Agenda of Parks Committee - Tuesday, 25 February 2025

Parks Committee

25 February 2025

Parks and Community Facilities - Regional Operations Capital Work Programme 2024/2025 delivery update.

File No.: CP2025/01137

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To provide the Parks Committee with a half year update on the progress of delivery of the Regional Operations Capital Work Programme, specifically focusing on Regional Parks, Farming, Auckland Botanic Gardens and Pukekawa Auckland Domain, for financial year 2024/2025, appended as Attachment A.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. The Parks and Community Regional Capital Investment Work Programme is considered on an annual basis, with approval of the next financial year, and approval in principle of the two years following, sought. The programme will next be considered by the Community Committee in July 2025.

3. We are currently in the third quarter of the 2024/2025 Financial Year, with this report updating progress on the Regional Operations Capital Work Programme components of the wider Parks and Community Regional Capital Investment Work Programme as at the end of December 2024. This includes detailing RAG (Red/Amber/Green) statuses, which reflects the delivery confidence of each project and programme.

4. The Regional Parks programme is making excellent progress, with 91 per cent of activities assessed as having ‘Green’ RAG status, indicating they are on track. Significant improvements are being made across key parks, enhancing the experience for visitors, and supporting long-term environmental goals.

5. With 89 per cent of activities on track, the Auckland Botanic Gardens programme is progressing steadily, focusing on the reinstatement of the covered events area and critical asset renewals.

6. The Farming programme, though the smallest in terms of project count and budget, is performing well, with 100 per cent of activities assessed as Green, indicating full delivery of projections. This reflects strong performance in key agricultural operations, including livestock management and farming activities.

7. The Pukekawa Auckland Domain programme is also performing well, with 100 per cent of activities on track. This includes significant investments in the remediation of storm-damaged tracks, the Centennial and Watson Bequest walkways, the refurbishment of nursery glasshouses and the development of pathway connections (funded through Local Board Transport Capital Fund).

8. Overall significant effort and progress has been made across all programmes, with most projects advancing on schedule and delivering important outcomes for the community and the environment.

9. There are several current capex delivery challenges with mitigations in place or being sought.

10. Continued monitoring and collaboration with project managers and key stakeholders will be undertaken to ensure that issues flagged as Amber or Red status are managed effectively and resolved in the upcoming period.

11. Delays in the programme will continue to be monitored with the aim of implementing mitigations where possible, focused on getting these projects back on track. Any adjustments to timelines or budgets, will be provided as part of the development of the next year’s programme.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Parks Committee:

a) whiwhi / receive the update on the current performance of Regional Parks, Farming, Auckland Botanic Gardens and Pukekawa Auckland Domain parts of the Parks and Community Regional Capital Investment Work Programme 2024/2025.

b) tuhi tīpoka / note that opportunity will follow to provide feedback on the Draft 2025/2026 Regional Parks, Farming and Auckland Botanic Gardens and Pukekawa Auckland Domain parts of the Parks and Community Regional Capital Investment Work Programme.

Horopaki

Context

12. On 25 July 2024, the Planning, Environment and Parks (PEP) Committee approved the Parks and Community Regional Capital Investment Work Programme for the 2024/2025 financial year. The operations work programmes covered in this report are part of the Regional Operations Capital Work Programme components outlined herein. The committee also granted approval in principle for the subsequent two financial years, 2025/2026 and 2026/2027, under resolution number PEPCC/2024/68.

Regional renewals and development capital work programme: consolidated budget

13. The regional renewals and development programme includes all asset investment relating to parks, facilities and activities. These include the Auckland wide network of Regional Parks including areas allocated to farming activities, the Auckland Botanic Gardens and Pukekawa Auckland Domain.

14. This progress update on the capital work programmes and associated budgets pertains specifically to those for which the Regional Operations Business Unit holds responsibility and accountability.

Delegation for approval of changes to the work programme

15. The delivery of the capital work programme in an efficient and timely manner may require

amendments to be made to the agreed work programme during the year. Such amendments

could include:

· changes to project scope, budgets, timing

· addition of new projects within available budget

· cancelling or putting approved projects on hold.

16. Delegations to the General Manager of Parks and Community Facilities were approved by the PEP Committee on 25 July 2024 under resolution number PEPCC/2024/68, granting the authority to make amendments to the respective work programmes throughout the year. This delegation allows for greater flexibility in responding to evolving priorities and circumstances.

Project delivery confidence rating

17. The overall RAG (Red/Amber/Green) status in this report reflects the delivery confidence of each project and programme.

18. This assessment is based on input from project delivery teams, who evaluate their ability to achieve the agreed objectives and deliver the expected outcomes.

19. Factors considered in this evaluation include whether the project will be completed on time, within budget and in scope, while meeting quality standards and addressing any risks or issues that may arise.

· Red: A "Red" status indicates significant issues impacting delivery, constituting a critical problem or a significant deviation from the plan. Examples include substantial delays, budget overruns, or the emergence of critical risks.

· Amber: An "Amber" status indicates moderate deviations, with issues present but actively being managed. This may include minor delays, budget concerns, or emerging risks that could affect the project if not addressed.

· Green: A "Green" status indicates that the project is progressing as scheduled, within budget, and without significant issues.

· Grey: A "Grey" status indicates that the project has been cancelled or merged with other projects within the programme.

20. Staff are continuously monitoring and reviewing each project on a monthly basis, assessing key metrics, and making adjustments as needed to keep everything aligned with our overall goals.

Tātaritanga me ngā tohutohu

Analysis and advice

21. The Regional Operations Capital Work Programme is progressing well within the approved framework, and efforts are being made to address challenges as they arise.

22. Continued monitoring and proactive management of risks through the Risk Adjusted Programme (RAP) will ensure the programme remains on track to deliver the desired outcomes for the region.

Regional Parks, Farming, Auckland Botanic Gardens, Pukekawa Auckland Domain capital work programme overview

23. Below is a progress summary of each component of the capital work programme that the Regional Operations Business Unit holds responsibility and accountability over.

24. Each graph illustrates the work programme activity by RAG status (Red, Amber and Green), which measures the performance of each activity. They show the percentage of activities that are on track (Green), in progress with issues being managed (Amber) and those facing significant issues (Red).

Regional Parks

25. The Regional Parks programme represents one of the largest categories in terms of total capital investment, with a combined development and renewals budget of $7.1 million for the 2024/2025 financial year.

26. Overall, the work programme is progressing well, with 91 per cent assessed as Green, 5 per cent as Amber, 2 per cent as Red and 2 per cent as Grey.

Figure 1: Regional Parks work programme performance by RAG status

Auckland Botanic Gardens

27. The Auckland Botanic Gardens programme focuses on reinstating a covered events area in the courtyard and the renewal of assets, including the development of toilet facility, electrical infrastructure, security systems, paths and roads. It comprises of seventeen projects.

28. Overall, the work programme is progressing well, with 89 per cent assessed as Green, 6 per cent as Amber, and 5 per cent as Red.

Figure 2: Auckland Botanic Gardens work programme performance by RAG status

Farming

29. Farming activities occur across both regional and local parks, with a focus on the seasonal purchase of livestock (as required) and the renewal of machinery and infrastructure critical to business operations.

30. While farming represents the smallest category in both project count and value, comprising seven projects with a capital budget of $349,600, it remains an important part of the overall portfolio.

31. 100 per cent of the activities are on track, with overall progress assessed as Green, indicating a projected full delivery.

Figure 3: Farming work programme performance by RAG status

Pukekawa Auckland Domain

32. The Pukekawa Auckland Domain work programme includes significant investment for the remediation of storm-damaged tracks, the refurbishment of nursery glasshouses and the small-scale renewal of assets throughout the domain. It comprises of twelve projects.

33. One project within this programme, (ID 26339 Pukekawa / Auckland Domain - develop pathway connections), is fully funded by the Local Board Transport Capital Fund.

34. 100 per cent of the activities are on track, with overall progress assessed as Green, indicating a projected full delivery.

Figure 4: Pukekawa Auckland Domain work programme performance by RAG status

Overview of the Regional Parks, Farming, Auckland Botanic Gardens and Pukekawa Auckland Domain work programme performance

35. The key activity updates for the 2024/2025 work programme (Attachment A to the agenda report) are detailed in Table 2 below.

