Chairperson

Commission Chair Anne Tolley

Members

Commissioner Shadrach Rolleston

Commissioner Stephen Selwood

Commissioner Bill Wasley

Quorum

Half of the members physically present, where the number of members (including vacancies) is even; and a majority of the members physically present, where the number of members (including vacancies) is odd.

Meeting frequency

As required

3.1         Nigel Tutt - Tauriko West 

Key points

·         Noted the importance of the Tauriko West development to the local economy – 6,000 to 12,000 jobs expected in the Tauriko Business Estate.

·         Public transport was a must for employees and residents for quality of life, access to jobs, sustainability and emission reduction.

·         Key transport route included part of SH29; vital for the Port and for connection to the Golden Triangle.

·         Emphasised the urgency of SH29 works; ideally the work would have been done already and needed to be done as quickly as possible.

In response to questions

·         The Waka Kotahi Business Case barely mentioned the 12000 jobs or up to 15000 homes that could be in the area. Vital to connect not only by road but by public transport. Current central government evaluation processes did not take sufficiently into account the wider social and economic benefits of the proposal.

·         Often repeating work that had already been undertaken as part of urban growth strategy planning; should be able to leapfrog over some of the Waka Kotahi business planning process.

3.2         Richard Stilwell - Tauriko West   

Key points

·         Not opposed to the development in Tauriko West or the business estate; but Tauranga Crossing was concerned about work proceeding in a partial way.

·         Business case was part of a package – the enabling works needed to be considered as a part of a larger suite of public transport works and transport planning.

·         The enabling works were the first of three stages; the expected outcomes were slight by themselves and needed to be part of the wider package.

·         Objectives could not be met by the enabling works on their own.

·         Key risk is that future elements would not follow.

·         The investment objectives relied on delivery of all the parts of the package; could not be achieved purely by the enabling works.

Discussion points raised

·         Recognised the disconnect between government policy in terms of housing/public transport/carbon emissions; some of the processes in place reflected this disconnect and did not provide certainty.  Work on the bigger project needed to start now.

·         Supported the point about the disconnect and the need for the whole package to be committed – however, necessary to start with the enabling works.  Bigger project needed to be fast-tracked and certainty provided.  Needs of the region were urgent.

Resolution  CO4/22/1

Moved:       Commissioner Shadrach Rolleston

Seconded:  Commissioner Bill Wasley

That the Council:

Accepts the following late item for consideration in the public excluded section of the meeting:

•        TCC’s Infrastructure Funding and Financing proposals – TSP and Tauriko West

Carried

Resolution  CO4/22/2

Moved:       Commissioner Bill Wasley

Seconded:  Commissioner Stephen Selwood

That the Council transfers the late item report TCC’s Infrastructure Funding and Financing proposals – TSP and Tauriko West from public excluded session into open session for consideration.

Carried

7.1         Minutes of the Extraordinary Council meeting held on 14 February 2022

Resolution  CO4/22/3

Moved:       Commissioner Shadrach Rolleston

Seconded:  Commission Chair Anne Tolley

That the minutes of the Extraordinary Council meeting held on 14 February 2022 be confirmed as a true and correct record.

Carried

7.2         Minutes of the Council meeting held on 8 February 2022

Resolution  CO4/22/4

Moved:       Commissioner Stephen Selwood

Seconded:  Commissioner Bill Wasley

That the minutes of the Council meeting held on 8 February 2022 be confirmed as a true and correct record, subject to the following corrections:

·         Omanawa Falls – further clarification provided regarding evaluation of revenue opportunities and charges;

·         Acceptance of Mr Paterson’s late submission be included in the resolution

Carried

7.3         Minutes of the Council meeting held on 6 December 2021

Resolution  CO4/22/5

Moved:       Commissioner Shadrach Rolleston

Seconded:  Commissioner Stephen Selwood

That the minutes of the Council meeting held on 6 December 2021 be confirmed as a true and correct record.

Carried

9.1         Papamoa Residents and Ratepayers Association - Links Ave Petition and Report

External    Philip Brown, Papamoa Residents and Ratepayers Association (PRRA)

Key points

·         The petition presented to TCC on 25 November had called for an immediate end to the Links Ave trial, improved engagement and consultation, and full disclosure of any information gathered by TCC.

·         Considered full and proper community consultation was not undertaken.

·         Supported removal of the bus lane.  Should be no bus lanes or bus routes on Links Ave, was moved due to the B2B roadworks.

·         Did not support an extension of the trial.

·         Considered the trial a waste of time and that TCC was not listening to the residents.

·         PRRA requested full disclosure of traffic and usage data, and bus patronage.  Did not consider the data publicly available was complete or reliable.

·         Considered the proposed closure was overkill for the problem; the closure could be time-limited for specific periods.

·         Need to consider data from other surrounding roads as well as Links Ave.

·         Requested a road user committee be formed of residents and TCC staff to oversee the trial.

·         Requested TCC hold a “Town Hall” meeting of all concerned residents on the Links Ave proposals.

Discussion points raised

·         In the short-term Links Ave was a residential street and not intended as an arterial.  Council must take account of the safety report received that there was a significant risk for school children using that street.  A bigger long-term piece of work regarding how Papamoa residents travelled into town and to work was already underway.

·         All data used in the decisions had been provided to residents; TCC did not have the bus patronage data which had been requested from Bay of Plenty  Regional Council (BOPRC).

·         Noted the formation of the joint Tauranga Public Transport committee with BOPRC, which would look at how achieve integrated public transport around the city.  Use of public transport on the B2B route would come to that committee for consideration.

·         All traffic data used in the decision-making process was in the public domain.

10.1       Terms of Reference for Tangata Whenua/Tauranga City Council Committee

Staff          Coral Hair, Manager: Democracy Services

Key points

·         Move to more marae-based meetings with formal and informal parts.

·         Included the development of a work programme.

Discussion points raised

·         Great initiative to engage with hapū at their place.

Resolution  CO4/22/6

Moved:       Commissioner Bill Wasley

Seconded:  Commissioner Shadrach Rolleston

That the Council:

(a)     Approves the recommendations from the Tangata Whenua/Tauranga City Council Committee of 16 February 2022 and adopts the following changes to the Terms of Reference for the Tangata Whenua/Tauranga City Council Committee.

(i)      Remove distinction of formal and informal meetings.

(ii)     Six meetings per year to be held on marae.

(iii)     Members of Te Rangapū Mana Whenua o Tauranga Moana be invited to all six meetings. At the Chairperson’s discretion, Te Rangapū Mana Whenua o Tauranga Moana members may speak to reports. To avoid doubt only members of the Committee can move or second recommendations or vote.

(iv)    Hapū presentations to be held at the beginning of each meeting.

(v)     The remainder of the business of the Tangata Whenua/Tauranga City Council Committee will be held at the conclusion of the hapū presentation.

(vi)    Minutes will be confirmed at each meeting.

(vii)   The decision on appointing a Deputy Chairperson will be deferred until the new Independent Chairperson is appointed.

(viii)   Livestreaming of meetings will continue. Livestreaming of presentations by hapū will be subject to permission from the marae.

Carried

11.1       Long-term Plan Amendment Financials

Staff          Kathryn Sharplin, Manager: Finance

Josh Logan, Team Leader: Corporate Planning

Frazer Smith, Manager: Strategic Finance & Growth

Tracey Hughes, Finance Insights & Reporting Manager

Key points

·         Introduced the concept of Infrastructure Funding and Financing (IFF) levies.

·         Outlined what rate options would look like without the IFF levies; looking at around 16%.

·         IFF levy brought that rate number down; provided the ability to smooth the cost of infrastructure over a longer period; did not require the high levels of debt retirement in early years that would be required for balance sheets.

In response to questions

·         Option 1C was the preferred option but other options would be included in the consultation as well.

·         Extra costs for civic centre rebuild were included in a targeted rate.

·         Operational costs included interest and debt costs as well as operational costs, so only new investments were proposed to be included in the community targeted rate, existing library costs were included in the general rate.  As new projects came on, they would be included in the targeted rate so the general rate would start to reduce.

·         Grant funding was still subject to confirmation; the resolution passed capped ratepayer contribution at $150m.

Discussion points raised

·         Need to think carefully about how to explain the different options to the community.  Need a very clear ‘with and without’ comparison so the benefits were clearly explained.

Resolution  CO4/22/7

Moved:       Commissioner Bill Wasley

Seconded:  Commissioner Stephen Selwood

That the Council:

(a)     Receives the report Long-term Plan Amendment Financials;

Carried

The remaining report recommendations were left to lie until after the Infrastructure Funding and Financial proposals report had been considered; and were then put to the vote.

Resolution  CO4/22/8

Moved:       Commissioner Bill Wasley

Seconded:  Commissioner Stephen Selwood

That the Council:

(i)      Agrees to the proposed updates to the draft financials for the proposed 2021-31 Long-term Plan Amendment,

(ii)     Agrees to include the proposed Crown Infrastructure Partners Levies within the Long-term Plan amendment with offset adjustments to transportation targeted rates applying from 2025,

iii)      Confirms that Option 1c be included in the draft LTPA as the preferred option and the rating reduction that may be achieved through the introduction of IFF levies requires further analysis and confirmation and will be finalised when Council adopts the draft LTPA on 24 March 2022.

Carried

Attachments

1        LTPA Graphs

11.2       Te Manawataki O Te Papa (Civic Precinct) programme Governance Structure and Key Project Approval Processes

Staff          Marty Grenfell, Chief Executive

Mike Naude, Programme Manager: Civic Redevelopment Projects

External    David Lambie, TwentyTwo

John Brockies, Chair Governance Group

Key points

·         The report brought the framework of governance and delivery of the civic precinct project to Council for approval, needed assurance that the project was structured and resourced for success.

·         Processes and steps for checking and approval were outlined in the report, for each component of the project, with the appropriate gateways and decision points noted.

·         Governance structure was working well so far, with a number of working and design groups established.  This model for delivery would be retained as the project moved forward.

·         The Governance Group Chair  noted that the Governance Group had collectively spent time going through all the requirements for the project and was confident to recommend this structure which drew on subject matter experts but within the Willis Bond agreement framework.  Checks and balances were included to ensure the partnering agreement was working effectively and equitably.  Confident had the right strategy and structure but would be actively refining as different stages of the project were reached. 

·         Having commissioners chairing a couple of the steering groups was a deliberate decision, to ensure that the Commission’s view on integration was reflected throughout and the focus on future generations maintained.

·         The governance structure struck a balance between good leadership and good experience, and drew Willis Bond as development partner into the decision-making framework.

In response to questions

·         Suggested that a Council “box” be included in the governance structure diagram as the overall accountable body.  Responsibility for delivery and implementation sat with the Chief Executive and this responsibility should be reflected in the Terms of Reference.

·         Mana whenua representation was not necessarily provided for as members of each steering group but were involved as subject matter experts.  Mana whenua cultural input needed to be reflected across all steering groups and Josh Te Kani had been appointed to fulfil that function.

·         Acknowledged restoration and historic importance of the site to mana whenua.

Resolution  CO4/22/9

Moved:       Commissioner Shadrach Rolleston

Seconded:  Commissioner Bill Wasley

That the Council:

(a)     Receives this report Te Manawataki O Te Papa (Civic Precinct) programme Governance Structure and Key Project Approval Processes Report.

(b)     Approves the Te Manawataki O Te Papa Governance and Project Structure:

(c)     Approves the following persons as Chairpersons of the Te Manawataki O Te Papa Governance Group and Project Steering Groups:

(d)     Acknowledges the key project approval processes required for the implementation of the Te Manawataki O Te Papa Programme and the Commercial Development at 90 Devonport Road, as outlined in the Tauranga City Council and Willis Bond and Company (Tauranga) Partnering Agreement, signed 06 July 2018, to ensure appropriate Council oversight and decision-making.

Carried

11.3       2022/2023 -  Draft User Fees and Charges Update

Staff          Kathryn Sharplin, Manager: Finance

Key points

·         Updated schedule following feedback received from previous council meeting regarding inflation rates and volumetric water charging, and beachside cabin prices.

·         Revised schedule had adjusted general increases up to reflect the 5.9% inflation rate.

·         Beachside rates had been examined and looked at comparatively, and remained unchanged as considered at an appropriate price point.

·         Water volumetric charges had been increased slightly.

·         Dog registration charges were not included in the consultation document as dogs needed to be registered by 1 July 2022.  There would be a separate consultation process as a charge increase was proposed.

In response to questions

·         Noted the Commission focus on shifting away from general ratepayer charges to user pays; the adjustment of volumetric water charging should reflect water usage.  Raising water charges and fees might reduce the need to raise the rate as much – offset by water user fees rather than the cost sitting with the general ratepayer – needed to make these options clear to the community.

·         Funding was quarantined within the activity, though debt retirement funding allowed some flexibility.

Resolution  CO4/22/10

Moved:       Commissioner Stephen Selwood

Seconded:  Commissioner Bill Wasley

That the Council:

(a)     Receives the report, 2022/2023 -  Draft User Fees and Charges Update.

(b)     Approves the draft user fees and charges as set out in Attachment 1, in order to form part of the supporting information for consultation on the 2022/23 Annual Plan.

(c)     Agrees to include in the annual plan an overall rates increase, including water volumetric charging of 13.7%. Notes that excluding water volumetric charging the overall rates increase is 13%.

Carried

13.6       TCC’s Infrastructure Funding and Financial proposals – TSP and Tauriko West

Staff          Paul Davidson, General Manager: Corporate Services

                  Christine Jones, General Manager: Strategy and Growth   

Key points

·         Noted the difference between the two projects in terms of the levy.

·         The IFF levy allowed smoothing of costs over a longer period of time.

·         Levy required going to market for financing which posed some risk as was an unknown in terms of interest rates.  Considered any risk offset by the overall benefits.

·         Levy placed a charge against every property, was irreversible and in place for 30 years.  Was a legislative charge that could not be undone.  Would be registered on Tauriko titles for new properties.  The Tauriko charge was against appropriate Tauriko West properties; TSP would be citywide.

