Minutes of Environment and Services Committee

1. Welcome/Apologies/Notices

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting, and Brian Gregory offered a karakia.

The Chairman advised that the Agenda items will be considered in the sequence of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11, 10, 12, 13, 9, 14, 7, 15.

There were no apologies, however the absence of Councillors Alan Dick and Debbie Hewitt was noted.

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 5 September 2018

ESC47/18

Resolution

Minutes of the Environment and Services Committee meeting held on Wednesday, 5 September 2018, a copy having been circulated prior to the meeting, were taken as read and confirmed as a true and correct record.

Kirton/Graham

CARRIED

Follow-ups from Previous Environment & Services Committee Meetings

Councillors Debbie Hewitt and Alan Dick arrived at 9.05am

In response to a query, James Palmer advised that staff have had initial discussions and a general symposium on forestry will be scheduled early in the new year with a combined focus on slash management, current work and the potential for further investment in forestry.

ESC48/18

Resolution

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

Barker/Kirton

CARRIED

5.	Call for Items of Business Not on the Agenda
	There were no Items raised for discussion.

Ahuriri Estuary Stormwater and Wastewater

Wayne Jack, CEO, Jon Kingsford and Cameron Burton from Napier City Council provided background information on the city’s stormwater and wastewater networks and plans to improve those. Discussions traversed:

· A review of the District Plan is underway.

· 3 waters initiatives are under way to address legacy issues on stormwater quality, network capability, infiltration and inflow, regulatory and asset management systems. Investment over time is required to address the capacity and performance of 3 waters infrastructure.

· Stormwater quality improvements: Catchment managements plans under development.

· Infiltration and Inflow: working on prioritised network and inspecting existing and new developments for any erroneous connections to wastewater network.

· Regulatory: Review of District Plan, water related Bylaws and development of standards.

· Asset Management systems: Big Asset Management Systems Implementation underway.

Cr Debbie Hewitt left the meeting at 9.31am.

· Contaminant source tracking in waterways leading to Ahuriri estuary

· Preliminary discussions between HBRC and NCC around some consolidation of ownership might bring some benefits to overall management and administering the waterways.

· Thames/Tyne (Pandora Industrial) Catchment: proactive monitoring around the area with industry environmental management plans, technical and annual reports and sampling.

· NCC’s LTP allocates $25.7m to address wastewater issues (i.e. hydraulic modelling, infiltration-specific investigations and remedial work, pumping capacity increases, wastewater outfalls, pipe renewals, pump station renewals, Taradale wastewater improvements, wastewater treatment plant improvements).

· It was suggested that HBRC scientists have full access to all of the data from NCC to interpret independently and then collaborate with NCC and HDC to focus on the respective resources to determine the source of E.Coli, working towards improvements in the estuary.

Cr Debbie Hewitt returned to the meeting at 10.10am.

· Reasonable debate around the science interpretations and testing between TAs.

ESC49/18

Resolution

That the Environment and Services Committee receives the “Ahuriri Estuary Stormwater and Wastewater” Napier City Council presentation.

Graham/Wilson

CARRIED

The meeting adjourned at 10.30am and reconvened at 10.40am, with Councillor Neil Kirton not present.

Integrated Catchment Management Implementation

Iain Maxwell introduced Dean Evans (Catchments Manager, Tukituki/Southern Coasts) and provided the committee with an update on their activities, the substantial internal changes undergone in the ICM teams, the current Erosion Control Scheme operating manual and turning engagement with landowners into action. With the item taken as read, discussions traversed:

Councillor Neil Kirton re-joined the meeting at 10.50am

· This update provides a high level view of the activities in the catchments and there will be regular reporting on future progress

· Interviews with landowners across the region, face to face, asking a series of questions to better understand landowners attitudes towards environmental business practices, current behaviours, future intentions and motivators to help ICM to shape Council’s approach and engagement strategy, and ultimately drive action

· Nathan Heath provided a Northern catchments update, Brendan Powell provided a Central (TANK) catchments update, and Dean Evans provided a Southern catchments update highlighting:

o great engagement with the communities and landowners

o significant engagement with tangata whenua working collectively on the restoration of Wairoa River

o afforestation and the implications on social and community fabric of the town

o Tukituki implementation work

o Hotspots work in Ahuriri and Tutira through the erosion control scheme

o time spent on hill country erosion fund applications to Central Government

o targets for Grant funding applications

· A request was made for information on the Innovation and Strategic Relationships Fund and how that works.

