Agenda of Council Meeting

Council Meeting item: 5.5

18 August 2020

TITLE:	Special Reserves at 30 June 2020
ID:	A1348147
From:	Vincent McColl, Financial Accountant

Executive summary/Whakarāpopototanga

At 30 June 2020, council has $52.5M of special reserves set aside to cover expenditure on specific projects and work programmes.

This report provides a breakdown of the special reserves held by council, including their purpose and balance as at 30 June 2020.

Recommendation

That the report ‘Special Reserves at 30 June 2020’ by Vincent McColl, Financial Accountant and dated 4 August 2020, be received.

Background/Tuhinga

The equity in council’s balance sheet represents the communities’ interest in council and is measured by the value of total assets less total liabilities. Equity is classified into a number of general and special reserves to enable a clearer identification of the specified uses for which various funds have been assigned.

A general reserve does not have a specific purpose, whereas a special reserve holds funds that are set aside to cover expenditure on specific projects. In addition, special reserves may facilitate the funding of works of an inter-generational nature, capital expenditure in particular, over the most appropriate time period.

The special reserves and their respective balances (surplus/(deficit)) in place at the end of the 2019/20 financial year are as follows:

Description	Closing Balance
Land Management Reserve	516,209
Awanui River Reserve	(659,787)
Awanui River FIR Reserve	(187,864)
Kāeo River Reserve	233,087
Kāeo River FIR Reserve	23,176
Whangārei Urban River Reserve	(8,617,652)
Whangārei River FIR Reserve	(12,673)
Infrastructure Investment Fund Reserve	21,082,734
Kaihu River reserve	40,309
Waipapa Kerikeri River Reserve	430,216
Flood Infrastructure Reserve	(1,770,026)
Infrastructure Facilities Reserve	(166,125)
Property Reinvestment Fund	21,433,529
Forest Income Equalisation Fund	1,463,086
Hātea River Reserve	164,591
Investment and Growth Reserve	600,570
Approved Carry Forwards - General Funds	255,555
Whangārei Bus and TM Reserve	(39,960)
Emergency Services Reserve	81,737
Far North Transport Reserve	221,091
LIDAR Project Reserve	11,472
Regional Sporting Facilities Reserve	1,406,761
Opex Reserve	1,619,594
COVID-19 Reinstatement Reserve	1,700,000
Capital Subsidy Reserve	64,512
Total Special Reserves	39,894,142

Some special reserves earn or are charged interest depending on their closing balance being in deficit or surplus. For the 2019/20 year the protocol is for reserves in surplus of $50,000 or greater earn interest at 5% (as budgeted in the Long Term Plan (LTP)). Reserves in deficit are either charged at the corresponding external borrowing rate or at the internal rate of 7.0% (as budgeted in the LTP).

A description of the purpose of each reserve, the transfers from and/or to the reserve for the year, and the closing balance of each reserve as at 30 June 2020 is provided below.

Land Management Reserve

The Land Management Reserve was created to allow council to set aside unutilised Land Management rates for the purpose of funding projects in future years.

The operational reserve movements of $249,149 to the Land Management Reserve constitute NRC funding commitments towards Freshwater Improvement Fund projects. This produces a closing balance of $516,209.

In 2020/21 the balance of the land management reserve is expected to be fully utilised on Freshwater Improvement Fund projects.

Awanui River Reserve

The Awanui River Reserve was created to hold any targeted Awanui River Management rates collected and unspent in any given year to cover any future funding shortfalls for river works required as part of the Awanui River Flood Management Scheme.

In the 2019/20 financial year the Awanui River Management project had an operating surplus of $86,056. Depreciation funding of $95,963 was transferred to the Infrastructure Investment Fund (IIF) producing a closing book reserve deficit of ($561,747) and cash reserve deficit of ($463,706).

Awanui Flood Infrastructure Rate (FIR) Reserve

The Awanui FIR Reserve was created to hold any targeted Awanui FIR rates collected and unspent in any given year to cover any future funding shortfalls for river works required as part of the Awanui River Flood Management Scheme. The Awanui FIR Reserve incorporates 30% of any related capital works with the other 70% being attributed to the Flood Infrastructure Rate Reserve.

In the 2019/20 financial year the Awanui FIR project had an operating surplus of $323,924. Capital expenditure of $377,930 was incurred producing a closing reserve deficit of ($187,864).

Whangaroa Kaeo Rivers Reserve

The Whangaroa Kaeo Rivers Reserve was created to hold any targeted Whangaroa Kaeo Rivers Management rates collected and unspent in any given year to cover any future funding shortfalls of river works required as part of the Whangaroa Kaeo Rivers Flood Management scheme.

In the 2019/20 financial year there was an operating surplus of $54,046 resulting in a closing reserve balance of $233,087. Unused accumulated depreciation of $24,256 is held in the IIF resulting in a closing cash balance of $257,343.

Kāeo Flood Infrastructure Rate (FIR) Reserve

The Kāeo FIR Reserve was created to hold any targeted Kāeo FIR rates collected and unspent in any given year to cover any future funding shortfalls for river works required as part of the Kāeo River Flood Management Scheme. The Kāeo FIR reserve incorporates 30% of any related capital works with the other 70% being attributed to the Flood Infrastructure Rate Reserve.

In the 2019/20 financial year the Kāeo FIR project had an operating surplus of $20,356. Capital expenditure of $17,991 was incurred producing a closing reserve surplus of $23,176.

Whangārei Urban Rivers Reserve

The Whangārei Urban Rivers Reserve was created in the 2011/12 year to hold any targeted Whangārei Urban Rivers Management rates collected and unspent in any given year to cover any future funding shortfalls of river works required as part of the Whangārei urban rivers management scheme.

The operating surplus of $397,058 has been transferred to the reserve which produces a deficit balance of ($8,617,652). Adding the unused accumulated depreciation held in the IIF gives a cash balance of ($8,365,578).

Whangārei FIR Reserve

The Whangārei Flood Infrastructure Rate (FIR) Reserve was created to hold any targeted Whangārei FIR rates collected and unspent in any given year to cover any future funding shortfalls for river works required as part of the Whangārei River Flood Management Scheme. The Whangārei FIR reserve incorporates 30% of any related capital works with the other 70% being attributed to the Flood Infrastructure Rate Reserve.

In the 2019/20 financial year the Whangārei FIR project had an operating surplus of $59,275 and capital expenditure of $127,214 producing a closing reserve deficit of ($12,673).

Infrastructure Investment Fund (IIF) Reserve

The IIF Reserve was established to stabilise the impact of irregular large infrastructure projects on council’s income and capital requirements. It will help to spread the costs of such projects. The fund is also intended to provide more flexibility around when such large capital intensive projects can commence.

The balance of the reserve reflects the balance of funds held in the IIF. No gains are proposed to be reinvested this financial year. The IIF Reserve holds $374,371 of unutilised accumulated depreciation and $1,922,340 of capital repayments collected and held to repay external borrowings.

Kaihu River Reserve

The Kaihu River Reserve was created to hold any targeted Kaihu River Management rates collected and unspent in any given year to cover any future funding shortfalls for river works required as part of the Kaihu River Flood Management Scheme.

In the 2019/20 financial year there was an operating surplus of $7,943 transferred to the reserve producing a closing balance of $40,309.

Kerikeri–Waipapa Rivers Reserve

The Kerikeri–Waipapa Rivers Reserve is set up to hold any targeted Kerikeri-Waipapa rates collected and unspent in any given year to cover any future funding shortfalls of river works required as part of the flood risk reduction project for the Kerikeri-Waipapa area.

The Kerikeri–Waipapa targeted rate was discontinued in 2019/20 resulting in an operating deficit of ($25,275) which has been transferred from the reserve producing a closing balance of $430,216.

Flood Infrastructure Rate (FIR) Reserve

The FIR Reserve was created to hold any targeted regional FIR rates collected and unspent in any given year to cover any future funding shortfalls for river works required as part of Northland Flood Infrastructure Schemes. The FIR reserve incorporates 70% of any related capital works with the other 30% being attributed to the Awanui FIR, Whangārei FIR, or Kāeo FIR reserves depending on the particular project.

In the 2019/20 financial year the FIR reserve had an operating surplus of $493,523 and $1,726,481 of capital expenditure producing a closing reserve deficit of ($1,770,026).

Infrastructure Facilities Reserve

The Infrastructure Facilities Reserve was created to set aside any targeted Regional Infrastructure rates collected and not fully utilised in any given year for the purpose of funding future infrastructure projects. This reserve consists of the cost of capital, holding costs, and council’s share of the net costs for the designation asset associated with the Marsden Point Rail Link (MPRL) Joint Venture project.

In 2019/20 $764,970 of operational transfers and $1,601,357 from the disposal of the MPRL assets have been transferred into the reserve producing a closing balance of ($166,126) overdrawn.

Property Reinvestment Fund Reserve

The Property Reinvestment Fund (PRF) Reserve was created to enable proceeds from property sales to be set aside for reinvestment at a future date. This reserve represents the balance investments held in the PRF.

During 2019/20 this reserve recognised $830,548 of property sale proceeds, $10,521,921 of Marsden Point rail link proceeds, $1,579,496 of property purchases, and $5,114,661 of commercial developments. No gains are proposed to be reinvested for 2019/20.

Equalisation Reserve

The Equalisation Reserve was created to set aside council’s forestry net income arising in any harvesting year. This reserve is intended to provide future funding of council’s general activities by allowing council to use these funds for any council activity to smooth future rating increases. It is further intended that this fund be used to fund the cost of forestry operations in non-harvesting years.

No transfers during the 2019/20 financial year resulting in a closing balance of $1,463,086.

Hātea River Reserve

The Hātea River Reserve was created to set aside a component of the council’s Services Rate ($1.50+GST) specifically levied across the Whangārei constituency to ensure funding is available in the event dredging of the Hātea River is required.

This year there was an operating deficit of ($57,740) transferred to the reserve producing a closing reserve balance of $164,591.

Emergency Services Reserve

The Emergency Services Reserve was created to hold any targeted Emergency Services rates collected and unspent in any given year to ensure all collected rates go to emergency services in the future.

The closing balance of $81,737 represents targeted rates collected (and adjusted for non-collection) and not allocated to date.

Investment and Growth Reserve

The Northland Regional Council Investment and Growth Reserve was established in 2011/12. The reserve was created to set aside investment income to fund activities and projects that contribute towards the economic well-being of Northland.

Approved Carry Forwards Reserve

The Approved Carry Forwards Reserve was set up to record operational projects for council that have not been completed during the current year and need to be carried forward to the next financial year. This is the subject of agenda Item 5.3. At 30 June 2020 the closing balance of the projects proposed to be carried forward is $255,555.

Whangārei Transport Reserve

The Whangārei Transport Reserve was created to hold any targeted Whangārei Transport rates collected and unspent in any given year to cover any future funding shortfalls in the Whangārei bus and total mobility programmes.

In 2019/20 Whangārei Bus made a surplus of $33,847 and Total Mobility made a surplus of $322. This resulted in $34,169 being transferred to the reserve making the reserve balance a deficit of ($39,960). The positive reserve movement is predominately due to the Whangārei Rural Trials not going ahead in 2019/20 as planned and gaining additional subsidy on labour at a charge out rather than cost rate.

Far North Transport Reserve

The Far North Bus Service Reserve was created to hold any targeted Far North Transport rates collected and unspent in any given year to cover any future funding shortfalls of the Mid North Link and Far North Link projects. This rate replaces the Mid North Transport rate and Kaitāia Bus Service rate.

$68,637 was transferred to the reserve during 2019/20 resulting in a closing balance of $221,091.

LIDAR Reserve

The LIDAR Reserve was created to hold any LIDAR contributions as this project is run over a number of years and includes funding from seven parties.

The reserve balance at 30 June 2020 is $11,472.

Regional Sporting Facilities Reserve

The Regional Sporting Facilities Reserve was established to set aside any targeted Regional Sporting Facilities rates collected and not fully utilised in any given year for the purpose of funding sporting facilities across Northland.

During the 2019/20 year $785,569 of unspent rates were transferred to reserve resulting in a closing balance of $1,406,761. This relates to a grant originally intended to be paid in May 2020 for the Te Hiku Sports Hub of $1.4M now delayed until sometime in 2020/21.

Opex Reserve

The Opex Reserve was established in June 2019. The purpose of the Opex Reserve (and cash holdings it represents) is to ensure that the portion of annual operating costs in any financial year that is intended to be funded from managed fund gains is guaranteed and not exposed to market volatility.

Interest earned on the related term deposits of $20,703 and $467,695 of the 2019/20 surplus has been transferred to the reserve resulting in a closing balance of $1,619,594. This represents the total externally managed fund gains to be utilised as general funding in 2020/21.

COVID-19 Reinstatement Reserve

The COVID Reinstatement Reserve is proposed to be established in June 2020. The purpose of this reserve (and cash holdings it represents) is to reinstate works removed from the 2020/21 annual plan. $1,700,000 of the 2019/20 surplus is proposed to be transferred to this reserve.

Capital Subsidy Reserve

There is $64,512 of subsidy received held in this reserve to partially offset future depreciation costs associated with the Regional Integrated Ticketing Information System (RITIS).

