Agenda of Planning, Environment and Parks Committee

Planning, Environment and Parks Committee

11 April 2024

Regional Arts and Culture grants programme allocation 2024

File No.: CP2024/02839

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To approve grants to regional arts organisations and artists through the Regional Arts and Culture grants programme.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. The Regional Arts and Culture grants programme enables organisations, communities and artists to deliver arts and culture projects and activities across Tāmaki Makaurau. Grants delivered through this programme support the implementation of Toi Whītiki, Auckland’s Arts and Culture Strategic Action Plan and align to Auckland Council’s Community Grants policy.

3. The contestable programme has a budget of $1,294,551 for 2023/2024 and is allocating this through one funding round.

4. In the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 financial years, eight multi-year strategic relationship grants were approved that still have yearly payments to be made. The commitment for these grants in the 2023/2024 financial year is $260,000. This leaves a balance of $1,034,551 to distribute.

5. Seventy applications were received requesting a total of $1,760,260.

6. Informed by an external assessment panel, staff recommend approving a total of $1,034,551 (Attachment A):

- $349,303 to 20 audience development and programming grants

- $200,248 to 12 business and capacity project grants

- $485,000 to 12 multi-year strategic relationship grants.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Planning, Environment and Parks Committee:

a) whakaae / approve the following allocations to arts organisations through the Regional Arts and Culture grants programme 2023/2024:

Organisation	Activity	Funding Allocation
Audience development and programming
Objectspace	Clay Days at Objectspace	$16,000
Friends of St David's Trust Kāhui Rangi Pūpū	PAPA \| Toi Kakahu - Wearable Arts (Ōrākei Marae Weavers Group)	$20,000
Atamira Dance Collective Charitable Trust	E RUA (Working Title)	$15,000
Auckland Writers Festival	Auckland Writers Festival Waituhi o Tāmaki	$20,000
Panacea Arts Charitable Trust	Regional creative programmes for disabled and marginalised communities	$20,000
Action Education	Āhurutanga - Spoken Word Poetry Nights	$12,000
Glass Ceiling Arts Collective	'"Fire" Multisensory Theatre Production	$20,000
Ngā Rangatahi Toa Creative Arts Initiative	Ka Awatea - unites rangatahi Māori and Pasifika from across Tāmaki Makaurau to engage in Toi Māori creative youth development	$24,750
Body Island	“Neke” urban Māori and Pacific perspectives on identity using dance and acting: regional tour	$21,413
Samesame But Different	Same Same But Different LGBTQIA+ Writers Festival	$15,000
Indian Ink Theatre Company	'Guru of Chai' at Q Theatre	$16,000
Choirs Aotearoa New Zealand Trust	National Choirs performance and engagement work in Auckland 2024	$18,500
Audio Foundation	Audio Foundation Public Programmes 2024	$10,360
Nightsong	Peter Pan by Carl Bland (adapted from the writing of JM Barrie) - design amplification	$18,500
The Glowshow Company	Badjelly the Witch Glowshow	$12,000
Tim Bray Theatre Company	Auckland regional tour childrens’ theatre	$15,000
The Massive Company Trust	Te Ao Hou (Emerging Artists Production EAP 2024)	$20,000
The Massive Company Trust	I LOVE YOU G (professional production)	$20,000
Paeaneer Limited	LABYRINTH & BEATDOWN Dance Project: 4 x Days Consecutive Street Dance & Development Events	$14,780
The Rebel Alliance	A remount of The Valentina by Anders Falstie-Jensen	$10,000
Plumb Productions	Nicola Cheeseman Is Back by Kathryn Burnett	$10,000
Total		$349,303
Business capacity and development
Te Tuhi Contemporary Art Trust	Te Tuhi 2025: 50 Years and Beyond	$16,800
Atamira Dance Collective Charitable Trust	Re-brand and development	$23,000
Friends of St David's Trust Kāhui Rangi Pūpū	Organisational and digital development	$20,000
The Big Idea Te Aria Nui Charitable Trust	Digital Communications Optimisation	$8,000
The Crescendo Trust of Aotearoa	Website Development	$19,948
MyLaunchPad	Launchpad Pasifika and Māori Digital Programme - Creative Industry Portal for Job Searching & Matching	$15,000
Portage Ceramics Trust	Te Toi Uku Crown Lynn and Clayworks Museum Website redevelopment	$18,000
New Zealand Writers Guild	New Zealand Writers Guild (NZWG) Website Build	$10,000
The Documentary New Zealand Trust (Doc Edge)	Doc Edge Festival 2024 Digital Channels Build	$10,000
Campus Radio BFM Limited	Website development	$24,500
Glass Ceiling Arts Collective	Glass Ceiling Arts Collective Business strategy and rebranding strategy review	$20,000
Auckland Festival of Photography Trust	Strategy development 2024	$15,000
Total		$200,248
Strategic relationship grants
Objectspace	Provide Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading gallery dedicated to the fields of design, craft and architecture.	$60,000 3 years
Arts Access Aotearoa	Increase access to the arts for people who experience barriers to participation, as both creators and audiences	$25,000 2 years
Te Pou Theatre Trust	Provide a kaupapa Māori performing arts venue for all, located at Corban Estate Arts Centre in Auckland.	$50,000 3 years
New Zealand Dance Advancement Trust (New Zealand Dance Company)	Support a community of dancers, creative collaborators, and practitioners dedicated to producing and presenting inspiring new dance. Programmes to include professional performances, education, community access and development of new work	$30,000 2 years
The Basement Theatre Trust	Deliver urgent and adventurous live performance made by independent artists. alongside a suite of artist development programmes that enable makers to cultivate ideas and strengthen their practices across a range of different forms and disciplines.	$65,000 2 years
The Dust Palace Charitable Trust	Uplift and support circus arts through a range of education programmes, professional productions, professional development/support and Te Kura Maninirau, the only kaupapa Māori circus school in Aotearoa.	$40,000 3 years
New Zealand Comedy Trust	Provide a range of programmes celebrating and showcasing New Zealand and international comedy, including a festival, education programme and professional development.	$45,000 3 years
Show Me Shorts Film Festival	Provide Show me Shorts film festival, schools programmes, practitioner development and workshops.	$35,000 3 years
NZTrio	Celebrate and showcase New Zealand and international contemporary and classical performance. Provide opportunities for education, collaboration and professional development for the wider arts community.	$25,000 3 years
New Zealand Dance Festival Trust	Grow and share dance innovation through a strong annual programme of dance projects.	$30,000 2 years
He Waka Eke Noa Trust	Through Kete Aronui, provide flexible and affordable spaces for people to develop, rehearse and teach, meet and create, connect, perform and collaborate.	$40,000 3 years
Silo Theatre Trust	Provide an annual season of local and international contemporary theatre that champions new forms of storytelling across a selection of venues and spaces in Tāmaki Makaurau.	$40,000 2 years
Total		$485,000
TOTAL RECOMMENDED		$1,034,551

Horopaki

Context

7. The Regional Arts and Culture grants programme has been developed in accordance with Auckland Council’s Community Grants Policy as adopted at the Regional Strategy and Policy Committee meeting on 4 December 2014 (REG/2014/134). This policy acknowledges that community-led organisations are experts in their respective fields and can mobilise a range of relationships and resources to achieve goals that align with council objectives.

8. The Regional Arts and Culture grants programme budget is allocated under the following three categories:

· Audience development and programming project grants: These grants support the delivery of a wide range of high-quality arts and cultural experiences that would not otherwise be economically viable. These projects should be capable of attracting audiences from across the Auckland region.

· Business and capacity development project grants: These grants are intended to increase the professionalism and build the sustainability of regional arts and culture organisations through the development of strategic, business and marketing plans; feasibility studies; organisational development and digital/web development activities.

· Strategic relationship grants: These grants are single or multi-year funding relationships with strategic organisations operating at the regional level. These organisations are, or can become, the ‘cornerstones’ of a thriving arts and culture sector in Auckland.

Tātaritanga me ngā tohutohu

Analysis and advice

9. Staff provided guidance to applicants and potential applicants. Staff and an external arts sector panel assessed the applications and made recommendations based on the arts and culture assessment matrix criteria (Attachment B).

10. Staff recommend allocating $349,303 to 20 audience development and programming grants, $200,248 to 12 business and capacity project grants, and $485,000 to 12 strategic relationship grants. Twenty-three applications were not recommended for funding (refer Attachment A), and three did not meet the funding criteria and were not included in the assessment process.

Strategic relationship grants

11. The Community Grants policy provides direction to prioritise multi-year funding relationships with strategic organisations operating at the regional level. The term lengths are staggered to ensure an even and cyclical renewal opportunity for partners and to enable long term predictability of funding and planning. Strategic relationship grants currently range from $20,000 - $65,000 per annum.

12. Staff have recommended funding $485,000 to 11 returning strategic relationship grants and one new (The Dust Palace Charitable Trust).

