Agenda of Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee

Meeting of the Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee

Date: Wednesday 4 November 2020

Time: 9.00am

Venue:

Council Chamber

Hawke's Bay Regional Council

159 Dalton Street

NAPIER

Agenda

Item Title Page

1. Welcome/Karakia/Notices/Apologies

2. Conflict of Interest Declarations

3. Confirmation of Minutes of the Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee meeting held on 16 September 2020

4. Follow-ups from Previous Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee Meetings 3

5. Call for Minor Items Not on the Agenda 7

Information or Performance Monitoring

6. Tūtira Regional Park and Tangoio Soil Conservation Reserve Forest Harvest Update 9

7. Hawke’s Bay Marine & Coast Group and Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge Collaboration 17

8. Marine Biosecurity Programme Update 21

9. Biosecurity Operational Plan and Annual Report 25

10. Heretaunga Plains Flood Control Scheme Review Update 71

11. Crown Funded Flood Resilience Projects Update 81

12. Presentation - Introduction to the Landcare Research Wetland Restoration Programme

13. Regional Drought Relief Fund 87

14. Implications of Climate Change on the Hawke’s Bay Region 91

15. Climate Change Survey Results 95

16. Discussion of Minor Matters Not on the Agenda 121

	Agenda item	Follow-up item	Responsible	Status/Comment
1.	Regional Water Security - Community Engagement Options via the Regional Water Assessment	Procedural motion referred decision to 30 September 2020 Regional Council meeting to allow adequate time to consider the options to better inform decision making, however an alternative engagement model was put forward as a topic for discussion at the Water Security workshop scheduled following the Council meeting so there were no recommendations the 30 September Regional Council meeting to consider in this regard.	T Skerman	Staff proposed an alternative engagement model at a Water Security workshop on 30 September, to have broader conversation with all stakeholders through the regional water assessment process, then bring together the Regional Water Assessment’s interim findings to Council so that an appropriate community engagement plan can be developed and finalised for Council’s consideration.

HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL

Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee

Wednesday 04 November 2020

Subject: Tūtira Regional Park and Tangoio Soil Conservation Reserve Forest Harvest Update

Reason for Report

1. This item provides an update on forest harvest in the Tangoio Soil Conservation Reserve and Tūtira Regional Park.

Executive Summary

2. Environment and Services Committee 19 June 2019 authorised the appointment of Pan Pac Forest Products ltd to manage the harvest and sales of forest in the Tangoio Soil Conservation Reserve (TSCR) and Tūtira Regional Park.

3. Harvest in the Tangoio Soil Conservation Reserve will have begun by the time this paper is presented to the Committee. In January, trees will be removed from roadlines and processing sites in the Tūtira Regional Park Pine Forest and the roads and skids will then be constructed for harvesting proper over the 2021-2022 summer.

4. Log prices are currently within price thresholds recommended by independent advice as acceptable, however, direct and indirect costs of traffic control in the Tangoio units will impact significantly on net returns.

5. Following harvest approximately 45 hectares of the TSCR forest will be retired permanently to native due to the high risks and costs of harvesting. Following a lengthy consultation process with tangata whenua (Maungaharuru Tangitū Trust) and the Tūtira community, a recommended replanting plan for the Tūtira Regional Park Forest will be submitted to Council for decision in the 3 February EICC Meeting.

Strategic Fit

6. This paper is relevant to HBRC’s strategic goals in various ways. There is a strong sustainable infrastructure component through HBRC carrying out its statutory requirement to manage the Tangoio Soil Conservation Reserve for the purpose of protecting State Highway Two. Harvest and replanting of the Tūtira Forest in particular provides an opportunity for HBRC to demonstrate smart, sustainable land use, and has significant biodiversity and water quality implications.

Discussion

Tangoio Soil Conservation Reserve

7. The Tangoio Soil Conservation Reserve is Crown land managed by HBRC under the provisions of the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Act (1941). Approximately 59% of the Reserve is in second rotation commercial forest and the remainder in native vegetation. Proceeds from commercial forestry in the Reserve are held in the Reserve Fund. The Reserve Fund entirely and without contribution from rates funds the ongoing management costs of the Reserve and annual payments to a ‘Catchments Fund’ created by the Maungaharuru Tangitū Hapū Claims Settlement Act (2014) for the purpose of soil conservation projects led in partnership between HBRC and Maungaharuru Tangitū Trust in the Esk, Te Ngārue, Aropaoanui and Waipātiki Catchments.

8. 90ha of pine forest in the Reserve will be harvested over the period 2020 – 2027. A crew is scheduled to begin in the first 20 hectare unit 2 November 2020 and finish around May. The Tangoio Walkway traverses the land and has been closed for the duration of the harvest.

9. All units harvested in this contract border State Highway Two and the risks to traffic will need to be managed carefully. Traffic control costs will have a significant impact on net returns, both through direct cost (estimated at $35,000 in the first unit alone) and through slowing production thereby increasing the logging rate (Table 1 below).

Table 1: Sensitivity to Logging Rates (September Log Prices)

10. Following harvest, approximately 45 hectares of the highest risk land will be reverted to permanent native retirement and the remaining area will be replanted in radiata pine.

11. Radiata pine has been selected as the commercial species for several reasons.

11.1. To ensure the ongoing ability of the Reserve Fund to pay the ongoing Reserve management costs and Catchments Fund payments, it is important to maintain the productivity of the 48% that will then remain in commercial use after this harvest. No other commercial species currently consistently achieves the level of financial returns of radiata pine

11.2. Because markets exist for even small grades of radiata pine (export grades down to 10cm small end diameter (SED), more wood can be removed from the slopes above the Highway than other commercial species

11.3. Pruned stands of radiata pine provide good conditions for native understorey species and will allow the native seedbank to develop further for more retirement to native following future harvests.

Tūtira Regional Park

12. The land that is now Tūtira Regional Park was purchased by Hawke’s Bay Regional Council in 1998 and gazetted as a soil conservation reserve under the 1941 Act for the principle objective of soil conservation to maintain and improve the water quality in Lake Tūtira and Waikopiro. The secondary objective of purchase was to provide a quality outdoor recreation environment for the people of Hawke’s Bay.

13. 114ha of pine forest were established on the Park between 1991 and 1998 to provide rapid and effective erosion control, and eventually a financial return on investment.

14. In 2016 as the forest neared harvest age, feedback from Maungaharuru Tangitū Trust confirmed removing logs (approximately 2,000 truck and trailer loads) via the existing Park access would be culturally unacceptable as it would involve traversing an important waahi tapu site. Environment and Services Committee 15 March 2017 authorised the construction of access roading to the forest via easement over neighbouring land. This access is now complete, pending the construction of a bridge over the Kahikanui Stream to be completed this summer.

15. A further access road is required to harvest the trees from the north of the forest. The road has to pass over neighbouring land at some points in order to achieve a road grade suitable for log trucks. A Memorandum of Agreement is being negotiated with the neighbouring landowner which will see his affected land acquired by HBRC at no cost in exchange for an easement for the use of the road to remove his trees in the future and for general access when reasonably required.

16. Significant interest from tangata whenua (Maungaharuru Tangitū Trust) and the Tūtira Community in the replanting plan for the Tūtira pine forest led to the establishment of a working group responsible for submitting a replanting recommendation to Council for approval. The Working Group has recently agreed the replanting recommendation and this will be submitted to the 3 February EICC Meeting.

Stems Harvesting

17. A key factor in awarding the contract for harvest and sales management to Pan Pac was their ability to remove whole stems from the forests for processing at their Whirinaki Mill, thereby requiring less earthworks and leaving less processing waste (slash) on site. This was a critical factor in particular above the ‘Devil’s Elbow’ where there is very little flat area available.

18. Pan Pac usually only processes stems from their own forests at their mill and no effort is made to record the volumes of different log grades from different forests. It is not possible therefore to track the volumes of different log grades cut from HBRC stems in the mill. A process has therefore been established whereby the log grade mix within each harvest unit is estimated using sample inventory measurements and industry yield prediction software and combined with current prices for each grade to form a composite price per tonne of logs. This composite price is then applied per tonne of logs trucked over the Pan Pac weighbridge.

