Agenda of Regional Council Meeting - Wednesday, 27 July 2022

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council

27 July 2022

Subject: Significant organisational activities looking forward through August 2022

Purpose of agenda item

1. The following commentary is for Councillors’ information to highlight significant areas of Council activity. Resources are directed toward various initiatives which reflect the Council’s evolving agenda, and it is important that Council is consistently informed of progress in areas that have created or may create a high external profile.

Northern Catchment
Project / Activity Description	Significant Upcoming Milestone(s)	Group /Team or Section
Biodiversity and biosecurity	1. The team is working on Woolly nightshade in urban zones. Significantly more was completed this year due to extra resourcing being available. 2. Tidying up Pinus contorta contract work (MPI funded) before new season begins. 3. Continued work with gravel extractors on exemption applications 4. The Mahia team continues to focus on clearing possum hotspots identified in recent dog surveys. Installation of the wireless leghold network is progressing slowly, with some technical failures being resolved - the final lines are due for completion in August 2022. 5. RPS Ltd has started servicing the bait station networks for the River Berm Contract over the next 2 - 3 months for approx. 3700 HBRC and 690 DOC bait stations. 6. The Pest Plant Team has started iwi consultation for the possible release of biological agents for Old man’s beard and Moth plant in the Hastings area. 7. A dive survey of the Inner Harbour was carried out in June, of marinas, 194 vessels, slipways, moorings, piles and wharfs and some areas of the seafloor. The marine pest Styela clava was found on the hull of one vessel, and the pest Clavelina lepadiformis was found on the Nelson Quay catwalk. Both pests will be controlled during the week of 18 July by encapsulating the vessel/catwalk and applying a chemical treatment.	ICM – Catchment Services
Whakakī Freshwater Improvement Fund Project	8. Construction of the weir is underway, however, changes in the design along with an increase in materials required have caused a delay in the completion of this project. Amended designs have been completed by an independent consultant and will now be reviewed by HBRC before the construction resumes. Revised completion date - now due in August.	ICM – Catchment Delivery
Wairoa & Gisborne March Floods	9. A Recovery Assessment Survey is expected to be completed and the results made available in the coming weeks. 10. Continue to work with Wairoa District Council’s Recovery Manager and key agencies to establish a work programme to deliver relevant workshops to help the rural communities to farm through the effects of the recent flood events.
Wairoa event mapping	11. High resolution (0.5m) satellite imagery from the March rainfall event has been collected and processed and is available to the public on a Council-based viewer.	ICM – Environmental Science and ICT - GIS

Central Catchments
Project / Activity Description	Significant Upcoming Milestone(s)	Group /Team or Section
Flood Control Schemes - Resilience Funded projects	12. Taradale stop-bank strengthening physical works are 90% complete. Berm enhancement work and the completion of the river access at Guppy Road will now commence in Spring. 13. East Clive preferred option to realign the stop-bank to the south of the HDC Landfill has significant consenting requirements requiring the reprogramming of construction into the 2023-24 season. HBRC is working closely with HDC to align this project with their future project to improve the landfill capping and redevelop the site. 14. Moteo stop-bank detailed design is underway and will be peer reviewed in August with a view to tendering for construction in Sept/October. An ROI process is currently underway to support and speed up the procurement process for both Moteo and Omaranui projects. 15. Omaranui stop-bank design is underway, with geotechnical and borrow investigations now completed. Design resource likely to be reallocated from East Clive project to accelerate this programme of work. 16. Ngatarawa detailed design and native forest planting completed. Procurement of a construction contractor is now underway.	Asset Management Engineering Regional Projects
Global Gravel Extraction Consent	17. Decision of 30 June 2022 granted consents for gravel extraction at the Ngaruroro, Tukituki Catchment and Tūtaekurī rivers. Strategy for transition and engagement with industry is being developed by the Asset Management and Consenting teams.	Asset Management Consents, Schemes
Waitangi Regional Park	18. Delivery of Stage 3 (safe vehicle access to the river and two ephemeral wetlands on the flat berm area) by the Regional Projects Team and Works Group is expected in September 2022, weather dependent. 19. HBRC received $400,000 Tourism Infrastructure Fund (MBIE) funding for infrastructure for cultural events at the marquee site, and to service the proposed toilets. 20. A highly successful, week-long Matariki event was held at Waitangi Regional Park with significant input from Ngati Kahungunu and the Atea a Rangi Educational Trust. Over 5,000 people enjoyed the park over this week and 20 school groups planted around 1,000 native plants in the Colenso Domain area. 21. Half of the 31 planting projects planned for winter 2022 have already been completed.	Asset Management Open Spaces
Hawea Historical Park / Karamū Stream Diversion	22. Stage 3 project delivery includes construction work for widening of the confluence and enhancement work of the old Karamū Stream (flood gate) area, as well as pathway formation within the park and native planting around the carpark. The stream work will begin in August and pathway development is due to begin in spring/summer 2022 dependent on ground conditions.	Asset Management Open Spaces, Regional Assets
Consenting of all pump stations within schemes	23. A Consent planner has been engaged to work collecting data required for consent applications for all pump stations. 24. Fish passage investigations and the high-level land use evaluation assessment for the sampling and monitoring plan have commenced.	Asset Management Environmental Engineer
Flood Recovery	25. Planning and design work for the CHB swing bridge underway, with HBRC and CHBDC working closely together to ensure the project delivers the desired outcomes for both parties. 26. Flood gates repair work and culvert repair work in small schemes in Wairoa are still to be completed, with design work underway.	Asset Management Regional Assets

Southern Catchments
Project /Activity Description	Significant Upcoming Milestone(s)	Group /Team or Section
Upper Tukituki Flood Control Scheme	27. The 2021-22 gravel extraction season, on the Tukipo and Makaretu streams has now finished. 28. Areas targeted for the 2022-23 extraction season have had a new survey undertaken to confirm gravel quantities. 29. The next tender process has commenced, for extraction of approximately 430,000m³ spread along approximately six reaches on the Tukituki and Waipawa rivers. Tender submissions will close in the first half of August.	Asset Management Regional Projects, Schemes
Tukituki catchment group events	30. An Upper Tukituki Catchment Group action planning workshop was held on 21 July at Ongaonga Community Hall. 31. Mangamahaki Catchment Group (Omakere Land Care) action planning workshop is scheduled 5 August at Omakere Church hall.	ICM – Catchments Policy Implementation

Whole of Region
Project /Activity Description	Significant Upcoming Milestone(s)	Group /Team or Section
Erosion Control Scheme	32. August is the final month for harvest and delivery of poplar and willow poles from our nursery. 33. Catchment advisors continue inspections and signing landowners to commit to further erosion mitigation works. 34. Recruitment underway for a ‘Catchment Advisor project monitoring and evaluation’ to undertake in-field quality assessments of our erosion control projects.	ICM – Catchment Delivery
Mental Health - Courageous conversations	35. The Rural Support Trust (RST) is facilitating Courageous Conversation workshops for staff from across the organisation who work face-to-face with our rural communities. These workshops aim to help staff recognise and respond to signs of depression and/or anxiety in people they come across and identify how to communicate with Farmers at certain times of the year regarding farming systems and indicators of stress during those times.	ICM – Catchment Delivery
Rivers and WQ	36. The Water Information Services team continues efforts to contact customers requiring telemetry installation for water take consents. by 3 September 2022. Some push-back from customers who have small takes and don’t understand how they are in the same category of water takes as higher-use consent holders and the team is educating customers who contact us with concerns or queries. 37. TANK dashboard creation in progress. 38. Tukituki dash board refresh underway. Calculations for DIN required to inform whether consents are required in the relevant sub-catchment. 39. LAWA upgrades are in progress for annual data refresh of River, Lake, Groundwater, and “Can I swim here?” topics. 40. New Monitoring bores are either completed or underway at Pirau Rd and Butler Rd. 41. The White Wetland flume and weir were installed in May and NIWA expect to install monitoring equipment by July. When equipment installation is complete, HBRC will commence monthly water quality monitoring.	ICM – Environmental Information
3-yearly State of the Environment Report	42. The 3-yearly SOE report has been completed and published, and is available online https://www.hbrc.govt.nz/assets/Document-Library/Reports/SOE-5-Year-report/SOE-2018-2021-digital.pdf	ICM – Environmental Science
Air Quality – outdoor biomass burning	43. A report by Plant & Food Research that provides information on alternatives to burning diseased orchard material, an activity that can impact air quality, will guide the development of air quality policies in the Kotahi Plan.	ICM – Environmental Science
Biodiversity and biosecurity	44. The partial plan review process for making changes to how we manage possums in Hawke’s Bay is underway. Public consultation is occurring through July; a submissions hearing is being held by the Biosecurity Working Party on 17 August 2022.	ICM – Catchment Services

PMO: Strategic Projects & Key BAU Programme Reporting

Fifteen key strategic (or change) projects/ BAU programmes are being tracked by the Project Management Office (PMO) and shared monthly throughout the lifecycle of these projects. These projects were selected because of their significance in terms of investment, risks, benefits, and interdependencies.

