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Planning and Environment
Committee
14 August 2018
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Part
A Reports
Planning and Environment Non-Financial
Activity Report for the Quarter Ended 30 June 2018
Department: Community and Planning and Customer and Regulatory
Services
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1 This
report updates the Committee on activities including city development, resource
consents, building services, alcohol licensing, environmental health, animal
control and parking enforcement.
2 Satisfaction
with the overall look and feel of the city increased last quarter with the
overall result at year end in line with previous years. Satisfaction with
Regulatory Services showed no change from the previous quarter, with the end of
year result slightly down on 2016/17.
3 The 2017/18
financial year was the busiest since 2008 for resource consents with 242
applications processed within the quarter, of which 240 were processed within
the statutory timeframe. Record numbers of building consents were
received with May 2018 peaking at 339 applications. Building consents
applications and Code of Compliance Certificates issued continue to be granted
in line with 20 day statutory timeframes.
4 Some key
highlights for the quarter in terms of major initiatives included:
· Completing
deliberations on the Second Generation District Plan (2GP) in May.
· Securing
a $820k grant from the government’s Provincial Growth Fund to progress
the feasibility work on the Waterfront revitalisation project.
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RECOMMENDATIONS
That the Committee:
a) Notes the
Planning and Environment Non-Financial Activity Report for the Quarter Ended
30 June 2018.
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BACKGROUND
5 The
Community and Planning group of activities works with other agencies to set the
direction for managing Dunedin’s built and natural environment, and is responsible
for promoting the sustainable management of the natural and physical resources
through its administration of the functions of the Council under the Resource
Management Act 1991 (RMA).
6 Regulatory
Services contributes directly to the Safe and Health City outcome which is a
part of the Social Wellbeing Strategy and enhances personal safety in relation
to building services, animal services, health licensing, the sale and supply of
alcohol and parking enforcement.
DISCUSSION
Service
and Satisfaction
7 The
Residents’ Opinion Survey (ROS) is the principal mechanism by which the
Council measures resident satisfaction with a wide range of its activities.
8 From
July 2016 the ROS has been conducted on a continuous monthly basis, aiming to
obtain around 100 responses each month, to replicate the average annual sample
size of around 1,200 obtained in previous years. The quarterly results in the
graphs below generally reflect the responses of around 300 residents. A sample
of 300 has an expected 95% confidence interval (margin of error) of +/- 5.7%,
whereas the annual result for 2015/16 had a margin of error of +/- 2.5%.
Results for the year will continue to be published in the annual ROS report at
year end. Notable measures are listed in the balance of this report.
Satisfaction
with Look and Feel of the City
9 An 8%
increase in satisfaction with ‘overall look and feel of the city’
was reported as at 30 June 2018.
Satisfaction
with Regulatory Services
10 There
is no change in satisfaction with ‘Regulatory Services’ was
reported as at 30 June 2018.
Value
and Efficiency
Resource Consents
11 The 2017/18
financial year was the busiest since 2008. During the quarter, 240 of the 242
applications were processed within the statutory timeframe. The amount
processed each month was 71, 83 and 88. The graph shows resource consent
processing on a monthly basis over the last five years up to June 2018. The
blue line shows the percentage meeting the statutory deadline with ranges from
97 to 100. The red line shows the number of resource consents granted each
month; the five-year average is 73. The fluctuation is normal. The December to
January low points are the summer holiday periods.
12 This
graph also serves as an indication of overall activity in the Resource Consent
team. More detailed information is provided each month as the City Planning
Activity report is on the Council’s website, and can be accessed via this
link: http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/services/planning.
Building
Consents
13 Overall value of
work for Building Consents for this quarter remains in line at $80.9M. Record
numbers of building consent applications continue to be received with May 2018
peaking at 339 applications. Ongoing challenges continue in respect of
recruiting for a Plumbing and Drainage (P&D) processing officer which has
remained vacant for a few months now. Pressure has been seen within the quarter
for booking P&D inspections (up to 7 days out) although this has now settled
and is returning to normal levels.
14 The graph below notes the
results for processing of Building Consents versus the number of live consents
at the end of the month. Results for the quarter note both Building Consent
applications and Code Compliance Certificates continue to be granted/issued in
line within the statutory 20 work day timeframes. We have however identified an
issue with how the working clock has been calculating days following receipt of
guidance from MBIE. As a result, an improvement initiative has been created to
make the required changes. It is not anticipated it will have a material impact
on future results.
Alcohol Licensing
15 The
number of on-licences has increased by four with the opening of three
previously unlicensed premises (Moiety, Salt & Sugar and TAO Restaurant
& Bar Dunedin) and one that has reopened after several years (Joe’s
Garage).
