Agenda of Environment and Climate Change Committee

Environment and Climate Change Committee

08 September 2022

Shoreline Adaptation Plan: Wai Manawa / Little Shoal Bay Report

File No.: CP2022/04781

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To approve the Shoreline Adaptation Plan – Wai Manawa / Little Shoal Bay Report (Attachment A).

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. Shoreline Adaptation Plans (SAPs) are being developed across Auckland to provide a long-term adaptation strategy for council-owned land and assets. These plans are in response to the impacts of coastal hazards and climate change (including sea-level rise). The plans are developed in a spirit of partnership with mana whenua and to reflect the needs and values of the local communities that live near the coast.

3. To support the development of SAPs, the shoreline of Auckland has been broken up into 20 coastal cells of varying size. Each coastal cell will have its own Shoreline Adaptation Plan informed by local iwi, infrastructure providers, and local community engagement. The Wai Manawa / Little Shore Bay ‘mini’ SAP sits within the wider Waitematā Harbour coastal cell.

4. The SAP programme is funded as part of the climate action package of the Recovery Budget 2021-2031 and is a core climate adaptation workstream under Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Plan, which highlights the importance of planning for and adapting to the impacts of climate change in coastal areas under the ‘Community and Coast’ theme.

5. The programme commenced in February 2021 with the development of the Whangaparāoa SAP pilot, which was endorsed by the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board in February 2022 and approved by the Environment and Climate Change Committee in March 2022. The second pilot, Kahawairahi ki Whakatīwai / Beachlands and East, launched in October 2021 and is currently being finalised with mana whenua.

6. Running in parallel to the Kahawairahi ki Whakatīwai / Beachlands and East SAP, the Wai Manawa/Little Shoal Bay project launched in December 2021 has been completed as part of Auckland Council’s Shoreline Adaptation Plan work programme as a ‘mini’ SAP.

7. The ‘mini’ SAP framing implemented for Wai Manawa / Little Shoal Bay highlights the more localised scale of the plan that is focused on a specific reserve and its surrounding environs. There is a greater level of detail in both the background information and recommended actions. The mini-SAP follows the best practice principles of the wider SAP programme, including the guiding principles from Mana Whenua and the framework for Mana Whenua and community engagement. The high-level strategies included in this Wai Manawa/Little Shoal Bay ‘mini’ SAP will be embedded into the wider Shoreline Adaptation Plan for the Waitematā Harbour when it is developed within the wider work programme.

8. Mana Whenua engagement with local iwi (Ngaati Whanaunga, Te Akitai Waiohua, Ngāti Whātua o Ōrākei and Ngāti Pāoa) started in October 2021. This engagement consisted of a series of online hui to understand the cultural values of the coast. The values of mana whenua involved in this project have served as a core foundation of the Wai Manawa / Little Shoal Bay Shoreline Adaptation Plan.

9. Community engagement for the Wai Manawa / Little Shoal Bay Shoreline Adaptation Plan began in January 2022 and closed on 16 March 2022. It included a range of digital and in-person events and tools to identify community values and objectives.

10. Wai Manawa / Little Shoal Bay was divided into nine discrete reserve management zones or units. These were:

· Le Roys Bush and environs

· cricket pitch

· tennis / basketball and parking area

· Maritime Terrace Abutment (north)

· road reserve

· beach front reserve

· boat yard

· Maritime Terrace abutment (south of the road reserve)

· foreshore.

11. By aligning the results of the technical coastal hazards exposure assessment, with local iwi feedback and infrastructure provider inputs and community objectives series of adaptation strategies were developed across the short, medium and long-term. Strategies include a combination of ‘Hold the Line’ and ‘Limited Intervention’ for each of these units across all time periods.

12. Recognising that implementation of these strategies defined for Wai Manawa / Little Shoal Bay will take several years. A range of more immediate actions that can be undertaken between 2022 and 2025 to address current issues, using current budgets, have been identified in the report. In the mid to longer term The Wai Manawa / Little Shoal Bay SAP requires progressive integration into relevant council strategies and plans including Asset Management Plans. Alongside monitoring of coastal assets and the surrounding coastal environment, this will help to inform the appropriate maintenance and renewal of assets across the Auckland region, through the corresponding work programmes and a collaborative effort across relevant Auckland Council departments and council-controlled organisations.

13. The Mini Wai Manawa/Little Shoal Bay Shoreline Adaptation Plan was endorsed by the Kaipātiki Local Board on 17 August 2022 (KT/2022/163, Attachment B).

14. The next SAP areas are the southern Manukau Harbour and Āwhitu Peninsula. These plans were launched externally in mid-June 2022 and will be progressed in parallel to be eventually considered by the respective local boards and relevant committee of council in the new term.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendations

That the Environment and Climate Change Committee:

a) whakaae / approve the Mini Wai Manawa / Little Shoal Bay Shoreline Adaptation Plan at Attachment A of the agenda report

b) tuhi ā-taipitopito / note that the Mini Wai Manawa / Little Shoal Bay Shoreline Adaptation Plan provides site-specific adaptive strategies that outline the preferred coastal management response for each site over time which will be adopted within the wider Waitematā Shoreline Adaptation Plan when it is developed

c) tuhi ā-taipitopito / note that to implement the Mini Wai Manawa / Little Shoal Bay Shoreline Adaptation Plan, adaptive strategies will need to be integrated into relevant Asset Management Plans to inform the maintenance and renewal of assets:

i) where strategies can be implemented through existing budgets, this will be integrated from now;

ii) where strategies require additional budget, this will be subject to a regional prioritisation process for funding once all Shoreline Adaptation Plans have been completed.

Horopaki

Context

15. The Shoreline Adaptation Plan (SAP) work programme is focused on how we can adapt Auckland Council-owned land and assets to the impacts of coastal hazards and climate change over time. The programme is led by the Resilient Land & Coasts Department, in Infrastructure and Environmental Services, and is developed collaboratively across Auckland Council including with council-controlled organisations, Auckland Transport and Watercare.

16. The need for SAPs was set out in the Coastal Management Framework adopted by the council in 2017 (ENV/2017/116, Attachment B). The SAPs give effect to the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement (2010), which directs councils to identify areas that may be affected by coastal hazards over a timeframe of ‘at least 100 years’. The approach aligns with guidance from the Ministry for the Environment (2017), in particular through the identification of mana whenua and community values and objectives and the development of a coastal hazards vulnerability and exposure assessment.

17. SAPs assess the potential future impacts of three key natural hazards: coastal erosion, coastal inundation, and rainfall flooding. The hazard modelling used to inform SAPs includes how climate change will alter the frequency, magnitude and extent of these natural hazards. The potential exposure of Auckland Council owned land and assets on the coast to these hazards will be modelled for each SAP area over three timescales (short [1-20 years], medium [20-60 years], and long term [60 years and onwards]) to quantify the exposure and inform decision-making.

18. Using input from engagement with local communities, local iwi, and infrastructure providers, adaptation strategies will be recommended for each area of the coast, across the three timescales. The strategies provide high-level guidance on how coastal areas can be adapted over time to sustainably manage the impacts of coastal hazards and climate change. Strategies include ‘No Active Intervention’, ‘Limited Intervention’, ‘Hold the Line’, and ‘Managed Realignment’.

· No Active Intervention: allow natural processes and evolution of the coast to continue. This includes no investment in the provision or maintenance of any coastal defences.

· Limited Intervention: acknowledges that the coastline’s position will not be fixed into the future and may include limited work to extend existing asset life and small-scale nature-based measures (like dune planting).

· Hold the Line: maintain the coastal edge at a fixed location, using nature-based options (like beach nourishment) or hard structures (like sea walls).

· Managed Realignment: assets and activities are moved away from hazard-prone areas in a controlled way over time. Managed realignment allows greater space for natural buffers and reduces asset exposure to natural hazards.

19. The Shoreline Adaptation Plan programme launched in February 2021 with a pilot study across Whangaparāoa Peninsula. This area was selected for its diverse coastline, the portfolio of council-owned land and assets, and their exposure to coastal hazards and climate change impacts. This plan was endorsed by the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board on 17 February 2022 (HB/2022/6) and approved by the Environment and Climate Change Committee on 10 March 2022 (ECC/2022/56). The report is publicly available online.

20. The second pilot, Kahawairahi ki Whakatīwai / Beachlands and East launched in October 2021. Running in parallel to the Kahawairahi ki Whakatīwai / Beachlands and East SAP, the Wai Manawa / Little Shoal Bay SAP launched in December 2021 has been completed as part of Auckland Council’s Shoreline Adaptation Plan work programme as a site specific, or mini, SAP. This plan has, like Whangaparāoa and Kahawairahi ki Whakatīwai / Beachlands and East, included engagement with mana whenua, the local community and relevant infrastructure providers. This has identified specific values and objectives for shoreline management of Wai Manawa / Little Shoal Bay. In combination with the technical results of a coastal hazards exposure assessment, these objectives were used to determine a series of shoreline adaptation strategies.

21. The process of developing the Wai Manawa / Little Shoal Bay plan and the recommendations of the Shoreline Adaptation Plan are further discussed below.

Tātaritanga me ngā tohutohu

Analysis and advice

The need to adapt to climate change

22. Global temperatures are rising due to greenhouse gas emissions, causing a range of impacts from higher sea levels to increasing rainfall intensity. In 2020, Auckland Council declared a climate emergency and published Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Plan.

23. Modelling undertaken by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change indicates that current levels of CO2 in the atmosphere have ‘locked-in’ a temperature increase of 1.2°C above pre-industrial levels and at least 1.7m of sea level rise. While the timeframe for this increase remains uncertain, Auckland will need to adapt to the impacts of increasing temperatures and rising sea levels. As decisions made today will have implications reaching far into the future, strategic planning is more important than ever.

Auckland Council owned land and assets

24. Auckland Council owned assets in the coastal environment generally fall into three major categories: parks and community facility assets, stormwater assets, and environmental assets.

25. SAPs are focused on council-owned coastal land and assets to enable a best practice method for developing the Dynamic Adaptive Policy Pathways recommended by the Ministry for the Environment, while also recognising the reforms to the Resource Management Act currently underway. Assets considered, where relevant, include those owned and managed by CCO’s including Auckland Transport and Watercare.

Wai Manawa/Little Shoal Bay SAP

Wai Manawa/Little Shoal Bay coastal hazards and exposure assessment

26. An assessment of the exposure presented to Wai Manawa / Little Shoal Bay due to coastal hazards (including coastal inundation, coastal erosion, and rainfall flooding) and future climate change impacts was completed across the short (20-year), medium (60-year) and long (100-year) term. The exposure assessment methodology was developed as a pilot, expanding on the original coastal hazards exposure assessment previously completed for Whangaparāoa Peninsula. The results of the assessment are discussed in more detail within the Mini Wai Manawa / Little Shoal Bay SAP (Attachment A).

27. The exposure assessment considers the exposure of assets and values to coastal hazards and climate change grouping these into the four wellbeings of the Local Government Act (2002):

· Social includes Auckland Council-owned park and reserve assets and infrastructure

· Economic includes other public assets including the road corridor and three waters infrastructure

· Environmental assets and values are based on spatial mapping undertaken for the Auckland Unitary Plan Overlays, primarily areas identified as having Significant Ecological values. (Note that environmental exposure is based on land areas above mean high water spring and does not include areas seaward of mean high-water springs that may also have identified significant value).

· Cultural exposure utilising a set of indicators based on heritage sites. This high-level analysis acknowledges there are likely to be additional sites, which are not recorded and also have significant value to Mana Whenua. Ongoing engagement with local iwi representatives throughout the SAP development process is used to expand and validate the assessment and resultant adaptation strategies.

28. To facilitate a better understanding of where exposure occurred, Wai Manawa / Little Shoal Bay was divided into nine units as outlined in para 10. The results of the exposure assessment are presented as a series of tables for each hazard, demonstrating the changing exposure over time for each of the wellbeings considered.

29. The results show that there is varying exposure across Wai Manawa/Little Shoal Bay to coastal hazards across the four wellbeings in the short term; with assets categorised under the social and environmental wellbeing having the highest exposure. The cricket pitch, boat yard, Le Roys bush and environs all demonstrated a high to very high level of exposure to coastal inundation and erosion across all time frames. It is estimated that inundation events will become more frequent and greater depths of inundation will occur in these areas.

30. Due to the impacts of climate change (including sea-level rise and increased rainfall intensity), hazard extents and flood depths will increase over time, in turn increasing the coastal hazard exposure profile. Coastal inundation presents the highest long-term impact on council-owned land and assets at Wai Manawa / Little Shoal Bay. For coastal erosion, exposures notably increase over time with erosion particularly impacting the Maritime Terrace abutment and boat yard areas.

