under the
council’s previous budgets this would take over 30 years to achieve.
10. Auckland
Council’s introduction of the new water quality improvement targeted rate
in June 2018 provides an additional $452 million of funding over the next 10
years to address these issues.
11. This
extra funding will allow significantly more infrastructure upgrades and other
water quality improvement projects to speed up delivery of cleaner harbours,
beaches and streams within ten years.
12. The
overarching goals of the water quality targeted rate investment are to:
· reduce wastewater
overflows into the Waitematā Harbour
· reduce stormwater volumes into the Manukau Harbour
· reduce contaminants (such as litter, sediments, metals and oils) in
stormwater across the region and in the South Kaipara Harbour
· improve water quality, from the perspectives of public health and
ecology.
13. Over
time, the targeted rate work programmes will also reduce Safeswim
non-compliance public health warnings at our recreational beaches across urban
Auckland. Reducing pollution of our beaches will improve their amenity value
and mean Aucklanders can swim safely there.
14. At
the same time, Watercare is also doing work to improve
Auckland’s wastewater infrastructure, using funds from its user charges.
In addition to delivering the $1.2 billion Central Interceptor wastewater tunnel
by 2025, it is also investing a further $412 million towards the Western
Isthmus Water Quality Improvement programme over the next 10 years.
Tātaritanga me ngā
tohutohu
Analysis and advice
15. Implementation of the water quality improvement targeted rate will
be achieved through five work programmes.
16. The
budget, key objectives of each work programme and some highlights from October
to December 2018 (the second quarter) are briefly summarised in Table 1 below.
Table 1 –
Update on activities for the water quality targeted rate work programmes
|
Work programme –
objectives and highlights
|
Budget
|
|
Western Isthmus water
quality improvement programme
Key objective: The primary benefit of this work will be to reduce
waste water overflows into Waitematā Harbour and reduce stormwater volumes into Manukau
Harbour. The project will reduce offensive beach litter, remove permanent
closure of Meola Reef and Cox’s Beach and reduce other intermittent
beach closures in this area.
This workstream is
led by Watercare in partnership with Auckland Council’s Healthy Waters.
Watercare will provide $412 million of additional funding from user charges
for infrastructure upgrades. Watercare’s $412 million contribution will
support infrastructure works in the western isthmus area to improve water
quality.
Core deliverables for
projects to be delivered through the targeted rate programme include:
· constructing new stormwater enhancements,
including separation of existing combined networks and the construction of
strategic consolidated outfalls.
· constructing stormwater treatment devices to
manage stormwater contaminants at targeted locations.
Highlights:
· St Marys Bay and Masefield Beach improvement
project. This project will significantly reduce the frequency of overflows
from the combined network at these two beaches.
Resource
consent for the project was granted on 9 November 2018. Four appeals to the
Environment Court have been received, with mediation between Auckland Council
and the appellants currently scheduled for late February 2019.
Construction
tenders for the project closed in January and a supplier is expected to be
appointed for the first phase of construction in March 2019.
Watercare
is leading investigations in St Mary’s Bay and Herne Bay catchments to
determine the best long-term approach to reducing the wastewater overflows in
this area.
· Daldy Street outfall. This project will relocate the existing outfall at
Daldy Street to the end of Brigham Street. This will improve water quality in
the Wynyard Basin and significantly reduce water quality alerts at the nearby
designated Safeswim site in the Viaduct Harbour.
The
resource consent for stage one of the project was lodged in October 2018,
with consent expected to be granted in late February 2019. A supplier
recommendation for the project will be provided to Strategic Procurement
Committee in March, with onsite works planned to start in May 2019.
Stage
two of the project is currently in the investigation phase and is looking at
stormwater treatment options, such as catchpit filters, gross pollutant traps
and raingardens throughout Freemans Bay.
· Picton Street stormwater network extension
project. This project
will construct new separate stormwater and wastewater networks, where a
combined area currently operates. This will reduce stormwater runoff to the
wastewater network and overflow volumes to the Wynyard Wharf outfall.
A
detailed design report is complete, and consultation has been undertaken with
the local community and mana whenua. A tender for construction was released
in November 2018 and closed on 5 February 2019. Resource consent has been
lodged, and the affected landowners are being notified. Construction is
expected to commence in May 2019 and will be completed around November 2020.
· Waterview separation works: Healthy Waters is leading design work in
Waterview to extend and upgrade the existing public stormwater network and
outfalls to Waterview Inlet, in order to separate the currently combined
drainage network. Private drainage investigations to confirm the number of
properties that are currently connected to the combined network have been
completed. About 400 houses will require separation works.
The
project is currently at the concept design stage. Arboricultural (trees),
geotechnical and topographical surveys will start in early 2019 to inform the
design. Planned construction start for Waterview at this stage is June 2020,
with completion by June 2022.
|
Ten years
$361m
2018/2019
$10.5m
|
|
Contaminant reduction
programme
Key objective: This
programme will reduce the amount of litter, sediment and road pollutants
entering waterways.
In rural
areas, the primary focus will be on sediment reduction by reducing streambank
erosion. Approximately $15 million over ten years is allocated to address
sediment in Kaipara, a predominantly rural area where water quality is
affected by agriculture and forestry. In urban areas, the focus of the programme will be on
the capture of both gross pollutants (i.e. litter) and the multiple
contaminants from heavily trafficked roads.
Delivery of
existing projects continues to be on track, with a number of new projects
being scoped. Local board feedback on potential projects that could be
delivered through this work programme is being considered.
Highlights:
· A regional modelling tool is being developed
to identify the highest areas of contamination across the region. This
information will enable council to target pollution ‘hotspots’.
The first draft list of high priority areas identified through the model is
now due in March 2019.
· Healthy Waters and Housing Land and
Communities (formerly Tāmaki Regeneration Company) have identified a
project to retrofit stormwater treatment devices in Glen Innes. It will be
delivered as part of a partner funding arrangement, of which $1.8 million
will come from the targeted rate.
|
Ten years:
$54m
2018/2019:
$4.3m
|
|
Urban and rural
stream rehabilitation projects
Key objective: Improve
ecological health of streams and reduce flow of contaminants into harbours.
This programme will reduce and manage streambank erosion across the region.
Delivery of
existing projects continues to be on track, with a number of new projects
being scoped.
Highlights:
· An additional $200,000 was allocated to the
Waterways Protection Fund to support landowners in the Wairoa and Papakura
catchments to improve water quality. To date approximately $150,000 of this
has been allocated to projects. Staff are scoping other opportunities within
the area to be funded through the remaining $50,000.
· A tool is being developed to analyse erosion
risk and test where sedimentation is occurring and the ability of natural
stream beds to cope with this. It will be used to predict the best places for
urban growth to take place with the least impact on water quality.
· Local stream rehabilitation projects are
also being progressed in collaboration with community organisations. Current initiatives that are partly funded
by the targeted rate include Wai Care community water quality projects, a
partnership with the Whitebait Connection to restore whitebait habitat and a
partnership with Million Metres to support community riparian tree planting.
· Local boards were consulted on potential
water quality improvements projects to be delivered in their areas in
September and October 2018. Their feedback is currently being reviewed and
collated. This feedback will be taken into account before final stream
rehabilitation projects to be delivered in each area are confirmed.
|
Ten years:
$22.3m
2018/2019:
$0.2m
|
|
Septic tanks and
onsite wastewater systems
Key objective: Develop a compliance programme to ensure private
onsite wastewater systems are regularly inspected and maintained to reduce
the amount of wastewater entering our waterways.
Highlights:
· Database development: An interim database has been created to identify over
40,000 properties with onsite wastewater systems across the region. A
business case for a permanent database has also been approved.
· Education: Targeted education materials have
been developed for property owners with onsite wastewater systems. Materials
will be sent to those living in coastal areas in early 2019.
· Targeted compliance pilots: A pilot compliance and
monitoring programme was run for 132 properties in the catchment of Piha
South Lagoon last year. Water quality monitoring to measure the results of
this pilot will be completed by the second quarter of 2019. This will help
quantify the impact of the pilot on water quality in the area. Another
targeted compliance initiative will start in Little Oneroa on Waiheke Island
in February 2019, building on lessons learnt from the Piha pilot. An online
checklist app is being developed for contractors making onsite wastewater
inspections.
· Consultation in the annual plan:
Consultation on ending the septic tank pump out targeted rate and associated
service in the legacy Waitākere City Council area was approved by the
Finance and Performance Committee in December 2018. Consultation will take
place from February to March 2019.
· Review of incentive schemes: In December
2018, an independent review was completed on the effectiveness of several
financial incentives schemes that were piloted to encourage homeowners to
upgrade onsite wastewater systems in the catchments of west coast and
Little Oneroa lagoons over the last few years. The review found that these
incentives had low up-take for a range of reasons, including financial
barriers. The review recommended that future financial incentives comprise
more substantial grants (25-50 per cent of the cost of upgrades) in targeted,
high impact areas.
|
Ten years:
$9m
2018/2019:
$0.2m
|
|
Safe Networks
Key objective: Investigate
and eliminate sources of faecal overflows from the stormwater system which
cause increased public health risk at the region’s Safeswim sites. A
variety of investigative methods are used to achieve this objective.
Highlights:
· Council’s existing safe networks programme has
been scaled up to conduct sampling at stormwater outlets and streams at
Safeswim sites where elevated health risks for contact recreation have been
identified.
· Safe Networks investigations have made significant
progress during the 2018 winter around the areas of Glen Innes, Takapuna, Red
Beach, Piha, Meadowbank and along some of the northern Manukau beaches. The investigations
have included a combination of water sampling, smoke testing, dye testing,
closed circuit television (CCTV) and manual inspections. These will identify
location-specific problems that contribute to faecal contamination of
stormwater. This information will enable the council and Watercare to develop
solutions to make these beaches safer for swimming.
|
Ten years:
$5m
2018/2019:
$0.5m
|
17. In
summary, delivery of the work programmes is on track, with significant progress
towards delivering a number of major infrastructure projects in the second
quarter of 2018/2019.
18. Timelines
for delivery of the major stormwater infrastructure projects that are focused
on improving water quality in the city centre before the America’s Cup
are tight. These projects are currently on track but delays to consenting or
procurement processes may still mean they cannot be delivered by late 2020.
19. Maps
showing safe network investigations, current and proposed healthy waters
capital works projects that will contribute to water quality outcomes are
provided in Attachment A.
Ngā whakaaweawe me
ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera
Council group impacts and views
20. Successful
achievement of water quality targeted rate outcomes requires collaboration
between Auckland Council, Watercare and other members of the council family.
21. The work
programmes have been developed in collaboration with the wider council group. This
approach ensures that the most critical issues for the health of
Auckland’s waters, which were not covered through existing work
programmes, are being addressed through the targeted rate.
22. There are
two work programmes that are being delivered jointly by Auckland
Council’s Healthy Waters team and Watercare. These are:
· The
western isthmus water quality improvement programme, which will involve
significant collaboration to reduce wastewater overflows. This
workstream is being delivered in partnership with Watercare who will provide
$412 million of additional funding for infrastructure upgrades. These upgrades,
together with the Central Interceptor project, will enable Watercare to reach
their targets for the frequency and volume of wastewater spills per annum.
