Economic Development Committee

MINUTES

 

Minutes of an ordinary meeting of the Economic Development Committee held in the Edinburgh Room, Municipal Chambers, The Octagon, Dunedin on Tuesday 10 July 2018, commencing at 1.00 pm

 

PRESENT

 

Chairperson

Cr Chris Staynes

 

Members

Cr David Benson-Pope

Mayor Dave Cull

 

Cr Rachel Elder

Cr Doug Hall

 

Cr Aaron Hawkins

Cr Marie Laufiso

 

Cr Damian Newell

Cr Jim O'Malley

 

Cr Conrad Stedman

Cr Lee Vandervis

 

Cr Kate Wilson

 

 

 

IN ATTENDANCE

Sandy Graham (General Manager Strategy and Governance), John Christie (Director Enterprise Dunedin), Fraser Liggett (Economic Development Programme Manager), Des Adamson (Business Development Manager), Dan Windwood (Policy Planner, Heritage), Dave Tombs (General Manager Finance and Commercial), Maria Ioannou (Corporate Policy Manager), Bill Frewen (Senior Policy Analyst) and Anna Johnson (City Development Manager)

 

Governance Support Officer       Jennifer Lapham

 

 

 

1       Public Forum

There was no Public Forum.   

 

2       Apologies

 

Moved (Cr Chris Staynes/Cr Rachel Elder):

That the Committee:

 

Accepts the apologies from Cr Christine Garey and Cr Mike Lord.

 

Motion carried (ED/2018/018)

 

3       Confirmation of agenda

 

 

Moved (Cr Andrew Whiley/Cr Kate Wilson):

That the Committee:

 

Confirms the public part of the agenda with the following alterations:

 

a)    In regard to Standing Order 2.1, Option C be adopted in relation to moving and seconding and speaking to amendments.

 

Motion carried (ED/2018/019)

 

 

4       Declarations of interest

Members were reminded of the need to stand aside from decision-making when a conflict arose between their role as an elected representative and any private or other external interest they might have.

 

Cr Benson-Pope advised that he no longer owns private property in Wellington and that the reference to the Dunedin Heritage Fund was in the register twice.

 

 

 

Moved (Cr Chris Staynes/Cr Andrew Whiley):

That the Committee:

 

a)     Amends the Elected Members' Interest Register attached as Attachment A; and

b)     Confirms the proposed management plan for Elected Members' Interests.

Motion carried (ED/2018/020)

     

Part A Reports

5       Enterprise Dunedin Q4 April to June 2018 Activity Report

 

In a report from Enterprise Dunedin the Enterprise Dunedin Communications Advisor provided an update on update on a selection of Enterprise Dunedin activities during Quarter Four 2017/18.

 

 

Moved (Cr Andrew Whiley/Cr Kate Wilson):

That the Committee:

 

a)     Notes the Enterprise Dunedin Quarter Four April to June 2018 Activity Report.

Motion carried (ED/2018/021)

 

 

 

6       DCC Submission on the Zero Carbon Bill

 

In a report from Community and Planning, the Senior Policy Analyst attached a draft Dunedin City Council (DCC) submission to the Ministry of the Environment’s Discussion Document on the proposed Zero Carbon Bill.

The Ministry of the Environment has developed the Zero Carbon Bill to provide a legislative framework for a transition to a low-emissions economy, including a legislated target for emission reductions by 2050, and the proposed establishment of a Climate Commission to recommend multiple five-yearly national carbon budgets.

The proposed options for the target are: net zero carbon dioxide by 2050; net zero long-lived gases and stabilised short-lived gases by 2050; or net zero emissions by 2050. 

The DCC submission notes that the first option aligns with Dunedin’s reduction target, adopted by the Council in February 2018 as part of participating in the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy.  The submission also notes that the Council resolved to align its target for Dunedin to the national position on a target for short-lived greenhouse gases (including methane), once determined.

 

 

Discussion took place on the proposed submission with Cr Hawkins indicating some amendments to paragraphs 7 and 10.

 

 

Moved (Cr Aaron Hawkins/Cr Kate Wilson):

That the Committee:

 

a)         Approves the submission with the following amendments:

Paragraph 7. The DCC supports the government setting a target of net zero emissions by 2050. While we accept that short and long-lived gases have different effects, recent research suggests methane can cause sea-levels to rise centuries after it stops being emitted. Stabilising emissions will be inadequate to try and stabilise our changing climate.  

