Minutes of Environment and Services Committee

1. Welcome/Apologies/Notices

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and Pieri Munro opened with a karakia.

Resolution

ESC14/19 That the apology for absence from Cr Debbie Hewitt be accepted. The Chair advised that Cr Hewitt will be joining the meeting via audio link for parts of the Agenda.

Crs Rex Graham and Rick Barker advised that they need to leave by 4.00pm.

Beaven/Barker

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 10 April 2019

ESC15/19

Resolution

Minutes of the Environment and Services Committee meeting held on Wednesday, 10 April 2019, a copy having been circulated prior to the meeting, were taken as read and confirmed as a true and correct record.

Kirton/Bailey

CARRIED

Follow-ups from Previous Environment and Services Committee Meetings

The Executive Team assessment of strategic elements of TLA wastewater management will be included in the annual Compliance report as requested, and a request was made for the report to also include an analysis of engagement scheduled between staff of respective councils and the results of the regional Three Waters Review assessments of the current state of infrastructure.

Clive River Dredging programme is in early stages with $1m having been budgeted for the project.

MPI review of the NPS for Plantation Forestry should be complete by December 2019, with changes to be made to the NES mid 2020.

ESC16/19

Resolution

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

Beaven/Barker

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 18.

Topic	Raised by
Managed Aquifer recharge project	Cr P Bailey
Natural reforestation in Wairoa	Cr R Graham & Cr P Bailey
Future Farming Initiative	Cr T Belford

Extinction Rebellion Aotearoa - Call to Declare Climate and Ecological Emergency

Bruce Bisset spoke on behalf of the Extinction Rebellion Aotearoa, with discussions traversing:

· Greenhouse gas concentrations, global average temperatures and sea levels are all rising sharply

· Impacts of climate change and the need to advocate to the Minister for the Environment to declare a State of Emergency on Climate Change

· Start acting now and invest in the research and infrastructure required to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere with the utmost urgency, and advocate to Central Government for same

· Proposed to evaluate climate change hazards and risks and make climate change adaption plans as climate change will be much more severe in future

· New Zealand will be unprepared for the impacts of climate change

· Recommendations proposed request that MfE issues a climate change planning and adaptation guidance note explaining the limitations of the IPCC climate change projections, creates a structure for NZ climate science advice and updates its climate change website with information on the potential for consequences of severe, abrupt climate change for each region in NZ

· Requests Central Government provides regional councils with statutory powers to severely limit and adequately mitigate any further increase in short and long-lived greenhouse gas emissions and to fast-track initiatives to draw-down atmospheric carbon dioxide

· Advocate for amendment of the RMA to include greenhouse gas emissions as a consideration for consents granted under the Act

· Significantly shift to fuel efficient rail for shipment and promote public transport to further generate net carbon savings

ESC17/19

Resolution

That the Environment and Services Committee receives and notes the “Extinction Rebellion Aotearoa - Call to Declare Climate and Ecological Emergency”

Barker/Graham

CARRIED

Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation - A Regional Response

Tom Skerman introduced the item, highlighting that this item was prepared prior to receipt of the Extinction Rebellion Aotearoa request. Discussions traversed:

· Many work programmes across Council directly and indirectly addressing climate change adaptation and mitigation

· Some additional local government approaches and initiatives for Council to consider

· There have been a number of climate change declarations by individual organisations, however no regional declaration to date.

Rick Barker left the meeting at 12.00pm.

· Query in relation to council’s vehicle fleet emissions and carbon emissions around councillor and staff air travel.

· Council’s organisational carbon footprint numbers (Weaver report in 2017) are currently being updated through an independent auditor and will be provided as part of future organisational performance reports

· In relation to the carbon footprint of tourism to Hawke’s Bay, James advised that discussions will be entered into to see if they have data which can be used to assess the contribution of tourism to the region’s carbon footprint

Rick Barker returned to the meeting at 12.07pm.

· The Regional Council can influence local authorities and where they locate residential and infrastructure development through the Regional Policy Statement (RPS) and does so through its statutory advocacy work by submitting on TA planning proposals

· Acidification of oceans and the serious impacts associated

Rick Barker left the meeting at 12.19pm

· Climate change demands urgent action to respond to significant weather events, rising sea levels, coastal erosion and carbon emissions

· Staff need the time to do the real work rather than writing reports that add no value

Rick Barker re-joined the meeting at 12.31pm

· The report highlighted the amount of work already undertaken in this space

· Need to give higher priority to climate change adaptation, intensify efforts and identify further opportunities to improve the environment, and to lead by example.

