Agenda of Waiheke Local Board - Wednesday, 27 October 2021

1 Welcome

Kua uru mai a hau kaha, a hau maia, a hau ora, a hau nui,

Ki runga, ki raro, ki roto, ki waho

Rire, rire hau…pai marire

Translation (non-literal) - Rama Ormsby

Let the winds bring us inspiration from beyond,

Invigorate us with determination and courage to achieve our aspirations for abundance and sustainability

Bring the calm, bring all things good, bring peace… good peace.

2 Apologies

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

3 Declaration of Interest

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

4 Confirmation of Minutes

That the Waiheke Local Board:

a) confirm the ordinary minutes of its meeting, held on Wednesday, 22 September 2021, as a true and correct record.

5 Leave of Absence

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

6 Acknowledgements

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

7 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 Waiheke 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 ⇩	Councillor's Update - October 2021	9

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	Chairpersons report - October 2021	27
b ⇩	Government Response letter from Deputy Chief Executive Covid-19 Response	31
c ⇩	Letter to Minister of Health Hon. Chris Hipkins	33

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	Urgent Decision - lower future Covid lockdown restriction level for Waiheke Island	37
b ⇩	Waiheke Local Board correspondence	39

Waiheke Local Board

27 October 2021

Auckland Transport Report - October 2021

File No.: CP2021/15182

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

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

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

This report covers:

2. A general summary of operational projects and activities of interest to the Waiheke Local Board.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation

That the Waiheke Local Board:

a) receive the Auckland Transport October 2021 update report.

Horopaki

Context

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

4. This report updates the Waiheke Local Board on Auckland Transport (“AT”) projects and operations in the local board area.

Tātaritanga me ngā tohutohu

Analysis and advice

Local Board Transport Capital Fund (LBTCF)

5. The LBTCF is a capital budget provided to all local boards by Auckland Council 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 AT’s work programme.

6. The current amount of funding proposed in the Regional Land Transport Plan is $400,000 per annum.

7. The unspent budget of $71,493.50 from 2020/2021 can be carried forward for the board to allocate as they see fit providing a total fund available for 2021/2022 of $471,493.50. Auckland Transport will work with the local board to discuss and advise on the best use of the budget.

Community Safety Fund (CSF)

8. The CSF is a capital budget established by Auckland Transport 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 Auckland Transport programme.

9. The CSF is funded from Auckland Transport’s safety budget, and funding for the design and construction for the Causeway project has been confirmed for 2021/2022.

Update on Auckland Transport operations:

10. The table below has a general summary of projects and activities of interest to the local board with their status. Please note that:

· All timings are indicative and are subject to change.

· Due to the Alert Level 4 lockdown period in place since 18 August, this report is reduced in content to include only operational items where there has been any activity or change since the 25 August local board business meeting.

· The Waiheke Operations Manager will update the local board in the event of any amendments or changes to the summaries provided for below.

Activity	Update
EV chargers	Approved - parking resolution for the installation of EV charging facilities at 107 Donald Bruce Rd., Surfdale (Kennedy Point upper carpark). AT is working with Vector and Electric Island regarding two more applications for on-street charging stations at 26 Anzac Rd, Orapiu, and 1 Third Ave, Onetangi.
Wharves	Matiatia Wharf (main) The second stage of Auckland Transport’s (AT’s) renewal project at Matiatia will begin soon, with work to be carried out on the main wharf to ensure Waiheke’s ferry infrastructure is maintained for now and into the future. Several improvements are to be made at Matiatia, with the first stage of work completed at the end of last year to the old wharf in preparation for the renewal required at the main wharf. When work begins in January 2022, the main wharf will close, and all ferry services will temporarily relocate to the old wharf while renewal work is carried out. Temporary shelter, AT Hop machines and signage will be installed on the old wharf during the closure, and facilities in the main wharf building will remain open for use. AT has appointed marine maintenance contractor, Heron Group, to complete the work required on the main wharf. Phase one work on the southern berth includes: · Pontoon replacement · New hydraulic platform · New fixed landing platform · New upper and lower gangways · Works expected to be completed with six to eight weeks. Phase two – to replace the northern berth. Expected to take place within 12-18 months
Road Maintenance	Programmed works October works includes water tabling and other routine cyclic maintenance of signs, drains and potholes. Grading 1. Man o War Bay Rd. 2. Awaawaroa Rd. 3. Gordons Rd. Omiha Drainage Repairs 1. Ocean Rd. Surfdale Road maintenance 1. Te Markiri, Onetangi 2. Pacific Parade, Surfdale 3. Surfdale Rd. Surfdale 4. Hamilton Rd. Surfdale Safety Project 1. Ocean View Rd / Tui Street roundabout Line marking completed 13 October.
Metro Ferry Services	Ferry Services COVID restrictions impacted on patronage during the month. The change to Alert Level 3 on Wednesday 22 September saw patronage increase from an average of around 300 a day during Alert Level 4 on passenger services to over 1,000 on the change in alert levels. This was in line with expectations and what we had previously seen across the network during changes in alert levels in 2020. Of importance is that the increase in patronage is being seen across the day, in particularly on those earlier morning services which supports the view that it is tradespeople and commuters having a higher level of mobility across the region than leisure use.

Update on Auckland Transport operations:

11. This list is initially an update on the projects outlined in the “Waiheke 10 Year Transport Plan: Project Lists draft for consultation June 2019”.

12. Due to the Alert Level 4 lockdown period in place since 18 August, this report is reduced in content to include only those projects where there has been any activity or change since the 25 August local board business meeting.

13. The Waiheke Operations Manager will update the local board in the event of any amendments or changes to the summaries provided for below.

Activity

Summary

Update

Te Huruhi School pedestrian crossing

New pedestrian crossing outside Te Huruhi School, Donald Bruce Rd.

The proposal is for a new pedestrian crossing to be constructed outside the school.

Following meetings with the local school revised plans were consulted with various AT internal stakeholders.

Internal feedback is complete and is being collated before submission to the Board. The proposal will then go out for public consultation.

