Minutes of Environment and Services Committee

1. Welcome/Apologies/Notices

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

Resolution

ESC1/19 That the apology for absence from Cr Alan Dick be accepted.

Wilson/Bailey

CARRIED

2. Conflict of Interest Declarations

Cr Neil Kirton declared a potential Conflict of Interest in the Ahuriri Estuary paper with regards to contracts for works in the catchment with his employer, Hohepa.

3. Confirmation of Minutes of the Environment and Services Committee meeting held on 14 November 2018

ESC2/19

Resolution

Minutes of the Environment and Services Committee held on Wednesday, 14 November 2018, a copy having been circulated prior to the meeting, were taken as read and confirmed as a true and correct record.

Wilson/Graham

CARRIED

Peter Paku arrived at 9.04am.

Follow-ups from previous Environment & Services Committee meetings

The item was taken as read, with discussions traversing:

· In relation to Forestry Slash Management, James Palmer reported that a proposal for HBRC to host a conference on forestry management and harvesting issues is being developed, and the NES rules are currently being enforced by the HBRC’s compliance team, with 11 prosecutions taken in Tolaga Bay. KiwiRail informally expressed concerns around slash coming down and wiping out rail lines and roads and it was suggested KiwiRail and NZTA be invited to the forestry conference.

· Progress updates on the PanPac pipeline leak in Whirinaki will be provided to council as and when there is anything significant to report.

· In response to a query in relation to Napier, Hastings and Whirinaki stormwater and wastewater discharge impacts and associated issues for the coastal and marine environments, Iain Maxwell advised that a staff workshop scheduled in March will further develop a collaborative science, monitoring, regulation and policy programme for Ahuriri Estuary specifically.

ESC3/19

Resolution

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

Barker/Graham

CARRIED

Call for Minor Items of Business Not on the Agenda

Recommendation

That the Environment and Services Committee accepts the following “Minor Items of Business Not on the Agenda” for discussion as Item 16:

Item	Topic	Raised by
1.	Te Mata Park & David Jacks land	Cr Rex Graham
2.	Plan change 6 fast fail	Cr Paul Bailey
3.	Communications re PanPac	Cr Paul Bailey

Central Hawke's Bay Wastewater Discharge Update

James Palmer tabled a memo received from Central Hawke’s Bay District Council in relation to the CHB Wastewater Project progress and timelines (following).

Malcom Miller updated the committee on the progress to date with discussions highlighting:

· The Reference Group has been established, consisting of a wide representative group to look into long term solutions for Waipukurau, Waipawa and Otane treatment plants.

· Range of options tabled for consideration by the Reference Group, which will report back to the Environmental Court in June 2019.

· Funding of the project has been identified as a significant risk and an activity that requires strategic thinking now to allow the solution to progress once approved.

· Indication that CHB Long Term Plan funds are inadequate to fund the long term solution and an LTP amendment will be unavoidable.

· The working group has been told to consider all options. In time costs will be discussed and whether the community will be able to afford the funding.

· Concerns raised in relation to the deadlines set, however confident that the deadlines will be met.

· The Reference group dismissed direct discharge into fresh water and total discharge to land, and looking at options between the two, considering the waste stream, waste disposal processes and the actual discharge.

· Aiming to find a single solution for Waipukurau, Waipawa and Otane, combining the three discharges to a single treatment plant.

ESC4/19

Resolution

That the Environment and Services Committee receives the “Central Hawke's Bay Wastewater Discharge Update” report.

Beaven/Bailey

CARRIED

Management of Public use of River Berm Lands update

Chris Dolley introduced David Carruth, Manager Regional Assets who gave a progress update and overview of next steps.

· Widespread trials of berm management options have been conducted on the Ngaruro including hay bailing, planting natives and retiring the land.

· A memorandum of understanding between HBRC, CHB Rotary River Pathways Trust and CHB Adult Riders Club has been drafted for the Tukituki river berms near Waipakurau.

· Design work is on hold pending completion of the public consultation process.

· A hui to discuss the public consultation phase is planned with local Iwi representatives.

