Agenda of Regional Council Meeting

HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL

Wednesday 27 February 2019

Subject: Councillor Tom Belford Notice of Motion: Potential Tukituki Plan Change

Reason for Report

1. Councillor Belford has submitted the following Notice of Motion, regarding investigations into a potential Tukituki (PC6) Plan Change requested by the Regional Planning Committee in response to a request from the Tukituki Water Taskforce representing the Central Hawke’s Bay community.

Cr Belford Notice of Motion

2. That no further expenditure should be made with respect to investigating or progressing any amendment to PC6 unless/until authorised by future action of Hawke’s Bay Regional Council.

3. That staff, relying on existing science programmes, should continue to assist and advise the Tukituki Water Taskforce with regard to:

3.1. optimum efficient and equitable use of surface and groundwater in CHB reaches of the Tuki catchment; and

3.2. options and approaches for meeting the requirements of PC6 as it stands.

4. The intention of this resolution is to make absolutely clear the determination of Council in this matter, so as to quash any false expectations and move the Taskforce in more productive directions, while reaffirming the involvement of HBRC experts in assisting the CHB community address water use options within the existing PC6 framework.

Process for Considering Notice of Motion

5. Councillor Belford moves his Notice of Motion, and in doing so is afforded the opportunity to present his rationale for it and the outcome he seeks, and if there is a seconder for it, the Motion is debated in accordance with Standing Orders before being put and voted on.

6. If there is not a seconder, then the Notice of Motion lapses and no further consideration of the item is undertaken other than to resolve to receive it.

Decision Making Process

7. Council is required to make every decision in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government Act 2002 (the Act). Staff have assessed the requirements in relation to this item and advise that the decision to resolve Cr Belford’s Notice of Motion:

7.1. Will not significantly alter the service provision or affect a strategic asset.

7.2. Does not fall within the definition of Council’s policy on significance.

7.3. Although the notice of motion is specificly for no further expenditure, paragraph 4 above is inconsistent with Council’s 19 December 2018 resolution to “adopt the Report and recommendations from the Regional Planning Committee” including “The Regional Planning Committee directs staff to scope and initiate a preliminary Tukituki plan change process” and recognising that the Regional Planning Committee is the body:

7.3.1. delegated by the Hawke’s Bay Regional Planning Committee Act 2015 and RPC Terms of Reference adopted by Council on 26 February 2014, to oversee the review and development of the Regional Policy Statement and Regional Plans for the Hawke’s Bay region, as required under the Resource Management Act 1991, including

7.3.2. implementation of a work programme for the review of the Council’s Regional Plans and Regional Policy statements prepared under the Resource Management Act 1991 and

7.3.3. preparation of any changes to the Regional Resource Management Plan, including the Regional Policy Statement.

Recommendations for Substantive Motion

That Hawke’s Bay Regional Council

1. Receives and notes the “Councillor Tom Belford Notice of Motion: Potential Tukituki Plan Change” staff report.

2. Accepts Councillor Tom Belford’s Notice of Motion: Potential Tukituki Plan Change for consideration.

3. Agrees that no further expenditure should be made with respect to investigating or progressing any amendment to PC6 unless/until authorised by future action of Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and instructs staff to cease all associated activity in this regard.

4. Requests that staff, relying on existing science programmes, continues to assist and advise the Tukituki Water Taskforce with regard to:

4.1. optimum efficient and equitable use of surface and groundwater in Central Hawke’s Bay reaches of the Tukituki River catchment; and

4.2. options and approaches for meeting the requirements of the Tukituki Plan Change (PC6) as it stands.

Authored by:

Leeanne Hooper

Principal Advisor Governance

Approved by:

James Palmer

Chief Executive

Attachment/s

⇩1

20 February 2019 - Councillor Belford Notice of Motion

HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL

Wednesday 27 February 2019

Subject: Draft Regional Public Transport Plan for Consultation

Reason for Report

1. This item provides the draft Regional Public Transport Plan 2019 as recommended by the Regional Transport Committee for Council to review and approve for release for public consultation.

Background

2. Under the Land Transport Management Act 2003 (LTMA), every regional council must adopt a regional public transport plan unless it does not intend to enter into any contracts for the supply of public transport services or provide any financial assistance to any operator or user of a taxi or shuttle service. Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s Regional Public Transport Plan was adopted in April 2015.

3. The Act states that an RPTP must be reviewed and if necessary, renewed or varied at the same time as, or as soon as practicable after, the public transport components of a regional land transport plan are approved or varied. As the Regional Land Transport Plan has recently been reviewed and varied, the Council is undertaking a review of the RPTP.

4. The Regional Transport Committee has assisted with the preparation of the RPTP but the legislation prohibits the delegation of responsibility for adopting or varying a plan to any committee. This must be undertaken by the council.

5. The purpose of an RPTP is to provide a public statement of:

5.1. the public transport services that the Council considers integral to the network

5.2. the policies and procedures, information and infrastructure that apply to those services.

6. Development and review of an RPTP also provides an opportunity for public input into the design and operation of the public transport network.