· The safe
networks programme, which involves investigations and remediation of both the
stormwater and wastewater networks to reduce bacterial contamination. This
programme is run by Healthy Waters and works in collaboration with
Watercare’s inflow and infiltration programme, which has similar goals.
This Inflow and Infiltration programme is funded from Watercare’s
operational budget.
23. At
the same time, Watercare is also starting work on its Central
Interceptor project, which includes the Grey Lynn
tunnel extension that runs from Western Springs to Grey Lynn. Due diligence is
currently underway with the preferred bidder, with construction due to commence
in mid-2019. The Central Interceptor, including the Grey Lynn Tunnel, will cost
in the order of $1.2b. The Grey Lynn Tunnel extension, which forms part
of the Central Interceptor project, will help Auckland Council and Watercare
achieve the key objectives of the Western Isthmus Water Quality Improvement
Programme.
24. Watercare has had the benefit of reviewing this report prior to it
being provided to the Environment and Community Committee and agrees with and
supports the report.
Ngā whakaaweawe
ā-rohe me ngā tirohanga a te poari ā-rohe
Local impacts and local board views
25. Staff
held workshops with all local boards from September to October 2018 on the
water quality improvement targeted rate work programmes. At these workshops
local boards were presented with a list of potential water quality improvement
projects to be delivered in their area. Local boards also provided informal
feedback on priorities for their area.
26. In
general, key themes arising from local board feedback include:
· Concerns
relating to the impact of growth on waterways, particularly sediment run-off
from development.
· Support
for local stream restoration projects in their board area.
· Concerns
relating to wastewater overflows at popular recreational beaches and a desire
to see these urgently resolved.
27. Staff are
currently reviewing this feedback and will use it to shape the programme of
projects that will be delivered through the water quality targeted rate in each
board area.
Tauākī whakaaweawe
Māori
Māori impact statement
28. Auckland Council is working closely with mana whenua to develop the
overall water quality targeted rate work programme. During the last quarter,
staff presented to the Mana Whenua Kaitiaki forum on the water quality targeted
rate work programme.
29. Forum members provided feedback that was generally supportive of the
targeted rate work programme. They requested that council staff work with the
Natural Environment Pou of the forum to identify more opportunities for
Māori outcomes to be delivered through the rate.
30. Staff are
also engaging with Māori on specific projects being delivered through the
rate. For example, iwi have been involved in extensive consultation on the St
Mary’s Bay and Masefield Beach water quality improvement project since
its inception through a formal mana whenua Project Working Group. This approach has resulted in the design of the project being
consistent with mana whenua aspirations and iwi support for the Resource
Consent application.
Ngā ritenga
ā-pūtea
Financial implications
31. Budget
expenditure on the targeted rate has been phased as shown below in Table 2.
Table
2 – Phased budget across water quality targeted rate work
programmes
|
Work programme
|
Year One 2018/2019
(thousands)
|
Year Two 2019/2020
(thousands)
|
Year Three 2020/2021
(thousands)
|
Years 4 to 10 2021/2022 to 2027/2028
(thousands)
|
Total
(thousands)
|
|
Western
isthmus programme
|
$10,471
|
$28,169
|
$32,714
|
$289,563
|
$360,917
|
|
Contaminant
reduction
|
$4,341
|
$5,000
|
$5,500
|
$39,409
|
$54,250
|
|
Urban
and rural streams
|
$204
|
$2,233
|
$1,805
|
$18,067
|
$22,309
|
|
Safe
networks
|
$509
|
$519
|
$529
|
$4,013
|
$5,570
|
|
Septic
tanks and onsite wastewater
|
$209
|
$311
|
$423
|
$8,416
|
$9,359
|
|
Total
|
$15,734
|
$36,232
|
$40,971
|
$359,468
|
$452,405
|
32. In
the first six months of 2018/2019 approximately $4 million has been spent on
delivery of water quality improvement targeted rate work programmes. This is
$1.4 million ahead of forecast expenditure for this time period of $2.7
million. This reflects the good progress made on various major infrastructure
projects, such as St Mary’s Bay and Picton Street.
Ngā raru tūpono me
ngā whakamaurutanga
Risks and mitigations
33. Some key risks
that have been identified to successful delivery of the water quality targeted
rate work programmes are identified below, along with proposed mitigations in
Table 3.
Table 3 – Risks
and proposed mitigations
|
Risks
|
Mitigation
|
|
Successful
achievement of water quality targeted rate outcomes requires collaboration
between Auckland Council, Watercare and other members of the council family.
|
Auckland
Council is working closely with Watercare to progress delivery of water
quality targeted rate projects, Healthy Waters is also collaborating with
Auckland Transport, Panuku and other council teams.
|
|
Compressed
timeline for delivery of major infrastructure projects before the
America’s Cup creates a risk that projects may not be completed by late
2020. Regulatory and consenting processes may cause delays to project
delivery.
|
Council is
prioritising delivery of these infrastructure projects. Design, consenting
and procurement processes are being progressed with urgency. However, some
regulatory processes, including appeals, may still cause delays.
|
|
Limited
contractor capacity to deliver major capital works projects.
|
Early
engagement with contractors and use of strategic procurement approach to
encourage participation in tenders. Procurement of some works will be bundled
together to reduce barriers to tendering and give contractors certainty of
supply.
|
Ngā koringa ā-muri
Next steps
34. As
outlined above, some of the top priorities in 2018/2019 will be to:
· Progress
delivery of key infrastructure upgrades project, such as the St Mary’s
Bay and Masefield Beach, Picton Street separation and Daldy Street outfall
projects.
· Continue
engagement with local boards and community groups to confirm programme of
stream restoration projects that will be delivered across the region.
· Continue
investigations through the safe networks programme to identify sources of
pollution at popular recreational swimming beaches and resolve these.
· Compile first draft of contaminant hot spots using the regional
modelling tool being developed to identify the highest areas of contamination
across the region
· Undertake
the onsite wastewater compliance and monitoring pilot in Little Oneroa, Waiheke
and develop an online app for wastewater inspections.
35. The next
update on the water quality targeted rate will be provided in April 2019.
Ngā tāpirihanga
Attachments
|
No.
|
Title
|
Page
|
|
a⇩ 
|
Water Quality Targeted Rate Q2 Maps - Funded Projects
and SafeNetworks Programme for 2018/2019
|
61
|
Ngā kaihaina
Signatories
|
Authors
|
Craig McIlroy, Healthy Waters General Manager
|
|
Authorisers
|
Barry Potter - Director Infrastructure and
Environmental Services
Dean Kimpton - Chief Operating Officer
|
|
Environment
and Community Committee
12 February
2019
|
|
|
Environment
and Community Committee
12 February
2019
|
|
|
Environment
and Community Committee
12 February
2019
|
|
Submission on New Zealand's possible
assession to IMO Treaty MARPOL Annex VI: Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships
File No.: CP2019/00041
Te take mō te
pūrongo
Purpose of the report
1. To
seek endorsement of Auckland Council’s submission to the Ministry of
Transport in support of New Zealand’s accession to MARPOL Annex VI:
Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships.
Whakarāpopototanga matua
Executive summary
2. Ships
that burn low-grade fuel produce significant emissions – including
sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides, particulates, heavy metals and carbon
emissions – while visiting ports throughout New Zealand. These emissions
are known to cause negative health impacts.
3. The
International Maritime Organisations (IMO) treaty – International
Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL): Annex VI
– seeks to reduce a range of air quality impacts caused by ships.
There are currently 91 Annex VI member states, including Australia and many of
our pacific island neighbours. More than 96 per cent of New Zealand’s
trade is carried by ships registered to member states.
4. The
Ministry of Transport is seeking submissions on a discussion document that
considers New Zealand’s possible accession to Annex VI of MARPOL[1].
Annex VI seeks to”
· limit
emissions of sulphur oxide and nitrogen oxide from ship exhaust
· prohibit
emissions of ozone depleting substances
· reduce
GHG emissions through implementation of energy efficiency measures.
5. Compliance
with the regulations will require ships over 400 gross tonnes to transition, by
2020, from using residual fuel with a sulphur content of 3.5 per cent to either
low sulphur residual fuel containing no more than 0.5 per cent sulphur, or to
diesel.
6. Low
sulphur fuels will incur higher costs in the short term but are expected to be
countered by fuel savings long term. Fuel availability is also a consideration
but is not yet well understood.
7. In Auckland, emissions occur near to where large numbers of people
live, work and play. Air quality monitoring indicates that people can be
exposed to concentrations of sulphur dioxide from shipping emissions that
exceed health-based national standards. Emissions inventories also show that
emissions of pollutants from ships at-berth are equivalent to emissions from
tens of thousands of motor vehicles.
8. Shipping is also a large and growing source of greenhouse gas
emissions, contributing 2.2 per cent globally[2].
In Auckland, ships emit 91,705 tonnes of CO2 annually[3].
9. Local control of shipping emissions is prevented by national
regulation, although local technology solutions are being investigated. The
impact of new technology will likely be limited by ship compatibility (e.g. not
all ships are shore power capable) and voluntary participation of ship
operators.
10. Policy and action to reduce shipping emissions at a national level
is necessary to meet local and national health and climate commitments. It is
also needed at a national level to ensure consistency and an even playing field
for all New Zealand ports. For example, the Port of
Auckland (POAL) may have a competitive disadvantage if more
expensive energy options were mandated only in Auckland compared to other
region ports.
11. Auckland
Council’s submission (Attachment A) supports New Zealand’s
accession to MARPOL Annex VI and answers several questions asked in the
discussion document.
|
Ngā tūtohunga
Recommendation/s
That the Environment and
Community Committee:
a) endorse
the Auckland Council submission to the Ministry of Transport in support of
New Zealand’s accession to MARPOL Annex VI: Prevention of Air Pollution
from Ships contained in Attachment A of the agenda report.
|
Horopaki
Context
What is being considered?
1. MARPOL
is the main international convention covering prevention of pollution of the
marine environment by ships from operational and accidental causes[4]. It contains six
annexes covering: oil (Annex I), noxious liquid substances (Annex II), packaged
substances (Annex III), sewage (IV), garbage (V), and air (VI).
2. For
MARPOL member states, two of the annexes are compulsory (Annex I and II) and
four are optional. New Zealand has acceded to four of the six annexes with the
two outstanding annexes relating to sewage (IV) and air (VI).
3. This
consultation process relates specifically to New Zealand’s accession to
Annex VI Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships which came into force in May
2005.
4. Annex
VI seeks to address impacts on human health, port communities, climate change
and ozone depletion from maritime pollution by:
· setting
limits on sulphur oxide and nitrogen oxide emissions from ship exhausts,
· prohibiting
deliberate emissions of ozone depleting substances, and
· mandating
technical and operational efficiency measures to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions.
5. The
regulations apply to all ships over 400 gross tonnes that:
· are
registered to a member state (must comply even when visiting the port of a
non-member state), or
· visit
a port of a member state (regardless of whether the ship is registered to a
member state).
6. If
New Zealand accedes to Annex VI, ships will have to do one of the following to
comply:
· use
0.5 per cent sulphur residual fuel, which could be more expensive as it may be
difficult to source, or
· switch
to diesel which is more expensive than residual fuel and may require the
recalibration of engines, or
· upgrade
to newer ships that are more fuel efficient or that are fitted with abatement
technology.
