Joint Climate Change Adaptation Committee

Monday 29 November 2021 at 1.00pm

 

 

AGENDA

 

 


Joint Climate Change Adaptation Committee

29 November 2021

Joint Climate Change Adaptation Committee Agenda

 

Meeting to be held via audiovisual link

on Monday 29 November 2021, commencing at 1.00pm

 

Recommendations contained in the agenda are NOT decisions of the meeting. Please refer to minutes for resolutions.

 

MEMBERSHIP OF THE Joint Climate Change Adaptation Committee

Chairperson, NRC Councillor, Councillor Amy Macdonald

Deputy Chairperson, WDC Representative Delaraine Armstrong

FNDC Councillor David Clendon

KDC Representative Fiona Kemp

WDC Councillor Anna Murphy

KDC Mayor Jason Smith

FNDC Representative Antony Thompson

NRC Representative Rihari Dargaville

 

 

 

 

RĪMITI (Item)                                                                                                                                                                 Page

1.0       Ngā Mahi Whakapai/Housekeeping

2.0       Ngā Whakapahā/apologies   

3.0       Ngā Whakapuakanga/declarations of conflicts of interest

4.0       Ngā Whakaae Miniti (Confirmation of Minutes)

4.1       Confirmation of Minutes - 30 August 2021                                                                                        3

5.0       Receipt of Action Sheet

5.1       Receipt of Action Sheet                                                                                                                             7

6.0       Reports

6.1       Draft Te Taitokerau Climate Change Adaptation Strategy                                                           9

6.2       Communications overview for Te Tai Tokerau Climate Adaptation Strategy release      99

6.3       Branding and Identity                                                                                                                            101

6.4       Coastal Adaptation Programme                                                                                                        105

6.5       Meeting Dates 2022                                                                                                                              134

 


Joint Climate Change Adaptation Committee                                                                                                            item: 4.1

29 November 2021

 

TITLE:

Confirmation of Minutes - 30 August 2021

From:

Laura Exton, Community Resilience Executive Assistant

Authorised by Group Manager/s:

Victoria Harwood, Pou Tiaki Hapori - GM Community Resilience, on 23 November 2021

 

Ngā mahi tūtohutia / Recommendation

That the minutes of the Joint Climate Change Adaptation Committee meeting held on 30 August 2021, be confirmed as a true and correct record.

 

Attachments/Ngā tapirihanga

Attachment 1: 2021 08 30 Joint Climate Change Adaptation Committee Minutes - Unconfirmed   


Joint Climate Change Adaptation Committee  ITEM: 4.1

29 November 2021Attachment 1

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Joint Climate Change Adaptation Committee                                                                                                            item: 5.1

29 November 2021

 

TITLE:

Receipt of Action Sheet

From:

Laura Exton, Community Resilience Executive Assistant

Authorised by Group Manager/s:

Victoria Harwood, Pou Tiaki Hapori - GM Community Resilience, on 23 November 2021

 

Whakarāpopototanga / Executive summary

The purpose of this report is to enable the meeting to receive the current action sheet.

 

Nga mahi tutohutia / Recommendation

That the action sheet be received.

 

Attachments/Ngā tapirihanga

Attachment 1: Joint Climate Change Adaptation Committee Action Sheet - as at 22 November 2021   


Joint Climate Change Adaptation Committee  ITEM: 5.1

29 November 2021Attachment 1

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Joint Climate Change Adaptation Committee                                                                                                            item: 6.1

29 November 2021

 

TITLE:

Draft Te Taitokerau Climate Change Adaptation Strategy

From:

Justin Murfitt, Strategic Policy Specialist

Authorised by Group Manager/s:

Victoria Harwood, Pou Tiaki Hapori - GM Community Resilience, on 

 

Executive summary/Whakarāpopototanga

Adapting to the effects of climate change presents significant challenges and opportunities for Te Tai Tokerau Northland – these effects are already apparent and predicted to intensify. Local government has a significant role in this given its various functions[1]. Adaptation approaches and actions by Northland’s councils need to be coordinated in order to be successful and efficient. For these reasons Northland councils have developed the Draft Te Tai Tokerau Climate Change Adaptation Strategy (the strategy) - this is a key step towards a coordinated approach for local government adaptation actions across Te Tai Tokerau Northland.

