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Planning and Environment Committee
4 August 2020
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Planning and Environment Activity Report for
the two Quarters Ending 30 June 2020
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 for the six months ending 30 June 2020.
2 Satisfaction
statistics and data reported in this report are for two quarters, being January
to March 2020 and April to June 2020.
3 As
requested following the last quarterly report, negative and neutral responses
from the Residents’ Opinion Survey are reported along with positive
responses.
4 Some
highlights for the two quarters covered by this report include:
· The
hearings on Variation 1 of the Second Generation District Plan (2GP) (which
deals with minor amendments) were held in June.
· Variation
2 to the 2GP which deals with Housing Capacity, was initiated by Council on 12
February 2019. Its focus is on changes required to address the shortfall
in medium-term housing capacity that has been identified as a result of
significant changes to Dunedin’s growth rate.
· $645,500 allocated from Dunedin Heritage fund to support heritage
related projects across the city.
· A
new phase of community engagement on South Dunedin Futures commenced in
February and gained positive momentum with seven community meetings held before
COVID-19 lockdown
· Numbers
of building and resource consents received and processed were impacted by
COVID-19 lockdown. Processing continued throughout the lockdown at reduced
levels. Building consent numbers have returned to pre-lockdown levels and are
on track for a six-year high. Resource consent numbers have reduced noticeably
and are hovering around the average for the last nine years.
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RECOMMENDATIONS
That the Committee:
a) Notes the Planning and Environment Activity Report for the
six months ending 30 June 2020.
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BACKGROUND
5 The
Community and Planning group of activities work 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
7 The
Residents’ Opinion Survey (ROS) is the principal mechanism by which the
Council measures residents’ satisfaction with a wide range of its
activities.
8 The
ROS is conducted on a continuous monthly basis, aiming to obtain around 100
responses each month, resulting in a sample size of around 1,200 for the year.
This gives a quarterly sample size of around 300 residents. A sample size of
300 has an expected margin of error (at the 95% confidence interval) of +/-
5.7%, whereas the annual result for 2018/19 had a margin of error of +/- 2.2%
(at the 90% confidence level). Annual results for 2019/20 will be published
later in the year.
9 The
Residents’ Opinion Survey asks respondents to rate their satisfaction
levels on a scale from 1-10 from very dissatisfied to very satisfied. Results
are now provided in the quarterly reports for three categories; satisfied/very
satisfied, neutral and dissatisfied/very dissatisfied.
10 The
lower results reported for the last two time periods are due at least in part
to changes in the way these measures are reported.
11 At
the meeting in February the committee requested the percentages of respondents
who were “dissatisfied” and “very dissatisfied” were
reported, along with the neutral results, rather than just the
“satisfied” and “very satisfied”. This report presents
the three data sets for the past six quarters.
Satisfaction with Look and Feel of the City
12 A
decrease of 4% in satisfaction with ‘Overall Look and Feel of the
City’ was reported at 31 March 2020, followed by an increase of 7%
reported at 30 June 2020. Overall a decrease in satisfaction of 4% was reported
between the last two quarterly results for 2018/2019 and 2019/2020.
Satisfaction with Regulatory Services
13 An
increase of 1% in satisfaction with ‘Regulatory Services’ was
reported as at 31 March 2020, followed by an increase of 2% reported at 30 June
2020. Overall a decrease in satisfaction of 8% was reported between the last
two quarterly results for 2018/19 and 2019/2020.
Value and Efficiency
Resource Consents
14 Resource
consent processing in the periods ending 31 March and 30 June 2020 reflect the
impact of the COVID-19 lockdown. The period ending 31 March was very busy with
233 applications being granted, while the period ending 30 April was quieter
with 205 applications granted. The number of applications received between
January and March was high at 265 compared to an average of 216 for the
previous five years; it was also the second largest number for this period
since 1998 when records started.
15 The
graph below shows processing over the last five years. The red line shows
the number of applications granted each month. The lower number in April and
May 2020 reflects the impact of COVID-19 lockdown. The January and December low
points reflect the summer holiday periods; this fluctuation is normal. The blue
line shows the percentage meeting the statutory deadline; it ranges from 89 to
100.
16 The
periods ending 31 March and 30 June 2020 continued a busy trend for RMA
complaints. The two quarters were 30% busier than the average for the
equivalent time in 2012 to 2019. The monthly fluctuation was large, ranging
from 8 to 36.
