Minutes of Katikati Community Board Meeting

Katikati Community Board Meeting Minutes

26 July 2023

MINUTES OF Western Bay of Plenty District Council
Katikati Community Board Meeting No. KKC23-5
HELD IN THE Centre - Pātuki Manawa, 21 Main Road, Katikati
ON Wednesday, 26 July 2023 AT 7.00pm

1 Present

Chairperson J Clements, Member N Mayo, Member A Earl, Member T Sage, and Cr A Henry

2 In Attendance

J Holyoake (Chief Executive Officer), J Osborne (Governance Advisor) and G Golding (Governance Manager)

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE:

Waihī Beach Community Board Chairperson R Goudie

Matt Peacocke (Principal Landscape Architect - Boffa Miskell)

42 Members of the public

3 Apologies

Apology

Resolution KKC23-5.1

Moved: Member A Earl

Seconded: Member N Mayo

That the apology for absence from Cr R Joyce be accepted.

Carried

4 Consideration of Late Items

Nil

5 Declarations of Interest

Nil

6 Public Excluded Items

Nil

7 Public Forum

7.1 PAULA GAELIC - WESTERN BAY MUSEUM

Ms Gaelic was in attendance to provide an update on the Western Bay Museum. The following points were made:

· The Matariki celebration was successful, and was well-attended and enjoyed by the community. Ms Gaelic thanked Councillors Henry and Joyce for attending the celebrations.

· A new roof had been installed on the Museum.

· The Exhibition of Cultures exhibit opened 5 August 2023, which showcased taonga from across the globe, and covered all continents.

· The cherry trees on Kotahi Lane were beginning to blossom, and it was requested that Council further investigate options for this space.

The Chairperson commended the Museum on the Service and Sacrifice Exhibition, which had been on display in the National Army Museum for six months.

7.2 JIZZY GREEN – FLUORIDATION

Ms Green was in attendance to speak to the Board regarding the instruction by Director-General Health to fluoridate the drinking water supplies for Athenree and Wharawhara before 31 July 2025. The following points were made:

· There had been no public engagement on the fluoridation mandates, and it was believed that this should be on public record.

· Ms Green was a coordinator for ‘Grow On Katikati’, which aimed to increase food resilience in the community and the health of Katikati.

· The fluoridation mandates had taken away the right to choose, and there were concerns about the impact on health and how the fluoride would be administered.

· It was proposed that an education programme be rolled out to early childcare and primary schools on dental health and awareness, and the impact water had on teeth.

· The money that would be spent for mass fluoridation could instead be used to provide fluoride products to children who were at risk of dental issues, which would provide a choice.

Ms Green also thanked the Katikati Community Board for the grant to ‘Grow On Katikati’, for the purchase of a laptop.

The Board noted that Council had requested information from Ministry of Health (MoH) on the purpose of the mandate, and invited them to speak to the Council on the matter. Council had also sent a letter to MoH requesting an exemption from the mandates, which would be made public at the Council meeting on 30 August 2023.

7.3 Bruce Hamblyn - Fluoridation

Mr Hamblyn was in attendance on behalf of Kane Titchener (Fluoride Free New Zealand) to further speak to the fluoridation concerns. The following points were made:

· There should be public engagement on the mandates.

· ‘New Health New Zealand’ had filed legal proceedings against the Director-General of Health’s directives.

· It was suggested that Council requested an interim injunction against the mandates, as this would mean a delay in fluoridating the water supply.

· It was believed that fluoride lowered IQ levels, and that there was no safe level of fluoride.

· It was requested that the Katikati Community Board resolve to support Council in lodging an interim injunction, and that the Board supported Kane Titchener’s development of a remit for Region 2 of the Community Board’s Executive Committee (CBEC) against fluoridation.

The Chairperson suggested to Mr Hamblyn that he facilitated a public meeting/forum on this topic, to allow for free and frank discussion outside of the Community Board meeting.

7.4 Jenny Hobbs - Fluoridation

Ms Hobbs was in attendance to speak regarding fluoridation concerns. The following points were made:

· She believed the human body had no requirement for fluoride/fluorine, and that it did not naturally occur in the body.

