Minutes of Environment and Services Committee

1. Welcome/Apologies/Notices

The Chairman welcomed everyone present to the meeting. He advised that the agenda items would be discussed out of order due to time restraints by some meeting participants.

Karakia - Mr B Gregory.

ESC9/15

Resolution

That apologies from Councillor Hewitt for absence and Councillor Barker for lateness be accepted.

Wilson/Pipe

CARRIED

Secretarial note: Mrs Joinella Maihi-Carroll’s absence was noted.

An explanation as to why the meeting was being filmed by a member of the public was requested. It was advised to the Chairman at the beginning of the meeting and water items for public interest were to be recorded. The Chairman advised the Committee the meeting is a public meeting and as the filming does not interfere the recording is allowed.

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 11 March 2015

ESC10/15

Resolution

Minutes of the Environment and Services Committee held on Wednesday, 11 March 2015, a copy having been circulated prior to the meeting, were taken as read and confirmed as a true and accurate record.

Scott/Wilson

CARRIED

4. Matters Arising from Minutes of the Environment and Services Committee Meeting Held on 11 March 2015

There were no matters arising from the minutes.

Follow-ups from Previous Environment and Services Committee Meetings

Mr Maxwell updated the follow up items as set out in the agenda item.

Mr Maxwell advised the Committee a paper on RMA resource consent application and decision making processes will be provided at the Regional Planning Committee meeting on 20 May 2015.

Two hole punch facilities have been supplied and are located in the Councillor Room and Council Chambers.

ESC11/15

Resolution:

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

Wilson/Pipe

CARRIED

6.	Call for any Minor Items Not on the Agenda
	There were no minor items raised for discussion.
7.	Board of Inquiry Draft Decision on Plan Change 6
	Ms Lambert updated the Committee on the Board of Inquiry’s draft decision on the Council’s Plan Change 6, outlining the process to date. The Board released a draft decision on 1 May 2015 which amends Rule TT1(j) with a consequential amendment to Policy TT4(1)(g). Rule TT1(j) determines which farming properties will need to obtain a resource consent if the limit set for Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen (DIN) are still exceeded after 1 June 2020. The two key elements of the decision were: the exceptions - which farming properties should be excluded from requiring a resource consent under this rule and; the Sub-catchment vs Contributing Catchment approach - how farms causing or contributing to the exceedance should be identified. Council advocated a ‘contributing catchment’ approach, reasoning that all farms above a monitoring point where the DIN level is exceeded contribute to that exceedance. The Environmental Groups supported a sub-catchment approach, reasoning that it would capture those properties that are responsible for cumulatively causing an exceedence, would promote efficiency and fewer farms would need a consent. The Board made a refinement to the condition to provide clarity as to where the limits should be measured. Ms Lambert confirmed Council is satisfied that the draft decision on Tukituki Plan Change 6 reflects an appropriate middle ground in terms of reducing the number of consents required while still being able to ensure that farms within both the surface water and groundwater capture zones that are contributing to the immediate downstream exceedence are able to be identified. Ms Lambert noted comments on the draft decision are allowed only on the narrow elements of the BoI decision, and must be made by 15 May. The Board will then consider comments received and issue a final decision.
ESC12/15	Resolutions 1. That the Environment and Services Committee Receives the report entitled “Board of Inquiry Draft Decision on Plan Change 6”. 2. The Environment and Services Committee recommends that Council: 2.1. Agrees that the decisions to be made are not significant under the criteria contained in Council’s adopted policy on significance and that Council can exercise its discretion under Sections 79(1)(a) and 82(3) of the Local Government Act 2002 and make decisions on this issue without conferring directly with the community and persons likely to be affected by or to have an interest in the decision due to the nature and significance of the issue to be considered and decided. 2.2. Lodges comments with the Board of Inquiry indicating its support for the Draft Decision as issued in relation to Rule TT(1)(j). Scott/Graham For: Barker, Scott, Pipe, Wilson, Graham, Belford, Beaven, Gregory Against: Dick CARRIED

15.

