Minutes of Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee

1. Welcome/Apologies/Notices

The Chair, Councillor Hinewai Ormsby welcomed everyone and Dr Roger Maaka offered a karakia to open the hui.

The Chair offered a mihi to Cr Rick Barker, thanking him for his support in the role of Chair.

Resolution

That the apologies for absence from Councillors Charles Lambert and Will Foley, and from Councillor Rex Graham for early departure be accepted.

Barker/van Beek

CARRIED

2. Conflict of Interest Declarations

There were no conflicts of interest declared.

3. Confirmation of Minutes of the Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee Meeting held on 1 July 2020

EICC26/20

Resolution

Minutes of the Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee meeting held on Wednesday, 1 July 2020, a copy having been circulated prior to the meeting, were taken as read and confirmed as a true and correct record.

Barker/Foss

CARRIED

Follow-ups from Previous Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee Meetings

The item was taken as read.

EICC27/20

Resolution

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

Barker/Graham

CARRIED

Call for Minor Items Not on the Agenda

Recommendation

That the Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee accepts the following “Minor Items Not on the Agenda” for discussion as Item 15.

Topic	Raised by
Time	Cr Rick Barker

Call for Certificate of Appreciation Nominations

James Palmer introduced the item, which was taken as read.

EICC28/20

Resolution

That the Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee receives and considers the “Call for Certificate of Appreciation Nominations” staff report and that Councillors endeavour to provide nominee details as requested, to Leeanne Hooper by 4pm on Wednesday, 30 September 2020.

Barker/Graham

CARRIED

Regional Water Security - Community Engagement Options via the Regional Water Assessment

Tom Skerman introduced the item, raised in response to Corporate and Strategic Committee resolution on 2 September 2020 requesting a focussed engagement plan, with discussions covering:

· A number of options for community engagement on the Regional Water Assessment, including a new approach similar to a hearing process, for consideration

· Need for wider input into scenarios and the types of management interventions that contribute to the outcomes of the project to inform councillors’ decision making

· Perceived bias in the community that Council’s focus is on water storage to the exclusion of other solutions

· Engagement will be in parallel with projects already under way and will not delay progress, particularly the Regional Water Assessment

· Example of the RWSS review panel that stress tested advice on various aspects of the review as potential ‘model for engagement’

· Seeking agreed model for staff to bring further detail including a proposed Terms of Reference for the group, back to Council for agreement.

Resolution

1. That the Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee receives and considers the “Regional Water Security - Community Engagement Options via the Regional Water Assessment” staff report.

2. The Environment and Integrated Catchments 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 or persons likely to have an interest in the decision.

2.2 Directs staff to adopt the following model for community engagement for the Regional Water Assessment via:

2.2.1 establishment of a Community Panel, in which case Committee members will make the following additional directions to staff.

2.2.1.1 Chair of the Panel is to be __________

2.2.1.2 Panel membership to total 6 or 8 of which no less than 50% are to be Māori

2.2.1.3 Panel membership to be determined based on the following criteria such that the Panel as a collective:

i. Representation from North, Central and Southern Districts

ii. Knowledge of local government and territorial and regional functions

iii. Familiarity with freshwater issues across the entire Hawke’s Bay

iv. General experience and awareness of the RMA and LGA

v. An awareness and appreciation of Māori interests in freshwater management

vi. Regional and international perspective on the economic impacts of HB primary production, processing industries and trade

vii. Community education, engagement and consultation

viii. Environmental advocacy

ix. Impacts of climate change

x. Understanding and appreciation for the role of water across a range of water uses (including community, industrial and commercial water use and use of water in irrigation).

2.2.1.4 Requests that the sub-group consisting of the Chief Executive, HBRC Chair and the EICC chair makes Community Panel membership recommendations to the Council for selection and appointment.

Williams/Maaka

The item was adjourned at 9.58am

11.

Te Karamu

Chris Dolley introduced the item, as well as Martina Groves and Russel Engelke, who provided a presentation on the enhancement works undertaken.

· Planting across the 7 zones identified as key node plantings (total catchment is 238 lineal kilometres of riverbank) well underway with 77% of the 2016 Strategy delivered (7.29ha), including Hawea Historical Park and alongside Kahupatiki Marae

· Community support, engagement and awareness has grown

· Te Karamu Enhancement Strategy 2016-25 is being reviewed to focus on what is still required and consider timeframes and funding options including leveraging Central Government funding, with potential scenarios to be fed into the Long Term Plan process.