Attachments/Ngā tapirihanga

Nil

Authorised by Group Manager

Name:	Bruce Howse
Title:	Group Manager - Corporate Excellence
Date:	13 August 2020

Council Meeting item: 6.4

18 August 2020

TITLE:	Investment and Growth Reserve: Project Development Funding - COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan for Northland
ID:	A1337509
From:	Darryl Jones, Economist

Executive summary/Whakarāpopototanga

The purpose of this paper is to seek agreement from council to allocate funding from the Project Development category of the Investment and Growth Reserve (IGR) to Northland Inc. Limited to support the development of a regional economic recovery plan for Northland. The development of the plan will be overseen by the Economic Recovery Leadership Group. The Group, which represents a wide range of organisations and interest groups, has been set up to lead the economic recovery in Northland as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The request to make this funding decision has come to council from Northland Inc. because the allocation is inconsistent with the current criteria and procedures for the allocation of funding from the IGR as agreed to by council on 21 August 2018 and is unbudgeted within the 2020/21 financial year. Section 80(1) of the Local Government Act 2002 provides for council to make an inconsistent decision under specific conditions, and these conditions have been met within the content of this agenda item.

Staff recommend that council supports the allocation of funding to support the development of a regional economic recovery plan but that the quantum of funding be limited to $25,000 (plus GST if any).

Representatives from Northland Inc. will be in attendance to answer any questions regarding this request and provide an update on progress with the development/funding of the plan from the Economic Recovery Leadership Group.

Recommendation(s)

1. That the report ‘Investment and Growth Reserve: Project Development Funding - COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan for Northland’ by Darryl Jones, Economist and dated 8 July 2020, be received.

2. That council agree to allocate $25,000 (plus GST if any) from the Project Development funding category of the Investment and Growth Reserve to Northland Inc. Limited to support the development of a COVID-19 economic recovery plan for Northland.

3. That council records that the allocation of this funding is inconsistent with the criteria and procedures for the allocation of funding from the Investment and Growth Reserve but that the exceptional nature of the COVID-19 crisis requires a one-off response.

4. That $25,000 be transferred from the Community Investment Fund into the Investment and Growth Reserve to fund this allocation.

5. That the allocation be provided to Northland Inc. once the Chief Executive Officer is satisfied that the funding will be used for the development of a COVID-19 economic recovery plan rather than a regional economic development strategy.

Background/Tuhinga

Council has received a request from Northland Inc. to allocate $56,000 (plus GST if any) from the IGR to support the development of an economic development “strategy” for the region. The Board paper associated with this request, the proposal for developing the strategy (including scope, structure and process) and the unconfirmed minute from the June 2020 Northland Inc. board meeting are provided (Attachment One). Council is required to make this funding decision because it is inconsistent with the criteria and procedures for the IGR, and because the funding allocation is unbudgeted.

While the Northland Inc. paper refers to the development of a regional economic development “strategy” for Northland, given the timeframe and process limitations for its development, it is more likely to produce a COVID-19 economic recovery plan for Northland rather than a full-blown economic development strategy for the region. The relationship between and the implications of the economic recovery plan produced as a result of this proposal and the development of a fuller, more inclusive regional economic development strategy, that is an integral part of the joint economic development model supported at the 16 June 2020 council meeting, will need to be considered once the recovery action plan is developed. The preparation of this economic recovery plan has the potential to create a useful platform for developing the broader, more comprehensive strategy for economic development.

The development of the economic recovery plan is being overseen by the Economic Recovery Leadership Group which has been set up to lead the economic recovery in Northland as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the main purposes of the plan is to guide and direct further government investment into the region. At the time of preparing this agenda item, the group has yet to consider the proposal for developing the economic recovery plan. Further details of the Group are recorded in section 4.

The proposed total budget cost of developing the economic recovery plan is $70,000 (plus GST if any). The funding request of $56,000 represents the unspent balance of the budgeted quantum of funding for Project Development category for 2019/20. The expectation is that the remaining portion of the cost will be obtained from other parties involved in the Economic Recovery Leadership Group once council has made its commitment. It is considered that $56,000 is the bare minimum required to prepare the recovery plan. The other members of the group have yet to be approached for a funding contribution.

Considerations

1. Options

No.

Option

Advantages

Disadvantages

Allocate $56,000 from the IGR Project Development funding category

Provides significant support for the development of a regional economic recovery plan.

Shows leadership by council in assisting response to COVID-19.

Continues to draw down on CIF, reducing council’s ability to make future funding decisions.

2	Allocate $25,000 from the IGR Project Development funding category	Provides support for the development of a regional economic recovery plan.	Development of the economic recovery plan may take longer and be significantly less robust.
3	Not allocate any funding from the IGR Project Development funding category	Maintains budgeted balance of CIF.	Development of an economic recovery plan will be significantly impaired.

The staff’s recommended option is Option 2. This is lower than the level of funding requested by Northland Inc. Staff recommend this based on the limited funding available and the desire for other parties to make a funding contribution to the proposal in order to show a commitment to the process. This option carries the risk that other parties do not step forward and the resulting recovery plan is inadequate. A quantum of $25,000 is suggested as this is close to the “one-third” contribution provided in the IGR criteria for the maximum level of Enabling Investment funding that council may make into a project unless there are demonstrated exceptional circumstances. However, if council wishes to provide a higher funding contribution to support the proposal in order to ensure that progress is made then an allocation of up to $56,000 would be reasonable.

2. Significance and engagement

In relation to section 79 of the Local Government Act 2002, this decision is considered to be of low significance when assessed against council’s Significance and Engagement Policy because it has previously been consulted on and provided for in council’s Long Term Plan 2018–2028 and previous decisions of council to set up Northland Inc. Limited as its council controlled organisation. This does not mean that this matter is not of significance to tangata whenua and/or individual communities, but that council can make decisions relating to this matter without undertaking further consultation or engagement.

3. Policy, risk management and legislative compliance

Making this decision is inconsistent with the criteria and procedures for the allocation of funding from the IGR (IGR criteria) approved by council. The IGR criteria is available on line (https://www.nrc.govt.nz/media/12974/investment-and-growth-reserve-criteria-and-procedures-for-the-allocation-of-funding-2018-08-21.pdf) and is provided as Attachment 2.

The criteria and procedures for the allocation of funding from the IGR provides the Board of Northland Inc. the delegated ability to allocate up to $300,000 per annum for Project Development. Funding from the IGR for Project Development approved by the Board of Northland Inc. Limited is paid to Northland Inc. Limited upon receipt of an invoice accompanied by evidence of the Board decision.

Council is being requested to make this Project Development funding decision as it is inconsistent with the IGR criteria. This is because the scope of work that is being proposed to be funded is outside the purpose of the Project Development funding category. Specifically, clause 5(a) of the IGR criteria states that “Project Development funding cannot be used to fund the preparation of a strategy”. The request to make this exception is made because of the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Northland economy and to develop an appropriate and co-ordinated response. The Northland Inc. board has recognised this, and therefore made the recommendation to council to make the decision.

Section 80(1) of the Local Government Act 2002 provides for council to make a decision that is inconsistent with policy provided when making the decision, council clearly identifies: (a) the inconsistency; (b) the reasons for the inconsistency; and (c) whether there is any intention to amend the policy or plan to accommodate the decision. The paragraphs above identify the inconsistency and the reasons for the inconsistency. In terms of an intention to amend the policy, staff consider this decision to be a one-off request and therefore there is no intention to change the current IGR criteria.

Further considerations

4. Community views

The economic recovery plan will be overseen by the Economic Recovery Leadership Group. The 10 members of the group cover a wide range of organisations and interest groups. Members of the group are (listed in alphabetical order):

· Carol Berghan, Chief Executive Officer, Te Hiku Iwi Development Trust

· Deidre Otene, Chief Executive, Te Kotahitanga e Mahi Kaha Trust

· Eru Lyndon, Regional Commissioner, Ministry of Social Development

· Grant Berghan, Principal Advisor Te Taitokerau, Provincial Development Unit

· Murray Reade, Chief Executive Officer, Northland Inc. Limited (co-chair)

· Pita Tipene, Deputy Chairman, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Hine

· Shaun Clarke, Chief Executive Officer, Far North District Council

· Toa Faneva, Chief Executive, Te Rūnanga o Whaingaroa (co-chair)

· Tui Marsh, Regional Manager, Te Puni Kōkiri

· Wade Tuite, Principal Policy Advisor, Labour & Immigration Policy Branch, MBIE.

5. Māori impact statement

There are no known impacts on Māori which are different from the general public. The economic response and recovery to the COVID-19 crisis is important to Māori leadership in Te Taitokerau, who are taking many active steps to support tangata whenua. To ensure co-ordination, the Economic Recovery Leadership Group is co-chaired by Toa Faneva, Chief Executive Officer Te Rūnanga o Whaingaroa.

6. Financial implications

The criteria and procedures for the allocation of funding from the IGR (IGR criteria) provides the Board of Northland Inc. the delegated ability to allocate up to $300,000 per annum for Project Development. However, due to the impact of COVID-19 on council revenue, this was reduced to a maximum of $200,000 for 2019/20 and to $0 (zero) for 2020/21 at the extraordinary council meeting on 6 May 2020.

Three Project Development funding allocations were made in 2019/20 by the Board of Northland Inc., together totalling $143,334 out of a potential revised budget allocation of $200,000:

· Feasibility phase of the Northland Water Storage and Use Project ($83,334)

· Mokau Pa amphitheatre visitor experience ($35,000)

· Literature review phase of resilient pasture project ($25,000).

Because of this underspend, along with the delay in distributing previously allocated Enabling Investment funding to some projects due to COVID-19, the opening balance of the IGR for 2020/21 is higher than budgeted, i.e. $600,570 compared to $371,530 (Table 1). However, the closing budget balance of the IGR for 2020/21 remains at $32,600, the quantum required for council to meet all its current funding commitments into 2021/22.

Table 1. Investment and Growth Reserve cashflow budget and actual

There is no funding available in the IGR budget for 2020/21 to make this allocation. However, the Long Term Plan 2018–2028 allows council to make discretionary additional input from the Community Investment Fund (CIF) into the IGR as needed for economic development initiatives, provided the CIF does not fall below $12.5 million. The current budgeted closing balance of the CIF for 2020/21 is just over $13 million. Deducting $12.5 million from this, we can assume an available funding envelope of $0.5 million at present which could be transferred into the IGR.

7. Implementation issues

There are no implementation issues associated with the proposal. The development of the economic recovery plan will be overseen by the Economic Recovery Leadership Group. This group is co-chaired by Murray Reade, CEO of Northland Inc. with secretariat support provided by Northland Inc. Council will have input into the development of the plan.

Attachments/Ngā tapirihanga

Attachment 1: Northland Inc board paper, attachment and resolution ⇩

Attachment 2: Criteria and procedures for the allocation of funding from the Investment and Growth Reserve ⇩

Authorised by Group Manager

Name:	Jonathan Gibbard
Title:	Group Manager - Strategy, Governance and Engagement
Date:	10 July 2020

No.

Option

Advantages

Disadvantages

Approve the recommended engagement approach

Assists with council meeting its obligations to work with tāngata whenua to understand Māori values in freshwater.

Provides a vehicle for tāngata whenua-led analysis, feedback and advice on the development of the plan change for issues of relevance to tangata whenua.

Provides a forum to give guidance to council on how to consult with tāngata whenua on the development of the plan change.

Endorsed by TTMAC and respects the advice of TTMAC.

There will be a financial cost to council as set out in the financial implications section.

An alternative engagement approach

Would depend on the approach. May be less financial cost to council.

TTMAC likely to be aggrieved.

Cause delays as it will take time to come up with engagement model.

May be greater financial cost to council (depending on the engagement model).

No engagement with iwi and hapū tāngata whenua prior to notification of the plan change

Low / no financial cost to council in the short term. However, may be significant longer term costs due to legal challenge.

Council at risk of legal challenge as it would not meet legal obligations.

Iwi and hapū significantly aggrieved.

Potential to significantly compromise relationships with iwi and hapū.

Council Meeting item: 7.2

18 August 2020

TITLE:	Chief Executive’s Report to Council
ID:	A1346416
From:	Malcolm Nicolson, Chief Executive Officer

Recommendation

That the report ‘Chief Executive’s Report to Council’ by Malcolm Nicolson, Chief Executive Officer and dated 31 July 2020, be received.

7.2.1 Highlights

Financial Response to COVID-19

Please refer to advice received by the CEO from Council’s Independent Financial Advisor Geoff Coptick (Attachment 1).

Ambulance Donation Ceremony

On Thursday 30 July, a small ceremony was held in Kaikohe to celebrate the donation of a new ambulance for Kaikohe and the Mid-North. Council is able to support life-saving services - like St Johns, NEST, CoastGuard and Surf Lifesaving - through the emergency services rate. Recent events like pandemic, drought and flooding have reinforced the importance of having good local lifelines. The ambulance service provides one of these vital links and helps supports resilient communities.

CDEM Welfare Projects

The Northland CDEM Welfare Coordination Group is currently working towards completing resurgence planning for COVID-19. This planning will include workshops with key welfare sector stakeholders to ensure the resurgence plan clarifies welfare roles and responsibilities and that these understood by welfare service agencies. There is also the regional implementation of the new national welfare arrangements such as caring for communities and the network of welfare service agencies and involvement with strategic planning for emergency housing, water and kai security across Te Tai Tokerau.

7.2.2 CEO’s Office

Current Legal Proceedings

Department	Description	Status
Consent decision appeal	Replacement consents for, and new consents for an expansion of, Doug’s Ōpua Boat Yard in Walls Bay, Ōpua.	No further update.
Consent decision appeal	Replacement discharge consents for East Coast Bays Wastewater Treatment Plant (Taipā)	Cultural induction day for mediation process on Friday 14 September 2020.

COUNCIL PROPERTY UPDATE

Mt Tiger Accessways

The recent significant storm event washed out some small sections of various Mt Tiger Forest access ways, to the order of $20,000 value for repair.

The Forest Manager will oversee essential repairs, such risks are foreseen and budgeted for. However, he will withhold works where they can be done later (as access to many stands is not currently required) given further storm events may occur over the next few years prior to harvest.

Kaipara Service Centre

The Head Contract tender has been awarded to Canam Commercial Limited. Their test piling is to begin in mid-August 2020 and project commitment is contingent on the results.

