Minutes of Environment and Services Committee

1. Welcome/Apologies/Notices

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and Brian Gregory opened with a karakia.

Te Pou Whakarae, Pieri Munro, advised his worship, Napier Mayor Bill Dalton, was admitted to hospital last night after suffering a stroke, and that thoughts go out to him and his family for his recovery.

ESC14/19

Resolution

That the apology for absence from Councillor Peter Beaven be accepted.

Barker/Bailey

CARRIED

2. Conflict of Interest Declarations

There were no conflict of interest declarations.

3. Confirmation of Minutes of the Environment and Services Committee meeting held on 13 February 2019

ESC15/19

Resolution

Minutes of the Environment and Services Committee meeting held on Wednesday, 13 February 2019, a copy having been circulated prior to the meeting, were taken as read and confirmed as a true and correct record.

Graham/Bailey

CARRIED

Secretarial note: As there are no provisions under Council’s Standing Orders for discussion of the minutes other than confirmation of their correctness, “follow-ups arising” are recorded following as Item 4 – Follow-up Items from Previous Regional Council Meetings.

Follow-ups from Previous Environment & Services Committee Meetings

In response to a query as to when the committee can expect confirmation of the conference on forestry management and harvesting issues, it was advised that Liz Lambert is developing this.

The item was taken as read.

Cr Debbie Hewitt arrived at 11.05am.

Recommendation was not resolved

That the Environment and Services Committee receives and notes the report Follow-up Items from Previous Environment & Services Committee Meetings.

Call for Minor Items of Business not on the Agenda

Recommendations

That the Environment and Services Committee accepts the following “Minor Items of Business Not on the Agenda” for discussion as Item 16.

Topic	Raised by
Awhenua Trophy competition Field day in CHB tomorrow, 11 April.	Cr Debbie Hewitt

ANZ Sustainable Farming Presentation

Mark Morice presented a summary of an ANZ presentation given at a recent field day about Greenhouse Gas Reduction obligations and initiatives and the carbon market, with particular focus on implications for the farming sector. The presentation and discussions highlighted:

· Carbon future has massive impacts on the forestry and farming sectors, with concerns around land use and land value for example

· NZ is unique in that most greenhouse gasses come from rural (agriculture) emissions – around 50%

· Paris accord requirement that NZ reduce carbon emissions by 30%

· Productivity Commission report highlighted that substantial afforestation is required to achieve the Government’s emission reduction targets with rate of change required comparable to 90,000 ha of sheep and beef farms converted to forestry annually

· Livestock Emission Cost to farmer $104/ha/year liability assuming 100% of emissions – Government currently proposing 5% of agricultural emissions being included which currently equates to $5.20/ha/yr.

· Commission recommends a mix of farm-level and processor level point of obligation for surrender in the Emissions Trading Scheme.

· In summary our behaviour towards reducing emissions will be driven by the price of carbon.

ESC16/19

Resolution

That the Environment and Services Committee receives the “ANZ Sustainable Farming Presentation” by Mark Morice.

Wilson/Hewitt

CARRIED

Future Farming Initiative Update

Tom Skerman invited Karina Campbell, Senior Project Manager to talk to the item and acknowledged Future Farming member, Phyllis Tichinen who is present today. Discussions covered:

· Inaugural meeting and formation of the Establishment Working Group in October 2018

· Key milestones to date include setting up of Terms of Reference, establishing the Mission and Problem Statement, agreeing the Scope of Activities and Timeline and Outcomes to June 2019

· Creating an inventory of aligned nationwide initiatives and activities specifically focussed on the future direction of NZ’s primary sector, looking for potential partnership opportunities

· Investigation currently underway to determine the business model most suitable for the permanent entity for the Future Farming Initiative with legal advice being provided by Simpson Grierson

· Councillor Belford currently Chairs the group, as a council-led initiative, however long term view that it should be a farmer led and administered group.

ESC17/19

Resolution

That the Environment and Services Committee receives and notes the “Future Farming Initiative Update” staff report.

Barker/Wilson

CARRIED

15.

Ngaruroro Water Conservation Order Update

Tom Skerman introduced Ellen Humphries who provided an overview of the Ngaruroro Water Conservation Order application process with discussions highlighting:

· Stage 2 of the tribunal hearing ran from 26 February to 8 March 2019, adjourned until the Applicant provides closing submissions

· 5^th version of the WCO has been drafted, with key changes in relation to granting of water takes, legal issues and evidential gaps that arose from the hearing process

· Now await the Tribunal’s report, which could take several months. That report is subject to a further process of submissions which must be investigated by the Environment Court (similar to a plan change process), followed by an Environment Court report to the Minister for recommendation to the governor general to either deny or give effect to the WCO.

