Agenda of Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board

Chairperson IM Fordham will open the meeting and welcome everyone in attendance.

Member V Toki will lead a karakia.

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

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.

4 Confirmation of Minutes

That the Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board:

a) confirm the ordinary minutes of its meeting, held on Tuesday, 27 October 2020 and the extraordinary minutes of its meeting, held on Tuesday, 3 November 2020, as true and correct.

5 Leave of Absence

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

6 Acknowledgements

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

7 Petitions

At the close of the agenda no requests to present petitions had been received.

8 Deputations

Standing Order 7.7 provides for deputations. Those applying for deputations are required to give seven working days notice of subject matter and applications are approved by the Chairperson of the Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board. This means that details relating to deputations can be included in the published agenda. Total speaking time per deputation is ten minutes or as resolved by the meeting.

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

9 Public Forum

A period of time (approximately 30 minutes) is set aside for members of the public to address the meeting on matters within its delegated authority. A maximum of 3 minutes per item is allowed, following which there may be questions from members.

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

10 Extraordinary Business

Section 46A(7) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (as amended) states:

“An item that is not on the agenda for a meeting may be dealt with at that meeting if-

(a) The local authority by resolution so decides; and

(b) The presiding member explains at the meeting, at a time when it is open to the public,-

(i) The reason why the item is not on the agenda; and

(ii) The reason why the discussion of the item cannot be delayed until a subsequent meeting.”

Section 46A(7A) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (as amended) states:

“Where an item is not on the agenda for a meeting,-

(a) That item may be discussed at that meeting if-

(i) That item is a minor matter relating to the general business of the local authority; and

(ii) the presiding member explains at the beginning of the meeting, at a time when it is open to the public, that the item will be discussed at the meeting; but

(b) no resolution, decision or recommendation may be made in respect of that item except to refer that item to a subsequent meeting of the local authority for further discussion.”

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	Aotea / Great Barrier Natural Environment-Islands monthly update - October 2020	9
b ⇩	Aotea Great Barrier Environmental Trust local board update - November 2020	17
c ⇩	Aotea Great Barrier Island International Dark Sky Sanctuary Annual Report - September 2020	19

Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board

24 November 2020

Marine biosecurity update, proposed Asian paddle crab trapping initiative, and future support for the conservation advisor role

File No.: CP2020/14688

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To endorse the staff actions arising from the 2019/2020 Aotea / Great Barrier marine biosecurity surveillance report.

2. To approve the reallocation of $9,800 from the 2020/2021 freshwater management programme budget towards the expansion of the 2020/2021 Ōkiwi pest coordinator project to include a new Asian paddle crab initiative.

3. To approve in principle continued local board funding for a part-time Aotea conservation advisor role over the 2021/2022, 2022/2023, and 2023/2024 financial years (up to $45,000 annually), noting that formal approval will be sought through the annual work programme processes.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

4. Auckland Council’s marine biosecurity programme on Aotea / Great Barrier supports engagement and behaviour change, incident and incursion management frameworks, pest pathway management, and initiatives such as an inter-regional marine pest pathway management plan. This plan is currently being developed alongside the unitary authorities of New Zealand’s four northernmost regions.

5. Staff have advised the Aotea Great Barrier Local Board on marine biosecurity since the Aotea Mediterranean fanworm incursion response was initiated in 2017. A complementary ‘marine high-risk site surveillance’ project was initiated on Aotea at the same time.

6. Snorkel and dive operations at Aotea have continued since, and this report provides a summary of activities undertaken during the 2019/2020 financial year (July 2019 to June 2020, see Attachment A).

7. Next steps for staff are outlined in the recommendations below for the board’s endorsement. Staff will continue to work alongside the local board and community to progress these actions, and the local board will receive updates on a regular basis.

8. This report also seeks the local board’s approval of additional funding towards its 2020/2021 Ōkiwi pest coordinator project to support a new Asian paddle crab trapping initiative (see Attachment B). The Ōkiwi pest coordinator currently facilitates community-led pest control in Ōkiwi, with $15,000 locally-driven initiatives operational budget for the 2020/2021 financial year (resolution GBI/2020/79).

9. Staff recommend that this project is expanded to enable community education around Asian paddle crabs (with a particular emphasis on preventative pathway management), and to better understand population density and the distribution of the crabs.

10. A budget of $9,800 is required to undertake this work in 2020/2021 in addition to the Ōkiwi pest coordinator work programme approved at the board’s August 2020 business meeting. This budget can be accommodated within the approved 2020/2021 freshwater management plan budget ($31,500), which has an underspend of $9,800 due to the delayed start of the contract.

11. The board established a part-time conservation advisor position in 2017. In the 2020/2021 financial year the board allocated $33,750 to fund this role at a pro-rata basis for nine months. The conservation advisor role will ensure the provision of specialist biodiversity advice, as well as support for biodiversity and marine projects, and community education on Aotea Great Barrier.

12. The role is being complemented with regional funding, to enable a full-time position throughout the financial year. This report also seeks the board’s indicative approval in principle to continue part-funding this role (up to $45,000 annually) over the 2021/2022, 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 financial years with annual review against key performance indicators.

13. Staff acknowledge that the local board has only began to develop its work programme for 2021/2022 and its indicative programme for future 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 financial years. However, this in principle multi-year support for the conservation advisor position will help inform the advertising of the role, to provide more job security to the successful candidate.