Log prices

19. Staff have accepted independent advice on a range of log thresholds within which prices are acceptable for harvesting and are using 5% either side of the 5 year averages for the main grades as a guide.

20. After the significant initial impacts of Covid-19, log prices have climbed back and are currently within the agreed range. Domestic prices are fixed for three months whereas export prices only for one and are therefore subject to greater volatility. The ongoing impacts of Covid-19 and pressures existing prior make it impossible to predict future trends.

	5 year average	-5%	+5%	Current price
Pruned 35	$185	$176	$194	$184
Domestic A	$121	$115	$127	$120
Export A	$131	$124	$138	$125

Table 2: HBRC Price Thresholds for Logging

21. The harvest contract allows HBRC to delay harvest if prices fall outside what are deemed to be favourable, however this will need to be carefully assessed. Delaying harvest at Tūtira would reduce the time a logged area had to reestablish in trees and therefore erosion protection prior to the adjoining area being harvested. Trees above the Highway at Tangoio cannot be allowed to get too big and heavy due to the greater risk of them toppling. They are not close to that point yet.

Next Steps

22. Staff will present the Committee with a further update and a recommendation for the Tūtira Regional Park Pine Forest replanting in EICC Meeting 3 February 2021.

Decision Making Process

23. Staff have assessed the requirements of the Local Government Act 2002 in relation to this item and have concluded that, as this report is for information only, the decision making provisions do not apply.

Recommendation

That the Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee receives and notes the “Tūtira Regional Park and Tangoio Soil Conservation Reserve Forest Harvest Update” staff report.

Authored by: Approved by:

Ben Douglas

Forest Management Advisor

Chris Dolley

Group Manager Asset Management

Attachment/s

⇩1	Tūtira Regional Park and Tangoio Soil Conservation Reserve Location Map
⇩2	Tūtira Roads and Land Acquisition

HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL

Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee

Wednesday 04 November 2020

Subject: Hawke’s Bay Marine & Coast Group and Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge Collaboration

Reason for Report

1. This report provides an update on the organisational activities associated with Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s collaboration with the Hawke’s Bay Marine and Coast Group (HBMaC) and the Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge.

Executive Summary

2. Hawke’s Bay Marine and Coast Group is a collaborative group convened to identify research needs and recommend research objectives to fill knowledge gaps to assist in the ongoing sustainable management of the Hawke’s Bay Coastal Marine Area.

3. Since 2018, the group has been working with the Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge in a regional case study aimed at implementing the principals of Ecosystem Based Management on the ground.

4. In 2019, stage one of the case study was undertaken which looked at two stressors; land based sediment and changes to the seafloor from bottom contact, using a socio-ecological tool called a systems map.

5. The project is currently waiting for confirmation of funding for stage two which will model potential management scenarios, looking at the impact of these scenarios on the values we hold for the coastal marine area.

Strategic Fit

6. This activity assists Council to meet its strategic goal of ‘Healthy, functioning and climate-resilient biodiversity’, specifically to:

6.1. Develop a Coastal Marine Monitoring and Management Plan, supported by the stakeholder-led Coastal Marine research strategy.

7. This project aligns with Marine and Coast science activities assessing land-based impacts on the coastal marine area.

Background

8. Management of the coastal marine area in Hawke’s Bay is undertaken by a number of agencies and entities, covering a number of legislative documents. These include the Resource Management Act 1991, Biosecurity Act 1993, Conservation Act 1987, Fisheries Act 1996, Māori Fisheries Act 2004, Maritime Transport Act 1994, Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act 2011, and the Marine Mammals Protection Act 1978, as well as a number of other non-statutory documents.

9. In 2016, local concern around the perceived depletion of inshore fisheries and fish habitat in Hawke’s Bay marked a Council initiative to begin a collaboration between Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and others with interests in the Hawke’s Bay coastal marine area.

10. The Hawke’s Bay Marine and Coast Group (HBMaC) is comprised of representatives from recreational and commercial fishers, LegaSea, Department of Conservation, Fisheries New Zealand (MPI), local iwi, hapū and representation from two post-treaty settlement groups. Hawke’s Bay Regional Council science staff are both participants in, and the facilitators of this group.

11. HBMaC’s purpose is to provide recommendations on improving the information and evidential base of decision-making in the management of Hawke’s Bay coastal marine area. HBMaC developed the Research Roadmap which covers three themes:

11.1. Terrestrial and Coastal Linkages

11.2. Ecosystems and Habitats

11.3. Fisheries

12. Due to the existing relationships held within the HBMaC group, Hawke’s Bay was approached to participate in the Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge as a case study area. The National Science Challenges are cross-disciplinary, mission-led programmes designed to tackle New Zealand’s biggest science-based challenges.

13. The Hawke’s Bay case study is focused on enabling (rather than implementing) Ecosystem Based Management (EBM) in Hawke’s Bay.

Discussion

14. Sustainable Seas is one of 11 National Science Challenges established in 2014 to direct science funding towards some of the biggest science-based issues and opportunities facing New Zealand.

15. In 2018, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council commenced discussions with the Sustainable Seas leadership team regarding participating as a case study area. This would enable Sustainable Seas to trial EBM tools they already had developed, and enable HBMaC to assess what further information may be required to underpin Ecosystem Based Management in Hawke’s Bay.

16. The HBMaC vision of ‘Achieve a healthy and functioning marine ecosystem in Hawke’s Bay that supports an abundant and sustainable fishery’ is well aligned to the Sustainable Seas vision ‘Aotearoa New Zealand has healthy marine ecosystems that provide value for every New Zealander’.

17. EBM is an approach to management that addresses cumulative impacts and balances multiple, often conflicting, objectives across management objectives and/ or sectors. A primary goal of EBM is to balance the diverse and interconnected needs of society and the environment.

18. Stage one of the Hawke’s Bay project focused on two main stressors: land-derived sediments entering the marine environment and bottom contact from fisheries activities (e.g. trawling). Three full day workshops were held with HBMaC participants and the Sustainable Seas project team. These workshops looked at the aspects that influence the two stressors (including social and ecological aspects), as well as projected patterns under different scenarios (e.g. do nothing, current or projected management).

19. A systems map, a way to visually articulate the relationships between variables that best explain the behaviour of the system that you are trying to understand, was developed. This highlighted four areas where our desired state differed from our current state. These included:

19.1. Land-derived sediment entering the marine environment

19.2. Appropriate benthic structure (e.g. complex habitat, sand, mud etc)

19.3. Loss of connection with Tangaroa

19.4. Public satisfaction with ecosystem health.

20. The final workshop was held a week before COVID lockdown and so further discussions were slightly hampered by the time delay between the workshop and reporting, and also due to travel limitations by some participants in that week.

21. The report and map have been finalised and are in the publication process.

22. Stage two of the project will investigate the impact of different management scenarios on reducing the gaps between the current and desired state using existing tools developed in the Sustainable Seas programme. We are proposing to trial a Degradation and Recovery Model to simulate changes in management (e.g. changes to sediment delivery, changes to bottom contact from trawl gear etc) and understand what that may mean for seafloor health.

23. These scenarios will then be returned to the systems map to understand the implications of these actions in the socio-ecological space.

24. We envisage that this will highlight areas of multiple and competing values, and potential conflicts, and have signaled to Sustainable Seas that further work is likely to be required in this space. This includes support around looking at risk and uncertainty in decision-making.

25. This is a Sustainable Seas project, and as such all funding is held by them. Hawke’s Bay Regional Council are contributing staff time to support this project.

Next Steps

26. HBMaC is currently awaiting decisions from the Sustainable Seas board on funding of stage 2 of the project; expected November/December 2020.

27. In future we anticipate that this project will assist Council to deliver the Kotahi Plan.

Decision Making Process

28. Staff have assessed the requirements of the Local Government Act 2002 in relation to this item and have concluded that, as this report is for information only, the decision making provisions do not apply.

Recommendation

That the Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee receives and notes the “Hawke’s Bay Marine & Coast Group and Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge Collaboration” staff report.

Authored by:

Anna Madarasz-Smith

Team Leader/Principal Scientist Marine and Coast

Ellen Robotham

Policy Planner

Becky Shanahan

Scientist Marine and Coasts

Approved by:

Iain Maxwell

Group Manager Integrated Catchment Management

Attachment/s

There are no attachments for this report.

HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL

Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee

Wednesday 04 November 2020

Subject: Marine Biosecurity Programme Update

Reason for Report

1. This report provides an overview and update on the Marine Biosecurity Programme, currently being delivered by the Catchment Services team.

Executive Summary

2. Marine pests were included in the 2018-38 Hawke’s Bay Regional Pest Management Plan (RPMP) for the first time.

3. The aim of the Hawke’s Bay marine biosecurity programme is to reduce the likelihood of marine pests establishing in Hawke’s Bay, primarily via the movement of vessels with bio-fouling.

4. In the short time the marine biosecurity programme has been operating, 24 vessels have been inspected and two vessels with marine pests have been intercepted on their arrival to Hawke’s Bay.

5. No established populations of exclusion marine pests have been detected to date in Hawke’s Bay waters.

Strategic Fit

6. This marine pest programme sits within a biosecurity framework for the Hawke’s Bay region, which includes the RPMP, the Hawke’s Bay Biodiversity Strategy and the HBRC Strategic Plan. This programme also aligns with the work the Marine and Coast science team carries out protecting and enhancing our marine environment.

Background

7. Marine pests compete with and prey on native species, modify natural habitats, affect marine industries, and alter ecosystem processes. Once here, they are difficult and expensive to get rid of.

8. Marine pests are established in a number of regions throughout New Zealand including Northland Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty. Hawke’s Bay is currently in the enviable position of not having any of the worst marine pests established within the region.

9. The main pathway in which marine pests are spread is through bio-fouling on vessel hulls.

10. In order to reduce the risk of marine pests being transported to Hawke’s Bay, a marine biosecurity programme was included in the Hawke’s Bay RPMP (2018-2038). Two marine pests are included as Exclusion Pests (Clubbed tunicate and Mediterranean fanworm) alongside a Clean Hull rule, which states that all vessels and structures that enter Hawke’s Bay waters must have no more than a slime layer and/or goose barnacles. A breach of this rule is an offence under the biosecurity act.

Discussion

11. When a vessel enters Hawke’s Bay waters and berths in the Inner Harbor an Incoming Vessel Form containing specific biosecurity questions must be completed by the skipper and submitted to HBRC. A risk analysis is undertaken using this information and if the vessel is suspected to be high risk of not complying with the HBRC Clean Hull rule divers will inspect the vessel.

12. The table below shows the number of incoming vessels that have been assessed, and the levels of compliance.

# of Incoming Vessel Forms received	133
# of vessels inspected	24
# of vessels inspected compliant with Clean Hull Rule	8
# of vessels inspected not compliant with Clean Hull Rule	16
# of non-compliant vessels directed to be hauled out or leave HB waters	15
# of marine pest incursions	2

13. Council staff responded to all non-compliant vessels and marine pest incursions by either directing the vessel to be hauled out and cleaned, or to leave Hawke’s Bay waters.

14. Additionally, a biennial marine pest survey is undertaken of the Ahuriri Inner Harbour using divers. If a marine pest was found in the early stages of establishment we would have a better chance of eradicating it. No new marine pests have been found to date.

15. HBRC is a member of the Top of the North Marine Biosecurity Partnership (Auckland Council, Northland Regional Council, Gisborne District Council, Waikato Regional Council, Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Biosecurity New Zealand). The partnership shares information, best practice, resources and collaborate on research. In conjunction with Eagle Technology the Partnership is also developing a Marine Vessel Portal where information on vessel information and pest distribution can be shared between organisations.

16. A key constraint for the HBRC marine biosecurity programme is the lack of national coordination. Marine biosecurity is a national issue as the risk of marine pests spreading arises when vessels move between regions. Currently, there are no national rules regarding vessel cleanliness. This results in a disjointed approach which is a cause of frustration for Councils and vessel owners. Biosecurity New Zealand have indicated that they are now looking into developing a National Marine Biosecurity Strategy.

17. Another constraint is the Napier Port is not included in the national Marine High Risk Site Surveillance (MHRSS) programme. The MHRSS is a national programme of surveys targeted at the early detection of high-risk marine non-indigenous species undertaken in 11 ports and marinas in New Zealand. This programme is managed by Biosecurity New Zealand. A baseline survey was last carried out in 2003 by Biosecurity New Zealand, however, no surveillance for marine pests has been undertaken since this survey as part of the national programme. Therefore, whilst HBRC carry out biennial surveys for marine pests at the Ahuriri Inner Harbour the lack of marine pest surveillance at Napier Port leaves the risk that new to Hawke’s Bay or new to New Zealand marine pests have established at the port. HBRC staff continue to advocate to Biosecurity New Zealand to undertake more regular surveys.

Next Steps

18. The marine biosecurity programme has been shown to be highly valuable within the short time it has been running. This is highlighted by the two marine pest incursions that have been intercepted on vessel hulls and managed following best practice. One of these vessels had two mature Mediterranean fanworm on the hull and was coming to Hawke’s Bay to berth permanently. Had this incursion not been intercepted, it is likely this marine pest would have established in Hawke’s Bay.

19. The Top of the North Marine Biosecurity Partnership, has been invaluable in the development and implementation of HBRC’s marine biosecurity programme. This collaboration continues to grow of which HBRC as a minor party significantly benefits from.

20. The Top of the North Marine Biosecurity Partnership is currently developing an Inter-regional Marine Pathway Management Plan. This plan would implement a consistent set of rules for the level of allowable hull-fouling on vessels within those regions implementing this plan.

Decision Making Process

21. Staff have assessed the requirements of the Local Government Act 2002 in relation to this item and have concluded that, as this report is for information only, the decision making provisions do not apply.

Recommendation

That the Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee receives and notes the “Marine Biosecurity Programme Update” staff report.

Authored by:

Alice McNatty

Team Leader Pest Plants and Marine Biodiversity

Mark Mitchell

Team Leader/Principal Advisor, Biosecurity/Biodiversity

Approved by:

Iain Maxwell

Group Manager Integrated Catchment Management

Attachment/s

There are no attachments for this report.

HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL

Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee

Wednesday 04 November 2020

Subject: Biosecurity Operational Plan and Annual Report

Reason for Report

1. This item presents the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s Biosecurity Annual Report for the 2019-20 year and Operational Plan for the 2020-2021 year.

Executive Summary

2. Pest management is an important part of the sustainable management of natural resources in Hawke’s Bay. The Hawke’s Bay Regional Council (Council) manages risks posed by pests and other organisms through its Biosecurity programme. The Hawke’s Bay Regional Pest Management Plan (RPMP) 2018-2038 is the core document behind this and establishes the regulatory basis for pest management in Hawke’s Bay. The RPMP was made operative in February 2019.

3. As the management agency, Council is required to prepare an annual operational plan that sets out how the RPMP is to be implemented. Following the end of each financial year, Council is required to produce an Annual Report, recording progress in implementation of the RPMP via the Operational Plan.

Strategic Fit

4. Regional pest management sits within a biosecurity framework for the Hawke’s Bay region, which includes the RPMP, the Hawke’s Bay Biodiversity Strategy and the HBRC Strategic Plan. Neighbouring Regional Pest Management Plans and national legislation, policy and initiatives have also influenced Hawke’s Bays RPMP.

Background

5. Regional councils have a mandate under Part 2 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 (the Act) to provide regional leadership in activities that prevent, reduce, or eliminate adverse effects from harmful organisms that are present in their region. Council therefore has this leadership role in the Hawke’s Bay region.

6. The purpose of the Hawke’s Bay Regional Pest Management Plan is to provide for the efficient and effective management or eradication of specified harmful organisms in the Hawke’s Bay Region. It builds on the 2013 Strategy and previous pest management programmes. The purpose of the Plan is to:

6.1 minimise the actual or potential adverse or unintended effects associated with those organisms; and

6.2 maximise the effectiveness of individual actions in managing pests through a regionally coordinated approach.

7. Many organisms in the Hawke’s Bay region are considered undesirable or a nuisance. The Regional Pest Management Plan only addresses pests where voluntary action is insufficient due to the nature of the pest or the related costs and benefits of individual action or inaction. The Act specifies criteria that must be met to justify such intervention.