ESC18/19

Resolution

That the Environment and Services Committee receives and notes the “Ngaruroro Water Conservation Order Update” staff report.

Wilson/Bailey

CARRIED

Biodiversity Hawke’s Bay Update and Presentation

Charles Daugherty, Chair of the HB Biodiversity Foundation, presented planned activities for 2019 and beyond on behalf of Biodiversity Hawke’s Bay. Discussions traversed:

· HB Biodiversity Foundation role is to enable the Strategy through raising and securing funds needed to rapidly grow the level of biodiversity related activities in our region

· The Strategy is a community document, non-regulatory, aspirational and contains a shared vision

· Strategy has 5 strategic goals

· Vision is “working together, Hawke’s Bay’s biodiversity is enhanced, healthy, and functioning” specifically focussing on native species, indigenous habitats, Māori values and community partnerships

· Three major activities and targets set for 2019 include growing the Endowment fund, achieving operational independence, and forming tangible, active partnerships

· Foundation led submission of DoC Community Fund applications for Regional Biodiversity Hub (with Bay of Plenty and Taranaki Biodiversity activities), Te Karamu Enhancements (HBRC) and Kahikatea Wetlands Restoration (HDC).

ESC19/19

Resolution

That the Environment and Services Committee receives the “Biodiversity Hawke’s Bay” report.

Barker/Wilson

CARRIED

Ecosystem Prioritisation

Keiko Hashiba and Mark Mitchell presented the programme of work led by the Biosecurity/Biodiversity Team using Terrestrial Ecosystem mapping and Ecosystem Prioritisation. Discussions traversed:

· NZ’s biodiversity is declining, particularly lowland ecosystems

· Ecosystem-based site prioritisation is a step toward addressing biodiversity decline by identifying the sites where activities to halt the biodiversity decline can be focussed

· Around 1000 native animal, plant and fungi species are under threat

· Community partnerships are critical to achieving the HB Biodiversity Strategy objectives and outcomes of sustaining, protecting and improving the full representation of native species and habitats

· Query whether marine and coastal environment might be included in the programme

ESC20/19

Resolution

That the Environment and Services Committee receives and notes the “Ecosystem Prioritisation” staff report.

Bailey/Barker

CARRIED

The meeting adjourned at 1.13pm and reconvened at 1.42pm.

14.

April 2019 Hotspots Update

Iain Maxwell introduced the item, which was taken as read, advising the team will make brief presentations of activities in the Lake Tūtira catchment.

Ben Douglas updated the committee on the Tūtira pine forest harvest, highlighting:

· Forest access roading expected to be completed by end of April, including two bridge crossings of Papakiri and Kahakanui streams

· Engineers are currently modelling the impact of the proposed monitoring platform design and bridge on flood capacity as part of the consenting process

· Harvest site is high risk for loss of sediment through run-off, so harvest management plan being developed to mitigate risks to the lake in a significant rainfall event

· A post-harvest replanting plan will provide for identified values of the Tūtira Regional Park and is currently on hold pending the completion of a Tūtira Regional Park Farm Environmental Management Plan (FEMP)

· Harvesting the pines is considered necessary to transition to native forestry most effectively

Billy Brough, Brough Resource Management summarised the Tūtira Integrated Catchment Management plan, highlighting:

· Plan is nearing completion and will be provided to the Lake Tūtira Governance Group (TGG) to review ahead of the May 2019 meeting, then out to the community for feedback, and it’s hoped the TGG will endorse it by financial year-end

· Community led and will be administered and monitored by the community

Andrew Burton, in relation to the FEMPs, highlighted:

· Staff consider that 24-25 properties in the catchment (approx. 3,500 ha) need FEMPs, staff currently working on a plan for the sixth property

· Key process is to assess the soil and water resources and how the farming activities impact on those, including biodiversity and pest management aspects

· From the FEMP, an action plan is developed and those properties with completed FEMPs (all prepared voluntarily) have commenced implementing their action plans

Dr Andy Hicks spoke about the science, highlighting:

· Comparison between the good and bad years of Lake Tūtira in relation to cyanobacteria and contact recreation

· Results of the air curtain trial in Waikopirō suggest mixing is effective using this method, however has not provided a clear answer as to whether an air curtain should be installed in Lake Tūtira

· Tūtira swimmable for the past 2 years, and really good trout fishing – however cannot predict what the situation will be next year.