7. The current RPTP was adopted in 2015 and was the first plan developed under the new LTMA requirements, incorporating the principles of the Public Transport Operating Model.

Review Process to Date

8. Passengers, user groups and organisations (including councils) were contacted by staff to seek their ideas for improving the public transport services in Hawke’s Bay. Around 20 responses were received, with a range of suggestions for improvements, in addition to a log recording public suggestions received from passengers or would-be passengers.

9. Staff also conducted an investment logic mapping session with a varied group of stakeholders, in order to identify key issues or opportunities to be addressed by the public transport system in Hawke’s Bay, the benefits of resolving these, strategic responses and specific actions. The outcomes of this workshop and public feedback have been distilled into a “plan for investigations for service improvements” over the next three years (Section 5 of draft RPTP attached).

10. Staff have also reviewed and updated the policies under which HBRC manages its public transport services. These were mainly minor wording changes and updates, although a suggested new policy has been added for special event services.

Regional Transport Committee Input

11. The draft plan was presented to the RTC for comment in December. The following requests for investigations were made:

11.1. a direct bus service between Flaxmere and EIT

11.2. a commuter service between Central Hawke’s Bay and EIT

11.3. improved services to the Parklands area of Napier, including to the proposed new swimming complex

11.4. a service between HB Airport and the Napier CBD.

12. These requests have been added to the discussion in Section 5.2 of the draft Plan.

Options Assessment

13. A range of options for service investigations and improvements have been considered. Those included in the draft plan incorporate public feedback and address known issues.

Strategic Fit

14. The activities identified in this plan are highly consistent with the Council’s strategic priority for sustainable services and infrastructure.

Considerations of Tangata Whenua

15. A full public consultation process will be undertaken on the draft RPTP.

Financial and Resource Implications

16. Existing services and new service investigations are accounted for in current budgets. Any new services would be budgeted for in Annual Plan processes.

Next Steps

17. The Regional Council is asked to consider and approve the draft plan for release for public consultation.

18. The Land Transport Management Act requires a full public consultation process for the RPTP. This will take place between late March and mid-May, with a revised draft presented to the Regional Transport Committee in June before consideration and adoption by Council.

19. Prior to its release, the report will be designed and formatted as an external HBRC publication.

Decision Making Process

20. Council is required to make every decision in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government Act 2002 (the Act). Staff have assessed the requirements in relation to this item and have concluded:

20.1. The decision does not significantly alter the service provision or affect a strategic asset.

20.2. A special consultative procedure will be undertaken between late March and mid-May 2019.

20.3. The decision does not fall within the definition of Council’s policy on significance.

20.4. The persons affected by this decision are all users and potential users of public transport in the region.

20.5. The decision is not inconsistent with an existing policy or plan.

Recommendations

That Hawke’s Bay Regional Council:

1. Agrees that the decision to be made today is not significant under the criteria contained in Council’s adopted Significance and Engagement Policy, and that Council can exercise its discretion to make this decision to enter into a full public consultation process for the draft 2019-29 Regional Public Transport Plan.

2. Approves the release of the draft 2019-2029 Regional Public Transport Plan as proposed, for public consultation.

Authored by:

Anne Redgrave

Transport Manager

Approved by:

Tom Skerman

Group Manager Strategic Planning

Attachment/s

⇨1

Draft 2019-29 Regional Public Transport Plan

Under Separate Cover

HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL

Wednesday 27 February 2019

Subject: Affixing of Common Seal

Reason for Report

1. The Common Seal of the Council has been affixed to the following documents and signed by the Chairman or Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive or a Group Manager.

		Seal No.	Date
1.1	Leasehold Land Sales 1.1.1 Lot 46 DP 12517 CT D4/978 - Agreement for Sale and Purchase 1.1.2 Lot 150 DP 12780 CT E1/751 - Agreement for Sale and Purchase 1.1.3 Lot 33 DP 9653 CT C2/437 - Agreement for Sale and Purchase 1.1.4 Lot 71 DP 6598 CT C2/301 - Agreement for Sale and Purchase 1.1.5 Lot 46 DP 12517 CT D4/978 - Transfer	4288 4289 4291 4292 4298	14 January 2019 14 January 2019 21 January 2019 21 January 2019 13 February 2019
1.2	Staff Warrants 1.2.1 G. Morton S. Grant P. Davis (Delegations under Resource Management Act 1991; Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Act 1941; Land Drainage Act 1908 and Civil Defence Act 1983 (s.60-64); Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002 (s.86-91) and Local Government Act 2002 (s.174)) 1.2.2 T. Edwards (Delegations under Resource Management Act 1991; Civil Defence Act 1983 (s.60-64); Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002 (s.86-91) and Local Government Act 2002 (s.174)) 1.2.3 P. Rakete-Stones S.Diphoorn (Delegations under Biosecurity Act 1993; Civil Defence Act 1983 (s.60-64); Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002 (s.86-91)and Local Government Act 2002 (s.174)) 1.2.4 M. Adye (Delegations under the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002 (s.86-92 inclusive) and Clause 32B Schedule 7 of the Local Government Act 2002)	4284 4285 4287 4286 4299 4300 4293	17 December 2018 17 December 2018 18 December 2018 17 December 2018 19 February 2019 19 February 2019 16 January 2019
1.3	Regional Pest Management Plan 2018-2038	4290	21 January 2019

2. As a result of sales, the current numbers of Leasehold properties owned by Council are:

2.1. 0 cross lease properties were sold, with 74 remaining on Council’s books

2.2. 0 single leasehold properties were sold, with 106 remaining on Council’s books.

