Agenda of Council Meeting

Council Meeting item: 5.7

16 July 2019

TITLE:	Inter-regional Marine Pest Management - Consultation Results and Next Steps
ID:	A1207340
From:	Justin Murfitt, Strategic Policy Specialist and Don McKenzie, Biosecurity Manager

Executive summary/Whakarāpopototanga

The Inter-Regional Marine Pest Pathway Discussion Document on the management of marine pests across the four regions at the top of the North Island was released for public feedback on 18 March 2019 (council approved release of the discussion document at the February 2019 council meeting). This consultation project was developed by the Top of the North Biosecurity Group as a collaborative project between Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Waikato Regional Council, Auckland Council, Northland Regional Council, Ministry for Primary Industries / Biosecurity NZ (MPI) and the Department of Conservation (DOC). The discussion document sought feedback on a number of options to manage marine pests, including the option to develop consistent rules across the four regions. The discussion document received 370 submissions – this feedback has been collated and is presented in the attached report (Attachment 1). Staff recommend that the feedback received be assessed and a preferred option be identified by the Top of the North Biosecurity Group. This preferred option and supporting evidence would then be presented to all four councils (and partner agencies) for consideration in early 2020.

Recommendation(s)

1. That the report ‘Inter-regional Marine Pest Management - Consultation Results and Next Steps’ by Justin Murfitt, Strategic Policy Specialist and Don McKenzie, Biosecurity Manager and dated 28 June 2019, be received.

2. That council authorise staff in collaboration with the Top of the North Biosecurity Group partners to progress with the options analysis to identify a preferred option (and supporting evidence) for marine pest management.

3. That a preferred option for the management of marine pests across the four partner regions and supporting evidence be presented to council for consideration in early 2020.

4. That council approve public release of the consultation results report, subject to formatting and other minor edits to improve ‘readability’.

Background/Tuhinga

The threat of marine pest incursions is particularly high in the coastal waters of northern New Zealand. Northland’s coastal waters are particularly susceptible to incursions of marine pests given the range of habitats available, relatively benign climate and the high number of visiting and resident vessels that are a vector for spread (the movement of ‘fouled’ vessels is the biggest pathway for the spread of marine pests). Northland also has significant cultural, natural heritage and economic values that are potentially impacted by marine pests. These issues are also faced by neighbouring regions such as Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty, which in combination with Northland accommodate the majority of New Zealand’s vessel movements. Controlling marine pests once established is extremely difficult and preventing their arrival is far more cost-effective. Restricting the spread of marine pests is likely to be more effective if a coordinated and consistent multi-region approach is adopted – there are also likely to be efficiency gains in implementation.

The consultation

The discussion document presented four options for the overall direction on managing marine pests, being:

• Status quo – continue current efforts and work towards a national approach (with each region retaining the option to develop their own rules for managing marine pests);

• Lead the way with consistent rules requiring clean vessel hulls across the four biggest boating regions – Northland, Auckland, Waikato, and Bay of Plenty;

• Go further - make rules for other pathways too like ballast water, aquaculture, bilge water and marine equipment; or

• None of the above.

People were also asked for feedback on options for hull-fouling rules, this being the key pathway for the spread of marine pests. Engagement processes across the four regions and through MPI/Biosecurity NZ and DOC channels included:

• Email distribution to each agencies tangata whenua / stakeholder lists;

• Media releases;

• Public events / hui.

• Printed material (discussion document and pamphlets) provided to stakeholders; and

• Social media.

For a more detailed summary of the engagement see Appendix B in Attachment 1.

The results

The consultation attracted 370 submissions from a wide range of interests across New Zealand. Table 1 below shows submitters by location and whether they owned a boat stored ‘on-water’.

Table 1

Survey completed	Number of submitters	Boat ownership
Northland	120	89 (74%)
Auckland	123	70 (57%)
Waikato	22	12 (55%)
Bay of Plenty	49	23 (47%)
Elsewhere in NZ	22	10 (45%)
Overseas	1	1 (100%)
No region given	4	-
Incomplete submissions
No region given	29	-
Total responses considered	370	-

Key themes identified largely through comments in submissions were:

• The importance of protecting marine environments;

• Practicality and compliance issues;

• Managing other pathways is also important (not just hull fouling);

• The practicality of current tools (e.g. effectiveness of anti-foul, lack of haul-out facilities, and in water cleaning rules);

• The allocation / distribution of costs;

• Need for a national approach to managing marine pests;

• Pests having already established; and

• ‘Stationary vessels’ (i.e. low risk of spread).

The number of submitters that owned boats stored on-water was between 45% and 57% for all regions, except Northland where boat-owners made up 74% of respondents. This likely reflects that the issue has been recently debated through the Northland Marine Pest Pathway Plan and associated charging regime.

Feedback on the three primary options is summarised below in Figure 1:

Figure 1

Note: The total number of submitters who responded to this question is 314 (a number of submitters did not complete the question or were either from elsewhere in NZ, from overseas, or did not identify a region).

Responses from Northland differed from other regions in that a higher proportion (37%) preferred the ‘none of the above’ option compared with 8-9% in the other regions. Lower numbers of submissions from Bay of Plenty and Waikato may reflect the fact that marine pests are a less prominent issue and that there has been more debate on the matter recently in the Auckland and Northland regions – it may also reflect a lower percentage of owners of vessels stored ‘in-water’ in the Bay of Plenty and Waikato regions. Overall, the majority of responses sought more action on marine pest management by selecting either Option 2 or 3. This was slightly lower in Northland where Options 2 and 3 were supported by 50% of submitters who answered this question.

There were also regional variations in the response to the options for hull-fouling rules as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2

Overall, the results indicate there is support from those who responded for further efforts to manage marine pests across the four regions, with a significant percentage supporting some form of control on hull-fouling (although this is notably more muted in Northland than the other regions with 33% opposed to hull-fouling rules).

Next steps

The consultation has provided useful feedback on the issue of marine pest management. It is recommended that staff (in collaboration with the Top of the North Biosecurity Group partners) undertake a detailed options analysis to identify a ‘preferred’ approach and report back in early 2020. This would include:

• A preferred option for marine pest management;

• An indicative cost / benefit assessment and rationale;

• An indicative implementation programme and associated costs; and

• An outline of the process should the preferred option be pursued.

At this point council(s) could direct that:

• Further consultation be undertaken;

• More information on implementation approaches and / or costs be provided;

• Further investigation into the merits of other options be undertaken;

• A formal proposal under the Biosecurity Act should proceed; or

• No further action be taken.

In the event council (and partner agencies) support proceeding with a formal proposal under the Biosecurity Act, a draft proposal, full cost / benefit analysis and other supporting information required under the Act would be developed - this would require further approval from participating councils prior starting the formal process. It should be noted that each council / participating agency has discretion over whether to proceed and over how implementation costs are allocated (the allocation of implementation costs may therefore vary across each region).

There is clearly some appetite for more action to address marine pests across the ‘top of the north’ regions from both the individuals and the agencies that responded. There are also likely to be benefits arising from a consistent approach across the top of the north regions which staff recommend be explored further (including lower risk of pest incursions and clarity / simplicity for vessel owners). It is therefore recommended that council (and partners) maintain momentum on progress to date by investigating the future options for marine pest management and report back in early 2020 with a preferred approach, indicative costs and supporting evidence, at which time councils can provide further direction.

Costs of developing the options analysis and supporting evidence are not expected to be significant and can be met within existing budgets and utilise tools / information already available (such as the cost / benefit model used in development of the Northland Marine Pest Pathway Plan and the experience with implementation to date, both of which can be extrapolated to other regions).

Considerations

1. Options

No.	Option	Advantages	Disadvantages
1	No further action is taken	No cost / resourcing required.	The status quo remains with inconsistent approaches across the four regions. Less effective response to the risk of marine pests. Momentum on the issue is lost.
2	Further options analysis is undertaken to identify a common preferred option (and evidence base) and reported back to council(s) and agencies in 2020	The effectiveness and costs and benefits of the options are clearly identified. Council(s) have greater confidence in deciding next steps particularly if a formal proposal is pursued.	Further time and resource required.
3	Council identifies a preferred option now	Clear direction on marine pest management.	The benefits of an inter-regional approach are less likely to arise if council does not act in unison with partners. A robust analysis of the options (and their implications) would not have been considered.

The staff’s recommended option is Option 2.

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 is part of council’s day to day activities. This is on the basis that the work can be met with existing budgets and does not commit council to a particular course of action. 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.

3. Policy, risk management and legislative compliance

The decision is consistent with policy and legislative requirements in that it would provide council with a robust basis for future decision making. In addition, the decision relates to non-statutory processes and is consistent with the principles in the Biosecurity Act 1993.

Further considerations

4. Community views

The consultation document provides an indication of community views on the issue and suggests there is a desire for more action on managing marine pests across a range of interests. In the event a formal proposal is progressed (subject to a future council decision) further consultation is required under the Biosecurity Act.

5. Māori impact statement

Māori have had an opportunity to make their views on the matter known through submissions on the discussion document (and a number of Māori have done so). The Te Taitokerau Maori and Council Working Party has been briefed on the issue and has indicated support for inter-regional approaches to marine pest management.

6. Financial implications

The further options analysis, identification of a preferred option and associated evidence base can be met within existing budgets.

7. Implementation issues

There are no significant implementation issues expected given the decision relates to provision of further information to support future council decisions rather than implementation.

Attachments/Ngā tapirihanga

Attachment 1: Consultation Results Report ⇩

Authorised by Group Manager

Name:	Bruce Howse
Title:	Group Manager - Environmental Services
Date:	10 July 2019

Council Meeting item: 5.13

16 July 2019

TITLE:	Mt Tiger Harvest Results - 1991 Stand
ID:	A1210817
From:	Nicole Inger, Property Officer

Executive summary/Whakarāpopototanga

This report is provided to council giving the results and summary of council’s recent Mt Tiger forest harvest.

Council’s forestry consultant, Mr Ian Jenkins, will be present at the meeting to further discuss the harvest outcomes with councillors, if required.

