By Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council reporter
Funded by New Zealand on Air
 
Auckland Councils' transport emissions reduction pathways receives high praise and support from local organisations.

At an external Environment and Climate Change committee on August 18 members of the public got to weigh in on the transport emissions reduction pathways (TERP) including Waiheke Climate Alliance representative Hana Blackmore.

Blackmore said the TERP was “bloody brilliant” and empowering Aucklanders to make sustainable transport choices was at the core of the pathway.

“So much of what has to happen, has to come from the bottom up… it is the people who are going to be able to implement these things, switch out of their cars, get on their bike or walk or catch the bus,” Blackmore said.

“What we need is lots of carrots. I am a firm believer that sticks make people feel resentful, they try to not do it and it takes so much longer. There are immediate actions we can take to get people out of their cars.”

For Waiheke, Blackmore said the bus network on Waiheke needed to be extended in order to empower locals to switch modes.

“We simply do not have time for more reviews, discussions, talk festival consultations which delay action.”

While Blackmore was happy to hear the pathway was endorsed by Auckland Transport (AT), she said she was disappointed AT held the meeting confidentially, meaning Blackmore could not present.

Generation zero representative Theo Heeringa was meant to be joined by another representative but said their bus was cancelled so they were unable to make the meeting.

“Make of that what you will,” Heeringa said.

Heeringa said young people wanted to leave Auckland because the city was becoming a challenging and unfeasible place to live.

“TERP aims to build Auckland back into a city that all people can live in and call home… we see this as a golden opportunity to show us you are listening.”

Heeringa said the TERP was a real chance to ensure Aucklanders have real transport options and wanted to see council “cut the talk and get to action”.

Auckland Transport board chair Adrienne Young-Cooper later apologised for the Generation Zero representatives bus being cancelled later in the meeting.

Auckland Council is pushing ahead to implement its thriving communities strategy after scrutiny from the mayor.

At the Park, Arts, Community and Events committee on August 11, the Ngā Hapori Momoho Thriving Communities Implementation Plan was approved.

The plan looks to create a targeted approach for communities and enable them to lead with a fairer, more sustainable Tāmaki Makaurau in mind.

The item report acknowledged councils need to shift from a siloed, one size fits all, council knows best approach. 

Mayor Phil Goff expressed concerns about how council will be able to achieve the objectives in the plan.
“There is a whole lot of stuff that we do not have any influence over,” Goff said. “It would be lovely to think that council could increase whānau and community financial security but that is outside our ball game.”

Goff said a narrower and more focused approach may be better than a “broad sweeping strategy”. “I kind of feel this will be an exercise in futility; best intentions, great objectives but no ability to deliver.”

Senior policy advisory Dave Jaggs reminded Goff that the strategy the plan was based on had already been adopted by the committee earlier in the year and the plan was just how council intended to meet the objectives.

“I definitely take your point, we will be focusing on areas where we can make the biggest impact to begin with,” Jaggs said.

Jaggs said that council did have certain roles and levers to help deliver on the strategy but agreed that it was an “ambitious and bold vision”.
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The plan is intended to run for three years with a deep dive analysis of its success at the end.
 

13 Davern Lane has retained its reserve status after being considered for sale as a part of Auckland Councils' emergency budget.

After 33 submissions were received on 13 Davern Lane’s reserve status, an independent commissioner assessed the revocation and did not support it.

The commissioner found the site was at the “heart” of the local community that extended beyond the cul-de-sac and would be an ideal location for a small children’s playground.

At the Park, Arts, Community and Events committee on August 11, Whau Local Board chair Kay Thomas presented with concerns that the vote would not get a majority.

“Whau is an area undergoing significant intensification and needs to retain the greenspace we have,” Thomas said.

“Greenspaces are havens for biodiversity, sequestering carbon and mitigating the heat island effect in built-up areas.”

Thomas said that councillors might have felt that those should be considerations for all green spaces in Auckland but the mature native trees in Davern reserve could not be easily replaced.

Cr Pippa Coom asked council staff about the protection mature trees at Davern reserve had.

Eke Panuku Development portfolio specialist Carl May said council could go through a process to protect the trees.

“There are provisions in the unitary plan to protect trees. One could schedule the trees or someone could place a covenant,” May said.

Coom said it needed to be clear what protections council had for the trees.

“What we know is it is quite difficult to do the tree scheduling process.”
​
The vote for Davern Reserve to retain its status was unanimously supported by committee members. 

The Waiheke Jazz Festival was approved for a funding grant from Auckland Council with staff saying the events sector is looking up.

The $8,000 grant is one of 22 in the first round of the regional event funding grant allocation for council's financial year.