8. The RPMP empowers Council to exercise the relevant advisory, service delivery, regulatory and funding provisions available under the Act to deliver the specific objectives identified within the Plan.

Discussion

9. The RPMP contains 63 pests, comprising of 33 pest plants, 23 pest animals, two marine pests and five horticultural pests.

10. Some of the key outputs during the 2019-2020 financial year were:

10.1. The Pest Plant team visited 2,334 properties undertaking weed control or auditing

10.2. Staff undertook 10 biocontrol releases (Californian green thistle beetle)

10.3. No exclusion pest plants were detected in the Hawke’s Bay region

10.4. A biosecurity response was undertaken for Mediterranean fanworm, an exclusion pest, which was detected on the hull of a vessel in the inner Ahuriri harbour

10.5. Fifteen Notices of Direction were issued

10.6. A total of 141 active rook nests were treated

10.7. A total of 1,267 feral goats were controlled within the Mahia and Maungaharuru feral goat coordinated management areas (CMA)

10.8. A total of 66 rabbit enquiries were responded to

10.9. Staff worked with 32 land occupies/community groups in managing site specific pests, primarily predators

10.10. Possum monitoring was undertaken across 80,700 ha (approximately 10% of the PCA area) with the overall trap catch rate across the area being 2.4%

10.11. Predators were controlled over 54,000 ha, removing 92 feral cats, 37 ferrets, 42 stoats, 706 hedgehogs and 945 rats

10.12. Outcome monitoring showed increases in native bird abundance within the predator control areas

10.13. New Council Pest Hub website was implemented.

11. Almost all programme objectives were achieved. However, some Australian sedge and Old man’s beard control could not be completed due to Covid-19 restrictions.

12. Although almost all programme objectives were achieved, the following areas of concern were identified:

12.1. 221 possum monitoring lines were above a 4% RTC, resulting in 64 properties failing their monitor (18.6% of properties monitored)

12.2. Rabbit enquiries continue to increase, particularly in urban areas. Rabbits are a difficult pest to control, requiring expensive ongoing management

12.3. The number of properties with pest plants (primarily Chilean Needle Grass) continues to grow, resulting in increased pressure on Pest Plant budgets and staff.

Next Steps

13. A review under S17a of the Local Government Act (LGA) 2002, was recently undertaken to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of the Catchment Services biosecurity and biodiversity programmes. The review was reported to Council in September 2020. This report highlighted several areas that require further investigation, including resourcing for pest plants, approaches for managing rabbits and the delivery model for managing possums. The Catchment Services team is currently working through these recommendations, with further advice coming back to council in the coming months on proposed changes.

14. Identified as a significant action arising from the S17a review, the possum control area programme is undergoing immediate review by an external contractor. The findings of this review and advice on any required changes and resourcing implications will be presented to council early next year for inclusion in the 2021-22 Annual Plan and associated consultative processes. In the interim, the Pest Animal team has directed more resources this current financial year into possum monitoring across the PCA.

15. As another placeholder, further resources for possum monitoring and pest plant management have been requested within the 2021-31 LTP process. This will address some of the immediate areas of concern and more substantive and enduring proposals will come back to council for advice and required changes for inclusion in Annual Plans. This slight delay will allow staff to complete comprehensive reviews and ensure that the proposed changes are well thought through, can be effectively implemented and can go through appropriate consultative processes.

16. Staff have ramped up the communication with OSPRI, who have moved to a new geographically based operating model, with staff now based in the region. There are currently 19 herds infected and five herds under investigation in the current TB outbreak area. OSPRI believe they are managing the outbreak and expect the number of infected herds to drop substantially over the next 6 months.

Decision Making Process

17. Staff have assessed the requirements of the Local Government Act 2002 in relation to this item and have concluded that, as this report is for information only, the decision making provisions do not apply.

Recommendation

That the Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee receives and notes the “Biosecurity Operational Plan and Annual Report” staff reports.

Authored by:

Mark Mitchell

Team Leader/Principal Advisor, Biosecurity/Biodiversity

Approved by:

Iain Maxwell

Group Manager Integrated Catchment Management

Attachment/s

⇩1	HBRC Biosecurity 2019-20 Annual Report
⇩2	Combined Pest Plant and Pest Animal Operational Plan 2020-2021

HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL

Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee

Wednesday 04 November 2020

Subject: Heretaunga Plains Flood Control Scheme Review Update

Reason for the report

1. This item provides the Committee with an update on the Level of Service (LoS) review of Heretaunga Plains Flood Control Scheme (HPFCS) rivers, including progress and future milestones.

Executive Summary

2. Staff will present the key activities and achievements of the project to date.

3. The project was last presented to Council in July 2020, since then we have updated the work program to respond to the additional funding from Government’s Flood Control Resilience Funding.

4. A comprehensive land investigation has been undertaken by The Property Group to confirm and set the extent of the study area for land located on both banks of the HPFCS rivers. A 100m corridor on both banks of each of the rivers to evaluate property risks in regard to land tenure and land use. An overall risk profile for each land parcel has been developed for each river, data is hosted on a GIS site. This work will facilitate land borrow site identification, access requirements, easement instruments and potential land purchase.

5. As part of the LOS program of work, we reviewed the flood frequency analysis for the Tutaekuri Rivers in 2020, with 30 years additional hydrologic data from the previous analysis (1989). The current (2020) analysis shows that the 100 year flow estimate in 1989 is equivalent to today’s 500 year flow estimate. This has been independently reviewed by NIWA.

6. The result of the analysis for the Tutaekuri River is that the current stopbank heights provide adequate protection from overtopping in a 0.2% AEP (1:500yr) event. Other failure modes need to be examined to determine the risk of failure during the 0.2% AEP event. These items are discussed further below.

7. Modelling of the Ngaruroro River will be completed in December 2020 with a focus to identify and prioritise physical works in FY2021-22 and FY2022-23. The Lower Tukituki River and Clive River modelling is scheduled to be completed by July 2021.

8. A consequences of failure mapping exercise was undertaken for all rivers. Two sites on the Tutaekuri River (Moteo and Taradale) were selected for geophysical and geotechnical investigations in preparation for scoping and strengthening works of the existing stop bank assets. Engineering design options will be developed following geotechnical assessments and physical works will be programmed for start in October 2021. Maps are attached.

9. A priority has been placed to identify sites for improvement works on the Tutaekuri river to meet Crown funded physical works programme for FY20-21 due to the completion of modelling and condition assessments on this river. Refer to attachment 2.

Strategic Fit

10. This project aligns with council strategy and priority under:

10.1. Climate change and resilience

10.2. Sustainable services and infrastructure.

Background

11. Through the 2012-2022 LTP, it was identified that investment would occur from 2015-2016 onwards “to upgrade stop banks and river edge protection necessary to provide the required level of service (following the Level of Service review).

12. Through the 2015 LTP process, HBRC noted that Level of Services will be reviewed over time but no further specific consultation was carried out.

13. In 2018-2028 LTP consultation document “Facing our Future,” we informed and listed some major projects and consolation process for next 30years. The project Heretaunga Plains Scheme named in this document states “Improve flood carrying capacity from a 1 in 100 year event level to a 1 in 500 year level, in response to climate change.“

14. No further consultation with public has been carried out since the Facing the Future document (2018-28 Consultation document) was released.

15. A budget of $20M (not including Crown funding) was allocated in the 2018 LTP for the next 10 years.

Discussion

16. Modelling for Tutaekuri River has indicated confirmation that existing stop bank heights currently provide protection for the risk of overtopping during a 1 in 500 year (0.2% AEP) flood event.

17. Non-destructive geophysical testing and destructive geotechnical testing allows us to categorise residual risks and likelihood of other failure modes due to increased velocities and shear stresses. Engineering options shall be developed to mitigate failure modes by means of strengthening, augmenting or replacing assets.

18. The effects of climate change as a relative increase to hydrologic modelling data is not well defined. The range for each of the representative concentration pathway (RCPs) scenarios presents considerable uncertainty. The subsequent increase in flow rate for hydrologic modeling of the HPFCS rivers has been estimated between 5%-39%.

19. Over the next 5 years NIWA is scheduled to investigate in detail the impact of climate change on flood response in NZ to reduce this level of uncertainty.