*Risk is inherent vs residual risk (i.e., RAG status prior to mitigations and controls implemented).

Performance Indicators (RAG): Green = On Track, Amber = At Risk, Red = Off Track, Grey = Not started/On hold

Status Change Keys:

	Project/Programme Title	Schedule	Risks*	Budget	Comment	Status Change
1	Right Tree Right Place Pilot (RTRP)				The recalibrated project plan has been completed and implementation is underway after being signed off at the June Steering Group meeting. Development of a standardised Farm Plan is underway to assist streamline farm planning activity. It is being aligned with new Freshwater Plan work underway by MPI. MPI has appointed a person to the project team to assist integration with government initiatives and has approved a funding application to support aspects of the project. Tax advice and legal advice is supporting the development of financing models. Initial seedlings were planted on the first pilot farm in July 2022 as programmed.	Updated since 29 June
2	Regional Water Security Programme: Project 1: Heretaunga Water Storage				Further phase of Geotech investigations based on independent peer review of technical pre-feasibility commenced. Reviewing draft Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecological reports – which will help further inform planning and consenting requirements. Revisiting engagement pathways for lowland stream augmentation	Updated since 29 June
	Project 2: Managed Aquifer Recharge				Technical workstreams for consenting is completed. Mana whenua engagement process now extending beyond 18 months. In anticipation of this the project team has initiated some pre-construction work to assist the proposed water take and delivery infrastructure and is continuing to refine procurement of scheme construction.	No change since 29 June
	Project 3: Regional Water Assessment				Meetings with TAs and Industry to develop recommendations for priority areas for better water demand use and management are nearly completed. Additional internal resource had been added to support the completion of the project.	Updated since 29 June
3	Water Efficiency Programme Review (Future Water Use)				Industry and TA interviews have identified a number of potential opportunities for consider for improving water demand management. These will be summarised in a report to Council.	Updated since 29 June
4	Ahuriri Regional Park				The project is in the planning phase to set up the right governance model with NCC, HBRC and Mana Ahuriri. The Terms of Reference is complete and the Joint Committee between NCC, HBRC and Mana Ahuriri Trust is currently being assembled.	Updated since 29 June
5	Clifton to Tangoio Coastal Hazards Strategy Implementation				Consultation under S82a is currently being undertaken on the matter of whether HBRC should take the lead on Clifton to Tangoio Coastal Hazards Strategy implementation.	Updated since 29 June
6	On-demand Public Transport				MyWay launched on Tuesday 7 June. Day one patronage met our baseline target, and after one month, we are averaging a 50% patronage increase. Our target is a 70% increase, which has been achieved once, but not on yet on average. The wheelchair accessible vehicle has now arrived, meaning we are now operating the service as we had intended, with no work arounds. The Customer Experience (CX) team is now cross training and working with the technology and service providers to smooth out issues as they come across them. Community engagement is ongoing, but the project has now transitioned to BAU.	Updated since 29 June
7	Kotahi Plan				All Governors Wanangai was held on 22 June, which outlined community engagement collateral, introduced the governors to all the topics in Kotahi and discussed the next steps. Governors support the engagement process. First round community engagement dates and places have been locked in with session plans being worked through. Topic-level project plan drafts have been completed by the Policy team with work about to commence to review and validate the plans.	Updated since 29 June
7	Kotahi: Mohaka Plan Change				The Māori-led workstream has been focussing on the values ‘pou’ desktop assessment and wānanga with mana whenua.	Updated since 29 June
8	TANK Plan Change				Still awaiting decision from Independent Hearing Panel. Schedule status has been updated to amber to high light this delay.	Updated since 29 June
8	Tank Plan Implementation				Communications plan and pilot materials for rural sub-catchments to be developed and tested, in consultation with the Kotahi programme. Building of TANK dashboards and community testing of comms elements are underway. Dashboards originally targeted for release May 2022, now expected August due to internal resourcing constraints.	No change since 29 June
9	Farm Environmental Management Plans (FEMPs)				There are 44 properties outstanding for a FEMP, 21 with the Compliance team and 23 with the FEMP team to follow up. We are currently recruiting an auditor to support finalising auditing process and wider roll out of auditing beyond the testing phase. No change in schedule, risks or budget due to new FY and next deadline for FEMP resubmissions being May 2024.	Updated since 29 June
10	Erosion Control Scheme (ECS) Programme (incl. Soil Conservation Nursery & HCEF)				As per last month, the budget and schedule are red due to ongoing illnesses and weather disruptions. Additionally, inflation is creating an uncertain financial climate for our landowners. Covid-19 impacted our pole nursery, and we reduced our truck deliveries from two per week to one. Weekly deliveries are consistent with previous years and shouldn't significantly impact our schedule, which is due to finish in mid-August. Nursery redevelopments continue with the remote dripper irrigation installed, saving us a substantial amount of time irrigating and reducing our water usage from now on.	Updated since 29 June
11	Partial Pest Plan Review				The PCA review public consultation has been approved by Council, and submissions are now open until the 31 July. Social media posts, a video, letters to members of the PCA programme and additional engagement with stakeholders has commenced. Hearings are on 17 August with deliberations confirmed for the 1 September. Staff report will be prepared for Council on 28 September for final approval.	Updated since 29 June
12	Flood Control & Drainage Scheme – IRG: Heretaunga Flood Control & Drainage Scheme Levels of Service				Ongoing physical works at Taradale despite delays due to weather events. Final section to be completed July 2022. Ngatarawa Contract is out for tendering for works early October. Detailed design for Moteo and Omarunui underway. Procurement expected in October. Clive borrow investigations underway. Consenting requirements are significant due to proximity of Blackbridge landfill, wetlands and asbestos in berm. Likely to push construction to 23/24 season. Working with HDC to ensure landfill is protected from flood events. Attention on next priority site to determine if work can be undertaken to include in 22/23 construction season. Recruiting 2 new FTEs for this programme.	Updated since 29 June
	Flood Control & Drainage Scheme – IRG: Upper Tukituki Flood Control Scheme				First round extraction on the Makaretu and Tukipo has been completed. Some delays in extraction have occurred due to adverse weather and high river levels. Target extraction volumes were not achieved due to these events and water levels remaining high in these rivers. Surveying confirm availability in each cross-section for the next tender round has been completed. Tendering is underway for the second tranche of sites, which have a combined target extraction volume of approximately 430,000 m³.	Updated since 29 June
	Flood Control & Drainage Scheme – IRG: Wairoa River, River Parade Erosion				Planting will be scheduled with project partners for mid-July.	Updated since 29 June
13	Revenue & Financing Policy/ Rates Review (incl. Scheme Rating Reviews)				Stage 1 workshops 1, 2 and 3 have now been delivered in this 18-month project. Stage 1 ‘first principles’ is scheduled to be completed before local government elections (October) with stage 2 after the elections. To reduce risk and the reliance on external consultancy expertise and mitigate the risk of non-delivery, internal capability is being built and additional workshops have been added within existing timeframes.	Updated since 29 June
14	Enterprise Asset Management				Requirement gathering for EAM P1 progressing. Asset register being defined. Additional risks added that affect the schedule are restructuring in Asset Management and project manager departing.	Updated since 29 June
15	Urban Catchment Plans (Te Karamū Catchment Plan/ Ahuriri Catchment Plan)			N/A	Recruitment for Ahuriri Urban Catchment Advisor will recommence now that Asset Management structural change is complete	Updated since 29 June
16	Climate Action Plan				Early planning phase. Collaborative scoping workshop planned for 9 August. Range of awareness and relationship building initiatives underway to prepare the ground for the Action Plan to be developed such as meetings with CHBDC, NCC and HDC, HB Climate Action Network meetings, Community Carbon Footprint work for TAs, Climate Action stand at Go Green expo 20/21 Aug at PGA, FutureFit tool being adapted for HB. Roll out Sep/Oct, Kia rite column in HB Today, 2nd Climate Fresk workshop, Car Free day promotion for 22 Sep, Recycling in Schools project Term 1 2023, Extension of the sustainable homes programme	Updated since 29 June