 

The purpose of the Strategy is to set the direction for a robust, collaborative approach to developing adaptation responses to the impacts of climate change in Te Tai Tokerau, by building a foundation for action while acknowledging the changing legislative environment and remaining agile. Key objectives of the Strategy include:

·    improving understanding of the risks of climate change to our region

·    clarifying adaptation needs and responsibilities

·    identifying opportunities to improve local government adaptation responses

·    recommending priority actions for local government

·    outlining a process by which the strategy will respond to feedback and changing circumstances

 

The draft strategy was workshopped with the committee on 9 August and an updated version was then presented at the meeting on 30 August – at this meeting the committee endorsed the circulation of the draft strategy (and attachments) for feedback from all four councils and associated tangata whenua advisory forums.  This report summarises the feedback received and presents a revised Draft of the strategy (Attachment 1 – V2.3) and associated documents that will be appendices – the appendices include: Priority Actions (Attachment 2), Climate Risk Overview Technical Report (Attachment 3). A ‘snapshot’ summary of the Strategy is also in development but not available at agenda deadlines (staff hope to present this at the meeting). The revised draft includes recommended changes reflecting the feedback from all Northland councils and various tangata whenua advisory forums.

 

Feedback received on the draft strategy was on the whole positive and encouraging.  The councils and tangata whenua advisory forums recognised the strategy is a significant milestone which provides a sound platform for councils to help our communities adapt to climate change impacts. It is recommended that the Joint Committee endorse the Attached revised draft (and associated appendices) for adoption by each of the four Northland councils.

 

Recommendation(s)

1.         That the report ‘Draft Te Taitokerau Climate Change Adaptation Strategy’ by Justin Murfitt, Strategic Policy Specialist and dated 15 November, be received.

2.         That the Committee endorse the attached Draft Te Tai Tokerau Climate Change Adaptation Strategy (and associated appendices). 

3.         That staff be authorised to make any minor amendments for the purposes of readability, punctuation or grammar and final layout.

4.         That the Committee recommend that each council adopt the attached Draft Te Tai Tokerau Climate Change Adaptation Strategy.

 

Options

No.

Option

Advantages

Disadvantages

1

The Committee does not endorse the Strategy (and appendices) for adoption by councils.

None

Formal adoption and implementation of the strategy is delayed.

Key climate change adaptation actions are potentially delayed.

A mutually agreed platform for local government adaptation actions is not available.

2

The Committee makes material changes to the Strategy (or appendices) prior to endorsing it for adoption by councils.

None / unclear.

The changes (if material) may require further consideration by councils and result in delays before adoption.

3

The Committee endorses the Strategy (and appendices)

Formal adoption by councils in early 2022 and implementation of the strategy can proceed as planned.

None

 

The staff’s recommended option is 3.

Considerations

1.         Environmental Impact

Adaptation is a key response to climate change impacts and a coordinated approach across councils in Northland will be vital – the adaptation strategy is fundamental to this in that it identifies core principles, goals, consistent approaches and coordinates future adaptation actions. The decision is therefore expected to have a positive impact on the ability of councils to anticipate and proactively respond to climate change impacts that are already happening or expected to happen.

2.         Community views

There are a broad range of community views and understanding of climate change and measures to adapt to climate change impacts. The adaptation strategy (and associated communications plan) will enable communities to understand the goals and participate in councils’ adaptation planning and implementation in Northland. The decision to endorse the draft strategy for adoption by councils is therefore of benefit to Northland communities.

3.         Māori impact statement

The impacts of climate change pose a significant risk to Māori, with potentially disproportionate impacts. During the development of the strategy, staff have gained an improved understanding of the impacts of climate change from Māori perspectives. The draft strategy attempts to describe these impacts but it is acknowledged that councils currently have a limited understanding of the wide range of impacts on different iwi and hapu, and the understanding of a Te Ao Māori perspectives requires further engagement. The draft strategy describes a process by which the strategy documents can evolve to reflect new understanding and knowledge that emerges as councils work alongside tangata whenua on climate change issues. In summary, the views of Māori have been sought through: Tangata whenua representatives on the Joint Committee and Climate Adaptation Te Tai Tokerau Group that prepared the draft strategy and through various tangata whenua advisory forums that support councils (including the Te Tai Tokerau Māori and Council Working Party and Te Kārearea Standing Committee – feedback was also sought from Te Uri-o-Hau and Te Roroa but was not available at agenda deadlines. The October meeting of Te Huinga hapū forum within Whangarei was cancelled therefore feedback from this group is not available).  The revised draft strategy has therefore attempted to acknowledge and reflect the views of Māori but recognises more work is needed. The endorsement of the draft strategy by the committee (and subsequent implementation once adopted by councils) is therefore likely to have positive effects for Māori in relation to climate change adaptation actions by councils.

4.         Financial implications

Climate change adaptation comes with costs for both councils, communities, individuals and Māori alike. The draft strategy is focused on council activities and includes ‘priority actions’ - most of the priority actions (32 out of 46) have been funded / resourced through councils Long Term Plans. The financial implications have therefore been assessed and planned for. Any significant changes that require additional resourcing can be considered through councils Annual or Long Term Plans.