·         IFF levy was only one part of funding for Tauriko West and TSP; council was working with Waka Kotahi and developers in terms of fair share of payment.

In response to questions

·         Levies were based on project estimates which could be variable.  Looking at funding $200m via IFF levy,  any subsequent changes would be funded by traditional funding methods such as rating and development contribution charges.  Once set, the IFF levy could not generate additional revenue.  TSP funding was for a bundle of projects and could be moved around the projects within the bundle; Tauriko West would have a tendered return before moving to IFF funding which would provide more certainty for quantum.  Need to be as certain as possible that project estimates were accurate and variation minimised.  Noted that IFF funding only provided a percentage of the costs; balance would be absorbed/provided elsewhere.

Discussion points raised

·         High debt levels, low rates and residential ratepayers bearing a significant portion of the burden of rates had not provided appropriate funding for the infrastructure needs of the city; these IFF levies were part of a concerted effort and workload to source alternative funding mechanisms.

·         The levy spread cost intergenerationally and transferred debt off TCC balance sheet and into a different structure.  TCC was one of the first councils taking advantage of the IFF tool.

·         Congratulated staff on the work spent getting these proposals to this point.

Resolution  CO4/22/11

Moved:       Commissioner Stephen Selwood

Seconded:  Commissioner Shadrach Rolleston

That the Council:

(a)       Receives report “Infrastructure Funding and Financing Proposals – Transport Systems Plan and Tauriko West’.

(b)       Approves progressing the Infrastructure Funding and Financing levy proposals for the Transport Systems Plan and for Tauriko West.

(c)       Notes and confirms the following resolutions of the 21 February 2022 Council meeting with respect to the Tauriko West levy:

(i)        Agrees to consult through the Long-term Plan Amendment process on the proposal to establish an Infrastructure Funding and Financing (IFF) local levy for delivery of the infrastructure needed to enable the first 2,000 dwellings in Tauriko West.

(ii)       Approves the principle of ‘development fair share’ funding being applied.

(iii)      Notes that the expected level of the Tauriko West IFF levy will be circa $2,000 -$2,500 per annum. 

(iv)      Council to engage with developers / landowners on the further option of a mix of Tauriko West IFF levy and other developer / landowner funding arrangements with the requirement that these arrangements fully cover the development fair share costs.

(d)       Notes and confirms the following resolutions of the 21 February 2022 Council meeting with respect to the Transport System Plan Levy:

(i)        Agrees to include within the Long-term Plan Amendment preparation process the proposal to establish an Infrastructure Funding and Financing (IFF) citywide levy to enable delivery of ten Transport Systems Plan projects.

(ii)       Approves the levy charge being calculated at the same proportional share as the proposed allocation of transportation rates between residential and commercial ratepayers (50/50).

(e)       With respect to the Transport System Plan Levy, notes that TCC’s current estimates of the level of the Transport System Plan IFF levy will be, at the commencement of the levy, $75 - 85 for the median residential property and $570 - 630 for the median non-residential property. These estimates are subject to change.

Carried

11.4       Executive Report

Staff          Gareth Wallis, General Manager: Community Services

Nic Johansson, General Manager: Infrastructure Services

Barbara Dempsey, General Manager: Regulatory & Compliance

Paul Davidson, General Manager Corporate Services

Christine Jones, General Manager: Strategy & Growth

Tony Aitken, Acting General Manager: People and Engagement

Key points

·         Noted the success of Angus Muir Christmas lighting installations on the Strand; noted that the library closed on Sunday and would reopen in one month in the He Puna Manawa.  Kulim Park playground had opened before Christmas, the rest of the park redevelopment would be finished by April.  Noted ongoing impact of COVID on events.

·         COVID impacts were putting real pressure on the infrastructure team externally and internally, with lead times for projects extending and supply of materials an issue.

·         Noted the move of the customer services team and the change in delivery of services as part of the physical work, now a concierge model. Noted the move into BOPRC Chambers and the work of the Democracy team to make that happen.

·         The IENZ audit was postponed due to Omicron.  Building consents had seen a huge influx of applications (up by 20% over the same period as last year) and there continued to be staff shortages.  TCC was checking with other councils to see if they could provide assistance and was looking to find contractors to help increase application turnover; however, turnover times were down.  Noted the impacts on house owner/applicants.  Staff were utilising Saturdays for site inspections.

·         Noted the citywide revaluation distribution; noted disruption to airport activity due to flight crew issues.

In response to questions

·         Considered that the governance input was too involved in the specifics of the Kulim Park project.  The basketball court was removed to allow the rest of the project to start; since the redevelopment had started there was good community feedback regarding the basketball court so it was added back in as the project was under budget.  If aspects significantly affected the project outcomes then would come back for further governance sign-off.

·         Need to provide for recreational needs for all age groups with city places and spaces, not just younger children.

·         Would be useful to understand where people are travelling from to attend the various destination parks, to then consider provision of these types of facilities on a network level.  Had very specific level of service requirements e.g. for playgrounds, but not well-developed in terms of play and recreation outcomes.

·         Strategic review of green spaces throughout the community was critical.

·         Detailed input into a project from a specific group e.g. disability access was required early on in a project.  The community partnerships team could access large parts/sectors of the community and foster/facilitate input into specific projects, internally need to be willing to accept that input early on.  Cross team and department collaboration was vital e.g. between Places and Spaces and Infrastructure.

·         Omanawa Falls process was delayed as responding to a request for additional information from another council.

·         Regarding cost estimations on projects, project scoping needed to be reviewed to ensure budgeting was as accurate as possible.  Aware of need to improve organisational performance in this regard – there had been an organisational restructure, Capital Projects Assurance Division (CPAD) was rolling out consistent templates and industry best practice for procurement and project management.  Noted that standards could increase/change over time which increased the cost required to meet those standards.

·         Need to ensure that cyclists could still use the cycleway network while various roading and infrastructure projects took place; also, signage about the works would be useful e.g. Totara Street and Cameron Rd.

·         Raised possibility of an extra rubbish/recycling pick up over the Christmas period. Including pickups from reserves and parks.

·         Noted the extension of the Epidemic Preparedness Order until 18 March, expected to be extended again at that point.

·         Ramifications of Court decision on mandates for police and NZDF unknown; at this stage Council had not lost any staff due to vaccination policies.

·         Citywide revaluations – some areas such as the CBD saw lower valuations than in the past which would flow onto rates with a lower increase. Much more disparity with commercial valuations in terms of impact of Covid.

Resolution  CO4/22/12

Moved:       Commissioner Bill Wasley

Seconded:  Commissioner Shadrach Rolleston

That the Council:

(a)     Receives the Executive Report.

Carried

11.5       Tauriko West - Enabling Works Business Case

Staff          Alistair Talbot, Team Leader: Transport Strategy & Planning

Andy Mead, Manager, City and Infrastructure Planning

External    Jess Andrew, Waka Kotahi

Key points

·         Business case had identified a package of improvements in Tauriko West, which would enable 2000 new homes, enable Stage 3 of the Tauriko Business Case and part of the works necessary for Stage 4.

·         Noted travel planning improvements to promote multi-modal use and deliver the right transport demand pattern.

·         Works continued to be ongoing with funding partners; once the resolution was passed conversations could continue with Waka Kotahi, IFF and developers.

·         Engagement had continued with stakeholders, directly affected landowners, tangata whenua liaison group, Western Bay of Plenty District Council (WBOPDC), Bay of Plenty Regional Council (BOPRC) and the general Tauriko community.

·         Outlined risks for the project/business case.

·         Business case would be submitted by April; ongoing work with Waka Kotahi to confirm pre-implementation phase of work in term of acquisition and consenting.

·         Longer term business case would continue to be progressed, this vital to the further development of the area.

In response to questions

·         These works were part of a much larger development, all about live/work/play – a significant amount of house and job growth would result from the long-term development. It was frustrating that Waka Kotahi and other government processes were limited and did not facilitate certainty around the longer-term package of works.

·         Noted the significant shift in the costing of this project, this could undermine confidence in the process.

·         Interregional state highway traffic would be completely separated from local traffic, walking and cycling routes would still generally be on local road corridors.  Some of the options that would improve residents’ and community experience would not be realised until the longer-term Option B works were completed.

·         Overall water and wastewater costs were not significant.  Need to be conscious of changes in terms of concerns expressed around project scoping and cost estimates.

·         Clarification was sought around the various percentiles provided for costs. The 95 percentile related to 1/20 and included risk and P&E costs.  Use of percentiles provided a risk assessment tool for incorporating risk into cost estimates.  Costs included were peer reviewed; escalation of costs were considered at both the 3% and 6% level.  Waka Kotahi was involved in cost review to help achieve certainty of funding.

Discussion points raised

·         These resolutions approved a small part of a long-term project that would unlock significant housing and economic growth; however, council was required to work through a piecemeal stage by stage business case approval process.  The benefits of the project could be compromised by being forced into this incremental process, only made sense in terms of the wider social and economic benefits and outcomes. Criticality of accelerating Long term Option B must be recognised.

Resolution  CO4/22/13

Moved:       Commissioner Stephen Selwood

Seconded:  Commissioner Bill Wasley

That the Council:

(a)     Endorses the Tauriko West Enabling Works business case for submission to Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency for their consideration and investment approval.

(b)     Notes the investment timing, estimated costs, cost sharing and funding sources as outlined in the Enabling Works business case are subject to final agreement through project partner decision-making (i.e. National Land Transport Fund) and wider processes associated with the Infrastructure Funding and Financing Levies and Infrastructure Acceleration Fund grants.

(c)     Notes that the project costs are estimated to be above those included in the Councils Long Term Plan 2021-2031 and that these costs will be reflected in the draft Annual Plan 2022/23 and the Long-Term Plan Amendment being developed. 

(d)     Notes that Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency have signalled intention to lead the delivery of the pre-implementation and implementation/construction phases as presented in the Enabling Works business case and that discussions to confirm how this occurs is progressing between Council and Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency.

(e)     Notes that endorsement of the Enabling Works business case does not commit TCC / Waka Kotahi to implementation, a further decision-making gate will occur when construction tender costs are available. This decision gate will be after Waka Kotahi Board decisions on the Tauriko Network Connections Long-Term Business Case including planned timing and staging of those works such as a complimentary public transport package.

(f)      Strongly encourages Waka Kotahi to bring forward and deliver the:

(i)      Public Transport package alongside the Enabling Works; and

(ii)     Full State Highway 29 long term works package with construction commencing by 2025.

(g)     Retains Attachment 3 in confidential to protect Council to carry on, without prejudice or disadvantage commercial negotiations.

Carried

Attachments

1        Tauriko West enabling works presentation

Staff Presentation – Warren Aitken – 25 years' service

·         Warren Aitken joined TCC in 1997 as a Park Ranger at McLaren Falls and contributed much to the development of the Falls Park, particularly with significant improvements to the park’s roading and plantings.  Reputed to have piped in the New Year at the Park a number of times.

·         Moved into the Parks team with a variety of responsibilities over the years, including leading the Park Ranger team which looked after all our green spaces and wahi tapu, including Mauao, Moturiki, Kopurererua Valley and McLaren Falls.  

·         Noted his thoughtful and accommodating approach; genuinely wants to improve the environment and the city’s green spaces. An acknowledged expert in all thing’s relating to Tauranga’s natural environment.

·         Chair Tolley thanked Warren on behalf of the Council and the community for 25 years of outstanding service.

·         Warren – responded that he had been working for TCC for more than half his life and had thoroughly enjoyed working for TCC. He was proud of the Parks team and its achievements, and particularly proud of setting up the programme of removal of coastal encroachments and restoration of special ecological areas.

7.1         Minutes of the Council meeting held on 8 February 2022

Resolution  CO5/22/1

Moved:       Commissioner Bill Wasley

Seconded:  Commissioner Stephen Selwood

That the minutes of the Council meeting held on 8 February 2022 be confirmed as a true and correct record.

Carried

7.2         Minutes of the Council meeting held on 21 February 2022

Resolution  CO5/22/2

Moved:       Commissioner Bill Wasley

Seconded:  Commissioner Stephen Selwood

That the minutes of the Council meeting held on 21 February 2022 be confirmed as a true and correct record.

Carried

11.1       Adoption of consultation document and supporting material - Long-term Plan Amendment and Annual Plan 2022/23

Staff          Paul Davidson, General Manager: Corporate Services

Kathryn Sharplin, Manager: Finance

External    Clarence Susan and Anton Labuschagne, Audit NZ

Key points

·         The civic precinct project and Infrastructure Funding and Financing (IFF) proposal were key features of the Long-term Plan Amendment (LTPA). Noted the impact of IFF funding on the balance sheet and rephasing of the delivery of the capital programme.

·         Annual Plan (AP) proposed to increase the rating  contribution by the commercial sector over the next two years.

Audit NZ

·         Audit opinion covered the LTPA not the AP.  The emphasis of matters noted two issues – uncertainty around grants funding and the impacts of IFF funding on the balance sheet.

·         Audit had reviewed and tested the underlying information, including assumptions related to external funding; development of an LTPA was a complex and difficult process successfully managed in this case.  Thanked the council finance staff for their work.

·         Considered the Consultation Document was clear around the impacts of receiving/not receiving grant funding for the civic precinct redevelopment.

·         Intention of IFF was to remove the debt from Council’s balance sheet – the assumption was reasonable but more information available would become available as the IFF process continued and the accounting treatment of each project could be confirmed.

Discussion points raised

·         Was an important document with exciting opportunities for the city; there was a choice for Tauranga residents about creating a vibrant exciting central city or a scaled down version.  Would generate discussion about what should be at the heart of the city.

·         Residents felt they were carrying too bigger a load in terms of share of rates.  The commercial sector had responded constructively and the Annual Plan included a significant change to how transport rates were funded, based on an investigation about who benefitted from the transport infrastructure, which increased the percentage of transport rates that commercial would pay.