CHBDC Wastewater Treatment Compliance Update

Mr Maxwell introduced Mr John Freeman, Chief Executive and Mr Steve Thrush, Technical Services Manager from Central Hawke's Bay District Council.

Mr Wright updated the Committee on the progress of assisting CHBDC to rectify the problems surrounding the discharge of treated wastewater from the Waipawa and Waipukurau wastewater treatment facilities.

Mr Thrush and Mr Freeman gave a powerpoint presentation on how the Waipawa and Waipukurau wastewater treatment plants operate. Two samples collected from Waipawa pond were tabled to show the results of the treatment plant.

The Municipal wastewater treatment plants have resource consents to discharge treated municipal sewage. Those discharges make their way to the Tukituki River. The resource consents allow for a certain number of limit exceedences over a 12 month period, to remain compliant, sampling on the 18 December 2014 determined that the plants were in breach of their respective resource consents. Abatement notices were served on CHBDC to rectify the situation, which outlined an agreed process and timeframe to bring the discharges in line with the resource consents granted.

CHBDC are installing Lamella clarifiers that will remove excess organic matter that is preventing the sand filters from operating correctly. A secondhand Lamella clarifier has been purchased, refitted, installed and is undergoing final testing at the Waipawa plant. Another 2 Lamella clarifiers for Waipukurau have been built overseas and will be installed at the Waipukurau plant.

In response to a question on the effect of the ponds due to nature (flash flooding), Messrs Maxwell and Wright agreed to report back at the August E&S meeting with calculations on sizeable events.

Mr Freeman extended an open invitation to Committee members to visit the treatment plant.

ESC13/15

Resolution

1. That the Environment and Services Committee receives the “CHBDC Wastewater Treatment Compliance Update“ report.

Wilson/Scott

CARRIED

14.

Environmental Monitoring & Reporting and Land & Water Aotearoa Website Update

Mr Maxwell updated the Committee on progress with the Environmental Monitoring and Reporting (EMaR) programme and development of the Land and Water Aotearoa website (LAWA) in conjunction with the regional sector response to the National Monitoring and Reporting Bill.

Councillor Barker arrived at 10:15 am

An Environmental Reporting Bill was introduced in February 2014. The Bill makes it explicit who has responsibility for environmental reporting, set the broad framework for the scope of reporting, and set out timing for reporting products. The Ministry for the Environment is developing an EMaR framework. The environment has been divided into five environmental domains: air, atmosphere and climate, land, fresh water and marine. The framework will include three main types of information: pressures, states and impacts, and will comprise integrated regional/national environmental data collection networks and widely accessible reporting platforms. Data will be made available to Central Government, among others, for national reporting purposes.

The major components of the framework are the data collection networks, regional databases, national data archive and public website/portal. The Land, Air, Water Aotearoa (LAWA) will be used as the public interface.

HBRC is the lead Council in the development of the latest module, water quantity. HBRC staff have been collaborating with Horizons Regional Council staff in the development of a Federated National Data system (FNDS). The FNDS will streamline the future modules and will save significant amounts of staff time in future by removing the need to manually load data into the system and in responding to data requests.

Mr Maxwell gave a detailed demonstration of the test site for the water quantity module.

ESC14/15

Resolution

1. That the Environment and Services Committee receives the “Environmental Monitoring & Reporting and Land & Water Aotearoa Website Update” report.

Wilson/Graham

CARRIED

The meeting adjourned at 10.43 am and reconvened at 10.56 am.

13.

Te Mata Park

Mr Adye introduced Ms Katherine Halliday and Mr Bruno Chambers of the Te Mata Park Trust Board to the Committee. The Te Mata Park Trust Board recently announced it will not be proceeding with its plans for a Visitor & Education Centre.

Ms Halliday and Mr Chambers gave a powerpoint presentation on the decision not to proceed with the Centre, and on future plans for the Park.

The Trust is facing continually increasing demand by users of the Park. The workload currently falling upon the Trust Board and a part time caretaker is unsustainable. Heightened demand for use of the Park from external recreational and commercial organisations has highlighted the need for proactive management by the Trust, particularly to ensure these activities are consistent with the strategic objectives of the Trust.

