Agenda of Planning and Environment Committee

Planning and Environment Committee

15 June 2021

Planning and Environment Committee

MINUTES

Minutes of an ordinary meeting of the Planning and Environment Committee held in the Edinburgh Room, Municipal Chambers, The Octagon, Dunedin on Tuesday 16 February 2021, commencing at 3:02pm.

PRESENT

Chairperson	Cr David Benson-Pope
Deputy Chairperson	Cr Sophie Barker	Cr Steve Walker
Members	Cr Rachel Elder	Cr Christine Garey
	Cr Doug Hall	Mayor Aaron Hawkins
	Cr Carmen Houlahan	Cr Marie Laufiso
	Cr Mike Lord	Cr Jim O'Malley
	Cr Jules Radich	Cr Chris Staynes
	Cr Lee Vandervis	Cr Andrew Whiley

IN ATTENDANCE

Robert West, Acting General Manager City Services, Nicola Pinfold, Group Manager Community and Planning; Paul Henderson, Acting Group Manager Customer and Regulatory Services, Clare Sullivan, Team Leader Civic.

Governance Support Officer Lauren McDonald

1 Public Forum

There was no Public Forum.

2 Apologies
There were no apologies.
3 Confirmation of agenda
	Moved (Chairperson David Benson-Pope/Cr Doug Hall): That the Committee: Confirms the agenda without addition or alteration Motion carried (PLA/2021/001)

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.

Moved (Cr Mike Lord/Cr Christine Garey):

That the Committee:

a) Notes the Elected Members' Interest Register; and

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

Motion carried (PLA/2021/002)

5 Confirmation of Minutes

5.1 Planning and Environment Committee meeting - 17 November 2020

Moved (Deputy Chairperson Steve Walker/Cr Chris Staynes):

That the Committee:

Confirms the public part of the minutes of the Planning and Environment Committee meeting held on 17 November 2020 as a correct record.

Motion carried (PLA/2021/003)

Part A Reports

6 Planning and Environment Committee Forward Work Programme

The report from Civic provided a regular update of the Planning and Environment Committee forward work programme for the 2021-2022 to show areas of activity, progress and expected timeframes for decision making across a range of areas of work.

Moved (Chairperson David Benson-Pope/Cr Doug Hall):

That the Committee:

a) Notes the Planning and Environment Committee forward work programme as at

10 February 2021.

Motion carried (PLA/2021/004)

7 Actions from resolutions of Planning and Environment Committee meetings

The actions report from Civic outlined progress on the implementing of resolutions of Planning and Environment Committee meetings from the start of the 2019-2022 triennium.

Moved (Chairperson David Benson-Pope/Cr Chris Staynes):

That the Committee:

a) Notes the Open and Completed Actions from resolutions of Planning and Environment Committee meetings to 16 February 2021.

Motion carried (PLA/2021/005)

8 Planning and Environment Activity Report for the Quarter Ending 31 December 2020
	The Community and Planning and Customer and Regulatory Services report provided an update on activities including: city development; resource consents; building services; alcohol licensing; environmental health; animal control and parking enforcement for the three months ending 31 December 2020.
	Paul Henderson, Acting Group Manager Customer Regulatory Services, and Nicola Pinfold Group Manager Community and Planning spoke to the report and responded to questions from elected members.
	Moved (Chairperson David Benson-Pope/Cr Mike Lord): That the Committee: a) Notes the Planning and Environment Activity Report for the quarter ending 31 December 2020. Motion carried (PLA/2021/006)

9 Items for Consideration by the Chair

No items for consideration were raised.

The meeting concluded at 3:25 p.m.

..............................................

CHAIRPERSON

Planning and Environment Committee

15 June 2021

Planning and Environment Activity Report for the Quarter Ending 31 March 2021

Department: 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 three months ending 31 March 2021.

2 Some highlights for the quarter covered by this report include:

· Continued high volume of building consent applications have been received.

· The second tranche of mediation on the Second Generation Dunedin City District Plan (2GP) appeals (which covers close to half of the appeals points lodged) has been completed, with agreement reached between the parties on almost all matters discussed.

· Initial background work is underway on the Future Development Strategy.

· Restructure of the City Development team.

RECOMMENDATIONS

That the Committee:

a) Notes the Planning and Environment Activity Report for the quarter ending 31 March 2021.

BACKGROUND

Activities

3 The City Development and Resource Consents 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).

4 Regulatory Services contributes directly to the Safe and Healthy City outcome (part of the Social Wellbeing Strategy) which enhances personal safety in relation to building services, animal services, health licensing, the sale and supply of alcohol and parking enforcement.

Residents’ Opinion Survey

5 The Residents’ Opinion Survey (ROS) is the principal mechanism by which the Council measures residents’ satisfaction with a wide range of its activities.

6 The ROS is conducted on a continuous monthly basis and aims to obtain around 100 responses each month, giving a quarterly sample size of around 300 residents and a yearly sample size of around 1,200. A sample size of 300 has an expected margin of error (at the 95% confidence interval) of ± 5.7%.