5.         Implementation issues

While climate change adaptation and the associated legislative / policy framework is still evolving, the strategy (and priority actions) provide a sound platform for implementation that will remain valid despite any shifts in the legal / policy landscape (i.e. the actions are likely to be required regardless of law changes / reforms). The is also intended to be a living document and provides for review as circumstances change. Implementation has also been considered and planned for through councils Long Term Plans.

 

6.         Significance and engagement

Development and implementation of the strategy has been provided for in councils’ Long Term Plans. This does not mean that this matter is not of significance to tangata whenua and/or individual communities, but that public consultation or engagement is not required. Once endorsed by all councils, and strategy implementation progresses, communications and engagement plans will be applied to raise awareness and buy-in. Any significant changes (such as additional resourcing) can be considered through the councils’ Annual or Long Term Plans that include public consultation requirements.

7.         Policy, risk management and legislative compliance

There are risks associated with climate change adaptation – these include an uncertain and changing legislative / policy environment, uncertainty over the timing and severity future of climate change impacts and the costs and cost-effectiveness of responses. The strategy acknowledges these and provides for review under a range of circumstances. Many of the actions in the strategy are also adaptable and can respond to these risks as implementation progresses – they are also based on / informed by best practice and government guidance where available. It is very likely that the risks of ‘inaction’ or uncoordinated response are far greater than any risks posed by development and implementation of the strategy.

Background/Tuhinga

Tuhinga/Background

The impacts of climate change are already affecting people and natural systems in Northland. Climate impacts are projected to continue an upward trend, with the expected severity of impacts depending on the success of global emissions reductions efforts. Climate change adaptation, that is responses to the current and projected impacts of climate change, is a key responsibility for local government, particularly as it relates to natural hazards, the provision of infrastructure and statutory planning. This is the core focus of the Te Tai Tokerau Climate Adaptation Strategy (the Strategy).

Current legislative settings provide limited direction or tools to assist councils in applying adaptation principles in practice. While the government has signalled changes to address these issues through resource management system reform, key pieces of legislation including the new Climate Change Adaptation Act, a proposed funding mechanism for adaptation, the National Adaptation Plan, as well as the Spatial Planning and Built and Natural Environments Acts, are all yet to be released, resulting in some uncertainty as to the specific adaptation tools and methods local government will be able to draw on. The Strategy has been developed with the knowledge that the drafting of new legislation is likely to change the landscape within which local government will need to implement adaptation. Regardless of these uncertainties, there are actions (no brainers) councils can take now that will help put councils and our communities in a good position to adapt to the impacts of climate change.

The express aim of the Strategy is to identify opportunities to improve the knowledge, processes, partnerships, coordination and capacity of councils. This will help ensure we are building stable foundations to respond to climate change impacts in anticipation of new legislation. Most of the actions are aimed at taking sensible steps to ensure councils are effectively and consistently building our ability to anticipate and respond to climate change impacts and are prepared for the requirements of the new legislation.

A process for enabling ongoing review to take account of changing circumstances (such as new legislation) as well as feedback from iwi and hapū and communities is included. This will enable updates and reviews of strategy documents as required and provides clarity on the engagement and approvals required for different changes needed.

While this Strategy focuses on Adaptation, responses by councils to climate change should also look at the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at both the organisational and community level. At present this is being pursued both at the national level, through government legislation such as the Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon Amendment) Act and the emissions trading scheme, as well as by individual councils though operational decisions and policy settings. Work on a collaborative Northland-wide approach to emissions reductions is in initial planning stages.

Process to date

On 9 August staff from all four Northland councils presented working drafts of the Strategy and supporting documents (Priority Actions, and the Climate Risk Overview) to a workshop of the Joint Climate Change Adaptation Committee. These documents were prepared collaboratively by staff from across the four Northland councils, working together as the joint group Climate Adaptation Te Tai Tokerau (CATT). The delivery of the Strategy is one of the key actions outlined in the terms of reference for CATT, and is the product of over three years of regular meetings with staff and tangata whenua representatives, sharing knowledge and understanding, developing risk assessments, adaptation methodologies and programmes, and hosting workshops across councils.

Following the workshop, the documents were updated to reflect comments and suggestions received by committee members. The committee then considered an updated version of the strategy and Appendices at the meeting of 30 August and endorsed the draft documents being presented to all four councils and associated tangata whenua advisory forums for feedback. The committee also identified the need for a summary version of the strategy (a ‘snapshot’) to make it more accessible for the public / non-technical audiences. The Snapshot is intended to be the main public-facing document representing the Strategy and includes key messages, infographics and tabular information to provide a high-level overview (a te reo version is also in development).