· The New Zealand Bill of Rights Act needed to be taken into consideration.

· It was suggested that the Community Board support an interim injunction.

· Fluoridation added to New Zealand’s cost-of-living crisis, as people who did not want to consume it would be forced to purchase un-fluoridated water.

· A well-advertised community meeting on fluoridation was supported.

7.5 Jacqui Knight - Various Topics

Ms Knight was in attendance to speak regarding multiple topics. The following points were made:

· There was a need for the cherry trees in Kotahi Lane to be removed.

· The Community Board needed to consider the best long-term option for the Market Square, and what was best for the community while future-proofing its asset spending.

7.6 Dr Peter Maddison - Kauri Dieback

Dr Maddison was in attendance, and spoke to a presentation regarding kauri dieback. The following points were made:

· Kauri dieback was discovered by the Department of Conservation (DOC) in the Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park at the entrance to Wharawhara Road, so the walking tracks were now closed to the public.

· Kauri dieback was very serious, and important and historical kauri trees in the area were now on the list of threatened trees.

· The first approach was to test the soil for the disease, which was an expensive process.

· It was requested that Council work to protect the kauri trees in the Katikati area, to prevent kauri dieback.

· The public were encouraged to clean their footwear before walking near kauri trees or through native forest, and to be aware of significant trees.

CHANGE TO THE ORDER OF BUSINESS

Resolution KKC23-5.2

Moved: Chairperson J Clements

Seconded: Member A Earl

That in accordance with Standing Orders the order of business be changed and that the item 9.3: “Katikati Market Square”, be dealt with as the next item of business, in order to release the presenters from the meeting.

Carried

8.1 Katikati Market Square

The Board considered a report from the Operations Manager. Matt Peacocke from Boffa Miskell was in attendance to speak to the report, noting the following:

· The purpose of the project was to detract markets and civic events away from the main street, and to create a village green area.

· The site had been analysed and the current car-parking was deemed inefficient.

· The projected costs allowed for inflation, kerbs, services, and contingencies.

· An access point into the Westpac carpark had been included in the concept plans.

· Due to funding limitations, there was potential for Option 1 to be built incrementally.

· There was significant loss of carparking with Option 3.

· The Board agreed that this should involve public consultation before a decision could be made.

· Costings could be reduced by taking away ‘nice-to-have’ items.

· It would cost between $50,000 and $100,000 for a developed detailed design.

· Option 1 included a plaza space outside the Katikati War Memorial Hall, and the hall committee would be approached if the concept plan was approved.

· It was important to keep in mind that the plans were just concepts, and a detailed plan would be created if the Board wished to progress, as well as further investigation into costs and potential concerns.

· There were opportunities for the Community Board to seek external funding, but a detailed plan would likely be needed to do so.

It was agreed that this item should lie on the table, to be discussed at a future Katikati Community Board workshop in the first instance.

Resolution KKC23-5.3

Moved: Member T Sage

Seconded: Member A Earl

1. That the Operations Manager’s report dated 26 July 2023 titled ‘Katikati Market Square’ be received.

2. That the report relates to an issue that is considered to be of low significance in terms of Council’s Significance and Engagement Policy.

Carried

Item to lie on the table

Moved: Chairperson J Clements

Seconded: Member T Sage

That the item of business being discussed should lie on the table and not be further discussed at this meeting, as this item will be included as an item for discussion at a future Katikati Community Board workshop.

9 Minutes for Confirmation

9.1 Minutes of the Katikati Community Board Meeting held on 31 May 2023

Resolution KKC23-5.4

Moved: Chairperson J Clements

Seconded: Cr A Henry

1. That the Minutes of the Katikati Community Board Meeting held on 31 May 2023 as circulated with the agenda be confirmed as a true and correct record.

2. That the Chairperson’s electronic signature be inserted into the confirmed minutes.

Carried

10 Reports

10.1 Chairperson's Report - July 2023

The Board considered a report from the Chairperson. The report was taken as read, with further discussion on the below items:

· There were funds within the community to pay for the Moore Park hard-courts, and there was a letter of support from the Katikati Rugby Football Club.

