I hereby give notice that an ordinary meeting of theCatchment Operations Committee will be held on:
Date: Wednesday, 14 December 2016 Time: 9.00am Venue: Tararua Room Horizons Regional Council 11-15 Victoria Avenue, Palmerston North
CATCHMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
AGENDA
MEMBERSHIP
Chair Cr DB Cotton Deputy Chair Cr LR Burnell QSM Councillors Cr JJ Barrow Cr EB Gordon JP(ex officio) Cr RJ Keedwell Cr PJ Kelly JP Cr GM McKellar Cr NJ Patrick Cr PW Rieger QSO JP Cr BE Rollinson Cr CI Sheldon Cr WK Te Awe Awe
Michael McCartney
Chief Executive
Contact Telephone: 0508 800 800 Email: [email protected] Postal Address: Private Bag 11025, Palmerston North 4442
Full Agendas are available on Horizons Regional Council website www.horizons.govt.nz
Note: The reports contained within this agenda are for consideration and should not be construed as Council policy unless and until adopted. Items in the agenda may be subject to amendment or withdrawal at the meeting.
for further information regarding this agenda, please contact: Julie Kennedy, 06 9522 800
CONTACTS 24 hr Freephone : [email protected] www.horizons.govt.nz 0508 800 800
SERVICE Kairanga Marton Taumarunui Woodville CENTRES Cnr Rongotea & Hammond Street 34 Maata Street Cnr Vogel (SH2) & Tay Kairanga-Bunnythorpe Rds, Sts Palmerston North
REGIONAL Palmerston North Wanganui HOUSES 11-15 Victoria Avenue 181 Guyton Street
DEPOTS Levin Taihape 11 Bruce Road Torere Road Ohotu
POSTAL Horizons Regional Council, Private Bag 11025, Manawatu Mail Centre, Palmerston North 4442 ADDRESS FAX 06 9522 929
Catchment Operations Committee 14 December 2016
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 Apologies and Leave of Absence 5
2 Public Speaking Rights 5
3 Supplementary Items 5
4 Members’ Conflict of Interest 5
5 Tuatenui River Scheme Audit (PRD 05 30) Report No: 16-240 7
6 Rangitikei River Scheme - Parewanui Flood Protection Upgrade Project - Project Review and Work Programme - August 2016 (PRD 5 28) Report No: 16-241 13 Annex A - Works completed to date. 17 Annex B - Plans and Long-Sections 18
7 Monitoring and Surveillance of Council-Owned Dams (OAM 02 00) Report No: 16-242 21
8 River and Drainage Engineering Report (PRD 01 02) Report No: 16-239 25
9 Whanganui Flood Management Review Group Update (PRD 05 34) Report No: 16-246 65
10 Lower Manawatu Scheme (LMS) Rural Upgrade Project - Project Review And Work Programme for 2016-17 (PRD 5 35) Report No: 16-243 71
11 Sustainable Land Use Initiative (SLUI) Report No: 16-244 79 Annex A - SLUI Overview and Plan Progress 93
12 Regional Coast and Land Report No: 16-245 95
13 Members’ Questions
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Catchment Operations Committee 14 December 2016
AGENDA
1 Apologies and Leave of Absence At the close of the Agenda no apologies had been received.
2 Public Speaking Rights Notification to speak is required by 4pm on the working day prior to the meeting. Further information is available by phoning 0508 800 800.
Petitions/Deputations Deputations: Written notice (fewer than 150 words) concerning the nature of the deputation must be lodged with the Chief Executive at least 2 working days before the date of the meeting and subsequently approved by the Chairperson. Petitions: Written notice to the Chief Executive is required at least 2 working days before the date of the meeting.
Further information is available by phoning 0508 800 800.
3 Supplementary Items To consider, and if thought fit, to pass a resolution to permit the Committee/Council to consider any further items relating to items following below which do not appear on the Order Paper of this meeting and/or the meeting to be held with the public excluded. Such resolution is required to be made pursuant to Section 46A(7) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (as amended), and the Chairperson must advise: (i) The reason why the item was not on the Order Paper, and (ii) The reason why the discussion of this item cannot be delayed until a subsequent meeting.
4 Members’ Conflict of Interest Members are reminded of their obligation to declare any conflicts of interest they might have in respect of the items on this Agenda.
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Report No. 16-240 5 Decision Required
TUATENUI RIVER SCHEME AUDIT (PRD 05 30) Item
1. PURPOSE 1.1. The purpose of this item is to report the findings of the Tutaenui Scheme Audit and to seek the Committee’s approval for the release of the report to scheme stakeholders.
2. RECOMMENDATION That the Committee recommends that Council: a. receives the information contained in Report No. 16-240. b. approves the release of the Audit report to scheme stakeholders for comment.
3. FINANCIAL IMPACT 3.1. Budget provision for the work involved in undertaking the Scheme Audit was scheduled for 2015-16 and some costs were carried-over to the 2016-17 Annual Plan (AP). The Audit report does contain recommendations that have financial implications although some (dam safety) are already budgeted for in the draft 2017-18 AP. Others generally require further investigation and these will be added to the overall investigations programme. It is not intended to make any other specific provision ahead of the considerations required as part of the update to the Long-Term Plan (LTP).
4. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 4.1. Once the draft report is received by Council, a synopsis of the report will be presented to the Scheme Liaison Committee for feedback, followed by referring the findings to the wider stakeholder group by way of a newsletter.
5. SIGNIFICANT BUSINESS RISK IMPACT 5.1. There are no significant business risk matters inherent in the adoption of recommendations contained in this report.
6. BACKGROUND 6.1. The Tutaenui Scheme was established by the Rangitikei Catchment Board in 1976 with support of the Marton Borough Council, Rangitikei District Council and the Bulls County Council. 6.2. The scheme was established following years of frustrating attempts to control flooding and manage the stream channels within the catchment. The scheme established 15 detention dams and undertook a programme of capital works on the major stream channels to control flooding and clear channel congestion. Three dams in the small catchments to the west of Marton that had been constructed by the Marton Borough Council in 1962-63 became scheme assets in 1976.
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6.3. The primary objective of the scheme is to protect the townships’ of Bulls and Marton and
5 surrounding rural land from flooding. The scheme is located on the catchment of the Tutaenui Stream, which has its headwaters to the north of Marton. The catchment is 13,600 ha in size and generally lies in a north-south direction, rising to 300 m in its
Item Item headwaters. The entire catchment area has been developed for farming. 6.4. The stream joins the Rangitikei River 3.5 km downstream of the SH 1 Bridge. The scheme manages 26.6 km of the 28.7 km of the main Tutaenui Stream channel (commencing 2.1 km upstream of Calico Line) along with the Marton West Drain and 3.5 km of the Folley and Panui Streams, which flow through the urban areas of Marton. The Henrietti Drain at Bulls is also managed by the scheme and upstream of SH 3, to the west of Bulls, a floodway was constructed as part of the scheme. Its role is to guide floodwater breakouts above the highway back to the stream some 500 m downstream of the highway. Extensive drainage works have also been carried out on the outskirts of Bulls to divert drainage water away from the urban area. 6.5. The purpose of the dams has been to reduce the size of the flood flows in the Tutaenui Stream and in some of the smaller side streams within the Marton urban area, and thus reduce the extent of flooding from these streams. The scheme was designed to manage the flows during a 20-year rainfall event and thus limit the flooding during such an event. 6.6. Since the substantial capital works were completed in 1985, a relatively low level of maintenance activity has been undertaken annually. It largely involves regular inspection and maintenance of detention dam flow control structures, clearance of obstructions to flow in the Tutaenui Stream channel, and chemical or mechanical maintenance of scheme drains. 6.7. The 1989 Local Government reform resulted in the Rangitikei-Wanganui Catchment Board being abolished and its functions being taken over by the Manawatu-Wanganui Regional Council (Horizons). Responsibility for the management of the Tutaenui Flood Control Scheme passed to the Regional Council. 6.8. The scheme has a high level of community support, as evidenced by the attendance of ratepayers at meetings, and the active participation of a Scheme Liaison Committee consisting of nine ratepayer representatives. 6.9. In April 2006, a full Scheme Review was completed by an external consultant (referred to as the 2006 Review). The 2006 Review made several recommendations on stream channel maintenance and dam management. The latter recommendations were largely based on those contained in an earlier engineering consultants assessment made in 1997. 6.10. Over the period 19 to 21 June 2015 the Tutaenui Stream experienced a major flood event, measured at 70 cumecs at the Hammond Street gauge in Marton. The peak flow was 70 cumecs at the Tutaenui at Hammond Street gauge. This was a 1.7% AEP (1 in 60 year flood). 6.11. There were significant overflows from the Tutaenui Stream and tributaries. Consequently a significant amount of flooding occurred in Marton, particularly in the vicinity of the Calico Line / Totara Street intersection, thence travelling to the Hammond Street and Lower High Street area. Further stormwater flooding occurred in sporadic locations, including downstream of Marumaru Road from outflows of the Folley Stream and adjacent to the unnamed stream downstream of Dam W3 (Horizons do not manage this latter stream). 6.12. Other flooding occurred across SH 3 at Bulls and to properties (not houses) near Brandon Hall Road and Parewanui Road. 6.13. This flood was well above the expected channel capacity. 6.14. Consequently the brief for the Scheme Audit has been expanded to examine the impacts of the June 2015 flood and assess whether there are viable flood mitigation options to reduce the impact of future flooding. Thus the Audit brief is to report on:
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Implementation of the 2006 Scheme Review Recommendations. 5 Scheme Changes since the Review. Information obtained and any lessons learned from the major June 2015 flood event. Item Recommended Design Standards and Relevance to Present Conditions. The recommendations will ensure that the scheme continues to meet ratepayer expectations.
7. DISCUSSION 7.1. The key finding of this Audit is that the scheme is generally being well managed in accordance with the recommendations of the 2006 Review. However, not all of the recommendations on the detention dams have been completed in accordance with the findings of either the 2006 or 1997 reports. The following are the recommendations from this Audit.