The draft strategy and priority actions, climate risk overview and the concept of a ‘snapshot’ summary were presented over September / October as follows:

·    Far North District Council (workshop)

·    Whangarei District Council (workshop)

·    Kaipara District Council (workshop)

·    Northland Regional Council (workshop)

·    Te Tai Tokerau Māori and Council Working Party (meeting)

·    Te Kārearea Standing Committee (meeting)


Note: Feedback on the draft strategy was also sought from Te Uri-o-Hau and Te Roroa but was not available at agenda deadlines. The October meeting of Te Huinga hapū forum within Whangarei was cancelled therefore the workshop on the draft Strategy that was planned to take place within that meeting did not occur.

 

A high-level summary of key themes in the feedback relevant to the strategy and appendices is provided below (more detailed records can be provided):

·    Place more emphasis on opportunities presented by climate change and adaptive responses, including empowering communities / business to adopt new industries and approaches (such as alternative crops, carbon offsetting, irrigation design and use of water, new tourism opportunities).

·    Stress that adaptation will require cooperation across multiple parties will be needed to contribute to the mahi

·    Recognise that emissions reduction is a vital workstream and should be considered in adaptation responses and that a more holistic / integrated approach is needed

·    Place more emphasis on the co-benefits arising through adaptation responses (such as biodiversity, cultural and water quality/aquatic ecosystem health benefits that can be realised through carbon sequestration) and the opportunity for this provided by government programmes such as ‘Jobs for Nature’ 

·    Greater recognition of the historical context / legacy issues that have led to environmental degradation and reduced resilience.

·    Acknowledgement of the investment in and risks to infrastructure (such as flood schemes and wastewater)

·    Strengthen the language around adaptive pathway planning being the preferred approach at the community scale and the need for community awareness and participation

·    Highlight the more urgent priority actions and clarify that where these require council additional / new resourcing this is subject to council decision-making processes (such as Annual / Long Term Plans)

·    Organise priority actions by activity / theme

·    While the priority actions focus on council activities recognise that in many cases adaptation responses will include other agencies and, in some cases, may be led by Iwi/hapu, community organisations or parties other than councils

·    Recognise the potential to learn from / share knowledge and experiences with agencies / programmes beyond Northland and NZ 

·    Include reference to / alignment with strategic climate change goals expressed elsewhere (such as TTMAC strategic areas of focus and WDC vision/mission statement)

·    Support the use of call-out boxes to highlight particular issues

·    Identify potential risks of health impacts (such as new diseases)

·    Recognise the shifting legislative / policy landscape and the need for reviews in the future.

 

There was also helpful feedback relating to communications and engagement and the importance of this to support the strategy – particularly the need for this engagement to be broad and inclusive. There was also strong support for a ‘snapshot’ (given the technical nature of the strategy) and that this should be a key tool in communicating the key elements of the strategy.  Overall, feedback received was positive, constructive and supportive.

 

A revised version of the strategy and appendices are attached for consideration by the committee (note: the forward has yet to be finalised). This revised version of the Strategy includes working notes that indicate for the committee where content has been changed and why (note: these will be removed prior to finalising). Immaterial changes to improve readability and grammar have not been shown.

 

Next steps

Once endorsed, the Strategy documents will be presented to each council for approval and adoption in early 2022 (likely February-March). A Joint Communications Working Group on climate change adaptation has been established, including staff from each of the four Northland councils. The group is developing a communications plan to assist the public release of the Strategy once adopted by all councils (an overview of the communications plan will be provided at the meeting). The group is also beginning work on developing a broader communications plan for climate change adaptation in Te Tai Tokerau.  The CATT group will provide regular updates to the committee on progress with implementation.

The development of the draft strategy and appendices has been a significant collaborative effort and is a major achievement that will provide a solid platform for climate change adaptation in Te Tai Tokerau. The contribution and leadership provided by the previous Chair of the CATT group, Matt de Boer in the development of the Strategy to date should be recognised.

 

Attachments/Ngā tapirihanga

Attachment 1: Revised Revised Draft Te Tai Tokerau Climate Change Adaptation Strategy

Attachment 2: Priority Actions

Attachment 3: Climate Risk Overview - Technical Report   


Joint Climate Change Adaptation Committee  ITEM: 6.1

29 November 2021Attachment 1

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Joint Climate Change Adaptation Committee  ITEM: 6.1

29 November 2021Attachment 2

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Joint Climate Change Adaptation Committee  ITEM: 6.1

29 November 2021Attachment 3

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Joint Climate Change Adaptation Committee                                                                                                            item: 6.2

29 November 2021

 

TITLE:

Communications overview for Te Tai Tokerau Climate Adaptation Strategy release

From:

Mary De Ruyter, Communications Specialist

Authorised by Group Manager/s:

Victoria Harwood, Pou Tiaki Hapori - GM Community Resilience and Auriole Ruka, Pou Manawhakahaere - GM Governance and Engagement, on 23 November 2021

 

Whakarāpopototanga / Executive summary

Representatives from the Climate Adaptation Te Tai Tokerau (CATT) communications working group will present an overview of the proposed communications approach for supporting the release of the Te Tai Tokerau Climate Adaptation Strategy.