Project Summaries
1	Right Tree Right Place A pilot on up to five farms with loans offered to landowners to plant trees on marginal land that can earn a return and enhance regenerative farming practices. Run in collaboration with The Nature Conservancy and the Ministry for Primary Industries to accelerate erosion control work and extend the programme to more farms.
2	Regional Water Security Programme Investigating water supply options aiming to ensure Hawke’s Bay has long-term, climate-resilient, and secure supplies of freshwater for all. This supports the Kotahi Plan and includes: 1. exploring above ground, medium-scale water storage options in the Ngaruroro catchment for and on behalf of the community 2. setting up a Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) trial in Central Hawke’s Bay to determine whether MAR is a viable water storage option and can contribute to water security in the area We will also work with water users to drive more efficient and effective use to complement water storage following the completion of a comprehensive 40-year Regional Water Assessment.
3	Future Water Use Making better use of the water, we must complement water storage. Work with water users to drive more efficient and effective use to complement water storage.
4	Ahuriri Regional Park Working alongside Napier City Council and Mana Ahuriri to redevelop the Lagoon Farm site into a Regional Park to address water quality issues in the Ahuriri Estuary, as well as enhance biodiversity, and cultural and recreational benefits for the community.
5	Clifton to Tangoio Coastal Hazards Strategy Implementation Working in collaboration with coastal communities and local entities for more than eight years to develop the Clifton to Tangoio Coastal Hazards Strategy 2120. We now need to confirm which council or councils will take charge and lead this work, and are undertaking consultation, proposing that HBRC should take charge of coastal hazard adaptation between Clifton and Tangoio, as recommended by an independent Funding Review. This would give the Regional Council the mandate to finalise the Strategy. This includes consulting the community on the full implications of implementation, such as the timing and detailed costs of physical works, and who pays for what through the Long-Term Plan 2024-2034 process.
6	MyWay Hawke’s Bay On-Demand Public Transport (Hastings) Trialling an on-demand public transport service called MyWay Hawke’s Bay as an alternative to some bus routes in Hastings. The trial will extend to some areas in Napier in 2023 if the Hastings pilot is successful. An on-demand service provides a more sustainable transport option by reducing reliance on private cars and is more flexible and responsive to people’s needs.
7	Kotahi Plan Developing a combined resource management plan for the Hawke’s Bay region. It will refresh how we manage the use and protection our natural and physical resources looking at all aspects of the environment. This includes land and freshwater, air, the coastal and marine area, climate change, biodiversity, urban form and development, natural hazards and risks, energy, transport, and infrastructure. Kotahi will combine and update the existing Regional Policy Statement, the Regional Resource Management Plan, and the Regional Coastal Environment Plan into one, while also giving effect to the new policies, planning and technical standards from central government.
8	TANK Plan Change (Policy) Proposed TANK Plan Change (PPC9) will add new rules to the Regional Resource Management Plan to manage water quality and quantity for the Tūtaekurī, Ahuriri, Ngaruroro and Karamū (TANK) catchments. TANK Plan Change (Implementation): TANK Sub catchments Community Engagement An external communications project, intended to inform rural landowners about the Proposed Plan Change 9 (PPC9) framework and to promote catchment group formation. It is a precursor to the overall PPC9 Implementation, the latter contingent on a decision awaited from Hearings Commissioners and any subsequent appeals.
9	Farm Environmental Management Plans (FEMPs) These aim to address environmental outcomes and actions to improve environmental performance on properties over 4 hectares initially within the Tukituki region in three-yearly submission cycles.
10	The Erosion Control Scheme (ECS) ECS is an important tool in our toolbox to improve water quality and mitigate and adapt to climate change. The scheme provides a subsidy to landowners to implement soil conservation measures on highly erodible land, keeping soil on the hills and out of waterways. This includes planting, assisted reversion for getting landcover back to natives, and protection fencing. The fund targets 252,000 hectares of land at high risk of erosion. Hill Country Erosion Fund (HCEF) Is central government funding to support ECS activities and events targeted at educating and supporting staff and landowners, with the reduction of hill country erosion. Soil Conservation Nursery The primary purpose of the nursery is to grow poplar and willow poles for erosion control and are managed primarily for the ECS and Works Group, river control plantings.
11	Partial Pest Plan Review A proposal to change the way possum control is undertaken in designated areas in Hawke’s Bay. We will be consulting on amending the Regional Pest Management Plan to change from the current occupier responsibility model to a large-scale contract model delivered through HBRC. After the plan change process, we will consider how to operationalise the policy, including confirming how it is funded, as part of our work in developing our Long-Term Plan (LTP) 2024-2034. The development of our LTP includes community engagement and consultation. In the meantime, HBRC is scaling up possum monitoring to ensure landowners are meeting their current obligations until any changes are rolled out.
12	Flood Control and Drainage Scheme – IRG Project 1: Heretaunga Flood Control & Drainage Scheme We are reviewing and upgrading flood protection assets across the Tūtaekurī, Ngaruroro, Lower Tukituki and Clive rivers, to increase flood protection across the scheme from a 1 in 100 to a 1 in 500-year event. Project 2: Upper Tukituki Flood Control Scheme: Gravel Extraction We are removing gravel from the Upper Tukituki River to improve flood protection in Central Hawke’s Bay. Decreased demand for gravel has seen a build-up of gravel (aggradation). Extracting gravel from the riverbeds helps increase river capacity and reduces the risk of water inundation of neighbouring properties during a flood. Project 3: Wairoa River, River Parade Erosion We installed sheet piles to protect Wairoa District Council roading and Wairoa River Bridge from further erosion. In winter 2022 we will be planting trees for further protection and to enhance the area and increase biodiversity.
13	Revenue & Financing Policy/ Rates Review (incl. Scheme Rating Reviews) First principles review of our Revenue and Financing Policy, and full review of our rating system. The aim is to improve transparency for who pays what, ensure legal compliance, simplify the Policy and provide more flexibility in applying the Policy. Consultation is planned to take place towards the end of 2023 prior to the next Long Term Plan when the amounts rated for many Council services will likely change.
14	Enterprise Asset Management Aims to embed an Asset Management Information System that integrates into and expands on the Enterprise Resource System (ERP) that was introduced during the Finance Upgrade Systems & Efficiency (FUSE) project. The goal is to improve efficiency, allowing us to confidently identify assets (both spatially and uniquely within a register), manage and maintain our current infrastructure through whole-of-life, and assess risk to determine when changes or additions are required.
15	Urban Catchment Plans (Te Karamu Catchment Plan/ Ahuriri Catchment Plan) Plans will be developed with stakeholders to provide coordination of activities within the Ahuriri and Te Karamū catchments, and identify options to help improve water quality, particularly in relation to land drainage and stormwater management, and to improve biodiversity.
16	Climate Action Plan Developing an inaugural Regional Climate Action Plan by July 2023 with broad community involvement, support and engagement, which will be integrated with the next long-term plans of the region’s councils. The Action Plan will be informed by a greenhouse gas emissions inventory to establish the carbon footprint at the city, district, and regional level - a first for Hawke’s Bay.