20. Furthermore, due to significant variations in the scale, the decision on the appropriate climate change scenario to adopt is dependent on council’s appetite for risk (to be discussed during presentation).

Next Steps

21. Engineering design options shall be developed for Moteo and Taradale sites following geophysical and geotechnical assessments to align with Crown funding physical works programme for FY2020-21.

22. HBRC will engage a third-party consultant (river engineer) to assist in detailed options analysis for the HPFCS. This will provide an independent overview of our schemes and offer any opportunities to investigate other options not yet considered.

23. Each individual engineering design work package generated for this project will be distributed to prequalified consultants who meet the requirements of a Panel Agreement for Engineering Services.

24. A regular update of the project will be reported to each EICC meeting.

Decision Making Process

25. Staff have assessed the requirements of the Local Government Act 2002 in relation to this item and have concluded that, as this report is for information only, the decision making provisions do not apply.

Recommendation

That the Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee receives and notes the “Heretaunga Plains Flood Control Scheme Review Update” staff report.

Authored by:

Martina Groves

Regional Asset Manager

David Keracher

Acting Manager
Regional Projects

Approved by:

Chris Dolley

Group Manager
Asset Management

Attachment/s

⇩1	Consequences of Failure Mapping
⇩2	Tutaekuri Sites for Improvements

HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL

Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee

Wednesday 04 November 2020

Subject: Crown Funded Flood Resilience Projects Update

Reason for Report

1. This report provides an update on four projects approved for funding as part of the Crown’s Flood Control Resilience Funding with the Infrastructure Reference Group managed by the Provincial Development Unit (PDU).

Background

2. In Budget 2020, Cabinet agreed to provide a $3 billion investment in infrastructure to support New Zealand's economic recovery as part of the 11 May COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund.

3. The Government established the Infrastructure Reference Group (IRG) to identify a pipeline of shovel-ready projects to support the economy during the COVID-19 rebuild. The process was supported by Crown Infrastructure Partners.

4. Council have received confirmation from IRG of funding allocation for a total amount of up to $19.2 m (plus GST, if any) which is a 64% contribution to the projects.

5. Council received formal approval for allocated funding from the PDU on 29 September 2020. A signed contract shall be returned to PDU before 10 November 2020.

6. Several updates to the contract have been issued since the formal approval including confirmation of queries from other regional councils, changes to the programme and project brief.

Discussion

Project 1: Heretaunga Plains Flood Control Scheme (Levels of Service) – $20 m

7. This project is programmed over a three-year period and will build upon existing river modelling, condition assessment and property analysis undertaken as part of the Heretaunga Plains Flood Control Scheme (HPFCS) level of service review.

8. HBRC co-funding of $7.2 million is required to match IRG funds of $12.8 million.

9. $1.2 m per year has been allocated in the current LTP for FY 2021-22 and 2022-23. This leaves a shortfall of $3.35 million which will be see $1.675 m brought forward from each of FY 2026-27 and 2027-28.

10. FY 2020-21 includes $500k of allocated funding to undertake stop bank strengthening at two sites on the Tūtaekurī River, as shown in figures 1 and 2.

11. Red highlighted area on left bank of Tūtaekurī river between cross sections XS17-XS22 on Figure 1 below, indicates severe consequence of failure at the Taradale site, as determined from the site-specific Flood Protection Asset (FPA) performance and risk assessment

Figure 1 – FPA Performance and Risk Assessment: Taradale site

12. Orange highlighted area on right bank of Tūtaekurī river between cross sections XS43a-XS47 on Figure 2 below, indicates high consequence of failure at the Moteo site, as determined from the site specific FPA performance and risk assessment.

Figure 2 – FPA Performance and Risk Assessment: Moteo site

13. Modelling of the Tūtaekurī has confirmed that the existing stop banks can accommodate overtopping failure for a 1 in 500-year flood event, this however, excludes increase in water levels due to climate change. In order to ensure other risks associated with increased velocities and shear stresses are mitigated, Council are engaging geotechnical specialists to undertake failure mode analysis using a suite of non-destructive and destructive testing. Results of geotechnical testing will dictate the scope and type of stop bank strengthening works required.

14. Each of the work packages generated for this project will be distributed to prequalified consultants who meet the requirements of a Panel Agreement for Engineering Services.

15. Council will engage a third-party river engineering consultant to undertake a high-level study of the existing HPFCS. This will provide an independent overview of our schemes and offer any opportunities to improve level of service with “out of the box” thinking.

16. Table 1 below provides the budget forecast with breakdown of funding for IRG and HBRC’s contribution:

Table 1: Heretaunga Plains Flood Control Scheme Budget Forecast

	IRG Contribution	HBRC Contribution
2020-21	$320k	$180k
2021-22	$6.24m	$3.51m
2022-23	$6.24m	$3.51m
TOTAL	$12.8m	$7.2m

Project 2: Upper Tukituki Gravel Extraction Flood Control Scheme – $8 million

17. Removal of over 800,000 m³ gravel is required to maintain existing nameplate capacity of 1:100 level of protection from Upper Tukituki scheme. Gravel aggradation across this scheme has been an area of concern for the last decade.

18. IRG funding is a significant opportunity to subsidise gravel extraction from this region with a focus on competitive tendering and supporting the local economy.

19. This project is programmed over a three-year period which requires HBRC co-funding of $2.88 million to release IRG funding of $5.12 million. It is proposed that a significant portion of HBRC’s contribution be loan funded then paid back via targeted and general rates under Upper Tukituki scheme, following consultation during the 2021-31 LTP.

20. Public meeting was held on 26 August 2020 to discuss the loan funding options where there a level of support was expressed by community.

21. Public meeting with Class A and B ratepayers (high dollar value ratepayers) is scheduled for November 2020.

22. Scheme loan will be a consultation topic for 2021-2031 LTP.

23. The scheme balance of $340k will be used in FY 2020-21 at no cost to Upper Tukituki scheme ratepayers. This will allow the project to commence without delay.

24. A workshop was held on 2 September with local gravel extractors to debate options for extraction from Upper Tukituki Scheme Rivers. The outcomes of this have been considered and will be explored further in due course.

25. Drone surveys of Makeretu, Mangaonuku and Tukipo rivers are programmed to commence this year in order to quantify volumes of aggraded gravels and prioritise key extraction sites. This will complement existing topographical surveys of the Upper Tukituki and Waipawa rivers and confirm gravel forecasting over the next three years.

26. Material testing of gravels will be undertaken at several locations on each of the rivers. Crushing, screening and compaction testing will determine suitability of gravels indicative end use requirements.

27. Strategic discussions with Central Hawkes Bay District Council (CHBDC) have proved to be extremely useful in terms of aligning extraction of key sites with Provincial Growth Funded projects in the region. Whilst this does not currently leverage on gravel subsidies, it has opened a narrative on responsible use of river gravels in the region. Council will continue partner with CHBDC to support future capital projects in order to achieve social and environmental outcomes whilst contributing to the local economy.

28. Council have been in discussion with NZTA regarding provision of gravels for the Manawatu gorge project. Significant volumes may be required based on their suitability, pending third party testing results.

29. Collaboration with industry and stakeholders has been identified as a suitable “vehicle” to deliver key IRG funding outcomes. Emphasis will be given to social procurement drivers and supporting the local economy.

30. Table 2 below provides the budget forecast with breakdown of funding for IRG and HBRC’s contribution:

Table 2 - Upper Tukituki Gravel Extraction Flood Control Scheme

	IRG Contribution	HBRC Contribution
2020-21	$604k	$340k
2021-22	$1.92m	$1.08m
2022-23	$2.594m	$1.46m
TOTAL	$5.12m	$2.88m

Project 3: Upper Tukituki Flood Control Scheme SH50/Waipawa Erosion – $1 million

31. This one-year project programme will provide engineered erosion protection works of southern approach to NZTA’s SH50 bridge. The left bank of the Waipawa river immediately upstream of SH50 bridge has eroded significantly over the past five years. If left unattended, there is a risk that the southern approach will be compromised and the river may outflank the bridge.

32. Detailed design for erosion protection works to be completed late October.

33. Methodology for the project has been agreed with Works Group as part of Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) and shall form the basis of the contract agreement.

