Agenda of Planning and Environment Committee

Planning and Environment Committee

3 August 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 15 June 2021, commencing at 2:05pm

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

Simon Drew, General Manager Infrastructure & Development; Simon Pickford, General Manager Community Services; Robert West, Acting General Manager City Services, Paul Freeland, Senior Planner – City Development; Paul Henderson, Acting Group Manager Customer and Regulatory Services; Clare Sullivan, Manager Civic; Jeanette Wikaira, Manahautū (General Manager Māori Partnerships and Policy); Jeanine Benson, Group Manager Transport; Simone Handwerk, Transport Planning Team Leader; Alan Worthington, Resource Consents Manager; Richard Ewans, Biodiversity Advisor – City Development.

Governance Support Officer Lauren McDonald

1 Public Forum

Mr Dudley Benson sought Council support for creation of a Rainbow pedestrian crossing at the Lower Stuart Street and Moray Place intersection, as a sign of support for the queer Dunedin community and commented on the design and consultation process. He advised the artwork would reflect the colours of the communities within the queer community. He encouraged Council to undertake a trial period for the painting of the rainbow pedestrian crossing.

Mr Benson responded to questions from elected members.

2 Apologies

Moved (Chairperson David Benson-Pope/Cr Mike Lord):

That the Committee:

Accepts the apology received from Cr Garey.

Motion carried.

3 Confirmation of agenda

Moved (Cr David Benson-Pope/Cr Steve Walker):

That the Committee:

Confirms the agenda without addition or alteration

Motion carried.

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 David Benson-Pope/Cr Steve Walker):

That the Committee:

a) Notes the Elected Members' Interest Register

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

Motion carried

5 Confirmation of Minutes

5.1 Planning and Environment Committee meeting - 16 February 2021

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

That the Committee:

Confirms the public part of the minutes of the Planning and Environment Committee meeting held on 16 February 2021 as a correct record.

Motion carried

Part A Reports

6 Actions from resolutions of Planning and Environment Committee meetings

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

Moved (Cr David Benson-Pope/Cr Steve Walker):

That the Committee:

Notes the Open and Completed Actions from resolutions of Planning and Environment Committee meetings to 15 June 2021.

Motion carried

7 Planning and Environment Committee Forward Work Programme

A report from Civic provided an update of the Planning and Environment Committee forward work programme for the 2020-2021 to show areas of activity, progress and expected timeframes for decision making across a range of areas of work.

Moved (Cr David Benson-Pope/Cr Steve Walker):

That the Committee:

Notes the Planning and Environment Committee forward work programme as at

15 June 2021.

Motion carried

8 Planning and Environment Activity Report for the Quarter Ending 31 March 2021
	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 March 2021.
	Simon Drew, General Manager Infrastructure & Development; Paul Henderson, Acting Group Manager Customer and Regulatory Services; Paul Freeland, Senior Planner – City Development spoke to the report and responded to questions.
	Moved (Cr David Benson-Pope/Cr Steve Walker): That the Committee: Notes the Planning and Environment Activity Report for the quarter ending 31 March 2021. Motion carried (PLA/2021/007)

9 A Vegetation Map for Dunedin City
	The City Development report confirmed the completion of the project to create a vegetation map for Dunedin City, which compliments and enhances the data sets from regional and national agencies in identifying priority areas for ecological restoration and protection, and the monitoring of indigenous ecosystems in the city. Simon Drew, General Manager Infrastructure & Development and Richard Ewans, Biodiversity Advisor – City Development spoke to the item and responded to questions.
Cr Mike Lord left the meeting at 2:52pm returned at 2:55pm. Cr Carmen Houlahan left the meeting at 2:52pm and returned at 2:56pm.

	Moved (Chairperson David Benson-Pope/Deputy Chairperson Sophie Barker): That the Committee: Notes the completion of the Vegetation Map for Dunedin City project. Motion carried (PLA/2021/008)

10 DCC Submission on the Public Transport Operating Model Review Discussion Paper

A report from Transport sought Committee approval for the Dunedin City Council (DCC) submission to the Ministry of Transport’s Public Transport Operating Model (PTOM) review discussion paper.

Simon Drew, General Manager Infrastructure & Development; Jeanine Benson, Group Manager Transport and Simone Handwerk, Transport Planning Team Leader spoke to the report and responded to questions.

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

That the Committee:

Approves the DCC submission to the Ministry of Transport on the Public Transport Operating Model (PTOM) review discussion paper.

Division

The Committee voted by division.

For: Crs Sophie Barker, Rachel Elder, Doug Hall, Mayor Aaron Hawkins, Marie Laufiso, Mike Lord, Jim O'Malley, Chris Staynes, Steve Walker and David Benson-Pope (10).