Why is this important for Auckland?
12. Auckland
is highly reliant on shipping for the import and export of goods and key
commodities. The cruise industry is also a key contributor to
New Zealand’s tourism trade, bringing more than 170,000 people to our
shores each year[5].
13. Auckland’s port is located on the shores of the CBD near to
where large numbers of people live, work and play. Air quality monitoring in
this area indicated that people can be exposed to concentrations of sulphur
dioxide (SO2) from shipping emissions that exceed health based
national standards.
14. These findings are supported by emissions inventories that provide
an indication of the scale of pollution generated by ships at the waterfront.
They show ships at-berth emit 6.5 times the SO2 emitted by
Auckland’s entire motor vehicle fleet and are the largest source of SO2
in the region. Further, shipping emissions of nitrogen oxide and PM2.5 are
equivalent to 4.7 and 15.3 per cent respectively when compared with
Auckland’s entire motor vehicle fleet.
15. Shipping is also a large and growing source of greenhouse gas
emissions, contributing 2.2% globally[6].
In Auckland, ships, ferries and port vessels combined emit 96,364 tonnes of CO2
annually with 80% attributed to ships[7]
16. Anticipated growth in freight (200% by 2040) and passenger (40% by
2030) ship visits, increasing size of ships, and the growing number of
international events hosted by Auckland[8],
are likely to result in a corresponding increase in air pollutant and GHG
emissions.
Auckland Council’s commitments
17. Auckland Council is committed to acting on climate change and
protecting human health.
18. In February 2018, the Environment and Community Committee agreed
that Auckland Council will facilitate the development of Auckland’s
Climate Action Plan. In November 2018, the committee unanimously endorsed the
associated regional target of limiting temperature increase to 1.5oC.
19. Since
2016, Auckland Council has been Convenor of the Harbour Emissions Stakeholder
Group (HESG) comprising a cross-sector membership that seeks to reduce GHG
emissions and health impacts from ship emissions and support energy resilience
in the harbour environment.
20. HESG
members are involved in a range of activities that include:
· monitoring
and research to grow our understanding of shipping emissions impacts (Council
and POAL)
· investigating
technological solutions to reduce at-berth emissions, e.g. shore power (POAL)
· consideration
of national policy instruments, i.e. MARPOL Annex VI (MoT).
21. Auckland
Council also has a regulatory responsibility under the Resource Management Act
to protect human health.
Tātaritanga me ngā
tohutohu
Analysis and advice
What are the implications of MARPOL Annex VI on shipping?
22. Compliance
with Annex VI is likely to increase costs for shipping operators in the short
term. The price hierarchy for fuel from lowest to highest is: standard 3.5 per
cent sulphur fuel oil; low sulphur fuel oil (0.5 per cent); then diesel.
23. Marsden
Point oil refinery currently produces fuel oil containing 3.5 per cent sulphur
for the domestic fleet and visiting ships. It also produces marine diesel (in
addition to some being imported). Low sulphur fuel oil would have to be
imported.
24. The
impact on fuel availability is unclear, however, MoT anticipates a shift to
diesel from fuel oil if adequate supply of low sulphur fuel oil cannot be
sourced.
25. These
impacts will still be felt to some degree from 2020 when the regulations come
into force globally, even if New Zealand does not accede. Visiting ships will
still need to comply when visiting New Zealand and require low sulphur fuel
while here. Our coastal fleet will also have to comply when visiting member
states for maintenance and repair.
What are the benefits for Auckland?
Air quality and health
26. Distillate
fuels such as diesel are much cleaner and better for the environment and human
health. If ships comply with MARPOL Annex VI regulations, SO2
emissions from ships could be reduced by 75%[9].
Sulphate particulate emissions will also decrease. Likewise, fuel efficiency measures resulting in lower fuel
consumption will reduce emissions of all pollutants.
27. These reductions would likely improve health outcomes for thousands
of Aucklanders living, working and visiting in the city centre.
International
reputation and trade
28. New
Zealand is heavily reliant on international shipping to move 98 per cent of
imports and exports. As a MARPOL member state, we are afforded the opportunity
to influence regulatory developments that affect trade, safety, security, and
environmental protection.
29. Internationally
96 percent of maritime trade is carried on ships registered to states that have
acceded to Annex VI (Party States). This includes almost all of New
Zealand’s maritime trade.
30. New
Zealand is one of the few coastal trading states that have yet to accede to
Annex VI. There are currently 91 Party States, including 30 of the 36 OECD
countries. Party States also include many of our trading neighbours such as
Australia, the Cook Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Samoa, Niue and Vanuatu[10].
31. Tourism
is a key contributor to Auckland’s economy and many visitors get their
first impression of Auckland and New Zealand on Auckland’s waterfront. Visual impacts of ship plumes may pose a risk to our ‘clean
green’ reputation as Auckland’s waterfront is often a first
destination.
Summary of benefits
32 New
Zealand’s accession to MARPOL Annex VI will:
· positively affect the scale of impact needed to meet
Auckland’s health and climate commitments
· improve health outcomes for thousands of Aucklanders living, working
and visiting in the city centre
· ensure an even playing field for New Zealand ports that does not
impact on Auckland’s competitiveness
· keep in step with our neighbours and trading partners and be able to
influence global decisions that will impact our climate goals, trade and
reputation
· compliment and build on Auckland’s commitment to the C40
Cities Fossil Fuel Free Streets declaration
· drive
tourism by demonstrating our valuing of the environment and
our people
· mandate compliance monitoring of the shipping industry.
Ngā whakaaweawe me
ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera
Council group impacts and views
33. Auckland
Council CCOs that participate in the Harbour Emissions Stakeholder Group (HESG)
were consulted during the submission development. These include Auckland
Tourism Events and Economic Development (ATEED) and Auckland Transport (AT).
34. ATEED is
party to the submission and its views have been incorporated.
35. The Ports
of Auckland also participate in the HESG. Their intention is to contribute to a
joint national ports Chief Executive Group submission.
Ngā whakaaweawe
ā-rohe me ngā tirohanga a te poari ā-rohe
Local impacts and local board views
36. The
submission timeline presents a challenge in gathering a complete understanding
of local board views. However, the Chief Sustainability Office has held
workshops with nearly all local boards on the development of Auckland’s
climate action plan.
37. Feedback
from Waitemata Local Board, the most impacted by shipping
emissions, emphasised that big emissions reduction shifts in transport and
energy are needed; acceding to Annex VI would help such shifts, as well as,
provide health benefits for many residents more directly affected by current emissions.
Tauākī whakaaweawe
Māori
Māori impact statement
38. Climate change, including carbon and emission of other pollutants,
will affect areas over which Māori have kaitiakitanga; impacting
ecosystems, shaping community vulnerability and resilience, and linking to
economic outcomes. New Zealand acceding to Annex VI will help reduce
emissions and impacts, particularly for those areas of downtown Auckland and
the Waitematā more closely located to the POAL.
Ngā ritenga
ā-pūtea
Financial implications
39. There
will be no costs incurred by Auckland Council either from the implementation
process or in compliance with the treaty.
40. Costs are
likely to be incurred by Maritime New Zealand who will be responsible for
monitoring and compliance against the regulations.
41. Ports of
Auckland own the Awanuia – a residual fuel tanker that will be subject to
the Annex VI regulations should New Zealand accede. However, as the Awanuia is
contracted to Z Energy additional fuel costs will be borne by that company
rather than POAL.
Ngā raru tūpono me
ngā whakamaurutanga
Risks and mitigations
Risks if New Zealand accedes
42. There may
be risks associated with low sulphur fuel availability and these are currently
not well understood at a government level. For example, it is not known how
increased demand for diesel globally will impact the price of diesel for
motorists. The purpose of the consultation process is for the Ministry of
Transport to better understand the issues to enable an informed decision.
43. The price
of goods may increase with the increase in fuel costs if suppliers choose to
pass those costs along.
44. It should
be noted that these risks exist to some degree even if New Zealand does not
accede to Annex VI as nearly all ships that visit New Zealand will have to
comply from 2020 regardless. Also, New Zealand coastal fleet will have to
comply when visiting member states for maintenance and repair.
Risks
if New Zealand does not accede
45. Not
acceding to Annex VI may increase the risk to being out of step with our
trading partners and neighbours, as well as, potentially damage New
Zealand’s credibility in global climate negotiations.
46. Additionally,
poor health outcomes will be exacerbated, particularly with population and
economic growth.
Ngā koringa ā-muri
Next steps
47. The
submission will be submitted to Ministry of Transport by the deadline of 15
February 2019.
48. A
Parliamentary Select Committee will consider the National Interest Analysis
(NIA) and MARPOL treaty text and then report back to the House of Representatives
in Quarter 2, 2019.
49. The House
of Representatives considered the NIA and treaty text in Quarter 2, 2019.
50. Government
agencies will then complete work on regulatory amendments required to implement
the treaty in domestic law in Quarter 3, 2020.
51. New
Zealand deposits the instrument of accession with IMO in Quarter 4, 2020.
52. Annex VI
comes into force for New Zealand three months after depositing instrument of
accession in Quarter 1, 2021.
Ngā tāpirihanga
Attachments
|
No.
|
Title
|
Page
|
|
a⇩
|
Submission on New Zealand's accession to MARPOL Annex
VI
|
71
|
Ngā kaihaina
Signatories
|
Author
|
Lauren Simpson - Principal Sustainability &
Resilience Advisor
|
|
Authorisers
|
Jacques Victor – General Manager Auckland
Plan Strategy and Research
Jim Quinn - Chief of Strategy
Dean Kimpton - Chief Operating Officer
|
|
Environment
and Community Committee
12 February
2019
|
|
|
Environment and
Community Committee
12 February
2019
|
|
Retrospective approval for Submission on
Child and Youth Wellbeing and Strategy and Proposed Outcomes Framework
File No.: CP2019/00068
Te
take mō te pūrongo
Purpose of the report
1. To
seek the Environment and Community Committee’s retrospective approval for
Auckland Council’s submission to the government on the Child and Youth
Wellbeing Strategy – Proposed Outcomes Framework (the Framework).
Whakarāpopototanga matua
Executive summary
2. In
November 2018, the government requested submissions on the Child and Youth
Wellbeing Strategy – Proposed Outcomes Framework.
3. On
12 December 2018, the council made a submission to the government on the
Framework.
4. The
submission is in general support of the Framework, and recommends the
following:
· a
stronger focus on Māori, by including it as a stand-alone outcome domain
· places
more significance on reducing inequities across all outcome areas
· enhanced
emphasis on the importance of creativity and innovation
· consideration
of the explicit influence of mental health as a determinant of wellbeing
· puts
a greater focus on harm reduction and access to alcohol, drugs, and gambling.
5. Due
to the closing date for the submission, receiving prior committee approval was
not possible. Elected members, including local board members and the
Independent Maori Statuary Board, had the opportunity to provide feedback on
the draft submission.
6. The
final submission incorporating feedback was signed off by the Chair of the
Environment and Community Committee.