Table 2: Key activity updates for the 2024/2025 work programme

ID	Activity name	Key updates
ID 51492	Muriwai Regional Park (gannet track)	· To ensure safe public access during the high-use summer period, immediate remedial works were carried out. · As a result, access to the viewing points above the gannet nesting site was temporarily reopened on 20 December 2024. · While these measures have provided short-term solutions, it is acknowledged that further work is required to address the damage caused by the 2023 storm events. · A renewed temporary closure of the track will be necessary after the gannets migrate in 2025 to allow for the completion of the required renewal works at the Maukatia Gannet Track.
ID 26637	Waitākere Ranges Regional Park (Buck Taylor Track and Zion Hill Track)	· The track renewals at lower Buck Taylor Track and Zion Hill are currently underway, with physical works scheduled for completion by May 2025. · These track renewals are part of the kauri dieback asset renewals programme and are being funded through the Natural Environment Targeted Rate (NETR).
ID 48156	Shakespear Regional Park (Shakespear Open Sanctuary)	The contract for the renewal of the predator-proof fences has been awarded, with physical works expected to commence in February 2025.
ID 24070	Shakespear Regional Park - renew potable and farm water lines	Physical works have been completed in collaboration with Healthy Waters and Flood Resilience.
ID 46925	Muriwai Regional Park (Jack Butt Lane)	The renewal of the road has been completed, with practical completion achieved in December 2024.
ID 18764	Glenfern Sanctuary Regional Park (Great Barrier Island) – renew vehicle and pedestrian ford	· Resource consent has been lodged, and logistics for the delivery of materials are currently being planned. · A site visit revealed that materials will need to be barged in and then transported to the site. · Additionally, the bridge components are being manufactured, with physical works scheduled to begin in March 2025.
ID 44431	Wenderholm Regional Park (Couldrey House)	Remediation of the Couldrey House boardwalk track was completed in 2024.
ID 36694	Auckland Botanic Gardens	The renewal of the pest plant management and the four biocontrol shade house facilities was completed in December 2024.
ID 36653	Auckland Botanic Gardens	The renewal of sections of the desert path at the Potters Children's Garden was completed in December 2024.
ID 19974	Auckland Botanic Gardens - renew electrical transformer	· The approved scope of works, which specifically included the replacement of the switchboard and transformer, has been completed. · However, additional works were identified to address non-compliant electrical systems at the nursery and northern depot, necessitating an increase in the budget to ensure compliance with regulations. The additional scope of works includes: - Installation of a new submain from the nursery to the new switchboard. - Supply and installation of a replacement distribution board at the nursery. · Staff are awaiting a report and recommendations from both the contractor and consultant. The additional work is necessary to bring the electrical connections from the switchboard to the distribution board into compliance with New Zealand regulations, as the current setup does not meet required standards.

36. There are 92 activities with a Green RAG status, five activities with an Amber RAG status, one activity with a Red RAG status, and three activities with a Grey RAG status. Activities that have moderate or significant impacts are discussed in Table 3 below.

Table 3: Regional Parks, Farming, Auckland Botanic Gardens, Pukekawa Auckland Domain activities with moderate or significant impact.

ID		Activity Name	RAG Status		Activity Status		Explanation	Mitigation
16093	Auckland Botanic Gardens - replace covered events area in courtyard			Red		In progress	The project schedule is being impacted due to a delay in building consent approval. The imported glasshouse lacks the necessary compliance documentation, and the procured glasshouse must undergo a verification process to meet building consent requirements.		Staff are actively managing the situation and working closely with the building consent department to resolve the issue as efficiently as possible.
20422	Auckland Botanic Gardens – install additional toilet facility in the courtyard			Amber		On Hold	The project is on hold due to interdependencies with (ID 16093 Botanic Gardens - Replace Covered Events Area in Courtyard). Work cannot proceed until the completion of the courtyard structure, as the new toilet facility installation is part of Phase 2 of the overall courtyard project.		No current mitigations as the project is dependent on activity ID 16093.
20526	Waitākere Ranges Regional Park - renew carpark and arrival area (Kakamatua Inlet and Upper Nihotupu)			Amber		On Hold	The project has faced challenges in progressing as planned this financial year. During the resource consent process, we received valuable feedback from various groups and stakeholders, expressing concerns about the proposed increase in the area size and the potential land management risks.		We are carefully considering these concerns and working collaboratively to address them in a thoughtful and responsible manner. In response to Section 92 of the Resource Management Act, the Regional Parks team is implementing short-term measures, such as planting scheduled between June and August, funded through the Regional Vegetation programme and installation of fencing, to better manage the activity. To mitigate the risk of under delivery, we will use the Risk Adjusted Programme (RAP), allowing us to potentially advance another project or reallocate funds to address budget shortfalls on other priority initiatives in the coming months.
19187	Waitākere Ranges Regional Park - install Taitomo Island track			Amber		On Hold	The estimated cost for this project is $1.2million, with funding subject to allocation in future years. The previous resource consent application has been withdrawn due to exceeding the application timeframe and design changes resulting from slips and landslides in the area. A new application is now required. Additionally, access from Piha is currently restricted to walking around the rocks at low tide to connect to the future Taitomo (The Gap) track, as the Tasman Lookout track was damaged in the January 2023 storm.		Capital investment for the development of a new track at Taitomo Island will be considered in the future work programme.
24418	Waitākere Ranges Regional Park - Pipeline to Parau Track Bridge Renewal			Amber		On Hold	The 2024/2025 budget is insufficient to fully deliver the desired outcomes for this project. However, the project is shovel-ready, with a building consent exemption granted. Additionally, a blanket resource consent for the Kauri Dieback track renewals can be used to undertake the activity.		Additional funding requirements are currently being explored for the current financial year to support the commencement of physical works. This could potentially be mitigated through cost savings from other projects.
26225	Regional Parks - renew interpretive signage FY25-FY26			Grey		Merged	This activity line has been cancelled and merged with (ID 26223 Regional Parks - Renew Interpretive Signage) for ease of reporting purposes.
26225	Regional Parks - renew interpretive signage FY25-FY26			Grey		Merged	This activity line has been cancelled and merged with (ID 26223 Regional Parks - Renew Interpretive Signage) for ease of reporting purposes.
17099	Regional Parks Waitakere Ranges Regional Park - renew Lower Buck Taylor track			Grey		Cancelled	This activity line has been cancelled, as the track renewal at Lower Buck Taylor is being delivered under (ID 26637 Kauri Dieback Infrastructure - Regional Parks CAPEX).		The project forms part of the kauri dieback asset renewals programme and is being funded through the Natural Environment Targeted Rate (NETR). The approved budget of $100,563 for 2024/2025 (Activity ID 17099) will be reallocated to the next priority project to address any budget shortfalls. An update on the identified project list will be included in the next progress report.

Tauākī whakaaweawe āhuarangi

Climate impact statement

37. In June 2019 Auckland Council declared a climate emergency and in response to this the council adopted the Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Plan in July 2020.

38. Each activity in the work programme is assessed to identify whether it will have a positive, neutral or negative impact on greenhouse gas emissions and contributing towards climate change adaptation.

39. To deliver on climate goals, Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri includes eight priorities for action:

· natural environment

· built environment

· transport

· economy

· communities and coast

· food

· Te Puāwaitanga ō te Tātai

· energy and industry.

40. Many of the activities in the 2024/2025 work programme will have impacts on greenhouse gas emissions and contribute towards climate change adaptation. The sorts of impacts to be considered include:

· maximum upcycling and recycling of old material

· installation of energy efficiency measures

· building design to ensure the maximum lifetime and efficiency of the building is obtained

· lifecycle impacts of construction materials (embodied emissions)

· exposure of building location to climate change hazards (sea level rise, flooding (floodplains), drought, heat island effect)

· anticipated increase in carbon emissions from construction, including contractor emissions

· lifecycle impacts of construction materials.

41. These impacts will be considered as projects progress and will be reported at future reporting opportunities.

Ngā whakaaweawe me ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera

Council group impacts and views

42. When developing the work programmes council group impacts and views are presented to the Committee. This report informs the Parks Committee of the performance for the half year ending 31 December 2024.

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

Local impacts and local board views

43. Several local boards provided feedback during the development of the Regional Parks Management Plan (RPMP). Specifically, eleven local boards took the opportunity to present submissions during the hearings process prior to its approval in 2022. The RPMP informs the priorities and direction of the Regional Parks Work Programme.

44. Within the Farming Work Programme, where activities occur within local parks over which local boards have governance, staff engage with the relevant local boards on any changes to programmes.

Tauākī whakaaweawe Māori

Māori impact statement

45. Auckland Council is committed to meeting its responsibilities under Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its broader obligations to Māori.

46. These commitments are articulated in the council’s key strategic planning documents, the Auckland Plan, the Long-term Plan 2024-2034, the Auckland Unitary Plan, Whiria Te Muka Tangata Māori Responsiveness Framework, Kia Ora Tāmaki Makaurau - Māori Outcomes Performance Measurement Framework and Regional Parks Management Plan.

47. The Auckland Plan’s focus on Māori culture and identity is encapsulated in the outcome “Māori Identity and Wellbeing”.

48. Kia Ora Tāmaki Makaurau, council’s Māori outcomes performance measurement framework, captures the majority of council’s Māori outcome strategy and planning. The framework responds to the needs and aspirations Māori in Tāmaki Makaurau, both mana whenua and mataawaka, have identified as mattering most for them.

49. Staff engage with Māori on the Regional Operations Capital Work Programme at the project level. However, when the wider Draft Regional Work Programme (RWP) was presented to the Planning, Environment and Parks Committee on 3 August 2023, Houkura Member Henare responded by asking what engagement had taken place on the RWP at the programming level to provide an opportunity for mana whenua to offer feedback on the full scope of the programme and/or highlight areas of particular interest to iwi.