Recommendation(s)

1. That the report ‘Mt Tiger Harvest Results - 1991 Stand’ by Nicole Inger, Property Officer and dated 9 July 2019, be received.

2. That the harvest’s net revenue be deposited into the Equalisation Reserve.

Background/Tuhinga

At the 11 December 2018 council meeting, the following approvals were provided:

1. That councillors give approval in principle to the Property Subcommittee recommendation that the Forest Harvest Plan and harvest of the 1991 Mt Tiger Forest Block goes ahead.

2. That councillors give the Chief Executive Officer authority up until 30 June 2019 to make the final decision when to harvest.

3. That the harvest will be subject to market conditions, contractor availability, be undertaken in line with budget, and meet high health, safety and employment and environmental standards.

4. The Property Subcommittee recommendations that:

- the areas unable to be harvested be left standing and a long-term plan developed to ultimately convert these areas to native forest; and

- the harvested area be replanted in suitable species in the 2020 winter.

be accepted.

The Mt Tiger Forest 1991 block consists of 23.4 hectares (a. 11,700 tonne) of pruned radiata pine. The harvest of this block was originally budgeted for the NRC 2019/20 budget year - subject to market conditions and final approval by council.

The previous harvest at Mt Tiger Forest was the 1985 block, completed in June 2016 after being delayed some 18 months owing to market conditions and difficulty in sourcing a suitable cable harvesting contractor. Owing to these difficulties with the last harvest, the 1991 Block pre-harvest planning was undertaken earlier in order to have it ‘harvest ready’ and thus provide more flexibility and allow prompt harvest start-up.

As a result of the detailed pre-harvest planning it was found that:

· Only 18.5 ha of the 1991 block (80%) is physically/economically able to be harvested.

· Consequently, the expected volume will only be some 7,974 m3.

· A number of challenges exist and will need to be managed accordingly, this includes public roads, powerlines, traffic, security, kiwi, environmental, archaeological and adjacent kauri area.

Whilst harvest was not scheduled (and budgeted) until summer 2019/20, in late 2018 high export and domestic log prices and the fact that Northland Forest Managers Limited (NFML), the council’s contracted Forest Manager, had a harvest crew available in March 2019 meant that council could take this opportunity to harvest the 1991 block.

NFML presented a Harvesting and Marketing Proposal for the 1991 Block via council’s forestry consultant to the Property Subcommittee (and subsequently council) in November 2018 which outlined:

· That full harvest be undertaken in March 2019.

· Prior to full harvest, road-lining is required in December 2018, and road and landing construction in January 2019.

NFML’s proposal estimated the net return from the harvest of the 1991 area at approx. $471,000 (7,974 m3, Gross Price $135.97/m3, Harvest Costs $76.90/m3, Stumpage $59.08/m3).

Whilst the area and volume able to be harvested were down by some 20% on the original NRC budget, the high log prices and similar costs mitigated this to some extent, with the projected result being 13% below budget.

On this basis, council approval to progress the harvest was granted. NFML undertook the road-lining in January 2019, and road and landing construction in February 2019.

Council’s CEO was delegated the authority to make the final decision when to undertake the harvest - to allow for any changes in market conditions, etc. This was subsequently given 12 February 2019, based upon an updated and more favourable forecast of the net harvest revenue.

The updated forecast was as shown below:

Variable	Budget 2019-20	Previous Estimate	Current Estimate
Variable	Budget 2019-20	(NFML H&M Proposal- Nov 2018	(NFML) Feb2019
Area (ha) economic	23.4	18.5	18.5
Volume (cubic metre)	11,700	7,974	7,974
Gross price (per m3)	$120.50	$135.97	$144.81
Harvest cost (per m3)	$74.50	$76.90	$77.96
Stumpage return (per m3)	$46.00	$59.08	$66.85
Net Total Return	$538,200	$471,104	$533,062

Again, it was noted that the area and thus volume able to be practically, environmentally and profitably harvested is down some 20% on the original budget. However, the more recent projected net income, as at the February 2019 update, had further improved and was now very close to budget (and a year earlier).

Full scale harvest commenced 18 February 2019.

Harvesting was completed on 12 April 2019, after which post-harvest clean-up and site shutdown was undertaken, culminating with full harvest sign-off on 23 May 2019.

Final harvest outcomes:

Health and Safety:

Prior to harvest, the forestry consultant went through rigorous H&S checks with NFML, to ensure council’s interests/risk was covered off. In conjunction with council’s H&S Officer, NFML’s H&S systems, their contractor induction, and specific actions regarding the Mt Tiger operation were reviewed. This included ensuring NFML had done hazard ID, new site induction meetings, etc., to ensure the contractors were meeting all their requirements.

The whole harvest operation from road lining through to site clean-up was undertaken extremely well from an H&S perspective. During the harvest there were no Lost Time Injury incidents. There were no incidents reported and no reported critical rule breaches reported during the harvest period.

Environmental:

The harvest of the 1991 block was a permitted activity under the NES-PF. NFML submitted and obtained the pre-requisite pre-start requirements from NRC under the NES-PF Regulations.

An NRC environmental monitoring inspection was undertaken on 20 March 2019, one month into full scale harvest, and was fully compliant.

At harvest end, for council’s own satisfaction and to be seen to be operating under best practice and at or above its own forest industry monitoring standards, the council’s Environmental Monitoring Officer was asked to carry out a final post-harvest inspection. An excellent result was achieved with full compliance.

Overall, the harvest was undertaken to a high environmental standard and at least consistent with best practice.

Archaeological site:

There was one small archaeological site (Q07/989) within the 1991 stand harvest area that required careful management as part of the harvest.

A Heritage New Zealand authority was obtained (in February 2019) and the forester harvest crew undertook the harvest around this site appropriately. The pine trees immediately on the site were carefully felled to waste at the end of the harvest. The site has been undamaged.

An archaeologist inspected the site during and after harvest and has now prepared his final post-harvest report (favourable outcome) and submitted it to Heritage New Zealand.

Overall Harvest Financial Results:

The final outcome for the harvest of the 1991 block is described below, resulting in a final net return to council of $523,000.00.

The total $ net return at $523,000 is only 3% below the original 2019/20 budget ($538,000), and 2% below the pre-start estimate (Feb 2019) of $533,000, and has also been achieved a year earlier.

To understand the final harvest result more fully, it is also useful to examine it in terms of $/t unit figures as per the Table below.

Variable	Budget 2019-20	Pre-Start Estimate	Final Harvest Result
Variable	Budget 2019-20	(NFML) Feb2019	(Jan- May 2019)
Area (ha) economic	23.4	18.5	18.5
Volume (m3/ha)	500	431	382
Total Volume (t)	11,700	7,974	7,074

Gross price (per t)	$120.50	$144.81	$148.31

Infrastructure (per t)	$4.92	$15.07	$11.75
Log and load (per t)	$48.22	$44.99	$44.69
Cartage (per t)	$14.45	$12.84	$12.82
Other (per t)	$1.91	$0.57	$0.58
H&M Agent fees (per t)	$5.00	$4.50	$4.50
Total Harvest cost (per t)	$74.50	$77.96	$74.34

Stumpage return (per t)	$46.00	$66.85	$73.97
Net Total Return	$538,208	$533,063	$523,213

There are two comparisons to be made from the above data, actual versus budget (2019/20) and actual versus the pre-start estimate (Feb 2019).

Key points of comparison are as follows:

The actual total net return of $523,000 is an excellent result.

As noted earlier, once the harvest planning was completed, the area actually able to be harvested was 21% less than the original budget (18.5 ha vs 23.4 ha) and hence the budgeted total net return (all other things being equal) should have been unachievable.

The budget volume of 500 m³/ha was a ballpark estimate based on previous NRC harvests and upon a harvest not until 2019/20 (age 28 years). The inventory found the 1991 area to be not as well stocked and the inventory was undertaken at age 26 over the whole 23.4 ha stand. The inventory PLE (probable limits of error, ie reliability) was +/- 17% showing the stand to be variable. Thus, the inventory at 431 m³/ha and 14% lower than budget was understandable, as it was a measured result.

The actual volume harvested per ha, was 382m³/ha, and thus 11% below inventory. The consultant has confirmed that all volume has been accounted for, all produce has been invoiced, there is no significant merchantable volume left on the landing or on the cutover. Any material on the cutover is windthrown and non-merchantable or within industry norms. The reason for the volume under-achievement is in part because inventory is only a sample estimate and not always precise (PLE range), and the reduced area able to be harvested was not the same as the sample area, with possibly better areas left behind. Further, industry harvest reconciliations often show 5-10% less actual volume than inventory. This variance is also more common in small harvest areas due to the ‘edge’ effect, i.e. for small irregular stands the impact of accurately mapping and inventorying the forest boundary can be more pronounced.

The volume per ha comparison is shown in the figure above. The left chart shows the volume by log grade per hectare and the right chart shows the log grade mix in percentage terms.

So overall, area and yield recovery per hectare combined, the actual total harvest volume at 7,074t was only 60% of the budget (2019/20) figure of 11,700t, and was 11% below the pre-start estimate (Feb 2019) of 7,974t.

As can be seen in the right-hand figure above, in percentage terms - the actual harvest log grade mix was slightly under the inventory based pre-start estimate (Feb 2019) with less large log and more industrial grades, but was slightly superior to the budget (2019/20) ballpark estimate. Overall the actual grade outturn from harvest was a good result.

The actual unit $/t gross price achieved ($148.31/t) was 23% better than the budget (2019/20) of $120.50/t and in line with (2% above) the pre-start estimate (Feb 2019) of $144.82/t. The better log grade recovery achieved contributed to this slightly, but it was mainly a result of the better log prices prevailing during harvest as compared to the budget estimates. In fact, whether by luck or good management, the 1991 harvest (as indicated by the yellow highlight) was undertaken at the absolute peak in export market prices, as shown in the graph below.

Actual unit $/t total costs ($74.34/t) are almost identical to the budget (2019/20) of $74.50/t and 5% below the pre-start estimate (Feb 2019) of $77.96/t.

As can be seen in the table above, there are variations in the harvest cost components.

