Minutes of Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee

1. Welcome/Karakia /Apologies/Notices

The Chair, Cr Hinewai Ormsby welcomed everyone and Dr Roger Maaka opened with a karakia.

The Chair invited her Worship Mayor Alex Walker to give an update on the main environmental challenges and issues being experienced in CHB.

· Mayor Walker welcomed the Committee to CHB and reminded them of CHBDC’s strategic direction, priorities and targets and how these aligns with the HBRC’s, particularly around improving water quality in the Tukituki catchment.

· A snapshot of the growth projections for the region has been shared -population count in 2021 was over 15,600. Growth estimates for 2031are for 20,120 and for 2051- 32,300

· CHB is currently building houses at the fastest rate since the 1960’s

· The Mayor reported on the various infrastructure improvement and treatment works that CHBDC is undertaking including the Otane-Waipawa-Waipukurau wastewater system

· The proposed CHBDC District Plan has a new zoning mechanism which will be protecting highly productive soils from further degradation by sub-division.

· The replacement of the Tarewa bridge will be an important mechanism to connect the wastewater infrastructure between Waipukurau and Waipawa

· The Chair commended the Mayor on her leadership and great mahi in CHB.

Resolution:

EICC64/22 That the apologies for Cr Charles Lambert be accepted.

Ormsby/Barker

CARRIED

2. Conflict of Interest Declarations

There were no conflicts of interest declared.

3. Confirmation of Minutes of the Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee held on 6 July 2022

EICC65/22

Resolution:

Minutes of the Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee held on Wednesday, 6 July 2022, a copy having been circulated prior to the meeting, were taken as read and confirmed as a true and correct record.

Barker/Maaka

CARRIED

Follow-ups from previous Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee meetings

The item was taken as read.

EICC66/22

Resolution:

That the Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee receives and notes the Follow-ups from previous Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee meetings.

Ormsby/Hiha

CARRIED

Call for Minor Items not on the agenda

Recommendations

That the Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee accepts the following Minor items not on the agenda for discussion as item 13:

Topic	Raised by
Stop banks and cattle	Cr Jacqueline Taylor
State of the Environment reporting	Cr Craig Foss
TANK decision (requested a verbal update on TANK decisions when it is available, and the implications)	Cr Rick Barker
Service	Cr Martin Williams
Porangahau / Tukituki catchment groups	Cr Will Foley

Biosecurity Operational Plan and Annual Report

Iain Maxwell introduced the item highlighting that HBRC is required under the Biosecurity Act 1993 to prepare an Annual Operational Plan that sets out how the HB Regional Pest Management Plan (RMPM) will be implemented. Council is also required to produce an Annual Report to record progress in implementing the RPMP through its Operational Plan.

Alice McNatty and Mark Mitchell gave a presentation on the background, successes and issues for the biosecurity work undertaken. Discussions highlighted:

· Although almost all programme objectives have been achieved; the following areas of concern were identified:

o 142 possum monitoring lines were above the 4% Residual Trap Catch (RTC) maximum figure, resulting in 40 properties failing their monitoring programme (6.6% of properties monitored). Staff have followed up with the property owners involved, requiring them to undertake possum control.

o Rabbit matters/enquiries continue to rise, particularly in urban areas - they are difficult to control and require expensive ongoing management. Rabbits are a nationwide problem; discussions continue across biosecurity sectors looking at long-term controls.

o There are growing numbers of properties with pest plants (primarily Chilean needle grass), resulting in increased pressure on staff and budgets

· There are currently two coordinated areas for feral goat control (Mahia and Maungaharuru)- these have the potential to be expanded.

· The ICM team has re-structured its biosecurity/biodiversity functions. Following the appointment of a new Team Leader, a fundamental review of the biosecurity programmes will be undertaken to ascertain if HBRC still has a ‘best practice’ model.

· The Poutiri Ao ō Tāne project achieved an internationally significant conservation milestone this year. Successful breeding of tītī from returning parents has seen chicks being bred in the Maungaharuru range.

EICC67/22

Resolution:

1. That Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee receives and considers the Biosecurity 2021-2022 Annual Report and 2022-2023 Operational Plan 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. Adopts the Biosecurity Operational Plan for 2022-2023.

Foley/Williams

CARRIED

Central Hawke's Bay Tukituki Swing Bridge Funding options

Chris Dolley introduced the item which seeks the Committee’s recommendation to Council to transfer funding from HBRC to CHBDC to enable the Tarewa Swing bridge to be rebuilt. It was damaged during a rain event earlier this year.