· Progressing budget provision for a permanent Ranger staff position in the next Annual Plan.

· Concern was raised around livestock in the waterways. Council currently trialling different technologies and their costs to bring forward a plan to implement alternative berm management techniques.

· Revenue received from grazing rights will be utilised for mowing the berms and investing in further planting

· Signage at designated areas will be installed following public consultation with Iwi and communities to ensure aspirations of the communities are met.

· Hooning activities are a concern in the Twyford area and investing in additional funding for security patrols, working collaboratively with NZ Police.

ESC5/19

Resolution

That the Environment and Services Committee receives and notes the “Management of Public Use of River Berm Lands Update” staff report.

Bailey/Beaven

CARRIED

Clive River dredging

David Carruth gave an update on dredging work in the Clive River with discussions covering:

· Because dredging is not a permitted activity for flood control, a consent is required which will require obtaining updated channel survey information and development of a dredged channel design.

· Dredging is a niche contracting market and contractors will be engaged through a competitive tender process.

· Looking into suitable options to dispose of the silt as sea disposal is not palatable.

· A 1993 survey report on sediment in the lower reach of Clive River will be distributed to the Committee members

· Past assessment indicated that a flood gate would not be sufficient to remove the sediment, however technology changes and the option may be re-investigated

· It was agreed that an item outlining the work associated with such an investigation into options to augment better flow, including resourcing implications, be provided to the Committee to enable councillors to consider whether this work should be progressed and/or prioritised

ESC6/19

Resolution

That the Environment and Services Committee receives and notes the “Clive River Dredging” staff report.

Wilson/Bailey

CARRIED

HBRC, TLA and Private Landowners' Obligations for Maintaining Waterways

Chris Dolley explained this this paper was previously presented to a 2018 Corporate and Strategic Committee meeting. Discussions traversed:

· C&S meeting requested information on proactive measures to prevent further obstruction and sedimentation of watercourses

· everyone who has property with river frontage has obligations to maintain the rivers and remove sedimentation and other raw materials to minimise erosion

· Council spends around $2.4m per year across various schemes, mostly on preventative maintenance including removal of trees and planting

· Order to carry out clean-up or maintenance process is not used by this Council, rather a ‘service requests for works’ is sometimes used

· Council powers under the Land Drainage Act

· Some works include three yearly detailed condition assessments of rivers, post flood inspections and public reports of issues, buffer zone maintenance, channel and drainage channel maintenance, berm, stop bank and drain mowing, weed boat cutting and rock and akmon protection works

· a paper on shading and vegetation of riverbanks will be presented to a future committee meeting

ESC7/19

Resolution

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

Graham/Beaven

CARRIED

The meeting adjourned at 10.31am and reconvened at 10.45am with Cr Debbie Hewitt being absent.

10.

2018 Esk Flood Event

Craig Goodier presented a summary overview of the March 2018 flood event with discussions covering:

· Next steps are to update the Esk flood model to incorporate new developments in modelling, to develop updated flood hazard maps for Est Valley, and to review hydrologic data to develop the stage-discharge curves which underlie flood frequency analysis for the Esk and Mangaone catchments.

· CDEM is carrying out a cost benefit analysis of setting up a text warning system for residents in the Esk Valley.

· Developing a hydrodynamic model of the Magaone River near Rissington to enable flood hazard mapping for the Mangaone River near Rissington.

Debbie Hewitt returned to the meeting at 11.01am

ESC8/19

Resolution

That the Environment and Services Committee receives and notes the “2018 Esk Flood Event” staff report.

Barker/Graham

CARRIED

11.

Seagrass in the Porangahau Estuary

Anna Madarasz-Smith updated the committee on the opportunities and issues in the Porangahau Estuary with discussions highlighting:

· NZ Herald article from NIWA in January 2019 indicated that Hawke’s Bay has some of the highest water temperatures in NZ

· NIWA will launch a glider on a 4-6 week voyage 25 February to investigate conductivity, temperature, dissolved oxygen levels, water temperature, etc in the whole of Hawke Bay.