Infrastructure (roads and landings) was more expensive than the budget (2019/20) due to the new harvest plan and less volume to spread the costs. However, the outcome was 22% below the pre-start estimate (Feb 2019) despite the lower volume.

The actual log and load costs of $44.69/t were as expected close to the pre-start estimate (Feb 2019) as they were negotiated and set pre-start, but they were some 7% below the budget (2019/20) of $48.22/t.

The infrastructure costs are high by industry standards, as is the log and load rate - the result of harvesting a small area with a cable hauler.

The actual average cartage cost of $12.82/t was as expected close to the pre-start estimate (Feb 2019) as the rates were also negotiated and set pre-start, but they were some 11% below the budget (2019/20) of $14.45/t due to competitive rates being obtained and with more wood going to the CHH domestic mill as compared to the longer and higher cartage rate to Marsden Point export.

Other costs (e.g. forest industry levy, weighbridge, etc.) and NFML’s harvesting and marketing fee were slightly under budget.

As a result of the above, the final net stumpage return at $73.97/t was an excellent outcome, being 61% above the budget (2019/20) of $46.00/t and 11% above the pre-start estimate (Feb 2019) of $66.85/t. A result of higher returns and lower costs.

Therefore, these high unit stumpage returns almost completely offset the significantly lower volume achievement to result in the final net return at $523,000 falling just short of the budget (2019/20) of $538,000 and the pre-start estimate (Feb 2019) of $533,000.

Concluding Comments:

The 1991 block at Mt Tiger Forest has now been successfully harvested.

The area able to be actually harvested was 18.5 ha and less than the planted area (23.4 ha), a result of practical harvesting realities, which were not taken into account at planting.

The volume/ha achieved was also less than budget, but the log grade mix was reasonably well aligned.

The harvest timing was superb and captured very high export log prices. The unit rates for revenue were thus well above budget. Generally, harvest costs were lower than budget.

The overall total net return at $523,000 is an excellent result given the significantly less volume (40% less) harvested. Also, the income has been achieved a year earlier than planned.

NFML has done a good job in undertaking their H&M contract on behalf of council and should be commended.

Replanting:

As per the Forest Management Plan, this block will be replanted in the winter of 2020 for its second rotation. This will provide sufficient time for the initial regenerating weeds and pine regen to be sprayed and controlled, to provide a clean planting site.

After due consideration of options, including the need to re-establish the 1991 harvested site from an environmental perspective as quickly as possible, along with the area being part of a council commercial asset which should be making an investment return, and physical and practical challenges with other land uses, this area is best replanted in commercial plantation.

It is likely to be replanted in radiata pine to grow another commercial tree crop, but other species will be considered prior to a final decision being made.

Residual Area:

At present the approximately 5 hectares of the 1991 stand that could not be physically/economically harvested remains standing.

It is recommended that these areas be left standing in the medium term. This will help mitigate the environmental impacts of harvest (i.e. 20% less area harvested, and these trees will act as a buffer at the lower elevations of the block). They will continue to grow happily for at least another 30 years. They might be harvestable next rotation (assuming the main block is replanted in radiata pine, see below) with equipment/technology developments.

It is not recommended to fell these areas to waste in one operation due to the difficulties this would create with future land use. However, it might be a consideration longer term to ‘convert’ these areas to native vegetation through the gradual removal of the pine crop (e.g. ringbarking/poisoning) to allow the native understory to develop in a staged manner.

Council Meeting item: 6.2

16 July 2019

TITLE:	Chief Executive’s Report to Council
ID:	A1205970
From:	Malcolm Nicolson, Chief Executive Officer

Recommendation

That the report ‘Chief Executive’s Report to Council’ by Malcolm Nicolson, Chief Executive Officer and dated 30 June 2019, be received.

6.2.1 Highlights

Northland Civil Defence Ememergency Management

The establishment of the Emergency Management Assistance Teams is progressing at a national level with a two-week residential training course scheduled for August. The EMAT is a national surge capacity capability to be used in responding to emergency events. Shona Morgan from the Northland CDEM Group has been selected to attend the training, and should be congratulated for this recognition of her work.

Predator Free Taitokerau

Council’s Predator Free Taitokerau proposal was successful in receiving a significant amount of funding from Predator Free 2050 Ltd (PF2050 Ltd). PF2050 Ltd has conditionally awarded council funding of up to $6M over five years to eradicate possums from Whāngarei Heads or Bay of Islands Peninsulas. The original proposal requested $10.5M over five years, leaving a shortfall of $4.5M ($900,000 per annum). Council is currently working through options with key stakeholders to identify which area and communities are best placed to make a start towards becoming predator free.

6.2.2 CEO’s Office

Upper North Island Strategic Alliance (UNISA)

Mayors and Chairs met on 7 June 2019. Minister David Parker discussed the Upper North Island Supply Chain Study (ports, rail and roads), water quality and water infrastructure financing, and climate change impacts amongst other topics. NZTA Acting Chief Executive, Mark Ratcliffe, provided an update on NZTA funding and priorities.

UNISA Councils continue to support an Upper North Island marine pest management pathway plan promoted by council. UNISA is a key contributor to the Refinery Pipeline Enquiry.

Council Property Update

A Sale & Purchase Agreement to purchase a Hihiaua Precinct property has settled.

A Sale & Purchase Agreement to Purchase of a Waipapa property has been signed and due diligence satisfied, settlement is later in the year.

The decision to proceed with redevelopment at 8 Kensington Avenue is before the 16 July 2019 council meeting.

KDC councillors have approved a KDC-NRC lease agreement ‘in principle’ for the Kaipara Service Centre, Chief Executives to negotiate terms.

The Mt Tiger Forest harvest and clean-up is complete and the report is before 16 July 2019 council meeting.

Current Legal Proceedings

Department	Description	Status
Consent decision appeal	To construct a boardwalk as part of a coastal walkway in Back Bay, Mangawhai Estuary	Parties agreed to an alternative route to the proposed boardwalk. Appeal resolved by consent order issued by the Environment Court on 17 June 2019.
Consent decision appeal	Seventeen groundwater takes for horticultural irrigation at Houhora, Motutangi, and Waiharara	Awaiting the Court to make a final decision or provide further directions.
Consent decision appeal	Replacement consents for, and new consents for an expansion of, Doug’s Opua Boat Yard in Walls Bay, Ōpua.	Awaiting the Court’s decision on the applications.

6.2.3 Corporate Excellence

Year-end Draft Accounts

The finance team are currently working hard towards completing the 2018/19 year-end draft accounts for audit review. These draft annual accounts will be presented to the August council meeting. Deloitte will be on site from 19 August until early September completing their review of the final accounts. The final accounts are set to be given audit clearance and be adopted by council at the council meeting on 25 September 2019.

Fraud Declaration

I am not aware of any fraud nor am I investigating any incidence or suspected incidence of fraud at this time.

6.2.4 Regulatory Services

CONSENTS IN PROCESS

During June 2019, a total of 52 Decisions were issued. These decisions comprised:

• Moorings	2
• Coastal Permits	6
• Air Discharge Permits	0
• Land Discharge Permits	12
• Water Discharge Permits	0
• Land Use Consents	24
• Water Permits	6
• Bore Consents	2

The processing timeframes for the June 2019 consents ranged from:

• 546 to 2 calendar days, with the median time being 29 days;

• 346 to 2 working days, with the median time being 20 days.

27 applications were received in June 2019.

Of the 107 applications in progress at the end of June 2019:

• 35 were received more than 12 months ago (most awaiting further information);

• 24 were received between 6 and 12 months ago (most awaiting further information);

• 48 less than 6 months.

Appointment of Hearing Commissioners

No commissioners were appointed in June 2019.

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

The current level of notified application processing activities at the end of June 2019 is (by number):

• Applications Publicly/Limited Notified During Previous Month	0
• Progress on Applications Previously Notified	4
• Hearings and Decisions	3
• Appeals/Objections	3

HYDROLOGY

Rivers / Rain Situation

• Northland rainfall totals were below the expected average amount for June 2019. The highest rainfall totals were received in the Parataiko and Tutāmoe Ranges to the west. The east of the Far North, from the Bay of Islands upwards were the driest areas for the month.

• River flows have generally been higher during June due to the frequent small rainfall events over the month. River flows will continue to be monitored closely. For more detailed information, please refer to the Hydrology Climate reports uploaded on the NRC website.

Hydrology Projects

• A backup water level sensor was installed at the key flood monitoring site ‘Awanui at School Cut’, to increase the resilience of this station.

• The Selwyn Swamp, Awanui Spillway and Waipapa at Doonside Road water level recorders were upgraded to a IRIS270 datalogger, compatible with the new telemetry system. A new staff gauge was also installed at the Waipapa at Doonside Road site to mitigate a health and safety issue associated with getting reference measurements.

• The water level recorder on the Takahue River was repaired after a large tree fell on it and damaged the communication aerial.

• Traffic controller training was completed by all of the Hydrology Team on 21 June 2019.

• Groundwater SOE sampling runs were carried out.

• The Hydrology Team made improvements to its Quality Management System.

NATURAL RESOURCES DATA

• Coordinating LAWA requests (key dates for delivery across May – September 2019):

• LAWA Groundwater Quality Module (EMaR) and National Environment Reporting (MfE) – currently reviewing the status of the data feeds and data provided. The module’s “Go-live” date is September 2019.

• LAWA Annual Refresh of Lakes, Rivers, Can I Swim water quality and Water Quantity data. All raw data was supplied for refresh at the end of June 2019. Council needs to confirm final datasets and load them for LAWA by August 2019 and Go-live in September 2019.

• Survey 123 for electronic data collection: This will be trialled alongside the traditional paper forms for the River Water Quality Run in July 2019.

• The Water Meter Online System is now finalised. The online system will allow consent holders to enter their water use records directly via the NRC website. Go-live is early July 2019 and the Data Management Team is working closely with the Compliance and Online Services teams regarding communication to the consent holders on the new service.

• Discussions were held with other councils around a national QMS proposal, including setting up national quality objectives, reports on what councils are/are not meeting the specified objectives, audit processes and NEMS.