·         A lift in development contributions was proposed to account for a share of the development of community facilities.

·         Considered alternative methods of funding and financing; borrowing money where the debt does not show on Council’s books.

·         Future councils would have more flexibility about decisions made with the alternative funding arrangements that were now possible with IFF. 

·         Noted the percentage proportions of where rates would sit with commercial and residential ratepayers. Noted the increases for the commercial sector and the impact on the business sector; business community was supportive of the city moving forward and development taking place.

·         Property valuation increases also impacted on rates increases.  A third of central CBD businesses would have no or very low rates increases as commercial CBD property values had not increased significantly.

·         Without rates increases, residents would pay in other ways through a loss of services and amenity in the city.

·         Expectation of timely and efficient delivery of services by the organisation, particularly as fees and charges increase.

·         Civic redevelopment as the heart of the city, working in partnership with iwi and hapū partners.

·         The LTPA sought an additional $221m for the civic centre development from what was originally committed in the LTP.  Council was also looking at grant funding and funding from asset sales to minimise the increased cost for ratepayers.

Resolution  CO5/22/3

Moved:       Commissioner Stephen Selwood

Seconded:  Commissioner Bill Wasley

That the Council:

(a)     Receives the report.

(b)     Approves the consultation document for the proposed amendment to the Long-term Plan 2021-2031 and draft Annual Plan 2022/23 (Attachment 1).

(c)     Adopts the proposed amendment to the Long-term Plan 2021-2031(Attachment 2) to be consulted on through the Long-term Plan Amendment consultation document.

(d)     Adopts the draft Annual Plan 2022/23 supporting financial information (Attachment 3).

(e)     Adopts the proposed amendments to the fees and charges schedule and the Statement of Proposal for the draft 2022/23 user fees and charges as the basis for public consultation (Attachments 4 and 5).

Carried

Audit NZ spoke to their audit report and the remaining recommendations were put to the vote.

Resolution  CO5/22/4

Moved:       Commissioner Shadrach Rolleston

Seconded:  Commissioner Stephen Selwood

That the Council:

(f)      Receives the audit opinion on the consultation document for the proposed Long-term Plan Amendment, pursuant to s93D (4) of the Local Government Act 2002.

(g)     Adopts the audited consultation document for public consultation for the proposed Long-term Plan Amendment, using the special consultative procedure pursuant to s93 and s93A of the Local Government Act 2002.

(h)     Authorises the Chief Executive to make minor amendments to the documentation to ensure accuracy and correct minor drafting errors.

Carried

11.2       Adoption of the Draft 2022/23 Development Contributions Policy

Staff          Christine Jones, General Manager: Strategy & Growth

                  Ana Blackwood, Development Contributions Policy Analyst

Ben Corbett, Team Leader: Growth Funding

Key points

·         Direction given previously on development contributions had been incorporated into the policy.

·         There had been engagement with the development and construction sectors.

In response to questions

·         Consultation had included use of two council newsletters – planning and environmental – that went out to a large number of participants in the sector; had been specific contact with the bigger developers and with the larger building sector.  Staff were trying to reach out to building companies so they were aware the increase was coming.  Had used social media to try and alert “mum and dad” developers and builders, and linked  to the TCC website.  Once the policy was adopted there would be a formal consultation process. 

·         The active reserves policy would be reviewed this year, which would also include looking at the development contributions side to assess suitability.  50% of active reserves could be funded by development contributions. 

·         The difference between financial contributions and development contributions was clarified, in relation to Papamoa reserves.

·         Development contributions were based on cost estimates and the portion of services/benefit provided that related to growth; it was better to wait to collect until the project costings were well-defined for some projects.  The Memorial Park aquatic/recreation centre costs were currently being peer reviewed, materials cost could change over the years.  Noted that project delay was a risk in terms of collection of development contributions; this risk was managed by collecting at a rate slightly lower than actual costs then adjusting upwards as a project progressed.

Discussion points raised

·         Communication was very important for a no surprises approach for developers and home buyers.

Resolution  CO5/22/5

Moved:       Commissioner Bill Wasley

Seconded:  Commissioner Stephen Selwood

That the Council:

(a)     Adopts the Statement of Proposal and Draft 2022/23 Development Contributions Policy for public consultation

(b)     Authorises the Chief Executive to approve minor draft, financial and presentation amendments to the Draft 2022/23 Development Contributions Policy prior to printing if necessary.

Carried

11.3       Active Reserves - actions to increase capacity

Staff          Paul Dunphy, Director, Places and Spaces

                  Ross Hudson, Team Leader: Planning

Key points

·         Noted that it was hard to get a clear picture of the city’s active needs now and in the future and suggested a workshop would be helpful to gain a more overall picture and context.

In response to questions

·         It was a very complex picture.  Noted the LTP submissions from various sports clubs about lack of investment and planning.  There was a lot of information in the reports to digest; suggested that the relevant information could have been pulled out of the appendices and presented in a more open direct way.

·         Specific parts of the reports could be progressed separately while other recommendations could be reconsidered after the workshop.  A further report could be brought back in six weeks with a wider perspective; and a workshop set up to look at wider and future active needs. 

·         Users at Gordon Spratt Reserve were very keen to see works progress.

Discussion points raised

·         Consideration should include areas in the wider Bay of Plenty rather than stopping at TCC boundaries;  look at the possibility of sub-regional development.

·         Need a blueprint for the city and a strategic overview of sub-regional opportunities; a strategic view was required to be able to make informed individual decisions on individual projects.

·         Need to look at from a user perspective as well.

·         Noted that council was currently backfilling from lack of investment decisions and development over years; but adequate provision for increased population and their recreational and sporting needs also needed to be made.

·         Recommendations should clearly outline options and decisions required rather than refer to appendices.

Resolution  CO5/22/6

Moved:       Commissioner Bill Wasley

Seconded:  Commissioner Stephen Selwood

That the Council:

(c)     Endorses upgrades to Links Avenue Reserve and Macville Park in Mount Maunganui, to enable the development of a centralised facility for football talent development and a football academy for the city, pending agreements with the football clubs and agreement of budget reallocations through the Annual Plan Deliberations process.

Carried

Resolution  CO5/22/7

Moved:       Commissioner Bill Wasley

Seconded:  Commissioner Shadrach Rolleston

That the Council:

d)      Endorses the provision of artificial turfs as a sustainable and efficient method to meet local community demand for sports fields, in appropriate circumstances, and notes the need to amend the Active Reserve Level of Service Policy in due course to accommodate this.

Carried

11.4       Blake Park and Gordon Spratt Reserve & Alice Johnson Oval - actions following 'future state' user workshops

Staff          Paul Dunphy, Director, Places and Spaces

                  Ross Hudson, Team Leader: Planning

In response to questions

·         Clarification was provided around a multi-use pavilion at Alice Johnson Oval and available funding.

·         Provision of cricket nets in Waipuna Park had been recommended as part of the LTP – wider engagement with Welcome Bay residents around reserves and recreational needs was now completed and findings would be provided to the commissioners.

Resolution  CO5/22/8

Moved:       Commissioner Bill Wasley

Seconded:  Commissioner Shadrach Rolleston

That the Council:

(a)     Thanks the users of Blake Park and Gordon Spratt Reserve and Alice Johnson Oval for their open-minded engagement in the Future State workshops, and recognises the support of Sport Bay of Plenty in facilitating these sessions in the second half of 2021.

(c)     Notes the opportunity for accelerated delivery of a new cricket pavilion at the Alice Johnson Oval, with budget reallocations to be considered through the 2022/23 Annual Plan Deliberations process.

(d)     Notes the opportunity for early implementation of lighting projects to increase availability of sports fields, with budget reallocations to be considered through the 2022/23 Annual Plan Deliberations process .

(f)      Completes the business case for a multi-purpose clubroom facilities, and requests that staff report to Council with indicatively priced proposals for key actions in 2022.

Carried

11.5       Traffic & Parking Bylaw 2012 - Amendment 35

Staff          Brendan Bisley, Director of Transport

Key points

·         The bylaw changes were associated with the new Papamoa school; around parking to achieve a safe environment particularly for drop-offs and pick-ups.

·         There was no on-street parking as the corridor too narrow.

Resolution  CO5/22/9

Moved:       Commissioner Bill Wasley

Seconded:  Commissioner Stephen Selwood

That the Council:

(a)     Receives the Traffic and Parking Bylaw 2012 Amendments Report.

(b)     Adopts the proposed amendments to the Traffic and Parking Bylaw 2012 Attachment as per Appendix B, effective from 25 March 2022.

Carried

3.1         Mr Matt Nicholson - Links Ave

Key Points

·         Considered the first road closure trialled to help safety of children at local schools was not fit for purpose and while it may have achieved some of its outcomes it did not meet them all.

·         Second trial was confusing, the signage inadequate and was not well publicised.  8,500 road users were fined and many more warned, which resulted in making people feel like criminals.

·         There was minimal consultation with those affected; Links Ave users were isolated from families and friends and did not feel heard by the Council.

·         One resident was denied a waiver three times to exit her own street.

·         Fines were imposed at a time of unaffordability with high inflation and increasing costs and people should not have to choose between paying fines and buying food.

·         Residents felt their concerns remained unheard and unconsidered.

·         All fines should be refunded.

·         Safety was not just a Links Ave issue, it affected a wider area.  The street’s capacity for pedestrian traffic was not suitable and there were a number of children now walking on the street. 

·         Narrow footpaths for kids walking and biking; there was a flow on effect onto Golf Road which had resulted in a safety issue for children.

·         The road was used by 7500 motorists a day, traffic had to go somewhere and had been pushed onto the already congested surrounding streets.

·         If the trial was there to protect children why was it operating at times when there were not children going to or from school.

·         Mr Nicholson tabled the petition.

At 9.41am the meeting adjourned.

At 10.12am the meeting reconvened.

In response to questions

·         Two issues on the table - the first being remissions of fines on which staff would provide a report to the 13 June 2022 Council meeting.  Second issue was the ongoing issues around the trial which was currently at the mid-point of a four-month trial. Council would come back to community with an update following the trial.

·         A group of people, including those with an interest in or affected by Links Avenue, would come together to find what a solution might look like for residents and the wider community.  This was still being worked on and would also be discussed at the 13 June 2022 Council meeting.

·         The trial would continue as a change of behaviours was starting to be seen.

·         If petitioners wished to speak in the public forum at the Council meeting they must follow the process and register. To avoid duplication, a decision would then be made as to who would speak.

·         Thanks to all for attending the meeting as Councillors had been struggling for two terms to deal with the issue. 

·         It must now be dealt with as it was a safety issue for children going to and from school and no one wanted to see a child hurt.

·         Council understood the disruption to lives but asked everyone to follow the rules while a sensible solution was found.

Attachments

1        Links Ave petition

4.1         Acceptance of late item - Baypark, Blake Park, Tauranga Domain - Masterplans and Indicative Actions

Resolution  CO9/22/1

Moved:       Commissioner Bill Wasley

Seconded:  Commissioner Shadrach Rolleston

That the Baypark, Blake Park, Tauranga Domain - Masterplans and Indicative Actions late item be accepted.

Carried

7.1         Minutes of the Council meeting held on 2 May 2022

Resolution  CO9/22/2

Moved:       Commissioner Stephen Selwood

Seconded:  Commissioner Bill Wasley

That the minutes of the Council meeting held on 2 May 2022 be confirmed as a true and correct record.

Carried

9.1         Kingswood Road petition Carolyn Lee and Peter Ross

Key Points

·         Concerned with behaviour of drivers in the street and seeking Council to provide a safer environment within the area.

·         Burnouts happened quite often; cars had also lost control and damanged fences etc with instances of dangerous driving and speeding becoming more frequent.

·         Neighbourhood included many young families so there was a big concern for the safety of children.

·         Many motorists entering Kingswood Road tended to accelerate and often reached speeds of 80km.

·         Petitioner had seen four accidents caused due to speed.

·         There was nowhere to safely cross the road for familes and people coming from the Clifton Terrace reserve because of the excessive speed of some vehicles.

·         Petition with 105 signatures showed the concern expressed by residents.

·         Volunteers were prepared to install speed humps themselves if needed.

·         Suggested that traffic islands be installed as pedestrian refuges for people crossing the road or speed humps similar to Sutherland Road to slow the traffic.

·         Kingswood Ave was a cul-de-sac not a thoroughfare.

In response to questions

·         Currently there were no pedestrian crossings on the section of road.

·         Traffic going over speed humps could be quite noisy.

·         Drivers try to make the street as straight as possible by cutting corners, with the Woodford Road and Clifton Terrace intersections being danger zones.

·         Danger to motorists coming out of side roads with traffic travelling so fast.

Discussion points raised

·         It was noted that there was funding included in the Annual Budget (being decided on 24 May 2022) to implement safety improvement works in Kingswood Rd.

Resolution  CO9/22/3

Moved:       Commissioner Bill Wasley

Seconded:  Commissioner Stephen Selwood

That the Council receives the Kingswood Road petition.

Carried

11.1       Community Stadium - feasibility study and next steps

Staff          Gareth Wallis, General Manager: Central City Development

External    Dean Kimpton, Nigel Tutt and Hugh Hutchison from Priority 1

Key points

·         Partnership approach, while the project was on Council land, TCC would be a partner but not run the process; other organisations involved included Sport BOP, BOPRC.

·         Not just a sports stadium – it would have other uses including cultural events and concerts.

·         Feasibility study only at this stage and was not a finished product - there was much work still to be done.

·         Believed stadium was feasible and strongly recommended to proceed to the next stage of detailed design work.

·         Noted key requirements to enable constant community use of domain - it would work equally well for all users, maximise revenue generation, complement wider network and CBD precinct, carve a unique niche for city and be world leading in its approach.

·         Recommended location Wharepai Domain, seen as ideal location for what was trying to achieve.

·         Sight line between the Domain and Mauao a key consideration, particularly for stunning views for on-air broadcasting.