31. The exposure assessment results were used to inform discussions of the changing coastal environment with local iwi, infrastructure providers (Community Facilities, Healthy Waters, Auckland Transport and Watercare), amenity and open space specialists (Parks, Sports, and Recreation, Community Facilities) and the local community. An understanding of changing exposure over time has provided the technical basis to determining and changing high-level adaptation strategies along the coast.

32. The results of this exposure assessment are being used to support the development of appropriate long-term coastal adaptation strategies across the SAP extent.

Community engagement

33. Community engagement for the Wai Manawa / Little Shoal Bay Shoreline Adaptation Plan began in January 2022 and closed on 16 March 2022.

34. In response to changing COVID-19 restrictions, a combination of approaches to community engagement have been applied, including:

· An online webinar that was livestreamed and uploaded to Auckland Council’s YouTube channel for future reference. The webinar introduced the shoreline adaptation plan work programme and key concepts including coastal hazards, climate change, exposure and adaptation options.

· Two online community workshop sessions were facilitated to enable focused discussion of SAP community objectives, strategies and adaptation options for the reserve and wetland areas. The workshops included a range of participants from a variety of backgrounds with most participants being residents of the nearby area. In total, 38 participants attended Workshop 1 and 50 participants attended Workshop 2. Workshops were undertaken several times to enable maximum attendance.

· Digital engagement through ‘AK Have Your Say’ to understand key community values and enable the understanding of key community objectives. Around 395 survey responses were received during the community engagement period.

35. Community feedback from the ‘AK Have Your Say’ page included 395 survey submissions with written comments, photographs and suggested development and mitigation options within the reserve and wetland areas. In addition, a further 19 community submissions were provided to Council via e-mail.

36. All survey feedback was collated and sorted into the following five major categories: active recreation, passive recreation, environmental, access, community heritage and cultural values. Comments related to these categories, along with feedback from workshops, have been used to develop the high-level community objectives for the Wai Manawa/Little Shoal Bay SAP. Key community values, objectives and outcomes have been divided into the nine outlined units and include objectives such as enhancing natural wetland functioning and reducing pollutants from catchment entering the wetland. These objectives were used to guide the development of the adaptation strategies. Overall, the feedback themes for the reserve included:

· improving the water quality of the Coastal Marine Area

· holding the line along the coastal edge with improved water access and enhancement of the beach front reserve

· maintaining the active recreation areas of the reserve and some limited intervention within the natural freshwater wetland.

37. The purpose of Workshop 1 was to understand local knowledge and to have thorough discussions with community participants to identify and agree key community values, objectives and outcomes. The primary and secondary objectives were based on the high-level categories identified through community engagement.

38. Workshop 2 was used to confirm the community objectives and outcomes previously identified and discuss the range of potential adaptation strategies and their alignment with identified community priorities. In most areas there were clear preferences of adaptation approaches to apply. The preferred action for the foreshore was limited intervention, while for the reserve areas seaward of the road the strategy was to hold the line to maintain the high-quality reserve space for wider public use. Hold the line was also the preferred strategy within the majority of the cricket pitch and all of the tennis/ basketball and parking area. Within Le Roys Bush there was a greater range of suggested strategies. During the community workshops, actions were also suggested for the nine various units.

Adaptation strategies

39. By aligning the results of the exposure assessment with mana whenua feedback and mana whenua guiding principles, regional and national policy, and infrastructure and community objectives, a series of adaptation strategies were developed across the short, medium and long-term. Strategies include limited intervention for Le Roys Bush and environs and the coastal marine area within Wai Manawa / Little Shoal Bay for all time frames, and hold the line for the land-based reserve areas for all time periods.

Table 1: Preferred high level adaptation strategies for the units in Te Wai Manawa/Little Shoal Bay.

Cell		Unit	Short term 2025 – 2045	Medium Term 2045 - 2085	Long Term 2085 – 2130
North of road	A	Le Roys Bush and environs	Limited intervention	Limited intervention	Limited intervention
	B	Cricket pitch	Hold the line	Hold the line	Hold the line
	C	Tennis/ basketball and parking	Hold the line	Hold the line	Hold the line
	D	Abutment (north)	Hold the line	Hold the line	Hold the line
Road reserve	E	Road reserve	Hold the line	Hold the line	Hold the line
South of road	F	Beach front reserve	Hold the line	Hold the line	Hold the line
	G	Boat yard	Hold the line	Hold the line	Hold the line
	H	Abutment (south)	Hold the line	Hold the line	Hold the line
Foreshore (Coastal Marine Area – CMA)	I	Foreshore	Limited intervention	Limited intervention	Limited intervention

40. Results of the exposure assessment discussed within the Wai Manawa / Little Shoal Bay report have demonstrated that most of the Wai Manawa / Little Shoal Bay reserve will need to be managed over the next 100 years with a mix of limited intervention and hold the line strategies in place.

41. The hold the line strategy relates to preserving the function and use of the reserve area or asset and relates to units with a strong link to infrastructure and high amenity value. A limited intervention approach has been applied to Le Roys Bush and environs and the coastal marine area within Wai Manawa / Little Shoal Bay for all time frames. Overall, the changing management strategies reflect the increasing exposure over time but provides for a phased and adaptive management approach for assets and infrastructure located in the coastal hazards area.

42. Recognising that implementation of the SAP strategies could take several years as the SAP process is being applied around the entire Auckland region, a series of six possible current actions that will be undertaken to meet issues within current budgets have been identified (see table 2 for more detail).

Table 2: Current actions to support development of strategies and address current issues (to be applied from 2022-2025)

Item	Unit	Short Term Strategy	Action
1	Unit A (Le Roys Bush)	Limited intervention	Additional studies to understand salt water/freshwater effects of possible actions.
2	Unit B (Car park adjacent to bowling club)	Hold the line	Local bund raising and stormwater upgrade to reduce nuisance flooding of car park.
3	Unit B (Duddings Reserve)	Hold the line	Shift and raise cricket pitch to the west to retain active recreational space and planting of western edge of reserve.
4	Unit B and E (Duddings and road access)	Hold the line	Install non-return valves on stormwater pipes to reduce nuisance sea inundation due to high tides (does not address larger flooding).
5	Unit G/F (Boat yard and beach front reserve area)	Hold the line	Investigate options to reduce inundation through beach access ramp. Could include removing access ramp to boat yard by extending seawall, or low bunds on reserve to reduce flood pathway during high tides and storm surge events.
6	Unit I (CMA adjacent to 1350 outlet at western end of bay)	Limited intervention	Investigate benefit of existing unauthorised wool bale bag groyne structure and options for more durable replacement if retaining structure is preferred.

Lessons learnt for Future Shoreline Adaptation Plans

43. The Wai Manawa/Little Shoal Bay SAP is the first site specific, or mini, SAP within a series of 20 Shoreline Adaptation Plans which will be rolled out concurrently over the next three to five years. The Wai Manawa/Little Shoal Bay Mini SAP, Beachlands and East SAP and the Whangaparāoa pilot (completed in March 2022) are the first major projects focused on adaptation of the coastline to the impacts of climate change. Each SAP rolled out so far have provided lessons which will be incorporated into the future work programme, including:

· Public awareness of the potential impacts of climate change and the need to adapt is reasonably low. Comprehensive work is required to upskill the general public about this topic and prepare them for the future with climate change.

· Community engagement on climate change takes time and requires staff to be knowledgeable and well-versed in the topic. The engagement process for each plan needs to be open for feedback for a minimum of three to four months.

· To adequately capture community values and objectives multiple methods of community engagement, including digital tools and in-person events are required.

· Mana whenua partnerships are a critical piece of building a resilient shoreline and should be undertaken early. To effectively undertake mana whenua engagement a respective iwi engagement plan for each SAP should be drafted, with expert inputs prior to engagement to help guide hui and workshops.

Implementation

44. SAP are strategic guidance documents, not asset management plans. The implementation of these plans will require collaboration from across Auckland Council and CCO’s. Aside from the six ‘current actions’, which are covered by existing budgets, no financial investment decisions have been made within the SAP.

45. Signals and triggers related to the timing of adaptation responses have to be identified at the individual asset level and are not included in these plans.

46. Adaptation decisions depend strongly on exposure analysis and acceptable levels of exposure or service as it relates to asset performance. Should Auckland Council adopt a framework for tolerable exposure levels, the strategies may require review.

Tauākī whakaaweawe āhuarangi

Climate impact statement

47. The Shoreline Adaptations Plans programme is funded as part of the climate action investment package of the Recovery Budget 2021-2031 and is a core climate adaptation workstream.

48. As global temperatures rise, Auckland is predicted to experience between 0.6m and 1.5m of sea level rise by 2130, dependent on the future CO2 emissions scenario. The impacts of climate change and sea-level rise are expected to increase the frequency, intensity and magnitude of natural hazards including coastal erosion, coastal inundation, and rainfall flooding.

49. To prepare for the future with climate change, we need to plan adaptively. SAP will help reduce asset exposure and signal the need to work with nature by developing natural systems (such as wide beaches, well vegetated dunes, and tidal marshes) that can help buffer the impacts of climate change.

50. SAP also assist in educating the public about the impacts of climate change and the need to adapt. Building awareness and signalling the need to be prepared for coastal hazard events is an important part of long-term resilience. For that reason, SAPs report under the Community and Coast priority area of Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Plan.

51. The Wai Manawa/Little Shoal Bay Shoreline Adaptation Plan outlines how Auckland Council owned land and assets in the shoreline area can be managed to mitigate the impacts of coastal hazards and climate change. Implementation of the plan will increase the resilience of the shoreline by decreasing the number of assets in hazards zones. The implementation of the plan will also support the development of natural systems that can act as a future buffer.

52. Greenhouse gas emissions are not addressed within the report because it focuses on the strategic goal of adapting the shoreline to build long-term resilience.

Ngā whakaaweawe me ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera

Council group impacts and views

53. Considering the broad extent of council owned land and assets in coastal areas and the non-statutory nature of the SAPs, implementation of the SAPs will be a collaborative effort across Auckland Council departments and council-controlled organisations. The SAP project team has worked in partnership with relevant departments to co-develop the mini Wai Manawa/Little Shoal Bay Shoreline Adaptation Plan.

54. Strategies identified in the SAP will be pursued through integration into all relevant council Asset Management Plans, Reserve Management Plans and Regional Parks Management Plans and associated decision making (such as landowner and leasehold approvals).

55. Implementation of the SAPs will be supported by monitoring of coastal assets and the surrounding coastal environment, this will inform triggers for changing management strategies. Monitoring will include coastal asset condition assessments, beach level surveys and tracking the rate of future coastal hazards and climate change impacts undertaken through the council as business-as-usual activities. The intention is that Mana Whenua will have the opportunity to lead or be involved in future shoreline monitoring as partners in the SAP Programme.

56. Adaptation strategies will be integrated into all relevant council Asset Management Plans to inform appropriate monitoring, maintenance, and renewal. For example, management of Community Facilities assets that provide a coastal defence or amenity function will be considered through council’s Coastal Assets Renewals Programme. This programme is managed through the Resilient Land & Coasts department and will ensure strategies identified within the SAPs are implemented. This will be supported by site-specific assessments of coastal processes, option feasibility and costings to identify a preferred solution that aligns with the overarching adaptation strategy of the SAP.

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

Local impacts and local board views

57. A workshop with the Kaipātiki Local Board to introduce the SAP process and the need to adapt was first held in July 2021. Following initial engagement, several presentations were made to the local board to keep them abreast of the engagement process.

58. The local board has supported the development of the Wai Manawa/Little Shoal Bay SAP throughout the community engagement period. Two joint engagement hui were held with the local board chair and deputy chair and mana whenua to align objectives and outcomes.

59. Community objectives have been considered and are reflected in the development of the adaptation strategies, informing future projects in the subject area including coastal local board and renewals work programmes.

60. The Mini Wai Manawa/Little Shoal Bay Shoreline Adaptation Plan was endorsed by the Kaipātiki Local Board on 17 August 2022 (KT/2022/163).

Tauākī whakaaweawe Māori

Māori impact statement

61. The SAP programme is designed in the spirit of partnership with mana whenua and the project team meets regularly with the Infrastructure and Environmental Services mana whenua forum and with relevant iwi or iwi groupings within each coastal cell.

62. For development of the Wai Manawa/Little Shoal Bay SAP, local iwi Ngaati Whanaunga, Ngāti Whātua o Ōrākei, Te Akitai Waiohua and Ngāti Pāoa partnered in the development of the plan.