1. It be noted that overall the Tutaenui Scheme is generally fit for purpose. 2. It be noted that the scheme suffered a major flood event on 19-21 June 2015. The peak flow was 70 cumecs at the Tutaenui at Hammond Street gauge. This was a 1.7% AEP (1 in 60 year flood). This was well beyond the original scheme design. The scheme was established in 1976, to manage the flows during a 20-year rainfall event and thus limit the flooding during such an event. 3. Thus, this flood was well above the expected channel capacity. The particular characteristics of this event (heavy rain in the latter stages when the dams were full or close to full) compounded matters. Significant flooding of farmland and buildings occurred in this event. 4. It should also be noted that damage caused in the June 2015 flood has been repaired and there are few, if any, outstanding repairs. This resilience indicates that the scheme is in a well maintained condition.
CHANNEL MANAGEMENT
7.2. As noted in this review, most of the channel management recommendations in the 2006 Review have been completed. It is most important that these channels are kept clear on an ongoing basis. 7.3. Where landowner agreement cannot be obtained for essential clearing works on congested reaches, then this may require application of the powers under the 1941 Soil Conservation & Rivers Control Act. 7.4. The service pipe under the Station Road Bridge and any others in similar locations must be monitored to ensure obstructions are not building up and rapidly removed. It would be desirable in the longer term for the relevant utility providers to remove their assets from the waterway. 7.5. The monitoring and response systems for channel maintenance need to continue to be developed. Monitoring of necessity is to a degree reactive to public notification, with then rapid response to clear a problem. For example clearing a fallen tree. This requires an understanding from the general public on who to contact on maintenance issues – maybe through advice contained in scheme newsletters or with rate demands. 7.6. Environment grant works continue to provide a valuable complement to scheme works. This is particularly so as the scheme only has a mandate that relates to the provision of flood mitigation.
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7.7. It is most important that these works are robust and meet acceptable design standards and
5 in particular comply with the standards and requirements of the Horizons Regional Council Environmental Code of Practice.
Item Item TRIBUTARIES
7.8. It be noted that the two major tributaries managed by the scheme through Marton, the Marton West Drain and Folleys Drain are in excellent condition. Other tributaries managed include Panui Stream in Marton and Henrietti Drain in Bulls. These are also in generally good condition, with minor further clearing programmed.
GRAVEL
7.9. An aspect of management that the Audit considered was gravel management, specifically whether the scheme should hold a global extraction consent for the Tutaenui. Aggradation has particular impacts on channel capacity for the lower reaches of the Tutaenui and from time to time can have minor impacts further upstream. It would require some caution around exercising given the potential effects associated with over extraction and will require a baseline assessment.
DAMS
7.10. It be noted that during the June 2015 flood event, all the dams overtopped with the exception of Dams W2, W3 and E3. Whilst some of the spillways sustained superficial damage, none suffered damage likely to threaten the stability of the flood detention dam. 7.11. It be noted that virtually all the minor items of work identified in the earlier assessments have been addressed. The exception to this was better stock management on some dams. 7.12. It be noted that it is of significant concern the fact that the substantive items on the four “significant” risk dams have not been addressed. These works are: standpipe monitoring was recommended; and references in the 1997 report as follows: “it is considered that the significant hazard dams should be capable of passing a 1000 year flood with some freeboard and we recommend that this be checked using at least two different methods. The outlet pipe should be assumed to be blocked”. 7.13. A formalised Dam Safety Assurance Monitoring Programme or equivalent must be implemented. This will ensure dam risks are addressed and appropriately monitored.
FLOOD MITIGATION UPGRADE OPTIONS
7.14. It be noted that there are only a few upgrade options that seem viable. The Marton Township is built right on the banks of the Tutaenui River and it will generally be very impractical and expensive to markedly improve channel capacity. A detailed 1-Dimensional MIKE11 computer model of the Tutaenui Stream has shown that currently the capacity through parts of the reach from upstream of Calico Line to Lower High Street is only 40 to 45 cumecs (10 to 15 year return period). 7.15. However, the following upgrade options should be further investigated: a. Improvements to reduce flooding in the reach immediately upstream of Calico Line. Combined with these improvements, a spur stopbank could be located on the true right bank, some distance upstream of Calico Line. This would mitigate the flooding in the vicinity of the Calico Line / Totara Street intersection (Option 3.1).
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b. Implementation of (a) would put more water into the Tutaenui Stream channel
which could in turn exacerbate matters downstream. These risks could be 5 mitigated by a combination of channel widening, significantly improving the bend alignment and possibly a low flood wall. This potential scheme upgrade
upstream of Calico Line could well raise the flood capacity through this reach Item to around 55 to 60 cumecs (close to 25 to 40 year return period). c. Improvements to reduce flooding for the reach in the vicinity of Lower High Street. These include increases to the flood carrying capacity of the private bridge and channel widening through the reach immediately upstream. These potential improvements to the channel at Lower High Street could well raise the capacity to around 50 to 60 cumecs (20 to 35 year return period). However, any improvements beyond this are unlikely to be viable. (Option 3.2). d. The flooding of the Marumaru Road area from outflows of the Folley Stream could be mitigated by using the Wilson Park fields as a low depth flood detention storage (Option 3.3). e. Upgrading some non-scheme urban channels (particularly the channel downstream of Dam W3) to mitigate flooding. This would be challenging due to the many obstructions, decreasing channel size in the downstream direction and closeness of buildings. These channels would then need to be put on a regular maintenance programme (Option 3.4). f. It is recommended that management of this urban channel in particular be transferred to the Tutaenui Scheme. This would enable a coherent management regime to be implemented, Scheme capacity to be improved and a decrease in the flooding risk to areas adjoining the stream. Possibly some other urban streams could also be added. Thus there would be a consistent approach to management of the urban channels through Marton (with several other channels already capably managed). g. Future houses and other buildings should be located above the 0.5% AEP flood level. This approach has been followed since the adoption of the Horizons Regional Council One Plan (Option 3.5). h. A small detention dam could be constructed east of Dam W3. This would mitigate flooding to Milne Street (Option 3.7). i. The potential for a detention dam to be constructed on the 4.0 km2 catchment area tributary at Bryces Line should be assessed in more detail. That assessment would need to encompass costs, benefits and residual risks (Option 3.8). j. It be noted that Options 3.1 to 3.5 have the potential to reduce the effects of an event like the June 2015 one to Marton. Option 3.7 appears to have merit and Option 3.8 could be further investigated.
8. COMMENT 8.1. The Scheme Audit has identified that most of the channel management recommendations in the 2006 Review have been well achieved. It is most important that these channels are kept clear on an ongoing basis. 8.2. The Audit advises that virtually all the minor items of work identified in the previous assessment were completed. The exception was better stock management. 8.3. The Audit also advises that it is of significant concern the fact that the substantive items on the four “significant” risk dams have not been addressed. A formalised Dam Safety Assurance Monitoring Programme or equivalent must be implemented. This will ensure dam risks are addressed and appropriately monitored.
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8.4. The Audit advises that there are only a few upgrade options that seem viable. The Marton
5 Township is built right on the banks of the Tutaenui River and it will generally be very impractical and expensive to markedly improve channel capacity. The focus should instead be on achieving more uniformity around channel conveyance. Currently the
Item Item capacity through parts of the reach from upstream of Calico Line to Lower High Street is only 40 to 45 cumecs (10 to 15 year return period). 8.5. However, there are several options that do have the potential to reduce the flooding experienced in Marton in June 2015. These options should be further investigated.
9. CONSULTATION 9.1. The next stage will be to refer the report findings and recommendations to the Scheme Liaison Committee for feedback, followed by referring the findings to scheme ratepayers by way of a newsletter.
10. TIMELINE / NEXT STEPS 10.1. The next step will be to report the Audit findings to the scheme Catchment Community early in 2017.
11. SIGNIFICANCE 11.1. This is not a significant decision according to the Council’s Policy on Significance and Engagement.
Peter Blackwood Ramon Strong INVESTIGATIONS & DESIGN MANAGER GROUP MANAGER RIVER MANAGEMENT
ANNEXES There are no attachments for this report.
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Report No. 16-241 6 Decision Required
RANGITIKEI RIVER SCHEME - PAREWANUI FLOOD PROTECTION UPGRADE Item PROJECT - PROJECT REVIEW AND WORK PROGRAMME - AUGUST 2016 (PRD 5 28)
1. PURPOSE 1.1. The purpose of this item is to report on progress to date with the Rangitikei River Flood Protection Upgrade Project, the programme of works required to complete the project and summarise financial performance to date.
2. RECOMMENDATION That the Committee recommends that Council: a. receives the information contained in Report No. 16-241 and annexures; b. notes that the completion date for the Rangitikei River Scheme Flood Protection Upgrade Project has been delayed one year in order to accommodate June 2015 flood damage repairs, with completion now scheduled for the 2019-20 financial year; c. notes that the current inflation adjusted cost to completion is well within the original $6.1M budget; and d. notes for consideration in setting budgets for the 2017-18 financial year the additional provision made for implementing the Rangitikei River Flood Protection Upgrade Project.
3. FINANCIAL IMPACT 3.1. The works programme identified in this report is provided for in Council’s current Long- Term Plan (LTP) and Annual Plan (AP). The provision included in Year 3 of the current LTP of $270,000 has been increased to $390,000 in the draft 17-18 AP. The delay resulting from the June 2015 flood event will also have implications for the updated LTP, requiring provision to be extended from Year 1 to Years 1 and 2 in order to complete the project.
4. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 4.1. Community engagement relating to this project is principally through the Rangitikei Scheme Liaison Committee and the Rangitikei Catchment Community meeting.
5. SIGNIFICANT BUSINESS RISK IMPACT 5.1. The project referred to in this report inherently has a beneficial impact on business risk; although the main focus has been around improved levels of service it will also significantly improve the level of network resilience and reliability under operation. Note that the extension of the timeframe to complete the project from 2018-19 to 2019-20 has a minor risk component to it (an additional 12 months before the full higher standard of protection is attained).
