MINUTES OF A meeting of the Environment and Services Committee

 

 

Date:                          Wednesday 11 May 2016

Time:                          9.00 am

Venue:

Kohupātiki Marae

Farndon Road, Clive

 

Present:                R Graham (Chair)

R Barker

P Beaven

T Belford

A Dick

B Gregory

D Hewitt

D Pipe

C Scott

F Wilson

 

In Attendance:     M Mohi - Maori Committee member

                               R Spooner Maori Committee Member

                               M Adye - Group Manager, Asset Management

S Cave – Asset Manager, Open Spaces

C Leckie – Manager, Land Services

A Rewcastle – Open Spaces, Development Officer

B Lynch -  Principal Scientist / Team Leader, Land

M Thomsen – Executive Assistant

 

 

 


1.       Welcome/Apologies/Notices 

The Chairman welcomed everyone present to the meeting including gallery members and extended a thank you to whānau for hosting the meeting. There were no notices.

Karakia - Mr Bevan Taylor.

 

ESC12/16

Resolution

That apologies from Ms Joinella Maihi-Caroll for absence be accepted.

Wilson/Gregory

CARRIED

 

2.       Conflict of Interest Declarations

There were no conflict of interest declarations.

 

3.       Confirmation of Minutes of the Environment and Services Committee Meeting held on 9 March 2016

ESC13/16

Resolution

Minutes of the Environment and Services Committee held on Wednesday, 9 March 2016, a copy having been circulated prior to the meeting, were taken as read and confirmed as a true and correct record.

Scott/Pipe

CARRIED

 

4.       Matters Arising from Minutes of the Environment and Services Committee Meeting held on 9 March 2016

There were no matters arising from the minutes.

 

5.

Follow-ups from Previous Environment and Services Committee Meetings

 

Mr Mike Adye noted follow ups 1 & 2 would be discussed in items 9 & 13 of the agenda.

The Otane Wastewater Resource Consent Application investigation is ongoing, when the information is available an update would be provided. In response to a query relating to the Central Hawke’s Bay District Council’s (CHBDC) problems surrounding the discharge of treated wastewater from their Waipawa and Waipukurau wastewater treatment facilities, Mr Adye advised there was no change and the situation remained that one further exceedance would mean CHBDC were in breach of their consent conditions.

The Committee requested further action be taken regarding meeting with the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Dr Jan Wright, to discuss Oil and Gas Exploration regulation. Councillor Wilson agreed to seek a meeting with Dr Wright at her office.

Mr Adye also noted the newly appointed Harbourmaster would attend the next meeting and present his work.

ESC14/16

Resolution

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

Belford/Wilson

CARRIED

6.

Call for Any Minor Items not on the Agenda

 

Te Mata Mushrooms – Councillor Beaven

 

7.

Kohupātiki Marae - Awa Enhancement for Matatini

 

Mr Steve Cave thanked members from the Kohupātiki Marae for hosting the meeting today and introduced Ms Aki Arconnehi Paipper who along with other marae representatives worked with Open Spaces, Development Officer Mr Antony Rewcastle on the agenda item. Mr Cave noted Mr Gary Clode was currently on leave and unable to attend.

Mr Cave played a video to the Committee on the Karamū Stream.

The Kohupātiki Marae was requesting assistance from Council, in the lead up to the 2017 Matatini, a significant cultural festival and the pinnacle event for Māori performing arts, to improve the state of the river bed adjacent to Kohupātiki Marae and Whakatu and to ensure water is flowing at a meaningful level in the Karewarewa Stream, at Bridge Pa and Pakipaki in February 2017. The awa will also be a focus leading into Matatini as part of the dedication of pou to acknowledge "Tanenuiarangi Pa" at the historic site on the right bank.

Ms Paipper provided a powerpoint presentation on the awa enhancement for Matatini and an overview of the Ngāti Hori Management Plan and the significance of Matatini to the regional community.

Mr Cave provided a powerpoint presentation outlining the awa enhancing options for improving the state of the river bed adjacent to Kohupātiki Marae via trials that could then be used in a broader context depending on the trial outcomes.

Committee members were invited to visit the extensive area of planting along the awa.

ESC15/16

Resolutions

1.      The Environment and Services Committee receives the “Kohupātiki Marae - Awa Enhancement for Matatini” 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 Significance and Engagement Policy, and that Council can exercise its discretion 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.

2.2.      Agrees to staff working in partnership with Kohupātiki Marae, prior to Matatini, to trial excavation of sediment and weed over approximately 200m in the vicinity of the Marae with funding provided up to the amount of $44,500.

2.3.      Agrees to staff working in partnership with Mangaroa Marae and upstream landowners to investigate, and if possible implement, the augmentation of flows in the Karewarewa Stream throughout Matatini.

2.4.      Agrees to continue investigations to assess options for reducing the impact of seasonal aquatic weed growth and sedimentation throughout the Karamu Stream and Clive River schemes.

Scott/Pipe

CARRIED

 

The meeting adjourned at 10.45 am and reconvened at 11.10 am

 

8.