7 The ROS 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.

8 The ROS was temporarily suspended during the July to September 2020 quarter due to an operational issue. The ROS resumed in October 2020 with data sampling increased for the October and December quarter in order to obtain appropriate sample numbers for the July to December 2020 period. Data sampling returned to normal from January 2021 onwards.

DISCUSSION

Value and Efficiency

Some Key ROS Results

9 Satisfaction with ‘Overall Look and Feel of the City’ has decreased by 10% from the same period last year. Dissatisfaction has also increased by 5% compared to the same period last year.

Table 1

10 Satisfaction with ‘Regulatory Services’ (excluding Building Services) has decreased by 5% from the same period last year.

Table 2

Resource Consents

11 Table 3 below shows resource consent processing over the last five years. The red line shows the number of applications granted each month. The number granted in the 20/21 years was six percent above the average of the preceding five years. The January and December low points reflect the summer holiday periods and this fluctuation is considered normal. The blue line shows the percentage meeting the statutory deadline and ranges from 89% to 100%. ‘Consents Processed’ is considered a good yardstick measure of all the other activity in the team.

12 The quarter ending 31 March continued a busy period for RMA complaints. The total of 175 received was 36% above the average of 128 for the equivalent nine months in the 2012 to 2019 period. RMA complaints typically cover a range of issues, but the main reasons for lodging an RMA complaint were earthworks, election signage, and damage to trees and vegetation.

13 More detailed information on resource consents and other work undertaken by the Resource Consents team can be accessed here: http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/services/planning.

Table 3

Building Services

14 The volume of building consent applications received for the first three months of the calendar year in 2021 were at a seven-year high, with 638 applications received. Similarly, there was a seven‑year high for the number of site inspections undertaken, with 2,612 inspections.

15 The value of consents for the quarter was $92.5m. Building consent application numbers for new dwellings for the quarter was 100.

Table 4

16 Despite the high volumes, 99.5% of consents were being processed within the 20 working days for the quarter. Inspection bookings were currently around seven to eight days out. The average time to process a consent during that time period was circa 12 to 13 working days.

Table 5

17 For Code Compliance Certificate requests, 99.3% were processed within 20 working days in the quarter.

Alcohol Licensing

18 The District Licensing Committee (DLC) met once during the quarter to consider a special licence application submitted by the Otago University Students’ Association for the Starters Bar. The application was approved for extended trading hours in the early part of Orientation Week.

19 In the quarter there have been changes of premises ownership and a new on-licence and associated off-licence in Bond Street. Super Liquor Green Island has moved from the Commercial Tavern site to the former Westpac Bank on the main street and there was a new internet-based seller located in the district.

Table 6

Environmental Health

20 Overall food safety in Dunedin food premises remains at a high standard, with the percentage of ‘A’ Grade food premises reaching 92% for this quarter.

21 The number of noise complaints had increased this quarter, consistent with that of previous years around the time when students had typically returned to the city. There were 1,327 complaints received this quarter, compared to 886 complaints in the last quarter.

Table 7

Animal Services

22 There was a reduction in customer service requests over the last quarter (570 requests) compared to the same period in 2020 (729 requests).

Table 8

Parking Services Enforcement

23 There was a decrease in the number of requests for service over the last quarter (1,116 requests) compared to the same period in 2020 (1,279 requests) as shown in Table 9 below.

Table 9

24 There was a decrease in parking infringement numbers over the last quarter (8,300 infringements) compared to the same period in 2020 (13,053 infringements).

Table 10

Eco-Design Advisor

25 Home Energy Audit Toolkits (HEAT kits) were formally introduced into the Dunedin City Libraries in January 2021 for people to borrow to check how their house is performing energy-wise and give ideas on how to reduce home energy use.

26 Work has commenced on the Dunedin Public Library ‘Greenstar’ voluntary building certificate project, with energy and water monitoring now underway.

Table 11

Major Initiatives

27 This section provides updates on the current status of the major initiatives and is not confined to the quarter ending March 2021.

Second Generation Dunedin City District Plan (2GP) - Appeals

28 Mediation for the second group of the 2GP appeals began on 30 July 2020 and is due for completion in April 2021. Topics in this round of mediation included hazard facilities, service stations, reverse sensitivity, mana whenua, commercial, campus, residential strategic, network utilities, management of rail, mining, and biodiversity and coastal character.

29 Staff are working on preparing consent documentation on the other topics that have been mediated. When consent memoranda are signed by the Environment Court, they are issued to the Council as a consent order and the resulting changes are then incorporated into the 2GP.

2GP - Growth Planning and Variation 2

30 Under the National Policy Statement on Urban Development (NPS-UD), Dunedin is required to develop a Future Development Strategy (FDS). The purpose of an FDS is to promote long-term strategic planning by setting out how Council intends to achieve well-functioning urban environments and provide sufficient development capacity over the next 30 years. The FDS is a joint responsibility with the Otago Regional Council (ORC).