Dave Bamford of TRC Tourism completed the review of the Park, its current facilities and plans and delivered his final report to the Trust in March. Mr Bamford recommended;

· Do not proceed with further fundraising, nor with the construction of the Centre as originally conceived;

· With the assistance of key local government partners, develop a Te Mata Park Management Plan (2015-2025); and

· Secure long term, re-current funding for the Park to enable the effective management and development of this unique community asset.

Ms Halliday and Mr Chambers advised the Committee the next steps are to establish a Te Mata Park Planning Steering Committee made up of 2-3 Trustees, a HDC staff representative, a HBRC staff representative and a NCC staff representative. Prepare a full Park Management Plan for Te Mata Park, 2015-2025 by October 2015 and present to all stakeholders for consideration. On presentation of the 10 year Park Management Plan in November or December 2015, consider options for re-allocation of those funds against identified development projects associated with the Park.

In response to a query on shifting the status of the park to a Council run park under Open Spaces of Council, Ms Halliday and Mr Chambers advised the Committee this had been researched and other parks similar to Te Mata Park are being looked into and considered in the 2015-2025 Park Management Plan.

ESC15/15

Resolutions

1. That the Environment and Services Committee receives the “Te Mata Park” report.

2. The Environment and Services Committee recommends that Council:

2.1. Agrees that the decisions to be made are not significant under the criteria contained in Council’s adopted policy on significance and that Council can exercise its discretion under Sections 79(1)(a) and 82(3) of the Local Government Act 2002 and make decisions on this issue without conferring directly with the community and persons likely to be affected by or to have an interest in the decision due to the nature and significance of the issue to be considered and decided.

2.2. Agrees in Principle to retain the allocation of $500,000 pending completion of the Long Term Plan process for further development of Te Mata Park for the period to 31 December 2015 pending consideration of a 10 year Management Plan for Te Mata Park to be prepared and presented to Council prior to that date.

2.3 Appoints Stephen Cave as the staff nominee on the Te Mata Park Planning Steering Committee.

Graham/Wilson

CARRIED

Regional Cycle Plan

Mrs Redgrave provided an update and powerpoint presentation on the draft Regional Cycle Plan that was approved by the Regional Cycling Governance Group in March.

Mrs Redgrave advised the Committee the draft Plan has been released for consultation and Council and public feedback is sought. This is not a formal consultation process, there will be no submission hearings. Feedback will be considered by the Regional Cycling Governance Group.

The Plan was developed to coordinate many initiatives that had been achieved independently by a variety of stakeholders. To maximise the returns from all varied initiatives in the region, the Plan brings all of the activities together in a coordinated way, managed by a Governance group that represents key stakeholders and supported by a working group.

Mrs Redgrave also advised the Committee the Plan is composed of three main areas; Network development – identifying and planning to fill gaps in the cycle path network; Tourism/marketing – promoting the use of the cycle network and facilities for recreation and tourism; Travel behaviour change – encouraging cycling as a means of transport.

The Committee provided positive comments on the cycle tracks. There were no additional comments for the draft Plan.

Any further feedback to be provided by 18 May 2015.

ESC16/15

Resolutions

That the Environment and Services Committee:

1. Receives and endorses the draft Regional Cycle Plan.

2. Undertakes to provide any comments on the draft Regional Cycle Plan to the Regional Cycling Governance Group by 18 May 2015.

3. Decides to exercise its delegated powers to make a decision that will have the same effect as the local authority could itself have exercised or performed and that the decision deserves urgency and the decision is carried unanimously.

Dick/Barker

CARRIED

12.

TBFree

Mr Adye updated the Committee on HBRC and Ospri funding agreement covering the contribution of funding to the TBfree vector management programme that expires on 30 June 2016. Council will cease collecting targeted rates for contributing to the TBfree vector management programme of work under the National Strategy for the control of Bovine Tuberculosis at the end of the current financial year.