Intersection upgrade - Donald Bruce Rd/Causeway Rd/Alison Rd

Improve safety at Donald Bruce Rd/Causeway Rd/Alison Rd intersection and enhance multi-modal function.

This project is currently out for pricing with construction planned for February 2022.

Scope includes:

Raised Swedish speed table* zebra crossing on the Alison Road approach and departure lanes.

Raised Swedish speed table zebra crossing on the Donald Bruce Rd approach and departure lane.

Raised Swedish speed table on the Causeway approach lane.

Changes to the traffic islands to accommodate the raised zebra crossings.

Footpath upgrade to the zebra crossings.

Installation of pedestrian crossing lighting.

New road markings and signage

*Swedish speed tables

Swedish speed tables are an innovative solution to slowing vehicles down and are suitable for bus routes.

AT has used Swedish-style speed tables to slow down all vehicles to 20—30 km/hr which improves the safety of route, particularly for the vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists.

The speed table has only one sharp ramp with a gradient of 1:13 and a height of 100mm. This compares to a normal speed table that has two sharp ramps.

Community Safety Fund

Project

Approved funding

Update

The Causeway – from Shelley Beach Rd to the Boating Club

Community Safety Fund (CSF)

A resource consent is required for

(a) tree/vegetation pruning/removal,

(b) Working within the marine coastal area.

Depending on the outcome from the resource consent phase construction could begin in the new year.

The planner and structural engineer have not been able to visit the site due to the AL3 and AL4 Covid lockdowns. A site visit is planned when Auckland returns to Alert Level 2.

Due to the current delay, there is a risk that only the design and consents can be completed this financial year.

Response to resolutions

Outstanding AT responses to local board requests or queries

14. WHK/2020/10. Provide clarity around Auckland Transport’s position on managing apparent anti-completive practices at Matiatia (and Downtown) ferry terminals, and surrounds.

AT Response

15. Please see below ATs response to the January 2020 resolution, WHK/2020/10, which we also believe provides sufficient detail that incorporates the subsequent April 2020 resolution.

a) Outline the position of Auckland Transport with respect to managing apparent anti-competitive practices at the Downtown and Mātiatia ferry terminals, including signage for tourism operators, and equal opportunity to promote businesses.

i. Auckland Transport is not aware of any anti-competitive practices at the Downtown Ferry Terminal, at Mātiatia Ferry Terminal or at any other of the public transport facilities across the region.

ii. Retail tenancy agreements at the Downtown Ferry Terminal and Mātiatia Ferry Terminal are drafted in accordance with standard industry practice and are subject to regular market rent reviews. When any tenancy becomes vacant, opportunities are marketed through established real estate agents (on ATs behalf) or are dealt with through ATs established procurement process using a tender approach. Whilst AT may identify a preferred use for such vacant site, this approach allows for vacant retail sites to be competitively marketed and tendered.

iii. The installation of signage at public transport facilities conforms with either Auckland Transport or Auckland Council policies, procedures, or bylaws (as required and as applicable); and any ‘permanent’ installation of signage is also usually governed by existing tenancy agreements or individual, specific ‘licence to occupy’ arrangements.

iv. From an overall leasing perspective, AT controls the activities of its tenants by way of the permitted uses allowed under the respective licence. Within these licences, AT ensures that there are sufficient clauses included that comply with the purpose and provisions of the Commerce Act. These licences are subject to legal review prior to signing.

v. Such licences can be subject to change in response to feedback or concerns received from members of the public, and amendments are made with the agreement of all parties. One recent case of this was with regards to the licence that Fullers360 has for occupying Unit 2 at Mātiatia Ferry Terminal. Following feedback received from the community, the inclusion of a specific clause relating to use of the PIDs and PA system in the new Mātiatia licence:

cid:image003.jpg@01D7888A.5F8ADF40

vi. This clause was included to address concerns that Fullers360 were using the PA system for non-public transport or health and safety purposes.

vii. One area that has been raised in the past by the Local Board has been around the accommodation of tourist and taxi operators at the Mātiatia facility to promote their services and to pick up customers from within the terminal building. Previously, the management of tourist and taxi operators within the facility at Mātiatia was unregulated and uncontrolled, with a growing level of touting activity being observed within the facility. This resulted in congestion points occurring and reports of aggressive marketing being received from customers.

viii. Facility operations at both Mātiatia and Downtown Ferry Terminals are the responsibility of AT. A key component of facility operations is to ensure that passenger flow through a facility is uninhibited, and that the general flow and functionality of a facility is not compromised.

x. As part of this responsibility, AT reviewed the impact of this unregulated practice on customer flow, customer experience and on existing commercial retail tenants within the facility. This review concluded that, from a facilities operations and wharf management perspective, a continuation of touting at the facility and unmanaged guest pick up was resulting in impacts on passenger flow and customer experience. As a result, a dedicated ‘Tour Pick Up’ location was identified, and clear signage provided to direct customers who don’t have organised tours and need taxis to the carpark.

xi. This approach is similar to how airports are managed and allows for a fair and reasonable approach to be taken for those tenants who have commercial lease agreements with AT versus those who do not.

xii. In summary, the context that brought AT to this decision is summarised below:

· Inside the terminal we have two operators offering tours, rentals and other services to the tourists. They pay commercial rents to operate from Mātiatia.

· Unit 3 has previously been vacant for an extended period, and tour operators / taxi operators had the opportunity to establish themselves on the wharf in a permanent location.

· A positive customer experience is an inherent part around increasing public transport patronage and customer’s perception of value for money. A key component of this is to ensure passenger movement through the terminal is free flowing, that customers are not harassed or that the wharf becomes an intimidating area to pass through.

· Changes made to queue management received positive feedback from the tenants regarding customer access and potential business impacts.

· Establishing or managing rules around the management of unsolicited approaches to customers is labour intensive and can lead to confrontation between parties.

· Managing such issues in this way would also place staff in difficult positions around ensuring impartiality and ensuring that a level playing field is available for all tour and taxi operators

· The use of signage to direct customers to the official taxi ranks in the carpark is considered a suitable and balanced mechanism to ensure that both commercial tenants can operate in accordance with their licences, and that those who do not have commercial lease agreements are treated equitably at the official taxi ranks.