17 Other
work undertaken by the Resource Consent team is LIMs, administration,
subdivision certification, building consent planning checks, HAIL work and
planning enquiries. More detailed information is provided each month as the
City Planning Activity report on the Council’s website. This can be
accessed via this link: http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/services/planning.
Building Services
18 For
the first two months of 2020 the number of building consent applications
received was at a six-year high. During the COVID-19 lockdown, numbers did drop
although numbers have bounced back with several six-year highs for the month of
June including the number of:
a) Building
consent applications received
b) Building
Inspections undertaken
c) Building
Incident/Compliance requests
19 As
a result, the number of building consent applications for the first half of
2020 (1191) is down on the comparable period in 2019 (1349). The value of
consents for the half year was comparable at $132.1M (2019 = $135.3M). The
number of new dwelling applications for the six months was 142 (2019 = 154).
20 Processing
times for Building Consent applications was impacted in May (90.7%) and this
was due to staff inability to process paper-based consents in lockdown. For the
half year 96.7% of the building consents have been processed within 20 working
days. The average time to process the applications over the six-month period
was 12 working days.
21 Paper-based
Code Compliance Certificate requests were also unable to be processed during
lockdown and this is reflected in May’s figures of 61%. Overall for the
six months, the average was 91.8% processed within 20 working days.
22 The
four remaining general non-conformities identified by the external auditors
(IANZ) in their September 2019 audit were cleared by the February 2020
deadline.
23 As
with most areas the future short/medium term impact of COVID-19 is still
unclear. During the lockdown, no paper building consent applications could be
accepted which accounts for approximately 40% of the total applications
received.
24 Given
the inability to process paper during lockdown, post lockdown all paper-based
applications are now being manually scanned and turned into electronic
applications which means they can be processed if lockdown levels change in the
future.
25 The
messaging that staff have been receiving around the short-term implications for
the Dunedin building industry is that builders remain busy and designers are
indicating they still have months of work on their books. That said, a couple
of jobs have been cancelled or put on hold. There is a watch in place for three
to six months as there may be pressure on obtaining building
supplies/materials.
Alcohol Licensing
26 In
the reporting period there were 54 applications received for new and renewed
licences. Of these seven were new licences (two of which were for premises that
were previously unlicensed and the remainder for premises that have changed
ownership). Licence renewal applications continued to be processed during
the COVID-19 lockdown period.
27 The
full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on alcohol licensing will not be known for
some time. While there is still uncertainty in the hospitality sector
because of the loss of the tourist market, a lot of the businesses are changing
their business models to deal with their current markets.
Environmental Health
‘A’ Graded Food Premises
28 The
percentage of food premises with an ‘A’ Grade remains constant at
87% to 90% over the last 12 months and is very similar to last year. Overall
food safety in Dunedin food premises is at a very high standard.
Noise
29 There was a small increase in the total number of noise complaints
in February compared to the same period last year. However, complaint numbers
dropped during the months of March to May compared to the same period in the two
previous years, which can be attributed to the COVID-19 lockdown period and
students leaving the city.
Animal Services
30 At the start of 2020 there was an increase in barking complaints,
which could be attributed to the warmer weather with people being outside.
However, there was a reduction in behavioural issues (attacks and aggressive
complaints) which may be due to dog owners returning to work after the summer
holidays, and dogs not being out as much. April saw a marked reduction in
requests for services due to lockdown; however, the requests are now starting
to return to pre-lockdown levels.
Parking Services
31 Parking
infringement numbers were similar in January/February and then reduced in
March/April due to the COVID-19 lockdown. Infringement numbers over the last
two months were also less than the previous year due to the free parking
initiative.
32 The increase in customer requests for parking enforcement, blocked
vehicle entrances and leased carparks during February can be attributed to the
return of students to the city. During May to June the number of requests for
service have gradually increased as the city returns to normal activity.
Eco Design Advisor
33 The
Eco Design Advisor (EDA) has been involved in several initiatives with Cosy
Homes, which included:
a) Education
with Kainga Ora property managers.
b) Work
on the Kia Haumaru programme aiming to help upgrade the homes of people with
repeat hospitalisations that were likely caused by their homes.
34 The
University Orientation week (Tent City) was attended by the EDA, and feedback
indicated an increase in the number of student flats that now have double
glazing, insulation and good heating installed.
35 HEAT
kits (Home Energy Audit Kits) are a new initiative being launched in
conjunction with Cosy Homes, EnviroSchools, Community Advisors and the library.