While there is an increase in off-licensed premises when
compared to last year the difference results from three previously licensed
premises reopening with only one previously unlicensed premises, City Liquor in
George Street.
16 The number of special licence
applications received is slightly higher than the corresponding period last
year due to the All Blacks v France Rugby Test. The number of managers
certificate applications, while still fluctuating, is less than the
corresponding time last year.
Environmental Health
‘A’ Graded Food
Premises
17 The percentage of
food premises with an A Grade has increased by 1-2%. The supportive approach
taken by staff when conducting food premises verifications, as well as most
operators now using Safe & Suitable Food Control Plans is contributing to a
high standard of food safety in the city.
Noise
18 The number of noise
complaints over the last three months is relatively consistent with the
corresponding years.
Animal Services
19 Over the last three
months there has been a reduction in the number of requests for service
relating to roaming and barking dogs, aggressive dog behaviour and dogs
attacking people. However, incidents relating to dogs attacking stock or other
dogs remains higher than 2016/17.
Parking Services
20 The increase in
parking infringements issued over the last three months is due to the team now
having a full complement of staff.
21 Compared
to 16/17 there has been a 12% increase in the number of abandoned vehicle
requests. This is due to the low price of scrap metal and some owners not
trying to sell their derelict vehicles. There has also been a 16% increase in
the overall number of service requests.
Major
Initiatives
22 The following
section is not confined to the April to June 2018 quarter and also provides
updates on the current status of the initiatives.
23 Proposed Second Generation Dunedin
City District Plan (2GP) - The 2GP
Hearings Panel finished deliberation meetings in May. The planners are
supporting the Panel by assisting with the drafting of decision reports and
making amendments to the 2GP as a result of decisions.
24 Dunedin
Waterfront - Feasibility work assessing the engineering,
environmental and commercial feasibility of the Dunedin Waterfront Development
is underway. A grant of $820,000 from the government’s Provincial Growth
Fund was awarded this month to fund the feasibility work and development of a
business case. Work on the business case to support an application for capital
funding for the enabling infrastructure (including replacement wharves and
construction of a building platform) is underway. A workshop involving key
stakeholders was held on 19 July and a further stakeholder workshop is proposed
in August, prior to reporting to Council in September.
25 The Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) between the key stakeholders was signed formally on 19 July
2018and endorsed by the Minister of Economic Development, Honourable Shane
Jones. The MOU confirms the parties’ commitment to work together to
promote the waterfront vision within Dunedin and the wider communities, and to
progress its implementation. Work to define an appropriate governance structure
for the implementation of the vision is progressing.
26 The public
exhibition of the waterfront models at the Toitu Settlers museum is to relocate
to the shop unit on the Octagon street frontage of the Civic Building in late
August. The exhibition material will be updated providing opportunities for
community feedback on specific elements.
27 Dunedin Heritage Fund
- Grants recently paid out from the Dunedin Heritage Fund cover a variety
of projects across the city. Stonework repairs to the spire of the First
Presbyterian Church of Otago on Moray Place have now been completed and the
scaffolding is currently being dropped. The Heritage Fund contributed
$100,000 to the restoration work. The former Mornington Presbyterian
Church at 33 Brunel Street is now in residential use and the recent re-slating
of its roof and repairs to its bell tower was assisted with a $10,000
grant. The Mayfair Theatre was assisted with a $20,000 grant towards the
costs of a conservation plan. The Kelsey Yaralla Kindergarten at 4 Trent
Street received $5,000 towards its earthquake strengthening, while the Married
Quarters Building on Quarantine Island received $7,500 for its recent
restoration and strengthening. St Dominic’s Priory received
$100,000 for its completed re-slating and roof repairs that have now ensured
that the building is weatherproof. Archaeological recovery work has now
begun at Papanui Inlet. Laboratory work to clean and conserve Māori
artefacts from the eroding coastline has been allocated $20,000 from the Dunedin
Heritage Fund.
28 Leith Working Group - The
second round of the “Love Your Leith” consultation was launched at
the Otago Polytechnic on the 24th of July. A series of information panels with
images of the proposed enhancement works for the Forth Street – Harbour
reach of the Leith stream will be on display at the Hub until 9 August. The
interactive display encourages members of the public to leave sticky notes with
their comments/suggestions. Wider consultation on this project is open until 5pm
Friday 24 August online at YourSay (https://yoursay.orc.govt.nz/loveyourleith).
29 Biodiversity Fund
- During the 2017/18 financial year a total of $48,000 was awarded through
the September 2017 and April 2018 rounds of the Biodiversity Fund. This
provided funding for 12 projects and included revegetation work, research, pest
plant and animal control or community outreach.