· Chris Comber, Tim Jones, Jon Kingsford provided background and funding options for rebuilding the bridge. The insurance excess on the damaged bridge was $1.1m - as the overall cost of rebuilding it was less than that figure, no insurance claim was made

· CHBDC has proposed a collaborative approach for replacing the bridge as they wish to incorporate a wastewater pipeline serving Waipawa and Waipukurau. CHBDC had planned for such a bridge/pipeline in year 8 of its 2021-2031 Long Term Plan, but has now agreed to bring the allocated funding forward.

· CHBDC would lead the bridge design and construction, becoming the sole owner of it and therefore responsible for ongoing maintenance. The estimated cost of the dual-purpose bridge is $1.1m; the cost for the wastewater pipework itself is approx. $500k.

· The new bridge will be built at a height above a 1 in a 100-year flood event

· Te Mana Taiao o Tamatea group have confirmed their support of the project

· Roy Fraser from the Rotary Rivers Pathway Trust reiterated how important the bridge is for the community – it connected the limestone pathways on both sides of the Tukituki river. The cost of the original bridge was met through community contributions, Central Lines and CHBDC

· HBRC’s cost/contribution would be $565k which would be met through $23,632 from the Upper Tukituki Depreciation Reserve and $541,368 from the General Disaster Relief Reserve (GDDR).

· This GDDR fund was established to meet the insurance excess (last reviewed in 2007 when the excess was $600k) for assets damaged during a natural disaster event. It also covers the uninsured 60% of edge protection damage, and the cost of response management/event recovery. Since this policy was approved, the excess has changed.

· It is proposed that a review of the Council’s total insurance arrangements is carried out to ensure that appropriate and cost effective cover is in place for all assets. This review could be completed as part of the next long term plan process; there are sufficient funds available in GDDR to cover the excess should another event occur

· The book value of the bridge is $345,000. This sum would be written of the Council’s asset base and the GDDR fund would be reduced by the cash contribution being made

· The understanding between HBRC and CHBDC is that the public pedestrian use of the bridge will remain in perpetuity. A memorandum of understanding will be put in place to ensure that this happens.

EICC68/22

Resolution:

That Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee:

1. Receives and considers the Central Hawke’s Bay Tukituki Swing Bridge Funding options staff report.

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

2.1. Agrees to source funding of total $565,000 ($23,632 from Upper Tukituki Depreciation Reserve and $541,368 from the General Disaster Relief Reserve) to contribute towards the rebuild of the Tarewa Swing Bridge in Central Hawke’s Bay.

2.2. Grant $565,000 to Central Hawke’s Bay District Council, with the understanding the money will be going towards the construction of a replacement swing bridge, which will have pedestrian access in perpetuity.

2.3 Subject to the Chief Executive obtaining a satisfactory agreement for the maintenance of the bridge (the bridge will be responsibility of the CHBDC) and CHBDC guaranteeing pedestrian access in perpetuity.

3. 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.

Barker/van Beek

CARRIED

Abstained: Kirton

The meeting adjourned at 11.00am and reconvened at 11.15am.

Dr Roger Maaka left the meeting at 11.15am.

Organisational Ecology by Dr Edgar Burns

Dr Edgar Burns delivered a presentation on his findings and reflections on Council’s environmental practices and climate change readiness. Discussions covered:

· Gave a general overview on where Council is at in terms of its practices, bringing a social lens to Council’s role using the idea of organisational ecology to show the complexity of and opportunities for Council work

· Councils change as institutional ecology changes through matters such as Three waters, Te Mana o te Wai, He Waka Eke Noa, Te Ara ki Mua

· Selected examples and issues of organisational ecology were discussed which could be used to enhance HBRC’s delivery on its regional mandate for water, soil and the growing climate pressures that are being faced both nationally and globally

· Only a small number of changes are able to be influenced by HBRC

· Carbon emissions keep going up – there is so much more we can do as a region to make a difference including farm practises, farm land management and restoration work.

EICC69/22

Resolution:

That the Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee receives and notes the Organisational Ecology report by Dr Edgar Burns.

Foley/Hiha

CARRIED

Riparian margin survey results from Tukituki Catchment

Kathleen Kozyniak introduced the item and gave a presentation on the results of the riparian margin survey from the Tukituki catchment, and provided an overview of the Council’s riparian monitoring programme. Discussions noted:

· Acknowledging Jamie Wu, Land Scientist who did the survey and Mark Kimberley, Environment Statistics, who designed the programme

· Council’s objective is to increase water quality and ecosystem health

· The monitoring program has been developed to measure and monitor key riparian characteristics (fencing, stock access, vegetation type/structure, stream bank erosion status, riparian buffer width). It also identifies riparian trends across different land uses and informs future policy changes

· The survey design included 300 monitoring sites (each a 400m length of waterway) which were selected to represent different land uses, stream orders and catchments. Only agricultural land uses are monitored - each site will be revisited after 5 years

· The data collected during the field survey was analysed to estimate the extent of fencing, stock access, woody vegetation and erosion as a proportion of bank or waterways length

· From 31 May 2020 the Tukituki catchment has had rules in place requiring exclusion of all stock (not sheep) from waterways

· An estimated 43.4% of total bank length is effectively fenced in the catchment – the rest is either unfenced or ineffectively fenced. An estimated 47.3% of bank length has current stock access.