At the Park, Arts, Community and Events committee on August 11, events manager David Burt presented and said while covid had “ravaged” the events sector for the past two years things were looking to improve.

“We spent more time shutting down events than actually trying to make things happen,” Burt said. “Applications are down from previous years… but we are anticipating more events in the next round. 
Prospects for events in the future are good.”

Senior business advisory David McIntosh said with the reduced availability of funding for event planners, council was looking to increase support. “That will also go towards the increased traffic management costs we are facing and health and safety,” McIntosh said.

The Mahurangi Regatta was also approved for a grant of $6,000 in the recent round of funding. 

Auckland Council decides to continue allowing set netting at Matakatia Bay despite concerns from the community and local board.

Council staff investigated the need for a ban after a notice of motion from Hibiscus and Bays local board but found many complaints around littering, overnight camping or noise would not be addressed through a ban.

At the Regulatory committee on August 9, members voted to keep the status quo of allowing set netting.
During public input, Matakatia Bay Action Group spokesperson Lance Wickman said the flat and shallow waters of the bay made it perfect for vulnerable swimmers.

 “The report is limited and does not provide grounds for an informed decision,” Wickman said. “Attempts to lodge complaints have been ignored … I was told the compliance team would not be responding to complaints going forward and that I should approach the local board.”

Wickman said set netting at the bay was a public safety risk and that swimmers have been caught in nets.
“One local swam into a net and was entangled. They were a confident swimmer so were able to escape but I am not so sure an elderly person would fare the same … Sooner or later a tragedy will occur.”

Wickman said the report failed to consult with the local community or local board.

Senior policy advisor Bonnie Apps later confirmed this and said they had only spoken with the Ministry of Primary Industries and the local marae during the investigation.

Community and Social Policy general manager Kataraina Maki said not undertaking consultation was typical in this process. “If the request from the local board had been different we may have gone further in consultation… Other bans already in existence were done through this process,” Maki said.

Maki said putting in a set netting ban required a high level of evidence and a picture of set netting at the bay did not meet the standard. 

Some complaints were about people gathering and Maki said it was difficult to identify why council would need to restrict public gatherings. “When you are looking to restrict the rights and freedoms of people you need to have the appropriate measures.”

Chair Linda Cooper said that one complainant had taken a picture of people sitting on a ute at the bay.
“That is not set netting. People are allowed to do that,” Cooper said. “When you live by a beach it feels very much your own but all beaches are public spaces.”

Cooper encouraged the community to put in complaints around set netting. “Please do not be afraid to put in complaints. That is how we identify trends. That helps council staff to see the hot spots.”

Crs Sharon Stewart and Daniel Newman proposed an amendment to defer the vote until a more robust report could be put together.

Newman said while he agreed it was important not to conflate the issue of set netting with group assembly or littering, he believed doing nothing was not a proportional response.

Newman questioned the matrix that sets out priority situations for compliance staff to attend. 

“This is hard because I am really beginning to wonder if the prioritisation matrix is really going to have many benefits beyond the most egregious issues like dog attacks,” Newman said.
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The amendment was lost with Cr Newman and Stewart being the only members to vote in support.
 
 

After indoor fire bylaws were called partly ineffective by council staff, they have been okay-ed for an investigation into improvements.

At the Regulatory committee on August 9, council staff received the go-ahead to explore more effective options in the Indoor Domestic Fires Bylaw 2017.

The bylaw currently addresses issues like public nuisance from indoor fires, prohibited fuels, and suitable design of indoor fireplaces.

The item report found the bylaw filled a regulatory gap on design but public nuisance doubled up with the Unitary Plan and prohibited fuels were unenforceable.

Policy advisor Chelsea Majoor said in Auckland, fine particles linked to domestic fires contributed to 260 premature deaths and domestic fireplaces were related to over $700 million in health-related social costs.
“The review has found only half of the bylaw is working well,” Majoor said.

Cr Daniel Newman said parts of the bylaw, like prohibited fuels, were difficult to enforce without a warrant. “Have you ever sought a warrant for the purpose of investigation and enforcement?” Newman asked.

Senior policy manager Paul Wilson said council had not sought a warrant under the bylaw. “They do get investigated but they are lower priority. There is that delayed response time,” Wilson said.

Member Glenn Wilcox said that there was a small number of things covered in the bylaw that are not already regulated through other bylaws. Wilcox suggested collapsing the bylaw may be the right approach.
​
Council staff will investigate options for the bylaw and come back to the committee for approval next year.

 Auckland Council has approved proposed changes to the unitary plan and Aucklanders will soon get to have their say.

The changes, called the intensification planning instrument, are councils approach to enabling intensification and meet the policy intent of government’s Medium Density Residential Standard (MDRS) and National Policy Statement on Urban Development (NPS-UD).