In addition to the Te Ao
Tūroa environment
fund, funding has also been provided to other biodiversity work from the Parks
and Recreation Strategy.
30 South Dunedin
Future – Staff assisted in the public drop-in session in July,
alongside a number of DCC teams. A community-led hui was held in May and
another is planned for September. The Council’s Place-Based
Community Adviser continued to support community development initiatives and
build community engagement in South Dunedin.
31 Te Ao Tūroa
- A workshop with key stakeholders was held to look at the Town Belt, and
this will be followed by a session with a broader range of interested parties
to develop actions to deliver on these long-term ambitions. A pop-up
garden on how to make gardens more wildlife-friendly is being built, in
cooperation with the Otago Corrections Facility. Work to investigate the
potential of, and mechanisms for, a coordinated city approach to revenue
generation through carbon offsetting is also underway. In addition, just over
$30,000 was awarded as grants to support community work to deliver on goals of
the environment strategy.
Capital
Projects
32 Warehouse
Precinct Stages 3/4 - The Jetty Street pedestrianisation has been completed
and has provided a new focus to the Warehouse Precinct. The improvements
under the bridge have provided a useful covered public space including a
recycling station and cycle parking. As part of the ongoing development within
the Precinct, works are about to be tendered for improvements to the old bridge
abutment area. These improvements focus on creating a unique urban space that
celebrates the historic significance of the stone abutment and stairs. The
improvements to Bond Street are about to be tendered for construction,
including creating additional planting areas, upgrading pavement surfaces, the
inclusion of seating and interpretation to celebrate the Maori history of the
area. Further streetscape improvements are proposed at the southern
section of the street with emphasis on improved crossing points and pedestrian
access.
33 Central City Plan
(CCP) -The project team are continuing work on the Design Guide to inform
the design work for the CCP. The project advisory group has held its first
meeting. This group contains representatives from key stakeholders around the
city. The next steps are to progress master planning for the three projects
included in the 10-year plan funding. This will include public consultation
which is expected to occur later in the year.
The Otago Regional Council has agreed to alter bus routes so
that buses are taken off George Street and Princes Street between the Fredrick
Street / George Street intersection and Princes Street / Moray Place
intersection. DCC is currently undertaking modelling work to inform the Central
City Plan and Dunedin Hospital project. This will be used to inform the timing
of the decision about when the buses will be removed.
OPTIONS
34 As this is an update
report there are no options.
NEXT STEPS
35 A further update
report will be provided after the conclusion of the next quarter.
Signatories
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Author:
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Nicola Pinfold - Group Manager Community and Planning
Adrian Blair - Group Manager Customer and Regulatory
Services
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Authoriser:
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Sandy Graham - General Manager Strategy and Governance
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Attachments
There are no attachments for
this report.
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SUMMARY OF CONSIDERATIONS
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Fit with purpose
of Local Government
This report relates to providing a public service and it
is considered good-quality and cost-effective.
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Fit with strategic
framework
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Contributes
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Detracts
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Not applicable
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Social Wellbeing Strategy
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☒
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☐
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☐
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Economic Development Strategy
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☒
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☐
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☐
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Environment Strategy
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☒
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☐
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☐
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Arts and Culture Strategy
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☒
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☐
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☐
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3 Waters Strategy
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☐
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☐
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☒
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Spatial Plan
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☒
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☐
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☐
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Integrated Transport Strategy
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☒
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☐
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☐
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Parks and Recreation Strategy
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☒
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☐
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☐
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Other strategic projects/policies/plans
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☒
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☐
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☐
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The Planning and Environment portfolio of activities
support the outcomes of a number of strategies.
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Māori Impact
Statement
There are no known impacts for tangata whenua.
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Sustainability
As an update report, there are no specific implications
for sustainability.
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LTP/Annual Plan /
Financial Strategy /Infrastructure Strategy
As an update report, there are no implications for the
LTP, although some measures are level of service performance measures
annually reported as part of the LTP.
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Financial
considerations
The updates reported are within existing operating and
capital budgets.
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Significance
This decision is considered of low significance under the
Significance and Engagement Policy.
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Engagement –
external
As an update report, no external engagement has been
undertaken.
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Engagement -
internal
As an update report, no internal engagement has been
undertaken. Input to the major initiatives and project updates has been
provided by teams within Regulatory Services and Community and Planning
Groups, with the Group Manager Transport also providing input regarding the
Central City Plan.
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Risks: Legal /
Health and Safety etc.
There are no identified risks.
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Conflict of
Interest
There are no known conflicts of interest.
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Community Boards
There are no specific implications for Community Boards.
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