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6. BACKGROUND 6 6.1. The Rangitikei River Scheme had its beginnings in 1952 when the Rangitikei-Wanganui Catchment Board obtained central government approval for the scheme and its funding.
The scheme was formally amended in 1965 when the Rangitikei Scheme No. 2 Item Item commenced. A full review took place in 1993-94 with the recommendation of a new differential rating system endorsed by Council on 20 June 1995. This followed the provisions of the now defunct Rating Powers Act and involved extensive consultation with landowners in the scheme area.
6.2. Understandably, the February 2004 floods prompted a review of the flood protection component of scheme mandate / activity. The investigation was finalised in March 2006 and identified that further significant stopbank upgrading work was required if current levels of service were to be retained. Funding that work required further refinement of the rating classification, leading to separate rating categories for the different levels of service. Those recommended changes were endorsed by Council when it met in March 2007.
6.3. The Mangaweka recorder put the February 2004 flood peak at 1550 cumecs, the third largest measurement in (at that time) 107 years of record. It had a devastating effect, with more than 1,550 ha of productive land inundated and extensive flooding of houses in Tangimoana and Scotts Ferry.
6.4. The 2006 review found (amongst other things), that the standard of flood protection was considerably less than the presumed 2% Annual Exceedance Probability (AEP) (50 year Return Period) design standard identified in 1994. Not surprisingly given the experiences with the 2004 floods, a preference for a higher standard of flood protection (1% AEP) was indicated by the majority of landowners in the lower (from river distance 15 km to the river mouth) section of the river. This included considerations in regard to Scotts Ferry; a higher standard of protection along the right bank of the Rangitikei would obviate the need for specific protection measures around the village.
6.5. Consequently the following recommended standards were approved through the 2006-16 LTP:
The adoption of a 2% AEP protection standard for the 15-19 km right bank section.
That an ‘enhanced 50 year’ standard be applied to the left bank Tangimoana stopbank with a 600 mm aggradation allowance included in the design.
The implementation of a 1% AEP protection standard on the right bank from river distance 15 km to the river mouth.
The physical upgrade project work programme commenced in the 2005-06 financial year with an original budget for the project of $6.1 million.
7. DISCUSSION 7.1. As at 30 June this year, nearly 75% (12 years) of the upgrade project timeframe had elapsed with just under 15 km of stopbanking upgraded. The works completed to date are listed on the spreadsheet at Annex A and summarised below:
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10,530 lineal metres (m) of Parewanui stopbank upgraded. 6
690 m of Scotts Ferry secondary ring bank. Item 3,680 m of Tangimoana stopbank upgraded.
1,250 m of Parewanui stop bank flood damage repairs completed.
The following are the proposed stopbank upgrade works to complete over the next four years:
4,480 m of Parewanui stopbank upgrade.
6.2 The only setback to the implementation plan in its original form occurred last year; the June 2015 flood event damage to the section of stopbank finished as part of the upgrade a few months earlier. Given the scheme’s reserves position the decision was made to use the funding set aside in the 15-16 financial year for the upgrade project to repair the flood damage.
6.3 With this in mind retaining the same rate of implementation will see the project completed a year later than originally anticipated, with completion now scheduled for the 2019-20 financial year. Consideration had been given to proposing some acceleration of the programme in the 2017-18 financial year in order to achieve the original 2018-19 timeframe but staff considered that this would not be desirable given the overall financial health of the scheme. In regard to financial performance, current estimates suggest that the project will be delivered approximately $950,000 under the original 2006 budget.
6.5 Note that a contributing factor to the stopbank damage that occurred during the June 2015 event is the topography of the river berm. Some of these issues relate to the natural lie of the land but in other cases fill sourcing for the upgrade work appears to have been driven largely by cost / convenience and not factoring in some of the residual risks. The work completed last financial year addressed some of the higher risk areas, with additional provision made in the draft 2017-18 AP to address (largely by way of bulk earthworks) other higher risk areas. The balance of the increase for the 2017-18 AP is associated with increasing the rates used for estimating purposes to account for the market movement that has occurred in the last few years (increase in tendered bulk earthworks rates).
6.6 It is intended that the final two year programme incorporated into the updated LTP also include provision to complete the works required to address these issues; at this stage it is considered unlikely that this provision will exceed the forecast project delivery underspend (spend in addition to that provided for in the 2017-18 financial year is estimated at $175,000).
6.5 A plan and long section are attached at Annex B showing the current extent of stopbank upgrade work at river distance 6.25 km.
8. PROGRAMME FOR 2016-17 TO 2019-20 8.1. Details of works programmed for the next four years construction seasons are as follows:
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6 Year Scope of work Estimated Cost Comments 2016-17 Upgrade 750 m stopbank $205,000 100 year flood protection Item Item 2017-18 Upgrade 1,000 m stopbank $390,000 100 year flood protection 2018-19 Upgrade 1,000 m stopbank $350,000 100 year flood protection 2019-20 Upgrade 1,460 m stopbank $275,000 100 year flood protection TOTALS $1.22M
9. SIGNIFICANCE 9.1. This is not a significant decision according to the Council’s Policy on Significance and Engagement.
Wayne Spencer Ramon Strong AREA ENGINEER NORTHERN GROUP MANAGER RIVER MANAGEMENT
ANNEXES A Works completed to date. B Plans and Long-Sections
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6
RANGITIKEI RIVER SCHEME - FLOOD PROTECTION UPGRADE PROJECT
Item RIVER SECTION LOCATION LENGTH COMPLETED COST COMMENTS
COMPLETED WORK 1. Upstream No1 Drain 10340 - 9020 m 1320 m 2005-06 264,000 2. Flockhouse to Russell 10340 - 13480 m 3140 m 2006-07 586,000 Extra costs due to flood damage during construction 3. Russell to Nagels 13480 - 15680 m 2200 m 2007-08 826,326 4. Nagels to Jamieson 15680 - 16780 m 1100 m 2008-09 134,810 5. Scotts Ferry Secondary Bank 690 m 2008-09 112,010 6. Tangimoana 1020 - 3260 m 2240 m 2009-10 386,766 7. Tangimoana Stage 2 1020 - 420 m 1440 m 2010-11 522,810 8. Parewanui Stopbank - Flock House 9020 - 7900 m 1120 m 2010-11 170,092 9. Culvert Extension No1 2011-12 64,500 10. Tangimoana Stage 2 Extras 2011-12 16,660
11 Tangimoana Pump Station Contribution 2011-12 69,336 12. Parewanui SB Consent & Culvert Extension pipes 2011-12 12,830 13. Parewanui Stopbank - Flock House & Walmac Farm 7900 - 7050 m 850 m 2012-13 217,140 14. Parewanui Stopbank Culvert Extensions 2013-14 71,994 15. Parewanui SB Concrete Flood Wall (Amon Drain) 2013-14 11,350 16. Parewanui SB Upgrade Misc costs 2013-14 30,495 FH No1 Drain Culvert SB; Tangi Pump Stn, Horse Tail control; Staff costs AnnexA 17. Parewanui SB Concrete Flood Wall (Amon Drain) 2014-15 55,931 18. Parewanui Stopbank - Walmac Farm 7050 - 6250 m 800 m 2014-15 217,140 Approval given to use 2015-16 Capex budget of $205,045 to fund flood damage repairs to stop bank. A claim has been submitted to MCDEM for 60% 0f the total repair costs, being $165,109 which will be repaid to the 19. Flood damage repairs to Stopbank - Walmac Farm 7500 - 6250 m 1250 m 2015-16 275,182 Capex budget. TOTAL COST TO DATE 4,045,372
PROPOSED WORK 19. Parewanui Stopbank - Walmac Farm 6250 - 4900 m 1350 m 2016-17 371,249 This budget includes MCDEM 60% FD Repairs refund of $165,109 20. Parewanui Stopbank - Walmac Farm 4900 - 3900 m 1000 m 2017-18 275,000 Increase original budget 21. Parewanui Stopbank - Walmac Farm 3900 - 2900 m 1000 m 2018-19 275,000 Increase original budget 22 . Parewanui Stopbank - Scotts Ferry 2900 - 1770 m 1130 m 2019-20 200,000 TOTAL COST TO COMPLETE 1,121,249
OVERALL TOTAL COST 5,166,621 Budget in 2006 was $6,100,000
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Item Item
AnnexB
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Item Item
AnnexB
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Item Item
AnnexB
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Report No. 16-242 7 Information Only - No Decision Required
MONITORING AND SURVEILLANCE OF COUNCIL-OWNED DAMS (OAM 02 00) Item
1. PURPOSE 1.1. This item is intended to inform Council about initiatives proposed to address limitations around the way in which the safety of the dams Council owns and maintains is managed. It provides background and context to support the provision made in the draft 17-18 Annual Plan (AP) around dam safety initiatives. It also identifies potential funding issues that a number of schemes are likely to face with the next update to Council’s Long Term Plan (LTP).
2. RECOMMENDATION That the Committee recommends that Council: a. receives the information contained in Report No. 16-242. b. notes the funding implications for both the 17-18 AP and the likely implications for the next update to Council’s LTP.
3. FINANCIAL IMPACT 3.1. If adopted as proposed the work identified in this report will have an impact on the Draft 17-18 Annual Plan, although that impact will vary from scheme to scheme depending on reserve balances and budgetary provisions already made for dam safety. The more substantive impact is likely to be to the 2018-2028 LTP when provision is made for the various tasks / activities that the manual development identifies. A defined renewal and replacement plan is also likely to add pressure to future budgets, arguably an inevitable consequence of moving away from a top-down funding model. While these impacts are not yet able to be quantified as a dollar value they are likely to place some pressure on current funding models.
4. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 4.1. Clearly the matters addressed in this report will require engagement with the community through the Catchment Community meetings, potentially specific consultation associated with the 17-18 Draft AP process and ultimately consultation associated with the next update to the LTP. Note that only two of the five schemes involved had Catchment Community meetings earlier in the year; the other three schemes were considered too small to warrant convening meetings. If provision is made in the Draft 17-18 AP for this work meetings will be convened for all of the schemes identified.
5. SIGNIFICANT BUSINESS RISK IMPACT 5.1. For the reasons identified in the body of this report, the approach outlined will have a significant beneficial impact on business risk.
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6. BACKGROUND 7 6.1. The 2016-17 AP notes, amongst other things (page 55), the revoking of the Building (Dam Safety) Regulations 2008 in July 2015, avoiding the “classification process, development of
dam safety assurance programmes and annual compliance requirements that were Item Item expected to be incurred in respect of many of the larger detention dams owned by Horizons”. It also notes that “the present monitoring and surveillance programmes employed in respect of all 53 dams within five flood protection schemes will be reviewed during 2016-17 to ensure that those programmes generally reflect best management practices as set out in the New Zealand Society for Large Dams (NZSOLD) Dam Safety Guidelines (2000)”. 6.2. As noted, Horizons manages a total of 53 dams spread across five schemes. These are mainly concentrated around Marton, reflecting the penchant that the Rangitikei-Wanganui Catchment Board had for this approach to flood mitigation. The dams vary in size with an average storage volume (when full), of just over 81,000 cubic metres; 10 have a storage volume greater than 100,000 cubic metres with the largest 678,414 cubic metres. Average embankment height is 6.2 m with the highest just over 10 m high. The highest and largest dams are different structures but both are Porewa Scheme assets. 6.3. The 2008 Regulations included a definition of a large dam (3 or more metres in height with an impounded volume of 20,000 cubic metres or more). 51 of the 53 dams exceed the height threshold with 44 of those exceeding both the volume and height thresholds. These dams were therefore categorised as large dams under the 2008 Regulations. In 2012 the Minister of Building and Construction amended the definition to either more than 8 m high / 20,000 cubic metres in volume or more than 3 m high / 100,000 cubic metres in volume, halving the number categorised as large to 22. 6.4. A central part of the 2008 Regulations was the concept of Potential Impact Classification (PIC). Impact is expressed as houses/ property damaged, damage to critical or major infrastructure, impact on the natural environment and the time it would take a community to recover from such an event, with each rated on a scale from minimal to catastrophic. Not surprisingly the most significant influencing factor in terms of determining PIC is population at risk. 6.5. In 2009 an engineering consultant carried out a first level PIC assessment1 of Council’s dams, identifying 39 as low impact, nine as medium and five as high. Generally with a high classification the population at risk is assessed as being larger than 100. Two of the dams classified as high impact form part of the Tutaenui Scheme with the other three Porewa Scheme structures. Three of those five also meet the 2012 large dam criteria i.e. they are assessed as having a high PIC and they meet the amended large dam criteria. It is worth emphasising that this assessment was a relatively rudimentary exercise; the report is relatively concise and exists in draft form.
7. DAM SAFETY GUIDELINES (2015) 7.1. The NZSOLD guidelines2 were updated in May 2015 and are a 302 page document, the size of the document reflecting the technical complexity of this aspect of civil engineering, particularly in a seismically active environment like New Zealand. The guidelines “represent the recommended practise for dam safety in New Zealand”. It provides an overview of the statutory environment (including relevant tort law), the process of determining PIC and a best practise summary for designing and building a dam. The sections that are particularly pertinent to this report are Dam Safety Management, Emergency Management and Lifecycle Management.
1 Report No. 09-103 2 http://www.ipenz.org.nz/NZSOLD/Files/NZSOLD_Dam_Safety_Guidelines%20-%20MAY%202015.pdf
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7.2. This document notes the components of a dam safety management system as: 7 A policy, statement or standard;
A description of the management system; Item Item Procedures / responsibilities; Procedures for checking / reviewing; Procedures for identifying and addressing any issues; Procedures for regular reporting; and Appropriate support systems.
8. DISCUSSION 8.1. Before critiquing Horizons’ current approach to dam safety, it is necessary to acknowledge that although some technical aspects can be quantified, assessments ultimately involve qualitative / value judgements. It is also necessary to note that the current management approach largely reflects the environment in which they were built, with no apparent substantive operational issues or legislative drivers (the continual delays around the commencement of the dam safety regulations has meant that even the 2004 Building Act amendments have had little effect) to change that approach. By contrast, best practise as it relates to dam safety has evolved considerably, as have community expectations around the safety of such structures and the way they are managed. 8.2. It is my view that current management practises fall considerably short of best practise; the current monitoring and surveillance programme could at best be described as rudimentary. It is important to emphasise that this systemic deficiency in no way reflects on the competencies of those staff involved in the operation of those schemes. It does however highlight an ad-hoc approach to the management of these assets largely since the time they were constructed, the absence of definition around decision-making and an unstructured approach to risk management. 8.3. It is worth noting that those risks are wide ranging, with the primarily risk relating to the potential impact on people and property. There are however other risks, the main ones being the potential environmental damage and the consequential reputational damage to the organisation that would result. Tort law in this area also suggests that Council may be liable if an issue with a dam did arise that resulted in loss / damage to other parties and Council was not able to demonstrate that it had adequate systems / processes in place to manage the risk. 8.4. What is required (and what has been previously recommended) is a systematic approach to dam safety involving the production of Operations, Maintenance and Surveillance (O, M&S) manuals for all dams. The level of detail / scrutiny applied to individual dams would clearly vary depending on context but a fundamental assessment is required across the entire inventory. The main outputs would be an inspection and maintenance regime but it is also intended to provide some structure to future renewal and replacement decision-making, timely given the dams are typically 40 to 50 years old. 8.5. In my view, both as Group Manager and in a professional capacity, there is a degree of urgency in addressing this issue across all of the structures we own. This requires a consultant with expertise in dam safety to assess all of the dams in Council’s inventory. 8.6. While some of the affected schemes (Matarawa, Tutaenui, Pakihi, Porewa and Tawataia- Mangaone) have some budget provision for dam safety (made through the last update to the LTP when the Regulations were still set to come into force) this falls considerably short of the estimated cost of $135,000. How that cost is split has generally been allocated on a per dam basis taking some account of the relative remoteness of the Pakihi and Tawataia-
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Mangaone dams from the main cluster of dams around Marton. Factoring in the particular
7 circumstances of each scheme a provisional funding model for this work is shown in the
table below. Item Item
Table 1: Funding Model 8.7. As noted previously, this process is likely to result in an increase in the baseline operating cost for the affected schemes. This will be particularly challenging for some, particularly those with relatively modest operating budgets, namely the Pakihi and Tawataia- Mangaone Schemes. It is potentially an option for Council to devolve its responsibilities although it is highly unlikely that the landowner on which the dam is sited could be persuaded to accept ownership; landowners in general derive little benefit from the structures. 8.8. Decommissioning is also a potential option, particularly if the landowner didn’t require the entire structure to be removed. This would still represent a substantial cost, orders of magnitude larger than the annual operating budget. On balance and particularly with a large flood event (June 2015) still relatively fresh, this is unlikely to be an option those ratepayers would wish to pursue. Nevertheless, it is an important component of framing the discussion around dam safety.
9. SIGNIFICANCE 9.1. This is not a significant decision according to the Council’s Policy on Significance and Engagement.
Ramon Strong GROUP MANAGER RIVER MANAGEMENT
ANNEXES There are no attachments for this report.
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Report No. 16-239 8 Information Only - No Decision Required
RIVER AND DRAINAGE ENGINEERING REPORT (PRD 01 02) Item
1. PURPOSE
1.1. The purpose of this item is to report on progress with river and drainage activities for the period 31 July 2016 to 14 December 2016.
2. RECOMMENDATION
That the Committee recommends that Council: a. receives the information contained in Report No. 16-239.
3. FINANCIAL IMPACT
3.1. Funding provision for all activities reported on in this item is either included in the River and Drainage General or River and Drainage Schemes Activity sections of the 2015-25 Long-Term Plan (LTP); is covered by an approved carry-forward of unexpended budget in 2014-15; or additional approval will be specifically sought by way of recommendation in the item.
4. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
4.1. Various matters contained in this item either have been, or will be, communicated with scheme ratepayers through their respective Scheme Liaison Committee and / or Catchment Community Meetings. As necessary, other issues will be the subject of media releases.
5. SIGNIFICANT BUSINESS RISK IMPACT
5.1. There are no significant risks inherent in the adoption of recommendations contained in this report. As previously reported there is a risk of the drawdown of an excessive proportion of individual scheme emergency reserve funds for the purpose of flood damage reinstatement relating to the June 2015 event. Realising this risk would require Council’s application for assistance under the National Civil Defence Emergency Management Plan (the Plan) to be declined. This business risk has declined throughout 2016 and is now considered highly unlikely to be realised.
6. DISCUSSION
6.1. Weather is a recurring theme with this report, with the impacts wide ranging across all areas. Higher than average rainfall in combination with a lack of drying conditions has impacted bulk earthworks, causing delays to both the Rural Upgrade Project and the Parewanui Upgrade near Scotts Ferry. It is too early in the financial year to say whether these delays will have an impact on project delivery for 2016-17. The wet weather has also impacted operational costs in the southern area, with the operating costs of most drainage schemes ahead of where they would usually lie. Again, prevailing weather conditions over the remainder of the financial year may well see the impact on the full year result moderated.