ESC18/19

Resolutions

1. That the Environment and Services Committee receives and considers the “Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation - A Regional Response” staff report.

2. The Environment and Services Committee recommends that Hawke’s Bay Regional Council:

2.1. Declares a climate emergency, recognising global warming to be an urgent and pervasive threat to human and ecological wellbeing.

2.2. Commits to providing an annual progress report in relation to its existing programme of work and additional future programmes relating to climate change.

2.3. Includes climate change as a primary factor for consideration in its decision making processes.

2.4. Commits to developing a comprehensive programme of work in response to climate change, including regional leadership for climate change awareness and action.

2.5. Requests staff develop a programme of community engagement on climate change mitigation and adaptation.

2.6. Directs the Chief Executive to further reduce the Council’s greenhouse gas emissions and report annually on progress within the annual progress report.

2.7 Advocate to the Ministry of Environment to include greenhouse gas emissions in the resource consenting process under the Resource Management Act.

2.8 Makes further submissions on the Zero Carbon Bill as appropriate.

Belford/Graham

For: Bailey, Graham, Beaven, Barker, Kirton, Gregory, Belford

Against: Dick, Paku, Wilson

CARRIED

The meeting adjourned at 12.48pm and reconvened at 1.15pm.

The Chair advised that many of the remaining Agenda items will be taken as read.

National Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Report

Liz Lambert introduced item which provides a comprehensive picture of Compliance, Monitoring and Enforcement activities across the Regional sector. Discussions traversed:

· This is the first report that brings together data on Compliance, Monitoring and Enforcement (CME) functions across New Zealand.

· room for improvement around HBRC’s information management, particularly the outcomes of incident responses

· This report will be used as a benchmark for future updates

· HBRC has some of the lowest staffing levels per head of population involved in CME activities

· Staffing levels tend to correspond to the economy of the region, e.g. large dairying regions, or those with big industrial economies

· Council will have an ongoing need for additional compliance, monitoring and enforcement staff as new consenting requirements take effect with PC6 and TANK.

· In terms of data information, the new IT system (IRIS) for consents and compliance is now live and will provide better data to report on and will largely address the improvements suggested in the report

· Currently recruiting for a Compliance Manager and will have a fresh look at compliance practises through that process

· The annual Compliance report will go to the August Environment and Services committee meeting.

· Three waters review has vastly improved strategic discussions and engagement between HBRC and TAs in relation to their infrastructure and meeting the consent requirements.

· Councillor stated his opposition to contracting Catalyst for this work for the record.

ESC19/19

Resolution

That the Environment and Services Committee receives and notes the “National Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Report”.

Barker/Bailey

CARRIED

Cr Rick Barker left the meeting at 1.39pm.

Flaxmere Solar Farm

Mark Heaney introduced Chris Lambourne, Power to the People Project Manager and Berry Rangi, Cook Island Secretary for St Andrew’s Church.

· Proposal to provide partial funding towards a total capital project of $2.7million for a solar farm in Hastings

· Proposal is to build and operate a 1MW PV Solar Farm on a 2 hectare site, with the proceeds from the sale of electricity generated used to reduce the cost of retail power to 400 low-income homes in Flaxmere and Camberley (within the Hastings airshed)

· Solar will assist in moving the Council from the national current renewable energy level of 85% to the planned 100% in line with the Council’s strategic goal of carbon neutrality by 2040

· Seeking an in principle decision

· Excerpt from the project feasibility study will be distributed to the Committee.

ESC20/19

Resolutions

1. That the Environment and Services Committee receives and considers the “Flaxmere Solar Farm” staff report.

2. The Environment and Services Committee recommends that Hawke’s Bay Regional 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 in principle, and subject to acceptance by the Regional Council of a full business case and debt security being procured, to extend lending to ‘Power To The People’, to achieve the objectives of the Heatsmart and the Sustainable Homes programmes.

Bailey/Wilson

CARRIED

10.

Update on Farm Environment Management Plans

Liz Lambert invited Shane Gilmer, FEMP Project Coordinator who presented on the farm environment management plans to date in the Tukituki catchment. Discussions traversed:

· PC6 deadline for resource consents in the Papanui Stream, Mangaonuku Stream and Kahahakuri Stream sub-catchments is 1 June 2020, with staff expecting around 340 new resource consents required

· Farm Plans consist of three parts – 1. identifying environmental risk on the property, 2. mitigation of the risk and 3. an action plan to achieve the mitigation.