· A revision of the Moore Park Concept Plan had been noted as a priority for the Board at a recent Katikati Community Board workshop. This would be considered as part of the Long Term Plan (LTP) proposed projects, and would include the toilets and hard-courts.

· The Reserves Act required Council to have a Reserves Management Plan, which then involved a requirement for Council to develop a concept plan. This created a layer of legal protection for any development or work undertaken on reserves.

· The Board had met with the Tanner’s Point Residents and Ratepayer Association, and it was agreed there needed to be a concept plan for the kauri/native tree nursery.

· The Tanner’s Point Residents and Ratepayer Association had submitted their aspirations to the Council through the Annual Plan submission process.

· The concrete pads for two urban bus shelters had been laid, and the shelters had been ordered. The rural bus shelters would be discussed at the next Katikati Community Board workshop.

· The Industrial/Technology Park project was progressing, and the landowners were very keen for this to move forward.

· It was clarified that Financial Contributions (FINCOs) were not a source of profit to be used for projects across the district, but were a way to recoup sunken costs spent in the instalment of services to support developments/growth. Maintenance and other operational costs were funded through rates.

· The Chairperson tabled Item 1: photos of damage and flooding caused by a storm in 1968.

Resolution KKC23-5.5

Moved: Chairperson J Clements

Seconded: Member N Mayo

That the Chairperson’s report dated 26 July 2023, titled ‘Chairperson’s Report – July 2023’, be received.

Carried

10.2 Councillor's Report - July 2023

The Board considered a report from Councillor Henry. The report was taken as read, with further discussion on the below items:

· It was clarified that on page 23 of the Councillor’s report should read “19 July 2023”, in regard to Council’s submission on fluoridation.

· There was a discussion regarding the ability for Community Board Chairperson’s to attend workshops. The Board were reminded that this conversation and decision sat with the Mayor, and therefore this was not an appropriate forum to discuss it.

· Council had taken steps regarding the exemption from fluoridation, and it was noted that any action the Board may take at the meeting would not alter this process. The Board was encouraged to read the minutes and watch the livestream of the Council meeting held 20 July 2023, for further information.

Resolution KKC23-5.6

Moved: Cr A Henry

Seconded: Member N Mayo

That the Councillor’s report dated 26 July 2023, titled ‘Councillor’s Report – July 2023’, be received.

Carried

10.3 Operational Report - July 2023

The Board considered a report from the Governance Advisor. The report was taken as read, with further discussion on the below items:

· The Board thanked the Governance Advisor for the report, and encouraged members of the public to report issues to Council.

Resolution KKC23-5.7

Moved: Member T Sage

Seconded: Member N Mayo

That the Governance Advisor’s report dated 26 July 2023 titled ‘Operational Report – July 2023’ be received.

Carried

10.4 Infrastructure Services Report Katikati Community Board July 2023

The Board considered a report from the Executive Assistant Senior Team Administrator. The report was taken as read.

Resolution KKC23-5.8

Moved: Member T Sage

Seconded: Member A Earl

That the Executive Assistant Senior Team Administrator report dated 26 July 2023, titled ’Infrastructure Services Report Katikati Community Board July 2023’, be received.

Carried

10.5 Katikati Financial Report - June 2023

The Board considered a report from the Financial Business Advisor. The report was taken as read, with further discussion on the below items:

· It was noted that the $29,625 in the Reserves Account was the money spent from the $50,000 committed to the new Katikati Community Sport and Recreation Centre project.

· Staff would investigate the progress of this Recreation Centre, and provide an update at the next Katikati Community Board workshop for discussion.

Resolution KKC23-5.9

Moved: Member T Sage

Seconded: Member N Mayo

That the Financial Business Advisor’s report dated 26 July 2023, titled ‘Financial Report Katikati – June 2023’, be received.

Carried

The Meeting closed at 9.07pm.

Confirmed as a true and correct record at the Katikati Community Board meeting held on 20 September 2023.

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

Chairperson J Clements

CHAIRPERSON