Kensington Crossing

Ÿ Council’s Kaiārahi Tikanga Māori and Property team engaged over the last year with Te Parawhau kaumatua to ensure council was respectful of the tikanga and protocols associated with such a significant project in Whangārei.

Ÿ Councillors attended an initial blessing and karakia to begin the construction (demolition) and ensure the safety of all those involved in the project.

Ÿ Following demolition, the laying of a mauri stone occurred so that every person who visits the new development is protected culturally with the manaakitanga representative of our treaty partners.

Ÿ On 3 August the opening of the building and dawn service was held in recognition of the work that has been done and the GP’s “Kensington Health” medical tenancy now operating. Our Chair recognised the new beginnings and provision of a new property to support all our communities and stakeholders. The remaining tenancies will be progressively completed through to December 2020 and handed over with businesses operational by February 2021.

7.2.3 Corporate Excellence

Fraud Declaration

I became aware of a theft of $100 from a till float on 21 July 2020. Although this is an isolated incident involving a relatively minor amount of cash, an internal enquiry has been undertaken and a Police report lodged.

Council staff have followed the formal procedures of the Fraud, Dishonesty and Corruption Control Policy, and the requirement of an internal enquiry has identified three recommendations which will be considered and once approved implemented to help prevent a loss of this kind happening again.

It is considered uneconomical to pursue any individual for recovery of the lost funds, or disciplinary action, as the prime suspect in this case has left the organisation. In my 24 July weekly update, I informed all staff of the theft and reminded them of council’s zero tolerance policy on dishonest and fraudulent acts.

Although not applicable in this case, council holds $1M of Crime Insurance covering financial loss sustained as a result of theft, fraud, dishonesty or criminal acts of employees and/or third parties – the excess of this policy is $25,000.

7.2.4 Regulatory Services

Consents in Process

During July 2020, a total of 114 decisions were issued. These decisions comprised:

Ÿ Moorings 4

Ÿ Coastal Permits 33

Ÿ Coastal Discharge Permits 3

Ÿ Air Discharge Permits 1

Ÿ Land Discharge Permits 5

Ÿ Water Discharge Permits 0

Ÿ Land Use Consents 32

Ÿ Water Permits 26

Ÿ Bore Consents 10

The processing timeframes for the July 2020 consents ranged from:

Ÿ 461 to 2 calendar days, with the median time being 34 days;

Ÿ 95 to 2 working days, with the median time being 20 days.

Thirty-five applications were received in July 2020.

Of the 100 applications in progress at the end of July 2020:

Ÿ 52 were received more than 12 months ago (most awaiting further information from the applicant);

Ÿ 9 were received between 6 and 12 months ago (most awaiting further information from the applicant);

Ÿ 39 less than 6 months.

Appointment of Hearing Commissioners

The following commissioners were appointed in July 2020:

Ÿ Mr Alan Watson and Mr Fraser Campbell for consents associated with Stage 2 subdivision works at Hall Road, Kerikeri. The hearing is scheduled for 10 September 2020.

Ÿ Ms Sharon McGarry and Dr Rob Lieffering for consents associated with a proposed wharf facility in the coastal marine area of Mangawhai Estuary. The hearing is scheduled for 21 September 2020.

Consents Decisions and Progress on Notified Applications in Process, Objections and Appeals

The current level of notified application processing activities at the end of July 2020 is (by number):

Ÿ Applications Publicly/Limited Notified During Previous Month 0

Ÿ Progress on Applications Previously Notified 9

Ÿ Hearings and Decisions 0

Ÿ Appeals/Objections 2

COMPLIANCE MONITORING

The results of compliance monitoring for the period 1 – 31 July 2020 (and year-to-date figures) are summarised in the following table and discussed below.

Classification	Total	Full compliance	Low risk non-compliance	Moderate non-compliance	Significant non-compliance	Not exercised during period
Air Discharge	22	17	3	0	0	2
Bore Consent	5	4	1	0	0	0
Coastal Air Discharge	2	2	0	0	0	0
Coastal Discharge	11	7	3	1	0	0
Coastal Permit	13	9	1	2	0	1
FDE – Discharge permit	5	4	0	1	0	0
FDE – Permitted activity	6	4	0	2	0	0
Land Discharge	47	26	9	4	2	6
Land Use Consent	55	44	5	5	0	1
Water Discharge	32	27	0	3	1	1
Water Permit	40	36	3	1	0	0
Water Take	202	139	52	11	0	0
Total	440	319	77	30	3	11
Percentage		72.5%	17.5%	6.8%	0.7%	2.5%
Year to date	440	319	77	30	3	11
Percentage		72.5%	17.5%	6.8%	0.7%	2.5%

Coastal

The majority of consents monitored during the reporting period related to coastal structures and coastal discharges from treated municipal sewage and industrial facilities.

Water, Waste, Air and Land Use (WWALU) Compliance Monitoring

Ÿ General

One of our Compliance Specialists attended a workshop on asbestos management in late July. Asbestos has historically caused issues in the region with no one agency responsible for its management. We will continue to upskill in this area and work towards defining a protocol that helps us define our responsibility as a Regional Council.

Ÿ Water use

Rainfall throughout July has topped up dams and groundwater supplies, so some of the recent long-standing issues with water supplies running dry have been resolved. Further work is required to ensure newly installed dams are undergoing the necessary safety checks.

Ÿ Wastewater

A large number of overflows and damage to wastewater infrastructure was reported during the recent flood event. There is little that can be done at this stage, other than ensuring remedial works are undertaken without exacerbating issues when working near or in waterways.

Ÿ Forestry and Earthworks

Staff have been working through a large number of issues in the region relating to sediment and control following the recent storm event. A significant amount of repair work has been undertaken under emergency works provisions as provided in the RMA.

Ÿ Waste management

Four incidents involving the discharge of hazardous substances and 31 enquiries regarding contaminated land were received and responded to. No hazardous waste was disposed of during the reporting period.
A contractor to assist with the hazardous waste disposal programme has been chosen. The next steps include setting up a contract and discussing logistics with our key stakeholders prior to launching the marketing campaign for the change in programme.

The tender to clean up some one million litres of solvents and other hazardous waste has been awarded to InterGroup Limited and work on the Ruakaka/Bream Bay site will begin in early September. The Whangārei District Council (WDC) is managing the contract, with the initial costs being jointly funded by the WDC, NRC, Ministry for the Environment, WorkSafe and the Environmental Protection Authority.

Farm Dairy Effluent (FDE) Monitoring

FDE inspections commenced on 27 July 2020. A total of 804 farms will be visited by the contractor or NRC staff before Christmas – 25 less farms than last year. Six hundred and nine of the farms are consented and 195 are operating under the permitted activity criteria in our Regional Plans.

Drought Recovery Grant – partial reimbursement of transport costs

NRC is administrating an MPI funding grant of $250,000 to help Northland livestock owners mitigate animal welfare issues, subject to set criteria.

The grant has been live since 1 July 2020 and we have received 12 applications so far (all dairy). Initially the maximum available per business group was $1000, however, given the slow uptake, feedback from industry professionals and recent flooding, NRC has amended the criteria to enable a reimbursement of 90% of transport costs up to a maximum of $5000.

It is hoped that the change in criteria will encourage more farmers to apply for the grant. This change was made live on our website from 30 July. Previous applicants will be contacted to inform them of the change. The funding is available until November, when any remaining funds would be returned to MPI.

Funds allocated so far (under the previous $1000 criteria):

July – Week 1	July – Week 2	July – Week 3	July – Week 4	TOTAL
$2,000.00	$2,579.12	$1,382.72	$748.54	$6,710.38

The decision panel - comprised of Land Management, Civil Defence and Farm Monitoring staff - meets once a week to review and determine the applications.

Environmental Incidents

There were no incidents recorded during the reporting period that resulted in a significant environmental impact.

ENFORCEMENT

Abatement notices, infringement notices and formal warnings

The following enforcement actions were taken during the period:

Nature of Offence	Infringement Notice		Abatement Notice		TOTAL *
Nature of Offence	No. Offences	No. Notices	No. Offences	No. Notices	No. Offences	No. Notices
Burning & smoke nuisance	1	1	4	5	4	6
Discharge to land	1	1	1	1	2	2
Earthworks / land use	1	1	2	3	2	4
Illegal activity in coastal marine area	1	1	3	6	3	7
Illegal take, dam or diversion of water	0	0	1	2	1	2
Occupy CMA	1	1	0	0	1	1
Other water discharge	0	0	1	1	1	1
Sewage	0	0	1	1	1	1
TOTAL	5	5	13	19	14	24

*An infringement notice and an abatement notice may be issued for the same offence. This means that in the above table, Column 5 (Total No. Offences) is not necessarily the sum of Column 1 (Infringement Notice No. Offences) + Column 3 (Abatement Notice No. Offences).

Other Enforcement

Ÿ Farm dairy effluent – Pūrua

Charges were laid against a farm owner and his company, as well as the farm manager and his company, for offences which occurred in August 2019. The farm has a poor history of compliance with regional rules for animal effluent disposal. The defendants pled guilty to a total of 14 charges on 23 July 2020. Sentencing is scheduled for 18 September 2020 in the Whangārei District Court.

Ÿ Sand dune removal – Tokerau Beach

Charges were laid against two parties - an individual and his company - for offending which occurred in July 2019. The alleged offences include the removal of a sand dune at Tokerau Beach. Guilty pleas were entered by the individual on 22 May 2020, with the charges against the company withdrawn. The individual has requested to participate in the restorative justice process, this has been agreed and directed by the Judge, and we are awaiting a date to be set. The next court appearance will be 23 September 2020 to monitor the restorative justice process and to set a sentencing date.

Ÿ Timber treatment plant

Charges were filed in the Whangārei District Court on 12 March 2020 against a company and an individual for discharges from a timber treatment processing plant. The plant has a history of poor compliance with resource consent conditions. Not guilty pleas were entered on 29 May 2020. Further charges were filed on 8 July 2020. The first appearance date was 23 July 2020 in the Whangārei District Court. The judge has agreed that the two sets of charges be joined. The case has been adjourned until 18 September 2020 for entering of pleas in the Whangārei District Court.

Ÿ Earthworks without erosion and sediment controls – Totara North

Charges were laid in the Kaitāia District Court on 20 July 2020 against an individual for earthworks undertaken without controls, and work within a watercourse and the riparian management zone. There are six charges against the individual. A summons to the defendant has been prepared and is awaiting service. The first court appearance with be 21 August 2020 in the Kaitāia District Court.

Ÿ Abatement notice appeal – open burning, Orongo Bay

An abatement notice issued in May 2020 for burning of prohibited materials has been appealed by the alleged offender. All parties have agreed to court assisted mediation, which has been scheduled for 25 August 2020 in Kerikeri.

COASTAL / WATER QUALITY FIELD OPERATIONS

Ÿ All routine monthly water quality and ecological programmes were undertaken, including:

Ÿ Four coastal water quality sampling runs

Ÿ Nine river water quality, priority catchment and periphyton sampling runs

Ÿ Six continuous water quality stations (five freshwater and one coastal) were validated

Ÿ Quarterly coastal buoy deployments at Hātea River, Waitangi and the outer Bay of Islands

Ÿ Staff undertook water quality monitoring following the 17 July 2020 weather bomb to determine effects of the storm on river and coastal water quality.

Ÿ Fifteen continuous dissolved oxygen sensors were retrieved in July. These sensors, installed in early May, helped determine the effects of the low flow conditions still being experienced at the time and also captured the 17 July weather bomb. They will be reinstalled in early spring 2020.

HYDROLOGY

Rainfall

Ÿ July 2020 was marked by a significant weather event which began with as moderate event on 15 and early 16 July with flooding around Kaeo, Taipā and Waimate North Road. This was followed by a day of little rain for the remainder of 16 July, then a long series of intense storm cells from early morning 17 July until midday 18 July.

Ÿ These storm cells began in the already saturated and elevated Waitangi Catchment with periods of intense rain up to 45mm per hour from 4am to 3pm causing the second highest flows in the Waitangi since 1979. Widespread rain then began spreading throughout the region and recurring storm cells became more concentrated around Whangārei:

Ÿ 60mm in 30 minutes falling at the North Regional Council Glenbervie Forest rain gauge (1:100-year rainfall)

Ÿ 50.6mm in 30 minutes at the North Regional Council Water Street rain gauge (1:100-year rainfall)

Ÿ This led to significant flooding in the Whangārei township, the highest recorded flows in the Hātea River since 1986, the Wairohia River since 1979 and what would have been the highest recorded flow in the Raumanga River had the Hopua te Nihotetea Detention Dam not ‘throttled back’ the flows.

Ÿ The month overall was wet, with rainfall around 92% of that expected at Poutu Point to closer to 280% of that expected in Kaikohe, the Hātea catchment and Whangārei township.

A close up of a map

Description automatically generated

River Flows

· River flows were 200-400% above normal along the east coast of the region with the remaining catchments at 100-200% compared with long term averages for the month of July.

Groundwater

Ÿ Groundwater levels have increased as a result of the recent wet conditions, particularly after the 15 to 18 July 2020 weather event. Groundwater levels are near or above normal (ok) for this time of year at all measured aquifers, except Mangawhai and Ruawai.

Area	Status (July 2020)
Aupōuri	OK
Taipā	OK
Russell	OK
Kaikohe	OK
Whangarei	OK
Mangawhai	Below Average
Marsden - Ruakaka	OK
Ruawai	Below Average

Weather Forecast

Ÿ NIWA predict near normal rainfall from now to October. There still remains a chance of La Nina conditions developing over coming months which would typically mean wetter conditions for Northland.