NATURAL RESOURCES SCIENCE

Coastal

A water quality buoy was deployed in the Ruakāka estuary for 30 days and collected water temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity and chlorophyll-a data every fifteen minutes. The data will complement information collected from our discrete sampling site in the estuary and will help us to understand how water quality varies over tidal cycles and following high rainfall events.

Freshwater quality / Freshwater ecology

• NIWA’s final report analysing the first three years of periphyton monitoring data has been received. The report will be used to inform a proposed plan change in 2021 for deriving appropriate in-stream nutrient concentrations and limits/criteria for Northland rivers. The report also contains a review of the current periphyton monitoring programme. Recommendations will be reviewed and actioned where appropriate.

• The annual fish monitoring programme has been completed for the year following the NZ National Fish Monitoring Protocols (Joy et al, 2013). A total of 18 sites was sampled including 15 RWQMN/priority catchments sites and three randomly selected sites and

• The 2018 macroinvertebrate data has been passed on to the data management team for the latest LAWA update.

• An investigation into elevated ammoniacal nitrogen levels at one of the Doubtless Bay Catchment sites was initiated this month, in collaboration with the Land Management Team.

Air quality

• Ambient PM₁₀ monitoring results for May 2019 for the Whangārei and Marsden Point airsheds show that compliance was met with the National Environmental Standards for Air Quality (NESAQ). PM2.5 monitoring results for Whangārei were within the Ambient Air Quality Guideline value.

• The Mobile PM10 monitor has been moved to Kawakawa from Kaikohe. The first results from the Kawakawa monitoring site will be presented in next month’s report.

• Energy and Technical Services (Energy TS) Limited has started to track council’s carbon emissions. Login information to e-Bench and an initial report is expected to be available within next few weeks.

Coastal/Water Quality Field Operations

• Coastal water quality sampling of the Whangārei, Bay of Islands and Kaipara harbours and southern estuaries (Mangawhai, Waipū and Ruakāka) was carried out.

• The continuous water quality monitoring station on Tikinui wharf was re-established after going through a redesign of the monitoring equipment. This site collects water quality data every 15 minutes year-round to greatly improve our understanding of the water quality in the Wairoa Catchment and greater Kaipara Harbour.

• Three continuous dissolved oxygen freshwater monitoring sites were validated and calibrated for the first time. The sites require monthly validations and quarterly calibrations. A further three sites are yet to be established.

COMPLIANCE MONITORING

The results of compliance monitoring for the period 1 – 30 June 2019 (and final figures for 2018/2019) are summarised in the following table and discussed below.

Classification	Total	Full compliance	Non-compliance	Significant non-compliance	Not exercised during period
Air discharges	36	26	7	0	3
Coastal permit	69	47	6	0	16
Discharge permit	154	101	31	2	20
Land use consent	126	103	4	0	19
Water permit	122	85	30	0	7
Total	507	362	78	2	65
Percentage		71.4%	15.4%	0.4%	12.8%
YTD	10,611	8,184	1,243	319	865
Percentage		77.1%	11.7%	3.0%	8.2%

Coastal

• The majority of consents monitored during the reporting period related to coastal discharges (treated municipal sewage, industrial and boat maintenance facilities) and coastal structures.

Hazardous substances

• Four incidents involving the discharge of hazardous substances and 22 enquiries regarding contamination.

Water, Waste, Air and Land Use Compliance Monitoring

During the month of June compliance staff were involved in:

• Attending the forestry workshop lead by the Land Management team held at Barge Park.

• Attending a ‘drop in’ day held by the Kerikeri Kiwifruit Growers Association. The purpose was to encourage residents to drop in and discuss any concerns or questions they may have regarding spraying, other related activities and regional plan rules. Disappointingly, the session was not well attended by the community; possibly due to the timing of the event and venue choice.

• A liaison meeting was held with the Whangarei District Council compliance staff to discuss issues involving both Councils and to share information. This forum is proving valuable to both teams. Topics discussed included stormwater management, asbestos and sites that contain hazardous substances.

• A “meet and greet” was held between the Kaipara District Council (KDC) compliance staff and our compliance staff. We aim to meet with KDC compliance staff on a regular basis.

Ongoing training of Armourguard officers continued in June with more officers from the outer Armourguard offices in attendance.

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:

	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	5	5	5	6
Illegal activity in coastal marine area	1	1	0	0	1	1
Illegal use of lake bed or river bed	1	1	1	1	1	2
Other air discharge	0	0	2	2	2	2
Other water discharge	1	1	1	1	1	2
Sediment	1	1	3	3	3	4
Sewage	0	0	2	3	2	3
Total	5	5	14	15	15	20

Other Enforcement

• Dumping and burning of demolition waste, Kaikohe

No new developments/change since previous update.

• Enforcement Order – Paihia wastewater treatment plant

No new developments/change since previous update.

• Farm dairy effluent – Waipū

Charges have been laid against a Waipū farmer for offending which occurred in July and December 2018. The offences related to discharges of untreated effluent from breakages in irrigation lines. The farm has a poor history of compliance with regional rules for animal effluent disposal. Guilty pleas to all charges were entered on 18 April 2019. Sentencing has been adjourned to 22 July 2019.

• Farm dairy effluent – Maungakaramea

Charges have been laid against a farmer owner and his company as well as the farm manager for offences which occurred in September 2018. The farm has a poor history of compliance with regional rules for animal effluent disposal. Adjourned until 17 July 2019, when pleas should be entered.

• Farm dairy effluent – Maromaku

Charges have been laid against a farm owner and his company as well as the farm manager for offences which occurred in September 2018. The farm has a poor history of compliance with regional rules for animal effluent disposal. Adjourned until 17 July 2019, when pleas should be entered.

6.2.5 Environmental Services

Land Management

Environment Fund Update

Within this financial year $997,000 of e-fund projects have been completed. A full summary will be reported in the next CEO’s report once a final reconciliation has been completed.

Farm Environment Plans (FEP) – 2018/19

This financial year 152 FEPs have been commenced covering 24,896 hectares and 104 FEPs completed totalling 10,405 hectares. The KPIs for the LTP have met and exceeded the baseline 25,000 ha, per annum, of farm plans to be commenced or completed in each financial year.

Nursery Expansion and Harvest Update

Harvest is now complete with approximately 5,000 poplar and willow poles delivered to 53 properties across Northland for soil conservation purposes. The 2018/19 Nursery expansion is reaching its final week with approximately 3.5ha of land planted out with new poplar and willow pegs. Thirty thousand additional poplar and willow pegs will be planted.

Kaipara Hill Country Erosion Project

The Kaipara Hill Country Erosion Project was completed in June 2019. The four-year project achieved its goals with 125 Kaipara Hill Country Erosion Farm Plans produced for properties within the Kaipara catchment that have areas of high erosion risk, totalling 33,875.5 ha of land under plans, 128 ha of erosion prone land retired, 10,091 poplar and willow poles delivered to 126 properties and $935,636.65 of the NRC Environment Fund allocated to 204 properties.

Hill Country Erosion Fund – Sustainable Hill Country and Regional Priorities

NRC is still awaiting MPI to sign the contract. As the project is agreed in principle NRC has commenced the recruitment process of 4 FTE (1 Project Co-ordinator and 3 Land Management Advisors) to implement this project. An implementation plan will be presented in September to Council.

Hill Country Erosion Fund Boost Year Fund

This project was completed in June 2019 and all work submitted to MPI. The project final report will be distributed to partners and stakeholders and NRC staff in due course. This has been an excellently executed project that was initially designed to take 12 months, but was delivered to a high standard in seven months and $135k under budget.

Northern Wairoa FIF Project

With all funding projects completed we have signed off 41km of fencing, totalling $160K. We have met our KPI for FEPs completed and winter planting projects are well underway with a successful planting day with Te Horo School in Pipiwai.

Hātea Project

Milestone 4 was reported on 17 June. There is one final milestone to report at the end of the project in March 2020. So far approximately 11km of fencing has been completed, 17 stock troughs funded and 5,000 plants funded.

Final push for better uptake over the last 10 months has seen quotes underway for four large planting projects on large blocks or those with high visibility or specific need. We’re also partnering with fencing contractors to ease the process of fence completion for landowners, including increased funding rates to ensure uptake of grants. Currently we have approximately 6.5kms of fencing being scoped for e-fund applications.

BIODIVERSITY

CoastCare

A CoastCare dune planting day was held at Waipū Cove with Waipū Primary School and Camp Waipū Cove. 1,450 spinifex and pingao, provided through the Environment Fund, were planted at the northern end of the dunes managed by the Waipū Cove Domain Board.

NRC CoastCare has been working with Tane’s Tree Trust on a three-year indigenous coastal forest buffers project. The Northland trial sites, north of Waipapkauri, were planted in June with just over 2,000 trees, 750 of which were provided through the NRC Environment Fund. Most of the plants were grown by Bushlands Trust in their nursery at Kaitāia Intermediate and the school helped with the planting.

The final report was submitted for the 2018-19 Far North Kaitiaki ranger programme and a funding application has been submitted to run an expanded collaborative programme in the Far North over the upcoming summer.

Wetlands and biodiversity plans

Four biodiversity plans have been completed in the last month covering 140 hectares of land, including Takou Bay Estuary and surrounding area for Takou Bay Reserve Trust and Ngā Whenua Rahui, and three other landowners. Ecological advice was provided for an appealed consent application for a boardwalk through mangrove-saltmarsh at Mangawhai, which was resolved and withdrawn from Environment Court. Advice was also given to Mangawhai Golf Club on protecting/enhancing their wetland and to assist with their PGF application.