ESC21/19

Resolution

That the Environment and Services Committee receives and notes the “April 2019 Hotspots Update” staff report.

Dick/Bailey

CARRIED

10.

Taiao Mahinga Kai Protection

Chris Dolley presented a summary of the situation in response to a recent eel kill incident, including investigations into adapting drain maintenance programmes to protect the eels in the systems, highlighting:

· Purposes of the flood protection and drainage schemes, including ecological management plans and environmental enhancement

· fish kill incident on 14 February 2019, during de-silting works on the Dartmoor open waterway using “dig and cart” practice

· immediately ceased all drain maintenance work and all wet drain maintenance is on hold until a best practice standard operating procedure (SOP) for maintenance is agreed

· MPI investigation under way, and Council has provided legal support for the staff involved

· Task team has commenced a desktop review of New Zealand and international practices to develop a best practice document

· Request for hapu to nominate 1-2 representatives to participate in the development of the SOP as part of the Task Team

ESC22/19

Resolution

That the Environment and Services Committee receives and notes the “Taiao Mahinga Kai Protection” staff report.

Bailey/Graham

CARRIED

12.

Consented Discharges to the Marine Environment

Liz Lambert introduced the item and Malcolm Miller provided the committee with a summary of the current resource consents being exercised to discharge wastewater into the coastal environment. Discussions highlighted:

· with the exception of Wairoa District Council, the activities are generally operating in compliance with their resource consents conditions (all consents granted resulted from publicly notified processes including hearings and tangata whenua engagement)

· the failings of the Napier City Council and Pan Pac outfalls are leaks in the pipes before reaching the diffusers (NCC thumb sized leak 700m offshore)

· ongoing reporting to the Environment and Services Committee, will include CHB and Affco wastewater discharges as ‘major’ consents, annually as part of the annual Compliance reports

· distance between Hastings, Napier and Whirinaki mixing zones approximately 5-6km

· need for the regional council to more comprehensively monitor associated infrastructure, including maintenance

· monitoring and sampling results are assessed and interpreted by scientists

Cr Rick Barker left the meeting at 3.27pm

· WDC consent application has been received by Consents team and staff have requested further information

Cr Rick Barker returned to the meeting at 3.37pm.

ESC23/19

Resolution

That the Environment and Services Committee receives and notes the “Consented Discharges to the Marine Environment” staff report.

Dick/Kirton

CARRIED

13.

Update on the Pan Pac Pipeline

Liz Lambert advised that there has been another delay with the repair work, and Malcolm Miller advised that the Environment Court was advised by Pan Pac on Monday that pipeline repairs had not been completed. The Environment Court has requested the timeline for expected completion and given Pan Pac and HBRC two weeks to provide that information and advised that they will include a related condition in the new resource consent.

ESC24/19

Resolution

That the Environment and Services Committee receives and notes the “Update on the Pan Pac Pipeline” staff report. Wilson/Graham

CARRIED

11.

Presentation of the Outdoor Burning Tool

Iain Maxwell provided an overview of the background, followed by a presentation by Dr Kathleen Kozyniak. The tool is designed to provide users with advice on whether meteorological conditions (from telemetered climate stations) are appropriate for outdoor burning.

Cr Alan Dick left the meeting at 3.45pm.

Discussions traversed:

· tool returns a message to either “don’t burn” or advises caution

· messaging also important, about not burning green wood and other related factors

· plan change necessary to update the rules in the Regional Resource Management Plan in relation to burning orchard cuttings

ESC25/19

Resolution

That the Environment and Services Committee receives the “Outdoor Burning Tool” staff presentation and report.

Bailey/Barker

CARRIED

16.

Discussion of Minor Items Not on the Agenda

Topic

Raised by

Awhenua Trophy Competition Field day in CHB tomorrow, 11 April.

Reminder of invitation to the field day tomorrow at Guavas Station (one of the tranche 2 applicants)

Cr Debbie Hewitt

Closure:

There being no further business the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 4.02pm on Wednesday 10 April 2019.

Signed as a true and correct record.

DATE: ................................................ CHAIRMAN: ...............................................