Agenda of Kaimai Ward Forum Meeting - Thursday, 10 December 2020

Kaimai Ward Forum Meeting Minutes

24 September 2020

UNCONFIRMED

MINUTES OF Western Bay of Plenty District Council
Kaimai Ward Forum Meeting No. KWF20-3
HELD AT THE Omanawa Hall, 560 Omanawa Road, Omanawa
ON Thursday, 24 September 2020 AT 7:00pm

1 Present

Cr M Dean (Chairperson), Cr M Murray-Benge, Cr M Grainger and Cr D Thwaites.

2 In Attendance

M Taris (Chief Executive Officer), R Davie (Group Manager Policy Planning and Regulatory Services), E Watton (Policy and Planning Manager), J Rickard (Senior Policy Analyst), Tracy Harris (Executive Assistant/Senior Team Administrator) and C Irvin (Senior Governance Advisor).

OTHERS

Members of the Public and as listed in the minutes.

CHAIRPERSONS INTRODUCTION

Cr Dean opened meeting at 7:00 pm by welcoming everyone to Omanawa Hall and thanking them for attending.

3 APOLOGIES

Motion

Resolution KWF20-3.1

Moved: Cr M Grainger

Seconded: Cr M Murray-Benge

That the apologies from Mayor G Webber and Deputy Chair J Nees (Tauranga Regional Council) be accepted.

Carried

4 Consideration of Late Items

Nil

5 Declarations of Interest

Nil

6 Public Excluded Items

Nil

7 New Meeting Format

Councillor Dean advised that the meeting process would start with a Public Forum followed by a workshop. The workshop would focus on items in the Long Term Plan, would consist of discussion groups led by staff members and everyone present was welcome to participate.

8 Actions that had occurred from the Kaimai Ward Forum meeting held on 17 June 2020

Councillor Dean gave an overview of the actions that came out of the previous Kaimai Ward Forum meeting as follows:

Public Forum:

1. An independent safety audit was underway for the Borrell Road and Lochhead Road sections of the Omokoroa Cycleway;

2. The Western Bay of Plenty District Council (WBOPDC) and TECT had each put in half of the required funding for the CCTV cameras for Teihana Road and the Pony Club and this was underway. To note was that WBOPDC was currently developing a CCTV policy;

3. A service request needed to be put in for the removal of abandoned vehicles at McLaren Falls, either by phone or the Antenno app;

4. Council staff were prepared to help the Kaimai Omanawa Rural Ratepayers Association with their community plan;

5. Council was awaiting the Maori Land Court response in relation to Goodall Road;

6. A rural speed limit review was underway – this was discussed at the Policy Committee workshop held that day;

7. The Omokoroa Community Board recommended to the WBOPDC that the existing library and service centre be retained for community use and Council was considering this; and

8. The WBOPDC had included an upgrade of Reserve car parking areas under the Reserves and Roading Maintenance contract this summer.

The following points were raised from the Community Organisation Workshops:

1. Whakamarama Inc

Water Reticulation Areas: the current water network design in most locations worked on a gravity supply from a storage tank sitting at an elevation of approximately 90 metres above sea level. Above 60 metres the pressure was lower than Council’s preferred level of service

Internet Access: WBOPDC was unable to fund broadband infrastructure but still wished to advocate with the Government and suppliers for better broadband in the rural areas.

2. Omokoroa Residents and Ratepayers Association

Speed Limit Reviews: WBOPDC was undertaking a partial review of its speed limits bylaw and was also proposing a 40 kilometre per hour variable speed limit around seven urban schools at peak opening and closing times. Feedback had been completed and the outcomes would be considered shortly.

Omokoroa Playground: WBOPDC had undertaken lengthy engagement with all local schools, residents and stakeholders and had developed a plan which was recently presented to the Community.

Walk and Cycle Ways: WBOPDC was aware that there was conflict between Myrtle Drive and Bramley Drive regarding the use of this path by walkers and cyclists. This was currently being monitored by staff.