31 The FDS is to spatially identify the broad locations in which development capacity will be provided over the long term and the infrastructure required to service that capacity. The NPS-UD also requires councils to develop an implementation plan for their FDS and to update the implementation plan annually. The FDS will update or replace the current Dunedin City Spatial Plan.

32 Initial background work on the FDS is currently underway, including developing a project plan and undertaking a housing capacity assessment. Earlier work such as the growth projections, housing preferences study, housing choices community engagement process and background work will also feed into the FDS to evaluate options to increase housing capacity. A report on the FDS is expected to go to Council or the Planning and Environment Committee around mid‑2021.

33 The early work on the FDS was also used to identify a range of proposals that were included in a variation to the 2GP to achieve some ‘quick wins’ that will add additional housing capacity to meet medium term growth projections (Variation 2 – Additional Housing Capacity).

34 The proposed changes include:

· Zoning changes for some sites, which will result in:

o New greenfield sites for development in areas that were zoned rural or rural residential.

o More areas of medium-density zoning (where the density of housing can be increased).

· Rule changes for most of suburban Dunedin that will:

o Make better provision for social housing.

o Remove the restrictions on who can live in family flats.

o Allow smaller site sizes and provide for duplexes.

o Create more flexibility for development through changes such as making it easier to average out site sizes in subdivisions.

· Changes which will improve how the plan manages the development of areas rezoned for new houses (greenfield sites) to encourage good urban design and well-managed infrastructure.

35 Most Dunedin residents live in areas which would be affected by one or more of these proposed changes. A paper seeking to notify Variation 2 to the 2GP was presented to Council on 29 January 2021. Variation 2 to the 2GP was publicly notified on 3 February 2021; the initial submission period closed on 4 March 2021 and a total of 305 submissions were received. The further submission phase is proposed to run from mid-May until early June.

Dunedin Heritage Trust Fund

36 The Dunedin Heritage Trust Fund Committee met in February 2021 for the third funding round of the 2020/21 year, allocating $184,855 in heritage grants. The heritage developments supported across the city in Round Three leveraged an estimated investment of $1,792,876 in heritage work, and included the following projects:

Address	Name	Grant Amount	Support for
282 George Street	-	$5,000	Earthquake strengthening and façade painting
31 & 33 Dowling Street	Excelsior Building	$2,000	Cleaning of the front facade
453 Princes Street	-	$5,000	Repair of façade steel-framed bay window
36 Rankeilor Street	Spiritualist Church	$12,755	Roof replacement
16 Haywood Street	-	$1,600.00	Retrofit double-glazing and timber window repairs
545 Gladbrook Road	Gladbrook Estate	$8,000	Stabilization of roof and floor of gardener’s cottage
27 Willis Street	Waterfront Industry Commission Building (former)	$25,000	Roof repairs, waterproofing and addition of guard rail to roof
28 Bellevue Street	-	$15,000	Timber cladding repairs, gate repairs and roof turret repairs
884 George Street	-	$7,500	Dismantling and rebuilding of leaning brick chimney
1 Queens Gardens	Former Taimex Building	$30,000	Heritage redevelopment of the building including seismic strengthening
378 Great King Street	Otago University Bookshop	$18,000	Seismic strengthening
33 Jetty Street	Otago Education Board Offices (former)	$40,000	Structural, fire and concept design for heritage redevelopment
62 & 64 Dundas Street	Terrace	$15,000	Slate roof replacement

Heritage

37 The quarter has been a busy time for resource consents and general heritage work. Planning has begun for the 2022 Heritage Awards. Background work has started on additions to the heritage schedule to be considered for Variation 3. The Council is supporting the Annual National Local Government Heritage Planners Forum which will be hosted in Dunedin in October 2021. Support was also provided for the reinstatement of the Dunedin Causeway project into the Wall Street Mall and various Property department projects.

Biodiversity

38 The March 2021 round of the Dunedin Biodiversity Fund had 18 applicants seeking $74,872, nearly twice the available funding of $43,427. Decisions on applications were made at the Grants Subcommittee meeting on 5 May 2021. The Fund continues to attract significant interest and high numbers of applicants, many of which were private landowners and first‑time applicants.

Te Ao Tūroa

39 The second year of a Te Ao Tūroa Summer Studentship was completed in partnership with University of Otago and Otago Polytechnic, producing an interactive map database that helps identify groups and organisations that were working towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in the Dunedin area. The project outcomes feed into RCE Otago “Whaiao – Education for Sustainability Otago” which the Council is part of.

40 Environment Envoy supports creative projects that encourage the Dunedin community to see the local environment in new ways through the innovative use of vacant space by artists. This year’s project is ‘The Lime Burners’, which aims to engage the Dunedin community in the reduction of CO2 emissions in the artmaking and building industries by showcasing experimental artistic and masonry techniques that focus on lime materials as low carbon alternatives.

41 A call-out for the fourth year of Te Ao Tūroa Grants applications was made over March, with an emphasis on projects that take a city-wide approach, create partnerships and demonstrate an innovative approach to supporting the natural world. Four applications were received, three of which met the eligibility criteria.

