Committee considers environmental natural heritage grants, disposal of Mt Roskill land parcels

The council’s Regional Strategy and Policy Committee today looked at the review of the Regional Environmental Natural Heritage grant programme, the disposal of two council-owned Mt Roskill land parcels and the Empowered Communities Approach.

Councillor Calum Penrose congratulated the council on winning the Prime Minister’s Supreme Award in the Institute of Public Administration New Zealand public sector excellence awards for its bylaws review programme. This review reduced the 158 bylaws of the eight former councils to 32 based on extensive consultation across Auckland.

“The project delivered great outcomes for Auckland Council and the people of Auckland,” said Councillor Penrose, chair of the council’s Regulatory and Bylaws Committee.

The following is a digest of decisions made.

The agenda is available on Auckland Council’s website and minutes will be added once confirmed. This meeting was also webcast on the council’s website and items are available on demand.

Items 1-8 are administrative items, excluding local board input, petitions and public input which is summarised below. Items 9-14 were approved; there was some discussion of Item 11 which is summarised below.

Item 4: Petitions

Georgina Blackmore presented two petitions on the use of glyphosate on Auckland’s roads and parks.

Item 5: Public Input

Hana Blackmore presented to the committee on the use of chemicals in Auckland’s public spaces.

Tricia Cheel, of the Friends of Sherwood, presented to the committee on weed management.

Item 6: Local Board Input

The committee received input from Hibiscus and Bays Local Board Chair Julia Parfitt regarding the council’s Weed Management Policy. Chief Operating Officer, Dean Kimpton, said the policy will be reviewed and a report outlining the policy review process will be made to the September committee meeting.

Item 7: Extraordinary business

Councillor Cathy Casey raised the recent euthanasia of an abandoned puppy, determined to be wholly or predominately an American Pit Bull Terrier type, which was handed over to council staff underweight and in ill health. Cr Casey said the animal management officers were threated, bullied and have received a significant amount of online abuse as a result of the euthanasia.

Item 9: Working group for the council’s submission on the Local Government Act 2002 Amendment Bill (No. 2)

The committee voted to appoint a political working party to work with staff to provide direction on the development of Auckland Council’s submission on the Local Government Act 2002 Amendment Bill (No. 2). This is also known as the Better Local Services Bill.

It also delegated authority to the Chair and Deputy Chair of the committee to approve the submission if necessary.

Item 10: Position on LGNZ remit to advocate for increased funding of community policing and policing levels

The committee voted to support a remit for Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) to advocate for increased government funding of community policing and increased policing levels.

“Given Auckland’s growing population, it’s critical that the right level of policing is assessed and funded through the right channels,” said Committee Chair, Councillor George Wood.

“Auckland Council is pleased to support LGNZ’s advocacy approach in ensuring the police have the tools they need to do what is often a difficult job for the people of Auckland.”

Item 11: Regional Environmental Natural Heritage grant programme review

The committee adopted the 2016 / 2017 Regional Environmental Natural Heritage grant programme framework. There was some discussion about the co-management of environmental natural heritage with mana whenua, and also whether the programme deserved greater funding.

Item 12: Reserve revocation and disposal recommendation report

The committee approved the application to revoke the reserve status of two large council-owned sites at 51 Stamford Park Road, Mt Roskill. It also approved the sale of these two sites. Both land parcels, which are not public parks or reserves, are subject to the Reserves Act.

Item 13: Implementation of the Empowered Communities Approach

The committee received an update on the implementation of the Empowered Communities Approach structure and model, including progress against outcomes.

Item 14: Reports pending status update

The committee received an update on the status of its resolutions from October 2015 which required follow-up reports. This was a regular information-only report; no discussion was had.

ENDS

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