Notice of the ordinary meeting of the
Sports and Recreation Committee
Kōmiti Hākinakina, Papa Rēhia Hoki
Agenda
Rārangi take
Chair Cr Tim Skinner
Deputy Chair Cr Trudie Brand
Members Her Worship the Mayor Rachel Reese
Cr Yvonne Bowater
Cr
Mel Courtney
Cr
Kate Fulton
Cr
Judene Edgar
Cr Matt Lawrey
Cr Brian McGurk
Cr Gaile Noonan
Cr Rohan
O’Neill-Stevens
Cr
Pete Rainey
Cr
Rachel Sanson
Pat
Dougherty
Chief
Executive
Quorum: 7
Nelson
City Council Disclaimer
Please
note that the contents of these Council and Committee Agendas have yet to be
considered by Council and officer recommendations may be altered or changed by
the Council in the process of making the formal Council decision.
Areas of Responsibility:
· Bylaws, within the areas of
responsibility
· Campgrounds
· Marina
· Modellers’ Pond
· Natureland
· Nelson Gondola Project and Koata Park
· Parks and Reserves, aside from
o
Saxton Field (a matter for the
Saxton Field Committee)
o
Greenmeadows Community Centre,
Stoke Memorial Hall, and Tahunanui Community Centre (matters for the Community
Services Committee)
o
Heritage Houses and their grounds
(matters for the Community Services Committee)
· Recreation and Leisure Facilities and
Services, including swimming pool facilities and Waahi Taakaro Golf Course
· Rural Fire Activities
· Sports Fields, including Trafalgar
Park and the Trafalgar Pavilion
· The Trafalgar Centre
Delegations:
The committee has all of the responsibilities, powers,
functions and duties of Council in relation to governance matters within its
areas of responsibility, except where they have been retained by Council, or
have been referred to other committees, subcommittees or subordinate
decision-making bodies.
The exercise of Council’s responsibilities, powers,
functions and duties in relation to governance matters includes (but is not
limited to):
· Monitoring Council’s performance
for the committee’s areas of responsibility, including legislative
responsibilities and compliance requirements
· Developing, approving, monitoring and
reviewing policies and plans, including activity management plans and reserve
management plans
· Reviewing and determining whether a
bylaw or amendment, revocation or replacement of a bylaw is appropriate
· Undertaking community engagement,
including all steps relating to Special Consultative Procedures or other formal
consultation processes
· Approving submissions to external
bodies or organisations, and on legislation and regulatory proposals.
Powers to Recommend to
Council:
In the following situations the committee may consider
matters within the areas of responsibility but make recommendations to Council
only (in accordance with sections 5.1.3 - 5.1.5 of the Delegations Register):
· Matters that, under the Local
Government Act 2002, the operation of law or other legislation, Council is
unable to delegate
· The purchase or disposal of land or
property relating to the areas of responsibility, other than in accordance with
the Long Term Plan or Annual Plan
· Unbudgeted expenditure relating to the
areas of responsibility, not included in the Long Term Plan or Annual Plan
· Decisions regarding significant assets
· Decisions in relation to the Nelson
Gondola Project and Koata Park
Sports and
Recreation Committee
5
November 2020
Page
No.
1. Apologies
1.1 An
apology has been received from Councillor M Lawrey for attendance, and from
Councillor R Sanson for lateness
2. Confirmation
of Order of Business
3. Interests
3.1 Updates
to the Interests Register
3.2 Identify
any conflicts of interest in the agenda
4. Public
Forum
4.1 Electrix Cheer Sport
Nelson - New Gym Sports Stadium
4.2 Natureland Wildlife Trust
- The Trust's Plans
5. Confirmation
of Minutes
5.1 17
September 2020 8 - 15
Document number M14131
Recommendation
|
That the Sports and Recreation Committee
1. Confirms the minutes of the meeting
of the Sports and Recreation Committee, held on 17 September 2020, as a true
and correct record.
|
6. Chairperson's Report
7. Draft Parks and
Reserves Activity Management Plan 2021-31 Overview 16 - 55
Document number R19201
Recommendation
|
That
the Sports and Recreation Committee
1. Receives
the report Draft Parks and Reserves Activity Management Plan 2021-31 Overview
(R19201) and its attachment
(A2435683); and
2. Approves the Draft Parks and Reserves Activity Management Plan
2021-31 (A2414207) as the version to inform the Long Term Plan 2021-31; and
3. Notes that the Draft Parks
and Reserves Activity Management Plan 2021-31 (A2414207) will be updated and
the final Activity Management Plan approved after the adoption of the Long
Term Plan 2021-31.
|
8. Modellers Pond
Replacement Project - Moving to the next stage 56 - 76
Document number R20325
Recommendation
|
That
the Sports and Recreation Committee
1. Receives
the report Modellers Pond Replacement Project - Moving to the next stage
(R20325) and its attachment
(A2373311); and
2. Approves that Option 7 now
proceeds to detailed design.
|
Recommendation to Council
|
That the Council
1. Approves additional
unbudgeted funding of $170,000 in capital expenditure to support the next
phase of the Modellers Pond replacement project, consisting of the
finalisation of the detailed design, tender documentation and contract award,
to allow construction of the new reserve to get underway in 2021/22.
|
9. Interim public
access for recreation on Koata Ltd land 77
- 95
Document number R20332
Recommendation
|
That
the Sports and Recreation Committee
1. Receives
the report Interim public access for recreation on Koata Ltd land (R20332) and its attachments (A2480486 and
A2500281); and
2. Notes that the Nelson Mountain Bike
Club is proposing to manage access into the Sharlands area for its members;
and
3. Notes that a budget of $100,000,
consisting of $80,000 for a grant and $20,000 for investigations, will be
proposed in Year 1 of the Parks and Reserves Activity Management Plan 2021-31
to enable continued public access on to Koata Ltd land (Codgers/Fringed Hill
area) and investigation of a long term solution; and
4. Notes that subsequent
years’ budgets to enable continued public access on to Koata Ltd land
will depend on the outcome of future negotiations with the landowner and
stakeholders.
|
Recommendation to Council
|
That the Council
1. Approves $80,000 of unbudgeted expenditure
in 2020/21 as a grant to Koata Ltd for access to its land (Codgers/Fringed
Hill area) for recreation and towards the management of recreation activities
on its land; and
2. Notes the release of the grant will
be contingent on outcomes being included in a funding agreement between Koata
Ltd and the Council that relate to public recreation access into the Codgers
and Fringed Hill areas (Sec 1 SO 476250) and Koata Ltd not opposing the
Maitai Recreation Hub project progressing; and
3. Authorises the Chief
Executive to negotiate the funding agreement with Koata Ltd relating to
public recreation access into the Codgers and Fringed Hill areas.
|
CONFIDENTIAL Business
10. Exclusion
of the Public
Recommendation
That the Sports
and Recreation Committee
1.
Excludes the
public from the following parts of the proceedings of this meeting.
2.
The general subject of each matter to be
considered while the public is excluded, the reason for passing this resolution
in relation to each matter and the specific grounds under section 48(1) of the
Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 for the passing of
this resolution are as follows:
|
Item
|
General subject of each matter to be
considered
|
Reason for passing this resolution in
relation to each matter
|
Particular interests protected (where
applicable)
|
|
1
|
Sports and Recreation Committee Meeting –
Confidential Minutes - 17 September 2020
|
Section 48(1)(a)
The public conduct of this matter would
be likely to result in disclosure of information for which good reason exists
under section 7.
|
The withholding of the information is
necessary:
· Section 7(2)(i)
To
enable the local authority to carry on, without prejudice or disadvantage,
negotiations (including commercial and industrial negotiations)
·
Section 7(2)(c)(i)
To protect
information which is subject to an obligation of confidence or which any
person has been or could be compelled to provide under the authority of any
enactment, where the making available of the information would be likely to
prejudice the supply of similar information or information from the same
source and it is in the public interest that such information should continue
to be supplied
· Section 7(2)(i)
To
enable the local authority to carry on, without prejudice or disadvantage,
negotiations (including commercial and industrial negotiations)
·
Section 7(2)(g)
To
maintain legal professional privilege
|
|
2
|
Valuation estimation for Koata Land recreation use
|
Section 48(1)(a)
The public conduct of this
matter would be likely to result in disclosure of information for which good
reason exists under section 7
|
The withholding of the information is necessary:
· Section 7(2)(i)
To enable the local
authority to carry on, without prejudice or disadvantage, negotiations
(including commercial and industrial negotiations)
|
Sports and Recreation Committee
Minutes - 17 September 2020
Present: Councillor
T Skinner (Chairperson), Her Worship the Mayor R Reese, Councillors Y Bowater,
T Brand (Deputy Chairperson), M Courtney, J Edgar, K Fulton, M Lawrey, B
McGurk, G Noonan, R O'Neill-Stevens, P Rainey and R Sanson
In
Attendance: Group Manager Community Services (R Ball),
Governance Adviser (E-J Ruthven), and Governance Support (K McLean)
Apologies: Councillor
M Lawrey (for lateness)
1. Apologies
An apology for lateness from Councillor Lawrey was
noted.