42 The Te Ao Tūroa Partnership met on 15 March. The Partnership noted and discussed updates on the refresh of the existing DCC’s Strategic Framework and the next steps in the process for developing Thriving Cities Initiative’s City Portrait for Dunedin. Collaboration with the Partnership in the process via workshops was sought. Due to uncertainty around how the Partnership would fit into a new broader framework, the Partnership resolved to pause the Partnership quarterly meetings (expect for the grants selection function) until clearer direction became available through the Strategic Refresh/Thriving Cities work.

South Dunedin Future Project

43 The ORC finalised and released its Otago Climate Change Risk Assessment in March, which will inform the South Dunedin Future (SDF) programme. Work is progressing between DCC and ORC regarding programme governance and project integration. Conversations have been progressing with the Ministry for the Environment Climate Change Adaptation team and recruitment for a dedicated South Dunedin Future Programme Manager has been initiated.

44 The SDF community engagement project has continued to build relationships and awareness of the challenges and opportunities for South Dunedin. Between January and March there were a further 15 meetings held with community groups in the wider South Dunedin area. Highlights include participation in the South Dunedin Street Festival, Moana Nui pacific festival, combined Samoan church service, two heritage forums and the Caversham community group. Staff from Council and the ORC have met with a total of 55 community groups and other stakeholders since the start of last year and staff have also contributed to several media stories and video interviews in the last quarter. Two future monthly SDF ‘drop in’ sessions are planned in South Dunedin for early June and July.

45 Staff have begun the process to wrap up and evaluate the first 18-month phase of community engagement and have begun planning a second phase of engagement to follow in the latter part of 2021.

46 A new SDF Programme Manger role is currently under recruitment.

Mana Whakahono ā Rohe/Iwi Partnership Agreement

47 The Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreement, which had been the driver for a Māori strategic approach at the Council, is now becoming a component of the Council’s broader strategic process, in partnership with mana whenua. In addition, in light of the Randerson Review Report (July 2020) and proposed changes to the Resource Management Act, it has been timely to consider the impact these changes will have on the Mana Whakahono work and potential changes to timing.

48 Recent discussions at the Maori Participation Working Party in March 2021 highlighted that the current deadline of May 2021 for the Mana Whakahono ā Rohe should be moved. Both parties agreed to this and it is suggested it be extended from May 2021 to December 2022.

Carbon Zero 2030

49 A report was provided to Council on 27 January 2021, which presented the findings of the Climate 2030 Rapid Review and the work to date on the update of the Council’s Emissions Reduction Plan. The report also provided an assessment of the alignment of 10-year plan budgets against the emissions reduction opportunities identified in the above two workstreams.

50 A further update to the Dunedin emissions profile 2018/19 has been completed with a new methodology. The Council also contributed to the development of the Otago Region Greenhouse Gas Profile.

51 In addition, the draft Zero Carbon 2030 Alliance Memorandum of Understanding has been submitted to the governing bodies of the potential founding partners. The Council’s Manahautū will lead discussions with the Rūnaka in relation to the Alliance and the ORC is seeking further technical clarifications ahead of submitting the draft MoU to its Council for consideration.

Capital Projects

City to Waterfront Bridge

52 The scope of the project is being reviewed with mana whenua and other stakeholders to ensure that the bridge meets broader aspirations for the city and mana whenua cultural values. Staff will report back to the Planning and Environment Committee in November 2021 with recommendations as to the scope and timing of the bridge connection.

Other place-based and amenity improvement projects

53 The urban designers have been working closely with PARS to advance detail design for Te Rauone Reserve. This includes the recently completed lizard habitat that was required as a condition of the wildlife permit. Car park construction, playground redevelopment and amenity planting will dovetail with coastal work that is being carried out by Port Otago as the next stage of development. Design has included continuing input from the Rūnaka. Most of this stage will be completed by the end of 2021; however, this will depend on the final construction methodology provided by Port Otago.

54 A significant landscape project on the edge of the recently installed separated cycleway on Portobello Road between Andersons Bay Road and Portsmouth Drive has been designed, with a likely contractor selected. A separate project will see the installation of new bench seats along Portsmouth Drive. The existing seats will be replaced with a high spec benches that are currently in storage. Both projects are anticipated to be finalised by July 2021.

55 City Development and PARS have recently engaged with Mosgiel-Taieri Community Board to produce concepts to redevelop existing pocket parks on Gordon Road, as well as a concept to redevelop space within the Mosgiel Memorial Garden (for the design service only). The pocket park redevelopments are likely to be funded by existing budgets.

56 The Property department has requested that City Development prepare a landscape plan for 48 School Street, where Council flats are currently being rebuilt to passive house standard. It is anticipated that planting associated with the landscape design will take place in the first planting season following completion of the build.

