Agenda of Rodney Local Board

Rodney Local Board

04 November 2020

Submissions and feedback on the draft Rodney Local Board Plan 2020

File No.: CP2020/15840

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To provide an overview of feedback and submissions received from public consultation on the draft Rodney Local Board Plan 2020.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. The Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009 requires that each local board complete a local board plan for adoption the year following election and uses the special consultative procedure to engage with its communities.

3. In June 2020, the local board approved a draft Rodney Local Board Plan 2020 for public consultation. The consultation period ran from 13 July to 13 August 2020.

4. A total of 271 pieces of feedback were received, including 184 submissions through the online form, 63 hard copy submissions and 24 pieces of feedback through social media.

5. A total of 229 pieces of feedback were from individuals and 42 were from organisations.

6. Staff have prepared a report (Attachment A to the agenda report) summarising the results of the consultation.

7. All feedback is available on the Auckland Council website at https://akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/rodneyplan/widgets/299401/documents

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Rodney Local Board:

a) receive submissions and feedback on the draft Rodney Local Board Plan 2020.

Horopaki

Context

8. The Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009 requires that each local board must:

· adopt its local board plan by 31 October of the year following an election

· use the special consultative procedure (SCP) to engage with their communities.

9. The local board plan consultation period was planned for June and July 2020. The implementation of COVID-19 alert levels forced a delay, requiring the consultation to be rescheduled to July and August 2020.

10. This unavoidable change to the dates of the consultation period has also required a small extension of time to adopt the local board plan to ensure the local board had sufficient time to consider the submissions received.

11. On 17 June 2020, Rodney Local Board approved the release of a draft Rodney Local Board Plan 2020 for public consultation.

12. The key features of the draft Rodney Local Board Plan 2020 were:

· a continued focus on improving transport with initiatives covering road safety and maintenance, road sealing, public transport provision and footpaths and other types of connections.

· improving Rodney’s environment with pest control, restoration work, and with riparian planting and fencing to improve the quality of its waterways.

· providing the infrastructure and facilities to meet the needs of a fast-growing population through improved parks, new sports facilities and enhanced town centres.

13. The outcomes of the draft Rodney Local Board plan were:

i) Safe, improved transport options connect our communities

ii) Our natural environment is healthy and protected

iii) Infrastructure and development meets the needs of our growing communities

iv) Our communities are resilient and have access to what they need

v) Our local parks and recreation facilities meet the needs of our growing community.

14. In addition to understanding the needs and aspirations of the community, feedback was sought on how the local board can support the community and local businesses in recovering from the impact of COVID-19.

How we consulted

15. The consultation was held between 13 July and 13 August 2020. A range of engagement activities were undertaken to encourage the public to have their say, with a focus on digital and online platforms:

· Public submissions: These were hard copy and online and were collected via email, post, libraries, service centres, local board offices, the People’s Panel and the online survey tool at akhaveyoursay/lovelocal

· Have Your Say event: A Skype-enabled webinar engagement event for a general audience (spoken interaction) was held on 22 July 2020. A webinar tailored to young people aged 25 and under scheduled for 27 July was cancelled due to a lack of registrations.

· Social media: Comments were received on the Rodney Local Board Facebook page.

16. Due to the restrictions of the COVID-19 alert system on public gatherings, the following events were cancelled when Auckland moved to alert level 3 on 12 August 2020:

· a hearing-style event scheduled for 12 August.

17. During consultation, the local board received the following:

· 184 submissions through the online form

· 63 hard copy submissions

· 24 pieces of feedback via social media.

18. A total of 229 pieces of feedback were from individuals and 42 were from organisations.

Tātaritanga me ngā tohutohu

Analysis and advice

Summary of consultation feedback

19. The results and analysis of the public consultation have formed the basis for the development of the final local board plan.

20. Staff have prepared a report (Attachment A) summarising the results of the consultation. The key messages of the report are described below.

21. When asked, “How well do you think our plan reflects the needs and aspirations of you and your community over the next three years?”, 52 per cent responded positively to the direction of the plan, while 42 per cent responded negatively. A further six per cent were unsure.

22. A few themes that emerged in the feedback include:

· more initiatives were needed to respond to Māori aspirations

· road sealing and transport were high priorities

· investment in transport infrastructure (roads, footpaths, parking, etc)

· provision of parks and recreation

· focus on road and pedestrian safety

· the need to address traffic congestion

· urban growth planning and town centre plans

· protection of marine life and coastal areas

· protection of our natural environment, and pest eradication.