Hydrology Projects

Ÿ High flows through the Maungaparerua River have damaged the weir. Hydrology staff and contractors are assessing damage and flow record will be unreliable until this is repaired.

Ÿ The Waiarohia flow recorder at Lovers Lane is being shifted to the opposite bank to make way for the new Civic Centre development.

Ÿ The Hydrology Team is working through the large volume of information gathered during the flood including surveyed flood levels, photographs and videos. This information will be used to assess the validity of the current flood thresholds regarding main access routes and key infrastructure.

Natural Resources Data

Ÿ LAWA: The Natural Resources (NR) Data Team is reviewing audit files to ensure that the data is complete and correct as part of the Annual Refresh 2020 for Rivers, Lakes and Groundwater topics 2020, which will be completed from July to September 2020. The national picture content for the river water quality topic will be published on LAWA for World Rivers Day on 27 September 2020 (lakes, groundwater and land cover topics will be promoted later in October/November).

Ÿ The ecological database (KiEco) is still under construction and is expected operational by December 2020.

Ÿ The NR Data Team continued to work with the Online Services Team to update the platform for displaying environmental data on the council’s website.

NATURAL RESOURCES SCIENCE

Air quality and carbon emission

Ÿ Ambient PM₁₀ monitoring results for June 2020 for the Whangārei and Marsden Point airsheds and Kawakawa township show that compliance was met with the National Environmental Standards for Air Quality. Ambient PM_2.5 monitoring results for Whangārei were within the Ambient Air Quality Guideline value.

Ÿ The unsealed road PM₁₀ monitoring (2019/20) report was completed and distributed to WDC, FNDC, KDC and dust nuisance incident reporters. The Kaiwaka site recorded the highest PM₁₀ concentrations, with several concentrations exceeding 50 µg/m³ over a 24-hour averaging period.

Ÿ The air quality monitoring network review continued.

Ÿ A suitable air monitoring site in Mairtown, Whangārei has been found and power connection for the installation of the PM₁₀ monitor (mobile BAM) has been completed. The monitor will be installed in early August 2020.

Ÿ Council’s CO₂-e (carbon dioxide equivalent) emission is presented in the graph below. The graph shows a comparison of council’s monthly emission of CO₂-e between 2019 and 2020. The effect of lockdown can be seen with reduced emissions in April and May. High CO₂-e in February is contributed to by increased fuel consumption, which could be the result of extra vehicle use associated with our drought response.

Ÿ Statistics New Zealand released “Greenhouse gas emission by regions (industry and household): Year ended 2018 on 23 July 2020”. In summary:

Ÿ Northland contributed 5.8 percent of total national emissions.

Ÿ Northland is the eighth largest regional contributor to New Zealand’s emissions.

Ÿ CO₂ is the main gas emitted.

Ÿ Between 2007 and 2018, Northland’s emissions fell by 545 kilotonnes (10.8%)

Ÿ During this period Northland’s population rose 19%, while household emissions rose 23%

Ÿ For more detail, visit https://www.stats.govt.nz/news/mixed-performance-by-regions-leaves-national-emissions-picture-unchanged

Freshwater Ecology

Ÿ The draft report assessing the ecological impacts of drought on stream invertebrate communities in Northland was received from Massey University. The report has been reviewed and the final report will be available soon. The report reviews historical macroinvertebrate data and aims to set the background for assessing the impacts of the 2020 drought once that data is available.

Monitoring Network Review

Ÿ Our rivers and lakes water quality monitoring networks have been optimised, so that they are fit for purpose to meet the objectives of the Proposed Regional Plan and national statutory requirements/policy. Integration with our other monitoring networks (ie. hydrometric, freshwater allocation, groundwater and coastal) were considered together with other key regional initiatives (including the Kaipara Harbour Freshwater Improvement Fund) and emerging issues such as climate change impacts. Implications of various network options were tested to reach a most pragmatic and optimum monitoring network to provide a better understanding of the current state and implement national policy with a greater efficiency.

Ÿ Outcomes from the monitoring network review together with knowledge gaps in climate change impacts on freshwater ecosystems have been drafted as new initiatives for the purpose of upcoming Long-Term Plan.

Water Quality Modelling Work

Ÿ Land and Water Science has provided the final draft report on Northland's steady state water quality. The report has been externally peer reviewed by a leading water quality modeller – Dr
Ton Snelder – and is currently being internally reviewed by relevant staff.

Ÿ NIWA is currently in the process of calibrating the E. coli load model based on the most up to date landcover database (LCDB5) and AgriBase data. NRC is currently working with other consultants to map where current land management mitigations are in place, so that NIWA can make a baseline scenario to relate that to current water quality loads. The modelling regarding mitigation scenarios is currently on hold until the baseline scenario is derived. NIWA's water quality load model is due by the end of this year.

Marine

Ÿ Sediment sampling was undertaken in Whangārei Harbour. The sampling is undertaken every two years to monitor levels of metal contaminants. This year four additional sites, located in “in-water hull cleaning zones”, were added to the sampling programme to monitor any impact of the new in-water hull cleaning rules in the Proposed Regional Plan for Northland. The contaminants diuron and isoproturon, which are herbicides used in antifouling paint, were also added to the suite of contaminants tested for at these new sites.

Ÿ Additional water quality sampling was undertaken in the Whangārei Harbour following the torrential rain that fell on 17 and 18 July 2020. The results will be compared with our routine water quality data to help us understand how these large rain events affect water quality in our harbours.

7.2.5 Environmental Services

land management

Farm Plan and Environment Fund Update

Farm Environment Plans 2019/2020		Environment Funds 2019/2020*
FEPs Commenced 2019/20	FEPs Completed 2019/20	No of Environment Funds Granted	Amount Granted
135	162	167	$1,152,305
*This includes MfE fund proportion of Hātea projects

Waimā Waitai Waiora – Freshwater Improvement Fund

Objective	Status
Te Kawa Waiora	Ÿ The Research Committee has been meeting regularly and has included a change in membership. Good progress made to date on key documents. Ÿ The introduction, description of the study area and the section titled “a tangata whenua view of rivers” of the master document are in their first iteration.
Farm Environment Plans	Ÿ 52 Farm Environment Plans (FEP’s) have been completed, exceeding the 40 FEP annual KPI.
Landowner grants	Ÿ Total of $142,499.05 spent toward landowner subsidies in 19/20 financial year. Ÿ Planting of ~100,000 plants is currently underway across eight separate planting projects.
Communication & engagement	Ÿ Video series – is on track. Ÿ Signed contract in place for web page development - due late September.
Water quality monitoring	Ÿ Signed contract in place with Manaaki Whenua for mātauranga monitoring app development. Ÿ Seven new monitoring sites have been established to further monitor mātauranga, feeding information into app development.

Sustainable Hill Country and Regional Priorities

Milestones	Status
Research
Coastal erosion buffers	A research plan has been approved by Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and a coastal erosion tool utilising remote sensing and LiDAR data is in development. A search is on for a coastal planting pilot.
Mature poplar / willow	A research plan has been approved by MPI and poplar has been milled into a range of products for treatment and mechanical testing.
Farm Environment Plans
	This target was achieved in 2019-20 year.
Stakeholder Engagement
	A project engagement strategy has been approved by MPI. Promotional material is in development including a ‘planting hub’ on the council website.
Land Treatments
Retirement fencing	In 2020-21 there is $121,000 (MPI) and $132,000 (council) dedicated to retirement fencing. Efund applications will be submitted in September.
Contractor capacity development	A list of contractors interested in planting work has been prepared. A contractor training programme is in development and will be delivered in May 2021.

Hātea Catchment Project

The final three months of the project have seen three planting projects approved (3,300 plants) and a further project proposed (1,170 plants). Several previous fencing and planting projects in the catchment were badly damaged in the recent storm and flooding event including the loss of the “Journey of the awa” sign that was erected at Otuihau.

New Whangārei Urban Awa (blue/green) Project

Funding has been approved to hire a project manager for this project, so the recruitment process has started. Stage 2 planning for the project work programme and the first year annual work plan are underway.

biodiversity

FIF Dune Lakes Project

Objective	Status
Aquatic weed and pest fish control	Ÿ The post herbicide operational Monitoring Plan has been accepted by Environmental Protection Agency and the three herbicide operations are on track for September. Ÿ Grass carp removal operations have been confirmed for October. Ÿ The pest fish operational schedule has been confirmed for this season.
Sediment and nutrient mitigation	Ÿ Planning is underway for physical nutrient management works over summer at lakes in the Far North, including Lake Ngatu and Rotokawau.
Māori Lakes Strategy	Ÿ The first of five dune lakes education days was held in the Far North on 31 July.
Fencing	Ÿ Progress is being made to move the fence at Lake Ngatu.
General	Ÿ The Year 3 Annual Report, Quarter 4 budget reports and Change Requests were submitted to the Ministry for Environment awaiting signoff.

Lakes

The Dune Lake Galaxias Working Group met on 7 July. The Taharoa Domain Board voted to stop further releases of trout into the lakes from Fish & Game NZ this year. The Dune Lake Galaxias Working Group is undertaking further monitoring of the lake this summer, and are working in conjunction with Te Roroa, Department of Conservation and NorthTec to design a robust sampling package which will help inform any decision around any future trout releases should they occur.

The three-yearly reed bed health survey at Lake Waikare was carried out with Te Roroa and the results are being analysed.

A meeting set up by the Ruakākā Parish Residents and Ratepayers Association to discuss concerns around Ruakākā Dune Lake and aspirations for its future was attended by council staff, Whangārei District Council, residents, iwi, Department of Conservation and other stakeholders with a variety of opinions being expressed. Advice about improving water quality and protecting biodiversity values was given. A letter outlining recommendations was also sent to the Whangārei District Council concerning nutrient mitigation and management of the stormwater reserve at the northern end of the lake.

CoastCare

A weed control plan for the dune area south of the Ruakaka estuary to Paradise Shores was finalised and distributed to key stakeholders. CoastCare staff have been liaising with Department of Conservation, Whangārei District Council and local volunteer groups on implementation of the plan.

Contractors have undertaken weed control work at several CoastCare dune restoration sites to release the dune plants from encroachment of exotics and help maintain the integrity and functioning of these dune areas.

A dune planting day was held at Tauroa Point with Te Rarawa and Ahipara Takiwā. One thousand spinifex were planted to help restore damaged dune areas.

A planting day was held at Pātaua North with Tahi, QEII and Whangārei Primary School. Eighteen hundred wīwī were planted as part of an ongoing effort to restore the dune system of this QEII Covenanted area, gradually removing exotic grasses from the mid-dune area and replacing with native dune plants to restore the natural biodiversity values and function.

Poutō Catchment Group

A meeting of the Poutō Catchment Working Group was held on 20 July. Agenda items included:

Ÿ Discussion of hornwort finds in two Poutō Lakes and the plan to eradicate it.

Ÿ Ideas for the use of catchment group funding for the financial year. Planting and maintenance are top of the agenda for this year.

Ÿ Update on the wilding conifer control proposal for Lake Humuhumu.

biosecurity PArtnerships

Kiwi Coast

As at 30 June 2020, 159 entities have linked into Kiwi Coast, 153 of which are community led groups and active projects. Collectively, these groups and projects manage approximately 198,300 ha. Monitoring results demonstrate the strength of Kiwi Coast’s collaborative approach. Collated trap catch data shows that 396,634 animal pests were trapped by groups and projects involved in the Kiwi Coast over the last seven years. On average, 1,800 animal pests are now trapped on the Kiwi Coast every week. A total of 16,187 people attended Kiwi Coast supported events and workshops during the past seven years. These events were also prime opportunities to deliver key messages around kiwi recovery and the importance of good dog control to kiwi survival.

Predator Free Whangārei

The Predator Free Whangārei Project, and associated funding was officially announced at a celebration at Barge Park on 10 July. Ministers Jones and Sage attended the event to announce $6M in project funding over the next five years. This funding will build on many years of successful predator control in our community.

Predator Free Whangārei aims to eradicate possums from the Whangārei Heads area, and significantly reduce possum, mustelid and rat numbers in the wider Whangārei area. It is work that could not be done without the tireless efforts of our community volunteers – many of whom were also in attendance at the celebration, alongside representatives from council, Predator Free 2050, Department of Conservation, and local iwi and hapū.

Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage (centre right) together with representatives from some of the partner organisations for the Predator Free Whangārei project.

MARINE BIOSECURITY

Hull Surveillance Programme

The 2020/2021 Hull Surveillance Programme was launched in July by marine biosecurity staff checking 20 high risk vessels in Tutukaka marina, with no marine pest incidence found. Compliance with the Pathway Plan was low, which is characteristic of vessels over the winter months.

Table 1: Hull Surveillance Programme Results (25/05/2020 – 25/07/2020)

Hull Surveillance Programme Results	Total this period	Total YTD
Pathways Plan Compliance
Number of vessels surveyed this period	20	20
% Pathways Plan Compliance*	40%	40%
Vessels found with Marine Pests
Sabella spallanzanii (fanworm)	0	0
Styela clava (clubbed tunicate)	0	0
Undaria pinnatifida (Japanese kelp)	0	0
Eudistoma elongatum (Australian droplet tunicate)	0	0
Pyura doppelgangera (sea squirt)	0	0

* This is the percentage of vessels surveyed that complied with the acceptable level of ‘light fouling’ as defined in the Marine Pathway Plan. Note: actual compliance is higher given not all these vessels will move from one designated place to another.

wilding conifer control

Work on the removal of wilding pines from Northland’s iconic lakes and wetlands continues. The most recent project is a collaboration at Lake Ngatu involving council, local iwi (Ngāi Takato), Department of Conservation and the Far North District Council. This project has removed mature pines which were at risk of falling into the lake and across adjacent properties, followed up with replanting the margins with natives. Staff are hopeful that the Ministry for Primary Industries will announce additional funding for wilding conifer action in Northland during August.

rivers

Long Term Plan Projects

Rivers

Comments

Awanui

JNL Spillway is 95% completed.