13. Funding the recommended projects and strategic relationship grants will allow council to:

· continue its relationship with regional arts organisations

· invest in building capacity and capability so that organisations are better able to deliver their services effectively with long term benefits to the arts sector

· provide arts opportunities to support wellbeing and connectedness; and

· assist in recovery in the arts sector which has been severely impacted by COVID-19.

14. The reasons for not recommending applications for funding fall into the following areas:

· projects that do not align sufficiently with the priorities and aims of the Regional Arts and Culture grants programme policy

· applications and projects that require further development

· applications more closely aligned with priorities for other council grant funds are referred to these programmes e.g. local board grants

· requests for grants exceed the available funds.

Tauākī whakaaweawe āhuarangi

Climate impact statement

15. Many of the recommended projects are developing or delivering online content. This may support a positive impact on climate change due to the reduced need for people to travel to reach these services.

Ngā whakaaweawe me ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera

Council group impacts and views

16. Several applications are for projects that connect with other areas of council delivery. These include projects taking place in a council venue or receiving council funding for other aspects of their work. In these cases, staff consult relevant bodies that may have an interest in the projects and provide this information to the assessment panel.

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

Local impacts and local board views

17. Applications that are more suited to local board grants are referred to the appropriate funding programme for consideration. This provides an opportunity for all applications to be assessed equally for potential funding through not only regional but local funding activities.

Tauākī whakaaweawe Māori

Māori impact statement

18. This funding supports both Māori and non-Māori organisations and artists helping to deliver arts and culture outcomes for Māori.

19. All applications were assessed for their delivery of Māori outcomes.

20. In this round, four applications recommended for funding are from Māori organisations. A further ten projects will deliver strong Māori outcomes through work led by Māori practitioners for Māori audiences and participants.

21. These align with outcomes in the Auckland Plan (Direction 4: Showcase Auckland’s Māori identity and vibrant Māori culture), Kia Ora Tāmaki Makaurau (Kia ora te ahurea – Māori identity and culture) and Toi Whītiki Arts and Culture Strategic Action Plan (Auckland celebrates a unique cultural identity - celebrate Māori).

22. Reporting on the delivery of Māori outcomes is included in the funding agreements for all approved strategic relationship grants.

Ngā ritenga ā-pūtea

Financial implications

23. The contestable programme has a budget of $1,294,551 for 2023/2024 and is allocating this through one funding round.

24. In the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 financial years, eight multi-year strategic relationship grants were approved that still have yearly payments to be made. The commitment for these grants in the 2023/2024 financial year is $260,000.

25. This leaves a balance of $1,034,551 to distribute. Staff recommend allocating the entire available funds in this funding round.

Ngā raru tūpono me ngā whakamaurutanga

Risks and mitigations

26. There are no significant risks associated with this report. Ongoing relationship management with applicants and grant acquittal requirements mitigate any risk of misuse of grant funding.

Ngā koringa ā-muri

Next steps

27. Once funding allocation decisions have been confirmed, funding agreements will be prepared in line with current Auckland Council standard practice.

28. All applicants will be offered the opportunity to discuss their application.

29. Where grants are awarded that do not meet the full amount requested, appropriate outcomes for the level of funding will be negotiated with the recipients and this will be reflected in the funding agreement.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇨	Recommendation Summary 2024
b ⇨	Arts and Culture Assessment Matrix

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author

Catherine George - Regional Funding Advisor

Authorisers

Claudia Wyss - Director Customer and Community Services

Megan Tyler - Chief of Strategy

Planning, Environment and Parks Committee

11 April 2024

Ngā Hapori Momoho | Thriving Communities grants allocation 2023/2024

File No.: CP2024/02840

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To approve grants to regional community organisations through Ngā Hapori Momoho | Thriving Communities Grants programme for 2023/2024.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. Ngā Hapori Momoho | Thriving Communities Grants programme (previously the Regional Community Development Grants programme) was developed in accordance with the council’s Community Grants Policy as adopted at the Regional Strategy and Policy Committee meeting on 4 December 2014 (REG/2014/134). This policy acknowledges that community-led organisations are experts in their respective fields and can mobilise a range of relationships and resources to achieve goals that align with council objectives.

3. The contestable programme has a budget of $295,000 for 2023/2024 and allocates funding through one funding round each year.

4. In the 2023/2024 grants round, 95 applications requesting a total of $4,237,090 were received.

5. The grants assessment panel recommend funding 13 projects a total of $318,863 (Attachment A). As this is over the grants budget of $295,000, staff recommend that the Planning, Environment and Parks Committee approve the full grants budget towards the 13 projects and the balance of $23,863 be met through funding from within the existing Connected Communities department budget. This has been approved by the General Manager of Connected Communities.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Planning, Environment and Parks Committee:

a) whakaae / approve the following allocations to community organisations for Ngā Hapori Momoho | Thriving Communities Grants programme 2023/2024:

Organisation	Activity	Funding Allocation
NZ Council of Victim Support Groups Inc.	Supporting victims of crime, suicide, and traumatic events	$30,000
Creative Abilities & Associates Limited	Inclusive Lift: Empowering disabled Aucklanders to access community facilities for recreational and therapeutic well-being	$37,683
Crescendo Trust of Aotearoa	Music mentoring and wellbeing programmes for young people in Auckland	$30,000
Organisation	Activity	Funding Allocation
Action Education Incorporated	Ngā Toi o Rongo Tāmaki 2024 – a spoken word poetry workshop programme specifically developed for Māori	$15,500
Connect the Dots	Community connection for older Aucklanders and people with dementia or disability through creative arts projects	$30,000
Volunteering Auckland	Expanding community outreach and engagement, supporting leaders of volunteering, increasing inclusive volunteering opportunities.	$20,000
Refugees As Survivors NZ Trust	Community Pillars training project, phase 5, 2024	$10,000
Recreate NZ	Recreate Youth Space accessibility upgrade	$13,390
Tangata Tiriti - Treaty People Incorporated	Te Tiriti for everyone	$22,925
Belong Aotearoa	Vibrant Communities - working with existing and emerging leaders in the migrant and former refugee community to build capacity and support a holistic approach to complex issues such as mental health and wellbeing	$29,500
The Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust	Transformative music therapy programmes delivered across Tāmaki Makaurau	$20,000
Feelings for Life Charitable Trust	Kaiako Hauora Programme Pilot –prioritizing the personal well-being of those working with tamariki in schools	$29,865
Te Karanga Charitable Trust	Community Outreach programme working with rangatahi facing exclusion, isolation and adversity	$30,000
TOTAL RECOMMENDED		$318,863

b) tuhi ā-taipitopito / note that $23,863 in funding will be met by the Connected Communities department in addition to the $295,000 allocated from Ngā Hapori Momoho | Thriving Communities Grants programme, in order to fund the 13 recommended projects in Attachment A to the agenda report.

Horopaki

Context

6. The 2014 Community Grants Policy sets out the policy framework for local board, multi-board and regional grants programmes.

7. In February 2022, the Parks, Arts, Community and Events (PACE) Committee adopted the refreshed Ngā Hapori Momoho | Thriving Communities Strategy 2022-2032 (PAC/2022/11). This strategy sets out a vision for a fairer, more sustainable Tāmaki Makaurau where every Aucklander belongs.

8. The purpose of Ngā Hapori Momoho | Thriving Communities Grants programme is to support the implementation of Ngā Hapori Momoho | Thriving Communities Strategy 2022-2032 by directly supporting community-led projects that have regional impact.

9. In September 2022, the Parks, Arts, Community and Events Committee approved a focus on the following three objectives from the Strategy for the grants programme for 2022-2025 (PAC/2022/86):

· Increase whānau and community financial security so more Aucklanders can live well.

· Improve health outcomes so more Aucklanders are happy and healthy.

· Grow community and intercultural connection so all Aucklanders feel as though they belong.

10. The contestable fund has a budget of $295,000 for 2023/2024. Ninety-five applications were received, a 48 per cent increase on last year’s grant round. The 95 applicants requested a total of $4,237,090, a 67 per cent increase on last year.

Tātaritanga me ngā tohutohu

Analysis and advice

11. Staff provided guidance to applicants and potential applicants. The number of applications received in this funding round is the highest since 2015. Staff formed a shortlist of 68 applications that met all eligibility criteria and the objectives of the programme.

12. An assessment panel including four Auckland Council staff and two external advisors from Foundation North and the Department of Internal Affairs made recommendations based on the following factors:

· Organisational capacity and project attributes (concept, capacity, planning and budgets).

· Alignment with the agreed objectives from Ngā Hapori Momoho | Thriving Communities Strategy 2022-2032 (connections, activities, impacts, supported communities).

Allocation and budget recommendations

13. The assessment panel recommends allocating $318,863 to 13 projects as they all strongly fit the criteria and priorities of this fund. Due to the grants budget for this funding round being $295,000, staff recommend that an additional $23,863 be allocated from the existing Connected Communities Department budget to fund all 13 projects. This has been approved by the General Manager of Connected Communities.

