Minutes of Regional Planning Committee

1. Welcome

KARAKIA - Walter Wilson

Chairman Fenton Wilson welcomed everyone to the meeting

Notices

There were no notices

Apologies

RPC17/15 That the apologies for absence from Mr Karauna Brown and Ms Nicky Kirikiri be accepted.

Waaka/Baker

CARRIED

2. Conflict of Interest Declarations

There were no conflict of interest declarations.

3. Confirmation of Minutes of the Regional Planning Committee Held on 16 September 2015

RPC18/15

Resolution

Minutes of the Regional Planning Committee held on Wednesday, 16 September 2015, a copy having been circulated prior to the meeting, were taken as read and confirmed as a true and correct record.

Pipe/Beaven

CARRIED

4. Matters Arising from Minutes of the Regional Planning Committee Held on 16 September 2015

There was a query in relation to Item 6 Call for Minor Items not on the Agenda – Voting Processes (raised by T Hopmans) on pg3, in response to which Mrs Lambert explained that the voting process applies to each individual agenda item, as well as individual recommendations on items. For example, the Committee is able to vote on all resolutions at once, or to vote on each resolution separately.

In relation to Item 8 Nga Hapu o Tutaekuri Hapu Management Plan, pg. 5, it was advised that an HBRC implementation plan is being developed through discussions between Mr Maxwell and Ms Hawaikirangi.

There were no further matters arising from the minutes.

Ngaruroro Water Conservation Order Proposal

Mr Greg Carlyon and Mr Bryce Johnson outlined the proposal by Fish and Game and several co-applicants to lodge an application with the Minister for the Environment for a Water Conservation Order (WCO) to the Ngaruroro River catchment. The order is about the protection of outstanding values, other factors that need to be considered include the primary sector’s needs. The applicants are considering lodging the WCO before the end of 2015.

There was discussion around the lag effects of nutrient leaching, what geographic area the WCO would cover, how widespread the conservation order is, minimum flow limits (4, 200 l/s at Fernhill), protecting the catchment’s outstanding characteristics, interacting with Tangata Whenua, implications of a WCO on water storage investigations, governance structures for post-WCO and TANK Collaborative Stakeholder Group discussions becoming redundant if the WCO application proceeds.

RPC19/15

Resolution

1. That the Regional Planning Committee receives and takes note of the “Ngaruroro Water Conservation Order Proposal” presentation by Greg Carlyon and Bryce Johnson.

Scott/Hopmans

CARRIED

Mr Walter Wilson introduced Mr Allen Smith as his replacement.

Mr Gavin Ide introduced Shane Lambert who is a new Senior Planner and Joyce-Anne Raihainia Senior Planner - Maori Policy Advisor to the Committee.

The meeting adjourned at 12.35pm and reconvened at 1.35pm

Mr Nigel Baker absent after lunch

Follow-up Items from Previous Regional Planning Committee Meetings

Mrs Lambert updated the Committee on the status of the follow-up items on the list, including advising that the RPC Terms of Reference will be brought to the February 2016 meeting for consideration along with a further paper explaining RMA groundwater allocation and consenting processes, specifically in the Heretaunga Plains.

RPC20/15

Resolution

1. That the Regional Planning Committee receives the report “Follow-up Items from Previous Regional Planning Committee Meetings”.

Graham/Dick

CARRIED

Call for any Minor Items Not on the Agenda

The Regional Planning Committee accepts the following items for discussion as Agenda Item 13.

1. Hill Country Seminar (Cr Graham)

2. Waimarama stream diversion (Cr Graham)

3. Frequency of meetings (R Spooner)

4. Meeting content (Cr Barker)

5. Matatini (Cr Belford)

NPS for Freshwater Management Progressive Implementation Programme Revision

Mr Shane Lambert provided an overview of the Progressive Implementation Programme, outlining continued and staged implementation of key projects. The updated PIP reflects what is in Council’s Long Term Plan but in itself adds nothing new, simply confirming what Council is doing to meet its national policy requirements. Mr Lambert noted that the NPS recognises and allows the PIP to be flexible in its delivery in terms of its policy delivery by 2025.

There was discussion around catchments, wetlands, outstanding water bodies, the RiVAS valuation tool, and how Maori values are taken into account. It was suggested a workshop on this, including water quality discussions, would be of value at a later date.

RPC21/15

Resolutions

The Regional Planning Committee recommends that Council:

1. Agrees that the decisions to be made are not significant under the criteria contained in Council’s adopted Significance and Engagement Policy, 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.

2. Adopts the updated 2015 Progressive Implementation Programme, with amendments as noted at the meeting for the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management.

Wilson/Scott

CARRIED

Mohaka Water Quality and Ecology

Dr Stephen Swabey and Dr Adam Utyendaal gave an overview of the reports.

RPC22/15

Resolutions

The Regional Planning Committee recommends that Council:

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.

2. Adopts the “Mohaka River Catchment State and Trends of River Water Quality and Ecology” report for publication.

3. Adopts the “Influence of the Taharua River on the Upper Mohaka River Food Base for Adult Trout” report for publication.

Scott/Waaka

CARRIED

10.

September-October 2015 Statutory Advocacy Update

Mr Gavin Ide highlighted updates regarding appeals against Hastings District Council’s decisions on the proposed district plan, advising that over 20 appeals have been lodged so far, and HBRC staff will review all appeals to check if any issues prompt the Regional Council joining.

The harmonisation of the Hastings and Napier District plans was discussed, as an issue with a raised profile throughout the amalgamation debate. It was noted that some form of harmonisation will be discussed and progressed through the Heretaunga Plains Urban Development Strategy review by the implementation working group.

RPC23/15

Resolution

1. That the Regional Planning Committee receives the September-October 2015 Statutory Advocacy Update report.

Beaven/Barker

CARRIED

11.

November 2015 Resource Management Planning Project Update

Mr Ide gave an update of the November 2015 Resource Management Planning Projects.

RPC24/15

Resolution

1. That the Regional Planning Committee receives and takes note of the ‘November 2015 Resource Management Planning Projects Update’ report.

Hopmans/Belford

CARRIED

12.

Petroleum Exploration Proposed Block Offer 2016

Mr Lambert recapped revisions made to the Council’s comments provided to NZ Petroleum and Minerals on the proposed 2016 Block Offer and advised that Napier City Council submitted in support of the HBRC submission.

RPC25/15

Resolution

1. That the Regional Planning Committee receives and takes note of the ‘Petroleum Exploration Proposed Block Offer 2016’ report.

Scott/Spooner

CARRIED

13.

Minor Items Not on the Agenda

Item	Topic	Councillor / Staff
1.	Hill Country Seminar October 2015 Several Councillors attended. It was enlightening and interesting, and there was a real consensus for change.	Cr Graham
2.	Waimarama stream diversion October 2015 Several Councillors attended a ceremony last week. This was a great event and it was enjoyable to watch everyone playing around the stream again.	Cr Graham
3.	Frequency of meetings Meetings are too far apart	R Spooner
4.	Meeting content Serious discussion needs to be had about substance, content and frequency of meetings. Not just the RPC but other meetings. We are getting information too late, substantial issues are being noted but nothing more.	Cr Barker
5.	Matatini Good to see EIT and HDC backing this great cause.	Cr Belford

KARAKIA/MIHI for Walter Wilson – Mike Mohi

Closure:

There being no further business the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 2.40pm on Wednesday, 4 November 2015.

Signed as a true and correct record.

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