3. Te Puna Heartlands

Te Puna Station Road: Council had received legal advice on the next compliance steps and a further update would be provided once investigations were complete.

Weed Control: Council’s obligations were guided by the Regional Pest Management Strategy. The Moth Plant was not a containment plant, therefore there was no statutory obligation for Council to remove it. The Bay of Plenty Regional Council (BOPRC) would be undertaking a public consultation on pests and pest plants.

4. Te Puna Quarry Park

Security Cameras: Council was currently developing a CCTV policy with the objective of formalising how it was to be used. Feedback would be sought through phase two of the Long Term Plan engagement.

Pest Control: Under the Management Agreement with the Te Puna Quarry Park Society, Council supported the management of animal pests by engaging contractors to undertake pest management.

5. Omanawa Hall Committee

Omanawa Falls: Council was currently considering an increased level of service for compliance and monitoring that was to be considered through the Long Term Plan process. Tauranga City Council was installing signs directing visitors to McLaren Falls (rather than Omanawa Falls).

Parking at the bottom of Omanawa Road: Council submitted a service request to Waka Kotahi (NZTA) on behalf of Councillor Dean. Yellow lines had now been painted at the bottom of Omanawa Road.

6. Ohauiti Settlers Association

Keep Left Signs: Signs and arrows on the road were only installed when there were specific issues, and not on all narrow roads.

Land Information Memorandum (LIM): Council treated each LIM application as a new document on the date of application to ensure that any new information was captured and included in the LIM.

7. Whakamarama

Gravel Request: Cr Murray-Benge put in a service request for the gravel that the Whakamarama Community had asked for and it was delivered within a couple of days.

7 PUBLIC FORUM

Motion

Resolution KWF20-3.2

Moved: Cr D Thwaites

Seconded: Cr M Grainger

That the meeting adjourn for the purpose of holding a public forum.

Carried

PUBLIC FORUM SPEAKERS:

A. Kaimai Omanawa Rural Ratepayers Association (KORRA):

Wayne Lowry, president of KORRA, introduced himself and spoke to the meeting about KORRA noting the following points:

· The objective of KORRA was to have a community plan in place to promote a stronger connection within the rural community and enable effective communication and engagement with Council, which would provide a stronger, happier, and healthier place for everyone to live in.

· KORRA now had a draft Community Plan in place which had been formulated from feedback from the community;

· Two key aspects that came out of the formation of KORRA was that their issues were different from other communities/regions, and that a stronger connection within the larger rural community was needed;

· The community plan had been structured primarily around the roads and the roading systems;

· Prevalent roading issues were centred around Kumikumi Road, Ruahihi Road, Omanawa Road, Belk Road, rural speed limits and roadside maintenance;

· McLaren Falls Region:

o As a tourist attraction its importance needed to be recognised because it attracted a high volume of visitors/tourists and generated revenue for the region. KORRA would like visitors to believe that they had entered the ‘McLaren Falls Gateway’ once they had turned off State Highway 2 to give the best possible first impression;

o Security was important for the area; security cameras directly at the Falls and on the bridge, adequate lighting and well-lit boardwalks (KORRA was working together with Beca); and

o The highest priority was getting much needed security installed to stop the criminal activity that was occurring at the Falls and to present McLaren Fall’s ‘best possible face to visitors’.

B. Security Issues at Te Puna Quarry Park

Ruth Dainty, Committee Member of Te Puna Quarry Park, introduced herself and spoke to the meeting about the following:

· Ruth was a resident and ratepayer of Omokoroa and also a committee member of Te Puna Quarry Park. She thanked Council for their assistance with the rabbit control problem (which had made a big difference to the numbers), and for recognising the importance of parks and cycle ways in the community.