2. Confirmation of
Order of Business
The Chairperson advised that the
public forum presenter had postponed her presentation to the following meeting,
rather than present via audio-visual link.
He explained that there were two
further public forum presentations that would take place via audio-visual link.
There were no further changes to
the order of business.
Councillor Lawrey joined the
meeting at 10.10a.m.
3. Interests
There were no updates to the
Interests Register, and no interests with items on the agenda were declared.
4. Public Forum
4.1 All Weather Turf Working
Group – Artificial Turf
|
George Molnar spoke on behalf
of the All Weather Turf Working Group regarding the proposal for an
artificial turf. He noted the group represented approximately 1000
players from the Nelson football community.
Mr Molnar explained the group’s support for an
artificial turf development at Guppy Park, and noted there were sufficient
player numbers to support chargeable use of an artificial turf at levels high
enough to off-set annual maintenance and a large proportion of renewal
costs. He noted the group’s support for ensuring an artificial
turf development was as environmentally-friendly as possible.
Mr Molnar answered questions about the group’s
relationship with the Tasman Rugby Union and use of the turf by other
sporting codes, the group’s ability to raise funds, off-setting the
carbon impact of an artificial turf, and youth development programmes in
football.
|
4.2 FC Nelson - Artificial
Turf
|
Philip Thompson, President of
FC Nelson, spoke about the proposal for an artificial turf. He
reiterated FC Nelson’s support for an artificial turf development at
Guppy Park, and suggested that a Guppy Park Sports Hub would double as a
community hub.
Mr Thompson answered questions about community use of
Guppy Park and how an artificial turf development might affect nearby
residents, and FC Nelson’s commitment to working together with other
sporting codes to progress the development of an artificial turf.
|
5. Confirmation
of Minutes
5.1 6 August 2020
Document number M13037, agenda
pages 7 - 14 refer.
|
Resolved SPO/2020/039
|
|
|
That
the Sports and Recreation Committee
1. Confirms
the minutes of the meeting of the Sports and Recreation Committee, held on 6
August 2020, as a true and correct record.
|
|
Brand/O'Neill-Stevens Carried
|
6 Chairperson's
Report
|
The Chairperson tabled a report
(A2468217), which he spoke to. He answered questions regarding the
Natureland breed and release programme, and timeframes for the opening of the
Dog Exercise Park.
|
|
Resolved SPO/2020/040
|
|
|
That the Sports and
Recreation Committee
1. Receives the
Chairperson’s Report.
|
|
Courtney/Fulton Carried
|
|
Attachments
1 A2468217 - Chairperson's Report - tabled document
|
7. Sports and
Recreation Committee Quarterly Report to 31 March 2020 and to 30 June 2020
Document number R16941, agenda
pages 15 - 46 refer.
|
Manager Parks and Facilities, Rosie Bartlett, and Team
Leader Parks and Facilities Activity Management, Paul Harrington, presented
the report. They answered questions regarding:
· the Saxton Field
Reserve Management Plan process;
· the Regional
Sport and Active Recreation Facilities Strategy for the Top of the South
Island;
· events at the
Trafalgar Centre;
· the campground
compliance project;
· the Adopt-A-Spot
programme;
· the pop-up park;
· Auditing
reserves and levels of service for the quality and provision of play
equipment;
· The
incorporation of accessibility aspects into design processes; and
· the
environmental impact of grazing, and weed and pest control in reserves.
Along with Principal Parks and Facilities Activity
Planner, Andrew Petheram, and Parks and Facilities Activity Planner, Jane
Loughnan, they answered further questions regarding the development of a Sea
Sports Building, the Marina hardstand, and the Marina Review.
|
|
Resolved SPO/2020/041
|
|
|
That
the Sports and Recreation Committee
1. Receives the report
Sports and Recreation Committee Quarterly Report to 31 March 2020 and to 30
June 2020 (R16941) and its
attachments (A2435125 and A2433454).
|
|
Noonan/Brand Carried
|
7. Exclusion
of the Public
The Chairperson explained that
various people would be present for items on the confidential agenda, and a
procedural resolution was required to be passed.
|
Resolved SPO/2020/042
|
|
|
That
the Sports and Recreation Committee
1. Confirms,
in accordance with sections 48(5) and 48(6) of the Local Government Official
Information and Meetings Act 1987, that:
· Chris Ward, of PolicyWorks, remain after the
public has been excluded, for Item 2 of the Confidential agenda (Potential
Land Exchange – Maitai Valley), as he has knowledge relating to this
agenda item that will assist the meeting; and
· Hemi Toia and Margaret Soderberg, of Koata
Ltd, remain after the public has been excluded, for Items 2 and 3 of the
Confidential agenda (Potential land Exchange – Maitai Valley, and
Recreational Use of Land owned by Koata Limited), as they have knowledge
relating to these agenda items that will assist the meeting; and
· Duncan Laing, of Simpson Grierson, remain
after the public has been excluded, for Item 4 of the Confidential agenda
(Brook Reserve – Reserve Management Plan Process), as he has knowledge
relating to this agenda item that will assist the meeting.
|
|
Brand/O'Neill-Stevens Carried
|
|
Resolved SPO/2020/043
|
|
|
That the Sports and
Recreation Committee
1.
1. Excludes
the public from the following parts of the proceedings of this meeting.
2.
The general subject of
each matter to be considered while the public is excluded, the reason for
passing this resolution in relation to each matter and the specific grounds
under section 48(1) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings
Act 1987 for the passing of this resolution are as follows:
|
|
Brand/O'Neill-Stevens Carried
|
|
Item
|
General subject of each matter to be
considered
|
Reason for passing this resolution in
relation to each matter
|
Particular interests protected (where
applicable)
|
|
1
|
Sports and Recreation Committee Meeting
- Public Excluded Minutes - 6 August 2020
|
Section 48(1)(a)
The public conduct of this matter would
be likely to result in disclosure of information for which good reason exists
under section 7.
|
The withholding of the information is
necessary:
· To protect
information where the making available of the information would be likely
unreasonably to prejudice the commercial position of the person who supplied
or who is the subject of the information
|
|
2
|
Potential Land Exchange – Maitai Valley
|
Section 48(1)(a)
The public conduct of this
matter would be likely to result in disclosure of information for which good
reason exists under section 7
|
The withholding of the information is necessary:
· Section 7(2)(i)
To enable the local
authority to carry on, without prejudice or disadvantage, negotiations
(including commercial and industrial negotiations)
|
|
3
|
Recreational use of land owned by Koata
Ltd
|
Section
48(1)(a)
The public conduct
of this matter would be likely to result in disclosure of information for
which good reason exists under section 7
|
The withholding of the information is
necessary:
· Section
7(2)(c)(i)
To protect
information which is subject to an obligation of confidence or which any
person has been or could be compelled to provide under the authority of any
enactment, where the making available of the information would be likely to
prejudice the supply of similar information or information from the same
source and it is in the public interest that such information should continue
to be supplied
· Section 7(2)(i)
To enable the
local authority to carry on, without prejudice or disadvantage, negotiations
(including commercial and industrial negotiations)
|
|
4
|
Brook Reserve - Reserve Management Plan process
|
Section 48(1)(a)
The public conduct of this
matter would be likely to result in disclosure of information for which good
reason exists under section 7
|
The withholding of the information is necessary:
· Section 7(2)(g)
To maintain legal
professional privilege
|
The meeting went into confidential session at 12.09p.m.
and resumed in public session at 5.05p.m.
