AGENDA

 

Ordinary Council meeting

Date:

Wednesday, 7 December 2022

Time:

1:00pm

Location:

Carterton Events Centre

50 Holloway St

Carterton

 

 

Mayor R Mark

Deputy Mayor D Williams

Cr S Laurence

Cr R Cherry-Campbell

Cr B Deller

 

Cr S Cretney

Cr L Newman

Cr S Gallon

Cr G Ayling

M Fox - Hurunui-o-Rangi Marae

 

 


Ordinary Council meeting Agenda

7 December 2022

 

Notice is hereby given that an Ordinary Council meeting of the Carterton District Council will be held in the Carterton Events Centre, 50 Holloway St, Carterton on:

Wednesday, 7 December 2022 at 1:00pm

Order Of Business

1          Karakia Timatanga. 5

2          Apologies. 5

3          Conflicts of Interests Declaration. 5

4          Public Forum.. 5

5          Youth Council views on agenda items. 5

6          Confirmation of the Minutes. 6

6.1             Minutes of the Inaugural Council Meeting held on 26 October 2022. 6

7          Reports. 18

7.1             Correspondence. 18

7.2             Destination Wairarapa Quarterly Report. 22

7.3             Three Waters Reform Update. 59

7.4             Draft Interim Speed Managment Plan. 85

7.5             Submission: Proposed Change 1 to the Regional Policy Statement (RPS) for the Wellington Region. 88

7.6             New Road Name. 129

7.7             Report on the administration of Carterton District Council's practices in relation to the control of dogs for the year 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022. 144

7.8             Chief Executive Report. 148

7.9             Meeting Schedule for January to December 2023. 181

7.10           Reporting on non-financial performance - Quarter 1 2022. 185

7.11           Financial report for the 3 months ended 30 September 2022. 196

7.12           Wellington Region Triennial Agreement 2022-2025. 206

7.13           Further appointments to external bodies, joint committees and other groups. 215

7.14           Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act Requests. 217

8          Exclusion of the Public. 226

8.1             Conditional Purchase of Land. 226

9          Karakia Whakamutunga. 227

 


1            Karakia Timatanga

Mai i te pae maunga, raro ki te tai

Mai i te awa tonga, raro ki te awa raki

Tēnei te hapori awhi ai e Taratahi.

Whano whano, haramai te toki

Haumi ē, hui ē, tāiki ē!

2            Apologies

3            Conflicts of Interests Declaration

4            Public Forum

5            Youth Council views on agenda items


Ordinary Council meeting Agenda

7 December 2022

 

6            Confirmation of the Minutes

 

6.1        Minutes of the Inaugural Council Meeting held on 26 October 2022

 

 

1.               Recommendation

1.         That the Minutes of the Inaugural Council Meeting held on 26 October 2022 are true and correct.

File Number:                 317141

Author:                            Robyn Blue, Democratic Services Officer

Attachments:                1.         Minutes of the Inaugural Council Meeting held on 26 October 2022   

 


Inaugural Council Meeting Minutes

26 October 2022

 

   MINUTES OF Carterton District Council
Inaugural Council Meeting
HELD AT THE Carterton Events Centre, 50 Holloway St, Carterton
ON Wednesday, 26 October 2022 AT 12.30 Pm

 

PRESENT:                         Mayor Ron Mark, Deputy Mayor Dale Williams, Cr Robyn Cherry-Campbell, Cr Steve Cretney, Cr Brian Deller, Cr Steve Laurence, Cr Lou Newman, Cr Steve Gallon, Cr Grace Ayling

IN ATTENDANCE:         Geoff Hamilton (Chief Executive), Kelly Vatselias (Corporate Services Manager), Geri Brooking (People and Wellbeing Manager), Glenda Seville (Community Services and Facilities Manager), Johannes Ferreira (Infrastructure Services Manager), Solitaire Robertson (Planning and Regulatory Services Manager), Elisa Brown (Communications and Engagement Manager, Marcus Anselm (Communications and Engagement Coordinator), Robyn Blue (Democratic Services Officer)

 

1            OPENING OF THE MEETING AND Karakia Timatanga

The Chief Executive of Carterton District Council, Geoff Hamilton declared the meeting open at 12.30 pm.

This was followed by a karakia led by J J Carberry, Hurunui-o-Rangi Marae

2            Apologies

An apology was received from Marama Fox, Hurunui-o-Rangi Marae representative.

3            Conflicts of Interests Declaration

There were no conflicts of interest declared.

4            Public Forum

There was no public forum.

5            Youth Council views on agenda items

There were no Youth Council views on the agenda items.

6            Reports


 

6.1             Declarations by elected members

1.               Purpose

For Councillors to make the declaration required by clause 14 of Schedule 7 of the Local Government Act 2002.

NOTED

·         Mayor Ron Mark made his declaration in front of the Chief Executive of Carterton District Council and put on the mayoral chains.

·         The remaining 8 elected members did their declarations in front of Mayor Ron Mark.

·         The Mayor congratulated councillors for being elected to their important roles and adjourned the meeting at 12.45 pm for refreshments.

 

The meeting resumed at 1.30 pm.

 

6.2             Voting procedures for the election of Deputy Mayor and other appointments, and election of the Deputy Mayor

1.               Purpose

For councillors to agree the voting procedures for the election of the Deputy Mayor.

For the appointment of the Deputy Mayor.

MOVED

That the Council:

1.              Agrees that voting system A be used to determine the election of the Deputy Mayor.

Cr S Cretney / Cr B Deller

CARRIED

 

2.              Appoint Cr D Williams as Deputy Mayor.

Mayor R Mark / Cr S Cretney

CARRIED

 


 

 

6.3             Elected Members' Remuneration

1.               Purpose

For the Council to consider and set remuneration for Elected Members.

MOVED

That the Council:

1.              Receives the report.

 

Cr G Ayling / Cr R Cherry-Campbell

CARRIED

 

2.         Agrees to recommend to the Remuneration Authority remuneration for the 2022-2025 Triennium of:  Deputy Mayor $49,995 and all other Councillors $25,253.

3.         Notes that Council can review this allocation during the Triennium and seek approval for changes from the Remuneration Authority.

 

Cr L Newman / Cr S Cretney

CARRIED

 

6.4             Code of Conduct 2022-25

1.               Purpose

For the council to adopt a Code of Conduct for the 2022-25 Triennium.

MOVED

That the Council:

1.         Receives the report.

2.         Adopts the Carterton District Council Code of Conduct (attachment 1).

 

Cr R Cherry-Campbell / Deputy Mayor D Williams

CARRIED

 


 

 

6.5             Standing Orders for the Triennium

1.               Purpose

For the Council to adopt the Standing Orders 2022-2025.

NOTED

·         There was a consensus to retain clause 19.3 in the Standing Orders - ‘The Mayor, Chairperson, or any other person presiding at a meeting, has a deliberative vote, and in the case of an equality of votes, has a casting vote.’

MOVED

That the Council:

1.              Receives the report.

2.              Agrees to Option A for speaking and moving motions in clause 22.

Cr S Cretney / Cr B Deller

CARRIED

 

3.              Agrees to:

a.       Add in clause 13.7 that ‘Members attending a meeting by audiovisual link must have their camera turned on, unless having the camera off  has been approved by the Chair prior to the meeting.’

b.       Add a Meeting Protocol in Appendix 7 that ‘Members ensure that cell phones are silent and with no vibration during council, committee and advisory group meetings’.

4.              Adopts the Carterton District Council Standing Orders 2022 with the changes noted in this paper and identified in the Standing Orders, and agreed in (2) and (3).

 

Cr R Cherry-Campbell / Deputy Mayor D Williams

CARRIED

 


 

 

6.6             Council, Committees, Advisory Groups and Portfolio Responsibilities for the 2022-25 Triennium

1.               Purpose

For the Council to consider and adopt a committee structure for the 2022-25 Triennium.

MOVED

That the Council:

1.         Receives the report.

2.         Agrees to adopt the governance structure, as set out in sections 5 and 6 of this report including forming a Rural Advisory Group.

3.         Adopts the Terms of Reference for the following committees and advisory groups as outlined in Attachment 1.

(a)       Audit and Risk Committee

(b)      Policy and Projects Committee

(c)       Water Race Committee

(d)      Hearings Committee

(e)      Sport NZ Rural Travel Fund Committee

(f)       Community Grants Committee

(g)       Walking and Cycling Advisory Group

4.         Notes that the Terms of Reference of the People and Places Advisory Group, Rural Advisory Group, the Wastewater Treatment Plant Advisory Group, and the Investment Committee will come to Council for approval after they have been endorsed by the Investment Committee and respective Advisory Group.

Cr L Newman / Deputy Mayor D Williams

CARRIED

 

5.              Appoints Philip Jones as Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee for an interim period until such time as a decision is made on a Chair for the triennium 2022-25.

Cr R Cherry-Campbell / Cr B Deller

CARRIED

 

 

 

 

 

6.         Appoints the following members to the committees, and the chairs and deputy chairs of those committees:

Committee

Members / Chair

Audit and Risk Committee

Chair - As agreed in Recommendation 5, Philip Jones

Deputy Chair – Deputy Mayor D Williams

Elected members – Cr G Ayling / Cr S Cretney

Hurunui-o-Rangi Marae representative

Policy and Projects Committee

Chair – Cr S Cretney

Deputy Chair – Cr S Gallon

All elected members

Hurunui-o-Rangi Marae representative

Investment Committee

Independent Chair - TBC

Deputy Chair – Deputy Mayor D Williams

Elected members - Cr L Newman / Cr S Laurence

Water Race Committee

Chair – Cr B Deller

Deputy Chair (appointed by the Committee from Community members)

Elected members - Cr S Gallon / Cr S Cretney

 

The following community members will continue as members of the Committee until the Water Race elections are held in 2024:

·        David Ellison

·        Jill Eastham

·        John McFadzean

·        Neil Wadham

Hearings Committee

Chair – Cr R Cherry-Campbell

Deputy Chair – Cr B Deller

Elected members – Cr S Laurence

Rural Travel Fund Committee

Chair – Cr S Cretney

Deputy Chair – Cr B Deller

Elected members – Cr S Gallon / Cr L Newman

Community Grants Committee

Chair – Cr R Cherry-Campbell

Deputy Chair – Deputy Mayor D Williams

Elected members  - Cr L Newman / Cr G Ayling

 

Deputy Mayor D Williams / Cr S Laurence

CARRIED

 

7.         Appoints the following Chairs, Deputy Chairs and members to the following advisory groups:

Advisory Group

Members / Chair

People and Places Advisory Group

Chair – Cr R Cherry-Campbell

Deputy Chair – Cr S Cretney

Elected members – Cr L Newman / Cr S Laurence

Walking and Cycling Advisory Group

Chair – Cr L Newman

Deputy Chair – Cr S Laurence

Elected members – Cr S Cretney

Wastewater Treatment Plant Advisory Group

Chair – Deputy Mayor D Williams

Deputy Chair –  Cr S Cretney

Elected members  - Cr S Gallon / Cr G Ayling

Rural Advisory Group

Chair – Cr B Deller

Deputy Chair – John Booth (appointed)

Elected members – Cr S Gallon / Deputy Mayor D Williams / Cr G Ayling

 

Cr G Ayling / Cr S Cretney

CARRIED

8.         Agrees to continue to invite the Hurunui-o-Rangi Marae to have a representative sit at the Council table, with full speaking, but not voting, rights.

 

Mayor R Mark / Deputy Mayor D Williams

CARRIED

9.         Notes that the governance structure will be reviewed in 2023.

 


 

 

6.7             Elected member appointments to external bodies, joint committees and other groups

1.               Purpose

For the Council to make Elected Member appointments to various external bodies, joint committees and other groups for the 2022-25 Triennium.

MOVED

That the Council:

1.         Receives the report.

2.         Makes the following appointments for the term of the Triennium:

Committee / Entity

Elected Member Appointee

Wairarapa District Plan Review Committee

Crs B Deller and R Cherry-Campbell

Joint District Licensing Committee           (2)

Cr B Deller / Deputy Mayor D Williams

Wairarapa Economic Development Strategy Governance Group                                      (1)

Mayor R Mark

Cr R Cherry-Campbell (alternate)

Wairarapa Trails Action Group                  (2)

Cr L Newman / Cr S Laurence

Wairarapa Road Safety Council                 (1)

Cr S Laurence

Zone 4 (LGNZ)                                               (1)

Mayor R Mark

Wairarapa Climate Change Caucus          (2)

Cr R Cherry-Campbell / Cr G Ayling

Wellington Regional Waste Minimisation and Management Joint Committee (WCC)

Wellington Regional Waste Forum            (1)

Cr S Cretney

Mayor R Mark (alternate)

Mayor’s Taskforce for Jobs

Mayor

Deputy Mayor D Williams (alternate)

Mangatārere Project Team                         (2)

Cr S Cretney / Cr S Laurence

 

Cr S Laurence / Cr L Newman

CARRIED

 


 

 

6.8             Appointments to Greater Wellington Regional Council's regional committees

1.               Purpose

For the Council to nominate elected representatives to Greater Wellington Regional Council’s regional committees.

MOVED

That the Council:

1.         Receives the report.

2.         Agrees to nominate the following members to the Greater Wellington Regional Council committees:

Committee

Nominee

Alternate

Wellington Regional Transport Committee

Mayor

Deputy Mayor

Wellington Region Leadership Committee

Mayor

Deputy Mayor

Civil Defence and Emergency Committee

Mayor

Deputy Mayor

 

Cr B Deller / Cr G Ayling

CARRIED

 

6.9             Local Authority Triennial Elections 2022

1.               Purpose

For Council to receive a report on the conduct of the 2022 Local Authority Elections.

MOVED

That the Council:

1.         Receives the report.

 

Cr R Cherry-Campbell / Cr G Ayling

CARRIED

 


 

 

6.10           Confirmation of the Delegations Manual for the Triennium

1.               Purpose

For Council to confirm the Delegations Manual for the new triennium.

MOVED

That the Council:

1.         Receives the report.

2.         Approves the Delegations Manual (Attachment 1) with the identified amendment (i.e. Infrastructure & Services Committee is replaced with Policy & Projects Committee in clause 10.11).

Cr L Newman / Cr R Cherry-Campbell

CARRIED

 

6.11           Council meeting schedule November-December 2022

1.               Purpose

To establish the schedule for Council and Committee meetings to be held in November – December 2022.

MOVED

That the Council:

1.         Receives the report.

2.         Adopts the committee and council meeting schedule for November and December 2022 as outlined in this paper.

Deputy Mayor D Williams / Cr B Deller

CARRIED

 

6.12           Laws and obligations relating to elected members

1.               Purpose

To provide information to elected members on key legislation that affects them.