63. As part of the Mana Whenua engagement process eight hui with input via these four iwi entities were held between November 2021 and July 2022, including two combined hui with the Kaipātiki Local Board. Additionally, two extra sessions were facilitated to provide iwi representatives with the opportunity to caucus without the internal SAP team and workshop cultural input into the report. During these hui and caucusing sessions, iwi provided cultural context to the coastline and advocated specific themes related to shoreline management. Feedback from the hui held during the SAP process identified that the importance of Iwi leading the guidance of restoration and storytelling of cultural and natural heritage supported by community groups and others.

64. The cultural context section of the SAP presents themes and objectives gifted by mana whenua, which have informed the development of the adaptation strategies, whilst serving as a core foundation of the Wai Manawa/Little Shoal Bay SAP.

65. To further honour themes advocated for in the report, we have recommended that all future shoreline projects on the coastline:

· value Whakapapa (Ancestry) by acknowledging and supporting the cultural and spiritual values of mana whenua and giving effect to the views of mana whenua regarding culturally significant sites or areas in any coastal management or engineering options

· value Taiao (Environment) by prioritising naturalisation of the shoreline and working to enhance and protect the natural environment. This includes restoration of the natural environment in areas where managed realignment has been recommended and considering nature-based options in areas of hold the line

· value Tangata Hononga (Connecting People) by recognising and supporting the interdependence of people and their environment, providing mana whenua with kaitiaki opportunities, and working with the local community on volunteering opportunities.

66. The themes and objectives gifted by mana whenua informed the development of the adaptation strategies and are a core foundation of the Wai Manawa/Little Shoal Bay SAP report.

67. Information how the SAP aligns with and supports the objectives of Te Ora ō Tāmaki Makaurau, the wellbeing framework developed by the Mana Whenua Kaitiaki Forum in response to Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri, and Kia Ora Tāmaki Makaurau, and the Māori Outcomes Performance Measurement Framework adopted by Auckland Council in 2021 has been included as a section in the report.

Ngā ritenga ā-pūtea

Financial implications

68. Delivery of SAPs is regionally funded as part of the climate action package of the Recovery Budget 2021-2031. No additional funding is requested.

69. Mitigating coastal hazards will become increasingly expensive for Auckland and New Zealand. It will not be affordable or feasible to implement an approach to ‘hold the line’ or defend everywhere. The Wai Manawa/Little Shoal Bay SAP will guide shoreline projects to consider the escalating future exposure of climate change and respond in both an environmentally and economically sustainable manner.

70. The adaptation strategies of the Wai Manawa/Little Shoal Bay Mini SAP will be given effect to across relevant council decision making. This includes the future management and renewal of assets located along the coast. Over time, this will result in cost savings as assets are moved out of coastal hazard areas and incur less damage due to coastal erosion and flooding.

71. As a more focussed, ‘mini’ SAP, the Plan also includes a series of six current actions that will be undertaken within existing budgets to address current issues and support the development of future adaptation strategies. Aside from this, no financial investment decisions have been made through the Wai Manawa/Little Shoal Bay report.

72. The adaptation strategies of the Wai Manawa/Little Shoal Bay SAP will be given effect to across relevant council decision-making. This includes the future management, maintenance and renewal of council assets and land located along the coast through existing work programmes and associated budgets. Over time, this will result in cost savings as assets are moved. Once all SAPs across Auckland are completed, a regional funding prioritisation scheme will be developed. This will assist in budgetary requirements for areas where managed realignment or other major coastal works that require additional budget have been recommended.

Ngā raru tūpono me ngā whakamaurutanga

Risks and mitigations

73. Without strategic guidance, coastal asset decisions will be made on an ad-hoc basis and may not take the escalating exposure of climate change into account. This mini SAP provides the strategic long-term vision for Wai Manawa/Little Shoal Bay coastal areas. Implementation of the SAP will require multiple teams across council and the CCOs to work together.

74. There is a high level of public interest in the management of the coast, including council-owned land and assets. Potential opposition to the proposed adaptation strategies has been mitigated through the development of the plans in the spirit of partnership with mana whenua, with extensive engagement with the local community, wider public and infrastructure providers.

75. Due to uncertainty in emission reductions, there is the potential that coastal hazard events may increase in frequency and intensity earlier than expected. The SAP was developed using a conservative, climate change scenario (RCP 8.5) in the long term, and we consider the potential to consider this more accelerated outcome to be low. In addition, the SAP advocates for a Dynamic Adaptive Policy Pathway approach which is inherently flexible to allow for uncertainty in the rate of change.

76. As multiple teams are required to work together the implement the SAP, there is potential that the plan is not applied across all business areas. To mitigate this, the SAP project team worked in collaboration across council to develop the SAP. A Coastal Governance Group has also been established to oversee the development and delivery of the SAPs work programme.

Ngā koringa ā-muri

Next steps

77. Once approved, the Wai Manawa/Little Shoal Bay report will be released to the public and to stakeholders across Auckland Council and the adaptation strategies will be progressively integrated into council Asset Management Plans for implementation when these plans are reviewed.

78. The Shoreline Adaptation Plan Programme will continue to be rolled out across the region with the next two SAPs (Manukau South and Āwhitu now open for public consultation and running in parallel).

79. Each of these two Shoreline Adaptation Plans will incorporate lessons learned from Whangaparāoa, the Kahawairahi ki Whakatīwai /Beachlands and East Pilot and the Wai Manawa/Little Shoal Bay Mini SAP. They will in time be considered by the relevant local boards and committee of the new council.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	Wai Manawa Little Shoal Bay Mini SAP Report	25
b ⇩	Associated Resolutions - Environment and Climate Change Committee and Kaipātiki Local Board	105

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Authors

Sage Vernall - Coastal Adaptation Specialist

Lara Clarke - Principal Coastal Adaptation Specialist

Authorisers

Paul Klinac – General Manager Resilient Land & Coasts

Barry Potter - Director Infrastructure and Environmental Services

Megan Tyler - Chief of Strategy

Environment and Climate Change Committee

08 September 2022

Amended Auckland Waste Management and Minimisation Plan 2018

File No.: CP2022/06696

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To adopt the amended Te Mahere Whakahaere me te Whakaiti Tukunga Para i Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland Waste Management and Minimisation Plan 2018 to reflect the move to a regionwide rates-funded kerbside refuse service, with a choice of three bin sizes to accommodate different household needs.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. A proposed amendment to Te Mahere Whakahaere me te Whakaiti Tukunga Para i Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland Waste Management and Minimisation Plan (the Waste Plan) was consulted on between February and March 2022 as part of the Annual Budget 2022/2023 Consultation Document.

3. The proposed change was to adopt a regionwide rates-funded system for kerbside refuse collections instead of continuing to move towards a regionwide user-pays, Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) system. The shift would include the introduction of three refuse bin size options (80-litre, 120-litre and 240-litre) to accommodate different household needs.

4. The proposal received a clear majority of support from individuals, organisations, Māori and local boards.

5. This feedback was presented at a Finance and Performance Committee workshop on 4 May 2022 and staff considered the feedback alongside an assessment of the identified options in developing their advice.

6. Overall support was expressed for the proposal, but some concerns were raised about how the needs of very low and very high waste producers will be met with a standardised service. Staff are therefore undertaking further work on how best to meet the needs of very low and very high waste producers to incentivise and reward waste minimisation efforts.

7. At the Finance and Performance Committee Meeting of 7 June 2022 the committee passed a resolution to recommend to the Governing Body that it agree to amend the Auckland Waste Management and Minimisation Plan 2018 as proposed (FIN/2022/37).

8. The Governing Body agreed to this change on 7 June 2022 (GB/2022/46), so staff are presenting the amended Waste Plan (Attachment A) to the Environment and Climate Change Committee for final adoption to give effect to the Governing Body’s decision and to ensure the waste plan is up to date.

9. References to PAYT within the Tīkapa Moana Hauraki Gulf Islands Waste Plan 2018 have also been amended to reflect this policy change (Attachments C and D).

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendations

That the Environment and Climate Change Committee:

a) tuhi ā-taipitopito / note the resolutions of the Finance and Performance Committee (FIN/2022/37) and Governing Body (GB/2022/46) recommending and agreeing to the change to the Te Mahere Whakahaere me te Whakaiti Tukunga Para i Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland Waste Management and Minimisation Plan 2018 following public consultation in accordance with statutory requirements

b) whai / adopt the changes to Te Mahere Whakahaere me te Whakaiti Tukunga Para i Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland Waste Management and Minimisation Plan 2018, in Attachment A of the agenda report, in line with the decision previously made by the Governing Body (Resolution GB/2022/46)

c) whai / adopt the consequential amendments to the Tīkapa Moana Hauraki Gulf Islands Waste Plan 2018, in Attachment C of the agenda report.

Horopaki

Context

10. The council consulted on the proposed amendment to the Waste Plan in February and March 2022 as part of the consultation on the Annual Budget 2022/2023. This consultation process fulfilled the requirements for amending a waste plan set out in Section 44(e) of the Waste Minimisation Act 2008. Requirements included using the special consultative procedure set out in section 83 of the Local Government Act 2002 and notifying the most recent waste assessment undertaken by the council with the statement of proposal.

11. Detailed analysis of the feedback received during the Annual Budget 2022/2023 consultation was included in the report presented on the agenda of the 7 June 2022 Finance and Performance Committee meeting.

12. Decisions made by the Governing Body in response to the Finance and Performance Committee’s resolutions made at the 7 June 2022 meeting are now reflected in the Annual Budget 2022/2023.

13. On 29 June 2022, the Governing Body adopted the Annual Budget 2022/2023 and set rates for the 2022/2023 financial year.

14. The Governing Body agreed to amend the Waste Plan, so staff are presenting the amended Waste Plan to the Environment and Climate Change Committee (giving effect to the Governing Body’s decision) for final adoption.

Tātaritanga me ngā tohutohu

Analysis and advice

15. The Waste Plan sets out the zero waste vision for Tāmaki Makaurau and actions to achieve it.

16. To minimise kerbside household waste the Waste Plan currently commits to:

· the introduction of a region-wide “three-bin” (refuse, recycling and food scraps) collection system to enable maximum diversion of waste from landfill

· implementing a region-wide Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) charging system for refuse collections.

17. Prior to implementing the proposed region-wide PAYT system change a review was conducted to determine whether PAYT remained the best policy direction to deliver on the outcomes of the Waste Plan.

18. The review concluded that a regionwide rates-funded refuse collection service, with three refuse bin size options (80-litre, 120-litre and 240-litre) to accommodate different household needs, would better meet the needs of the majority of Auckland households than a user-pays (PAYT) service because a rates-funded service:

· achieves the best waste minimisation outcomes, as it enables influence over the region’s domestic waste stream, while still allowing for a choice of bin sizes

· is the most cost effective, lowest risk, and most financially resilient for the council to deliver

· provides Auckland Council with the greatest opportunity to respond to the climate emergency and meet the commitments set out in Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri Auckland’s Climate Plan, by reducing and mitigating emissions and retaining the flexibility to adapt to climate impacts into the future

· delivers the greatest certainty for Aucklanders by enabling Auckland Council to provide a universally available, equitably priced service across the region regardless of residents’ location or income.

19. The recommendation means that households in legacy Manukau City and Auckland City areas will continue to pay for their refuse collection through rates. Households in current PAYT areas will no longer be required to buy tags or bags and will shift to paying through a targeted rate via a staged implementation. The proposed timing is to start the transition in Franklin, Papakura, and Rodney throughout the 2023/2024 financial year, and start in the North Shore and Waitākere in the last quarter of 2023/2024 and throughout the 2024/2025 financial year.

20. Although changes in rates would not come into effect for the North Shore, Rodney and Waitākere until 2024/2025, operational lead times require certainty of decision-making well in advance of that time.

21. The recommendation requires a change to the Waste Plan, which necessitated consultation using the special consultative procedure set out in section 83 of the Local Government Act 2002. The council consulted on the proposal as part of the consultation on the Annual Budget 2022/2023 together with the consultation on the harmonisation of waste services and charges (covered by a separate report on the agenda of the Finance and Performance Committee meeting of 7 June 2022).

22. References to PAYT within the Tīkapa Moana Hauraki Gulf Islands Waste Plan 2018 have also been amended to reflect this policy change (Attachments C and D).

Tauākī whakaaweawe āhuarangi

Climate impact statement

23. The climate impact of this proposed change to the Waste Plan was outlined in the 8 December 2021 report to the Finance and Performance Committee.

24. Auckland Council can make a significant contribution to our climate goals by optimising waste reduction and resource recovery, including the ability to influence a greater number of households into the future through the proposed rates-funded model.

25. Over the lifetime of the proposed decision, the impact of greater diversion from landfill of both food scraps and general recycling will be the most significant components of emissions reduction, with an anticipated emissions saving of 125,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year under a rates-funded weekly service.