14. Formal approval of funding for 2021/2022, and in principle for 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 will be sought through the board’s annual work programming process (expected in June 2021).

15. The local board will continue to receive updates on the delivery of the Ōkiwi pest coordinator project, the freshwater management programme and conservation advisor work, as part of its 2020/2021 local environment work programme performance reporting.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendations

That the Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board:

a) endorse staff undertaking the actions arising from the 2019/2020 Aotea / Great Barrier marine biosecurity surveillance report, including:

i) working with the Ministry for Primary Industries to identify potential locations for Mediterranean fanworm spread from the known incursion sites, to enable Auckland Council to undertake targeted surveillance within those areas

ii) continuing to progress the development of an inter-regional marine pest pathway management plan to address the pathway for introduction of marine pests to Aotea / Great Barrier

iii) continuing engagement and behaviour change initiatives to raise awareness of marine pest and biosecurity issues

iv) continuing to investigate the phase two concept development of an on-island hull cleaning and maintenance facility.

b) note that staff will continue to provide regular updates on these initiatives to the Aotea Great Barrier Local Board

c) approve the reallocation of $9,800 from the 2020/2021 freshwater management programme budget towards the expansion of the 2020/2021 Ōkiwi pest coordinator project to include a new Asian paddle crab initiative

d) approve in principle continued local board funding for a part-time Aotea conservation advisor role over the 2021/2022, 2022/2023, and 2023/2024 financial years (up to $45,000 annually), noting that formal approval will be sought through the annual work programme processes.

Horopaki

Context

Auckland Council’s marine biosecurity programme on Aotea / Great Barrier

16. Auckland Council’s marine biosecurity programme was formally established in 2017. Since then, there have been some substantial marine biosecurity advancements regionally, inter-regionally and nationally. Staff are currently working in collaboration with the Top of the North marine biosecurity partnership on many initiatives including the development of an inter-regional marine pest pathway management plan.

17. Preventing new introductions and minimising the spread of established marine pests reduces their negative impacts. Marine pests are known to spread by ‘hitching rides’ on vessel hulls (known as biofouling) and equipment, and in held water (including bilge and ballast water, live bait tanks, and sea chests).

18. Auckland has approximately one third of New Zealand’s domestic boat fleet and is a busy port and hub for marine traffic. Council staff work with several agencies and industries to ensure protection of the region’s marine environment, so it can flourish and be enjoyed by future generations.

19. Staff provided the local board an update on initiatives already underway as part of the marine biosecurity programme at its 6 October 2020 workshop. The local board also received a draft version of the 2019/2020 marine surveillance report and indicated its support for the next steps as outlined in the recommendations above.

20. An updated version of the marine surveillance report is included as Attachment A. Progress on the recommended staff actions from the report are summarised below.

21. Further to this update, the Ministry for Primary Industries is now officially supporting the Mediterranean fanworm response financially and with technical support on an annual basis.

Understanding a new Asian paddle crab threat

22. The Asian paddle crab was detected in Whangapoua estuary earlier this year and reported by a member of the public using the iNaturalist platform. Biosecurity New Zealand confirmed the species identification (see Attachment C) and advised of the range extension. As this is not a listed unwanted organism, no further action was taken by Biosecurity New Zealand.

23. Staff discussed the possibility of an Asian paddle crab trapping initiative with the local board at its 6 October 2020 marine workshop. Further details around the project have since been confirmed by staff and the proposed contractor, as outlined in this report.

Supporting an Aotea conservation advisor role

24. The board established a part-time advisor position in 2017 and allocated $45,000 towards this role in the 2019/2020 financial year. The role was complemented with regional funding, which enabled a full-time position for the 2019/2020 financial year.

25. The conservation advisor will provide specialist biodiversity advice on Aotea, as well as support for marine and community education initiatives, such as those detailed in this report.

26. As the role was not expected to be recruited until September 2020 at the earliest, a reduced budget of $33,750 was approved by the board for the 2020/2021 financial year.

27. The council’s executive leadership team has now approved the recruitment of this role, and regional match funding to enable a full-time role for 2020/2021 has also been approved. While there is no formal process for committing the regional funding for this role, it is budgeted for in 2021/2022, 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 under the planned natural environment targeted rate programme

28. Staff are now seeking the board’s indicative support for to continue part funding this role over the 2021/2022, 2022/2023, and 2023/2024 financial years. This indicative support will help inform the advertising of the role, to provide more job security to the successful candidate.

Tātaritanga me ngā tohutohu

Analysis and advice

Findings from the 2019/2020 Aotea / Great Barrier surveillance project

29. Findings from the 2019/2020 financial year are summarised within Attachment A and below:

· Mediterranean fanworm was detected at Port Fitzroy wharf and natural substrate near Graves Island, Whangaparapara wharf (for the first time) and Tryphena wharf

· only one vessel had Mediterranean fanworm detected on its hull (ex-Whangārei)

· 25 Mediterranean fanworm detected and controlled in total

· no Mediterranean fanworm was detected on marine farms that were checked by divers, noting that not all farms are checked and generally not in entirety due to the resourcing required to do this. The Aotea marine farms are reportedly now sourcing their spat (juvenile mussels) from marine-pest free farms

· no Mediterranean fanworm was detected at the Rakitu Island mooring area (the cove) and the northern Whangapoua beach anchorage which were surveyed for the first time

· two scheduled surveillance rounds were cancelled during the 2019/2020 financial year: The February 2020 snorkel surveillance experienced internal delays, and was then cancelled due to its closeness to the scheduled March 2020 dive surveillance. The March 2020 dive surveillance was cancelled due to COVID-19 Level 4 restrictions

· the new-to-New Zealand species Clavelina oblonga sea squirt incursion will not be further investigated by the Ministry for Primary Industries. Council staff are working with the ministry to use its predicative modelling to include this species for analysis.