·         Had considered geotechnical issues along the boundary with the highway; also the interaction with tree lines and residential areas.

·         A three sided stadium would retain the Mauao sightline and be protected from prevailing conditions rather than making it a four sided or covered stadium.

·         Could unlock the potential of the whole domain  when needed - e.g. tent sites, stages etc.

·         Capacity of 8,000 permanent seating, this could be scaled up to 18,000; or up to 40,000 upper limit if in full event mode.

·         Recommend Open-air boutique “people stadium”, three sided with ability to put full sided.

·         Outlined next steps aimed at opening the stadium in 2026.

·         Processes to be followed were outlined including a Charitable Trust being explored to run the stadium.

In response to questions

·         Would need to reconsider timing for consultation to be held with the community in terms of the next LTP; the initial consultation was factored into the timeline and again as part of consenting, with a budget allocated for that consultation.

·         The closest example for uniqueness of the project was the Central Coast Stadium but no real benchmark in NZ, there were a couple in Australia and Europe. 

·         Research on crowd numbers was factored into design – three-sided design would allow a ‘closed-in’ feel and enhanced viewer experience.

·         Project would have a significant number of gateways - the next being the business case where further analysis would indicate whether it needed to be included in an LTPA next year or LTP in 2024.

Discussion points raised

·         Project has had a long gestation and was included in the Te Papa Spatial Plan as a possibility.

·         Boutique, multi-functional arena, with good connections to the CBD that would not be just a sports stadium.

·         Covered stadium on this site ruled out as it would not be suitable .

·         Need to consider how the exhibition space interacted with the development of the civic centre.

·         Bay Oval was an example of an orphaned trust - if the trust ran out of money and the project could not be completed, it would fall back on the Council.  Need to think carefully about the establishment of a trust, its function and purpose, the ongoing management, ownership and the financial oversights that needed to be in place.

·         A master planning process was underway for other key reserves/sportsfields e.g. Baypark, Bay Oval.  The timing was critical to provide a holistic and helicopter view of key facilities throughout the city to ensure they worked well.

·         Need to give consideration to the connection of the Domain area to the CBD and whether there was a need to look at the northern end of Cameron Rd to achieve connection to the area in more comprehensive manner.

·         Synergy between the development of the stadium, the civic centre redevelopment and the private investment planned as outlined by Priority 1 Blueprint report released recently.

·         Need to get it right, know the event and exhibition markets, make sure all facilities worked together and did not compete with each other.

·         Need to give considerable thought to the appropriate management and governance arrangements/operating model for the Stadium, including being appropriately resourced.

Resolution  CO9/22/4

Moved:       Commission Chair Anne Tolley

Seconded:  Commissioner Bill Wasley

That the Council:

(a)     Receives the Tauranga Multi-Function Stadium Feasibility Study (Attachment 1) and appendices (Attachment 2).

(b)     Agrees in principle that the Tauranga Domain is a suitable site for a community stadium.

(c)     Approves Council’s participation in the project’s next steps, including development of the business case and further design work.

(d)     Continues to engage directly with mana whenua and affected parties, including existing users of the Tauranga Domain, and with wider stakeholders as appropriate.

Carried

Change to the order of business

Resolution  CO9/22/5

Moved:       Commissioner Bill Wasley

Seconded:  Commissioner Stephen Selwood

Amends the order of business so the next item of business is 11.8, the late item Baypark, Blake Park, Tauranga Domain - Masterplans and Indicative Actions.

Carried

11.8       Baypark, Blake Park, Tauranga Domain - Masterplans and Indicative Actions

Staff          Barbara Dempsey; General Manager: Community Services

Paul Dunphy; Director of Places and Spaces

Key points

·         Looking at understanding what TCC needed from an active reserve planning perspective and maximise what already had.

·         Report outlined overall suggestions but there needed to be a lot of engagement with key parties such as netball and speedway.

In response to questions

·         Commissioners expected a further report back by late August/early September 2022.

·         Would do a network approach and next tier down (Tier 2) active reserves e.g. Gordon Spratt Reserve.

·         Report would include what city had today and where it needed to be in the next 10 years for both Tiers 1 and 2.

Discussion points raised

·         Opportunities offered by change would unfold as engagement with key stakeholders/users took place.

·         Fundamental to involve Bay Venues Limited.

Resolution  CO9/22/6

Moved:       Commissioner Bill Wasley

Seconded:  Commissioner Stephen Selwood

That the Council:

(a)     Undertakes masterplans for Baypark, Blake Park, and the Tauranga and Wharepai Domains, with Bay Venues Limited and other key stakeholders, to be reported back by early September 2022; and

Pending finalisation of those masterplans;

(b)     Identifies Baypark as the preferred location for a new Tauranga netball facility, consults and works with the Netball Association towards that objective;

(c)     Works with Bay Venues Limited to explore options for the relocation of the Tauranga Domain athletics track and in doing so, consults with the Bay of Plenty Speedway Association about co-location and relocation options for a facility, subject to the community stadium development proceeding;

(d)     Works with Tauranga lawn bowls and croquet to explore co-location and relocation options, subject to the community stadium development proceeding; and

(e)     Continues to engage directly with affected parties, including existing users of the reserves, and with mana whenua and wider stakeholders as appropriate.

Carried

Attachments

1        Presentation - Community Stadium Feasibility Presentation Overview

11.2       Three Waters Reform

Staff          Nic Johansson; General Manager: Infrastructure

Stephen Burton; Director of City Waters

Carlo Ellis; Manager: Strategic Māori Engagement

Cathy Davidson, Manager: Directorate Services

Key points

·         Attempted to distil the key issues; National Working Group’s recommendations around responsibility, governance and accountability.

·         Took the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) some time to respond to the ten concerns raised by TCC; response was largely how they would take into account those concerns in the process.

·         Two tier governance model – still a lot of detail needed to be worked through around the regional representative group and how that would be set up; operational board appointed by the regional representative group. 

·         Two main areas of work – reform and transition. TCC had input into the reform process as much as the government allowed; transition area provided more ability to get alongside in the transition work to represent the community, meet legislation and be fully operational to move into a large entity.

·         Summarised nine areas of key concern grouped into reform and transition categories.  Majority of reform issues were still of significant concern and legislation needed to be sighted before it could be taken to the community.

·         Only privatisation exclusion had been addressed effectively – high bar including a 75% majority of MPs.

·         TCC staff were included on the national working groups that were working with the government.

·         Te Rangapū were meeting on 25 May 2022 to work through the recommendations; very principle focussed. 

·         Noted significant issues for Te Rangapū - Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Te Mana o te Wai, natural Māori alliances, discharge to whenua, protect kaitiakitanga, utilisation of Māori land and natural form and function of taiao.

·         Next steps included various pieces of legislation being developed; anticipated that the Water Services Bill would be available next month.

·         Funding arrangements to support transitional activities were still an issue.

·         A number of issues were still to be resolved regarding the interface between the governance and regulatory requirements.

·         Discovery requests were still coming from the National Transition Unit (NTU) that required substantial information responses.

In response to questions

·         NTU working on response to funding issues around transition costs; working with other local councils to see where costs could be shared and do things together to save costs.

·         Recognition of value of the assets built up over generations and queried how the shareholding was calculated and what its purpose was - shareholding based on population rather than value of the assets of the individual councils – seemed to do a disservice to TCC ratepayers when the city’s water infrastructure was recognised as being in the top four in the country.

·         Concern that there was no place for ratepayers to have a say other than through the submission process to parliament.   Still a misunderstanding in the community that the reforms were a local government issue rather than being put upon them by central government.

·         TCC’s submission to the legislation would be made available to the public for consideration and contribution.  Iwi supported this approach - a lot could be done whether reforms go ahead or not and it offered respect to community.

·         Would identify issues within the community and how to address these where possible regardless of the outcome of the reform.

·         Stormwater reference group had been reconvened; delineation needed as to who had responsibility and where; principles need to be refined.  There was a stormwater technical team with one staff member on it in the transition unit; had not seen anything out of that working group yet. 

·         Consent arrangements e.g. Waiāri – it was unclear how these monitoring groups would transition over and where the relationship would sit, with the entity or the local authority/community. Unknown at this stage but was a current workstream. Important that these relationships be recognised as permanent and given certainty.

Discussion points raised

·         Considerable feeling in the community about the reforms.  Noted that the organisation had to prudently prepare for the transition process; the cost and uncertainty for staff and the organisation which was separate from any political considerations about the reform itself.

·         Serious concerns about how the shareholding of councils was calculated and the limitations of it being based on a population model, without consideration of asset value. Significant reservations around the governance structure proposed and the means to bring iwi to the table as they needed to be represented.

·         Government had not clearly explained the benefits/outcomes of the reform process to the community - a strong representation to government to be clear was needed.

·         Was a complex issue that would not suit an “agree or not” referendum approach.

·         Stormwater management was integral to placemaking in the city, including its contribution to all amenities e.g. reserves used as cycleways.  Need to be able to use critical elements of stormwater management in placemaking as they had amenity value. 

·         Needs to be clarity with the relationship between water entity and the local authority around this issue.

·         There was an ongoing lack of clarity around how the puzzle pieces fitted together and who would have the responsibilities and roles. Expect a lengthy transition period to have these matters sorted out.

·         All water was a resource regardless of the type or source of that water – need to think about the value of the resource, in terms of what it provides for the environment, the people and what was gained from it.  Priority use seemed to have been commercial value and economic development then municipal supply then the environment itself – considered this was wrong prioritising and should be flipped.

·         Costs would fall on ratepayers so need to do the very best for the community.

·         Noted the Commissioners recognised the pressure the reforms were putting on staff.

Resolution  CO9/22/7

Moved:       Commission Chair Anne Tolley

Seconded:  Commissioner Stephen Selwood

That the Council:

(a)     Receives the report Three Waters Reforms Programme – Impact Assessment on Working Group Recommendations.

(b)     Notes the approach to consider information based on two categories; (1) Reforms, (2) Transition.

(c)     Notes the summarised updates for the ten key concern categories.

(d)     Notes the revised impact assessment by staff on the concerns raised by community, Te Rangapū and commission.

(e)     Notes that a verbal update will be provided by Te Rangapū representative, post discussions on 19 May 2022.

(f)      Notes and confirms that staff continue to work with NTU at a national level and a local level with the establishment of an Entity B Local Transition Team to strengthen TCC’s readiness to successfully move three waters operations and services into the proposed future arrangement.

(g)     Notes the continuation to develop funding requirements for ongoing TCC participation to support funding application/allocation to enable backfilling instances where TCC staff provide input into transition activities.

(h)     Notes the continuation to meet discovery request requirements and support requirements as advised by NTU.

(i)      Requests that TCC’s submission to the reform legislation be made available to the community for consideration and discussion.

Carried

Attachments

1        Presentation - 3 Waters Reform

11.3       Executive Report

Staff          Nic Johansson, General Manager: Infrastructure Services

Paul Davidson, General Manager: Corporate Services

Christine Jones, General Manager: Strategy & Growth

Tony Aitken, Acting General Manager: People and Engagement

Barbara Dempsey, General Manager: Community Services

Key points

·         Item 10 - The cost for the section of Opal Drive pipeline currently being renewed was $7m.

·         Noted the success of the heritage collection tours and launch of He Puna Manawa and positive comments being received by staff.  Noted success of the interactive Echoes exhibition.

·         Removal of exotic trees from Mauao – only one helicopter that can do the work, need to manage in terms of timing with Matariki.

·         Business sector and feedthrough airport travel bookings into international sectors continued to increase.

·         Objections to property revaluations were being worked through, as were the individual rating arrangements.

·         Draft National Adaptation Plan had been released, timeframes would require retrospective endorsement by Council so staff would work with Commissioners as the response was being developed.

·         Additional resourcing was being recruited for Takawaenga, partially to support tangata whenua committee appointees and building capacity to work with tangata whenua.

·         The Pecuniary Interests Bill was currently only for elected members and excluded appointed members.  Commissioners to hold discussion around whether they should be included and require the date of effect and reporting requirements.

·         A number of community stakeholder events had been held by regulation teams – e.g. liquor licensing, changes to the Building Act.

·         Teams had worked very hard to get building consent applications allocated and down to a manageable level by using contractors for some applications.

In response to questions

·         Totara Street improvements – maintenance included in asset management plans and would be maintained at a suitable level once the work had been done.  Need to stipulate an appropriate level of service for each development, balancing the level of aesthetics with cost. 

·         Electric rubbish trucks were substantially heavier than non-electric trucks, but as they were used in a street only once a week there was less pressure impact on the roading network.

·         Three spaces would be made immediately available to the Kulim Park Sculpture Trust.

·         Disability access and inclusion would be provided in the next report.

·         Comparison requested between visitor numbers to the old library and He Puna Manawa.

·         Staff were currently looking at planning, design and delivery at the right level for playgrounds/reserves.

·         CRM system was an overreaching system that picked up all relationships with a customer in one place, recording interactions, did not replace personal contact.  Was initially dealing with organisational or institutional stakeholders rather than individual ratepayers.

·         Could take up to three years for a building control officer to be fully qualified, but they could gain competency and partial qualification in 9-12 months. Need to ensure competency prior to being given responsibility as the liability falls onto the Council. 

·         Some groups of home developers were willing to share predictions around building volume; staff also worked with Master Builders and known developers to gauge building consent workloads.

·         The quality of consent applications was an issue particularly with building consent applications, which often had to go back for further information.  There were also issues with the supply of materials resulting in amendments being required.

Discussion points raised

·         Install project billboards with photos at work sites when a project was being undertaken to tell the residents the story of what was occurring, the reason for it, a timeline for the works and cost - e.g. Opal Drive and Totara Street improvements.

·         Acknowledgement of the collaboration between the Incubator and TCC with the development of the Historic Village.

·         Requested that the month of completion be provided when reporting on projects.

·         Noted the success of the Heritage Collection visits and the Priority 1 series of city walks currently being run. Need to expand the opportunities/initiatives to engage the community with collections and the wider history of the city.