Under the funding agreement between HBRC and Ospri, HBRC agrees to fund the vector control programme in Hawke’s Bay up to a sum of $640,000. This is a three year agreement which expires on 30 June 2016. Ospri and HBRC staff have discussed arrangements for the final year of this agreement and the transitional arrangements for funding from HBRC ceasing.

In response to a query on Ospri withdrawing control from areas, Mr Adye advised the Committee when control from the area is withdrawn Ospri is required to install bait station infrastructure necessary for the land owner to continue to maintain low possum numbers under Councils PCA programme. In the 2015-16 financial year approximately 94,430 ha of land currently controlled under the Ospri programme is programmed to be transferred to the PCA programme.

In response to a query about the 25,000 ha not controlled due to lack of support from land owners, Mr Adye advised the Committee Regional Pest Management Plan is programmed to be reviewed within the next few years, and that would be the appropriate time to consider whether or not this area should be required to conform with Council’s PCA requirements.

ESC17/15

Resolutions

1. That the Environment and Services Committee receives the “TBfree” report.

2. The Environment and Services Committee recommends that Council:

2.2. Endorses the transitional arrangements for HBRC provision of funding to Ospri and agrees to changes being made to the final LTP 2015-25 to reflect these arrangements.

Wilson/Graham

CARRIED

The meeting adjourned at 12.40 pm and reconvened at 1.14 pm, Councillor Graham having been excused left the meeting

10.

Biosecurity Operational Plans 2015-16

Mr Leckie updated the Committee on the 2015-16 Biosecurity Operational plans. HBRC is the management agency for the Hawke’s Bay Regional Pest Management Plan (RPMP) and Regional Phytosanitary Pest Management Plan (RPPMP).

Mr Leckie advised the Committee the current operational plans have proven to be effective and therefore with the exception of wide scale predator control only minor changes from the 2014-15 plans are proposed.

Mr Leckie also advised the key RPMP work programmes include the control of possums within urban areas, which is proving to be very successful with bellbird numbers doubling and Tui trebling within the initial control area for this programme. The implementation of stage two of the Cape to City wide scale predator control has begun. The transition of approximately 100,000 ha from the TBFree New Zealand possum control programme to the HBRC Possum Control Area programme is planned to commence in the 2015-16 year. There had been no requirement for Council to undertake any activities under the Regional Phytosanitary Pest Management Plan.

In response to a query on a privet pollen study, Mr Leckie advised that there is little scientific evidence to support ongoing control of privet for public health reasons.

In response to a question on Bellbirds and Tuis, in other areas of the region an increase of the birdlife was reported, Mr Leckie confirmed only one monitoring station was in place in urban areas and that was on the Napier Hill.

Mr Leckie responded to a query on the risk of land occupiers in Nuhaka, Mahanga and Papuni areas who have declined to participate in the PCA programme. Council have agreed with the Animal Health Board to provide bait stations over this area for possum control maintenance, this will take place over the 2015-16 and 2016-17 financial years.

In responding to a question on the removal of Pinus Contorta in the Rangitaiki area, Mr Leckie advised the Committee Council will continue clearing the pinus controta on multiple ownership land in the area as resources allow. Aerial spraying by use of the wand has been used and was most effective, this was done on a hectare by hectare basis. Council will continue to work with its partners in Nature Central to achieve operational efficiencies and to target strategic infestations.

In responding to a query on funding for didymo, Mr Leckie advised the Committee the Ministry of Primary Industries funds the Didymo advocate for Council to carry out Didymo advocacy on Hawke’s Bay freshwater waterways. If the position was not funded by MPI Council would look to fund this as it is very effective and raises the profile for didymo and other aquatic pests.

ESC18/15

Resolutions

1. That the Environment and Services Committee receives the “Biosecurity Operational Plans 2015-16” report.

2. The Environment and Services Committee recommends that Council:

2.2. In accordance with the requirements of the Biosecurity Act 1993 adopts, after the inclusion of any amendments made as a result of the Committee’s consideration, the:

2.2.1. Animal Pest Operational Plan 2015-16

2.2.2. Plant Pest Operational Plan 2015-16

2.2.3. Phytosanitary Operational Plan 2015-16.

Scott/Wilson

CARRIED

16.