26. The rates-funded option also presents the ability to influence truck fleet fuel efficiency, with a higher number of households on the service.

Ngā whakaaweawe me ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera

Council group impacts and views

27. This policy decision specifically relates to kerbside collection services for residential properties. The rating impacts will therefore relate largely to residential ratepayers.

28. For this reason, we have not sought the views of other Auckland Council departments and council-controlled organisations as they will not be impacted by this policy.

29. Staff from Auckland Council’s Financial Strategy and Planning group formed part of the review team.

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

Local impacts and local board views

30. Local boards provided their views on the impacts on their local community of Key Issue 3: Standardisation of Waste Services at the 4 May 2022 workshop of the Finance and Performance Committee. Formal feedback on the proposed change was recorded at their May 2022 business meetings and received as part of the Annual Budget feedback. These views are outlined in the report presented on the agenda of the Finance and Performance Committee Meeting of 7 June 2022.

31. The local board feedback largely reflected the feedback of individuals from their areas. Fourteen supported the proposal, with many noting the strong support from individuals, iwi and organisations within their local board areas, two partially supported the proposal and four did not support the proposal. Rodney, where there is currently no council refuse service, stated the results of the individual Annual Budget responses but did not express a view either way.

Tauākī whakaaweawe Māori

Māori impact statement

32. According to the 2018 census, 53 per cent of the Māori population of Tāmaki Makaurau currently live in a rates-funded area, primarily in south Auckland, and 47 per cent live in PAYT areas, primarily in Papakura, Henderson-Massey and Franklin.

33. Consultation on the annual budget included engagement with mana whenua from 19 iwi authorities, nine of whom made written submissions (included Attachment A to the report ‘Annual Budget 2022/23: Overview to decision-making’ on the 7 June 2022 Finance and Performance Committee agenda). Three mana whenua entities also made presentations to the Governing Body in March 2022.

34. Responses from Māori submitters and mana whenua aligned with the overall feedback.

35. Five iwi authorities supported the standardisation of waste services in principle.

36. Feedback from submitters who identified as Māori are shown in Table 1:

Table 1: Number of submissions per option from respondents who identified as Māori

Proposal	Preferred rates-funded system	Preferred PAYT system	Don’t know	Other	Total submissions
Waste	264 (62.4%)	107 (25.3%)	22 (5.2%)	30 (7.1%)	423

Ngā ritenga ā-pūtea

Financial implications

37. While both options (rates-funded or PAYT) are cost neutral to the council the PAYT option poses greater revenue risk than rates-funded as it is substantially more difficult to predict the number of council customers under full PAYT scenarios. Any reduction in council customers over and above the level currently forecasted could lead to further increases to refuse costs per council customer and this would in turn increase the overall waste collection costs facing households through higher base service charges.

38. The decision to change to a fully rates-funded refuse collection is made as part of the council’s exercise of discretion as to the choice of funding sources for its activities, under section 101(3) of the Local Government Act 2002. The decision is also influenced by relevant requirements and policy considerations such as the Waste Minimisation Act 2008 and the Waste Management and Minimisation Plan 2018 (including any proposal to amend that plan, if necessary).

39. The rates themselves will be set in accordance with the requirements under the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002.

40. The direct costs of update the Waste Plan with these amendments is met from within our existing operational budgets.

Ngā raru tūpono me ngā whakamaurutanga

Risks and mitigations

41. The key risks and mitigations relating to the decision to move the funding of the council’s kerbside refuse collection service to a targeted rate are shown in Table 2.

Table 2: Risks and mitigations of moving to regional rates-funded refuse collection

Risk	Mitigation
Auckland Council increases its number of household collections, and this is perceived to be anti-competitive.	Council procures collection contracts for household kerbside services from the private sector and there is an opportunity to create competition through council services contracts. Council does not provide collection services to the commercial sector; healthy competition exists within that sector.
The perception of unfairness in offering the same service/charge to all households: households that produce large amounts of waste may be perceived to benefit more under the rates-funded model, whereas households that produce less waste may be perceived to benefit more under the PAYT model.	Staff have modelled the cost of offering three different bin sizes (80-litre/120-litre/240-litre) under the rates-funded model to accommodate different households’ needs. Modelling shows that households that produce less waste can make savings by choosing an 80-litre bin. Staff are investigating potential options for very low waste producing households in the lead up to operationalising the proposed policy change.
In 2019 the council entered into seven long-term waste collection contracts that provide for a PAYT refuse collection service (or transition to such a service). When the council moves to a fully rates-funded service then some variation to these contracts will be required and there may be some, as yet to be determined, cost implications.	Staff have continued open dialogue with all waste collection contractors and based estimated costings on revised costs provided by contractors.

Ngā koringa ā-muri

Next steps

42. Once adopted the amended Waste Plan (Attachment A) and amended Hauraki Gulf Islands Waste Plan (Attachment C) will be available to view on Auckland Council’s website.

43. Households in legacy Manukau City and Auckland City areas will continue to pay for their refuse collection through rates.

44. Households in current PAYT areas will no longer be required to buy tags or bags and will shift to paying through a targeted rate via a staged implementation commencing in the last quarter of the 2023/2024 financial year.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	Amended WMMP 2018_Final	115
b ⇩	Table of amendments to the WMMP 2018_Final	231
c ⇩	Amended HGI Waste Plan 2018_Final	239
d ⇩	Table of amendments to the HGI Waste Plan 2018_Final	307

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Authors

Sarah Le Claire - Waste Planning Manager

Authorisers

Parul Sood - Manager Waste Planning

Barry Potter - Director Infrastructure and Environmental Services

Megan Tyler - Chief of Strategy

Environment and Climate Change Committee

08 September 2022

Auckland Climate Grant pilot

File No.: CP2022/04374

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To approve the Auckland Climate Grant, including grant programme scope and criteria, priority action focus areas, decision-making and timing of funding rounds for the 2022/2023 pilot year.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. Budget for a climate grant programme was allocated through the 10-year Budget 2021-2031.

3. In 2021/2022 these additional funds were distributed through the existing Regional Environment and Natural Heritage grant while staff worked to establish a new grant scheme.

4. Staff have now developed a proposal for a new Auckland Climate Grant. This has been developed with feedback from mana whenua and community group stakeholders.

5. In 2022/2023 the Auckland Climate Grant programme has a budget of $400,000.

6. The purpose of the grant scheme is to support projects that will:

· reduce greenhouse gas emissions through community-based action

· build community resilience to climate change impacts

· support Māori-led responses to climate change.

7. Key priority areas for funding for the grant in 2022/2023 have been identified based on the priorities in Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri and an analysis of other available grants. They are:

· Transport: Projects that support a low carbon and safe transport system.

· Built environment and Energy: Projects that support a built environment and energy system that provides for a low carbon, climate disaster resilient Auckland.

· Food: Projects that support a low carbon, resilient, local food system and enable Aucklanders to make sustainable and healthy food choices.

· Māori-led projects: Projects that build Māori capacity to respond to climate impacts and support mana whenua and mātāwaka to reduce emissions and build community resilience.

8. For the 2022/2023 pilot year both response grants and strategic grants are available. Response grants seek to grow community participation in climate action and can vary from $1,000-$15,000. The larger, strategic grants ($15,000-$50,000) support projects with potentially more significant impacts than response grants.

9. Due to timing of the grant approval at this meeting, staff recommend that for the 2022/2023 pilot year decision-making for both the response and the strategic grants be delegated to the General Manager Environmental Services. Staff propose that for future years decision-making for the strategic grants are made by the Environment and Climate Change Committee (or equivalent). This allows the Auckland Climate Grant to be run this year and distributed along with the other annual environmental funds while the triennial local government elections are held. In future years, allocation of strategic grants will be decided by a committee of the Governing Body.

10. Once guidelines for the Auckland Climate Grant are approved, staff will start the promotion and delivery of 2022/2023 Auckland Climate Grant funding rounds; the first response round and strategic grant round will open in September 2022 and close in October 2022.

11. Feedback was sought from local boards on the proposed Climate Grant and was received from 20 local boards (provided as Attachment A). The creation of the Auckland Climate Grant was supported by 18 local boards. Franklin and Rodney Local Boards did not express support for the proposed model. There were some areas where the feedback diverged from the proposed model around specific priorities and the decision-making responsibility.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendations

That the Environment and Climate Change Committee:

a) whakaae / approve the Auckland Climate Grant Programme guidelines as outlined in the report

b) tautapa / delegate grant allocation decision-making for the Auckland Climate Grant response grants to the General Manager Environmental Services

c) tautapa / delegate grant allocation decision-making for the 2022/2023 Auckland Climate Grant strategic grant round to the General Manager Environmental Services.

Horopaki

Context

Background to support for community-led climate action

12. Budget for a climate grant programme was allocated through the 10-year Recovery Budget 2021-2031. The grant will support delivery of Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Plan.

13. The grant was intended to provide increased investment to support local community-based climate projects that would:

· reduce emissions

· increase community resilience to climate impacts

· generate more community-based climate action projects, reaching at least 20,000 Aucklanders over 10 years.

14. Previously support for regional sustainable living projects has been allocated through the Regional Environment and Natural Heritage (RENH) grant programme.

15. In 2021/2022 staff chose to distribute the increased funding for community climate projects through the RENH. This allowed funds to be allocated rapidly to the community by December 2021, after the adoption of the Recovery Budget in July 2021.

16. While funds were being allocated in this fashion, staff carried out a review of the current processes used to distribute climate and sustainability grants through the RENH along with the other priorities it covers such as conservation, water quality and kaitiakitanga.

17. Staff also consulted with subject matter experts involved in administering the RENH and applicants on their experience of using the existing grant scheme.

18. The review showed that there are various disadvantages to continuing to use the existing RENH grant to distribute climate and sustainability funding. These include that:

· the existing process does not provide detailed guidance on what type of climate projects we wish to fund (which could be expected from a stand-alone climate grant)

· due to the wide range of priorities the assessment processes require additional time for staff due to the various moderation and review workshops to ensure that grants are being compared fairly across the range of priority areas.

Stocktake of existing grants and analysis of allocations

19. Staff carried out a review of other grants that are available to fund projects which have climate outcomes. Grants identified include the:

· Regional Environment and Natural Heritage – provides funding for conservation projects

· Community Coordination and Facilitation grant – supports capacity building for conservation groups

· Waste Minimisation and Innovation Fund

· Love Food Hate Waste fund

· Auckland Transport Community Bike Fund

· Ngā Tiriti Ngangahau - The Vibrant Streets Programme

· local board grants to projects with climate outcomes.

20. Grants external to Auckland Council, such as those offered through Foundation North were also considered. This process aimed to avoid the grant ‘duplicating’ or ‘replacing’ other potential sources of funding for community groups.

21. Staff also analysed allocations from regional and local grants to over 200 projects with climate outcomes over the last five years. This review yielded insights into which areas the community are already active and working in (and seeking funding in). It also identified that some Aucklanders are being under-served by our current grants processes.

Tātaritanga me ngā tohutohu

Analysis and advice

Rationale for establishing a separate Climate Grant

22. The review of existing avenues for supporting community-led climate action and the type of support provided through these channels was used to develop options to consider for 2022/2023 delivery of grants for climate projects. These are:

· status quo: continued delivery as part of the RENH

· delivery of climate grants and natural environment grants under a new single umbrella fund

· delivery of climate grants in a separate newly established grant programme.

23. Options were considered against criteria including:

· delivery on emissions reduction and resilience outcomes,

· impacts on applicants including accessibility of application process to under-served applicant groups

· resources and cost to deliver grant.

24. Table 1 provides an analysis of these options.

Table 1. Analysis of options for delivery of climate grants

	Delivery on climate outcomes	Impact on applicants	Resources and cost to deliver grant
Status quo	ûû	ûû	üü
New climate grants and natural environment umbrella fund	üü	û	üü
Separate climate grant	üüü	üüü	û

ûûû	ûû	û	ü	üü	üüü
most negative	moderately negative	slightly negative	slightly positive	moderately positive	most positive

25. Staff found that creating a stand-alone climate grant would provide a better experience for applicants and simplify and improve the grant assessment process.

26. The proposed new climate grant aims to expand areas of community enthusiasm for climate action and also to make the grant process more accessible to some under-served groups (including Māori, Pacific people, other diverse ethnic groups and youth-led organisations).

27. During development of the grant, staff presented to the Infrastructure and Environmental Services Mana Whenua Hui seeking feedback from mana whenua kaitiaki representatives on aspects of the grant development.

28. From December 2021 to March 2022, Māori specialists in the Community Climate Action team also met with each of the 19 iwi to seek their feedback on climate priorities that they would like to see advanced through the sustainable and resilient marae project. Feedback from mana whenua through this process has informed the priorities identified in the grant scheme.