Restatements
It was resolved while the public was
excluded:
|
3
|
CONFIDENTIAL: Potential
Land Exchange – Maitai Valley
|
|
|
That
the Sports and Recreation Committee
1. Leaves the item Potential Land
Exchange – Maitai Valley to lie on the table until a future meeting of
the Sports and Recreation Committee.
|
|
3
|
CONFIDENTIAL: Recreational
use of land owned by Koata Ltd
|
|
|
That
the Sports and Recreation Committee
1. Receives
the report Recreational use of land owned by Koata Ltd (R18081) and its attachments (A2410631,
A2407219 and A2407218); and
2. Directs officers to report back to
the Sports and Recreation Committee with recommendations on short term and
long term options; and
3. Agrees that the decision only and
Attachment 1 (A2410631) be made publicly available; and
4. Agrees that Report (R18081) and
Attachments 2 (A2407218) and 3 (A2407219) remain confidential at this time.
|
|
4
|
CONFIDENTIAL: Brook
Reserve - Reserve Management Plan process
|
|
|
That
the Sports and Recreation Committee
1. Receives
the report Brook Reserve - Reserve Management Plan process (R18128) and its attachment (A2418906); and
2. Notes that, as a result of the
reclassification of the land as marked yellow on Attachment 1 (A2418906) of
report R18128 as Local Purpose (Outdoor Leisure, Camping, Conservation and
Education) Reserve, the draft Reserve Management Plan which was adopted in
principle in October 2015, is out of date; and
3. Notes that under section 41(16) of
the Reserves Act 1977, there is no statutory requirement to prepare a reserve
management plan for a local purpose reserve; and
4. Agrees that a new reserve
management plan for the Brook Reserve would follow a process equivalent to
that set out in section 41 of the Reserves Act 1977, commencing with giving
public notice of the Council’s intention to develop a reserve
management plan and inviting written suggestions; and
5. Agrees that only the decision and attachment (A2418906) be made publicly
available; and
6. Agrees that Report
(R18128) remain confidential at this time.
|
There being no further business the meeting ended at 5.05p.m.
Confirmed as a correct record of proceedings:
Chairperson
Date
Item 7: Draft Parks and
Reserves Activity Management Plan 2021-31 Overview
|
|
Sports and Recreation Committee
5 November 2020
|
REPORT R19201
Draft
Parks and Reserves Activity Management Plan 2021-31 Overview
1. Purpose
of Report
1.1 To
approve the Draft Parks and Reserves Activity Management Plan 2021-31 as the
version to inform the Long Term Plan 2021-31 (LTP).
2. Recommendation
|
That the Sports and Recreation Committee
1. Receives
the report Draft Parks and Reserves Activity Management Plan 2021-31 Overview
(R19201) and its attachment
(A2435683); and
2. Approves the Draft Parks and Reserves Activity Management Plan
2021-31 (A2414207) as the version to inform the Long Term Plan 2021-31; and
3. Notes that the Draft Parks and Reserves Activity Management
Plan 2021-31 (A2414207) will be updated and the final Activity Management
Plan approved after the adoption of the Long Term Plan 2021-31.
|
3. Background
3.1 Draft
Activity Management Plans (AMPs) are prepared for the approval of the Committee
to inform development of the Long Term Plan (LTP). This AMP will inform the
development of the 2021-31 LTP.
3.2 Following
consultation and adoption of the LTP, the Activity Management Plans will be
updated to align with the adopted LTP. The final updated AMPs will be brought
back to Council early in 2021/22 for adoption.
3.3 The draft AMP takes account of previous Council and
Committee resolutions and feedback at workshops on the proposed work programme
and budgets. Officers have undertaken a high level review of budgets across
Council activities. However, the AMPs are at different stages of development
and amendments may be required to the draft LTP once all AMPs have been
received by their respective committees and the cumulative effect of the AMPs
has been considered at the workshops in December 2020 and January 2021. The Final
AMP will be brought to the Committee for approval after it has been updated to
include decisions made during the LTP process.
4. Discussion
4.1 This
report summarises key changes from the 2018-28 AMP (including any changes to
levels of service), key issues and priorities, capital growth requirements,
improvement opportunities and significant renewals. A draft plan summary
overview and high level budgets are provided as Attachment 1. This document
provides a summary overview of the draft Parks and Reserves AMP. It outlines
the primary aspects to be included within the full AMP document as well as
drawing out and highlighting a number of key themes, topics, budgets and levels
of service under the following sections:
· Introduction
· Plan
Outline
· Activity
Management Plan Contents
· Asset
Summary
· Key
Issues
· Focus
Areas
· Levels
of Service
· Levels
of Service Changes from Previous Plan
· Infrastructure
Resilience Approach
· Demand
Drivers and Impacts
· Priority
Projects
· Improvement
Programme
· Financial
Information
4.1 The
Parks and Reserves Activity Management Plan 2021-31 Overview sets out the
background to Council’s reserves network and associated issues and
opportunities.
4.2 It
is proposed that the draft AMP fundamentally follows the same structure as the
2018-28 AMP.
4.3 The
following workshops have been held with Elected Members to discuss topics to be
addressed in the draft AMP.
|
Date
|
Topic
|
Outcomes
|
|
18 March 2020
|
· Levels
of Service
· Overview
|
· Direction
of Levels of Service
|
|
18 June 2020
|
· Weed
Control
· Glyphosate
Use
|
· Preparation
of Urban Greening Plan (21/22)
· Preparation
of Glyphosate Strategy (21/22)
|
|
6 August 2020
|
· Artificial
Turf
|
· Request
for more detailed information and options during AMP and LTP deliberations;
particularly on funding, location and environmental impacts
|
Key issues and priorities
4.4 The
following topics have been identified as key issues to be addressed within the
Plan.
· Levels
of Service and Appropriate Provision of Assets
· Biodiversity
Outcomes
· Climate
Change Effects and Parks Network Resilience
· Balancing
Competing Uses
· Pathway
Networks Provision (for recreation and alternative transport modes)
· Defining
Strategic Outcomes
Levels of Service
4.5 There
have been some level of service modifications proposed from the previous AMP.
These have been suggested in order to:
· Rationalise
the Levels of Service to make them more succinct, relevant and measurable
· Remove
Levels of Service which are operational considerations and not related to asset
management
4.6 Levels
of Service are included in the attached Draft Parks and Reserves AMP Overview
document.
Capital growth requirements, improvement opportunities,
significant renewals
4.7 Considering
the effects of COVID-19 and the restrictions of the capital works budget,
officers worked through a programme of proposed priority works for the Parks
and Reserves activity which is believed to be achievable within the constraints
of the current Council environment and Parks and Reserves team resourcing.
4.8 A
number of projects previously proposed have not been included in the draft AMP
or have been deferred until later years as a result of these constraints. Most
projects which have come to the fore since 01 July 2020 have also not been
included at this time. These projects are outlined in the table below.
|
Project
|
Status
|
Comment
|
|
Environmental Restoration
Plan implementation for the Grampians/Increased weed control for Landscape
and Conservation Reserves
|
Deferred
|
Requires additional $1m per year ongoing. Proposed
start 2023/24
|
|
City playspace development/destination playspace
|
Deferred
|
Proposed for 2024/25. No suitable space currently and
needs alignment with city planning work
|
|
Trafalgar Park cycle track
removal
|
Removed
|
Would be better included with other work (grandstand).
To consider once decision is made on grandstand
|
|
Interim public access for recreation on Koata Ltd land
|
Not included
|
Still under consideration (separate report)
|
|
Artificial Turf construction
|
Not
included
|
Considered after initial budgets defined. No decision
made yet
|
4.9 The
following projects have been added to the AMP as a result of ongoing
discussions or evaluation of priorities.
|
Project
|
Status
|
Comment
|
|
Urban Greening Plan
|
Year 1
2021/22
|
To address a range of urban green space typologies.