The Resource Consent is lodged for the Awanui Scheme upgrade.

We expect the archaeology authority to be delivered first week of August.

Detailed design work and landowner engagement is progressing.

Kerikeri-Waipapa

Design work is complete and resource consent is expected to be lodged in two weeks.

NATURAL HAZARDS

Work Streams	Status	Comments
Awanui and Kerikeri Flood Model	100%	The updated flood maps are live on council web page.
Coastal erosion hazard mapping	99% complete	New coastal erosion assessments and updates complete, and draft report and maps delivered
Coastal erosion hazard mapping	75% complete	Auckland University is mapping Northland historic shorelines and erosion risk. Now due September 2020.
Coastal flood hazard mapping	Kaipara Project is 99% complete	Coastal flood model for the Northern Kaipara Harbour complete. Draft report and maps being peer reviewed.
Coastal flood hazard mapping	Regional coastal flood project – 80% complete	Region wide coastal flood hazard assessment progressing as expected. Report and maps expected early August
Region-wide flood mapping	Design storm project – 65% complete	Project to develop area-specific design storm rainfall characteristics to improve the accuracy of flood models
	Hydro enforced DEM project – 95% complete	New hydro-enforced digital elevation model – draft deliverables received
	Region wide flood model – kick-off phase	Tender awarded to Water Technology and kick-off meeting held 30 July. $150,000 will come from the Natural Hazards Budget with a transfer of budget between cost centres required ($70k from the Minor River Works budget).

17 - 18 JULY 2020 Flood Response

During the flood the Hōpua te Nihotetea Detention dam filled to 58.19 mRL (OTP), which was approximately 9m above the service spillway inlet holding 400,000 cm of water. This reduced the flow from 1:90 to 1:27 year for the Raumanga Stream. Flood water peaked at the base of the Woods Road Flood Wall; however, this was two hours before low tide. The Rivers team undertook a comprehensive flood level survey across Northland to provide valuable data for the Region’s flood model.

Climate Change Response

Climate Adaptation Te Taitokerau (Regional Joint Adaptation Group)

Ÿ Adaptation planning

Cost estimates for a collaborative adaptative pathway planning program have been delivered. This is informing LTP funding bids which are aligned between councils.

Ÿ Regional climate adaptation strategy

Components of strategy to be delivered October 2020. Components being developed by council staff include a Regional Risk Assessment (60% complete) and Adaptation Options Framework (70% complete). Consultants are working on GIS climate risk analysis (90% complete). 

Ÿ Region wide governance

Draft terms of reference for the inter-council joint committee are being consulted on with iwi/hapū at each council. A joint paper was distributed to territorial authorities following presentation at Northland Forward Together meeting on 28 July.

Ÿ Climate change strategy

The council climate change strategy proposal was presented to TTMAC on 9 July and will be further developed with MTAG.

Northland Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) Capture

The new LiDAR data set is now being used widely throughout council and the Northland community. Council is also discussing additional deliverables with RPS, including buildings and road centrelines.

7.2.6 STRATEGY, Governance And Engagement

PROPOSED REGIONAL PLAN

During July 2020, all appeals on Topic 8 (Discharges to Air) to the Proposed Regional Plan were resolved via consent order. Rule C.7.2.5 (Discharges to air from industrial or trades premises) was set down for a hearing in late July, but the relevant parties managed to reach an agreement before the hearing. All other provisions within this topic (objectives, policies and rules) had previously been agreed between the parties.

This consent order can be found here: https://www.nrc.govt.nz/your-council/about-us/council-projects/new-regional-plan/consent-orders/

The Environment Court hearing for the mangrove provisions started 10 August 2002. The next scheduled hearing is for the land preparation provisions starting 21 Sepetember 2020.

NATIONAL INITIATIVES

Water Services Bill

The Government has introduced the Water Services Bill (the Bill) to the house. The Bill follows the establishment of Taumata Arowai (the Water Services Regulator) and is to ensure provision of safe drinking water by suppliers (excluding domestic ‘self-supplies’) by:

Ÿ providing a drinking water regulatory framework that is consistent with internationally accepted best practice, including requiring suppliers to have a drinking water safety plan and meet drinking water standards

Ÿ establishing a risk management framework (in conjunction with Resource Management Act mechanisms)

Ÿ building capacity and capability among drinking water providers

Ÿ establishing a framework for the improvement of the quality of water services (including stormwater and wastewater).

The Bill also makes amendments to the Local Government Act 2002 requiring assessment of drinking water, waste water and other sanitary services and section 104G of the Resource Management Act to require regard be had to effects of propsals on a registered drinking water supply and any risks identified in a water risk management plan. The Bill would require Te Mana o te Wai to be given effect to (as defined in the NPS for Freshwater).

The main implication for the regional council is a requirement (Section 45) to:

Ÿ annually publish information on source water quality and quantity

Ÿ every three years assess the effectiviness of rules and non-regulatry interventions to manage risks or hazards to source water.

No date has been set for submissions to a Select Committee. The Bill is available here: https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/bills-and-laws/bills-proposed-laws/document/BILL_93442/taumata-arowai-the-water-services-regulator-bill

Resource Management Reform

The Government has released a review of the resource management system New Directions for Resource Management in New Zealand. It recommends significant changes to the system including repeal of the Resource Management Act 1991 and replacing it with two new laws: a Natural and Built Environments Act and a Strategic Planning Act.

The Natural and Built Environments Act would focus on enhancing the quality of the environment and on achieving positive outcomes to support the wellbeing of present and future generations – this act would require that the principles of the Te Tiriti o Waitangi be given effect to - not just taken into account.

The Strategic Planning Act would set long-term strategic goals and integration of functions across the Local Government Act, the Land Transport Management Act and the Climate Change Response Act. It would also integrate land use planning with the provision of infrastructure and associated funding and investment.

Regional spatial planning will play a critical part in delivering the intended outcomes for the resource management system. Another new law recommended is a Managed Retreat and Climate Change Adaptation Act, which would establish an adaptation fund and address legal and technical issues involved in the process of managed retreat. https://www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/rma/new-directions-resource-management-new-zealand

Government have signalled there will be consultation on the reccomendations, but have yet to set a date.

National Policy Statements

The Government has released the new National Policy Statement on Urban Development (NPS-UD), replacing the National Policy Statement on Urban Development Capacity (NPS-UDC) that was introduced in 2016. The NPS-UD seeks to ensure that local authorities anticipate the demand for both housing and businesses in their regions/districts over the short, medium and long term, so that their planning documents provide for sufficient development capacity to accommodate that demand.

The NPS-UD identifies 3 tiers of urban environment, and 3 corresponding tiers of local authorities.Tier 1 and 2 urban environments and local authorities are those experiencing the greatest urban development. Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington and Christchurch are ‘Tier 1 urban environments’’. Whangārei is identified as a Tier 2 urban environment requiring a housing and business development capacity assessment (HBA) and Future Development Strategy (FDS), and set ‘housing bottom lines’ for the short-medium term (next 10 years) and the long term in the regional policy statement and district plan.

The HBA is required by 31 July 2021 and the FDS by 2024 (to inform the LTP). Council is required to insert ‘housing bottom lines’ into the Regional Policy Statement and criteria to assess ‘out of sequence’ plan changes. The timing appears to align well with the five-year review of the Regional Policy Statement.

The NPS-UD is available here: https://www.mfe.govt.nz/about-national-policy-statement-urban-development

The government has advised that the release of the National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land has been delayed and will be progressed in the late 2021.

The government has also advised that the National Environmental Standards for Marine Aquaculture Regulations 2020 (NES Marine Aquaculture) will come into force on 01 December 2020. These regulations provide for replacement coastal permits for existing marine farms, including in some situations, the ability for an existing marine farm to realign or make changes to consented species.

Our Proposed Regional Plan rules for the re-consenting of aquaculture are generally aligned with direction coming out of the NES (noting that many of our aquaculture rules are subject to Environment Court appeals). This aside, the regulations stipulate that a regional plan may adopt a more lenient rule for replacement coastal permits with regards to many of the rules outlined within the NES. The regulations also prescribe specific requirements for seeking the views of tangata whenua on draft coastal permit applications.

The NES Marine Aquaculture is available here:

http://legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2020/0170/latest/LMS377269.html

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Investment and Growth Reserve – Projects Report

Project	Update	Future developments/ reporting
Resources Enterprise Limited (REL)	Worked with lawyers to review the new evidence from defendants and submit a response to the High Court.	Defendants have until 21 August to respond. After which a decision will be made by the judge.
Northland Water Storage and Use	Final invoice request sent to Te Tai Tokerau Water Trust to complete council’s responsibility for the project. First quarterly payment made to Trust under funding agreement. Provided information to Trust to assist with their application to the EPA for fast track approval.	Consider options for council investment into future development once consents have been granted and commercial modelling completed.
Twin Coast Cycle Trail (TCCT)	Received completion report from FNDC. Worked with MBIE to confirm acceptance of report.	Make final payment to FNDC.
Extension 350	Quarterly report for the period ending 30 June received, and first quarter payment made for 2020/21.

Other Work Undertaken

Ÿ Review and provide advice to council on Oruku Landing development opportunity.

Ÿ Support Northland water strategic opportunities assessment being undertaken by GNS (funded by PDU)

Ÿ Joint economic development initiative – co-ordinate inter-council officers forum and preparation of presentation for Northland Forward Together Strategic Planning Workshop

ONLINE CHANNELS

Most popular content on Facebook: A video interview with Natural Hazards Engineer, Matt de Boer, appealing for photos and videos of the 17 July flood event from members of the public to contribute to help get a better understanding of flooding in Taitokerau. The video has over 3,000 views, reached over 17,000 people and engaged with more than 200 people.

*Engaged – number of people who ‘reacted’, commented or shared the post.

Key Performance Indicators	Mar-20	Apl-20	May-20	Jun-20	Jul-20
WEB
# Visits to the NRC website	30,300	25,100	27,900	33,800	48,900
E-payments made	8	5	6	5	31
# subscription customers (cumulative)	1,171	1,182	1,210	1,221	1,238
SOCIAL MEDIA (cumulative)
# Twitter followers	1,523	1,525	1,517	1,519	1,529
# NRC Facebook fans	9,553	9,599	9,627	9,713	9,767
# NRC Overall Facebook Reach	172,300	60,300	75,400	201,900	106,500
# NRC Engaged Daily Users	14,900	6,529	5,164	12,000	7,950
# CDEM Facebook fans	17,900	18,000	18,000	18,100	20,800
# CDEM Overall Facebook Reach	161,900	172,800	114,300	72,300	518,000
# CDEM Engaged Daily Users	20,600	19,200	11,800	5,817	92,200
# Instagram followers	1,137	1,163	1,172	1,193	1,203

NOTE: July - increase in visits to the website was due to the flood event, 17 July 2020.

ENVIROSCHOOLS / EDUCATION

Project Pest Control assessment workshops held

On 29 and 30 July the Whangārei Project Pest Control workshops were held at the Rayonier Matariki Forest in Glenbervie. Nearly 70 senior students handed in their theory papers and were assessed in practical tasks including trapping, skinning and machine plucking. Can Train, Rayonier and NRC staff shared their biosecurity and forestry career pathways with students.

Traps into Schools

On 27 July, two trap training workshops were held in Whangārei and Waipapa. School teachers and some students learnt how to use a range of traps before taking them back to school for use in their local communities. The traps were funded by the Biosecurity team as part of the Environmental Leaders Fund. An NRC Biosecurity Officer led the workshops, supported by the Enviroschools facilitators. Similar events will take place in Kaitāia and Dargaville.

School Communities Facilitated

Despite the school holidays, Enviroschools facilitators had specific interactions with 41 school and early childhood communities.

MARKETING AND ENGAGEMENT

2020 Whakamānawa ā Taiao - Environmental Awards

The second Whakamānawa ā Taiao - Environmental Awards were delivered with a two-pronged approach due to COVID-19. The original awards ceremony was cancelled and so a virtual ceremony was held via the NRC Facebook page instead. This was the first virtual event held by NRC via a social media platform. A kanohi ke ti kanohi event was held in Whangārei on 22 July to celebrate the winners and highly commended recepients. This provided a great opportunity for networking and learning more about each of the projects. Each of the winners received their trophies and prize packs.

The awards was the culmination of an extensive process involving many staff, planning and advertising the nomination process, receiving and judging applications virtually and organising two events.

There has been a lot of positive feedback from the community on the awards and appreciation for having their work acknowledged. The four-page spread went in the Northern Advocate on the 29 July. Video footage has been captured of each of the winners, highlighting their amazing mahi. The videos will be provided to all of the winners and will be released via the NRC social media channels.

MĀORI ENGAGEMENT

Ahakoa he iti, he pounamu “Referring to the tiniest piece of pounamu that still has significance”

Te Whāriki Core Cultural Competency Programme

Te Whāriki Core Cultural Competency Programme is council’s commitment to an organisational wide cultural training programme, with its main aim and purpose to build and improve the capabilities of staff to engage in a meaningful way. Our Kaiārahi Tikanga Māori re-established the one day noho marae after these were postponed due to COVID-19. These are being held on Terenga Paraoa Marae, Whāngarei and will be held monthly to ensure all staff have an opportunity to experience te reo me ona tikanga in one of the many prestigious marae in Te Taitokerau.

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Staff are asked to complete a self-assessment of their competencies (from 1 – no competency to 5 – highly competent) prior to the noho or training and then post-workshop to ascertain the learning outcomes and evaluations. Whereas prior to the training 57% of responses were either a 1 or a 2 (with an average competency of 2.4), following the workshop this reduced to 16% with an increased average competency of 3.4 (above average) as an example of the outcomes achieved.