Te Matau A Maui - Cape to City Project Update

Mr Leckie updated the Committee and provided a powerpoint presentation on the Cape to City project.

Mr Leckie noted the Cape to City goals and objectives include proving a concept for feral cats, mustelids, hedgehogs and rats to be integrated into HBRCs existing possum control area (PCA) programme. Other goals include enhance and restoring natural habitat within productive farming land for increased biodiversity, and engaging urban communities in a much greater way into the value of biodiversity under the regional biodiversity strategy.

Mr Leckie advised the Committee an initial trial to test the operational robustness of wireless trap monitoring had been successfully undertaken under the Poutiri Ao o Tane project. The wireless technology is a key element to low cost integrated predator control on farmland. This is reducing the labour cost of both initial and maintenance control. Mr Leckie described the current scenario for farmers having to check traps manually every month for maintenance, with the wireless system, farmers will be alerted to traps that have been triggered. The Cape to City project is upscaling this to test wireless trapping on six different areas within the project area.

Mr Leckie also advised the Committee of environmental education as a key part of the project. Ruud Kleinpaste “the bug man” a nationally recognized and respected entomologist with a significant public profile has been secured as the Cape to City project ambassador.

ESC19/15

Resolution

That the Environment and Services Committee receives the “Te Matau a Maui - Cape to City Project Update” report.

Scott/Barker

CARRIED

Infrastructure Insurance

Mr Adye updated the Committee on the work being undertaken with insurance broker and consultants to better quantify the potential risk of an extreme event damaging HBRC infrastructure assets.

The Committee noted a detailed paper regarding insurance for HBRC‘s infrastructure assets was considered by the Corporate and Strategic Committee of Council in January 2013.

Mr Adye advised the Committee this work is yet to be completed but preliminary results from that work have enabled staff to investigate commercial and/or mutual insurance options for mitigating the financial risk to Council of meeting the cost of repairs and reinstatement of its assets following a major disaster.

Local Authority Protection Programme (LAPP) determines the size of its fund and what reinsurance it requires based on its risk across NZ. HBRC are currently insured against the costs of recovery from a significant disaster through the LAPP.

The LAPP Trust deed requires that members are committed to remain a member of LAPP until the end of the financial year after which they notify LAPP of their intention to withdraw from the programme. HBRC provided notification to LAPP of their intention to withdraw from the programme prior to 30 June 2014 and therefore have the option of remaining with the programme or withdrawing from it after 30 June 2015. LAPP is currently preparing the structure of their fund for the 2015-16 financial year and has requested the HBRC provide confirmation of Council’s position as soon as possible.

Aon representatives have, over the course of the 2014-15 financial year, assisted staff in better quantifying the financial exposure of HBRC infrastructure assets to a major disaster.

Preliminary outputs from this project have been made available to Aon who expect to be able to provide detailed proposals to HBRC staff by end of May for infrastructure asset insurance commencing 30 June 2015. An indicative proposal has however been provided. The Aon representative is travelling to London in mid-May to meet with reinsurers. Upon his return it is expected that the proposal can be formalised.

The Committee expressed support for the Group Managers - Asset Management and Corporate Services to continue to work with insurance providers but did not wish this issue to be delegated to the Chief Executive.

ESC20/15

Resolutions

1. That the Environment and Services Committee receives the “Infrastructure Insurance” report, and instructs staff to refer the decision directly to Council once further information has been received and the options for cover have been assessed.

Amended by Committee resolution 12 August 2015.

2. ~~The Environment and Services Committee recommends that Council:~~

~~2.1.~~ Agrees that the decisions to be made are not significant under the criteria contained in Council’s adopted policy on significance and that Council can exercise its discretion under Sections 79(1)(a) and 82(3) of the Local Government Act 2002 and make decisions on this issue without conferring directly with the community and persons likely to be affected by or to have an interest in the decision due to the nature and significance of the issue to be considered and decided.