Particular focus on mountains to the sea biodiversity corridors and edible
plant opportunities in Council administered spaces
|
|
Glyphosate Strategy
|
Year 1
2021/22
|
To guide operations directly undertaken by Council
staff and contractors to ensure best practice and cost effectiveness to
minimise use of glyphosate as a chemical weed control
|
|
Tactical Greening Initiative budget
|
Ongoing from Year 1
|
To support small greening projects and outcomes from
Urban Greening Plan
|
|
Climate Change – Parks Emissions Reduction
Strategy
|
Ongoing from Year 1
|
Work to continue reducing greenhouse gas emissions
associated with the Parks and Reserves activity
|
4.10 Other major
projects identified for implementation during the first three years of the plan
are identified below.
|
Project
|
Status
|
Comment
|
|
General Land Purchase
|
Annual
|
Development Contributions funding to accommodate
growth
|
|
Reserve Development
|
Biennial
|
Development Contributions funding to accommodate
growth
|
|
Miyazu Pond Relining
|
Years 1-3
|
Fix leaking ponds at Miyazu Gardens
|
|
Stoke Youth Park
|
Year 1
|
Development of Youth recreation location
|
|
Playground Development
|
Biennial
|
Development Contributions funding to accommodate
growth
|
|
Mountain Bike Track Development
|
Years 3-5
|
Ongoing development of tracks
|
|
Maitai/Mahitahi River Restoration1
|
Years 1-5
|
Project to restore Maitai River precinct with funding
help from Central Government
|
|
Retired Forestry Conversion
|
Annual
|
To rehabilitate retired forestry blocks following
harvest if they are not to be replanted with pines
|
|
Modellers Pond Landscaping
|
Year 1
|
Implement solution to the modellers pond issue and
algae inundation
|
|
Wakefield Quay Seawall
|
Year 1
|
Renew critical erosion control infrastructure
|
|
Champion
Drive (Saxton Field)
|
Year 1
|
Road connection between velodrome and Saxton Drive
|
|
Cricket Oval Surface Renewal (Saxton Field)
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Years 1-2
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Renew cricket field surface
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New Cycle/Path Development (Saxton Field)
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Years 1-3
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Ongoing work to improve the off road network through
Saxton Field
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Sand Storage Shed (Saxton Field)
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Year 2
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To store sand needed to dress fields
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Entrance Development (Saxton Field)
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Years 2-4
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Upgrade entry to a standard more suitable for a
regional facility
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Basketball Hoops (Saxton
Stadium)
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Years 3-5
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Replace hoops in Saxton Stadium
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1 The Maitai/Mahitahi River Restoration project is not
managed by the Parks and Facilities team, but is included as a great deal of
the proposed work will take place on Parks and Reserves administered land.
Financial Information
4.11 It is
anticipated that Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) decisions will not be made at this
meeting and will be considered during December LTP workshops. This is to ensure
that a ‘whole of Council’ lens is placed over individual projects
and they can be compared with other priorities within other Activity Management
Plans.
4.12 Operational
Expenditure (OPEX) budgets have been prepared with the understanding that as
far as possible they should not exceed 2020/21 OPEX budgets. Exceptions may be
made for climate change, legislative and contractual requirements; otherwise,
any increases are considered as specific exceptions. Within the draft AMP, OPEX
budgets are on average $260,000 less than the 2020/21 budget over the first
three years. There will be difficult choices to be made on funding for
different activities given ongoing financial pressures.
4.13 Over the
course of the 2021-31 AMP it is proposed that a key focus will be improving the
strategic foundation of the Parks and Reserves activity. Key priorities
will be achieving enhanced biodiversity outcomes and preparing for and managing
the impacts of climate change. Also a priority is development of policy and
strategy to support the management of vegetation on Council administered
land. One of the main vehicles for implementing higher level policies and
strategies is through Reserve Management Plans (RMPs). A plan is being
developed for preparing new and reviewed RMPs over the life of this AMP.
Saxton
Field
4.14 Provision of
funding for developments at Saxton Field is shared equally between Tasman
District Council and Nelson City Council.
4.15 Officers from
the two councils have been meeting to discuss priorities and funding constraints in relation to future
projects. An agreed draft capital works programme was presented to the Saxton
Field Committee on 11 August 2020 which was adopted, with officers directed to
make some minor changes for incorporation into the two councils’ draft
budgets as part of their Long Term Plan 2021-2031 processes. These budgets have
been included in this Activity Management Plan. They are considered indicative,
and subject to further consultation and Long Term Plan engagement. Financial
information is provided in Attachment 1.
4.16 The
Draft Parks and Reserves AMP 2021-31 (A2414207)
is a significant document and is available on the Council’s website,
2021-31 Activity Management Plans page (www.nelson.govt.nz/2021-31-activity-management-plans)
and was also circulated to all Councillors with a hard copy placed in the
councillors’ lounge.
5. Options
5.1 The
preferred option is for Council to adopt the Draft Parks and Reserves Activity
Management Plan 2021-31, as the version to inform the Draft LTP 2021-31.
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Option 1: Approve the Draft Parks and Recreation
AMP 2021-31
|
|
Advantages
|
· Will
continue the process to meet requirements of Local Government Act 2002
· Aligns
with timeframes to meet AMP and LTP deadline obligations
|
|
Risks and Disadvantages
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· Nil
– there will be further opportunities for Council to consider the
content of the draft AMP prior to formal adoption
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|
Option 2: Accept the
Draft Parks and Recreation AMP 2021-31 with changes
|
|
Advantages
|
· Will
continue the process to meet requirements of Local Government Act 2002
· Will
allow for further elected member considerations to be included at an early
stage of the process
|
|
Risks and Disadvantages
|
· May
delay timeframes to meet AMP and LTP deadline obligations if significant
changes are requested
|
|
Option 3: Do not accept
the Draft Parks and Recreation AMP 2021-31
|
|
Advantages
|
· Nil
|
|
Risks and Disadvantages
|
· Would
jeopardise the timelines to complete preparation of the draft AMP in time for
deliberations.
· May
fail to meet requirements of Local Government Act 2002
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6. Conclusion
6.1 The
Draft Parks and Reserves Activity Management Plan 2021-31 has been prepared to
inform the Long Term Plan 2021-31 and will support Council in meeting its
obligations under section 93 and Schedule 10 of the Local Government Act 2002.
Author: Nathan
Mourie, Parks and Facilities Activity Planner
Attachments
Attachment 1: Parks
and Recreation AMP 2021-31 Overview (A2435683) ⇩
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Important
considerations for decision making
|
|
1. Fit
with Purpose of Local Government
The Parks and Reserves AMP sets out the background
to Council’s reserves network and associated activities and assets. It
supports social, economic, cultural and environmental wellbeings through
providing places for social interaction, displays of local culture,
environmental restoration, improvements to local environments increasing
value of nearby land and providing spaces for events which attract outside
visitors and investment. It also supports Council in meeting its obligations
under section 93 and Schedule 10 of the Local Government Act 2002.
|
|
2. Consistency
with Community Outcomes and Council Policy
Will support Council in developing the Long Term
Plan. This activity supports the following Council Community Outcomes:
· Our
unique natural environment is healthy and protected
· Our
urban and rural environments are people friendly, well planned and
sustainably managed
· Our
infrastructure is efficient, cost-effective and meets current and future
needs
· Our
communities are healthy, safe, inclusive and resilient
· Our
communities have opportunities to celebrate and explore their heritage,
identity and creativity
· Our
communities have access to a range of social, educational and recreational
facilities and activities
|
|
3. Risk
Not adopting the draft Activity Management Plans
will leave Council without a document to support the goal of developing and
adopting the LTP.
|
|
4. Financial
impact
There are no direct funding implications from the
recommendation. The Parks and Reserves AMP guides the funding in the draft
LTP and will be subject to a consultation process with the community.
|
|
5. Degree
of significance and level of engagement
This matter is of high significance because the
adoption of an LTP is a statutory requirement under the Local Government Act
2002. Therefore consultation with the community will occur in the form of
publicly advertising the Draft LTP and calling for submissions.
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|
6. Climate
Impact
Climate change effects have been considered within
the Draft Parks and Reserves Activity Management Plan 2021.