50. In response to this request, staff presented an overview of the Regional Work Programme and its associated workstreams at the Community Mana Whenua Forum in August. The iwi representatives acknowledged the presentation and recognised the scale of the Regional Work Programme. They subsequently requested a follow-up workshop, which was held in December 2024 on the work programmes they were interested in, which are Regional Parks, Farming and Cemeteries.

51. Discussion continues and staff will meet the Forum again in March 2025 to further discuss and develop a plan and to delve into greater detail regarding these three specific workstreams of interest.

Ngā ritenga ā-pūtea

Financial implications

52. and performance in delivering the 2024/2025 capital work programme.

53. For this reporting period, the work programme does not have significant financial implications, unless projects experience a substantial overspend or underspend.

54. Table 4 outlines the financial performance of capital projects against the respective work programmes for this reporting period, as at 31 December 2024. It details the number of projects and the remaining budget to be spent by the end of the financial year, 30 June 2025.

Table 4: 2024/2025 regional summary of projects.

Programme	Number of projects	Baseline budget ($m)	Year To Date actual spend ($m)	Commitments ($m)
Regional Operations Projects Portfolio	101	$11.8m	$3m	$3.1m
This comprises:
Regional Parks	65	$7.1m	$1.7m	$1.3m
Botanic Gardens	17	$2.6m	$0.9m	$0.7m
Farming	7	$0.3m	$0.1m	$0.03m
Pukekawa Auckland Domain	12	$1.8m	$0.3m	$0.9m

Ngā raru tūpono me ngā whakamaurutanga

Risks and mitigations

55. While the risk of non-delivery for the entire work programme is low, the likelihood of risks associated with individual activities can vary.

56. Capital projects, in particular, are more susceptible to risk, as their on time and on budget delivery depends on factors such as weather conditions, regulatory approvals (including building consent and resource consent), and market conditions.

57. The approved Customer and Community Services capex work programme include projects identified as part of the Risk Adjusted Programme (RAP). These are projects that the community facilities delivery team will progress, if possible, in advance of the programmed delivery year.

58. This flexibility in delivery timing will help to achieve 100 per cent financial delivery for the 2024/25 financial year if projects intended for delivery in this year are delayed due to unforeseen circumstances.

59. Information about any significant risks and how they are being managed and/or mitigated is addressed in the ‘Activities with significant issues’ section.

Ngā koringa ā-muri

Next steps

60. Over the coming months, staff will continue to closely monitor and address any delays in regulatory approvals for key projects, particularly the Auckland Botanic Gardens covered events area (ID 16093) and the courtyard amenity block (ID 20422).

61. Staff will actively engage with regulatory authorities to help expedite approval processes, ensuring that delays are minimised as much as possible.

62. As the projects progress, staff will reassess timelines and budgets regularly to ensure they remain aligned with current realities and available resources.

63. Staff will work closely with contractors and suppliers to mitigate any potential disruptions in the supply chain and address resource shortages proactively.

64. A detailed update on progress, along with any adjustments to timelines or budgets, will be provided to the committee in the next reporting period.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇨	Botanic Gardens, Regional Parks, Farming, Pukekawa - Q2 Report to Parks Committee

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author

Linda Pillay - Manager Area Operations

Authorisers

Rachel Kelleher - Director Community

Taryn Crewe - General Manager Parks and Community Facilities

No.	Title	Page
a ⇨	Te Ara Hura 2027 Parks and Community Facilities maintenance contracts memorandum

Parks Committee

25 February 2025

Regional Parks - Financial Year 2024/2025 quarter two operations performance update

File No.: CP2025/00247

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To provide the Parks Committee with the Regional Parks operations performance update for financial year 2024/2025 quarter two, 1 October – 31 December 2024.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. The Parks Committee received the Regional Parks Implementation Plan 2024/2025 at its meeting in October 2024. This plan outlined the programmes and projects that were planned to be delivered in financial year 2024/2025 to support the specific management intentions outlined in the Regional Parks Management Plan 2022 (RPMP).

3. The Regional Parks operations performance update (Attachment A) provides an overview of the following topics:

· increasing visitor numbers and an overview of accommodation use at Regional Parks,

· track management and re-opening following the impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle,

· planning the delivery of the NETR (Natural Environment Targeted Rate) programme,

· successes in managing threatened species in the open sanctuaries,

· events and activities being delivered at the Arataki Visitor Centre,

· farming operations,

· asset management and business improvement projects.

4. Progress in implementing the Regional Parks operations work programme is on track.

5. The next performance update for financial year 2024/2025 quarter three will be provided to the Parks Committee at the April 2025 meeting.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Parks Committee:

a) whiwhi / receive the Regional Parks operations work programme performance update for financial year 2024/2025 quarter two, 1 October – 31 December 2024 (Attachment A to this agenda report).

b) tuhi / note that the Regional Parks operations work programme update for financial year 2024/2025 quarter three will be provided to the Parks Committee in April 2025.

Horopaki

Context

6. The Parks Committee received the Regional Parks Implementation Plan 2024/2025 at its meeting in October 2024. This plan outlined the programmes and projects that were planned to be delivered in financial year 2024/2025.

7. The overall Regional Parks work programme includes a mix of ongoing ‘business as usual’ work and new projects to support the specific management intentions outlined in the Regional Parks Management Plan 2022 (RPMP).

8. Regional Parks operational performance and progress implementing the RPMP actions is detailed in Attachment A.

Tātaritanga me ngā tohutohu

9. Analysis and adviceThe Regional Parks operations performance update (Attachment A) provides details on the following topics:

· increasing visitor numbers and an overview of accommodation use in Regional Parks

· track management and re-opening following the impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle

· planning the delivery of the NETR (Natural Environment Targeted Rate) programme

· successes in managing threatened species in the open sanctuaries

· events and activities being delivered at the Arataki Visitor Centre

· farming operations

· asset management and business improvement projects.

10. Some of the activities highlighted in the operations performance update include:

· Green Flag Awards - Ātiu Creek, Ōmana, Arataki Visitor Centre and Hūnua West regional parks received awards in October 2024 for the first time from Recreation Aotearoa.

· Water supply infrastructure improvements - capex works at Long Bay and Tāwharanui Regional Parks were completed in September 2024.

· Hihi (stitchbird) released at Shakespear Regional Park – forty birds were released in May 2024 and are successfully breeding. Chicks from the first release were banded in October 2024 and continue to thrive.

· Hūnua Falls bridge replacement and the upgrade of the Massey Track - were completed in August 2024, creating a high quality 9km track for visitors to enjoy.

· Whale strandings at Muriwai and Pararaha - staff assistance in October/November 2024 received high praise from iwi and Department of Conservation (DoC) for their actions.

· Takapu / gannet viewing area at Muriwai - temporary summer access to the viewing area established in December 2024.

· Friends of Arataki Kids Day – 1800 people attended this event held in October 2024.

· Natural Environment Targeted Rate (NETR) programme - focused on improved financial and progress reporting and the completion of Project Execution Plans for the $6 million of funding available in financial year 2024/2025.

· Regional Parks Implementation Plan 2024/2025 – was presented to the Parks Committee in October 2024 and distributed to local boards in November 2024.

Tauākī whakaaweawe āhuarangi

Climate impact statement

11. The risk of fire over the summer period is high and can have a devastating impact on parks and surrounding communities. A new Regional Parks Fire Risk Reduction Network Plan has been prepared and four park-specific response plans have been completed to date. Further park-specific plans are being drafted for priority locations.

12. A number of the initiatives being carried out on parkland support increased resilience to climate related impacts, such as improved water supply, installation of solar solutions and pest management to support healthy ecosystems.

Ngā whakaaweawe me ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera

Council group impacts and views

13. The Regional Parks Management Plan (RPMP) requires input from teams across the council group to deliver services on Regional Parks. To better deliver on the outcomes of the RPMP, Regional Parks staff are working alongside other teams to share skills and deliver relationships that will support the outcomes of the plan.

14. Staff also regularly liaise with Area Operations staff on the delivery of Full Facilities Maintenance (FFM) contracts associated with mowing, rubbish removal, servicing of infrastructure etc.

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

Local impacts and local board views

15. The RPMP 2024/2025 Implementation Plan was distributed to all local boards in December 2024. Regional Parks staff met with Waitākere Local Board member Sandra Coney in mid-December to clarify questions on the Implementation Plan and the current work programme.

16. A workshop with the Franklin Local Board to discuss the Implementation Plan is scheduled in March 2025, which will provide another opportunity to discuss in more detail the proposed actions and respond to any questions the local board may have regarding specific activities planned for the regional parks within the Franklin Local Board area.

Tauākī whakaaweawe Māori

Māori impact statement

Delivering outcomes for and with Māori

17. Council is committed to strengthening partnerships and working with mana whenua on opportunities for greater involvement in park management. Engagement is generally project-based and park-specific such as the Hunua pest management, kauri protection, species releases and track reopening programmes.

18. Staff continue to work closely with Te Kawerau ā Maki on managing the track re-opening programme in the Waitākere Ranges, in addition to work associated with developing the Deed of Acknowledgement between Auckland Council and Te Kawerau, as provided for under the Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area Act.