14. Eighty-two projects were not recommended for funding for the following reasons:

· They do not align as well with the criteria and priorities of this grants programme.

· They need further project or budget development.

· They are more closely aligned with other council grant programmes (e.g. Local board grants, Regional Arts and Culture or Regional Events grants).

· Requests for grants far exceed the available funds.

15. As a result of the high amount of funding sought for projects that meet the criteria, staff will consider reducing the maximum grant request level in future rounds.

16. Additionally, to reduce the number of applications that do not meet the criteria staff will ensure the criteria are better communicated.

Tauākī whakaaweawe āhuarangi

Climate impact statement

17. Applications to this fund contribute to building communities’ abilities to be resilient. Resilience is a measure of adapting and responding to situations which could include climate change. However, the specific climate impact activities for each project were not assessed as this is not one of the specific focus areas for this grants programme for 2022-2025.

Ngā whakaaweawe me ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera

Council group impacts and views

18. Where applications are for projects that fit better with other areas of council delivery, they will be referred on to staff or to other grants programmes.

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

Local impacts and local board views

19. Ngā Hapori Momoho | Thriving Communities grants programme complements local board grants programmes that provide grants for local projects. While some applicants recommended for funding have received local board funding for other aspects of their work, they also meet the criteria for this programme.

20. Consideration is given to ensuring that there is a regional spread to recommended grant allocations.

Tauākī whakaaweawe Māori

Māori impact statement

21. This funding supports organisations to deliver outcomes for Māori, aligning to Kia Ora Tāmaki Makaurau, the council’s Māori outcomes performance measurement framework. In particular, it aligns with outcome Kia ora te Whānau which seeks to empower whānau Māori to be resilient, confident, and successful, by increasing the proportion of grants to Māori organisations.

22. Two of the applications recommended for funding are from Māori organisations, accounting for 19 per cent of the total funding allocated. A third applicant will offer Ti Tiriti workshops and guided hīkoi for ethnic and language communities (including refugee and migrant organisations), working with mana whenua. Three others will work predominantly with Māori communities. Together, these six applicants account for 50 per cent of the total recommended funding.

23. Last year, four of the applicants funded were from Māori organisations and/or delivered strong Māori outcomes, and together they received 32 per cent of the allocated funding. This trend of increasingly supporting Māori outcomes compares favourably to the previous two years of the Regional Community Development fund where no Māori organisations were funded, and only one project delivered strong Māori outcomes.

Ngā ritenga ā-pūtea

Financial implications

24. The programme has a budget of $295,000 for 2023/2024.

25. Staff recommend allocating the full $295,000 from the contestable fund in this funding round. The balance of $23,863 will be met by the Connected Communities department budget which is under the operational delegation of the Unit Manager.

26. There are no adverse financial implications of the decision being sought.

Ngā raru tūpono me ngā whakamaurutanga

Risks and mitigations

27. There are no significant risks associated with this report. Ongoing relationship management with applicants and grant acquittal requirements mitigate any risk of misuse of grant funding. All applicants will be informed of the possibility of enrolment in the Grants Expertise Management system funded by council – this offers eligible organisations access to grants information and grant writing expertise.

Ngā koringa ā-muri

Next steps

28. Once funding allocation decisions have been confirmed, funding agreements will be prepared in line with current Auckland Council standard practice.

29. All applicants will be offered the opportunity to discuss their application.

30. Where grants are awarded that do not meet the full amount requested, appropriate outcomes for the level of funding will be negotiated with the recipients and this will be reflected in the funding agreement.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇨	Recommendations for funding

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author

Catherine George - Regional Funding Advisor

Authorisers

Claudia Wyss - Director Customer and Community Services

Megan Tyler - Chief of Strategy

Planning, Environment and Parks Committee

11 April 2024

Auckland Council submission on the Fast-track Approvals Bill

File No.: CP2024/02276

Te take mō te pūrongoPurpose of the report

1. To receive an update on the Fast-track Approvals Bill and the fundamental issues that have been identified.

2. To endorse an approach for the council’s submission on the Bill and delegate authority to approve the council submission to the Mayor, Chair and Deputy Chair of the Planning, Environment and Parks Committee, and a member of Houkura – Independent Māori Statutory Board.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

3. Submissions close on 19 April 2024 on the Fast-track Approvals Bill (the Bill). The Bill omits any listed projects but the government intends the Bill to pass into law with a list of projects that can go directly on the fast-track. The process to nominate projects for inclusion was announced on 3 April 2024. The government will establish a Fast-track Advisory Group to provide advice on what projects should be included in the legislation.

4. The council has supported aspects of fast-track processes for infrastructure decision-making in the past. Exploring ways to streamline the approvals process for projects that have significant regional and national benefits makes sense. However, the Bill proposes very different processes to previous fast-track regimes and there are fundamental issues with the Bill in its current form. Many of those issues could have a detrimental impact on the council group and Auckland more broadly.

5. The fundamental issues that have been identified relate to:

a) natural justice and loss of local voice

b) risk of unplanned development reliant on council infrastructure for which there is no (or inadequate) funding or finance

c) poor environmental outcomes

d) adverse impacts on asset management and regulatory management

e) inefficient/impractical processes.

6. Acknowledging the priority the government has placed on the Bill, it is recommended that the council submission takes an approach that:

a) supports the government’s desire to streamline approvals for projects that have significant regional and national benefits

b) highlights in detail the fundamental issues with the Bill in its current form

c) supports particular aspects of the Bill to safeguard the council’s position if Bill is enacted in its current form (e.g. plan changes to plans prepared under the Resource Management Act (RMA) not being within the scope of the Bill)

d) seeks specific changes to the Bill if it is enacted in its current form (e.g. the ability of the council to fully recover its costs in participating in the fast-track process, including monitoring consent conditions).

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendations

That the Planning, Environment and Parks Committee:

a) ohia / endorse an approach to the council submission on the Fast-track Approvals Bill that:

i) supports the government’s desire to streamline approvals for projects that have significant regional and national benefits

ii) highlights in detail the fundamental issues with the Bill in its current form

iii) supports particular aspects of the Bill to safeguard the council’s position if the Bill is enacted in its current form (e.g. plan changes to plans prepared under the Resource Management Act not being within the scope of the Bill)

iv) seeks specific changes to the Bill if it is enacted in its current form (e.g. the ability of the council to fully recover its costs in participating in the fast-track process, including monitoring consent conditions).

b) tautapa / delegate approval of the council submission on the Fast-track Approvals Bill to the Mayor, Chair and Deputy Chair of the Planning, Environment and Parks Committee, and a member of Houkura – Independent Māori Statutory Board.

c) tautapa / delegate authority to the Mayor, Chair and Deputy Chair of the Planning, Environment and Parks Committee, and a member of Houkura – Independent Māori Statutory Board to support or oppose proposed Schedule 2 projects supported by advice from staff, if these projects are known, when presenting the council’s submission to the Environment Select Committee.

d) tuhi ā-taipitopito / note that if enacted the Bill enables the council and council-controlled organisations to use the fast-track regime.

e) tuhi ā-taipitopito / note that any future use of a fast-tracking regime, by the council or its council-controlled organisations, is separate to decision-making on a council submission on the Bill, and/or the council’s decision-making on future infrastructure investment priorities.

Horopaki

Context

Bill differs from earlier regimes

7. Under existing RMA processes, separate approvals would be required under the separate Acts. Most of these Acts involve some level of council involvement in consenting processes and this would be removed under this Bill.

8. The council previously supported fast-track regimes for infrastructure decision-making under the Natural and Built Environment Act 2023 (NBEA) and COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act 2020. The Bill is a significantly different regime because:

a) it enables multiple approval types to be determined at once

b) it centralises decision-making to government Ministers (what is fast-tracked; what is approved/declined)

c) Ministers decide which projects have regional or national significance; decision-making is discretionary

d) it overrides the planning rules of local authorities by making projects eligible for fast-tracking despite being a prohibited activity (the Resource Management Act 1991 prevents a resource consent application being lodged for such an activity)

e) its development purpose is primary, other legislative provisions have lesser weight or are set aside altogether

f) it enables a broader range of activities than infrastructure and housing^{^[1]}

g) despite listed projects being a central plank of the Bill, projects that will automatically be fast-tracked are omitted from the Bill. Projects deemed to be regionally or nationally significant (and therefore likely to be fast-tracked) are also omitted. Submitters on the Bill cannot support or oppose the automatic fast-track referral or deemed significance of projects.

Broader fast-tracking system introduced

9. One of the government’s goals is to introduce a permanent, fast-track approvals regime that allows approvals under multiple Acts in one decision-process, with less opportunity for challenge by opponents. The Bill was introduced to the House on 7 March 2024 to meet the government’s 100 days plan.

10. A fast-tracked project may contain one, or any combination of, approval types listed in the Bill (see Table 1). Examples of how hypothetical projects could bundle approval types are provided in Attachment B.