Against: Crs Carmen Houlahan, Jules Radich, Lee Vandervis and Andrew Whiley (4).

Abstained: Nil

The division was declared CARRIED by 10 votes to 4

Motion carried (PLA/2021/009)

11 DCC submission on Ministry of Transport Hīkina Kokupara Discussion Document
	A report from Transport and Corporate Policy sought approval for a Dunedin City Council (DCC) submission 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) Simon Drew, General Manager Infrastructure & Development; Jeanine Benson, Group Manager Transport and Simone Handwerk, Transport Planning Team Leader spoke to the report and responded to questions.
	Moved (Mayor Aaron Hawkins/Cr Steve Walker): That the Committee: a) Approves the DCC submission to the Ministry of Transport’s Hīkina te Kohupara discussion document.
	Moved that the Planning and Environment Committee (Mayor Aaron Hawkins/Cr Jim O’Malley): Adjourns the meeting. Motion carried
The meeting adjourned at 3:18 pm and reconvened at 3:31 pm.
	Following discussion the following amendments to the DCC submission 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)were moved:
	Moved (Cr Jules Radich/Cr Andrew Whiley): That the Committee: Deletes paragraph 7 (partnership with central government) and Deletes the last sentence of paragraph 8 (preferred pathways) of the DCC submission to the Ministry of Transport’s Hīkina te Kohupara discussion document. Division The Committee voted by division. For: Crs Carmen Houlahan, Jules Radich and Lee Vandervis (3). Against: Crs Sophie Barker, Rachel Elder, Doug Hall, Mayor Aaron Hawkins, Marie Laufiso, Mike Lord, Jim O'Malley, Chris Staynes, Steve Walker, Andrew Whiley and David Benson-Pope (11). Abstained: Nil The division was declared LOST by 11 votes to 3 Motion Lost
	Moved (Cr Carmen Houlahan/Cr Jules Radich): That the DCC strongly encourages the Government to consider funding low carbon rail services to cities that do not currently have metro rail services. Division The Committee voted by division. For: Crs Sophie Barker, Rachel Elder, Doug Hall, Mayor Aaron Hawkins, Carmen Houlahan, Marie Laufiso, Mike Lord, Jim O'Malley, Jules Radich, Chris Staynes, Andrew Whiley and David Benson-Pope (12). Against: Crs Lee Vandervis and Steve Walker (2). Abstained: Nil The division was declared CARRIED by 12 votes to 2 Motion carried (PLA/2021/010)
	Voting on amendments to resolution b) were taken separately:
	Moved (Cr Andrew Whiley/Cr Steve Walker): That the Committee: i) Delegates authority to the Chief Executive to finalise the submission including comments regarding Paragraph 12 - freight strategy, added emphasis on regional freight, i.e. Otago/Southland freight movements to Port Otago. Motion carried
	Moved (Mayor Aaron Hawkins/Cr Steve Walker): That the Committee: ii) Delegates authority to the Chief Executive to finalise the submission including comments regarding Paragraph 3 – strengthening references to supporting active transport mode shift. Motion carried with Cr Lee Vandervis recording his vote against
	Moved (Mayor Aaron Hawkins/Cr Steve Walker): That the Committee: iii) Delegates authority to the Chief Executive to finalise the submission including comments regarding a new paragraph – That Council supports inter regional travel to include reference to cycle trails. Motion carried with Cr Lee Vandervis recording his vote against
	Moved (Mayor Aaron Hawkins/Deputy Chairperson Steve Walker): That the Committee: iv) Delegates authority to the Chief Executive to finalise the submission including comments regarding an addition to paragraph 13 - The DCC strongly encourages the Government to consider funding low carbon rail services to cities that do not currently have metro rail services. Motion carried with Cr Lee Vandervis recording his vote against
	The substantive motion was then put.
	Moved (Mayor Aaron Hawkins/Cr Steve Walker): That the Committee: a) Approves the DCC submission to the Ministry of Transport’s Hīkina te Kohupara discussion document. b) Delegates authority to the Chief Executive to finalise the submission including comments regarding: i) Paragraph 12 - freight strategy, added emphasis on regional freight, i.e. Otago/Southland freight movements to Port Otago. ii) Paragraph 3 – strengthening references to supporting active transport mode shift. iii) New paragraph – That Council supports inter regional travel to include reference to cycle trails. iv) Add to paragraph 13 - The DCC strongly encourages the Government to consider funding low carbon rail services to cities that do not currently have metro rail services. Division The Committee voted by division. For: Crs Sophie Barker, Rachel Elder, Doug Hall, Mayor Aaron Hawkins, Carmen Houlahan, Marie Laufiso, Jim O'Malley, Chris Staynes, Steve Walker and David Benson-Pope (10). Against: Crs Mike Lord, Jules Radich, Lee Vandervis and Andrew Whiley (4). Abstained: Nil The division was declared CARRIED by 10 votes to 4 Motion carried (PLA/2021/011)

12 Items for Consideration by the Chair
	That staff discuss the proposal with the submitter for the proposed Rainbow pedestrian crossing at the intersection of Lower Stuart Street and Moray Place and other stakeholders, and report to a Committee meeting as soon as possible.