23. Question six asked respondents to select up to three advocacy initiatives that were the most important to them. Of the eight options, two stood out: advocate for improved road safety and maintenance, particularly on unsealed roads (81 per cent) and advocate for traffic congestion to be addressed (53 per cent).

Impact of COVID-19

24. When asked, “Do you think our plan will help our community and local businesses recover from the impact of COVID-19?”, 41 per cent felt the plan would help the community recover from the impact of COVID-19, while 29 per cent did not. A further 30 per cent were unsure.

Publishing the results of public consultation

25. To conclude this phase of the local board plan development, staff recommend that the local board receive the submissions and feedback for consideration.

Tauākī whakaaweawe āhuarangi

Climate impact statement

26. Receiving the submissions and feedback has a neutral climate impact. The submissions are available online to reduce the printing of hard copies.

27. The draft Rodney Local Board Plan 2020 reflected the impacts of predicted climate change. It considered such impacts as increasing temperatures, rising sea levels and changing rainfall patterns on the local board area.

28. The climate impact of any initiatives the Rodney Local Board chooses to progress will be assessed as part of the relevant reporting requirements and project management processes.

Ngā whakaaweawe me ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera

Council group impacts and views

29. Staff have worked closely with the local board to develop the final plan.

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

Local impacts and local board views

30. The Rodney Local Board has considered all submissions and feedback on the draft Rodney Local Board Plan 2020 and will adopt the final local board plan as a separate agenda item at this business meeting.

Tauākī whakaaweawe Māori

Māori impact statement

31. The draft Rodney Local Board Plan 2020 was developed with consideration given to feedback from Māori.

32. Of those who provided demographic information, 11 submissions were received from those identifying as Māori.

33. There were two submissions from mana whenua and one from a Māori community organisation.

Ngā ritenga ā-pūtea

Financial implications

34. There are no financial implications associated with receiving the submissions and feedback.

35. Budget to implement initiatives and projects is confirmed through the annual plan budgeting process.

Ngā raru tūpono me ngā whakamaurutanga

Risks and mitigations

36. There is a risk relating to managing public expectations. The process of consultation is likely to have raised expectations as to the inclusion of the communities’ priorities and aspirations, while the full social and economic effects of COVID-19 are still being determined.

37. The local board will consider all submissions and feedback before making changes to the draft Rodney Local Board Plan 2020.

Ngā koringa ā-muri

Next steps

38. The submissions and feedback are available on the Auckland Council website at https://akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/rodneyplan/widgets/299401/documents

39. The Rodney Local Board will adopt the Rodney Local Board Plan 2020 as a separate agenda item in this business meeting.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	Submissions and feedback summary report	13

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author	Justin Kary – Local Board Advisor
Authoriser	Lesley Jenkins - Local Area Manager

Rodney Local Board

04 November 2020

Adoption of the Rodney Local Board Plan 2020

File No.: CP2020/15819

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To adopt the Rodney Local Board Plan 2020.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. The Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009 requires that each local board complete a local board plan for adoption every three years and uses a special consultative procedure to engage with its communities.

3. The consultation period for the special consultative procedure ran from 13 July to 13 August 2020.

4. The local board has considered all submissions and feedback received from the consultation period. Substantive changes and minor edits for clarification are proposed.

5. The Rodney Local Board Plan 2020, which includes the proposed changes, is attached to this report.

6. Pending adoption of the plan, photographs, maps and other design features will be added for final publication.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Rodney Local Board:

a) adopt the Rodney Local Board Plan 2020 as set out in Attachment A of the agenda report

b) delegate authority to the Chairperson of the Rodney Local Board to approve any minor edits that may be necessary to the Rodney Local Board Plan 2020 prior to publication.

Horopaki

Context

7. The Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009 states that each local board must:

· adopt their local board plan by 31 October of the year following an election

· use the special consultative procedure (SCP) to engage with its communities.

8. Local board plans are strategic documents developed every three years. They set a direction for local boards and reflect community priorities and preferences. They provide a guide for local board activity, advocacy, funding and investment decisions. They also influence local board input into regional strategies and plans, including annual budgets.

9. The plans inform council’s 10-year budget, or Long-term Plan (LTP).

10. They also form the basis to develop the local board’s annual local board agreements and subsequent work programmes.

Timeframes

11. The local board plan consultation period was planned for June and July 2020. The implementation of COVID-19 alert levels forced a delay, requiring the consultation to be rescheduled to July and August 2020.