16. The utilisation of berths for operational purposes is covered off below.

b) Outline how Auckland Transport are providing for competition of our ferry services.

i. Maritime access to AT-owned or managed facilities is governed by a variety of access agreements.

ii. The use of Mātiatia wharves (and the other AT wharves in the Hauraki Gulf) is covered by the “Agreement for Use of the Wharves dated 15 March 2001 between Auckland City Council, Fullers and Subritzky Shipping Line Limited (2001 Agreement)” and other associated settlement documents dated March 2001, commonly known as the “HGI Agreement”.

iii. The use of piers at the Downtown Ferry Terminal is governed by a set of ‘Common Access Terms’ that apply to all operators, supported by individual operator Access Agreements.

iv. Both suites of documents allow for open access for any operator (either existing or future) to use any of the facilities covered, subject to integration within the overall berth slot management plan. As a result, this means that a new entrant can approach AT for use of any of the berths / piers at these locations. Payment rates and obligations to use these facilities are the same for any operator.

v. AT has also recently invested in the redevelopment of the Downtown Ferry Terminal, and this has allowed the installation of additional piers which are suitable for the provision of ferry services to Waiheke. This allows for additional available berth slot capacity to be available, that means there is increased opportunity for a new entrant to consider entering the Auckland City to Waiheke passenger market.

vi. The AT HOP ticketing system has also undergone continued development in recent years that allows for easier inclusion of additional operators onto the system in the future.

vii. AT has also recently introduced additional functionality to its customer facing channels to include non-contracted or public transport services, that means that any future entrant into the ferry market will be able to utilise and take advantage of these channels as well and enable their services to be included on passenger information display screens and the AT journey planner.

c) Detail the commercial rent paid by Fullers for access to ticketing booths at both downtown and Waiheke terminal.

i. AT has various tenancy agreements for ticketing booths in place with Fullers360 at the Downtown Ferry Terminal and Mātiatia Ferry Terminal.

ii. These are listed in the table below:

Address	Permitted Use
Pier 1, Downtown Ferry Terminal	Ticket Kiosk, money handling and public information
Pier 2, Downtown Ferry Terminal	Ticket Kiosk and offices
Pier 2, Downtown Ferry Terminal	Placement of two (2) Ticket Validators
Pier 2, Downtown Ferry Terminal	The promotion of ferry and leisure activities, sales of tickets, retail sales of goods associated with Licensees services, luggage and freight handling
Eastern Kiosk, Downtown Ferry Terminal	Transport/Tourism related commercial offering
Unit 2, Mātiatia Ferry Terminal	Scheduled ferry services. The promotion of ferry activities, tourist destinations, community sponsors associated with the Licensees services. Sale of tickets and other items related to scheduled ferry services Light freight handling associated with the Licensees services.
Mātiatia Ferry Terminal	Placement of two (2) Ticket Validators

iii. Payment received for these locations is reviewed and assessed on a regular basis against market rates using comparative market evidence or an independent third-party valuer if required.

iv. Due to commercial confidentiality, Auckland Transport is not able to provide individual detail surrounding each of the individual tenancies in place with Fullers360, but we can confirm that between $250,0000 and $300,000 per annum (plus GST) is received from Fullers360 for access to ticketing booths at both Downtown and Matiatia Ferry Terminal.

v. In addition to the above, we can also clarify that as a result of the “Agreement for Use of the Wharves dated 15 March 2001 between Auckland City Council, Fullers and Subritzky Shipping Line Limited (2001 Agreement)”, AT is unable to charge for use of the Wharf (including Unit 2) relating to activities associated with the provision of Scheduled Ferry Services. This is because the 2001 Agreement states that passengers, by way of the passenger levy, pay for the use of Mātiatia Wharf. These passenger levies are collected by Fullers360 on behalf of AT and are then remitted back to AT monthly.

vi. AT does, however, charge Fullers360 market rent for occupation of space at Mātiatia for ‘non-scheduled ferry service activity’ (e.g., the promotion of ferry activities, tourist destinations, community sponsors associated with the Licensees services; light freight handling associated with the services).

Tauākī whakaaweawe āhuarangi

Climate impact statement

17. 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.

18. 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

19. 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

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

Tauākī whakaaweawe Māori

Māori impact statement

21. 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

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

Ngā raru tūpono me ngā whakamaurutanga

Risks and mitigations

23. 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

24. Auckland Transport will provide another update report to the local board at a future business meeting.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report.

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author

Richard La Ville, Operations Manager Waiheke & Gulf Islands Airfields

Authorisers

John Strawbridge, Group Manager Parking Services & Compliance

Glenn Boyd - Local Area Manager – Aotea/Great Barrier and Waiheke Local Boards

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	20211006 Waiheke Transport Forum Minutes	53

Waiheke Local Board

27 October 2021

Waiheke 10 Year Transport Plan update

File No.: CP2021/15761

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To seek Waiheke Local Board endorsement of the updated Waiheke 10 Year Transport Plan project lists following its first annual review.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. The Waiheke 10 Year Transport Plan articulates a jointly agreed future transport aspiration for the island between the Waiheke Local Board and Auckland Transport (AT).

3. The plan was publicly consulted on in 2019 and approved by the Local Board and AT Board in 2020.

4. AT and the Local Board, with the involvement of the Waiheke Transport Forum, have been progressing the first annual update of the plan.

5. Changes from this update include addition of suggestions from the community into some existing project scopes, merging of some of the existing projects, inclusion of some of the suggested projects as a separate supplementary list and removal of delivered projects.

6. The updated Waiheke 10 Year Transport Plan will represent the latest needs of Waiheke and remains consistent with the views of the community.

7. Following approval of the project lists the Waiheke 10 Year Transport Plan will be updated, provided to the Local Board for review, and then submitted to AT’s Board for approval and public release.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation

That the Waiheke Local Board:

a) endorse the update to the Waiheke 10 Year Transport Plan project lists outlined in Attachments A, B and C, for incorporation into an updated document to be submitted to the AT Board for approval and public release.