EICC30/20

Resolution

That the Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee receives and notes the “Te Karamu” staff report.

Graham/Barker

CARRIED

12.

Karamu Enhancement Group Deputation - Management Plan for Parks Reach

John Gould presented to the committee on the Park’s Reach section of Te Karamu stream between Havelock Road and Crosses Road bridges, with discussions covering:

· Recognise te Karamu is significant and important, particularly to those living next to it

· Would welcome increased resources for future development of Park’s Reach

· Seeking greater clarity of roles and responsibilities of the community, and HBRC

· identification of gaps between community/KEG expectations and HBRC funding available, with HBRC required to balance the requirements of the catchment as a whole through Te Karamu Enhancement Strategy.

EICC31/20

Resolution

That the Environment and Integration Catchments Committee receives and notes the “Karamu Enhancement Group Deputation - Management Plan for Parks Reach” presented by John Gould.

Graham/Foss

CARRIED

13.

Haumoana Ecology Group Deputation - Working With HBRC to Enhance Cape Coast Wetlands Ecology

Liz Remmerswaal, Mike Harris and Marilyn van Asch presented on the group’s initiatives to enhance and protect biodiversity and develop wetlands on the Cape Coast.

· Concerns raised about the ecology and habitat of local coastal lagoons and wetlands and the need for predator control as well as protection from the impacts of visitors (vehicles and rubbish on the beach)

· Desire to support Council’s planting projects and work collaboratively together with councils and others including, in particular Matahiwi Marae in relation to kaitiakitanga

· The committee acknowledged the Haumoana Ecology Group for their continued work and habitat enhancement in the area.

EICC32/20

Resolution

That the Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee receives and notes the deputation from the “Haumoana Ecology Group” presented by Liz Remmerswaal.

Kirton/van Beek

CARRIED

14.

Forest & Bird Napier Branch Deputation - Little Bush Reserve

David Belcher presented on behalf of the Forest & Bird Napier Branch on Little Bush Reserve and expressed their sincere thanks and appreciation for having the 11.5ha Reserve deer fenced, and a great example of Council working with community groups on environmental enhancement and biodiversity projects.

EICC33/20

Resolution

That the Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee receives and notes the “Forest & Bird Napier Branch Deputation - Little Bush Reserve” presented by David Belcher.

Williams/van Beek

CARRIED

The meeting adjourned at 11.17am and reconvened at 11.27am.

Works Group Annual Report

Hamish Fraser provided the Works Group results for the year ended 30 June 2020, including financials, Health & Safety, and a snapshot of current projects completed. Discussions traversed:

· Achieved 154% of budgeted revenue

· Committed to reducing environmental impacts of engineering and maintenance activities and endeavour to lead by example by using eco-friendly tools, machinery and equipment such as tier 4 emission tractor and mulching head for the excavator as alternative to burning, as well as hydraulic oils and chain lubes for weed boats, mowers and chainsaws

· Key challenges include waterway maintenance, weed control and fish recovery.

Neil Kirton left the meeting at 11.48am and re-joined the meeting at 11.57am

EICC34/20

Resolution

That the Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee receives and notes the “Works Group Annual Report” staff report.

Graham/Barker

CARRIED

Enviroschools Update

Sally Chandler and Sonya Sedgewick provided an update on the Enviroschools programme, with key points to note including:

· 66 Enviroschools in Hawke’s Bay and 3 part-time facilitators

· Guiding principles include Learning for Sustainability, Māori Perspectives, Empowered Studies, Sustainable Communities and Respect for the Diversity of People and Culture

· A video to promote opportunities for growth here in Hawke’s Bay, working with local teachers by developing a curriculum, was played

· Requesting increased resourcing through the next Long Term Plan.

EICC35/20

Resolution

That the Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee receives and notes the “Enviroschools Update” staff report.

Graham/Foss

CARRIED

10.