MOVED

That the Council:

1.         Receives the report.

Cr S Gallon / Cr L Newman

CARRIED

 

6.13           Chief Executive Report

1.               Purpose

For the Council to be informed on planned Council operational activities, major projects, and other matters of importance and interest.

MOVED

That the Council:

1.         Receives the report.

 

Cr R Cherry-Campbell / Deputy Mayor D Williams

CARRIED

 

7            Exclusion of the Public 

Not applicable.

 

8            Karakia Whakamutunga

The meeting was closed with a karakia led by Cr R Cherry-Campbell.

 

The meeting closed at 3 pm

Minutes confirmed: …………………………………………………

20 December 2022

 Date: ...................................................

 

 


Ordinary Council meeting Agenda

7 December 2022

 

7            Reports

 

7.1        Correspondence

 

1.               Purpose

To note relevant correspondence received by Council.

 

2.               Recommendation

That the Council:

1.         Notes the correspondence received.

File Number:                 318818

Author:                            Kelly Vatselias, Corporate Services Manager

Attachments:                1.         24 November 2022 - RMA Reforms

2.         15 November 2022 - Services/issues for older people  

 


Ordinary Council meeting Agenda

7 December 2022

 


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Ordinary Council meeting Agenda

7 December 2022

 


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Ordinary Council meeting Agenda

7 December 2022

 

 

7.2        Destination Wairarapa Quarterly Report

 

1.               Purpose

For the council to receive a report of activities for the quarter ending September 2022.

2.               Significance

The matters for decision in this report are not considered to be of significance under the Significance and Engagement Policy.

3.               Background

The three Wairarapa Territorial Authorities collectively invest in Destination Wairarapa as the Regional Tourism Organisation.

4.               Activities of Destination Wairarapa

Attached to this report are the following:

·    General Managers and Marketing activities for the period of July – September 2022 is included as Attachment 1.

·    The financial report for DW is in Attachment 2.

·    The Budget Variance report for DW is in Attachment 3. 

·    Audited Financial Statements 2022 in Attachment 4.

Key points to note

The new MOU with Destination Wairarapa and the three councils has been finalised and signed. 

 

5.               Recommendation

That the Council:

1.         Receives the report.

File Number:                 317127

Author:                            Glenda Seville, Community Services Manager

Attachments:                1.         GM Report

2.         Financial Report

3.         Budget Variance

4.         Audited Financial Statements  

 


Ordinary Council meeting Agenda

7 December 2022

 


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Ordinary Council meeting Agenda

7 December 2022

 


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Ordinary Council meeting Agenda

7 December 2022

 


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7 December 2022

 


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Ordinary Council meeting Agenda

7 December 2022

 

 

7.3        Three Waters Reform Update

 

1.               Purpose

To provide Council with an update on Central Governments Three Waters reform.

2.               Significance

The matters for decision in this report are not considered to be of significance under the Significance and Engagement Policy.

3.               Background

The Government’s Three Waters Reform proposal is a comprehensive change to the way fresh water, wastewater and storm waters are managed for our communities. 

The reforms shift the current 67 council-owned and operated three waters services into four new publicly owned entities to manage the future delivery of these services from July 2024.

Below is a high-level timeline of events in respect of the reforms to date.

July 2021

Along with announcing the Three Waters Reform, the Government also announced an initial funding package of $761 million to provide a post COVID-19 stimulus to maintain and improve water three waters infrastructure, support a three-year programme of reform of local government water service delivery arrangements (reform programme), and support the establishment of Taumata Arowai, the new Waters Services Regulator.

The initial stage and Request for Information (RFI) process was an opt-in, non- binding approach. It did not require councils to commit to future phases of the reform programme. 

In July 2021 the Government mandated the reforms on all Councils.

September 2021

Council submitted its feedback to Government on the Three Waters Reform. 

October 2021

The Government announced they would be progressing the Three Waters Reform. You can watch the announcement and read a summary of local Government feedback on the proposal on the DIA website


 

December 2021

Economic Regulation

Consultation took place calling for feedback from Councils on the design of the economic regulation and consumer protection for the future Three Waters system. This closed Monday 20th of December.

A joint submission by Wellington Region Councils was put to Carterton Councillors and endorsed at the December 15th, 2021, meeting.

View CDC’s report submission on economic regulation for three waters


Working Groups

Following feedback from Councils published in October, the Government established three independent working groups to refine elements of the Three Waters Reform programme,. The working groups were;

·    Working Group on Representation, Governance and     accountability

·    Planning Technical Working Group

·    Rural Supplies Technical Working Group


Water Services Entities Bill

The Government announced the Three Waters Entities Bill will be delayed in order to give the working group time to recommend changes to governance and accountability. Draft legislation has been prepared and will be made public, giving the working group until 28 February to report back and recommend any changes. The Bill would be introduced to Parliament shortly after this.

June 2022

On 2 June 2022, the Government announced legislation which will enable the creation of the new Water Services Entities (WSEs). National consultation opened on 10 June 2022.

As well as setting up the new WSEs so they can be ready by 1 July 2024, the Bill locked in council “ownership” of the WSEs on behalf of the communities. Councils will have one share per 50,000 people in their area, rounded up – so each council will have at least one share.  The share will hold no voting rights, carry no financial value, receive no dividends but will allow Council to vote for or against future privatisation of the WSE (requires 75% majority).

The legislation tries to balance community participation in the running of the new water organisations with Council and Iwi oversight, while giving WSEs the financial and operational independence they need to get on with the job.

Read the Bill online at legislation.govt.nz.


 


July 2022

Three Waters Council Transition Support Package

On the 19 July 2022, the Associate Minister of Local Government Kieran McAnulty announced a $44 million support package for councils to support activities relating to three waters reform. See link Government provides Three Waters support for councils | Beehive.govt.nz

This transition funding is in addition to the wider Government backing for the Three Waters Reform package, which includes $2 billion Better Off funding for Councils to deliver community wellbeing initiatives (of which CDC is allocated $6.8m), and $500 million for No Worse Off funding – yet to be allocated to Councils.

This additional Three Waters Services support funding is designed to cover the extra costs council will incur due to the mandatory requirement to participate in the reforms. 

Each council, regardless of their size, will receive a minimum of $350,000 over 12 months.

View attachment 1 Three Waters Services Reforms – Transition Support Package (tranche 1)

 

Submission on Waters Services Entities Bill

The Chair of the Government Finance and Expenditure Committee called for public submissions on the Water Services Entities Bill.

 

CDC made a submission on the 21  July 2022.

View CDC’s submission to the Finance and Expenditure Committee

 

September 2022

Better Off Funding Package

The Government has allocated $2b towards a Better Off funding package for local Councils.  This is being paid over two tranches, with the first tranche open until 30 September 2022 and the second becoming available in July 2024, when the Water Services Entities take over control of water assets and services. 

Funding is split with 25% available in tranche 1 and 75% in tranche two.

Carterton District Council was allocated a total of $6.8m in Better Off Funding, with $1.7m becoming available in under tranche 1. 

CDC submitted an application for tranche 1 funding in September 2022. 

The Department of Internal Affairs has delegated responsibility for managing the Better Off Funding to Crown Infrastructure Partners (who also managed all PGF Grants).  We expect to hear the status of our application in early December.

 


 

November 2022

On 11 November the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee issued its report on the Water Services Entities Bill (#1).

This first Bill establishes four publicly owned dedicated Water Services Entities with a view that these entities will provide safe, reliable, and efficient water services through improved investment and management.

The Committee considered over 80,000 submissions on this legislation. As a result of submissions, approximately 130 amendments have been made to the Bill.  A summary of the amendments in attachment 2 Select Committee Report Summary.

View the full committee report here NZ Parliament website.

Following a late-night reading of the WSE Bill, an amendment was introduced, and adopted by Government to entrench public ownership of water assets by a 60% Parliamentary majority.  Labour and Green MPs voted for the change to the Government’s Water Services Entities bill though the Bill has not yet been made law.

The Government had previously sought cross-party consensus to entrench public ownership in law asking all parties to join forces to create a 75% majority threshold like that seen in electoral law. While the National Party said it had no plans to sell off water assets, it did not support entrenchment of Three Waters Reforms legislation.

 

4.               DISCUSSION

A Moving Target
In June 2022 Cabinet considered on policy matters to ensure the new Water Services Entities have the necessary legislative functions, duties, and powers to be fully operational from their ‘go live’ date on 1 July 2024.  The full Cabinet Paper Policy proposals for three water service delivery legislative settings.

These decisions included that, consistent with a recommendation from the Rural Supplies Technical Working Group, users of council-owned mixed use rural water can choose to directly own and operate their schemes, independent of a Water Services Entity.

Following the Select Committee recommendations it appears “Rural Water” has now been included in the WSE legislation (Bill #1) moving to the new WSE’s on 1 July 2024.   We are seeking feedback from DIA on what Rural Water includes, however we do not have an answer to this question at this time.  We are hopeful this change just pertains to potable (drinking) water, and that it does not include Rural Water Races – used for stock water.

The second WSE Amendment Bill (Bill #2) builds on the previous WSE legislation and provides the legislative framework for the WSE’s to operate.  This includes transferring or extending powers that Council have to the WSE under other legislation such as Public Works Act, Taumata Arowai, Local Government Act, Health etc.  Some of the changes include:

•       Rural water and the transfer of rural drinking water supplies to WSE, along with exceptions.

·      Local Government Authority (LGA) – repeal and transfer of all legislative obligations, functions and duties on councils with respect to water to be transferred to WSE unless there is a reason to update or change these.  Under the LGA this includes:

transfer of functions from councils to WSE including water services, trade waste, fire hydrants (Councils stay involved in decision making regarding location of fire hydrants)

WSE will have some Civil Defence functions

WSE obligations will include a need to assess community needs including from public health and environmental perspective and involve TAs and regional councils in these

·      Treaty settlements: Treaty settlements to be enduring and transfer from councils to WSE.  This will include a stocktake of Treaty settlement legislation and arrangements and engagement with Iwi:

·      Bylaws: transitioning out of bylaws:

Notes WSE will not have same bylaw making powers, and relevant bylaws will be replaced by legislative instruments similar to other utility providers  

Councils will no longer have powers to make bylaws on matters where responsibility will transfer to WSE

Councils to review and where necessary revoke bylaws on the transition date

·      Catchment areas: WSE will have powers to specify land as a controlled drinking water area

·      Offences and penalties: as there is a move away from bylaws, Bill will enable a new infringement regime and penalty system modelled on LGA and RMA.  These are set out in Appendix B and include powers for injunctions, entry and infringement

·      Finance arrangements: WSE to be subject to bespoke finance and prudential framework.  Notes that WSE will have access to a Crown liquidity facility similar to LGFA terms. 

We anticipate the WSE Bill 1 will pass into law prior to Christmas, and the WSE Amendment Bill (Bill 2) to be introduced into Parliament at the same time (i.e. before the House rises for 2022).

A third WSE Bill (Bill #3) is also anticipated to be introduced into Parliament prior to Christmas.  This Bill is being prepared by MBiE, not the DIA, and is referred to as The Water Services Economic Efficiency and Consumer Protection Bill, focusing on economic regulation.

Two Engagement Models
The DIA National Transition Unit (NTU) have created Local Transition Teams (LTT) as part of the transition phase of Three Waters Reforms.  Entity C LTT includes representation from the 22 councils along with Wellington Water attending. The LTT engagement model is as follows:

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In addition, the NTU has agreed to create a Chief Executive forum to address strategic and material issues with the reforms directly between stakeholders. 

However, after a significant amount of pressure from the CEOs, the NTU acknowledged their LTT engagement model does not include any Mana Whenua representation.  The NTU appear to have been slow off the mark with Mana Whenua engagement and this only now appears to be taking place.

The NTU engagement with Mana Whenua is difficult to quantify, as this is a separate process not including LTT / Council representatives.  It appears the NTU is engaging with post-settlement Iwi groups (PSGE’s) but it is not clear at what level within these groups.  Furthermore, it does not appear the NTU is planning on engaging with hapū either now or at any time in the future – preferring to limit their korero to just the PSGE’s.

The risk of having two separate and disparate engagement models run by different parts of the NTU discussing all aspects of the transition cannot be understated.  The potential for decisions and discussion in one group to impact the other groups remain very high indeed. 

We will continue to push for alignment of these two engagement models to simplify the transition process, improve understanding, expand the participation to all stakeholders in transition issues, and reduce the risks to our communities with this significant work programme.

5.               NEXT STEPS

Management will continue to participate with the NTU and LTT on Three Waters Reforms transition and keep Council informed of updates and changes. 

We anticipate the Water Services Amendment Bill (Bill #2) public consultation will open prior to Christmas, however it is unlikely much in this Bill will be controversial as it is mostly transferring existing powers to the WSE’s. 

The third piece of legislation, The Water Services Economic Efficiency and Consumer Protection Bill (Bill #3) will likely have more impact on our community.  Management will work with the other Wellington Region Councils to formulate our response to this legislation when it opens for consultation.

6.               CONSIDERATIONS

6.1       Climate change

Considerations have been noted in the report, as appropriate.

6.2       Tāngata whenua

As mentioned above, the Crown engagement with Mana Whenua on the Three Waters Reforms programme has not progressed as rapidly as engagement with Councils.  This may lead to disparity of information between the respective stakeholders.

Management will continue to share information and our submissions with Hurunui-o-Rangi and Ngāti Kahukuraāwhitia hapū as and when appropriate, noting Masterton District Council usually shares their feedback with the two main PSGE’s.

6.3       Financial impact

Considerations have been noted in the report above and include grant funding, transition costs, the transfer of Three Waters assets at no cost to the WSE’s, the transfers of Three Waters debt, and a potential for stranded overheads which is yet to be determined.

 

6.4       Community Engagement requirements

Three Waters Reforms is a Government-mandated programme.  Consistent with previous Council decisions CDC community engagement on a Government programme is unlikely to effect meaningful change for our ratepayers. 

Management will continue with updates to Council on the reforms, and with the impacts of these reforms have on our organisation and community as they are able to be quantified.

6.5       Risks

Management consider the risk of the Three Waters Reforms not proceeding as increasing over the past few months.   This is obviously dependent on the national election in late 2023.  A pause, or complete stop to the Three Waters programme will create a significant amount of disruption to the organisation.  Some staff who may have been looking forward to moving into a WSE may decide to leave seeking new opportunities elsewhere.

If the reforms proceed, the impact of removing Three Waters functions from Council remains a risk.  Specifically, the ongoing viability of a small rural Council servicing less than 10,000 residents may come into question post the implementation of WSE’s.

