Agenda of Strategy and Policy Committee Meeting

Strategy and Policy Committee Meeting Agenda

3 March 2025

Strategy and Policy Committee

Membership:

Chairperson	Mayor James Denyer
Deputy Chairperson	Cr Murray Grainger
Members	Cr Tracey Coxhead Cr Grant Dally Cr Anne Henry Cr Rodney Joyce Cr Margaret Murray-Benge Cr Laura Rae Deputy Mayor John Scrimgeour Cr Allan Sole Cr Don Thwaites Cr Andy Wichers
Quorum	Six (6)
Frequency	Six weekly

Role:

· To develop and review strategies, policies, plans and bylaws to advance the strategic direction of Council and its communities.

· To ensure an integrated approach to land development (including land for housing), land use and transportation to enable, support and shape sustainable, vibrant and safe communities.

· To ensure there is sufficient and appropriate housing supply and choice in existing and new urban areas to meet current and future needs.

Scope:

· Development and review of bylaws in accordance with legislation including determination of the nature and extent of community engagement approaches to be deployed.

· Development, review and approval of strategies and plans in accordance with legislation including

· determination of the nature and extent of community engagement approaches to be deployed.

· Subject to compliance with legislation and the Long Term Plan, to resolve all matters of strategic policy outside of the Long Term Plan process which does not require, under the Local Government Act 2002, a resolution of Council.

· Development of District Plan changes up to the point of public notification under the Resource Management Act 1991.

· Endorsement of the Future Development Strategy and sub-regional or regional spatial plans.

· Consider and approve changes to service delivery arrangements arising from service delivery reviews required under the Local Government Act 2002 (provided that where a service delivery proposal requires an amendment to the Long Term Plan, it shall thereafter be progressed by the Annual Plan and Long Term Plan Committee).

· Where un-budgeted financial implications arise from the development or review of policies, bylaws or plans, recommend to Council any changes or variations necessary to give effect to such policies, bylaws or plans.

· Listen to and receive the presentation of views by people and engage in spoken interaction in relation to any matters Council undertakes to consult on whether under the Local Government Act 2002 or any other Act.

· Oversee the development of strategies relating to sub-regional parks and sub-regional community facilities for the enhancement of community wellbeing of the Western Bay of Plenty District communities, for recommendation to Tauranga City Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council.

· Approve Council submissions to central government, councils and other organisations, including submissions on proposed legislation, plan changes or policy statements.

· Receive and make decisions and recommendations to Council and its Committees, as appropriate, on reports, recommendations and minutes of the following:

- SmartGrowth Leadership Group

- Regional Transport Committee

- Any other Joint Committee, Forum or Working Group, as directed by Council.

· Receive and make decisions on, as appropriate, any matters of a policy or planning nature from the following:

- Waihī Beach, Katikati, Ōmokoroa, Te Puke and Maketu Community Boards.

- Community Committee.

Power to Act:

· To make all decisions necessary to fulfil the role and scope of the Committee subject to the limitations imposed.

Power to Recommend:

· To Council and/or any Committee as it deems appropriate.

Power to sub-delegate:

· The Committee may delegate any of its functions, duties or powers to a subcommittee, working group or other subordinate decision-making body subject to the restrictions within its delegations and provided that any such sub-delegation includes a statement of purpose and specification of task.

· Should there be insufficient time for Strategy and Policy Committee to consider approval for a final submission to an external body, the Chair has delegated authority to sign the submission on behalf of Council, provided that the final submission is reported to the next scheduled meeting of the Strategy and Policy Committee.

Strategy and Policy Committee Meeting Agenda

3 March 2025

10 Reports

10.1 Proposed Draft Kaimai Reserve Management Plan

File Number: A6600975

Author: Jason Crummer, Senior Recreation Planner

Authoriser: Rachael Davie, Deputy CEO/General Manager Strategy and Community

Executive Summary

The draft Kaimai Reserve Management Plan (Attachments 1 and 2) and consultation document (Attachment 3) are presented to the Strategy and Policy Committee for adoption for consultation with the community.

Pre-engagement informed the proposed changes to the Kaimai Reserve Management Plan (RMP) and consisted of individual hui and workshops with tāngata whenua, stakeholders and the Kaimai ward community.

The next stage in the review process is to seek wider community feedback on the draft RMP. This feedback will be brought back to the Strategy and Policy Committee to inform the development and adoption of the final Kaimai RMP.

Recommendation

1. That the Senior Recreation Planner’s report dated 3 March 2025 titled ‘Proposed Draft Kaimai Reserve Management Plan’ be received.

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

3. That the pre-engagement undertaken from 22 October to 12 November 2024 fulfils the requirements of Section 41(5) of the Reserves Act 1977.