·         Noted the economic and social benefit to the city of a one-day event, e.g. the Black Clash.

Resolution  CO9/22/8

Moved:       Commissioner Shadrach Rolleston

Seconded:  Commissioner Bill Wasley

That the Council:

(a)     Receives the Executive Report.

Carried

11.4       Growth & Land Use Projects Progress Report - May 2022

Staff          Christine Jones, General Manager: Strategy and Growth

                  Andy Mead, Manager: City & Infrastructure Planning

Key points

·         Report to Council as the next Strategy Finance and Risk Committee had a large agenda.

·         Challenge to deliver the city’s growth needs at the pace required; also working through SmartGrowth.

·         PC27 - two appeals had been received and a third was also expected. The resources needed to respond to the appeals would impact on other projects.

·         Working to implement decisions on the Urban Design Panel.

·         Waka Kotahi commitments made to Tauriko West business case had been included in the final round for the Infrastructure Acceleration Fund.  Problems still remained around wetlands issues and staff were waiting to see how much had been incorporated into the freshwater reforms by the government.

·         Te Tumu – working positively with the Trust; however, it was a long and challenging process with the likelihood of houses not being built until 2030. The project estimates would be revised to meet this timing.

·         Industrial Land Strategy was a big piece of work moving forward and integrated with the broader spatial planning work for Mount Maunganui.

In response to questions

·         Enabling works for Tauriko West urban development area – Waka Kotahi Board approval but as there was still no provision for public transport included, it did not make sense to move on the enabling works without this being addressed. 

·         The missing link was with Waka Kotahi and the state highway network for public transport and was sitting with Waka Kotahi’s long-term business case; Waka Kotahi was engaging with Priority 1, the Tauranga Crossing and other stakeholders.

·         A commitment had been received from Waka Kotahi that they would engage with Tauranga Crossing and Mr Stillwell, and that an early warning be given for the pending resource consent application.  It was critical for TCC involvement as it could hold up progression of the enabling works.

·         Risk was that TCC would be held up in delivering on the National Standard for Urban Development through lack of resourcing by Waka Kotahi. 

·         Frustration noted due to the funding restrictions and Waka Kotahi processes in TCC being able to progress delivery of housing which would affect outcomes and impact on potential house buyers.

·         There was a need to work through the issues in a much more expeditious way and to work closely with SmartGrowth who had a growth partnership agreement signed with the Crown and central government.

·         Acknowledged that government had provided a lot of money through various funding arrangements and projects, but these were not necessarily joined-up processes. 

·         Need for the SH29 and 29A public transport links to be accelerated in order to unlock the development of the Western Corridor e.g. Tauriko West and Te Tumu.

·         TCC was the only city that could not meet its obligations under the NPS for Urban Development.  May not be able to fully utilise the IFF funding unless other legislative and funding actions were taken.

·         Need for a streamlined and integrated planning approach and to work in parallel with BOPRC in terms of the development of the RPS.

Resolution  CO9/22/9

Moved:       Commission Chair Anne Tolley

Seconded:  Commissioner Stephen Selwood

That the Council:

(a)     Receives the Growth and Land Use Projects Progress Report – May 2022.

(b)     Resolves to write to relevant Ministers detailing the lack of alignment of agencies and legislation around planning and  funding urban development, seeking an urgent meeting to discuss the issues.

Carried

11.5       Transport Strategy and Planning Progress Report - May 2022

Staff          Andy Mead, Manager: City & Infrastructure Planning

                  Alister Talbot, Team Leader: Transport Strategy and Planning

Key points

·         Emissions Reduction Plan would have a considerable impact on a number of TCC projects.

·         TSP Partnership would need further consideration; seeking guidance from Waka Kotahi about how certain targets were applied at a project level in a growth area, as these targets needed to be understood at a practical project level.

·         Funding had been received to progress the long-term city centre bus facility to allow the business case to be completed.

In response to questions

·         The business case for the city centre bus facility would allow consideration of alternative layout options and locations.

·         Cameron Road Stage 2/15^th Ave/Turret Rd - request to utilise ‘check in and check-up’ method as the projects moved forward to ensure appropriate discussions were held with the Commissioners throughout the development of the business cases.

Discussion points raised

·         Transition of people from cars to public transport would not happen as quickly as the government would like and the incentivising of electric cars would also increase vehicle numbers and movements.  There would still be congestion and queuing issues. Public policy was contradictory and not delivering the outcomes required.

·         Noted that some of the issues raised in the report be included in the meeting/discussions noted in the resolutions for Item 11.4.

·         There was a need to consider the housing developments happening further out from the city and in other parts of the region in terms of impact on the transport system.

·         The cost of housing in Tauranga was driving people further out of the city for affordable housing e.g. Matamata, but many still commuted into the city for work and school.

Resolution  CO9/22/10

Moved:       Commissioner Shadrach Rolleston

Seconded:  Commissioner Bill Wasley

That the Council:

(a)     Receives the Transport Strategy and Planning Progress Report – May 2022.

Carried

11.6       Traffic & Parking Bylaw (2012) Amendment 37

Staff          Will Hyde, Senior Transportation Engineer

In response to questions

·         Girven Rd/Maranui/Ocean Beach Rd parking was a large building project with construction traffic possibly adding to the issue.

·         “No parking on berms” was a matter of safety in order to maintain sightlines for intersections. .  It was suggested staff speak to the construction company involved.

·         Once the development was completed, private parking would be provided on the site.

Resolution  CO9/22/11

Moved:       Commissioner Bill Wasley

Seconded:  Commissioner Stephen Selwood

That the Council:

(a)     Receives the Traffic and Parking Bylaw (2012) Amendments Report.

(b)     Adopts the proposed amendments to the Traffic and Parking Bylaw (2012) Attachment as per Appendix B, relating to minor changes for general safety or amenity purposes, to become effective from 24 May 2022.

Carried

11.7       Long-term Plan 2021 - Actions Report

Staff          Christine Jones, General Manager: Strategy and Growth

Key points

·         Requested overall time frame for projects including milestones and completion dates.

·         Noted that a significant number of actions were completed and an update report would be provided in three months. 

Resolution  CO9/22/12

Moved:       Commissioner Bill Wasley

Seconded:  Commissioner Stephen Selwood

That the Council:

(a)     Receives the Long-term Plan 2021 – Actions Report.

(b)     Notes the progress to date as reported in Attachment 1.

Carried

7.1         Minutes of the Council meeting held on 9 and 11 May 2022

Correction: Item 34 should read restore mauri moana

Resolution  CO10/22/1

Moved:       Commissioner Bill Wasley

Seconded:  Commissioner Stephen Selwood

That, subject to the foregoing correction, the minutes of the Council meeting held on 9 and 11 May 2022 be confirmed as a true and correct record.

.Carried

11.1       Long-term Plan Amendment/Annual Plan 2022/23 Deliberations

Staff          Christine Jones, General Manager: Strategy and Growth

Paul Davidson, General Manager: Corporate Services

Josh Logan, Team Leader: Corporate Planning

Kathryn Sharplin, Manager: Finance

Key points

·         Outline of the processes undertaken, the decisions made, the methods of consultation and submissions received.

·         Appreciation to Commissioners for leading the process and owning the document as their own.

·         Deliberation decisions to go to Audit NZ for approval and adoption by Council on 27 June 2022.

In response to questions

·         There were no changes to the capital projects, however some were pushed out to be completed later than first anticipated.

Discussion points raised

·         Challenges included the restrictions imposed due to Covid and changes to the rating system.

·         While consultation was varied across the district, a review of what other local authorities were doing to capture community conversations would be helpful to ensure the decisions made were reasonable for a cross section of the residents.

·         Appreciation given to all involved in the process.

·         Commissioners comfortable with the process given challenges but would continue to do better.

Resolution  CO10/22/2

Moved:       Commissioner Stephen Selwood

Seconded:  Commissioner Bill Wasley

That the Council:

(a)       Receives the report, Long-term Plan Amendment/Annual Plan 2022/23 Deliberations.

(b)       Leaves the balance of the recommendations listed lie on table until the end of the meeting.

Carried

11.2       Long-term Plan Amendment Deliberations - Engagement Insights

Staff          Ceilidh Dunphy, Community Relations Manager

Key points

·         Consultation challenge was to attract residents that were not normally reached.

·         Use of opportunities to get informal feedback from people where they were congregating.

·         Majority of public support was received for Option 1.

In response to questions

·         Appreciation for the efforts from staff to reach a cross section of people and making the process more accessible.

·         Challenge now was how to capture these conversations.

·         Staff had not been able to capture geographic areas of responders through social media, but could capture some demographic information if required.

Discussion points raised

·         Support for looking at other consultation mechanisms going forward e.g. different surveys for different demographics, looking at new and innovative ways to capture comments.

·         Significant numbers had taken time to comment on social media, keenness to explore survey methods to get balanced views.

·         Suggestion included having a Slido poll at public meetings with opportunities to put questions for those not wanting/able to speak at the meeting.

Resolution  CO10/22/3

Moved:       Commissioner Shadrach Rolleston

Seconded:  Commissioner Bill Wasley

That the Council:

(a)     Receives the report Long-term Plan Amendment Deliberations – Engagement Insights.

Carried

11.6       Tsunami Sirens

Staff          Barbara Dempsey, General Manager: Community Services

                  Paula Naude, Manager: Emergency Management

Key points

·         A number of examples overseas indicated Option 1 was a good national warning system.

·         Consultation supported Option 1 including the continuation of education and awareness programmes.

In response to questions

·         Inclusion of a prompt to check your neighbour would be formalised on the website and in written material.

·         The wider community would need ongoing campaigns to ensure residents were well aware of how to respond to message and to ensure they included the people around them.

·         A project plan would be provided to a future meeting to ensure knowledge of what was being proposed.

Resolution  CO10/22/4

Moved:       Commissioner Stephen Selwood

Seconded:  Commissioner Bill Wasley

That the Council:

(a)     Continues investing in tsunami education, awareness and supporting community networks including targeted focus on more isolated or vulnerable members of the community.

(b)     Does not install a tsunami siren network.

Carried

11.3       Long-term Plan Amendment Deliberations - Civic Precinct Issues and Options Report

Staff          Gareth Wallis, General Manager: City Centre Development

External    Wayne Silva and Verity Judge - Willis Bond - Presentation

Key points

·         Consulted within LTPA on 3 options with 1181 submissions and a lot of formal and informal feedback being received.

·         Outline of process undertaken to date to proceed with consultation summary and presentations.

·         Determination of the buildings and use for each would allow greater certainty of costings and design.

·         Design consultants over all disciplines had been included as part of team.  

·         $303m did not include some elements such as the development of the water front and playground.  This had been transferred to a new programme of works for Dive Crescent and the Waterfront Reserve.

·         Precinct could be delivered within budget. 20% of the total included escalation and contingency items such as inflation and increased costs.

·         Costings were based on 5 star green rating - to move to 6 star the construction would need to be wooded, include solar panels and other green elements which would be investigated at the next design stage.

·         Decisions, including the façade, would be required for the resource consent pack (preliminary design) which was planned for November 2022.

·         Liquefaction in some locations on the site would require a 12 month settlement period prior to building.  

·         Library to be the first building commenced followed by the museum.

In response to questions

·         The carbon difference was 90% moving from a steel and concrete construction to wood.  It would be lighter, reduce the amount of piles needed and create opex savings with water recycling and solar generation of power.

·         It would be seen as a bold leadership stance to reach 6 star and would be leading edge and display good practice behaviours to the community.

·         Creation of more soft surfaces was needed within the walk through areas and the provision of shade and power for performers and the public in the greenspaces.

·         Funding of shortfall, including external grant funding, would continue in earnest and include recycling of assets and three waters funding.

Discussion points raised

·         Project delivers confidence to others to invest in the CBD and opportunities for a citywide transformation, provides a range of art and cultural amenities, connects the waterfront to the city and reflects the hopes and dreams of many in the city.

·         Acknowledgement given to all involved in the project.

A copy of the staff presentation for this item can be viewed on Tauranga City Council’s website in the Minutes Attachments document for this committee meeting.

Resolution  CO10/22/5

Moved:       Commission Chair Anne Tolley

Seconded:  Commissioner Bill Wasley

That the Council:

(a)     Receives the report Long-term Plan Amendment Deliberations – Civic Precinct Issues and Options Report.

(b)     Approves Option 1 – Te Manawataki O Te Papa (Civic Precinct) Masterplan (Refreshed 2021) at a capital cost of $303.4 million, for inclusion in the Long-term Plan Amendment 2021-31.

(c)     Notes that whilst the total project cost was the same as the draft budget consulted on, there were a number of changes outlined in this report, including the addition of a temperature controlled archive within the library and community hub (not previously budgeted within the programme), and the removal of $8 million for a waterfront playground, which was now budgeted as part of a separate Dive Crescent and Waterfront Reserve upgrade project.

(d)     Notes the programme of works was subject to achieving 50% of the required funding from sources other than rates-funded debt, with an estimated net cost to ratepayers of $151.5 million. Each project would be subject to gateways recognised in resolution (e), prior to proceeding.

(e)     Reconfirms that the Civic Precinct project was required to have appropriate governance arrangements, business cases, funding mix, and decision gateways for each key facility. Specific consideration before gateway approval was to be given to the following matters raised by the community through the Long-term Plan Amendment submissions process:

·    Size and scale of the individual facilities.

·    Opportunities to deliver facilities which were exemplar in terms of sustainability; and

·    Less concrete and softer, greener design elements.

Carried

Attachments

1        Presentation - Civic Centre Enhanced Costings

11.4       Transport System Plan – Infrastructure Funding and Financing Proposal

Staff          Christine Jones, General Manager: Strategy and Growth

Paul Davidson, General Manager: Corporate Services

Ben Corbett, Team Leader: Growth Funding

Key points

·         Infrastructure Funding and Financing (IFF) provided more flexibility, longer term financing and increased capacity into the future.