Key Strategic Projects Pipeline
Title:	Group	Estimated Start Date
Tukituki Plan Change Policy Implementation (Land Use Consents)	Policy & Regulation (Consents)	Decision pending, whether project tracking is to commence.
Clive River Dredging 2030	Asset Management (Regional Assets)	TBC
On Demand Public Transport (Napier trial)	Policy & Regulation (Transport)	TBC

Enforcement Actions
50. There are 11 active prosecutions before the court, at various stages therefore not able to comment publicly on. There are three further investigations in progress likely to lead to prosecution.
Date	Type of Enforcement Action	Status
Oct 2021	Burning prohibited items	Before the court – awaiting sentencing
Sep 2021	Burning prohibited items	Before the court – First appearance
Jun 2021	Discharge to land/water	Before the court – awaiting sentencing
Feb 21	Discharge to land that may enter water	Before the court – Plea to be entered
Jan 21	Discharge to air - odour	Before the court – Plea to be entered
Nov 20	Discharge to land that may enter water	Before the court – awaiting sentencing
Jul 20	Discharge to land that may enter water	Before the court – awaiting sentencing
Date	Type of Enforcement Action	Status
Jun 20	Discharge to land that may enter water	Before the court – Plea to be entered
Jun 20	Discharge to land that may enter water	Before the court – Not Guilty Plea
Mar 20	Discharge to land that may enter water	Before the court – awaiting sentencing

Environment Court Proceedings
Date	Type of Proceedings	Status
June 2021	Three Environment Court appeals lodged against Independent Panel decisions made in June 2021 on submissions to Outstanding Water Bodies Plan Change (PC7).	Mediation continued through July. Waiting for parties’ responses to mediation.
2021	Appeals to Environment Court on the Draft Water Conservation Order application for Ngaruroro River.	Before the Environment Court. Hearing held in 2021. Awaiting Environment Court decision – no update since previous report.

Decision Making Process

51. 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 organisational activities looking forward through August 2022 staff report.

Authored by:

Mell Anderson

Project Manager Hill Country Erosion Scheme

Allan Beer

Team Leader Biosecurity - Animal Pests

Sarah Bell

Team Leader Strategy & Performance

Desiree Cull

Strategy & Governance Manager

Peter Davis

Manager Environmental Information

Harry Donnelly

Project Engineer

Ceri Edmonds

Manager Policy & Planning

Russell Engelke

Team Leader Open Spaces

Craig Goodier

Principal Engineer

Sandy Haidekker

Team Leader Fresh Water & Ecology

Simon Harper

Team Leader Hydrology & Groundwater Science

Nathan Heath

Area Manager Northern Hawke's Bay

Tim Jones

Project Engineer

Jon Kingsford

Project Manager

Dr Kathleen Kozyniak

Team Leader Marine Air & Land Science

Anna Madarasz-Smith

Manager Science

Julie-Anne Mcphee

Senior Project Manager

Malcolm Miller

Manager Consents

Mark Mitchell

Team Leader Principal Advisor Biosecurity Biodiversity

Thomas Petrie

Programme Manager Protection & Enhancement Projects

Brendan Powell

Manager Catchments Policy Implementation

Becky Shanahan

Senior Scientist Marine & Coasts

Mike Signal

Team Leader Pollution Response And Enforcement

Richard Wakelin

Senior Catchment Advisor Policy Implementation

Jolene Townshend

Acting Manager Catchment Delivery

Approved by:

Katrina Brunton

Group Manager Policy & Regulation

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

27 July 2022

Subject: Draft Regional Public Transport Plan – Adoption for consultation

Reason for Report

1. This item presents a draft Regional Public Transport Plan (RPTP) incorporating the proposed new Public Transport Network Plan for the consideration of the Regional Council and adoption by the Council for public consultation.

Officers’ Recommendation

2. Staff recommend that the Council approves the draft Regional Public Transport Plan for public consultation commencing Monday, 1 August 2022.

Executive Summary

3. Hawke’s Bay Regional Council is required to have a Regional Public Transport Plan that incorporates the reviewed public transport network and the Public Transport Operating Model.

4. The Regional Public Transport Plan sets the objectives, policies, response and actions to address the issues identified through the public transport network review.

5. Less than 0.5% of people in our region travel on the bus to get to work, compared with over 80% by car. 16% of our passengers are SuperGold card holders. 15% of students travel to school using the bus. Three routes carry 70% of all passengers and one route carries 50% of all passengers.

6. The draft Regional Public Transport Plan is proposes a ‘step-change’ for public transport that moves away from a coverage approach towards a high frequency patronage model. The plan proposes a service for the region to make the network more frequent, faster and more reliable. These changes will offset the additional time to walk to revised bus stops.

7. The vision for the draft Regional Public Transport Plan is “To deliver a public transport service that is safe, accessible and supports the shift to reduce driving and emissions, while improving the economic, social and environmental well-being of the people of Hawke’s Bay”.

8. Public consultation on the plan will take place between Monday 1 August and Wednesday 31 August 2022. Submissions will be heard at a public hearing on 9 September 2022.

Background

9. Under the Land Transport Management Act 2003 (LTMA), every Regional Council must adopt a RPTP unless it does not enter into contracts for the supply of public transport services or provide financial assistance to any operator or user of a taxi or shuttle service. Hawke’s Bay Regional Council does both.

10. The Hawke’s Bay Regional Public Transport Plan (RPTP), prepared by Hawke’s Bay Regional Council (HBRC), is a strategic document that sets the objectives and policies for public transport. The RPTP contains details of the public transport network and development plans for the next ten years.

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

11.1. The public transport services that the Council considers integral to the network

11.2. The policies and procedures, information and infrastructure that apply to those services.

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

13. Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s Regional Public Transport Plan was last adopted in April 2019 and was the first developed under the new LTMA requirements, incorporating the principles of the Public Transport Operating Model (PTOM).

14. The Plan must be reviewed every three years 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. The Hawke’s Bay Regional Land Transport Plan was reviewed in 2021.

15. The LTMA prescribes how plans are to be developed and sets out the matters that must be contained in a plan. It also describes the purpose of the plan, which is to:

15.1. Describe the public transport services that are integral to the public transport network

15.2. Define the policies and procedures that apply to those public transport services

15.3. Identify the information and infrastructure that supports public transport.

16. The Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport sets out the Government’s desired outcomes and priorities for the land transport sector, and broad funding allocations over the next decade. The 2021 GPS strategic priorities are:

16.1. Safety

16.2. Better travel options

16.3. Improving freight connections

16.4. Climate change.

17. The RPTP provides a means for councils, transport operators, stakeholders and the public to work together to develop and improve the public transport network and supporting infrastructure.

Background context

Draft Regional Public Transport Plan

18. The Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP) sets out the region’s vision, objectives and funding for all modes of land transport for which funding is received from the National Land Transport Fund. It contains objectives relevant to public transport and sets out the required funding for the provision of public transport services an infrastructure over the next three years.

19. The RLTP has the following vision: “Hawke’s Bay’s transport network fosters a vibrant, accessible and sustainable carbon neutral Hawke’s Bay.

20. In terms of options for the RPTP content and Public Transport Operating Model (PTOM), Council staff contracted the services of MRCagney to develop and workshop options with the Regional Transport Committee.

21. The Hawke’s Bay RPTP has considered the 2021 GPS direction and priorities. This particularly relates to investing in the greater frequency and span of public transport services to meet the objective of better travel options, and supporting the emission reduction and climate change objective by creating viable alternatives to driving. This further supports targets to reduce vehicle kilometres travelled.