At the planning committee on August 4, several last minute qualifying matters were added to the plans.

The additions included water infrastructure constraints, two Māori cultural heritage sites, Beachlands transport control, open space zones and additions to special character sites.

Electricity distribution assets were also approved for further investigation on whether they could be a qualifying matter.

Members of the committee grappled with how to approach the vote. Many abstained from the vote as a show of protest, others felt they had their hands tied, and some expressed frustration with the lack of willingness for intensification from other members.

Cr Christine Fletcher recalled when the Skytower was built 25 year earlier.

Fletcher said it was called a “monstrosity” but was now looked at with fondness.

“I do not think in 25 years time we are going to look back at this with fondness,” Fletcher said.
“I know this will not deal with affordability for housing.”

Fletcher said the policies from central government were extreme, hasty and undemocratic.

Cr Shane Henderson said the compact city approach would reduce emissions drastically and the body would be ignoring the climate emergency by not supporting the plan changes.

“We must enable more housing closer to work and study,” Henderson said.

Henderson said that thousands of new homes had been built in Massey despite appalling public transport and there was no opposition from council.

Expanding special character, “meant several hundred more families not being able to put keys into homes.”
Cr Greg Sayers said not passing the resolution would send a strong message in protest to central government.

“The strongest protest that this committee can make is abstaining from the vote,” Sayers said.

“When will this make Auckland’s houses more affordable? This question had never been addressed.”

Cr Linda Cooper said it was about finding a middle ground.

“We are pushing the density out further and further and not allowing enough intensification in the center where people can easily catch public transport,” Cooper said.

While Cooper said she would vote for the resolution because she wanted to have a say, she was also “disgusted” by the way central government had treated Auckland.

“It is about amenity. When you have stormwater flowing everywhere, if you have not got good parks, if you have not got good public transport, that is a nightmare.”

“I hope Aucklanders really understand, we have to do this. We cannot have this taken away from us.”

Member Glenn Wilcox said it was not an easy process and some members would be conflicted.

“Intensification has already happened. It is just unregulated,” Wilcox said.

Cr Wayne Walker said the plan changes would not result in any significant improvement.

“Affordable houses do not make much money for developers,” Walker said.

Walker said that virtually every property value would increase under the new plans which ran “counter to the intention” of the policies.

“We as a council have put up a woefully insufficient fight and as a concequence the government has got away with this.”

Cr Christine Fletcher, Tracy Mulholland, Greg Sayers, Desley Simpson, Sharon Stewart, Wayne Walker and John Watson abstained from the vote.

Public submissions on the plan changes open on August 18 when council will make more information available to the public. 

Velvetleaf was named a crop-destroying pest species during a recent Auckland Council presentation.

At the Rural Advisory Panel meeting on August 5, Velvetleaf Community Outreach spokesperson Sally Linton presented about the pest species.

“Velvetleaf could decimate the cropping sector,” Linton said.

Linton said aplant could drop 33,000 seeds and the seeds remained viable for 50 years.

“It is mechanically spread, so on farm equipment or carried on boots.”

Auckland is one of the primary locations with infestations and Linton said there are 19 known properties with velvetleaf.

Linton said that velvet leaf was an annual plant but had recently be found out of season.

“With climate change, it could grow all year round… It could now be present in any crop.”

“Talking about biosecurity in general, everyone needs to be responsible for biosecurity.”

Chair Bill Cashmore said the presentation was “sobering”.

If velvetleaf is found on a property, the Ministry for Primary Industries asks it to be reported to the pest and disease hotline at 0800 80 99 66. 

Auckland Council has approved proposed changes to the unitary plan and Aucklanders will soon get to have their say.

The changes, called the intensification planning instrument, are councils approach to enabling intensification and meet the policy intent of government’s Medium Density Residential Standard (MDRS) and National Policy Statement on Urban Development (NPS-UD).

At the planning committee on August 4, several last minute qualifying matters were added to the plans.
The additions included water infrastructure constraints, two Māori cultural heritage sites, Beachlands transport control, open space zones and additions to special character sites.

Electricity distribution assets were also approved for further investigation on wether they could be a qualifying matter.

Members of the committee grappled with how to approach the vote. Many abstained from the vote as a show of protest, others felt they had their hands tied, and some expressed frustration with the lack of willingness for intensification from other members.

Cr Christine Fletcher recalled when the skytower was built 25 year earlier. Fletcher said it was called a “monstrosity” but was now looked at with fondness. “I do not think in 25 years time we are going to look back at this with fondness,” Fletcher said. “I know this will not deal with affordability for housing.” Fletcher said the policies from central government were extreme, hasty and undemocractic.