·         Waka Kotahi approved $89m funding for a package of projects with $79m approved for Tauriko.

·         Two key financial risks - $38m probable funding and $190m still to be submitted to Waka Kotahi for some projects that were not yet in place or some that may not proceed.

·         Once approved and signed off by Council the funding could only be used for projects within the pool.

·         Waka Kotahi and Council were working together with funding options and to align National Land Transport Fund (NLTF) funding with IFF funding, but were not yet in a position where certainty could be given for the entire package. 

·         Continuing to work with Waka Kotahi on the level of certainty for projects and then a decision could be made to accept/reject and proceed/not proceed.

·         Once a decision was made it would not be reversable.

In response to questions

·         Decisions would be made once all information and funding implications had been provided.

·         The cost to ratepayers for IFF would be lower than the a development levy cost being added to a mortgage and would free up TCC debt to borrow for other items.

·         Need to ensure ratepayers were receiving value for money and the Council was using the funding wisely.

·         TSP and IFF were innovative and Council were working with crown agencies to accept as a method to fund transport projects across the city.

Resolution  CO10/22/6

Moved:       Commissioner Stephen Selwood

Seconded:  Commissioner Bill Wasley

That the Council:

(a)     Approves the Long-Term Plan Amendment reflecting Infrastructure Funding and Financing Levy (IFF) as a means of funding for Transport System Plan (TSP) Projects.

(b)     Approves the addition of the following projects to the TSP IFF project schedule:

(i)      Tauriko Crossing Bus Facility Improvements

(ii)     City Centre public Transport infrastructure

(iii)     Barkes Corner to Tauranga Crossing Multi-modal local road components

(iv)    SH2 Revocation – Cameron Rd to Bethlehem.

(c)     Receives a further report on the outcome of finance proposals and further advice on the status of Waka Kotahi Funding to enable a final decision to be made on whether to proceed with a IFF Levy to finance and fund the 14 identified TSP projects.

(d)     Supports the drafting of a Levy Proposal and associated documentation in preparation for seeking Ministerial approvals should the IFF Levy be fully endorsed.

Carried

11.5       Tauriko West – Infrastructure Funding and Financing Proposal

Staff          Christine Jones, General Manager: Strategy and Growth

                  Ben Corbett, Team Leader: Growth Funding    

Key points

·         Engagement would continue to be undertaken with landowners in the area on how the programme would roll out.

·         Existing home owners would not be charged only new ones, with most submitters preferring $1,000 rather than $2,500.

·         Assessments and opportunities to modify the model and affordability of different options would be carried out and independent advice sought prior to the next decision.

·         Developers were required to pay their fair share and the IFF was a mechanism for that.

·         IFF would free up the TCC balance sheet to do other projects that were in the pipeline.

In response to questions

·         The Tauriko West development was constrained to 2,000 houses, when there was room for 4,000.  This was due to permission from Waka Kotahi being withheld because of the transport network and access onto the state highway.

·         The development at Omokoroa was unable to proceed until adequate transport infrastructure was in place. 

·         To increase the housing numbers, a plan change would be required and Waka Kotahi would fight through that process.

·         IFF was based on 2,000 houses as any future development does not have any certainty.  This was sufficient to enable it to proceed. 

·         The use of development contributions would create a bigger risk on the balance sheet.

·         Frustration was noted at the conflicting government policy of requiring more homes to be built, when the Waka Kotahi policy was preventing this.

·         There was a need to change the system - Kainga Ora had bought land to support social needs but were also restrained by these policies.

Resolution  CO10/22/7

Moved:       Commissioner Bill Wasley

Seconded:  Commissioner Stephen Selwood

That the Council:

(a)     Approves the Long-Term Plan Amendment reflecting an IFF Levy as a means of financing and funding for the Tauriko West growth area infrastructure.

(b)     Approves a levy proposal being prepared to introduce an Infrastructure Funding and Financing levy at Tauriko West.

(c)     Continues to engage in the finance process to identify a preferred financier and to confirm the cost of finance.

(d)     Continues to engage with relevant stakeholders, including landowners and developers in Tauriko West, to understand their views on the acceptability, or otherwise, of the proposed finance package; and

(e)     Receives a further report on completion of the finance process with a final levy proposal for Council’s consideration including details of the proposed levy model, the cost to levy payers over the levy period, and outcome of the landowner/developer engagement.

(f)      Supports the drafting of a Levy Proposal and associated documentation in preparation for seeking Ministerial approvals should the IFF levy be fully endorsed.

Carried

11.7       Executive Report to the Annual Plan

Staff          Paul Davidson, General Manager: Corporate Services

                  Kathryn Sharplin, Manager: Finance

James Woodward, Delivery Manager

Key points

·         Management changes requested as work was unable to be completed within last year and had been added to this year.

·         Included an adjustment of how much could be achieved and included a capital programme adjustment of $55m.

In response to questions

Ongoing conversations were being held with Waka Kotahi on all network work decisions for rehabilitation and changes proposed.

·         Changes to the levels of service for walkways would be considered when the new Manager was in place and while it may result in extra funding, staff were unsure of the quantum as yet.

·         The Public Arts Policy would be provided to Council. Three locations would be made available to the Sculpture Trust and $106k provided for the link between Kulim and Fergusson Parks.

·         A Community Facilities Strategy would be provided to Council on 13 June 2022 which would include each community centre and community garden throughout the city.

Discussion points raised

·         Acknowledgment to staff for taking up the Graduate Programme and the benefits to the Council were noted.

·         It was important to deliver and complete the work programmes that had been approved last year and there was a high expectation from the community that these would be done.

Resolution  CO10/22/8

Moved:       Commissioner Bill Wasley

Seconded:  Commissioner Stephen Selwood

That the Council:

(a)     Receives the Executive report to the Annual Plan.

(b)     Approves the amendments to the draft annual plan budget as proposed in this report.

(c)     Agrees to loan fund the following operational expenditure which provides long-term benefits greater than one year:

(i)      a grant to Gordon Spratt Tennis Club of $118,750 as part share of the costs of installing lights, with the loan to be retired over 10 years through the spaces and places activity

(ii)     note that previously agreed loan funded opex does not require additional approval.

(d)     Agrees to transfer rates surplus from 2022 of $7.1m to fund carried forward expenditure and additional costs of interest, revisions to Waka Kotahi revenue and the risks around expenditure budgets.

(e)     Agrees to the carry forward of loan or reserve-funded expenditure of $4.9m from 2021-22 to cover grants and infrastructure planning work and completion of minor projects.

(f)      Agrees to the revised capital programme (for TCC delivery and reimbursement)  of $298m after a capital programme adjustment of $55m.

(g)     Notes the capital figure above does not include $54m of costs for Tauriko West projects that were sitting in the LTP.  This cost along with land sales and vested assets brings the total capital programme to $320m.

(h)     Delegates to the Chief Executive the ability to bring forward projects approved as per the LTPA 2021-31 to manage deliverability across the capital programme subject to consistency with borrowing limits and the borrowing resolution.

(i)      Notes only $250K of the $750K budget is allocated to 2023. The remainder, including funding external funding, is recommended to be budgeted in 2024.

Carried

11.8       Annual Plan 2022/23 Deliberations - Issues and Options - Other feedback and suggestions

Staff          Christine Jones, General Manager: Strategy and Growth

Gareth Wallis, General Manager: City Development & Partnerships

Josh Logan, Team Leader: Corporate Planning

Sam Fellows, Manager: Sustainability and Waste

Nic Johansson, General Manager: Infrastructure

Dive Crescent and the Tauranga Waterfront (Attachment 1)

Key points

·         The refreshed project was included in the broader waterfront geographical area with the first meeting of the group being held later at the end of May.

·         Funding was being sought to support short and medium term projects to develop the area as soon as possible so that the area could meet expectations and be open for events at the end of the year.

In response to questions

·         Creating drop off areas for prams and disabled needed to be addressed and greenspace would be maximised.

·         No work had been done at this stage in relation to the possibility of leased carparking.

·         As much parking space as possible would be created and would also bring broader CBD parking into the area. The new spaces would be confirmed in the near future.

·         Planting would be used to stop people parking on the grass berm.

·         The relocation of the water front playground and development would occur before end of the financial year.

Resolution  CO10/22/9

Moved:       Commissioner Bill Wasley

Seconded:  Commissioner Shadrach Rolleston

That the Council:

(a)     Approves the inclusion of the following budgets in the 2022/23 financial year:

(i)      $1.45m for the Dive Crescent at-grade carpark project

(ii)     $2.6m for the Beacon Wharf remediation and upgrade project

(iii)     $5m for the Waterfront Reserve development project, noting the balance of funds needed to complete the project ($7m) need to be added to the 2023/24 financial year.

(iv)    $350K for the Cargo Shed interior fitout (Option 1).

Carried

Tourism Funding from the Airport Activity (Attachment 2)

Key points

·         $1m from airport reserves was ringfenced for tourism activities and would be brought into future LTPs to continue on an ongoing basis.

In response to questions

·         The government was requiring that funding continued to be provided for regional tourism operations.

·         Council was continually trying to generate other funding methods.

·         The Art Gallery Christmas light exhibition was designed to get people into town.

·         Robust framework was required to manage this funding now and into the future.

·         Strong signal to Tourism BOP that they also need to continue to access funding elsewhere. 

Resolution  CO10/22/10

Moved:       Commissioner Shadrach Rolleston

Seconded:  Commissioner Stephen Selwood

That the Council:

(b)     Establishes a tourism fund of $1 million to come out of the Airport reserves in the 2022/2023 financial year.

(c)     Allocates $621,000 of the fund towards continued funding for the implementation/delivery of Tourism Bay of Plenty’s destination management strategy, with some clearly measurable deliverables.

(d)     Agrees that the remaining balance of $379,000 would go towards funding beautification projects across key tourism hotspots/gateway and tourism activation, e.g. Mount North and Tauranga CBD, including $68,000 to be allocated to the Tauranga Art Gallery to contribute towards programme and exhibition costs for 2022/2023 (see Issues and Options – Tauranga Art Gallery Funding.) (Option 1).

Carried

Tauranga Art Gallery Funding (Attachment 3)

Resolution  CO10/22/11

Moved:       Commissioner Bill Wasley

Seconded:  Commissioner Shadrach Rolleston

That the Council:

(e)     Approves a one-off increase to the operating grant of Tauranga Art Gallery of $68,000 in the Annual Plan 2022/23 to come out of the Airport activity, contributing to programme and exhibition costs to activate the CBD and tourism opportunities. (Option 4).

Carried

Community Grant Fund – Partnership Agreements (Attachment 4)

Key points

·         A report would be provided outlining the funding partnership agreements and work would continue with the five groups to ensure they had appropriate KPIs going into the partnership.

In response to questions

·         Groups requesting three-year agreements to allow them to be able to have certainty of funding would be addressed in the community funding report and a clear indication of this would be included in the next LTP.

Resolution  CO10/22/12

Moved:       Commissioner Bill Wasley

Seconded:  Commissioner Stephen Selwood

That the Council:

(f)      Approves additional opex of $340,000 to be included in the Annual Plan 2022/23 to fund the following partnership agreements (Option 1):

(i)      Good Neighbour Aotearoa Trust $50,000

(ii)     Here to Help U $80,000

(iii)     Tauranga Community Food Bank $60,000

(iv)    Envirohub $100,000

(v)     SociaLink $50,000

Carried

Creative Bay of Plenty (Attachment 6)

Key points

·         The request pre-empted the arts strategy and duplicated some of the work being done.

Resolution  CO10/22/13

Moved:       Commission Chair Anne Tolley

Seconded:  Commissioner Bill Wasley

That the Council:

(g)     Declines the funding request from Creative Bay of Plenty (Option 2).

Carried

Merivale Community Centre (Attachment 7)

Key points

·         A  much needed community centre, which when built the Council would own and the Trust would manage on a day to day basis.

·         The total cost of the project was $4.8m with Council providing $2.8m.

Resolution  CO10/22/14

Moved:       Commissioner Bill Wasley

Seconded:  Commissioner Shadrach Rolleston

That the Council:

(h)     Approves the proposed budget adjustments to enable delivery of key community centre projects (Option 1):

(i)      Approves additional $3.9m (incl $2m external funding) to 2023/24 to enable completion of the Merivale Community Centre and add $100k per annum to a community centre operational budget from 202/25, pending agreement of a sustainable governance and management model.

(ii)     Endorses a new Council-led delivery model for the build, ownership and ongoing maintenance of Merivale Community Centre, with the Merivale Community Incorporated trust continuing to manage the centre.

Carried

Active reserves – Links, Gordon Spratt, Blake (Attachment 8)

Key points

·         Include in recommendation (ii) with associated rates-funded debt retirement…

·         Project made better use of existing assets with no need to purchase more land.

Resolution  CO10/22/15

Moved:       Commissioner Bill Wasley

Seconded:  Commissioner Stephen Selwood

That the Council:

(i)      Reallocates Long-term Plan budgets in later years to enable delivery of active reserve improvement projects (Option 1):

(i)      Reallocates Long-term Plan budgets from later years to 2022/23 to provide an additional $6.2m towards active reserve improvement projects and note that $12.6m will be required in the 2023/24 and $22.7m in 2024/25.

(ii)     Agrees to loan fund $1.7m opex in 2022/23 for warm season grasses over a 10‑year period, with associated rates-funded debt retirement. Note that opex of $576k in 2023/24 and $2.8m in 2024/25 will also be required to be loan-funded over a 10-year period.

(iii)     Allocates $51k opex in 2022/23 towards for Blake Park mowing and note that ongoing opex will be required in future years to be confirmed through future Annual Plan and LTP processes.

Carried

At 12.27pm the meeting adjourned.

At 1.19pm the meeting reconvened

The Bay Oval Trust (Attachment 10)

Key points

·         Include in recommendation (j) to be loan-funded over 10 years, with associated debt retirement…

·         Assistance with funding the pavilion would allow the Trust to proceed with moving forward with the provision of an indoor training facility.