Te Mata Park 10 Year Management Plan

 

Mr Mike Adye welcomed the representatives of the Te Mata Park Trust Board and provided an overview of the agenda item.

Mr Bruno Chambers thanked the Kohupātiki Marae for hosting the meeting and introduced his son Mr Louis Chambers and fellow trustee Ms Kathryn Halliday to the Committee and spoke of the Chambers whakapapa and the Park’s history.

Ms Halliday and Mr Chambers outlined the proposed capital works programme which sought funding from Council’s Community Facilities Fund.

The Committee noted Council would partner with Te Mata Park Trust to develop an asset management plan to inform the ongoing operational needs of the Park and recommended the Te Mata Park Trust work in conjunction with the Council’s Natural Assets Team on timber management.

The Committee agreed Te Mata Park is an asset enjoyed by the entire region.

ESC16/16

Resolutions

1.      That the Environment and Services Committee receives and notes the “Te Mata Park 10 Year Management Plan” 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 Significance and Engagement Policy, and that Council can exercise its discretion 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.

2.2.       Grants funds from the Council’s Community Facilities Fund to fund works outlined in the Te Mata Park works programme to a maximum of $500,000 as detailed below.

 

 

Item

Detail

Year

Indicative cost

1

Main gate development

Loop track

2016-17

$40,000

2

Safety and way finding signage

Design and production

2016-17

$40,000

3

Tauroa Road entrance upgrade

Drinking water, bins, information boards, native amenity planting etc

2016-17

$20,000

4

Timber management

Harvest planning and harvesting

Replanting

2017-18

2018-19

$120,000

5

Tracks

Mountain bike track extensions

Installation of safety and wayfinding signage

2016-17

$100,000

6

Peak House

Upgrade to accommodate alternative uses

2016/17

$110,000

7

Amenity additions

Composting toilets

2017-18

$70,000

 

2.3.      Proposes to Te Mata Park Trust that the two organisations work in partnership to develop a Park Asset Management Plan to inform its ongoing operational needs.  The Plan would include estimated long term costs for managing and maintaining the Park, and options for how that management and maintenance could best be delivered and funded. It should be noted that the cost of this work may be sought by the Trust through a submission to the HBRC Annual Plan 2016-17.

Dick/Barker

CARRIED

The Chairman advised item 11 would be discussed out of order

11.

Biosecurity Operational Plans for 2016-17

 

Mr Mike Adye provided an update and sought Council adoption of the 2016-17 Operational Plans for the Animal Pest Operational Plan, Plant Pest Operational Plan, and Phytosanitary Operational Plan.

In response to a query relating to Ngā Whenua Rāhui covenants, Mr Adye advised that Ngā Whenua Rāhui covenants would be treated in the same way as QE II covenants. He agreed the wording should be changed to reflect this.  

In response to a query on monitoring biosecurity risks such as algae in the Port and waterways, Mr Adye advised there had been an appointment of a Principal Biosecurity Advisor to commence at the end of May and one task would be reviewing the Regional Pest Management Strategy and this would include marine biosecurity issues.  

The Committee discussed the possums which are a major focus of the Animal Pest Control Programme and the control measures operating over 900,000 ha of land ensuring that possum density on that land was below 5% trap catch. It was noted 24,998 ha was yet to be included under a possum control area, this area was made up from Nuhaka, Mahanga and Papuni. Land occupiers in these areas have declined participating in the possum control area programme due to them being unwilling to be regulated by HBRC.  

The Committee requested an update on the recent velvet leaf incursion. Mr Adye agreed to provide an email update to Committee members.   

The Committee agreed to raise further questions on multi predator approach, recongising Maraetotara Tree Trust, urban pest management, and argentine ants with Mr Campbell Leckie in this Cape to City Update item.

ESC17/16

Resolutions

1.     The Environment and Services Committee receives the “Biosecurity Operational Plans for 2016-17” report.

That the Environment and Services Committee recommends that Council:

2.     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 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.

3.     In accordance with the requirements of the Biosecurity Act 1993 adopts the:

3.1.    Animal Pest Operational Plan 2016-17

3.2.    Plant Pest Operational Plan 2016-17

3.3.    Phytosanitary Operational Plan 2016-17.

Beaven/Scott

CARRIED

 

The meeting adjourned at 12.39 pm, the Committee members visited the extensive area of planting along the Awa and reconvened after lunch at 1.40 pm

 

9.

Upper Tukituki Scheme Review

 

The Committee requested the item lay on the table until the next Environment and Services Committee meeting.

The Committee requested further work to be done on the review and that the community focus group, formed to assist with this work, were involved in the review.

The Committee discussed implications of gravel extraction along the River, in a response to a query on HBRC’s legal ability to direct gravel extractors to specific locations, Mr Mike Adye advised that HBRC had limited ability to direct gravel extractors into specific areas.

ESC18/16

Resolutions

1.      That the Environment and Services Committee leaves the “Upper Tukituki Scheme Review” report to lie on the table until the next Environment and Services Committee meeting on 24 August 2016.