· Future reporting may be able to include spatial information like SEDnet maps

ESC50/18

Resolution

That the Environment and Services Committee receives the “Integrated Catchment Management Implementation” staff report.

Graham/Bailey

CARRIED

10.

Whangawehi Catchment Group Acknowledgement

Nicolas Caviale-Delzescaux, Patrick O’Brien and Nathan Heath presented on the Whangawehi Catchment Group’s award of the Australasian River Prize, highlighting the significance of the award and acknowledging HBRC’s ongoing support.

· The River prize is the world’s most prestigious river award, for outstanding visionary and sustainable programs in river management.

· A presentation covered the project background, achievements, current projects, future aspirations, main challenges, benefits of winning and lessons learnt from Landcare groups visited.

ESC51/18

Resolution

That the Environment and Services Committee receives and notes the “Whangawehi Catchment Group Acknowledgement” staff report.

Bailey/Barker

CARRIED

11.

Tukituki Water Taskforce Update

Iain Maxwell introduced the item, with discussions highlighting:

· The Group has met twice, chaired by Cr Debbie Hewitt

· The first two meetings established relationships and the operating environment, agreed the Terms of Reference and started to build an understanding of the issues experienced and potential solutions for discussions.

· Cr Hewitt advised that the taskforce will meet again on 20 November, and there will be a CHB public meeting on “water” issues on 27 November from 5-7pm.

· A survey is being undertaken by CHBDC and HBRC to determine how many bores are at risk of running dry during the summer months.

Cr Rick Barker left at 11.32am.

· Cr Belford tabled a summary list of the largest water take consents to add to the picture of how the catchment’s surface and groundwater is allocated currently.

· James Palmer offered the observation that two critical elements of Resource Management potentially put NZ at odds with the “first come, first serve-regime” and these will be considered through the Government’s reform of Freshwater Management.

· It was suggested that a distribution map of the water takes across the Tukituki catchment be made available to the public

· Concerns continue to be raised, about the taking of the Tranche 2 allocation and what effects it might have on other water users

· Staff efforts are going into working with irrigators to encourage them to join together and manage their water use through global consents

· The eight applications lodged for the Tranche 2 water have been put on hold until the applicants provide a report on the impacts of the proposed water takes and how those will be mitigated.

· Sufficient funding has been provided under the Sustainable Homes programme for those found to have inefficient bores and therefore need to install a submersible pump.

ESC52/18

Resolution

That the Environment and Services Committee receives and notes the “Tukituki Water Taskforce Update” staff report.

Hewitt/Dick

CARRIED

The meeting adjourned at 12.30pm and reconvened at 1pm.

12.

HBRC, TLA and Private Landowners' Obligations for Maintaining Waterways

Gary Clode spoke to the item, outlining four different scenarios where debris has been deposited along riverbanks after heavy floods.

· Considerable pressure is put on the regional council to take responsibility for removing debris and unwanted vegetation from rivers and streams throughout the district.

· legal advice confirms that HBRC has no particular liability for removing unwanted debris and vegetation from rivers and streams, however does have some powers under the Resource Management Act to make orders requiring landowners to remove vegetation within a distance of 3 metres of the margins of a watercourse

· HBRC is responsible for any damage caused by debris, vegetation and flooding on council-owned or administered land

· Forestry debris is usually identifiable and the responsibility for clean-up lies with the forestry company.

Cr Rick Barker left at 1.14pm.

· Two funding resources available through HBRC to assist with cleaning up vegetation and obstructions from waterways, however community responsibility to do the right thing and proactively maintain their land alongside waterways

· Clearer guidelines must be established to explain where responsibilities for clean-up work after flooding lie – specifically for TLAs

· James Palmer thanked Gary Clode for his contributions over the years as he’s retiring and this will be the last meeting he attends.

ESC53/18

Resolution

That the Environment & Services Committee receives the “HBRC, TLA and Private Landowners' Obligations for Maintaining Waterways” staff report.

Beaven/Wilson

CARRIED

13.