Resolution  CO10/22/16

Moved:       Commission Chair Anne Tolley

Seconded:  Commissioner Bill Wasley

That the Council:

(j)      Funds the shortfall request for the Stage 2 Pavilion (additional $1,934,240 grant in 2022/23 to be loan-funded over 10 years, with associated debt retirement) to, with other funders, enable the project to proceed; and

(k)     Supports in principle Council fund one-third ($2m) of the indoor training centre as part of a future Long-term Plan process if/when the Bay Oval Trust demonstrate funds have been secured for the remaining two-thirds and Council receives an annual update report on progress as part of the Annual Plan process (Option 3).

Carried

Carlton Street reserve playground (Attachment 11)

Key points

·         The work would not improve the potential to flood in the area as it was a stormwater reserve.

·         It would provide the community with a better facility while the Otūmoetai spatial plan was being developed.

Resolution  CO10/22/17

Moved:       Commissioner Shadrach Rolleston

Seconded:  Commissioner Bill Wasley

That the Council:

(l)      Delivers improvements to Carlton Street Reserve playground and skate park (including accessibility, shade and skatepark improvements in 2022/23 utilising existing budgets.) (Option 1).

Carried

Sub-Regional Equine Racing Working Group and Relocation Study (Attachment 12)

Key points

·         Provided opportunities for the co-location of facilities in the area with TCC paying $80k and WBOPDC $40k of the cost.

Resolution  CO10/22/18

Moved:       Commissioner Bill Wasley

Seconded:  Commissioner Shadrach Rolleston

That the Council:

(m)    Supports investigations of a potential racecourse relocation site in the Bay of Plenty by providing $80,000 funding for Stage 1 of the proposed Working Group and Relocation Study within the 2022/23 Annual Plan budget (Option 1).

Carried

Equestrian strategy funding (Attachment 13)

Resolution  CO10/22/19

Moved:       Commissioner Bill Wasley

Seconded:  Commissioner Shadrach Rolleston

That the Council:

(n)     Continues to work with the Tauranga Equestrian Sports Association (TESA) group to complete a concurrent relocation site options study for day-to-day equestrian activities.

(o)     Notes that the racing working party will consider specific equestrian eventing opportunities, as appropriate.

(p)     Agrees not to fund the Tauranga Equestrian Strategy at this time.

(q)     Notes that better outcomes can be achieved for the Bay of Plenty region if the National Equestrian Strategy work and Bay of Plenty regional facilities work is undertaken prior to a Tauranga Equestrian Strategy being developed; and that the relocation site options study for day-to-day equestrian activities will feed into these processes (Option 1).

Carried

Sustainability Projects (Attachment 14)

Key points

·         A lot of strategic work was being done across every Council activity.

·         Quick win projects were provided through submissions e.g. replacing light fittings at the Historic Village.

In response to questions

·         Providing subsidies to work through consent process and to give initial boost to get projects moving such as worm farms, rain tanks and targeting some other specific areas.

·         Energy audits often ended up paying for themselves in the savings generated - e.g. street lighting saved $1.5m.

·         Holistic approach would be taken to savings with projects such as the use of waste water by-products to generate electricity, creating solar arrays across the buildings at the Historic Village.

·         Would create a package of initiatives for people to refer to and provide confidence to the public and have sustainable projects ingrained in their thinking.

Resolution  CO10/22/20

Moved:       Commissioner Bill Wasley

Seconded:  Commissioner Stephen Selwood

That the Council:

(r)      Approves additional funding of $250,000 for sustainability initiatives (Options 1-5).

Carried

Te Maunga Redevelopment (Attachment 15)

Key points

·         Strong relationship developed with the Ministry for the Environment (MfE) who had also used TCC as a model for creating a regional transfer station.

·         MfE was supporting the station and wanting TCC to do more, which would hopefully result in more funding to be able to receive full benefits for Te Maunga transfer station.

·         Recognition of the station as a regional hub for waste, and the opportunity to future proof it for the next 20-25 years.

·         The national waste levy would continue to increase by $10 per tonne until 2025 so continual need to look at ways to recycle, including through construction and demolition waste where loads were inspected and recyclable products removed for recycling.

Discussion points raised

·         It was noted that information on the facility would be included as an item for the next Mayoral Forum to share with regional partners to ensure they were aware that a regional facility was being developed.

·         If there was a shortfall in funding there may be an option to discuss a regional rate.

·         Acknowledgement of the government support for the project.

Resolution  CO10/22/21

Moved:       Commissioner Shadrach Rolleston

Seconded:  Commissioner Bill Wasley

That the Council:

(s)     Approves the increased scope and increased Council contribution of $6m, with a report on a funding plan to follow if Ministry for the Environment funding to bridge the funding gap was not secured (Option 1).

Carried

Kingswood Road Traffic Calming (Attachment 18)

Key points

·         This road attracted unwanted behaviours behind the wheel.

·         A speed management plan for the city would allow some calming measures once the best option had been decided and residents consulted.

Discussion points raised

·         The petition was weighted with residents from the top end of the road - it was important that consultation occurred with all of the communities along the road.

·         There was a need to understand both ends of the roadway and come up with a solution that worked for the whole corridor.

Resolution  CO10/22/22

Moved:       Commissioner Bill Wasley

Seconded:  Commissioner Stephen Selwood

That the Council:

(t)      Undertakes design and installation of speed management devices on Kingswood Road (Option 1).

Carried

11.9       Rating Policy Proposals

Staff          Paul Davidson, General Manager: Corporate Services

                  Kathryn Sharplin, Manager: Finance

Jim Taylor, Transactional Services Manager

Key points

·         90% of submitters supported a targeted transport rate with the majority seeking implementation over a two-year period.

In response to questions

·         There was agreement with the alternate trip generation rates noted in the Transport Engineer’s report and these would be brought into the work over next 12 months.

·         The peer review report would be placed on the TCC website.

·         While most talked to thought a two-year phase in was reasonable, the Property Council did not want any changes as they felt that commercial property owners had been carrying the burden.

·         While it would be included in next year’s annual plan, no separate consultation would be required.

Discussion points raised

·         Signalled that Council wanted to investigate these further to ensure everyone was paying their fair share to run the city.

Resolution  CO10/22/23

Moved:       Commissioner Bill Wasley

Seconded:  Commissioner Stephen Selwood

That the Council:

(a)     Receives the Deliberations Report – Rating Policy Proposals.

(b)     Approves the commercial and industrial sector contributing a larger share of the rate funding for the transportation activity.

(c)     Approves a phase-in period of two years for changes to the differentials:

(i)      Commercial and industrial general rate differential to move to 1.9 in 2022/23;

(ii)     Transportation targeted rate differential for commercial and industrial ratepayers to move to 3.33 in 2022/23;

(iii)     Includes a second increase in the commercial and industrial general rate differential to 2.13 in the 2023/24 Annual Plan process; 

(iv)    Includes a second increase in the transportation targeted rate differential for commercial and industrial ratepayers to 5 in the 2023/24 Annual Plan process.

(d)     Requests staff to continue to look at further options for the appropriate rating of the commercial and industrial sectors.

Carried

11.10     Submissions on the 2022/23 Development Contributions Policy

Staff          Christine Jones, General Manager: Strategy and Growth

                  Ana Blackwood, Senior Advisor: Growth Funding

Key points

·         Submissions received had been analysed and each point had been responded to with further work being carried out prior to formal adoption of the policy.

Resolution  CO10/22/24

Moved:       Commissioner Stephen Selwood

Seconded:  Commissioner Bill Wasley

That the Council:

(a)       Approves the responses to external submissions received on the draft 2022/23 Development Contributions Policy as set out in Attachment A and any consequential amendments required to the 2022/23 Development Contributions Policy and Annual Plan.

Carried

11.1       Long-term Plan Amendment/Annual Plan 2022/23 Deliberations (continued)

Resolution  CO10/22/25

Moved:       Commissioner Bill Wasley

Seconded:  Commissioner Stephen Selwood

That Council:

(b)     Includes in the final drafting of the Annual Plan 2022/23 the resolutions relating to the following reports:

(i)      Executive Report to the Annual Plan

(ii)     Annual Plan 2022/23 Deliberations - Issues and Options other feedback and suggestions

(iii)     Rating Policy Proposals

(iv)    Tsunami Sirens.

(c)     Includes in the final drafting of the Long-term Plan Amendment the resolutions relating to the following reports:

(i)      Long-term Plan Amendment Deliberations - Civic Precinct Issues and Options Report

(ii)     Transport System Plan - Infrastructure Funding and Financing Proposal

(iii)     Tauriko West - Infrastructure Funding and Financing Proposal.

(d)     Notes staff comments on submissions relating to user fees and charges in Attachment 2.

(e)     Notes that the final User Fees and Charges 2022/23 document would be reported for adoption to Council at its meeting on 27 June 2022.

(f)      Reduces the amount of community targeted rate debt retirement charge for 2022-23 to ensure rates remain at the same level as the draft 2022/23 Annual Plan, noting the implications on debt and risk resulting.  This would be confirmed following processing all changes to the Annual Plan and was estimated at approximately $1.32m.

Carried

Staff presentation - Rex Maranda - 25 years' service

·         Rex came to Council from Vanuatu as a Land Information Officer and moved to the GIS team in 2004 showing his talent in that developing area. 

·         Developed and managed the internal GIS viewer SmartZoom and managed internal mapping functions as well as SmartViewer.

·         Valued member of the emergency management team providing GIS support.

·         Great team player and all-round good guy to work with.

·         Congratulated and thanked for his dedication and service to TCC.

·         Rex Maranda thanked TCC for the opportunities given to him to enable him to further his skills within the organisation.

3.1         Public Forum - Sue Grey

Sue Grey spoke to the meeting outlining the following:

·         Concerned about democracy for the Council.

·         Over 5000 signature petition relating to Links Avenue was presented to Council. 

·         Did not feel that the staff recommendations were good enough as fines were not being waived and the community engagement was scheduled to take place after the trial.

·         Considered that the role of the Commissioners was to represent the people and their interests, not to try and change the behaviour of the people.

·         Expressed concern at LGNZ funding for Three Waters implementation as there was a lack of consultation with the paper early in the process and people’s input was being limited until after decisions were made.

·         A public meeting was held on 12 June 2022 to allow people to express their ideas and concerns about democracy.

·         Inquired whether Council could make a venue available for a monthly meeting free of charge to enable meetings about local democracy to take place.

·         Submitter would provide a power point presentation to Commissioners summarising her concerns.

·         In response the submitter was advised that Three Waters was a government legislative process, not a Council process; TCC would make a submission on the legislation which would then be made available for public feedback to ensure TCC residents and ratepayers views had been captured.

7.1         Minutes of the Council meeting held on 11 April 2022

Resolution  CO12/22/1

Moved:       Commissioner Shadrach Rolleston

Seconded:  Commissioner Stephen Selwood

That the minutes of the Council meeting held on 11 April 2022 be confirmed as a true and correct record.

Carried

7.2         Minutes of the Council meeting held on 13 and 15 December 2021

Correction - page 25 the date should be 15 December 2021 not 15 December 2022.

Resolution  CO12/22/2

Moved:       Commissioner Bill Wasley

Seconded:  Commissioner Stephen Selwood

That, subject to the foregoing correction, the minutes of the Council meeting held on 13 and 15 December 2021 be confirmed as a true and correct record.

Carried

11.1       Links Avenue 2nd Trial residents petition

Staff          Brendan Bisley, Director of Transport

Stuart Goodman, Team Leader: Regulation Monitoring

Nigel McGlone, Manager: Environmental Regulation

Key points

·         Reason for the trials was because of repeated approaches from the community regarding safety for the layout of Links Ave; safe system review completed showed an unacceptable level of risk as it was a residential street not a third arterial.

·         Without intervention there would be up to 9000/9500 vehicle movements a day.  Review showed the street was not safe in its current configuration therefore the trial could not be stopped as it would return to how it was. A solution must be provided with an alternative layout.

·         Increasing pressure on the road surface which had been temporarily fixed with chipseal, but would require a complete overhaul to properly fix the surface damage.

·         The last significant investment in roading infrastructure was when Tauranga had a population of 70,000.

·         There was no spare capacity within the system and congestion was building up in certain areas e.g. Welcome Bay for 15 years; Links Ave was a new pressure area due to B2B construction and increased commuter traffic.

·         Suggestion to form a community group to work with Council to come up with an alternative layout and a wider solution for the Links Ave area.

·         Just over 700 infringements had been issued to vehicles registered to local Links Ave area addresses, less than 10% of the total fines issued were to locals.  Approximately 20% of total fines issued were waived, generally for first offenders; 8,500 warning letters had been sent.

In response to questions

·         Upcoming changes to B2B – the evening peak traffic in particular would have an uninterrupted route home up and over which should make the trip to the east on the state highway more attractive with less congestion; the removal of the Bayfair lights would also assist.

·         B2B was due for completion in late 2023 and would provide two-five years of reasonable level of service before continued population growth would provide further challenges.

·         Works in Link Ave may only need to be there until the B2B was completed as that would then become the more desirable traffic route; there would still be congestion in Hewletts Road.

·         Any changes made to Links Ave could be reconsidered when B2B was opened – maybe possible to put Links Ave back to how it was if it was no longer the most desirable through route. 

·         The bus lane was installed on Links Ave due to high volume of traffic, if that volume dropped back and delays decreased, there would be no need for a separate bus lane.

·         Transport network capacity challenges on the main arterials resulted in rat-running such as Links Ave and 15^th Ave to Welcome Bay.

·         TCC was predominantly a car-centric city with low utilisation of alternative modes so many arterials were already operating at capacity; as traffic rates increased it added to the queues.

·         Focus on alternative modes to shift 10% of the population to either travel at a different time of day or use a different mode.  Work was being done on cycleways to make it safer to bike and different design options were being looked at for the public transport system. 