Dune Lakes FIF Project

Objective	Progress Update	% complete
Pest Plants and Fish	Year Three planning around herbicide operation in spring 2019 included sending out information and a letter to ask adjacent landowners about water takes close to two lakes planned for treatment. Planning for discussion day at Lake Ngatu on 21 July. Electric fishing training undertaken by one FIF staff member and the Te Roroa Kaiwhakahaere.	10%
Stock exclusion	Lake Shag fully fenced and water reticulation set up. Water reticulation set up for Lake Midgely ready for fencing 2019/20	90%
Sediment detention bunds	Set for Year 4. Planning started.	0%
Matauranga Maori	Four “Get to know your dune lake” days were run in conjunction with Enviroschools and Te Aho Tu Roa at Lakes Waikare (Kai Iwi), Waiporohita (Karikari) and Kanono (Pouto). Nearly 200 students from a total of 12 schools from all over the region participated in these marae based education days. Many of the students were from farming families. One goal is to increase the number of young people, especially Māori, pursuing careers in science, business and the environment. Students were involved in planting and activities based around water quality, plants, fish and invertebrates.	25%
Other	A final draft of the FIF Dune Lakes Project Work Plan was agreed with Ministry for the Environment and has been submitted.	N/A

Biosecurity

Biosecurity Partnerships

· Tutukaka High Value Area (HVA) Highlights

• Biodiversity and kiwi monitoring: The first opportunity to contribute to the National Kiwi Listening Survey closed with around half the listening sites completed and further listening is planned for the end of June. There are reports of pairs of kiwi calling being heard in Whale Bay, Horseshoe Bay, and North Gable Bay.

• Kauri Dieback Protection: Community members have made good progress working to reduce the risk of kauri dieback on the Te Araroa Trail. This includes rerouting and up grading tracks, and installing wash stations.

Newly installed hygiene station on the
Te Araroa Trail.

• Weed Control: Site led surveys with North Tech students have been completed with a tally of 910 observations including 149 species of pest plants.

• Species Enhancement: Increasing numbers of pateke and Royal Spoonbills are being reported along the Ngunguru river and estuary. Visiting kākāriki, bellbirds, and kākā have been recorded from coastal forest between Ngunguru and Sandy Bay.

· Whangārei Heads High Value Area Highlights

• Kiwi Monitoring: Kiwi listening is well underway at 21 sites to establish long term population trends. Members of the kiwi listening group attended the National Kiwi Hui held in Hawkes Bay.

• Weed Control: A contractor is working on elaeagnus, moth plant, woolly nightshade, and tree privet in Waitangata Stream area.

· Western Northland Pest Control Area Highlights

• Whirinaki, Waiotermarama, and Pakanae Pest Control Initiative: Within the Hokianga there are three adjoining groups that are interested in pest control. The groups are in the process of determining boundaries, target pests, and control methods. Once this is determined they will begin planning the trapping and bait station network.

· Mid North High Value Area Highlights

• Trapping: Trap deployment is underway on Upokorau Farm, Summit Takou Block, and the Summit Whitehills and Shepherds Blocks. Further traps have been added to Taronui Pest Control Area, Purerua Pest Control Area, Waitangi Iwi Kiwi, Kerikeri Peninsula CPCA, Bay Bush Action, and the Waipapa West Trap Library. More traps boxes are being made at NZ Corrections in Ngāwhā for bio-fund agreements.

New traps ready for deployment in the
Mid North HVA.

· Piroa-Brynderwyns High Value Area Highlights

• Trapping: Expansion of trapping networks throughout the HVA has continued with 889 predator trap sites installed to date. The sites are being added into TrapNZ for monitoring and reporting purposes.

• National Kiwi Listening Survey: The survey is underway with further five-minute bird count surveys planned for November 2019.

• Kiwi Aversion Training: Training for dogs and their handlers is scheduled for July 2019.

• Weed Control: The weed action group and coordinator have conducted targeted weed activities and events including school visits.

• Budget and Expenditure: The budget is on track for end of financial year.

· Kiwi Coast Partnerships Highlights

• National Kiwi Listening Survey: The Annual Northland Kiwi Call Count Survey is now in full swing. Kiwi Coast is working closely with council biosecurity staff and the Department of Conservation to provide support and training to all the groups and projects involved, ensure as many sites as possible are successfully monitored, and assist with analysing the data from the Kiwi Listening Devices. This outcome monitoring is crucial for determining if the work done is having the desired result, and if kiwi populations are declining, stable, or increasing across the region.

• Annual Partnership Event: Council and Kiwi Coast have been working together to organise the annual partnership event – the Northland Regional Pest Control Wananga/Workshop being hosted this year by Ngati Hau on 30 June on the Akerama Marae at Towai. The wananga/workshop will bring together 150 people from community and iwi-led projects, agencies, and organisations from across Northland for networking, skill sharing, and capacity building. This year’s wananga/workshop features updates on some of the landscape scale pest control initiatives underway in the region, practical demonstrations of new and innovative pest control traps, tools and technology, and skill sharing from some of Northland’s top professional trappers.

• Budget and Expenditure: With the end of the financial year looming, Kiwi Coast has also been supporting groups and projects (including the High Value Areas) with administrative processes to ensure they are on track to complete their annual workplans, finalise budgets, and ensure they are on track to prepare their annual reports and meet funding requirements.

• National Kiwi Hui: Kiwi Coast’s Mid North Coordinator also attended the National Kiwi Hui run by Kiwis for Kiwi. The aims of the hui are to keep those involved informed and updated of national kiwi strategies; provide an opportunity to network with community and agency led projects from around NZ; and bring back the latest ideas and information to Northland.

Biosecurity Fund Projects

Eighty-seven Biofund projects have been signed off by the Chairman this month (up from the 71 projects approved last year) and $186,127 has been allocated to date. Biosecurity staff are now in the process of writing up agreements for these successful applicants.

KAURI DIEBACK

Kauri Protection Fencing Fund

$72,401 of MPI funding has been allocated to 10 landowners. Four landowners have completed their fences and the remaining six will be completed when weather permits.

Ground Truthing

Staff are continuing to ground truth potential kauri dieback sites. Results to date are presented in Table 1.

Table 1: Kauri Dieback Ground-Truthing Results 2018/2019

Month	No. Sites / Properties Inspected					No. Samples Taken	Sample Results
Month	Surveyed	Positive	Priority 1	Priority 2	Landowner Requests	No. Samples Taken	Positive	Negative	Pending
October	5	3	0	2	3	17	6	11	0
November	11	1	3	2	6	38	2	36	0
December	11	4	8	3	0	44	10	34	0
January	15	2	7	3	5	40	6	33	0
February	1	0	0	1	0	2	0	2	0
March	8	1	0	1	7	15	1	14	0
April	2	0	0	0	2	4	0	4	0
May	2		0	0	2	5			9
June	2			2	0	5			5
YTD Total	57	11	18	14	24	170	25	134	14

Ground Truthing Contractor

Biosense have completed their fieldwork and are in the process of handing in their final report. Ground truthing was done on 130 sites identified by the aerial surveillance programme.

Management Plans

Kauri dieback management plans continue to be developed for all positive sites as well as negative sites that are identified as medium – high risk sites. All site occupiers receive advice and a basic management plan about how to best protect their kauri and forest from kauri dieback and other diseases.

Cleaning Stations

Two barrel and grate cleaning stations were established at A.H.Reed Memorial Reserve. All the reserve entrances now have a cleaning station including the disabled/maintenance entrance. One barrel and grate cleaning station was provided to the Kowhairoa CPCA in the Whangaroa area. The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) intend to establish a barrel and grate cleaning station in the Warawara area and have purchased a barrel and grate cleaning station from NRC to speed up the process.

Pig Hunting Competition

Council kauri dieback staff attended the Northland Pig Hunting club’s Pat White Memorial competition on 2 June 2019 at Hukerenui. Council staff created and sponsored two extra divisions to include a heaviest sow division and a hygiene division with first, second, and third prizes in each division. The aim of council’s involvement in these competitions is to establish a positive ongoing relationship with pig hunters (a potential kauri dieback vector) which will enable the promotion of hygiene practices and wild pig eradication.

Biosecurity Officer Gavin Clapperton explaining best hygiene practices for hunters at a Northland Pig Hunting Club competition.

MARINE BIOSECURITY

Hull Surveillance Programme

The 2018/19 Hull Surveillance Programme has been running since October 2018 and was completed on 11 June, with the target of 2,000 vessel hulls exceeded. The final hull surveillance activities for the season took place in Marsden Cove on 25 May 2019 with 12 hulls checked and in Tutukaka Marina on 10 and 11 June 2019 with 50 vessel hulls checked, bringing the total number of hulls checked to 2,037. No marine pests were detected on any of the vessel hulls checked this last month (inspection results are shown in Table 2).

Table 2: Hull Surveillance Programme Results (25/5/19 – 11/6/19)

2018/2019 Hull Surveillance Programme Results (25/5/19 – 11/6/19
Number of vessels surveyed	62
Total year to date	2,037
Number of Vessels with Marine Pests Found in Surveillance
Vessels detected with fanworm (Sabella)	0
Vessels detected with Styela sea squirt	0
Vessels detected with Japanese kelp (Undaria)	0
Vessels detected with Australian droplet tunicate (Eudistoma)	0
Vessels detected with Pyura sea squirt	0
Pathways plan compliance for the month *	52% of vessels

* If the vessels surveyed were to move to a new designated place then 52% would be compliant with the pathways plan rule.

In total, the 18/19 hull surveillance programme resulted in 107 Notices of Directions issued by NRC’s marine biosecurity team to vessel owners for the presence of Sabella and one for Undaria. These vessel owners worked with the marine biosecurity officers to develop a plan for removal of the marine pests before the vessel was authorised to move.

Ōpua Fanworm Incursion

· An Ōpua Sabella incursion workshop was conducted at NRC on 7 June 2019.

· Experts in marine biosecurity from Cawthron Institute, MPI, and NRC, along with experienced scientific and commercial divers and the Ōpua Marina manager met for a one-day workshop.

· This meeting brought together a range of expertise to review the Ōpua Sabella incursion and the data available to date with the aim to: (1) clearly identify the rationale for selecting an option going forward, and (2) determine what the preferred option is for the next step of the incursion response.

· The recommendation of the group was to go ahead with another round of diving with the purpose of ‘local elimination’ and to establish adequate data with which to create an appropriate decision-tree for continuing the eradication attempt or changing focus to a long-term management programme.

· A council workshop on the findings is being planned for July.