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|
7. Inclusion
of Māori in the decision making process
Iwi feedback is being sought on the draft AMP through
a workshop in October 2020. Any matters that require additional
consideration will be covered at the December LTP workshop.
|
|
8. Delegations
The Sports and Recreation Committee has the power to
make a decision on this matter under delegated authority as outlined in
section 5.7.2 of the Nelson City Council Delegations Register:
The exercise of Council’s responsibilities,
powers, functions and duties in relation to governance matters includes (but
is not limited to):
· Developing,
approving, monitoring, and reviewing policies and plans, including activity
management plans and reserve management plans
|
Item 7: Draft Parks and Reserves Activity Management Plan 2021-31
Overview: Attachment 1
Item 8: Modellers Pond
Replacement Project - Moving to the next stage
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|
Sports and Recreation Committee
5 November 2020
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REPORT R20325
Modellers
Pond Replacement Project - Moving to the next stage
1. Purpose
of Report
1.1 To
seek approval to proceed to the next stages of the project during 2020/21 and
to commit additional funding to support this.
2. Summary
2.1 At
the Sports and Recreation Committee Meeting of 18 June 2020, Council approved
an option for the resolution of the ongoing issues at the Modellers Pond.
2.2 The
preferred option (referred to in previous reports as Option 7) consists of
managing the treatment of stormwater upstream of the pond, with final polishing
at discharge (removing any final particles), development of a recreational
space inclusive of an extended model train track, and other items identified
through public engagement. The concept design has been progressed to confirm
the proposed option for the stormwater component of the works.
2.3 Better
than expected progress has been made and the team is now ready to proceed, in
the current financial year (FY), to the next stages of the project. This
includes detailed design, consenting, and tender documentation. To
support this $170,000 unbudgeted capex is sought in the 2020/21 FY. The
total cost of the project will remain the same.
3. Recommendation
|
That the Sports and Recreation Committee
1. Receives
the report Modellers Pond Replacement Project - Moving to the next stage
(R20325) and its attachment/s
(A2373311); and
2. Approves that Option 7 now proceeds
to detailed design.
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Recommendation to Council
|
That the
Council
1. Approves additional unbudgeted
funding of $170,000 in capital expenditure to support the next phase of the
Modellers Pond replacement project, consisting of the finalisation of the
detailed design, tender documentation and contract award, to allow construction
of the new reserve to get underway in 2021/22.
|
4. Background
4.1 Officers
presented the report “Tahunanui Modellers Pond – Alternative Option
Following iwi engagement” to the Sports and Recreation Committee on 18
June 2020.
4.2 The
Committee approved the alternative option concept, (identified as Option 7),
along with proceeding to the next stage known as preliminary design. To
recap, Option 7 consists of managing the treatment of stormwater upstream of
the pond, with final polishing (removal of any remaining fine particles) at
discharge and development of a recreational space. Officers were
asked to bring a report back to the Sports and Recreation Committee.
4.3 The
Committee resolved on 18 June 2020 as follows:
That
the Sports and Recreation Committee
1. Receives the report Tahunanui
Modellers Pond - Alternative Option Following Iwi Engagement (R13761) and its
attachments A2390988 and A2376841; and
2. Approves the alternative
option, identified as Option 7, to progress to preliminary design; and
3. Confirms not to proceed with
Option 2; and
4. Notes that the decision not to
proceed with Option 2 will require alteration of Council Resolution #
CL/2019/150 made on 8 August 2019; and
5. Requests Council officers to
bring a report back to the Sports and Recreation Committee following
preliminary design of Option 7.
5. Discussion
5.1 This
phase of the project has taken an overview approach to the recreational area,
based on feedback to date, including public input, discussions with the
Modellers Society, local businesses, and Tahunanui recreation users. The
final design activity will consolidate the ideas into a workable recreational
space that takes into account the public feedback.
5.2 Attached
is the original concept drawing as a reminder of the potential use of this
space (Attachment 1). (There are no further design drawings at this
time.)
5.3 The
preliminary design has concentrated on finalising the solution for stormwater
treatment at Centennial Park pump station, the stormwater discharge and swale
design, the pond sediment management options, and has given consideration to
potential carbon emissions, future sea level rise, climate change and the
eastern migration of the Waimea Channel. The preliminary design confirms the
concept presented earlier to the Committee. Sampling activities of first flush
particles (the immediate run off entering the pump station during a storm
event) have been undertaken and the design has factored the investigation
outcomes into the conclusion.
5.4 Officers
have engaged with interested parties to identify the potential aesthetics and
function of the park, which will be finalised during the detailed design phase.
Discussions have been held with the Nelson Society of Modellers, the President
of the Tahunanui Business Association and the acting manager of Natureland.
Ongoing discussion with iwi on a potential art work and interpretive panels is
being undertaken through the Art Selection Panel.
5.5 The
project has also obtained feedback from the general public via Shape Nelson, on
what the public would like to see in the recreational area.
5.6 The
final design stage will cover the revised park aspects along with the
stormwater requirements at the modeller’s pond site and at Centennial
Park.
5.7 It
is confirmed that the treatment of ‘first flush’ stormwater at two
main stormwater drains, upstream from Centennial Park pump station, provides
treatment to a larger proportion of the stormwater than other options considered.
5.8 The
approach to be taken forward to detailed design for the stormwater treatment is
as follows:
5.8.1 One
Hynds Downstream Defender will be installed at each of the two contributing
stormwater mains at a suitable location within Centennial Park reserve. This is
an underground contained vortex solution that separates the contaminants away
from the stormwater.
5.8.2 The
Downstream Defenders will be installed underground with minimal visual
impact. Stormwater quality improvements that can be achieved by this
treatment methodology improve the clarity of the stormwater by separating gross
pollutants as well as fine suspended particles down to 80 microns.
Hydrocarbons, nutrients, heavy metals and other pollutants normally absorbed to
solid particle will be removed as well.
5.8.3 To
understand more fully how the Downstream Defender works, and how the inspection
and maintenance will be managed, the following two links will be of interest.
· Downstream Defender
· Inspection & maintenance
5.8.4 It
is also noted that this solution will be a working trial for future stormwater
treatment options in line with the National Environmental Standards (NES) and
the National Policy Statement (NPS) for fresh water.
5.8.5 An
assessment of the ability to reuse the pond sediments as part of the proposed
works has also been undertaken. The concentrations of contaminants in all
samples of site soils are well below the National Environmental Standard for
assessing and managing contaminants in soil to protect human health. (NES-CS)
soil guidelines criteria for recreational land use. As a result it would
be appropriate for the sediments to be dried and remain in situ as part of the
proposed works, with additional fill material placed on top of the existing
ground level to encapsulate the sediments.
6. Budget
6.1 On
the basis of the preliminary design work for the Modellers Pond Replacement
Project, a provision of $3.75M is to be included in the draft Long Term Plan
2021-31. This is the same figure as recommended to the Committee at the
concept design stage.
6.2 A
total of $170,000 unbudgeted capex is now sought to undertake the final ground
and HAIL (Hazardous Activities and Industries List) investigations/testing,
further stormwater sampling, detailed design and drawings, (including
landscaping for the reserve) resource consent, tender documentation and
specifications.
6.3 There
is no secured funding in next year’s budget that can be brought forward,
and at this early stage of the financial year, potential savings or underspend
within the activities that could potentially be used is unknown.
6.4 Budget
for this project sits across both Parks and Active Recreation and
Infrastructure activities. 2020/21 budget is $155,000, of which $153,000
has been either spent or committed. For 2021/22 officers have
provisionally (via the draft LTP) allocated $3,350,000 with a further $400,000
in 2022/23. If the recommendation in this report is accepted, then
officers will reduce the draft LTP budget in 2021/22 by $170,000. The total
estimated cost of the project ($3.75M) remains the same.
7. Options
7.1 The
options at this stage are to approve that the project moves forward to the next
phase and approve additional unbudgeted $170,000 capex to support progress
(recommended option); or approves the project moves forward but decline to
bring forward $170,000 in funding in this financial year; or to decline the
preliminary design. Officers recommend Option 1.
|
Option 1: Approve that the project moves forward to the
next stage and approve an additional unbudgeted $170,000 of capex in FY 20/21
(recommended)
|
|
Advantages:
|
· Continues the
momentum to resolve the long outstanding issues at the pond
· Ensures that
construction can occur early in the next financial year following approval through
the LTP
|
|
Risks and Disadvantages:
|
· $170,000
unbudgeted capex funding is required.
|
|
Option 2: Approve moving forward but do not approve
additional unbudgeted $170,000 capex in this financial year
|
|
Advantages
|
· Additional funds
not required in 2020/21 FY
|
|
Risks and Disadvantages
|
· Project unlikely
to be ready to construct until 2022/23 FY
|
|
Option 3: Decline to progress to the next stages of the
project.
|
|
Advantages
|
· Additional funds
not required
|
|
Risks and Disadvantages
|
· Project does not
progress, further consultations and discussions required to find a further
alternative option.
|
8. Conclusion
8.1 The
preliminary design phase has confirmed the original approach taken in the
concept design, and presented in the report to the Committee in June
2020. The activities have confirmed the use of two DownStream Defenders
at Centennial Park, and the second polishing (removal of) further contaminants
prior to discharge at the estuary.