7.               Recommendation

That the Council:

1.         Receives the report.

File Number:                 317724

Author:                            Geoff Hamilton, Chief Executive

Attachments:                1.         Three Waters Services Reforms – Transition Support Package (tranche 1)

2.         Select Committee Report Summary  

 


Ordinary Council meeting Agenda

7 December 2022

 


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Ordinary Council meeting Agenda

7 December 2022

 


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Ordinary Council meeting Agenda

7 December 2022

 

 

7.4        Draft Interim Speed Managment Plan

 

1.               Purpose

For the council to be informed about the draft Interim Speed Management Plan (ISMP).

2.               Significance

The matters for decision in this report are not considered to be of significance under the Significance and Engagement Policy.

3.               Background

The development of the ISMP aligns with the Government Statement Policy (GPS) on Land Transport 2021 and the Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits.

One of the strategic priorities in the GPS is Safety – Developing a transport system where no one is killed or seriously injured. Furthermore, the Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits gives effect to a new regulatory framework for speed management and the requirements for safer speed limits around schools.

Road Controlling Authorities (RCAs) are required to work collaboratively with their regional transport committee and Waka Kotahi to produce regional speed management plans, set out speed management treatments in the region over a 10-year period. These plans will be developed every six years, and will be updated every three years, to align with the land transport planning process.

Waka Kotahi (as the regulator) is responsible for certifying regional speed management plans.

RCAs must ensure speed limits for roads outside at least 40% of the schools directly accessed from roads under their control comply with the new speed limits by 30 June 2024 and all roads outside schools comply with the new speed limits by 31 December 2027.

4.               Discussion

Tonkin and Taylor have prepared the Draft ISMP on behalf of CDC and SWDC. We are currently at step 2 of 8, seeking views from key stakeholders prior to second draft. Please see the process below:

 

Image – ISMP, page 38

 

Officers are currently reviewing the detail within the ISMP to ensure completeness and accuracy.


 

 

5.               CONSIDERATIONS

5.1       Climate change

The matters in this report do not directly relate to climate change migration or adaption issues.

5.2       Tāngata whenua

Safety around schools and Marae is a priority and therefore of interest to Māori.

5.3       Financial impact

The work on development and implementation of the ISMP will be funded through the LTP under Low-Cost Low Risk – Road to Zero.

5.4       Community Engagement requirements

The community has not been involved in the development of the ISMP, however public consultation is planned at step 4 above, which Management anticipates to be early 2023.

5.5       Risks

The requirements of the Land Transport Rule are mandatory for RCA’s.  Council is therefore obliged to comply.  This Interim Speed Management Plan forms part of our ongoing compliance and management of local roads.

6.               Recommendation

That the Council:

1.         Receives the report.

2.         Adopts the principles and priorities of the Interim Speed Management Plan.

3.         Notes Management propose to proceed with public consultation on the draft Interim Speed Management Plan in early 2023.

File Number:                 319285

Author:                            Johannes Ferreira, Infrastructure Services Manager

Attachments:                1.         Draft CDC and SWDC Interim Speed Management Plan (under separate cover)  

 


Ordinary Council meeting Agenda

7 December 2022

 

 

7.5        Submission: Proposed Change 1 to the Regional Policy Statement (RPS) for the Wellington Region

 

1.               Purpose

The purpose of this report is to provide the Council with the submission response to Greater Wellington Regional Council’s (GWRC) proposed change 1 to the Regional Policy statement (RPS) for the Wellington region.

2.               Significance

The matters for decision in this report are not considered to be of significance under the Significance and Engagement Policy. Providing a submission to other government entities is a business as usual activity for Council and is not considered significant under the policy.

3.               Background

The Regional Policy Statement (RPS) sets out the framework and priorities for resource management in the Wellington region. The Resource Management Act 1991 (the Act) requires all regional councils to produce an RPS for their region and review it every 10 years.

The main purpose of the Act is “sustainable management of natural and physical resources”. In context, sustainable management means development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

4.               Discussion

The focus of the Proposed RPS Change 1 is to implement and support the National Policy Statement on Urban Development 2020 (NPS-UD) and start the implementation of the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 (NPS-FM).

Carterton District Council made a submission on the on the proposed Change 1 to the Regional Policy Statement for Wellington Region [See attachment 1; CDC Submission for Proposed Change 1 Regional Policy Statement].


 

5.               CONSIDERATIONS

5.1       Climate change

Carterton District Council supports a partnership approach with the community in mitigating and adapting to climate change. Funding will need to be allocated for this.

While CDC supports the RPS providing clear goals for emission reduction, it is concerned that there will be inequities in the way these targets are intended to be met.  As CDC is predominantly a rural environment, with the town functioning as a rural service area, the transport emissions targets are potentially unrealistic for Carterton and the wider Wairarapa.

Our submission noted our support for the increase in permanent forest across the region, but was concerned that the Wairarapa will be disproportionately affected by an increase in carbon farming and that we did not want to see the Wairarapa becoming a carbon sink to offset emissions that are created by other Councils in the region.

5.2       Tāngata whenua

In its submission Carterton District Council commented on Chapter 3.4 : Fresh Water, supporting the inclusion of statements from Rangitāne o Wairarapa and Kahungunu ki Wairarapa. However, it was suggested that there needs to be improved linkages with other objectives or policies to better understand how to give effect to the statements.

5.3       Financial impact

No financial impacts identified for the purpose of receiving this report.

5.4       Community Engagement requirements

N/A

5.5       Risks

N/A

6.               Recommendation

That the Council:

1.         Receives the report

2.         Ratifies the submission made by Management of the Proposed Change 1 to the Regional policy Statement.

File Number:                 317331

Author:                            Solitaire Robertson, Planning and Regulatory Services Manager

Attachments:                1.         CDC Submission for Proposed Change 1 Regional Policy Statement  

 


Ordinary Council meeting Agenda

7 December 2022

 


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Ordinary Council meeting Agenda

7 December 2022

 

 

7.6        New Road Name

 

1.               Purpose

For the Council to give consideration to three suggested proposals for new road names.

2.               Significance

The matters for decision in this report are not considered to be of significance under the Significance and Engagement Policy.

3.               Background

On 29 November 2022 Council officers received suggestions from a developer to name roads to be vested in Council as part of their development.

Corsair Development Limited undertook a 71 lot residential subdivision located at Kent Street.  Due to the number of lots being created it was proposed to vest the road to Council.  As such, the road is required to be formally named.  Approval of new road/street names is delegated to Policy and Projects Committee or full Council. This delegation enables efficient decision-making within legislative timeframes. The exception to this is if the recommended road/street name is likely to be controversial. A copy of the subdivision is shown below.

 

4.               Discussion

Under the Local Government Act 1974 (s.319A), Carterton District Council is responsible for naming roads and streets in the district.  Council reviewed its road naming policy on 9 September 2020 and determined the following:

Preference is given to road/street names that, in relation to the site concerned, meet one of the defined criteria. The criteria, in order of preference, are:

·    recognition of Māori cultural significance;

·    recognition of cultural significance other than Māori; reflection of the landscape or topographical features;

·    recognition of historical events that have a significant impact on the community; or

·    honouring local residents who have made significant contributions to the Carterton district (alive or deceased).

Road/street names are also required to be unique and not duplicated in the Carterton district (in spelling or sound).

Where new roads need to be named as a result of a new subdivision or development, the developer shall be given the opportunity of suggesting up to three options, in order of preference.

5.               Options

The three proposed names provided to Council officers are as follows:

The first proposed road name is Peaks Avenue. As noted above, Council adopted a criteria that was based on an order of preference. The name for Road 1 fits with Council’s second criteria being ‘recognition of cultural significance other than Māori; reflection of the landscape or topographical features’. In an email to Council officers the developer noted the following:

“First road going into the development off Kent Street I would like to name “Peaks Avenue”, reason being it clearly identifies the development name of “Peaks Estate”, while also defining the view of the Tararua peaks you see from all the development. Also, Peaks Avenue will become the new official address of our export business NZDimensionz and so will be easily identified and spelt by our many international customers. “

The second proposed road name is the larger road within the development, being the first street to the left off proposed Peaks Avenue, and will go right around to stage 3 and connect back up to Peaks Avenue. The developer would like to name this Kākāriki Crescent. The rationale for this name from the developer is set out below:

“Kākāriki are our rarest parakeet with around 360 birds estimated left in the wild. They are our unofficial national bird and are being bred in captivity and placed back into the wild to increase the numbers. There are apparently Kākāriki in the Tararuas. My father was the inaugural member of the establishment committee and chairman of the National Wildlife Trust Board for 18 years and had a very keen interest in all NZ native birds.  Kākāriki can also mean “green”, which is the colour of the Tararuas most of the time”.

The proposed name for this second road in the development and the rationale behind it fits within Council’s road naming policy by using the Māori name for both our native parrot and its associated colour.  Te Ara- The Encyclopedia of New Zealand notedthe following about the kakariki.

The kākāriki’s name means a small (riki) parrot (kākā). Māori noted that it ate a large meal in the morning before doing anything. People who ate a lot before working were compared to kākāriki[1]

For the third road in this development, being the smaller of the three roads, the developer would like to have as a tribute to his late father and be called Old Nicks Lane. The reasoning is attached below.

“The 3rd road that will be stage 2 I would like it called “Old Nic’s Lane”. This is in honour of my Father for all the service he gave to both his country and district. I don’t believe there would be many on your list of “preferred” road names that would have achieve all that he did in his life. Nic was his nickname in WWll where he did four tours of active duty as a fighter pilot in the pacific region.  Although Dad was somewhat hesitant to putting one’s name on public spaces, I believe however that he would agree with his nickname, and it will certainly agree with all his 8 children and 15 grandchildren.  Also, the land that is now being developed has housed two major businesses both started by my father and has kept many hundreds employed over 60 years, so would therefore like his name connected to the land”.

The developer has noted that the name is not on our preferred schedule of road names, but this does not preclude Council from accepting this name given the background provided by the developer and his commitment to the Carterton District as a businessman for over 60 years.

6.               NEXT STEPS

Should the Committee resolve to adopt the names as proposed by the developer then officers will notify the District Land Registrar and Chief Surveyor, in accordance with Section 319A Local Government Act 1974.

7.               CONSIDERATIONS

7.1       Climate change

N/A

7.2       Tāngata whenua

Council Policy sets out the requirement for consultation with Mana Whenua if a road/street is located in or near an area of significance to tāngata whenua. If a developer proposes names for a road/street located in or near an area of significance to tāngata whenua, they are required to consult with local iwi prior to submitting name options to CDC.

The area being developed has not been identified as an area of significance to tāngata whenua.  If a Māori name is proposed for any road/street in the district, local iwi will be consulted to ensure the name is correct and appropriate. In accordance with Council’s policy the developer has not consulted on this, however Council would welcome feedback from our Marae representative on Council. 

 

7.3       Financial impact

The full costs of the signs and their erection are to be paid for by the developer.

7.4       Community Engagement requirements

The policy notes that if a developer proposes names for a road/street, evidence of consultation with affected property owners is required.  No property owners are considered affected as it was known at the time of purchase that the roads would be required to be formally named.

If a road/street is proposed to be named after a person, the family of that person will be consulted (where possible).  This is not relevant to this proposal as discussed in section 5 of this report.

7.5       Risks

N/A

8.               Recommendation

That the Committee:

1.         Receives the report.

2.         Resolves and adopts the proposed public road names for the subdivision by Corsair Development Limited off Kent Street to be known as Peaks Avenue, Kākāriki Cresent and Old Nic’s Lane.

3.         Instructs officers to notify the District Land Registrar and Chief Surveyor, in accordance with Section 319A Local Government Act 1974.

File Number:                 318997

Author:                            Solitaire Robertson, Planning and Regulatory Services Manager

Attachments:                1.         Scheme Plan with proposed names

2.         Road Naming Policy  

 


Ordinary Council meeting Agenda

7 December 2022

 

 


Ordinary Council meeting Agenda

7 December 2022

 


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Ordinary Council meeting Agenda

7 December 2022

 

 

7.7        Report on the administration of Carterton District Council's practices in relation to the control of dogs for the year 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022.

 

1.               Purpose

For the council to receive the report outlining the dog control activities and practices related to the Carterton District Council Dog Control for the year ending 30 June 2022.

2.               Significance

The matters for decision in this report are not considered to be of significance under the Significance and Engagement Policy.

3.               Background

As a territorial authority, the Carterton District Council is required to manage and enforce the Dog Control Act 1996 (the Act).  Under Section 10A of the Act Council must, in respect of each financial year, provide an Annual Report that sets out activities that have been undertaken in relation to our dog control and practices. 

Section 10A(2) sets out the information required to be included in the annual report, including:

(a)   the number of registered dogs in the territorial authority district:

(b)   the number of probationary owners and disqualified owners in the territorial authority district:

(c)    the number of dogs in the territorial authority district classified as dangerous under section 31 and the relevant provision under which the classification is made:

(d)    the number of dogs in the territorial authority district classified as menacing under section 33A or section 33C and the relevant provision under which the classification is made:

(e)    the number of infringement notices issued by the territorial authority:

(f)     the number of dog related complaints received by the territorial authority in the previous year and the nature of those complaints:

(g)    the number of prosecutions taken by the territorial authority under this Act.


 

4.               Discussion

One of the key areas of work that Animal Control officers provide relate to the control of dogs in public places, which are enforceable under Part 4: Carterton District Council Control of Dogs Bylaw Amendment 2007. 

There are no specific dog exercise areas defined as there are enough open spaces and parks around the district for appropriate exercise. However, a rural public park at Sparks Park where dogs can be exercised off the leash, has become popular with dog owners and poo disposal bags and a dog poo bin have been placed there.

An urban public park at Bird Park had been established with the same facilities as the rural public park.  There are dog prohibited areas which are well signposted. Dogs in specified public places and the CBD must be on a leash at all times.  Carterton District Council provides Doggy Doo Dumpster bins near dog exercise areas and in urban streets.  Council Officers monitor these areas to ensure compliance. 

Fees and charges are reviewed annually and set by Council resolution.  Council’s funding policy for animal control is that 80% of the total costs are met by dog registration fees and 20% from rates.

Council provides dog owners with information regarding education programmes and obedience courses and offers dog owners a discount on registration fees for neutered/spayed dogs.  

Council promotes the local Dog Obedience and Kennel Club and a local Dog Obedience Trainer. 

5.               2021-2022 REPORt

Offences and Penalties

With regard to offences and penalties, Council’s policy is to approach each incident on a case-by-case basis and to use infringement notices for minor offences.  Where an attack has occurred, Council’s policy is to adhere to the provisions of the Dog Control Act 1996 as closely as possible.