57 With Centres amenity upgrades budget returning in the 10 year plan, City Development has been working with Transport to refresh the centres prioritisation work programme. The initial stages of this work will see a collaborative reassessment of the centres to ensure we have accurate and up to date information to direct spending and prioritization of work. This work will look more closely at the place-based attributes of the city’s commercial centres (other than the CBD) and assess traffic safety requirements.

58 City Development continue to provide formal advice and recommendations on the Central City Plan.

OPTIONS

59 As this is an update report, there are no options.

NEXT STEPS

60 Key areas of focus for the next quarter include:

· Completing consent documentation for 2GP appeals that have been mediated and filing it with the Court.

· Variation 2 to the 2GP – further submissions and hearings stage.

· Completion of the first housing capacity assessment under the NPS-UD.

· Developing a project plan for the Future Development Strategy and setting up governance and team structure arrangements.

· Progressing with the ORC on the governance and leadership of the South Dunedin Future programme.

· Progressing the work on the new emissions data management system and Zero Carbon 2030 Alliance Memorandum of Understanding.

1 Signatories

Author:

Paul Henderson - Acting Group Manager Customer and Regulatory Services

Authoriser:

Robert West - Acting General Manager City Services

Simon Pickford - General Manager Community Services

Attachments

There are no attachments for this report. SUMMARY OF CONSIDERATIONS

Fit with purpose of Local Government

This report promotes the environmental and social well-being of communities in the present and for the future.

Fit with strategic framework

	Contributes	Detracts	Not applicable
Social Wellbeing Strategy	☒	☐	☐
Economic Development Strategy	☒	☐	☐
Environment Strategy	☒	☐	☐
Arts and Culture Strategy	☒	☐	☐
3 Waters Strategy	☒	☐	☐
Spatial Plan	☒	☐	☐
Integrated Transport Strategy	☒	☐	☐
Parks and Recreation Strategy	☒	☐	☐
Other strategic projects/policies/plans	☒	☐	☐

The Planning and Environment portfolio of activities support the outcomes of a number of strategies.

Māori Impact Statement

Kāti Huirapa Runaka ki Puketeraki and Otakou Runaka are involved in a number of major initiatives. Aukaha is also working alongside the Council on the Waterfront Bridge project. The Council’s Manahautū is leading this work.

Sustainability

As this is an update report there are no specific implications for sustainability.

10YP/Annual Plan / Financial Strategy /Infrastructure Strategy

As this is an update report, there are no implications for the 10YP, although some measures are level of service performance measures that are annually reported as part of the 10YP.

Financial considerations

The updates reported are within existing operating and capital budgets.

Significance

This report is low in terms of significance under the Significance and Engagement Policy.

Engagement – external

As this is an update report, no external engagement has been undertaken.

Engagement - internal

As this is an update report, no internal engagement has been undertaken. Input into the Major Initiatives and Project Updates sections has been provided by teams within the Regulatory Services and Community and Planning Groups.

Risks: Legal / Health and Safety etc.

There are no identified risks.

Conflict of Interest

There are no known conflicts of interest.

Community Boards

There are no specific implications for Community Boards, although aspects of the report may be of interest to them.

Planning and Environment Committee

15 June 2021

A Vegetation Map for Dunedin City

Department: City Development

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1 The purpose of this report is to notify the Committee that the project to create a vegetation map for Dunedin City was completed in March 2020.

2 The map provides a detailed picture of vegetation cover across Dunedin City that compliments and enhances the data sets from regional and national agencies. Together this information will be used to identify priority areas for ecological restoration and protection, and for district-wide monitoring of the extent of indigenous ecosystems to support improved outcomes for indigenous biodiversity in the city.

RECOMMENDATIONS

That the Committee:

a) Notes the completion of the Vegetation Map for Dunedin City project

BACKGROUND

3 Dunedin City is large (c. 328,000 ha) and ecologically diverse; extending from alpine areas to the coast, with indigenous biodiversity ranging from vegetation types characteristic of dryland central Otago to coastal forests. It includes wildlife characteristic of the sub-Antarctic islands.

4 As part of its 2018-2028 10 Year Plan, Dunedin City Council (DCC) approved $70,000 for establishing a baseline of biodiversity data. This was part of the larger operating budget for the DCC City Development team for 2018/19 towards encouraging private investment in ecological restoration, and biodiversity protection on private land.

5 A more accurate baseline of vegetation cover was required to implement policies and outcomes identified in the proposed District Plan (2GP) and Dunedin’s Environment Strategy (Te Ao Tūroa); and anticipated through the draft National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity (NPS-IB) and national Biodiversity Strategy (Te Mana o te Taiao).

6 In February 2019, DCC City Development commissioned a Vegetation Map for Dunedin City (the Map) that was designed to be of higher resolution than the currently available national classifications data.

7 The Map was completed by Wildland Consultants Ltd in March 2020, just prior to the Covid-19 lockdown.

DISCUSSION

8 The Map includes vegetation cover for all of Dunedin City except urban areas (c. 8,000ha).

9 The data is comprised of 21,500 polygons/lines of data with 35 pre-defined broad vegetation classes. Attachment A shows examples of mapping from this project.