Ngā ritenga ā-pūtea

Financial implications

19. The Regional Parks work programme delivered during financial year 2024/2025 quarter two (October-December 2024) is within the allocated operating budget.

20. The Parks and Community Facilities – Regional Operations Capital Work Programme 2024-2025 update report includes an overview of Regional Parks performance to date. This report will be presented to the Parks Committee on 25 February 2025.

Ngā raru tūpono me ngā whakamaurutanga

Risks and mitigations

21. Identified risks and mitigation actions are detailed in the table below:

Risk	Mitigation
Delays in capex project delivery	Ensure the project planning and investigation phase is completed at the initial stage. Work closely with project managers to monitor all stages of delivery and identify potential delays early in the process.
Increased costs, shortages of labour and materials, leading to higher project costs Delays in obtaining resource consent to enable a project to proceed	Manage increased costs and other delays using the Risk Adjusted Programme (RAP) process to potentially advance another project or reallocate funds to address budget shortfalls on other priority initiatives.
Inability to progress a project due to external factors / processes that must be completed first.	Continue to liaise with external parties to work towards solutions and remove barriers and identify a way forward. Re-prioritise projects to enable other priority initiatives to proceed.

Ngā koringa ā-muri

Next steps

22. The focus for financial year 2024/2025 quarter three will be on continuing to implement the operational work programme and the approved capex work programme projects.

23. The Parks Committee will receive the next Regional Parks work programme performance update for quarter three (January – March 2025), at the April committee meeting.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇨	Regional Parks - Operations performance update Q2 2024-2025 - Presentation

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author

Scott De Silva - Manager Regional Parks, Parks and Community Facilities

Authorisers

Rachel Kelleher - Director Community

Taryn Crewe - General Manager Parks and Community Facilities

Parks Committee

25 February 2025

Draft Regional Capital Investment Programme for Regional Parks, Farming and Auckland Botanic Gardens for financial years 2026-2028

File No.: CP2025/00263

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To seek feedback on and endorsement of the Draft Regional Capital Investment Work Programme for Regional Parks, Farming and the Auckland Botanic Gardens for financial years 2025/2026, 2026/2027 and 2027/2028.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. Changes to Auckland Council’s committee structure in August 2024 resulted in the formation of the Parks Committee and the Community Committee.

3. The Community Committee has decision-making authority for regionally-funded investment in activities within the Regional Capital Investment Work Programme (RWP). Of these, three work programme components fall within the areas of interest of the Parks Committee. These are Regional Parks, Farming and the Auckland Botanic Gardens.

4. This report’s focus is on the components of the Draft Regional Capital Investment Work Programme (Draft RWP) that form the Regional Parks, Farming and the Auckland Botanic Gardens work programmes for financial years 2025/2026, 2026/2027 and 2027/2028.

5. The three work programmes, detailed in Attachment A, are presented to the Parks Committee for feedback and endorsement. Views of the committee will be incorporated when staff workshop the Draft RWP with the Community Committee on 19 March 2025.

6. The proposed capital budget for Regional Parks, Farming and the Auckland Botanic Gardens amounts to $9,699,894 in financial year 2025/2026. For subsequent years the combined budgets amount to $10,480,830 (2026/2027) and $9,543,000 (2027/2028).

7. The emphasis for expenditure to date has been on renewing assets in poor condition so that they are fit for public use and in completing existing projects before large, new projects are started. Staff have proposed continuation of this approach in the Draft RWP.

8. Following engagement with the Parks Committee, staff will respond to and include any feedback from the committee at the Community Committee workshop in March 2025. Staff will then finalise the RWP for approval by the Community Committee in July 2025.

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Parks Committee:

a) ohia / endorse the direction and priorities within the regionally-funded capital investment work programmes for Regional Parks, Farming and the Auckland Botanic Gardens for financial years 2025/2026, 2026/2027 and 2027/2028

b) tuhi tīpoka / note that feedback from the Parks Committee on the work programmes should be provided by Tuesday, 11 March 2025, for consideration by the Community Committee at a workshop on 19 March 2025.

Horopaki

Context

9. The regionally-funded, capital investment work programmes approved for delivery during the 2024/2025 financial year are:

· Regional Renewals and Development, which includes work programmes for Regional Parks, Farming, Auckland Botanic Gardens, Pukekawa Auckland Domain and Cemeteries

· Commercial and Residential Leases

· Slips Prevention and Remediation

· Local Parks and Sports Field Development (Growth)

· Seismic Strengthening

· Public Art

10. Discrete Projects.On 25 July 2024, the former Planning, Environment and Parks (PEP) Committee approved the programmes and associated budgets for Regional Parks, Farming and the Auckland Botanic Gardens for financial year 2024/2025, and in principle for financial years 2025/2026 and 2026/2027. The budgets are set out in Table 1 below.

Table 1: Current three-year work programme expenditure

Programme	2024/2025 Approved	2025/2026 Approved in-principle	2026/2027 Approved in-principle
· Regional Parks	$5,131,656	$8,205,630	$14,428,830
· Farming	$155,000	$165,000	$250,000
· Auckland Botanic Gardens	$2,249,519	$1,695,000	$1,940,000
	$7,536,175	$10,065,630	$16,618,830

11. Since changes to the Governing Body Terms of Reference in August 2024, decision-making for the RWP sits within the remit of the Community Committee.

12. Staff will present the Draft RWP to the Community Committee in July 2025, following a workshop in March. Recommendations will include approval of the programme for the 2025/2026 financial year, and approval in-principle of the programmes for the 2026/2027 and 2027/2028 financial years.

13. However, activities within the Regional Parks, Farming and the Auckland Botanic Gardens draft work programmes, which form part of the Draft RWP, fall within the specific interest areas of the Parks Committee. Attachment A sets out these activities proposed for the 2025/2026, 2026/2027 and 2027/2028 financial years.

14. Staff welcome feedback from the committee by way of resolution on these three programmes. The feedback will be incorporated into the material that is presented to the Community Committee when the complete RWP is presented for approval (2025/2026) and approval in principle (2026/2027 and 2027/2028).

15. Following prior feedback from the Independent Māori Statutory Board (Houkura), staff are working with mana whenua on the Draft RWP at the programming level. Collaboration on the Draft RWP development is not intended to detract from, or replace, ongoing engagement and consultation with mana whenua on specific projects.

16. Because some activities are delivered in local parks or affect local assets, staff also seek feedback from local boards on some components of the Draft RWP. For example, most farming activities occur on regional parks, but there are some operations on local parks. Local boards are encouraged to provide feedback on the farming activities on local parks in their areas.

Tātaritanga me ngā tohutohu

Analysis and advice

Investment approach –Regional Capital Investment Work Programme.

17. As in the current year’s RWP, the Draft RWP includes a large proportion of renewals work which is needed to bring assets up to acceptable condition and levels of service. Staff continue to assess and prioritise work on assets in poor or critical condition, and/or which could potentially lead to health and safety issues or asset failure.

18. The council’s Long-term Plan 2024-2034 (LTP) capital investment principles are:

19. Work to address assets affected by the 2023 storms is included in the assessment of asset condition, and subsequent prioritisation of renewals and upgrades.

Applying the investment approach to Regional Parks, Farming and the Auckland Botanic Gardens draft work programmes.

20. In some cases, there are other factors unique to particular work programme components that staff take into account when developing the Draft RWP.

21. For example, in each of the three work programme activity areas there are opportunities to generate revenue. Therefore, appropriate investment is proposed to upgrade or develop new assets that attract visitors or contribute to revenue generation. Examples of this are the conference facilities at the Auckland Botanic Gardens or holiday accommodation on regional parks.

22. In implementing the Regional Parks Management Plan, staff also propose investment in regional park operations and/or in work that will improve park visitors’ experience, such as:

· renewal of the Arataki depot which may involve its relocation due to storm damage and land stability issues

· replacement of the Ambury Park workshop and associated animal facilities

· provision of toilets at the Pacific Road carpark at Te Arai Regional Park and developing a car park and access tracks to the beach.

23. The proposed capital investment in Regional Parks, Farming and the Auckland Botanic Gardens through the RWP will amount to $9,699,894 for financial year 2025/2026. A summary of proposed investment in set out in Table 2.

Table 2: Proposed allocation for the next three financial years

Regional Operations programme budget and allocation (including farming)	2025/2026 ($)	2026/2027 ($)	2027/2028 ($)
Regional Park Renewals CAPEX - Budget
CAPEX - Proposed Allocation - Regional Parks	2,785,387	3,605,830	1,368,000
CAPEX - Proposed Allocation - Farming	50,000	250,000	150,000
CAPEX - Proposed Allocation - Botanic Gardens	2,076,489	810,000	1,295,000
Total proposed allocation	4,911,874	4,665,830	2,813,000

Regional Park Development CAPEX – Budget
CAPEX - Proposed Allocation - Regional Parks	4,473,020	5,315,000	5,580,000
CAPEX - Proposed Allocation - Farming	165,000	50,000	0
CAPEX - Proposed Allocation - Botanic Gardens	150,000	450,000	1,150,000
Total proposed allocation	4,788,020	5,815,000	6,730,000

Regional Parks, Farming and the Auckland Botanic Gardens work programmes for financial years 2025/2026, 2026/2027 and 2027/2028.

