Devonport-Takapuna Local Board Workshop

OPEN MINUTES

Minutes of a meeting of the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board Workshop  held in the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board Office, 1-7 The Strand, Takapuna on Tuesday, 26 November 2024 at 9.30am.

Te Hunga kua Tae mai | present

Chairperson	Toni van Tonder
Deputy Chairperson	Terence Harpur
Members	Peter Allen
	Gavin Busch
	Melissa Powell
	George Wood, CNZM

Devonport-Takapuna Local Board Workshop 26 November 2024

2          Te Whakapuaki i te Whai Pānga | Declaration of Interest

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

There were no declarations of interest.

5	Local Board Workshop

Item 1 – 9.30 – 11.00

LB Annual Planning Workshop 5

Presenter/s:                  Maureen Buchanan Senior Local Board Advisor

Sugenthy Thomson Lead Financial Advisor

Governance role:          Input into regional decision making

Proposed Outcome/s:   Provide feedback on policy options

The local board was provided with an update on Annual Planning.

· Discussing local consultation content for the local board agreement.

The local board raised the following points and questions in response to the presentation:

· Expressed concern and frustration about future funding, noting the board only has the ability to adjust a portion of their total budget.

· Concern that the Governing Body don’t fully understand the financial impacts of the equity funding model on local boards.

· Request an itemised list of the board’s controllable costs, noting the board need to better understand their financial levers in order to meet increasing cost pressures.

· Concern for further consultation fatigue amongst the community.

· Clarified the leisure centre hours are included in the consultation material, if the board chooses to reduce hours to meet budget requirements. Also sought clarity on the minimum service requirement level for libraries.

· Sought further advice on Ventia contract, and the possibility of reviewing the associated costs.

Next Steps

· Adopt local consultation material at 10 December business meeting

· Governing Body adopts regional consultation material on 4 December 2024

Item 2 – 11.00 – 12.00

Pupukemoana Stakeholders Hui

Presenter/s:                  Mike Thompson Sport & Recreation Lead

Governance role:          Work programme updates

Proposed Outcome/s:   Receive update on progress

Member G Busch joined the meeting at 11.14am.

The local board was provided with an update on the Pupukemoana Stakeholder Hui.

· Overview of the meeting on 21 October 2024 and the feedback received.

The local board raised the following points and questions in response to the presentation:

· Support a potential lake booking system for users and agree that an online booking tool as part of the council website can benefit community usage.

· Acknowledge that storage space is a key concern.

· Concern for the decline in water quality and the need for clear communication with lake users.

Next Steps

· Minutes confirmed

· Investigate options for an online tool for coordination use

· Staff to check plans and policies for concerns raised

· Another hui in February 2025, and regularly thereafter

1 Hour Break

Item 3 – 1.00 – 2.00

Central Wharves

Presenter/s:                  Ben Parsons Engagement Consultant

Nick McKay

Caisey Marter

Governance role:          Oversight and monitoring

Proposed Outcome/s:   Receive update on progress

The local board was provided with an introduction to the Central Wharves Project

· A memo was circulated in October

The local board raised the following points and questions in response to the presentation:

· Clarified budget for the will be finalized after going through the standard business process and will be presented to the governing body as part of the business case. The funding sources are still to be established while the project is in early stages.

· Questioned the proposal to remove The Cloud on Queens Wharf, and suggested that it would be a good opportunity for something visual appealing rather than flat concrete wharf.

· Stressed the importance of consultation with this local board and community given the usage and reliance of ferries.

· Clarified a range of concerns that are being considered in the design phase, including sea level rise and impact on the city’s health provisions.

· Support for Bledisloe wharf cruise ship berthing proposal, noting the impact that cruise ships have on ferries.

· Sought clarity on the ownership specifics of Princes Wharf. Staff clarified it has its own legislation and legal control, and is outside the scope of the project.

Next Steps

· A cross-council working group will be established next year for community engagement process.

Item 4 – 2.00 – 3.00

Quarry Lake

Presenter/s:                  Janet Kidd Team Manager Wai Ora Strategic Programmes

Governance role:          Keeping informed

Proposed Outcome/s:   Receive update on progress

The local board was provided with an introduction to water quality issues at Quarry Lake.

· Illegally introduced grass carp were discovered in the lake which have negatively impacted the ecology.

The local board raised the following points and questions in response to the presentation:

· Clarified that, from anecdotal evidence, there could be up to 100 carp introduced into the lake. The carp are likely sterile and believe that they were likely introduced to remove weeds.

· Strongly believe that further action should be taken to rectified any further disturbances to the environment and let the public be aware of the potential harms.

· Clarified the Ministry of Primary Industries regulates the transfer of fish, staff have requested they investigate.

· Clarified Fish & Game are happy for Healthy Waters to remove the carp.

· Clarified that removing the carp will not rectify the ecological damage to Quarry Lake. Water quality is likely impacted for years to come. Staff note it is not clear what the impact of removing the carp will be, hence the recommendation to monitor first.

· Concern at the cost associated with hiring a contractor to remove the carp, suggestion to invite the community to fish the carp out of the lake.

· Concern for public health risk, noting that dogs are particularly sensitive to algae blooms and can cause serious illness and death from ingestion.

· Concern for Canoe Polo users at Quarry Lake. Clarified staff have not yet engaged with them prior to consulting the board.

· Clarify that an estimated removal process and management of the lake will take 2–3 years.

Next Steps

· Collect further data from monitoring. Further updates will be provided to the board.

· Staff will clarify with Fish & Game if a permit is needed to fish in Quarry Lake.

Item 5 – 3.00 – 3.30

Korean Gardens

Presenter/s:                  Randy Jiang Community Lease Specialist

Governance role:          Work programme updates

Proposed Outcome/s:   Receive update on progress

The local board was provided with an update on the Korean Gardens.

The local board raised the following points and questions in response to the presentation:

· Sought clarity on external funding sources.

· Questioned the timeframe to build the Pavilion, which is set to be completed by the end of 2025.

· Clarified pavilion is shipped from Korea and assembled here, hence the need for timber treatment. Suggestion to apply for funding at the next community grants round.

· Concern for parking options.

Next Steps

· Prepare official letter of support from Local Board to assist with securing external funding.

Item 6 – 3.30 – 4.30

Community Leasing for North Shore Rugby Football Club Incorporated and The Scout Association of New Zealand

Presenter/s:                  Randy Jiang Community Lease Specialist

Governance role:          Work programme updates

Proposed Outcome/s:   Define board position and feedback

The local board was provided with an update from leasing regarding two groups seeking a new community ground lease.

· North Shore Rugby Football Club Incorporated

· Scout Association of New Zealand

The local board did not raise any questions in response to the presentation.

Next Steps

· Reports will be coming to business meeting in early 2025.