4. That the Strategy and Policy Committee [approves/does not approve] the release of the proposed draft Kaimai Reserve Management Plan (attached to this report as Attachment 1 and 2) and consultation document (attached to this report as Attachment 3) for community consultation pursuant to Section 41(6) of the Reserves Act 1977 from 11 March to 11 May 2025.

Background

1. The RMP for the Kaimai ward was last reviewed and adopted by Council in 2016 and is now due for review.

2. Reserve Management Plans are a statutory requirement under the Reserves Act 1977. Council must regularly review its RMPs to:

(a) Understand what the community wants for local parks and open spaces;

(b) Make sure the plan meets the needs of the district’s growing and diverse population;

(d) Ensure the plan matches the services the community expects; and

(e) Include information about new reserves and updated plans for specific areas.

3. Pre-engagement to seek community ideas and identify future use opportunities took place over a three week period from 22 October to 12 November 2024. In total, 55 pieces of feedback was received through the pre-engagement.

The RMP is divided into two main documents, outlined as follows

4. District-wide information (Attachment 1) provides an overview of all reserves in the Western Bay of Plenty District. This contains information about the statutory context, maintenance levels of service, and the reserve objectives and policies that guide Council’s approach to the management of its reserves. This information is updated alongside the review of each respective ward every three years.

5. Reserve specific information provides an overview of the various reserves within each of Council’s three wards (Kaimai, Katikati-Waihī Beach, and Te Puke-Maketu) such as adopted concept plans, reserve management approaches, potential future developments, known issues, relevant leases held, and reference to relevant bylaws and policies. This review focusses on the Kaimai Ward (Attachment 2). The document also covers population, and demographic information along with information about tangata whenua, community groups, and key stakeholders who operate in the ward. This information for the Kaimai ward is updated every nine years.

Summary of proposed changes to the Kaimai RMP

6. The proposed updates to the document include the introduction of new concept plans, an expanded list of reserves, updated inventory items, and improved aerial imagery. The format and text have also been refreshed. In addition, the document updates information on the general population, demographic details, tangata whenua, community groups, and other key stakeholders.

7. The table below sets out specific key changes that have been identified so far.

Reserve Specific Information

· Collaboration with the Te Puna Quarry Park Society to explore future governance and management approaches including concept planning;

· Enhancement and maintenance of existing reserves and shared pathways;

· Establish a Memorial Wall in Ōmokoroa;

· Kaiate Hall proposed to be removed from the RMP due to being on Crown land and not administered by Council;

· Investigate reclassification of known cultural sites to Historic Reserve status;

· New cultural and historical elements;

· New children’s swing set at the Oropi War Memorial Hall;

· New essential items for new reserves, e.g., bollards, bins, signs etc.

· New reserves:

o Kaimai View Reserve;

o Minden Hill Lane Reserve;

o Ridge Drive Reserve;

o Tui Glen (Road Reserve); and

o Vantage Place Reserve.

· New reserves with proposed names requiring public feedback:

o 12 Kuaka Rise – Proposed naming “Kuaka Rise Reserve”;

o 109 Clarke Road – Proposed naming “Wāhi ō Te Hakao”;

o I’Anson Bush Reserve – Proposed renaming “Wāhi ō Te Ōturu – I’Anson”;

o Jack Lloyd Reserve – Proposed naming “Jack Lloyd Reserve”;

o Josephine Place Reserve – Proposed naming “Wāhi ō Te Mangawhai”;

o Lynley Park Drive Reserve (Parcel 1948/54) – Proposed naming “Kowhai Reserve”;

o Lynley Park Drive Reserve (Parcel 1949/20) – Proposed naming “Wāhi ō Te Kakaramea”;

o McDonnell Street Reserve – Proposed naming “Bramley Reserve”;

o Minden Lookout – Proposed renaming “Wāhi ō Te Rangituanehu”;

o Tahataharoa Reserve – Proposed naming “Wāhi ō Te Tawa ki Tahataharoa”; and

o Te Puna Quarry Park – Proposed renaming “Te Puna Quarry Reserve”.

· New playground at the Omanawa Community Hall;

· New shared pathways in the Minden, along the Wairoa River esplanades, and around Mangawhai Pā Historic Reserve;

· New sports hard court at the Ōmokoroa Sports Ground;

· Representation Review proposed ward boundary changes:

o Apata Hall Site – Move to Kaimai ward;

o Kaiate Falls Scenic and Esplanade Reserve – Move to Te Puke-Maketu ward;

o Pahoia Domain – Move to Kaimai ward; and

o Pahoia Landing Reserve – Move to Kaimai ward.

District-wide information

· New Pest Management Policy (District-wide RMP Policy 28).

Proposed major improvement works

· Develop concept plans for:

o Te Puna Quarry Park;

o Wāhi ō Te Hakao; and

o Wāhi ō Te Tawa ki Tahataharoa.