22. The strategic case for the Regional Public Transport Plan forms part of the business case approach to investment in transport. Key stakeholders in public transport have jointly identified regional problems, the benefits of addressing those problems, and responses to them, taking into account the feedback received from consultation with bus users and stakeholder organisations.

23. The direction of the network review and draft RPTP is to prepare a more efficient and effective public transport system for Hawke’s Bay and enable increased ridership and mode shift away from private vehicles. A comprehensive reassessment of the public transport system has been undertaken to understand how to best deliver to the region’s goals and determine how the new network should be developed over the three-to-ten year horizon of the RPTP and beyond.

Figure 1 - Transport Outcomes Framework focus areas – Ministry of Transport

Options Assessment

Public Transport Network Review

24. MRCagney and staff with input from members of the Regional Transport Committee (RTC) developed an indicative public transport network for the Hawke’s Bay region. The aim is for public transport to meet the needs of more people to make many types of trips, without the need to use a private vehicle.

25. The proposed network is to be rolled out over three phases:

25.1. 2022-25: ‘Quick wins’ changes (no major route changes) within existing contract to improve service without incurring significant variation costs.

25.2. Network overhaul with new routes and significant improvements in levels of service to be delivered by a new contract

25.3. 2030 or earlier: Aspirational expansion of the 2025 network levels of service to provide increased frequency across a wider span of hours.

26. The proposed 2025 network principally considers the policy context and targets to reduce Vehicle Kilometres Travelled (VKT) and grow patronage.

27. This proposed network refresh focuses on frequency and patronage over serving coverage routes.

28. Removing one-way loops increases ‘true coverage’ giving each area a bi-directional all-day service. This ultimately serves the goals of patronage growth by creating a reliable, legible, and convenient service for customers.

29. The preferred 2030 network has been developed as a blank slate to make public transport a useful option for more people and more types of trips in Hawke’s Bay. The proposed network proposes the same network as the 2025 network, with the primary change being the frequency and span of service.

30. While some similarities exist between the current and proposed network, the most important differences in the new network are:

30.1. Significantly higher frequencies on all services peak, off-peak and during weekends.

30.2. Longer hours of service, especially in the evening and weekends.

30.3. Removing one-way loops so people can catch a return bus where they got off and be dropped off on their return trip where they started without a long detour.

30.4. More connections to important destinations.

30.5. Improved transfer options for trips that cannot be provided by a direct service.

30.6. Fewer route deviations to provide faster, more direct services.

Regional Public Transport Plan

31. Three problems have been identified through this process and are set out in the RPTP. Strategic responses have been developed to address these issues described in the Plan. The three problems identified are:

31.1. Problem 1: Driving (VKT) has been increasing in Hawke’s Bay over the last decade. This is inconsistent with national and regional targets to reduce emissions from transport.

31.2. Problem 2: The current car-focused investment model in both rural and urban areas is leading to a suboptimal transport system that does not effectively integrate public transport ad is inequitable for those who cannot drive.

31.3. Problem 3: Public transport is not seen as an attractive or viable alternative to driving, in part due to limited frequency, span and accessibility of the existing network.

32. The RPTP sets objectives and policies for the public transport network for our customers, our service, the experience and looking forward and community transport.

33. The RPTP strategic response and actions to address the issues and deliver the objectives are set out in Section 5 of the draft RPTP. They are:

33.1. Deliver a new ‘step change’ network at the start of the next contract period:

33.1.1. Bi-directional routes

33.1.2. Increased all-day service frequency

33.1.3. Increased span of service.

33.2. Deliver interim service improvements ahead of new network delivery.

33.3. Investigate and implement innovative ways to provide better transport options in small towns and rural areas.

34. The RPTP sets out a three-year schedule of activities that will support the delivery of these objectives.

Table 1: Planned activities for the next three years

Initiative	Details	Indicative timeframe
1. Improve journey time and journey time reliability	To include consideration of: 1.1 Streamlining routes to reduce dead-running 1.2 Timetable revision to more accurately reflect running times 1.3 Increasing frequencies to reduce waiting time and minimise the impacts of any delays that do occur.	2022-23
2. Investigate options to partner with organisations and businesses to promote commuter bus use through concession fare schemes.	Build upon existing partnerships model which has been successful with Hawke’s Bay Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital	Annual
3. Trial a commuter express bus service between the Central Hawke’s Bay towns of Waipukurau, Waipawa and Ōtāne through to Hastings.	Operate two morning peak services to Hastings from Waipukurau and two evening peak services to Waipukurau from Hastings.	Implement by 2025, though prior if funding allows.
4. Community Transport in Wairoa	Identify existing initiatives and support the establishment of a Trust to run Community Transport services in Wairoa.	Implementation by 2024
5. Evaluate outcomes of on-demand trial in Hastings and identify possible uses in an integrated 2025 network		2023 post trial period
6. Implement planned 2025 ‘Step change’ fixed route bus network when re-tendering network operating contracts.	See Appendix A for details	2025 at end of existing contract period

Funding

35. Funding for public transport comes from fare revenue (subsidised by Waka Kotahi), HBRC (through targeted rates) and Waka Kotahi NZTA, which contributes between 50% and 60% of the cost of services after fares.

36. The HBRC Long Term Plan 2021-31 sets an operating budget of $8,224,000 in 2025 and $10,094,000 in 2030. The proposed changes contained in the network review that informs the RPTP have an estimated annual operating cost of $8,600,000 by 2025 and $12,000,000 by 2030.

37. The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on patronage and fare revenue. Given the imperative to improve services to support mode shift, reduction in VKT and more equitable access by public transport, which requires increased funding, this Plan assumes that increased funding and new sources can be identified in the lead up to the new network implementation in 2025.

38. To address falling fare revenue, the draft RPTP is proposing strategies to shift to a patronage focused network and to undertake a review of fare products and fare levels.

Total Mobility

39. HBRC funds and manages the Total Mobility scheme in Hawke’s Bay. Total Mobility is a nationwide scheme which provides subsidised taxi travel (half price, up to a maximum subsidy of $40 per trip) for people of all abilities who are unable to make use of the public transport network.

40. The scheme operates in Napier, Hastings, and Central Hawke’s Bay and use has generally increased over the past decade due to an aging population. In 2011-12 there were 2,640 members compared to 3,521 members in 2022.

41. While the Total Mobility Scheme is important for providing more equitable access for those who cannot drive, even with the 50% subsidy on taxi travel, it is not an affordable or equitable option for everyone for all trips.

42. Creating an attractive and accessible public transport network that can suit the need of more people is key to managing demand for Total Mobility subsidies and delivering more equitable access.

Strategic Fit

43. The Regional Public Transport Plan contributes to the Council achieving sustainable and climate-resilient services and infrastructure:

43.1. Through the provision of high performing regional infrastructure that enables the region’s natural and human resources to deliver goods and services that underpin the prosperity and wellbeing of the Hawke’s Bay community and achieve the outcomes to:

43.1.1. By 2025, regional air quality consistently meets World Health Organisation guidelines

43.1.2. By 2025, HBRC is carbon zero and plays a leadership role in the region’s goal of net zero greenhouse gases by 2050

43.1.3. Promote low-impact transport and energy reduction solutions

43.1.4. Connect urban communities via public transport and cycle networks.

Climate Change considerations

44. The Emissions Reduction Plan, and first emissions budget under the Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Act 2019, was released 16 May 2022. It includes a new national target to “Reduce vehicle kilometres travelled (VKT) by cars and light vehicles by 20% by 2035 through providing better travel options” (Ministry for the Environment, 2022).

45. The plan indicates that Central Government will set VKT reduction targets for all Tier 1 and 2 urban areas. Hastings and Napier are Tier 2 cities and urban areas, so will be expected to significantly reduce VKT through increased mode shift away from private vehicles. This reflects that there is greater opportunity to achieve reductions in cities and urban areas.

46. The Emissions Reduction Plan identifies the following initiatives to improve the reach, frequency and quality of public transport.