10 Approximately half of the vegetation within Dunedin’s territorial boundaries was mapped as exotic e.g. pasture, plantation forestry. One-quarter of the vegetation was mapped as indigenous e.g. native forest, kanuka shrubland, tall tussock grassland. The remaining vegetation was classified as mixed i.e. a combination of exotic and indigenous vegetation cover (22%) or “n/a” (e.g. freshwater, roads, etc). Approximately 2% was identified as urban at the design stage and not included in the map contract.

11 Combined with an upcoming regional dataset for significant habitats of indigenous fauna (Otago Regional Council) and existing national threatened species databases (Department of Conservation), the Vegetation Map for Dunedin City will provide a more comprehensive picture of current indigenous biodiversity for the city.

12 Some key work areas the Map can be utilised for include:

· Te Ao Tūroa - Biodiversity and ecosystem health primary measure: The Map creates a baseline for monitoring of indigenous biodiversity extent.

· Identification of significant indigenous vegetation and significant habitats of indigenous fauna to enhance the 2GP schedule of Areas of Significant Biodiversity Value (ASBVs).

· Better information for consents and compliance.

· Prioritisation of field survey work and conservation effort for threatened species.

13 For example, the Map shows that mature or regenerating podocarp-broadleaved forest now covers approximately 10% of the Dunedin Ecological District. Prior to human arrival almost all of the Dunedin Ecological District was covered by this forest type. Therefore, any remaining podocarp-broadleaved forest in this ecological district is ecologically significant, meeting the 2GP rarity criteria for an ASBV.

14 The Map has already been used to inform the 2GP Variation 2 work programme. Specific mapped areas have been supplied to groups modelling possum abundance to inform Predator Free Dunedin, and prioritising catchment revegetation projects.

15 As with all mapping methodologies, some spatial and thematic errors are inevitable, and the map will be updated and improved over time. Mapping can inform, but is not a substitute for, ecological field survey for statutory processes.

OPTIONS

16 No options are presented as this report is for noting.

NEXT STEPS

17 Staff will develop a communications package to accompany public release of the map; and a process to receive, validate and incorporate feedback on the map to enable continued improvement.

Signatories

Author:

Richard Ewans - Biodiversity Advisor

Authoriser:

Anna Johnson - City Development Manager

Simon Drew - General Manager Infrastructure & Development

Attachments

	Title	Page
⇩a	Examples of mapping from A Vegetation Map for Dunedin City	53

SUMMARY OF CONSIDERATIONS

Fit with purpose of Local Government

This decision promotes the environmental well-being of communities in the present and for the future.

Fit with strategic framework

	Contributes	Detracts	Not applicable
Social Wellbeing Strategy	☐	☐	☒
Economic Development Strategy	☐	☐	☒
Environment Strategy	☒	☐	☐
Arts and Culture Strategy	☐	☐	☒
3 Waters Strategy	☐	☐	☒
Spatial Plan	☒	☐	☐
Integrated Transport Strategy	☐	☐	☒
Parks and Recreation Strategy	☒	☐	☐
Other strategic projects/policies/plans	☒	☐	☐

The map will be used as baseline data for one of the primary measures of Dunedin’s Environment Strategy (Te Ao Tūroa) outcomes, and also contributes strongly to ensuring 2GP Natural Environment objectives can be achieved as noted in Paragraph 12.

Māori Impact Statement

Indigenous biodiversity is taonga for Manawhenua. All mapping information will be made available to Manawhenua, and a presentation on the project will be given to Aukaha.

Sustainability

The project outlined in this report will contribute positively to the long-term sustainability of the natural environment of Dunedin.

LTP/Annual Plan / Financial Strategy /Infrastructure Strategy

There are no implications.

Financial considerations

The project was completed within budget.

Significance

This noting report is considered to be of low significance in terms of the Council’s Significance and Engagement Policy.

Engagement – external

The project was presented at the New Zealand Ecological Society Conference in December 2019 (in poster form), and to the regional interagency Otago Biodiversity Forum in December 2020. There has been no external community engagement on the project.

Engagement - internal

The project has been noted at inter-departmental Biodiversity meetings. The Corporate Policy team led the decision on the Te Ao Tūroa ecosystem primary measure (to which the map contributes) through the Te Ao Tūroa Partnership.

Risks: Legal / Health and Safety etc.

There are no identified legal or health and safety risks or other risks.

Conflict of Interest

There are no known conflicts of interest.

Community Boards

The mapping project is likely to be of interest to all Community Boards.

Planning and Environment Committee

15 June 2021

DCC Submission on the Public Transport Operating Model Review Discussion Paper

Department: Transport

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1 This report seeks approval for a Dunedin City Council (DCC) submission (Attachment A) to the Ministry of Transport’s Public Transport Operating Model (PTOM) review discussion paper. www.transport.govt.nz//assets/Uploads/Discussion/PTOMReview-DiscussionPaper-v2.pdf

RECOMMENDATIONS

That the Committee:

a) Approves the DCC submission, with any amendments, to the Ministry of Transport on the PTOM review discussion paper

BACKGROUND

2 The Public Transport Operating Model (PTOM) is the framework for governing the planning, procurement and delivery of public transport. It was implemented in 2013 with a goal to increase patronage with reduced reliance by regional council on government subsidies.