Decision Making Process

3. Council is required to make every decision in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Act 2002 (the Act). Staff have assessed the requirements contained within Act in relation to this item and have concluded:

3.1. Council can exercise its discretion under Section 79(1)(a) and 82(3) of the Act and make a decision on this issue without conferring directly with the community or others due to the nature and significance of the issue to be considered and decided

3.2. That the decision to apply the Common Seal reflects previous policy or other decisions of Council which (where applicable) will have been subject to the Act’s required decision making process.

Recommendations

That Hawke’s Bay Regional Council:

1. Agrees that the decision to be made is not significant under the criteria contained in Council’s adopted Significance and Engagement Policy that Council can exercise its discretion and make this decision without conferring directly with the community and persons likely to be affected by or to have an interest in the decision.

2. Confirms the action to affix the Common Seal.

Authored by:

Trudy Kilkolly

Principal Accountant Rates and Revenue

Diane Wisely

Executive Assistant

Approved by:

Jessica Ellerm

Group Manager Corporate Services

James Palmer

Chief Executive

Attachment/s

There are no attachments for this report.

HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL

Wednesday 27 February 2019

Subject: Report from the 13 February 2019 Environment and Services Committee Meeting

Reason for Report

1. The following matters were considered by the Environment and Services Committee at its meeting on 13 February 2019.

Agenda Items

2. Central Hawke's Bay Wastewater Discharge Update – Informed the committee of the establishment of the Central Hawke's Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade Community Reference Group and of the progress to date including:

2.1. A range of options tabled of which the Reference group dismissed the two options to discharge into fresh water and total land managed discharge in favour of continuing to look at combined solutions.

2.2. Aiming to find a single solution for Waipukurau, Waipawa and Otane, with consideration being given to combining the three discharges into a single mega treatment plant.

2.3. Reference Group is being asked to look afresh at all options for each of the communities.

3. Management of Public use of River Berm Lands update – provided the Committee with an update on progress with activities relating to the management of public use of river berms within the Heretaunga Plains Flood Control and Drainage Scheme (Rivers) including:

3.1. Widespread trials conducted on the Ngaruroro including hay-bailing, planting natives and retiring land between Fernhill Bridge and the river mouth

3.2. A memorandum of understanding between HBRC, CHB Rotary River Pathways Trust and CHB Adult Riders Club has been drafted in relation to use of the Tukituki River berms near Waipukurau

3.3. Design work is on hold pending a community hui with local Iwi representatives to discuss the public consultation phase, followed by a full public consultation phase

3.4. Budget provision for a permanent Ranger staff position.

4. Clive River Dredging – Outlined the history of the dredging operations carried out in the lower Clive River and background as to why dredging is required, with discussions covering:

4.1. consent for the dredging work and obtaining updated channel survey information, development of dredged channel design and drafting tender documents

4.2. Early contractor involvement in the consents process and finding suitable options to dispose of the dredged material

4.3. Previous investigations indicated that a flood gate would not be sufficient to remove the sediment but has potentially positive impacts on water quality

4.4. A request was made for brief paper on potential options to augment flows in the Clive River to remove sediment and silt from the river bed.

5. HBRC, TLA and Private Landowners' Obligations for Maintaining Waterways – Provided guidance on the obligations of HBRC, Territorial Authorities and private landowners to maintain waterways as a follow-up from the previous item presented to the Committee on 14 November 2018. Discussions at the meeting covered:

5.1. Additional information requested on proactive measures available to prevent further obstruction of watercourses

5.2. Everyone has obligations to maintain the rivers and remove sedimentation and other raw materials to minimise erosion of river berms

5.3. Some works include three yearly detailed assessments of rivers, post flood inspections and public reports of issues from floods, buffer zone maintenance, drainage channel maintenance including berm, stop bank and drain mowing, as well as weed boat cutting and akmon protection works

5.4. A paper on shading waterways in managed schemes will be presented to a future meeting.

6. 2018 Esk Flood Event – Provided an overview of the flood event that occurred March 7 and 8 2018 in the Esk, Mangaone, Pakuratahi and Te Ngarue catchments with specific focus on the technical analysis of the flood. Discussions at the meeting covered:

6.1. Next steps for the Asset Management Group including updating the Esk flood model to incorporate new developments in modelling, develop updated flood hazard maps for Esk Valley, review hydrologic data underlying flood frequency analysis for the Esk and Mangaone catchments, and carry out a cost-benefit exercise on setting up a text warning system for residents in the Esk Valley.