Horopaki

Context

8. In 2019 AT and the Waiheke Local Board signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), intended to deliver a more cohesive and integrated relationship and approach to delivery of transport needs for the island.

9. A key action from this MoU was the development of the Waiheke 10 Year Transport Plan.

10. This plan articulates over 100 prioritised projects which, when delivered, will deliver a transport system that will meet the needs of locals and visitors and contribute to strategic goals.

11. Through the 2019 consultation a number of individual comments identified issues and potential projects outside of what was within the draft consultation plan. The projects have been held and brought through into the working of this first refresh of the transport plan

12. To keep the plan a ‘living’ and up-to-date document, AT and the Local Board have been working together, with the aid of the Waiheke Transport Forum, to prepare the first annual update to the plan.

13. This process has been a review and update following the adoption of the Regional Land Transport Plan and the successful progression of on island response through stronger relationships and a clearer local direction through the plan and MOU around transport matters

14. The review identified 27 projects that have been delivered or are in the current delivery programme (Attachment B). This includes:

i. new footpath along Putiki Rd, Wharf Rd to Ostend Rd (delivered)

ii. re-engineer Awaawaroa Rd to reduce sedimentation into protected wetland (delivered)

iii. provide secure cycle-parking at Matiatia wharf (delivered)

iv. Waiheke Transport Design Guide – in completion stage

v. implement traffic calming measures on the Esplanade (in pre-design phase for conversion to pedestrian mall)

vi. install cycle-path on the southside of The Causeway, Ostend (in detailed design phase)

vii. install pedestrian crossing outside Te Huruhi Primary School, Donald Bruce Road (in detailed design phase).

15. It is proposed that two further annual reviews will occur.

16. The next full Waiheke 10 Year Transport Plan consultation is scheduled to align with Auckland Council’s Annual Budget consultation in February/March 2023 with timing to inform subsequent local board plan development and the following years Regional Land Transport Plan.

Tātaritanga me ngā tohutohu

Analysis and advice

17. There were several steps involved in developing this update of the plan:

i. reviewing the projects to identify a) completed projects, b) project modifications/merges and c) assessing any suggested projects that can be incorporated as scope amendments

ii. assessing the suggested projects received through consultation to determine what their role will be in the plan

iii. updating the document, including identifying all activities completed and/or committed for the next 12 months.

18. Each of these steps have been completed through discussion and review by the Waiheke Transport Forum and participation of the Local Board.

19. The key outcomes of the review were:

i. endorsement of the existing prioritisation results as the continued indication of project importance for delivery and priority for spending of the allocated Regional Land Transport Plan budget allocation

ii. identification of a number of suggested projects which can be incorporated into projects in the main project list (with a caveat that they will remain optional scope additions subject to budget)

iii. determination that the suggested projects will be included in a future public consultation

iv. identification of some projects which have been completed or are now committed through other funding programmes

v. Identification of some projects which can be merged due to their nature and geographic proximity (with the higher score of the merged projects becoming the overall score).

Tauākī whakaaweawe āhuarangi

Climate impact statement

20. Delivery of the plan will contribute to Waiheke having a more climate resilient and adapted transport system, as well as one that reduces carbon emissions.

Ngā whakaaweawe me ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera

Council group impacts and views

21. Staff from Auckland Transport have assisted in the development of this plan and support it. Endorsement and approval from the AT Executive Leadership Team and AT Board will be sought once the Waiheke Local Board approves the updated project lists.

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

Local impacts and local board views

22. The Local Board has expressed strong support for this plan over the past two and a half years, and it has been co-designed by them and AT with significant community awareness raising and opportunity for involvement.

Tauākī whakaaweawe Māori

Māori impact statement

23. Iwi with Waiheke connections and Mataawaka have contributed to the plan, guiding the final prioritisation criteria, adopted ‘business as usual’ processes and supported the proposed projects.

Ngā ritenga ā-pūtea

Financial implications

24. Initial estimates of the delivery costs for the full plan are around $80 million. Approving this plan does not have any direct financial implications.

25. The new Regional Land Transport Plan allocates $10 million to the delivery of projects in the plan.

26. Additionally, projects will be able to be delivered through leveraging other programmes in AT, Council and others.

Ngā raru tūpono me ngā whakamaurutanga

Risks and mitigations

27. There are no identified major risks associated with this paper.

Ngā koringa ā-muri

Next steps

28. Once endorsed by the Local Board, the updated plan will be taken to AT for endorsement by the Executive Leadership Team and approval by the AT Board. Following this approval, the updated plan will be released, with associated public communications.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	List of prioritised projects	63
b ⇩	List of supplementary projects	67
c ⇩	List of delivered or committed projects	69

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author	Andrew McGill – Head of Integrated Network Planning, Auckland Transport
Authoriser	Glenn Boyd - Local Area Manager – Aotea/Great Barrier and Waiheke Local Boards

Waiheke Local Board

27 October 2021

Waiheke Local Parks Management Plan - approval of draft plan for public consultation

File No.: CP2021/15481

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To approve public notification of the draft Waiheke Local Parks Management Plan.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. This report seeks approval from the Waiheke Local Board to publicly notify the draft Waiheke Local Parks Management Plan. It also recommends that the power to approve minor amendments to the draft plan, prior to public notification, be delegated to the local board chair.

3. The draft plan includes most local parks held under the Local Government Act 2002 and Reserves Act 1977 on Waiheke Island except for a small number of reserves identified as out of scope, including Rangihoua Reserve / Onetangi Sports Park.

4. The local parks management plan, once adopted, will provide a policy framework to manage use, protection and development of the parks on Waiheke.

5. The draft plan is presented in two volumes, with appendices:

6. The draft plan management intentions for Te Huruhi Bay Reserve have been amended following engagement with the leaseholders on Te Huruhi Bay Reserve and workshops with the local board.