34. Direct engagement for the works shall be awarded to HBRC Works Group due to the specialist nature of the project within the riverbed. It is anticipated that site works will commence in early November.

35. Table 3 below provides the budget forecast with breakdown of funding for IRG and HBRC’s contribution:

Table 3 - Upper Tukituki Flood Control Scheme SH50/Waipawa Erosion

	IRG Contribution	HBRC Contribution	NZTA Contribution
2020-21	$640k	$60k	$300k
TOTAL	$640k	$60k	$300k

Project 4: River Parade Scour Protection, Wairoa – $1 million

36. This one-year project programme will provide steel sheet piled erosion protection works on left bank of the Wairoa River. Over the last five years the Wairoa River has gradually undermined the embankment immediately south of the Ferry Hotel. This has in turn compromised Wairoa District Council (WDC) water assets and more recently Carroll Street and River Parade.

37. In September HBRC engineering team held a workshop with Consulting Engineer Gary Williams in order to confirm the alignment of the proposed steel sheet piled wall, including the curtailment detail upstream.

38. Council have undertaken ECI with Latteys Group, a specialist sheet piling contractor, to develop a suite of geotechnical testing for preliminary design options. The outcome of the preliminary design will allow us to maximise the lineal meterage of the sheet piled wall, thus providing the greatest benefit to WDC’s existing compromised assets.

39. The proposed level of service for the erosion protection shall be confirmed with WDC as part of the preliminary design. It is expected that design will be completed early 2021 with site mobilisation anticipated mid-2021, dependent on steel sheet pile procurement lead times.

40. Table 4 below provides the budget forecast with breakdown of funding for IRG and HBRC’s contribution:

Table 4 – River Parade Scour Protection, Wairoa

	IRG Contribution	HBRC Contribution	WDC Contribution
2020-21	$640k	$180k	$180k
TOTAL	$640k	$180k	$180k

IRG Contract Requirements

41. The contractual financial forecasting has been amended to advanced quarterly payments for each project. This was a result of river managers SIG’s concerns over balancing over and under throughout the project lifecycle.

42. Negotiations continue on specific aspects of the contract with PDU. River Managers SIG is providing significant input to the standard contract used for all Regional Councils for this program.

Next Steps

43. The contract for above noted works shall be signed and returned to the PDU in early November following completion of programming and budget forecasting.

Decision Making Process

44. Staff have assessed the requirements of the Local Government Act 2002 in relation to this item and have concluded that, as this report is for information only, the decision making provisions do not apply.

Recommendation

That the Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee receives and notes the “Crown Funded Flood Resilience Projects Update” staff report.

Authored by:

David Keracher

Acting Manager
Regional Projects

Approved by:

Chris Dolley

Group Manager
Asset Management

Attachment/s

There are no attachments for this report.

HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL

Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee

Wednesday 04 November 2020

Subject: Regional Drought Relief Fund

Reason for Report

1. This item provides an update on the Regional Drought Relief Fund and discusses recommended next steps.

Executive Summary

2. The Regional Drought Relief Fund (RDRF) which totalled $1,015,110, has distributed $979,561 to assist our rural community with costs related to animal feed transportation and welfare.

3. Applications to the fund closed 30 September 2020, leaving $35,549 remaining in the fund.

Background

4. On 12 March 2020, the Ministry for Primary Industries classified the 2019-20 drought as a large-scale adverse event for the entire North Island.

5. The Hawke's Bay Rural Advisory Group (RAG) was the lead group for the drought response working under the Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence and Emergency Management Group (HBCDEM) structure. The RAG is made up of representatives from rural and primary sector businesses, agencies and councils.

6. The RAG worked closely with the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and the HBCDEM to co-ordinate activities, information and support for rural people impacted by the drought and national lockdown. 

Funding

7. On 19 May 2020, the regions mayors and Regional Council chairman launched the RDRF, in response to the critical shortage of feed, as a result of the severe and prolonged drought in Hawke's Bay. The purpose of this fund was to “leave no one behind” and support the stock feed requirements of as many landowners as possible through the winter by offering a payment towards the cost of transporting feed to farm.

8. The fund initially accrued $1 million including contributions from Ministry for Primary Industries ($500k), Regional Council ($200k), Central Hawke's Bay District Council ($50k), Centralines ($50k), Hastings District Council ($200k). The RAG administered the fund held in Trust by the Hawke's Bay Disaster Relief Trust.

9. In addition to this government funding, the community raised $15,110 through a GiveaLittle campaign, promoted by the 'Digging deep for farmers' drive created by the RAG communications team.

10. The RAG agreed to commit $10,000 from the RDRF towards the East Coast Rural Support Trust (RST), to support their work in providing ‘critical care’ personal and financial support to vulnerable farming families. This small amount of funding was available for immediate use to supply feed, for veterinary support or additional on farm labour.

Initial funding criteria

11. The terms of reference for the RDRF were clear from the outset that the funds raised will support the cost of transporting feed to the region.

12. The RAG agreed on the following criteria.

13.1 Funding is for transportation of feed

13.2 Invoices must be dated on or after 19 May 2020 (when the RDRF was announced)

13.3 Farm must be in the Hawke's Bay

13.4 Farm must have feed/plan budget

13.5 Farm size: Between 20ha-150ha, can claim up to $400

13.6 Farm size: Greater than 150ha, can claim up to $1,350

13.7 Farms that received free donated feed (via Rural Support Trust) would have to share their portion of the transport costs, at the end of spring

13.8 Funding can only be applied for once.

13. Given the urgency of the feed requirement, the application process was managed as a high trust model of targeted assistance in much the way that the government COVID-19 wage subsidy was applied.

Obtaining funding

14. People were to apply for funding through the online form on a Regional Council website or drop into any of our offices to complete an application form. They were to asked to attach proof of feed transport cost (a recent invoice), along with a bank deposit slip.

15. For small block owners (less than 20ha), the RAG and Regional Council organised three separate 'lifestyle feed runs' over three consecutive weekends during May. Feed was purchased and transported into Hawke’s Bay from all over the country (Christchurch, Gisborne, Tauranga, Inglewood, New Plymouth and Feilding) and sold online to small block owners.

16. We sold out of feed within 48 hours for each run, which showed the level of need. On the pickup days, we relied on volunteers to help load the bales. This included; Napier Tech Rugby, East Coast Young Farmers, Regional Council staff, Civil Defence staff, regional councillor Will Foley, and RAG leaders.

17. Furthermore, the RST organised for donated feed from around the country to be transported into the region and allocated to those in need. The RDRF paid those transportation costs.

Funding criteria review July 2020

18. Initially, the RAG believed demand was going to exceed supply given the scale of the drought and the estimated number of eligible properties; hence modest limits based on farm size were agreed. After five weeks, only 103 applications, totalling $125,550 had been received.

19. In July 2020, the RAG met to review its fund criteria as uptake was unexpectedly low. The feedback at that meeting from RAG participants was that the amounts being offered were too low, many had arranged feed prior to the RDRF being announced (and so missed out on the support payment) and so the RAG made the following adjustments.

21.1 Allow those that organised feed early access to the fund (the eligibility date was shifted to 12 March 20, when the adverse event was declared by MPI)

21.2 Not to on-charge transportation costs to the recipients of donated feed

21.3 Fund transportation of stock to properties outside the region to graze, and then back again

21.4 To increase the limits

21.4.1 Farm size: Between 20ha-150ha, could claim up to $1,000 (up from $400)

21.4.2 Farm size: Greater than 150ha, could claim up to $5,000 (up from $1,350)

21.5 To automatically top up to the new limits those who had already applied by depositing the difference into their accounts ($224,980)

21.6 To confirm that applications will close end of September 2020.

20. These criteria changes, along with new direct marketing initiatives developed to promote the RDRF, via the RAG communications team, increased uptake in the subsequent weeks.

Funding update, October 20

21. At the close of the fund, $979,561 was dispersed to support our rural community with costs related to animal feed transportation and welfare. The fund totalled $1,015,110, which leaves $35,549 remaining.

22. The lifestyle feed runs supported 333 farmers who bought 4,902 bales of feed. The total cost of transportation for the lifestyle feed totalled $14,798.