7. There
are no risks associated with approving the submission.
|
Ngā tūtohunga
Recommendation/s
That the Environment and
Community Committee:
a) retrospectively
approve the council’s submission on the Child and Youth Wellbeing
Strategy – Proposed Outcomes Framework.
|
Horopaki
Context
8. In February 2018 the
government introduced the Child Poverty Reduction Bill to Parliament, requiring
the government to develop a strategy and framework. In November 2018 the
government released and requested submissions on the Child and Youth Wellbeing
Strategy – Proposed Outcomes Framework (Attachment A).
9. The
Framework is envisioned to help New Zealand meet its international obligations
relating to children, including those in the United Nations Convention on the
Rights of a Child.
Tātaritanga me ngā
tohutohu
Analysis and advice
10. The
council’s submission is in general support of the Framework and its
desired outcomes for children and young people (Attachment B). Auckland
represents a third of all children and young people in New Zealand many of who
live in poverty.
11. The
Framework aligns well with the Auckland Plan outcomes, as well as, I am
Auckland, the Council’s strategic plan for children and young people.
12. The
council recommends that the Framework:
i) strengthen the
focus on Māori, by including it as a stand-alone outcome domain
ii) places greater focus on
reducing inequities across all outcome areas, by substantially improving the
situation of those most disadvantaged
iii) could enhance the
emphasis on the importance of creativity and innovation, access to arts and
culture and the role of sport and recreation
iv) needs to provide more focus
on housing affordability, physical and emotional safety and security
v) considers the explicit
importance of mental health as a determinant of child and youth wellbeing
vi) highlights the need for
accessible, affordable, and active transport, as a key enabler to children and
young people’s participation and inclusion
vii) needs to focus on adults’
role to care and protect the environment, so that our children can enjoy a
healthy environment and a sustainable future
viii) puts a greater focus on harm
reduction relating to access of alcohol, drugs and gambling by providing
stronger regulations, as well as adolescent appropriate treatment addiction and
mental health services
ix) is underpinned by a
comprehensive and well-resourced action plan and evaluation framework, with
adequate funding for services at the local level
x) provides for a more
collective approach between government agencies, local government and
communities to achieving sustainable solutions and outcomes.
Ngā whakaaweawe me
ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera
Council group impacts and views
13. The draft submission was
shared and discussed with relevant council staff and CCOs.
Ngā whakaaweawe
ā-rohe me ngā tirohanga a te poari ā-rohe
Local impacts and local board views
14. The
draft submission was circulated to all local board members for feedback, a
drop-in session was also provided. Feedback was incorporated into the
submission.
Tauākī whakaaweawe
Māori
Māori impact statement
15. Māori children
experience disproportionate poverty in Auckland and live in households with
lower than average income levels.
16. The
submission recommends greater focus on the need to address inequalities and
socio-economic disparity experienced by Māori tamariki and their whānau.
Ngā ritenga
ā-pūtea
Financial implications
17. There
are no financial implications arising from approving the submission.
Ngā raru tūpono me
ngā whakamaurutanga
Risks and mitigations
18. There
are no risks arising from approving the submission.
Ngā koringa ā-muri
Next steps
19. There are
no further next steps associated with approving this submission.
Ngā tāpirihanga
Attachments
|
No.
|
Title
|
Page
|
|
a⇩ 
|
Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy and Proposed
Outcome Framework
|
91
|
|
b⇩ 
|
Council's Submission to government
|
93
|
Ngā kaihaina
Signatories
|
Author
|
Quanita Khan - Principal Policy Analyst
|
|
Authorisers
|
Kataraina Maki – General Manager - Community
& Social Policy
Dean Kimpton - Chief Operating Officer
|
|
Environment
and Community Committee
12 February
2019
|
|
|
Environment
and Community Committee
12 February
2019
|
|
|
Environment
and Community Committee
12 February
2019
|
|
|
Environment and
Community Committee
12 February
2019
|
|
Approval of a discussion document for
informal public consultation on inter-regional marine pest pathway management
File No.: CP2019/00107
Te take mō te
pūrongo
Purpose of the report
1. To
approve the discussion document for an inter-regional marine pest pathway
management plan, ahead of informal public consultation between March and May
2019.
Whakarāpopototanga matua
Executive summary
2. Auckland
Council staff have participated in the development of a discussion document for
an inter-regional marine pest management plan through the Top of the North
Marine Biosecurity Partnership (a group composed of councils from the upper
North Island, Department of Conservation and Ministry for Primary Industries).
3. The
discussion document (see Attachment A) is intended for informal consultation
with the public and key stakeholders to help the partnership understand their
views on how to prevent the introduction and spread of marine pests. This is an
initial step towards creating a plan that may regulate activities that can
introduce or spread marine pest species.
4. The
discussion document focuses on managing the risk of spreading marine pest
species through vessel hull-fouling[11],
which presents the highest risk of spreading marine pests in the upper North
Island region. The document also includes options to develop rules for other
pathways such as ballast water, aquaculture, bilge water and marine equipment.
5. The
informal public consultation is planned to take place between March and May
2019. The consultation will be run through the Bionet website
with the option to host on regional council websites. Engagement will be
promoted through media releases, digital advertisements, social media and
stakeholder workshops as required. Engagement will target key stakeholders
such as mana whenua, the marine industry and recreational boat users.
6. Feedback
received through the consultation process will be collated, analysed and
reported back to participating councils, including recommendations on next
steps. Staff expect to present this report to the Environment and Community
Committee in July 2019.
|
Ngā tūtohunga
Recommendation/s
That the Environment and
Community Committee:
a) approve
the discussion document for informal consultation on inter-regional marine
pest pathway management.
b) note
that the analysis of feedback received through the consultation process and
recommended next steps will be presented to the Environment and Community
Committee in July 2019.
|
Horopaki
Context
7. The
development of a discussion document for an inter-regional marine pest pathway
management plan through the Top of the North Marine Biosecurity Partnership was
endorsed by the Upper North Island Strategic Alliance (UNISA)[12] of councils in late 2017.
8. On
31 May 2018, a memorandum was sent to the Environment and Community Committee
advising that Auckland Council would participate in the development of this
discussion document.
9. This
information memorandum included information on:
· the
need to address the threat of marine pest species as the upper North Island is
a high-risk region for the introduction and spread of marine pests
· central
government, regional and unitary council statutory responsibilities and
available management tools under the Biosecurity Act 1993 and the Resource
Management Act 1991. This overview included reference to marine biosecurity
provisions in council’s Unitary Plan
· the
Top of the North Marine Biosecurity Partnership (including its purpose,
participating partners, broader operational framework including monitoring and
surveillance, research related to eradication and control methods, as well as,
behaviour change through education)
· different
options for Auckland to address marine biosecurity threats, summarised below:
o maintain
the status quo of limited intervention
o prepare
a discussion document for an inter-regional marine pathway management plan
through the Top of the North Marine Biosecurity Partnership (option chosen by
council)
o develop
a marine pest pathway management approach for the Auckland region only without
Top of the North partners
o wait
for a national marine pest pathway management plan.
10. On 3
December 2018, the Environment and Community Committee and Independent Māori
Statutory Board members were sent an update on the development of the
discussion document. Staff informed members that the Top of the North working
group intends to finalise a high-level discussion document in February and
March 2019 with informal public consultation planned between March and May
2019. Staff advised that they will present the high-level discussion document
to the Environment and Community Committee for its approval in February or
March 2019
Tātaritanga me ngā
tohutohu
Analysis and advice
11. A
discussion document has been prepared by a Top of the North Marine Biosecurity
working group comprising of marine biosecurity staff from Auckland Council,
Northland Regional Council, Waikato Regional Council and Bay of Plenty Regional
Council.
12. This
working group identified the following three options for managing pathways for
marine pests (included in the discussion document):
· Option
1. Lead the way with consistent rules for clean hulls - develop consistent
rules on managing hull-fouling across the four biggest boating regions –
Northland, Auckland, Waikato, and Bay of Plenty
· Option
2. Go even further – make rules for other pathways too - along
with rules for hull-fouling, develop rules for other pathways like ballast
water, aquaculture, bilge water and marine equipment
· Option
3. Wait for national rules - wait for the Ministry for Primary Industries to
develop a national ‘pathway’ approach for marine pests. Continue
our combined efforts on public education, but each region keeps its own rules
for managing marine pests.
13. The pros and cons associated with each option that have been considered
in the discussion document are listed in Table 1 below.
Table 1: Pros and cons for options to
manage pathways for marine pests
|
Option
|
Pros
|
Cons
|
|
Option 1.
Lead the way with consistent rules for clean hulls across the upper North
island
|
· Reduced risk of marine pest spread
· Long-term cost benefit of keeping pests out
· Systems in place to easily manage pest arrivals
· Easy to understand rules for marine industries
· Lead the way for a national pathway plan
|
· Eventually superseded by national pathway plan
· Increased cost to regions without hull surveillance
programmes (note: Auckland has the programmes so will not incur a cost)
· Increased cost for boat owners
· Inconsistent rules with other New Zealand regions
|
|
Option 2.
Make rules for other pathways too across the upper North Island
|
· Additional advantage to option 1 advantages in that
rules will address all the main risk pathways for marine invaders
|
· Increased costs of implementation
· Increased costs for marine businesses
· Longer timeframe for implementation
|
|
Option 3.
Wait for national rules
|
· Same rules for all regions
· National rules easier to clarify and communicate to
public and marine businesses
|
· Will take several years for rules to be developed
· Will not address risk of marine pests in near future
· National regulations may not suit some councils and
regions
|
14. The
working group subsequently focused on the identification of potential rules for
clean hulls, because fouling on boat hulls presents by far the biggest risk for
transferring marine pests in the upper North Island. Identified options for
clean hull rules included in the discussion document are:
· Option
1. Clean hull required at all times - all vessel hulls required to
have no more than a slime layer or barnacles at all times
· Option
2. Clean hull required only when moving - no more than a slime layer or
barnacles permitted when moving from one harbour or place to another. This rule
is already in place for Northland
· Option
3. Clean hull required only when moving to specially identified places - no
more than a slime layer or barnacles permitted when moving to specially
identified high value places.
15. The pros and cons associated with each clean hull option considered in
the discussion document are listed in Table 2 below.
Table 2: Pros and cons for
hull-fouling regulation options
|
Option
|
Pros
|
Cons
|
|
Option 1.
Clean hull required at all times
|
· Easy to understand
· Possible exceptions for immobile vessels
· Does not require a vessel identification system
|
· Will require significant compliance and monitoring
· Still a risk of marine pest transfer
|
|
Option 2.
Clean hull required only when moving
|
· Easier to achieve than Option 1
|
· Requires a vessel identification system to track
movement
· Requires mapping to identify the boundaries of movement
zones
· Harder to understand
|
|
Option 3.
Clean hull required only when moving to specially identified places
|
· Surveillance programmes can target ‘high value
places’.
|
· Only protects several identified places, other areas at
risk
· Requires additional resourcing to identify high value
places based on economic, environmental and cultural values.
|
16. Feedback on the options outlined in the discussion document will be sought
from key stakeholders through the informal consultation process between March
and May 2019. This feedback will be collated, analysed and reported back
to participating councils and the Upper North Island Strategic Alliance
(UNISA), and will include recommendations on next steps. Staff will present
this report to the Environment and Community Committee in July
2019.