7. Seagrass in the Porangahau Estuary – Updated the Committee on the issues and opportunities for the Pōrangahau Estuary including:

7.1. Seagrass is 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

7.2. 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, meanings that the seagrass recently found in Pōrangahau Estuary is at risk of being lost

7.3. The Southern Catchments team has initiated several projects in the Porangahau catchment aimed at improving water quality in the catchment.

8. Hotspots update – Provided an update on the Freshwater Improvement Fund and Hotspots environmental projects including:

8.1. Whatuma: key stakeholders and iwi agreed a collaborative approach to understand local community and iwi vision and values, a large portion of the lake is privately owned by a consortium of 15 individuals, and with the possibility that the lake could be purchased a lake/land valuation has been completed.

8.2. Whakakī: window of opportunity to obtain MfE funding for Whakakī is closing and staff are working hard to obtain support from the last 15% of affected parties, to assist the resource consenting process. MfE has requested 6 weeks to work with HBRC to finalise the application and for their legal team to review the application and establish a Deed by 30 April 2019. Draft application must be lodged by Friday 15 March.

9. ICM Catchments update – Catchment Managers provided updates of activities and progress within their zones and explained funding schemes, covering:

9.1. 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 process with a total value of $402,141.

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

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

10. Right Tree Right Place update – updated the committee on progress developing the Right Tree Right Place initiative which aims to promote afforestation of erosion susceptible land, including:

10.1. RTRP will operate alongside a range of relevant activities and ongoing integration with these is required.

10.2. intensive programme of landowner engagement is now underway

10.3. HBRC staff have been intimately involved in the development of a national regional councils proposal for the administration of a significant proportion of the 1BT funds (~200 million trees over 10 years).

10.4. Hawke’s Bay has been awarded approximately $5 million over 4 years from the Hill Country Erosion Fund (part of 1BT) for afforestation of erosion prone land in the region.

10.5. HBRC has initiated a project to capture Regional LiDAR data

10.6. A Regional Natural Capital Assessment (NCA) is being considered by Council and co-funding has been applied for this from the PGF

10.7. Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated (NKII) is leading a complementary programme of work (Kahutia) to develop the required skilled workforce and nursery supply for scaled up regional afforestation.

10.8. The Maungaharuru Tangitu/HBRC summer forest internship programme provides a working template for developing skills, labour, and values based leadership, to be scaled up with labour requirements which will grow with implementation

10.9. Once the Spatial phase has confirmed Hawke’s Bay hotspots for erosion, and feasible afforestation options Stage 4 will commence.

11. Call for Certificate of Appreciation Nominations – Called for nominations by councilors, for HBRC environmental certificates of appreciation in three categories recognising environmental stewardship, being:

11.1. Environmental Leadership in Business – Te Hautūtanga Taiao me te Pakihi which recognises business or local authorities that demonstrate kaitiakitanga, innovation or efficiency, or an ongoing commitment to environmental best practice.

11.2. Environmental Leadership in Land Management – Te Hautūtanga Taiao me te Whakahaere Whenua which recognises land users who are committed to environmental stewardship and sustainability in their meat, fibre, forestry or other land use operations and

11.3. Environmental Action in the Community – Te Oho Mauri Taiao ki te Hapori which recognises no-for-profit organisations or individuals that are taking action to protect or enhance the environment, or are increasing understanding of environmental issues.

Decision Making Process

12. Staff have assessed the requirements of the Local Government Act 2002 in relation to this item and have concluded that, as this report is information only, the decision making provisions do not apply.

Recommendations

That Hawke’s Bay Regional Council receives and notes the “Report from the 12 February 2019 Environment and Services Committee Meeting”.

Authored by:

Annelie Roets

Governance Administration Assistant

Approved by:

Chris Dolley

Group Manager Asset Management

Iain Maxwell

Group Manager Integrated Catchment Management

Attachment/s

There are no attachments for this report.

HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL

Wednesday 27 February 2019

SUBJECT: Significant HBRC Activities through March 2019

Reason for Report

1. The following commentary is provided for Councillors’ information, to inform them of significant issues and activities over the next couple of months.

Significant Work Streams

TANK Plan Change		Project description	Activity Status Update
Group/Section	Team(s)	Project description	Activity Status Update
Strategic Planning	Policy	Progressing plan change to notification	1. Pre-notification targeted consultation with relevant iwi authorities, TLAs and relevant Ministers of the Crown is underway. Draft plan change document and supporting materials are on HBRC website. 2. Feedback from the targeted consultation will be reported back to the RPC in April.
ICM	Marine and Coast	Proposed targets for estuaries	3. Report completed on proposed trigger values for estuarine areas to be incorporated into Schedule 2.
	Hydrogeology	Heretaunga groundwater modelling	4. A report on the development of stream depletion zones has been reviewed and is being revised prior to finalisation. 5. The team’s groundwater modeller has resigned and we will be advertising to fill this critical position.
	Water Quality & Ecology (WQE)	WQE options report	6. External review of TANK water quality report with rationale behind options for different water quality objectives and limits was favourable, so report is being finalised for publication.