7. In line with the requirements of the Reserves Act, public consultation will be open for two months, planned from mid-November 2021 to mid-January 2022.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendations

That the Waiheke Local Board:

a) approve the draft Waiheke Local Parks Management Plan for public consultation, including the amendments made to the information and management intentions for Te Huruhi Bay Reserve (Attachment A and B dated October 2021 under separate cover)

b) delegate to the local board chair the power to approve minor amendments to the draft plan, prior to public notification

Horopaki

Context

Background information

8. Waiheke Local Board (the local board) has decision-making responsibility for local parks in the Waiheke local board area.

9. The Reserves Act 1977 requires a reserve management plan be developed for most types of reserves administered by the local board.

10. The draft Waiheke Local Parks Management Plan (the draft plan) is a statutory reserve management plan prepared in line with section 41 of the Reserves Act.

11. The draft plan will provide a policy framework to manage use, protection and development of the parks on Waiheke.

12. The scope of the draft plan is shown in the table below:

In scope

Out of scope

ü land held under the Reserves Act 1977

ü parks held under the Local Government Act 2002 (LGA)

û Rangihoua Reserve (part not subject to co-management agreement) and Onetangi Sports Park subject to a separate reserve management plan (currently in development)

û Matiatia public land – separate plan being developed to cover parking and transport facilities

û Reserves subject to Treaty settlements including Blackpool Park, Mawhitipana Reserve, Pōhutukawa Reserve and Kuakarau Reserve

û Reserves subject to a co-management agreement with mana whenua – Tawaipareira Reserve and part of Rangihoua Reserve

û a few local purpose reserves that are deemed to have limited park function

û regional parks – Whakanewha Regional Park (including Upland Road Walkway)

û land for which the local board does not have allocated decision-making power, e.g. drainage reserves, roads and road to road accessways, and paper roads such as Fisher Road.

13. The final plan, once adopted, will replace all existing reserve management plans for Waiheke, except for those which cover land subject to Treaty settlements which are not included in the plan, such as:

· Blackpool Park Management Plan 1995

· parts of the Management Plan for County Reserves – Waiheke 1987 relating to Mawhitipana Reserve, Pohutukawa Reserve and Kuakarau Reserve.

14. The council will comply with the requirements of the Reserves Act to have a reserve management plan (for most types of reserves held under the Act).

15. The timeline below gives an overview of key decisions in developing the draft plan:

16. This report is seeking approval from the local board to publicly notify the draft plan (see Attachment A and B under separate cover).

Tātaritanga me ngā tohutohu

Analysis and advice

17. Staff presented a report to the October 2020 meeting of the local board to approve public notification of the draft plan. The report is attached to this report to give background on the development and content of the draft plan (Attachment D).

18. The local board asked staff to engage further with the two leaseholders at Te Huruhi Bay Reserve.

19. Since that time both leaseholders have made presentations to the local board about their future aspirations.

20. An equine assessment for Waiheke Island is underway to understand the future needs for the island including Waiheke Pony Club Inc. The preliminary findings of the assessment are that Te Huruhi Bay Reserve is the best local park location for pony club activities.

21. The draft findings of the equine assessment and options for completing the draft plan were workshopped with the local board in August and September 2021.

22. The five options discussed at the August 2021 workshop are outlined below (see Attachment E for further details, including an options assessment):

· Option 1 – reflect current state of activities and leases for the reserve in the draft plan

· Option 2 – anticipate some potential change for activities and leases for the reserve in the draft plan

· Option 3 – reflect current state, but indicate potential for change in the future

· Option 4 – remove Te Huruhi Bay Reserve from the draft plan and bring this back later as a variation to the local parks management plan

· Option 5 – produce a standalone reserve management plan for Te Huruhi Bay Reserve.

23. At the workshop, local board members present expressed a preference to progress with option three as it would outline the broad future aspirations of the leaseholders and allow for the renewal of leases on the existing footprints of both leaseholders. The board requested the inclusion of a management intention to provide the option of preparing a spatial plan in the future.

24. Based on the options assessment and workshop feedback, staff have amended the management intentions for Te Huruhi Bay Reserve, which is included in Volume 2 of the draft plan in Attachment B.

25. The management intentions for Te Huruhi Bay Reserve broadly align with option three and acknowledge that further clarity is needed on the expansion proposals of both Piritahi Marae and the Waiheke Pony Club and the impact of any proposal on other activities and leases on the reserve. A concept plan is proposed to be developed and consulted on, to work through potential changes.

26. It should be noted that the management intentions for this reserve (and all other reserves included) are in draft form and submissions will be sought on them through the Reserves Act consultation process outlined in the following paragraphs.

The draft Waiheke Local Parks Management Plan – in a nutshell

27. A summary of the draft plan, including an overview of the sections and a summary of the content in each section is provided as Attachment C.

28. The draft plan structure is outlined below and covers 96 parks with a combined area of just over 200 hectares of land.

29. Volume 1 contains background information, the Waiheke Local Board context and the management planning framework and general policies.

30. Volume 2 contains the individual parks information for all local parks under the local board’s jurisdiction.

31. The draft plan is presented in two volumes, with appendices:

32. We recommend that the local board delegate approval of minor amendments to the draft plan prior to public notification to the local board chair.

Public notification

33. Section 41 of the Reserves Act outlines the obligations of an administering body to prepare and publicly notify a reserve management plan. The Waiheke Local Board is the administering body for the reserves included in the draft plan.

34. As per the requirements of section 41(6) of the Reserves Act, the draft plan will be open for public consultation for a period of at least two months.

35. Public consultation is planned to start in mid-November 2021 and close in late-January 2022, subject to approval of the draft plan by the local board. All submitters have the option of requesting the opportunity to speak to their submission at a hearing.

Hearings and decision making on the plan

36. The local board resolved at its September 2020 meeting (Resolution number WHK/2020/167) to appoint a hearings panel consisting of an independent hearings commissioner as chair and all local board members to:

· hear objections and submissions from submitters on the draft plan.

· make recommendations to the local board about amendments to the draft plan following the hearings process, and the extent to which objections and submissions are allowed or accepted or disallowed or not accepted.

· noted that the power to approve the final Waiheke Local Parks Management Plan remains with the local board.