Ngā whakaaweawe me
ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera
Council group impacts and views
17. Auckland
Council’s Biosecurity and Natural Environment Strategy units support the
contents of the discussion document and recommend releasing the document for
informal public consultation, because:
· it
will increase stakeholder and community understanding of issues around the
spread of marine pests, options to address these issues and potential future
responsibilities
· it
will help council understand public and key stakeholder views on how to prevent
the introduction and spread of marine pests
· the
development of a pathway management approach for marine pests is consistent
with council’s proposed Regional Pest Management Plan,council’s
marine biosecurity programme proposed under the natural environment targeted
rate and response to the SeaChange -Tai Timu Tai Pari Marine Spatial Plan[13].
18. Views
from relevant council-controlled organisations will also be sought as part of
the informal public and key stakeholder consultation process.
Ngā whakaaweawe
ā-rohe me ngā tirohanga a te poari ā-rohe
Local impacts and local board views
19. Biosecurity
staff are working with the Great Barrier, Rodney, and Waiheke Local Boards to
address marine biosecurity issues in their areas and have informally discussed
this initiative with these boards since it was endorsed by the Upper North
Island Strategic Alliance in 2017.
20. Franklin,
Great Barrier, Rodney and Waiheke Local Boards have expressed support for the
development of an inter-regional pathway management plan to manage spread of
marine pests through the consultation process for the development of
Auckland’s proposed Regional Pest Management Plan.
21. In
November 2018, all local boards were sent a memorandum informing them of the
development of a discussion document for an inter-regional marine pest pathway
management plan to manage marine pests, with specific reference to
opportunities for local boards to provide feedback. Local board engagement will
proceed as follows:
· channels
for consultation engagement will be provided to local boards to share with their
networks
· local
boards will receive a summary of consultation feedback and analysis, and will
be able to provide additional feedback by June 2019
· staff
will attend individual local board workshops to present the draft discussion
document in early 2019 upon request.
Tauākī whakaaweawe
Māori
Māori impact statement
22. Mana
whenua feedback was received through the proposed Regional Pest Management Plan
and the following iwi expressed a desire to include marine biosecurity in a
plan (either pathway or pest):
· Ngāti
Paoa
· Ngāti
Whātua o Kaipara
· Ngāti
Rehua
· Te
Runanga o Ngāti Whātua.
23. Biosecurity
staff presented at the 10 November 2017 Infrastructure and Environmental
Services mana whenua hui to introduce this initiative. Mana whenua expressed
general support for the development of an inter-regional marine pest pathway
management plan.
24. In
December 2018, members of the Independent Māori Statutory Board received
an update on the development of the discussion document for an inter-regional
marine pest pathway management plan and were informed about opportunities to
provide feedback.
Ngā ritenga
ā-pūtea
Financial implications
25. The
budget required for informal public consultation is approximately $42,000 and
it will be funded by the Natural Environment Targeted Rate 10-year budget for
marine biosecurity.
26. Progressing
any identified marine pest pathway management options
beyond the scope of this project will depend on feedback received through the
consultation process. Any financial implications arising from the outcomes
of consultation and proposed delivery will be reported on in July 2019.
Ngā raru tūpono me
ngā whakamaurutanga
Risks and mitigations
27. There are
no organisational risks arising from the consultation process. Any risks
associated with suggested next steps following consultation will be reported in
July 2019.
Ngā koringa ā-muri
Next steps
28. The next
steps and anticipated timelines for the development of the discussion document
and informal public consultation are outlined in Table 3 below.
Table 3. Anticipated timelines for the inter-regional
pest management plan informal public consultation process
|
Activity
|
Anticipated timeline
|
|
Participating councils
to seek approval from their elected members to release the discussion
document for public consultation
|
February-March 2019
|
|
Engagement plan to be
finalised through the Top of the North Marine Biosecurity working group
|
February-March 2019
|
|
Memo to local boards
and mana whenua with the final discussion document and plans for informal
public consultation
|
February-March 2019
|
|
Informal public and key
stakeholder consultation
|
March-May 2019
|
|
Analysis of feedback
received through the consultation process
|
June 2019
|
|
Results of the analysis
sent to local boards and mana whenua for their information and informal
feedback
|
June 2019
|
|
All feedback summarised
and next steps identified through the Top of the North Marine Biosecurity
working group
|
July 2019
|
|
Feedback and
recommended next steps reported back to participating councils, including
Environment and Community Committee and the Upper North Island Strategic
Alliance
|
July 2019
|
Ngā tāpirihanga
Attachments
|
No.
|
Title
|
Page
|
|
a⇩
|
Inter-regional pest management discussion document
|
115
|
Ngā kaihaina
Signatories
|
Authors
|
Samantha Happy – Senior Biosecurity Advisor
Marine
Sietse Bouma – Team Leader Natural Environment
Strategy Unit
Phil Brown – Biosecurity Manager
|
|
Authorisers
|
Dave Allen - Manager Natural Environment Strategy
Gael Ogilvie - General Manager Environmental Services
John Dunshea – Acting Director Infrastructure
and Environmental Services
Dean Kimpton - Chief Operating Officer
|
|
Environment
and Community Committee
12 February
2019
|
|
|
Environment and
Community Committee
12 February
2019
|
|
Auckland Council’s submission on
the proposed National Disaster Resilience Strategy: Rautaki Manawaroa
Aituā ā-Motu
File No.: CP2019/00576
Te take mō te
pūrongo
Purpose of the report
1. To
seek the Environment and Community Committee retrospective approval for
Auckland Council’s submission to the government on the proposed National
Disaster Resilience Strategy, as submitted to the Ministry for Civil Defence
& Emergency Management on 7 December 2018.
Whakarāpopototanga matua
Executive summary
2. The
current National Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Strategy developed
in 2008, expires on 9 April 2019. Its replacement, known as the National
Disaster Resilience Strategy (the proposed strategy) (see attachment A) is
developed and finalised through a formal process which includes formal
submissions. The submission period for the proposed strategy ran from 11
October – 7 December 2018.
3. Given
its broad nature and ambitious ‘over-arching intent for a resilient New
Zealand’, the proposed strategy requires broad collaboration across
Auckland to achieve the vision of the proposed strategy, including across the
Auckland Council family.
4. As
the proposed strategy’s intent is to enable and embed resilience across
the whole-of-society, it was considered more appropriate for this submission to
be approved by the Environment and Community Committee.
5. Development
of Auckland Council submission leveraged the networks of the Auckland Climate
Change Action Plan working group. However, this process meant the submission
was not available for the Environment and Community Committee to endorse at its
last meeting (4 December 2018). This report seeks retrospective approval from
the committee for Council’s submission on the proposed strategy (see
attachment B).
6. In
principle, Auckland Council supports the direction of the proposed strategy as
it aligns well with the Auckland Plan and more specifically, Auckland’s
CDEM Group Plan.
|
Ngā tūtohunga
Recommendation/s
That the Environment and
Community Committee:
a) retrospectively
approve the Council’s submission on the proposed National Disaster
Resilience Strategy.
|
Horopaki
Context
7. The
Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Act 2002 governs the operation of New
Zealand’s CDEM framework. The CDEM framework is comprised of the National
CDEM Strategy, the National CDEM Plan, CDEM Group Plans and non-legislative
guidelines.
8. The
CDEM Act provides for a National Strategy (of up to 10 years duration) to set
the Crown’s vision and long-term goals for CDEM in New Zealand, and the
objectives and measurable targets to achieve those goals. There is no provision
for the strategy to have directive powers, but the actions of the National
Director of CDEM, and CDEM Groups, such as Auckland, must not be inconsistent
with the intention of the strategy.
9. CDEM
Groups are established under the CDEM Act and are comprised of a region’s
local governing authorities. In Auckland context, as a unitary authority,
the CDEM Group committee is a statutory committee comprised of governing body
elected representatives, members of the Independent Māori Statutory Board,
with observers from key CDEM partners and stakeholders. The role of the CDEM
Group committee is to provide strategic direction and leadership across CDEM
key partners, stakeholders and communities. They are supported by a
coordinating executive group (CEG) made up of senior representatives from CDEM
agencies such as emergency services and the health sector. The CEG provides
strategic and operational advice to the CDEM Group Committee and council on
matters relating to its CDEM responsibilities.
10. The
current National CDEM Strategy developed in 2008, expires on 9 April 2019. The
public consultation period on the proposed National CDEM Strategy, known as the
National Disaster Resilience Strategy (the proposed strategy) ran from 11
October – 7 December 2018 (see attachment A).
11. Given
the proposed strategy’s broad nature and ‘over-arching intent for a
resilient New Zealand’, it is acknowledged that a broader collaborative
approach across the Auckland Council Group is needed to achieve the vision of
the proposed strategy.
12. As
the intent is to enable and embed resilience across whole-of-society, it was
considered more appropriate for this submission to be approved by the
Environment and Community Committee.
13. Due
to tight time constraints between the submission deadline (December 7) and the
wish for a consultation with the wider council group, Auckland Council’s
submission was not ready for approval at the 4 December 2018 Environment and
Community Committee meeting. This report seeks retrospective approval
from the committee for Auckland Council’s submission on the proposed
national strategy (see attachment B).
Tātaritanga me ngā
tohutohu
Analysis and advice
Difference
between the current and proposed national strategy
14. The proposed National Disaster Resilience Strategy (attachment A)
builds on the current strategy[14]
in several ways. It promotes actions to strengthen resilience across the six
key environments: social, cultural, economic, built, natural and governance.
15. However, the current strategy pre-dates lessons learned over the
past 16 years, including those learnt from significant and damaging emergencies
in New Zealand and overseas. In addition, several factors have influenced
thinking on how the CDEM sector works together to achieve the vision of a
resilient New Zealand including:
a) global
agreements such as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015
– 2030 and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, which
outlines how nations should approach their wider societal risk from disasters;
and
b) a
Ministerial Review (2017) on Better Responses to Natural Disasters and Other
Emergencies that resulted in several significant recommendations for the CDEM
sector.
16. The most significant change from the current strategy is the focus
on building broad societal resilience to disasters, with more explicit
reference to communities and community-based resilience. This is a more
inclusive approach, comprising individuals, whānau, communities, households, communities, hapū and iwi, and
businesses and organisations, as well as central and local government.
17. Other significant changes include:
a) specific
considerations of Māori concepts of resilience, and the resilience of
Māori, and how that links with the vision for a safe and prosperous
nation;
b) the
importance of reflecting culture and cultural difference in building
resilience; and
c) inclusion
of high-level measurements for assessing progress to reduce losses from disasters.
18. The strategy provides the vision and strategic direction, including
outlining priorities and objectives for increasing New Zealand’s
resilience to disasters. The detail of how those objectives are to be achieved
will sit in an accompanying national roadmap alongside other related key
documents such as Auckland’s CDEM Group Plan and an Auckland Council
action roadmap.
Ngā whakaaweawe me
ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera
Council group impacts and views
Auckland
Council’s submission on the proposed national strategy
19. The formulation of Auckland Council’s submission was
coordinated by Auckland Emergency Management and included engagement and
consultation with the wider council group.