At the end of 2017 Carterton District Council Dog Control initiated a programme of seizing dogs that had been unregistered for more than 2 years.  Letters were first sent to the dog owners advising them of Council’s intention. Carterton District Council has continued to take this approach for the 2021/2022 financial year.

Council has adopted the ‘Assessment Matrix’ for potential prosecution decisions.

Under the Carterton District Council Control of Dogs Bylaw Amendment 2007, owners with more than two dogs within an urban area must obtain a permit through an application to Council. The Council Dog Control Officer inspects the property for suitability for housing and controlling dogs, interviews the dog owner, and considers any previous history. Submissions in writing are sought by affected neighbours. 

The statistics to be reported on as per the Animal Control Act 1996 are outlined below.


 

 

Measure

Result


Number of registered dogs

2834

Number of probationary owners

0

Number of disqualified owners

4

Number of dogs classified as dangerous under Section 31

2

§ s.31 1(a) due to owner conviction

         0

§ s.31 1(b) due to sworn evidence

         1

§ s.31 1(c) due to owner admittance

         1

Number of dogs classified as menacing under Section 33A

11

§ s.33A 1(b)(i) observed or reported behaviour

10

§ s.33A 1(b)(ii) characteristics associated with breed

1

Number of dogs classified as menacing under Section 33C

12

Number of infringement notices issued for – failing to register a dog.

29

Number of infringement notices issued for – failure to implant microchip transponder

0

Number of infringement notices issued for – failure to keep dog under control

2

Number of infringement notices issued for – failure to keep dog controlled or confined

4

Number of infringement notices issued for – failure to comply with bylaw

0

Number of infringement notices issued for – failure to comply with effects of classification

3

Number of Dog Related Complaints

230

Dog Bites On People

1

Dog Bites On Animals/Stock 

11

Dog Rushing                                         

16

Dogs Barking                               

48

Dogs Wandering

90

Dog Welfare

1

Dogs Lost

29

Dogs Found

34

Dogs Impounded

47

Dogs Rehomed/Adopted

0

Dogs Surrendered to other organisation’s for re-homing

2

Dogs Illegally Removed from Pound

0

Dogs Destroyed

3

Dogs Returned To Owner

42

Number of prosecutions

0

 

6.               NEXT STEPS

The Act requires that the Council gives public notice of the report and makes the report publicly available.  This will be done once the Council had adopted the report.

7.               CONSIDERATIONS

7.1       Climate change

Producing this report is a legislative requirement and the Dog Control Act does not include any climate change provisions.

7.2       Tāngata whenua

Not applicable.

7.3       Financial impact

There is no financial impact as a result of this report, as Animal Control as a whole is funded 80% fees and charges with 20% being funded by rates as the public good portion.  This public good component covers matters often in relation to animal welfare, or the euthanising of dogs where no owners can be identified, and the dog is not suitable for rehoming, or on the recommendation of a vet.

7.4       Community Engagement requirements

Not applicable for the purpose of this report.

7.5       Risks

No risks have been identified. It is noted that Council will consult on and adopt a separate dog control policy that stands alone in 2023.  This is to ensure that the dog policy and dog control bylaw are individualised reports to guide decision making.

8.               Recommendation

That the Council:

1.         Receives the report.

2.         Adopts the report on Council’s administration of Dog Control practices as set out in section 5 for the period 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022 under section 10A Dog Control Act 1996.

File Number:                 318928

Author:                            Solitaire Robertson, Planning and Regulatory Services Manager

Attachments:                Nil

 


Ordinary Council meeting Agenda

7 December 2022

 

 

7.8        Chief Executive Report

 

1.               Purpose

For the Council to be informed on planned Council operational activities, major projects, and other matters of importance and interest.

2.               Significance

The matters for decision in this report are not considered to be of significance under the Significance and Engagement Policy.

3.               Community services

Community Development

Community Grants - Rural Travel Fund and RSA Grants
Promotional material has been prepared and advertising is booked for December in the Crier (as there is no Crier in January) and in the February Midweek.   The CDC website will be updated with new forms in December when the grants round is opened.

Residents’ information event and Picnic in the Park
Planning is going well for this event which will be held on 10 March 2023. Expressions of interest forms will be distributed prior to Christmas to local organisations inviting them to attend.  The focus is on providing information about social services, sports clubs, and general support for residents both new and existing

Older persons

Work is underway to extend the membership of the group that has oversight of the work of the Positive Ageing Strategy.  The Implementation Group was originally made up of representatives from the three Councils but will now also include representatives from other organisations that work with older people. 

The Positive Ageing Strategy Co-ordinator has been invited to join the steering group for the Nuku Ora Senior Games.  The Wairarapa inaugural Senior Games was planned for last year but was cancelled due to Covid – 19.   The Games is a non-competitive event that provides older adults with the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of fun, light-exercise sports and activities in safe environment, and learn more about the activities which are regularly available in the community. 

The regional membership application to the World Health Organisation Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities will be submitted.  The Mayor of each District has signed a support letter that will accompany the application.

A collaboration between the organisations that support older people with digital support has been brought together by the Positive Ageing Strategy Co-ordinator.  Work to promote the flyer outlining the range of all the digital support services available in the Wairarapa is planned for December.

 

Wairarapa Rangatahi (Youth) Strategy

The Strategy Project Team has completed an assessment of our engagement feedback provided by rangatahi (youth 12–24-years-old). We received over 3000 suggestions relating to the aspirations and needs of rangatahi to make the Wairarapa a region where young people thrive. The Project Team developed a framework to assess the feedback which has resulted in eight priority areas for rangatahi. These will be tested further with the Wairarapa Rangatahi Focus Group (the Focus Group) on 7 December.

The three Councils recruited the Focus Group through our 27 engagement sessions. The Focus Group (25 rangatahi) has representation from across the three districts, [10 rangatahi in the group are based in the Masterton district]. The Focus Group also includes rangatahi with a diverse range of backgrounds including LGBTQIA+, Māori and Pasifika communities.

The Project Team has also completed a review of the 2016 Strategy and has identified that the objectives and goals will all need to be updated based on the rangatahi engagement results. The aim of the revised strategy will be to provide a more rangatahi-centric voice within the document.

The Project Team will report back to the Wairarapa Policy Working Group in early 2023 to share in more detail the feedback results, assessment of the 2016 Strategy, outcomes of the workshop and next steps.

Walking and Cycling

Lunchtime walks at Carrington Park are continuing. Promotional preparation is underway for weekly bike rides starting in January leading up to February Aotearoa Bike month challenge.

Wairarapa Walking Festival
Another successful festival was held 11 – 20 November with a total of 40 walks offered to the community. Ten of the walks were held throughout the Carterton District. This year’s theme was from the mountains to the sea.  The variety of walks offered meant that walks were accessible to all. The walks were held on different times/days of week, with skill levels from beginner to advanced, and from being ticketed to free. 

Eleven of the walks sold out which could be attributed to the thorough promotional campaign which included: NZ Walking and Lifestyle magazine, regional promotion through Destination Wairarapa, newspaper advertising in Palmerston North and Wellington, Midweek and WTA. There was also a significant social media campaign on Facebook and websites. 

Unfortunately, three walks had to be cancelled due to bad weather.

The inaugural walk at Henley Lake with regional Mayors was well attended and included Masterton Mayor Gary Caffell, Mayor Ron Mark, Deputy Mayor Dale Williams, MP Keiran McAnulty, Iwi representatives and Henley Board members.

Zero Waste

This month has provided the opportunity to develop knowledge and understanding of waste management and minimisation services to our newly elected members with a presentation at the joint services meeting at the Carterton Event Centre.

Work is being undertaken with a supplier who has developed a proposal that we are currently reviewing.  The goal is to support the rollout of event waste management requirements in line with the solid waste management bylaw.

We are in the final stages of negotiating a contract to deliver the Zero Waste in School’s programme.  This contract will be held by the Environmental Education for Resources Sustainability Trust who designed the programme. This is a beneficial progression of the delivery of this programme and brings a consistent approach to how the programme is delivered across Aotearoa.

After speaking at the Wai Waste AGM, formative discussion is underway regarding diversifying their operations.  They are exploring composting, collection, and potentially construction and demolition waste.  This has the potential to provide income opportunities, meaning less reliance on funding.

Time has been spent at the transfer station and discussions with the General Manager of Operations of Smart Environmental. The purpose of these meetings was to discuss building collaborative opportunities between the territorial authorities (TA’s), Smart Environmental and the community. Discussions have been encouraging with some positive steps forward. Discussion points have included:

·    Co-Sponsorship of Bins/Hoods and collection from Smart Environmental and council of not-for-profit community events as part of their PR strategy (it will provide a significant reduction in the cost for waste management at these events).

·    Providing a soft plastic collection point at the Carterton transfer station.

·    Small battery recycling 12-month trials at all transfer stations funded through the waste levy. Collection buckets will be onsite mid-December.

·    Presentation from Smart Environmental about organic collection and the container return scheme. Valuable information around the procurement process was obtained and strategic direction during the transition phase. If local TA’s can secure licensing of the container return scheme it could mean the recycling collection service could become rates neutral.

The Wairarapa Waste Minimisation Plan development is gearing up with key dates and timelines provided from Beca, with a busy meeting schedule of co-design workshops from December through to March including behaviour change education focus areas. The draft waste assessment report has now been provided with some significant gaps in data from CDC.

Climate change

Electric Vehicle chargers

Meridian has advised that EV chargers should be operational by Christmas. The chargers will be using the Zero EV charging app and drivers will be required to use the app to start a charging session.  With the app drivers will be able to:

·    Find chargers near them

·    Save frequent chargers for easy navigation

·    Start and monitor their charge

·    Pay for their charging session

·    Track their charging stats and history. 

Our chargers will be part of the largest destination charging network in Aotearoa with over 500 chargers. 


 

Wairarapa Library Service

The Wairarapa Library Service operates as a shared service across four sites in Carterton and South Wairarapa District Councils.

A thank you morning tea was held for Featherston Knitters and the OWLS of Featherston and was attended by approximately 50 people. They were thanked for supplying board books and knitting to put into the library baby packs which are distributed by Plunket to all new-borns in the South Wairarapa and Carterton districts each year. This year 160 baby packs have been given out so far.  

Continuing on the theme of ‘Libraries for life’, November has seen 35 school class visits - a direct result of engagement with all schools and promotion of the teacher/educator borrower card.  A new monthly pilot called Reading Aloud started in Greytown in conjunction with the Greytown Little Theatre. The monthly event features performers reading extracts from their chosen books. 

The Wairarapa Walking Festival saw the opening of a Storywalk in Considine Park, Martinborough. The walk was a collaboration between Wairarapa Library Service (WLS), Friends of Martinborough Library and the Martinborough Menzshed. The initiative celebrates local authors, and plans are already underway for the next development.   

In terms of technology, the WLS app continues to be showcased as library staff work towards encouraging people to self-issue items, thus freeing up staff time from simple transactions.  The two libraries went live with the ability for the public to print wirelessly from their own devices. 

Covid and the current round influenza and other illnesses has been continuing to make everyday operations challenging. The additional pressure of library staff time being used to take rates payments (a SWDC function only which has just finished) further reduced service capacity over this period.  

Coming up in December / January    

With school holidays approaching, libraries are preparing ways to keep young people engaged with reading. Stringbean Puppets are booked for workshops in all sites and Australian author and performer Deano Yipadee is booked or two events in January.  

Events Centre

Events Centre Activities

Since the last report the Event Centre has remained busy with more dance recitals, The Tina Turner Tribute, The Sports Education Trust Hall of Fame dinner, the Fern & Thistle Pipe Band, a number of Wai Word events and local school productions, along with a range of private events and weddings. The Team also helped with ticketing for the Wairarapa Walking Festival.

After a slow winter season, ticket sales have really picked up in the last month, with several shows in late November and early December likely to sell out. Still coming up we have comedian Guy Williams (a show likely to sell out after only four weeks on sale), Limelight Theatre, Dancing Queen: A Tribute to ABBA, A Celtic Christmas, and Monkey Wrench – a Foo Fighters Tribute.

We are well into programming for 2023, and already there are only a few Saturdays still free in the entire year.  We are delighted to see the return of large companies like the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and the Royal New Zealand Ballet next year, as well as welcoming new companies to our venue like Te Moana Arts and Footnote Dance.  The impact of Covid is certainly affecting the theatre and arts community, with Capital E National Theatre for Children recently cancelling their planned North Island tour in 2023 and other companies pulling back to major centres only.  However, we have some exciting plans in the mix, and 2023 promises to be a year of varied and diverse events for all.

In staff news, Joe Samuel has resigned after four years in the events centre team.  Joe has been an asset to our team, and we wish him well for his new adventures in Christchurch.  We have also hired a new Marketing Coordinator, Ashleigh Macleod, who will be starting with us in January. While we are short-staffed, Katrina King will be giving us some additional capacity to assist in running the info centre.  We were also very pleased to welcome back Simon Rayner in the last month after his period of leave.

Sales and Marketing

Facebook & Instagram – Reporting period 15 October – 22 November 2022

·    Reach: The number of people who saw any content from our Carterton Events Centre Pages is up 115% on Facebook and up 114.3% on Instagram since our last report.  These are big increases on our results for the period prior which is very pleasing. 

·    Page and profile visits: The number of times our page was visited (i.e. searched) has decreased -43.5% on Facebook and increased 16.3% on Instagram. 

·    New likes and follows: We’ve increased our page followers on Facebook by 18 (down -70% on the last period) and 31 on Instagram (up 34.8% on the last period).

These statistics are reflective of the fact that in the last month we’ve been putting more focus into Instagram in order to increase our audience. It’s very encouraging to see engagement lifting along with our follower count.

Mailchimp

Our Email newsletter is always a great way to connect directly with our audience.  In the past 30 days our audience has grown by 26 Subscribers. Across the newsletters sent in the past month we achieved an average open rate of 43% which is well above the average according to Mailchimp’s data.

Facilities and maintenance

·    Work on the auditorium’s air conditioning system has been completed.

·    Replacement of end-of-life fluorescents at the main office has been completed.

·    The clock tower lights have arrived. Programming offsite has begun and installation work will be underway as soon as programming completed.

·    Auditorium winch system upgrade – the winches are currently in Wellington. We are having to co-ordinate free days in auditorium along with contractor availability to allow the install.

A major flooding incident took place at 29 Holloway Street (premises opposite the CDC offices that are owned by Council) during recent heavy weather. A temporary repair to an internal drain has been installed which was followed by a further small flood, and subsequent repair.  The Parks & Reserves team stepped up to help out the Salvation Army move furniture and storage shelving around to assist with drying the carpets and building.  Both Wai Art and the Salvation Army are able to operate normally from the site again. 