46.1. Deliver a national public transport strategy

46.2. Complete the review of the Public Transport Operating Model

46.3. Deliver nationally integrated ticketing for public transport

46.4. Support a major uplift in all urban bus networks nationwide, including by improving bus driver terms and conditions

46.5. Consider improvements to, and new opportunities for, interregional public transport services

46.6. Identify and consider addressing barriers to integrating public transport with active and micro-mobility modes and networks.

47. While many of these key initiatives fall beyond the realm of the Regional Council, creating a major uplift in urban bus networks sits squarely in the remit of regional councils. To do this, an ambitious vision for the role of public transport in the urban areas of Hawke’s Bay, to support reductions in driving, is required. This means creating a convenient, frequent, and legible network to serve many types of journeys.

Significance and Engagement Policy Assessment

48. As RPTP review and consultation is required by the Land Transport Management Act, consultation with the community is proposed to be conducted as follows.

Proposed public consultation

49. Public consultation on the RPTP is taking place from Monday 1 August to Wednesday 31 August 2022. A public submissions hearing will be held on 9 September 2022 for submitters who wish to speak to their submissions.

50. A consultation document is being prepared and will be provided to councillors at the workshop prior to the Council meeting.

51. Our focus audiences for consultation will be current bus users, commuters, shift workers. We particularly want to speak with the wider community that is not riding the bus but could be.

52. We will present our proposed network review and draft plan to the region’s city and district councils and ask for their help to engage with the community.

53. Face-to-face engagement is proposed on buses, at community drop-in sessions, the Napier and Hastings libraries and at the Eastern Institute of Technology campus.

54. Digital engagement will be via websites of HBRC and GoBay, social media, digital advertising and will include a media release and public notice.

55. Flyers will be posted at the most frequently used bus stops and in buses.

Financial and Resource Implications

56. As discussed above in paragraph 36, there is a potential budget implication for the Long-Term Plan of approximately $1,906,000 in additional revenue required by 2030.

57. Fares will continue to play an important role in helping cover the cost of public transport along with regional and national subsidies.

58. Staff will also be investigating options to partner with organisations and businesses to promote commuter bus use through concession fare schemes.

Other Considerations

59. The HBRC Long Term Plan 2021-2031 has Level of Service Measures for bus patronage that require a maintaining or increasing trend and a requirement to have 100% of urban households within 400m of a regular bus route. Neither of these measures were being met, although it was noted that the on-demand bus trial would deliver on the latter measure.

60. As noted above, by removing current one-way loops, a significant amount of existing coverage is nominal coverage where the area is only truly served in one direction. By removing one-way loops there is an increase in ‘true coverage’ whereby the area gets bi-directional all-day service. This will ultimately serve the goal of patronage growth by creating a reliable, legible and convenient service for customers, even if customers have to walk a bit further than 400m.

61. For efficiency and because the expertise for hearing these matters lies with the RTC, staff recommend that the Council delegates to the RTC the task of hearing and decide on submissions. The RTC will then make the recommendations to the Council to adopt the final plan, as they did with the Regional Land Transport Plan.

Decision Making Process

62. The Council and its committees are 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:

62.1. The use of a public consultation process is required by legislation.

62.2. The persons affected by this decision are all members of the Hawke’s Bay community with an interest in public transportation.

Recommendations

That Hawke’s Bay Regional Council:

1. Receives and considers the Draft Regional Public Transport Plan – adoption for consultation staff report.

2. 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 it.

3. Adopts the draft Regional Public Transport Plan, as amended to incorporate the Proposed Public Transport Network Plan endorsed by the 10 June 2022 Regional Transport Committee meeting, for public consultation.

4. Delegates to the Regional Transport Committee:

4.1. the hearing of verbal submissions

4.2. to make decisions on the submissions received by way of recommendations to the Regional Council for the adoption of the Regional Public Transport Plan in its final form.

Authored by:

Drew Broadley

Communications & Engagement Manager

Leeanne Hooper

Team Leader Governance

Approved by:

Katrina Brunton

Group Manager Policy & Regulation

Attachment/s

1 ⇨	draft Regional Public Transport Plan 2022-2032		Under Separate Cover
2 ⇨	MRCagney Public Transport Network Review		Under Separate Cover

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council

27 July 2022

Subject: Report and recommendations from the Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee

Reason for Report

1. The following matters were considered by the Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee (EICC) meeting on 6 July 2022 and the recommendations agreed are now presented for Council’s consideration alongside any additional commentary the Chair, Councillor Hinewai Ormsby, wishes to offer.

Agenda items for decision

2. The following agenda items sought recommendations to the Regional Council from the EICC for decisions as detailed.

3. The Ahuriri Regional Park development framework item sought agreement to the establishment of a joint committee to provide governance guidance and oversight for development of Ahuriri Regional Park. Discussions on the day highlighted:

3.1. Funding for the Ahuriri Regional Park was approved through each Partner Council’s Long Term Plan process.

3.2. The Ahuriri Regional Park Working Group (ARPWG), formed in June 2020, considered options for a governance structure and has recommended the establishment of a Joint Committee consisting of Napier City Council, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and Mana Ahuriri Trust as it offers the following benefits:

3.2.1. A joint committee provides a vehicle for true co-governance of the project

3.2.2. A joint committee is able to make recommendations to each partner for decision-making

3.2.3. A joint committee provides greater formality for decision-making via the established decision-making processes of each partner

3.2.4. The use of a joint committee has a proven success record.

3.3. The proposed Terms of Reference (ToR) (attached) establishes the ‘rules of engagement’ and expectations for each party, and has been through a number of iterations with the Working Group and Mana Ahuriri Trust nominees.

3.4. Napier City Council will facilitate and administer the Joint Committee under its policies and processes.

3.5. NCC will appoint a suitable and qualified project manager who will oversee the project, reporting back to NCC and all parties and stakeholders.

4. The recommendations to the Regional Council resolved by the EICC were:

4.1. Agrees to the establishment of the Ahuriri Regional Park Joint Committee comprising of Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, Napier City Council and Mana Ahuriri Trust.

4.2. Adopts the Terms of Reference as proposed, allowing only for minor immaterial changes.

4.3. Appoints councillors Hinewai Ormsby and Neil Kirton as the Regional Council’s Joint Committee representatives, and Councillor Martin Williams as the alternate.

4.4. Agrees to share the costs of the Joint Committee with Napier City Council.

5. This item presented the State of Our Environment 3-yearly Synthesis Report and sought a recommendation to Council for its adoption for publication. Key points of note from the presentation include:

5.1. The SoE report will be delivered every 3 years in future, previously every 5 years, to meet the requirements of the new National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management.

5.2. An overview and summary of the current state of the environment for each catchment was presented, highlighting key trends, concerns, challenges, success stories and strategic goals.

5.3. Only 34% of the indigenous ecosystems covering Hawke’s Bay before human occupation remain. Half of the remaining forest types are categorised as threatened, with the greatest losses to lowland forest types.

5.4. Our environment faces potentially rapid and substantial changes in temperature and rainfall over the next century as a result of climate change.

5.5. Overall, groundwater levels have decreased over the last few decades, with the largest change in the Heretaunga and Ruataniwha Plains, where HBRC has made changes to the Regional Resource Management Plan to manage groundwater resources by setting allocation limits.

5.6. A key challenge for the freshwater ecosystems in the region is sediment build-up in rivers and streams, mainly caused by hillslope erosion on pastoral land.

5.7. The SoE report will underpin and inform the Kotahi project.

6. The communications plan for the release and publication of the SoE report is attached for Council’s information as requested.

7. The recommendation to the Regional Council resolved by the Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee was that Council:

7.1. Adopts the Hawke’s Bay State of Our Environment Report 2018-2021 for publication.

8. The Reshaping of the Protection and Enhancement programme item sought the Committee’s recommendation to Council to agree to change the delivery mode for the Protection and Enhancement Programme (PEP). Discussions on the day noted:

8.1. A review was undertaken to assess the delivery of the $1m PEP projects throughout the region against its purpose to accelerate on-ground action for environmental improvements, originally by leveraging funding from the Ministry for the Environment’s Freshwater Improvement Fund (FIF).