Tauākī whakaaweawe āhuarangi

Climate impact statement

37. The decisions in this report are largely administrative and we anticipate them to have no direct impact on greenhouse gas emissions. However, the future management direction set in the plan for local parks, emphasises the role of local parks in climate change mitigation and adaptation.

38. Part C in Volume 1 of the draft plan includes a climate change and natural hazards policy, which sets objectives to manage parks in a way that minimises and mitigates the impacts of climate change and improves the resilience of parks by adapting to the effects of climate change, especially in coastal areas.

39. Other policies which aim to manage the impacts of climate change are:

· access and parking - by not providing for peak use parking and encouraging active forms of transport

· plants and animals - by encouraging plantings to increase urban canopy cover and manage riparian margins

· park development - by encouraging utilising green building practices in design, construction and operation of park development.

40. Part D in Volume 2 of the draft plan identifies potential coastal hazards at an individual park level and in some cases includes management intentions which aim to address potential hazards.

Ngā whakaaweawe me ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera

Council group impacts and views

41. The Parks, Sport and Recreation team are currently preparing an equine needs assessment for Waiheke Island in response to the issues raised by the pony club for Te Huruhi Bay Reserve.

42. Council departments and Council Controlled Organisations have provided specialist input into the development of the draft plan including Community Facilities, Parks, Sport and Recreation, Community and Social Policy. Infrastructure and Environmental Services, Legal Services, Local Board Services, Chief Sustainability Office and Auckland Transport.

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

Local impacts and local board views

Local impacts

43. Once approved for notification, the draft plan is intended to convey to the public how the local board intend to manage Waiheke local parks over the next 10 years. The public will have the opportunity to make submissions on the draft plan.

Local board views

44. The October 2020 report to the local board in Attachment D outlines how the local board has been involved in the development of the draft plan.

Tauākī whakaaweawe Māori

Māori impact statement

45. The Reserves Act is one of the Acts in the First Schedule to the Conservation Act 1987. In performing functions and duties under the Reserves Act, the local board must give effect to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

46. Treaty obligations are overarching and not something to be considered or applied after all other matters are considered.

47. The draft plan acknowledges council’s obligation to iwi under the Te Tiriti o Waitangi / the Treaty of Waitangi in local parks management planning. In developing the draft plan council aimed to honour these obligations.

48. We invited mana whenua to be involved in the development of the draft plan. This opportunity was taken up by both entities for Ngāti Pāoa (Ngāti Pāoa Trust Board and Ngāti Pāoa Iwi Trust), Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, Ngāti Maru and Te Patukirikiri.

49. Points of interest and input from mana whenua relate to the management of natural and coastal areas, sites and areas of cultural significance and the ability for mana whenua to provide input into future decisions on local parks.

50. The draft plan seeks to embed te ao Māori / the Māori world view and values throughout the document. Section 7 of the document outlines core Māori values and how they should be considered in the management of local parks.

51. We also engaged with Piritahi Marae Trust on Te Huruhi Bay Reserve where they hold two leases for part of the reserve.

52. Mana whenua and mataawaka will have the opportunity to provide further feedback on the draft plan during the public consultation period.

Ngā ritenga ā-pūtea

Financial implications

53. There are no cost implications from these decisions.

54. Costs for advertisements and engagement tools for public consultation on the draft plan are covered through the project budget. The cost for appointing one commissioner for hearings is met from existing operational budgets.

Risks and mitigations

55. The following table outlines relevant risks and mitigations.

Risk	Mitigation
The plan is a high-level plan and does not contain the same level of detail in the previous reserve management plans. The plan does not include specific development proposals for individual parks.	Include information in the consultation material about the benefits of having an omnibus plan such as consistency and ease of decision making for parks across Waiheke. Public consultation for specific development proposals will need to be undertaken in line with the requirements of the Reserves Act and LGA.
Receiving a low number of submissions, due to lack of awareness of the public consultation taking place or potential submitters being discouraged from making a submission by the size of the document.	Work with the local board communications and engagement staff to let people know that the consultation is happening and make it as easy as possible for people to provide feedback by offering different ways to do this e.g. paper, online, email, drop in sessions, open days.
Unable to hold face to face consultation events due to COVID-19 restrictions.	Work with the local board communications and engagement staff to let people know the consultation is happening and make it as easy as possible for people to provide feedback by offering different ways to do this e.g. online events, email.

Ngā koringa ā-muri

Next steps

56. Subject to approval from the local board to notify the draft plan, public consultation will start in mid-November 2021 for two months in accordance with the Reserves Act.

57. It is anticipated that a hearing will be held in April 2022 with a decision on the final plan sought from the local board around May 2022.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	Draft Waiheke local parks management plan volume 1	79
b ⇩	Draft Waiheke local parks management plan volume 2	187
c ⇩	Summary of the local parks management plan	319
d ⇩	October 2020 local board report and minute	323
e ⇩	Te Huruhi Bay Reserve options for reserve management planning	355

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author

Shyrel Burt - Service and Asset Planning Specialist

Authorisers

Justine Haves - General Manager Regional Services Planning, Investment and Partnership

Glenn Boyd - Local Area Manager – Aotea/Great Barrier and Waiheke Local Boards

Waiheke Local Board

27 October 2021

PDF Creator

Waiheke Local Board

27 October 2021

Waiheke Quick Response Grant Round One 2021/2022 grant allocations

File No.: CP2021/15094

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To fund, part-fund, or decline applications received for Waiheke Local Board for the Quick Response Grant Round One 2021/2022.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. The Waiheke Local Board adopted the Grants Programme 2021/2022 on 21 April 2021 (refer Attachment A). The document sets application guidelines for contestable grants submitted to the local board.

3. The local board has set a total community grants budget of $89,601 for the 2021/2022 financial year. Sixteen applications were received for consideration by the Waiheke Local Board for the Local and Multiboard Grant Round One 2021/2022, requesting a total of $52,782.00. $31,282 was allocated, leaving a total of $58,319 for one local grant round and three quick response rounds.

4. The environmental grants budget was set at $41,881. The Environmental Grants Round One 2021/2022 received four applications requesting a total of $30,188.00. $16,438 was allocated, leaving a total of $25,443 for one remaining round.