Cr Shane Henderson said the compact city approach would reduce emissions drastically and the body would be ignoring the climate emergency by not supporting the plan changes. “We must enable more housing closer to work and study,” Henderson said.

Henderson said that thousands of new homes had been built in Massey despite appalling public transport and there was no opposition from council.

Expanding special character, “meant several hundred more families not being able to put keys into homes.”
Cr Greg Sayers said not passing the resolution would send a strong message in protest to central government. “The strongest protest that this committee can make is abstaining from the vote,” Sayers said.
“When will this make Auckland’s houses more affordable? This question had never been addressed.”

Cr Linda Cooper said it was about finding a middle ground. “We are pushing the density out further and further and not allowing enough intensification in the center where people can easily catch public transport,” Cooper said.

While Cooper said she would vote for the resolution because she wanted to have a say, she was also “disgusted” by the way central government had treated Auckland. “It is about amenity. When you have stormwater flowing everywhere, if you have not got good parks, if you have not got good public transport, that is a nightmare.”

“I hope Aucklanders really understand, we have to do this. We cannot have this taken away from us.”

Member Glenn Wilcox said it was not an easy process and some members would be conflicted. “Intensification has already happened. It is just unregulated,” Wilcox said. 
 
Cr Wayne Walker said the plan changes would not result in any significant improvement. “Affordable houses do not make much money for developers,” Walker said.

Walker said that virtually every property value would increase under the new plans which ran “counter to the intention” of the policies. “We as a council have put up a woefully insufficient fight and as a concequence the government has got away with this.”

Cr Christine Fletcher, Tracy Mulholland, Greg Sayers, Desley Simpson, Sharon Stewart, Wayne Walker and John Watson abstained from the vote. 
​
Public submissions on the plan changes open on August 18 when council will make more information available to the public. 

By Laura Kvistad, Auckland Council reporter
Funded by New Zealand on Air
 
Auckland Council has approved proposed changes to the unitary plan and Aucklanders will soon get to have their say.

The changes, called the intensification planning instrument, are Council’s approach to enabling intensification and meet the policy intent of government’s Medium Density Residential Standard (MDRS) and National Policy Statement on Urban Development (NPS-UD).

At the planning committee on August 4, several last-minute qualifying matters were added to the plans.
The additions included water infrastructure constraints, two Māori cultural heritage sites, Beachlands transport control, open space zones and additions to special character sites.

Electricity distribution assets were also approved for further investigation on whether they could be a qualifying matter.

Members of the committee grappled with how to approach the vote. Many abstained from the vote as a show of protest, others felt they had their hands tied, and some expressed frustration with the lack of willingness for intensification from other members.

Cr Christine Fletcher recalled when the Sky Tower was built 25 year earlier.

Fletcher said it was called a “monstrosity” but was now looked at with fondness.

“I do not think in 25 years’ time we are going to look back at this with fondness,” Fletcher said.

“I know this will not deal with affordability for housing.”

Fletcher said the policies from central government were extreme, hasty and undemocratic.

Cr Shane Henderson said the compact city approach would reduce emissions drastically and the body would be ignoring the climate emergency by not supporting the plan changes.

“We must enable more housing closer to work and study,” Henderson said.

Henderson said that thousands of new homes had been built in Massey despite appalling public transport and there was no opposition from council.

Expanding special character, “meant several hundred more families not being able to put keys into homes.”

Cr Greg Sayers said not passing the resolution would send a strong message in protest to central government.

“The strongest protest that this committee can make is abstaining from the vote,” Sayers said.

“When will this make Auckland’s houses more affordable? This question had never been addressed.”

Cr Linda Cooper said it was about finding a middle ground.

“We are pushing the density out further and further and not allowing enough intensification in the center where people can easily catch public transport,” Cooper said.

While Cooper said she would vote for the resolution because she wanted to have a say, she was also “disgusted” by the way central government had treated Auckland.

“It is about amenity. When you have stormwater flowing everywhere, if you have not got good parks, if you have not got good public transport, that is a nightmare.”

“I hope Aucklanders really understand, we have to do this. We cannot have this taken away from us.”

Member Glenn Wilcox said it was not an easy process and some members would be conflicted.
“Intensification has already happened. It is just unregulated,” Wilcox said.

Cr Wayne Walker said the plan changes would not result in any significant improvement.

“Affordable houses do not make much money for developers,” Walker said.

Walker said that virtually every property value would increase under the new plans which ran “counter to the intention” of the policies.

“We as a council have put up a woefully insufficient fight and as a consequence the government has got away with this.”

Cr Christine Fletcher, Tracy Mulholland, Greg Sayers, Desley Simpson, Sharon Stewart, Wayne Walker and John Watson abstained from the vote.
​
Public submissions on the plan changes open on August 18 when council will make more information available to the public.