The meeting concluded at 4:28 pm.

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

CHAIRPERSON

Planning and Environment Committee

3 August 2021

Planning and Environment Activity Report for the Quarter Ending 30 June 2021

Department: Customer and Regulatory Services and City Development

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 30 June 2021.

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

· The volume of building consent applications and building inspections undertaken in 2021 is at a seven year high

· Completion of the second tranche of mediation on the Second Generation Dunedin City District Plan (2GP) appeals, resulting in a number of consent bundles being prepared and lodged with the Court

· Initial background work on the Future Development Strategy (FDS).

· Work on submitting to the Otago Regional Council (ORC) on the proposed Regional Policy Statement which will progress through the new freshwater planning process.

RECOMMENDATIONS

That the Committee:

a) Notes the Planning and Environment Activity Report for the quarter ending 30 June 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.

DISCUSSION

Resource Consents

5 Table 1 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 five percent above the average of the preceding four years (1049 compared to 997). The monthly fluctuation is 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.

6 A one-off point to note for this quarter is the high number of applications received. The new development contribution policy, which started from 1 July, generated a significant number of applications with a total of 275 received in June. The long-term monthly average is 88 and the previous highest months were 175 in June 2014 and 165 in June 2008.

7 A preliminary count of subdivision applications indicates the potential for at least 787 new houses or apartments. When these are built is up to the owners. Applications also included new apartment developments, particularly in the inner suburbs. This has been stimulated by changes to District Plan.

8 From January to June 2021, 194 HAIL (Hazardous Activities and Industries List) applications were received; this compares to 91 for the same period in 2020. The increase in applications for HAIL searches corresponds with the increase in resource consent applications. Application numbers for the six months to June 2021 exceeded the annual average of 153.

9 The quarter ending 30 June continued a busy period for RMA complaints. The total was 21% above the average for the equivalent average for the three months of the 2012 to 2022 period (46 compared with 38). The financial year total of 221 received was 31% above the average of 168 for the 2012 to 2020 period.

10 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 1

Building Services

11 For the six month period to 30 June both building consent applications received (1,509) and the number of site inspections undertaken (5,550) are at a seven-year high.

12 The value of consents for the quarter was $118.4 m. This figure includes the $45 million consent for the Te Rangi Hiroa student accommodation. Building consent application numbers for new dwellings for the quarter was 83.

Table 2

13 Despite the high volumes, 99.5% of consents were being processed within the 20 working days for the quarter, as shown in Table 3. Inspection bookings timeframes have been high during the period although are now back within the target of <five working days. The average time to process a consent during the quarter was circa 12 working days.

Table 3

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

Alcohol Licensing

15 The District Licensing Committee (DLC) met twice during the quarter to consider a new general manager’s application and the renewal of the Vault 21 on-licence.

16 One new licence was granted for a remote off-licence operator. A remote licensee takes orders remotely and arranges for alcohol to be delivered. The increase in licence applications received is due to the triennial club licence renewal cycle and is shown in Table 4.

Table 4

Environmental Health

17 Overall food safety in Dunedin food premises remains at a high standard, with the percentage of ‘A’ Grade food premises reaching 93% for this quarter.

18 The number of noise complaints has decreased this quarter, consistent with that of previous years around the time when students have gone home for their mid-year break. There were 799 complaints received this quarter, compared to 1,327 complaints in the last quarter.

Table 5

Animal Services

19 There was a small decrease in requests for service over the last quarter (567 requests) compared to 570 requests in the previous quarter. This compares to 490 requests for the same period in 2020.

Table 6

Parking Services Enforcement

20 There was an increase in the number of requests for service over the last quarter (1,275 requests) compared to 684 requests for the same (Covid-19 affected) period in 2020.

Table 7

21 There was an increase in parking infringement numbers over the last quarter (6,951 infringements) compared to the same period in 2020 (6,620 infringements).

Table 8

Eco-Design Advisor

22 The Eco-Design Advisor is supporting Kia Haumaru te Kaika (KHTK) with home visits and advice. KHTK is a new, joint programme with the Southern District Health Board, Habitat for Humanity and Aukaha that aims to reduce hospital admissions by improving the health of homes.

23 A key finding from a recent low carbon retrofit housing workshop was the need for collaboration at national and community levels as well as with homeowners and community groups to achieve results.