 

This overview outlines the strategic approach the CATT communications group will take when introducing the adaptation strategy to the public. Discussing this strategy involves acknowledging that although it is primarily a document for councils and more technical stakeholders, it is still a milestone – we will tell the story of how the strategy represents a fundamental first step on the road of Northland councils working together to address climate adaptation, while signalling there is much more to be done.

 

The overview contains high-level information about desired communications outcomes and how they can be achieved, tactics, timeframes, and resources needed (particularly around branding). It summarises what success looks like, includes key messages, and covers our intent to establish common terminology around climate change that all four councils can use to avoid confusion.

 

There are many stakeholders in this mahi, and climate issues can be highly divisive. Communicating our desire to work collaboratively with communities, and in some cases empower them to lead the work, is critical. The overview will outline key groups – including tangata whenua, farmers, business/industry, and coastal communities – and key approaches needed to reach these specific groups. Acknowledging different worldviews of climate change (notably te ao Māori) will also be part of the communications approach, as will an overview of how we plan to engage with interested advocacy groups.

 

The draft communications plan is a specialist operational document, which will be owned and executed by communications practitioners across all four Northland councils. This overview does not cover specific actions, channels, dates or events – there will be a more detailed communications plan closer to the launch date.

 

 

Ngā mahi tūtohutia / Recommendation

1.    That the report ‘Communications overview for Te Tai Tokerau Climate Adaptation Strategy release’ by Mary De Ruyter, Communications Specialist and dated 19 October 2021, be received.

2.    That the Joint Committee continues to support the ongoing collaboration on the communications approach for the Te Taitokerau Climate Adaptation Strategy release.

 

Background/Tuhinga

The CATT communications working group was formed during a cross-council communications hui in August 2021. Communications advisors from all four Northland councils are part of this group, and currently meet every three weeks.

 

Our kaupapa is to support the CATT working group to produce and launch the Te Taitokerau Climate Adaptation Strategy once accepted by all councils (indicative timing: March 2022), and roll out ongoing communications as appropriate about the joined-up approach councils are taking to tackle climate adaptation. District councils will release communications initiatives that are tailored to their rohe, as they are at different stages on various issues (such as adaptation).

 

The ongoing sharing of knowledge within the communications working group will ensure we remain informed of the work each council is doing in this area, can align messages and resources as necessary, and capitalise on shared opportunities (such as media interest, and messaging in the wake of natural events such as droughts and floods).

 

 

Attachments/Ngā tapirihanga

Nil


Joint Climate Change Adaptation Committee                                                                                                            item: 6.3

29 November 2021

 

TITLE:

Branding and Identity

From:

Mary De Ruyter, Communications Specialist

Authorised by Group Manager/s:

Victoria Harwood, Pou Tiaki Hapori - GM Community Resilience and Auriole Ruka, Pou Manawhakahaere - GM Governance and Engagement, on 23 November 2021

 

Executive summary/Whakarāpopototanga


Development of a shared identity and brand

With an increase in collaborative climate change work on the horizon, it is important that the community sees that all four Northland councils are working together on such vital work.

CATT suggests developing a shared identity and brand for climate adaptation work in Te Taitokerau, to illustrate how the many strands of adaptation work are connected, and the joined-up approach councils are taking for the community and environment.

The process for developing a regionally consistent brand and identity would involve:

-      consulting on themes and ideas: who are we, what is important to us, what is the space we hold, how do we want to be seen by the wider community

-      developing design concepts and potential names

-      presenting concepts to sub-group for feedback

-      refine preferred option to complete

-      presenting preferred option to joint committee for sign-off.

 

We envisage getting input on themes and ideas through a workshop with a few key people at the committee table to help inform the development of the visual identity and branding. The work will be done by an external agency and brought back for the wider committee to approve.

We hope to bring something back to the March 2022 committee meeting, but we acknowledge we are near the end of the year already. The March 2022 deadline depends on the availability of committee members who want to be involved, and whether we can engage someone in time for the branding work.

We would like approval to go ahead with the branding/identity work, and to gauge the appetite and availability of committee members to give guidance on themes and ideas, including the idea of a te reo Māori name for the whole climate adaptation programme.

 

Recommendation(s)

1.         That the report ‘Branding and Identity’ by Mary De Ruyter, Communications Specialist and dated 10 November 2021, be received.

2.         That a visual identity and brand be developed to bring together the climate change adaptation activities of local government in partnership with iwi/hapū in Te Taitokerau.

3.         That 3 members of the Joint Committee are identified to participate in a workshop to help inform the development of the visual identity and brand for climate adaptation. Ideally, the work will be completed by the time the strategy is launched, though we acknowledge this timeframe is tight and it is open to discussion.