29. Three online workshops were also held to get feedback from community group stakeholders and previous grant applicants in July 2022.

30. An Environmental Services review of funding is currently underway and outcomes from this review will inform the delivery approach to climate grants beyond the 2022/2023 pilot year.

Proposed grant purpose

31. For the 2022/2023 pilot year the Auckland Climate Grants programme has a proposed purpose of supporting projects that:

· reduce greenhouse gas emissions through community-based action

· build community resilience to climate change impacts

· support Māori-led responses to climate change.

32. The Auckland Climate Grant programme will support community projects focused on providing resources, education, and opportunities that result in more Aucklanders engaging with climate change issues. It will support Aucklanders to make behaviour changes in areas with the greatest greenhouse gas emissions reduction potential.

33. Projects that support reductions in greenhouse gas emission will be the focus for the 2022/2023 funding allocations with a target allocation of 70 per cent of grants. This allocation target will be reviewed annually.

34. The Auckland Climate Grant programme will also support projects that build community resilience to respond to the impacts of climate change. Projects should focus on giving Aucklanders a voice in proactive community resilience planning and climate adaptation, particularly communities who will be the most vulnerable to climate impacts and have traditionally been under-served by the council.

35. By building stronger connections between neighbours and within neighbourhoods, at key community sites, and with community-based organisations, projects can create resilience against climate-related stresses. For the 2022/2023 pilot the focus for resilience projects will be on food and energy.

36. The Auckland Climate grant programme will also aim to support projects that enable mana whenua and mātāwaka to respond to climate change. The allocation of funding will recognise the partnership between council and Māori-led organisations – particularly mana whenua in the council’s role as a partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

37. The Auckland Climate Grant scope, criteria, priorities, and decision-making were workshopped with the Environment and Climate Change Committee on 27 July 2022.

Scope and criteria

38. Projects supported through the Auckland Climate Grant programme should meet one or more of the following criteria:

· result in activity that reduces greenhouse gas emissions or builds resilience to climate impacts

· support mana whenua and mātāwaka to reduce carbon emissions and build community resilience to climate-related impacts

· provide support and resources to Māori organisations and community groups to build organisational capacity and capability, develop strategic plans and develop sustainable funding models, increasing the total funding or support secured for climate projects in Auckland

· increase participation in climate action activity in high emission communities (generally, higher income communities) targeting the highest emitting behaviours

· increase participation in activities that build community resilience in under-served communities who most need our support to respond to climate impacts

· support Aucklanders of different ages, abilities and ethnicities to take climate action.

Climate action priority areas

39. Projects supported through the Auckland Climate Grants may address a wide range of the priorities included in Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri including built environment, energy, transport, communities and coast, food, and Te Puawaitanga ō te Tātai.

40. For the 2022/2023 pilot year priority will be given to applications under the transport, energy and food themes and to Māori-led projects. This will include:

· Transport: Projects that support a low carbon, safe transport system that delivers social, economic and health benefits for all.

· Food: Projects that support a low carbon, resilient, local food system that provides all Aucklanders with access to fresh, sustainable, affordable and healthy food and projects that support Aucklanders to make sustainable dietary choices.

· Energy: Projects that support a built environment and energy system that provides for a low carbon, climate disaster resilient Auckland.

· Māori-led projects: Projects building Māori capacity to respond to climate change and supporting mana whenua and mātāwaka to reduce emissions and build community resilience.

41. Some projects that support other priorities in the plan may also be funded. These include:

· Built environment: Projects that support a low carbon and resilient built environment.

· Communities: Project that support communities to increase awareness of climate change and to prepare for changes in our climate and coastline and projects that support Aucklanders to understand their carbon footprints and changes they can made to reduce these.

42. Applicants will be directed for future guidance on what types of activities we wish to support through these priorities to Auckland Council’s Live Lightly website, which provides advice and information for individuals and community groups on climate change: https://livelightly.nz/

43. Priority areas will be updated on an annual basis by staff based on current areas of activity/enthusiasm in the community, changes in support from central government and other funds, and the priorities of Auckland Council.

Exclusions

44. General grant programme exclusions outlined in the Community Grants policy will apply to the Auckland Climate Grants. In addition, specific exclusions for the Auckland Climate Grants programme are:

· climate action projects focused on the natural environment, industry and the economy are out of scope for the Auckland Climate Grant programme (this will avoid duplication with other funds such as the RENH and Climate Connect, the new climate innovation hub being developed by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited)

· projects with a focus on food waste, composting or recycling should apply through the Waste Minimisation and Innovation Fund

· activities whose primary purpose is the private gain or advancing of private business interests without a significant public good component

· purchase of vehicles and any related ongoing maintenance, repair, overhead costs or road user charges

· conference fees and costs

· funding for existing roles or organisational costs

· subscription services where these are ongoing and not associated with a specific event or outcome

· replication of council services

· projects with a primary focus on creation of websites and electronic platforms.

Applicants

45. The grant will be open to community groups, neighbourhoods, mana whenua and mātāwaka applicants, social enterprises, businesses, business improvement districts and education providers (early childhood centres, schools, kura and tertiary institutions).

46. Staff propose to hold several response grants rounds which are intended to make the application process quicker, simpler and easier for community groups and increase the volume of successful applications from under-served groups.

Types of grants available

47. Grants of between $1,000 up to $50,000 will be offered, with both response grants and strategic grants available.

Response grants ($1,000 - $15,000)

48. These grants seek to grow community participation in climate action, and amplify existing community action, particularly among under-served communities such as youth, Pacific peoples and Māori-led groups.

49. Applications will be encouraged from groups that have not previously engaged with climate action activity or are rapidly building capacity in this area.

Strategic grants ($15,000 – $50,000)

50. These grants seek to support programmes and activities aligning with the Auckland Climate Grant purpose, scope and priority actions. Strategic grants will be expected to have more significant impacts than response grants and could potentially be used to either expand best practice projects or develop innovative new responses to the climate challenge.

51. Multi-year support is available through strategic grants with applicants able to apply for funding for up to three years.

Grant decision-making

52. Options considered for grant decision-making included:

· delegation of all allocation decision-making to the General Manager Environmental Services

· delegation of allocation decision-making for response grants to the General Manager Environmental Services, with allocation decisions for strategic grants made by the Environment and Climate Change Committee (or equivalent)

· allocation decisions for both response and strategic grants made by the Environment and Climate Change Committee (or equivalent)

53. Options were considered against criteria including transparency of decision-making, timeliness and resources and costs to deliver grant. Table 2 provides an analysis of options.

Table 2. Analysis of options for climate grant decision-making

	Transparency	Timeliness	Resources and cost to deliver grant
Grant allocation decisions for all grants delegated to General Manager Environmental Services	ûûû	üüü	üü
E&CC Committee make grant allocation decisions for strategic grants, with allocation decisions for response grants delegated to General Manager Environmental Services	üü	û	üü
E&CC Committee make all grant allocation decisions	üüü	ûûû	ûûû

ûûû	ûû	û	ü	üü	üüü
most negative	moderately negative	slightly negative	slightly positive	moderately positive	most positive

54. It is recommended that option two, with committee decision-making for strategic grants and decision-making for response grants delegated to General Manager Environmental Services, for the current financial year be applied for the Auckland Climate Grant with future decision making sitting with a committee of the Governing Body in the future.

55. Due to timing of the grant adoption in early September and funding round timing considerations including the need to provide continuity of funding for community groups by December 2022, staff propose that for the 2022/2023 pilot year decision-making for the strategic grant be delegated to the General Manager Environmental Services. This allows for the efficient delivery of the grants programme to our communities through the local government election and committee re-establishment period. It also means that the grant will be distributed at a similar time to other regional environmental grants and avoids cross over of funding or applications.

56. Table 3 shows the difference between these grants.

Table 3. Auckland Climate Grant Type

Response grants

$1,000 - $15,000

Three grants rounds which are intended seeking to grow community participation in climate action.

Application process quicker, simpler and easier for community groups, particularly under-served communities such as youth, Pacific peoples and Māori-led groups.

Decision-making by General Manager Environmental Services

Strategic grants

$15,000 - $50,000

One annual funding round providing support to programmes and activities with potential significant impact.

Multi-year grants available

Decision-making by Environment and Climate Change Committee

Grant limitations

57. In general, the funding timeframe for projects is between one to three years, after which the project objectives should either have been achieved, become a council direct funded project or the project has become self-funding.

58. To leverage investment and resources provided for climate action by community, businesses and other funders’ priority will be given to projects where the Auckland Climate Grant is not the sole source of support. In general, an applicant contribution of 50 per cent towards total project costs is preferred. An applicant contribution towards total project costs can including financial contribution from other funds, in-kind support and volunteer time.

2022/2023 Funding round dates

59. Funding round dates are provided in Table 4 below

Table 4. Auckland Climate Grant 2022/2023 Funding round dates

	Open	Close	Decision-making
Response grants	September 2022	October 2022	November 2022
	February 2023	March 2023	April 2023
	April 2023	May 2023	June 2023
Strategic grants	September 2022	October 2022	December 2022

Assessment criteria

60. Council staff member with subject matter expertise will assess applications against the Auckland Climate Grant assessment criteria outlined in Table 5. Assessment of Māori-led projects and all applications contribution to Māori outcomes will be completed by a council Māori specialist.

61. Assessors will assign a score from one to five for each application against each criterion. These scores are then weighted to the criteria and a total score calculated. The scoring of all applications is then discussed and a recommendation on funding allocation agreed. Staff will also engage with mana whenua to confirm a mechanism for them to be involved in decision making. One option that has been used successfully with other funds is for mana whenua to identify a nominated representative from the Infrastructure and Environmental Services Mana Whenua forum who reviews funding recommendations.

62. All applications will be assessed against criteria in Table 5 below.

Table 5. Grant assessment criteria

Assessment criteria	Score weighting
Alignment with grant purpose	40
Māori outcomes	20
Unmet need and project reach	20
Collaboration	10
Likelihood of success	10

Application process and promotion

63. Applications for the Auckland Climate grant will be accepted through the Smartygrants online application portal. Support with the application process will be available from Auckland Council staff and community contractors involved with delivery of other areas of the Community Climate Action Team local and regional work programme.

64. For the pilot year the Auckland Climate Grant will be promoted through several existing processes and networks including Auckland Council’s website and social media sites, mana whenua hui, community networks, emails to environmental stakeholders and partners and through the Auckland Climate Festival.

65. At the conclusion of each round applicants will be notified of funding decisions as soon as practicable. Successful applicants will have one to three years to complete the proposed project work.

66. At the end of the grant term recipients will be required to complete an accountability report on what has been achieved through their projects. Accountability reports provide detailed information about different aspects of the project, including receipts to show expenditure, photos and videos and are reviewed by subject matter experts against pre-specified metrics.

67. Unsuccessful applicants will be issued with a decline letter as soon as practicable. These applicants will also be offered the opportunity to work with council staff on applications for future funding rounds or other opportunities for funding.

Tauākī whakaaweawe āhuarangi

Climate impact statement

68. The Auckland Climate Grants will support projects that lead to community climate change action to reduce carbon emissions and increase community resilience to climate impacts. The provision of grants through the Auckland Climate Grant programme contributes towards Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland's Climate Plan action area C4: Remove barriers and support community initiatives that reduce emissions and build resilience in a fair way.

69. Individual projects supported through the Auckland Climate Grant programme may respond to a range of action areas within Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland's Climate Plan including:

· Action area T3: Increase access to bicycles, micro-mobility devices and the safe, connected and dedicated infrastructure that supports their use.

· Action area C1: Work together to strengthen the resilience of our communities, people and places.

· Action area F4: Increase supply and demand for local, seasonal and low carbon food.

Ngā whakaaweawe me ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera

Council group impacts and views

70. The Auckland Climate Grant may potentially impact work within the Waste Solutions and Customer and Community Services departments, and the existing support provided to community led food initiatives. Input from the Waste Solutions department and Regional Service Planning, Investment and Partnerships team within Customer and Community Services was sought during the development of the Auckland Climate Grant and their views on relevant applications will be sought during the delivery of the 2022/2023 pilot grant rounds.

71. The Auckland Climate Grant’s support of community-led transport initiatives may have an impact on Auckland Transport. Input from Auckland Transport was sought during the Auckland Climate Grant development and their views on relevant applications will be sought during the delivery of the 2022/2023 pilot grant rounds.

72. Input into the Auckland Climate Grant was sought from Tātaki Auckland Unlimited. The proposed scope and action priorities of the Auckland Climate Grant will not overlap with support provided through Climate Connect so there is no impact on Tātaki Auckland Unlimited.