· Te Puna Quarry Park

Over recent times there had been a definite increase in visitor numbers to the park (possibly due to Covid-19). There was also an increase in housing along the road and pressure on access roads such as Te Puna Quarry Road and Munro Road which would need to be considered in the near future. Recent events had been causing concern for volunteers who helped to look after the park. They had been dealing with situations that they were not used to, were becoming frustrated and felt ‘targeted’. Ruth noted a particular incident that had happened to her where she felt she needed to ring 105. There was a definite need for better security. She had reported on thefts of sculptures and plants. It was felt that there was a need for fully monitored cameras as the park was not staffed or serviced regularly. Ruth requested that the Council provide the support needed to overcome these issues.

C. Proposed Waste Transfer Station/Recycling Centre on Omokoroa Road

Bruce McCabe from the Omokoroa Residence and Rate Payer Association introduced himself and spoke to the Committee about the proposed Waste Transfer Station/Recycling Centre at the start of Omokoroa Road noting the following:

· A pamphlet recently delivered to homes in Omokoroa raised the issue of possible refuse handling/processing facilities at the proposed Omokoroa industrial area near the entrance to Omokoroa;

· The pamphlet raised the question of whether refuse handling/processing would be undertaken in the Omokoroa industrial area, and if so, the nature, scale and location of such activity and whether such activities were appropriate for the light industrial area to be located near the entrance to Omokoroa;

· An official Council response provided by Cr Grainger did not rule out the possibility of a recycling facility and a district-wide refuse transfer station in the industrial area;

· The following information was requested of Council:

o Green waste facility:

§ The proposed location, nature and size of this facility;

§ Screening to be provided for this facility;

o Recycling centre:

§ Was such a facility required given the move to kerb-side collection of separated recyclables, refuse for landfill and compostable organic matter?

§ How and when would a decision be made whether a recycling centre was required?

§ The proposed location, nature and size of this facility if it should go ahead;

§ Screening to be provided for this facility;

o Refuse transfer station:

§ The proposed procedure to be used by Council to determine the location and size of a new refuse transfer station in the Western Bay of Plenty; and

§ The timeline of this process.

· The Omokoroa Residents and Ratepayers Association was firmly of the opinion that, given the location of the industrial area (near the entrance to Omokoroa), the industrial area should contain clean industries that would be aesthetically pleasing and would contribute to the wealth of the township. A refuse transfer station would be both offensive and inappropriate and should be ruled out at this early stage.

· The CEO noted the following:

o Council has had a Greenway site in Omokoroa for twenty years. This would be relocated, and recycling would be considered alongside this. No final decisions had been made about it to date;

o Currently there were no conversations or plans regarding a refuse station, however it might be considered for the District in the next ten or twenty years.

D. Proposed Pathway between Omokoroa and the new Omokoroa Library

John Palmer introduced himself and spoke to the Committee about the proposed pathway between Omokoroa and the new Library noting the following:

· When the project was first proposed, safe pedestrian access from Omokoroa to the new library was identified;

· The library was 300 metres down a narrow road with no footpath;

· Currently vehicles, pedestrians, prams, push chairs, skate boarders and cyclists all had to share this road;

· In May 2019 a planned/proposed pathway was presented to the Omokoroa Community Board to accommodate cars, cyclists and pedestrians;

· The decision was made to build the pathway on the reserve side of the road;

· In April 2020 it was reported that the planning to build the new pathway was underway so that it would be in place when the library opened, however, the Library opened on Monday with no work having been commenced on the path;

· This was a serious safety issue with reports of speeding cars being flagged to slow down as pedestrians with push chairs and children were walking along the road;

· School holidays started next week which would increase the amount of children walking along the road;

· This felt like a clear case of failure to deliver;

· In hindsight it should have been a resource consent with a condition requiring completion before the library was allowed to open;

· The community wanted to know if and when this path would be constructed;

· In the short term, could signs be erected along the road to increase safety: ‘Caution - Children/Pedestrians’;

· The community was not happy with the current situation and needed Council to find a solution.