Identifying likely marine pest locations

30. Staff have received confirmation from the Ministry for Primary Industries and Biosecurity New Zealand that they will run the marine pest location information through their predictive monitoring tool.

31. This will help identify the likely locations of establishment (the natural spread of marine pests if they are able to reproduce), and enable more efficient resource allocation of diver effort.

Developing an inter-regional marine pest pathway management plan

32. The development of an inter-regional marine pest pathway management plan is progressing well. All four northern regions have received official endorsement to proceed with the initiative.

33. An inter-regional staff working group was formed to draft a formal proposal with supporting information as required under the Biosecurity Act 1993. Formal public consultation will occur in mid-2021.

Investigating an on-island hull cleaning and maintenance facility

34. An on-island hull cleaning and maintenance facility feasibility study was undertaken in 2019. This included three on-island workshops where public feedback was obtained, and during other marine biosecurity-related activities both on-island and elsewhere.

35. While capacity issues across the council have caused this project to stall during COVID-19 restrictions, internal discussions are underway across departments to progress the project to phase two (concept development). The local board will continue to receive updates on this initiative as it progresses.

Supporting a new Asian paddle crab trapping initiative

36. Staff recommend the board support a community volunteer education and Asian paddle crab trapping initiative in the 2020/2021 financial year. The initiative will focus on the Whangapoua estuary as this is where the species was discovered on Aotea in early 2020, but with a focus on increasing community understanding of the importance of pathway management to prevent the spread of this and other marine pest species to new locations around Aotea.

37. Staff have confirmed that initiative can be incorporated into the existing Ōkiwi pest coordinator project for the 2020/2021 financial year. The local board allocated $15,000 towards the Ōkiwi pest coordinator project in the current financial year at its August 2020 business meeting (resolution GBI/2020/79).

38. A further allocation of $9,800 from the locally-driven initiatives operational budget will enable the Ōkiwi pest coordinator project to be expanded to include the Asian paddle crab trapping initiative. This funding can be accommodated within the 2020/2021 freshwater management programme budget ($31,500), which has a $9,800 underspend due to the delayed start of the contract.

39. The initiative will support:

· a monitoring programme being set up that the Ōkiwi School and community can own

· the provision of trapping equipment, and the installation of crab pots and traps in the Whangapoua estuary

· community education facilitated by the Ōkiwi pest co-ordinator, with a particular emphasis on preventative pathway management.

40. The initiative will also give staff, the local board and the community a better understanding of the population density and distribution of the Asian paddle crab following its detection within the estuary for the first time in early 2020.

41. Trapping will be undertaken between November 2020 and end around March or April 2020, with one week of trapping each month. Year one of the initiative is intended to be a pilot, however there is potential it could continue in future financial years if it is successful.

Ongoing support for the Aotea conservation advisor role

42. This report also seeks the board’s indicative support for to continue part funding its conservation advisor role over the 2021/2022, 2022/2023, and 2023/2024 financial years. The conservation advisor will play a key role in supporting the marine biosecurity and community education initiatives funded by the local board, such as those detailed in this report.

43. While the local board cannot make formal financial decisions around funding for future financial years this far in advance, this indicative support will provide more job security to the successful candidate.

44. Formal approval of funding for 2021/2022, and in principle for 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 will be sought through the board’s annual work programming process (expected in June 2021).

Tauākī whakaaweawe āhuarangi

Climate impact statement

45. Addressing negative impacts of marine pests on marine ecosystems will help to deliver actions in Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Plan to protect and enhance coastal and marine ecosystems to maximise carbon capture and resilience.

Ngā whakaaweawe me ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera

Council group impacts and views

46. The marine biosecurity project is supported by Auckland Council strategic documents and initiatives, such as the Regional Pest Management Plan, Auckland Council’s work programme in response to Sea Change – Tai Timu Tai Pari, and Auckland’s Indigenous Biodiversity Strategy 2012.

47. The Auckland Council cross-council marine biosecurity working group consists of representatives from various departments including Plans and Places, Coastal Consents, Natural Environment Strategy, Regulatory Services, and the Research and Evaluation Unit (RIMU). This group ensures oversight of current initiatives and an opportunity for departments to input into and support future marine biosecurity initiatives.

48. The proposed Asian paddle crab initiative will be supported by Environmental Services staff, as part of the wider Ōkiwi pest coordinator project.

Ngā whakaaweawe ā-rohe me ngā tirohanga a te poari ā-rohe

Local impacts and local board views

49. The actions and initiatives outlined in this report will have a positive impact on the Aotea / Great Barrier marine environment, as they will help prevent the introduction and spread of marine pests to Aotea. The proposed Asian paddle crab initiative will target the Whangapoua estuary area in its first year.

50. A marine biosecurity update workshop was held with the local board on 6 October 2020, where the board indicated its support for the next steps as outlined in the report recommendations. Staff also discussed the potential community-led Asian paddle crab initiative, which has been detailed further in this report.