24 The number of Eco-Design Advisor consultations and new requests is shown in Table 9.

Table 9

Major Initiatives

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

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

26 Mediation for the second group of the 2GP appeals was completed 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, biodiversity and coastal character.

27 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.

28 A number of consent memo bundles were lodged with the Court following the second group of mediation and consent orders have been issued for some of these bundles. There are still some consent memoranda with the Court in progress. Staff continue to prepare consent documentation for other topic bundles for lodgement with the Court.

29 Preparation is also underway for the third tranche of mediation which is proposed to cover a number of site-specific rezoning appeals. This mediation will also traverse stormwater management issues generally. The outcome of the mediation will feed into mediation of other appeals and Variation 2.

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 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. A report on the FDS is expected to go to Council or the Planning and Environment Committee later in 2021.

33 Early work on the FDS has also been used to identify 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 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 with 305 submissions received. The further submission phase has now ended, and staff are processing further submissions and preparing for the first phases of the Variation 2 hearing (tentatively proposed for 13 – 24 September and 25 October – 4 November 2021).

Dunedin Heritage Fund

35 The Dunedin Heritage Fund Committee met in May 2021 for the final funding round of the 2020/21 year, allocating $291,000 in heritage grants. The total Dunedin City Council (DCC) grant of $680,000 has been successfully allocated across the four funding rounds this year, leveraging an anticipated $4,425,375 investment into Dunedin. The heritage projects supported in the fourth round will leverage an estimated investment of almost $1.5 million in heritage work across the city.

36 These projects support adaptive re-use, restoration, conservation repairs and upgrades to both commercial and residential heritage buildings, and support some of the city’s challenging, long-term heritage sites such as the Priory and Cargill’s Castle. The Fund was also able to support the Middlemarch Museum’s long-term community project to protect the unique Platypus Submarine mining relic.

37 Funding from the fourth funding round (2020/21 FY) included the following projects:

Address	Name	Grant Amount	Support for
60 Wallace Street	Residential villa	$10,000	Roof repairs (slate)
247 Ravensbourne Road	Ravensbourne Post Office (former)	$15,000	External repainting including roof
70 Stuart Street	A&T Burts Ltd (former)	$40,000	Building redevelopment and earthquake strengthening
5 Aberafon Street Middlemarch	Middlemarch Museum	$40,000	New shelter to preserve remnants of Platypus submarine
8 Moray Place	Savoy Haynes Building	$15,000	Restoration and painting of plaster ceilings and walls in reception room
301 Moray Place	Stephen Inks Building (former)	$20,000	Fire safety and accessibility improvements (Stage 2)
4 Alva Street	Alva Court	$5,000	Painting exterior building, repairs and painting of wooden joinery
63 Wallace Street	Residential villa	$10,000	Repair and restoration of building (foundations and walls)
470 Moray Place	McVickar’s Building (former)	$50,000	Structural design for seismic strengthening and future redevelopment
31 Smith Street	St Dominic’s Priory	$60,000	South elevation emergency stained glass window repair, masonry restoration
11D Cliffs Road	Cargill’s Castle (ruins)	$19,000	Completion of strengthening and stabilization designs for implementation
164 Maitland Street	Residential villa	$4,000	Retrofit double glazing to front window bays (two storeys)
399 Highgate	Columba College (Bishopscourt)	$3,000	Slate and corrugate roof repairs

Heritage

38 Work is underway on identifying and assessing additions to the Heritage Schedule to be considered for Variation 3. The reinstatement of the Dunedin Causeway into the Wall Street Mall has been completed successfully, and staff are also looking at safeguarding the future of various city heritage buildings, including 231 Stuart Street, the Railway Station and the Town Hall. Preparations continue for the LGNZ Heritage Planners Forum which is being held in Dunedin in October and the 2022 Heritage Awards.

Biodiversity

39 Background work has started on biodiversity components of Variation 3 including additions to the schedule of Areas of Significant Biodiversity Value (ASBV). Consultants recently completed an updated inventory of ASBVs on public land (administered by DCC or Department of Conservation) and those protected by QEII Covenants. Staff have begun a review of Urban Biodiversity Mapped Area (UBMA) boundaries and rules. An update of the 2GP Protected Indigenous Species lists is also anticipated to include changes to the national threat classifications which are updated periodically by the Department of Conservation.

Te Ao Tūroa

40 The fourth year of Te Ao Tūroa Grants saw a total of $30,000 awarded to two applicants. This will support their community projects: one on enhancing the habitat corridor linking Orokonui Ecosanctuary and wider Dunedin for indigenous biodiversity, and the other creating awareness and understanding of marine biodiversity and connection between our actions on land and the coastal environment.