8.2 Initial
indications from engagement show positive support for the proposed recreation
area. The final design will take into account what the Modellers Society
would like to see, along with input from others (via Shape Nelson and the LTP
consultation process) and iwi.
8.3 Good
progress has been made and officers are now seeking approval for additional
budget to enable the project to move to the next stage.
9. Next
Steps
9.1 The
next stage is to move to detailed design – including the full landscape
design for the recreational area and then obtain any consents that will be
required. Following the approval of the LTP, officers will engage
contractors, start the process of drying out the material within the pond site,
and begin construction.
Author: Lois
Plum, Manager Capital Projects
Attachments
Attachment 1: A2373311 - Concept
drawings of potential reserve ⇩
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Important considerations for decision making
|
|
1. Fit
with Purpose of Local Government
This recommendation meets the purpose of local
government by enabling democratic local decision-making and action by, and on
behalf of, communities including iwi. It promotes the social, economic,
environmental, and cultural well-being of communities in the present and for
the future.
Tahunanui Beach also serves a regional function with
benefits to the wider community and visitors.
|
|
2. Consistency
with Community Outcomes and Council Policy
The recommendation is in
alignment with all three of the following Community Outcomes:
‘Our communities have access to a range of
social, educational and recreational facilities and activities’
‘Our unique natural
environment is healthy and protected’
‘Our infrastructure
is efficient, cost effective and meets current and future needs’
|
|
3. Risk
There is a
long term risk (thirty years) that this area will be overtaken by a
combination of the eastern migration of the Waimea Channel and sea level
rise. The proposed expenditure is considered justified by the expected usage
over that period of time.
|
|
4. Financial
impact
The funds required for completion of this project
have been included in the draft Long Term Plan 2021-31 presently being
prepared. However, there are no secured funds in 2021/22 FY that can be
brought forward to 2020/21 FY to enable the project to continue moving
forward.
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|
5. Degree
of significance and level of engagement
This matter is of low significance for the wider
community but of high significance for the users of the pond.
This project has been consulted widely, including
with iwi. Further consultation will be undertaken through the Long Term Plan
2021-31 prior to construction.
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|
6. Climate
Impact
Sea level rise will eventually result in flooding of
this site. Consideration was given to raising the site level however it was
felt that taking such measures would be out of step with the surrounding
reserve. Assessing the climate impact across the whole Tahunanui reserve and
any treatments or changes required will be addressed in the future.
|
|
7. Inclusion
of Māori in the decision making process
All iwi of Te Tau Ihu were consulted with in
preparing the previous report, (June 2020) that identified option 7 as their
preferred option. Consultation with iwi on potential
interpretation and artworks for the reserve will continue along with
engagement during the detailed design phase of the project.
|
|
8. Delegations
The Sports and Recreation Committee has the
following delegations to consider the redevelopment of the Modellers Pond
Areas of Responsibility:
· Parks
and Reserves
Delegations:
· Developing,
approving, monitoring and reviewing policies and plans, including activity
management plans and reserve management plans
Powers to Recommend:
· Unbudgeted
expenditure relating to the areas of responsibility, not included in the Long
Term Plan or Annual Plan
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Item 8: Modellers Pond Replacement Project - Moving to the next stage:
Attachment 1
Item 9: Interim public
access for recreation on Koata Ltd land
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|
Sports and Recreation Committee
5 November 2020
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REPORT R20332
Interim
public access for recreation on Koata Ltd land
1. Purpose
of Report
1.1 To
provide the Committee with short term options in relation to the management of
public recreation activities on Koata Ltd land, to enable continued public
access.
2. Summary
2.1 The
high level of recreation use on Koata Ltd land is generating a considerable
management burden for the landowner, which proposes closing the land to the
public should no solution be found. Koata Ltd is also not comfortable with the
proposed Maitai Recreation Hub which it considers will exacerbate the present
issues.
2.2 The
Committee previously considered this matter and directed officers to report
back with options. Options for a solution include entering into a lease,
Council taking on recreation management responsibilities or providing the
landowner with an interim grant.
2.3 Officers
recommend an interim grant of $80,000 from Council to Koata Ltd to enable
access to the Codgers/Fringed Hill areas. Koata Ltd supports this approach as
an interim option and advise it would enable the Maitai Hub project to progress
in the current financial year.
2.4 Representatives
from Koata Ltd and the Nelson Mountain Bike Club (NMTBC) will be present at the
start of the discussion and available to answer questions.
3. Recommendation
|
That the Sports and Recreation Committee
1. Receives
the report Interim public access for recreation on Koata Ltd land (R20332) and its attachments (A2480486 and
A2500281); and
2. Notes that the Nelson Mountain Bike
Club is proposing to manage access into the Sharlands area for its members;
and
3. Notes that a budget of $100,000,
consisting of $80,000 for a grant and $20,000 for investigations, will be
proposed in Year 1 of the Parks and Reserves Activity Management Plan 2021-31
to enable continued public access on to Koata Ltd land (Codgers/Fringed Hill
area) and investigation of a long term solution; and
4. Notes that subsequent years’
budgets to enable continued public access on to Koata Ltd land will depend on
the outcome of future negotiations with the landowner and stakeholders.
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Recommendation to Council
|
That the
Council
1. Approves $80,000 of unbudgeted
expenditure in 2020/21 as a grant to Koata Ltd for access to its land
(Codgers/Fringed Hill area) for recreation and towards the management of
recreation activities on its land; and
2. Notes the release of the grant will
be contingent on outcomes being included in a funding agreement between Koata
Ltd and the Council that relate to public recreation access into the Codgers
and Fringed Hill areas (Sec 1 SO 476250) and Koata Ltd not opposing the
Maitai Recreation Hub project progressing; and
3. Authorises the Chief Executive to
negotiate the funding agreement with Koata Ltd relating to public recreation
access into the Codgers and Fringed Hill areas.
|
4. Background
4.1 Koata
Ltd (on behalf of the Ngāti Koata Trust) owns over 4,500 hectares (45km2)
of forestry land. The land was purchased by Koata Ltd in 2014 as a commercial
redress property under Treaty of Waitangi settlement legislation. Prior to this
the land was publicly owned, and therefore accessible for recreation.
4.2 At
the time of purchase the land was being well used for recreation, and
significant infrastructure in the form of trails and bridges had been
constructed in the area, primarily by volunteers and groups such as the NMTBC.
Recreational use of the land has increased significantly since the time of
purchase.
4.3 Koata
Ltd submitted to the Annual Plan 2019/20 for assistance in developing a
recreation management plan. Recommendations from a draft plan/discussion
document, together with a request from Koata Ltd, were discussed in the public
excluded section of the 17 September 2020 Sport and Recreation Committee
meeting. At this meeting the Committee resolved the following in relation to
the issues created by public recreation activities on Koata Ltd land, and the
impact these issues may have on the proposed Maitai Recreation Hub project:
Directs officers
to report back to the Committee with recommendations on short term and long
term options.
4.4 This
report addresses the short term options.
4.5 A
confidential briefing was held with the Sports and Recreation Committee on 22
October 2020, attended in part by representatives of Ngati Koata Ltd and the
NMTBC. This provided elected members with background information on the
matter.
5. Discussion
Use of Koata Ltd land for
recreation
5.1 The
land in question represents around a third of the total 4,500ha of Koata Ltd
land. Its has high public recreation use and is consequently well valued by
residents and visitors. The highest use land is shown in Figure 1 and is best
considered as two distinct areas: Codgers/Fringed Hill (approx. 500ha) and
Sharlands (approx. 1,000ha).