Hotspots Environmental & Freshwater Improvement Funded Projects November 2018 Update

Iain Maxwell introduced the item and apologised that some staff are not available to present today. Te Kaha Hawaikirangi, Dean Evans and Nicolas Caviale – Delzescaux, provided updates on their activities in response to queries which covered:

· Lake Whatuma key stakeholders had an initial meeting around a month ago about options available and the future management of Lake Whatuma where staff were given clear direction to proceed and connect with major landowners. Next meeting 16 November to get some agreement on potential actions to pursue.

· Nicolas Caviale-Delzescaux updated the status of work at Lake Whakaki and raised concerns that there is only 5 weeks left for the resource consent applications for the weir structure for Lake Level Management to be signed and approved, and if all affected parties do not support the application, it is likely that the project will not proceed. Staff are meeting to work out a strategy to deliver on project outcomes, and to put options in place should the outcomes not be achieved.

· Te Kaha Hawaikirangi gave an update on Lake Tūtira and Mahia and reported that the Catchment Management plans are progressing and should be completed by early next year. Tutira Farm Management Plans completed and have been delivered to landowners. Keeping a close eye on water temperatures after fish kills during summer months.

· Ahuriri Estuary: working with landowners to reduce sediment and nutrient input into the catchment waterways and ultimately the estuary through subsidising fencing and planting.

· In the Marine area, Iain Maxwell highlighted the scoping and mapping of sediment characteristics in the Wairoa Hard, Springs Box and Clive Hard and also work underway in the Porangahau catchment to reduce sediment and nutrient inputs to the estuary.

· In response to a query whether the work on mapping sediment characteristics can be approached collaboratively with Napier City and Hastings District councils, Iain Maxwell agreed to investigate and report back to the committee.

ESC54/18

Resolution

That the Environment and Services Committee receives and notes the “Hotspots Environmental & Freshwater Improvement Funded Projects November 2018 Update” staff report.

Wilson/Beaven

CARRIED

Essentially Freshwater - Government Freshwater Reform Discussion

The item was taken as read, with questions and discussions covering:

· Council staff are heavily engaged in the Freshwater Reform Programme.

· Mary-Anne Baker, Senior Planner, has been designated to be available for the Ministry of Environment to form part of the Freshwater Taskforce, Iain Maxwell is chairing the Resource Management Group and James Palmer is representing the Council in the Chief Executive’s Sub-group.

· An outline of the Work Programme and detail has yet to be confirmed by Central Government.

· A significant amount of work, by HBRC staff, has been undertaken under the existing National Policy Statement , e.g. TANK, and Council wants to ensure that existing work is understood and to continues to be built on

· Further changes may have some impacts on our region as they flow through.

ESC55/18

Resolution

That the Environment and Services Committee receives and notes the “Essentially Freshwater - Government Freshwater Reform Discussion” staff report.

Wilson/Dick

CARRIED

14.

Verbal Update on the Future Farming Initiative

Tom Skerman updated the Committee, advising the first inaugural meeting of the Trust was held last month and introducing Karina Campbell, who then outlined the activities of the Future Farming Initiative, including:

· Terms of Reference agreed at the 16 October meeting and a strong commitment expressed by each of the members

· Two key work streams identified are 1) crucial to identify what best practice looks like in Hawke’s Bay and 2) inventory of what existing future farming aligned initiatives are taking place right now that the Trust can partner or collaborate with.

· Following the next meeting, 28 November, the Committee will consolidate the issues and opportunities statement and commission the inventory of existing aligned activities.

ESC56/18

Resolution

That the Environment and Services Committee receives and notes the Verbal Update on the Future Farming Initiative.

Belford/Wilson

CARRIED

Addressing New Zealand’s Biodiversity Challenge – A Regional Council Think Piece

Campbell Leckie gave a brief overview of the item, highlighting the importance of Biodiversity and its value in sustaining the environment, economy and cultural values.

· “Addressing New Zealand’s Biodiversity Challenges – a Regional Council think piece on the future of biodiversity management in New Zealand”, video was played.

Cr Rick Barker returned to the meeting at 2.10pm.

ESC57/18

Resolution

That the Environment and Services Committee receives the “Addressing New Zealand’s Biodiversity Challenge – A Regional Council Think Piece” staff report.

Wilson/Kirton

CARRIED

15.	Discussion of Items Not on the Agenda
	There were no Items raised for discussion.

Brian Gregory closed the meeting with a karakia.

Closure:

There being no further business the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 2.15pm on Wednesday 14 November 2018.

Signed as a true and correct record.

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