· First farm plans received in 2016

· A FEMP auditing programme is being piloted, which checks that all environmental risks have been identified and that the mitigation measures are adequate

Fenton Wilson left at 2.06pm

· 2020 compliance deadlines for stock exclusion and LUC reports where properties exceed the allowable limits

· 3 year review cycle coming up 2021 when 1100 FEMPs will need to be resubmitted including data to show progress toward achieving compliance with limits

· Currently finalising consent application forms and information guidelines for a series of engagements with landowners in the three affected sub-catchments early in the new financial year.

· Still working with landowners with outstanding FEMPs to get them completed and haven’t taken enforcement action against them yet as they are making progress

Fenton Wilson returned to the meeting at 2.15pm.

· Compliance with meeting the deadline has not been enforced, and the requirement for a resource consent will be the stage at which that will happen.

ESC21/19

Resolution

That the Environment and Services Committee receives and notes the “Update on Farm Environment Management Plans” staff report.

Beaven/Belford

CARRIED

15.

Catchment Management and Erosion Control Scheme Update

Iain Maxwell introduced Dean Evans, Nathan Heath and Brendan Powell who presented on the key outputs achieved and work planned for 2019-20. Discussions covered:

· Brendan Powell (Central Catchment) noted key points from the report including the formation of new teams and new office locations, 64 approved Erosion Control Scheme (ECS) applications and $1.45 million committed for on-ground works, 28,000 Poplar and Willow poles sold to protect 560ha of land

· Around 252,000 ha of Hawke’s Bay hill country identified through SEDNet modelling as being at high risk of erosion

· $5M central government funding for work over the next 4 years

· An erosion control plan takes between 32 and 80 hours of staff time

· Staff have been involved in the logistics of getting programmes up and running

· 2019-20 Target for 70 Erosion Control Plans approved (35 per Catchment Advisor)

· Focus on sediment priority areas (catchments and farms) and policy implementation, specifically around TANK

· Future hgh demand for catchment issues beyond erosion

Northern Catchments Focus

· Nathan Heath advised the team focussed on engagement and consultation with tangata whenua aspirations at a local level.

· 2019-20 target of 70 Erosion Control Plans

· Wairoa community concerned not enough attention being given to unique indicators and characteristics of the place and people, requiring a different approach to making things happen.

· Community concern around the state of the awa, the Wairoa wastewater system upgrade and the legacy effectd of the Waihi dam, forestry slash and streambank erosion threatening a number of urupa and marae

Southern Catchments Focus

· Dean Evans noted the target of 105 Erosion Control Plans for 2019-20.

· Transition from backlog response to targeted approach with particular focus on worst areas

· Supporting Tukituki PC6 Policy implementation and working collaboratively with the Regulation team on FEMP support for priority sub-catchments

· Assisting with delivery of key projects of CHB water security, Lake Whatuma, Aramoana, Porangahau estuary and effective collaboration with iwi, partners, stakeholders and rural professionals

· Propose quarterly reporting in future, through the organisational performance report including hectares of land under management

· The Deed for the Whakaki Freshwater Improvement Fund was signed this morning

· Procurement team is going to manage procurement of plants for the erosion control scheme

Cr Alan Dick left at 2.35pm.

· Demand equally across the region, however majority of highly erodible land is in the Wairoa area so resource allocation will continue to be reviewed to be able to meet demand.

· Dr Barry Lynch was successful getting funding from Central Government to get a range of automated samplers to deploy throughout catchments and a staff member to run them, with that info added to calibrate SEDnet and make it more accurate

ESC22/19

Resolution

That the Environment and Services Committee receives and notes the “Erosion Control Scheme Update” staff report.

Bailey/Beaven

CARRIED

14.

Landscape Scale Ecological Restoration on the Mahia Peninsula

Nathan Heath spoke about the current work on Mahia Peninsula and how that might be extended in collaboration with the Mahia community. Discussions traversed:

· A variety of ideas (like identification, prioritisation of key sites of significance) have been put forward as to how a “wider vision for Te Mahia” might be realised.

· Identify priorities to best integrate with HBRC’s current actions

· Opportunity to develop skills and training for whanau to undertake work, for example planting, establishing nurseries, etc.