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6.2. As an update to the commentary contained within the Chief Executive’s report to the
8 29 November Council meeting, MCDEM staff have advised that Council’s second claim for financial assistance associated with the June 2015 flood damage is now with acting Minister Hon. Gerry Brownlee for consideration. Clearly the Kaikoura Earthquake has
Item Item placed a substantial load on central government in that area and some sensitivity will be employed with follow-ups around the outcome of this claim. 6.3. The second claim was lodged in early September, covers 100 damage sites bundled into 90 individual claims and has a total value of $1.53M. The Regional deductible has been accounted for with the first claim so provided MCDEM accepts the claim as valid the amount payable to Horizons is around $0.92M. Estimates are that the total claim will be worth $4.4M with the MCDEM payments totalling $2.1M (again provided the second and third claims are not amended by MCDEM staff). Staff are working toward lodging a third and final claim in early March 2017 with the intent of wrapping up the process within the current financial year. 6.4. Health and Safety related matters have featured strongly in Group activity over the period. In addition to organisational initiatives associated with building staff awareness around the legislative changes that came into effect this calendar year, a fresh risk assessment has been undertaken within the Group and that has been used to drive further training in high hazard areas such as water safety, use of chainsaws, safe chemical handling, electrical hazards (both overhead and underground) and safe practices with regard to confined spaces. 6.5. The most substantial physical works deliverable in the 16-17 financial year is Year 11 (the penultimate year) of the Lower Manawatu Scheme (LMS) Rural Upgrade Project. The Year 11 programme involves further work to stopbanks alongside the Oroua River, various reaches of the Manawatu River and for the Tokomaru River. Project delivery is well underway with more detail around that delivery provided in a separate report. 6.6. Deterioration in flood protection levels of service due to berm siltation continues to have a high profile within the River Management Group. From a current operational perspective this includes thinking laterally to identify disposal options for the Oroua River, encouraging adjoining landowners to assist and therefore maximise the benefit of the budgets set for this activity. Staff have also approached the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) around fill-sourcing for the Whirokino Bridge project - potentially sourcing this from in front of the Moutoa Gates. Such arrangements are inherently difficult to get to the finish line but staff are persisting and endeavouring to make such an arrangement as simple as possible for NZTA. 6.7. Staff met with Horowhenua District Council (HDC) staff and representatives from engineering consultant Good Earth Matters (GEM) on 15 November to review progress GEM staff had made with the Catchment Management Plan (CMP) for Foxton. This links to the current LTP target (page 45 - investigate options for improving the level of flood protection service for Foxton Township, through improvements to Foxton East Drainage Scheme infrastructure). Although budget provision had been made for staff time to investigate this, the CMP work funded by HDC largely achieves this objective. 6.8. Like parts of Levin, stormwater management for much of Foxton relies on soakage with all of the consequential limitations, particularly in wet antecedent conditions and / or long duration storm events. As a consequence the existing reticulated network could at best be described as limited. An initial assessment suggested substantial capital investment would be required to have any meaningful impact on levels of service – technical work completed to date reinforces that. It is intended to present a summary of the CMP report to Council when it is finalised in the New Year (a concurrent presentation to both Councils). 6.9. The Foxton River Loop Working Party met on three occasions over the period; early August, early October and early December. The technical work commissioned by HDC and undertaken by engineering consultant GHD was reported to the 6 October meeting. The technical work considered the feasibility of reintroducing river flow to the loop and
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provided a seemingly realistic summary of the challenges and benefits of achieving that
aim. Specifically, the report reinforced some of the points that had been previously made 8 in relation to the challenges associated with elevating levels in the Manawatu River by way of a weir to force flow through the loop. The report recommends dispensing with a weir
and only constructing the linking channel, relying on high flow / tide to force water through Item the loop, costed at $5.3M. 6.10. Horizons feedback on the GHD report tabled at the December meeting mainly centred on expectations around what the $5.3M option might realise in terms of flow through the loop (the rather vague language contained in the report) and the need to have a degree of confidence in (and rigour associated with) the cost estimating. Save Our River Trust (SoRT) representatives made it clear at that meeting that they view, with some importance, the next steps as being the need to take a structured approach to building a business case. This reflects their primary focus on central government as a funding source (reflecting the circumstances that saw river flow taken away from the loop) and the current emphasis in Wellington around business cases. 6.11. Nonetheless at the December meeting the GHD representative suggested (with the somewhat tacit support of HDC and SoRT attendees) that Horizons should be not only a funding partner but should also manage the project, particularly aspects around central government funding. 6.12. The potential for legal action identified previously to the Committee relating to Horizons’ managed gravel extraction from the Oroua River is now considered highly unlikely, due in part to the efforts of former Councillor Murray Guy in conveying a better understanding of the benefit that the landowner derives from the LMS. 6.13. There are two, albeit considered remote, possibilities of legal action current facing the River Management Group, both within the Manawatu Drainage district and both relating to Taonui Basin consenting. One relates to the perceived adequacy of the mitigation measures associated with Rural Upgrade Project implementation and the other claiming effects associated with Mangaone spillway operation arising from the June 2015 (landowner has constructed a bund around his property and has sent Horizons an invoice for the cost of that work). The preliminary assessment for both is that they pose little risk to Council. 6.14. The Whanganui Flood Management Review Group has met on a number of occasions over the period and the work of that Group to date (and other matters) are the subject of a separate report. Note that at the invitation of the Group’s Ngati Apa representative a meeting was held at Putiki Marae on 24 August to provide the community with an update on the Group’s progress, what previous work indicated flood protection for Putiki might look like and what it might cost. 6.15. Staff met with a group of Porewa Scheme ratepayers (largely valley floor landowners) on 30 August to answer questions around rates invoices and a range of other operational matters. Organised by Rangitikei District Council (RDC) Councillor Dean McManaway it provided a good forum to reinforce the value the scheme provides to those ratepayers. 6.16. From a staffing perspective Horizons farewells Investigations and Design Manager Peter Blackwood. Peter has been with Horizons since 2006 and has been an integral part of the many and varied investigations projects that arose from the 2004 floods. I wish Peter and his family all the best.
7. INVESTIGATIONS AND DESIGN
INVESTIGATIONS
7.1. Over this four month period a large number of assessments were completed and design advice requests actioned. There are 36 separate tasks programmed for the 2016-17 Design & Investigations Team Programme.
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7.2. From a staffing perspective, following the retirement of Senior Design Engineer Graham
8 Doull the team welcomed the arrival of Stuart Standen to fill the position of River Management Analyst.
Item Item LOWER MANAWATU SCHEME
7.3. The oncoming 2016-17 summer construction season is Year 11 in the 12 Year Rural Upgrade Project programme. Design work is well advanced on planned upgrades in Year 11 of the upgrade to achieve the 1% AEP (100 Year) standard with 450 mm freeboard. During the reporting period designs on these works have included: Detailed design on the proposed stopbank upgrades on the Oroua River between Awahuri and Feilding. This required a major upgrade to the existing MIKE11 computer model through this reach. The Investigations & Design Team is particularly focussed on addressing the overflows that occurred in the June 2015 flood (and also the February 2004 flood) flooding several Awahuri houses on the true right bank at a meander loop at the Makino Stream confluence and on the true left bank where overflows travelled 3 km to the State Highway; Provision of design stopbank levels and alignments at Rangiotu and immediately downstream of Awahuri; Further design advice on the Tokomaru and Linton Main Drain stopbank upgrades. These need to cover the increased seepage pressures on the stopbanks resulting from the increased head of the raised stopbank, potential foundation issues and any erosion threats; Provision of design stopbank levels for the Koputaroa Stream; and Examination of computer modelling outputs to set 1% AEP flood levels at Longburn. 7.4. Design advice was provided to address the issue of ponding of floodwaters behind the Mangaone stopbank at Richardsons Line. Options for the stopbank at Benmore Avenue were considered and a detailed design solution is being prepared. 7.5. A meeting held with the Area Engineer Central has confirmed the proposed upgrade works to be carried out in 2017-18 on the Kara Creek and Mangapuketea Stream stopbanking near Shannon. The Kara stopbanking above the highway will be raised to the new design level consistent with the already upgraded section downstream. Some set back for channel stability may be required following detailed survey and design next year. The lower Mangapuketea return banks will be levelled so that the left bank is 150 mm lower than the right bank to help ensure floodwaters overflow into the ponding area rather than across State Highway 2. Undersized floodgates will also be replaced. These works are expected to be completed within the programmed budget of $526,163. 7.6. Inspections were completed at a number of properties to confirm flood levels experienced in the Mangaone floodway during the June 2015 event. These levels will be used to calibrate the computer modelling being carried out to identify the impact of heavy local rain coincident with floodway flows. 7.7. Current team workload has necessitated outsourcing the numerical modelling to DHI Limited. The brief includes:
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8 Adjustment of the existing Taonui Basin 2-Dimensional MIKEFLOOD computer model to assess the flooding experienced in the June 2015 flood. Assessment of the areal
and depth extent of this event has shown that flood levels were close to the 1% AEP Item (1 in 100 year) flood generally, with levels up to 230 mm above the 0.5% AEP (1 in 200 year) level in one area. The rainfalls themselves were generally between 2% (1 in 50 year) and 1% AEP for various durations, on top of two months of well above average rainfall resulting in substantially more runoff than normal. The computer model, which incorporates both inflows from watercourses and spillways plus the rainfalll landing in the Taonui Basin will assist in identifying the causes of the flooding; Modelling of the 0.5% AEP design flood event; and Assessment of proposed stopbanking options to be built to protect Cloverlea. 7.8. The results of the computer modelling were due late November and are expected shortly. 7.9. A detailed report was completed on the flooding experienced in the Taonui Basin in June 2015. 7.10. Investigations and preliminary design has been completed on proposed works to help prevent future washouts of the Manawatu Drainage Scheme stopbanking near the intersection of Whiskey Creek and Main Drain. The Main Drain stopbank was washed out by Mangaone floodway flows during the June 2015 event and unduly added to the extensive ponding in the Taonui Basin. The proposed works provide a cost effective remedy by minor works to reshape the banks and achieve a more uniform crest level so that overflows will not concentrate at low spots. 7.11. A comparison of floodgates for the ponding areas along Burkes Drain and Main Drain in the Manawatu Drainage Scheme has concluded that the existing sizes provide a reasonably consistent discharge capacity to clear ponding. The discharge capacity was assessed based on the ratio of floodgate area and ponding volume. There have been ratepayer concerns that the new floodgates installed by the LMS had increased the capacity to clear ponded floodwater from the lower Taonui Basin more than higher areas. 7.12. Ongoing design information has been supplied to the on the Foxton River Loop Working Party.