Table 1: Different approval types enabled

Type of approval	Legislation
Notices of requirement (NoR), resource consents Infrastructure project (NoR), to use land or discharge contaminants (resource consent)	Resource Management Act 1991
Compulsory acquisition of land required for infrastructure where landowner objects to Environment Court	Public Works Act 1981
Authority to relocate wildlife that would be affected by a project (such as bats or lizards)	Wildlife Act 1953
Approvals for certain activities on land managed under this Act (such as licence to occupy a reserve or carrying on trade)	Reserves Act 1977
Approvals for certain activities on land managed under this Act (such as a concession for an easement for pipelines or a land swap)	Conservation Act 1987
Certain approvals (such as temporary works for infrastructure projects that would affect fish passage or local habitat)	Freshwater Fisheries Regulations 1983
Marine consents	Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Act 2012
Approvals to access Crown land (mining permits continue to be issued separately via Crown Minerals legislation)	Crown Minerals Act 1991
Archaeological authority to modify/destroy an archaeological site (such as a pā, midden or pre-1900 brickworks remnants)	Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act 2014
Coastal permit for aquaculture in certain circumstances	Resource Management Act 1991 and Fisheries Act 1996

Bill’s purpose overrides other legislation

11. The purpose of the Bill is to provide a fast-track decision-making process that facilitates the delivery of infrastructure and development projects with significant regional or national benefits. As a standalone Bill, for fast-tracked projects, it replaces legislation under which approvals would ordinarily be considered.

12. The development purpose of the Bill is primary for all approval types. Some provisions of the ‘home’ legislation continue to apply but with less weight; other provisions are set aside altogether.

Evidence and analysis in support of the Bill

13. Evidence supporting the Bill is a report commissioned by the Infrastructure Commission in 2021 showing infrastructure projects consenting costs increased by 70 per cent since 2014 and, over the same period, consent approval times increased by 150 per cent.

14. No evidence has been supplied regarding the environmental outcomes from the broader types of approvals enabled in the Bill, or costs/delays with these approvals, or RMA-consents unrelated to infrastructure.

15. Government officials’ advice from the supplementary analysis report:

a) records the Bill’s reliance on previous RMA-only fast-track regimes and the absence of testing for other approval types, or consultation on these proposals

b) omits annually reported information on resource consents processed by local authorities

c) references out-dated local plans as a constraint to development. The references are unhelpful in the Auckland context where more consents are processed than by any other local authority and the Auckland Unitary Plan enables significant capacity for population and growth and employment.

Existing fast-track processes

16. It is noted that under the RMA there are already consenting pathways that can expedite decision-making, such as a direct referral to the Environment Court that by-passes a first-instance decision by a local authority. The recently repealed Natural and Built Environment Act (NBEA) fast-track consenting regime also remains in force^{^[2]}.

Decision made to submit on the Bill

17. The committee resolved on 14 March 2024 that the Bill was a priority matter and a submission would be made (resolution PEPCC/2024/17). Unfortunately, timeframes have prevented the inclusion of a draft submission within this report.

Additional information

18. A summarised process diagram is included as Attachment A.

Tātaritanga me ngā tohutohu

Analysis and advice

Overview

19. Exploring ways to streamline the approvals process for projects that have significant regional and national benefits makes sense. However, there are fundamental issues with the Bill in its current form. Many of those issues could have a detrimental impact on the council group and Auckland more broadly.

20. The fundamental issues that have been identified relate to:

a) natural justice and loss of local voice

b) the risk of unplanned development reliant on council infrastructure for which there is no (or inadequate) funding or finance

c) poor environmental outcomes

d) adverse impacts on asset management and regulatory management

e) inefficient/impractical processes.

21. Staff suggest including case studies from earlier fast-tracking regimes in the council submission to highlight asset management and regulatory problems that would be perpetuated by the Bill if enacted in its current form.

Issues with the Bill in its current form

22. Preparation of a submission is underway, focussing on the following points:

Natural justice and loss of local voice

a) There is no transparency regarding which projects will default to fast-tracking or are deemed to be significant (so are likely to be fast-tracked). Using a separate process to the Bill to decide which projects default to the fast-track prevents participation in the law-making process, and articulation of community concern or support. Project proponents may advocate via the separate process.

b) Prohibited activity rules in the Auckland Unitary Plan can be set aside e.g. an application can be made and approved to demolish a Category 1 historic heritage building.

c) There is little involvement for local authorities (including local boards and council-controlled organisations) on significant development proposals and no involvement for special interest, community or environmental groups.

d) Urban activities on non-urban land may be enabled contrary to the council’s Future Development Strategy 2023 and the Auckland Unitary Plan.

e) The significance of housing proposals is determined by joint Ministers without regard to the council’s Housing and Business Development Capacity Assessment or development capacity enabled in the Auckland Unitary Plan.

f) The regime is vulnerable to capture by project proponents.

g) The decision-making powers given to Ministers leave those decision-makers vulnerable to perceptions of political capture and predetermination bias.

h) Complex and contentious projects will be processed with little public oversight in short timeframes.

i) Processes could be significantly simplified, and made more transparent if:

· no projects were listed – all projects required a decision whether to refer to the fast-track regime

· decisions to approve/decline projects were made by panels, not Ministers

· decision-making criteria are mandatory, not discretionary.

Risk of unplanned development reliant on council infrastructure for which there is no (or inadequate) funding or finance

j) Council’s mandatory strategic documents are almost irrelevant considerations for determining a project’s eligibility for fast-tracking or approval (as their consideration is discretionary).

k) Enabling urban activities on Future Urban Zoned land will have significant consequences for council’s funding and financing, level-of-service and governance decisions. Fast-tracked projects of regional or national significance may disrupt the council’s Local Government Act budgeting and infrastructure funding and growth decisions.

Poor environmental outcomes

l) Enabling multiple approval types under standalone legislation may have unintended consequences. Further analysis and evidence is required.

m) Significant negative environmental outcomes are likely as relevant statutory considerations are secondary to Bill’s sole fast-tracking project facilitation purpose (or removed altogether) and decision-making across approval types may not be integrated.

Adverse impacts on asset management and regulatory management

n) The Bill perpetuates problems with operational costs and operational challenges to the council group – unfunded mandates from Government: compliance and monitoring, subsequent application processing, inadequate cost-recovery, ineffective input to projects’ processing, and vesting of inferior assets (operational costs and liabilities).

Inefficient/impractical processes

o) The regime design will produce significant drag. Inefficiencies including opportunities for applicants to amend or resubmit, extensive cross-Ministry engagement, reporting by two government ministries on the same matters, unresolved conflicts and Ministerial decision-making exempt from timeframes.

p) A low information threshold requires parties invited to make comments to undertake assessments twice and makes Ministerial decisions to fast-track projects unreliable.

q) There will be heavy reliance on coordinated and timely joint decision-making by three Ministers (in addition to 14 portfolio Ministers and two additional Ministers who must be consulted).

r) Timeframes are unmanageable for the scale and complexity of projects that may be fast-tracked.

s) Panels may not be confident to recommend the approval of a project in the absence of information tested by experts through comments or hearings. Ten days is inadequate for analysing complex projects and providing useful comments to support quality decision-making. Although hearings may be held to test applicants’ and commentators’ expertise, the Bill’s timeframes are exceedingly short^{^[3]}.

t) If projects are declined, the expeditious process will not achieve the Bill’s purpose of facilitating regional and significant development and infrastructure.

u) If projects are approved, it is likely each will be consented with extensive conditions, with the compliance and monitoring burden falling to local authorities (for RMA approvals), unless Ministers decide to approve projects with fewer recommended conditions.

Support particular aspects to safeguard the council’s position if the Bill is enacted in its current form

23. Housing projects are eligible for fast-tracking if listed in the Bill or deemed regionally or nationally significant by Ministers. Minsters use discretionary criteria unrelated to any threshold. Retaining a regional or national criterion is important, and would be significantly enhanced by the criterion being linked to local authorities’ future development strategies or housing and business development capacity assessments. Other submitters are likely to seek a significance scale at a local level to enable their projects, which would increase the number of fast-track projects and risks to the council.

24. Neither council-initiated plan changes nor private plan change requests are included as fast-track approvals. Other submitters are likely to seek their inclusion. The omission of plan changes is supported because:

a) a streamlined process already exists for council-initiated changes

b) plan changes affect landowners’ property rights and many other interests so a limited-participation process generating natural justice issues is inappropriate

c) inclusion of plan changes would prevent local voice from both would-be submitters, and council and local boards in setting policies for Auckland.