New Initiatives (LTP)		Project description	Activity Status Update
Workstream	Group/Team(s)	Project description	Activity Status Update
Erosion Control Scheme	Integrated Catchment Management		7. Catchment Management staff are engaging with landowners and establishing erosion control plans. 8. Currently, we have 13 applications in process with a total value of $402,141. 9. And as an indication of the value of potential projects arising from landowner engagements, our pipeline shows a total values of $1.2M for year one.
More Whitebait	Water Quality & Ecology (WQE)	Identifying opportunities for HBRC and partners to enhance whitebait populations	10. 2 site visits with staff management team and councilor representatives have confirmed site works needed and some further planning required, to occur before end of June 2019.

Ngaruroro River & Clive River Water Conservation Order (WCO) application		Project description	Activity Status Update
Group/Section	Team(s)	Project description	Activity Status Update
Strategic Planning	Policy	Ngaruroro Water Conservation Order application- Special Tribunal proceedings	11. Stage 2 hearings to commence 26 February 2019 to focus on the mid-lower reaches of the catchment. 12. Policy team personnel in lead coordinating role with HBRC’s counsel and wider project team.
Integrated Catchment Management	Hydrology/ Hydrogeology	WCO evidence	13. Expert witness evidence to be delivered by Dr Jeff Smith, Dr Thomas Wilding and (external consultant) Ian Jowett, to support council’s submission to the Stage 2 hearings.
	Water quality & Ecology	WCO evidence	14. Dr Andy Hicks has provided evidence on water quality and fish communities.

CHB Water		Project description	Activity Status Update
Group/Section	Team(s)	Project description	Activity Status Update
Integrated Catchment Management	Groundwater Science	Science to inform CHB Tukituki Water Taskforce Group	15. Pre-feasibility assessment for a Groundwater Replenishment Scheme continues for the Ruataniwha Basin and a draft report is expected by end of February 16. Expecting tenders to be received during March, for developing a suite of groundwater models for the Ruataniwha Basin
Integrated Catchment Management	Water quality & Ecology	Sub catchment summaries Tukituki (PC6) implementation	17. Developing a dashboard to present Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen (DIN), Macroinvertebrate Index (MCI) and Dissolved Reactive Phosphorous (DRP) up to date data online for farmers in the Tukituki continues 18. Exploring whether constructed wetlands in the Tukituki catchment would help address DIN levels. The Tukipo subcatchment is a Fonterra 50 catchment, and so is being prioritised for further investigation and feasibility studies
Strategic Planning	Policy	Scoping potential for plan change to amend dates for minimum flows	19. As agreed at RPC meeting on 12 December and Council meeting on 19 December 2018, policy planning staff have been scoping potential suitability for a plan change that could amend (defer) 2018 dates for new minimum flows in the Tukituki catchment. A report on that scoping work was presented to the 20^th February RPC meeting.

Hawke’s Bay Drinking Water		Project description	Activity Status Update
Group/Section	Team(s)	Project description	Activity Status Update
Strategic Planning	Policy	Joint Working Group	20. Policy planning staff continuing to provide advisory support to the Drinking Water Governance Joint Committee.
Office of CE & Chair	Governance	HB DW Governance Joint Committee	21. 2019 meetings are scheduled 13 March, 12 June, 4 September and 11 December (1^st meeting of 2019-22 triennium).

Clifton to Tangoio Coastal Hazards Strategy		Project description	Activity Status Update
Group/Section	Team(s)	Project description	Activity Status Update
Asset Management	Engineering	Stage 4 Develop pathway options and solutions for priority cells, including funding considerations for consultation	22. Modelling of Tangoio to Clifton with pathway options. Wave and shoreline modelling. Options (groynes) being examined for Haumoana. 23. Initial meeting with planning consultant to progress including additional area in Port’s present consent in southern part of Westshore, as part of JCS.
Office of CE & Chair	Governance	Joint Committee	24. Meeting scheduled 18 March to continue discussions on funding.