3 The Ministry of Transport is currently reviewing PTOM to understand how it is working and whether it can be improved. The discussion paper seeks feedback on:

· The PTOM objectives,

· Decarbonisation of the public transport bus fleet,

· Roles and relationships in the public transport sector,

· The labour market in the public transport sector,

· Services that operate outside of PTOM, and

· On-demand public transport services.

4 The discussion paper also considers issues and potential changes to current roles and responsibilities for public transport. For example, it notes that:

· In some regions there is less benefit in having regional level responsibilities for public transport planning where there is limited integration of services between territorial authority boundaries.

· There are potential issues with infrastructure and services being managed by different organisations.

5 At this stage the only proposed change to the relationship between regional councils and territorial authorities is to require the Regional Public Transport Plan (RPTP) to be developed in partnership.

6 Submissions close on Friday 18 June 2021.

DISCUSSION

7 The draft DCC submission supports the Government’s objective to decarbonise the public transport bus fleet, while calling for consideration of higher ambitions on emissions reduction, in line with the DCC’s Zero Carbon 2030 target.

8 The DCC submission is supportive of mandating decarbonisation through legislation to ensure council funding through 10 year plans and from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency for zero emission buses.

9 The DCC also asks the Ministry to consider shifting the planning, fare setting, procurement and contract administration responsibilities for public transport in Dunedin from the Otago Regional Council to the DCC.

OPTIONS

Option One – Recommended Option

10 Approve the DCC submission, with any amendments, to the Ministry of Transport’s PTOM review discussion paper.

Advantages

· Opportunity to support a shift to decarbonise public transport.

· Opportunity to request that central government considers whether public transport should be transferred from regional councils to city councils.

Disadvantages

· There are no identified disadvantages for this option.

Option Two – Do not approve the submission

11 Do not approve the DCC submission on the Ministry of Transport’s PTOM review discussion paper.

Advantages

· There are no identified advantages for this option.

Disadvantages

· Missed opportunity to support decarbonisation of public transport and change to the roles and responsibilities for public transport.

NEXT STEPS

12 If Council approves the DCC submission on the Ministry of Transport’s PTOM review discussion paper it will be sent to the Ministry of Transport.

13 If Council does not approve the DCC submission, no further action is required.

Signatories

Author:

Helen Chapman - Senior Transport Planner

Simone Handwerk - Transport Planning Team Leader

Authoriser:

Jeanette Wikaira - Manahautū (General Manager Maori Partnerships and Policy)

Simon Drew - General Manager Infrastructure & Development

Attachments

	Title	Page
⇩a	DCC submission to the Ministry of Transport PTOM review discussion paper	61

SUMMARY OF CONSIDERATIONS

Fit with purpose of Local Government

This decision promotes the environmental well-being of communities in the present and for the future.

Fit with strategic framework

	Contributes	Detracts	Not applicable
Social Wellbeing Strategy	☐	☐	☒
Economic Development Strategy	☐	☐	☒
Environment Strategy	☒	☐	☐
Arts and Culture Strategy	☐	☐	☒
3 Waters Strategy	☐	☐	☒
Spatial Plan	☒	☐	☐
Integrated Transport Strategy	☒	☐	☐
Parks and Recreation Strategy	☐	☐	☒
Other strategic projects/policies/plans	☐	☐	☒

The draft submission has been developed in alignment with the DCC’s strategic priorities and the DCC’s Zero Carbon 2030 target.

Māori Impact Statement

Given the timeframe constraints for submission feedback, staff have been unable to consult with mana whenua and matawaka on the impacts that may result from a decision to approve the DCC submission.

Sustainability

The DCC submission supports and advocates for decarbonised public transport that will contribute to DCC’s Zero Carbon 2030 target.

LTP/Annual Plan / Financial Strategy /Infrastructure Strategy

There are no known impacts for current levels of service and/or performance measures resulting

from a decision to approve the DCC submission.

Financial considerations

There are no known financial implications resulting from a decision to approve the DCC

Submission.

Significance

This decision is considered to be of low significance in terms of the Council’s Significance and Engagement Policy.

Engagement – external

There was no external engagement on this report.

Engagement - internal

Staff from Transport, Zero Carbon and Corporate Policy teams had input into the draft submission.

Risks: Legal / Health and Safety etc.

There are no known risks.

Conflict of Interest

There are no known conflicts of interest

Community Boards

There are no known implications for Community Boards

Planning and Environment Committee

15 June 2021

DCC submission on Ministry of Transport Hīkina Kokupara Discussion Document

Department: Transport and Corporate Policy

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1 This report seeks approval for a Dunedin City Council (DCC) submission (Attachment A) to the Ministry of Transport’s Hīkina te Kohupara – Kia mauri ora ai te iwi: Transport Emissions: Pathways to Net Zero by 2050 discussion document (Hīkina te Kohupara) www.transport.govt.nz//assets/Uploads/Report/HikinateKohuparaSUMMARYREPORT.pdf.