We are working with our insurance assessors and obtaining advice on the next steps for the building.  This will include building and remedial works assessments along with quotes for re-roofing and groundworks/external drainage.  We anticipate bringing the assessments and options for the building to Ordinary Council early in the New Year.

 

Parks and Reserves

Reserves

The street bed gardens have had their seasonal change over with summer annuals.  Geranium, petunias, impatiens, begonia and salvia make up the bulk of the displays. Memorial Square has been planted with impatiens with the intention of retaining a colourful display for Anzac Day 2023.

The spring flush has increased the pressure on our mowing team with the 2 front mounted mowers operating full time.

The weed spraying programme is ongoing in order to maintain levels of service. Bio herbicide spraying and steaming are the main methods currently used. Spring weather conditions have affected our ability to address all concerns so we are behind in our spraying programme. 

New hanging baskets have been purchased to replace the older styles, and we are in the process of refreshing the hanging basket display. The size of the baskets has been slightly reduced to enable safer handing for all involved. Some irrigation repairs and maintenance will be undertaken during this operation.

All the CBD municipal lawns have been sprayed with Versatill selective broadleaf herbicide to eliminate turf weeds and to help maintain the grass sward.

The Xmas festive lights are ready to be put up in town – they should be operational by December.

Work continues at Ngātawhai Reserve with the fencing expected to be completed in January, after a wet winter put development operations on hold until the ground became firmer.

CDC has received funding from Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment to develop a Freedom Camping Bylaw.  We will work with external providers and seek feedback from other Councils to help draft the initial proposal, which will come to Council (initially Projects and Policy) for review before public consultation.  The Bylaw will need to be adopted by Ordinary Council in accordance with the Local Government Act.

Nursery

The Manuka growing trials continue with advanced seedlings being moved into the larger tunnel house. 

The Keep Carterton Beautiful Group (KCBG) were involved with planting the baskets. The baskets are held in the nursery for a couple of weeks in order to settle in before being put up on the shop verandas.

Parks

The power box distribution board at Carrington Park has been upgraded with an additional 32amp outlet to accommodate future events. 

The witches hat fall zone has been upgraded with the soft pour rubber safety surface. In December soft pour surfacing will be upgraded at the south end of the park beneath the octopus.

At Sparks Park we have planted several fuchsia plants.  Work continues on the toilet installation. Harder ground conditions will enable us to move the structure from where it currently sits to its new site.

 

 

Swimming Pool

The pool fence has been painted by KCGB, power has been installed to the kiosk, pool operations have been completed with the pool opening on Saturday 26 November. 

Molly’s Slide has been installed and the opening took place on Friday 25 November.  The background to the slide is that in 2021 Molly O’Dwyer wrote a letter to Councillors considering the Long-Term Plan, requesting that the slide be upgraded. Molly collected signatures to support her idea and presented her ideas to Council.  Molly was successful through this process and received the seed funding towards the project.  She then led a team to run fundraisers, apply for funding and brought the community along with her on the journey.  Molly’s confidence and initiative has seen the successful installation of her vision.  Molly’s slide has been made possible thanks to generous grants from Ka Pai Carterton, CDC, Trust House and many community donations. 

 

Cemetery

A new berm is being constructed on the Pet section to increase future capacity.

A new burial berm is being constructed in the new lawn area to accommodate future burials.

4.               Regulatory and Planning

Resource Management Reform

On 10 February 2021 the Government confirmed its intent to repeal and replace the RMA, and set out a work programme for the initial stages of the review. The Reform package broadly accepts the recommendations of the Resource Management Review Panel in its June 2020 report on “new directions for resource management in New Zealand”.

It is likely that transition provisions will be developed to ensure that the planning standards, other national direction and the RMA as a whole remain in effect until their replacements are developed. This is likely to take several additional years (beyond 2022).

The government has advised that in the interim, Councils should continue with business as usual, and any plan review work should place a particular emphasis on reviewing the performance of their plans and establishing implementation practices that could be carried over into a future system.

The Government plans to repeal the Resource Management Act and enact three new pieces of legislation this parliamentary term. The new laws are the:

·    Spatial Planning Act (SPA) which requires the development of long-term regional spatial strategies to help coordinate and integrate decisions made under relevant legislation

·    Natural and Built Environment Act (NBA), the main replacement for the RMA, to protect and restore the environment while better enabling development

·    Climate Adaptation Act (CAA) to address complex issues associated with managed retreat, and funding and financing climate adaptation.

The Natural and Built Environment Bill (NBE Bill) and Spatial Planning Bill (SP Bill) were introduced to Parliament in November 2022. 

The Climate Change Adaptation Bill is likely to follow in 2023.

National and Built Environments Act (NBA)

The NBA will be the primary piece of legislation to replace the Resource Management Act (RMA). Like the RMA, the NBA will be an integrated statute for land use and environmental protection. The National and Built Environments (NBE) Bill also set out how the environment is to be protected and enhanced. It will specify positive outcomes to be promoted for the natural and built environments. This is a shift from the RMA which focuses on managing adverse effects rather than achieving positive outcomes. These limits, targets and outcomes will be provided by the National Planning Framework, a key component of the NBE Bill, that consolidates what is known as ’national direction’ in the existing resource management system (i.e. existing National Policy Statements, National Environmental Standards, etc.)

The new NBE Bill requires anyone exercising powers, functions or duties under the Act to give effect to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and recognise Te Ao Māori. Under the current legislation, decision-makers are only required to 'take into account' those principles.  Te Oranga o Te Taiao is an integral concept in the new NBE Bill. It is an intergenerational ethic that emphasises the importance of the health and wellbeing of te taiao (the environment) for current and future generations.

The new NBE Bill consolidates planning documents into a single Natural and Built Environment Plan (NBE Plan) for each region. NBE plans will have similar functions to those performed by regional policy statements, and district and regional plans under the current system, in regulating land use and natural resource use in each region through rules and policies. 

Spatial Planning Act

The Spatial Planning Act (SPA) will provide a more strategic and coordinated approach to long-term regional planning. It will require spatial planning at the regional level through the development of regional spatial strategies (RSSs).

Regional spatial strategies will see central government, local government and Māori working together, in consultation with the community, to identify how their region will grow, adapt and change over the next thirty-plus years. They will focus on significant issues and opportunities facing the region.

Regional spatial strategies will set out a vision and objectives to guide a region’s development accompanied by a set of priority actions to turn the vision into a reality. They will identify areas that:

·    are suitable for development

·    may require protection, improvement and restoration

·    require infrastructure

·    are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change and natural hazards.

The NBE Bill requires Regional Planning Committees to be established in each region, comprising members from local government, Māori, and central government (though central government members only participate in relation to RSS).

Regional Planning Committees will be established as committees of all councils in the region. They will be stewards of RSS and NBE plans under the new system. A Regional Planning Committee will prepare RSS and NBE plans covering every local authority in the region, with local authorities retaining responsibility for implementing and administering NBE plans.

Under the current resource management system, district plans are required to be reviewed every 10 years. With the current timeline, the new Wairarapa Combined District Plan would serve most of its statutory term before being replaced with an NBE plan. In addition, the updated data, analysis, and new provisions prepared for the Wairarapa Combined District Plan will help inform the new NBE plan.

 



Building services

The building department had IANZ (International Accreditation New Zealand) on site from 31 October to 3 November to determine compliance with the requirements of the Building (Accreditation of Building Consent Authorities) Regulations 2006.

The assessment identified that the Building Consent Authority (BCA) had well established systems that were working well for the BCA. Files were easily locatable during the assessment which pointed to a well-structured system. BCA management exhibited a strong commitment towards implementing their systems and procedures to the best of their ability. The assessment identified 5 General Non-Compliances (GNC’s), 2 of which were resolved onsite prior to IANZ leaving. As a result of this assessment our next assessment will not be until 2024.

The BCA’s risk, both to the Territorial Authority, as a BCA and also as an organisation accredited by IANZ was assessed. The BCA was considered to pose a Low Risk. The Risk Decision table is displayed below for reference.

 

High risk

A non-functioning BCA - depending on extent and type of risk and agreed management method.

E.g. there is a pattern of failure to follow a policy, procedure or system (PPS) by a single or multiple employees, and/or that the PPS had not been consistently and effectively implemented.

Some form of monitoring within 6 months

Medium risk

The BCA is not currently compliant and is unlikely to demonstrate substantial compliance at the next assessment, or there was a failure to implement PPS over two or more assessment cycles.

1 year

Low risk

“Normal” risk (the BCA is likely to remain substantially compliant over the next two years).

2 years

Extra Low risk

The BCA is almost fully compliant and likely to remain that way.

Reduced monitoring at next 2 yearly assessment

 

The main reasons for considering this risk category were:

·    Good systems were in place with implementation at an acceptable level.

·    Low number of GNCs raised.

·    Sn experienced and committed management team.

The team is to be congratulated on this result as it demonstrates to management, elected members and our ratepayers that the department is functioning well and that our decision-making and processes are well documented and compliant with the legislative requirements.

Wairarapa Combined District Plan Review

The draft District Plan was released for public feedback on the 25 October 2022 and is open until 6 December 2022.  Council officers provided the public with the opportunity to provide feedback at community drop-in sessions in all five towns, and both days of the Wairarapa A & P Show.  There has been a presentation on the draft plan to a combined planners forum and the first Combined Council forum for the new triennium.

The District Plan sets out rules for land use and subdivision in Wairarapa. It must provide for growth balanced against our desired environmental outcomes. The draft District Plan has been prepared to give the community an additional opportunity to provide feedback before the proposed plan is released for formal consultation in 2023.

The topics included in the plan are listed below

·   Rural Subdivision

With the anticipated population growth, it is important to protect land for primary production.

Two zones are proposed to ensure that primary production activities remain prioritised, while allowing for rural living on smaller lots in appropriate locations.

Land used for primary production is protected as a priority.

Minimum lot sizes have been increased where primary production occurs to reflect subdivision that would be anticipated.

Lot sizes for rural living have been decreased to reflect the low-density residential living that is demanded of lifestyle blocks.

·   Urban Growth and Housing

Providing for urban growth areas.

Enabling higher residential densities in central urban areas.

Revising development standards to achieve a balance between growth and residential amenity.

Requiring rainwater collection tanks (5,000L min) for any new dwelling in the residential zones.

·   Heritage sites for protection

Key differences between the Operative Plan and the Draft District Plan include:

Demolition of any heritage building or item is a discretionary activity (requires resource consent).

Different rules apply to scheduled buildings and items versus scheduled precincts to make the rules easier to follow.

Some items are proposed to be removed from the existing heritage schedule.

·   Natural Hazards

Changes to the data and modelling available for various types of natural hazards has been assessed, and new provisions have been proposed where appropriate.

New and updated fault lines/traces along with previously mapped faults have been identified.

Rules have been developed to apply to newly identified potentially liquefaction-prone land.

Flood hazard mapping is being developed by GWRC and will be incorporated into the Proposed Plan.

New rules are proposed for areas subject to flooding which restrict the use of land within these areas.

Restrictions on the use and subdivision of land within 50m of the coastline continue to apply.

 

·   Tāngata Whenua

The draft District Plan aims to enable land use and development of Māori land to support the economic, social and cultural wellbeing of Māori. The Draft District Plan recognises Te Ao Māori by:

Enabling tangata whenua to exercise kaitiakitanga to carry out customary activities

Providing for papakāinga and marae

Protecting important cultural and historic heritage sites identified by tangata whenua.

·   Climate Change and Resilience

The draft District Plan will enable Wairarapa to adapt to better protect itself against climate change effects. Changes include:

Updated flood hazard mapping being prepared by GWRC will incorporate expected climate change effects

New rules protecting the foreshore and coastline from sea level rise

Requiring rainwater collection tanks for any new dwelling in the residential zones

Allowing for more renewable electricity generation.

·   Energy

The Draft District Plan provides more clarity for the management of energy as well as technology- specific provisions for renewable energy generation including wind and solar generation. It allows for development of small and community scale generation where effects can be appropriately managed.

·   Town Centres/Neighbourhood Shop/Commercial Areas

The Existing Commercial Zone will be replaced by Neighbourhood Centre, Mixed Use and Town Centre Zones.

The new Town Centre Zones will function as the commercial and community hubs for their surrounding residential and rural communities.

The new Neighbourhood Centre Zone provides for small-scale convenience-based business and retail activities that serve day to day needs of the local neighbourhood.

The Mixed Use Zone provides for a mixture of commercial, light industrial, residential, recreational and community activities.

·   Industrial Areas

The General Industrial Zone provides for a range of industrial activities. Industrial activities contained within this zone are an important resource for Wairarapa’s social and economic wellbeing.

 

 

·   Open Spaces/Reserves

The Draft District Plan introduces three new Open Space and Recreation Zones to distinguish between parks and reserves and the range of recreational activities they offer.

The Natural Open Space Zone applies to areas with environmental values and low level development e.g. forest parks. 

The Open Space Zone applies to areas used for recreational activities including parks, playgrounds, community facilities.

The Sport and Active Recreation Zone provides for a range of sport and recreation activities e.g. sportsgrounds.

·   Papa kāinga and Māori purpose Zone

Papa kāinga refers to development of community-oriented housing where Māori can actively maintain and enhance their culture and traditions, supporting their economic, social, and cultural wellbeing. A new Māori Purpose Zone will enable iwi and hapū to live on, use, and develop ancestral land. Papa kāinga will be enabled across residential and rural zones.

·   Quarries

Aggregate remains in high demand nationally. Due to its low value and high bulk transport costs, the preference is to source locally where possible. The Draft District Plan continues to allow for farm quarries as permitted activities in rural areas. All other quarrying activities will require resource consent ensuring appropriate measures are in place to manage any noise, traffic, dusts and visual impacts.

·   Natural Environment (Indigenous Biodiversity, Natural Features and Landscapes, Natural Character and Public Access.

The Draft District Plan seeks to recognise and protect Natural Environment Values of significance in Wairarapa, provided through the Indigenous Biodiversity; Natural Features and Landscapes; Natural Character; and Public Access Chapters. The Draft District Plan uses overlays to provide protection in certain areas where particular values restrict some activities. The overlays are:

Significant Natural Areas: areas of very low-level of development to protect significant indigenous biodiversity values.

Outstanding Natural Features and Landscapes: areas of low-level development to protect the natural landscapes and natural features of significance to Wairarapa.

Significant Waterbodies: developments within the margins of significant waterbodies are carefully managed to ensure significant values of the identified waterbodies are not degraded.