Tauākī whakaaweawe Māori

Māori impact statement

51. Mana whenua affiliated with Aotea are likely to support these recommendations as they will be beneficial to Aotea’s marine environment. Once the recently elected iwi representative’s contact details are available, the marine biosecurity team will establish communication channels on marine issues.

52. The proposed community-led Asian paddle crab project has the potential to be delivered by mana whenua, however this is dependent of the extent they want to be involved and resourcing constraints.

Ngā ritenga ā-pūtea

Financial implications

53. Project costs associated with the 2019/2020 surveillance report recommendations will largely be funded by the natural environment targeted rate.

54. The expansion of the Ōkiwi pest coordinator project to cover the proposed Asian paddle crab initiative will require an additional $9,800 from locally-driven initiatives operational expenditure.

55. This budget can be accommodated through the reallocation of the $9,800 underspent budget from the board’s 2020/2021 freshwater management programme. This budget reallocation will bring the total Ōkiwi pest coordinator budget for the 2020/2021 financial year to $24,800, and will reduce the freshwater management programme budget to $21,700 (including a $1,500 carry forward from the 2019/2020 financial year).

56. The annual local board budget required to part-fund the conservation advisor role is expected to be $45,000. Formal approval of this budget will be sought annually through the board’s annual work programme process.

57. Regional funding for this role in the 2021/2022, 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 financial years has been budgeted for under the natural environment targeted rate programme.

Ngā raru tūpono me ngā whakamaurutanga

Risks and mitigations

58. The key risks associated with the marine surveillance report actions are outlined in Table 1 below, alongside proposed mitigations:

Table 1. Key risks and proposed mitigations for regionally-funded marine biosecurity actions

Risk	Proposed mitigation	Likelihood and impact after mitigation
Ministry for Primary Industries are unable to identify potential locations for Mediterranean fanworm spread from the known incursion sites	Staff will continue to focus surveillance efforts on previously identified locations.	Likelihood: Low Impact: Low
Community engagement and behaviour change initiatives are delayed due to COVID-19 disruptions	This engagement can continue using online platforms	Likelihood: Low Impact: Low
The phase two concept development of an on-island hull cleaning and maintenance facility cannot progress due to internal staffing and budgetary constraints	Staff will continue to advocate for progression of phase two within available resourcing, however at a slower rate than anticipated.	Likelihood: Medium Impact: Medium-high

59. The key risks and proposed mitigation actions arising from the proposed Asian paddle crab initiative are outlined in Table 2 below:

Table 2. Risks and proposed mitigations for the Asian paddle crab initiative

Risk

Proposed mitigation

Likelihood and impact after mitigation

Health and safety risks posed to volunteers and the coordinator when trapping

Traps will be placed with this consideration and checked at low tide in the upper reaches of the estuary on foot. Waders and lifejackets will be used where safe and/or required.

Likelihood: Medium

Impact: Low

Health and safety risks posed when boat access is required to check traps

There is potential for the Department of Conservation to assist with vessels and skippers if this is required, however this detail is to be confirmed. Their health and safety processes would cover the boating aspect if used.

Likelihood: Low-medium

Impact: Low

60. The key risk and proposed mitigation arising from the conservation advisor role is outlined in Table 3 below:

Table 3. Risk and proposed mitigation for the conservation advisor role

Risk	Proposed mitigation	Likelihood and impact after mitigation
There is a risk that this role is not able to be recruited, due to the uncertainties around future funding for the role.	Staff recommend that the local board approve in principle continued support for the role over the 2021/2022, 2022/2023, and 2023/2024 financial years. Formal approval of budget will be sought through the work programme process, however indicative support will provide more job security for the successful candidate. Regional funding towards this role has been budgeted through the natural environment targeted rate programme in the in 2021/2022, 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 financial years.	Low-medium

Ngā koringa ā-muri

Next steps

61. Staff will continue to implement the recommendations in this report over the next few months. Regular updates will be provided to the local board as milestones are met.

62. Subject to the local board’s approval of the budget reallocation, it will also receive Asian paddle crab initiative delivery updates through its 2020/2021 local environment work programme progress reports.

63. The board will also be notified upon the successful recruitment of the conservation advisor role, and will receive regular updates on the advisor’s work programme delivery.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	2019/2020 Aotea / Great Barrier marine biosecurity surveillance report	33
b ⇩	Proposed Asian paddle crab initiative scope – to be included as part of the existing 2020/2021 Ōkiwi pest coordinator project	43
c ⇩	Asian paddle crab identification card	45

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Authors

Jaimee Maha - Team Leader Relationship Advisory

Jonathan Miles – Team Manager Islands

Authorisers

Rachel Kelleher – Acting General Manager Environmental Services

Barry Potter - Director Infrastructure and Environmental Services

Glenn Boyd - Local Area Manager

Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board

24 November 2020

Community Facilities’ Sustainable Asset Standard

File No.: CP2020/16598

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To seek formal local board feedback on the Community Facilities’ Sustainable Asset Standard (the Standard) and proposed regional policy (Attachment A).

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. The Sustainable Asset Standard is a Community Facilities business improvement project consisting of three key deliverables to act on climate change in the built environment:

· A policy to define minimum thresholds for Community Facilities assets to achieve sustainability or ‘green’ certifications. This policy is currently an internal staff guidance document, proposed to Governing Body to adopt formally as a regional policy and is provided as Attachment A.

· Energy transition accelerator plans to align renewal works to reduce emissions at targeted, high-emissions sites.