· Once engagement and consultation with tangata whenua done, Nathan will report back to this committee with a proposal

· Predator Free Te Mahia achievable, challenge is keeping it pest free.

ESC23/19

Resolution

That the Environment and Services Committee receives and considers the “Landscape Scale Ecological Restoration on the Mahia Peninsula” staff report.

Beaven/Wilson

CARRIED

11.

Update on Central Government Policy Announcements

The item was taken as read.

· a number of Central Government workstreams underway in relation to resource management legislation and policy

· The Essential Freshwater Reform project is going to represent quite a significant change to Freshwater Plan Change processes

· None of the Government’s proposals can be guaranteed until approved by Cabinet

· Report on potential impacts on Council work programmes will be presented at a future meeting

ESC24/19

Resolution

That the Environment and Services Committee receives and notes the “Update on Central Government Policy Announcements” staff report.

Beaven/Kirton

CARRIED

12.

Sustainable Homes Update

The item was taken as read.

ESC25/19

Resolution

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

Beaven/Kirton

CARRIED

13.

Waitangi Horseshoe Wetland Update

The item was taken as read.

It was proposed that a more suitable name be chosen to suit tangata whenua, to be agreed by all parties.

ESC26/19

Resolution

That the Environment and Services Committee receives and notes the “Waitangi Horseshoe Wetland Update” staff report.

Beaven/Kirton

CARRIED

16.

Erosion Control Grants Policy Refinement

The item was taken as read.

ESC27/19

Resolution

That the Environment and Services Committee receives and notes the “Erosion Control Grants Policy Refinement” staff report.

Beaven/Kirton

CARRIED

17.

June 2019 Hotspots Update

The item was taken as read.

ESC28/19

Resolution

That the Environment and Services Committee receives and notes the “June 2019 Hotspots Update” staff report.

Beaven/Kirton

CARRIED

18.

Discussion of Minor Items Not on the Agenda

Topic	Raised by
Managed aquifer recharge: · Requesting a report on the water security project and what stage consideration of the managed aquifer recharge proposal is at	Cr P Bailey
Natural forestation in Wairoa Rex and Paul went to visit Jill Snelling’s property, and met with several other landowners, notably the next door property on which the landowner spends 4 hours a day on pest management with stunning results.	Cr R Graham/ Cr P Bailey
Future Farming Trust meeting. · next Future Farming Trust meeting today at 5.30pm. · will discuss 12 candidates for the permanent trust. · will consider feedback from the wider working group to narrow down to 8 candidates for interviews. · The draft Trust Deed does have provision for a councillor appointed trustee (to be appointed through a council process).	Cr T Belford

The meeting adjourned at 3.12pm and re-convened at 3.28pm

19.

Potential Acquisition of Land at Lake Whatuma

ESC29/19

Resolution

That Council excludes the public from this section of the meeting, being Agenda Item 19 Potential Acquisition of Land at Lake Whatuma with the general subject of the item to be considered while the public is excluded; the reasons for passing the resolution and the specific grounds under Section 48 (1) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 for the passing of this resolution being:

GENERAL SUBJECT OF THE ITEM TO BE CONSIDERED	REASON FOR PASSING THIS RESOLUTION	GROUNDS UNDER SECTION 48(1) FOR THE PASSING OF THE RESOLUTION
Potential Acquisition of Land at Lake Whatuma	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.

Beaven/Kirton

CARRIED

20.

Forest Harvest Procurement, Tūtira and Tangoio Forests

ESC30/19

Resolution

That Council excludes the public from this section of the meeting, being Agenda Item 20 Forest Harvest Procurement, Tūtira and Tangoio Forests with the general subject of the item to be considered while the public is excluded; the reasons for passing the resolution and the specific grounds under Section 48 (1) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 for the passing of this resolution being:

GENERAL SUBJECT OF THE ITEM TO BE CONSIDERED	REASON FOR PASSING THIS RESOLUTION	GROUNDS UNDER SECTION 48(1) FOR THE PASSING OF THE RESOLUTION
Forest Harvest Procurement, Tūtira and Tangoio Forests	7(2)s7(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.

Beaven/Kirton

CARRIED

The meeting went into public excluded session at 3.28pm and out of public excluded session at 4.35pm

Closure:

There being no further business the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 4.35pm on Wednesday, 19 June 2019.

Signed as a true and correct record.

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