8.2. Key recommendations from the review are that HBRC:

8.2.1. should facilitate and not lead projects

8.2.2. should support and mobilise organised landowners and community groups

8.2.3. splits the fund into two workstreams, being Environmental Enhancement Fund and Targeted Catchment work.

8.3. Changes to be implemented in the 2022-2023 financial year will be to split the programme into two work streams, being a contestable community Environmental Enhancement Fund and an expanded Targeted Catchment Work.

9. The EICC resolved the recommendation that the Regional Council:

9.1. Approves the request to implement the new delivery model for the Protection and Enhancement Programme.

Reports for information

10. The following agenda items were provided to the EICC for information only as summarised.

11. Lachlan MacGilvray delivered a presentation about a collaborative regenerative agriculture research project which highlighted:

11.1. The project evaluates the benefits and environmental outcomes of regenerative agriculture in producing more resilient farming systems in the face of increasing drought risk.

11.2. The environmental and performance data will assist farmers with decision making on-farm to improve long term resilience, productivity and environmental footprint.

11.3. The aim is for Hawke’s Bay farms to become more resilient to cope with increased droughts while maintaining productivity.

12. The Right Tree Right Place year 1 report and year 2 programme item provided a summary of the progress made and outlined the current status and high-level pathway for year two of the project which covered:

12.1. Objectives of the RTRP planting model include encouraging planting of trees on erodible land, stimulating the market to invest in trees on farms to strengthen financial and environmental outcomes, reducing the need for whole farm afforestation and realising significant environmental benefits.

12.2. Learnings from year 1 include: high quality farm/forestry plans are required, the landowner’s vision is fundamental, that catchment-based focus accelerates education and outcomes, and ecological outcomes are real.

12.3. Early focus with pilot farms has been to gather momentum quickly with the project in order to incorporate the learning from the initial pilot farms into the forward work programme

12.4. A farm survey about perceptions of the RTRP model, launched in February/March 2022, has shown high interest from respondents.

12.5. A prioritised RTRP target farm database has been developed.

12.6. Year 2 will focus on:

12.6.1. confirmation of farm planning framework and prioritised farms

12.6.2. farmer enrolment for priority farms

12.6.3. farmer engagement, farm visits and farm/forestry plans

12.6.4. Integrated financial modelling and forecasting.

13. The March/April 2022 double rain events – flood scheme impacts, recovery and lessons learned item outlined details of and the response to two closely spaced weather events on 21-31 March and 12-14 April (Ex-Cyclone Fili) 2022.

13.1. A comprehensive technical flood report is being prepared and expected to be presented to the 21 September EICC meeting.

13.2. The damage from the event (+/- $500k) did not meet the NEMA minimum claim threshold for a claim – $1.5M claim minimum requirement.

13.3. Most repair costs will be funded through scheme reserves and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s (MBIE) Maintaining the Quality of Great Rides Fund.

13.4. Open Spaces and Cycling assets are unlikely to be covered by the NEMA insurance and staff are investigating options to insure these assets in future.

14. The Gravel Extraction – current situation and new global consent item updated the Committee on riverbed gravel extraction activities, including some challenges the region is facing with decreasing gravel availability in the rivers, and on the status of the new global resource consent process. Discussions covered:

14.1. There is very limited availability of gravel in the lower reaches of the Ngaruroro, Tutaekuri and lower Tukituki rivers in particular

14.2. Gravel extractors are seeking higher volumes from the reaches where gravel is not available and challenging Council’s decisions to move extraction activities to where the gravel is available, e.g, the Upper Tukituki Scheme in Central Hawkes Bay (CHB).

14.3. The Regional Assets Group global resource consent to extract gravel from the Ngararoro river, Tukituki Catchment Rivers and Tutaekuri River was granted on 6 July 2022 by the Hearing Panel and staff will continue to work through the details and implement the new consent regime in July 2023.

15. The Karamū Urban Catchment Advisor, Andy McCall highlighted the known issues in the Karamū Catchment and noted:

15.1. The role will work with industry groups to promote best practice fertiliser and irrigation application on vineyards, orchards, and sheep/beef farms. Small changes to the timing of irrigation and fertiliser use may have a significant effect on the loss of nutrients to waterways from these operations.

15.2. A catchment stocktake will be undertaken, looking to document who is doing what in the catchment to identify areas of overlap or omission.

15.3. A review of the Karamū scheme is currently underway, which should enable modelling of the impact of plantings on scheme performance among other things.

16. The Catchment Engagement framework for policy implementation item presented the framework being used to lead and facilitate the establishment and operation of community catchment groups, with an example of how this is being implemented in the Tukituki Catchment. Points noted include:

16.1. An operating Catchment Action Cycle (CAC) model approach between council and the community is being used.

16.2. Work with catchment groups has undergone further evolution as linkages between groups have been formed and have created potential to form larger collectives that can share administrative and organisational burdens and may attract external funding.

16.3. A key principle is that catchment groups must be farmer driven, with Council’s role being to provide support for groups to develop self-sufficiency so that they can endure.

17. The Deer Management item considered the legislative framework, roles and responsibilities and the development of a national deer plan by the Department of Conservation (DOC). Key points of note included:

17.1. Te ara ki mua adaptive framework introduced by Department of Conservation (DOC) is looking to manage deer, not eradicate.

17.2. Currently trialling localised deer management using recreational hunters, whereby the NZ Deerstalkers Association (NZDA) matches landowners with deer problems to suitably experienced and responsible recreational hunters. Staff will approach the local NZDA to develop a working relationship and explore this approach.

Decision Making Process

18. Council and its committees are 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:

18.1. Given the items were specifically considered by the Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee on 6 July 2022, Council can exercise its discretion and make decisions without consulting directly with the community or others having an interest in those in accordance with the following recommendations.

Recommendations

That Hawke’s Bay Regional Council:

1. Receives and considers the Report and recommendations from the Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee.

2. 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 these issues without conferring directly with the community or persons likely to have an interest in the decision.

Ahuriri Regional Park development framework

3. Agrees to the establishment of the Ahuriri Regional Park Joint Committee comprising of Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, Napier City Council and Mana Ahuriri Trust.

4. Adopts the Terms of Reference as proposed, allowing only for minor immaterial changes.

5. Appoints councillors Hinewai Ormsby and Neil Kirton as the Regional Council’s Joint Committee representatives, and Councillor Martin Williams as the alternate.

6. Agrees to share the costs of the Joint Committee with Napier City Council.

State of the Environment synthesis report

7. Adopts the Hawke’s Bay State of Our Environment Report 2018-2021 for publication.

Reshaping of the Protection and Enhancement programmes

8. Approves the request to implement the new delivery model for the Protection and Enhancement Programme, to include a contestable community Environmental Enhancement Fund along with an expanded Targeted Catchment Work programme.

Reports for information received

9. Notes that the following reports were provided to the Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee:

9.1. Regenerative agriculture research project

9.2. Right Tree Right Place: Year 1 Report and Year 2 Programme

9.3. March/April 2022 double rain events – Flood scheme impacts, recovery and lessons learned

9.4. Gravel Extraction - current situation and new global consent

9.5. Karamū Urban Catchment Advisor

9.6. Catchment Engagement framework for policy implementation

9.7. Deer management.

Authored by: Approved by:

Annelie Roets

Governance Advisor

Leeanne Hooper

Team Leader Governance

Attachment/s

1 ⇩	Ahuriri Regional Park Joint Committee Terms of Reference
2 ⇩	SOE 2022 Comms and Engagement Plan

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council

27 July 2022

Subject: Local Government NZ Annual General Meeting - Voting on Remits

Reason for Report

1. This item seeks resolutions of Council to:

1.1. Confirm Councillors attending the upcoming 2022 Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) Annual General Meeting (AGM), and delegated to vote on Council’s behalf

1.2. Agree Council’s voting position on any remits relating to regional council statutory functions and/or responsibilities.