To date we have received positive feedback and any recommendations for improvement have been incorporated in the planning of further workshops. There will be a full review of the programme in six months.

Māori Constituencies

Our team co-ordinated a positive workshop with guest speakers:

Ÿ Doug Leeder – Chair, BOPRC

Ÿ John Cronin - Previous BOPRC Chair when Māori constituencies were first established in the BOP

Ÿ Arapeta Tahana - Councillor, BOPRC Māori Constituencies Okūrei

Ÿ Andrew Judd - Previous New Plymouth Chair and an advocate for Māori constituencies

Ÿ Meng Foon - Previous Gisborne Mayor and currently Race Relations Commissioner HRC.

The main purpose was to provide the councillors with an opportunity to hear a range of diverse experiences as they consider Māori constituencies.

Long Term Planning

Workshops after our Kaiārahi Kaupapa Māori presented the process and timelines associated with the LTP at the formal TTMAC June meeting are scheduled with MTAG. This will be to review the feedback that was received from the previous consultations, identify those that are still relevant as priorities for tangata whenua and make recommendations for TTMAC to consider in the formal meeting in September.

Mana Whakahono ā Rohe – statutory agreement between council and hapū

Initial meetings have been held with Te Roroa, Patuharakeke, Ngāti Rehia and Te Uri o Hau to prioritise a collective approach to support the implementation as a pilot. Patuharakeke have agreed to progress this agreement with their Board.

TTMAC Panui

The first TTMAC panui since it’s re-establishment has been revamped and released thanks to the great support from our Communications and Marketing team and one of the many positive and informative platforms we have to share of TTMAC and the outcomes achieved. https://www.nrc.govt.nz/your-council/online-services/enewsletters/#Panui

LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL INFORMATION (LGOIMA) REQUESTS

Month	LGOIMA requests received 2019/20	LGOIMA requests received 2020/21
July	15	25
August	22
September	16
October	29
November	11
December	12
January	14
February	21
March	13
April	12
May	13
June	15
TOTAL LGOIMA REQUESTS RECEIVED	193	25
LGOIMA requests not responded to within 20 working days*	18	2

* REQ.599631 – Request for all records held relating to Wairere 2F2B Block, 50 McDonnell Road, Horeke. Staff called the requester to clarify what information was sought. Subsequently this request was superseded by a duplicate request.

REQ.599617 – Request regarding property at Southend Avenue. Delay in completing the response to the request was due to the request having to be transferred between departments to ensure all (if any) information held by council in relation to the request is provided to the requester.

7.2.7 Customer Service – Community Resilience

CUSTOMER SERVICES

Telephone Inbound Call Statistics & Enquiries

	July 2020	Target
Call volume via Customer Services	2,650
Conversion rate	97.4%	> 95%
Average wait time	5 sec
Calls answered in under 30 sec	95.8%	> 90%

During the peak of the flooding experienced this month, FNDC closed their offices leaving relatively few staff dealing with high call volumes. In frustration many residents called NRC and our customer services staff responded and directed calls to appropriate services.

Regional Offices

Dargaville and Waipapa offices have extended their opening hours to 0800 - 1630 to align with Whangārei’s opening hours.

Resident Survey

The draft survey has been received and returned for minor edits to ensure verbatim responses have been grouped correctly. This has delayed the final report which is now due in the first week of August.

Satisfaction Monitoring

• Feedback Cards, Compliments and Complaints

Feedback cards have been included with compliments and complaints, as appropriate.

Compliments received	Total
Service provided by a specific person / people · Land Management – K Drake	1
Overall service · Compliance Monitoring · Land Management	2
Total compliments recorded	3
Complaints received	Total
Disagree with decision or process · Compliance Monitoring · Hydrology	2
Total complaints recorded	2

Both complaints are still open and being actively resolved.

CIVIL DEFENCE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Northland Flood July 2020

On Wednesday 15 July weather warnings were issued for the Northland region predicting up to 130mm of rain in some locations over 24 hours. As a result, there was widespread rainfall across the region, with maximum falls in the 24-hour period being 160mm in and around the Waitangi catchments.

On Friday 17 July further heavy rain and thunderstorms were forecast and caused widespread flooding, road closures, slips and damage to property.

During the afternoon of 17 July up to 180mm of rain accumulated in and around Waitangi with lesser falls in other parts of the mid North. At 7.00pm the thunderstorms had moved south towards Whangārei and high intensity rainfall occurred in and around the city and surrounding areas. Between 8.00pm and 10.00pm the Northland Regional Council rain gauge in the city recorded 88mm in 2 hours, a 1:100-year return period event.

As a result, the State Highway 1 network was blocked in numerous places due to flooding, including Mangamuka, Turntable Hill at Moerewa, Puketona, Rangiahua and further north with a number of council roads blocked by flood waters, slips and downed trees.

A number of homes, clubs and businesses were affected by flooding, slips and ground movement in various locations across the region, including Puketona, Moerewa, Waikare and Whangārei.

The CDEM Group and emergency services responded to the immediate event with FENZ and Police (approximately 220 recorded calls to FENZ in four hours) responding to calls for assistance with flooding in houses, around houses, arcing of power in water and several rescues of people from vehicles trapped in flood water.

Police also responded to numerous 111 calls and assisted with the evacuation of three houses in Heretaunga Street, Tikipunga (three families were evacuated and provided with emergency accommodation).

Two Civil Defence Centres (CDC) were established in Whangārei - one in the Onerahi Community Hall and one at the Kamo Scout Hall - with support from council staff and community volunteers including the NZ Red Cross, Kamo Scout leaders and members of the community. Eleven people were supported through the Kamo CDC and two people were supported through the Onerahi CDC. Most evacuees made their own shelter arrangements.

Two community shelters were opened in Kawakawa and Moerewa to support locally displaced people and those travelling on route through Northland - 45 people were supported overnight.

Insurance companies report over 2,000 claims for flood damage and the Earthquake Commission report over 121 separate claims.

Infrastructure issues were managed by the relevant department managers over the following days with some works continuing, with water restrictions placed on the Whangārei district for the following seven days and several district roads are still closed.

The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) are dealing with large slips on State Highway 1 Mangamuka, with a 4 to 6-week timeframe to repair the major slips.

Over 110 homes in Moerewa were assessed and homes had septic tanks emptied as well as providing support with skip bins to remove flood damage house hold goods. Properties in Waikare were also assessed and support provided.

The Minister of Civil Defence, Honourable Peeni Henare and MP Kelvin Davis visited the region on Sunday 19 July together with the Acting Director of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) David Cotezee. Discussions included the impact to people, homes and businesses as well as infrastructure and the rural sector. Minister Henare announced a $30,000 Mayoral Relief Fund for the region. The Northland CDEM Group is administering the fund on behalf of the Mayors.

The New Zealand Insurance Council (NZIC) and EQC both sent representatives to Northland and a meeting was held on 20 July with the various representatives to understand the scale of the event and number of claims lodged for the region.

Recovery updates are being issued by the Northland CDEM Group and recovery operations led by the Northland CDEM Group Recovery Manager.

Rural Water

Iwi, representatives of the Northland DHB Public Health Unit, Te Puni Korkiri, FNDC, KDC and the Northland CDEM Group have collectively recognised that there is a vulnerable community of whanau living in rural communities in Northland that are struggling to access the quantity and quality of water they need for drinking, cooking, bathing, hand washing, and growing their kai.

Due to the socio-economic constraints and poor infrastructure (failing tanks and poor supply systems) many whanau have had difficulty throughout the drought maintaining a reliable water supply.

As a result, a scoping exercise designed to identify and prioritise the at-risk communities that would most benefit from assistance in repairs, maintenance or upgrading of water supply infrastructure has commenced and evaluation of the various potential funding mechanisms and the criteria that may support the various initiatives that might support this project.

CDEM Work Programme

Since mid-January the Northland CDEM Group professionals have been involved with responses to drought, COVID-19 and a flooding emergency. As a consequence a number of activities that were identified in the annual work programme have been reviewed, with some activities being paused whilst other have been stopped. A review of the project plan for the development of the Northland CDEM Group Plan review has been carried out. Although some due dates for milestones have changed, is anticipated that the plan review will be completed on time in late 2021.

COVID-19 Response Review

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) held a two-day de-brief for the COVID-19 response on 27 and 28 July, which was attended by the Northland CDEM Group Controller and Welfare Manager. The two Group Controllers from Northland have also had the opportunity to contribute to the national review of the response via a two-hour video interview session.

One of the key aspects of the review has been the need to undertake “Resurgence Planning” which is based upon various scenarios that may unfold if/when the coronavirus remerges in communities.

TRANSPORT

Regional Transport Planning

Ÿ Government Policy Statement

Ÿ The Government Policy Statement may be released a month later than expected.

Ÿ At this time, there is no indication as to what extent the government may change the GPS due to the financial impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. Whilst the initial indications were that there would be little change from the Draft GPS, this may now no longer be the case.

Ÿ Draft Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP) and Draft Regional Public Transport Plan (RPTP) Update

Ÿ Following the Investment Logic Mapping workshop help in June 2020, a copy of the Problem Statements, Benefits to be achieved by addressing the problem statements and the Objectives to be achieved, were distributed to all elected representatives and their support staff with a request for feedback.

Ÿ There were a number of recommendations put forward to adjust the wording of the above to better align with the Draft GPS released earlier in the year. These recommended changes will be tabled at the 12 August 2020 Regional Transport Committee meeting for consideration.

Ÿ There is concern regarding the reported late release of a number of NZTA documents and programmes which feed into, direct and record the content and outcome of both the RLTP and the RPTP. These delays have the potential to result in both documents not being completed by 30 April 2021.

Ÿ In spite of the above, staff have continued to work on the strategic front end of both documents.

Passenger Transport Administration

Bus Link stats for June (revenue ex GST)	Actual	Budget	Variance	Year/Date Actual	Year/Date Budgeted
City Link Passengers	33,552	30,010	3,542	314,549	349,050
CityLink Revenue	$30,194	$40,514	-$10,320	$388,521	$471,218
Mid North Link Passengers	166	156	10	1,809	1,830
Mid North Link Revenue	$604	$780	-$176	$6,725	$9,150
Hokianga Link Passengers	39	78	-39	609	924
Hokianga Link Revenue	$478	$1,017	-$539	$5,912	$12,049
Far North Link Passengers	386	611	-225	4,909	7,424
Far North Link Revenue	$948	$1,483	-$535	$11,672	$18,561
Bream Bay Link Passengers	47	24	23	507	270
Bream Bay Link Revenue	$315	$86	$229	$3,117	$972

Bus Link stats for July (revenue ex GST)	Actual	Budget	Variance	Year/Date Actual	Year/Date Budgeted
City Link Passengers	27,347	29,331	-1,984	27,347	29,331
CityLink Revenue		$39,597			$39,597
Mid North Link Passengers	153	156	-3	153	156
Mid North Link Revenue	$537	$780	-$243	$537	$780
Hokianga Link Passengers	43	78	-35	43	78
Hokianga Link Revenue	$465	$1,017	-$552	$465	$1,017
Far North Link Passengers		699			699
Far North Link Revenue		$1,748			$1,748
Bream Bay Link Passengers	64	30	34	64	30
Bream Bay Link Revenue	$430	$108	$322	$430	$108

*Far North Link Stats were unavailable at the time of the report and CityLink were based on provisional reports

Total Mobility

Total Mobility (TM) figures are reported one month in arrears, due to the required information being unavailable at the time of the agenda deadline.

	Total Clients	Monthly Actual Expend	Monthly Budgeted Expend	Monthly Variance	Year/Date Actual Expend	Year/Date Budgeted Expend	Annual Variance
June 2020	1647	$28,909	$25,000	+$3,909	$220,488	$300,000	-$79,512

Total Mobility Trips

Total Mobility trips in 2018/2019 were 34,879, compared to 2019/2020 31,882 a decline of 2997 trips due to COVID-19.

Total Mobility Figures

Actual spend for the 2019/20 financial year was $220,488 as against $215,502 for the 2018/19 financial year. The increase of $4,986 can be attributed to increasing the maximum fare and more trips in May and June due to FREE FARES, COVID-19.

ROAD SAFETY UPDATE

The following crash data for both 2019 and year to date 2020 offers a snapshot of crash statistics for both national and Northland deaths.

The ‘RIDS’ factors – Restraints, Impairment, Distraction and Speed were influencing factors in many of the fatal crashes and the issues that have been identified in the current Northland Road Safety Issues 2014-2018 document to help us better understand the scale, progress and key factors that need to be targeted to reduce these numbers in avoidable deaths and serious injuries on our roads.

Road Trauma Update: New Zealand 2019 Road Death Overview

National 353 - 24 fatalities below the figure for the same period in 2018 and 25 less than in 2017

Northland 29 - 6 fatalities below (18%) the same period in 2018 and 12 less (30%) than in 2017

2020 YEAR TO DATE ROAD DEATH STATISTICS

National 176 deaths compared to 206 at the same time in 2019

Northland 16 deaths compared to 17 at the same time in 2019

Police/Waka Kotahi crash snapshot of Northland deaths 2020 year to date

3 January	SH 1, Waipu	Head on crash	49yo M
26 January	Kaitaia	Car vs tree	44yo M
23 February	Whananaki North Road	Ute vs tree	35yo M, 12yo F, 5yo M
3 March	SH 10, Mangonui	Car vs ute	34yo F
13 March	SH 1, Hukerenui	Car vs SUV	66yo F, 63yo F, 57yo F
26 March	Oakleigh-Paparoa Road	Ute vs bank	4yo M
6 April	Brooks Road, Waipu	Car vs tree	66yo M
19 April	Moerewa	Car vs parked car	18yo F
15 May	Mangawhai	Motorcycle (offroad)	52yo M
17 June	Kaitaia	Motorcycle (offroad) – no helmet	17yo M
26 June	Wheki Valley	Car vs truck	43yo F
29 July	SH 1, Okaihau	Car vs culvert – no seatbelt	26yo F

Work is continuing on an updated Northland Road Safety Issues 2015-2019 crash data reference document. Key issues identified in the 2014-2018 document again highlight the frequency of -

Ÿ Open road crashes

Ÿ Loss of control on bends

Ÿ Hitting roadside objects

Ÿ Impairment

Ÿ Travel Speed

Ÿ Seatbelts

Ride Forever (R4E) Rider Training Update:

There have been 240 motorcycle riders trained through the ACC initiated R4E training courses held in Northland in the 2019/2020 year. 61 riders successfully completed the Bronze Course, 112 the Silver Course and 67 the Gold Course.