RECOMMENDATIONS

That the Committee:

a) Approves the DCC submission, with any amendments, to the Ministry of Transport’s Hīkina te Kohupara discussion document.

BACKGROUND

2 The Climate Change Response Act 2002 sets a net zero carbon target by 2050. On 2 December 2020, the Government declared a climate emergency for Aotearoa and committed to taking urgent action to reduce emissions. Hīkina te Kohupara identifies what Aotearoa could do to shift the transport system onto a zero emissions pathway.

3 This discussion document will contribute to:

· The Government’s Emission Reduction Plan, which must be completed by December 2021.

· Developing a 10-15 year time horizon action plan for how Aotearoa will continue to reduce its transport emissions.

DISCUSSION

4 DCC staff have drafted a submission in line with the current strategies and policies. The submission was prepared with input from Transport, DCC’s Zero Carbon staff and Corporate Policy.

5 The draft submission generally supports the principles outlined in the Hīkina te Kohupara discussion document and emphasises the need for an urgent commitment to reduce carbon emissions in the transport sector.

6 The DCC is committed to policies to reduce the carbon emissions produced from the transport network and supports the principles in the Hīkina te Kohupara document, in line with the DCC’s Zero Carbon 2030 target and related strategic goals, including:

· the ‘Avoid, Shift, Improve’ framework and the clear acknowledgement of the need to change the way we travel where possible as not all carbon reductions can come from improved vehicle technology;

· a strengthened partnership between central and local government and the recognition of the need to work together with iwi communities and businesses;

· a just transition taking into consideration the impact on all our communities, including disadvantaged and low-income groups;

· the transition of New Zealand’s transport fleet to electric vehicles and sustainable fuels;

· the development of a National Freight Strategy and actions aimed at efficiency gains in the freight transport sector.

7 Submissions close midnight Thursday, 17 June 2021

OPTIONS

Option One – Recommended Option – Approve the DCC submission, with any amendments, on the Ministry of Transport’s Hīkina te Kohupara discussion document.

8 Approve the DCC submission on the Ministry of Transport’s Hīkina te Kohupara discussion document.

Advantages

· Opportunity to show support and highlight pathways for collaboration with the Ministry of Transport on an issue that is a priority for the DCC, in line with DCC’s Zero Carbon 2030 target and related strategic goals.

· An opportunity to advocate for more urgent commitment to emissions reduction in the transport sector.

Disadvantages

· There are no identified disadvantages for this option.

Option Two – Do not approve the DCC submission on the Ministry of Transport’s Hīkina te Kohupara discussion document.

9 Do not approve the DCC submission on the Ministry of Transport’s Hīkina te Kohupara discussion dcoument.

Advantages

· There are no identified advantages for this option.

Disadvantages

· Missed opportunity to show support and highlight pathways for collaboration with the Ministry of Transport on an issue that is a priority for DCC.

NEXT STEPS

10 If Council approves the DCC submission on the Ministry of Transport’s Hīkina te Kohupara discussion document, it will be sent to the Ministry of Transport.

11 If Council does not approve the DCC submission, no further action is required.

Signatories

Author:

Simone Handwerk - Transport Planning Team Leader

Lisa Early - Principal Policy Advisor Sustainability

Authoriser:

Simon Drew - General Manager Infrastructure & Development

Jeanette Wikaira - Manahautū (General Manager Maori Partnerships and Policy)

Attachments

	Title	Page
⇩a	Hīkina te Kohupara discussion document	68
⇩b	DCC submission on transport emissions	226

SUMMARY OF CONSIDERATIONS

Fit with purpose of Local Government

This decision promotes the social, economic and environmental well-being of communities in the present and for the future. It supports addressing the climate change emergency and works towards achieving the DCC’s 2030 carbon zero goal.

Fit with strategic framework

	Contributes	Detracts	Not applicable
Social Wellbeing Strategy	☒	☐	☐
Economic Development Strategy	☒	☐	☐
Environment Strategy	☒	☐	☐
Arts and Culture Strategy	☐	☐	☒
3 Waters Strategy	☐	☐	☒
Spatial Plan	☒	☐	☐
Integrated Transport Strategy	☒	☐	☐
Parks and Recreation Strategy	☐	☐	☒
Other strategic projects/policies/plans	☒	☐	☐

The submission has been developed in alignment with the DCCs strategic priorities and the DCC’s Zero Carbon 2030 target.

Māori Impact Statement

Given the timeframe constraints for submission feedback, staff have been unable to consult with mana whenua and mataawaka on the impacts that may result from a decision to approve the DCC submission.

Sustainability

The DCC submission supports sustainability goals in relation to climate change, urban development and transport.

LTP/Annual Plan / Financial Strategy /Infrastructure Strategy

There are no known impacts for current levels of service and/or performance measures resulting from