20. Auckland Council used the Auckland Climate Action Plan working group
as a platform for engagement which included representatives from Auckland
Council (for example Sustainability Office, Healthy Waters, and the Research,
Monitoring and Evaluation Unit) Watercare, Panuku Development and Auckland
Transport. Auckland Emergency Management also interviewed the
representatives from Community Services, the Community and Social Policy team,
Local Board services and the Independent Māori Statutory Board.
Ngā whakaaweawe
ā-rohe me ngā tirohanga a te poari ā-rohe
Local impacts and local board views
21. As
mentioned earlier in the report, there is a strong focus on
building broad societal and community resilience within the proposed national
strategy. Auckland Emergency Management has an active programme of engagement
with local boards and the views of local boards are routinely sought and
integrated into the CEG work programme.
22. Owing to
time constraints there was no opportunity to seek the views of Local Boards for
this submission. However, Local Board services provided feedback was also
included in the submission.
Tauākī whakaaweawe
Māori
Māori impact statement
23. The
proposed strategy is informed by Te Ao Māori and includes Māori
concepts of resilience. Resilience and Te Ao Māori are both
underpinned by three focus areas:
a) Tangata whenua and
resilience,
b) Tangata whenua and
disaster risk reduction, and
c) Tangata whenua and a
resilient nation.
24. It also
provides for partnership and collaborative engagement with iwi. A key part of
the Ministry for Civil Defence and Emergency Management’s consultation
will be to seek feedback on how Māori perspectives should be incorporated
in the proposed strategy.
Ngā ritenga
ā-pūtea
Financial implications
25. There are
no direct financial implications resulting from the adoption of the proposed
strategy. Auckland Council will be able to make choices about how best to
meet and/or contribute to the objectives of the proposed strategy, which will
become clearer as we develop Auckland Council’s roadmap of
actions.
Ngā raru tūpono me
ngā whakamaurutanga
Risks and mitigations
26. The risk
of the Auckland Council not submitting on the national strategy is significant.
The scale and diversity of the region across the six key environments mean it
is critical that Auckland’s views are submitted to the proposed strategy
to ensure strategic local and central government alignment.
Ngā koringa ā-muri
Next steps
27. The
Minister of Civil Defence, the Hon Chris Faafoi, will undertake cross-party
consultation on the revised strategy in early February 2019 and will seek
approval from Cabinet on the final strategy in late February 2019 with a view
to tabling it in the House in March 2019, for commencement by 10 April 2019.
28. In due
course the CEG will review Auckland’s CDEM Group Plan (2016 – 2021)
to align to the adopted national strategy and roadmap of actions including a
measuring and monitoring regime.
Ngā tāpirihanga
Attachments
|
No.
|
Title
|
Page
|
|
a⇩
|
National Disaster Resilience Strategy
|
131
|
|
b⇩
|
Auckland Council submission on the Proposed Natural
Disaster Resilience Strategy
|
179
|
Ngā kaihaina
Signatories
|
Author
|
Sarah Sinclair - Chief Engineer
|
|
Authoriser
|
Dean Kimpton - Chief Operating Officer
|
|
Environment
and Community Committee
12 February 2019
|
|
|
Environment and
Community Committee
12 February
2019
|
|
|
Environment and
Community Committee
12 February
2019
|
|
Summary of Environment and Community
Committee Information - updates, memos and briefings - 12 February 2019
File No.: CP2018/25261
Te take mō te
pūrongo
Purpose of the report
1. To
note progress on the forward work programme (Attachment A)
2. To provide a public record of memos, workshop or briefing papers
that have been distributed for the Committee’s information since 4
December 2018.
Whakarāpopototanga matua
Executive summary
3. This
is regular information-only report which aims to provide public visibility of
information circulated to committee members via memo or other means, where no
decisions are required.
4. The
following papers/memos were circulated to members:
· 20181205_Project
Streetscapes – Weed Management
· 20181205_Global
Activity memo
· 20181205_Interregional
marine pest pathway management memo
· 20181207_Community
Coordination and Facilitation Grant – applications open
· 20181220_Solid
Waste Bylaw 2012 review
· 20181221_myrtle
rust update December 2018
5. Note
that staff will not be present to answer questions about the items
referred to in this summary. Committee members should direct any
questions to the authors.
6. This
document can be found on the Auckland Council website, at the following link: http://infocouncil.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/
· at
the top of the page, select meeting “Environment and Community
Committee” from the drop-down tab and click ‘View’;
· under
‘Attachments’, select either the HTML or PDF version of the
document entitled ‘Extra Attachments”.
|
Ngā tūtohunga
Recommendation/s
That the Environment and
Community Committee:
a) receive
the summary of the Environment and Community Committee information report
– 12 February 2019.
|
Ngā tāpirihanga
Attachments
|
No.
|
Title
|
Page
|
|
a⇩ 
|
Environment and Community Committee - forward work
programme
|
193
|
|
b 
|
20181203_Project Streetscapes - Weed Management
(Under Separate Cover)
|
|
|
c 
|
20181205_Global Activity memo (Under Separate
Cover)
|
|
|
d
|
20181205_Interregional marine pest pathway management
(Under Separate Cover)
|
|
|
e
|
20181220_Solid Waste Bylaw 2012 review (Under
Separate Cover)
|
|
|
f
|
20181221_Myrtle Rust update December 2018 memo
(Under Separate Cover)
|
|
Ngā kaihaina
Signatories
|
Author
|
Maea Petherick - Senior Governance Advisor
|
|
Authoriser
|
Dean Kimpton - Chief Operating Officer
|
|
Environment
and Community Committee
12 February
2019
|
|
|
Komiti
Taiao a Hapori Hoki /
ENVIRONMENT
AND COMMUNITY COMMITTEE FORWARD WORK PROGRAMME 2018
This committee
deals with strategy and policy decision-making that relates to the
environmental, social, economic and cultural activities of Auckland as well
as matters that are not the responsibility of another committee or the
Governing Body
|
|
|
Committee Priorities:
1. Clearly demonstrate that Auckland is making
progress with climate change adaptation and mitigation and taking action to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions
2. Enable green growth with a focus on improved
water quality, pest eradication and ecological restoration
3. Strengthen communities and enable Aucklanders
to be active and connected
4. Make measurable
progress towards the social and community aspects of housing all Aucklanders
in secure, healthy homes they can afford
5. Grow skills and a local
workforce to support economic growth in Auckland
|
The work of the committee will:
· Deliver on the outcomes in the Auckland Plan
· Be focused on initiatives that have a high impact
· Meet the Council’s statutory obligations, including
funding allocation decisions
· Increase the public’s trust and confidence in the
organisation.
|
|
Area of work
|
Reason for work
|
Decision or
direction
|
Expected timeframes
Quarter (month if known)
|
|
|
Edited 6 November
2018
|
Jan-Mar 2019
12 Feb
12 March
|
Apr-Jun 2019
9 April
14 May
11 June
|
Jul-Sep 2019
9 July
13 Aug
10 Sept
|
Oct-Dec 2018
16 Oct
13 Nov
4 Dec
|
|
|
Strategic approach to
Climate Change
|
To demonstrate that Auckland
is making progress with climate change adaptation and mitigation and taking
action to reduce emissions.
|
Strategic direction will be provided in the
coming months.
Progress to date:
A summary of activities to prepare for climate change
was given in the presentation on 8/8/17 meeting.
Report was considered on 20/2/18, resolution ENV/2018/11
Dec 18 – approval for consultation
Feb – Mar 19 - targeted
public engagement
Apr 19 – feedback presented to elected members
Jun 19 – final strategy for adoption
Progress to date
report
was considered December 2018 meeting. Res ENV/2018/170
· Stakeholder briefing for symposium
February 2019
· Committee workshops February 2019
· Auckland Climate Symposium March
2019
· Develop draft plan March –
May 2019
· Draft plan to committee for input
and adoption June 2019
· Public consultation of draft plan
July – August 2019
|
|
|
|
Q2
(Dec)
|
|
|
Low carbon living
|
To deliver on Low Carbon Auckland Plan commitments by
the design and implementation of awareness raising and incentives programmes
to reduce household, community, business and schools carbon emissions by
approximately 50% of current levels.
|
Strategic direction and endorse
programmes as part of the Low Carbon Auckland Plan implementation.
Progress to date:
Report was considered at 20/2/18 meeting. Res ENV/201811 report back in Dec 18 for a decision.
Independent Advisory Group (IAG) was approved. Chairs Planning and Env &
Community Cttees, an IMSB member and the Mayor’s office to decide on
the membership of the IAG.
|
Q3
(Feb)
|
Q4
|
Q1
(Sept)
|
Q2
(Dec)
|
|
|
Low Carbon Auckland / Climate Change Mitigation
|
Four-yearly review of strategic action plan due in
2018; increased engagement with and commitments via C40 Cities membership; development
of proactive policy agenda to central government emerging
Climate Plan Workshop:
Risks and vulnerabilities (June)
• Committee workshop on risks and vulnerabilities
• Communication strategy for broader public
engagement
• Local Board workshops
• Mana whenua engagement (integrated
throughout)
• Stakeholder workshops
Prioritisation criteria and identified actions
(Jul/Aug)
• Cost benefit and total value analysis
• Agree prioritisation criteria
• Review all actions
• Draft plan
• Draft plan to committee (Dec 2018
• Consultation (linking to other plans,
approach tbc)
• Updates to action plan
• Adoption of updated plan by council
(Proposed December 2018)
• Final Adoption of Climate Plan (Mar
09)
|
Decision and endorsement of strategic direction
Progress to date:
Report was considered at 20/2/18 meeting. Res ENV/201811 report back in Dec18 for a decision.
Independent Advisory Group was approved.
Workshops scheduled: 4/7/18 and
26/09/18. An update was on 12/06/18 meeting agenda.
Report reapplication for C40 Cities membership
was considered at 13/11/2018 meeting. Res ENV/2018/149 reapplication for membership was
approved
|
Q3
(Mar)
|
Q4
|
Q1
|
Q2
(Dec)
|
|
|
Urban Forest Strategy
|
Strategic approach to delivering on the wider social,
economic and environmental benefits of a growing urban forest in the context
of rapid population growth and intensification.
|
Decision on strategic direction and endorsement
of strategy.
Progress to date:
A workshop was held on 14/06/17. Report was considered on 12/09/17 ENV/2017/116 a full draft of the strategy was considered 20/02/18, res ENV/2018/12 with a report back on the results of
the LIDAR and an implementation plan on costs and benefits in Aug 2018. An
update was included in the 14 Aug agenda regarding several workstreams
covered by the 18 high level implementation actions. A
report on a full progress on implementing the strategy will be in August 2019.
|
Q3
|
Q4
|
Q1
(Aug19)
|
Q2
|
|
|
Allocation of the Waste
Minimisation and Innovation Fund
|
Decision making over medium and large funds from the
Waste Minimisation and Innovation fund in line with the fund’s adopted
policy. Funds to contribute towards council’s aspirational goal of zero
waste to landfill by 2040.
Full review of the Waste
Minimisation and Innovation Fund will be undertaken. Outcomes provided with
the section 17a review report in March 2019.
|
Decision on the annual allocation of the Waste
Minimisation and Innovation Fund for the 2018-2019 financial year.
Decision: Approval of allocation of September
2016 funding round Resolution ENV/2016/19 Item C5.