· Scientists found patches found Seagrass in the Pōrangahau Estuary, an important habitat for many marine species, supporting primary productivity, stabilising the sediment, increasing biodiversity and providing food and habitat for many other marine species

· Declines of seagrass are well documented nationally, and recent regrowth of seagrass has been seen in some places.

· Water quality at Pōrangahau site is marginal for long-term persistence of seagrass

· NIWA reports that due to increasing levels of bacteria associated with faeces, longer-term persistence of seagrass in the Pōrangahau Estuary is likely to be marginal under current water quality conditions, meaning that it is at risk of loss

· Several projects initiated in the Porangahau catchment that will in time improve the water quality and have multiple benefits for estuarine health, diversity and recreation

ESC9/19

Resolution

That the Environment and Services Committee receives and notes the “Seagrass in the Porangahau Estuary” staff report.

Barker/Hewitt

CARRIED

12.

Hotspots Update

Iain Maxwell introduced the item, now a standing item on the agenda with discussions covering:

· Te Kaha Hawaikirangi will be joining Napier Port as an Environmental and Cultural Advisor so this is the last meeting he will be attending.

Wairoa Hard –presentation on mapping of the Wairoa Hard as part of the HotSpot fund last May 2018, highlighting:

· NIWA multibeam survey of the Wairoa hard is the most significant mapping undertaken in the Hawke’s Bay Coastal Marine environment.

· The main aim was to investigate the composition of the sea bed – extensive parts of the “Hard” still hard and muddier in deeper offshore areas

· Next steps to look at the substrate and investigate the juvenile habitat, predominantly for commercial fisheries

· 2019-20 financial year, doing a similar study of the “Clive Hard” – south from Cape Kidnappers

· Trying to tie in with NIWA’s existing programs

· May hire PhD student in the 2020-21 financial year to develop a hydrogen model for Hawke Bay by using data obtained from sea bed characteristics

Lake Whakaki – Iain gave a quick update on the consents process with discussions covering:

· The window of opportunity to obtain MfE funding for Whakakī is closing. Before a draft FIF application can be submitted to MfE, all consents must be obtained. Staff are working hard to obtain support from the last 15% of affected parties, to assist the resource consenting process.

· HBRC Consents team processing the resource consent application, including signed affected party approval forms (85% of the total needed). MfE have requested 6 weeks to work with HBRC to finalise the application and for their legal team to review the application and establish a Deed. The Deed must be obtained by 30 April 2019. If not, this funding will be lost. Therefore, Council has to submit a draft application by Friday 15 March.

Lake Whatuma – an update outlined that key stakeholders and iwi agreed a collaborative approach to understand local community and iwi vision and values, prior to the establishment of any management plan for the lake. A large portion of the lake is privately owned by a consortium of 15 individuals. Possibility that the lake could be purchased so a lake/land valuation has been completed, and the findings are currently being reviewed by the lake/landowners.

· The Committee members thanked Te Kaha for his work and contributions to Council and wished him well with his new appointment at Napier Port.

· A paper was requested on “Hawke Bay Hard” to provide clear direction on the start and end of the current research and the extent of the project for the next five years

· Query about potential to increase funding for the science output in the HB Hard through the annual plan.

ESC10/19

Resolution

That the Environment and Services Committee receives and notes the “Hotspots Update” staff report.

Kirton/Barker

CARRIED

13.

ICM Catchments Update

Iain Maxwell introduced the item, as a follow-up from the last meeting. Discussions covered:

· This report is more focussed on the Overall Grants Scheme

· Year to date has been focused on the establishment of procedures, systems and tools for the Erosion Control Scheme and Catchment Advisors have been engaging with landowners with highly erodible land to establish erosion control plans (ECPs).

· To date 13 applications in progress with a total value of $402,141.

· Hill Country Erosion Fund: HBRC secured $5.4M funding from 1 July 2019, which includes 4.5 new resources.

· One Billion Trees Fund (1BT): The Regional Sector Group is submitting a proposal to MPI to obtain $200m under their 1 Billion Tree Fund, which would be shared across all regional councils across New Zealand.