Draft Regional Parks work programme

24. The Draft Regional Parks work programme is guided by:

· over-arching policies in the 2022 Regional Parks Management Plan (RPMP)

· activities in the Draft RWP for financial years 2025/2026 and 2026/2027, approved in-principle by PEP in July 2024

· sections 4 and 5 of the Regional Parks Implementation Plan, which was presented to the Parks Committee on 22 October 2024.

Key focus areas

25. The Regional Parks work programme focuses on renewing and upgrading assets, including addressing assets damaged in the 2023 storms that are considered necessary to provide services and access for the community.

26. In particular, Regional Parks staff have assessed damage to the track network and evaluated the cost and service needs in order to prioritise track renewals work. Based on this analysis, staff have classified track renewals into three categories of high, medium and low priority.

27. Staff have also reviewed all proposed new projects for the Regional Parks programme, and prioritised work that mitigates operational risk, including health and safety risk to the public. Some work is proposed to be delayed as a consequence:

· for Mahurangi East investigation and design work will start for the new park land, but physical works will be deferred until other regional priorities are implemented, and

· construction of the new track on Taitomo Island is proposed for 2028/2029, once the connecting track is upgraded.

28. Staff propose major investment over the next three years in several regional parks. These are Muriwai, Te Arai and Waitākere Ranges (the Arataki Depot, Piha and Pararaha), including building new infrastructure, upgrading existing facilities and renewing existing tracks.

29. Staff will also continue to progress projects already underway. These include the Tapapakanga Regional Park toilet block, replacing the roof of Fitzroy House in Glenfern Sanctuary Regional Park, and addressing storm damage at Wenderholm Regional Park and across other parks.

30. Ongoing renewals work will focus on replacing predator-proof fencing where required, purchasing all terrain utility vehicles, and generally renewing fittings, fixtures, equipment and machinery across the Regional Parks network.

Farming work programme

31. Work in the draft Farming work programme will include ongoing renewal of fencing, plant and machinery, and purchasing livestock (as required) each year.

Key focus areas

32. Staff propose to renew the stockyards at Atiu Creek and Mahurangi Regional Parks in 2025/2026, and reclad the shearing shed at Te Rau Puriri Regional Park in 2026/2027.

Auckland Botanic Gardens work programme

33. The draft work programme for the Auckland Botanic Gardens is guided by the Auckland Botanic Gardens Management Plan 2001 and the approved-in-principle work programmes for financial years 2025/2026 and 2026/2027.

Key focus areas

34. Major investment is proposed for the next three years to:

· replace the covered courtyard structure which remains a priority for the Auckland Botanic Gardens work programme, as it will provide future revenue.

· staff are looking at options to provide bathrooms closer to the function centre and introduce hard landscaping around it to make it as attractive as possible to future hirers

· continue the renewal of Auckland Botanic Gardens fixtures, fittings, paths, park roads, interpretative equipment and signage, and irrigation and water features.

Renewals and development expenditure

35. Across the Regional Parks, Farming and the Auckland Botanic Gardens programmes, the majority of investment is in renewals which aligns with the principles adopted in the LTP and the Strategic Asset Management Plan (SAMP).

36. Budgeting envelopes for the RWP are set by the Governing Body through the LTP. As outlined above, there are two types of capital investment:

· Renewals investment, driven from asset condition data and the need to ensure service levels are maintained where required, and

· Development investment to develop projects that meet strategic and legislative objectives.

37. Staff apply budgets from the two funds depending on whether the projects are renewal or development focused. Some projects may be funded from both sources if they involve a combination of renewal and development work.

Tauākī whakaaweawe āhuarangi

Climate impact statement

38. In providing asset-based services, the council contributes most of its operational greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through its facilities and infrastructure.

39. Property, in particular tracks and structures located near coastlines, will be adversely affected by climate change. The Draft RWP includes actions, consistent with Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri to halve the council’s operational GHG emissions by 2030, and to adapt to a changing climate.

40. Actions include reducing operational GHG emissions through improving the efficiency of facilities, investing in renewable energy, and adopting the Sustainable Asset Policy.

41. Tree planting programmes implemented across the region help to mitigate GHG emissions and improve climate resilience. Tree planting includes transitioning unproductive farmland on regional parks to permanent native forest and undertaking ecological restoration projects with community groups.

42. Increasingly, staff are building climate change considerations into investment decision-making, planning, and corporate policies and asset management planning. This work is undertaken collaboratively across directorates. A good example of this is the way in which staff in the Community Directorate, in particular Parks and Community Facilities staff, work with Resilience and Infrastructure Directorate staff on the Coastal Renewals Programme.

43. For Regional Parks, chapter nine of the RPMP outlines the council’s response to embedding climate adaptation and mitigation in relation to management of Regional Parks. In terms of adaptation, there are approaches outlined in the plan that respond to:

· coastal hazards, inundation and sea level rise

· sustainable asset, water and energy management

· fire management.

44. The way that the above activities are being addressed is outlined in the Regional Parks Management Plan - 2024-2025 Implementation Plan on which staff reported to the Parks Committee on 22 October 2024 (PCCCC/2024/5).

Ngā whakaaweawe me ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera

Council group impacts and views

45. Input from a number of teams across the council group is required to deliver activities and services on Regional Parks. For example, Regional Parks staff regularly collaborate with staff in Heritage, Environmental Services, Parks and Community Facilities, Watercare Services Limited, Auckland Transport and Tātaki Auckland Unlimited to ensure the specific actions and management intentions within the RPMP are reflected in the relevant work programmes.

46. In early 2025, Regional Parks staff will engage with council’s Heritage unit. They will discuss ways to increase involvement in actively prioritising the protection of significant cultural heritage sites across the Regional Parks network.

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

Local impacts and local board views

47. Many local boards provided feedback during the development of the Regional Parks Management Plan. Eleven local boards took the opportunity to present submissions during the hearings process, prior to its approval in 2022. The RPMP informs the priorities and direction of the Regional Parks work programme.

48. A small amount of farming activity occurs on local parks over which local boards have governance. The parks include Churchill Park and Taurere / Mt Taylor in the Ōrākei Local Board area, and Green Road Reserve in the Rodney Local Board area. If there are changes to operations on these parks, staff will work with the relevant local boards.

49. In developing the RWP, staff participated in local board workshops held in October 2024. Staff will respond to local board questions and priority requests on regionally-funded activities in March 2025.

50. An opportunity will be made available for local boards to have further input and provide formal feedback on the wider Draft RWP. This will be done before the RWP is presented to the Community Committee for approval in July 2025.

Tauākī whakaaweawe Māori

Māori impact statement

51. The council is committed to strengthening partnerships and taking opportunities to work with mana whenua. Staff have initiated moving towards greater partnering in programme development. Staff engage with mana whenua at the project and operational level, and will continue to do so.

52. Staff met with the Mana Whenua Forum on 11 September and 10 December 2024 and plan to meet in early 2025 to further discuss Regional Parks, Farming and Cemeteries programming. Korero has established where the forum members’ interests lie and the outcomes they are seeking.

53. One objective is to develop a framework to engage effectively with mana whenua over the long term. Developing an agreed approach should enable mana whenua aspirations to be considered across the relevant work programmes.

54. Staff from the Advisory Unit in the Executive Office Community, the Parks and Community Facilities Department and the Māori Outcomes team are working collaboratively to develop this framework. This is being done by identifying what initiatives or projects are currently underway on parks involving mana whenua and acknowledging successful examples as a way forward.

Ngā ritenga ā-pūtea

Financial implications

55. Activities in the Regional Parks, Farming and the Auckland Botanic Gardens work programmes for financial year 2024/2025 are being delivered within the allocated operating budget approved by the Planning, Environment and Parks Committee on 25 July 2024 (resolution PEPCC/2024/68).

56. The capex budgets for the three work programmes shown for the next three financial years (2025/2026, 2026/2027 and 2027/2028) are provided for indicative purposes only and are subject to further review over the next four months and will be approved through the annual plan process.

57. The Regional Parks programme also includes some projects funded by the Natural Environment Targeted Rate.

Ngā raru tūpono me ngā whakamaurutanga

Risks and mitigations

58. Increasing costs in the construction sector, and the need to address storm and flood damage from 2023, continues to have budget and resource implications. Staff continue to work with the council’s insurance team to progress assessments to determine final insurance pay-outs for damaged assets.

59. Staff identify some projects as part of the Risk Adjusted Programme (RAP). This enables RAP-approved projects to be brought forward and started early to financially offset unanticipated delays on other projects. It ensures delivery of capital works projects in a timely way, maximising budget availability and staff resource, while ensuring assets are maintained in suitable condition for use.

60. While further reprioritisation of projects may be required, staff believe that the proposed work programme can be delivered within existing resources. Staff will continue to work closely with contractors and suppliers to optimise delivery and manage any risks should they arise. Progress will be monitored throughout the year.