Seek specific changes to the Bill if it is enacted in its current form

25. Key changes necessary to address the concerns and risks posed by the Bill include:

a) replacing the single development focused purpose of the Bill with a balanced approach as in the COVID-19 Recovery regime to ensure planning / environmental outcomes are also achieved as recommended by government officials

b) limiting fast-tracking to infrastructure projects requiring RMA approvals only as supported by evidence (but leave open the option to expand to other approvals in subsequent legislation if supported by evidence and a well-designed system)

c) require all projects be assessed against mandatory statutory criteria for fast-track referral and remove all listed projects

d) expand the list of ineligible projects to:

· prevent urban activities on Rural or Future Urban Zoned land, regional parks, Hauraki Gulf Marine Park and area subject to Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area Act 2008

· make any prohibited activity in district or regional plans (such as the Auckland Unitary Plan) ineligible for fast-tracking

· prevent projects requiring connection to water, wastewater or roading infrastructure where required infrastructure is unavailable or inadequate, without infrastructure agreements

e) if enacted with the full suite of approvals enabled, require recommendations from panels and decision-making to be integrated

f) ensure iwi authorities without Treaty settlements are included in the consultation and commenting processes

g) improvements to asset management and regulatory management matters:

· increase time-frames: for providing comments on whether projects are fast-tracked and on merits of projects; for developing conditions; for panels to evaluate projects and hold hearings, mediation or expert conferencing

· compliance and monitoring: the efficacy of conditions could be improved by a stronger role for relevant local authorities in working with panels in drafting conditions regardless whether or not comments were made on the fast-tracked project; a more engaged process than providing written comments only, requiring increased compliance and monitoring fees (money to be transferred to local authorities from the government agency providing secretariat support to panels)

· full cost-recovery; the Bill improves cost-recovery for local authorities (relative to the COVID-19 fast-tracking regime) but it is incomplete. Without comprehensive cost-recovery, local authorities’ participation is an unfunded mandate, subsidised by ratepayers

· conditions: drafting amendment to the Bill’s schedule dealing with conditions to impose a restriction reflecting case law - consent conditions cannot bind third parties. Prevent vesting of inferior assets and avoid liability and operational expenditure. Add provisions for designation conditions omitted from the Bill.

· require panels to process subsequent applications to fast-tracked applications (usually to modify conditions) as these are difficult to process without application documentation (not held by local authorities)

h) ensure some local voice on behalf of communities by broadening ‘relevant local authorities’ to include local boards’ statutory functions; council-controlled organisations; and adjoining local authorities as relevant (as projects may have impacts across local boundaries).

Tauākī whakaaweawe āhuarangi

Climate impact statement

26. Making a submission provides the opportunity to comment on aspects of the Bill that relate to climate impacts. The relevant Bill provisions are discussed in Table 2.

Table 2: Impacts of Bill provisions on climate change

Bill provision	Impact on outcomes	Comment	Position recommended
Information on project’s vulnerability to climate change (s14)	Neutral	Provision is of limited application. Good information: applicants must provide but does not apply to automatically fast-tracked projects, and omits projects’ impact on other land.	Support and strengthen
Ministers may assess whether project will …	Negative	Bill provision is of limited application. Discretionary criteria: Ministers may consider in deciding significance of project’s benefits and whether it should be fast-tracked.	Oppose Bill to specify mandatory assessment framework not discretionary criteria that may be applied selectively. Modify to ensure a mandatory framework that balances facilitating infrastructure or development with planning and environmental outcomes
…support development of natural resources, including minerals and petroleum (section 17)(3)(f)	Negative	Extraction of carbon-based minerals like coal and petroleum would have a limited impact on climate change, but the down-stream use of the extracted material does. Facilitating these land use activities is likely to lead to climate change impacts.
…support climate change mitigation (including reduction or removal of greenhouse gas emissions) (section 17)(3)(g)	Neutral to negative	May not be considered at all or may be considered only for renewable energy applications for which there are no counter-balancing discretionary criteria such as ‘will avoid highly productive land’ or ‘consistent with RMA national policy statements including NPS for renewable electricity generation and NPS for highly productive land’
Minister of Climate Change (and at least 13 other Ministers including Minister for Energy and Resources) invited by Panel to comment on a fast-track project	Neutral	The process requires that Ministers respond in a ten-day timeframe. This turn around may be challenging and could limit the Minsters ability to provide an informed view.	Oppose Processes are cumbersome and inefficient. Climate impacts can be better addressed through redrafting the Bill.
Bill in general	Negative	The enabling nature of the Bill means greenfields urbanisation unsupported by necessary infrastructure, including public transport, could be approved, thus working against a compact urban form and increasing dependency on private vehicle trips.	Oppose Modify ineligible activities to prevent fast-tracked urban projects on Rural or Future Urban Zoned land

Ngā whakaaweawe me ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera

Council group impacts and views

27. Auckland Transport and Watercare Services Limited provide bulk infrastructure. The Bill generates risks for the council-controlled organisations by:

a) enabling fast-track approvals for development on un-serviced or under-serviced land, or in locations for which growth is unplanned and neither financing nor development contributions are in place

b) omitting requirements for applicants to provide infrastructure at the right time / right place / right standard, or commit financing to enable infrastructure provision

c) not expressly providing for council-controlled organisations to provide comments to Ministers and panels on fast-tracked projects

d) not expressly recognising that conditions cannot bind third parties, thus perpetuating problems experienced under earlier fast-track regimes whereby consent holders were required to vest assets that did not meet the standards of council-controlled organisations (and council e.g. with reserves) with consequentially higher maintenance costs and risks.

28. Auckland Transport and Watercare Services Limited are requiring authorities that deliver and operate regionally significant infrastructure that provides for the social, environmental and economic wellbeing of Aucklanders, and the Auckland economy. Having identified the risks for the council group, it is noted that the Bill provides an opportunity for the council and council-controlled organisations to use a fast-track consenting regime.

29. Any use of a fast-tracking regime or council’s decision-making on future infrastructure investment priorities is separate to decision-making on a council group submission on the Bill.

30. Staff from Auckland Transport and Watercare Services Limited are contributing to the development of the council submission.

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

Local impacts and local board views

31. A fast-tracking regime where decisions are centralised means there is less opportunity for local voice.

32. Local boards contributed to the development of the Auckland Unitary Plan and Hauraki Gulf Islands district plan both of which contain prohibited activity rules, reflecting local values.

33. In Auckland’s shared governance model, local boards are responsible for parks (other than regional parks). Conservation Act approvals (land owned by the Department of Conservation but managed by the council) and Reserves Act approvals (usually but not exclusively council-owned assets) granted under Fast-track Approvals legislation could affect local boards’ planning and financial decisions. The Bill does not require any compensation from applicants to use reserve land, or approval from a local authority.

34. Local boards were invited to provide input into the council submission. Local boards were provided with a briefing on 25 March 2024. Local board views on the Bill will be appended to the council submission to the Environment Select Committee.

35. The Bill does not identify any role for local boards, referencing only ‘local authorities’. It is critical that there is a strong voice for local communities and local boards, and:

a) consideration of local issues in decision-making on major projects of regional or national significance

b) legislation provides for engagement to enable local boards to fulfil statutory functions.

36. Neither is currently addressed in the Bill.

Tauākī whakaaweawe Māori

Māori impact statement

37. The Bill contains provisions to recognise and provide for some Māori interests. These include:

a) activities ineligible for fast-tracking include those on Treaty settlement land (without agreement) and different types of identified Māori land

b) iwi authorities can nominate panel members to evaluate approvals sought in fast-tracked projects

c) the Minister for Māori Crown Relations: Te Arawhiti and the Minister for Māori Development are invited to comment on projects at key milestones

d) protections for existing Treaty settlements and other legislative arrangements (such as joint management agreements, appointment of decision-makers and retention of conservation management strategies). The Bill also contains information, engagement, and other procedural requirements for applicants, Ministers, and the panels in relation to particular Māori groups or interests (including Treaty settlement entities and Takutai Moana rights and title holders) at various application and decision-making points in the fast-track process.

38. However, it appears there are gaps in the Bill, in addition to drafting inconsistencies to be addressed at the select committee stage:

a) no consultation is required for listed projects that default to the fast-track

b) the process turn around times are challenging and may limit the ability of the Minister for Māori Crown Relations: Te Arawhiti and the Minister for Māori Development to provide informed comment on a fast-track proposal within five working days.

39. A communication on the Bill was sent to all iwi entities and their feedback sought, recognising that iwi entities may prefer to make their own submissions. Houkura – Independent Māori Statutory Board secretariat staff are working with the council’s technical team on the development of the council submission.

Ngā ritenga ā-pūtea

40. Financial implicationsMaking a submission to a select committee is a budgeted activity.

41. The financial implications arising from the Bill are discussed throughout this report. A key point is that any fast-tracked projects of regional or national significance may disrupt the council’s Local Government Act budgeting and infrastructure funding and growth decisions.

42. Further analysis on the financial implications of the Bill will be considered in the development of the council’s submission.

Ngā raru tūpono me ngā whakamaurutanga

Risks and mitigations

43. Financial and legal expertise have been sought in the development of the submission to identify possible financial, legal and reputational risks to the council associated with the Bill.

44. The Bill poses significant risks across different council group functions. Advocacy for specific solutions in the council submission to reported risks is the first mitigation.