Kits are available for the public to borrow to help them understand the
performance of their house.
36 The
increase in new customer service requests for the month of June (as indicated
in the graph below) is attributed to the cold winter weather, with people
noticing more condensation, as well as catching up on requests from the
COVID-19 lockdown.
Major Initiatives
37 The
following section is not confined to the quarter ending June 2020 and provides
updates on the current status of the initiatives.
Second Generation Dunedin
City District Plan (2GP)
Appeals
38 Mediation for the first group (priority group 1) of
the 2GP appeals took place in August 2019. Many have been resolved and several
consent memoranda have been lodged with the Environment Court. Some of these
consent orders have been signed and some are waiting for other appeals to be
resolved first. When consent orders are signed by the Environment Court
the change is then implemented into the 2GP.
39 Mediation
of the next priority group will begin at the end of July. The topics in
the next mediation group include Industrial, Commercial, Reverse Sensitivity
Definition (Strategic), Rural, Heritage, Residential, Campus, Network
Utilities, Mining, Landscape and Coastal, Manawhenua Strategic and Biodiversity.
This group is scheduled to be completed by mid-October 2020.
Variation
1
40 Variation
1 of the 2GP covers minor clarifications to the wording of provisions to ensure
that they function as intended, substantive amendments to fix identified problems
or gaps within a small number of provisions, and mapping amendments to make
minor adjustments to zone or mapped area boundaries where boundaries are in the
wrong place.
41 There
were eight submissions in total, with 27 points in support and 14 points
seeking amendment. The Variation 1 hearing took place on 5 June 2020. The
decisions on Variation 1 were notified on Saturday 18 July 2020. The appeal
period closes on 28 August 2020.
Growth Planning and
Variation 2
42 Variation
2 (housing capacity) was initiated by Council on 12 February 2019. Its focus is
on adding medium-term housing capacity to address a shortfall that was
identified as a result of significant changes to Dunedin’s growth rate.
Initial work on a revised Future Development Strategy (update to the Spatial
Plan) has also started. This project will re-look at housing needs for the long
term (30 years), and will be formally initiated in 2021.
43 The
National Policy Statement - Urban Growth Capacity (NPS-UDC) requires that the
DCC considers all practicable options to enable necessary housing capacity.
This could include applying residential zoning to new areas (greenfield
development), amending rules or other provisions to increase the density of
housing enabled in residential zones, or using statutory tools and methods
available under other legislation.
44 The
project is being led by City Development, but involves close collaboration with
infrastructure teams, particularly 3 Waters, to ensure all options are assessed
in terms of impacts on the 3 Waters infrastructure network and identification
of any necessary priority infrastructure upgrade projects in the 10-year plan.
All options are also being evaluated in terms of potential impacts on the
transportation network.
45 The
project also involves:
• An update
to population projections, which will inform
assessments of housing demand as well as being incorporated into the key assumptions for the next 10-year plan.
These are currently being reviewed in light of the potential impact of COVID-19.
• Research
on housing preferences. This has been completed
and shows a stronger
demand for attached housing types (such as duplexes,
townhouses, and apartments) than
previous surveys. This will
inform work on Variation 2.
• A
community questionnaire about future housing, which has been completed.
• On-going
discussions with key stakeholders including developers, surveyors, Housing New
Zealand, ORC, Aukaha, Ministry of Education and Utility companies.
• Ongoing
monitoring as required by the NPS-UDC (see below).
Urban Development Monitoring
46 City
Development has developed two new webpages to provide information on
what’s happening with the housing market in Dunedin. These contain
interactive graphs on consented homes (by type and location), constructed
homes, population estimates/projections, housing purchase/rental costs, and
other related indicators.
47 These
webpages will be updated as regularly as the underlying data permits, from
monthly for total consent/construction numbers to annually for population
estimates. The underlying data is also available to download on the webpages.
48 The
webpages were developed to meet DCC’s requirements under the National
Policy Statement on Urban Development Capacity, which include monitoring a
range of indicators and using these to understand how well housing markets are
functioning, how planning may affect this, and when additional development
capacity might be needed. The DCC was previously giving effect to these requirements
through the release of quarterly monitoring reports in a PDF format.
49 The
new webpages are available at https://www.dunedin.govt.nz/council/district-plan/monitoring-and-research.
Dunedin Heritage Trust Fund
50 The
Dunedin Heritage Trust Fund committee has met for two funding rounds in the six
months to 30 June allocating $645,750 in heritage grants across the city.