LOWER WHANGANUI RIVER
7.13. No substantive investigations have been undertaken over the period. However periodic enquiries have been answered on the findings of the major report prepared on the June 2015 flood and on information pertaining to various upgrade options.
TUTAENUI STREAM HYDRAULIC MODELLING AND AUDIT
7.14. The 1-Dimensional part of the model is completed and has produced good information on the channel capacities, with particular importance being the capacity through Marton. 7.15. The 2-Dimensional model has also been completed. There has been difficulty in coupling the 2 models in MIKEFLOOD, but this has progressively been resolved. The modelling was parked for some time while design focussed on the extensive Rural Upgrade Project works for 2016-17.
KIWITEA STREAM GRAVEL ASSESSMENT
7.16. The survey of the cross sections on the Kiwitea Stream over the 15.77 km reach between the confluence with the Oroua River at Feilding and the Cheltenham-Hunterville Road Bridge was completed. A detailed fluvial assessment was completed following the survey.
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7.17. Analysis of four cross section surveys carried out during 1985, 2004, 2010 and 2016 has
8 identified that the following is occurring in the Kiwitea Stream study area: The stream bed is degrading in the upper half of the study area and aggrading in the
Item Item lower half; The volume of gravel under the stream bed is degrading in the upper half of the study area and aggrading in the lower half; The volume of gravel under the active channel is relatively stable in the upper ¾ length of the study area with a pronounced aggradation occurring in the lower quarter; The cumulative change shows a loss of gravel under the stream bed occurred between 2010 and 2016 while aggradation occurred between 1985 and 2004; and The cumulative change of gravel shows the volume of gravel under the active channel has built in the lower half of the study area. 7.18. Based on the results of this study it is recommended that: 1. Gravel extraction from the Lower Kiwitea Stream Scheme be only allowed downstream of cross section 8000. 2. That the maximum annual amount of gravel to be extracted and removed from the Kiwitea Stream shall not exceed 5,000 cubic metres per annum as per resource consent 103434/1. 3. The Kiwitea Stream study area is resurveyed in the year 2021.
KAWHATAU STREAM GRAVEL ASSESSMENT
7.19. The survey of the cross sections on the Kawhatau Stream completed in 2014 is now being examined as part of the process of completing the fluvial report.
HAUNUI DRAINAGE SCHEME RATING
7.20. Assistance was provided to GIS support staff carrying out an outstanding review of the rating boundary for the Haunui Drainage Scheme, a small scheme located north of Whangaehu. The review would have been carried out under the Rates Project in 2008 but a proposed new area-based rating system was expected to replace the old one instead; this did not happen. Anomalies have been identified and these are intended to be addressed as part of the LTP update.
SOUTH EAST RUAHINES – MANGA-ATUA STREAM
7.21. Investigations have started on options to mitigate flooding from the Manga-Atua Stream next to Woodville. A site visit was completed and the existing flooding problems were identified. An investigation brief was then prepared that requires the following specific problems to be addressed: Regular flooding and wash out of the rail line adjacent to the ponding area just upstream of State Highway 2 and to the north of the stream; Flooding of State Highway 2; and The need to constantly extract gravel from just above Broomfield Road Bridge to keep drainage channels open. 7.22. The stream has been extensively straightened over the years and further straightening downstream in the vicinity of Troup Road is one option now being considered. It is envisaged that this would steepen the gradient and transport gravel further downstream where the channel is more incised and flooding would not be such a problem. If the straightening option is adopted it would be a rare departure from normally avoiding this
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technique, which can cause significant channel degradation and erosion. However, in this
case it may be an appropriate technique to mitigate flooding. 8
SOUTH EAST RUAHINES – SINCLAIRS CREEK Item Item 7.23. A detailed investigation and report was commenced and completed on options to mitigate flooding. The current diversion scheme of Sinclairs Creek located at Harris Road has been assessed as not being adequate to prevent flooding at the house for Q2 flood events. This matches comments made by the house tenant and owner. Key locations were surveyed and examined at: The diversion culvert located on Sinclairs Creek near the intersection of Range and Harris Road; The diversion drain that flow downstream from the culvert to the oxbow drain located on the Blatchford farm; The farm track culvert that drains the oxbow water to the Manawatu River; and One particularly affected dwelling. 7.24. Based on an assessment of the flood carrying capacities of Sinclairs Creek and the diversion drain the following was recommended to reduce the risk of flooding at the house for up to and including the Q10 flood event: Lower the crest of broad crest weir in front of the diversion culvert to 87.1m elevation; Install two 1 metre diameter culverts at the Sinclairs Creek diversion site with the culvert invert lowered to 86m OR install a bridge with the soffit matching the surrounding land elevation; Increase the flood carrying capacity of the diversion drain immediately downstream of the diversion structure; Remove debris from the Bluff Road culvert; Install two 1.2m diameter culverts at the farm track; Trim the sides of the drain upstream of the farm track; and Assess the drain downstream of the farm track for flood carrying capacity.
OHAU RIVER PROTECTION WORKS DESIGN
7.25. A site inspection and designs were completed on three sites on the Ohau River. The recommended designs were: Seniors: Rock riprap supplemented by a rock groyne on the upstream end of the erosion on the true right bank. The stream is also far too narrow at this location. However options for widening the stream are limited by the location of a bridge midway around the bend. If this limitation can be overcome, the erosive forces on the bend can be reduced. Kilsby: This location is ideal for construction of permeable rail-iron groynes of a very similar design to the very successful works at McKelvie’s on the left bank of the Rangitikei River. Whilst there have been previous limited attempts with rail-iron groynes at this location, they did not have the same embedment necessary to withstand scour. Burnells: Ideally the erosion issues are best dealt with by vegetative protection, possibly with a limited amount of toe rock strategically placed.
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AMS SOFTWARE ENHANCEMENTS 8 7.26. An updated version of our purpose built Asset Management System (AMS) PowerBuilder software is now live after more than three years of intermittent development and testing.
Item Item The largely incremental improvements affect defect length data, design and structural data, financial reporting, condition rate reporting and various other issues, some of which have been longstanding bugs in the system. 7.27. Further enhancements to meet the ongoing need for increased functionality are limited by the increasingly outdated PowerBuilder software platform and a completely new AMS is now due to be introduced next year. 7.28. Some technical support has been provided to the new AMS Project Manager so that prospective suppliers can use our existing data in their product presentations to the AMS Working Group.
UPDATED FLOOD LOSS CURVES
7.29. Flood Loss Curves in Appendix G of the Asset Management Plans (AMPs) for each scheme have been updated as required following the annual capitalisation process and update of the AMS for discoveries and disposals. The total replacement value of all our scheme infrastructural assets (including write-offs and other adjustments) at 2 July 2016 is $390M including Work in Progress of $1.3M, an increase of some $8M in 2014-15. Most schemes had only minor changes but the LMS had a relatively significant increase due to the completion of work in progress and the addition of extensive lengths of concrete riprap identified in recent floods. Total asset value of the LMS increased by $9M to $202M and this has meant the 50 year flood damage, as taken from the flood loss curves, has increased from $5.6M to $6.0M with a corresponding increase in target scheme reserves from $4.48M to $4.8M (after deducting the 20% general rate contribution). Refer to the report to Committee in February (Report 16-15). 7.30. This would not normally be updated until the 3 yearly revaluation but given the size of increase it has been highlighted at this stage to help guide budget for next year. 7.31. It also means that the LMS will contribute a somewhat greater proportion of the total asset insurance premium, which is apportioned on damage risk and asset value.
ASSET CONDITION RATINGS
7.32. Annual inspections of all scheme assets have been carried out by River Management staff over the three month period April-June 2016. The inspections involve assessing the condition rating for maintenance planning and performance reporting purposes. Condition ratings vary from 1 (as new, no maintenance required) to 5 (failure, rebuild required). 7.33. The target level of service for most assets is CR1 or CR2 (fully effective or only minor maintenance required) with most schemes aiming for no more than 10-15% below this standard to allow for programmed upgrade works or repair of flood damage - the inspections revealed that 93% of all assets successfully achieved this standard, including 91% of all stopbanks. 7.34. The overall result was an improvement on the 87% last year and slightly better than the 10 year average of 91%. 7.35. In particular, the LMS achieved 90% while the flood damaged Rangitikei Scheme was 79%. 7.36. The inspections confirmed that the Mangatainoka Schemes had relatively more outstanding flood damage than other schemes, with 6% of bank protection assets being CR4 or CR5, while the Rangitikei Scheme had 3%.
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7.37. Trend Graphs in Appendix E of each individual Scheme AMP have been updated to show
the proportion of flood control, erosion protection, drainage and miscellaneous assets that 8 have a condition rating of 1 or 2. In addition, the Performance Tables in Appendix F for the various flood protection, erosion control and drainage assets have been updated to show
the level of service achieved in terms of the proportion with condition rating 1 to 5. A Item summary of this information was used to highlight the performance of key schemes in Council’s recently completed Annual Report 2015-16.
ANNUAL REPORT – AUDIT NZ
7.38. Information on scheme infrastructure capitalisation, valuation, write-offs, discoveries, condition ratings, work in progress and associated processes was provided on request to Audit NZ during their scrutiny of the Draft Annual Plan (DAP) early in September.