41 This year’s recipient of Environment Envoy commission ‘The Lime Burners’ project attracted around 450 people over 10 days at the Gasworks Museum, reaching out beyond usual art viewers or participants. Through workshops and demonstrations, a group of nine artists led by Tim Barlow engaged the community in the reduction of CO2 emissions in the artmaking and building industries by showcasing experimental artistic and masonry techniques focused on lime materials as low carbon alternatives.

42 Promotion of the DCC Native Planting Guide and web map, accompanied by tree giveaways, was held during the Wild Dunedin Festival in April. This helped inform small scale native planting projects in Dunedin City and drew around 800 people to the joint ‘Rewild at the Botanic’ event with the Department of Conservation and City Sanctuary.

South Dunedin Future Project

43 The South Dunedin Future community engagement continues to build relationships and awareness of the challenges and opportunities for South Dunedin. Between April and June, staff attended a further ten meetings with community groups in the wider South Dunedin area. DCC and ORC staff have now met with a total of 65 community groups and other stakeholders since the start of last year, as well as contributing to many other events and media stories over that time.

44 Work is progressing between DCC and ORC regarding integration and programme planning. A joint DCC/ORC procurement has been initiated for expert advisory and planning support in relation to applying dynamic adaptive policy pathways (DAPP) planning methodology, including discussions of inclusion of the Harbourside area.

45 Recruitment for the newly established South Dunedin Future Programme Manager role has been conducted in partnership with ORC, with an appointment to start within the next quarterly reporting period.

46 Senior Officers met with Ministry for the Environment Climate Change Adaptation Legislation and National Adaptation Plan teams to discuss progression of legislation and planning at the central level, and to highlight collaborative adaptation working at the local level.

47 Planning for a joint Academic Reference Forum in collaboration with the University of Otago’s Centre for Sustainability has been underway, scheduled for August.

48 Research has been undertaken on methods used by communities to build resilience for climate adaptation. Research focused on interventions that could be used in South Dunedin, and these will be discussed with South Dunedin communities as part of longer-term planning around climate change adaption.

49 Once the new Programme Manager is in place, the focus of engagement planning will move into ‘what matters most’ to the community. This is in accordance with the DAPP planning methodology, which is outlined in the Ministry for the Environment’s coastal hazards and climate change guidance for local government (below).

Carbon Zero 2030

50 Three potential partners have considered the draft Zero Carbon 2030 Alliance Memorandum of Understanding and agreed to join: the Otago Regional Council, the University of Otago and Otago Polytechnic. The Council’s Manahautū will lead discussions with Rūnaka in relation to the Alliance.

51 A contract has been agreed for a new emissions data management system and implementation planning is underway.

52 A new Senior Policy Analyst, Zero Carbon and Principal Policy Advisor, Sustainability began work in May.

Capital Projects

City to Waterfront Bridge

53 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

54 Urban designers organised the installation of a parklet on Great King Street opposite the Dental School, outside the Hunter Centre. This was coordinated with the re-establishment of parking and road markings within this block following the completion of two significant University of Otago building projects and in consultation with the University and adjoining building users.

55 Other locations are being investigated for the remaining parklets, which are currently in storage. These parklets were to be deployed as part of a planned Innovating Streets project on Union Street East. Following the decision not to progress that project, staff agreed to identify suitable locations in the wider tertiary precinct area or near the Saint Clair commercial centre.

56 Some street furniture items used during the Octagon Experience have now been permanently installed: bench seats along Portsmouth Drive and planter boxes used by Enviro-schools. Additional locations are being investigated to ensure the re-use of stored street furniture items.

57 Detailed design for Te Rauone Reserve has commenced now that Port Otago has provided a work schedule for installing the groynes. Work is likely to be limited to the southern end of the reserve and include an expanded natural play area and other amenities.

58 City Development is working with Transport to refresh the centres prioritisation work programme. The initial stages of this work will involve a collaborative reassessment of the city’s commercial centres (other than the CBD) to ensure we have accurate and up to date information to direct spending and prioritisation of work. This work will look more closely at the place-based attributes of these centres and assess traffic safety requirements.

59 Concepts to redevelop existing pocket parks on Gordon Road are currently being developed with community consultation due to being soon.

OPTIONS

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

NEXT STEPS

61 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, and preparation for the third tranche of mediation

· Variation 2 to the 2GP hearings stage

· Variation 3 to the 2GP preparation

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

· Next stage of South Dunedin Future engagement.

1 Signatories

Author:

Paul Henderson - Acting Group Manager Customer and Regulatory Services

Anna Johnson - City Development Manager

Authoriser:

Simon Drew - General Manager Infrastructure and Development

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

3 August 2021

DCC submission on the Natural and Built Environments Bill - exposure draft

Department: City Development and Executive Leadership Team

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1 On 29 June 2021, the Government released its first exposure draft of the Natural and Built Environments Act (NBA). The release follows the Government’s February 2021 announcement to reform New Zealand’s resource management system by repealing the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA).