· The change management required to support staff and suppliers to deliver green certified assets meeting the standard set out by the policy.

3. Sustainable asset certification tools are recognised as best practice to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts resulting from the development and operations of council assets, managed by Community Facilities.

4. The Standard is coupled with a funding package through the Long-term Plan as part of Council’s response to climate change. Additional costs to certify those assets identified in the work programme are estimated at a 4.4 per cent premium calculated against existing budgets.

5. The Governing Body’s adoption of the current internal policy as a regional policy would have two impacts on local board decision-making:

· all growth projects over five million dollars and renewal projects over two million dollars would obtain green building certification at no less than a Green Star five-star rating (or equivalent certification), with net zero energy operations, and

· as a fundamental principle of these rating tools, any design options provided to local boards for asset decision-making, would be required to provide whole-of-life considerations.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendations

That the Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board:

a) support the Community Facilities Sustainable Asset Standard as an action of the Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri (Auckland’s Climate Plan)

b) provide any feedback to support the Governing Body’s consideration of the Standard as regional policy.

Horopaki

Context

6. In 2019 Auckland Council declared a climate emergency and in July 2020 the Environment and Climate Change Committee adopted Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri. The plan sets a 2030 target to reduce emissions by 50 per cent.

7. Developing a Sustainable Asset Standard is an action under Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri. This will enable Auckland Council to align asset management practices with the comprehensive frameworks of green building certification tools (e.g. Green Star, Living Building Challenge, Passive House, Infrastructure Sustainability).

8. Buildings and open spaces managed by Community Facilities (CF) accounted for roughly 68 per cent of the council’s carbon footprint in 2019, as can be seen in Figure 1, right.

9. As the source of such a large proportion of the council’s emissions, Community Facilities needs to urgently address climate change through the management of public assets.

10. The Standard (orange in Figure 2, below) is one of eight key programmes identified in the Auckland Council Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction plan to reduce the organisation’s emissions by 50 per cent by 2030 (dashed line below).

Figure 2 Auckland Council Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Plan

11. Adopting the Standard as part of this cycle of Long-term Plan funding positions the council to meet compliance changes to New Zealand’s building regulations expected in October 2021, from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Building for Climate Change programme. If adopted, Auckland Council would be the first local government in the country to commit to using green building and sustainable infrastructure certifications.

Tātaritanga me ngā tohutohu

Analysis and advice

12. Staff explored two other options to provide a comprehensive asset-focussed response to climate change:

· green building certification for existing assets (Green Star Performance)

· organisational certification under (ISO 14001 Environmental Management System).

13. The Green Star Performance ‘proof of case’ pilot certified the council’s three-building crematorium portfolio in 2018. It was the first in the country to receive a Green Star rating on operational assets.

14. The pilot proved to be a valuable exercise in developing a performance improvement plan. It also proved that certification across the CF portfolio would be cost prohibitive, as the “Performance” rating required tri-annual, on-going recertification.

15. Another option explored was a different type of certification, ISO 14001, which applies an environmental management system. Through investigation with the Chief Sustainability Office, Corporate Property and Corporate Health and Safety, it was determined that this certification is more suitable to a corporate application throughout the organisation, as opposed to only CF assets.

16. This initial investigation also found that the certification did not address the cultural and social aspects to sustainable performance in a building or asset application. These comprehensive measures are essential in green building and sustainable infrastructure rating tools.

17. Sixty-one per cent of C40 cities^{^[1]} require green building certifications for all new facilities. For CF to manage its assets efficiently and sustainably, our practices need to go beyond building code compliance. Green building and infrastructure tools provide the framework to align CF asset management with international best practice to deliver better asset value and outcomes for Aucklanders.

Tauākī whakaaweawe āhuarangi

Climate impact statement

18. The Standard addresses climate mitigation by committing to carbon neutral growth and evidencing it using an independent assessment framework. The proposal’s primary benefit is to support Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri’s implementation. This will be achieved by mandating climate action in the built environment and making it transparent and accountable through Green Star (and other sustainable asset) certification processes.

19. Climate adaptation is also supported through the use of these sustainable asset certification processes. These frameworks encourage sustainable design features to promote resilience to climate change’s extreme weather events. Features like rainwater harvesting, living roofs and walls, and potable water use avoidance through design, all support network-scale resilience to drought, floods, and heavy storms.

Ngā whakaaweawe me ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera

Council group impacts and views

20. The Standard aligns with the Auckland Council Group Green Building Framework, drafted in 2018 with input from Panuku Development Auckland, Auckland Transport, and the former Regional Facilities Auckland (RFA).

21. Out of these Council Controlled Organisations, the Standard supports Panuku’s community-scale developments seeking Green Star Community certifications and the former RFA”s 2019 Green Building Standards.

Ngā whakaaweawe ā-rohe me ngā tirohanga a te poari ā-rohe

Local impacts and local board views

22. If the Standard is adopted, the two main impacts on local boards are:

· capital decisions on all growth projects over five million dollars, and renewal projects over two million dollars, would require green building certification at no less than a Green Star five-star rating (or equivalent certification). Growth projects will need to be net zero energy (energy use is generated on-site or through investment in renewable energy at other council facilities, any energy consumed from the grid is offset by exports to the grid)

· as a fundamental principle of these rating tools, any design options provided to local boards for asset decision-making would be required to provide whole-of-life considerations, making climate impact statements and life cycle assessments more quantified for improved advice.