61. Changes to budget envelopes are possible as annual budget discussions take place in the months leading up to adoption of the Annual Budget in June 2025. Staff will ensure that work programmes are amended accordingly and will provide the relevant advice to the Community Committee for its consideration when the Draft RWP is presented for approval in July 2025.

Ngā koringa ā-muri

Next steps

62. Staff will respond to and include any feedback from the Parks Committee at the Community Committee workshop in March 2025.

63. Staff will then finalise the RWP for approval by the Community Committee in July 2025.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇨	Draft Regional Parks, Farming and Auckland Botanic Gardens Work Programmes 25-28

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author

Suzanne Weld - Principal Integration Specialist

Authorisers

Sam Sinton - Executive Officer Community

Rachel Kelleher - Director Community

Taryn Crewe - General Manager Parks and Community Facilities

Parks Committee

25 February 2025

Rainforest Express - Waitākere Ranges Regional Park - investigation into approval process required for a third party to restore the Rainforest Express.

File No.: CP2025/01138

Te take mō te pūrongo

Purpose of the report

1. To detail the approval process required for a third party to restore the Rainforest Express on the Nihotupu tramline in the Waitākere Ranges Regional Park for recreational use.

Whakarāpopototanga matua

Executive summary

2. On 10 December 2024, the Policy and Planning Committee received a public deputation on behalf of the Economy of Advanced Technologies (EAT) regarding re-establishment of the Rainforest Express. The deputation was verbal and two main requests were made:

i. to undertake a new risk assessment to replace the existing 2014 risk assessment, and

ii. that the Policy and Planning Committee provide a letter to Watercare Services Limited (Watercare) providing consent as described in clause 7.2(e) of the Catchment Agreement.

3. The Policy and Planning Committee resolved to (PEPCC/2024/126):

a) whiwhi / receive the public input from Christopher Lock and Harvey Stewart from the Economy of Advanced Technologies regarding re-establishing the Rainforest Express

b) refer the presentation to the Director Community and request they provide a report to the Parks Committee at its first meeting of 2025 on options for enabling the re-establishment of the Rainforest Express.

4. This report has been prepared to satisfy resolution b) above and details the approval process required for a third party to restore the Rainforest Express for recreational use.

5. Two tramlines were used from 1907/1908 to build and maintain the dam and water pipeline at the Upper Nihotupu Reservoir, in the Waitākere Ranges. They were also operated for recreational use as the “Rainforest Express” until May 2013.

6. The tramline assets are currently owned by Watercare, and a licence is in place between Auckland Council (licensor) and the Watercare (licensee) for the footprint of the tramway. The land on which the tramline assets are located is owned by Auckland Council and is leased and licensed to Watercare under the Watercare Catchment Agreement, dated 12 October 1992 (Catchment Agreement).

7. Clause 7.2(e) of the Catchment Agreement specifically allows Watercare to permit the tramline assets to be used for public recreation, subject to reasonable consent of Auckland Council.

8. Watercare is responsible under the Catchment Agreement for operational considerations of the tramline assets, unless those assets are transferred to another entity.

9. Watercare closed the tramline assets in May 2013 when a major landslide caused damage to the Nihotupu tramline. Following the recommendations of Waitākere Tramlines Land Instability: Remedial Options Review, Geotechnical Report GS14/108 (2014 Risk Assessment) Watercare announced the indefinite closure in November 2014. See Attachment A.

10. Auckland Council geotechnical subject matter experts have reviewed the 2014 Risk Assessment and, based on current information, support the conclusions and recommendations provided in the document.

11. Watercare has indicated an openness to work with council and EAT, to allow EAT access to carry out the investigations required to progress an application to re-establish the Rainbow Express operations of the trams. This access may be provided under the current Catchment Agreement and council has no objection to Watercare doing this.

12. In order for Auckland Council to provide consent to Watercare under clause 7.2(e) of the Catchment Agreement for the re-establishment of the operations, Auckland Council would need to be satisfied of three key criteria.

i. That the land is suitable for the proposed purpose of a recreational facility.
To meet this requirement, council must be of the view that any geotechnical and/or land stability concerns, including those first outlined in the 2014 Risk Assessment, can be adequately addressed by the operator.

ii. That the proposal is in keeping with the outcomes identified in the Regional Parks Management Plan 2022.

iii. the approval will also be conditional on the operator obtaining all regulatory approvals (including resource consent, building consents and the Railways Act 2005 (the Act) consents).

13. Without any remedial work or mitigations having been implemented since the 2014 Risk Assessment, the operational safety of the tramline is unlikely to have improved. A new/updated risk assessment and plan to implement required mitigations is required for the proposal to re-instate the Rainforest Express to proceed.

14. The current Regional Parks Management Plan (RPMP) observes the safety implications of the tramline assets, and instead visions a repurpose of the lines for walking access in the Waitākere Ranges. The different uses would need to be considered/resolved before the approval process could be undertaken.

15. Three options have been identified for the Parks Committee’s consideration.

I. Do nothing, receive the advice provided and thank the group for its submission (not recommended).

II. Receive the advice and request staff engage with Watercare to provide EAT access to the tramline assets, and offer subject matter expertise advice to help the group understand the necessary requirements that will be needed as part of an application process to progress their proposal to restore the Rainforest Express (recommended).

A. Noting that Watercare has indicated it does not have an issue with providing access for this purpose, if requested, council can provide a letter approving access for EAT to access the tramline assets to undertake any required investigation, including a refreshment of the 2014 Risk Assessment, in order to develop a comprehensive safety case to satisfy any council land safety requirements and any NZTA operating license requirements under the Railways Act 2005.

B. Obtaining an NZTA operating license would require the rail regulator, NZTA, to approve a comprehensive safety case and be satisfied that it is not contrary to the interests of rail safety to grant the licences. The licence holders would then have specific duties under the Act to ensure the safety of the operation.

III. The Parks Committee advocate to the Community Committee as part of upcoming Regional Work Programme decision making for funding to undertake a new risk assessment (not recommended).

Ngā tūtohunga

Recommendation/s

That the Parks Committee:

a) receive / whiwhi the advice on the process that would need to be undertaken to restore the Rainforest Express.

b) tono / request staff engage with Watercare Services Ltd to provide Economy of Advanced Technologies access to the Waitākere Ranges tramline assets.

c) tono / request staff offer advice from internal subject matter experts to Economy of Advanced Technologies to help the group understand the necessary requirements that will be needed as part of an application process to progress their proposal to restore the Rainforest Express, noting:

i) that Economy of Advanced Technologies’ proposal should include an updated risk assessment and plans to mitigate any risks identified through this.

ii) that for either tramline to be operated, both the operator and the access provider would require a licence under the Railways Act 2005.

iii) that the cost of meeting the above considerations would need to be funded by Economy of Advanced Technologies.

Horopaki

Context

Background on the Rainforest Express and its closure

16. The Rainforest Express (the Express) was a tourist train operated by Watercare from 1998 until 2013.

17. The Express used to operate a three-hour return trip from Titirangi to the Upper Nihotupu Dam.

18. Prior to the Express operating, the tramline assets were used from 1907/1908 to build and maintain the dam and water pipeline at the Upper Nihotupu Reservoir.

Figure 1: Former site of Rainforest Express – red square denotes location.

19. Watercare closed the tramline assets in May 2013 when a major landslide caused damage to the Nihotupu tramline. Watercare announced the indefinite closure in November 2014.

20. An independent geotechnical report at the time of closure was developed, the Waitākere Tramlines Land Instability: Remedial Options Review, Geotechnical Report GS14/108 (2014 Risk Assessment). This report identified 20 at-risk sites across the tramline assets, nine of which posed a significant risk to public safety.

21. The 2014 Risk Assessment estimated the cost of reducing risk to an acceptable level for public use at these nine sites at more than $11 million at that time, noting that the residual risk could be significant.

22. Since the time that report was developed more than 10 years have passed and several severe and significant weather events have occurred – including the 2023 Anniversary Weekend storms and Cyclone Gabrielle. It is likely that the risks with the land have increased since the 2014 report.

Current conditions leading to advice on process of reopening the Rainforest Express

23. Watercare and Auckland Council were approached by the EAT, which is seeking the opportunity to restore the Express in the Waitākere Ranges Regional Park for recreational use.

24. Watercare has previously indicated that it would not be party to re-enabling operation of the trams but was open to relinquishing its licence so that Auckland Council could.

25. Watercare has indicated an openness to work with council and EAT, to allow access for EAT to carry out the necessary investigations to progress an application to re-establish the operations of the trams. Access may be provided under the current Catchment Agreement and council has no objection to Watercare doing this.

26. On 10 December 2024, the Policy and Planning Committee received a public deputation from EAT regarding re-establishment of the Express. The deputation was verbal, and two main requests were made:

i. to review the 2014 risk assessment; and

ii. that the Policy and Planning Committee provide a letter of consent to Watercare as described in Clause 7 of the Catchment Agreement.