NRC Internal Marine Pest Training

The Marine Biosecurity Team delivered a marine pest training workshop on 30 May 2019 to the council’s Maritime Team (based in Whangārei and Ōpua). The training upskilled the Maritime Team in the identification of marine pests, knowledge of the rules under the Biosecurity Act, and the Northland Regional Pest and Marine Pathways Management Plan, as well as how to inspect structures and moorings for marine pests. A refresher workshop will be provided to this team every year, and offered to other NRC teams working in marine and coastal environments.

Far North Marine Biosecurity Charter meeting

On 13 June, council organised a meeting for members of the Far North Marine Biosecurity Charter. The meeting was attended by several marina managers and other representatives of marinas in Northland. Council staff presented the latest update on the Hull Surveillance Programme and the Ōpua Sabella incursion response. The group also discussed implementation of the marine pathways plan and whether the Charter Group should be extended to include haul-out operators and other interested marine industry groups. The next meeting is planned for September.

Tutukaka and Whangaroa Sabella incursion surveillance

Following an incursion of Sabella at Tutukaka Marina in 2015 and removal of several specimens from the substrate there, an annual surveillance programme has been conducted (with the exception of 2016). No Sabella has been found during these surveys. The surveillance is carried out in collaboration with MPI, who contributes financially. A dive contractor is currently (started 19 June) conducting checks on all marina structures and all moorings in the harbour for this year’s surveillance. Next year (2020) will be the fifth survey and if no Sabella is found then, eradication will be deemed successful.

In 2017, a vessel was found with mature Sabella on its hull in the Bay of Islands that had also previously spent several months in Whangaroa Harbour. MPI and NRC initiated a surveillance programme to ensure no Sabella was introduced in Whangaroa Harbour. The survey for year 3 is planned to be completed in June/July 2019 with a dive contractor engaged to check all structures at the marina. No Sabella has been found during the two previous years which is a positive sign that there was no incursion at this site.

PEST PLANTS

Eradication Plants

Control work has been undertaken for Evergreen Buckthorn, Mickey Mouse Plant, and Yellow Flag Iris. Te Ngahere (contractors) have found new Evergreen Buckthorn sites at Sandy Bay, where previously it was thought there were only 2 sites. Te Ngahere were also contracted to search and control Batwing Passionflower in the Kamo Reserves. They completed searching of three reserves and found (and controlled) several adult plants. Another contract is required to complete searches of the rest of the reserves.

Site visits to control the eradication plant Evergreen Buckthorn were completed in the month for all management sites except those in Matakohe. Te Ngahere was contracted to complete abseiling cliff work for Evergreen buckthorn at Sandy Bay, and while they were there they have discovered more management sites in the area, for council staff to follow up.

Ochna eradication management sites are being worked through with the largest regime in the programme (Kamo) completed. The whole programme is scheduled to be completed next month.

Sustained Control Plants

The Stop Wild Ginger Stake holder bi-annual meeting was held this month. The meeting covered latest Biocontrol host-testing results and impacts on contract negotiations and future funding streams. The initial host-testing failure of the stem mining fly will mean greater focus on the weevil and identified hispine beetle species. Further information is available at the Stop Wild Ginger website (http://www.stopwildginger.co.nz/updates).

Weed Workshops

Staff are now preparing for Weed Workshops which will be held around Northland next month.

Manchurian Wild Rice

Manchurian Wild Rice contractors completed the autumn spray round and post spray monitoring is in progress. The annual report to Ministry of Primary Industries on the programme is being prepared.

RIVERS

River Contract Works

Priority Rivers	Work	Status	Comments
Awanui	OpEx	100% complete	Mid-Awanui stop-bank re-alignment.
Awanui	CapEx	100% complete	Te Ahu stopbank stabilization works and grade control.
Awanui	CapEx	100% complete	Bell’s Hill Benching
Kaihu	OpEx	100% complete	All proposed works completed.
Kaeo	OpEx	100% complete	All proposed works completed.
Minor Rivers	OpEx	100% complete	All funding committed.

LTP Projects

Rivers	Comments
Awanui	A celebration event was held on 19 June recognizing the successful completion of Bell’s Hill and Te Ahu bank stabilization projects. The event was well attended with Councillors, Working Group members, Iwi and members of the public.
Matangirau	A Kaeo Working Group meeting was held on 5 June at the Matangirau Marae. The recommendations were taken to the community at a 23 June Marae Hui. Archaeologist assessment is scheduled for 26 June
Kawakawa - Taumarere	6 June meeting with Otiria Marae Working Group to progress Turntable Hill works and waiting confirmation to address the full Marae meeting.
Whangārei	Demolition and removal of the abandoned building has been completed. Rip-rap has been placed and works layout and pre-cast of the flood wall has begun.
Panguru	A Working Group meeting was held on 20 June and a second hui is scheduled for 30 June to present the latest 10-year modelling results to the community.

NATURAL HAZARDS

Work Streams	Status	Comments
Priority Rivers Flood Hazard Maps for Waipū and Paparoa	100%	Final flood maps went live and landowners notified. Eight responses for more information or hard copies.
Awanui Flood Model	90%	Staff have requested additional work to verify catchment run off using HIRDS4 and to better represent SH-1 overflow from the Awanui River to the Tarawhataroa catchment.

Northland LiDAR Capture

LiDAR capture phase remains tantalisingly close to completion. Capture reported at 95.5% as at 24th June 2019. Crews remain focussed on infill of missing sections, however RPS has reported shortened flight times due to winter weather patterns.

While RPS has indicated batch processing of captured data has now commenced, it has yet to report actual progress in this phase. NRC has requested weekly updates from RPS for this stage in an effort to maintain programme.

NRC is liaising with LINZ to discuss QA/QC process and hosting of deliverables. NRC QA/QC team is also assembled and has tentative dates for QA/QC workshop (at RPS offices) set for late July 2019.

6.2.6 STRATEGY, Governance And Engagement

PROPOSED REGIONAL PLAN

An item is included in this agenda relating to Appeals on the Proposed Regional Plan.

NATIONAL INITIATIVES

The Productivity Commission will release its draft report on Local Government Funding and Financing on 4 July 2019, including the Commission’s initial findings and recommendations for feedback. The deadline for submissions has yet to be confirmed. The final report to Government is due 30 November 2019.

DISTRICT PLANNING

At the time of writing, staff are putting together a submission on Whangārei District Council’s suite of ‘Urban and Services’ Plan Changes (submissions due to close on 03 Jul).

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Investment and Growth Reserve – Projects Report

Project	June update	Future developments/ reporting
Resources Enterprise Limited (REL)	June interest payment sent along with request for March interest payment and an update on new potential investor.	Continue engaging with REL to obtain interest payments.
Hundertwasser Art Centre (Whangārei)	Nothing new to report.	Expect the second payment of $500,000 (due at 50% completion) to be delayed.
Manea Footprints of Kupe	Meet with Trust representatives to discuss funding agreement.	Finalise funding agreement.
Northland Water Storage and Use	RFP for Pre-feasibility Demand Assessment and Design Study placed on GETS.	Waiting for signed funding agreement to begin implementation.
Te Hononga / Kawakawa Hundertwasser Park Centre	Progress report received and second invoice (for $100,000) paid.	Awaiting receipt of progress report and third invoice.
Extension 350	Final invoice for 2018/19 (Q4) received and paid.	Continue receiving progress reporting and invoicing as per funding agreement
Extended Regional Promotion	Nothing new to report.	Next report due August 2019 for second sixth months 2018/19.
Twin Coast Cycle Trail (TCCT)	Nothing new to report.	Awaiting further progress report on remaining four easements to complete funding commitment. Maybe Q4.

Investment and Growth Reserve – Project Development funding by Northland Inc

· Expanding marine sector capacity – additional funding for completion of a inshore fishing fleet business case - $12,500.

· Northland Indigenous Wood Products Pilot Study – second year of committed funding to help support research study – $50,000.

· The total allocation of funding for project development in 2018/19 was $249,200. This represents 83% of possible annual funding available through this IGR category.

Other Activties

· 24th issue of Northland Economic Quarterly released 27 June and available online at www.nrc.govt.nz/economicquarterly

· Letter to Minister of Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media and others on the results of the 2017/18 Northland internet speed survey.

· Northland Inc/Council quarterly workshop held on 11 June 2019.

ONLINE CHANNELS

Most popular post on Facebook – The May rainfall map for Northland. The Natural Resources Monitoring team provide a wrap up of the areas that received the highest and lowest rainfall levels in Northland. This post reached over 5,000 people.

Key Performance Indicators	Feb-19	Mar-19	Apl-19	May-19	Jun-19
WEB
# Visits to the NRC website	24,500	28,000	26,100	25,200	23,100
E-payments made	3	6	4	5	2
# subscription customers (cumulative)	1,173	1,179	1,191	1,176	1,184
SOCIAL MEDIA (cumulative)
# Twitter followers	1,428	1,430	1,439	1,444	1,448
# NRC Facebook fans	7,816	7,968	8,130	8,515	8,641
# NRC Overall Facebook Reach	168,100	219,300	189,900	267,900	138,600
# NRC Engaged Daily Users	11,700	27,000	8,314	16,200	4,753
# CDEM Facebook fans	16,500	16,600	16,700	16,700	16,900
# CDEM Overall Facebook Reach	43,800	31,900	45,400	15,400	49,800
# CDEM Engaged Daily Users	4,925	2,132	2,710	1,172	6,514
# Instagram followers	689	712	736	755	802

ENVIROSCHOOLS / EDUCATION

Dune lakes action days

Four dune lakes action days were held at lakes Waiparera (Waiharara), Waikare (Kai Iwi), Waiporohita (Karikari) and Kanono (Poutō) during June. These days included riparian planting, pest and indigenous fish and dune lakes plants investigations, and water quality testing. Local schools, iwi, catchment group and other community members took part in this Freshwater Improvement Fund Dune Lakes Project education initiative.

Enviroschools Reflection celebration

On 5 June – World Environment Day – Manaia Kindergarten (Parua Bay) celebrated achieving Enviroschools Bronze.

Whangārei Project Pest Control assessment workshop

On 10 June, Tauraroa Area School, Te Kura Kaupapa O Te Rawhitiroa and Whangārei Boys’ High students were put through their paces at Barge Park. Participants shared their skills through practical assessments and their knowledge through completing theory assessments.