NATIONAL OVERVIEW OF RIVER AND DRAINAGE SCHEMES
7.39. Information on our river and drainage schemes was prepared and collated over a few days for Tonkin and Taylor (T&T), who have been engaged by the national River Managers Forum to carry-out an overview of the state, value and management of river control, flood protection and drainage schemes in New Zealand. Horizons, as a member of that Forum, along with other regional councils and unitary authorities, are paying part of the T&T costs. 7.40. The information included in the AMP documents for all schemes, scheme costs and rates (excerpts from our 2015-2025 LTP 30 yr financial strategy), our schedule of assets including 20, 100, 500 year estimated flood damage. 7.41. Rating categories were simplified to standardise the benefit descriptions (high, medium, low, indirect) and categories (flood protection, erosion, drainage, pumped drainage, river management) along with the standard of flood protection provided. 7.42. Other staff provided GIS data showing location maps and rating maps of all our schemes, rating data and One Plan GIS data of our biological assets at risk or protected by river and drainage schemes i.e. significant natural areas, rivers, lakes, wetlands and other waterways.
DESIGN ADVICE
7.43. During this period ongoing design advice has continued to be given to River Management project and scheme management staff and other department’s and TLAs staff in relation to several matters. They continue to be mainly focussed on the flood-related matters as outlined above. Designs completed included: Design of an alternative and cheaper solution to protect the Hoults site on the left bank of the Manawatu River downstream of Ashhurst. This involved a rock toe lining for the upstream half of the works, with rail-iron groynes in the downstream half. This should provide a secure and cost-effective option; Design of a small section of additional rock lining opposite the Makino Stream debris deflector structure; Research and advice on the use of limestone rock in rock riprap environments. There are essentially two types of limestone in the Tararua District, one that meets engineering requirements for durability and one that quickly breaks down. It is important to clarify which limestone rock is durable, as it is a cost-effective rock source in certain cases;
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8 Assessment and determination of design solutions to under-scour of a floodwall at Foxton Beach. This involved a rock riprap lining, filter rock and geotextile to prevent
Item Item loss of fines from under the wall; A presentation was prepared and delivered on River Protection Works Design to a workshop of practitioners held in Wellington; A rock lining was designed to protect significant erosion at the Taylor Farm located on the true right of the Tokomaru Stream upstream of State Highway 57; Calculations by Michael Ives, Structural Consultant, were peer reviewed and submitted for drafting, for the stopbank retaining wall at Rangiotu Marae, on the right bank of the Oroua River downstream of State Highway 56; and Advice was provided on the risks of erosion near stopbanks on the right bank of the Manawatu River at Te Matai. Recommendations were also made on the upgrade of an existing rock lining at that location, should an upgrade ever prove necessary.
REGULATORY ADVICE
7.44. A moderate amount of regulatory work was completed with recorded advice provided on 56 substantive matters during this reporting period. Additionally, there were numerous other matters quickly assessed and not recorded due to other pressing priorities. 7.45. This regulatory work involves specialist advice on flood risks and technical reports for consent applications, rezoning and subdivisions including: Advice on 35 flood risk and related enquiries; Included was advice on four properties in Feilding, five properties in the Rangitikei Line-Taonui Basin area and four properties in Whanganui. The remaining enquiries covered a wide range of locations; Included was advice on a proposed 60 lot subdivision at Ratana Pa; The stormwater mitigation calculations for a subdivision at Feilding were peer reviewed and the mitigation found to be under-estimated. A similar exercise was carried out on the significant upgrade of a retirement village complex. The additional stormwater may go to communal detention, but cannot aggravate flooding of the Makino Stream; Further discussions were held with MDC staff on options for communal detention of stormwater. The secondary flow paths were also found to be inadequately designed and this follows a complaint on this matter on another recent subdivision; Advice was given on several District Plan Changes including Manawatu District Plan Changes 52 (Industrial Precinct 5), 55 (District Wide Matters) and 60 (Designations). Also advice on the appeal for a private Plan Change at Pioneer West in the Palmerston North City Council (PNCC) area; Advice was provided on seven bridges, two proposed culverts and one dam; This included confirmation of the design support for the proposed Manawatu and Kahuterawa pedestrian bridges being constructed under the Te Ara Kotahi Project. Free design advice was provided on optimising the location and soffit level of the Kahuterawa Bridge;
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8 Also received was the application for underpinning of Kiwirail Bridge 114 over the Tiraumea River at Ngawapurua. These vital works have been given a high priority of
design and field assistance and the only issues raised were that the construction Item methodology did not cause adverse environmental effects; Consents were processed expeditiously on the walkway pedestrian bridge over Stoney Creek at Te Matai, the Upokongaro Stream Bridge renewal and the Taipo Road culvert; A site visit was held with MDC staff, and Mr Brian Kouvelis, Consultant, to help resolve site difficulties in the replacement of the Nannestad Line Bridge, damaged in the June 2015 floods; Advice was provided on applications for five renewed gravel extraction consents. These were at Parikino on the Lower Whanganui River, Hohotaka Road on the Upper Whanganui River, Upper Whangaehu River, upstream of Rewa on the Rangitikei River and the area bounded by the degradation zone on the Rangitikei River. This latter application was voluntarily put on hold pending the findings of the Rangitikei River gravel survey and fluvial report this coming summer. A site visit was necessary for the Whangaehu application, which was for large gravel boulders in an extended upstream reach on the lower slopes of Mount Ruapehu. The rehabilitation of the previous extraction of boulders was inspected and found to be well completed to a natural state; Evidence was prepared and presented to the Environment Court supporting why Horizons declined the Certificate of Compliance for the dam constructed by PFDL Ltd (Les Fugle). The Court upheld Horizons’ decision and questioned the need for the Hearing. The basis of which the dam did not have a spillway located off the dam crest that was capable of passing the 0.5% AEP flood; and Several other compliance matters and diverse unrecorded enquiries.
8. CENTRAL AREA
GENERAL
LOWER MANAWATU SCHEME RURAL UPGRADE PROJECT
8.1. Consistent rainfall was spread across the reporting period with October, in particular, being best described as changeable and November being wetter than average. This saw a gradual increase in base flow of scheme rivers and moderate in scheme streams. 8.2. The total rainfall for this period (1 August 2016 to 23 November 2016) has been recorded as: 378.5 mm at Milson Line, Mangaone, 336 mm at Cheltenham, Makino, 683.5 mm at Scotts Road Kahuterawa (296.5 mm Aug / Sept, 387 mm Oct / Nov), and 617.5 mm at Rangiwahia (Oroua). Typically, Oct / Nov was a third wetter than the Aug / Sept period in the central area. 8.3. The Manawatu River experienced several flow peaks at Manawatu Teachers’ College during this reporting period. These peak flows decreased as time progressed, the last recorded peak flow being an exception, with the base flow of the river also decreasing. The first ‘event’ being 669.87 m3 s-1 (a stage of 3.506 m) on 7 August, this triggered the 3.5 m stage warning level but did not trigger the 4.9 m required to notify the Emergency Management Duty Officer (EMDO). 8.4. The Oroua River had inconsistent residual flows over the reporting period. The largest flow of the period occurred on 27 August and saw a flow of 98.013 m3 s-1 (with a stage height of 2.381 m) but again this did not trigger EMDO notification (threshold being 3.2 m river height).
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8.5. The Mangaone Stream had four significant peaks, from August through to November. The
8 second of these peaks was the largest where flow reached a maximum of 46.098 m3 s-1 (stage height of 3.040 m). This again did not warrant an EMDO notification which is
triggered by a river height of 3.75 m. Item Item 8.6. The Makino Stream had two significant peak flows in August and a reasonably consistent flow throughout September before again peaking in October and November. The residual flow of the Makino Stream remained reasonably steady despite the peak flows. At 12 pm on 7 October a flow of 24.092 m3 s-1 (stage height 2.788 m) was recorded at Boness Road. This event did trigger a EMDO notification, sent at 8 am; it also necessitated the closing of the Makino floodgates. The event generated sizeable stormwater discharge from Feilding creating relatively minor operational issues. 8.7. The Tokomaru Stream had five peak flows and a reasonably consistent base flow throughout the period, with the flow peaks progressively reducing before increasing slightly in October and then significantly again mid-November. The largest flow occurred on 10 November with a flow of 86.064 m3 s-1 shown (stage height of 3.160 m). 8.8. The Kiwitea Stream had two significant flow peaks in August, and a gradually decreasing residual flow throughout September through to November. The largest flow was recorded on 29 August and measured 25.547 m3 s-1 (1.711 m stage height). 8.9. Scheme engineers continue to assist with the delivery of the Rural Upgrade Project. Consultation between the project delivery team and LMS staff in regard to project work for the 2016-2017 Rural Upgrade Project works has begun, with site visits to programmed work areas undertaken and meetings with landowners completed. Scheme staff have also assisted the Survey Team in completing levelling surveys of stopbanks programmed for upgrade. Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) inspections will be continuing for all culverts located within a Rural Upgrade Project work programme area, to identify any repairs or renewals that can be done by the scheme during the upgrade works. 8.10. During this period, scheme staff continued to provide advice to ratepayers and other authorities with regard to the One Plan. These have included giving advice to property owners concerning how to deal with the adverse effects of activities undertaken by their neighbours, erosion advice for streams outside of the scheme, and consenting issues for activities adjacent to our stopbanks including house extensions and new builds. 8.11. GIS asset maps were updated to reflect asset alterations or the creation of new assets over the 2015-2016 year. Changes to scheme assets are recorded in the AMS during inspections and works, and the maps revised accordingly at the end of the financial year. Hard copies of the maps are then approved by the area engineer and printed to be used in the field for the forthcoming year. 8.12. Representatives from specialist property consultant, The Property Group, facilitated a workshop at the Kairanga Service Centre covering legislation around accretion claims and possible solutions with regards to river management. The speakers were invited following an influx of accretion related queries to scheme engineers. 8.13. Scheme staff attended a River Management Forum on 29 and 30 September. This was held by Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) and was facilitated by Manakau- based river engineering consultant Gary Williams. The first day involved a series of short presentations on a variety of river management issues followed by a day in the field visiting a number of GWRC river works sites to discuss the practical aspects of river engineering. River Management staff from a number of regional councils attended enabling discussion and idea sharing between representatives. 8.14. Other training attended by scheme staff included: a Site Safety Supervisor course and Refresher Site Safety Supervisor course; a Chainsaw course; changes to Contract Law course and First Aid courses.