2 The NBA will replace the RMA and is a significant undertaking that will fundamentally change the way in which local government delivers resource management functions in Aotearoa.

3 The purpose of this report is to seek approval for a Dunedin City Council (DCC) submission on the NBA exposure draft (Attachment A). There have been layers of contribution to the DCC submission. It has been informed by the work of Taituarā (formerly SOLGM) and the work of staff across the Otago/Southland Councils.

4 The DCC submission reinforces similar points progressed by Taituarā in their draft submission (Attachment B) and the Otago/Southland Councils joint submission (Attachment C). The DCC’s submission aims to provide a DCC focus on the issues that are of concern to the Dunedin community.

RECOMMENDATIONS

That the Committee:

a) Approves the DCC submission, with any amendments, to the Ministry for the Environment on the Natural and Built Environments Bill exposure draft

b) Authorises the Mayor or his delegate to speak to the DCC submission at the Select Committee

c) Supports the Otago/Southland Councils joint submission to the Ministry for the Environment on the Natural and Built Environments Bill exposure draft.

BACKGROUND

5 In February 2021, the Government announced it would reform the Resource Management system, based on the comprehensive review and recommendations of the Resource Management Review Panel (‘the Randerson Report’). It is proposed to repeal the RMA and introduce three new Acts:

· Natural and Built Environments Act, to protect and restore the environment while better enabling development, as the primary replacement for the RMA

· Strategic Planning Act, to help coordinate and integrate decisions made under relevant legislation, through requiring the development of long-term regional spatial strategies; and

· Climate Adaptation Act, to address complex issues associated with managed retreat.

6 The objectives of the reform are to:

a) protect and restore the environment and its capacity to provide for the wellbeing of present and future generations

b) better enable development within natural environmental limits

c) give proper recognition to the principles of Te Tiriti of Waitangi and provide greater recognition of te ao Māori including mātauranga Māori

d) better prepare for adapting to climate change and risks from natural hazards, and better mitigate emissions contributing to climate change

e) improve system efficiency and effectiveness and reduce complexity while retaining appropriate local democratic input.

7 The proposed NBA is the primary piece of legislation in the reform package and is being progressed initially through an exposure draft (Attachment D). An exposure draft refers to legislation that has not yet formally been introduced into Parliament.

8 The Government released the exposure draft of the NBA on 29 June for consultation. It has been referred by Parliament to a select committee inquiry process. This process is intended to test and improve the contents of the Bill before it goes into the formal Parliamentary process.

9 The exposure draft does not cover the full Bill but provides an early look at key aspects of this legislation including:

· the purpose of the NBA (including Te Tiriti o Waitangi clause) and related provisions

· the role of the National Planning Framework (NPF)

· high level roles and responsibilities for the preparation of Natural and Built Environments plans.

10 The Select Committee will report its findings to Parliament and any changes will be made before the full Bill is formally introduced. Other components of the full Bill that were not developed in time for the exposure draft will be decided by Cabinet before being included in the full Bill. A standard legislative and select committee process will follow.

11 It is proposed that the NBA and the Strategic Planning Act will be formally introduced in early 2022.

12 Submissions on the exposure draft of the NBA close on 4 August 2021.

DISCUSSION

13 Staff have prepared a DCC specific submission on the NBA exposure draft. The DCC submission supports the goals of the reforms but highlights a number of concerns, which question whether those goals will be achieved. Some of the key matters of concern are:

a) loss of local influence over plan making (and place outcomes)

b) lack of engagement with local government in designing the new system

c) the risk of failure due to the scale of the change

d) the proposed change to regional scale plans produced by regional planning committees which would sit outside of existing local authority agencies, which does not align with the current roles and responsibilities of local authorities

e) the risk to current progress in updating plans to provide for more housing and to improved environmental outcomes, especially for water, if the planning sector is diverted to focus on transition and because new plans will need to be developed within a new untested system

f) the cost to local communities particularly for Dunedin (as well as other parts of Otago including Queenstown and the Otago Regional Council) who have recently made significant investment in new plans

g) that the cost of change will largely be carried by local government, despite its participation in the new system being significantly reduced

h) the NBA exposure draft lacks content related to the quality of the built environment and risks poor housing and community outcomes being promoted.

14 The DCC submission was informed by staff participation in discussions held between regional planning managers, and the content of the draft Taituarā submission.

15 The Taituarā draft submission is 73 pages long and includes detailed points on the content of the exposure draft, which are broadly supported by DCC staff. The Taituarā submission is in draft and is subject to sign off by their Board.

16 The DCC submission was also informed by staff participation in the preparation of an Otago/Southland Councils joint submission. The joint submission broadly aligns with the DCC submission and provides more detail on technical matters relating to the exposure draft.

