Environment and Regulatory Committee Meeting Agenda 28
March 2019
MINUTES OF Central HAwkes Bay
District Council
Environment and
Regulatory Committee Meeting
HELD AT THE Council
Chamber, 28-32 Ruataniwha Street, Waipawa
ON Thursday, 14
February 2019 AT at the conclusion of the Community Development
Committee Meeting
PRESENT: Cr David Tennent
Mayor Alex Walker
Cr Ian Sharp (Deputy
Mayor)
Cr Tim Chote
Cr Brent Muggeridge
IN ATTENDANCE: Joshua Lloyd (Group
Manager, Community Infrastructure and Development)
Monique Davidson
(CEO)
Bronda Smith (Group
Manager, Corporate Support and Services)
Doug Tate (Group
Manager, Customer and Community Partnerships)
Nicola Bousfield
(People and Capability Manager)
Leigh Collecutt
(Governance and Support Officer)
1 Apologies
2 Declarations
of Conflicts of Interest
None
3 Standing
Orders
|
Committee Resolution
Moved: Cr
Ian Sharp
Seconded: Mayor
Alex Walker
THAT the following standing orders are suspended for the duration
of the meeting:
· 20.2 Time limits on speakers
· 20.5 Members may speak only once
· 20.6 Limits on number of speakers
AND THAT 21.4 Option C under section 21 General procedures for
speaking and moving motions be used for the meeting.
Carried
|
4 Confirmation
of Minutes
|
Committee Resolution
Moved: Cr
Ian Sharp
Seconded: Cr
Tim Chote
That the minutes of the Environment and
Regulatory Committee Meeting held on 29 November 2018 as circulated, be
confirmed as true and correct.
Carried
|
5 Local
Government Act Compliance – Planning, Decision Making and Accountability
Council is required to make decisions in
accordance with the requirements of Part 6 Subpart 1 of the Local Government
Act 2002.
|
RECOMMENDATION
THAT Council has read the reports associated with items 6.1 to 6.4
and considers in its discretion under Section 79(1)(a) that sufficient
consultation has taken place in addition to the Councillors knowledge of the
items to meet the requirements of Section 82(3) in such a manner that it is
appropriate for decisions to be made during the course of this meeting.
Amendment
Moved: Cr
Ian Sharp
Seconded: Mayor
Alex Walker
That Item 5 – Local Government Act Compliance –
Planning, Decision Making and Accountability is removed from all Environment
and Regulatory Committee Meeting Agendas going forward..
|
6 Report
Section
|
6.1 Environment
and Regulatory Committee Update
|
|
PURPOSE
The purpose of this report is to provide the Environment
and Regulatory Committee with information on key activities that fit within
the Committee’s terms of reference.
|
|
Committee Resolution
Moved: Cr Ian Sharp
Seconded: Mayor
Alex Walker
That, having considered all matters raised in the
report, the report be noted.
Carried
|
|
· The
following items were discussed as part of the Environment and Regulatory
Committee update:
3 Waters Review
Waste Water
Drinking Water
Environmental Strategy
Leachate to Land
Buildings and Consents
· Cr Sharp commented that it was pleasing to see that Higgins had been
praised by the public and officers for their work on the Porritt Place pipe
renewal.
· The Mayor made comment that for drinking water updates that it would
be good to see future reports for this committee focussed on regulatory
compliance not just capital work. Mr Lloyd confirmed that compliance is a
huge component of the current work programme and that officers would continue
to work alongside the District Health Board. Mr Lloyd also commended the
work that Veolia have been doing and the ownership they have been taking in
dealing with these matters.
· Cr Tennent sought clarification about whether there is an
opportunity for the Council to have a representative involved in the Three
Waters review. It was confirmed that Her Worship the Mayor would have
some oversight.
|
6.2 Adoption
of Draft Environmental and Sustainability Strategy for Consultation
|
|
PURPOSE
The matter for consideration by the Council is approval of
the Draft Environmental and Sustainability Strategy for public consultation.
|
|
Committee Resolution
Moved: Cr Ian Sharp
Seconded: Cr Tim
Chote
That having considered all
matters raised in the report:
a) That the Environment and Regulatory
Committee recommends to Council the modified Draft Environmental and
Sustainability Strategy for public consultation, to be included in the Draft
Annual Plan 2019/20.
Carried
|
· Cr Sharp suggested a change in wording in the strategy from
“Managing impact on waterways” to “Minimising impact on
waterways”
· Mayor Walker requested that the strategy outline specific actions
for the Council.