First Enviroschools eNewsletter

The Enviroschools newsletter went digital in June. Articles featured environmental learning and action happening throughout Northland, council’s planting campaign and upcoming events.

Tiakina Whangarei pest control workshop

On 20 June, an after school pest control workshop for urban Whangārei teachers and caretakers was held at council. Biosecurity and Enviroschools staff supported Tiakina Whangarei in teaching about trapping and pest monitoring in school environments.

School communities facilitated

Over 20 school communities were visited by Enviroschools facilitators during June.

MARKETING AND ENGAGEMENT

Awanui Flood Infrastructure Works event (19 June)

A community event was held to showcase and celebrate the progress of the Awanui Flood works. The event included presentations and updates on the progress of the project and concluded with a site visit. The event was attended by around 40 people.

Business After 5 Event in Kaitaia (19 June)

Council hosted its first business after 5 event in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce. The event theme was ‘Building thriving, resilient and connected communities’. Topics covered included the FarNorth Link passenger transport service and the Awanui River flood works. The event was attended by around 30 people.

Northland Regional Council Environmental Awards

Council is continuing to leverage and promote the positive mahi of our community through an 8-page spread in the Northern Advocate and a 4-page wrap around the paper.

Our videographer is working on editing the eight winners’ videos which will be used on social media to continue to share their success stories.

A winner’s field day will be held at Comrie Park Kindergarten on Thursday 18 July from 1.00pm – 3.00pm.

Environmental Leaders Fund

This will be reported on in August as schools will be notified in July.

MĀORI ENGAGEMENT

Kaiārahi Māori – Cultural Advisor

Our team is excited to announce we have filled this position successfully. Arama Morunga of Ngāpuhi and Te Hikutu has demonstrated in regard to his career experience a familiarity with local Iwi and hapū dynamics and ability to uphold tikanga Māori in a variety of settings. In his role at the Northland District Health Board he developed a cultural competency framework to deliver a kaupapa Māori training to educate doctors and nurses of the needs of Māori patients. His pōwhiri, supported by Te Parawhau, will be held on Monday 8 July.

Training and Capability Programme – Responsiveness to Māori

Te Ataarangi Te Reo Māori Training

Six week te reo training facilitated by Te Puna o te Ao Marama Trust completed. 100% of those that completed the evaluation survey would recommend the class to a friend or colleague. Recommendations for improvement included a careful consideration of scheduling to account for busy times in council.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi Training

He mihi rangatira kia koutou katoa, ngā kaimahi o Te Kaunihera o Te Taitokerau mo tō mahi tika i ako i te Tiriti o Waitangi.

A number of Council staff completed the Tiriti workshop held on Monday 24 June, 2019 facilitated by Moea Armstrong and Mariameno Kapa-Kingi.

It was a great day of learning and reflecting on the history of Aotearoa, exploring the current environment of He Wakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tireni / Declaration of Independence of New Zealand 1835 within Te Taitokerau.

Te Taitokerau Māori Advisory Working Party

Ongoing work of the Māori Technical Advisory Group (MTAG) has continued with progress on the following projects:

· Mana Whakahono a Rohe for multiparty hapū to join and be endorsed by TTMAC with and to be presented at council, with a recommendation that council adopt the multiparty agreement as the basis for which to enter into Mana Whakahono a Rohe with hapū.

· Resource consent processes and better engagement with hapū.

· Completion of a report to review Te Taitokerau Māori and Council Working Party 2016 – 2019 to be presented to council for consideration in its overall governance review.

· Te Taitokerau Māori in Local Government Symposium well attended at Waitaha Conference Centre with strong line up of speakers and an acknowledgment of the leadership within TTMAC raising this as an important conversation for Te Taitokerau.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL INFORMATION (LGOIMA) REQUESTS

Month	LGOIMA requests received 2017/18	LGOIMA requests received 2018/19
July	7	15
August	10	20
September	16	7
October	15	5
November	12	10
December	14	9
January	12	11
February	14	15
March	12	9
April	14	12
May	15	19
June	18	11
TOTAL LGOIMA REQUESTS RECEIVED	159	143
Total LGOIMA requests not responded to within 20 working days*	15	1*

In June there were no LGOIMA requests that were not responded to within 20 working days.

6.2.7 Customer Service – Community Resilience

CUSTOMER SERVICES

Telephone Inbound Call Statistics

	June 2019	Target
Call volume	2081
Conversion rate	97.9%	>95%
Average wait time	6 sec
Calls answered in under 30sec	96.1%	>90%

The volume of inbound calls during June was over 20% down on May, and on the same month last year. There is no obvious explanation for this. There have been some problems with occasional calls ‘dropping off’ but this is not a contributing factor to the lower number of calls. The dropped calls are being managed by the customer services team, who call back the customer immediately. The issue has been raised with the service provider who are being pressured to rectify this problem quickly.

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 · O Khanal - Resource Science · B Tait - Policy & Planning · T Bullock, S Henderson & P Graham - Biosecurity	3
Quality of Information · Biodiversity team	1
Total compliments recorded	4

Three of the compliments relate to activities that involved community engagement either working with and/or seeking community feedback which demonstrates the value our customers place on these interactions.

The Biosecurity team was complimented on the dune lake education day at Lake Waiporohita in collaboration with Te Aho Tu Roa's noho taiao.

Complaints received	Total
Standard of service provided	3
Disagree with decision or process	1
Issue has occurred repeatedly for me	1
Staff or contractor behaviour / attitude	2
Lack of information or communication	1
Total complaints recorded	8

Four of the complaints related to bus services, and in two of these it is likely the customer played a part in the issue arising. All bus service complaints have been resolved and communicated to the contractor company.

Two complaints were due to perceived behaviour or attitude issues. Both of these complaints were about people associated with the council, not council staff.

Customer Service Centre (CSC) Enquiries

Biosecurity and non-NRC calls make up over 50% of all new enquiries made by phone or social media. Of the biosecurity enquiries, by far the majority area about land-based pest animals with rat related issues make up a large volume of these enquiries.

CIVIL DEFENCE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Warnings and activations

On 5 June 2019 a small tornado caused damage to 12 houses in Coopers Beach. Damage to ten of the houses was superficial, with two houses rooves being blown off. Fire and Emergency New Zealand coordinated the response, with CDEM personnel assisting.

National Tsunami Warning

On Sunday 16 June at approximately 10.50am a magnitude 7.4 earthquake occurred in the Kermadec Islands. An initial assessment by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre minutes after the earthquake indicated that small tsunami less than 0.3 meters was possible within 300km of the epicentre. MCDEM issued three advisories of warnings, initially indicating that there was a marine and beach threat and then quickly changing to no threat. CDEM personnel, including the duty officer, responded to and monitored the developing situation.

Minister of Civil Defence

On the 27 June, the Prime Minister announced changes to her Ministerial portfolio list and appointed Hon Peeni Henare as the Minister of Civil Defence.

CDEM Group and Coordinating Executive Group (CEG)

The Northland CDEM Group and Coordinating Executive Group met for their quarterly meetings on Monday 17 June.

Emergency Management System Reforms

In the Budget 2019, funding has been announced to strengthen the emergency management system with $3 million for the establishment of a new National Emergency Management Agency, by 30 June 2020, to replace the existing Ministry of Civil Defence. A further $1.5 million to improve the resilience of response capability has also been announced and will be targeted at replacing the National Crisis Management Centre in the basement of the Beehive.

Amongst further proposed changes is a change in name, with the words Civil Defence being replaced with Emergency Management.

Service Level Agreements

The 2019/20 CDEM Service Level Agreements (SLA) between the Northland Regional Council and the three district Councils have now been finalised.

Lifelines Utility Group

The Northland Lifelines Utility Group meet on 1 July. Forty personnel from various utility organisations attend the meeting, which included a review and update of the protocols for reporting to CDEM during an emergency, presentations from NZTA on roading resilience projects in the region, the First Gas network in Northland and the CDEM GIS portal.

TRANSPORT

Regional Land Transport Planning

· Regional Road Safety Action Plan

A workshop was held on 12 June 2019 to discuss regional road safety initiatives undertaken to date and progress made. Twenty-five invitees attended the workshop that was run by an external facilitator. The invitation list included Mayors, the Northland Regional Council Chair, Regional Transport Committee Members, senior management and transportation staff from the three district councils, Northland Regional Council and the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA).

The group agreed on the Vision and Requirements for road safety in Northland and that these are to be included in a submission on the Draft National Road Safety Strategy scheduled for release in the middle of this year.

The information gathered at the workshop is being correlated and will be released early July 2019 for comment. The agreed course of action to be taken on a regional level is to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries

· Draft National Road Safety Plan.

The Ministry of Transport has recently announced that, subject to Cabinet confirmation, they expect the Draft National Road Safety Strategy (RSS) will be released in early July 2019 for consultation. This consultation will be primarily an on-line process and will seek views on:

• a proposed vision,

• principles to guide decision making and investment,

• a proposed 10-year target,

• focus areas for the next 10 years, and

• a plan of priority interventions for the first action plan, as well as priority interventions for future action plans.

The consultation period has been set for one month following release of the document.

Passenger Transport Administration

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 Budget Expend	Variance	Year/Date Actual Expend	Year/Date Budgeted Expend	Variance
May	1,498	$20,199	$25,000	-$4,801	$197,909	$275,000	-$77,091

Total Mobility awareness campaign

As part of the ongoing Total Mobility (TM) awareness campaign, the TM Scheme was advertised on local radio stations during June.

Total Mobility Coordinator's meeting

All regional TM Coordinators attended a national meeting in Wellington on Thursday 20 June 2019. This meeting included:

• Ministry of Transport updates;

• NZTA feedback on proposed trademarking Total Mobility;

• Ridewise II (RW2) Transaction Specification – update for regional councils:

• Supplier’s confirmation of upgrades to support RW2, and their expected timeframes for development/testing etc.

Operational Statistics

Due to the short period provided, the statistics for June 2019 are unavailable.