Freshwater Improvement Fund projects /Hotspots		Project description	Activity Status Update
Group/Section	Team(s)	Project description	Activity Status Update
Integrated Catchment Managenent	Water quality & Ecology	Tutira	25. Waikopiro is looking good at the moment, with a low abundance of algae/cyanobacteria. The warm bottom water temperatures resulting from mixing (approaching 25 degrees) have not been lethal to trout. Still a difficult juggling act between air curtain operation, and cyanobacteria versus other algal blooms. Uncertainty remains about what results in Waikopiro mean for application of destratification in Tutira and it is too early to consider this project a failure. Tutira is a different lake system and the learnings from Waikopiro may prove valuable for success in Lake Tutira. Our investigations are continuing to ensure any recommendations are as well informed as possible.
Integrated Catchment Managment	Project Leader Water quality & Ecology	Whakaki	26. Hot Spot Whakakī 18-19 project: Manuka establishment trial in fluctuating lake water levels: In September 2018 we planted 700 Manuka plants. In January a site assessment indicated that all Manuka seedling planted in wet ground (from very wet to moist) are all dead. The ones established on the higher contours around the lake are doing fine but this represents a smaller area than anticipated. 27. MfE FIF Application: As per our condition prior to submitting our FIF application to MfE, we have submitted a resource consent application for the project deliverables, along with 85% of the required signed affected party approval forms. Staff are working with the final few affected parties. We need to be in Deed with MfE by 30 April, otherwise there is no FIF project. 28. Sewerage fungus is interfering with our monitoring platform sensors. Unprecedented problem, shows how bad water quality in Whakaki is. Sewerage fungus, actually a bacteria, grows under extreme organic enrichment, hence the common name reference to ‘sewerage’. Extra cleaning cycles and new casing has been used to slow down the biofouling.
Integrated Catchment Management	Water Quality & Ecology Land Services Project Leader	Ahuriri	29. Source modelling for the Ahuriri Catchment progressing well. 30. Planting and fencing effort ongoing. 31. An aerial survey of the Ahuriri Estuary was undertaken in December. This will allow us to estimate the volume of invasive tubeworm in the estuary and inform ongoing removal efforts. 32. An area of remnant native bush has been identified and work is ongoing to protect this area as a seed source for replanting in this catchment. 33. Partnership with Hohepa/MfE: The Ministry for the Environment/Hohepa lower Taipo Stream wetland project has been successfully completed and the HBRC contribution for this from the funding has been approved.
Integrated Catchment Management	Water Quality & Ecology	Whatuma	34. A collaborative approach was agreed with iwi and key stakeholders at a meeting held on 30 January 2019. A land valuation report of the lake has been completed and is currently being reviewed by the lake owners. 35. Lake Inflows and outflows are being monitored and showing signs of extremely elevated phosphorus levels in both the inflows and the lake outflows. The data is being more thoroughly analysed.
Integrated Catchment Management	Project Lead	Marine	36. Subtidal Habitat Investigations: The Wairoa Hard portfolios have been received from NIWA with interesting features that will continue to be investigated. Benthic habitat assessments will continue over the next 4 months for Wairoa Hard, while habitat mapping is currently being scoped for areas of the Clive Hard and Springs Box, and quotes being sought. 37. Work is continuing on mapping sediment characteristics in Hawke Bay, and measuring the levels of silt and clay that enter the Bay during storm events. 38. Work is underway with the Central Catchment Group to reduce sediment and nutrient inputs into the Porangahau Estuary. 2km of fencing has been completed with another 3km of fencing to be completed before the end of this financial year and 500 plants to be planted this winter. 39. A NIWA report provided recommendations for monitoring and land management to protect the isolated area of estuarine seagrass identified earlier this year.

Significant Team Activities

Integrated Catchment Management Group		Project description	Activity Status Update
Section	Team	Project description	Activity Status Update
Catchment Services	Biodiversity	HB Biodiversity	40. Running Biodiversity Offsetting Guidance workshop. 41. Presenting to the Biodiversity Hawke’s Bay Foundation. 42. Large focus on undertaking works at Ecosystem Prioritisation sites.
		Biodiversity and priority ecosystems	43. Work is ongoing to engage a wider range of business into the value of supporting and participating in initiatives to improve regional biodiversity. 44. Funding bids will be submitted to the Department of Conservation community fund and the Lotteries commission. 45. Work is ongoing to support the Foundation to become more independent of HBRC 46. With new marine biosecurity rules in the Regional Pest Management Plan a dive survey of the Ahuriri inner harbor and marine workshop for stakeholders and interested parties are planned
		Predator Free Hawke’s Bay	47. Possum eradication and predator suppression begins at Mahia on Onenui Station marking the start of Whakatipu Mahia. 48. Works will get underway on the development of the outdoor learning space at EIT as funded by AirNZ Trust in collaboration with Cape to City.
	Animal pest management	Regional Pest Management Plan (RPMP)	49. Two contracts are out for Tender: · HBRC-DOC Possum Maintenance Northern (AM17-034) · Waikaremoana Buffer Bait Stn Contract (AM18-006). 50. In addition, possum monitoring is ongoing across several Possum Control Area properties to assess land owner compliance with the RPMP.
	Plant Pest Management		51. Working on list of Privet complaints received over the Privet flowering period. 52. Monitoring for Old man’s beard (particularly near the ranges). 53. Starting urban Woolly nightshade programme.