Road safety promotion work: centred around supporting Police with road safety promotional items for motorists recognising safe driving practices and promoting seatbelt wearing.

New annual contracts with both the Northland MediaWorks and NZME radio networks including print and digital platforms have been renewed for 2020/2021.

Key messaging will target - Restraint use, Impairment, Distractions, Speed, Fatigue, Driver Behaviour and planning journeys. This regional messaging was also further supported by Waka Kotahi NZTA national road safety campaign messaging. Advertising themes for July & August have been Alcohol, Safe Vehicles, Speed, Seatbelts.

MARITIME

Twenty-five incidents were received during the month of July, most of which were related to severe weather events. The weather event saw most of the Council-managed aids to navigation within the Hātea River shifted out of position, and several owner-occupied vessels dragged anchor and grounded. Live-aboard vessels are prone to dragging in poor weather, are usually in poor condition, occupy areas for prolonged periods and often obstruct navigation channels and access to wharfs and facilities. Increasing time is being spent by the maritime team dealing with the problems that result.

Two wrecked or abandoned boats have been dealt with this month, with another eleven throughout the region in various stages of progress to be removed or destroyed.

The National Harbourmasters Special Interest Group (presently chaired by Northland) and the Port and Harbour Safety Code Forum convened via virtual meetings, attended by the HM, DHM and Marine Manager. The topic of risk and assessing risk comprehensively featuring prominently in both.

The Bay of Islands Pilot Training Manual is currently under its periodic review. We have also recently had under review several existing and new Pilot Exemption Training Manuals for Whangārei Harbour, most notably the recent approval of a PEC manual for McCallum Brothers operating a tug and barge for uplift of cement out of Portland.

Attachments/Ngā tapirihanga

Attachment 1: NRC Response to COVID-19 ⇩

Council Meeting item: 7.4

18 August 2020

TITLE:	Reporting on Long Term Plan 2018-2028 Performance Measures for the Year Ended 30 June 2020
ID:	A1347486
From:	Robyn Broadhurst, Policy Specialist

Executive summary/Whakarāpopototanga

This report presents the results of council’s key performance indicators, as set and adopted in the Long Term Plan 2018–2028, for the financial year 1 July 2019 to 31 June 2020.

Recommendation

That the report ‘Reporting on Long Term Plan 2018-2028 Performance Measures for the Year Ended 30 June 2020’ by Robyn Broadhurst, Policy Specialist and dated 1 August 2020, be received.

Background/Tuhinga

The Long Term Plan 2018–2028 comprises 51 key performance indicators that measure aspects of council’s service provision across five activity groupings:

· Governance and engagement

· Regulatory services

· Environmental services

· River management

· Customer services and community resilience.

Each performance measure provides a snapshot of the activity’s performance.

Of the 51 measures, 27 have been achieved, and 24 have not been achieved. It is important to note that a number of those measures not met are outside of council’s control, with many falling short as a result of both the drought response and the impacts of COVID-19. A summary of all measures is set out in the table below. The full results will be in the final annual report, which is scheduled to be presented to council for adoption in October.

Governance and engagement | Ratonga whakahaere whakauru

1.1 Governance
1.1.1 Maintain effective, open and transparent democratic processes
Percentage of official information requests that are responded to within 20 working days.	100% compliance	90% – not achieved 18 out of 193 LGOIMA requests were not responded to within 20 working days.
Percentage of time that council receives a favourable ("unqualified") audit opinion on its Long Term Plan, Annual Plan, and Annual Report.	100% compliance	100% – achieved
Percentage of time that elected members attend council meetings.	90% compliance	93% – achieved
Percentage of the community surveyed that is satisfied with the way council involves the public in the decisions it makes.	Improve	25% – not achieved Baseline data = 33%
1.2 Māori relationships
1.2.1 Establish enduring and robust governance relationships between council and Māori of Taitokerau
Ten meetings (five formal meetings and five marae-based meetings) of the Te Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party are held each 12-month period.	10 meetings held annually	Not achieved Local body elections and re-establishment of TTMAC saw no meetings between Oct 2019 – March 2020. All April/June marae-based meetings were cancelled due to the impacts of COVID-19.
1.2.2 Provide opportunities for Māori to participate in council processes
Percentage of time council meets all relevant requirements of Treaty of Waitangi settlement legislation.	100% compliance	95.6% – not achieved This measure comprises three elements: the recording of statutory acknowledgements in regional plans; attendance and support of co-governance committees; and circulation of consent applications to Treaty settlement groups. Council has achieved two of these elements in full, with the third (the circulation of consent applications) achieved in part. This was due to 83 bore consents failing to be circulated.
Percentage of time targeted pre-consultation engagement is undertaken with Māori during council's statutory Resource Management Act planning processes.	100% compliance	100% – achieved
1.3 Communication and engagement
1.3.1 Support and deliver environmental education initiatives
Percentage of schools and kindergartens participating in the Enviroschools programme. Schools include primary, intermediate and secondary schools.	Maintain or increase	66% – achieved Baseline data = 62%
1.3.2 Promote effective community engagement
Number of subscribers to online and social media channels (includes social media, eNewsletters and web alerts).	25% annual increase (number and percentage increase to be reported)	14% – not achieved 18,617 subscribers in total This is due to a shift in focus from increasing FB likes/followers to improving reach and overall engagement with our audience.
Frequency of engagement with council's Collaborative Community Engagement Groups.	Annual engagement with 100% of groups (Actual number of groups and percentage compliance to be reported)	98% – not achieved Engagement was achieved with 123 out of 126 active groups. One instance was due to limited staff resourcing; one was engaged with via phone and email but not face-to-face; and the final one was the far north civil defence group of Moehinui marae.
1.4 Economic development
1.4.1 Invest in economic development projects and ventures within Northland to improve Northland's economic performance
Northland Inc's compliance with Local Government Act requirements relating to its Statement of Intent (SOI).	100% compliance	100% – achieved
Percentage of Northland Inc's SOI key performance indicators achieved by 30 June each year.	100% compliance	63% – not achieved 10 of the 16 key performance indicators were achieved. Of the six not achieved, four were due to the impacts of COVID-19. The fifth one was just below target (44 vs 45) with reporting data only available up until the end of March. The sixth one has not been reported on due to lack of data.

Regulatory services |Ratonga a ture

2.1 Planning and policy
2.1.1 Develop and maintain regional planning documents for the management of Northland's natural and physical resources
Develop a new Regional Plan.	2019/20: Engage Māori and stakeholders in plan preparation process	Not achieved Planning for engagement on the plan change to implement the NPS Freshwater Management has started, but not the engagement itself. This is largely due to the delay in the release of the updated NPS Freshwater Management, and staff effort focussed on resolving appeals on the Proposed Regional Plan.
Make changes to the new Regional Plan and Regional Policy Statement (RPS) as necessary to implement national direction and to respond to resource management issues.	2019/20: Engage Māori and stakeholders in plan preparation process	Not achieved See explanation above for measure "Develop a new Regional Plan".
2.2 Consents
2.2.1 Provide efficient and effective processing and administering of resource consents
Percentage of all resource consent applications that are processed within the statutory timeframes.	98% compliance	100% – achieved
2.3 Monitoring (compliance monitoring)
2.3.1 Provide efficient and effective compliance monitoring of resource consents
Percentage of monitored resource consents that are not graded as significantly non-compliant.	90%	94.4% – achieved
Percentage of monitored permitted farm dairy effluent activities that are not graded as significantly non-compliant.	90%	85% – not achieved 30 of 199 permitted activity dairy farms were inspected and found to be significantly non-compliant. This measure is dependent on landowner behaviour which, while influenced by council activities, is also influenced by factors outside of council’s control.
Percentage of consents for industrial, municipal sewage and farm discharges, and major water takes requiring monitoring, that are monitored as per the council's consent monitoring programme.	100%	90.9% – not achieved 881 of 969 consents were monitored as per their monitoring programme. Of the 88 consents that were not fully monitored, 69 of them had some monitoring during the year. Only 19 consents had none of the required monitoring undertaken. This was largely due to lack of resources during the drought 2020 response and the impacts of COVID-19.
2.3.2 Efficient and effective response to and resolution of reported environmental incidents
Percentage of environmental incidents with more than minor effects reported to the Environmental Hotline resolved within 30 working days.	80% resolved within 30 working days	89% – achieved
2.4 Monitoring (State of the environment monitoring)
2.4.1 Gather and make available information on the suitability of water bodies for swimming and shellfish collection
Monitor at least 50 popular swimming sites weekly during the summer for faecal indicator bacteria and publish the results (sites are monitored weekly in the summer from late November/early December to late February/early March).	50 or more sites monitored weekly during summer	60 sites – achieved
Monitor at least 15 popular shellfish collection sites weekly during the summer and publish the results (sites are monitored weekly in the summer from late November/early December to late February/early March).	15 or more sites monitored weekly during summer	15 sites – achieved
2.4.2 Monitor the life-supporting capacity of water (fresh and marine), uses and values
Percentage of sites monitored for macroinvertebrates showing improved or maintained trend in their Macroinvertebrate Community Indices (MCI).	At least 90%	Data Unavailable Results have not been received from the provider due to delays because of the impacts of COVID-19. Results are expected in September 2020.
Percentage of fish monitoring sites showing improved or maintained trend in their Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI).	At least 90%	Data Unavailable No data to assess due to the drought response and the impacts of COVID-19, with no following data expected.
Percentage of lake sites monitored for ecological status showing improved or maintained trend in their Submerged Plant Indices (SPI).	At least 90%	0% – not achieved/data unavailable Ecological Survey was booked in April with NIWA but was postponed until August/ September 2020 due to impacts of COVID-19.
Percentage of lake sites monitored for level of nutrient enrichment showing improved or maintained trend in their Trophic Level Indices (TLI).	At least 90%	100% – achieved
Comprehensively monitor at least 40 coastal sites monthly for general water quality.	40 sites monitored annually	Not achieved The impacts of COVID-19 meant that one coastal site was not completed in March and no sampling was completed in April. All other months were completed as required.
2.4.3 Monitor the standard of ambient air quality in Northland
Percentage of air sheds meeting the national air quality environmental standards.	100% compliance	100% – achieved

Environmental services | Ratonga i te taiao

3.1 Natural Hazard Management
3.1.1 Identify and make available information on areas potentially affected by natural hazards through mapping
Number (and percentage) of river catchments flood-mapped to identify river flooding hazards.	2019/20: 29 (22.5%)	28 catchments (21.7%) – not achieved The preliminary region-wide LiDAR was only delivered in March. Awanui and Kerikeri Catchments have been upgraded to reflect new LiDAR. The upgraded models better reflect the best available data.
3.2 Hydrology
3.2.1 Provide information on water resources including rainfall, flood levels and ground water
Percentage of time that flood level monitoring is accurate to enable flood warnings to be developed.	100% compliance	100% – achieved
3.3 Biosecurity
3.3.1 Promote community involvement in pest management
Increase in hectares of land under Community Pest Control Area Plans (CPCAs) per annum.	Increase by 5000 ha annually	10,953ha increase – achieved
Increase in kiwi populations within council supported programmes monitored in accordance with the standardised Department of Conservation kiwi call count monitoring scheme.	Increase by 2% annually	1.4% – not achieved (7.3 calls per hour) Baseline data = 7.2 calls per hour
3.3.2 Implement measures to slow the introduction and spread of new and established marine pests
Survey at least 2000 vessel hulls for marine pests each year as part of marine biosecurity surveillance programme.	2000 hulls annually	2,048 hulls inspected – achieved
3.4 Biodiversity
3.4.1 Maintain and enhance indigenous biodiversity and eco-systems around our rivers, lakes, wetlands and coastal margins
Number of wetlands (includes Top Wetlands) enhancement and protection projects funded via Efund annually.	2019/20: 14	13 wetlands – not achieved One project was withdrawn as landowner was unable to have contractor carry out work due to impacts of COVID-19.
Number of plants provided through CoastCare programme.	2019/20: 12,000	12,962 – achieved
Number of objectives met that are set out in annual work plan for Freshwater Improvement (objectives are set out in Ministry for the Environment project work plans for the Northern Wairoa and Dune Lakes Freshwater Improvement Fund projects).	100% of objectives met	60% – not achieved Of six objectives, three have been largely achieved with some actions and events delayed due to impacts of COVID-19. One is not due to start until 2020/21 and one has been repealed.
3.5 Land and water
3.5.1 Promote improved water quality by providing advice and funding on sustainable land management, soil conservation, and biodiversity through farm management and catchment management initiatives
Area in hectares (ha) of land being actively managed under a sustainable farm environment plan.	Increase 25,000 ha per annum	32,730 ha – achieved
Area in (ha) of highly erodible land being actively managed under a farm environment plan.	Maintain or increase (from baseline data)	6,519 ha – not achieved Baseline data = 7,000 ha This is due to the area of highly erodible land being highly variable based on the farms we interact with.
Number of subsidised poplar poles provided for erosion-prone land by the Flyger Road nursery.	2019/20: 7,000	4,616 – not achieved Lower numbers due to the impacts of the drought response and COVID-19. No subsidy package provided this year until SHaRP begins.
Kilometres of waterway margins protected to reduce sediment, nutrient run-off and general contamination of water, funded by the Environment Fund.	Increase (from baseline data)	181kms – not achieved Baseline data = 297kms This is due to concentrating on hill country and wetland fencing, which is more expensive, therefore we were not able to complete as much.

