|
Resolution
number WTK/2020/26
MOVED by Chairperson G Presland, seconded by Deputy
Chairperson S Toms:
That
the Waitākere Ranges Local
Board:
a)
receive consultation feedback on Waitākere Ranges Local
Board priorities for 2020/2021
b)
receive consultation feedback
on regional proposals in the Annual Budget 2020/2021 from people or
organisations based in the Waitākere Ranges Local Board area
c)
recommend the Glen Eden
Business Improvement District targeted rate to the Governing Body with no
change
Waitākere rural sewerage service
and targeted rate
d)
support the Waitākere rural
sewerage pump out service continuing, and note:
i)
this
is the view taken by 73 per cent of submitters in the local board area, and 78
per cent of submitters across the region
ii)
the
need to improve water quality of harbours, streams and lagoons is strongly
supported by submissions
e)
support the status quo option “continue
the Waitākere septic tank service subsidised by all general
ratepayers”, recognising that rural sewerage systems are part of the
regional infrastructure and recognising the public good outcomes it supports,
and note:
i)
it
aligns to the “Our Waters Future” discussion document principles:
A) recognise
that water is a treasured taonga
B) work
together to plan and deliver better water outcomes
C) deliver
catchment scale thinking and action
D) focus
on achieving right-sized solutions with multiple benefits
E) rural
communities must be part of council’s thinking about Auckland’s
water future
ii)
in
our area, the west coast and northern Manukau Harbour beaches are popular
visitor destinations for all Aucklanders so there is a significant regional
benefit in improving the water quality to protect recreational value, public
health and the environment in these areas
iii)
we
have concerns that improving poor water quality in the Waitākere Ranges
Heritage Area and the Manukau Harbour is being reduced to individual responsibility;
with council intervention limited to a regulatory approach only
iv)
the
Waitākere rural sewerage pump out service started as part of a response
to poor water quality. It included the establishment of local Water Liaison
Groups, recognition that council and community needed to work together, and
that regulation alone was not enough
v)
there
is a need to take a catchment-wide and behaviour change approach in order to
maintain and improve water quality and clarity in streams, lagoons, estuaries
and coastal environments
vi)
the
pump-out service ensures all septic tanks in a catchment are pumped out at
regular intervals with council coordination and oversight
vii)
it
provides fair and equitable access to pump out services for remote
communities, that may otherwise be disadvantaged. The travel distance may
make a commercial service to an individual household unattractive to the
industry in some areas. This has proven to be the case with private
providers of waste recycling
viii)
investigations
are yet to fully determine the sources of contamination in the Manukau
Harbour, and beaches in areas with reticulated sewerage are just as
contaminated. For example, at Te Henga it is known that livestock and bird
life contribute to the poor water quality of the lagoon. Maintenance and
management of council’s own on-site wastewater systems are also under
scrutiny from the community in coastal areas such as Piha, Te Henga, and it
is critical these are kept to a high standard
ix)
there
has been a lack of evaluation of the pump out service and other interventions
over the years, which needs to be addressed going forward. There is no clear
evidence that either the regulatory or non-regulatory approach has worked to
improve water quality to date. We strongly support a two-pronged approach in
the Waitākere Ranges Local Board area
x)
there
is concern from rural communities that they are not getting a fair share of
services as the emphasis is on urban infrastructure. This is reflected in
submissions on the rural sewerage topic from Waitākere residents. Some
80 per cent of the Water Quality Targeted Rate is funding the Western Isthmus
water quality improvement project
xi)
there
is concern about the increasing cost of the pump out service which needs to
be addressed in negotiating a new contract for service. It is expected
that costs will be at or near the current cost.
f)
recommend the Water Quality
Targeted Rate be used to:
i)
accelerate
the investigation and amelioration of sources of contamination of the Manukau
Harbour and west coast lagoons
ii)
increase
locally targeted educational programmes on how to effectively operate and
maintain on-site wastewater systems, including how to conserve water, the use
of environmentally friendly household products
g)
recommend council’s
Infrastructure and Environmental Services department continues to work
at a community catchment level in the coastal settlements of Piha,
Karekare, Te Henga, Fosters Bay and Huia in the Waitākere Ranges Local
Board area, which have high risks for on-site wastewater systems across a
range of factors
h)
note changes in the intensity
of land use and household types in areas with high risks for on-site
wastewater systems need to be closely monitored and managed through
council’s regulatory system
Annual budget
i)
provide the following feedback
on the Annual Budget 2020/2021:
i)
One Local Initiative
programme: investing in the regeneration of Glen Eden Town Centre is an
important economic stimulus. We recommend work on preparing the business case
resumes speedily or that the Governing Body approves the release of the
earmarked capital funds directly to the local board to accelerate to the
project delivery stage
ii)
Active transport: delivering a
completed Auckland-wide walking and cycling network needs to be accelerated.
The increased use of walking and cycling paths over the lockdown period shows
the latent potential. In our area there needs to be an emphasis on links to
Western Line train services from the surrounding communities to improve
access to public transport
iii)
Regional environmental
programmes: weed and pest control programmes for the Waitākere Ranges
Heritage Area need at least the same level of base funding from general
rates, supported by the Natural Environment Targeted Rate to implement the
new Regional Pest Management Plan. The targeted rate is meant to enhance
existing base-line service levels for the environment, not replace them
iv)
Te Henga quarry: we are
advocating for regional funding and the reinstatement of the Quarry Aftercare
Fund, to develop this area as a park to provide additional recreation to the
regional park, to address unmet demand, filming opportunities, failed
restoration and Health & Safety concerns of current usage.
CARRIED
|