 

 

·   Coastal Areas

A new specific Coastal Environment Chapter contains rules to protect the special values and characteristics of Wairarapa’s coastal areas and coastline. The following overlays manage these particular values and characteristics:

Coastal Environment: the full extent of land containing coastal values and characteristics.

Very High and High Natural Character: areas requiring low-level development to enable the protection of natural character.

Outstanding Natural Character: areas requiring low-level development to protect the natural character.

Foreshore Protection Area: areas vulnerable to coastal erosion and development to be avoided.

·   Hazardous Substances and Contaminated Land

The Hazardous Substances Chapter contains provisions to manage storage and use of hazardous substances.

The Contaminated Land Chapter contains objectives and policies to guide decisions involving contaminated soil. Rules are covered by the National Environmental Standards.

·   Network Utilities/Infrastructure

The Draft District Plan includes:

Policies and rules to require undergrounding of new network utilities in all areas where practical and reasonable.

Policies and rules to encourage undergrounding of existing network utilities in urban areas.

New provisions seeking the protection of the National Grid from development.

Giving effect to national direction instruments, clarifying the relationship between the District Plan and other infrastructure regulations.

·   Transport

Wairarapa’s transport infrastructure is made up of roads, state highways, pedestrian and cycle networks, the rail network, and Hood Aerodrome. The Draft District Plan includes a Transport Chapter containing rules to manage effects of transport on the environment of land use and development on the transport network. The Draft District Plan supports a multi-modal transport system including pedestrians, cyclists, public transport, freight vehicles and private passenger vehicles. Updated standards align with best practice.

·   Noise

The Draft District Plan Noise Chapter includes:

Noise limits for construction activities

Rules to manage noise effects on dwellings while protecting the operation of State Highways, Hood Aerodrome and satellite commercial helicopter bases.

Noise insulation requirements for residential living in commercial and industrial areas.

Noise limits for temporary events.

·   Light

The Draft District Plan Light Chapter includes:

Application of the Dark Sky Plan Change rules to Masterton (existing rules apply to Carterton and South Wairarapa).

Requirements for artificial lighting to be of a warm colour including light shield. Changes allow for lights to be installed in public places, reducing unnecessary light pollution.

·   Signs

Signs are important for promoting businesses, community facilities, other activities and for wayfinding and safety. Location and design of signs need to be managed. The draft District looks to strengthen some rules around certain signage.

5.               Infrastructure services

Water Operations

Aerator Trial

We are now trialling a new aerator on pond 1. The aerator is working well and should have a positive effect to odours

WWTP Odours

The ponds rely on a fine balance of biochemistry to stop bad odours from travelling most of the time in the waste stabilisation ponds. There are two distinct layers within ponds, anaerobic (no oxygen) on the bottom layer and aerobic on the top layer. The lower layer is made of solids accumulated over time in the bottom of each pond where they are slowly consumed by microbes. These microbes produce bad odours which are consumed as they pass through the aerobic layer.

However, if that balance is removed by weather changes or chemicals or high loads in the network, it will impact the ponds upsetting the aerobic layer and allowing the bad odours to get to the surface.

Pond 1 is the most likely to be affected because it receives the overflows when the inlet works get overwhelmed and the lower anaerobic layer is the greatest.

The team is currently investigating treatment options of sludge (bottom layer) in the ponds.

Roading

Emergency works

The roading team is making good progress with repairs of the weather damage earlier this year. We have completed the 1st dropout and are now on the 2nd already using roughly 280 ton of lime rock boulders to date. We are also in the process of replacing 9 culverts on Arawhata Hill (Te Wharau Road). While replacing the culverts we are increasing capacity and improving the alignment to ensure better stormwater management. 

 

Image – Dropout repair using Lime Rock boulders, geotextiles, sub-soil drainage and traditional benching.

Image – new culverts with improved alignment

Improving Resilience

The team has been working with GWRC to develop a planting plan for Te Wharau Road in order to improve resilience to the network. We are planning to plant at least 850 Poplar tree poles in Autumn 2023.

The establishment of these trees brings significant benefits in terms of slope stability and ground water uptake. Improving resilience will have a significant positive impact on future maintenance cost and environmental impacts. 

Image – Te Wharau Road planting plan

This resilience work aligns with a recent Wairarapa Road Vulnerability study completed by WSP on behalf of Wairarapa Engineering Lifelines Association (WELA). The study identified Te Wharau Road as one of CDC’s most vulnerable roads.

Waka Kotahi Interim State Highway Speed Management Plan 2023 - 2024 - Consultation

Waka Kotahi’s Interim Speed Management Plan (ISMP) is currently out for consultation and closes on the 12 December 2022. We intend to make a submission on the proposed ISMP. From our review of the proposed ISMP we have identified one aspect that directly affects CDC.

The Waka Kotahi proposed plan has failed to identify South End School as a high-risk area, which we would expect to have a variable speed limit. We will bring this omission to the attention of Waka Kotahi through the submission process.  

Roading Data Quality improvements

Even though continuous improvement of data quality is business as usual, the team made a great effort during the last 12 months and reaped the rewards. Our score has improved from 77 last year to 94 this year. CDC is currently 2nd highest score in the Wellington region with Wellington City Council (with their dedicated RAMM team) taking home the top honours.  


 

Summer students

Henry Nelson and Michael Chapman have recently started with Carterton District Council as summer students in the infrastructure team.  They have been working on a variety of physical and analytical tasks ranging from vacuuming the swimming pools, help fixing water tobies, asset and data management and analysing is our ageing wastewater network.

Through the summer, we expect them to understand what it is like to work for CDC and also gain some corporate skills such as coming into work on time, doing timesheets, health and safety risk assessments before going in the field which they can then carry forward into their future professional lives. 

One of the major pieces of work of they are helping with, is reviewing our wastewater CCTV information and condition assessment reports to create a visual representation of areas with poorly graded wastewater pipes. This work will inform the infrastructure team to when developing the forward works program.

Below is a snapshot of areas where CCTV videos have shown active infiltration. Their work through this summer will highlight more areas as they review data.  During this process the students learnt how to rate a pipe’s condition in accordance with Water NZ’s pipe inspection manual.  There was some maths involved in rating these pipes which bust their myth about not needing maths outside school.

Note that the red lines indicate normal Wastewater infrastructure, with yellow indicating a poor condition.

Image – Summer student condition assessment

Wellington Region Waste Management and Minimisation plan 2023-2029

We are currently working with the Wellington regional councils to review the current Wellington Region Waste Management and Minimisation Plan. Porirua City Council is taking the lead with the assistance of Becca as professional service.

Attached is the Porirua City Council Officer’s report for their Council meeting on 15 December 2022 where they are seeking a recommendation to development of a new Wellington Region Waste Management and Minimisation Plan (2023-2029) – Attachment 1.

6.           Corporate Services

Finance

The finance team is beginning work on the 2023/24 Annual Plan with budget holders. This includes reviewing the year 3 projects and operational costs in the 10-Year Plan, as well as fees and charges. Several workshops are planned with elected members over the next few months to work through the annual plan process, with the first workshops already held.

The final audit of the 2021/22 draft Annual Report is currently underway. The draft, unaudited annual report was presented to, and endorsed by, the Audit and Risk Committee at the extraordinary meeting on 29 September.

As previously discussed with Council, as required under the Local Government Act 2022 the annual report would usually be adopted by the end of October. However, this year (as with last year) the government has extended the statutory deadline to the end of December due to a national shortage in auditors. Once Audit NZ has completed the audit, the annual report will be adopted by Council. Timing of the adoption is uncertain at this stage, though a placeholder for an additional council meeting on 21 December has been pencilled in as a possible adoption date if we have audit clearance by then.

Communications and engagement

Campaigns

·    ‘Water ya doing?!’- our water restrictions campaign and kicking off a competition with water conservation related prizes.

·    Promoting the Draft Wairarapa Combined District Plan engagement, the Wairarapa Walking Festival, launch of Molly’s slide, and promoting the Christmas Parade.

·    Publication of the Residents Guide 2022-25 (released Wednesday 30 November).

Media requests (excluding LGOIMAs)

Date received

Media outlet

Topic

Date Responded

24/10/2022

LDR

Code of conduct

24/10/2022

2/11/2022

WTA

Alcohol reforms, number of on & off licences

2/11/2022

2/11/2022

LDR/WTA

Lowering of the voting age

2/11/2022

4/11/2022

WTA

Guy Fawkes

4/11/2022

4/11/2022

WTA

Rutland Road speed change

4/11/2022

8/11/2022

WTA

Leaking pipes/water restrictions

9/11/2022

11/11/2022

LDR/WTA

Walking Festival

11/11/2022

16/11/2022

WTA

RMA reform

16/11/2022

23/11/2022

WTA

Christmas parade

23/11/2022

23/11/2022

WTA

LGOIMA bill questions

24/11/2022

23/11/2022

WTA

Wastewater ponds

23/11/2022

24/11/2022

WTA

Molly's slide

24/11/2022

 

7.               People and Wellbeing

Our People

The main focus for the reporting period, has been responding to the combined impacts of adverse weather across the district, COVID-19 and seasonal illnesses, and staff vacancies.

Extreme winter weather conditions have continued into spring, keeping our operational and customer service teams under pressure.  Service demands have not only been to address road and water network impacts but also to our own infrastructure, particularly severe inundation at the Waste Water Treatment Plant and Dog Pound facilities.

We have experienced another COVID-19 wave during October and November, fortunately however, the occurrences have usually only been 2-3 cases at any one time, meaning teams have continued to function well.  We continue with our safety protocols and risk mitigations to manage COVID-19 impacts including staff regularly RAT testing, working from home if symptomatic or close contacts, maintaining distancing where possible, and ensuring good hygiene habits.

A number of teams have been busy covering staff vacancies.  4 roles have recently been filled with 2 currently being advertised.

Health & Safety (H&S)

For this period, incidents were reported as follows:

·    0 near miss reports

·    4 incidents causing damage

·    1 incident resulting in minor injury

The lack of ‘near miss’ reporting, combined with reports of damage, is of concern.  The H&S Committee, Leaders Roopu, and Executive Management Team are aware of the issue, and are communicating the importance to staff, and encouraging reporting.

Staff Wellbeing

Staff wellbeing remains one of our ‘Top 5 Risks’ with ongoing pressures and uncertainty driven by a number of factors including COVID-19 impacts, staff vacancies, adverse weather, and local government reforms.

Our managers and team leaders are acutely aware of these pressures on their teams, and are actively checking in with staff, encouraging periods of leave, and rearranging priorities where possible.  We also have 5 fixed term staff supporting our Operations Teams over this busy time.

8.               MAJOR PROJECT UPDATES

Frederick Street Water Treatment Plant upgrade

Treatment programming is 95% complete with minor works left on the VSDs. If the weather is optimal we should see the end of the original project within the next few weeks.

Water Storage Tanks

The tank construction is now 90% complete with a few panels still outstanding.

WWTP

The Waste water treament ponds are progressing well. Due to the weather sensitivity of of the leak detection, the team has gone away and are planning to be back around 12 December. All newly detected faults have been repaired on the go.

The intake pipes have now been connected to the main line.

Image – intake pipe

 

The outfall pump station has now been connected to the reservoir outlet pipes and the outfall pipeline. These works where only scheduled to be delivered next year, but due to contractor availability we have made great progress.

 

Reservoir outlet pipeReservoir outlet pipeOutfall pipeline

 

The WWTP Project is scheduled to reach practical completion at the end of the fiscal year i.e. 30 June 2023.  We anticipate at this time we will better understand the cost for completing the Phase 2 works, remedial repairs and additional claims against the main contractor CHB Earthworks. We will progress our claim against the contractor in earnest once this information is to hand. 

Additionally, management has reviewed the costs to date and the forecast to bring the project to practical completion.  We anticipate total project costs as shown below:

Project stage

Cost (life to date)

Forecast remaining spend

Total forecast spend

Total Project Budget

Stages One and Two

7,654,348

0

7,654,348

 

Stage Three

5,144,065

1,106,772

6,250,837

 

Remedial, contingencies, legal, other

300,993

746,271

1,047,264

 

 Total

$13,099,406

$1,853,043

$14,952,449

$14,612,447

 

The table above shows a potential forecast overrun of $340k. However, within the total forecast budget there are several items which may not eventuate, as well as the likelihood of recovering significant costs from CHB.  This includes the following:

·    Potential extension of time costs (related to mudfish delay) of $428k factored into the forecast, which Council may be required to pay. 

·    Legal fees of $220k in the Forecast remaining spend which may not be required.

·    Approximately $320k in costs related to remedial work on the liner which we expect to be able to recover. Will also pursue additional cost recoveries (e.g. legal costs).

·    Retentions of $125k which we expect to keep, reducing the amount to be paid.

Management will continue to provide updates to Council as the project is completed and we gain more certainty around these elements.

9.               other initiatives

Vesting part former State Highway 2 in Carterton District Council

NZ Transport Agency (Waka Kotahi) is vesting part of the former State Highway 2 road at Ahikouka, south of Carterton as shown below:

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In the early 1960s the Waka Kotahi predecessor, the National Roads Board, undertook State Highway 2 deviation works in and round Matarawa Road (formerly Swamp Road), Carterton.

Following completion of the revised alignment, the former State Highway Road remained as a legal road for the purposes of providing access to the adjoining properties that were not allocated crossing places onto the new State Highway 2 alignment.

Section 1 includes two main parts.  The northern most part is legal access for the rear property, which is hapū owned land.  The second part dissects the hapū land.  Management will investigate returning these sections of land to hapū where this is possible, along with section 6, which is whenua surrounding the urupā. 

Two parts of the old State Highway (#2 and #5 above) are required to be set apart for stream diversion.  These two sections, potentially along with sections 3 & 4 may be transferred to Greater Wellington Regional Council once the Road Stopping process has been completed by Council.

Management anticipates the Road Stopping process may take up to two years, once the land is vested in Council.

10.             Considerations

10.1    Climate change

Considerations have been noted in the report, as appropriate.

10.2    Tāngata whenua

Considerations have been noted in the report, as appropriate.

10.3    Financial impact

Considerations have been noted in the report, as appropriate.

10.4    Community Engagement requirements

Considerations have been noted in the report, as appropriate.

10.5    Risks

Considerations have been noted in the report, as appropriate.

11.             Recommendation

That the Council:

1.         Receives the report.

File Number:                 319298

Author:                            Geoff Hamilton, Chief Executive

Attachments:                1.         Waste Management and Minimisation Plan Review Council Report  

 


Ordinary Council meeting Agenda

7 December 2022

 


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Ordinary Council meeting Agenda

7 December 2022

 

 

7.9        Meeting Schedule for January to December 2023

 

1.               Purpose

For the council to approve the schedule of Council and Committee meetings for the period January 2023 to December 2023.