~~2.2.~~ Considers and decides whether to delegate authority, to the Interim Chief Executive, determination and commitment to the most cost effective insurance deal for mitigating the financial exposure risk to Council of repairing and/or reinstating infrastructure assets following a significant natural disaster.

Dick/Scott

CARRIED

11.

Asset Management Plans for Adoption

Mr Adye updated the Committee on the Asset Management Plans for the Heretaunga Plans Flood Control and Drainage Scheme, Upper Tukituki Flood Control Scheme and Small Schemes. The Plans describe the infrastructure assets associated with each of these Schemes and sets out the level of service for the Schemes that the community is benefiting from.

Asset management processes cover a range of HBRC responsibilities including establishing a level of service that meets the community needs – (this can be a balance between cost they are prepared to pay and risk they are prepared to live with). Asset Management includes linking the legal requirements and beneficiary expectations to the implementation of the operational activities in the most cost effective way

· Determining and delivering on the most cost effective management of the asset such that it continues to deliver the level of service it was designed to do.

· Understanding and managing the effective life of the assets, the risk that they fail to provide the level of service, and the replacement timing and process.

· Understanding changing expectations and managing these. This includes changing perception of risk, increased desire for sustainability and increased environmental and cultural focus.

In responding to a query on formal discussions, Mr Adye advised that AMPs are living documents, Council staff discuss the AMPs with ratepayers of the various schemes as part of their ongoing work, and where appropriate will consider whether they fairly reflect community expectations.

The Committee discussed each scheme and provided feedback as follows.

Heretaunga Plains

Section	Paragraph	Changes
Glossary	Second column- Optimised Replacement Cost (ODRC)	Definition of NAMS, LAPP to be added.
8.7.1 Public Amenity Assets	First paragraph	A word ‘cycle’ to be added into the first sentence.
9.5 Asset Description and Condition	Tutaekuri River table	More detailed explanation on Lennox Park to be added
10.8.1 Channel	Figure 22 Utility Drain and Enhanced Watercourse/Stream	Pictures to be replaced with HBRC enhanced project.
12.6 .1 Overview Karamu Drainage	Point 5 –second paragraph	Clarification on roles and responsibilities between HBRC and HDC. A paragraph to be added to highlight limitation on channel capacity.
12.7.3 Asset Description Condition- Twyford Drainage	Table 48	Column with capacity restriction to be added.

Upper Tukituki

Section	Paragraph	Changes
4.3 Ecological Best Practice Changes	Whole section	Wording changes for readability/clarity.
5.4.1 Earthquake	Whole section	Earthquake information relevant for Upper Tukituki to be added.
5.4.3 Tsunami	Whole section	Remove – not relevant for this AMP.
11.3 UTTFCS Financial table	Whole table	Clarification required from Finance

Small Schemes

Section	Paragraph	Changes
12.4 Assets	Text under table 10: Makara Scheme Assets	Clarification required from Liaison Committee
Opoho AMP	Contents	Check page numbers
Ohuia AMP	Contents	Check page numbers
Paeroa Drainage Scheme	Contents	Check page numbers
Northern Minor Works	Contents	Check page numbers
Te Ngarue Flood Control Scheme	Contents	Check page numbers
Esk River and Whirinaki Drainage	Contents	Check page numbers
Te Awanga	Contents	Check page numbers
Poukawa	Contents	Check page numbers
Upper Makara	1.3 History, Last paragraph	Spelling correction
	3.3.4 Flood warning	Whole section to be updated with current flood warning.

ESC21/15

Resolutions

1. That the Environment and Services Committee receives the “Asset Management Plans for Adoption“ report.

2. The Environment and Services Committee recommends that Council:

2.2. Adopts, subject to any amendments the Committee wishes to make, the Asset Management Plans for:

2.2.1. Heretaunga Plans Flood Control and Drainage Scheme

2.2.2. Upper Tukituki Flood Control Scheme

2.2.3. Small Schemes.

Scott/Wilson

CARRIED

17.	Minor Items Not on the Agenda
	There were no minor items for discussion.

Closure:

There being no further business the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 3.07 pm on Wednesday, 13 May 2015.

Signed as a true and correct record.

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