|
Resolution
number FR/2025/23
MOVED by Chairperson
A Fulljames, seconded by Deputy Chairperson A Cole:
That
the Franklin Local Board:
a)
provide the following requests
and feedback on the draft Storm Affected Land Use Policy to the Governing
Body, for consideration by the Policy and Planning Committee at its upcoming
meeting:
i)
the draft Storm Affected Land Use
Policy has not been developed as per Auckland Council’s own policy
framework which gives effect to the local board’s right to provide
input into the development of policies that impacts its areas, as required
under the Section 48(J) of the Local Government Act 2002, Section 15 of the
Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009
ii)
the process outlines community
benefit as one of the matters to be considered; however without local boards
being part of the process for policy development and decision, local views
and preferences could be limited and not reflect wider community needs
iii)
the Transport, Resilience and
Infrastructure Committee endorsed in principle (Resolution number
TICCC/2025/12) the draft policy on the 13 February 2025 without giving
consideration to local board views as required by legislation
iv) given
these issues, the local board’s time and ability to provide feedback
has been negatively impacted.
b)
provide the following requests and
feedback on the Draft Storm-affected Land Use Policy to the Governing Body,
for consideration by the Policy and Planning Committee at its upcoming
meeting:
General
matters relating to the policy
i)
request that the definition of
Category (b) includes an explicit reference to Local Board Plans so that
other locally determined priorities that go beyond core service needs may be
considered
ii)
enable local boards to acquire
Category (a) properties for any local activities or community priorities
provided they have a viable funding plan; for example, a service optimisation
business case or local rates proposal
Policy
principles
iii)
strengthen the policy principles by
amending Principle 2 (Make best use of storm-affected land) to include an
explicit reference to Local Board Plans or community priorities, thereby
broadening and maximising the community value derived from the programme
iv)
concern that this
policy may overlook opportunities to maximise community value and align with
broader community aspirations. These considerations can be evaluated
alongside identified service needs, such as the Franklin Local Board Paths
Plan, which presents an opportunity to extend the path along the entire
Whangapouri Stream
v)
request an additional policy
principle being ‘engage early, and often, with both arms of
Council’s shared governance structure on land use opportunities’,
noting that local boards are key to good outcomes and the boards will become
the governors of service assets and land
Decision-making
roles and responsibilities
vi)
welcome further discussion on
the management of residual land and land retained for hazard management
purposes, acknowledging that all council land within local board areas are
vital components of local open space networks and ecological corridors
vii) consider the services running beneath these
areas, as they will influence future land use. For example, while planting
bushland and green spaces could reduce mowing costs and benefit the
environment, it is important to recognise that trees and underground
infrastructure are not always compatible
viii)
establish a clear escalation process
when local board views on land use differ from staff recommendations,
ensuring such matters are referred for a political decision through the
Governing Body, rather than being resolved through staff delegation
ix)
request that the
composition of the Storm Recovery Political Advisory Group which currently
consists of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, a representative of Houkura (formerly the Independent
Māori Statutory Board), the Chair of the Planning, Environment and Parks Committee and
the Chair of the Transport and Infrastructure Committee,
initiates the inclusion of local board representatives from significantly
impacted local boards
Local
Board funding requirements
x) remove
the requirement for local boards to commit operational funding (OPEX) as a
precondition for the internal transfer of properties already assessed as
meeting a service need by the Auckland Council Group. This requirement
creates an unnecessary barrier to addressing service gaps
xi) request
that if a property meets a service need and local boards support retaining or
repurposing it, the Governing Body should expect that the necessary
maintenance costs will be incorporated into the local boards existing
maintenance contracts, with any budget top-up requirements to be considered
by the local board as part of its work programme process
xii) request
that if land is retained to meet a service need and it requires remediation,
that the Governing Body, which holds statutory responsibility for the network
of facilities and service capacity, should fund or contribute to the
remediation, rather than leaving these costs to local boards
xiii) acknowledge
that where local boards wish to retain land for a community outcome that goes
beyond core service needs, it is entirely appropriate to provide upfront
assurance of funding availability
Implementation
approach
xiv) ensure
that service needs assessments consider not only Local Board Plans but any
other relevant service needs assessments and plans undertaken by local boards
Xv support
the expedient removal of buildings from purchased properties, noting the
number of properties purchased in the Franklin Local Board area, and the
negative impact empty and damaged buildings have on neighbours and the local
community
Wider
considerations: Private properties outside buy-out scheme
xvi) request
investigation into properties which did not opt-in to the buyout scheme, but
may now be open to sale through regular council acquisition processes. These
should be focused to where purchase of an additional property may be
strategically beneficial to Auckland Council; for example, creates a sensible
cluster of contiguous properties, or meets a service need
xvii) request
advice on the approach to ensure an acceptable level of maintenance and
upkeep for properties which may appear ‘abandoned’, to ensure
they do not become derelict, safety hazards or a risk to the wider community,
or attract illegal dumping
c) ensure
surrounding neighbours are all kept informed and consulted about Auckland
Council’s plans
d) tono
/ request that the local board receive information relating to the number and
location of affected properties in the local board area
e) tono
/ request that the above resolutions are circulated to all local boards and
governing body members for their information.
CARRIED
|