12. This unavoidable change to the dates of the consultation period has required a small extension of time to adopt the local board plan to ensure the local board had sufficient time to consider the submissions received.

Tātaritanga me ngā tohutohu

Analysis and advice

Consideration of submissions and feedback

13. The Rodney Local Board has considered the submissions and feedback received.

14. A total of 85 per cent of submitters identified as Pākehā/NZ European and 11 per cent identified as Māori.

15. The age of respondents was weighted towards a middle to older-age population, with 8 per cent aged 34 or younger, 42 per cent aged 35-54 and 46 per cent aged 55 and older.

16. When asked, “How well do you think our plan reflects the needs and aspirations of you and your community over the next three years?”, 52 per cent responded positively to the direction of the plan, while 42 per cent responded negatively. A further six per cent were unsure.

17. When asked, “Do you think our plan will help our community and local businesses recover from the impact of COVID-19?”, 41 per cent felt the plan would help the community recover from the impact of COVID-19, while 29 per cent did not. A further 30 per cent were unsure.

18. The key feedback points, analysis and subsequent proposed changes to the outcome chapters are outlined in Table 1 below.

Table 1: Substantive changes to the draft Rodney Local Board Plan 2020

Key point of feedback	Analysis	Proposed change
Working with Māori section
There were a number of comments in the feedback that the plan lacks enough initiatives to respond to Māori aspirations. In particular, the Working with Māori section was thought to be superficial in its wording.	The plan has further scope to respond to Māori aspirations with additional initiatives to recognise their unique status in Rodney and in Aotearoa.	In the Working with Māori section add the following words: As a local board, we recognise the importance of building meaningful relationships with mana whenua and whānau in Rodney and the need to better understand their aspirations for the area. We hope to work together in areas of common interest. We have established a partnership with local iwi Te Uri o Hau to grow native plants for our Rodney Healthy Harbours and Waterways Fund, which reflects their role as kaitiaki of the local whenua. We have also collaborated with mana whenua to incorporate Māori design into local places so that their stories and heritage are visible and celebrated. But we acknowledge that there is more that we need to do to connect the local board’s work with the aspirations of local mana whenua, and we look forward to that journey.
Outcome one: Safe, improved transport options connect our communities
There was a good amount of feedback asking for improvements to road sealing, safety and maintenance.	There was advice to make explicit that funding should be ring-fenced for road budgets to ensure funding is to be used for specific road work purposes. Further advice was received that funding that would allow Auckland Transport to renew and maintain 12 per cent of Auckland’s roads would allow for better road conditions. Auckland Transport’s Vision Zero programme is focused on road safety.	Add wording ‘ring-fence budgets’ regarding the Long-term Plan 2021-2031. Add wording on specific budget need for road maintenance and renewal. Add wording to advocate for continued funding for Vision Zero: Improve road safety and maintenance by advocating to the Governing Body to ring-fence budgets in the Long-term Plan 2021-2031 for: · $121 million for Auckland Transport’s Unsealed Roads Improvement Programme to improve unsealed roads through strengthening and other methods · an increase of funding that allows Auckland Transport to renew and maintain at least 12 per cent of Auckland’s sealed roads in any given year · continued budget allocation to road safety for Rodney as part of Auckland Transport’s Vision Zero programme
There were comments in the feedback seeking a focus on train connections as a mode of public transport.	An extended Western Rail Line would support the local board’s outcome of ‘safe, improved transport options connect our communities’.	Add: Advocate to extend Auckland Transport’s Western Rail Line service to Huapai
Advice was that several initiatives were very similar and addressed the same issues.	Combine into one initiative that can cover the intent and direction of the several indicated.	Change from: Improve pedestrian safety by constructing footpaths, particularly where they finish incomplete circuits, or are near schools. Prioritise joining the new and old parts of our towns with footpaths, to provide safe walking options. Support the implementation of walkways, trails and bridleways, as guided by our greenways plans, to better connect our rural areas with local villages, and to increase safety – ensuring that any new developments and subdivisions are also connected to this network. To: Advocate for and support the delivery of walkways, trails and bridleways, as guided by our greenways plans, to better connect our rural areas with local villages, and to increase safety – ensuring that any new developments and subdivisions are also connected to this network
Outcome two: Our natural environment is healthy and protected
Advice was to clarify that the local board’s role is to identify projects for the use of growth funding.	Change wording to provide this clarity.	Change from: We will advocate for growth funding to be used for projects to offset the effects of development, for example, plantings in Green Road. To: Identify offset mitigation projects that respond to development in the local board area to provide opportunities for riparian enhancement and improved water quality