$195,250 was allocated in Round 3 and $450,500 in Round 4. The range of
heritage related projects supported across the city is outlined in the
concurrent report on the Dunedin Heritage Trust Fund.
Heritage
51 Work
on the Annual Dunedin Heritage Awards was completed in mid-March, but the
Awards ceremony was postponed until further notice due to the COVID-19
response. The Awards have now been rescheduled for Tuesday 25 August at
Toitū Otago Settlers Museum.
52 Work
on the District Plan Heritage Schedule data collation project is now 75%
complete. Staff anticipate its completion at the end of 2020. The Heritage
Schedule information will be available for staff and public access when
complete. It is designed to widen the present heritage information available to
owners, developers and researchers to enhance understanding and knowledge of
Dunedin’s key heritage places.
Biodiversity
53 A
high-resolution Vegetation Map for Dunedin City project has been completed.
This map provides detailed baseline information on the city’s indigenous
biodiversity extent and range of ecosystems. It will be used for a variety of
cross-department biodiversity and environmental programmes, including climate
change mitigation and likely implementation of the proposed National Policy
Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity. A version of the map will be made
available to the public later in 2020.
54 The
DCC made a submission for Council on the Draft National Policy Statement for
Indigenous Biodiversity and has been involved in ‘road testing’ the
policies to assess the potential impact for Council and the community and
provided a ‘road testing’ report to Ministry of Environment (MfE).
55 The
April 2020 round of the Biodiversity Fund was completed during the COVID-19
lockdown. The fund continues to receive increasing numbers of applicants,
including first-time applicants. The April 2020 round has 16 applicants and
supported a range of projects totalling $54,850. Projects included native
forest, sand dune and wetland restoration, and plant and animal pest control.
Te Ao
Tūroa
56 The
third year of Te Ao Tūroa Grants saw a total of $53,100 awarded to five
community groups achieving support for their projects around climate change
adaptation, the creation of backyard ecosanctuaries, practice of Mātauraka
Māori in habitat restoration, community composting and marine education.
The grant total includes reallocated underspend due to the COVID-19 disruptions
and a grant repayment from a previous recipient.
57 A
native planting guide and webmap to help plan small scale native planting
projects were launched over lockdown. The planting guide booklet has overall
information about native planting while the webmap can be used to find out more
specific information about plant species suitable for a certain location/area.
58 The
first trial of a Te Ao Tūroa summer studentship is underway, developing a
guide for sustainable flatting and establishing a sustainability hub for
students at the University of Otago and Otago Polytechnic, respectively.
59 The
Environment Envoy project, in partnership with Dunedin Dream Brokerage, has
been taken forward for a third year, with a call out for creative projects that
encourage the Dunedin community to see their local environment reimagined
through innovative and participatory use of vacant space. The announcement of a
successful project has been on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
60 The
first community hui for Te Ao Tūroa scheduled on 28 March has been
postponed to a later date. The hui is to showcase what has happened in the city
since Te Ao Tūroa has been in place, to engage with the community and to
identify and develop partnerships and collaboration.
South Dunedin Future (SDF)
Project
61 A
new phase of SDF community engagement began in February and gained positive
momentum before COVID-19 lockdown. Seven community meetings were held before
the lockdown restrictions, and initial feedback was positive. Another 31 groups
were also lined up or keen to meet prior to COVID-19 lockdown.
62 Since
the COVID-19 lockdown, groups have been contacted to reinstate meetings as soon
as they are ready. Engagement for the St Clair-St Kilda Coastal Plan has also
re-started, with the introduction of an online interactive ideas wall where
suggestions can be shared with other people in the community within a safe
environment. The online survey is still available to give feedback with paper
versions being sent to residential homes located near the coast.
63 The
first in a series of monthly SDF ‘drop in’ sessions began at the
South Dunedin Community Hub on 20 February. The drop-in session focused on the
geology of South Dunedin and was led by ORC Natural Hazards Analyst Dr Sharon
Hornblow, with support from DCC staff. The session attracted about 20 people
and provided a good opportunity for those people to engage directly with staff.
Monthly sessions at the Hub will restart in August.
64 Progress
has been made on creating a database of technical reports and data, as well as
protocols around what goes into the database and how it will be used. The
establishment of a Technical Advisory Group is also underway.
Covenant of Mayors
65 An
update report on DCC’s Climate Change Work Programme was provided to
Council on 25 May 2020. The report noted next steps around the work programme,
which include commissioning an update to the emissions inventory of the city,
which is a key commitment of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and
Energy. Further details are noted in the update report.