Background /Discussion

Remits

2. As part of the AGM, all councils were invited to submit proposed remits. Proposed remits relate to issues of the moment. Remits must have formal support from at least one sector group meeting, or five councils, prior to being submitted.

3. The remits (5) submitted to LGNZ are attached. Not all relate to activities of regional councils. Staff have not undertaken any detailed analysis on the remits but make the following high level observations in relation to those that do relate to Regional Council activities.

Remit 1 – Central government funding for public transport

4. The vision of the Hawke’s Bay Regional Land Transport Plan (‘the Plan’) is to have a transport network that fosters a vibrant, accessible and sustainable carbon neutral Hawke’s Bay. To achieve that vision, the Plan’s strategic objectives include:

4.1. Achieve a safe transport system for users

4.2. Achieve a transport network that is resilient, reliable and efficient

4.3. Provide transport choices to meet social, environmental and cultural needs

4.4. Develop a transport system that contributes to a carbon-neutral Hawke’s Bay

4.5. Minimise travel demand through planning and development.

5. HBRC supports a mode shift from private vehicles to public transport delivering more sustainable transport options. To achieve the mode shift, public transport must be accessible, equitable and sustainable.

6. Currently in Hawke’s Bay, public transport trips cost between $1 and $2. With the current government subsidy, that drops to .50c and $1. Despite the low cost, half price fares, passenger numbers have not increased on the public transport network.

7. Public transport in the region is not seen as an attractive or viable alternative to driving, in part due to limited frequency, reach and accessibility of the existing network. Public transport in the region is often viewed as a mode used only by people without any alternative. In the absence of significant deterrents to driving like traffic congestion or parking pressures, many Hawke’s Bay residents simply do not think public transport is for them, despite the very low cost to do so.

8. The convenience of driving and the many incentives to drive in Hawke’s Bay – little congestion, plentiful and cheap parking in both cities and towns, plentiful all-day free parking within easy walking distance of the city centres – outweighs any other reason for using public transport. This would include free fares.

9. Affordability of public transport is not acting as a deterrent for public transport use; rather, it is the public’s ability to consistently access frequent public transport services that prevents its use and it is the frequency and efficiency of public transport that needs to be improved.

10. Central government funding to subsidise a patron $1 or $2 or even $3 per trip would be better spent by increasing funding to the Regional Council to provide greater coverage and frequency of service.

11. In May 2022, HBRC commenced a one-year trial for On-Demand Passenger Transport in the Hastings urban area. The service has not been subject to the 50% government subsidy and was $1 more than the fixed route service that was previously provided. In two months, patronage in this area had increased by 50% and on more than one occasion has already increased to 70%. This can be attributed to a more reliable, frequent service that has greater coverage than the previous service. However, on-demand services cost more to deliver and do not deliver equal access to public transport as much as a fixed service does. This is due to technological barriers experienced by the elderly and low socio-economic sectors within our community. This trial does signal however, that price, is not the determining factor alone that influences the public’s use of public transport.

12. Having free fares for people under 25 years of age will simply result in a status quo for existing bus services. The fare revenue that would have been received will be received as a further subsidy from central government and any attempt to increase fares will no doubt be met with resistance by both the passenger and central government.

13. Most people using public transport in Hawke’s Bay currently are students under 25 and the elderly. The elderly generally travel for free already due to the Gold Card scheme. Public transport customers are rarely in the over 25 and under 65 age brackets. Under 25-year-olds are less likely to own a private vehicle and are more likely to be already using public transport or are not averse to using public transport. Free fares would be a reward for those that are already using public transport and they are great change champions for mode shift.

14. But, if we are to truly encourage mode shift, reduced fares could be targeted to those over 25 years of age and under 65 years of age who already own a private vehicle.

15. The Ministry of Education is always looking for opportunities to reduce their obligation to provide bus transport for school students where regional councils offer urban route alternatives. Offering free fares to students could be achievable without further burden on the ratepayer if central government funding provided to the Ministry of Education was provided to regional councils instead.

16. Officers do not recommend supporting the Free Fares campaign. Rather, officers would support Central Government increasing the funding to regional councils for public transport that would otherwise be spent on this campaign.

Remit 2 – Review of government transport funding

17. The current Waka Kotahi funding model does not provide certainty to councils in setting their budgets and is heavily reliant on the government on the day. This causes councils to act conservatively in setting their transport programmes and misses opportunities to be ambitious, particularly in planning for improvements that might provide mode shift such as on-road cycle or bus infrastructure.

18. It is clear, a new funding model needs to be considered for the future as the current government mandate for reducing climate changing emissions conflicts with Waka Kotahi’s current funding channels.

19. The current funding for the National Land Transport Programme comes from Road User Charges and fuel excise. As the government seeks to reduce cars on roads and encourages the change to electric vehicles the future of transportation funding will need to change.

20. The remit for LGNZ to work with the government to ensure a review of land transport funding in New Zealand is supported.

Remit 3 – Illegal street racing

21. Council officers make no recommendations as this remit does not relate to Hawke’s Bay Regional Council.

Remit 4 – Bylaw infringements

22. Council officers support Auckland Council’s remit to have LGNZ lobby Government to implement an infringement notice regime for general bylaws. Where there is no infringement provisions, taking a prosecution for a breach of a bylaw is the only enforcement option for a local authority. This is often a very costly, resource heavy and lengthy process that in some instances outweigh the offence. By the time the matter is brought before the courts, the punitive and educational impact on the offender is lesser than it would have been if it could have been imposed immediately. A tiered approach to compliance and enforcement works best where it is education first, infringement fines second and prosecution for repeat offenders or where the offence is significant.

23. Officers note the current work by the Regulations Review Committee to commit to undertake a review of the bylaw provisions of the Local Government Act 2002.

24. Council officers support the Committee to prescribe breaches of bylaws that are infringement offences under the Act, such bylaws as Trade Waste Bylaws. Hawke’s Bay Regional Council officers work closely with our local territorial authorities and note their limited enforcement options when dealing with illegal discharges of trade waste to septic or stormwater systems.

25. Council officers recommend the work of the Regulations Review Committee be extended to other acts, such as the Litter Act 1979, under which local authorities can make bylaws that are subject to the Local Government Act 2002.

Remit 5 – Density and proximity of vaping retailers

26. Council officers make no recommendations as this remit does not relate to Hawke’s Bay Regional Council.

Decision Making Process

27. Council and its committees are 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:

27.1. The decision does not significantly alter the service provision or affect a strategic asset, nor is it inconsistent with an existing policy or plan.

27.2. The use of the special consultative procedure is not prescribed by legislation.

27.3. The decision is not significant under the criteria contained in Council’s adopted Significance and Engagement Policy.

27.4. There are no persons affected by this decision as it relates to policies that have yet to be developed.

Recommendations

That Hawke’s Bay Regional Council:

1. Receives and considers the Local Government NZ Annual General Meeting - Proxy and Voting on Remits staff report.

3. Confirms that councillors Hinewai Ormsby and Martin Williams will exercise Council’s votes on the remits as follows.

3.1. Remit 1 – Central government funding for public transport – either Support or Oppose

3.2. Remit 2 – Review of government transport funding – either Support or Oppose

3.3. Remit 3 – Illegal street racing – either Support or Oppose

3.4. Remit 4 – Bylaw infringements – either Support or Oppose

3.5. Remit 5 – Density and proximity of vaping retailers – either Support or Oppose.

Authored by:

Leeanne Hooper

Team Leader Governance

Approved by:

Katrina Brunton

Group Manager Policy & Regulation

Attachment/s

1 ⇩

2022 Remits for LGNZ AGM

GENERAL SUBJECT OF THE ITEM TO BE CONSIDERED	REASON FOR PASSING THIS RESOLUTION	GROUNDS UNDER SECTION 48(1) FOR THE PASSING OF THE RESOLUTION
Chief Executive Performance and Remuneration Review	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.

Topic	Raised by

Topic	Raised by