Feedback was to clarify the local board’s role in this initiative.	The local board’s role is not enforcement; it is advocacy, so a change is proposed to clarify this. The local board can also advocate for and support activities that aim to achieve better environmental outcomes than minimum requirements.	Change from: Ensure council compliance and regulatory requirements are being properly exercised to protect our environment. To: Advocate for council compliance and regulatory requirements to be adhered to and enforced to protect our environment, and where appropriate, support activities to exceed statutory requirements
Outcome three: Infrastructure and development meets the needs of our growing communities
There was feedback supporting the importance of waterways, improving public spaces and creative attractive town centres.		Add: Continue to deliver the Kumeū-Huapai Centre Plan including enhancing the Kumeū River’s ecology and people’s access to it, and by working with landowners and developers to improve the look of the town centre
There were a number of comments supporting work on road safety and improved cycling and pedestrian infrastructure.	The local board wishes to see transport infrastructure that is designed appropriately for the place it is located. The local board can advocate for better standards to effect this.	Add: Advocate for improved design standards for roading, cycling and pedestrian networks in subdivisions in countryside living zones, and rural and coastal towns, that reflect the character and needs of the local area
There were a number of comments supporting work on road safety and improved cycling and pedestrian infrastructure.	The local board wishes to see transport infrastructure that is designed appropriately for the place it is located. The local board can advocate for this – in this case for changes to the Unitary Plan to support this.	Add: Advocate for changes to the Unitary Plan to give better direction on design standards for transport networks for subdivisions in countryside living zones, and rural and coastal towns
Advice was that the local board may want to be more inclusive for its support of business.	Change wording to demonstrate support for different types of business organisations in different areas and highlight the particular challenge that Wellsford faces with the impending motorway bypass route.	Change from: Support the establishment of a business improvement district (BID) in Wellsford to meet the challenges of the SH1 extension to Te Hana. To: Support local business communities, business associations and business improvement districts (BIDs) to thrive, including the Wellsford business community to meet the challenges of the SH1 extension bypass to Te Hana
Two initiatives regarding libraries are extremely similar.	This initiative under outcome four: ‘Support libraries to promote community connectedness through targeted activities’, essentially already captures the intent of this initiative that is proposed to be cut.	Remove: Investigate options for library services and programmes to meet the needs of a changing and growing population.
Advice received for the local board to make it clear that it wishes for investigations to be carried out regarding possible uses for the property at 14 Baxter Street, Warkworth.	14 Baxter Street, Warkworth is partially owned by council. Investigations are taking place to determine if there is a use for it to enhance Warkworth’s town centre.	Add: Advocate for the consideration of 14 Baxter Street, Warkworth as a key site to support the future revitalisation of Warkworth’s town centre
Outcome four: Our communities are resilient and can access what they need locally
Advice was to be simpler and clearer in the initiative pertaining to Auckland Emergency Management.	Provide clearer, more succinct wording that still captures the intent of the initiative.	Change from: Advocate to Auckland Emergency Management, the council group and central government to ensure emergency and natural hazard plans consider Rodney’s unique rural, agricultural, and coastal character. Advocate to Auckland Emergency Management to work closely with our local rural communities on the best ways to support them in an emergency. To: Work with our local communities and emergency response specialists on the best way to support communities in an emergency
Outcome five: Our local parks and recreation facilities meet the needs of our growing community
There were a number of comments in the feedback that the plan lacks enough initiatives to respond to Māori aspirations.	The plan has further scope to respond to Māori aspirations with additional initiatives to recognise their unique status in Rodney and in Aotearoa.	Add: Work with mana whenua to integrate Māori design in our local parks and facilities, and find ways to include Māra Hūpara (traditional Māori playground) in our play spaces

Changes to the draft Rodney Local Board Plan 2020

19. Staff recommend adopting the draft Rodney Local Board Plan 2020 (Attachment A) which incorporates the proposed substantive changes as described in Table 1 and other minor changes.

Tauākī whakaaweawe āhuarangi

Climate impact statement

20. The Rodney Local Board Plan 2020 reflects the impacts of predicted climate change.

21. Specific initiatives are outlined under each outcome.

22. In outcome one: Safe, improved transport options connect our communities, initiatives that respond to climate change include:

· advocate to Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency to enhance safety and address congestion on state highways

· advocate for, or fund, further improvements and the expansion of Rodney bus services, including park-and-rides, dedicated bus ways, additional routes and stops, weekend services on busier routes, and higher frequency on busy routes

· advocate for good public transport provision in new development areas

· advocate to extend Auckland Transport’s Western Rail Line service to Huapai

· advocate for and support the delivery of walkways, trails and bridleways, as guided by our greenways plans, to better connect our rural areas with local villages, and to increase safety – ensuring that any new developments and subdivisions are also connected to this network.