May 2019 (revenue ex GST)	Actual	Budget	Variance	Year/Date Actual	Year/Date Budgeted
City Link Passengers	34,907	30,425	+4,482	299,860	283,517
CityLink Revenue	$44,914	$58,639	- $13,725	$516,183	$563,184
Mid North Link Passengers (revised 1 May 2019)	179	280	- 101	1,954	4,420
Mid North Link Revenue (revised 1 May 2019)	$658	$1,245	- $587	$7,072	$27,599
Hokianga Link Passengers	60	78	- 18	338	456
Hokianga Link Revenue	$683.00	$1,017	- $334	$4,769	$5,789
Far North Link Passengers	611	699	- 88	6,213	6,955
Far North Link Revenue	$1,592	$1,748	- $156	$14,789	$17,388

The passenger numbers on the Citylink service have continued to show a positive trend since the implementation of the $1.00 and $2.00 “Gold Coin” fares.

Council have approved that this fare structure remains in place till early 2020 when it will be reviewed.

Maritime

The six-weekly Whangārei harbour safety meeting was held, with a stakeholder joint self-assessment completed for the safety systems. This is a requirement under the Port and Harbour safety code. A number of system improvements came out of the meeting which will be implemented, including improvements to the incident reporting and recording system.

Fourteen incidents were recorded for June, made up of the usual speeding, light failures, and vessels dragging anchor. The Ōpua maritime team responded to a stranded 16m vessel in danger of becoming a wreck with consequent pollution and managed to float it off without further damage.

The council vessel Waikare has been slipped in Whangārei and is receiving an engine room refurbish and engine reconditioning. Shipco 360 are carrying out the work with maritime staff monitoring. The work is reported as progressing well, and to a high standard.

A number of staff have attended training recently including management, Microsoft and CIMS and the Harbourmaster assisted with the running of the Regional on Scene Commanders course in Auckland.

Rolling maintenance of ATON is on-going, and the maritime team provided on water monitoring services to other departments. Work is ongoing to make the data from the wave-rider buoy available.

A maritime officer attended the annual Maritime NZ Recreational Education funding workshop in Wellington. Further funding has been applied for the coming year.

Attachments/Ngā tapirihanga

Nil

[1] Clause 10, Schedule 1, Resource Management Act 1991

[2] The council’s Significance and Engagement Policy states that it must trigger two or more of the thresholds to be a significant decision.

[3] Rob van Voorthuysen acted as Chair of the three-member Hearing Panel

[4] Excluding those submissions that requested the inclusion of provisions on genetically modified organisms

[5] There is a 30 working day period within which appeals must be lodged with the Environment Court and served on the regional council

Legend
LTI – Lost Time Injury	1
MTI – Medical Treatment Injury	2
FTI – First Aid Treatment	1
INC – Incident	19
Nil – No injury (but recorded)	1
DPI – Discomfort, Pain and Injury	44
HAZ – Hazard	11
SEC – Security	4
Near Miss	12


YTD Total	95

No.	Option	Advantages	Disadvantages
1	Make a decision to adopt Attachment 1 or Attachment 2 as the council decisions on submissions on the addition of provisions for genetically modified organisms.	Meets legal requirements (Clause 10, Schedule 1, Resource Management Act 1991). Consistent with submitter expectations that council will make a decision. Avoids risk of legal challenge, Minister for the Environment investigation and reputational risk associated with not making a decision (see option number 2).	The decision to include or not provisions regulating genetically modified organisms has not been the subject of the consultation etc. as prescribed by clauses 2-3C of Schedule 1 of the RMA as would normally occur for regional plan provisions. There is an estimated low risk of legal challenge to council accepting that the submissions on genetically modified organisms are in scope.
2	Do not make a decision to adopt Attachment 1 or Attachment 2 as the council decisions on submissions on the addition of provisions for genetically modified organisms.	Maintains position as set out in the statement in the notified version of the Proposed Plan that council has reserved its decision on including provisions to regulate genetically modified organisms.	High risk of successful legal challenge that council is not meeting its legal obligations to make a decision under Clause 10, Schedule 1, Resource Management Act 1991. Would incur costs (legal and staff) that have not been budgeted. Potential risk of Minister for the Environment formally investigating council for not performing its legal duty. Potential reputational risks of council not following proper process.
3	Make a decision on the submissions on the addition of provisions for genetically modified organisms that is different to either Attachment 1 or 2.	Uncertain (would depend on the decision).	The decision would not satisfy Clause 10, Schedule 1, Resource Management Act 1991, which requires that a decision must include the reasons for accepting or rejecting the submissions and must include a further evaluation of the proposed policy statement or plan undertaken in accordance with section 32AA. Risk of successful legal challenge (the level of risk would depend on the decision). Potential reputational risks of council not following proper process.

No.	Option	Advantages	Disadvantages
1	Lodge a submission on the Bill (as per attached)	Council’s view is provided on the Bill and can be considered by the select committee. Council is seen to be supporting the Bill while proactively representing Northland’s interests.	None
2	Council does not lodge a submission	None	Council is perceived as having no position on climate change. Council’s views and Northland’s interests are not available to the committee.
3	Lodge an amended submission with changes directed by council	A potentially more thorough / comprehensive submission.	Timeframe – the submission period closes on the day of the council meeting.

Office	Annual Remuneration 18/19	Annual Remuneration 19/20
Chairperson	$119,834	$122,056
Deputy Chairperson	$78,062	$79,153
Committee Chair/Portfolio Leader (7)	$68,502	$69,459
Councillor	$55,758	$56,537

No.	Option	Advantages	Disadvantages
1	Introduce childcare allowances	· Reduces the barriers to parents entering into elected positions in local government. · Opens opportunities for local government to access the ideas, talent, skills, insights, contacts and passion that young parents could bring to local government. · Provides certainty for candidates prior to elections.	· Not currently budgeted for. · Would provide an inconsistent policy approach between council employees and elected members
2	Do not introduce childcare allowances	· No additional budget required. · Provides certainty for candidates prior to elections. · Maintains a consistent approach to council support for employees and elected members.	· Does not address barriers to parents entering into elected positions in local government.
3	Defer the decision on childcare allowances to the incoming council.	· Does not tie the incoming council to a decision on allowances.	· Does not provide certainty for candidates prior to elections whether there will be childcare allowances which could deter parents from standing.

TITLE:	Health and Safety Report
ID:	A1208421
From:	Beryl Steele, Human Resources Manager

Name:	Dave Tams
Title:	Group Manager, Corporate Excellence
Date:	02 July 2019

TITLE:	Confirmation of Minutes - 18 June 2019
ID:	A1208454
From:	Chris Taylor, Governance Support Manager

Name:	Chris Taylor
Title:	Governance Support Manager
Date:	10 July 2019

TITLE:	Receipt of Action Sheet
ID:	A1208400
From:	Chris Taylor, Governance Support Manager

TITLE:	Working Party Updates and Chairpersons' Briefings
ID:	A1197719

Name:	Jonathan Gibbard
Title:	Group Manager - Strategy, Governance and Engagement
Date:	10 July 2019

TITLE:	Proposed Regional Plan - Decisions on Genetically Modified Organisms Submissions
ID:	A1198905
From:	Ben Lee, Strategic Policy and Planning Manager and Jonathan Gibbard, Group Manager - Strategy, Governance and Engagement

Name:	Malcolm Nicolson
Title:	Chief Executive Officer
Date:	10 July 2019

TITLE:	Proposed Regional Plan - Appeals
ID:	A1208110
From:	Michael Day, Natural Resources Policy Manager

TITLE:	Northland Inc. Limited: Statement of Intent 2019-2022
ID:	A1208405
From:	Darryl Jones, Economist

TITLE:	Enhanced Marine Protection for Mimiwhāngata
ID:	A1205082
From:	Justin Murfitt, Strategic Policy Specialist and Jonathan Gibbard, Group Manager - Strategy, Governance and Engagement

TITLE:	Draft Submission - Climate Change (Zero Carbon) Amendment Bill
ID:	A1205566
From:	Justin Murfitt, Strategic Policy Specialist

TITLE:	Amendments to Elected Members' Expenses and Allowances Policy
ID:	A1206701
From:	Chris Taylor, Governance Support Manager

TITLE:	Regional Software Holdings Limited Statement of Intent 2020-2022
ID:	A1207021
From:	Dave Tams, Group Manager, Corporate Excellence

TITLE:	NRC Appointment of Trustee onto Northland Events Centre Trust
ID:	A1205024
From:	Jonathan Gibbard, Group Manager - Strategy, Governance and Engagement

TITLE:	Policy on Hazardous and Controlled Substances for Pest Control
ID:	A1209127
From:	Bruce Howse, Group Manager - Environmental Services

TITLE:	Rates Resolution - Typographical Error
ID:	A1209216
From:	Dave Tams, Group Manager, Corporate Excellence

TITLE:	Manea Footprints of Kupe - Confirmation of Definitions
ID:	A1209718
From:	Darryl Jones, Economist

Name:	Phil Heatley
Title:	Strategic Projects Manager
Date:	09 July 2019

TITLE:	Chair's Report to Council
ID:	A1207935
From:	Bill Shepherd, Chairman

TITLE:	Receipt of Committee Minutes
ID:	A1208169
From:	Chris Taylor, Governance Support Manager

Item No.	Item Issue	Reasons/Grounds
8.1	Confirmation of Confidential Minutes - 18 June 2019	The public conduct of the proceedings would be likely to result in disclosure of information, as stated in the open section of the meeting.
8.2	Receipt of Confidential Committee Minutes	The public conduct of the proceedings would be likely to result in disclosure of information, as stated in the open section of the meeting.
8.3	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).
8.4	The Kensington Redevelopment Project	The public conduct of the proceedings would be likely to result in disclosure of information, the withholding of which is necessary to protect information where the making available of the information would be likely unreasonably to prejudice the commercial position of the person who supplied or who is the subject of the information s7(2)(b)(ii), the withholding of which is necessary to enable council to carry out, without prejudice or disadvantage, commercial activities s7(2)(h) and 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).
8.5	Marsden Maritime Holdings Ltd - Appointment of Directors	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).