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

Local impacts and local board views

73. Local board feedback on the proposed Auckland Climate Grant was sought through a report to local boards’ August 2022 business meetings, outlining grant programme scope and criteria, priority action focus areas and timing of funding rounds.

74. Feedback on the Auckland Climate Grant was received 20 local boards and is provided as Attachment A. The Devonport-Takapuna local board decided against providing feedback. The creation of the Auckland Climate Grant was supported by 18 local boards. Franklin and Rodney Local Boards did not express support for the proposed model. Key feedback themes which diverged from the proposed model are summarised in table six below.

Table Six: Local board feedback

Feedback theme	Local board	Response
Suggest that the Governing Body allocate the fund reserved for generating local climate change initiatives to local boards, who are better placed to promote and support locally appropriate community-initiated climate action.	Franklin	Local board support for climate action through locally-driven initiatives funding and local board grant programmes is an important component of support for community-led climate action. The Auckland Climate Grant seeks to support projects according to regionally determined priority areas and build climate action across Auckland.
Suggest that the local boards should have additional input on the delivery of the Climate Grant and that feedback is sought into allocation to area-specific projects.	Puketāpapa, Māngere-Ōtāhuhu	The grant will be promoted through local board channels including Strategic Brokers and Climate Action Activators. In the assessment of applications, staff will work with local subject matter experts to inform allocation decisions.
Suggest that transport projects be given a lower priority as other avenues of support are available.	Puketāpapa, Waitematā	Transport emissions make up the highest proportion of consumption emissions and are an important focus for emissions reduction. Support for transport projects through the Auckland Climate Grant will take other sources of support into account and seek to the address current unmet need.
Suggest that an additional priority area be added for projects which are focused on community education that builds awareness of and preparedness for climate change.	Manurewa, Henderson-Massey, Waitematā	Projects focused on community education may be supported through the Auckland Climate Grant under the community action area.
Suggest that youth-led projects are included as a priority area.	Waitematā	Youth applicants are acknowledged as an underserved applicant group. Rather than including youth-led projects as a separate priority area, youth applicants will be supported to apply with projects in the Transport, Food, Energy and Māori-led activity areas.
Suggest that water resilience and water security projects are considered as a priority area.	Whau	Some support for water resilience and water security is available within the Community and Food action areas. For example applications requesting rain tanks to support food production would be eligible. Large-scale projects addressing flooding issues are outside the scope of these grants.
Suggested that the grant supports funding for tree planting initiatives.	Howick, Whau	Support for community-led tree planting projects is provided through the Regional Environment and Natural Heritage grant programme. Urban Ngāhere planting will be supported through the Climate Action Targeted Rate but not specifically through the Climate Grant.
Suggest that decision making for response grants be made by the Environment and Climate Change Committee (or equivalent), a subset of the Committee, or the Committee chairperson.	Kaipātiki	Committee decision making for both the Auckland Climate grant response and strategic grants was considered during programme development. This would allow for decision-making by the representatives who are publicly accountable for the spend, however the additional time and resource requirements for these decisions would result in an inability to deliver response grants.
Suggest that grant priorities and/or assessment criteria include weighting towards applications from areas of high deprivation as these areas will be most impacted by climate change.	Māngere-Ōtāhuhu, Manurewa, Ōtara-Papatoetoe, Papakura	Inclusion of priority for applications from areas of high deprivation was considered in the development of the grant. Staff determined that consideration of equitable geographical distribution of grant allocation would provide for prioritisation of applications from areas of high deprivation.

75. Equitable geographical distribution of grant allocations across different local board areas will be considered alongside other factors when setting funding recommendations for the Auckland Climate Grants.

76. Information on funding allocation and successful applicants will be provided to all relevant local boards, following the approval of grant recommendations by the General Manager Environmental Services or Environment and Climate Change Committee.

77. Local boards have the ability to operate their own local grants programmes and may choose to fund local climate action projects and activities, some of which may complement the grants provided at a regional level, or vice versa.

Tauākī whakaaweawe Māori

Māori impact statement

78. Input into the development of the Auckland Climate Grant has been sought through presentations to the Infrastructure and Environmental Services Mana Whenua Hui seeking feedback from mana whenua kaitiaki representatives on aspects of the grant development.

79. From December 2021 to March 2022, Māori specialists in the Community Climate Action team also met with each of the 19 iwi to seek their feedback on climate priorities that they would like to see advanced through the sustainable and resilient marae project. Feedback from mana whenua through this process has informed the priorities identified in the grant scheme. A summary of feedback and how this is addressed is provided in Table 6.

Table 6. Mana whenua feedback on Auckland Climate Grant

Feedback	Response
Need for a simplified and supported application process	It is proposed that the application process, in particular for Response grants, is simplified to remove barriers and increase applications from under-served communities such as youth, Pacific peoples and Māori-led groups. Support with the application process will be available from Auckland Council staff and community contractors involved with delivery of other areas of the Community Climate Action Team local and regional work programme.
Need for multi-year grants	It is proposed that multi-year grants providing funding for up to three years are included within strategic grants.
Need support to build capacity in addition to project support	It is proposed that Māori-led projects include both applications seeking to build capacity for Māori to develop both climate action plans and applications seeking support for potential climate action activities.
Clear definition of Māori-led	Māori-led projects are those: · that provide activities or opportunities for Māori individuals, whānau, hapū, iwi or other Māori communities to respond to climate impacts or build community resilience to climate impacts · that have a foundation in Te Ao Māori philosophy and principles, and/or apply Māori language · where the applicant groups or project leaders are predominantly Māori.
Mana whenua involvement in decision-making	Mana whenua will have input into decision making. The preferred approach for enabling this will be confirmed through further engagement with mana whenua. One option could be for a nominated representative from the Infrastructure and Environmental Services Mana Whenua forum to review funding recommendations.

Ngā ritenga ā-pūtea

Financial implications

80. Budget for the Auckland Climate Grants was allocated through the 10-year Recovery Budget 2021-2031. For 2022/2023 financial year there is $300,000 available for allocation.

81. As climate projects had historically been supported through the Regional Environment and Natural Heritage (RENH) grant programme, $100,000 from the RENH grant budget will be used to support grant allocations through the Auckland Climate grant.

82. Grant allocations through the Auckland Climate grant response and strategic grant rounds will be managed within the $400,000 total grant budget.

Ngā raru tūpono me ngā whakamaurutanga

Risks and mitigations

83. A risk assessment has only identified three low risks associated with the adoption of the Auckland Climate Grant programme. These are listed below along with the mitigations:

· Low reputational risk – applicants may query the grant scope, priorities and decision-making and feel these are inconsistent or unfair. This risk is mitigated through the grant development process seeking community input and the transparent evaluation and assessment process applied to guide decision-making.

· Low financial risk – insufficient applications of sufficiently high quality will be received to fully allocate available funds. This risk is mitigated through grant programme promotion and applicant support. Support with the application process will be available from Auckland Council staff and community contractors involved with delivery of other areas of the Community Climate Action Team local and regional work programme

84. Once grant allocation decisions are made, staff will maintain regular contact with grant recipients during project implementation to follow up on progress and make sure any risks of individual projects are properly addressed.

Ngā koringa ā-muri

Next steps

85. Once guidelines for the Auckland Climate Grant are approved, staff will start the promotion and delivery of 2022/2023 Auckland Climate Grant funding rounds.

86. An information memorandum will be provided to the Environment and Climate Change Committee on grant allocation decisions.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	Local board feedback on Climate Grant	329

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Authors

Fran Hayton - Principal Grants Advsr & Incentives TL

Lucy Hawcroft - Community Climate Action Team Manager

Authorisers

Rachel Kelleher – General Manager Environmental Services

Barry Potter - Director Infrastructure and Environmental Services

Megan Tyler - Chief of Strategy

Environment and Climate Change Committee

08 September 2022

Annual Update on Delivery of Te Taruke-a-Tawhiri: Auckland's Climate Plan

File No.: CP2022/12346

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To provide an annual update on the delivery of Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland's Climate Plan.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland's Climate Plan Progress Report, September 2022 (Progress Report) is attached to this report (Attachment A).

3. The Progress Report identifies that one per percent of actions are completed, 33 per cent of actions are on track, 51 per cent are underway but require more work, and 15 per cent are not in progress. Auckland Council has different levels of responsibility and control over the actions in Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri, which reflects the regional focus of the plan.

4. There are currently more actions underway and less actions not in progress compared to the previous progress report (November 2021). This represents positive progress but significant additional action and commitment is required by a range of stakeholders.

5. Important progress was made by Auckland Council on climate action in 2021/2022, including the development and approval of the Climate Action Targeted Rate (CATR), generating an additional $1.056 billion investment in buses, ferries, walking, cycling and our urban ngahere (forest). In addition, the Transport Emissions Reduction Pathway (TERP) was developed by Auckland Council and Auckland Transport and sets out a pathway to reduce transport emissions by 64 per cent by 2030 in line with Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri.

6. Over the past nine months, Māori specialist staff have provided support to build knowledge and capability amongst staff working on Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri in preparation for the next phase of delivery. This includes initiating the early stages of engagement with mana whenua to discuss the implementation of Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri.

7. The Progress Report includes key initiatives planned for 2022/23, including further engagement with mana whenua to discuss the delivery of Te Tāruke a Tāwhiri and the establishment of a Regional Leadership Group to accelerate climate action through collaboration and partnerships.

8. The Progress Report does not provide an update on regional greenhouse gas emissions as the latest greenhouse gas inventory available is to 2018. This is the same inventory that was reported on nine months ago in the previous progress report (November 2021). Auckland’s greenhouse gas inventory to 2019 has not yet been published and will be released later in 2022.

9. The previous progress report (November 2021) identified that despite the progress being made on climate action, Auckland’s emissions are not remotely tracking in line with the target to reduce emissions by 50 per cent by 2030. Emissions in 2018 had increased by 2.5 percent on 2016 levels. All stakeholders need to increase their commitment to climate action if we are to achieve our climate goals.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Environment and Climate Change Committee:

a) whiwhi / receive the Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Plan Progress Report, September 2022 included as Attachment A of the agenda report.

Horopaki

Context

10. Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Plan is a long-term approach to climate action for the Auckland region. It sets out eight priority action areas to deliver our goals to reduce emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. Key actions are outlined within these priorities as well as key partners required to deliver on these actions.

11. Regular monitoring and reporting is fundamental to understanding progress towards the main goals of reducing emissions and adapting to climate change impacts.

12. Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri states we will report on progress of actions contained within the plan annually and that we will use a series of indicators to identify trends and measure success in delivery against our climate goals.

13. Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Plan was launched in December 2020. This is the second annual update on the progress of actions. The first annual progress report was published in November 2021; therefore, this second annual progress report (September 2022) is reporting on nine months of progress rather than twelve months. Future reporting will take place around September each year to align with the Auckland Plan 2050 and Annual Plan monitoring and reporting cycles.

Tātaritanga me ngā tohutohu

Analysis and advice

14. Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland's Climate Plan Progress Report, September 2022 (Attachment A) outlines the percentage of actions that are completed, on track, partially underway but require more work, or not in progress. It also provides highlights of progress and key challenges for each priority in the plan along with a summary of key initiatives planned for next year.

15. There are a total of 58 action areas, and 179 actions in Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri with Auckland Council having different levels of responsibility and control, reflecting the regional focus of the plan.

16. The Progress Report 2022 reports that one per cent of actions are completed, 33 per cent of actions in the plan are on-track, 51 per cent are underway but require more work, and 15 per cent are not in progress. The Progress Report 2021 reported that one per cent of actions were completed, 33 per cent were on-track, 39 per cent were underway but requiring more work, and 28 per cent were not in progress.

17. From 2021 to 2022, there has been an increase in the number of actions that are on-track or underway (72 per cent to 84 per cent) and a decrease in the number of actions that have not been started (28 per cent to 15 per cent). This represents positive progress but significant additional action and commitment is required by a range of stakeholders to meet our climate goals.

18. Headline indicators are reported in the Progress Report and will be reported against annually. All indicators will be reported on every three years. The indicators will be reviewed each year to ensure they are fit-for-purpose. Two years of data has now been reported for many of the headline indicators, however this is not a sufficient time period to report on any trends. Future progress reports will report on any trends once sufficient data is available.

19. Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri sets out eight priorities to deliver our goals to reduce emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. Te Puāwaitanga ō te Tātai outlines te ao Māori principles that should be interwoven throughout the other Priorities and are fundamental to the delivery of Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri. Te Puāwaitanga ō te Tātai does not outline specific actions in the same way as other Priorities. There are currently no specific progress indicators for measuring progress against the te ao Māori principles outlined in Te Puāwaitanga ō te Tātai. Work is ongoing to understand how we can measure progress and develop indicators for Te Puāwaitanga ō te Tātai and evaluate how the te ao Māori principles are being embedded across the other Priorities.