23. Staff attended local board workshops in October and November 2020. At the time of this report being drafted, informal feedback has been generally supportive, however, there is also a general concern that the costs to deliver certifications to this standard will exceed allocated budgets. This report seeks the formal views of local boards.

24. The Standard directly addresses local board input as part to Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri engagement in 2018, highlighting the need for council buildings to demonstrate best practice.

Tauākī whakaaweawe Māori

Māori impact statement

25. The Standard supports Māori wellbeing by providing the operational tools required to action two key Māori outcomes strategies:

· The Auckland Council Māori Outcomes Framework

· Te Aranga Design Principles

26. Community Facilities’ early commitment to green building and infrastructure tools, within the Aotearoa New Zealand context, also benefits Māori aspirations of visible and embedded Māori identity and culture in the building industry. Māori will have increasing influence over the tools’ applications and the definition of sustainable assets in the country.

27. By becoming the first local government in the country to commit to green ratings, the council can leverage this leadership with applicable organisations to further emphasise the cultural significance of the frameworks.

28. Input will be sought from mana whenua on this proposal at the next available kaitiaki forum (date yet to be confirmed).

Auckland Council Māori Outcomes Framework

29. The Standard supports Ngā Whāinga Mahi three to 10 of the Auckland Council Māori Outcomes Framework:

3.0 Mārae Development

The Mārae development Programme’s primary objective is to provide healthy, safe and warm Mārae with longevity longevity for future generations, supported by the Standard’s indoor environmental quality metrics.

4.0 Te Reo Maori

Te reo Māori to be more visible, heard, and spoken in Tāmaki Makaurau.

5.0 Māori Identity and Culture

Embed Te Aranga Design Principles into staff procedures and templates and ensure consistent application for all CF capital design work.

6.0 Māori Business, Tourism and Employment

Enable staff to apply the Auckland Council Group Sustainable Procurement Framework consistently across all asset management procurement from capital works to full facility operational tenders.

7.0 Realising Rangatahi Potential

Rangatahi potential included via two pathways:

1. by normalising sustainable procurement to deliver social outcomes (including those for youth) and

2. by shifting asset decisions away from short-term project costs (which benefit current Aucklanders disproportionately over rangatahi), towards total-cost-of-life evaluation of assets, which support providing assets with lower operating costs and avoiding carbon emissions locked in by design.

8.0 Kaitiakitanga

Supports kaitiakitanga outcomes in two ways:

1. by enabling built environment activities to improve environmental reporting and contribute to mātauranga Māori and

2. by more effective Māori engagement to apply this mātauranga through social, equity, and innovation categories of certification frameworks.

9.0 Effective Māori Participation

Equity, social and innovation categories built into sustainable asset ratings incentivises increased engagement with Māori alongside Te Aranga Design Principles.

10.0 An Empowered Organisation

Climate change is affecting the cultural landscape in a way which makes natural resources less accessible to Māori in Tamaki Makaurau. The Standard approach acknowledges the relationship between te Tiriti and improving the sustainability of public assets to enable our workforce to deliver the Māori outcome of protecting natural taonga for future generations of Tamaki Makaurau.

Te Aranga Design Principles

30. Measuring CF’s assets’ environmental performance supports the Te Aranga Design principle of Mauri Tu to protect, maintain and enhance the environment. Tools with a particular emphasis on place and the cultural relationships with land underscore the principles of Tohu and Ahi Kā, where cultural landmarks and heritage are designed into projects and enhance sense of place relationships.

Ngā ritenga ā-pūtea

Financial implications

31. A four per cent^{^[2]} cost increase is forecast for 30 capital projects to be certified under the Standard over the next ten years. This increase totals $14.5 million on top of the existing allocated budgets for these 30 projects. Funding will be sought through the Long-term Plan climate lane corporate emissions package, at a future Finance and Performance Committee meeting.

32. The proposal makes provision for an additional $180,000 of asset-based service operational expense for tools development. This cost will be met by existing OpEx as part of the continuous improvement of CF business performance over the next three years, subject to change and approval as part of the LTP approval process and finalisation of the CapEx and OpEx budgets.

Ngā raru tūpono me ngā whakamaurutanga

Risks and mitigations

33. As the earliest adopter of green buildings and sustainable infrastructure at scale in Aotearoa, Auckland Council will face higher risks to implementation than those organisations which follow.

34. Mitigation of these risks has been embedded in the delivery plan of the Standard by investing in change management to address industry maturity and staff capability.

35. Major risks have been identified and addressed during the strategic assessment phase of the Standard’s project governance, including risks of inaction should the Standard not be implemented. Through this assessment, the reputational, financial, legal, and business risks were found to outweigh the risks of early adoption.

36. Because the Standard is using project governance to deliver the change management, further risk management is iterative and will be further defined through the business case phase with the project team’s risk management plan.

Ngā koringa ā-muri

Next steps

37. Formal local board feedback will be included in the proposal to the Governing Body when requesting the adoption of the Standard as regional policy. The report will be put to the Governing Body in the first week of December 2020. For those business meetings occurring after the reporting deadline, this feedback will be made available to Governing Body separate to the report.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	Community Facilities Sustainable Asset Policy	53

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author

Toto Vu Duc, Energy Efficiency & Sustainability Specialist, Community Facilities

Authorisers

Rod Sheridan - General Manager Community Facilities

Manoj Ragupathy – Acting General Manager, Local Board Services

Glenn Boyd - Local Area Manager

Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board

24 November 2020

Auckland Transport November 2020 update to the Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board

File No.: CP2020/16775

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To provide an update to the Aotea Great Barrier Local Board on transport related matters in their area.