23. In outcome two: Our natural environment is healthy and protected, initiatives that respond to climate change include:

· improve water quality in our waterways and reduce the effects of climate change by restoring freshwater ecosystems through riparian fencing and planting, and sediment reduction, delivering benefits such as flood mitigation, habitat for native biodiversity, and carbon sequestration

· improve our local biodiversity and natural environment by partnering with mana whenua and supporting community groups and schools, and by advocating for regional and national funding to eradicate pest plants, and animals, and pathogens and to carry out restoration work

· support the community, and community resource recovery and recycling centres, to minimise waste, turn waste into resources, and to promote education on waste reduction

· ensure any local board-funded and permitted events are managed to minimise waste.

24. In outcome three: Infrastructure and development meets the needs of our growing communities, initiatives that respond to climate change include:

· encourage businesses to increase environmentally sustainable practices, such as minimising waste and reducing energy consumption

· take predicted sea level rises and climate change into account when delivering marine and coastal facilities in Rodney’s coastal areas

· develop our town centres, parks and facilities so they are fit for the future while protecting the natural environment as we grow.

25. In outcome four: Our communities are resilient and have access to what they need, initiatives that respond to climate change include:

· support community initiatives that will increase self-sufficiency skills and encourage sharing of resources at the local level

· advocate for reliable, fast and affordable broadband connections for all our communities.

26. In outcome five: Our local parks and recreation facilities meet the needs of our growing community, initiatives that respond to climate change include:

· deliver the outcomes identified in the Green Road Master Plan

· continue to support volunteers working on weed and pest control and other restoration work in our parks, reserves and public land.

27. The impact on the climate of the final plan has been considered. The final publication will be an online document to minimise printing.

Ngā whakaaweawe me ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera

Council group impacts and views

28. The adoption of the Rodney Local Board Plan 2020 will inform the development of council’s 10-year budget.

29. It will also form the basis to develop the local board’s annual local board agreements and subsequent work programmes.

30. Planning and operational areas of the council have taken part in the development and review of the draft and final plans.

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

Local impacts and local board views

31. The local board’s views have informed the development of the final Rodney Local Board Plan 2020. Workshops were held on 2 September 2020 and 7 October 2020 to discuss and consider feedback, and to discuss and agree changes to the plan.

32. In developing the plan, the Rodney Local Board considered:

· feedback from Māori

· what is already known about our communities and what is important to them

· submissions received via online forms, hardcopy forms, emails and post

· feedback provided at engagement events and online through Facebook

· regional strategies and policies

· staff advice.

Tauākī whakaaweawe Māori

Māori impact statement

33. In developing the plan, the Rodney Local Board:

· considered existing feedback from Māori with an interest in the local board area

· reviewed submissions received.

34. The Rodney Local Board Plan 2020 aims to promote outcomes or issues of importance to Māori through the following specific initiatives:

· we want to partner with mana whenua and continue to work with landowners, central government, and other agencies through our Rodney Healthy Harbours and Waterways Fund to support activities that improve water quality with riparian fencing and planting, and reduce sediment

· we have developed greenway and town centre plans. We will continue to deliver on these plans and seek to partner with mana whenua to ensure their identity and culture are reflected in the development and design of our local places and spaces

· work with mana whenua and agencies such as Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, Auckland Transport and Panuku to continue to optimise public spaces to create focal points for our community

· develop partnerships and projects with mana whenua that respond to and further their aspirations

· work with mana whenua to integrate Māori design in our local parks and facilities, and find ways to include Māra Hūpara (traditional Māori playground) in our play spaces.

Ngā ritenga ā-pūtea

Financial implications

35. Budget to implement initiatives and projects indicated in the plan is confirmed through the annual local board agreement budgeting process. The local board plan informs this process.

Ngā raru tūpono me ngā whakamaurutanga

Risks and mitigations

36. There is a minor reputational risk associated with the adoption of the final Rodney Local Board Plan 2020. The process of consultation is likely to have raised expectations of the local board being able to achieve particular initiatives. As a result of the economic impact of COVID-19 and the council’s significantly reduced budget, it may no longer be possible to achieve all of the initiatives identified in the draft plan.

37. This will be mitigated by clear communication of decision-making processes.