27. The Policy and Planning Committee resolved to:

a) whiwhi / receive the public input from Christopher Lock and Harvey Stewart from the Economy of Advanced Technologies regarding re-establishing the Rainforest Express

Tātaritanga me ngā tohutohu

Analysis and advice

Overall process

28. At a high level, the approval process for a third-party organisation to re-commence operation of the Express can be split into the following main steps/requirements.

i. Access permissions are required to enable any prospective operator to undertake investigations.

ii. The rail regulator, NZTA, must approve a comprehensive safety case and be satisfied that it is not contrary to the interests of rail safety to grant the licenses. The prospective license holders would then have specific duties under the Railway Act 2005 to ensure the safety of the operation. Council also needs to be satisfied that the safety of the land underlying the tramline is fit for the purpose of a tramline for public recreation. Currently the 2014 Risk Assessment prevents this.

iii. A new risk assessment is required and a programme of work would need to be developed to mitigate the identified risks.

iv. If this occurs, the Regional Parks Management Plan needs to be updated to consider the tramline, now that the risk is being managed.

v. At this time, Watercare may agree to maintain the Catchment Agreement, or a partial surrender of the agreement could be agreed between council and Watercare.

vi. An operating lease will need to be negotiated conditional on the operator obtaining all regulatory approvals (including resource consent, building consents, the Railways Act 2005 (the Act) consents).

29. This process is subject to change, dependent on the ability of various parties to satisfy a number of conditions and concerns, including those detailed below.

Geotechnical/structural considerations

30. The independent 2014 Risk Assessment had identified 20 at-risk sites across the tramline assets, nine of which posed a significant risk to public safety. The report (Attachment A) put the cost (in 2014) of reducing risk to an acceptable level for public use at these nine sites at more than $11 million at the time – and noted that even then, the residual risk could be “significant”.

31. Auckland Councils’ Geotechnical Practice Lead has reviewed the report and is generally in agreement with the conclusions and recommendations of the 2014 Risk Assessment.

32. It is understood that no engineering remedial measures have been implemented since the 2014 Risk Assessment was completed. In addition, subsequent storm events, such as the 2023 Anniversary Weekend storms and Cyclone Gabrielle have likely increased land risk. Therefore, it is unlikely the geotechnical risk has been reduced over the years.

33. Council's in-house geotechnical team does not currently have the capacity or resources to undertake a further or updated geotechnical and risk assessment for this site. Council's in-house geotechnical team is committed to planned project delivery, including focusing on support for the Property Categorisation Scheme of the Recovery Office. This involves undertaking technical review for geotechnical assessments on the landslide risks presented for the given properties, as well as advising category decisions based on the assessment outcome.

34. Should stakeholders seek different engineering opinions from the assessment presented in the risk assessment, they will need to consider engaging their own geotechnical professional to carry out further evaluations.

Health and safety considerations

35. Auckland Council and EAT (or any proposed operating entity) are likely subject to the duties of a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. Further assessment would be needed to determine the necessary arrangements with the Group to ensure Auckland Council's compliance with its PCBU obligations.

Leasing considerations

36. Any leasing consideration, under the Catchment Agreement or directly between the operator and council is contingent on the land being considered fit for the purpose of a recreational tramline operation.

37. Without an updated risk assessment and subsequent mitigations, the 2014 Risk Assessment prevents council from considering the operation of a recreational tramline.

Existing Catchment Agreement considerations

38. The Catchment Agreement acknowledges that Auckland Council, as owner of the land, has leased the land to Watercare and that Watercare is the owner of all dams and associated structures on the land. Additionally, the agreement recognises that the tramline assets include all associated infrastructure including signage, tracks, ballasts, retaining walls, culverts, tunnels etc. as property owned and administered by Watercare.

39. Clause 7.2(e) of the Catchment Agreement specifically allows Watercare to use the tramline assets or allow a third-party use of the tramline assets for public recreational use. This is subject to reasonable consent of Auckland Council.

40. Before Auckland Council can provide approval as described in the Catchment Agreement, it would need to be satisfied of three key criteria.

i. That the land is suitable for the proposed purpose of a recreational facility.To meet this requirement, council must be of the view that any geotechnical and/or land stability concerns, including those first outlined in the 2014 Risk Assessment, can be adequately addressed by the operator.

ii. That the proposal is in keeping with the outcomes identified in the Regional Parks Management Plan (RPMP) 2022.

iii. the approval will also be conditional on the operator obtaining all regulatory approvals (including resource consent, building consents and the Railways Act 2005 (the Act) consents).

41. The current RPMP observes the safety implications of the tramline assets, and instead envisions repurposing the lines for walking access in the Waitākere Ranges. Prioritisation of uses (operational tram and walking) would need to be considered/resolved before the approval could be given.

Regional Park Management Plan and Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area Act 2008 alignment

42. The restoration of the Express tracks is likely to be consistent with the purposes of the Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area Act 2008, which include to promote the protection and enhancement of the area’s “heritage features” for present and future generations. Those heritage features of the Express track include the public water catchment and supply system and the areas importance as an accessible public place with recreational resources.

43. However, the RPMP currently proposes enhancing recreational walking opportunities in the aera by considering a tree canopy walk or, as part of the track network review, creating a link between Slip Track and Jacobson’s Depot utilising the tramline to create an additional one-hour loop walk (RPMP page 392). The restoration of the use of the tramline assets would be inconsistent with the plan.

44. As a result of this, if the identified risks are mitigated for the approval process required for a third party to restore the Express, then an amendment to the RPMP would be required.

New Zealand Transport Agency requirements

45. For the tramline assets to resume operation, both the operator and the access provider must obtain a licence from the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) under the Railway Act 2005.

46. The access provider is the entity responsible for controlling the tramline assets use. Further assessment is required to determine the necessary arrangements if EAT, rather than Auckland Council, were to assume this role.

47. NZTA approval would require a comprehensive safety case demonstrating that the operation does not compromise rail safety. Licence holders would then have specific duties under the Act to ensure safe operations.

48. Initial discussions with NZTA indicate that a high standard of evidence will be required to support the tramline assets’ safe operation, including updated assessments of the geotechnical issues that led to its initial closure.

Tauākī whakaaweawe āhuarangi

Climate impact statement

49. Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Action Plan sets out two core goals:

i. to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to reach net zero emissions by 2050

ii. to prepare the region for the adverse impacts of climate change.

50. While potential future work around the renewal of the Express will have impacts that need consideration, the approval process required for a third party to restore the Rainforest Express would have no measurable impacts.

Ngā whakaaweawe me ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera

Council group impacts and views

51. The tramline assets and surrounding land are owned by Auckland Council and licensed to Watercare under the Catchment Agreement.

52. Watercare is responsible under the Catchment Agreement for operational considerations of the tramline assets, unless those assets are transferred to another entity.

53. Clause 7.2(e) of the Catchment Agreement specifically allows Watercare to permit the tramline assets to be used for public recreational use, subject to reasonable consent of Auckland Council.

54. Watercare has recently allowed EAT to access the site but does not permit the operation or movement of the trams.

55. If required, council can provide a letter to Watercare approving access to the tramline assets to undertake any required investigation, including a refreshment of the 2014 Risk Assessment and to satisfy the requirements for EAT to obtain a license under the Railways Act 2005.

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

Local impacts and local board views

56. The local area is still recovering from the 2023 storm events. The Local Board Work Programme and Regional Work Programme currently represent the investment priorities supporting this recovery.

57. No views have been sought from local boards as yet.

Tauākī whakaaweawe Māori

Māori impact statement

58. Auckland Council is committed to meeting its responsibilities under Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its broader obligations to Māori. These commitments are articulated in the council’s key strategic planning documents, the Auckland Plan, the Long-term Plan 2024-2034, the Unitary Plan and the Kia Ora Tāmaki Makaurau performance management framework.

59. The Rainforest Express track is inside the Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area. Any work to explore the restoration of the Express would require engagement with mana whenua, particularly Te Kawerau ā Maki and Ngāti Whātua who are specifically named as tangata whenua in the Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area Act 2008. This engagement has not yet been undertaken.

60. Auckland Council and the Department of Conservation have also been progressing the Deed(s) of Acknowledgement (Deed) with tangata whenua as provided for by the Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area Act 2008, to identify opportunities for tangata whenua to contribute to the management of land in the Heritage Area.

61. In December 2024, the Waitākere Ranges, Whau and Rodney Local Boards, as well as the Policy and Planning Committee, agreed in principle to key elements of the Deed with Te Kawerau ā Maki (resolutions WH/2024/160, WTK/2024/197, RD/2024/221 and PEPCC/2024/134).

62. The agreement in principle includes the establishment of a joint committee with tangata whenua and the joint development of an overarching strategic plan for the heritage area.

63. Pending the finalisation of the Deed (including public engagement and agreement with Te Kawerau ā Maki), the potential Joint Committee and strategic plan could be a place to consider, discuss and/or provide advice to elected members on the restoration of the Express, its implications for the Heritage Area and its place in the strategic vision for the Heritage Area.

64. Staff can provide more comprehensive advice after the Deed is finalised, which is likely to be around the middle of this year.