· An estimated 30.9% of waterway length has both banks effectively fenced

· Only an estimated 15.6% of bank length is covered with woody vegetation. An estimated 15.2% of bank length has active bank erosion

· Next steps include remote sensing methods for 2022 onwards, with an aerial survey being carried out at every site.

EICC70/22

Resolution:

That the Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee receives and notes the Riparian margin survey results from Tukituki catchment staff report.

van Beek/Ormsby

CARRIED

9.	Farm Environmental Management Plan (FEMP) update
	The item was taken as read.
	Iain Maxwell introduced Marnie Mannering, Brendan Powell, Simon Moffit and Stephen Lys with discussions noting: · Farm Environmental Plans (FEMP) have been required since 31 May 2018 in the Tukituki catchment for properties over 4ha in size. These plans require an update being completed every three years with the first round due on 31 May 2021 · The FEMP reviews and resubmissions have been completed, covering 95% of eligible land in the Tukituki catchment. Follow-up action continues with the remaining 42 properties · Next round of resubmissions will be in May 2024 with a focus on auditing FEMPs, implementing process improvements and planning the regional transition to Freshwater Farm Plans. Clarification for the content of these plans will be provided at a national level by the end of 2022 · A summary of the current state on FEMPs per catchment has been provided · 711 of the 2021 FEMP submissions have been received, representing 94.73% of eligible land in the Tukituki · A FEMP Audit Advisor has recently been appointed- audits of the permitted activity of FEMPs that do not require a resource consent will be carried out. · Planning is underway to ensure success in the 2424 FEMP submission cycle including a clear focus on providing feedback to farmers and providers on the quality of FEMPs.
EICC71/22	Resolution: That the Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee receives and notes the FEMP Update staff report. Barker/van Beek CARRIED

10.

Environmental Enhancement Programmes

Thomas Petrie and Anna Madarasz-Smith gave a presentation on the key activities and achievements delivered through the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program (PEP). Discussions noted:

· In July 2022, Council approved a new delivery model for the PEP

o 116,500 native plants and 3590 poles have been installed

o 31 km of waterways, wetlands and retirement areas have been fenced

o 12.7ha indigenous forest remnant within Ahuriri has been retired and fenced

o 7.5ha of wetland has been reinstated

· Pattullo wetland – 14,000 native plants and 4.6ha wetland has been developed

· Brooklyn station – 3.2km of fencing and 10,500 native plants installed - co funded with land owners

· Lakeview forest wetland – 1.9ha wetland/riparian restoration and native plantings

· Tukipo Wetland – 24,000 native plants, monitored by NIWA, Fonterra, Tukipo Catchment Care Group.

Anna gave an update on the marine protection and enhancement work and the Wairoa Hard mapping project. Discussions covered:

· Looking to increase our understanding of the HB marine area, which covers a third of the area managed by HBRC

· So far, about 5% of the subtidal area has been mapped focussing on areas that potentially have significant habitats

· Wairoa – 150km² mapped. Now following up with the videography captured to look at habitats and species

· The outputs are used to identify areas of importance for video sampling, building a ‘map’ of subtidal sediment structure and habitat types

· Aspiration is to double the mapping area to 10% in the next couple of years.

· Mapping of the northern region of the Wairoa Hard is scheduled for this financial year.

EICC72/22

Resolution:

That the Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee receives and notes the Environmental Enhancement programmes staff report.

Ormsby/Barker

CARRIED

11.

IRG programme delivery to date and next steps

Jon Kingsford introduced the item and provided and update on the four projects approved for funding as part of the Crown’s Flood Control Resilience Funding with the Infrastructure Reference Group. Discussions covered:

· Heretaunga Plains Flood Control Scheme (HPFCS) Levels of Service - $20m. Physical works on the Taradale stopbank have been successfully completed, the cycleway has been redeveloped and is now open to the public. Completion of the maintenance access track, redistribution of topsoil and hydroseeding of the berm areas are due to be completed by 20 September 2022.

· Moteo Stopbank upgrade is nearing the completion of detailed design phase and draft contract documents have been provided for review

· Planning for the next tranche of stopbank upgrades (2023-2024 construction season) is underway, with the Raupare Upper, Chesterhope Upper, Brookfields Lower and Pakowhai Park being prioritised for upgrade

· With four stopbank upgrades in progress, the anticipated expenditure for this work in the 2022-2023 Financial Year is $9.33m.