E. Pest Trap Library

Debra Jager from Whakamarama Community Incorporated (Inc) introduced herself and spoke to the Committee regarding the Whakamarama Pest Trap Library noting the following:

· A Pest Trap Library had been created and was located at Whakamarama Community Hall;

· The Library had not opened yet and was slightly behind schedule (due to Covid-19) but it would be advertised publicly once a date was known;

· The Library would loan traps out to the community (especially on life-style blocks for the eradication of rodents) for a period of three months with the right to renew for a further three months;

· This was to be done in support of the work being done in Puketoke Reserve where great results had been achieved;

· There was no cost involved but clients would be working closely in conjunction with Whakamarama Community Inc and ‘Predator Free New Zealand’, where they would be logging results to assess how successful the traps were and to create a data base; and

· Whakamarama Community Inc was very grateful to BOPRC and the Department of Conservation for their funding.

F. Te Puna Station Road and Relationship Building

Alison Cowley, resident of Te Puna Station Road, spoke to the committee regarding Te Puna Station Road and the Te Puna Business Park noting the following:

· Acknowledged issues raised about McLaren Falls which were relevant to Te Puna;

· Thank you very much to Cr Murray-Benge as she was a credit to Council – this is what we expect of our Elected Members;

· Residents/ratepayers are the ‘clients’ of the Council;

· There seemed to be a somewhat difficult relationship between the BOPRC and the WBOPDC when working on issues;

· Collaboration between the Council’s was vital to obtain a holistic picture of what was going on in their area;

· People were feeling ‘shunted from body to body’ with the different areas of responsibility between the two Councils;

· Te Puna Station Road Business Park:

o 26 hectares of waste land currently occupied by concrete processing recycling plant (amongst other things);

o There was a feeling amongst residents that developers who put in applications became the client, rather than the rate payer, and that Council would ‘err’ on the side of assisting the developer to continue their industry and business as opposed to protecting the people who lived in that environment;

o A certain element of trust was negated when residents/ratepayers felt this way;

o People needed to have faith in the Council that they are working for them as ratepayers and not for developers;

o The onus must be on the developer that they were going to contribute something positive to the community;

o Te Puna had become a dumping ground for the waste of Tauranga City – currently concrete waste from Tauranga was being dumped in Te Puna – she questioned why the Western Bay was accommodating Tauranga’s rubbish;

o Residents were asking for tighter definitions in terminology – they had reviewed other council’s terminology around storage/demolition/activity/development and they had much clearer definitions;

o Residents were asking for the following:

§ that developers must prove they had the funds in place to build in mitigation factors, such as professional landscaping/professional drainage and roading, when putting in an application;

§ that if a development did not get underway within a pre-specified time in a developer’s consent, that a ‘time-out’ clause must be included in any re-zoning for consent;

· The Chairperson advised that Council was currently investigating the consent compliance for the Te Puna Station Road Business Park.

G. Te Puna Station Road

Russ Williams, resident of Te Puna Station Road, addressed the Committee noting the following:

· He had put in several service requests to Council over similar items to those addressed by Alison Cowley and Te Puna Station Road Business Park;

· The concrete spill was an eyesore, as were other items, which seemed to be ignored by Council. In particular, drainage in the area had been blocked and not repaired causing water retention in the whole area;

· There was a feeling that Council had ‘let people down’, especially after having put in several service requests, talking to Staff at the service desk and receiving no action from these requests.

· This was disappointing and the feeling was that as ratepayers and lifetime members of the community they deserved better.

H. Te Puna Station Road

Peter Lochhead, resident of Te Puna Station Road, addressed the committee noting the following:

· Peter reiterated that this was the third meeting he had attended and spoken about the same topics but nothing appeared to have been done. However, he acknowledged that Council had responded to requests and were trying to get things done;

· There seemed to be a lack of urgency especially around the CCTV issues where people were feeling threatened. He asked that Council please give the matter some urgency;

· With regard to Te Puna Station Road; he questioned why Katikati and Omokoroa people were travelling through Te Puna to get to Tauranga. If the Business Park went ahead it would create even more traffic;

· He requested that Council please listen to residents as they had some great ideas;

Mr Lochhead responded to a question from Cr Murray-Benge as follows:

· He was asking Council for suggestions on how to prevent motorists from Katikati and Omokoroa and the south side of the highway trying to ‘rat run’ through Te Puna Station Road. There had to be another solution.