· Officers confirmed that wording would be amended in the strategy for
the Council meeting on 28th February 2019.
|
6.3 Establishment
of Environmental and Sustainability Fund
|
|
PURPOSE
The matter for consideration by the Environment and
Regulatory Committee is the adoption of the Environmental Funding Policy.
|
|
Committee Resolution
Moved: Cr Ian Sharp
Seconded: Cr
Brent Muggeridge
That having considered all
matters raised in the report:
a) That
the Environment and Regulatory Committee adopt the Environmental Funding
Policy
Carried
|
· Councillors discussed the desire to widen the scope of the funding
policy to include environmental intiatives other than solid waste.
Officers raised the point that the current fund utilised money made available
by the Council National Waste Levy and that this levy could only be allocated
to waste intiatives. The table requested that the policy accommodate
potential funding from other sources in future which could be used for broader
initiatives.
· It was agreed that if changes to the policy are required in future,
the policy would be brought back before committee to adopt amendments.
|
6.4 Wastewater
Treatment Plants Project Update #3
|
|
PURPOSE
The purpose of this report is to provide elected members
with an update on the wastewater treatment plants project and our progress
towards a best practicable option (BPO) and solution report to meet our
requirements as laid out in our enforcement order with the court and HBRC.
|
|
Committee Resolution
Moved: Cr Tim Chote
Seconded: Mayor
Alex Walker
That, having considered all matters raised in the report,
the report be noted.
Carried
|
|
· Cr Tennent highlighted the excellent progress being made around the
work programme for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade
· Mr De Klerk discussed the options that have been presented to the
community reference group and potential models for a solution to take to the
regional council with clear milestone dates.
· Mr De Klerk discussed results from the January community survey, and
discussed the exploration of alternative funding options.
· Cr Burne-Field asked about what thinking had been done around
external funding options. Officers confirmed that this was actively being
explored.
· It was discussed that although the upgrade was currently out of
scope for Provincial Growth Fund Funding, that officers should prepare
information in case the scope for the fund changes.
· Cr Sharp raised that the reference group supported removal of all
waste from waterways, which meant that it would need to be discharged to
land. However noted that there are implications of doing this.
· Cr Sharp congratulated Mr De Klerk on the way in which he was
engaging the community and that it is working well.
7 Date
of Next Meeting
|
Committee Resolution
Moved: Mayor
Alex Walker
Seconded: Cr
Brent Muggeridge
THAT the next meeting of the Environment
and Regulatory Committee be held on 28 March 2019.
Carried
|
|
|
8 Time
of Closure
The Meeting closed at 12.40pm
The minutes of this meeting were
confirmed at the Environment and Regulatory
Committee Meeting held on 28 March 2019.
...................................................
CHAIRPERSON
5 Report
Section
5.1 Environment
and Regulatory Committee Update
File
Number: COU1-1412
Author: Josh
Lloyd, Group Manager - Community Infrastructure and Development
Authoriser: Monique
Davidson, Chief Executive
Attachments: 1. Big
Water Story Update January-February ⇩ 
PURPOSE
The purpose of this report is to provide the Environment and
Regulatory Committee with information on key activities that fit within the Committee’s
terms of reference.
|
Recommendation
That, having considered all matters raised in the
report, the report be noted.
|
significance and engagement
This report is provided for information purposes only and
has been assessed as being of some importance.
DISCUSSION
3 Waters Review
The Government-led 3 Waters Review is progressing in both of
the two designated workstreams (regulatory reform and service deliver review).
It has been clearly signalled that the regulatory framework will change first
and the DIA and MFE have begun sharing and discussing proposed reforms at
workshops across the country. Council Officers attended these workshops in
March where it was clear that a single dedicated regulator for drinking water
is likely with increased powers and a wider scope to allow regulation of small
supplies that are currently unregulated.
The five Hawke’s Bay Councils are nearing completion
of the initial part of their review of the delivery model and with the support
of Morrison Lowe and WSP OPUS have workshopped service delivery options with
Officers and Elected Members. The options discussed generally promote some form
of aggregating services at a regional level to improve efficiencies and
affordability. Following advice of the Council tables, a report on potential
service delivery improvements for Hawke’s Bay will be provided to
ministers who are using our region as a test case for New Zealand.
Waste Water
Waipawa Trunk Sewer Main Renewal
A weighted attributes procurement approach for the project
was approved by Council on 28th February and tender documents have
now been released to the market with good early interest. Affected landowners
are being engaged with 24 having been identified along the route that will be
affected in various ways.
Waipukurau and Waipawa (and Otane) WWTP Upgrade
In March the project reference group met to progress a major
milestone for the project in agreeing the intended package that will be put to
the Environment Court as our chosen ‘best practicable option’ and
will be used to consult with the wider community. The group identified a
preferred package focussed on land disposal and an upgraded tertiary treatment
process with a preference for a combined plant in Waipawa. The package is being
investigated further by the project technical team with costing and project
timing/staging being looked at more closely.