OPTIONS

17 While there is always the option not to submit the DCC submission on the NBA exposure draft, staff can identify no reason not to. On this basis, there are no recommended options.

18 Staff advice is that the NBA exposure draft is too important not to make a submission and recommend that DCC approves the DCC submission, with any amendments.

19 The DCC submission provides an opportunity to highlight areas of concern with the NBA exposure draft. To complete this submission, staff have been engaged with the sector at as many levels as possible, in order to provide the DCC the best opportunity and ability to influence outcomes for our communities.

20 Likewise, staff advice is that the DCC supports the Otago/Southland Councils joint submission to the NBA exposure draft consultation as is, with no amendments.

21 The Otago/Southland Council’s joint submission is an opportunity to highlight areas of concern with the NBA exposure draft as a region and provides the opportunity to highlight areas of similar concern. The Otago/Southland submission contains nothing inconsistent with the DCC’s submission.

NEXT STEPS

17 Staff will send the DCC’s submission on the Natural and Built Environments Bill exposure draft, to the Ministry for the Environment by 4 August 2021.

18 Staff will inform the ORC of the DCC’s support for the Otago/Southland Councils joint submission on the Natural and Built Environments Bill exposure draft.

Signatories

Author:

Anna Johnson - City Development Manager

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

Authoriser:

Simon Drew - General Manager Infrastructure and Development

Sandy Graham - Chief Executive Officer

Attachments

	Title	Page
⇩a	Draft DCC submission on the NBA exposure draft	56
⇩b	Draft Taituara submission on exposure draft of the NBA	69
⇩c	Otago/Southland Councils joint submission	142
⇩d	Natural and Built Environments Bill - exposure draft	151

SUMMARY OF CONSIDERATIONS

Fit with purpose of Local Government

This decision promotes the environmental wellbeing 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 development of the NBA will support the DCC’s strategic goals across the Strategic Framework.

Māori Impact Statement

The development of the NBA includes Māori specific considerations. 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 resource management.

LTP/Annual Plan / Financial Strategy /Infrastructure Strategy

There are no known impacts.

Financial considerations

There are no known financial implications.

Significance

This decision is considered to be of low significance when assessed against the Significance and

Engagement Policy.

Engagement – external

There was no external engagement on this report.

Engagement - internal

Staff from 3 Waters, City Development 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

3 August 2021

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Planning and Environment Committee

3 August 2021

Housing capacity assessment for Dunedin City

Department: City Development

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1 The purpose of this report is to provide the Committee with the Housing Capacity Assessment for Dunedin City (Attachment A), which is a requirement of the National Policy Statement for Urban Development (NPS-UD).

2 Dunedin has been experiencing a medium rate of growth since 2014. Over the last five years, Dunedin’s population is estimated to have grown by between 0.8% and 1.4% per year, compared to an average annual growth rate of 0.4% over the preceding 15 years.

3 As a result of Dunedin’s size and growth, Dunedin is classified as a Tier 2 urban environment under the NPS-UD. As a Tier 2 territorial authority, the Council is required to ensure there is sufficient housing development capacity in the short (3 years), medium (10 years) and long-term (30 years).

4 The Housing Capacity Assessment for Dunedin (Attachment A) considers the projected demand for housing and the existing capacity of Dunedin’s residential land. It also provides an analysis on the housing market and the impact of planning objectives, policies and rules.

5 The analysis shows that while Dunedin has insufficient development capacity based on operative Second Generation District Plan (2GP) rules and zoning, the proposed changes in Variation 2 to the 2GP, if confirmed, would ensure that the necessary short and medium-term capacity is achieved. It further notes that appeals on residential zoning, which are currently being progressed through mediation, will add further short and medium-term capacity. While there is almost sufficient long-term capacity under the proposed Variation 2 changes, further assessment on the nature of this capacity will be undertaken as part of the upcoming Future Development Strategy.

RECOMMENDATIONS

That the Committee:

a) Notes the conclusions of the Housing Capacity Assessment for Dunedin City dated July 2021 and that work is underway to add additional housing capacity.

Background

6 The NPS-UD was released in July 2020 and replaced the National Policy Statement on Urban Development Capacity. It requires councils to consider the impacts of their planning frameworks on the development market. A key part of this is enabling the market to operate efficiently by providing enough opportunities for development.

7 Development of the 2GP started in 2012, when Dunedin’s population growth rate was low and projected to remain low over the life of the Plan. As a result, the amount of additional capacity added through the 2GP was inadequate compared to the actual rate of population growth that eventuated.

8 Variation 2 was initiated after the 2019 housing capacity assessment to provide additional short and medium-term capacity. Decisions on Variation 2 are expected either late 2021 or in early 2022.