I. Te Puna Pony Club and Long Term Plan

The Chairperson read out an email from Sarah Rice, president of the Te Puna Pony Club, who was not able to attend.

Te Puna Pony Club:

· Thank you to Council and others for their support during the last 6 weeks which has included;

o Cr Murray Benge helped when the Pony Club flooded and was a great support;

o Scott Parker (Reserves and Facilities Manager) who had been very practical and supportive in helping to find ways to solve the flooding and vandalism issues;

o Mayor Gary Webber and TECT for funding for the CCTV cameras;

o Kelvin Hill (Utilities Manager) for support in finding solutions for the flooding;

o Trent Daikin (Technical Support Project Engineer) for helping with issues of trespassers from the cycleway;

o Brenda Cottle (Team Leader Financial Services) for support in dealing with considerable water bills;

o Peter Watson (Reserves and Facilities Manager) for help with horse accommodation;

· This was the way it should be, Council working together with the Community.

Long Term Plan:

· Sarah proposed that Council puts its focus on Te Puna for the next ten years and that it addressed the issues raised such as the cycle way, the unsafe intersection at Te Puna, Lochhead and Tangitu Roads, and the Station Road Business Park.

The Chairperson thanked all the speakers.

Resolution KWF20-3.3

Moved: Cr M Grainger

Seconded: Cr D Thwaites

That the meeting reconvene in formal session at 8pm.

Carried

8 Workshop

A workshop was held in the second half of the Ward Forum.

9 Recommendations to Council / Committees

Nil

10 Presentations

Nil

11 Minutes for Confirmation

11.1 Minutes of the Kaimai Ward Forum Meeting held on 17 June 2020

Resolution KWF20-3.4

Moved: Cr D Thwaites

Seconded: Cr M Murray-Benge

That the Minutes of the Kaimai Ward Forum Meeting No. KWF20-2 held on 17 June 2020 be received and the recommendations therein be adopted.

Carried

12 Reports

12.1 Kaimai Ward Forum Minute Action Sheet

The Ward Forum considered a report dated 24 September 2020 from the Governance Advisor. The report was taken as read.

Resolution KWF20-3.5

Moved: Cr D Thwaites

Seconded: Cr M Grainger

That the report from the Senior Governance advisor dated 24 September 2020 titled ‘Kaimai Ward

Forum Minute Action Sheet’ be received.

Carried

Resolution KWF20-3.6

Moved: Cr M Grainger

Seconded: Cr M Murray-Benge

That the Kaimai Ward Forum suspend standing orders for the purpose of holding a workshop.

Carried

12.2 Workshop on Long Term Plan Topics

The Policy and Planning Manager introduced the Long Term Plan workshop, gave an overview on the process and invited everyone to participate.

She confirmed that the issue of roading was included in the Long Term Plan, but at the workshop tonight they were addressing ‘key emerging proposals’ cited by the Community, and asking for feedback on these topics. She noted that all roading projects would be addressed during formal consultation next year.

The Chief Executive Officer advised that roading was always a big priority for the WBOPDC and was a major item of expenditure for Council, which was looked at in considerable detail. Many of the issues were out of Council’s control because they were to do with state highways and were the responsibility of Waka Kotahi (NZTA). Council was working together with Waka Kotahi (NZTA) and the Government on the state highway issues.

Resolution KWF20-3.7

Moved: Cr M Murray-Benge

Seconded: Cr D Thwaites

That the Kaimai Ward Forum resume standing orders.

Carried

Motion

Resolution KWF20-3.8

Moved: Cr M Dean

Seconded: Cr M Murray-Benge

That the meeting be adjourned until Friday 2 October 2020 at 11.30 am.