Asset Management Group		Project description	Activity Status Update
Section	Team(s)	Project description	Activity Status Update
Regional Assets	Engineering	Northern	54. Nuhaka River Road – river realignment – redesign progressing.
		Central	55. Bridge and gauging structure for forestry road at Tutira – modelling and design. 56. Awanui Stopbank – planning and discussion for last portion – right bank. 57. Tutaekuri Stopbank Extension – upstream of Puketapu. Private funding, HBRC design and construction. Stopbank eventually to become part of HPFCS - initial modelling completed.
		Southern	58. UTTFCS – work is progressing on analysis of options for changes to rating system. Engineering is working with rates dept. Report back through rates dept.
		Gravel Resource Consents	59. Consent has been notified. 60. Submissions close on Monday 4 March 2019.
	Open Spaces	Pākōwhai Regional Park Carpark	61. Construction of the new carpark is complete (reopened Friday 21 December).Working with HDC to improve park maintenance.
	Open Spaces	Hawea Park / Karamu Stream Diversion	62. Draft park management plan preparation. 63. Trust Deed lodged with Māori Land Court – hearing held on December 5 but awaiting advice from the court.
		Waitangi Regional Park	64. Estuary enhancement Stage 2 – draft plan complete. 65. Lower Tūtaekurī Floodplain Wetland (funded by NKII/Port/Te Wai Maori Fund/HBRC) earthworks in progress. Successful site visit with stake holders held 20/02/2019
	Cycle Networks	NZCT Priority Project Waimarama Road Safety Project	66. MBIE approval gained for new plan and funding, including adding of HDC section. Project plan is now to complete safer off-road section between existing off-road sections parallel to road, for trail users. Awaiting on HDC before proceeding.
		New Zealand Cycle Trail Business Case Hawke’s Bay Trails 2018-2023	67. Completed with MartinJenkins Cost Benefit Analysis, have provided feedback and now with panel for final approval.
		NZCT Priority Project Ahuriri Underpass Flooding Safety Issues	68. Working with NZTA around solutions.
		Hawke’s Bay Trails Paper Map re-print/review with HBT	69. New 2019 Trail map has been updated, printed and in circulation in conjunction with HB Tourism.
		Hawke’s Bay Regional Cycle Plan 2015 - Review	70. Review had taken place and document is being drafted for review.

Regulation Group		Project description	Activity Status Update
Section	Team(s)	Project description	Activity Status Update
Compliance		IRIS Implementation	71. The IRIS implementation project continues with the monitoring function completed. Data entry has been completed. There are a number of unresolved issues in terms of fixes required to utilise the full functionality of IRIS. These fixes need to be made before moving to the next phase as they impact on the BAU component of Compliance monitoring work. 72. The Incidents and enforcements module went live on 10 February and there have been no reported problems and is widely considered far superior to the system it replaced.
Compliance		PanPac Outfall leak	73. In association with other parts of Council, the compliance team is overseeing the repair work being undertaken by PanPac. The leak is expected to be completed by the end of February and is on track to achieve that. Pan Pac have also started the process of evaluating the options for replacing the old outfall pipe and will forward details of their recommended/desired solution to Council for our evaluation and acceptance. An investigation has been completed as to whether or not PanPac has carried out sufficient maintenance of their infrastructure that might have contributed to the pipeline failure, a final decision outcome is with the CE.
Consents	Consents	Large/ significant application Processes	74. Te Mata Mushrooms Air discharge remains on hold waiting for the application for related consents required from HDC to catch up. The application has been lodged with HDC as required. The application was on hold at HDC awaiting further information. This has now been received and HDC is now to determine whether the application will be notified. If it is, it is likely to require a joint hearing. A separate application has been lodged to initially process the stage 1 mushroom composting on a Mt Herbert Road Waipukurau site. The site has the potential to accommodate the full mushroom operation. This is on hold by HBRC under s 92 requesting more information. The application covers expansion to full production on the Mt Herbert Rd site. An application has also been lodged with CHBDC.
			75. HBRC gravel extraction Ngaruroro Tukituki, Waipawa and Tutaekuri. These applications were notified on Feb 2^nd and the submission period closes on 4 March.
			76. There are four resource consent applications in process for discharging stormwater and drainage water into the Ahuriri Estuary. Landcorp farm discharge consent is on hold pending application by NCC for the Onehunga Road pump station. NCC have two other discharge consents lodged for stormwater discharges from the West Shore tidal gates and from Lagoon Farm. These are on hold pending discussion with affected parties.
			77. Ruataniwha Tranche 2 groundwater takes. There are 8 applications for this water. These applications are on hold while applicants complete modelling work. Further information may be requested.
			78. Wairoa District Council waste water discharge replacement consent application has been lodged. A s 92 request for further information has been issued.
			79. Takes from the Heretaunga Plains unconfined aquifer are expiring this year (31 May). Applications have been coming in since November and are being placed on hold at the applicants request and will be processed as a group.
			80. CHB Wastewater a working party reference group has been established by CHBDC and is to provide a recommendation on improved options to report to Env Court by end of June.
	Consents	Appeals/ Environment Court	81. PanPac Expert witness mediation held 18-19 September. One s274 party (CEAC) has since withdrawn. Court hearing scheduled April 8 2019 has now been cancelled and is to be rescheduled.