5.2 A
study by BERL in 2017 investigated the economic benefits of mountain
biking for the region and was based on mountain biking across both public and
private land. The study found the activity was of significant value to the
Nelson community both in terms of GDP and employment (contributing $8.5 million
of new and retained annual spending, resulting in $4.5 million in GDP and 79 Full
Time Equivalent (FTE) jobs; and after multiplier effects this was estimated to
generate $14.5 million in expenditure, $7.5 million in GDP and 106 FTEs). For
clarity these figures related to the Nelson region only, and were roughly
double for the combined Nelson/Tasman region.
5.3 The
increase in popularity of mountain bilking is in line with a national move away
from organised sports favouring more informal and independent pursuits. Nelson
has become renowned as a destination for the sport, and many people visit or
move to the region because of the availability of trails so close to the city.
Sport New Zealand’s expected participation rates for mountain biking in
Nelson are well over double the national average.
5.4 In
terms of the mountain biking on offer in the Nelson region, a large proportion
takes place on Koata Ltd land. Data from Strava (a smartphone application which
uses subscribers’ GPS data) gives an indication of the use intensity of
the routes used, which is illustrated in Figure 2. As can be seen the trails on
Koata Ltd land are heavily used.
5.5 Estimated
mountain biking numbers (based on extrapolated Strava data) show around 25,000
using Turners track annually, which is just one of many Codgers trails on Koata
Ltd land meaning total use of Koata Ltd Codgers would be much higher (e.g. over
60,000 cyclists passed the Coppermine Trail counter in Codgers in one
direction, which is a popular route to access Koata Ltd Codgers land). There
are a total of over 30,000 cyclists estimated to be using the three main
climbing routes in Sharlands annually (Central Road, Sharlands Road and Kaka
Road).
5.6 The
Codgers area in particular is also very popular with runners and walkers.
Surveys undertaken on Tantragee Saddle during lockdown earlier in 2020 (when
mountain biking was permitted in the area) showed a popular route (including
for visitors to the region) was to walk either from the Maitai Esplanade via
Groom Creek, or from Atmore Terrace and over Sharland Hill, and then back to
Nelson via The Brook (or vice versa). Of those surveyed in this location 65%
were walkers or runners, with just 35% mountain bikers. A large proportion of
this route is through Koata Ltd land, and comments from those surveyed
indicated that the boundaries are not well understood, based on the requirement
for a Tasman Pine Forests Ltd (TPFL) permit:
· around half had a
permit;
· around a quarter
had no permit and didn’t know they should have one;
· around a quarter
had no permit but knew they should have one.
5.7 Demand
for recreation use in the area is clearly exceeding a willingness to obtain a
permit. This is likely to be because of the interrelated property boundaries,
the historical Crown ownership providing open public access, lack of knowledge
of the change in ownership, and the way this land has been developed so that it
appears (from a user point of view) to be very similar to a reserve.
Figure
1: High use recreation areas within Koata Ltd land, showing general area where
Maitai Hub could be expected
Figure
2: Trailforks “heat map” showing relative usage of trails. Red
lines indicate heavier trail use. Koata Ltd land shaded with white border.
Source: Trailforks.
Impacts
of recreation on Koata Ltd land
5.8 Koata
Ltd has advised that the recreation activities taking place on its land
generate a considerable management burden with no beneficial return, and have
the potential to compromise the forestry activities of its leaseholder, TPFL.
It characterises the current situation as one of subsidising this aspect of the
region’s recreation, as both Koata Ltd and its tenant, TPFL, are
experiencing a financial loss due to the presence of recreation activities. The
recent fatality of a mountain biker on Koata Ltd land has also underlined
concerns around health and safety risks.
5.9 In
the medium term Koata Ltd’s preferred option to enable ongoing public
access to the land is a more formal agreement with Council, such as an access
licence or lease. Additionally Koata Ltd believes it would be more appropriate
for Council to take on associated management of these recreation activities,
given the existing mandate for management of public recreation the Council has
for its reserves.
5.10 Preliminary
advice is that a lease for recreation access will be difficult and costly to
set up and negotiate. It is likely to be a complicated process legally given
its unusual nature and the potential issues that require working through
including health and safety, liability and how it would fit in with the
existing leaseholder. In the short term therefore this is not considered a
realistic option.
5.11 Koata
Ltd acknowledges that a more formal agreement may take some time to set up, and
requests that this is explored in the medium term while an interim solution is
established in the short term. To that end, Koata Ltd has advised Council that
if no agreement is reached by the end of the 2020 calendar year it will cease
allowing public access to its land. Additionally, given the management issues
these recreation activities generate, the development of the Maitai Recreation
Hub is not supported by Koata Ltd in the absence of some form of access
agreement with Council.
Value of access to Koata Ltd
land
5.12 Koata
Ltd has proposed a sum of $120,000 per year for the interim public use of its
land. This includes a contribution towards the management of recreation
activities on the land (estimated to equate to approximately a 0.5 staff
resource) and for public access into the Codgers/Fringed Hill and Sharlands
areas (akin to a rental or licence).
5.13 Public
access for recreation into forestry land is not a straightforward concept to
place a value on. Professional valuation advice has been sought which will be
presented to the Committee in the public excluded section of the meeting
(Report R21426). Officers believe this advice supports the recommended interim
solution when aspects such as community social wellbeing and wider economic
benefits are considered.
5.14 It
is clear that more analysis is required to better determine the value and terms
of a longer term exchange, and any amount agreed upon in the short term should
be considered as an interim solution. Monitoring should be undertaken over the
course of the following year (i.e. using trail counters) to confirm usage
numbers to enable further analysis before reaching a longer term agreement.
5.15 The
full amount would not necessarily need to be funded by Council and officers
have met with the NMTBC to discuss short term options, which include Council
and the NMTBC coming to a cost/management sharing agreement.
5.16 Doing
nothing is not recommended by officers, as it does not acknowledge the public
benefit derived from using the land, nor help resolve the issues experienced by
Koata Ltd in managing it, and is likely to result in the closure of access into
these areas. A letter of support for negotiating a solution to these issues has
been received from Sport Tasman, which is provided as Attachment 1.
Recommended way forward
5.17 In
the short term, it is recommended that the Council focuses on ensuring ongoing
access into the Codgers/Fringed Hill area (refer Figure 1 for more detail) and
leaves the negotiation of access into the Sharlands area to the NMTBC. This
approach is supported by the NMTBC and a letter to this effect is provided in
Attachment 2.
5.18 It
is recommended that Council provides a grant to Koata Ltd of $80,000 for the
current 2020/21 financial year. The grant would enable public recreation access
into the Codgers/Fringed Hill area for that period and contribute towards
managing the recreation activities. A grant agreement would specify that Koata
Ltd would not oppose the Maitai Recreation Hub progressing.
5.19 This
would effectively back-date the grant to 1 July 2020, recognising that Koata
Ltd had raised this issue with Council some time ago. No harvesting is expected
in these areas prior to July 2021 however the potential for other forestry
closures (e.g. for fire risk) would need to be considered by the Council as a
risk to be accepted with the grant.
5.20 The
NMTBC would negotiate access separately for its members into the Sharlands
area, and be responsible for ensuring compliance regarding the use of that area
by NMTBC members only (this reflects the status quo as currently visitors to
Sharlands must either be a NMTBC member or have a permit from TPFL).
5.21 The
Codgers area receives the most demand from residents due to its proximity to
the City and is therefore also more accessible to children and youth. Fringed
Hill provides a key climbing route to access a range of popular trails beyond
which are on Council land, including Te Ara Koa, Black Diamond and Fringed
Downhill. The area is also popular with walking and running, and is therefore
the more suited area to be the focus of publicly funded access.
5.22 With
regards to the Sharlands area, the NMTBC advises that these trails hold a
unique appeal to the core of its membership. Being able to offer access to this
area for its members enables the Club to contribute in a way that recognises
its members as the key users, while maintaining the Club’s existing
standing in the recreation community. Walkers, runners and other users could
still use this area but would need to be NMTBC members, or make alternative
access arrangements with Koata Ltd and potentially TPFL. This is no different
to the status quo.
5.23 Officers
have discussed the recommended option with Koata Ltd, TPFL and the NMTBC, who
support the preferred option as the most pragmatic approach in the short term.