· Upper Tukituki Flood Control Scheme Gravel Extraction - $8 million. The second tranche of extraction involves three reaches on each of the Waipawa and Upper Tukituki rivers with a total of 433,000m³ of gravel being made available. Two of these reaches have Chilean needle grass present, so Regional Projects is working closely with Biosecurity to ensure the risks are managed well

· Tenders for the second tranche of extraction are currently under evaluation with 11 submissions received. Five preferred tenders have been identified - extraction is likely to proceed in late September/early October 2022

· A third tranche of extraction will be investigated for the 2022-2023 season, if the second tranche progresses in a timely fashion and contractor performance is acceptable.

· Wairoa River, River Parade Erosion - $1 million. This project is substantially completed, with the fence and path being the only work remaining. Expected to be completed by 30 September 2022.

EICC73/22

Resolution:

That the Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee receives and notes the steps staff IRG Programme Delivery to date and next report.

van Beek/Taylor

CARRIED

12.

Napier Meeanee Scheme Review – progress update

Chris Dolley introduced the item and provided an update of the status and preliminary findings of the Napier Meeanee Drainage Scheme Review work undertaken to date and preliminary findings.

· Prioritised schemes were selected on the basis that urgent review was required to support growth and/or provide a higher level of service to urban areas

· The scheme reviews will inform the Asset Management Plan and 30 Year Infrastructure Strategy and allow for decisions to be made on the appropriate level of capital investment as subsequent LTPs are developed

· Staff will continue to develop the Napier Meeanee Drainage Scheme Review and will present the final report to the Committee when it is available.

EICC74/22

Resolution:

That the Environment and Integrated Catchments Committee receives and notes the Napier Meeanee Scheme Review – progress update staff report.

Foss/van Beek

CARRIED

13.

Discussion of Minor Items not on the agenda

Topic	Raised by
Stop banks and cattle · At today’s meeting, discussions were held on stopbanks and community resilience as well as the significant investment made in upgrading the stopbanks. Concern raised on free roaming cattle on the stopbanks and the damage they cause on the stop banks · Community surveys also revealed concerns around the cattle. Costings for priority areas were undertaken and there is an appetite to increase the Operational budget · Temporary arrangements can be made with lessees and HBRC are willing to do the work · Animals have been released on to stopbanks too soon after construction. Will ensure in future that this won’t happen again · To make significant changes – need to increase operational costs.	Cr Jacqueline Taylor
State of the Environment reporting · Have been asking for data points for water quality management in the Karamu catchment area · The government have recently been consulting on the State of the Environment report. Minister James Shaw pointed out that ‘the data underpinning the environmental management in Aotearoa was at best insufficient and that the Parliamentary Commission for the Environment has found huge gaps in the data and knowledge’ · Cr Foss have maintained a strong interest in this and asked to be kept informed of any opportunities with the Crown to make much better informed decisions about the state of our waterways across the region.	Cr Craig Foss
Service · Acknowledge all the governors around the table and recognise the work people do behind the scenes · So many people giving back to the environment and community without expecting recognition or reward · As her Majesty the Queen stated ‘it’s the cumulative impact of everyone to get the change we all need’.	Cr Martin Williams
Porangahau/Tukituki catchment groups · Real positive work around our catchment groups particular in CHB district (Tukipo wetland, etc · The Tukipo Catchment Care Group in CHB, the first of 17 community-led sub-catchments in the Tukituki recently won the inaugural East Coast Catchment Group Award at the Balance Farm Environment Awards · They were established in Feb 2018 and in 2019 chosen as one of Fonterra’s sustainable catchments with $30,000 to scope and design the wetland · Oct 2019, awarded $150k for the wetland from Fonterra. Dec 2020 – confirmed successful MfE funding of $2.3m with co-funding by landowners to total $4m · To date have approved projects with existing funding ($68k for fencing, $31k for wetlands, $83k for planting and established their own nursery). · Porangahau Catchment Group first established in 2019. In 2021 they successfully received $2,5m of MfE funding · To date 8,282 plants were planted with $7.5k of fencing done, 28 Farm Plans underway, 79ha of erosion, 25ha of animal pest control, 5,000 hours of nature based employment, 2 new positions created (Priority projects and Financial Administration) · Priority projects includes $4.9k stream to be protecting with 26,000 plants to be planted planned. · Continue to get praise about Richard Wakelin who assists in these catchment groups.	Cr Will Foley

Closure:

Hinewai Ormsby closed the meeting with a karakia.

There being no further business the Chair declared the meeting closed at 1.30pm on Wednesday, 21 September 2022.

Signed as a true and correct record.

DATE: ................................................ CHAIR: ...............................................