23. We received 289 online applications from farmers who claimed a total of $797,650.

Northern HB	Mid-HB	Southern HB
4	173	112

24. 33 of these applicants were on farms sized between 20ha-150ha, and 255 were farms sized greater than 150ha.

25. The donated feed transportation costs totalled $149,613. This covered the cost of transport only and note the cost of the actual feed. This change resulted in a greater supply of donated feed being able to come to the region.

26. The A&P showgrounds was used as the staging area for incoming donated and lifestyle feed over the past five months. The RDRF contributed approximately $13,000 for costs associated with this including distribution and collection logistics (labour and forklift diesel costs), and repairs to the showgrounds access road, which was damaged by the feed transport trucks.

Building resilience in our rural communities

27. Hawke's Bay Regional Council has declared the region is in a climate emergency. This means increased frequency and intensity of volatile weather events including drought, and storms.

28. Farmers believe about 65% of New Zealand’s agriculture will be moderately or severely impacted by climate change in the next 30 years, according to a survey (MPI, 2019).

29. We want to help farmers and rural communities prepare for and manage through drought, so they can pursue a prosperous and sustainable future.

30. In order to do this, we are facilitating the development of a Regional Drought Resilience Strategy (RDRS), in partnership with the primary sector, MPI, councils and industry. We would like to utilize the small amount of remaining funding in the RDRF to begin this work (councils ‘share’ of this total is $7,109.80).

31. This strategy will pull together existing knowledge on managing for drought across a broad range of areas, such as alternate land use options, the use of trees on farms, reticulation, on-farm water storage and ongoing advice to landowners.

32. To achieve this, we see this work being split into three phases:

Phase one: Initial scoping to develop a Regional Drought Resilience Strategy

33. Before writing a RDRS we need to better understand:

36.1 the current thinking of those affected by this drought, including the primary sector and other supporting services

36.2 what historical resilience efforts have been made and the impact these have had

36.3 what information is available now that would help support drought resilience

36.4 best methods for engaging with our rural communities

34. Council contracted AgFirst Pastoral (HB) Limited to deliver this initial thinking.

Phase two: Development of a Regional Drought Resilience Strategy

35. We are currently contracting an industry professional to develop the strategy, with the strategy development occurring over the summer months.

Phase three: Development of an integrated Drought Resilience Action Plan

36. After the strategy has been developed we will create a focused implementation plan or action plan that sets out how we will set about operationalising the strategy and the processes and pathways that will achieve that. This will be the more significant and ongoing body of work that includes things like farmer field days, workshops and monitor farms.

Next Steps

37. Hawke's Bay should expect more frequent drought events like 2020, and we need to prepare and support our rural communities by developing a RDRS and an integrated action plan.

38. We are seeking the agreement of the fund contributors, including council, to use the remaining $35,549 to contract the right person, to work with the right people, to deliver a Regional Drought Resilience Strategy.

Decision Making Process

39. Staff have assessed the requirements of the Local Government Act 2002 in relation to this item and have concluded that, as this report is for information only, the decision making provisions do not apply.

Recommendation

That the Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee receives and notes the “Regional Drought Relief Fund” staff report including the proposal to spend the residual funding of $35,549 on a Regional Drought Resilience Strategy.

Authored by:

Jolene Townshend

Senior Advisor
Integrated Catchment Management

Approved by:

Iain Maxwell

Group Manager
Integrated Catchment Management

Attachment/s

There are no attachments for this report.

HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL

Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee

Wednesday 04 November 2020

Subject: Implications of Climate Change on the Hawke’s Bay Region

Reason for Report

1. This item provides a summary of the report prepared by NIWA on climate change projections and impacts for Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay.

2. Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and Gisborne District Council together commissioned the report with the assistance of Envirolink funding. The information presented in the report is a summary of the current knowledge of projected impacts on the regions’ natural environment and on a broad range of activities and infrastructure.

3. The report will be available on Monday 2 November, accessible via this link and search for “Climate change projections and impacts for Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay”.

Executive Summary

4. The climate change projections underpinning the Regional Council’s work to date on climate change adaptation have largely come from national level assessments, ad hoc reports focused on specific local or regional issues and a Hawke’s Bay Climate Change Projections report that was prepared by NIWA for Landcare Research NZ Ltd in May 2017.

5. The May 2017 report provided information on a limited number of climate factors so joining with Gisborne District Council presented an opportunity to procure a broad and detailed assessment of the risks posed by climate change to both regions. The newly prepared report provides information on the impacts of high and mid-range greenhouse gas emissions pathways on our climate, river flows, coastline and key sectors in the region.

Strategic Fit

6. The Strategic Plan 2020-25 places climate change “at the heart of everything we do”.

7. The Strategic Plan focusses on four priority areas that encompass climate resilient water security, climate smart land use, climate resilient biodiversity and climate resilient services and infrastructure.

8. It includes several strategic goals directly addressing climate change risks, such as managing foreseeable flood and coastal hazards risks out to 2100. Furthermore, it sets an aspiration for the region of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

9. The climate change projections and impacts report prepared by NIWA provides the most up to date and comprehensive assessment of climate change risks to the region.

Background

10. New Zealand’s climate is warming. The mean annual temperature has increased, on average, 1.02°C (±0.25°C) per century since 1909. The recently released “Our Atmosphere and Climate 2020” report by the Ministry for the Environment presented a national picture of climate trends between 1972 and 2019. It showed that Napier’s seasonal daily temperatures were likely or very likely increasing and the annual number of warm days (maximum temperature above 25°C) was very likely increasing. Trends in annual rainfall were not discernible but the proportion of total rainfall falling in very wet days was very likely increasing and the number of very wet days was very likely increasing. The intensity and frequency of short-term drought were likely increasing.

11. The Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) presented global climate change projections as four scenarios or Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs). Each RCP depicts possible future CO₂ concentrations and accompanying radiative forcing. These scenarios formed the basis of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) which brought together the efforts of the international climate modelling community to model future climate change.

12. NIWA selected six global climate model simulations from CMIP5 to drive a regional climate model producing 5 km by 5 km square pixels over the Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay regions. Two scenarios were used for this purpose - a mid-range emission pathway (RCP4.5) and a high emission pathway (RCP8.5). NIWA used the results to describe the changes that may occur to our climate over the 21^st century and how those changes may impact on our activities, environment and infrastructure.

Discussion

13. The projected changes are presented as 20-year averages spanning the years 2040 (2031-2050) and 2090 (2081-2100) and represent the change from the period 1986-2005. Some of the main findings include:

13.1. Annual average temperatures warm 0.5°C-1.0°C by 2040 and 1.5°C and 3°C by 2090 for the mid-range and high emissions pathways respectively. The strongest warming is in autumn and the least warming is in winter.

13.2. The number of days of frost decrease by up to 5 days (by the coast) and 20 days (inland) by 2040 and up to 30 and 50 days for inland areas by 2090 under the mid-range and high emissions pathways respectively.

13.3. Heatwaves (period of three consecutive days greater than 25°C) become more common with increases of between 10 and 20 days by 2040 and 20 and 60 days by 2090 for the mid-range and high emissions pathways respectively.

13.4. Annual rainfall decreases by 0-5% by 2040 then by up to 10% and 15% in parts of Hawke’s Bay by 2090 for the mid-range and high emissions pathways respectively. The largest decreases are in the western ranges. Results vary across the seasons with spring rainfall showing the greatest decrease, while coastal areas see an increase in summer rainfall and the northwest ranges an increase in winter rainfall. Short duration extreme rainfall totals increase between 5% and 14% per degree of warming.

13.5. Drought potential increases, as measured by annual accumulated Potential Evapotranspiration Deficit (PED) and the annual number of days of soil moisture deficit. PED increases by up to 150 mm in the south of the region by 2040 and over a broader area by 2090 under the mid-range emissions pathway. This increases to 200 mm by 2090 under the high emissions pathway. The probability of extreme PED (greater than 300 mm) reaches 80-100% in parts of the region. Days of soil moisture deficit could increase by 20 days or more with the largest increases in spring and winter. The findings are supported by a separate letter report on Hawke’s Bay drought predictions, prepared earlier this year by NIWA for the Regional Council. That report was based on NIWA’s New Zealand Drought Index (NZDI) and found that drought onset could occur earlier in future and the risk of “back to back” droughts would increase.