River management | Ratonga whakahaere a awa

4.1 River management

4.1.1 Build, monitor and maintain flood protection schemes to protect life and property

Number of flood events occurring as a result of failures of flood protection systems for the Awanui, Whangārei, and Kāeo schemes below specified design levels (the number of flood events arising due to the failure of the flood protections systems is considered to be the most direct measure of whether these systems are repaired and renewed to the standards set out in the activity management plans).

Zero

Zero failures – achieved

Customer services and community resilience | Ratonga manawaroa a hapori

5.1 Customer services
5.1.1 Providing meaningful customer service
Percentage of customers surveyed that are satisfied with the quality of service received following an interaction with council.	Maintain or increase (specific targets will be set once baseline established)	58% – achieved Baseline data = 52%
5.2 Civil defence emergency management
5.2.1 Provide accurate and timely flood warnings to enable communities to take precautionary measures to protect life and property
Percentage of time that accurate flood warnings are issued in accordance with the council's flood warnings procedures.	100% compliance	N/A – no weather events that required activation
5.2.2 Maintain an effective civil defence emergency management system
Percentage of time that emergencies (emergencies that require the activation of an emergency operations centre) are debriefed within one month, and noted improvements are incorporated into the appropriate emergency operating procedures and response plans.	100% annually	100% – achieved
5.3 Oil pollution response
5.3.1 Maintain an efficient and responsive oil pollution response
Maintain a regional oil spill response plan, including a minimum of 30 up-to-date trained responders.	Maintain a minimum of 30 responders at all times	30 responders – achieved
5.4 Harbour safety and navigation
5.4.1 Provide regional navigational safety control of shipping and small craft, provide aids to navigation to ensure the region's navigable waters are safe for people to use, and manage the region's moorings
Percentage of time that the operational safety management system for the pilotage areas of Whangārei and Bay of Islands complies with the Port and Harbour Safety Code.	100% compliance	100% – achieved
Percentage of time that pilotage in the Bay of Islands is provided in accordance with the safety management system.	100% compliance	100% – achieved
Percentage of reported aids to navigation faults that are responded to within five working days.	100% compliance	100% – achieved
Percentage of moorings either serviced within the past three years or booked to be serviced.	95% of moorings	98.5% – achieved
5.5 Transport
5.5.1 Provide an efficient and effective public bus service
Number of passengers for the Whangārei urban bus service (other bus services apart from Whangārei not included as they are either minor, temporary or trial services only).	Maintain 310,000 per annum	308,789 – not achieved Due to the impacts of COVID-19, passenger numbers on the CityLink services severely declined.
Percentage of passengers satisfied with overall Whangārei bus service (passenger satisfaction rating of six or above on a 10 point scale).	95% compliance	91.8% – not achieved Lower satisfaction is due to current frequency, the need for a better terminal, and road works causing delays.
5.5.2 Plan for the future transport needs of the region
Develop and maintain statutory transport planning documents including the Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP) and Regional Public Transport Plan (RPTP).	2018/19: Adopt RPTP and RLTP 2020/21: Adopt RLTP	Achieved

Attachments/Ngā tapirihanga

Nil

Authorised by Group Manager

Name:	Ben Lee
Title:	GM - Strategy, Governance and Engagement
Date:	05 August 2020

[3] As set out in the new National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management.

[5] Endorsed by council at workshop on 23 June 2020.

[6] Te Mana o te Wai recognises the connection between water and the broader environment – Te Hauora o te Taiao (the health of the environment), Te Hauora o te Wai (the health of the waterbody) and Te Hauora o te Tangata (the health of the people)

[7] Government will be releasing a new version in a few month’s time. It will continue to require council to do a plan change, but there are likely to be some changes to the details of what must be included in the plan change.

[8] This is in addition to the meeting payments.

[9] Framework examples:

· Keir Volkerling. April 2015. Northland Tāngata Whenua Freshwater Values: A Literature Review. Prepared for Northland Regional Council, Ministry for Primary Industries and Ministry for the Environment. See https://www.nrc.govt.nz/media/9468/northlandtāngatawhenuafreshwatervaluesaliteraturereview.pdf

· Keir Volkerling. August 2015. Northland Tāngata Whenua Freshwater Values: A Framework to Guide Decision-Making. Prepared for Northland Regional Council, Ministry for Primary Industries and Ministry for the Environment. See https://www.nrc.govt.nz/media/9467/northlandtāngatawhenuafreshwatervaluesaframeworktoguidedecisionmaking.pdf

· A recent report by Perception Planning Ltd and Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research: See https://www.nrc.govt.nz/media/13642/kaupapa-maori-assessments-final-jan-2019.pdf

Completed July 2020	Pax
First Aid	1
Fire Warden and Emergency Procedures	1
Health and Safety Representative Stage 1	4
Total	6

No.	Option	Advantages	Disadvantages
1	Reinvest the LTF gains and attribute to the CIF Reserve, as presented in Table 4 of this report	Build the capital base of the CIF to enhance future spending power.	There is no additional funding available for projects that are funded from either the PRF or the IIF reserve. The future spending power of the PRF and IIF may be at risk of becoming eroded by inflation.
2	Reinvest the LTF gains and attribute to the PRF, Reserve, as presented in Table 5 of this report	Build the capital base of a different reserve/s to generate the ability to fund different priorities.	The CIF reserve has an agreed minimum level of $12.5M. Without reinvestment of gains there is a risk that this level may be breached.
3	Do not reinvest any of LTF gains	Release funding for additional operational work programmes/or projects.	The future spending power of the CIF, PRF and IIF is reduced and at risk of becoming eroded by inflation. The $12.5M minimum balance requirement of the CIF may be breached.

No.	Option	Advantages	Disadvantages
1	Allocate a portion of the operating surplus to the Opex Reserve and COVID-19 Reinstatement Reserve in accordance with the presented recommendations	Promotes assurance and stability over the delivery of council’s work programmes. Preserve and track funding and provide control and transparency around the approach to reinstating work programmes that were removed from the 2020/21 Annual Plan.	The returns associated with holding the cash (representing the reserves) in term deposits are typically lower than the returns generated if the cash remained in managed funds.
2	Do not allocate a portion of the operating surplus to the Opex Reserve	The operating surplus could potentially be utilised as funding for additional work programmes/or projects.	The level of the Opex reserve does not fully cover the 2020/21 general funding required from the Managed Fund portfolio. This approach does not comply with the Opex reserve policy.
3	Do not allocate a portion of the operating surplus to the COVID-19 Reinstatement Reserve	The operating surplus could potentially be utilised as funding for additional work programmes/or projects that are not on the list presented in Attachment One.	There potentially could be an ad-hoc approach to identifying and using 2020/21 surpluses to fund the reinstatement of removed work programmes /or projects.

Description	2019-20 Spent	2019-20 Budget	2019-20 Budget Unspent	Amount to Carry forward
Lakes survey	3,376	54,940	51,564	51,564
Wetland Survey	8,000	32,241	24,241	24,241
Eradication plants	59,944	92,656	32,712	32,712
Roadside weeds	11,428	50,001	38,573	37,300

Description	2019-20 Spent	2019-20 Budget	2019-20 Budget Unspent	Amount to Carry forward
NIWA water quality modelling	139,479	199,904	60,425	53,200
Water quality mitigation measures	192,679	199,904	7,225	7,225
Iwi Environment Management Plans	6,200	36,366	30,166	18,813

TITLE:	Health and Safety Report
ID:	A1348122
From:	Kelcie Mills, Health and Safety Advisor

TITLE:	Confirmation of Minutes - 21 July 2020 and 29 July 2020
ID:	A1347107
From:	Chris Taylor, Governance Support Manager

Name:	Chris Taylor
Title:	Governance Support Manager
Date:	13 August 2020

TITLE:	Working Party Updates and Chairpersons' Briefings
ID:	A1347780

TITLE:	Council River Working Group and Council Catchment Group Updates
ID:	A1339431

TITLE:	Externally Managed Investment Funds: 2019/20 Performance and Proposed Allocation of Gains
ID:	A1347497
From:	Simon Crabb, Finance Manager

TITLE:	Allocation of 2019/20 Surplus to the Opex Reserve and COVID-19 Reinstatement Reserve
ID:	A1349610
From:	Simon Crabb, Finance Manager

TITLE:	Request for Approval to Carry Forward Operational Budget from the 2019/20 Financial Year into the 2020/21 Financial Year
ID:	A1348582
From:	Vincent McColl, Financial Accountant and Simon Crabb, Finance Manager

TITLE:	Regional Rates Collection - 2019/20
ID:	A1347485
From:	Simon Crabb, Finance Manager

TITLE:	Draft Financial Result to 30 June 2020
ID:	A1346538
From:	Vincent McColl, Financial Accountant

TITLE:	Joint Climate Change Adaptation Committee
ID:	A1336874
From:	Justin Murfitt, Strategic Policy Specialist

TITLE:	Environmental Fund Changes
ID:	A1338269
From:	Duncan Kervell, Land Manager

No.	Scenario	Situation	Financial implication
1	Current scenario	No additional over-allocation of budget is authorised.	The Environment Fund budget is underspent due to withdrawals and underspends. If this were 20% of the general land/biodiversity Environment Fund budget, this would result in a favourable variation of $134.8K.
2	Worst case	20% additional budget is allocated to account for withdrawals or underspends, but no withdrawals or underspends occur.	$134.8K unfavourable variation to land/biodiversity Environment Fund budget.
3	Most likely scenario	Based on the five-year average of 20% of underspends and withdrawals, it is likely that close to 20% of the total budget will be withdrawn or underspent.	Limited variation to budget. For example, a 5% variance to the land/biodiversity Environment Fund budget would be $33.7K.

TITLE:	Changing Focus of the Land Management Team
ID:	A1348914
From:	Duncan Kervell, Land Manager

	Measure	Required
1	Area (ha) of land being actively managed under a sustainable farm environment plan	Increase from 25,000 ha p.a.
2	Area (ha) of highly erodible land being actively managed under a farm environment plan	7000 ha
3	Kilometres of waterway protected by Efund	220 kms
4	Number of subsidised poplar poles provided for erosion-prone land by the Flyger Road Nursery	7000 poles (base)
5	Number of objectives met that are set out in annual work plan for Freshwater Improvement (objectives are set out in Ministry for the Environment project work plans for the Northern Wairoa and Dune Lakes Freshwater Improvement Fund Projects).	All objectives met

TITLE:	Tāngata Whenua Water Advisory Group
ID:	A1347155
From:	Ben Lee, GM - Strategy, Governance and Engagement

Version	Date	Purpose
1	7 May 2020	Initial draft for review by Juliane
2	12 May 2020	Draft for MTAG
3	26 May 2020	Updated post MTAG meeting
4	28 May 2020	Further update
5	29 May 2020	Update in response to Juliane C comments
6	5 June 2020	Updated post MTAG meeting for TTMAC endorsement
7	31 July 2020	Post TTMAC endorsement for council approval

TITLE:	Delegation to Make Expert Consenting Panel Nominations Under the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act 2020
ID:	A1347472
From:	Colin Dall, Group Manager - Regulatory Services

Name:	Colin Dall
Title:	Group Manager - Regulatory Services
Date:	13 August 2020

TITLE:	Marsden Maritime Holdings Interview Panel
ID:	A1351304
From:	Jessica Matson, Human Resources Advisor

TITLE:	Chair's Report to Council
ID:	A1346558
From:	Penny Smart, Chair

Date	Addressed To	Subject
01.07.2020	Hon Damien O’Connor Ministry of Biosecurity	Regional delivery of the National Kauri Dieback Programme
06.07.2020	Murray Jagger Chair Marsden Maritime Holdings Ltd	Director appoinments and other matters
07.07.2020	Hon David Parker Minister for the Environment	Acknowledging the Crown’s considerable investment towards the Kaipara Moana Remediation Programme
16.07.2020	Dave and Avril Warren	Councillors’ Remuneration, Pomare Grid and Marine Pest Management Plan
30.07.2020	Foundation North	Letter of support for Project Island Song

TITLE:	Code of Conduct Complaint
ID:	A1348224
From:	Malcolm Nicolson, Chief Executive Officer

Name:	Malcolm Nicolson
Title:	Chief Executive Officer
Date:	13 August 2020

TITLE:	Legislative Compliance for the Period 1 January - 30 June 2020
ID:	A1347548
From:	Kyla Carlier, Acting Strategic Policy and Planning Manager

TITLE:	Receipt of Committee Minutes
ID:	A1348386
From:	Chris Taylor, Governance Support Manager

Item No.	Item Issue	Reasons/Grounds
9.1	Confirmation of Confidential Minutes - 21 July 2020	The public conduct of the proceedings would be likely to result in disclosure of information, as stated in the open section of the meeting.
9.2	Human Resources Report	The public conduct of the proceedings would be likely to result in disclosure of information, the withholding of which is necessary to protect the privacy of natural persons, including that of deceased natural persons s7(2)(a).
9.3	Shovel Ready Project for Public Consultation	The public conduct of the proceedings would be likely to result in disclosure of information, the withholding of which is necessary to enable council to carry on, without prejudice or disadvantage, negotiations (including commercial and industrial negotiations) s7(2)(i).