66 The
Climate 2030 Rapid Review is underway. It involves assessing current and future
DCC activity to identify activities that could add to or reduce emissions, as
well as build climate resilience.
Tertiary
Precinct Planning and Co-ordination
67 As
reported in February, the Council’s partnership with the tertiary
stakeholders University of Otago and Otago Polytechnic is being refreshed.
68 Due
to the COVID-19 lockdown the proposed refresh of the Tertiary Precinct Planning
Group (the operational group established some twelve years ago to ensure
co-ordination of planning activities across the tertiary quarter) did not take
place. It is proposed that the group shift its focus away from formal
workstreams, towards providing an integrated forum to collaboratively address
issues within the tertiary quarter and respond to emerging priorities.
69 The
Steering Group (the overarching governance group) met in June to discuss how
the tertiary organisations fared during lockdown and the anticipated impacts of
the COVID-19 pandemic on the tertiary sector and the city. They discussed
measures to support recovery including a hardship fund for students and
scheduling in extra graduations to bring visitors to the city.
Capital Projects
Waterfront Revitalisation
70 As
reported in February, work in the early part of the year focussed on
negotiating with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and
the Waterfront partners, the terms and conditions associated with the
Provisional Growth Fund (PGF) funding and confirming the approach for the
procurement of the design, construction and project management of Stage 1a.
71 Council
reviewed its position on the Waterfront Revitalisation project on 25 May in
light of the economic impacts of the COVID-19 lockdown. Council resolved to
withdraw from the PGF process and to put the project on hold until economic
conditions improved. The offered $20M funding towards Stage 1a would not be
taken up. In order to ensure that the City was well positioned to
undertake the project at the point when the economy improved. Council also
resolved that staff continue, as far as practicable and subject to not
incurring unnecessary cost, with some of the underpinning work on consenting
and design processes.
72 A
strategic level hui was convened with senior representatives of mana whenua,
Ngāi Tahu Property and Aukaha (the consultancy arm of Otago papatipu
rūnaka) to discuss working in partnership on the Waterfront and other
strategic projects, as well as partnering to undertake masterplanning across
the wider area and linking back to the central city. This masterplanning
work and work on ensuring the cultural values of mana whenua are integral to
our major projects and will continue despite the Waterfront revitalisation
project being on hold.
Urban
Design
73 The
work programme for this period has included designing schemes for Tunnel Beach,
Te Raoune Reserve, Schools Speed projects, the Octagon Experience, playground
strategy development, and the Sutton Bridge. The DCC has been working
alongside Aukaha and mana whenua in the development of guidance documents to
inform future development in the city.
74 Major
projects still ongoing are the Central City Plan: George Street Project,
Tertiary Streets, North East Valley Cycleway project, South Dunedin Community
Library, Peninsula Connection, and Dunedin Waterfront projects. This work has
included stakeholder and community engagement, preliminary design and urban
design advice.
OPTIONS
75 As this is an update report, there are no options.
NEXT STEPS
52 Key
areas of focus for the next quarter include:
· Progressing the
appeals on the 2GP and progressing Variation 2 on growth for housing.
· Renewed
stakeholder engagement on George Street with a refreshed Central City Advisory
Group.
· Holding the annual
heritage awards, rescheduled for August.
· A community hui on
Te Ao Tūroa (rescheduled due to COVID-19 lockdown).
· Progressing the
carbon 2030 Rapid Review of DCC activities.
· Reactivating
community engagement on South Dunedin Future post COVID-19 lockdown.
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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Robert West - Acting General Manager City Services
Simon Pickford - General Manager Community Services
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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
As noted in the report the DCC Kaiwhakamāherehere was appointed in February 2020 and
assumed the strategic lead on the development of the Mana Whakahono ā
Rohe/Iwi Partnership Agreement, previously initiated by Te Rūnanga o
Ngāi Tahu on 11 July 2019.
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Sustainability
This is an update report, there are no
specific implications for sustainability.
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LTP/Annual Plan /
Financial Strategy /Infrastructure Strategy
This is an update report, there are no
implications for the LTP, although some measures are level of service
performance measures that are 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 report is assessed as being of low
significance under the Significance and Engagement Policy.
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Engagement –
external
This is an update report, no external
engagement has been undertaken.
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Engagement -
internal
This is 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.
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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, although aspects of the report may be of interest to them.
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