Carried

The Meeting was adjourned at 9:00pm.

MINUTES OF Western Bay of Plenty District Council
RECONVENE Kaimai Ward Forum Meeting No. KWF20-3
HELD IN THE ATHENREE ROOM, Barkes Corner, Tauranga
ON friday, 2 october 2020 AT 11:30am

ATTENDEES

Cr M Dean (Chairperson), Mayor G Webber, Cr J Denyer, Cr M Grainger, Cr A Henry, and Cr D Thwaites.

OTHER ATTENDEES

B Whitton (Customer Service and Governance Manager) and C Irvin (Senior Governance Advisor).

APOLOGIES

Motion

Resolution KWF20-3.9

Moved: Cr D Thwaites

Seconded: Cr M Grainger

That the apologies from Cr Murray-Benge be accepted.

Carried

INTRODUCTION

The Chairperson welcomed everyone and declared the ‘reconvene meeting’ open and noted that Cr Murray-Benge had sent her apologies and had sent an email with her comments.

REPORTS

1. Kaimai Omanawa Rural Ratepayers Association (KORRA)

The Chairperson reiterated that Wayne Lowry (Chairman of KORRA) mentioned in his presentation the bridge at McLaren Falls being seen as a ‘Gateway’ to the area and the need of some form of signage and security at the bridge.

Motion

Resolution KWF20-3.10

Moved: Cr M Grainger

Seconded: Cr D Thwaites

That the Community Plan from KORRA be received as a ‘draft’.

Carried

2. Security Issues at Te Puna Quarry Park

The Chairperson summarised the presentation on security issues at Te Puna Quarry Park citing issues such as security, theft and anti-social behaviour and the need for security cameras.

Motion

Resolution KWF20-3.11

Moved: Cr D Thwaites

Seconded: Cr M Dean

That the report ‘Security Issues at Te Puna Quarry Park’ be received and forwarded on to the appropriate WBOPDC staff.

Carried

3. Omokoroa Residents and Rate Payers Association - Proposed Waste Transfer Station/Recycling Centre on Omokoroa Road

Motion

Resolution KWF20-3.12

Moved: Cr M Grainger

Seconded: Cr D Thwaites

That the report ‘Proposed Waste Transfer Station/Recycling Centre on Omokoroa Road’ be received.

Carried

4. Omokoroa Library Path – Western Avenue

The Chairperson noted that this library path was in progress.

Motion

Resolution KWF20-3.13

Moved: Cr M Grainger

Seconded: Cr D Thwaites

That the report ‘Omokoroa Library Path – Western Avenue’ be received.

Carried

5. Pest Trap Library

The Chairperson noted that the work being done by Whakamarama Community Incorporated was very positive.

Motion

Resolution KWF20-3.14

Moved: Cr M Dean

Seconded: Cr D Thwaites

That the report ‘Pest Trap Library’ be received.

Carried

6. Te Puna Station Road Business Park Compliance Issues

Motion

Resolution KWF20-3.15

Moved: Cr M Grainger

Seconded: Cr D Thwaites

That the report ‘Te Puna Station Road Business Park Non-Compliance’ be received and referred to Management.

Carried

7. Te Puna Station Road Traffic Issues

Motion

Resolution KWF20-3.16

Moved: Cr D Thwaites

Seconded: Cr M Grainger

That the report ‘Te Puna Station Road Traffic Issues’ be received.

Carried

8. Te Puna Station Road - Safety Audit - Cycle Way

Motion

Resolution KWF20-3.17

Moved: Cr D Thwaites

Seconded: Cr M Dean

That the report ‘Safety Audit – Cycle Way’ be received.

Carried

The meeting closed at 12:05pm.

Chairperson	Councillor Mark Dean
Deputy Chairperson	Cr Margaret Murray-Benge
Members	Mayor G J Webber (ex-officio) Cr Murray Grainger Cr Donald Thwaites
Quorum	2
Frequency	Quarterly