Ngā ritenga ā-pūtea

Financial implications

65. No budget has been identified by Auckland Council and Watercare, to progress a second updated risk assessment, any new risk assessment would need to be funded by a third party or be considered by the Community Committee as part of future Regional Operation Work Programme decision making.

66. Staff are not recommending that the Parks Committee request the Community Committee consider funding this item, as the 2014 Risk Assessment is considered sufficient evidence that the risks justify the continued closure of the Express and that the cost to manage the identified risks would mean that existing priorities with the Regional Operations Work Programme could not be delivered.

Ngā raru tūpono me ngā whakamaurutanga

Risks and mitigations

67. Below in Table 1 are some risks that have been identified with the potential recommissioning of the Express, along with possible mitigations.

68. These risks have been identified here in a short timeframe, based on limited information and cover only initial observations. Staff have not completed a full review and assessment of the environment, situation and the risks, and the list of risks and issues may not be complete. The current list does not provide any risk ratings or information about current controls that might mitigate their impact were they to materialise. We note that any issues identified here may lead to other risks that may not be fully captured and/or assessed here.

Table 1: Risks and mitigations for the potential recommissioning of the Rainforest Express.

	Risk Description	Potential Mitigation
Public safety and project feasibility	Risk to public safety and project feasibility, as per the findings of the 2014 Risk Assessment might remain. The report identified 20 at-risk sites across the tramline, nine of which posed significant safety risks.	The applicant wanting to re-establish the operations would need to obtain an updated geotechnical assessment to confirm the current condition of the area.
Land and ground conditions	The risk that with the passage of time and recent climatic events (including but not limited to Cyclone Gabrielle and the 2023 Auckland Anniversary floods), the land beneath and around the tracks could have shifted further. If these shifts are not thoroughly assessed and addressed, the tramlines could be misaligned or unstable.	The applicant wanting to re-establish the operations would need to conduct a thorough geotechnical assessment to identify any new risks or damage to infrastructure.
Structure and operations	Recommissioning without proper repairs to the tracks or supporting infrastructure, comes with the risk of equipment malfunctions, operational failures, derailments or track breakages.	The applicant wanting to re-establish the operations would need to conduct a comprehensive structural and safety assessment of the tracks and supporting infrastructure before any operations resume; They would need to identify necessary repairs and upgrades and prioritise these to ensure all critical issues are addressed. They would need to develop maintenance schedules, safety inspections, and compliance with industry standards should be established.
HSW of workers and public	Risk of harm to workers and/or the public during both the restoration of the tramlines and their subsequent operation, due to insufficient understanding of the potential hazards. The likelihood and impact of such harm need to be thoroughly assessed	The applicant wanting to re-establish the operations would need to commission an updated comprehensive geotechnical survey to gain a deeper understanding of the land conditions, and the risks associated with tramline reconstruction and operation
PCBU obligations (HSW)	Risk of non-compliance with PCBU obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act due to insufficient assessment, potentially resulting in legal liabilities, safety hazards, and project delays.	Conduct a thorough health and safety risk assessment to ensure compliance with PCBU responsibilities. Engage a health and safety consultant to support the assessment process and develop a comprehensive safety plan to help mitigate potential legal liabilities Implement regular safety audits, providing ongoing training for workers, and ensuring clear communication of safety protocols
Insurance and liability	The land and infrastructure around the tramlines, where the landslide occurred may have increased insurance premiums due to the potential for future incidents. If the tramlines are recommissioned without proper risk mitigation, the likelihood of claims or liabilities from accidents increases.	The applicant wanting to re-establish the operations would need to engage with insurance brokers or providers (as required) to ensure adequate liability protection.
Community	Different stakeholders, such as, environmental groups, and community members, may have differing opinions on whether the tramlines should be recommissioned. Their concerns should be addressed, or the process may face opposition or delays.	Engagement with community and mana whenua at the earliest.
Environmental	Risk of environmental impact, including increased greenhouse gas emissions, due to the recommissioning of the Rainforest Express. This could impact council’s environmental compliance obligations.	Conduct an environmental impact assessment to identify potential emissions and other environmental concerns associated with the renewal work. Ensure compliance with relevant environmental regulations and seek expert advice on best practices for minimising emissions.
Legal / compliance / contractual obligations	Risk of non-compliance with legal and contractual obligations as both the operator and the access provider must obtain a license from the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) under the Act. NZTA approval would require a comprehensive safety case demonstrating that the operation does not compromise rail safety. Failure to secure NZTA approval could result in operational delays, legal liabilities, and failure to meet safety requirements under the Railway Act 2005.	Work closely with legal and regulatory experts to ensure all documentation and safety measures are thoroughly prepared to help prevent delays, legal liabilities, and ensure timely NZTA approval.
Outsourcing and third-party operators	A third-party operator may not be fully familiar with the local geographic, environmental, and regulatory conditions specific to the landslide-affected area. This lack of local knowledge can lead to mismanagement or failure to implement appropriate safeguards for the recommissioning process.	Carefully assess the third-party operator's track record, capabilities, and experience, especially in managing operations in challenging environments. Ensure the outsourcing agreement clearly defines roles, responsibilities, safety standards, and compliance requirements. Include performance metrics, penalties for non-compliance, and regular audits. Implement continuous monitoring of the third-party operator’s performance, safety protocols, and compliance with regulatory standards, with the ability to intervene if necessary. Work closely with the third-party operator to develop and test comprehensive emergency response and crisis management plans specific to the risks posed by natural disasters. Maintain open communication with the public and other stakeholders to manage expectations and improve transparency regarding the recommissioning process and any outsourcing changes.
	If the third-party operator is located remotely or lacks sufficient resources, their ability to respond to emerging operational challenges (e.g., equipment malfunctions, track misalignment, or landslide-related issues) may be delayed, worsening the problem.
	If the third-party operator experiences financial difficulties, there may be delays in payments, underinvestment in infrastructure, or reduced service levels. This could compromise the tramline's overall performance and increase financial risk for the original owner.
	If the third-party operator is focused on short-term profit, they may neglect long-term investment in infrastructure maintenance and upgrades. This could exacerbate issues with the tramline's stability and lead to higher repair costs or a greater risk of future incidents.

Ngā koringa ā-muri

Next steps

69. After receiving the advice provided in this report, if the Parks Committee request staff to respond to EAT (the recommended option), staff will offer subject matter expertise advice to help the group understand the necessary requirements that will be needed as part of an application process to progress their proposal to restore the Express .

70. If Watercare request, council can provide a letter approving access for EAT to the rail corridor to undertake any required investigation, including a refreshment of the 2014 Risk Assessment, to develop a comprehensive safety case to satisfy any council land safety requirements and any NZTA operating license requirements under the Railways Act 2005.

71. On completion of all required assessments on the part of the Group, council can then issue a letter under Clause 7.2 of the Catchment Agreement, conditional on the approval of a comprehensive safety case by NZTA and any other regulatory approvals, including the relevant resource and building consent approvals.

72. If the Parks Committee wishes to make a different resolution, staff will carefully consider what the next steps required are and will update the committee at the next opportunity.

Ngā tāpirihanga

Attachments

No.	Title	Page
a ⇨	GS14 108 Waitakere Tramlines Public Risk Assessment
b ⇨	Lease Watercare Hunua & Waitakere 19921012

Ngā kaihaina

Signatories

Author

Jeff Lyford - Principal Advisor

Authorisers

Rachel Kelleher - Director Community

Taryn Crewe - General Manager Parks and Community Facilities

Chairperson	Cr Ken Turner
Deputy Chairperson	Cr Mike Lee
Members	Cr Angela Dalton
	Cr Alf Filipaina, MNZM
	Cr Christine Fletcher, QSO
	Houkura Member Muka Hohneck (Terrence)
	Cr Daniel Newman, JP
	Cr Sharon Stewart, QSM
	Cr Wayne Walker
	Houkura Member Glenn Wilcox
Ex-officio	Mayor Wayne Brown
	Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson, JP

Date	Subject
21/10/2025	Memorandum: Follow up report from Regional Parks Working Group (refer to Item 12, Chairs report).
8/11/2024	Information Only: Hunua Kokako TV1 Seven Sharp tonight, 7-7.30pm. The story focus on the wonderful volunteers and the project’s success and celebrating its 30th year.
9/01/2025	Memorandum: Regional Parks Annual Report 2023-2024
30/01/2025	Memorandum: Proposed masterplan for Auckland Botanic Gardens extension

No.	Title	Page
a ⇨	Parks Committee 2025 Forward Work Programme
b ⇨	Information only: Photos from Hunua Kokako TV1 story
c ⇨	Memorandum: Regional Parks Annual Report 2023-2024
d ⇨	Memorandum: Proposed masterplan for Auckland Botanic Gardens extension

Author	Jennifer Rose - Head of Business Performance
Authoriser	Taryn Crewe - General Manager Parks and Community Facilities

Author	Lata Smith - Kaitohutohu Mana Whakahaere Matua / Senior Governance Advisor
Authoriser	Taryn Crewe - General Manager Parks and Community Facilities