The reference group will meet for a final time on April 9 to
agree a final recommended package that will be taken to Council on April 10.
The project is on track for the timelines required by the
Environment Court and HBRC are supporting our approach and assisting in
drafting the final report.
Drinking Water
Compliance and Water Safety
In March, Council were audited by the DHB for the Water
Safety Plan for Waipawa and Otane. Water Safety Plans sit on top of the risk
control framework for Councils various reticulated drinking water systems. The
audit was one of a programmed series of audits that seek to ensure the adequacy
of and conformity to Water Safety Plans. The audit went well with the DHB
providing initial comments that they are satisfied with our approach to
drinking water safety for Otane and Waipawa. Recommendations were made to
continue to improve the rigor of managing the various improvements that are
listed within the Water Safety Plan. A recommendation was also made to ensure a
continued increase in organisational awareness and buy-in to drinking water
safety.
Water Safety and Compliance against Drinking Water Standards
is high risk for all Councils and in the future will be reported to the Audit
and Risk Committee.
Otane Alt supply
A procurement plan for the project to build the 6km pipe
section from Otane to Waipawa to improve capacity, redundancy and security of
supply will be taken to Council on April 10. Detailed design is progressing
well and has been taking into consideration the potential synergies of working
with the WWTP upgrade project that could see a wastewater connection between
Otane and Waipawa. A cost:benefit analysis on pipe-sizing is underway with
detailed design scheduled for completion on April 1.
Waipukurau Second Supply
The Waipukurau Second Supply, one of the flagship projects
of the Big Water Story, has continued to present challenges with sufficient
volumes of water not found after 3 attempts drilling in identified favourable
locations. OPUS engineers and hydrologists have provided advice on why water
has not been found. OPUS have dedicated further resource to the project with
additional mapping and investigation underway that now includes the
consideration of purchasing existing bores or drilling into deep water.
Takapau & Porangahau Water Treatment Upgrades
The contract for the upgrade of the Porangahau and Takapau
drinking water treatment plants was awarded to Veolia after a hotly contested
procurement in March. Veolia are beginning the concept design elements of the
project which will involve engaging the affected communities. A detailed design
for the project is scheduled for delivery on May 30 with construction scheduled
from June 1 to Aug 30 and commissioning in September.
Pipe Renewals
The Mackie McLean street pipe renewal project was awarded to
Fulton Hogan in March after another hotly contested procurement process.
Construction is scheduled to commence in April.
Storm Water
A large project to replace failing Helicoil stormwater pipe
in Waipukurau was awarded to Pipeworks in March. Pipeworks are part of the
Fletcher Group and civil components of the project will be carried out by
Higgins.
A procurement plan to upgrade stormwater system design in
Waipukurau was approved by ELT in March with 3 areas identified for work
(Woburn, Churchill/Savage and Ruataniwha St). Detailed design of the 3 schemes
will include consultation with affected landowners with an easement required
for the Woburn project and a detention scheme proposed in private commercial
property for the Ruataniwha St scheme.
Environmental Strategy
Council approved the draft Environmental and Sustainability
Strategy for consultation with the Annual Plan on 28th February. The
Annual Plan Consultation opened on Monday 18 March.
Leachate to Land
An application for resource consent was lodged with HBRC in
March which ticks off an important milestone for this long-running project.
Neighbouring landowners have been engaged as listed affected parties to the
consent and are supportive so far of the intent. Detailed design is progressing
and work on capping the closed cell continues.
Buildings and Consents
Officers from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and
Employment (MBIE) were on site in March to complete an audit of Councils
Territorial Authority functions including swimming pool compliance, building
warrants of fitness and compliance schedules. Initial feedback from the audit
provided recommendations as expected that Council need to increase capacity to
effectively manage these functions. Feedback was also provided commending
Councils appointment in February of an additional Compliance Officer.
Financial and Resourcing Implications
There are considered to be only minor financial and
resourcing implications from the information contained within this report.
Implications ASSESSMENT
This report
confirms that the matter concerned has no particular implications and has been
dealt with in accordance with the Local Government Act 2002.
Specifically:
· Council
staff have delegated authority for any decisions made;
· Any
decisions made will help meet the current and future needs of communities for
good-quality local infrastructure, local public services, and performance of
regulatory functions in a way that is most cost-effective for households and
businesses;
· Unless
stated above, any decisions made can be addressed through current funding under
the Long-Term Plan and Annual Plan;
· Any
decisions made are consistent with the Council's plans and policies; and
· No
decisions have been made that would alter significantly the intended level of
service provision for any significant activity undertaken by or on behalf of
the Council, or would transfer the ownership or control of a strategic asset to
or from the Council.
|
recommendation
That, having considered all matters raised in the
report, the report be noted
|