Capital expenditure

· Implementation of concept plans;

· Sports hard court at the Ōmokoroa Sports Ground; and

· New shared pathways using existing budgets:

o Mangawhai Pā Historic Reserve;

o Minden; and

o Wairoa River esplanades.

Operational expenditure

· Te Puna Quarry Park governance and management approaches.

Proposed minor improvement works

· Enhancement and maintenance of existing reserves and shared pathways including cultural and historical elements;

· Essential items for new reserves, e.g., bollards, bins, signs etc;

· Memorial Wall in Ōmokoroa;

· Omanawa Community Hall site new playground;

· Oropi Playgroup (Oropi War Memorial Hall) new swing set; and

· Potential community garden at McDonnell Street Reserve and Tui Glen (Road Reserve).

Estimated costs – Stage over 9 years

· $1.9M – Proposed major improvement works; and

· $300K – Proposed minor improvement works.

· Majority of remaining items can be covered using existing budgets.

Identified issues and opportunities

8. The following key insights have been identified internally by Council, through community pre-engagement, and the use of targeted engagement with tangata whenua, the Ōmokoroa Community Board and other key stakeholders.

9. Hūharua Park RMP review

Hūharua Park is a sub-regional park jointly owned by Tauranga City Council (TCC) and the Western Bay of Plenty District Council (WBOPDC). Its RMP is a standalone document, developed in partnership with TCC and Pirirākau, and adopted by WBOPDC in 2012. A comprehensive review of the Hūharua Park RMP is proposed to occur independently of the Kaimai RMP review in 2025/26. WBOPDC will collaborate with Pirirākau, TCC, and key stakeholders to identify critical issues and opportunities for this review.

10. Reserve naming

Council has acquired new reserves in the Kaimai ward since the last review of the RMP in 2016. These reserves may require the development of concept plans and some minor or major capital expenditure in the future. Additionally, each reserve is to be named through a formal resolution in accordance with the District-wide RMP Naming Policy 8.

11. Pirirākau hapū, with the support of Ngāti Taka, provided the proposed names to Council, in accordance with our naming policy. These names reflect a deep connection to the land and include seven reserves recognised as being significant cultural sites to Pirirākau hapū. The name fixture, ‘Wāhi ō’, alongside the use of full Te Reo Māori for culturally significant sites, is used deliberately to preserve the reserve’s place and to honour the traditional names passed down by tangata whenua. Additionally, Pirirākau naming traditions use ‘Reserve’ as a naming fixture for sites within their rohe that aren’t recognised as being culturally significant.

12. Under the naming policy, where an existing reserve is known by the community by a local rather than the official name, signage that recognises both names will be considered.

13. Walking and Cycling Action Plan

The proposed draft RMP includes the continued implementation of the Walking and Cycling Action Plan around the Mangawhai Pā Historic Reserve and along the Wairoa River to SH2 and the Takitimu Northern Link.

14. The proposal includes investigatory actions within Attachment 2 that extend beyond the adopted Action Plan. These investigations focus on potential new shared pathways, including a route through the Minden area from Te Puna Quarry Park to the Takitimu Northern Link, as well as esplanade linkages around Te Puna, connecting from Plummers Point.

15. These are potential future actions and do not commit Council to acquire new land. The proposed connections could be achieved through land swaps, easements and utilisation of existing esplanades, paper roads, and green lanes.

16. Reserve pest management

Around 30 community groups are helping to look after parks and reserves in the Kaimai ward by volunteering for tasks like removing harmful plants, clearing paths, and planting trees. One of their goals is to improve pest management to protect local reserves.

17. To help with this, a new pest management policy is being proposed in the draft RMP. This policy will build on the hard work already being done by these groups, using existing budgets and resources, and will focus on the most important areas. The goal is to support the community and help New Zealand reach its aim of being Predator Free by 2050.

18. Potential future changes to the Kaimai RMP

Due to uncertainty in the current environment, there are some decisions which are partially reflected in the RMP. These relate to Local Waters Done Well, the Representation Review and the outcome of the vesting of reserve land. These decisions will be integrated into the Kaimai RMP prior to adoption (if relevant) to ensure alignment.

Significance and Engagement

19. The Local Government Act 2002 requires a formal assessment of the significance of matters and decision in this report against Council’s Significance and Engagement Policy. In making this formal assessment there is no intention to assess the importance of this item to individuals, groups, or agencies within the community and it is acknowledged that all reports have a high degree of importance to those affected by Council decisions.

20. The Policy requires Council and its communities to identify the degree of significance attached to particular issues, proposals, assets, decisions, and activities.

21. In terms of the Significance and Engagement Policy this decision is considered to be of medium significance due to the level of tangata whenua and community interest, the potential future development costs, and consultation requirements.