45. Ongoing discussions with government and advocacy on other legislative reform (discussed below) will continue.

Ngā koringa ā-muri

Next steps

46. Further resource management-related legislation is to come in this Parliamentary term. Although introducing a fast-track approvals regime was an immediate government priority, a longer-term approach supported by evidence and analysis could achieve the government’s objectives and good planning / environmental outcomes.

47. Council staff are preparing a submission on the concerns and mitigations discussed in this report, and supporting technical analysis. It is proposed that the Mayor, Chair and Deputy Chair of the Planning, Environment and Parks Committee and a member of Houkura - Independent Māori Statutory Board approve the submission, which must be lodged by 19 April 2024.

48. The council may present its submission to the select committee. Presenting to the select committee provides an opportunity to comment on any projects proposed to be listed in the Bill, if that information is available at the time.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇨	Fast-track Process Under the Fast-Track Approvals Bill
b ⇨	Examples of how hypothetical projects could fast-track multiple approval types

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Authors

Rebecca Greaves - Lead Planner

John Duguid - General Manager - Plans and Places

Authorisers

Jacques Victor – General Manager Auckland Plan Strategy and Research

Megan Tyler - Chief of Strategy

Planning, Environment and Parks Committee

11 April 2024

Endorsement to prepare Auckland's Southern Rural Strategy

File No.: CP2024/03079

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To endorse the preparation of a Southern Rural Strategy, being an implementation action of the Future Development Strategy 2023, and to establish a political working group to provide direction on this work.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. This report seeks to formally commission the Southern Rural Strategy (SRS). The SRS is part of the implementation of the Future Development Strategy (FDS 2023) and its purpose is to deliver a 30-year rural land-use and development strategy for Auckland’s southern rural area in alignment with the FDS 2023 and other existing council policies and plans.

3. This report also seeks to delegate authority to a Southern Rural Strategy Working Group to provide direction to staff for the work. It is proposed that the political working group includes the following membership (or equivalent):

· Planning, Environment and Parks Committee Chair or Deputy Chair

· Franklin Local Board Chair and Deputy chair

· Franklin Ward Councillor

· Houkura-Independent Māori Statutory Board member(s).

4. It is proposed that targeted engagement with iwi, local communities and relevant stakeholders with interest in the southern rural area is initially undertaken in mid-2024, followed by further targeted engagement in late-2024.

5. The SRS is intended to inform the next Future Development Strategy review in 2025-2026 and potential updates to the Auckland Unitary Plan. To provide strategic direction to the FDS the SRS will need to be completed by mid-2025.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Planning, Environment and Parks Committee:

a) ohia / endorse the preparation of Auckland’s Southern Rural Strategy in line with the scoping document as contained in Attachment A of the agenda report

b) tautapa / delegate authority to a Southern Rural Strategy Working Group to provide direction to staff in the development of the Southern Rural Strategy, with the group consisting of the following (or equivalent):

i) Planning, Environment and Parks Committee Chair or Deputy Chair

ii) Franklin Local Board Chair and Deputy Chair

iii) Franklin Ward Councillor

iv) Houkura-Independent Māori Statutory Board member(s).

Horopaki

Context

6. The National Policy Statement on Urban Development 2020 requires preparation of a Future Development Strategy (FDS). There is also a LGACA (section 79) requirement to prepare a spatial strategy including a development strategy.

7. The FDS was adopted on 2 November 2023 by the Planning, Environment and Parks (PEP) Committee [Resolution number PEPCC/2023/144]. An implementation action in the FDS is to develop a rural strategy, prioritising the southern rural area.

8. This report sets out the background and proposed approach to developing the Southern Rural Strategy (SRS).

9. Urbanised Auckland is surrounded by large rural areas to the north, west and south. These rural areas are different from each other in terms of their history, character, and function. Therefore, they face different challenges and opportunities.

10. The southern rural areas face the greatest tension between urban development (both existing and potential) and the need to improve rural productivity, sustain the natural environment, and respond to the impacts of climate change. These challenges are set out in the rural section of the FDS.

11. Further work on other rural areas may occur once work on the southern areas is completed. Any such work will seek endorsement from the PEP Committee (or equivalent committee of council).

Tātaritanga me ngā tohutohu

Analysis and advice

Future Development Strategy 2023 context, linkages, and updates

12. The FDS 2023 takes a holistic view of the long-term growth and development across the Auckland Region and recognises that urban and rural areas are not separate from each other – both form part of one ‘system’.

13. The rural section of the FDS 2023 identified key issues Auckland’s rural areas are facing. The SRS will address these issues in more detail, specific to the southern rural area.

14. The FDS is reviewed every three years to address emerging or changing issues, as well as reflect updated data and evidence. The SRS will therefore provide a solid basis for the southern rural areas in the next update of the FDS.

Southern Rural Strategy purpose and content

15. The purpose of the SRS is to deliver a 30-year rural land use and development strategy for Auckland’s southern rural area, aligned to the FDS 2023 and other existing council policies and plans. The SRS may additionally comment on non-land use matters that could arise from engagement with these communities.

16. The SRS will respond to the specific issues and opportunities identified through research, stakeholder engagement, and targeted public consultation with the southern rural communities.

17. This will provide direction on how the southern rural areas and communities will:

· prosper and be resilient in the future

· grow while providing for the wellbeing of people and the environment

· contribute to the wider wellbeing and economy of Auckland.

18. To this end an initial scoping document is provided in Attachment A. This scope needs to remain flexible as communities and stakeholders are likely to identify issues not currently captured in the scope, yet important to address in the SRS.

19. The Rural Advisory Panel and Franklin and Papakura local boards have had input to the attached scope (see Local Board views section).

Work programme timeframes and key milestones

20. To provide strategic direction that will usefully feed into the next review of the FDS and any future updates to the Auckland Unitary Plan, the SRS will need to be completed by mid-2025.

21. Table 1 sets out the expected timeframes and key milestones to meet this timeline.

Table 1: Work programme - indicative timeframes to prepare the Southern Rural Strategy

Southern Rural Strategy

April 2024

May 2024

June 2024

July 2024

Aug 2024

Sept 2024

Oct 2024

Nov. 2024

Dec 2024

Jan 2025

Feb.2025

Mar 2025

Establish political working group

Stakeholder, community, and Māori engagement

Feedback analysis

Draft content and document structure development

Targeted engagement on the draft strategy

Final Southern Rural Strategy and committee adoption

Consultation and engagement

22. In preparing the draft SRS, the intention is to engage with:

· local communities (individuals and/or community organisations)

· relevant hapū and iwi

· relevant stakeholders

· infrastructure and service providers

· relevant central government agencies.

23. Relevant stakeholders include, but is not limited to, agriculture, horticulture, farming, and other rural productivity sectors and industry organisations, key landowners, developers, and employers.

24. The proposed approach to consultation and engagement for the SRS will consider the seasonal nature of many local stakeholders’ work and operations.

25. Staff will engage with central government agencies directly/individually on relevant matters as may be required. Periodic updates are proposed through the existing Joint Central Government / Auckland Council working group.

Proposed governance structure

26. It is proposed that political guidance for the SRS be led by a Southern Rural Strategy Working Group. This group will provide direction to staff on the development of the SRS and issues escalated as may be needed.

27. It is recommended that membership of the political working group consists of the following (or equivalent):

· Planning, Environment and Parks Committee Chair or Deputy Chair

· Franklin Local Board Chair and Deputy Chair

· Franklin Ward Councillor

· Houkura-Independent Māori Statutory Board member(s).

Tauākī whakaaweawe āhuarangi

Climate impact statement

28. There is an increasing national focus on climate change through legislation^{^[4]}, initiatives such as declaration of climate emergencies^{^[5]} and the report of the Climate Change Commission (June 2021). The council adopted Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Plan in 2020. The plan provides a long-term approach to climate action, with a target to halve regional emissions by 2030 and transition to net zero emissions by 2050, and a precautionary approach to adaptation. The regeneration of the rural natural environment and the resilience of coastal communities, including Māori communities, are some of the priority areas within the plan and the associated action areas focus on reducing emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change.

29. The government’s Emissions Reduction Plan and council’s Transport Emissions Reduction Plan provide a pathway for achieving a reduction in transport emissions by 2030 in Auckland, while acknowledging the unique equity and decarbonization challenges rural communities face.

30. Land use and planning decisions, development and infrastructure, are all fundamental to climate action. While climate change affects all communities, it can disproportionally affect rural communities in terms of both scale and intensity.

31. For example, many rural communities rely on vulnerable infrastructure for their daily needs. If this infrastructure fails, it can cause significant, often long-lasting disruption that impacts on the resilience of rural communities and environments.

32. The approach taken in the SRS, and its subsequent implementation, potentially has significant long-term implications. Potential responses to these issues will be further researched, developed and incorporated into the SRS.

Ngā whakaaweawe me ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera

Council group impacts and views

33. The SRS will provide strategic direction on long-term land-use and development for Auckland’s southern rural area. It will inform the next FDS review that, in turn, will influence council strategies and investment decisions. Involvement, information, and support from staff across the council group is a critical aspect needed to achieve southern rural land use and development outcomes.