9 The NPS-UD requires Dunedin to produce a Future Development Strategy (FDS), which will replace the current Spatial Plan, in time to inform the 2024 10 year plan. 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 must spatially identify the broad locations in which development capacity will be provided over the long term and the infrastructure required to service that capacity. Initial background work and project planning is being progressed and a new Strategic Spatial Planner position to lead this work has been created; a new staff member is scheduled to start in this role on 3 August.

10 The attached housing capacity assessment is the second report produced under the national framework (NPS-UDC, now NPS-UD). It was developed in consultation with the Transport, 3 Waters, and Parks and Recreation teams, who provided input on the ability for development capacity to be serviced. Technical expertise on the report and underlying methodology was also received from the Otago Regional Council.

Discussion

The key findings of the attached housing capacity assessment are as follows:

Development Capacity

11 Development capacity represents how much capacity the Plan must provide for to meet demand based on the methodology required by the NPS-UD. This includes a requirement to have a margin of capacity over and above demand to support choice and competitiveness in the housing market. The assessment shows that Dunedin will require development capacity for:

· 1,810 additional dwellings over the short term (2020-23)

· 5,820 additional dwellings over the medium term (2020-30)

· 11,330 additional dwellings over the long term (2020-50)

Supply of residential land in the operative and proposed Plan

12 The DCC uses a model to assess the capacity of residential and commercial mixed use zoned land. The model evaluates capacity based on 2GP provisions, site conditions, the economic feasibility of potential developments, and the likelihood that the capacity will be taken up. Based on this modelling, there is an estimated existing capacity for:

· 1,330 new dwellings in the short-term (increasing to 2,000 under proposed changes included in Variation 2)

· 3,660 new dwellings in the medium-term (increasing to 6,290 under Variation 2)

· 8,290 new dwellings in the long-term (increasing to 11,230 under Variation 2)

Sufficiency of residential capacity

13 Overall, the assessment shows that the proposed changes in Variation 2 to the 2GP, if confirmed, would ensure that the necessary short and medium-term capacity is achieved under a medium growth scenario projection. The resolution of appeals on the 2GP may also add significant additional capacity, however this is subject to mediation agreements and/or Environment Court decisions.

14 While there is almost sufficient long-term capacity under the proposed Variation 2 changes, further assessment on the nature of this capacity will be undertaken as part of the upcoming Future Development Strategy. Dunedin’s growth over 2030-50 is projected to be low but there is uncertainty about the rate of change over that period. To address this uncertainty and the potential risks of providing insufficient capacity, there will be an assessment in the Future Development Strategy considering how a higher growth rate would be managed.

OPTIONS

15 Options are not provided as this report is for noting only.

NEXT STEPS

16 Under the NPS-UD, the Minister for the Environment is to be informed about the areas of insufficient capacity identified in a housing capacity assessment. The Minister will be informed once the report is noted by the Committee. This will include a statement about how the shortfall is being addressed.

17 Work is already progressing based on the results of this housing capacity assessment, including on Variation 2 and the Future Development Strategy. Infrastructure constraints (particularly wastewater and water supply) limit potential growth options in certain areas of the city, but are being addressed through both short-term options (e.g. wastewater detention tanks) and infrastructure upgrade projects.

18 A project to explore supply constraints and options to encourage greater residential development in the CBD and centres is also planned for late 2021.Signatories

Author:

Nathan Stocker - Policy Planner (Urban Development Capacity)

Authoriser:

Anna Johnson - City Development Manager

Simon Drew - General Manager Infrastructure & Development

Attachments

	Title	Page
⇩a	Housing capacity assessment for Dunedin City (2021)	175

SUMMARY OF CONSIDERATIONS

Fit with purpose of Local Government

This report relates to providing a regulatory function.

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	☐	☐	☒

This report contributes to infrastructure and spatial planning.

Māori Impact Statement

There are no known direct impacts of this report for tangata whenua. However, the report findings suggest that further housing capacity is required and the provision of this may have impacts for tangata whenua.

Sustainability

There are no implications for sustainability.

LTP/Annual Plan / Financial Strategy /Infrastructure Strategy

Any additional infrastructure projects required to enable further housing capacity will be incorporated in future 10 Year Plans and Infrastructure Strategies.

Financial considerations

Any additional infrastructure projects required to enable further housing capacity will be incorporated in future 10 Year Plans and Infrastructure Strategies.

Significance

This report is assessed as low significance in terms of the Council’s Significance and Engagement Policy.

Engagement – external

Engagement has occurred with the University of Otago, Transpower, Aurora, New Zealand Transport Agency, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health.

Engagement - internal

Engagement has occurred with Parks and Recreation, Transport, Property, Community Development, and Three Waters.

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 direct implications of this report for community boards. However, the report findings suggest that further housing capacity is required and the provision of this may have implications for community boards.