Barker/Hewitt

For: Dick, Hewitt, Barker, Beaven, Gregory, Graham

Against: Scott, Pipe, Wilson, Belford

CARRIED

2.      The Environment and Services Committee recommends that Council requests that staff, in conjunction with HBRIC Ltd, give consideration to extracting up to 6800 m3 annually from the Upper Tukituki, to meet RWSS conditions requiring beach renourishment mitigation.

Dick/Barker

CARRIED

 

10.

Tangoio Soil Conservation Reserve Management Plan

 

Mr Mike Adye provided an update and sought Council approval to adopt the management plan for the Tangoio Soil Conservation Reserve for the period 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2021.

Mr Adye outlined the 40 year estimated cashflow for the Tangoio Soil Conservation Reserve which showed the cashflows for planned operational costs and harvesting revenues for the Reserve, including an annual transfer of funds to the Maungaharuru-Tangitū catchment fund.

ESC19/16

Resolutions

1.     That the Environment and Services Committee receives the “Tangoio Soil Conservation Reserve Management Plan” 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 Significance and Engagement Policy, and that Council can exercise its discretion 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.

2.2.    Adopts the Tangoio Soil Conservation Reserve Management Plan for the period 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2021.

2.3.     Agrees to transfer $100,000 in the 2016-16 financial year, and in subsequent years $100,000 per annum plus a cumulative inflation allowance, from the Tangoio Soil Conservation Reserve fund to the Maungaharuru-Tangitū catchment fund until the 2020/21 financial year, after which the annual amount may be reviewed.

Barker/Belford

CARRIED

 

 12.

Cape to City Update

 

Mr Campbell Leckie provided an update on the Cape to City project and gave a powerpoint presentation outlining the projects Pest Management, Research and Monitoring, Habitat Restoration and Enhancement, Species/Translocations, and Community Engagement and Education work streams.

Mr Spooner left the meeting 2.10 pm

Mr Leckie advised that Council were exploring an opportunity with the honey company Comvita on the possibility of joint investment in high performance Manuka plantations that would potentially drive multiple economic and environmental benefits for the region in steeper hill country.

Mr Leckie noted a hui would be scheduled in mid-August to build Māori engagement into the Cape to City project, and seek Māori representation on the project team.  

The Committee acknowledged the work the Maraetotara Tree Trust had undertaken over the years by funding and planting native trees along the Maraetotara River. Council would explore options on formally recognising the Trusts efforts.

Councillor Wilson left the meeting 2.41 pm

In a response to a query on Argentine Ants, Mr Leckie noted Council were undertaking surveillance activities to assess the extent of the ant infestation in the region and noted there was an increase in of ants in the area.

In response to a question on whether a multi predator approach would be cost effective for landowners to extend the footprint, Mr Leckie advised that philanthropic organisations may be willing to fund capital costs for necessary trap networks but would be less likely to fund ongoing control.  

In response to a query on possums, Mr Leckie also advised they were the number one pest in New Zealand. As well as being an environmental pest, there were significant economic benefits of maintaining low possum numbers through reduced risk of Bovine Tb and reduced pasture and crop damage.  

In response to a query on urban pest management and the rat population on the Napier Hill, Mr Leckie did note that there may be a need to reinforce the need to refill bait stations.

ESC20/16

Resolution

1.     That the Environment and Services Committee receives the “Cape to City Update” report.

Scott/Pipe

CARRIED

 

13.

Land Science Update

 

Dr Barry Lynch updated the Committee on the work currently being carried out by the Land Science team.

Dr Lynch outlined that HBRC carries out much more testing than that required by national guidelines including the monitoring of metals and organochlorine Pesticides.

Dr Lynch, in response to a query, advised that Molybdenum (Mo) is not routinely monitored as part of HBRC’s Soil Quality Monitoring programme because the soils in New Zealand are generally low to average in Mo. It was noted that high levels of Mo in the diet may cause copper deficiency in stock, which can cause poor growth and reproductive problems but that this is unlikely to happen in New Zealand under normal farming conditions.

Dr Lynch also advised that HBRC is leading the way nationally with their soil mapping (S-map) and sediment modelling (SedNetNZ) projects. Once the work is completed (2017 SedNetNZ & 2018 S-map), HBRC will be the only region in the country to be fully mapped.

It was suggested that a further update on soil erosion and a field trip be arranged.

ESC21/16

Resolution

1.      That the Environment and Services Committee receives and notes the “Land Science Update” report.

Dick/Scott

CARRIED

 

14.

Minor Items Not on the Agenda

 

 

Item

Topic

Councillor / Staff

1.  

Te Mata Mushrooms

Councillor Beaven attended a community meeting called by Mayor Yule to discuss the mushroom plant. Discussions centred on the odour issues and what was being done to address them, and Councillor Beaven expressed his concern that Councillors were not advised of the meeting.

Councillor Beaven

 

 

  

Closure:

 

Karakia - Ms Paipper

 

On behalf of the Committee Mr Gregory thanked the members of Kohupātiki Marae for hosting the meeting.

 

Karakia – Mr Gregory

There being no further business the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 3.15pm on Wednesday 11 May 2016.

 

Signed as a true and correct record.

 

 

 

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