20. The Mana Whenua Kaitiaki Forum (now the Tāmaki Makaurau Mana Whenua Forum), a collective of the 19 hapū and iwi authorities of Tāmaki Makaurau, worked closely with Auckland Council throughout the development of Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri.

21. Over the past nine months, Māori specialist staff have provided support to build knowledge and capability amongst staff working on Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri in preparation for the next phase of delivery. This includes initiating the early stages of engagement with mana whenua to discuss the implementation of Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri. Staff are currently working towards an upcoming hui with mana whenua and seeking to better understand how implementation of Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri can be taken forward in partnership with mana whenua.

22. The Climate Action Targeted Rate (CATR) was developed and approved in 2021/2022, generating an additional $1.056 billion investment in buses, ferries, walking, cycling and our urban ngahere (forest) over the next 10 years. Public consultation on the CATR received two-thirds majority support from individuals, organisations and Māori entities and there was also a clear margin of support from the independent Kantar Public Survey. The CATR is an important step forwards to reduce emissions and prepare for the impacts of climate change, but is not a silver bullet, and much more needs to be done.

23. The Transport Emissions Reduction Pathway (TERP) was developed by Auckland Council and Auckland Transport and sets out a pathway to reduce transport emissions by 64 per cent by 2030 in line with Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri. Auckland Council and Auckland Transport now need to embed implementation of the TERP through all of their activities, including future updates to key transport planning and funding processes such as the Auckland Transport Alignment Project and the Regional Land Transport Plan, and land use policy such as the Future Development Strategy and the Auckland Unitary Plan.

24. Delivery of the $152m climate investment package in the 10-year Budget 2021-2031 is ongoing with key deliverables outlined in the Progress Report. The overall delivery of the climate action investment package faced significant headwinds in 2021/22, predominantly due to delays in recruitment for key roles, Covid-19 lockdown delays and procurement issues. New monitoring and control processes will more closely monitor the performance and delivery of the climate action investment package moving forwards.

25. Climate action investment programmes, such as the CATR and the $152m climate investment package in the 10-year Budget, are an important aspect of the change that needs to occur but are not sufficient on their own. To achieve our climate goals, climate action needs to be embedded across all our planning, investment and decision making.

Tauākī whakaaweawe āhuarangi

Climate impact statement

26. There is no decision associated with this report that could impact on greenhouse gas emissions or be affected by climate change.

27. The delivery of Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri and the progress of actions impact on greenhouse gas emissions and the extent to which Auckland is impacted by climate change. Auckland’s current trajectory is still one of increasing emissions. Meeting our targets set in Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri, and meeting commitments to the Paris Agreement, is therefore becoming harder. This means the emissions curve is getting steeper and the interventions required are becoming more drastic.

Ngā whakaaweawe me ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera

Council group impacts and views

28. There is no decision associated with this report that could impact on the council group.

29. The Progress Report includes initiatives and activities from across the council group. Information for the Progress Report, including updates on the progress of actions, was received from across the group.

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

Local impacts and local board views

30. There is no decision associated with this report that could impact on local boards.

31. The views of local boards were not sought in the development of the Progress Report.

32. Local boards have a critical role to play in advocating for specific initiatives or improvements that support their communities to transition to low carbon/ low impact lifestyles and to adapt to the impacts of climate change. Local boards therefore drive and fund various initiatives and projects that enable this, and that contribute to the goals of Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri.

Tauākī whakaaweawe Māori

Māori impact statement

33. There is no decision associated with this report that could have particular beneficial or adverse effects on Māori.

34. The impacts of climate change on the cultural, social, environmental, and economic wellbeing of Māori are potentially profound. Therefore our response to climate change through the delivery of Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri and the progress of actions impacts on Māori.

35. Addressing climate change for the benefit of current and future generations aligns strongly with Māori values of environmental and inter-generational wellbeing.

36. Partnership with iwi, hapū and Māori organisations in delivering climate action was a common theme during public consultation on the development of Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri.

Ngā ritenga ā-pūtea

Financial implications

37. There are no financial implications associated with this report.

38. Through Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri, Auckland Council has set the overarching targets of a 50% reduction in emissions by 2030 (against a 2016 baseline) and net zero emissions by 2050. These ambitious targets will require transformational change and we are yet to get on the pathway to fund them. Unprecedented funding and reprioritisation of investment will be required by council and other regional stakeholders to realise these targets.

Ngā raru tūpono me ngā whakamaurutanga

Risks and mitigations

39. There is no decision associated with this report to present a risk.

Ngā koringa ā-muri

Next steps

40. Staff to add Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland's Climate Plan Progress Report, September 2022 and to Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri digital plan website - climateakl.co.nz

41. A third annual update on progress of actions contained within Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri will be prepared for around September 2023, depending on committee dates.

42. The final section of the Progress Report outlines key climate action initiatives and deliverables for 2022 and beyond.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland's Climate Plan Progress Report, September 2022	359

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author

Nick McKenna - Programme Manager - Climate Action

Authorisers

Matthew Blaikie – Chief Sustanability Officer

Megan Tyler - Chief of Strategy

No.	Title	Page
a ⇩	Forward Work Programme	403
b	Memo - Update on Kauri Dieback Management Programme (Under Separate Cover)
c	Memo - Exotic Caulerpa – pest seaweeds threatening the Hauraki Gulf (Under Separate Cover)
d	National Policy Statement Final Submission (Under Separate Cover)
e	Memo - Mid-term update on delivery of the Auckland Waste Management and Minimisation Plan 2018 (Under Separate Cover)
f	Achieving better outcomes for the Manukau Harbour (Under Separate Cover)
g	Memo - Western Isthmus Water Quality Improvement Programme (Under Separate Cover)
h	Onehunga Materials Recovery Facility upgrade (Under Separate Cover)
i	Memo - Constituent Party Report – Hauraki Gulf Forum (Under Separate Cover)

Environment and Climate Change Committee

08 September 2022

Kōmiti Mō Te Hurihanga Āhuarangi me Te Taiao / Environment and Climate Change] Committee
Forward Work Programme 2022/2023

This committee deals with the development and monitoring of strategy, policy and action plans associated with environmental and climate change activities. The full terms of reference can be found here:

[Terms of reference].

This committee will meet bi-monthly commencing March 2022

Area of work and Lead Department	Pūnga / Reason for work		Committee role (whakatau / decision and/or tika / direction)		Expected timeframes Highlight the month(s) this is expected to come to committee in 2020
Area of work and Lead Department	Pūnga / Reason for work				2 Dec 21	10 Mar 22	12 May 22	07 Jul 22		08 Sep 22		Workshops / Memo
Strategic approach to Climate Change: - Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Plan Chief Sustainability Office [From the Environment and Community Committee 2016-2019] Link to decision	To provide a pathway to zero emissions by 2050 and ensure the region is prepared for the impacts of climate change. This addresses Council’s commitments to deliver on targets set out in Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri to keep within 1.5 degrees of warming and the Climate Emergency declaration.		To oversee and implementation of the Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Plan Progress to date: Annual update received: December 2021 Link to decision Upcoming decision: September 2022 – Annual progress report 21/22							Annual progress report
Climate change adaptation targets	Consideration of climate change adaptation targets	For committee consideration							Decision tbc
Regional Streets for People Programme AT on behalf of the Chief Planning Office	The Regional Streets for People $3 million programme is part of Auckland Council’s ten-year climate action package. It aims to contribute to the targets in Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri by delivering trials and tactical urbanism interventions across the region, outside the city centre, that reduce emissions through encouraging mode shift to walking, cycling and micromobility.	To endorse the list of proposed projects to be implemented. Progress to date: 10 March 2022 Link to decision				Endorsement					Update
Natural hazards coastal renewals, slips and remediation
Coastal Management Framework and delivery of Shoreline Adaptation Plans Resilient Land and Coast [From the Environment and Community Committee 2016-2019)	Shorelines adaptation plans apply a long term, sustainable approach to management of our coast over the next 100 years. Adaptive management plans will be developed in collaboration with mana whenua and communities. Plans will consider the experiences and values we place on the coast and how these may change over time due to coastal hazards and climate change.	ECC to approve the Whangaparaoa Pilot and note regional programme early 2024. ECC then to approve completed plans following endorsement via the respective the Local Boards as they progress Progress to date: Adoption of the Natural Hazards Risk Management Action Plan – June 2021 Link to decision Report – March 2022 Link to decision Report – September 2022				Decision report Whangaparaoa pilot.					Decision report approve Beachlands and East and Regional Risk Assessment
Waste Minimisation
Waste Political Advisory Group Waste Solutions	To provide feedback and guidance on implementation of the Waste Management and Minimisation Plan 2018	A memo will be prepared on the mid-term progress against the Waste Management and Minimisation Plan actions and targets. Morrison Low has been engaged to assess future servicing options for high density housing as Auckland housing intensifies.					Memo						Ongoing – quarterly meetings
Kerbside refuse policy charging review	Review of PAYT model to assess whether PAYT is still the best solution for achieving the objectives of the Waste Management and Minimisation Plan	Upcoming decision: regarding current policy outlined in the Waste Management and Minimisation Plan 2018. ECC Committee report in mid 2022 Progress to date: Report in September 2022									Decision
Water
National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPSFM) Plans and Places	The NPSFM being implemented, with periodic reporting to council committees on progress, and responding to ongoing central government refinement of the framework for achieving water outcomes. Decision making for this area of work will be split between the Planning Committee (for planning decisions such as Plan Changes) and Environment and Climate Change for non-statutory functions	To provide guidance on the council’s implementation of non-statutory functions under the National Policy Statement. For Information: Planning Committee agenda report scheduled for March 2021 setting out proposed Auckland Council approach to implement the NPSFM 2020, as driven from a planning approach.
Water Quality Targeted Rate Programme Infrastructure and Environmental Services	Healthy waters and streams projects supported by the water quality targeted rate for projects that will ensure cleaner beaches, streams and harbours across the region	For information: Currently providing quarterly updates to the Finance and Performance Committee. End of year report to Governing Body in October 2022. Progress to date: End of year report 10 September 2020 Link to decision End of year report October 2021 Link to decision Progress to date: Report – September 2022									Annual report
Harbours
Hauraki Gulf Natural Environment Strategy	Work to ensure that the outcomes that Auckland Council intends to achieve in the Hauraki Gulf under its statutory responsibilities are clearly articulated. To ensure that the central government work programme is complementary to council’s aspirations for the Hauraki Gul	i) ii) To receive progress updates on staff contributions to the central government work programme encompassed by ‘Revitalising Our Gulf: Government Action on the Sea Change plan’, as it relates to complementary activities within Auckland Council’s mandate, through staff inclusion on the Hauraki Gulf Fisheries Plan Advisory Group and other such central government fora established for marine protection.									Memo
Grants
Allocation of the Regional Natural Heritage Grant Environmental Services	Decision-making over regional environment fund as per the grants funding policy and fund guidelines. Funds to contribute to the council’s goals related to protecting our natural environment.	Decision to confirm allocation of grants for the 2021/2022 funding round. Decision report December 2021		Decision					Report in new term
Establishment of a Climate Action Fund Environmental Services	To approve establishment of a contestable fund to support community climate action.	To approve establishment of a new climate action fund. Decision report in September 2022									Decision
Review of the Regional Environment & Natural Heritage Fund Environmental Services	To review the fund to better align community environmental funding.	To approve any significant changes to the RENH grant framework arising from the review. Decision report in September 2022									Decision
Natural Heritage
Natural Environment Targeted Rate Programme Environmental Services	Natural environment projects supported by the natural environment targeted rate will help protect the environment and tackle the pests, weeds and diseases that are threatening the native species	For information: Currently providing quarterly updates to the F&P Committee. End of year report will be provided to this Committee in October. Progress to date: End of year report 10 September 2020 Link to decision End of year report October 2021 Link to decision									Decision
Annual report on the council’s operational plan for implementing the Regional Pest Management Plan 2020-2030 Environmental Services	Under section 100B of the Biosecurity Act, the council is required to report annually on its operational plan for implementing the Regional Pest Management Plan.	For information:. End of year report will be provided to this Committee in September 2022. Progress to date: Report October 2021 as part of the annual report on the water and environment targeted rates Link to decision									Decision
Project Streetscapes – Regional Review of Weed Management in the Road Corridor Community Facilities	Resolution number ECC/2020/55 f)	Consideration of engagement of with mana whenua, the Mana Whenua Kaitiaki Forum and the IMSB											Memo, December 2021 Memo, July 2022
Berm Planting Guidelines Community Facilities	For the Committee to consider berm planting guidelines following discussions and advice from staff	To be confirmed											Workshop May/June