4.         That as part of this work, a te reo Māori name is developed for the adaptation programme.

 

Options

 

Development of a shared identity and brand

 

 

 

 

 

No.

Option

Advantages

Disadvantages

1

The committee does not approve the development of a shared identity and brand.

Money saved.

There is no cohesive way of communicating how councils are working together on climate adaptation.

Risk of confusion around who is doing what work, because CATT and the committee will still have visibility alongside individual councils.

Missed opportunity to highlight how important climate adaptation is.

2

The committee approves the development of a shared identity and brand, and 3 committee members (including iwi/hapū representatives) participate in a workshop to elicit ideas and themes.

Input from the joint committee will ensure a brand that reflects the committee and partnership being sought.

Risk around not developing this in time for strategy launch, due to time of year, and availability of committee members/external agency.

3

The committee approves the development of a shared identity and brand, and the CATT comms working group develop it from their ideas and themes.

The process might be quicker than option 2.

There would be no tangata whenua input on the identity and brand, which is against the kaupapa of the joint committee.

Risk of spending time and money on work that hasn’t had committee and tangata whenua input.

Small risk of not developing this in time for strategy launch, due to time of year, and availability of CATT members/external agency.

 

The staff’s recommended option is option 2.

Considerations

1.         Environmental Impact

Development of a shared identity and brand

Climate change and adaptation are divisive subjects, and often prompt reactions such as fear, anger and paralysis.

Having a brand and project name that will be frequently used to identify adaptation work is a positive move – it will increase the visibility of councils’ work on climate adaptation, and demonstrate to the community that there is a strong body of work emerging to tackle current and future climate impacts, and build community resilience. In some cases, this will inspire and empower communities to become active participants in their own adaptation plans, and take steps to protect their local environment.

 

2.         Community views

Development of a shared identity and brand

To the best of CATT’s knowledge, there are currently no community views on this branding and identity work, as it is not yet publicly discussed.

 

3.         Māori impact statement

Development of a shared identity and brand

It is hoped that iwi/hapū representatives on the joint committee will contribute their vision and ideas for the shared identity and brand. Having a te reo Māori name for the whole programme will also better reflect and uphold the partnership relationship that exists on the joint committee.

In te ao Māori, climate change is viewed quite differently to the Pākehā worldview. Though this is likely to be more explicitly expressed in subsequent communications (specific to individual projects and rohe), the concept of interconnectedness is worth bearing in mind for all high-level communications.

 

4.         Financial implications

Development of a shared identity and brand

Funding for climate change resilience work was approved through the Long Term Plan 2021-2031. This will pay members of the sub-group for their workshop time, and for the external branding and identity work.


5.         Implementation issues

All implementation issues have been previously covered off in the executive summary.

 

6.         Significance and engagement

Development of a shared identity and brand

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. This does not mean that this matter is not of significance to tangata whenua and/or individual communities, but that council is able to make decisions relating to this matter without undertaking further consultation or engagement.

7.         Policy, risk management and legislative compliance

These decisions are consistent with policy and legislative requirements.

The risks for this work are outlined in the options tables.

 

Attachments/Ngā tapirihanga

Nil


Joint Climate Change Adaptation Committee                                                                                                            item: 6.4

29 November 2021

 

TITLE:

Coastal Adaptation Programme

From:

Jan van der Vliet, Natural Hazards Advisor

Authorised by Group Manager/s:

Victoria Harwood, Pou Tiaki Hapori - GM Community Resilience, on 23 November 2021

 

Whakarāpopototanga / Executive summary

Northland Councils are developing a work programme to address climate change risk to coastal communities. The programme will set out guidance for ways councils, communities, tangata whenua and key stakeholders can co-develop community adaptation plans.

 

The preferred best-practice engagement and decision-making approach to be used in the coastal adaptation programme is dynamic adaptive pathways planning, described in the 2017 Ministry for the Environment ‘Coastal Hazards and Climate Change Guidance for Local Government’. This process enables communities to be intimately involved in developing adaptation plans for their own communities through a structured process that uses community panels to collaboratively determine adaptive pathways using risk assessment, engineering designs, options assessment, and prioritisation processes.

 

The result will be a flexible, long-term adaptation plan for each community, signed-off by a governance body and the relevant communities and Councils. While this approach will be appropriate for larger communities, we also work with smaller communities to develop and implement community-led adaptation plans at the local or hapū scale.

 

Funding for pilot community engagement projects has been allocated in the 2021-31 Long Term Plans for all Northland Councils (priority actions 29 and 30 of the draft Strategy).

 

The Climate Change Adaptation Te Taitokerau (CATT) working group has developed the draft ‘Coastal Adaptation Programme – Coastal Community Adaptation Profiles’ to support the pilot community engagement projects.