·         There was a combination of measures to try and find capacity in the peak hours, otherwise congestion would spread across the city and alternative routes would also become congested.  There would always be a part of the population that had to use a car, but work was being done to enable/encourage those that had the flexibility to move away from cars.

·         Relevant data on how much time using Links Avenue saved motorists would be vital for the community panel to make informed decisions. An anonymous Bluetooth probe system was being used to provide comparative data on travel time via the various routes in the area, however this was complicated by drivers politely letting in other drivers turning in and out of rat-run routes.

·         When B2B reached capacity, it was likely that the same situation would repeat with Links Avenue and other parts of the network. 

·         Staff were working through business case projects for key transport infrastructure projects, but construction was unlikely to start until 2025/26.  Investigating smaller refinements and any possible minor network changes that would improve peak capacity flow such as T1/T2 bus lanes to help manage congestion until the major projects were underway.

·         Links Ave prior to B2B was sitting around 2500 vehicle movements a day, mostly local resident traffic; with B2B it was up to 7500 movements and could reach 9000 movements which included mainly commuter traffic from Papamoa.  The residential growth rate in the Papamoa area had not been catered for within the transport infrastructure.  Unfortunately, much of the traffic tended to follow other traffic.

·         The Community Panel had required outcomes and criteria that any solution needed to achieve; if the panel could come up with a solution that met those criteria, then would be happy to consider and implement if possible.  Could not go back to the way Links Ave was before the trial as the risk of a serious accident was too high.

·         If additional budget was required to implement the community panel recommended solution, then a report would come back to Council for that extra funding.  All options had a cost and some options could be difficult to complete with the high volumes of traffic.

·         A previous options paper from 2020 could be provided to the community panel.

Discussion points raised

·         Request for further information on the number of local Links Ave area residents that were receiving dispensation as they should be able to use their local road without a charge or penalty.

·         Two different communities impacted – local Links Ave area residents; and the wider Papamoa/Mount community that was using Links Ave as a through road.

·         The transport system was at a stage where it was not coping so people were looking for alternative routes and putting pressure on roads not designed for significant traffic loads.

·         Commissioners/Council had approved significant investment in the transport infrastructure.

·         Noted proposed new government requirements re emissions reduction would have a significant impact; extremely problematic with a growing city like Tauranga.  Use of electric vehicles would not address congestion issues.

Resolution  CO12/22/3

Moved:       Commissioner Stephen Selwood

Seconded:  Commissioner Bill Wasley

That the Council:

(a)     Receives the report and staff recommendations as follows:

·     Tickets that have been and will be issued during the trial are not refunded

·     The trial continues for the intended full duration to correctly assess its impact

·     The residents surveys are completed, staff report back on the trial in August and the community panel is formed as soon as possible to discuss alternative layouts for the street to implement the safety outcomes needed beyond the current trial. The community panel recommendations are also reported back in August ideally.

Carried

11.2       A Vision for Tauranga

Staff          Ceilidh Dunphy, Community Relations Manager

                  Sarah Stewart, Strategic Advisor

Key points

·         Vision created a shared identity and inspired meaningful change; a large amount of community engagement had been undertaken utilising a variety of means and media e.g. facilitated workshops, social media, My Tauranga Vibe.

·         Distilled into three key pillars – environment, community and inclusivity, vibrancy.

·         Tagline – Tauranga, together we can.

·         Vision would sit above the TCC strategic framework project, and would be a clear vision to link and guide TCC works and could also be used by local businesses and organisations.

·         The City Vision video was played.

In response to questions

·         Creating further collateral for other users to access was the next step. This would bring stakeholders together with TCC and an independent designer would be used to develop collateral that was appropriate for a variety of stakeholders to use.

·         The vision was not a branding exercise but a unifying theme.

Discussion points raised

·         Noted the huge amount of work that had been put in by the community.

·         Previous visions were never successfully anchored and implemented.

·         Was a community vision for Tauranga City not just for the Council.

·         Test would be how far how it reached into the community and by people recognising the theme and responding to it.

·         Together we can was a catchy by-line; if “Tauranga” was removed it could also be applicable for the wider Bay of Plenty.

Resolution  CO12/22/4

Moved:       Commissioner Bill Wasley

Seconded:  Commissioner Stephen Selwood

That the Council:

(a)     Acknowledges the valuable contribution made by the community that has enabled the development of a vision for Tauranga.

(b)     Endorses the following Vision for Tauranga:

Tauranga, together we can

·    Prioritise nature

Tauranga is a city where we celebrate, protect and enhance our natural environment.

·    Lift each other up

Tauranga is a city where we foster and grow our communities, celebrate our differences, and lift-up those who are vulnerable.

·    Fuel possibility

Tauranga is a city where we foster creativity and innovation, celebrate our arts and culture, and empower our changemakers to create a vibrant city into the future.

With everyone playing their part

Together we can create the change our city needs

Kei a tātou te pae tawhiti

The future is all of ours

Because, Tauranga, together we can.

(c)     Adopts the Vision for Tauranga (as per (b) above) as the overarching vision for Tauranga City Council.

Carried

11.3       Greerton Maarawaewae Future Options Study

Staff          Carl Lucca, Programme Director: Urban Communities

External    Elizabeth Hughes, Steve Bramley, Glenn Brebner, Martin Udale

Key points

·         Three options recommended to form the basis for consultation with the community, mana whenua and existing stakeholders as noted in the report.

·         Noted that if the Crown decided not to proceed with the health precinct option, then that option would revert to Option B - the central park option.

·         All options removed the use of the site for housing expansion.

·         The area was strategically located in the Te Papa spatial intensification corridor.

·         Outlined the process undertaken to date in terms of option identification and an analysis of each.

·         Ngai Tamarawaho supported the continued use of the land as a reserve and had initiated legal proceedings.

·         Relocation of the hospital to the site would free up the current hospital site for development.

·         Recommendations were for further consultation on the three options, followed by a hearings process.

·         The team had spent a significant amount of time with the current equestrian users – Tauranga Racing and Tauranga Equestrian Sports Association (TESA) - who were very collaborative and supportive.  Noted was the uncertainty created by the process for the current users and their cooperation with Council.

·         Important to optimise the golf course site for more than golf, as there was not an under-supply of golf facilities in Tauranga.

In response to questions

·         The assessment process gave careful consideration to green outcomes, housing needs, net cost; the health precinct emerged during the consultation process. 

·         The weighting process and how the criteria matrix was developed was outlined.  There was a multiplier effect from the community feedback especially in regard to green space weighting.  The application of the various weightings resulted in the identification of the three options.

·         Even with the hospital included, only a small percentage of the overall open space in the reserve was utilised.

·         Current users were open to working with Council around options and possible relocation.

·         There was a need to find out how the community felt about the hospital being located on that site; fuller consultation around the hospital was desirable as there had been only limited information available on the health precinct option when the initial community consultation was undertaken.

·         Hearings in mid-September were not practical for the Commissioners.  It was noted that the recommendations in the report did not commit to a precise timetable.

·         Working through this process would help clarification of what Council considered to be the right use for this site and would allow the DHB to refine their future requirements.

·         Transport impacts were assessed at a very high level with the different options having different outcomes in relation to transport; generally any of the three options supported the current direction of transport planning and investment e.g. Cameron Road upgrade.

·         By approving Consultation Option A as the preferred option, it would effectively approve Option B as the next fallback position if the health precinct use did not eventuate.

Discussion points raised

·         Noted this was a very long-term planning process which looked at the use of this land over the next 20-40 years; there were existing leases in place for a number of years yet. 

·         Trying to provide some certainty for the public, mana whenua and existing users on an appropriate use for that site; final decisions, apart from the decision to remove general residential housing options, were still a long way off.

·         The protection of the city’s green spaces was important to the community.

Resolution  CO12/22/5

Moved:       Commissioner Shadrach Rolleston

Seconded:  Commissioner Bill Wasley

That the Council:

(a)     Approves consultation on the following options for the future use of the Tauranga Racecourse Reserve:

(i)      Consultation Option A:  Merged option of:

(1)     Health and Recreation (Study Option 7plus); and

(2)     If Health New Zealand and the Crown decide not to progress with a health facility on the site, then reverts to Central Park (Study Option 3plus).

(ii)     Consultation Option B: Central Park (Study Option 3plus).

(iii)     Consultation Option C: Enhanced status quo (Study Option 2).

(b)     Approves ‘Consultation Option A’ in (a) (i) above as the preferred option.

(c)     Delegates the Chief Executive to approve consultation material, based on the information contained within this report and the attachments, and also the 11 April 2022 Council report and attachments.

(d)     Removes general residential housing options from further consideration and undertakes the following consequential actions:

(i)      Removes reference to ‘comprehensively developed housing’ as it relates to the Greerton Racecourse Reserve from the Te Papa Spatial Plan and other relevant strategic documents.

(ii)     Recommends to the SmartGrowth Leadership Group that the Tauranga Racecourse Reserve be recognised as assessed as not providing a future residential housing opportunity.

Carried

11.4       Aotearoa New Zealand's First Emissions Reduction Plan

Staff          Andy Mead, Manager: City & Infrastructure Planning

Alistair Talbot, Team Leader: Team Leader: Structure Planning & Strategic Transport

Key points

·         The plan had been under development for quite some time; Climate Change Commission was created which engaged with communities and provided recommendations through to government.

·         Various emissions budgets recommended throughout the economy, would impact/inform almost everything the Council did. 

·         Emissions reduction budgets were set over three-year periods and set reduction targets.

·         Key challenges were in transport in terms of reducing reliance on private car travel, with a target of 20% reduction in light fleet kilometres travelled, Vehicle Kilometre Travel (VKT) targets.  Emissions reductions would need to flow into infrastructure planning and projects; developing a regional emissions tool would feed back into UFTI. The emissions tool being developed would provide the ability to distinguish between light commercial use and private use.

·         UFTI development work indicated a predicted 30% increase in VKT, the Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) required a 20% VKT reduction – there would be real challenges in responding to the ERP requirements.

In response to questions

·         Freight was singled out, but all other light fleet was grouped together regardless of commercial or personal travel use.

·         Need to think about a just transition particularly for undeveloped Māori land with no capital available to develop; needed to be able to provide Māori the ability to develop without being penalised or disadvantaged; some had not had the same opportunities to invest and develop.

·         Original submission to the draft document picked up on concerns that VKT was the wrong target, and a more holistic approach was needed e.g. a shift away from petrol cars to alternative fuel vehicles to achieve the 2050 emissions targets.

Discussion points raised

·         Need good discussions to occur between Council, mana whenua and Te Rangapū to develop an allied view to present to Waka Kotahi. Noted the partnership at TSP level as well.

·         Plan was inconsistent internally – incentivised purchase of electric vehicles but does not allow them to be driven as a VKT reduction was also required.

·         Understood the imperative to reduce carbon emissions but considered targeting VKT was the wrong target, it should be targeting emissions reduction.  Could end up with the wrong outcome with reduced VKTs but no emissions reduction.

·         Need to present a combined regional position to government and convince them that emissions reduction targets needed to be addressed, not just VKT targets.

Resolution  CO12/22/6

Moved:       Commissioner Bill Wasley

Seconded:  Commissioner Shadrach Rolleston

That the Council:

(a)     Receives the report titled Aotearoa New Zealand’s First Emissions Reduction Plan.

Carried

11.5       Submission to draft National Adaptation Plan

Staff          Andy Mead, Manager: City Infrastructure and Planning

Key points

·         Included a policy document around managed retreat in the future.  Impacted on areas in terms of investment and development of more vulnerable areas of the city; also possible impacts on Māori land.

Discussion points raised

·         Managed retreat was difficult, personal and expensive and central government must also be involved as it should not solely be the responsibility of local government. 

·         The effect of managed retreat on communities and individuals should not be underestimated.

·         Important to identify and recognise where the liability actually lies and how costs should be apportioned.

Resolution  CO12/22/7

Moved:       Commissioner Bill Wasley

Seconded:  Commissioner Shadrach Rolleston

That the Council:

(a)     Notes the submission made to the draft National Adaptation Plan (included as Attachment 1).

Carried

11.6       Next Steps at Golf Road Reserve

Staff          Barbara Dempsey, General Manager: Community Services

                  Ross Hudson, Team Leader: Planning

                  Paul Dunphy, Director of Spaces and Places

Key points

·         Ensured land was suitably classified to allow the playcentre to be developed, and to work towards the development of a community centre and community garden.

·         This was the end of a very long journey for the playcentre.

·         Menz Shed was seeking sole occupation of a building so were unsuitable for this site.

·         Beach volleyball was more appropriately located further away from residential areas as it could become quite noisy at times.

·         Talks would continue with beach volleyball and the Menz Shed about appropriate locations, looking at the wider network e.g. including beach volleyball in one of the larger active reserves.

In response to questions

·         Noted that beach volleyball was a growing sport; and an appropriate location was needed.

·         Process was being brought to an end - making the decision to change the land classification from recreation reserve to local purpose reserve and that Mount Playcentre would move to the site.

·         Resource consent requirement for the community garden was related to possible contamination of land due to agrichemical use by the bowling club.  This may have budgetary implications for the remediation of sites.

·         There would likely be a significant increase in traffic use and parking requirements for beach volleyball.

Resolution  CO12/22/8

Moved:       Commissioner Bill Wasley

Seconded:  Commissioner Shadrach Rolleston

That the Council:

(a)     Agrees that pursuant to section 24 of the Reserves Act 1977, and pursuant to a Council resolution dated 8 February 2022, the Tauranga City Council as the administering body for this reserve hereby resolves to change the classification of Section 1 within Section 106 Block VII Tauranga Survey District (Golf Road Reserve) from Recreation Reserve to Local Purpose (Community Building) Reserve.

(b)     Endorses the intended future use of the remainder of the Golf Road Reserve as a community garden with the former bowling club building retained as a bookable neighbourhood community space (subject to detailed building assessment).

(c)     Endorses an investigation into options for the provision of Council land for development of a beach volleyball centre, to be considered within the wider sport and recreation planning work currently underway.

Carried