Approval of grants in Dec 17
Progress to date:
Report was considered on 4/12/18 to note
allocations for the 2018/2019 small to med September funding round, res ENV/2018/176. Item C1 approval of medium to
large grants September 2018 round
|
Q3
(Mar)
|
Q4
|
Q1
|
Q2
|
|
|
Auckland’s water strategy
|
The health of Auckland’s
waters is a critical issue. Both freshwater and marine environments in
Auckland are under pressure from historic under-investment, climate change
and rapid growth. The draft Auckland Plan 2050 identifies the need to
proactively adapt to a changing water future and develop long-term solutions.
|
Decision and strategic direction and priorities as
part of the Auckland Plan.
Consider the development of an Auckland’s waters
strategy to be adopted for consultation December 2018.
Progress to date:
A report was considered on 12/06/18 to approve the
proposed scope, timeframe and budget for the development of the strategy. Res
ENV/2018/78
Key milestones:
· June 2018 – develop a
strategic summary of water related outcomes, identify integrated water
outcomes,
· July-Oct 2018 – high level
regional options are developed and assessed for the five draft themes –
consultation with mana whenua
Progress to date:
A Report was considered December 2018 - discussion
document ahead of public consultation Res ENV/2018/168.
Key timeframes:
· Public consultation on discussion
document 17 Feb – 17 March
· Public engagement feedback to committee, April 2019
· Draft options for the finalisation of Auckland’s
water strategy, and associated work programmes to be present to committee in
June 2019
|
|
Q4
(Jun)
|
|
Q2
(Dec)
|
|
|
Regional Pest Management
Plan review
|
Statutory obligations under the Biosecurity Act to
control weeds and animal pests.
To ensure that the plan is consistent with the
national policy direction and up to date.
|
Decision and strategic direction on weed and plants
that will be subject to statutory controls.
Consider submissions received on the draft plan in mid
2018 and adopt the final plan by December 2018.
Progress to date:
Decision: Agreed to the
inconsistencies in ACT at the 14 Feb 2017 ENV/2017/7 Item 12
Workshops held on 4/04/17,
3/05/17 and 27/09/17
Draft plan was approved for consultation in Nov
2017
Funding for implementation of
the proposed RPMP through LTP.
A memo was distributed and is
attached to the July agenda.
Key milestones:
· workshops
with local boards on public feedback – September - October 2018
· workshops
with local boards on public feedback – September - October 2018
· engagement
with mana whenua – September – October 2018
· workshop
with Environment and Community Committee – October – November
2018
· formal
feedback from local boards at business meetings – October –
November 2018
· approval of final plan by
Environment and Community Committee – March 2019
|
Q3
(Mar)
|
Q4
|
Q1
(Jul)
|
Q2
(Nov)
|
|
|
Inter-regional marine pest pathway management plan
|
To ensure the plan is
consistent with Auckland Council’s:
- proposed Regional Pest Management
Plan
- current and future marine
biosecurity programmes
- response to SeaChange – Tai Timu Tai Pari
Hauraki Gulf Marine Spatial Plan.
|
Decision on the development of the discussion document
for an inter-regional marine pest pathway management plan for public
consultation.
Progress to date:
A memo was distributed on
31/05/18 advising the committee on the Auckland Council’s participation
in the development of a discussion document for an inter-regional marine pest
pathway management plan, through the Top of the North Marine Biosecurity
partnership.
|
|
|
|
Q2
(Nov/Dec)
|
|
|
Allocation of the Regional Natural Heritage Grant
|
Decision-making over regional environment fund as per
the grants funding policy and fund guidelines
|
Decision on the annual allocation of the Waste
Minimisation and Innovation Fund for the 2018-2019 financial year.
Progress to date
Allocation of the Regional
Environmental Natural Heritage Grant for the 2017-2018 financial year was
made on 6 Dec 2016_ENV/2016/11 Item
15
|
Q3
|
Q4
|
Q1
|
Q2
(Dec)
|
|
|
National Policy Statement
for Freshwater Management
|
The National Policy Statement
for Freshwater Management is being implemented, with periodic reporting to
council committee on progress, and responding to ongoing central government
refinement of the framework for achieving water outcomes.
In December 2018 further
decisions will be sought under the national policy statement, including:
· approve final targets for
swim-ability of major rivers in the Auckland region
· approve the updated Progressive
Implementation Plan for the National Policy Statement for Freshwater
Management
|
Progress to date:
Council submission was approved
on Central Govt. Clean Water Consultation 2017 process: Minutes of 4 April
ENV/2017/54 Item 12. Follow up is required for resolution b) – a
workshop held on 14 June. A supplementary submission on the Clean Water Consultation
package was made on 25 May 2017, Item 14 13/06/17
Decision
ENV/2018/14 on engagement approach for consultation on the National Policy
Statement for Freshwater Management in Feb 2018.
A report
was considered on 26/6/18 : Res ENV/2018/78
· June 2018: develop strategy
· July to Oct 2018 – High level
regional options are developed and assessed for the five draft themes in
consultation with mana whenua, local boards and key stakeholders.
· Dec 2018- Draft Auckland's waters
strategy presented to Environment and Community Committee for approval for
release for public consultation
· Feb to Apr 2019 - Targeted public
engagement on the draft Auckland's waters strategy in February to March 2019.
· Apr 2019 - Feedback analysed and
presented to elected members in April 2019
· Jun 2019 - Final strategy presented
to Environment and Community Committee for adoption
|
Q3
|
Q4
|
Q1
|
Q2
(Dec)
|
|
|
Food Policy Alliance
|
To consider food policy alliance
|
Decision on food policy alliance
|
Q3
(Mar)
|
TBC
|
|
Q2
|
|
|
Auckland Growing Greener
|
Statutory obligations under the Resource Management
Act, Biosecurity Act and Local Government Act.
Consideration of items to give effect to the adopted
commitment of Auckland Council to grow greener.
|
Strategic direction and
oversight into council’s role to improve the natural environment, and
to endorse proposed incentives.
This may include endorsing:
· a framework to ensure planning and
growth decisions are underpinned by relevant environmental data
· proposed incentives for green
growth
· recommendations arising from a
current state statutory obligations review.
|
Q3
|
Q4
|
Q1
|
Q2
|
|
|
Hunua Aerial 1080 Operation
|
Provide information on outcomes of the Hunua 1080
aerial pest control operation
|
To note outcomes of the Hunua 1080 aerial pest control
operation.
|
Q3
|
Q4
|
Q1
|
Q2
(Nov)
|
|
|
Parks, Sports and
Recreation
|
|
|
Sport and Rec Strategic
Partnership Grant to Aktive Auck Sports Rec
|
Approval of $552,000 strategic partnership grant to
Aktive Auck & Sport to deliver on agreed priority initiatives.
2019 reporting schedule:
· January
2019 - Interim report from 1 July – 31 December 2018
· June
2019 - confirm 2019/20 priorities, outcomes and measures
· July 2019
– Annual report from 1 January 2019 – 30 June 2019
· September
2019 - Audited Financial Statements from 1 July 2018 – 30
June 2019
|
To approve the $552,000 strategic
partnership grant to Aktive Auckland Sport & Recreation for
2017/2018
Progress to
date:
Report was considered 5/12/17 Resolution ENV/2017/186 – report back against KPI
every six months.
A report was considered
on 10 July 2018 to approve the strategic partnership grant of $552,000 per
annum for a three-year term (2018-2021) Res ENV/2018/90
A funding agreement will be
prepared for Aktive that ensures clear accountability and KPIs for each of
the four geographical areas (North, West, Central and Southern) for the
investment. (TBA)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Te Motu a Hiaroa (Puketutu Island)
|
Status update on the Te Motu a Hiaroa Governance
Trust
|
To note further update on progress of the governance
trust.
|
Q3
|
Q4
|
Q1
|
Q2
(Oct/Nov)
|
|
|
Sport and Recreation Strategic Action Plan
|
Status report on implementation plan
|
Direction on future options for sport and
recreation.
|
Q3
|
|
Q1
|
Q2
(Nov)
|
|
|
Sports Investment Plan
|
Council’s strategic approach to outcomes,
priorities and investment in sports
|
Decision on issues
papers
Draft Plan approval
Finalise and adopt investment
plan – approval of guidelines
Progress to date:
Evaluation of current sports
facilities investments and proposed changes was adopted on 14 March,
resolution ENV/2017/39 Item 13 with the final draft investment plan to
be adopted prior to consultation.
An outcome measurement tool to
support the Sports Facilities Investment Plan was considered and agreed at
the 4 April 2017 meeting. Resolution ENV/2017/50 Item 9 The findings of the pilot will be
reported in mid-2019 seeking a decision on the roll-out model.
|
Q3
|
Q4
(2019)
|
Q1
|
Q2
(Nov)
|
|
|
Golf Investment Plan
|
Council’s strategic approach to outcomes,
priorities and investment in golf.
|
Decision on issues papers
Draft Plan approval
Finalise and adopt investment plan
Progress to
date:
A workshop was held on 12 Sept and
information is available on OurAuckland.
|
Q3
|
Q4
|
Q1
|
Q2
(Dec)
|
|
|
Indoor Courts
|
Strategic business case for indoor courts investment
|
Decision on investment approach
|
Q3
|
Q4
|
Q1
|
Q2
(Nov)
|
|
|
Western Springs Community School Partnership
|
Improve Community Access to school facilities
|
Decision on Business and Investment in indoor
court facility at Western Springs
Progress to date:
The report was considered in May. Resolution ENV/2017/71 A business case will be prepared to
outline the opportunity to fully invest in the indoor court development and
can consider as part of the LTP 2018-2028.
|
Q3
|
Q4
(May)
|
Q1
|
Q2
|
|
|
Growth Programme
|
Update on proposed growth funding allocation for
2018-2020
|
Decision on growth funding allocation
|
|
|
Q1
|
|
|
|
Regional Sport and Recreation grants
programme 2018/2020
|
Review of previous grants allocation and
recommendation for next round
|
Decision on sport and recreation grants
programme objectives and approach
Progress to date:
Approved on 12 Sept the 2018/2019
grants programme to proceed in accordance with the Community Grants Policy
suggested outcomes and assessment matrix. Applications open 30/10/17 close
8/12/17 ENV/2017/119 Workshop in April 2018. Report was considered on 8/5/18 and resolved ENV/2018/57 .
Approved applications for 2019/2020
funding round on 25/1/2019 and close on 8/3/19 for allocation from July 2019.
|
Q3
|
Q4
(May)
|
Q1
(Sep)
|
|
|
|
Review of the Community
Occupancy Guidelines 2012: TOR
|
The review will assess the efficacy of the guidelines
in for the council to deliver the best possible outcomes for Auckland through
community leases
|
Decision on the terms of reference for the
review of the Community Occupancy Guidelines 2012
Progress to date:
The TOR was approved for the review to commence and
will report back in May July 2018 subject to TLP.
An update memo was circulated in August 2017 in response
to feedback from the July 2017 meeting. Joint workshop with local board
chairs held 20/6/18.