6. Options
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Option 1: Do nothing (or
continue to negotiate)
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|
Advantages
|
· No
immediate cost to Council
|
|
Risks and Disadvantages
|
· No
acknowledgement of the public benefit derived from recreational use of Koata
Ltd land since 2014
· Public
access to Koata Ltd land is likely to be lost in the short term, resulting in
reduced recreational opportunity for local residents and visitors, and
reputational risk for the region as a recreation destination (particularly
for mountain biking). This would also result in overcrowding of the Council
track network and increased pressure on Council to find a solution (and
associated costs/workload)
· Maitai
Recreation Hub project unable to proceed (noting that a business case for the
project is weaker without access into Koata Ltd land)
· Not
supported by Koata Ltd or NMTBC
|
|
Option
2 (recommended): Grant from Council of $80,000 to Koata Ltd to enable ongoing
access into Codgers/Fringed Hill during 2020/21. NMTBC negotiates access to
Sharlands separately
|
|
Advantages
|
· Easy
for Council to administer
· Focuses
Council contribution on access for public recreation to highest use area
(Codgers)
· Enables
Maitai Recreation Hub to proceed
· Public
benefit from recreation use of Koata Ltd land formally acknowledged
· Koata
Ltd receive resourcing towards management of public recreation on their land
· Supported
as a short term option by Koata Ltd and NMTBC
· Shared/partnership
approach: negotiation by NMTBC towards access to Sharlands recognises
mountain bikers as the major user group
· Less
impact on ratepayers than Option 3
· Leaves
open future option of Council considering a grant to provide access to
Sharlands if NMTBC and Koata Ltd do not reach an agreement
|
|
Risks and Disadvantages
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· Cost
of $80,000 unbudgeted expenditure
· Potential
for opposition from some members of the community e.g. those who don’t
use these areas
· Risk
that if no agreement is reached between Koata Ltd and NMTBC resulting in the
Sharlands area being closed to recreation
· Not
viewed as a long term solution by Koata Ltd
· Providing
an agreement is reached between Koata Ltd and NMTBC, public access to
Sharlands is only by NMTBC permit (noting this is no change to status quo for
this area)
· Risk
of precedent setting for future negotiations i.e. for long term solution.
|
|
Option
3: Grant from Council of $120,000 to Koata Ltd to enable ongoing access
during 2020/21 into Codgers/Fringed Hill and Sharlands
|
|
Advantages
|
· Easy
for Council to administer
· Provides
security of access for all public recreation users to high use areas
(Codgers/Fringed Hill and Sharlands)
· Enables
Maitai Recreation Hub to proceed
· Public
benefit from recreation use of Koata Ltd land formally acknowledged
· Koata
Ltd receive resourcing towards management of public recreation on their land
· Supported
as a short term option by Koata Ltd and NMTBC
|
|
Risks and Disadvantages
|
· Cost
of $120,000 unbudgeted expenditure
· Potential
for opposition from some members of the community e.g. those who don’t
use these areas
· Not
viewed as a long term solution by Koata Ltd
· More
expensive option for Council compared to Option 2
· Lost
opportunity to leverage off NMTBC’s willingness to contribute towards
recreation access into Sharlands (noting that external funding may
potentially be available to NMTBC)
· Council
making a significant contribution to access for an area of most interest to a
smaller number of more experienced users without user pays funding
· Risk
of precedent setting for future negotiations e.g. for long term solution.
|
|
Option
4: Grant from Council per Options 2 or 3, but for a pro rata amount to cover
12 November 2020 (the date of Council decision) to 30 June 2021, consisting
of $50,000 or $80,000 respectively
|
|
Advantages
|
· As
for Options 2 and 3 respectively, but with a reduced grant amount
|
|
Risks and Disadvantages
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· As
for Options 2 and 3 respectively, but with a reduced grant amount
· Not
supported by Koata Ltd because no acknowledgment of previous
recreational use of the land including that occurring since 2014; therefore
public access to Koata Ltd land is likely to be lost, with associated
disadvantages as described in Option 1
|
7. Conclusion
7.1 Koata
Ltd owns a significant amount of forestry land which receives a high level of
public use for recreation, and this is increasing.
7.2 Koata
Ltd receives no benefits for the use of its land, which it advises generates a
considerable management burden, and has requested Council enters into a lease
to enable public access to the land, and takes on recreation management
responsibilities. It is also not comfortable with the proposed establishment of
a recreation hub in the Maitai Valley which it considers will invite further
recreation usage, and therefore exacerbate the issues it currently experiences.
7.3 Officers
accept the recreation value to the community of the Koata Ltd areas is
significant, but do not see a lease as a realistic short term option given the
level of investigation and negotiation required. Instead an interim grant to
Koata Ltd is proposed for access into the highest use area closest to the City
(the Codgers/Fringed Hill area) while longer term options are explored. In
parallel, the Nelson Mountain Bike Club is pursuing access into Sharlands area
for its members. Koata Ltd has indicated it considers this approach to be a
practical way forward.
7.4 Koata
Ltd have indicated a willingness to find an outcome that ensures recreation can
continue on its land, however propose closing the land to public recreation at
the end of 2020 if no interim solution has been reached. Should a solution be
agreed upon, Koata Ltd is happy for the Maitai Hub to continue progressing in
the current financial year.
8. Next
Steps
8.1 If
the Committee decides to proceed with the recommended option a grant agreement
will be drawn up and agreed upon with Koata Ltd.
8.2 Further
work will be undertaken on a longer term solution, which will require
resourcing through the Long Term Plan.
Author: Paul
Harrington, Team Leader Parks and Facilities Activity Management
Attachments
Attachment 1: Letter from Sport
Tasman regarding access to Ngati Koata land for recreation (A2480486) ⇩
Attachment 2: Letter
from Nelson Mountain Bike Club regarding access to Ngati Koata land for
recreation 16Oct2020 (A2500281) ⇩
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Important considerations for decision making
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|
1. Fit
with Purpose of Local Government
This recommendation meets the purpose of Local
Government by enabling public access to a significant recreation resource on
this land. It promotes the social and economic wellbeing of our community in
the present and for the future, by addressing access to a significant
recreation resource.
|
|
2. Consistency
with Community Outcomes and Council Policy
The recommendation is in alignment with the
following Community Outcome:
“Our communities have access to a range of
social, educational and recreational facilities and activities”.
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|
3. Risk
The risk
associated with the recommended option is considered low, as it enables a
continuation of the status quo. If Council decides to progress with exploring
longer term options, any risk associated with these options would be
identified through the investigation process and reported back to Council.
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|
4. Financial
impact
The recommended option proposes Council providing a
grant of $80,000 which is unbudgeted expenditure. Funding would also be
budgeted in the LTP 2021-31 to investigate and resource a longer term option.
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5. Degree
of significance and level of engagement
The wider issues of the public entering this private
land for recreation, the associated management burden and the potential for
its closure, are considered significant. The decision at hand, which provides
an interim solution to enable continued use of these recreation areas, is
considered to be of low to medium significance generally, however the outcome
will be of high interest for users of those areas. To reach the current
recommendation, engagement with Koata Ltd, its lessee Tasman Pine Forests
Ltd, and the Nelson Mountain Bike Club has occurred. All are in support of
the proposed interim solution. This level of engagement is considered
proportional to the matter being considered. Ongoing grant funding, and
funding towards investigating a longer term solution, could be consulted on
as part of the LTP 2021-31.
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6. Climate
Impact
This decision will have no impact on the ability of
the Council to proactively respond to the impacts of climate change now or in
the future.
|
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7. Inclusion
of Māori in the decision making process
No engagement with iwi has been undertaken in
preparing this report other than engagement with Koata Ltd as landowner on
behalf of the Ngāti Koata Trust.
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8. Delegations
The Sports and Recreation Committee has the
following delegations to consider enabling public access to recreation
opportunities:
Areas of Responsibility:
· Recreation
and Leisure facilities and Services
Delegations:
The exercise of Council’s responsibilities,
powers, functions and duties in relation to governance matters includes (but
is not limited to):
· Developing,
approving, monitoring and reviewing policies and plans, including activity
management plans and reserve management plans.
Powers to Recommend to Council:
· Unbudgeted
expenditure relating to the areas of responsibility, not included in the Long
Term Plan or Annual Plan
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Item 9: Interim public access for recreation on Koata Ltd land:
Attachment 1
Item 9: Interim public
access for recreation on Koata Ltd land: Attachment 2