Hawke's Bay Biosecurity & Biodiversity Section 17a Effectiveness and Efficiency Review

Iain Maxwell introduced Kevin Collins, the independent reviewer who provided an overview of the efficiency and effectiveness review he undertook of council’s biodiversity and biosecurity functions. Discussions traversed:

· Staff have accepted all of the findings of the review and are working through responses and changes to propose, initially through the Long Term Plan and then potentially through the 2022-23 Annual Plan process

· Overall results indicated that HBRC’s biodiversity/biosecurity programmes are not considered to be operating as efficiently and effectively as possible due to limited or inadequate budgets and overstretched staff, particularly around pest control, e.g. Chillean Needle Grass, rabbits and possums

· HBRC’s biosecurity budgets (6.3%) below other comparative councils (10.7%)

· Need for better surveillance/monitoring to guide operational decision making

· According to surveys, HBRC is not doing enough to effectively protect and restore biodiversity in the region due to a lack of resourcing

· Staff preparing advice for Council, specifically around Possum Control and HBRC’s approach to the animal pest subsidy programme.

EICC36/20

Resolution

That the Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee receives and notes the “Hawke's Bay Biosecurity & Biodiversity Section 17a Effectiveness and Efficiency Review” report.

Kirton/Barker

CARRIED

The committee adjourned at 1.03pm and reconvened at 1.40pm, with Cr Rex Graham not in attendance

Regional Water Security - Community Engagement Options via the Regional Water Assessment

The item was reconvened at 1.40pm

· Issue of timeframes to get the work under way and suggested engagement take place on the findings, outcomes and proposed solutions from investigations

· Counter view that engagement should start at the beginning and take the community, particularly tangata whenua and TAs, along the journey through the process

· It was suggested that further exploration of the details of the options is required before a decision is able to be made

· With the NPS 2020 coming into effect Council will need to develop a new model of engagement and there may be potential for the Regional Water Assessment model to be a pilot engagement.

· Phases 1 and 2 are already under way and this decision about the model of community engagement will not delay any of the work that Council has already asked to be fast tracked.

EICC37/20

Resolutions

1. That the Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee receives and considers the “Regional Water Security - Community Engagement Options via the Regional Water Assessment” staff report.

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

2.2 Directs staff to adopt the following model for community engagement for the Regional Water Assessment via:

2.2.1 establishment of a Community Panel, in which case Committee members will make the following additional directions to staff.

2.2.1.2 Chair of the Panel is to be __________

2.2.1.2 Panel membership to total 6 or 8 of which no less than 50% are to be Māori

2.2.1.3 Panel membership to be determined based on the following criteria such that the Panel as a collective:

xi. Representation from North, Central and Southern Districts

xii. Knowledge of local government and territorial and regional functions

xiii. Familiarity with freshwater issues across the entire Hawke’s Bay

xiv. General experience and awareness of the RMA and LGA

xv. An awareness and appreciation of Māori interests in freshwater management

xvi. Regional and international perspective on the economic impacts of HB primary production, processing industries and trade

xvii. Community education, engagement and consultation

xviii. Environmental advocacy

xix. Impacts of climate change

xx. Understanding and appreciation for the role of water across a range of water uses (including community, industrial and commercial water use and use of water in irrigation).

2.2.1.4 Requests that the sub-group consisting of the Chief Executive, HBRC Chair and the EICC chair makes Community Panel membership recommendations to the Council for selection and appointment.

Williams/Maaka

The motion was left to lie on the table, with the following procedural motion put in its stead

1. The Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee refers the item to the 30 September 2020 Regional Council meeting to allow adequate time to consider the options to better inform decision making.

Barker/Williams

CARRIED

15.

Discussion of Minor Matters Not on the Agenda

Topic	Raised by
Time – request scheduling of meetings takes councillors’ schedules into account to more effectively manage councillors’ time	Cr Barker

16.

Confirmation of the Public Excluded Minutes of the 1 July 2020 Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee Meeting

EICC38/20

Resolutions

That Hawke’s Bay Regional Council excludes the public from this section of the meeting being Confirmation of Public Excluded Minutes Agenda Item 16 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
Whittle Reserve	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.
Waipatiki Reserve	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.

Williams/Kirton

CARRIED

16. Confirmation of Public Excluded Minutes of the Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee Meeting held on 1 July 2020

EICC39/20

Public Excluded Minutes of the Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee meeting held on Wednesday, 1 July 2020, a copy having been circulated prior to the meeting, were taken as read and confirmed as a true and correct record.

Williams/Kirton

CARRIED

Resolution

EICC40/20 That the meeting moves out of Public Excluded session.

Kirton/Williams

CARRIED

The meeting went into public excluded session at 1.59pm and out of public excluded session at 2.00pm

Dr Roger Maaka offered a karakia to close the meeting.

Closure:

There being no further business the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 2.03pm on Wednesday, 16 September 2020.

Signed as a true and correct record.

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