Report was considered November 2018 and resolved
ENV/2018/150
|
Q3
|
Q4
|
Q1
|
Q2
(Nov)
|
|
|
Active Recreation Investment and Visitor Experience
|
Council’s strategic approach to outcome,
priorities and investment for active walking, cycling, waterways and visitor
experience on open space, parks and regional parks
|
Decision on scope and phasing
|
Q3
|
Q4
|
Q1
(Aug)
|
Q2
|
|
|
Takaro – Investing in Play discussion
document
|
Development of a play investment plan
|
Decision on approval for public release
Progress to date:
Approved on 16/05/17 for public
release the discussion document and will report to E&C
for approval in late 2017
Takaro was approved for release on 20 Feb 2018
A report back by August 2018 for
approval to initiate public consultation
|
Q3
(Feb)
|
|
Q1
(Oct)
|
Q2
|
|
|
Regional Parks Management Plan 2010 –
variation to incorporate land at Piha into the Waitākere Ranges Regional
Park
|
To approve variation to incorporate land purchased at
Piha to be known as Taitomo Special Management Zone as part of the
Waitākere Ranges Regional Park
|
Decision on approval to a variation
Progress to date:
Approved on 20/2/2018 Res ENV/2018/15 report
Manager, Regional Parks, will
prepare an integrated vegetation management and fire–risk reduction
plan in consultation with the local community and report back on the
resourcing needs for its effective implementation.
|
|
|
Q1
(tbc)
|
|
|
|
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
|
|
|
The Southern Initiative (TSI)
|
Provide an update on the TSI approach, priorities and
achievements.
|
Strategic direction of the TSI approach to
social and community innovation in south Auckland
|
Q3
|
Q4
|
Q1
|
Q2
|
|
|
Global Engagement Strategy
|
Provide an update and direction of Auckland
Council’s global engagement strategy and priorities. It has been three
years since a new strategic direction was introduced, progress on this
strategy will presented.
Funded
|
Strategic direction of
Auckland Council’s global engagement strategy and priorities
Progress
to date:
Monthly
global engagement updates are published on each agenda
|
Q3
|
Q4
|
Q1
|
Q2
|
|
|
Options to expand revenue streams for sport
facilities investment
|
Provide strategic direction to expand revenue streams
to fund future sports facilities investment in the draft Sports
Facilities Investment Plan
|
strategic direction to expand revenue streams
to fund future sports facilities investment in the draft Sports
Facilities Investment Plan
Progress to date:
A report was considered in Aug. Res ENV/2017/121
|
Q3
|
Q4
|
Q1
|
Q2
|
|
|
SOCIAL, COMMUNITY,
CULTURAL INFRASTRUCTURE
|
|
|
Community Facilities Network Plan
|
Update on progress and report back on strategic
business case for central west.
|
Decision on indicative business case for
central west
Progress to date:
A progress report was considered on
14 March. Resolution ENV/2017/36 Item 11 to report back on an indicative business
case for investment in the central-west area.
|
Q3
(Mar)
|
Q4
|
Q1
(July)
|
Q2
|
|
|
Auckland Sport Sector: Facility Priorities Plan
|
Develop and endorse the Sports Facilities Investment
Plan to enable Auckland Council to take a more co-ordinated approach to its
sports facilities investment.
|
Decision on the Auckland Sport Sector :
Facility Priorities Plan.
Decision on sector’s investment
priorities and investigate potential funding options.
Progress to date:
The plan was endorsed on 12 Sept ENV/2017/118. Staff to report back on priorities
and potential funding options.
|
|
|
Q1
(Sept)
|
Q2
|
|
|
Homelessness
|
Implementing Regional Policy and Strategy resolution
to progress work around Council’s strategic position on addressing
homelessness
(note this work will be informed by discussions at the
Community Development and Safety Committee)
|
Decision on scope
Decision on role and direction addressing
homelessness
Progress to date:
Approved the scope policy 14
Feb Item 17
Auckland council’s position
and role was considered at the August meeting report item 12. Staff to report back with an
implementation plan. Resolution ENV/2017/118 of preferred position and role
|
Q3
|
Q4
|
Q1
(Aug)
|
Q2
TBC
|
|
|
Facilities Partnerships
Policy
|
Identify the range of current
council approaches to facility partnerships, issues, opportunities and agree
next steps
|
Decision on facility partnership approach
Decision to adopt Facility Partnership
Framework in December 2017
Update was given at 14 February meeting on Phase 1. Approval was given on the
proposed timelines for Phase 2 : Minutes 14 February Item 14 preferred option
A report seeking approval to engage on a draft
facility partnerships policy on 12/06/18. Resolution ENV/2018/74
Progress to date:
A report seeking approval of the Facility
Partnerships Policy. Res ENV/2018/173
Implementation plan
· January – March 2019 policy
summary released
· April – June 2019 implement initial
operational guidance and systems
· July 2019 detailed operational
design and testing continues. Benefits realisation plan developed
|
Q3
|
Q4
|
Q1
|
Q2
(Dec)
|
|
|
Citizens Advice Bureaux
Services
|
Review of the Citizens Advice
Bureaux Services
RSP decision in April 2016 (REG/2016/22)
|
Decision on review results
Progress to date:
Report was considered at 20 Feb meeting. Decision: lies on the table. A supplementary report was considered on 10 April 2018, Res ENV/2018/48 and with changes
for an updated funding model to be agreed by 1 April 2019
|
Q3
(Feb)
|
Q4
|
Q1
|
Q2
(Feb/Mar19)
|
|
|
Social and Community Housing Strategy and
initiatives
|
Strategic overview of social and community housing
initiatives. Wider housing portfolio and spatial outcomes of council’s
role in housing is led by the Planning Committee.
|
|
Q3
|
Q4
|
Q1
|
Q2
|
|
|
Affordable Housing Intervention
|
Understanding NZ and international interventions to
address affordable housing
|
Decision on future Auckland Council approaches
to affordable housing interventions
|
Q3
|
Q4
|
Q1
|
Q2
|
|
|
Te Kauroa – Library Strategy
|
Libraries and Information is carrying out a change
programme (Fit for the future) to accelerate the implementation of this
2013-2023 strategy (approved by the Governing Body)
|
Direction relating to priorities and to receive
update on strategic direction and implementation progress
Approve an expanded and improved regional
mobile library service
Progress to date:
workshop held on 7 March with local
board chairs. Workshop notes were attached to the 10 April agenda
|
Q3
|
Q4
|
Q1
(Sep)
|
Q2
|
|
|
Central library strategic review
|
A strategic review of the Central Library has been
commissioned to understand how the current building can meet future need and
demand for services, asses the Central Library’s current and potential
future role in the region, and guide decision making about future investment
and development opportunities
|
Decide direction and receive the
strategic review
|
Q3
|
Q4
|
Q1
|
Q2
|
|
|
Libraries
|
Work around the integration with customer services
|
Decision on matters relating to regional
aspects of the proposed integration (local boards will decide on local
outcomes)
|
Q3
|
Q4
|
Q1
|
Q2
|
|
|
Intercultural Cities Network
|
Consideration of a proposal to join the Intercultural
Cities Network to support implementation and monitoring of progress on
‘Inclusive Auckland’ actions.
|
Decide whether Auckland should be a member of
the network
|
Q3
|
Q4
|
Q1
|
Q2
(Dec)
|
|
|
Investing in Aucklanders (Age Friendly City)
|
Identify issues and opportunities for an inclusive
friendly city (Regional Policy and Strategy resolution REG/2016/92)
|
Strategic direction on the approach to a
friendly, inclusive, diverse city.
Progress to date:
Update reports were circulated on
18 April 2018 and 14 Dec 2017. Staff report findings and the proposed next
phase in 2018.
A report on the Findings was considered on
12/06/18 meeting. Resolution ENV/2018/75 approval for up to five inclusion
pilots.
A report back on the advantages and
any obstacles to Auckland becoming an Age Friendly City as part of the World
Health Organisation’s Global Network.
|
Q3
|
Q4
|
Q1
(Jul)
|
Q2
|
|
|
Social Enterprise approaches for youth and long
term unemployed
|
Improved understanding of social enterprise reach,
impacts, costs and benefits
|
Strategic direction on councils approach to
social enterprise.
|
Q3
|
Q4
|
Q1
(Jul)
|
Q2
|
|
|
Youth volunteer programmes
|
Intervention assessment of youth volunteer programmes
on long term education and employment – understanding impacts, costs
and benefits
|
Strategic direction on interventions approach
|
Q3
|
Q4
|
Q1
(Jul)
|
Q2
|
|
|
Events Policy
|
A review of what is working well and what isn’t
|
|
Q3
|
Q4
|
Q1
(Sep)
|
Q2
|
|
|
Grant Policy Monitoring
|
Audit of the application of the Grants Policy
|
Decision on audit results
|
Q3
|
Q4
|
Q1
|
Q2
|
|
|
Toi Whitiki Strategy
|
Targeted analysis of social return on investment on
specific art and culture investment
|
|
Q3
|
Q4
|
Q1
|
Q2
(Dec)
|
|
|
Public Art Policy
|
Review of the Public Arts Policy: what’s working
what’s not.
Decisions relating to major public arts
|
Decision on review results
Progress to date:
The report was considered on 14/08/18. Resolution
ENV/2018/103 : report back on implementation
within 18 months
|
Q3
|
Q4
(Apr)
|
Q1
|
Q2
|
|
|
Current Development Contribution revenue and
expenditure – funding for open space purposes
|
Highlight the new parks and open spaces for
Aucklanders’ use and enjoyment
|
A report was
considered on 14/08/178 on Open Space acquisition in 2017/18 financial year.
resolution ENV/2018/104 to report back on DC revenue and expenditure by
funding area for open space purposes based on current based on the current DC
policy.
|
|
|
|
Tbc
|
|
|
Investigation in North-west Community Provision
|
Investigation to identify any current gaps in services
or facilities or in the future
|
Decision on the investigation findings
Progress to date:
A report was considered on 13/10/18 on the
findings. Res ENV/2018/131. Staff will progress the key
moves outlined in the report.
|
Q3
|
Q4
|
Q1
|
Q2
|
|
|
LEGISLATION/CENTRAL
GOVERNMENT
|
|
|
National Environmental Standards
|
Council response on the National Direction for
aquaculture expected following scheduled release of consultation document in
April 2017. The National Direction is likely to address matters relating to
re-consenting, bay-wide management, innovation and research, and biosecurity.
|
Direction
Committee agreement to a council submission on the
National Direction for Aquaculture
|
Q3
|
Q4
|
Q1
|
Q2
|
|
|
LAND ACQUISITIONS
|
|
|
Strategic acquisition issues and opportunities
|
Understanding current acquisition issues and options.
|
|
Q3
|
Q4
|
Q1
|
Q2
|
|
|
Land acquisition for stormwater purposes
|
Delegated responsibility of the committee.
To acquire land for stormwater management and
development purposes, to either support a structure plan or ad-hoc
development.
|
Decision to acquire land. Reports will come to
committee as required.
Next report will be in Feb 2018 seeking authority to
carry out compulsory acquisition of land in the Henderson area for a flood
prevention project.
|
Q3
(Feb)
|
Q4
|
Q1
|
Q2
|
|
|
OTHER
|
|
|
Long-term Plan
|
Informing the development of the 2018-2028 Auckland
Council Long-term Plan
|
|
Q3
|
Q4
|
Q1
|
Q2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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