34. The next phase of project planning will identify key stakeholders and various engagement topic areas. This next phase will include a range of relevant staff from across the council group.

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

Local impacts and local board views

35. The SRS is the long-term strategic plan for Tāmaki Makaurau’s southern rural area, and will provide more detailed information on how, when and where growth is anticipated, including accounting for rural economic potential. This is a topic which is of relevance to southern rural local boards as growth and development can have significant impacts at a local board level and informs local board plans.

36. A workshop was held in February 2024 with the Franklin Local Board and in March 2024 with the Papakura Local Board. Both local boards expressed their interest in being involved in the development of the SRS. Both local boards provided feedback on the project scope, which has been incorporated into Attachment A.

37. Further detail of local board engagement will be confirmed in April/May 2024 and staff will work with Local Board Services on the work programme.

38. The Franklin Local Board Chair and Deputy Chair expressed their interest to be included in the SRS Working Group, as stated in their 29 February 2024 Local Board Meeting Resolutions [Resolution Number FR/2024/14].

39. The Papakura Local Board deferred to being represented by the Franklin Local Board in the political working group, as stated in their 4 March 2024 resolution [Resolution Number PPK/2024/15].

40. Howick Local Board did not wish to be included in the process of preparing the SRS but wished to be informed about it.

Tauākī whakaaweawe Māori

Māori impact statement

41. The purpose of the SRS is to deliver a 30-year rural land use and development strategy for Auckland’s southern rural area.

42. The council has committed to achieving Māori outcomes through Kia Ora Tāmaki Makaurau, influenced by the Māori Plan 2017, the Schedule of Issues of Significance Report, and the Auckland Plan 2050. These documents provide guidance in understanding the priority areas for Māori in Tāmaki Makaurau and a number of these priority areas are relevant to the development and implementation of the SRS, for example:

· involve Māori early in the decision-making process

· Māori housing aspirations

· protection of existing natural resources

· allowing for kaitiakitanga

· benefits to Māori, for example, housing, economic opportunities, and improved access

· impacts of climate change, for example, on marae, whānau, and sites of significance

· opportunities to showcase Māori identity.

43. The priority topics for rural areas already identified during the development of the FDS 2023, along with feedback from other previous engagements will be incorporated in the development of the SRS. This requires a review of past iwi engagement and provides a starting point for engaging with iwi in a way that supports their participation in the development of the SRS. This may involve joint engagement with other related council workstreams.

Ngā ritenga ā-pūtea

Financial implications

44. Staff time is the main cost associated with the development of the SRS.

45. Sixty thousand dollars is available in FY24 to cover costs such as engagement events and any specific research / information that may need to be commissioned.

46. Costs in FY25 will be covered from existing budgets.

Ngā raru tūpono me ngā whakamaurutanga

Risks and mitigations

47. The council faces risks in terms of achieving appropriate development outcomes in the southern rural areas in the absence of a clear, cohesive and strategic approach to the southern rural environment and communities. The preparation of the SRS proposed in this report seeks to address this risk.

Ngā koringa ā-muri

Next steps

48. If the Committee endorses the preparation of the SRS, staff will:

· establish the Southern Rural Strategy Working Group

· prepare an Engagement Plan including working with iwi and local board services to reach out to a variety of local communities and stakeholders

· work across the council family to begin the process of preparing the SRS.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇨	Southern Rural Strategy Project Scope Final March 2024

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author

Eva Zombori - Senior Strategic Advisor

Authorisers

Jacques Victor – General Manager Auckland Plan Strategy and Research

Megan Tyler - Chief of Strategy

Planning, Environment and Parks Committee

11 April 2024

Annual progress update of the Climate Action Transport Targeted Rate

File No.: CP2024/03098

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To receive an annual update on the delivery of the Climate Action Transport Targeted Rate April 2024.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. The Climate Action Transport Targeted Rate (CATTR) sets out our plan to invest over $1 billion on climate initiatives. The climate action package puts an immediate focus on enhancing transport options that make it easier for Aucklanders to move around the region, and on greening our neighbourhoods through tree planting which helps to regulate temperatures on our streets and reduce the impacts of heavy rainfall events.

3. The targeted rate is comprised of local rates share, fare revenue and central government co-funding combined to deliver $1billion of investment in buses, ferries, walking, cycling and urban Ngahere (forest) canopy.

4. The Progress Report identifies that the key deliverables of the CATTR are on track to be delivered across the Bus, Ferry, Cycling, Walking and Ngahere programmes.

5. Key deliverables of the CATTR, that were previously consulted on include:

Programme	Budget	Goal	Programme Deliverables
AT - Bus	$651m	Providing much greater access to efficient and reliable low-carbon public transport	Delivery of 10 new frequent bus routes
			Additional 1,000,000 people will live within 500m of a new or improved service
			Addition of 79 low-emission buses
AT - Ferry	$134m		6 Low-emission Ferries
AT - Cycling	$129m	Providing safe, convenient and well-connected walking and cycling options for many more Aucklanders	Approx. 18kms new cycleways + 1 focus area (New Lynn)
AT - Walking	$84m		Up to 35kms walking improvements + 1 focus area (Manurewa)
AC - Ngahere	$13.3m	Planting trees now to prepare for a warmer future, reducing vulnerability to extreme heat	14,800 native trees planted in areas of heat vulnerability
AC - Ngahere	$13.3m		4000+ trees and plants (tiny & food forests, māra kai, bush remnants)

6. Highlights to date include 56,000 Aucklanders living within 500m from two new frequent bus service improvements in east Auckland relating to routes 74 and 76. In FY24 new Northwestern bus services have delivered three new frequent routes, delivering improvements to a total of 100,000 Aucklanders.

7. The active mode Walking and Cycling highlights several cycling projects progressing through the design phase, with reference to the Hobsonville cycling connection, New Lynn focus area and the Manurewa cycling connection.

8. The walking programme highlights include delivery of both the Causeway path on Waiheke and the crossing on Marua Road completed and open to the public.

9. The renewal of Auckland’s ferry fleet with new low emission ferries and associated wharf upgrades are progressing to plan, with the first CATTR funded ferry (vessel 2) for Devonport under construction and ferry infrastructure in the design phase. Over 2024 and 2025 it is planned to enable low emission ferry operation with ferry charging equipment at the Downtown Ferry Terminal in the city centre, Half Moon Bay and Hobsonville Ferry terminals.

10. Despite the delivery highlights to date, challenges are being felt across the programme, primarily driven from the draft Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP) facing funding challenges due to the Regional Fuel Tax (RFT) removal affecting the capital allocation available. Challenges in operational funding driven by savings as part of the long-term plan consultation, are also impacting the overall budgets available to Auckland Transport.

11. Ultimately, the draft LTP 2024-34 budget will be a key milestone to ensuring the funding is available to allow the CATTR key deliverables to be delivered as previously consulted on.

12. The Climate Action Transport Targeted Rate 2024 Progress Report, April 2024 is attached to this report (Attachment A).

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Planning, Environment and Parks Committee:

a) whiwhi / receive the Climate Action Transport Targeted Rate Progress Report 2024, included as Attachment A of the agenda report.

Horopaki

Context

13. On 7 June 2022 the Governing Body (GB/2022/45) agreed to the Climate Action Targeted Rate (since renamed Climate Action Transport Targeted Rate) as part of Annual Budget 2022/2023, which will provide $574 million of additional funding for climate action in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland over ten years, supplemented to more than $1 billion through fare revenue and co-funding from Waka Kotahi and other central government sources.

14. The purpose of the CATTR is to lay the foundation for increased climate action to reduce emissions and prepare for the impacts of climate change, with an immediate focus on enhancing low carbon transport options and greening our neighbourhoods.

15. When the Governing body approved the CATTR it also agreed that “a political governance and oversight group for the Climate Action Targeted Rate be established for the duration of the fund to provide direction in line with the purpose and principles of the targeted rate and to monitor and report on progress”.

16. Recommendations for reporting to the Governance and Oversight Group states that the governance group receive progress updates on the implementation of the CATTR programmes annually.

17. This is the first annual update on the progress of the targeted rate, covering the period July 2022 to February 2024.

Tātaritanga me ngā tohutohu

Analysis and advice

18. The Progress Report outlines the overall state of the key deliverables compared to original targets. It also provides highlights of progress and key challenges for each programme funded by this targeted rate, along with a summary of key next steps.

19. There are a five key programmes (Bus, Ferry, Cycling, Walking and Ngahere) which have subsequent key deliverables, defined during the public consultation of the rate.

20. The Progress Report identifies that all key deliverables across the CATTR are on track, with key updates mentioned below.

21. The bus programme deliverables are on track, with current highlights including five funded new frequent routes. These include:

· Two new frequent bus transit network (FTN) routes delivered initially with routes 74 and 76 going live. In total, 56,000 Aucklanders benefitted from the improvements to these eastern bus services.