2. To provide updates on the Local Board Transport Capital Fund (LBTCF) and the local board’s Community Safety Fund (CSF).

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

This report covers:

3. A general summary of operational projects and activities of interest to the board.

4. An update on the board’s Transport Capital Fund and Community Safety Fund.

5. Other Auckland Transport news of interest to the board.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board:

a) receive the Auckland Transport November 2020 update report.

Horopaki

Context

6. Auckland Transport (AT) is responsible for all of Auckland’s transport services, excluding state highways. We report on a monthly basis to local boards, as set out in our Local Board Engagement Plan. This monthly reporting commitment acknowledges the important engagement role local boards play in the governance of Auckland on behalf of their local communities.

7. This report updates the local board on AT projects and operations in the Local Board area, it summarises consultations and Traffic Control Committee decisions, and includes information on the status of the LBTCF and CSF.

8. The LBTCF is a capital budget provided to all local boards by the Governing Body and delivered by Auckland Transport. Local boards can use this fund to deliver transport infrastructure projects that they believe are important but are not part of Auckland Transport’s work programme.

9. The CSF is a capital budget established by AT for use by local boards to fund local road safety initiatives. The purpose of this fund is to allow elected members to address long-standing local road safety issues that are not regional priorities and are therefore not being addressed by the AT programme.

Tātaritanga me ngā tohutohu

Analysis and advice

Update on Auckland Transport operations:

Activity	Update
Airfields	Landings for October are much higher – probably attributable to the fact that we are using the new ADSB system which is a lot more accurate than relying on the voice recordings. A water cooler has been procured for the airport we are just waiting on a plumber to install it and we expect it should be installed within a couple of weeks. Remedial works to the seal at Claris are being undertaken on the taxiway and apron.
Parking Enforcement	Parking enforcement intend to have a presence on the island in November. However, they are mindful of the impacts of the COVID restrictions and the ability for people to comply with registration and WOF requirement. They would be keen to hear any feedback on compliance post-COVID from the Board.
Wharves	AT wharf operations are preparing a comms plan for the imminent summer season which will clarify any escalations should there be any incidents which require AT response. The comms plan will be shared by our operators and with neighboring businesses, should they see any issues which require reporting to us.
Road Maintenance	Work Completed in October Grading and Metalling · Mabey Rd · Thomas Rd · Puriri Bay Rd Seawall Repair on Shoal Bay Rd Water Tabling at Whangaparapara Rd 50% complete. Work Programmed for November Grading and Metalling · Whangaparapara Rd · Rosalie Bay Rd · Cape Barrier Rd Water Tabling at Whangaparapara Rd remaining 50% to complete. Upcoming Preseals to commence in December.

Update on Auckland Transport projects:

Activity	Issue reported	Expected completion	Summary of Previous updates	Update
Cowshed Bridge - river bank erosion around bridge	May 2018	Construction expected in the 2021/22 financial year.	A Bailey Bridge was installed in October 2019. The bridge will be retained to allow safe access underneath the original bridge. This has been programmed for design/consenting in the 2020/2021 financial year. Budget confirmed for this financial year to do design and planning tasks. Consultant’s fee offer expected week beginning 5/10/20.	Consultants fee offer received and accepted by AT. Anticipate draft options report ready for AT review in late December.
Slips on Puriri Bay Road	September 2018	TBC	Discussions regarding consents have been held with Auckland Council. Proposed options have been put forward for community and Iwi consultation. As part of the design process, a specialist arborist and ecologist have visited the projects. Hui took place on the 2 September 2020. Resource Consent documentation currently being updated and reviewed before submission to AC later in October 2020.	Updated reports received and awaiting final review, aiming for lodging early November.
Slips on Aotea Road	March 2019	TBC	Consenting requirements prepared and documentation commencing. Drilling investigations were carried out on site in December 2019. Designers report has been received. As part of the design process, a specialist arborist and ecologist have visited the projects. Hui took place on the 2 September 2020. Resource Consent documentation currently being updated and reviewed before submission to AC later in October 2020.	Updated reports received, however, AT have instructed report changes be made by the consultant. Expecting revised report early November with lodgement planned for mid- November.

Activity

Issue reported

Expected completion

Summary of Previous updates

Update

Subsidence on Shoal Bay Road at Pah Beach - The area opposite the Stonewall café

March 2019

TBC

Holding remedial works priced by contractor.

As part of the design process, a specialist arborist and ecologist have visited the projects this month.

No budget confirmed for this Financial Year.

However the Consultant’s fee offer expected week beginning 19/10/20 for design and planning tasks, subject to review and approval.

No fee offer received yet from consultant, so AT are chasing this up.

Pot holes on Gray Road

September 2020

TBC

The hole will be filled in for now and they will be scheduled for permanent repairs as part of this year’s chip seal programme.

Update on Local Board advocacy projects:

Activity

Summary

Update

Fish passage remediation

Following site visits from Auckland Transport, Environmental Services and Healthy Waters, a prioritised short list of the top three priority sites for fish passage remediation has been developed.

The advice as a result of this visit is that it will be necessary to replace key locations with oversize box culverts.

Auckland Transport will ensure that future renewals accommodate this.