2.               Significance

The matters for decision in this report are not considered to be of significance under the Significance and Engagement Policy.

3.               Background

The Council decides its meeting schedule ahead of the next calendar year.  Meeting dates are then published, which is a requirement of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act.  Meeting dates are displayed on the Council’s website.

4.               proposed dates for the council and committee meetings

The Council has opted to have Committee and Council meetings primarily on a Wednesday. 

In line with the previous recommendation made by Council for July to be free of meetings, there are no meetings planned for July 2023.

The local shared meetings have had input from democratic services in Masterton District Council and South Wairarapa District Council Democratic Services staff and have been agreed.

 

The agreed LGNZ Zone 4 meetings have been included in the calendar, as well as the GWRC meetings (Regional Transport Committee, Wellington Regional Leadership Committee and the Civil Defence Emergency meetings).

The proposed meeting schedule for 2023 is outlined in Attachment 1.

Key:

(for those meetings with abbreviations in the schedule)

·    Gov Gp = Governance group meeting

·    A&R = Audit and Risk Committee meeting

·    P&P = Policy and Projects Committee

·    WRLC = Wellington Regional Leadership Committee

·    CDEM = Civil Defence Emergency Meeting

·    RTC = Regional Transport Committee

·    WREMO = Wellington Region Emergency Management Office (training)

 


 

4.1       Council

The Ordinary Council meetings will be held on an approximately six-weekly schedule starting at 1.00pm except for the March meeting which will start at 4.00pm to allow the Youth Council to attend after school.

4.2       Policy and Projects Committee

The Policy and Projects Committee will continue to meet approximately eight-weekly on a Wednesday, starting at 9am.

5. 3     Audit and Risk Committee

The Audit and Risk Committee traditionally meets quarterly.  The dates proposed are timed to allow the Committee to consider annual planning and reporting matters. 

It is proposed the Audit and Risk Committee meetings continue to start at 9.30am. 

5.4      Water Race Committee

The Water Race Committee continues to meet quarterly.  It is proposed that meetings continue to start at 9.30am. 

5.5      Investment Committee

This is a new Committee formed by Council with the first meeting to be held in 2023. It is proposed these meetings are held on the same day as the Audit and Risk Committee meeting, beginning at 1pm.

5.               Other meetings

The Council has several other regular meetings, including advisory groups, the Wairarapa Combined Councils, and others.  These will be included in the year’s calendar of meetings, but the dates for those meetings are not required to be formally adopted so do not appear in this report.

6.               Notifying meetings

Following adoption of the annual schedule of meetings, the schedule will be available on the Carterton District Council website and also at the CDC reception and library. In addition, as per the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987, on approximately the 20th of the month the meetings for the following month are advertised in the Wairarapa Times Age.


 

7.               CONSIDERATIONS

7.1       Climate change

There are no climate change considerations.

7.2       Tāngata whenua

Iwi representatives will be invited to the Committee and Council meetings. There are no specific tāngata whenua considerations in relation to the decision in this paper.

7.3       Financial impact

There are no financial impacts.

7.4       Community Engagement requirements

Meeting dates will be advertised as required by legislation. There are no further community engagement requirements related to this decision.

7.5       Risks

No other risks identified.

 

8.               Recommendation

That the Council:

1.         Receives the report.

2.         Adopts the schedule of meetings for January to December 2023 as outlined in Attachment 1.

3.         Notes that meeting dates and/or times may be changed by agreement with the Chair and the Chief Executive and will be advertised as required by the Act.

File Number:                 141490

Author:                            Kelly Vatselias, Corporate Services Manager

Attachments:                1.         Proposed Meeting Schedule 2023  

 


Ordinary Council meeting Agenda

7 December 2022

 


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Ordinary Council meeting Agenda

7 December 2022

 

 

7.10      Reporting on non-financial performance - Quarter 1 2022

 

1.               Purpose

For the Council to consider the results of non-financial performance (also called service performance) of Council.

2.               Significance

The matters for decision in this report are not considered to be of significance under the Significance and Engagement Policy.

3.               Background

4.               Significance

The matters for decision in this report are not considered to be of significance under the Significance and Engagement Policy.

5.               Background

The Council has financial and non-financial measures in the Ten-Year Plan, against which it must report at least annually.  This is done in the Annual Report.   

Reporting progress throughout the year enables issues to be identified and addressed in a timely manner, rather than waiting until the year end results are known.  In this way the Council is more likely to meet its performance targets, or address any issues which may be identified.

6.               Discussion

The attached schedule sets out the service performance achieved over the period from July to September 2022, the first quarter of the 2022/23 financial year. 

Overall, this shows continuing processes and performance at the levels shown in 2021/22, with some improvements shown.  For example, improvements to potable water reticulation have reduced water losses within the system to 22% currently, from 38% in 2020/21.

There is room for continued improvement in response to service requests within 24 hours, though this quarter has shown an improvement to 2022 results with 83% of requests acknowledged within 24 hours, compared to 56% for 2022.

Gaps in data for water treatment plants have meant non-compliance with drinking water standards. Work is being completed to address this issue.

Average water consumption per resident per day of 398.1 litres is within the target of ≤400 litres, however it is very close to the limit. The water restrictions campaign is about to begin, and residents will be encouraged to conserve water over the summer months, with restrictions in place as required.

7.               CONSIDERATIONS

7.1       Climate change

Non-financial reporting may indicate the implications of climate change in the context of specific Council activities. There are no climate change considerations in regard to the decisions in this report.

7.2       Tāngata whenua

Aspects of non-financial reporting are likely to be of specific interest to tāngata whenua. There are no specific considerations in regard to the decisions in this report.

7.3       Financial impact

Reporting on non-financial performance reflects past or current activity inherently covered by existing financial planning.  If financial implications arise as consequence to non-financial reporting, these will be addressed separately.

7.4       Community Engagement requirements

No community engagement requirements.

7.5       Risks

Any risks arising from non-financial performance reporting will be identified and addressed.

8.               Recommendation

That the Council:

1.         Receives the report.

File Number:                 317992

Author:                            Kelly Vatselias, Corporate Services Manager

Attachments:                1.         Non-financial performance measure quarterly results - September 2022  

 


Ordinary Council meeting Agenda

7 December 2022

 


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Ordinary Council meeting Agenda

7 December 2022

 

 

7.11      Financial report for the 3 months ended 30 September 2022

 

1.               Purpose

To present the financial results to Council for the financial year to 30 September 2022.

2.               Significance

The matters for decision in this report are not considered to be of significance under the Significance and Engagement Policy.

3.               Background

Quarterly reports are provided to the Council at its Ordinary meetings that coincide with the end of the financial period and reflect the output of internal management reporting.

4.               FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Financial statements for the year to 30 September 2022 are in Attachment 1.

They include:

·    Statement of financial performance

·    Statement of financial position

These statements include variances from budgets as approved in the Annual Plan and as amended by Council or by the Chief Executive under delegated authority.

Most budgets have been phased across months within the year by dividing by 12. The most significant exceptions are wages, which are based on payrolls per month, and rates which is based on rates instalment dates

Overall, the council has recorded an operating surplus of $1.1m for the quarter ended 30 September 2022.

 

 


 

As illustrated below, Council is tracking close to expectation in expenditure and in income.

 


 

The table below sets out the detail of the expenditure and revenue for the period.

 

 

 

 

 

5.               SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITY VARIANCES

As the table above indicates, we are generally pleased with financial performance to date. Expenditure is slightly below budget and revenue is slightly above budget.

Overall, our view based on the data to 30 September 2022, is that operationally we will meet budget.

 

5.1       OPERATING INCOME

Generally, revenue is slightly ahead of budget, some things of note:

·    Grants and subsidies are behind budget this is due to expected grant funding budgets not being put in the period income is likely to be received, as this is unknown at the time of writing this report.

·    Development contributions are well ahead of budget due to increased development. It should be noted the revenue received from contributions is held in special reserves and used for capex.

·    Recoveries income is ahead of budget these are costs recovered from     MDC and SWDC for the Combined District Plan and other projects the costs for these are included in councils’ expenditure.

 

5.2       OPERATING EXPENDTURE

·    Transportation expenditure is ahead of budget due to Emergency works expenditure not being budgeted we will receive some income to cover this expenditure.

·    Three Waters activity is generally on budget, stormwater maintenance is slightly over budget this is due to more culvert cleaning and clearing up due to the weather events.

·    Resource management and planning expenditure is ahead of budget. This activity reflects the ongoing review of the Combined District Plan where CDC is leading the review process, and some of this is offset by recoveries received by MDC and SWDC, which is also ahead of budget as noted above.

·    The other expenditure variances are generally related to seasonal workflows, and budget phasing.

 


5.3       CAPITAL EXPENDITURE

Capital expenditure during the three months to 30 September was $1.5 million.

The Annual plan budget for Capital expenditure was $9.1m, plus carried forward budget of $5.6m, as part of our year-end reconciliation this was reduced to $4.4m. Therefore, the capital budget for the 2022/23 year is $13.5m.

The following table identifies the key areas of this spend over the year and the amount spent to 30 September 2022. Some planned areas reflect funding accumulated over the past few years, or is activity scheduled over recent years or to be done over the next few years. Other activity reflects seasonal scheduling and progress on contracts.

 

 

While it appears our capex programme is significantly underspent in the first quarter, there are some particular projects which have not yet started, or spend is low, for various reasons, including:

·    Other roads $347k – represents $295k carry forward of budget for the Five Town Trail and $52k for Under veranda lighting move to LED budget carry forward from previous year which are still to be completed.

·    Animal pound $338k – on hold as a potential service agreement with MDC and/or SWDC is negotiated.

·    Relocation of ops yard $1,186k – on hold while project is rescoped.

·    District Plan review $531k – review being undertaken, but timing of spend is based on when work is required.

Based on the above, we do not expect to achieve the full capex programme in 2022/23 as some of these projects may not proceed/will be delayed. We are however ensuring critical projects are taking place, including the renewals programme. Further information on the capex programme and forecast for the year will be provided in the December quarter financial report.

 

5.4       BALANCE SHEET AND CASH FLOWS

As at 30 September 2022, the council has borrowed $14,700,000 from the Local Government Funding Agency reflected in 6 debenture bonds amounting to $12,000,000 and short-term borrowing (less than 12 months) of $2,700,000. We will accumulate cash over the life of these bonds or short-term debt to repay these as they fall due.

 

6.               Operating budget approvals

There are some specific areas of risk/additional work for council staff where management recommend Council approve unbudgeted expenditure to address this:

6.1       IT resource

A Baseline Information Security Assessment has been carried out at CDC as reported to the Audit and Risk Committee’s November meeting. The assessment reviewed the hardware, processes, and documentation required for the information security and protection at the Council. The detailed report was presented to the Committee in the public excluded section of the meeting, due to security considerations around some of the information contained in the report.

Work has started on implementing recommendations made in the auditor’s report. One of the more significant risks identified is the key person risk Council has with only one staff member in the IT team. The report states:

It is our opinion that the Council is highly dependent upon specific IT personnel knowledge and the availability of the Information Systems Manager. We believe that the level of risk associated with the Council having a one person Information Systems team to be extreme. The loss of this person, either through incapacitation or resignation, would have a profound impact on the Council’s ability to maintain its availability of information and information systems at an acceptable operational state.

It is our strong recommendation that the Council increase the number of staff members within the Information Systems team in order to reduce this critical key personnel risk level.

We commend the Information Systems Manager for achieving the level of operational and cybersecurity management observed during this assessment given the very limited resource that is available.

In addition to addressing this key person risk, bringing in an additional IT team member would enable Council to address other recommendations made in the report due to the additional resource available.

This was discussed at the Audit and Risk Committee meeting, with the Committee recommending Council consider adding an additional IT role to Council. The timing was also discussed, with the Committee agreeing that it would be prudent for Council to consider approving additional budget in the current year, rather than waiting until the next annual plan. This would enable identified risks to be addressed sooner.

The additional budget required for this role would be approximately $80k a year. This is based on comparison with similar roles in local government (strategic pay). The role would primarily be funded by rates, though management propose that in the current year, and 2023/24, 20% of the role is funded using 3 waters transition funding. This is due to the level of involvement the IT team have in 3 waters transition activities and the availability of funding through DIA.  In the current year, 2022/23, we would anticipate the role in place for 5 months (after a recruitment process). This would mean a total cost of $33k in the current year, with $7k to be funded using 3 waters transition funding, and the remaining $26k to be funded via reserves. In the 2023/24 year the role would be incorporated into the Annual Plan, with a total cost of $80k and $16k would be funded using 3 waters transition funding, and $64k funded via rates. In subsequent years, this the role would be fully funded via rates. 

6.2       3 Waters transition support

The level of work required by staff on the 3 waters transition is increasing, with some significant pieces of work anticipated. While staff have to date managed to handle 3 waters transition work internally, with the increase in work expected, this will put pressure on staff being able to deliver their day-to-day work, as well as these additional requirements.

DIA have made funding available to Councils in order to assist with the additional workload generated by the 3 waters transition, such as responding to information requests. CDC have been allocated up to $350k annually for the next two years.

Management proposes establishing two new fixed-term roles dedicated to 3 waters transition work. One role would be admin-related, with the other role engineering-related. This would allow current staff to continue to deliver BAU work and enable us to also deliver the work related to 3 waters transition.

The two roles are expected to cost approximately $200k per annum in operating costs, and these would be funded entirely by the funds received from DIA, meaning no impact on rates. 

In the current year we would anticipate after a recruitment process the roles would be in place for around 5 months of the year, resulting in a cost of $83k which is fully funded using the 3 waters transition funding. These roles would then be incorporated into the 2023/24 Annual Plan, with the total cost of $200k fully funded using the 3 waters transition funding.

7.               Treasury policy breach

The Treasury Update Report presented at the August Audit and Risk Committee meeting highlighted that Council does not currently comply with the debt funding profile set out in the Treasury Management Policy.

As per the policy limits should be within the following ranges:

Period

Minimum

Maximum

0 to 3 years

15%

60%

3 to 7 years

25%

85%

7 years plus

0%

60%

 

As at 30 June 2022 the Council’s actual profile was:

 As noted in the Treasury report, we are in breach with 64% of our total debt set to mature within the next three years. 

A funding maturity profile that is outside the above limits, but self corrects within 90 days is not in breach of this Policy. However, maintaining a maturity profile beyond 90 days requires specific approval from Council.

This breach is driven by the decision to limit 3 Waters related debt to no longer than 2024 where possible.