Strategic Planning Group	Project description	Activity Status Update
Section / Team(s)	Project description	Activity Status Update
Project Management Office		82. The PMO roll-out is progressing well. The pilot is due to finish end March, leading to identified improvements to the framework and then enterprise-wide roll-out. Five monthly status reports have been presented to the Executive Team. The second quarterly report will be presented to Corporate and Strategic in March.
Policy & Planning	RMA Planning	83. Update report was presented to 20 February RPC meeting.
Policy & Planning	Statutory Advocacy	84. Update report was presented to 20 February RPC meeting. 85. Towards mid-2019, policy planning staff are anticipating a variety of Bills, draft NPSs/NESs and discussion documents to be released for sector and/or public comment. These include: (a) Bill for Stage 1 of RMA amendments (b) Freshwater NPS amendments and NESs (c) National biodiversity strategy review (d) NPS re indigenous biodiversity (e) NPS re productive soils (f) NES for outdoor storage of tyres (g) 12 month review of NES for plantation forestry implementation (h) ‘Urban Growth Agenda’ urban planning pillar (i) Zero Emissions Bill Select Committee process (j) Emissions Trading Scheme regulation changes.
Policy & Planning	Heretaunga Plains Urban Development Strategy & NPS for Urban Development Capacity	86. HPUDS Implementation Working Group (IWG) met 19 November. Next IWG meeting anticipated ~April/May 2019 (TBC). Mayor Sandra Hazelhurst has been elected IWG Chair. 87. Continued support for quarterly reporting on urban development metrics as required by the NPS for Urban Development Capacity.
Transport	Public Transport Regional Land Transport Planning	88. The Draft Regional Public Transport Plan has been reviewed by RTC and will be presented to Council 27 February for adoption for public consultation. 89. There are further delays in the development and testing of the new bus ticketing system, with Hawke’s Bay’s implementation now likely to be in September this year. 90. Transport related Provincial Growth Fund applications have been regionally coordinated and submitted, with the support of the Regional Transport Committee 91. A funding application has been submitted for the update of regional transport studies and the Heretaunga Plains transport model. This will be a joint project with all councils and NZTA, coordinated by HBRC.

Decision Making Process

2. Staff have assessed the requirements of the Local Government Act 2002 in relation to this item and have concluded that, as this report is for information only, the decision making provisions do not apply.

Recommendation

That the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council receives and notes the Significant HBRC Activities through March 2019 report.

Authored by:

Paul Barrett

Principal Consents Planner

Genevieve Bennett

Project Manager
HB Biodiversity Strategy

David Carruth

Manager Regional Assets

Desiree Cull

Strategy and Projects Leader

Peter Davis

Manager Environmental Information

Ben Douglas

Forest Management Advisor

Dean Evans

Catchment Manager Tukituki/Southern Coasts

Craig Goodier

Team Leader Engineering

Nathan Heath

Catchment Manager (Wairoa/Mohaka)

Dr Andy Hicks

Team Leader/Principal Scientist Water Quality and Ecology

Leeanne Hooper

Principal Advisor Governance

Gavin Ide

Principal Advisor Strategic Planning

Dr Kathleen Kozyniak

Principal Scientist (Air)

Campbell Leckie

Manager Catchment Services

Dr Barry Lynch

Team Leader/Principal Scientist (Land Science)

Anna Madarasz-Smith

Team Leader/Principal Scientist Marine and Coast

Malcolm Miller

Manager Consents

Mark Mitchell

Team Leader/Principal Advisor, Biosecurity/Biodiversity

Brendan Powell

Catchment Manager (Central)

Dr Jeff Smith

Team Leader/Principal Scientist – Hydrology/Hydrogeology

Dr Stephen Swabey

Manager Science

Wayne Wright

Manager Compliance

Approved by:

Chris Dolley

Group Manager Asset Management

Joanne Lawrence

Group Manager Office of the Chief Executive and Chair

Iain Maxwell

Group Manager Integrated Catchment Management

Tom Skerman

Group Manager Strategic Planning

Attachment/s There are no attachments for this report.

GENERAL SUBJECT OF THE ITEM TO BE CONSIDERED	REASON FOR PASSING THIS RESOLUTION	GROUNDS UNDER SECTION 48(1) FOR THE PASSING OF THE RESOLUTION
Napier Port Director Reappointment	7(2)(a) That the public conduct of this agenda item would be likely to result in the disclosure of information where the withholding of the information is necessary to protect the privacy of natural persons.	The Council is specified, in the First Schedule to this Act, as a body to which the Act applies.

GENERAL SUBJECT OF THE ITEM TO BE CONSIDERED	REASON FOR PASSING THIS RESOLUTION	GROUNDS UNDER SECTION 48(1) FOR THE PASSING OF THE RESOLUTION
Shareholder Appointed Directors	7(2)(a) That the public conduct of this agenda item would be likely to result in the disclosure of information where the withholding of the information is necessary to protect the privacy of natural persons.	The Council is specified, in the First Schedule to this Act, as a body to which the Act applies.

GENERAL SUBJECT OF THE ITEM TO BE CONSIDERED	REASON FOR PASSING THIS RESOLUTION	GROUNDS UNDER SECTION 48(1) FOR THE PASSING OF THE RESOLUTION
Napier to Wairoa Rail Reinstatement	7(2)(i) That the public conduct of this agenda item would be likely to result in the disclosure of information where the withholding of the information is necessary to enable the local authority holding the information to carry out, without prejudice or disadvantage, negotiations (including commercial and industrial negotiations).	The Council is specified, in the First Schedule to this Act, as a body to which the Act applies.

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