· Dean Evans updated activities in the Southern Catchment, Nathan Heath gave an update on the Wairoa/Mohaka catchment areas and Brendan Powell gave an update on the Central Catchment area.

ESC11/19

Resolution

That the Environment and Services Committee receives and notes the “ICM Catchments Update” staff report.

Beaven/Barker

CARRIED

The meeting adjourned at 12.33pm and reconvened at 2.05pm.

14.

Right Tree Right Place Update

James Palmer introduced James Powrie, RedAxe Forestry Intelligence and updated progress to date on the Right Tree Right Place. Discussions traversed:

· During the development of the LTP, councillors considered commercial investment in afforestation alongside non-commercial activity

· Work program aims to promote afforestation of erosion susceptible land

· Intensive programme of landowner engagement is now underway.

· HBRC staff have been intimately involved in the development of a regional council sector proposal for the administration of a significant proportion of the 1 Billion Trees Funds (~200 million trees over 10 years)

· Approximately $5 million over 4 years from the Hill Country Erosion Fund for afforestation of erosion prone land in the region has been awarded.

· The Program consists of 5 stages and the initial project has assembled a consortium of experts across a range of afforestation options to provide information and data to address soil erosion in Hawke’s Bay.

· A financial model is being constructed to allow objective consideration.

· A team workshop on Tuesday 19 February on how best to allocate species in the landscape, how to categorise erosion as it occurs and erosion control capabilities.

· James Palmer explained the national regional councils proposal which is planned to commence in July 2019.

· Council has not formally resolved a financial objective on this investment, but noted that a 5% return on investment capital is forecast.

· A realistic timeframe to complete would be by 30 June, after which public consultation will commence.

ESC12/19

Resolution

That the Environment and Services Committee receives and notes the “Right Tree Right Place Update” staff report.

Graham/Beaven

CARRIED

15.

Call for Certificate of Appreciation Nominations

The paper was taken as read. Further discussions traversed:

· Councillors advised to discuss nomination with nominee prior to nomination

· All nominations to be submitted to Joanne Lawrence before close of business on 8 March.

· Nominations process is held every six months and next ceremony is scheduled for the 1 May Council meeting.

· Staff will formalise the process of informing the successful nominees and inviting their attendance at the award ceremony.

ESC13/19

Resolution

That the Environment and Services Committee receives and notes the “Call for Certificate of Appreciation nominations” including the close of nominations date of Friday 8 March 2019.

Wilson/Barker

CARRIED

16.

Discussion of Minor Items Not on the Agenda

Item	Topic	Raised by
1.	Te Mata Park and David Jacks’ land · Te Mata Park raising funds to buy David Jacks land. · Lots of possibilities for wetlands, major attraction for the Region with public using the tracks on the land. · Waitangi Day Celebrations: Attended the celebrations at the Celestial compass and the Sports Park. Well-organised events and a great success.	Cr Rex Graham
2.	Communication re PanPac · Media releases on PanPac’s wastewater outfall leak advise Council working closely with PanPac to resolve the issues. Suggested it would have been good to add “still investigating potential Enforcement order” as Public needs to be reassured that Council acts on Environmental issues. · Helen Shea wrote an update article to the wider public on actions have been taken to address this issue. · James Palmer updated the committee on the progress made to resolve this issue. · PanPac advised that a Consulting Engineer is on site and work is underway on full replacement of the steel and concrete section once the immediate leak has been remedied. · PanPac is keeping HBRC and wider public appropriately informed of the progress. · Wayne Wright prepared a recommendation on whether or not take further enforcement action against PanPac – under consideration by James and decision will be made in due course.	Cr Paul Bailey
3.	Plan Change 6 fast fail · Feedback on potential amendment was due on 1Feb. Some submitters were challenging the process and concept. · Question when to expect a decision on whether the fast fail test is going to be met? · A Report will be presented at the Regional Planning Committee on 20 February.	Cr Paul Bailey

Closure:

There being no further business the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 15.45pm on Wednesday, 13 February 2019.

Signed as a true and correct record.

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