The Elected Member Relationship Manager (EMRM) has been investigating whether funding is available to support this project from AT’s Environmental Programme. Unfortunately, there is no funding available from this source at this point.

Auckland Transport is also investigating whether a Regional Programme is required to consider fish passage needs. If a Regional programme is developed this could be a future source of funding.

No update this month, the previous update was as follows:

AT and Healthy Waters are working together on how we operate and maintain our stormwater networks/treatment etc. Recently we have agreed that if the culvert has structural issues and/or is impeding transport/traffic then AT will look at upgrading it and if the culvert is undersized for the volume of water due to upstream development or requires changes for water quality/biodiversity then HW will fund the works. AT will include fish passage improvements when structural improvements are proposed.

The Board should note that with the new national policy statement for freshwater management, improvements to fish passage barriers would be mandatory in culvert upgrades. This would mean when structural improvements are required this would be funded from AT funding.

Local Board Transport Capital Fund

10. Auckland Transport will update the local board on the effect of the Auckland Council Emergency Budget allocation to the Local Board Transport Capital Fund (LBTCF) and the budget now available in 2020/2021.

11. Once the revised amount is confirmed the next step will be for the Board review its projects for the 2020/2021 year and determine how they would like to proceed.

12. Please see below for a list of projects and the current status of these projects:

Project	Update
Resolution number GBI/2018/73 - requesting Auckland Transport to investigate a rough order of cost for traffic calmers at Claris settlement.	Road Safety Audit has been completed by an independent consultant. This is currently being reviewed by the Traffic Operations and Road Safety team. Upon completion of this audit the scheme plan and rough order cost will be presented to the Board.
The current Board has passed resolution GBI/2019/137 requesting that Auckland Transport create a rough order of cost for the replacement of the two culverts (identified by Environmental Services as numbers 66 & 68) under Aotea Road with oversized box culverts.	The report for this investigation has been submitted and AT is currently reviewing this. Upon completion of this review this will be presented to the Board
The current Board has passed resolution GBI/2020/39 requesting that Auckland Transport prepare a rough order of cost for unsealed road improvements.	AT is currently revising its unsealed roads programme and expected to report to the board on this in December 2020.

Community Safety Fund

13. The CSF is funded from Auckland Transport’s safety budget and is dependent on the level of funding Auckland Transport receives from Council.

14. Now that Auckland Council’s emergency budget is confirmed, Auckland Transport is reviewing all CSF projects. It is possible that projects are delayed or even stopped. When more detailed information is available it will be provided to the board.

15. The below table has an update on the projects in the CSF:

Project

Approved funding

Update

Remaining section of the Hector Sanderson walkway

$288,000

The contractor has completed the furthest section up to the cross roads. They are making steady progress with the remaining section from the Police Station to the Café.

Regarding the board’s request for walkway directional signage - AT request that the board nominates a board member to assist with confirming the type of sign required for this walkway.

Tauākī whakaaweawe āhuarangi

Climate impact statement

16. Auckland Transport engages closely with Council on developing strategy, actions and measures to support the outcomes sought by the Auckland Plan 2050, the Auckland Climate Action Plan and Council’s priorities.

17. Auckland Transport’s core role is in providing attractive alternatives to private vehicle travel, reducing the carbon footprint of its own operations and, to the extent feasible, that of the contracted public transport network.

Ngā whakaaweawe me ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera

Council group impacts and views

18. The impact of the information in this report is confined to Auckland Transport and does not impact on other parts of the Council group. Any engagement with other parts of the Council group will be carried out on an individual project basis.

Ngā whakaaweawe ā-rohe me ngā tirohanga a te poari ā-rohe

Local impacts and local board views

19. The proposed decision of receiving the report has no local, sub-regional or regional impacts.

Tauākī whakaaweawe Māori

Māori impact statement

20. The proposed decision of receiving the report has no impacts or opportunities for Māori. Any engagement with Māori, or consideration of impacts and opportunities, will be carried out on an individual project basis.

Ngā ritenga ā-pūtea

Financial implications

21. There are no financial implications of receiving this report.

Ngā raru tūpono me ngā whakamaurutanga

Risks and mitigations

22. The proposed decision of receiving the report has no risks. Auckland Transport has risk management strategies in place for all their projects.

Ngā koringa ā-muri

Next steps

23. Auckland Transport will provide another update report to the local board at their next business meeting.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report.

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author

Ben Halliwell, Elected Member Relationship Manager

Authorisers

Jonathan Anyon, Elected Member Relationship Team Manager

Louise Mason – General Manager Local Board Services

Glenn Boyd - Local Area Manager

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	Councillor Pippa Coom - November 2020 update	65

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	November 2020 Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board governance forward work calendar	81

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	20201020 Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board Workshop Record	87
b ⇩	20201103 Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board Workshop Record	89
c ⇩	20201110 Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board Workshop Record	91

[1] 2014 C40 Green Building City Market Briefs Compendium. C40 is a global network of leadership cities taking action to address climate change. Auckland is a member of this network.

[2] A 4.44 per cent premium was applied to those projects meeting certification thresholds for delivery between 2021-2029. This percentage was based on findings from a 2005 study by the Ministry for the Environment which found sustainable building features to cost an average of two to six per cent more than capital costs for Standard buildings.

Chairperson	Izzy Fordham
Deputy Chairperson	Luke Coles
Members	Susan Daly
	Patrick O'Shea
	Valmaine Toki