 

We also recognise the ambition of the Farming Leaders Group – including representatives from Dairy NZ; Federated Farmers; Beef & Lamb New Zealand; Fonterra Shareholders Council, Irrigation NZ and Horticulture NZ - in supporting a net zero emissions target for the agrifood sector by 2050. We need to be supporting our agricultural sector in achieving these ambitions.

 

Paragraph 10. The DCC supports a fair and inclusive transition to a low-carbon economy which does not disproportionately disadvantage Dunedin’s socially and economically vulnerable communities. Hence the DCC supports a Climate Commission and the Government ensuring that sufficient support and opportunities are available to those affected by inevitable changes in the labour market. Achieving the targets should remain the primary goal, with adequate support ensuring a ‘just transition’.

 

That said, we understand that the evidence base upon which the targets and carbon budgets are built is constantly evolving. We support adjustments being made accordingly, so long as they remain consistent with both the scientific consensus and our international commitments.

 

Motion carried  on a division (ED/2018/022)

 

For:          Crs David Benson-Pope, Rachel Elder, Doug Hall, Aaron Hawkins, Marie Laufiso, Damian Newell, Jim O'Malley, Conrad Stedman, Andrew Whiley, Kate Wilson,  Chris Staynes and Mayor , Dave Cull (12).

 

Against:     Nil

 

Abstention: Cr Lee Vandervis

 

 

7       DCC submission on the Ministry for Culture and Heritage's survey on strengthening New Zealand’s protection system for heritage buildings

 

In a report from Planning, the Heritage Planner provided a copy of the draft Dunedin City Council (DCC) submission to the Ministry of Culture and Heritage’s survey on strengthening New Zealand’s protection system for heritage buildings.

The Ministry for Culture and Heritage is undertaking an assessment of New Zealand’s system for protecting heritage buildings to inform work on how the system could be enhanced.  This follows on from concerns that the preventable and irreversible loss of heritage buildings which is occurring in New Zealand.

To help inform this assessment, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage is consulting with stakeholders.  They are interested in hearing views on how heritage buildings are recognised and protected in New Zealand, and how the protection system may be improved.

The DCC submission welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the existing heritage protection system.  It highlights the following opportunities for improvement:

·      National guidance under the RMA on heritage protection, and consideration of streamlined processes under the RMA to schedule heritage buildings on District Plans that have already been entered on the New Zealand Heritage List;

·      Improving the legal tools available to require heritage building owners to maintain their properties to a standard that avoids irreversible damage (e.g. demolition by neglect);

·      Increasing capacity within Heritage New Zealand at regional level to support councils, other organisations and heritage building owners; and

·      Increasing grant funds available to heritage building owners for earthquake strengthening and restoration.

The draft submission also expresses the DCC’s interest in further involvement in the review process later this winter.

 

 

Discussion took place on the submission with Cr Benson-Pope proposing an amendment.

 

 

Moved (Cr David Benson-Pope/Cr Aaron Hawkins):

That the Committee:

 

a)         Notes and approves the DCC submission on the Ministry of Culture and Heritage’s survey on strengthening New Zealand’s protection system for heritage buildings with the following amendment:

·   Ask the Government to investigate market failure in the insurance sector (in respect of heritage buildings) and consider methods of ensuring that affordable cover is available to the owners of heritage buildings.

 

Motion carried (ED/2018/023)

 

8       Items for Consideration by the Chair

 

 

 

There were no items notified.

 

 

 

 

Resolution to exclude the public

Moved (Cr Chris Staynes/Cr Andrew Whiley):

That the Committee:

 

Pursuant to the provisions of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987, exclude the public from the following part of the proceedings of this meeting namely:

 

General subject of the matter to be considered

Reasons for passing this resolution in relation to each matter

Ground(s) under section 48(1) for the passing of this resolution

 

Reason for Confidentiality

C1  Centre of Digital Excellence (CODE) Update

S7(2)(h)

The withholding of the information is necessary to enable the local authority to carry out, without prejudice or disadvantage, commercial activities.

S48(1)(a)

The public conduct of the part of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding exists under section 7.

 

This resolution is made in reliance on Section 48(1)(a) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987, and the particular interest or interests protected by Section 6 or Section 7 of that Act, or Section 6 or Section 7 or Section 9 of the Official Information Act 1982, as the case may require, which would be prejudiced by the holding of the whole or the relevant part of the proceedings of the meeting in public are as shown above after each item.

 

Motion carried (ED/2018/024)

 

 

The meeting went into non-public at 1.32 pm and concluded at 1.55 pm.