 

This report is the third in a series of technical chapters contributing to the Te Taitokerau Climate Adaptation Strategy (the Strategy). In the previous chapter ‘Climate risk overview’, the risks posed by coastal hazards were identified as a key gap in council responses to date, presenting an opportunity to develop community adaptation responses to the projected impacts of climate change.

 

A priority action recommended in the Strategy is the Coastal adaptation programme, a 10-year programme of adaptation planning with coastal communities across the region.

 

The Coastal adaptation profiles technical report help develop this future adaptation planning work program by describing the range of coastal risks, and community needs and opportunities in different coastal community across the region.

 

The intent of the report is to provide data on the different levels of risk projected for different communities, guidance on appropriate adaptation planning approaches that might be appropriate for different communities, and community attributes to consider when planning adaptation engagement.

 

 

Ngā mahi tūtohutia / Recommendation

That the report ‘Coastal Adaptation Programme’ by Jan van der Vliet, Natural Hazards Advisor and dated 22 November 2021, be received.

 

Background/Tuhinga

Below we have summarised key points from Attachment 1, which is the full version of the ‘Coastal Community Adaptation Profiles Programme’ draft document.

 

What are coastal adaptation profiles?

 

The aim of the profiles is to assist councils in deciding who, how, and when:

·    Who – which are the communities with the highest risks from coastal hazards?

·    How - what kind of adaptation engagement approach is appropriate for different coastal communities?

·    When - what is the most appropriate timeframe for adaptation engagement?

 

First pass exposure assessment

 

A ‘first-pass risk assessment’ approach  is used to develop an overview of the coastal risks likely to affect discrete communities over a 100-year timeframe. It draws on data made up of several spatial hazard layers and a limited number of ‘exposure indicators’.

 

Exposure indicators include elements like building footprints, marae, roads and community buildings. This provides a preliminary quantitative dataset to understand at a high level the kind of exposure faced by each community.

 

It is not intended to be a comprehensive analysis or risk assessment – this will happen at a detailed local level during the adaptive pathways planning process. We acknowledge that some values (like ecological significance) will not be captured here; this is because the existing datasets were not sufficient to provide meaningful analysis.

 

What did we do?

 

Northland Regional Council staff undertook a visual assessment of the entire Northland coastline, using recently developed coastal hazard maps, and identified a preliminary list of 58 sites. A spatial analysis of exposure to hazards was undertaken by consultants, with the results delivered as GIS spatial data and tables.

 

This information was used to help guide workshops with district council staff, where community attributes and processes to choose adaptation planning sites were discussed.

 

What did we find?

 

The assessment provided a large amount of data that will help councils understand the spread of risks due to coastal hazards under climate change scenarios and assist in developing a programme of targeted adaptation planning.

 

Examples of the data outputs are shown below for one site and district (for brevity we do not include the complete dataset in this report). The data includes tables of exposure counts for each individual site (table below), as well as graphs showing the relative distribution of risks for each district across different hazard scenarios (figure below).

 

Note that this assessment is an exposure count only and does not provide an indication of potential consequences, loss or damage. It is intended to be used as a first-pass screening to assist with the selection of sites for more detailed risk assessment.

 

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Choosing an adaptation engagement process

 

Different communities will have different needs for adaptation planning. When developing adaptation planning programs, councils will need to identify appropriate engagement approaches that work best for their communities. The draft adaptation engagement framework report helps outline the governance structures and project management requirements of different scales of adaptation engagement.

 

Data representing different community attributes can help indicate which appropriate approaches to adaptation planning for communities. Alongside the exposure indicator data explored in the previous section, community attribute data can also help identify appropriate timeframes for engagement.

 

Community attribute data is largely qualitative and can be drawn from a wide range of sources including council staff workshops, hapū representatives, census statistics and civil defence.

 

This report does not collate or report on community attribute data. Following feedback from workshops with district councils in early 2021, the report suggests a process that could be used.

 

Assessing adaptation engagement approaches using community attributes

 

We have identified community attributes that may be useful when defining an appropriate adaptation response for different communities. Attributes may include:

 

Scale

Size, type of settlement (urban vs rural)

Natural heritage values at risk

Population

Number of dwellings

Public assets and infrastructure

Importance to local economy (e.g. food production)

 

Connectivity

Proximity to other communities, especially where part of contiguous coastal geomorphology

 

Cultural

Presence of strong cultural sense of autonomy, or cultural heritage values

Strong desire for rangitiratanga, or community self-determination

 

Complexity

Number of interested or affected parties

Diversity of risks/impacts

Diversity of values affected

Regionally significant infrastructure or economic values affected

Exposure of planning zones allowing development

Treaty claims

Obvious conflicting values

 

 

Appropriate timeframes for adaptation engagement

 

Regardless of the engagement approach used, some communities are likely to require, or be ready for, adaptation planning sooner than others. While ultimately all at-risk coastal communities will need to plan for climate change adaptation at some point, councils need to schedule adaptation planning programmes in line with available budgets and community expectations.