Engagement, Consultation and Communication

22. The planned engagement, consultation, and communication on the proposed draft Kaimai RMP is set out below.

Interested/Affected Parties	Engagement/Consultation/Communication
· Whole Kaimai Ward	· Public notice of formal consultation pursuant to Section 41(6) of the Reserves Act 1977 from 11 March to 11 May 2025. · Temporary billboards at Ōmokoroa Domain and Maramatanga Park in Te Puna, and posters at Council’s Library and Service Centres. · Media release on Council’s website and social media pages (Facebook and Instagram). · Three community drop in events - Doggy Day Out engagement event at Ōmokoroa Sports Ground (22 March) - Oropi Market community drop-in session at Oropi Memorial Hall (30 March) - Basketball ‘Have-a-go’ engagement event at Maramatanga Park, Te Puna (5 April) · More formal opportunity to register to speak in Council Chambers (date TBA based on level of interest).	Planned
· Interested parties and groups	· Invitations to participate in formal consultation; · Workshop with Ōmokoroa Community Board; · Workshops with local reserve care groups; · Hui with Te Puna Quarry Park Society. · Emails/letters of notification to the following: o Residents adjacent to sites with proposed key changes identified within the consultation document (Attachment 3); o Ōmokoroa Community Board; o Elected members and staff; o Te Puna Quarry Park Society.
· Tangata Whenua	· Invitations to participate in formal consultation; · Workshop with Te Kāhui Mana Whenua o Tauranga Moana Forum; · Hui with individual iwi/hapū of the Kaimai Ward.

23. Issues and Options Assessment

Option 1

That the Strategy and Policy Committee approves the release of the proposed draft Kaimai RMP and consultation document (as contained in Attachment 1, 2 and 3) for community consultation pursuant to section 41(6) of the Reserves Act 1977, from 11 March to 11 May 2025.

Assessment of advantages and disadvantages including impact on each of the four well-beings

· Economic

· Social

· Cultural

· Environmental

Advantages

· Responds to the priorities and aspirations of the majority of submitters, tangata whenua and stakeholders;

· Aligns with Council’s Strategic Priorities of empowering communities and growing authentic Te Tiriti based relationships;

· Assists in developing a diverse network of reserves designed to meet the needs of various demographics and serve a wide range of purposes;

· Provides a variety of short to long term developments for staged delivery over the 9 year period.

Disadvantages

· New capital projects could mean additional rates increases over the long term, noting that the timing and funding approach for projects is a matter for consideration through Annual Plans and Long Term Plan;

· Additional on-going maintenance costs and levels of service to new or enhanced reserves.

Costs (including present and future costs, direct, indirect and contingent costs).

Staged over 9 years

· $1.9M – Proposed major improvement works;

· $300K – Proposed minor improvement works.

Majority of remaining items can be covered using existing budgets.

Option 2

That the Strategy and Policy Committee DOES NOT approve the release of the proposed draft Kaimai RMP and consultation document as contained in (attachments 1, 2 and 3) for community consultation pursuant to section 41(6) of the Reserves Act 1977, from 11 March to 11 May 2025.

Assessment of advantages and disadvantages including impact on each of the four well-beings

· Economic

· Social

· Cultural

· Environmental

Disadvantages

· Doesn’t respond to the priorities and aspirations of the majority of submitters, tangata whenua and stakeholders;

· Doesn’t further progress Council’s Strategic Priorities of empowering communities and growing authentic Te Tiriti based relationships;

· Doesn’t assist in developing a diverse network of reserves designed to meet the needs of various demographics and serve a wide range of purposes;

· Doesn’t provide a variety of short to long term developments for staged delivery over the 9 year period.

Advantages

· No additional rates increases over the long term;

· No additional on-going maintenance costs and levels of service to new or enhanced reserves.

Costs (including present and future costs, direct, indirect and contingent costs).

No financial cost relating to this decision.

Statutory Compliance

24. The proposed draft Kaimai RMP is to be released for consultation in accordance with Section 41(6) of the Reserves Act 1977, to seek further feedback on proposals.

25. Reserves planning and policy development are the responsibilities of the Strategy and Policy Committee, which has delegated authority to hear submissions to a draft reserves management plan/concept plans and adopt or not adopt accordingly.

26. Funding to implement future capital projects relating to the draft Kaimai RMP is proposed to be considered through future Annual Plan/Long Term Plan processes.

Funding/Budget Implications

Budget Funding Information

Relevant Detail

Estimated costs to implement potential future developments

Staged over 9 years

· $1.9M – Proposed major improvement works;

· $300K – Proposed minor improvement works.

Majority of remaining items can be covered using existing budgets.

Attachments

1. Draft Kaimai RMP district-wide info ⇩