Given the breach is a result of the structuring of our 3 waters debt, it is the view of officers that the breach is acceptable, and Council remains in breach of this parameter.

The Audit and Risk Committee recommended that Council approve the continued breach of the that the breach in the debt funding maturity profile relating to the structuring of 3 Waters debt.

 

8.               CONSIDERATIONS

8.1       Climate change

No specific climate change considerations.

8.2       Tāngata whenua

No specific Tāngata whenua considerations.

8.3       Financial impact

This paper reports financial results for the year-to-date 30 September 2022.

The financial implications related to the proposed new roles are outlined above.

8.4       Community Engagement requirements

No specific community engagement requirements.

8.5       Risks

No risks identified.

 

9.               Recommendation

That the Council:

1.         Receives the report.

2.         Approves unbudgeted operating expenditure of $33,000 in the current year for an additional IT resource.

3.         Approves unbudgeted operating expenditure of $83,000 in the current year for two additional 3 waters transition roles.

4.         Approves the breach in the debt funding maturity profile relating to the structuring of 3 Waters debt.

 

File Number:                 317663

Author:                            Kyra Low, Finance Team Leader

Attachments:                1.         Financial Report  

 

 


Ordinary Council meeting Agenda

7 December 2022

 


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Ordinary Council meeting Agenda

7 December 2022

 

 

7.12      Wellington Region Triennial Agreement 2022-2025

 

1.               Purpose

For the Council to consider a draft Triennial Agreement for the Wellington Region 2022-2025.

2.               Significance

The matters for decision in this report are not considered to be of significance under the Significance and Engagement Policy.

3.               Background

Section 15 of the Local Government Act requires all local authorities within a region to enter into an agreement every triennium providing:

(a)           protocols for communication and co-ordination among the local authorities;

(b)          a statement of the process by which the local authorities will deal with proposals for new regional council activities; and

(c)           processes and protocols through which all local authorities can participate in identifying, delivering, and funding facilities and services of significance to more than one district.

In essence, the Triennial Agreement is a set of protocols to assist region-wide cooperation for the duration of the triennium.

The Triennial Agreement is required to be agreed by 1 March after each local authority election.  If the agreement has not been signed by that date, there are no consequences for Councils. 

The role of administering authority for the Agreement is shared across the nine councils in the Wellington region. The role is passed from one local authority to the next at the start of each triennium and includes providing secretarial services and acting as the contact for media and other communications. Carterton District Council will service this agreement for the 2022-2025 triennium.

4.               Discussion

The draft Triennial Agreement 2022-2025 is in Attachment 1.

The 2022-2025 draft Agreement builds on the 2019-2022 Agreement.  The changes are:

•     Modernising the language of the Agreement

•     Adding the Wellington Region Climate Change Working Group and the Wellington Regional Leadership Committee to the list of regional and sub-regional forums in clause 5.1(b)

•     Removing the old Wellington Regional Strategy Committee which was disestablished on 27 May 2021. Its duties and responsibilities have been taken over by the Wellington Regional Leadership Committee.

5.               NEXT STEPS

                   Once all Councils have considered the draft, Mayors will sign the Agreement, unless one or more of the councils request a change.  If any of the region’s Councils request a change to the draft Agreement these changes will be presented to the other Councils for consideration.

6.               CONSIDERATIONS

6.1       Climate change

The draft Agreement identifies climate change as an area the region will work on together.

6.2       Tāngata whenua

Tāngata whenua are not party to the agreement under the Act.  There are no implications for tāngata whenua.

6.3       Financial impact

There are no financial impacts on the Council from the Agreement.

6.4       Community Engagement requirements

There would be little value engaging the community on the Agreement.

6.5       Risks

There are no identifiable risks associated with the draft Agreement.

 

7.               Recommendation

That the Council:

1.         Receives the report.

2.         Agrees to the draft Triennial Agreement 2022-2025 in Attachment 1.

3.         Delegates to the Mayor the authority to make any minor amendments required as a result of minor changes requested by other local authorities in the region as part of the adoption process.

4.         Authorises the Mayor to sign the Agreement on behalf of the Council.

File Number:                 318722

Author:                            Geoff Hamilton, Chief Executive

Attachments:                1.         Draft Wellington Regional Triennial Agreement 2022 - 2025 as at 30 November 2022  

 


Ordinary Council meeting Agenda

7 December 2022

 


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Ordinary Council meeting Agenda

7 December 2022

 

 

7.13      Further appointments to external bodies, joint committees and other groups

 

1.               Purpose

For the Council to make Elected Member appointments to various external bodies, joint committees and other groups for the 2022-25 Triennium.

2.               Significance

The matters for decision in this report are not considered to be of significance under the Significance and Engagement Policy.

3.               APPOINTMENTS

Council has further appointments to make to several external groups.

Wairarapa Committee (GWRC)

GWRC proposes that the membership is the Mayor and an elected member alternate. In the last triennium the Mayor attended with the Deputy Mayor as an alternate.

Wairarapa Joint Policy Working Group

Two elected members are sought for this group that works on joint Wairarapa council policies such as the Smoke/Vape Free Policy and the Wairarapa Gambling Venue Policy and Wairarapa TAB Board Venue Policy. The previous members were Deputy Mayor Vergunst and Cr R Cherry-Campbell.

Carterton Creative Communities Committee

The committee is made up of community members, with one elected member and council officers providing administration support. 

Cr Steve Laurence has been the chair of the group for the past few years, and until such time as a decision is made, he has been co-opted on to the group as the interim CDC elected member representative for the Creative Communities allocation meeting on 1 December 2022.  Moving forward an appointed elected member is sought for the committee.

The Creative Communities fund has two rounds per year, so the requirement from the representative would be two allocation meetings per year. 

Previous elected members involved were Deputy Mayor R Vergunst and Cr R Cherry-Campbell as the alternate.


 

Destination Wairarapa

It is recommended that Roger Wigglesworth continues as the CDC member on Destination Wairarapa.

Roger was appointed as the Council’s representative on the Board of Destination Wairarapa in 2019.  Prior to retiring from full-time employment, Roger was a Director in the Tourism branch of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.  He previously held the positions of Director Small Business, and Principal Advisor Economic and Regional Development with the Ministry of Economic Development.

4.               Considerations

4.1       Climate change

There are no direct climate change implications from the decisions in this paper.

4.2       Tāngata whenua

There are no specific considerations with regard to the decisions in this paper.

4.3       Financial impact

There are no financial impacts.

4.4       Community Engagement requirements

There are no community engagement requirements.

4.5       Risks

There are no additional risks with the decisions in this paper.

5.               Recommendation

That the Council:

1.         Receives the report.

2.         Makes the following appointments for the term of the Triennium:

Committee / Entity

Elected Member Appointee(s)

Wairarapa Committee (GWRC)      (1) + alternate

 

Wairarapa Policy Working Group                       (2)

 

Carterton Creative Communities Committee  

                                                               (1) + alternate

 

Destination Wairarapa                                        (1)

 

 

File Number:                 318791

Author:                            Kelly Vatselias, Corporate Services Manager

Attachments:                Nil

 


Ordinary Council meeting Agenda

7 December 2022

 

 

7.14      Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act Requests

 

1.               Purpose

To inform the Council of the number of requests under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act (LGOIMA) 1987 (the Act) 2 September 2022 to 8 November 2022.

2.               Significance

The matters for decision in this report are not considered to be of significance under the Significance and Engagement Policy.

3.               Background

The Act allows people to request official information held by local government agencies.  It contains rules of how such requests should be handled and provides a right to complain to the Ombudsman in certain situations. 

The purpose of the Act is to increase the availability of official information held by agencies and promote the open and public transaction of business at meetings.

The purposes of LGOIMA are specified in Section 4:

4    Purposes

The purposes of this Act are, consistently with the principle of the Executive Government’s responsibility to Parliament:

(a)      to increase progressively the availability of official information to the people of New Zealand in order -

(i)        to enable their more effective participation in the making and administration of law and policies; and

(ii)       to promote the accountability of Ministers of the Crown and officials, -

And thereby to enhance respect for the law and to promote the good government of New Zealand:

(b)      to provide for proper access by each person to official information relating to that person:

(c)       to protect official information to the extent consistent with the public interest and the preservation of personal privacy.

The information is not limited to documentary material, and includes material held    in any format such as:

·    written documents, reports, memoranda, letter, notes, emails and draft documents

·    non-written documentary information, such as material stored on or generated by computers, including databases, video or tape recordings

·    information, which is known to an agency, but which has not yet been recorded in writing or otherwise (including knowledge of a particular matter held by an officer, employee or member of an agency in their official capacity)

·    documents and manuals which set out the policies, principles, rules or guidelines for decision making by an agency

·    the reasons for any decisions that have been made about a person.

It doesn’t matter where the information originated or is currently located, if it is held by the council, it must be provided if requested, unless there is reason to withhold the information, as specified in Section 7:

7    Other reasons for withholding official information

(1) Where this section applies, good reason for withholding official information exists, for the purpose of section 5, unless, in the circumstances of the particular case, the withholding of that information is outweighed by other considerations which render it desirable, in the public interest, to make that information available.

(2) Subject to sections 68, and 17, this section applies if, and only if, the withholding of the information is necessary to—

(a)      protect the privacy of natural persons, including that of deceased natural persons; or

(b)      protect information where the making available of the information-

(i)        would disclose a trade secret; or

(ii)       would be likely unreasonably to prejudice the commercial position of the person who supplied or who is the subject of the information; or

(ba)    in the case only of an application for a resource consent, or water conservation order, or a requirement for a designation or heritage order, under the Resource Management Act 1991, to avoid serious offence to tikanga Maori, or to avoid the disclosure of the location of waahi tapu; or

(c)       protect information which is subject to an obligation of confidence or which any person has been or could be compelled to provide under the authority of any enactment, where the making available of the information-

(i)        would be likely to prejudice the supply of similar information, or information from the same source, and it is in the public interest that such information should continue to be supplied; or

(ii)       would be likely otherwise to damage the public interest; or

(d)      avoid prejudice to measures protecting the health or safety of members of the public; or

(e)       avoid prejudice to measures that prevent or mitigate material loss to members of the public; or

(f)       maintain the effective conduct of public affairs through—

(i)        the free and frank expression of opinions by or between or to members or officers or employees of any local authority, or any persons to whom section 2(5) applies, in the course of their duty; or

(ii)       the protection of such members, officers, employees, and persons from improper pressure or harassment; or

(g)      maintain legal professional privilege; or

(h)      enable any local authority holding the information to carry out, without prejudice or disadvantage, commercial activities; or

(i)        enable any local authority holding the information to carry on, without prejudice or disadvantage, negotiations (including commercial and industrial negotiations); or

(j)        prevent the disclosure or use of official information for improper gain or improper advantage.

It is important for Council to identify issues arising across all communication channels early and establish relationships with our key stakeholders out in the public, so that Council resolve these issues as part of our day-to-day business.

Councils must respond to a requester ‘as soon as reasonably practicable’ and no later than 20 working days after the day on which the request was received.  Our practice is to acknowledge receipt of the request within the first working day.  We respond promptly to requests and generally well ahead of the 20 working days.

Where a person requesting the information indicates urgency, we normally prioritise our response ahead of other work.  This mainly relates to requests from the Media.  Not all media requests for information are treated as LGOIMA requests.

All requests are recorded in a register and saved in our document management system.

The Council proactively publishes official information responses on our website. As such, the Council may publish the response on the CDC website after five working days. The requestor’s name and contact details will be removed. Proactive release of information to the public promotes openness and transparency and fosters public trust and confidence in Council.  There are administrative benefits for the Council, such as reducing requests for information which the publicly available and allowing for greater ease of handling of the requests that are received.

 


 

4.               reporting lgoima requests to council

Attachment 1 contains the requests received from 2 September 2022 to 8 November 2022 as well as requests received in August, but which were still open at the time of the August 2022 report to Council. As of 8 November 2022, there are four open requests.

For those requests where a response was longer than 20 working days, all had extensions applied under the legislation, and therefore met the time limit requirements.

Under section 13(7) of the LGOIMA, for those requests where an original request was received and was amended or clarified after the date on which it is received, the Council may treat the amended or clarified request as a new request, replaces the original request.

The table below shows total numbers of requests received in the year 2020 to 8 November 2022.  In comparison to 2020, 2021 LGOIMA numbers had increased by 49%. The number of requests received so far this year is similar to 2020 numbers.

             Number of requests received 2020-2022

 

2020

2021

2022

January

4

6

4

February

6

6

4

March

10

20

14

April

5

12

5

May

6

11

6

June

2

22

8

July

9

7

1

August

9

9

7

September

10

9

7

October

5

10

6

November

2

5

1

December

7

7

Total

75

124

63

5.               OMBUDSMAN

In the LGOIMA reports of 30 June 2021 and 25 August 2021, it was recorded that a complaint was made to the Ombudsman.  The requestor requested full cost breakdowns of the Wastewater Treatment Plant relating to contractor and subcontractors.  The initial complaint was resolved.

On 21 September 2022, a further complaint made about the decision to the Ombudsman is under review. 

6.               CONSIDERATIONS

6.1       Climate change

There are no climate change considerations.

6.2       Tāngata whenua

There are no tāngata whenua considerations.

6.3       Financial impact

There is no financial impact.

6.4       Community Engagement requirements

There are no community engagement requirements.

6.5       Risks

No specific risks are identified.

7.               Recommendation

That the Council:

1.         Receives the report.

File Number:                 310265

Author:                            Serah Pettigrew, Democratic Services Officer

Attachments:                1.         LGOIMA Report 7 December 2022  

 


Ordinary Council meeting Agenda

7 December 2022

 


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Ordinary Council meeting Agenda

7 December 2022

 


Ordinary Council meeting Agenda

7 December 2022

 

8            Exclusion of the Public

RESOLUTION TO EXCLUDE THE PUBLIC

Recommendation

That the public be excluded from the following parts of the proceedings of this meeting.

The general subject matter of each matter to be considered while the public is excluded, the reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter, and the specific grounds under section 48 of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 for the passing of this resolution are as follows:

General subject of each matter to be considered

Reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter

Ground(s) under section 48 for the passing of this resolution

8.1 - Conditional Purchase of Land

s7(2)(g) - the withholding of the information is necessary to maintain legal professional privilege

s7(2)(h) - the withholding of the information is necessary to enable Council to carry out, without prejudice or disadvantage, commercial activities

s48(1)(a)(i) - the public conduct of the relevant part of the proceedings of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding would exist under section 6 or section 7

 

 

 

 

 

 


Ordinary Council meeting Agenda

7 December 2022

 

9            Karakia Whakamutunga



[1] https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/12177/kakariki