13.6. The changes in rainfall are expected to impact river flows. Annual average discharge decreases (by approximately 20% by 2090 under the high emissions pathway). Mean annual low flows (MALF) largely decrease over time, exceeding 20% in some areas by 2090 under the high emissions pathway, but an increase in summer rainfall in coastal locations may mean an increase in some catchments by 2040 under the mid-range emissions pathway. Mean Annual Flood increases by up to 50% for many of the region’s rivers by the end of the century under a high emissions pathway.

13.7. Relative sea level rise is being observed and continues under both scenarios. A sea level rise of 0.4 m (which is expected by 2060 under the high emissions pathway and by 2090 by the mid-range emissions pathway) would mean the present mean high water spring level, which is exceeded by only 10% of high tides, would be exceeded by 100% of all high tides. A 500-year storm-tide event becomes a 5-year event with a relative sea level rise of 0.16 m.

13.8. Climate change presents risks to forestry, horticulture, agriculture, tourism, ecosystem health, human health as well as infrastructure and the built environment. These include:

13.8.1. An increased incidence of pests and diseases.

13.8.2. Increased animal heat stress and reduced quality and quantity of fruit and vegetable crops in more prevalent heatwaves.

13.8.3. Increased erosion from high intensity rainfall events resulting in damage to infrastructure (roads, water supply), forestry and agricultural land productivity with potential impacts on tourism through loss of infrastructure connectivity. High intensity rainfall may also increase the risk of reduced quality of fruit and vegetables.

13.8.4. Increased drought severity and fire risk. Increased pressures on irrigation, water supplies and freshwater ecosystems from lower river flows.

13.8.5. Increased exposure of infrastructure and the primary sector to extreme coastal flooding and habitat loss through “coastal squeeze” as sea levels rise. An altered distribution and abundance of marine species with warming seas and species with carbonate shells impacted by ocean acidification.

13.8.6. Potential opportunities include increased pasture and plant productivity, biomass and crop yields (when not limited by water availability) because of higher levels of CO₂. Less frost damage and new scope for crop diversification. Tourism and water-based activities boosted by a longer warm season. Improved winter air quality through reductions in domestic fire use though summer air quality may degrade due to wildfires, wind-blown dust during droughts and a greater abundance of allergenic pollen associated with higher plant productivity.

Next Steps

14. The Hawke’s Bay Climate Change Projections report is the most comprehensive and wide-ranging assessment of climate change impacts on the region to date. It provides a picture of the region’s future under both worst case and achievable greenhouse gas emissions pathways. The results can be used to support the climate action campaign that is currently underway. The projections can also be used to further inform the Regional Council’s policies and actions to achieve the climate resilient and climate smart goals in the Strategic Plan.

Decision Making Process

15. Staff have assessed the requirements of the Local Government Act 2002 in relation to this item and have concluded that, as this report is for information only, the decision making provisions do not apply.

Recommendation

That the Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee receives and notes the “Implications of Climate Change on the Hawke’s Bay Region” staff report.

Authored by:

Dr Kathleen Kozyniak

Principal Scientist (Air)

Dr Jeff Smith

Manager Science

Approved by:

Iain Maxwell

Group Manager Integrated Catchment Management

Attachment/s

There are no attachments for this report.

HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL

Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee

Wednesday 04 November 2020

Subject: Climate Change Survey Results

Reason for Report

1. This item provides the results of the Regional Council-commissioned climate change community perceptions survey (Attachment 1), where 836 Hawke’s Bay residents were asked a range of questions about climate change.

Executive Summary

2. This survey was conducted as part of the Regional Council’s climate change work.

3. Results show Hawke’s Bay residents are aware, concerned about, and want more action on climate change. More than any other organisation, residents see the Regional Council as being responsible for taking action.

Background

4. The survey was undertaken following on from the Regional Council’s declaration of a climate emergency to understand the community’s views of the climate crisis and the Regional Council’s role, and as a benchmark for future surveys.

5. The community perceptions survey was identified earlier this year by the Climate Change Working Group as one of the top three work priorities for the 2020-21 period within a very modest budget.

6. The results from this survey are being used during a six-week climate action campaign and are intended to inform decision making on Council’s priorities for the 2021-2031 Long Term Plan.

Discussion

7. Key findings from the survey include:

7.1. 41% of people associated the Regional Council as the main organisation responsible for taking action in response to climate change in Hawke’s Bay (slightly more than double the Ministry for the Environment as the organisation with the next highest response)

7.2. 90% of people believe that climate change is already occurring, with a fairly even split between those who believe the cause is human activities alone and those who believe the cause is a mix of natural processes and human activities

7.3. 62% are concerned about the impact of climate change in Hawke’s Bay, with drought is seen as the main negative outcome of climate change, followed by sea level rise and impacts on water supply

7.4. Unpromoted 24% of people stated that climate change is one of the most important challenges facing New Zealand in the next 20 years

7.5. Drinking water quality (37%) was the single most mentioned important challenge, followed by economic struggles (which may be somewhat biased due to COVID-19 impacts), then climate change

7.6. Attention to water usage and storage (22%) were the main suggested improvements for the Council

7.7. 55% of people are prepared to pay more in rates to minimise the impact of climate change

7.8. The most supported initiative that people were prepared to pay for was a reduction of carbon and erosion through tree planting

7.9. Concern for future generations was the main driving force for taking part in environmental actions

7.10. 80% of people said they have been moderately or greatly involved in environmental activities - the top four activities were recycling, reusable product purchases, energy-saving household products and composting

7.11. Lack of alternatives or resources and cost were the two main cited barriers to engaging in environment-related activities

7.12. According to the community, climate change is most directly the result of population growth and waste, energy and transport, and industrial processes. Only 1 in 10 people surveyed think that agriculture is a key cause.

7.13. Greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture to year-end 2018 made up to 80% of gross emissions for Hawke’s Bay (Stats NZ 2020). The same Stats NZ survey showed that greenhouse gas emissions in Hawke’s Bay have dropped by 7% since 2007 mainly due to a drop in agricultural and industrial emissions.

8. The methodology used in this surveying is set out in the full Survey Report’s Appendix (Attachment 1).

9. The survey results indicate there is a very high level of awareness of climate change as an issue, and a reasonably broad understanding of many of the impacts of climate change on the environment and the economy. However, relative to the overwhelming weight of qualified, published and peer-reviewed scientific research on the causes and impacts of climate change it appears that a significant proportion of surveyed residents do not fully appreciate the extent of expected impacts of climate change on their future quality of life and the regional economy, and the associated urgency of climate change mitigation.

10. Staff consider that in light of the Council’s statutory responsibility for the management of key climate-affected natural resources such as freshwater, terrestrial and marine ecosystems, and protection of our communities from flooding and inundation, there is a strong case for further Council efforts to increase public understanding of the severity and urgency of climate change issues.

11. The survey results are a reminder of the diversity of concerns within the community and the reality that for many residents longer-term issues likely to unfold over coming decades are not top of mind when they are asked unprompted. Over 80,000 residents, or around 40%, earn less than $40,000 per annum and many are struggling with day to day issues and immediate concerns. The Council will need to carefully consider how it communicates on climate change to reach such audiences. The results also highlight the importance of drinking water quality for residents, which has been a major focus of Council, the Drinking Water Joint Committee and the TANK Plan Change since the Havelock North contamination event.

Next Steps

12. Results from this survey will be incorporated into both the pre-engagement and communications and engagement phases of the 2021-2031 Long Term Plan delivery.

13. A review of the climate action campaign will inform future education and engagement in this developing programme of work.

14. This survey is proposed to occur biannually, with the next survey being conducted in 2022, and will over time enable Council to measure changing community perceptions of climate change and shifts that may occur as a result of Council activity.

Decision Making Process

Recommendation

That the Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee receives and notes the “Climate Change Survey Results” staff report.

Authored by:

Rebecca Ashcroft-Cullen

Communications Advisor

Drew Broadley

Community Engagement and Communications Manager

Gavin Ide

Principal Advisor
Strategic Planning

Jenny Keown

Communications Advisor