5. This report presents applications received in Waiheke Quick Response Round One 2021/2022 (refer Attachment B).

6. Quick Response Round One received 14 applications for a total of $26,739.38.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation

That the Waiheke Local Board:

a) Agree to fund, part-fund or decline each application in the Waiheke Local Board for the Quick Response Grant Round One 2021/2022 listed in the following table

Table One: Quick Response Grant Round One 2021/2022

Application ID	Organisation	Main focus	Requesting funding for	Amount requested	Eligibility
QR2218-102	Ana Camila Chicon	Arts and culture	Towards instruments for Afro Latino dance from 2 November 2021 to 21 December 2021	$1,000.00	Eligible
QR2218-103	Waiheke Mountain Bike Club	Sport and recreation	Towards advertising, catering, travel, race plates and prizes at Onetangi Sports Park on 4 December 2021	$1,236.00	Eligible
QR2218-104	Waiheke Spirit Charitable Trust under the umbrella of The New Zealand Guardian Trust Company Limited	Arts and culture	Towards costumes, decorations, venue hire, advertising, technician hire, catering and printing at Artworks Community Theatre from 10 December 2021 to 11 December 2021	$2,000.00	Eligible
QR2218-105	Waiheke Playgroup	Community	Towards venue hire, advertising and supplies at Blackpool School Hall from 1 November 2021 to 31 October 2022	$2,000.00	Eligible
QR2218-106	The Artworks Theatre Incorporated	Arts and culture	Towards instruments, venue hire, marketing, admin costs and facilitation at Artworks Theatre from 22 February 2022 to 15 April 2022	$2,000.00	Eligible
QR2218-107	Te Motu Arai Roa - Waiheke	Community	Towards venue hire, catering, entertainment, advertising and admin costs at Surfdale community hall on 27 November 2021	$5,000.00	Eligible
QR2218-108	Waiheke Working Sail Charitable Trust	Community	Towards safety equipment and buoyancy vests at Putiki Bay from 1 November 2021 to 1 November 2026	$1,507.38	Eligible
QR2218-109	Community Networks Waiheke Incorporated	Community	Towards researcher fees from 10 January 2022 to 1 April 2022	$2,000.00	Eligible
QR2218-110	Lorna Rikihana under the umbrella of T R Kaihoro (Matapuna Consultants)	Environment	Towards weaving facilitation and transport at Piritahi Marae from 26 November 2021 to 28 November 2021	$2,000.00	Eligible
QR2218-111	Youthline Auckland Charitable Trust	Community	Towards operating costs at Youthline House in Grey Lynn from 1 November 2021 to 30 June 2022	$2,000.00	Eligible
QR2218-112	Waiheke Community Art Gallery	Arts and culture	Towards art installation, travel support and advertising at Waiheke Community Art Gallery from 21 January 2022 to 21 February 2022	$1,996.00	Eligible
QR2218-114	MISS M G FALASCA	Arts and culture	Towards advertising and entertainment at the Waiheke Resources Trust Sustainability Centre from 5 November 2021 to 4 November 2022	$1,000.00	Eligible
QR2218-115	Renee Claire Casserly	Arts and culture	Towards advertising, make up and portaloo hire at Rangihoua Estate from 1 November 2021 to 20 March 2022	$1,000.00	Eligible
QR2218-116	The Auckland King Tides Initiative The Institution of Professional Engineers NZ	Environment	Towards design, production and installation of water level gauges at Matiatia Wharf from 1 January 2022 to 30 September 2022	$2,000.00	Eligible
Total				$26,739.38

Horopaki

Context

7. The local board allocates grants to groups and organisations delivering projects, activities, and services that benefit Aucklanders and contribute to the vision of being a world-class city.

8. The Auckland Council Community Grants Policy supports each local board to adopt a grants programme.

9. The local board grants programme sets out:

· local board priorities

· lower priorities for funding

· exclusions

· grant types, the number of grant rounds and when these will open and close

· any additional accountability requirements

10. The Waiheke Local Board adopted their grants the Grants Programme 2021/2022 on 21 April 2021 and will operate three quick response, two local grants and two environmental rounds for this financial year

11. The community grant programmes have been extensively advertised through the council grants webpage, local board webpages, local board e-newsletters, Facebook pages, council publications, radio, and community networks.

12. The local board has set a total community grants budget of $89,601 for the 2021/2022 financial year and an environmental grants budget of $30,000 for the 2021/2022 financial year.

Tātaritanga me ngā tohutohu

Analysis and advice

13. The aim of the local board grant programme is to deliver projects and activities which align with the outcomes identified in the local board plan. All applications have been assessed utilising the Community Grants Policy and the local board grant programme criteria. The eligibility of each application is identified in the report recommendations

Tauākī whakaaweawe āhuarangi

Climate impact statement

14. The local board grants programme aims to respond to Auckland Council’s commitment to address climate change by providing grants to individuals and groups with projects that support community climate change action. Local board grants can contribute to climate action through support of projects that address food production and food waste, support alternative transport methods, support community energy efficiency education and behaviour change, build community resilience, and support tree planting.

Ngā whakaaweawe me ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera

Council group impacts and views

15. According to the main focus of the application, each one has received input from a subject matter expert from the relevant department. The main focuses are identified as arts, community, events, sport and recreation, environment or heritage.

16. The grants programme has no identified impacts on council-controlled organisations and therefore their views are not required.

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

Local impacts and local board views

17. Local boards are responsible for the decision-making and allocation of local board community grants. The Waiheke Local Board is required to fund, part-fund or decline these grant applications against the local board priorities identified in the local board grant programme

18. The board is requested to note that section 48 of the Community Grants Policy states; ‘we will also provide feedback to unsuccessful grant applicants about why they have been declined, so they will know what they can do to increase their chances of success next time’.

Tauākī whakaaweawe Māori

Māori impact statement

19. The local board grants programme aims to respond to Auckland Council’s commitment to improving Māori wellbeing by providing grants to individuals and groups who deliver positive outcomes for Māori. Auckland Council’s Māori Responsiveness Unit has provided input and support towards the development of the community grant processes

20. Ten applicants applying have indicated that their project targets Māori or Māori outcomes. 3 applicants applying to Waiheke Environmental Grant round one indicated that their project targets Māori or Māori outcomes.