· New Northwestern service enhancements were delivered on 12 November 2023, which comprises of three new FTN routes. This alone has delivered improvements to a total of more than 100,000 Aucklanders.

22. The Ferry programme is on track to deliver the six low emission ferries and associated charging infrastructure. Currently four low emission ferries are under construction, which includes the first CATTR funded ferry. Associated wharf and charging infrastructure is now moving into the procurement phase, as design is largely completed.

23. The cycling programme deliverables are on track, however the programme has experienced some delays and subsequently underspent against budget. This has resulted from re-design work being required after internal stakeholder feedback. Several projects such as the Hobsonville and Manurewa cycle connection, and the New Lynn focus area are progressing through design stages.

24. Progress of the walking programme is on track to deliver the 2.85km of connectivity improvements by conclusion of FY24. Both the Causeway path and crossing at Marua Road have been completed and are open to the public. Work is ongoing on town centre improvements in Pukekohe and new crossings at New North Road / Blockhouse Bay Road, which are planned to be completed to meet the FY24 delivery target.

25. The CATTR funded Ngahere (forest) planting is on track, with the first tree planting to start in the calendar year of 2024. Work to date in FY23 and early FY24 was dedicated to planning, preparation of technical specifications and the procurement of the tree planting services. Tree planting procurement was successfully concluded in late 2023, which has resulted in securing four suppliers of physical works, which include two Māori suppliers.

26. However, while good progress has been made on CATTR deliverables, many programmes are currently “at risk” due to Auckland Transport facing budget constraints from the Regional Fuel Tax being removed, higher than expected delivery costs and overall operational savings targets in the Long-term Plan 2024-2034 consultation materials.

27. The Bus programme overall is facing delays due to budget constraints to fund some base services, the result of which is affecting CATTR improvements which builds on these base services. Also, the overall scale of the CATTR bus programme has been reduced to deliver approximately 75 per cent of the service kilometre improvements, resulting from large cost increases in the sector and high indexation.

28. The active mode (Walking and Cycling) programmes face similar budget pressures, which is putting both programmes at risk. These have resulted from lower capital allocations listed in the draft RTLP, when compared to budgets the CATTR was based on. This results in both a deferral of spend against current projects and an overall slow-down of projects in design and investigation phases.

29. The Ferry programme is facing internal pressure resulting largely from cost increases and tight timeframes for design and construction planning. Use of new technology with respect to the design, delivery and commissioning of the first ferries and charging equipment is also presenting challenges. Additionally, the programme is facing funding pressures resulting from removal of the Regional Fuel Tax which was expected to fund and support the landside charging infrastructure equipment, alongside the CATTR.

30. Climate action investment programmes, such as the CATTR, are an important aspect of driving 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

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

32. The delivery of the CATTR and the progress towards the key deliverables have some positive impact on greenhouse gas emissions and the extent to which Auckland is impacted by climate change. However, Auckland’s current trajectory is still one of increasing emissions. Successful delivery of the CATTR will support delivery of targets set in Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri and national commitments to the Paris Agreement.

Ngā whakaaweawe me ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera

Council group impacts and views

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

34. The delivery of projects funded by the CATTR is undertaken by Auckland Transport and Auckland Council. Information for the Progress Report, including updates on the progress of each programme, was received from both of these entities.

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

Local impacts and local board views

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

36. The views of local boards were not sought in the development of the Progress Report. However, local boards continue to provide feedback and advice on local projects funded by this targeted rate.

Tauākī whakaaweawe Māori

Māori impact statement

37. There are no impacts on Māori associated with receiving this progress update as this report is for information only. However, it is acknowledged that the impacts of climate change on the cultural, social, environmental and economic wellbeing of Māori are potentially profound.

38. The CATTR and its programmes are helping to address climate change for the benefit of current and future generations. Auckland Council and Auckland Transport are committed to working with mana whenua and Māori organisations in developing and delivering climate action.

39. All of the CATTR cycling projects are presented to mana whenua as a general update and for specific feedback. The New Lynn and Hobsonville cycling projects have been discussed with Te Kawerau ā Maki, and the Manurewa cycling project has been discussed with Auckland Transport’s southern transport mana whenua forum. Specific hui with Te Ākitai Waiohua have focused on active mode projects in southern Auckland, including the Māngere West cycling improvements.

40. The Ngahere programme is working with mana whenua in the delivery of planting projects and engagement is ongoing regarding regular updates to, and feedback from, mana whenua on this programme.

Ngā ritenga ā-pūtea

Financial implications

41. The Climate Action Targeted Rate (subsequently renamed Climate Action Transport Targeted Rate) was introduced in the 2022/2023 financial year. The revenue raised from the CATTR along with government co-funding and additional fares revenue was expected to fund around $1 billion of additional investment in buses, ferries, walking, cycling and our urban forest canopy over 10 years.

42. In the 2022/2023 financial year the CATTR spend was $8 million against the planned spend of $19.6 million. The underspend was attributed to delays in initiation of the programme, compared to the original phasing estimated in early 2022. The underspent budget was carried forward to future years to reflect these changes in project timing.

43. In the 2023/2024 financial year (as of February 2024) the CATTR spend is $11 million against a year-to-date budget of $16.5 million. For further detail on financial performance of the CATTR please see pages 16 -17 of the attached Climate Action Transport Targeted Rate Progress Report 2024 (Attachment A).

Ngā raru tūpono me ngā whakamaurutanga

Risks and mitigations

44. There are no fundamental risks for the whole programme of works funded by the CATTR at this early stage of the 10-years. However, there have been funding challenges even in this reporting period as a result of larger budget constraints which impact some of the CATTR projects. If this continues year on year, it will likely result in reduced outcomes and project delivery. Staff will monitor this through subsequent progress reports and annual plan processes.

Ngā koringa ā-muri

Next steps

45. Staff to add Climate Action Transport Targeted Rate 2024 Progress Report to Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri digital plan website - climateakl.co.nz

46. A second (minor) update on the full year FY24 progress of the Climate Action Transport Targeted Rate will be prepared for around September 2024, depending on committee dates.

47. The final section of the Progress Report outlines upcoming key next steps for FY24 and beyond.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇨	Climate Action Transport Targeted Rate Progress Report 2024

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author

Nick McKenna - Programme Manager - Climate Action

Authorisers

Lauren Simpson - Principal Sustainability & Resilience Advisor

Megan Tyler - Chief of Strategy

No.	Title	Page
a ⇨	Forward Work Programme - Planning, Environment and Parks Committee
b ⇨	Letter from Hon Chris Bishop to Mayor W Brown – Intensification Streamlined Planning Process, 26 March 2024 (Under Separate Cover)
c ⇨	Memorandum - Simplifying and consolidating open space, sport and recreation policy, 2 April 2024 (Under Separate Cover)
d ⇨	Waste Political Advisory Group – agenda, minutes and minutes attachments, 18 September 2023 (Under Separate Cover)
e ⇨	National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management Political Working Group - agenda, minutes and minutes attachments, 25 March 2024 (Under Separate Cover)

[1] These are the activities enabled under fast-tracking provisions remaining in force from the Natural and Built Environment Act 2023.

[2] Resource Management (Natural and Built Environment and Spatial Planning Repeal and Interim Fast-track Consenting) Act 2023, see Schedule 1 clause 8 of that Act for transitional and savings provisions.

[3] As a comparison, few hearings were conducted under the COVID-19 Recovery regime.

[4] Legislation includes Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Act 2019.

[5] Auckland Council decl,ared a climate emergency in June 2019 while central government announced a climate emergency declaration in December 2020.

Chairperson	Cr Richard Hills
Deputy Chairperson	Cr Angela Dalton
Members	Houkura Member Edward Ashby	Cr Mike Lee
	Cr Andrew Baker	Cr Kerrin Leoni
	Cr Josephine Bartley	Cr Daniel Newman, JP
	Mayor Wayne Brown	Cr Greg Sayers
	Cr Chris Darby	Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson, JP
	Cr Julie Fairey	Cr Sharon Stewart, QSM
	Cr Alf Filipaina, MNZM	Cr Ken Turner
	Cr Christine Fletcher, QSO	Cr Wayne Walker
	Cr Lotu Fuli	Cr John Watson
	Houkura Member Hon Tau Henare	Cr Maurice Williamson
	Cr Shane Henderson

Date	Subject
26/3/2024	Letter from Hon Chris Bishop to Mayor W Brown – Intensification Streamlined Planning Process
2/4/2024	Memorandum - Simplifying and consolidating open space, sport and recreation policy

Date	Subject
18/9/2023	Waste Political Advisory Group – agenda, minutes and minutes attachments
25/3/2024	National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management Political Working Group – agenda, minutes and minutes attachments

Author	Sandra Gordon - Kaitohutohu Mana Whakahaere Matua / Senior Governance Advisor
Authoriser	Megan Tyler - Chief of Strategy

Exclusion of the Public: Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987