Completed

Area of work	Committee role (whakatau / decision and/or tika / direction)	Whakatau / Decision
Strategic approach to Climate Change: - Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Plan Chief Sustainability Office [From the Environment and Community Committee 2016-2019] Link to decision	Committee to oversee and implement Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Plan ongoing	C40 Update 11 February 2021 Link to decision Consultation on the Climate Commission draft advice to Government 11 February 2021 Link to decision Kia mauri ora ai te iwi: Transport Emissions: Pathways to Net Zero by 2050 – June 2021 Link to decision C40 Divest/Invest Declaration – August 2021 Link to decision Sustainability Asset Standards/Corporate Emissions October 2021 Link to decision
Council Controlled Organisation’s Climate Change Update	To give elected member’s visibility of the work undertaken by CCOs to adapt & mitigate the impacts of climate change	Auckland Transport Update 11 February 2021 Link to decision Auckland Unlimited Update 15 April 2021 Link to decision Eke Panuku Update 15 April 2021 Link to decision Auckland Unlimited – Zoo – 10 June 2021 Link to decision Watercare – 12 August 2021 Link to decision
Allocation of the Regional Natural Heritage Grant Environmental Services	Confirm allocation of grants for the 2021/2022 funding round.	Grant decision – 2 December 2021 Link to decision
Review of the Waste Minimisation and Innovation fund Waste Solutions [From the Environment and Community Committee 2016-2019]	To approve any significant changes to the grant framework arising from the review.	Update on guidelines - Report to June 2021 Link to decision
Allocation of Waste Minimisation and Innovation Fund 2021 Waste Solutions	Decision to confirm allocation of grants for the 2021/2022 funding round. Decision report December 2021.	Update on guidelines - Report to June 2021 Link to decision
Review of Auckland Council’s Regional Pest Management Plan Environmental Services	To update the committee when the plan becomes operative. Memorandum regarding operative in part as part of items for information in February 2021. No further decisions for the rest of term	Decision can be found here
National / Inter-regional marine pest pathway management plan Environmental Services [From the Environment and Community Committee 2016-2019]	Approved formal council feedback on the proposed national plan and consider council’s budget implications if any. Memorandum regarding shift to national plan sent in November 2021.	Decision can be found here
Proposed Auckland Council submission on Water Services Bill Auckland Plan, Strategy and Research (Natural Environment Strategy)	To approve substance of proposed Auckland Council submission on Water Services Bill, with final approval delegated to Chair and other members of ECC Committee prior to 2 March 2021 central government deadline.	Decision can be found here
National Environmental Standards for Sources of Human Drinking Water Chief Planning Office		Decision can be found here
Auckland Water Strategy Chief Planning Office [From the Environment and Community Committee 2016-2019] *ENV/2019/75	Series of workshops scheduled for 2021 Workshops to be held to seek feedback and guidance on strategic direction of proposed Water Strategy ahead of decision making in December 2021 and final decision making in March 2022.	Decision can be found here
Natural Hazards Risk Management Action Plan (NHRMAP)	Receive 6 monthly reporting updates. Adoption of the Natural Hazards Risk Management Action Plan – June 2021 Update July 2022	Decision can be found here Update decision can be found here
Too Much Water Policy	For decision: Position Statements to guide future responses while policy is further developed and update on programme approach to be provided in March 2022.	Decision can be found here
Manukau Harbour Natural Environment Strategy	Annual work programme update to be provided in 2022.	Decision can be found here
Kaipara Harbour Governance	Receive the annual report and other progress updates as required	Annual report and progress updates can be found here
Weed Management Political Advisory Group Community Facilities	Resolution number ECC/2020/13. Implementing this resolution will include engagement with local boards from September – November Oversee the implementation and delivery of the Weed Management Policy, taking into account both community and technical considerations.	Link to decision June 2022 –decision can be found here
Consultation on key national waste proposals e.g. container return scheme design Waste Solutions	Approve submission - MFE consultation on a regulated scheme for beverage containers. Waste Solutions will prepare a submission for sign off by the ECCC. PACE Committee delegated approval of the council’s submission on 7 April 2022. This was taken to PACE Committee due to time constraints relating to central government’s submission deadline.	Link to decision
Kauri dieback work programme update Environmental Services	To update the committee on ongoing regional kauri dieback management work programme.	Memo sent November 2020, link found here Memo sent February 2022, link found here
Proposed National Policy Statement on Indigenous Biodiversity Chief Planning Office	A NPS-IB exposure draft and proposed national implementation plan have been released for public feedback on 9 June 2022, with a closing date for submissions of 21 July 2022. . If adopted, this will have implications for how biodiversity outcomes are managed in the Auckland region, particularly through planning and regulatory frameworks. Decision required: to consider council’s approach to implementation of any finalised NPS-IB as it applies to the Auckland region, most likely in the next political term.	Link to decision
Transport Emissions	Transport Emissions Reduction Plan for Auckland Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri models a 64% reduction in transport emissions as part of its interim target of a 50% reduction in Auckland’s overall emissions by 2030. The TERP will set out a pathway to this 64% reduction. To approve Transport Emissions Reduction Plan for Auckland	Approach - August 2021, Link to decision Progress update – December 2021, Link to decision Progress update – March 2022 (via memo and workshop)

Area of work

Committee role

(whakatau / decision and/or tika / direction)

Whakatau / Decision

Strategic approach to Climate Change: - Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Plan

Chief Sustainability Office

[From the Environment and Community Committee 2016-2019] Link to decision

Committee to oversee and implement Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Plan ongoing

C40 Update 11 February 2021
Link to decision

Consultation on the Climate Commission draft advice to Government 11 February 2021
Link to decision

Kia mauri ora ai te iwi: Transport Emissions: Pathways to Net Zero by 2050 – June 2021
Link to decision

C40 Divest/Invest Declaration – August 2021
Link to decision

Sustainability Asset Standards/Corporate Emissions October 2021
Link to decision

Council Controlled Organisation’s Climate Change Update

To give elected member’s visibility of the work undertaken by CCOs to adapt & mitigate the impacts of climate change

Auckland Transport Update 11 February 2021
Link to decision

Auckland Unlimited Update 15 April 2021
Link to decision

Eke Panuku Update 15 April 2021

Link to decision

Auckland Unlimited – Zoo – 10 June 2021
Link to decision

Watercare – 12 August 2021
Link to decision

Allocation of the Regional Natural Heritage Grant

Environmental Services

Confirm allocation of grants for the 2021/2022 funding round.

Grant decision – 2 December 2021
Link to decision

Review of the Waste Minimisation and Innovation fund

Waste Solutions

[From the Environment and Community Committee 2016-2019]

To approve any significant changes to the grant framework

arising from the review.

Update on guidelines - Report to June 2021
Link to decision

Allocation of Waste Minimisation and Innovation Fund 2021

Waste Solutions

Decision to confirm allocation of grants for the 2021/2022 funding round. Decision report December 2021.

Update on guidelines - Report to June 2021
Link to decision

Review of Auckland Council’s Regional Pest Management Plan

Environmental Services

To update the committee when the plan becomes operative.

Memorandum regarding operative in part as part of items for information in February 2021.

No further decisions for the rest of term

Decision can be found here

National / Inter-regional marine pest pathway management plan

Environmental Services

[From the Environment and Community Committee 2016-2019]

Approved formal council feedback on the proposed national plan and consider council’s budget implications if any.

Memorandum regarding shift to national plan sent in November 2021.

Decision can be found here

Proposed Auckland Council submission on Water Services Bill

Auckland Plan, Strategy and Research (Natural Environment Strategy)

To approve substance of proposed Auckland Council submission on Water Services Bill, with final approval delegated to Chair and other members of ECC Committee prior to 2 March 2021 central government deadline.

Decision can be found here

National Environmental Standards for Sources of Human Drinking Water

Chief Planning Office

Decision can be found here

Auckland Water Strategy

Chief Planning Office

[From the Environment and Community Committee 2016-2019]

*ENV/2019/75

Series of workshops scheduled for 2021

Workshops to be held to seek feedback and guidance on strategic direction of proposed Water Strategy ahead of decision making in December 2021 and final decision making in March 2022.

Decision can be found here

Natural Hazards Risk Management Action Plan (NHRMAP)

Receive 6 monthly reporting updates.

Adoption of the Natural Hazards Risk Management Action Plan – June 2021

Update July 2022

Decision can be found here

Update decision can be found here

Too Much Water Policy

For decision: Position Statements to guide future responses while policy is further developed and update on programme approach to be provided in March 2022.

Decision can be found here

Manukau Harbour

Natural Environment Strategy

Annual work programme update to be provided in 2022.

Decision can be found here

Kaipara Harbour

Governance

Receive the annual report and other progress updates as required

Annual report and progress updates can be found here

Weed Management Political Advisory Group

Community Facilities

Resolution number ECC/2020/13. Implementing this resolution will include engagement with local boards from September – November

Oversee the implementation and delivery of the Weed Management Policy, taking into account both community and technical considerations.

Link to decision

June 2022 –decision can be found here

Consultation on key national waste proposals

e.g. container return scheme design

Waste Solutions

Approve submission - MFE consultation on a regulated scheme for beverage containers. Waste Solutions will prepare a submission for sign off by the ECCC. PACE Committee delegated approval of the council’s submission on 7 April 2022. This was taken to PACE Committee due to time constraints relating to central government’s submission deadline.

Link to decision

Kauri dieback work programme update

Environmental Services

To update the committee on ongoing regional kauri dieback management work programme.

Memo sent November 2020, link found here

Memo sent February 2022, link found here

Proposed National Policy Statement on Indigenous Biodiversity

Chief Planning Office

A NPS-IB exposure draft and proposed national implementation plan have been released for public feedback on 9 June 2022, with a closing date for submissions of 21 July 2022. . If adopted, this will have implications for how biodiversity outcomes are managed in the Auckland region, particularly through planning and regulatory frameworks. Decision required: to consider council’s approach to implementation of any finalised NPS-IB as it applies to the Auckland region, most likely in the next political term.

Link to decision

Transport Emissions

Transport Emissions Reduction Plan for Auckland

Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri models a 64% reduction in transport emissions as part of its interim target of a 50% reduction in Auckland’s overall emissions by 2030. The TERP will set out a pathway to this 64% reduction.

To approve Transport Emissions Reduction Plan for Auckland

Approach - August 2021, Link to decision

Progress update – December 2021, Link to decision

Progress update – March 2022 (via memo and workshop)

Planning Committee items of relevance to this committee – watching brief

(These items fall within Planning Committee terms of reference due to being part of the resource management framework and are of high interest to this committee. On occasion items will come to the Environment and Climate Change Committee)

Status

National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 – implementation approach

Chief Planning Office

The NPS-FM was adopted by central government in September 2020. A high -level implementation plan has been approved; preceding plan changes required before the end of 2024.

Decision required: to approve key policy responses developed with Mana Whenua to enable next steps, including broader engagement. Due June 2022.

Chairperson	Cr Richard Hills
Deputy Chairperson	Cr Pippa Coom
Members	Cr Josephine Bartley	IMSB Member Mr Terrence Hohneck
	Cr Dr Cathy Casey	Cr Tracy Mulholland
	Deputy Mayor Cr Bill Cashmore	Cr Daniel Newman, JP
	Cr Fa’anana Efeso Collins	Cr Greg Sayers
	Cr Linda Cooper, JP	Cr Desley Simpson, JP
	Cr Angela Dalton	Cr Sharon Stewart, QSM
	Cr Chris Darby	Cr Wayne Walker
	Cr Alf Filipaina, MNZM	Cr John Watson
	Cr Christine Fletcher, QSO	IMSB Member Karen Wilson
	Mayor Hon Phil Goff, CNZM, JP	Cr Paul Young
	Cr Shane Henderson

Date	Memo
27.6.22	Update on Kauri Dieback Management Programme
6.7.22	Exotic Caulerpa – pest seaweeds threatening the Hauraki Gulf
26.7.22	Auckland Council’s submission on Draft National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity — Exposure draft
30.7.22	Mid-term update on delivery of the Auckland Waste Management and Minimisation Plan 2018
4.8.22	Achieving better outcomes for the Manukau Harbour
4.8.22	Western Isthmus Water Quality Improvement Programme
9.8.22	Onehunga Materials Recovery Facility upgrade
26.8.22	Constituent Party Report – Hauraki Gulf Forum

Date	Workshop/Briefing
6.7.22	Transport Emissions Reduction Pathway – confidential
27.7.22	Review of Environmental Grants, including adoption of new climate action fund - confidential

Authors	Suad Allie - Kaitohutohu Mana Whakahaere Matua / Senior Governance Advisor
Authorisers	Megan Tyler - Chief of Strategy