Ngā ritenga ā-pūtea

Financial implications

21. The allocation of grants to community groups is within the adopted Long-term Plan 2018-2028 and local board agreements.

22. This report presents applications received in Waiheke Quick Response Round One 2021/2022 (refer Attachment B).

23. The local board has set a total community grants budget of $89,601 for the 2021/2022 financial year. Sixteen applications were received for consideration by the Waiheke Local Board for the Local and Multiboard Grant Round One 2021/2022, requesting a total of $52,782.00. $31,282 was allocated, leaving a total of $58,319 for one local grant round and three quick response rounds.

24. The environmental grants budget for the 2021/2022 financial period was set at $41,881. The Environmental Grants Round One 2021/2022 received four applications requesting a total of $30,188.00. $16,438 was allocated, leaving a total of $25,443 for one remaining round.

25. Quick Response Round One received 14 applications requesting a total of $26,739.38.

Ngā raru tūpono me ngā whakamaurutanga

Risks and mitigations

26. The allocation of grants occurs within the guidelines and criteria of the Community Grants Policy and the local board grants programme. The assessment process has identified a low risk associated with funding the applications in this round.

Ngā koringa ā-muri

Next steps

27. Following the Waiheke Local Board allocating funding for round one of the grants, the grants staff will notify the applicants of the local board’s decision.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	Waiheke Local Board Programme	365
b ⇩	Waiheke Quick Response Round 1 2021 2022 Application Summary	369

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author

James Boyd - Grants Advisor

Authorisers

Rhonwen Heath - Head of Rates Valuations & Data Mgmt

Glenn Boyd - Local Area Manager – Aotea/Great Barrier and Waiheke Local Boards

Waiheke Local Board

27 October 2021

Feedback for inclusion in Auckland Council Submission on managing our wetlands.

File No.: CP2021/15630

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To note the feedback provided from the Waiheke Local Board to be included in Auckland Council’s feedback on the Managing Our Wetlands amendment proposal.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. At the 22 April 2020 business meeting the Waiheke Local Board resolved to delegate to the Chair to approve and submit the local board’s input into Auckland Council submissions.

Local board feedback for inclusion in Auckland Council submissions

Resolution number WHK/2020/54

MOVED by Member R Tucker, seconded by Deputy Chairperson B Upchurch:

That the Waiheke Local Board:

a) delegate authority to the chair to approve and submit the local board’s input into Auckland Council submissions on formal consultation from government departments, parliament, select committees and other councils.

b) note that the local board can continue to use its urgent decision process to approve and submit the local board’s input into Auckland Council submissions on formal consultation from government departments, parliament, select committees and other councils, if the chair chooses not to exercise the delegation sought in recommendation (a).

c) note that this delegation will only be exercised where the timeframes do not allow for local board input to be considered and approved at a local board meeting.

d) note all local input approved and submitted for inclusion in an Auckland Council submission is to be included on the next local board meeting agenda for the public record.

CARRIED

3. Central government has recently released a discussion document entitled ‘Managing Our Wetlands’ through the Ministry for the Environment. The government submission period along with the timing of the Governing Body report being circulated meant that time was not available for briefings to occur and written responses developed for the Waiheke Local Board’s September business meeting.

4. A report was prepared for the 30th September 2021 Planning Committee, and this has been a key reference point for the local board to develop its own feedback.

5. The government proposals seek to amend the definition of a ‘natural wetland’ and associated regulatory consent settings contained in the National Environmental Standards for Freshwater 2020 (NES-Freshwater) and the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020. More specifically:

a) amend the definition of ‘natural wetland’ to make it clearer and ensure that only the areas intended are captured by the regulations. Government has received feedback that section (c) of the current definition is being applied inconsistently and is capturing areas that were not intended to be captured. They are seeking feedback on:

i. a proposed revised definition

ii. whether the change strikes the appropriate balance between wetland protection and land use and development.

b) better enable restoration activities to be undertaken and enable maintenance and biosecurity activities to be undertaken in, and around natural wetlands. The Government has received feedback that current regulations are restricting the ability of groups to restore and maintain ‘natural wetlands’ and undertake biosecurity activities. This was not the intention of the regulations. They are seeking feedback on:

i. proposed changes to the regulations that will let groups continue to undertake ‘natural wetland’ restoration and maintenance activities without needing a resource consent

ii. proposed changes to the regulations that will let biosecurity officers undertake biosecurity activities consistent with a regional or pest management plan.

c) provide consenting pathways for the activities of quarrying, managed fill, land fill, clean fill, mining (minerals) and urban development operations. Government has received feedback that there are additional activities that require consenting pathways in the regulations.

i. The government are seeking feedback on proposals to provide discretionary consenting pathways for the following operations:

· quarrying landfill,

· cleanfill and managed fill

· mining (minerals)

· urban development.

6. The local board have made feedback points in the areas of:

· amending the definition of ‘natural wetland’ to make it clearer and ensure that only the areas intended are captured by the regulations.

· better enabling restoration activities to be undertaken and enable maintenance and biosecurity activities to be undertaken in, and around natural wetlands.

· providing comment on various consenting pathways for the activities of quarrying, managed fill, land fill, clean fill, mining (minerals) and urban development operations.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation

That the Waiheke Local Board:

a) note the board’s input approved and submitted for inclusion in an Auckland Council submission. (Attachment A)

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	20211008 Waiheke LB Wetlands feedback	433

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author	Janine Geddes - Senior Local Board Advisor
Authoriser	Glenn Boyd - Local Area Manager – Aotea/Great Barrier and Waiheke Local Boards

Chairperson	Cath Handley
Deputy Chairperson	Kylee Matthews
Members	Robin Tucker
	Bob Upchurch
	Paul Walden

Author	Mark Inglis - Local Board Advisor
Authoriser	Glenn Boyd - Local Area Manager – Aotea/Great Barrier and Waiheke Local Boards