 

Consideration of projected hazard exposure and community readiness will help councils understand the urgency for adaptation planning for different communities. We also acknowledge that there are existing interactions with communities, such as ongoing conflict or legal issues that need to be taken into account that may also influence timing.

 

Adaptation needs assessment

 

The data from the hazard exposure assessment and community attributes can be combined using expert judgement using the following processes to give direction to site selection and timing for adaptation engagement.

 

Adaptation needs

Community attributes

Engagement approach

Scale

Connectivity

Cultural

Complexity

Engagement timeframe

Exposure (now, 50, 100yrs)

Community readiness

Community conflict

 

 

 

Below is a summarised update, at the time of reporting, from the District Councils in relation to the scoping and start-up of the pilot projects.

 

Whangarei District Council

WDC staff intend to work with Elected Members, Te Karearea Standing Committee and Te Huinga hapu forum on an approach to identify the most suitable community to undertake a pilot project with. At this stage, staff see the following factors as relevant to inform the decision-making process:

 

·    Community risk profiles (First pass risk assessment undertaken by NRC);

·    Budget – this impacts the scale of the community we can choose for the pilot. Within the LTP, we budgeted for a small-scale pilot to test the process. Our most severely affected area according to the risk assessment is our CBD but we don’t have the budget or familiarity with the process to kick off with a project area like the CBD.

·    Timing of or potential opportunities for alignment with other projects e.g.:

Ø New infrastructure projects & planned renewals

Ø District Plan schedule of plan changes

Ø Spatial planning projects

Ø Community Development / Community Led Development projects

·    Relationship with the community: Do we have contacts in the community? Is there relationship building / healing to be done?

·    Readiness of the community: Has engagement on another project recently taken place in that community? Are they fatigued?

 

WDC is currently recruiting on a newly established Climate Adaptation Coordinator position. It is hoped that the person in this position will be on board in a timely manner to participate in the development of the community profiles and the process to identify a suitable pilot location.

 

Kaipara District Council

KDC is currently in the process of identifying the preferred adaptive pathways pilot location for their community adaptation planning work. The information and framework provided by the draft Coastal Community Adaptation Profiles has guided KDC’s process. 

A decision on the pilot location is set for December Council Meeting. KDC staff anticipate that the pilot project will begin early 2022.

 

If time allows KDC staff will present more detail on the pilot decision process and anticipated next steps regarding the pilot project at the Joint Committee Meeting.

 

Far North District Council

 

FNDC has budgeted to engage in a dynamic adaptive planning process with one or more communities in the 2021 to 2024 Long Term Plan period.

 

We assessed coastal communities that are at risk based on the draft Coastal Adaptation profiles. This identified around 35 communities who are faced with coastal flooding/erosion hazards or where road access to the community is threatened. We are in the process of establishing how we will narrow this long list down to 1 to 3 communities that we will work with on a pilot basis. 

 

On another note, in the spatial planning project we are conducting for Kerikeri/Waipapa, we will include climate change adaptation as a topic to address with the community

 

Attachments/Ngā tapirihanga

Attachment 1: Coastal Community Adaptation Profiles - Programme (Draft) 2021  

 


Joint Climate Change Adaptation Committee  ITEM: 6.4

29 November 2021Attachment 1

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Joint Climate Change Adaptation Committee                                                                                                            item: 6.5

29 November 2021

 

TITLE:

Meeting Dates 2022

From:

Laura Exton, Community Resilience Executive Assistant

Authorised by Group Manager/s:

Victoria Harwood, Pou Tiaki Hapori - GM Community Resilience, on 23 November 2021

 

Whakarāpopototanga / Executive summary

For the information of the Joint Climate Change Adaptation Committee members, we are presenting meeting dates for 2022. These dates and locations are indicative only and may be subject to change. The dates have been chosen to align with the Mayoral Forum. Locations will be communicated closer to the time.

 

·      Monday 7 March 2022, 1pm (KDC, VIRTUAL)

·      Monday 30 May 2022, 1pm (WDC, FACE TO FACE)

·      Monday 29 August 2022, 1pm (NRC, VIRTUAL)

·      Monday 28 November 2022, 1pm (FNDC, TBD)

Meeting invites will be sent out following this 29 November 2021 meeting.

 

Ngā mahi tūtohutia / Recommendation

That the report ‘Meeting Dates 2022’ by Laura Exton, Community Resilience Executive Assistant and dated 22 November 2021, be received.

 

Background/Tuhinga

Not applicable.

 

Attachments/Ngā tapirihanga

Nil



[1] These include managing use and development of resources under the Resource Management Act 1991, promoting wellbeing under the Local Government Act 2002, the provision of infrastructure and civil defence and emergency management functions.