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8.15. The third of four Horizons’ Staff Hazard and Risk Management Training workshops took
place at service centres during November. These courses have been designed to help 8 staff understand updated regulations and legislation, including ensuring effective
management of Health and Safety when engaging with contractors. Item Item 8.16. Friday October 21 saw members of the public and the recently elected Councillors attend the Horizons Expo held at Te Manawa. This event is primarily held as new Councillor’s introduction to the organisation, with each Horizons’ team putting together a stand to showcase their business. 8.17. Following the 14 November magnitude 7.8 Kaikoura Earthquake all major structures were inspected for damage, with none being identified. The Moutoa Gates, the Makino diversion structure and the Mangaone spillway gates were all run and checked for serviceability, along with the major floodgates on the scheme. No damage has been reported by landowners regarding other assets, including stopbanks, nor has any damage been found during inspections completed so far. Structures will be re-checked following any significant aftershocks felt in the Region.
LOWER MANAWATU SCHEME
8.18. The LMS Liaison Committee meeting was held at Kairanga on 28 October. Minutes are available on request. Works undertaken on the various rivers within the scheme during this period include the following:
MANAWATU RIVER
8.19. Maintenance work throughout the city reach is continuing and has included weed spraying, graffiti removal, mowing, mulching and layering, planting of native plants and freeing of existing plantings, along with debris removal and disposal. It is often quiet at this time of the year but with improving weather, vegetation growth rates have increased, along with required maintenance works. 8.20. The most significant activity undertaken in the city is the mulching of the willows along the shared pathway. Mulching is typically undertaken when the willows, that provide the majority of our erosion protection, mature. Mature willows are less effective and mulching has been proven to encourage vigorous root growth and therefore improve bank protection. Mulching in the rural areas usually occurs every 5 years while in the city, due to the amenity value of the river, mulching is undertaken every 2-3 years. There have been a number of calls querying this activity from city residents both on site and on social media, and officers have done a great job in explaining what was happening and why, taking this opportunity to educate the public with respect to river management practices (we are not killing the trees) and also listen to how residents use and interact with the river. One such enquiry concerned the spiritual connection some members of the community attach to certain liminal spaces along the river, and how these types of public spaces are utilised by different groups of users. This has led us to incorporate “natural doorways” to the river and “native grottos” in amongst our erosion protection works. While there will always be enquires regarding work in such a public space, a good level of signage will accompany future willow mulching within the city reach.
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8.21. Waitoetoe Park has been a topic of discussion and development for several years.
8 Scheme staff are continuing to work with Iwi, PNCC, members of Horizon’ Natural Resources and Partnerships Team and interested local community groups to assist in the development of an overall management plan for the area. Horizons’ River Management
Item Item staff have an interest in the development of the area due to the importance of managing berm flows to avoid erosion and vegetation potentially adversely impacting on flood carrying capacity. Scheme staff have participated in PNCC’s planning and community development meetings and the Active and Sport and Recreation Focus Group regarding the development. 8.22. As part of the City Reach Project, Horizons are proposing to construct a further recreational access / amenity enhancement element in the form of a river access and launching ramp for Waka and Kayak / Canoe users. The preferred location of the ramp is in Waitoetoe Park at the end of Maxwells Line. Horizons’ engineers have been working with iwi representatives and PNCC officers to ensure that the ramp is optimally configured. Ideally, the ramp will incorporate mooring points and swimming platforms, but this will be subject to budget, practicality and any health and safety considerations (a structured risk assessment). 8.23. Works to enable safe jet boat mooring at the Okatia Steps are almost complete. Staff met with the Vice President of Jet Boating New Zealand to consult on what would be required to make the area safer to use, and become a more useable attraction in the area. Timber has been affixed to the front of the two lowest steps to act as a bumper for vessels. These have been constructed to allow replacement at a future date when required. A taut tethering rope will soon be affixed under the lip of the third step to avoid introducing a non lineal element to the structure. 8.24. A small amount of shaping has been undertaken downstream of the Okatia Steps where a windrow of soil had been left behind the willow bank protection in the area. The windrow had resulted in storm water concentrating at low spots and causing erosion into the berm area, which posed a risk to public users of the area. Plastic drainage pipes have been installed at the lowest points to prevent future scouring. The windrow has been removed to allow storm water to flow over the bank more evenly, while the soil was used to top up nearby low spots that had been prone to ponding. Further work is required along the bank above the Esplanade rock lining, which will require greater planning and resources due the confined nature of much of the area by the walkway and nearby underground services. 8.25. Willow mulching was undertaken between Albert Street and Gasworks Drain. A small amount of layering was required at the upstream end of this section where the high bank and large macrocarpa trees hindered access for the long reach excavator being used for these works. During this process, PNCC’s floodgate assets within the area were cleared of any debris which could restrict them from opening, and the culvert outlet near Waterloo Park was cleaned. 8.26. The Fitzroy groynes, near Roxburgh Crescent, have had the build up of driftwood and trees removed. The debris was stacked on the river berm and disposed of by burning. Flood debris that had earlier been deposited on the berm, then stacked into piles during winter, was also burned. Any remaining debris was buried. Palmerston North City Council and the New Zealand Fire Service were notified prior to the fires being lit and no fires were left unattended. 8.27. A new track has been constructed upstream of ANZAC Cliffs to enable vehicular and plant access to the new rock lining for maintenance and repairs. The current ramp down the cliff face is not a permanent feature. Once construction is completed the ramp will be removed and replaced with steps and a narrow walking track, unsuitable for access to the rock for maintenance activities. Spraying of the rock was undertaken soon after completion of the track, along with additional willow pole planting where the gravel cofferdam was located during construction of the rock lining.
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8.28. Officers have continued maintenance tasks along the Manawatu River, floodway and
around the Moutoa sluice gates and tower. These included inspecting and clearing 8 floodgates and apron area; spraying the lime caps of the gate piers; planting; mowing; new fencing and maintenance; cleaning drains; minor stopbank repairs; rebuilding of a double
ramp; and wave lap damage repairs at Foxton Beach. Item 8.29. The June 2015 event caused significant damage along the banks at Hoults yard in Aokautere, where a slip caused recently constructed bank protection works to be taken out by the flood. The contract for repair works was awarded in the autumn however, due to rock supply issues and weather conditions, work has been delayed and is programmed for this summer. In the interim, all projects undertaken in the LMS have been reviewed to ensure that the works at any given location accurately reflect an appropriate level of service. The proposed bank protection at Hoults yard is, by a large margin, the highest single cost item in the scheme, post the June 2015 flood event. The review concluded that the works proposed substantially overstated what would constitute an adequate level of service at this location and accordingly the design was modified to a form considered more appropriate in this context. Officers recently met with the landowners to explain the revised scope of works and give the landowners the option of contributing to the higher standard design initially proposed. 8.30. The construction of a wake boarding park close to the base of the Foxton Loop stopbanks, at the south end of Foxton Township has triggered an assessment as to whether the excavation has impacted on the integrity of the stopbank at this location. 8.31. Wave lap damage at Foxton Beach has resulted in the stopbank and concrete wall that provides protection against storm surges being compromised. It appears that the mouth of the Foxton estuary may have shifted slightly exposing this area to recent strong westerlies. The concrete riprap that did offer erosion protection has disappeared in places leaving the foundation of the wall and stopbank exposed to continuing wave lap damage. Concrete riprap has been placed to prevent further erosion of the stopbank and a rock lining that will protect the concrete wall will be constructed in the first quarter of next year. It is anticipated that rock will be stockpiled between the Sailing Club and the concrete wall in January. Given the vulnerability of the asset, a contingency plan has been implemented and the area is inspected weekly by officers until the works are complete. 8.32. A stockpile of rock has been assembled at AgResearch ready for use in the Turitea Stream adjacent to the Kindergarten. Placement is scheduled for January. 8.33. Site investigations and cost estimates have been provided to our Freshwater Team for proposed works to undertake clearance of vegetation on Massey Farms No’s.1 and 4. 8.34. Bank stabilisation works that threatened an Urupa on the Manawatu River has been undertaken after consultation with landowners, local iwi and Tanenuiarangi Manawatu Incorporated (TMI). This involved the re-battering of a cliff followed by planting of willow poles and native species. Officers involved all affected parties in the planning stages and during the works, to ensure that everything was executed as intended. 8.35. A drone flyover was completed above Ashhurst Domain to generate an up-to-date picture of the movement of the river which is occurring in this area. The aerial mosaic was then compared to a series of historical aerial photographs dating back to 1942. Looking back at past river channel locations can assist in planning and design decision making, as it shows how meanders have oscillated in a particular reach. Of particular interest here is that the river has eroded accretion land that has built up over the last 70 years, returning to an alignment last seen in 1942. Officers are awaiting confirmation from PNCC regarding how they wish to proceed. 8.36. Scheme engineers have been assisting PNCC with He Ara Kotahi, the shared path that will run along the Manawatu River, and the Kahuterawa and Turitea Streams. The working party, chaired by PNCC to undertake this project, involves New Zealand Defence Force, Massey Farms, Rangitāne, NZTA, PowerCo and Horizons. Much of the current pathway
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stage is now complete, with only a few weeks of work remaining for the transition section
8 from Fitzherbert Bridge down to the river side path. 8.37. Officers have also been working with PNCC to design a suitable shared pathway crossing
of the Kahuterawa Stream at Bells Road in Linton Army Camp. This is particularly Item Item problematic as a cost effective low level bridge has associated risks of use due to the probability of it being submerged during medium freshes. 8.38. On 21 October, tenders closed for the contract to replace the Whirokino Trestle Bridge over the Manawatu River and Moutoa floodway. The contract is managed by the NZTA, and it is anticipated that the contract will be awarded in the first quarter of next year with significant works starting next summer, which will have an effect on river users at this location. The project is expected to require over 200,000 m3 of fill; taking this from river berm sites would clearly constitute a win-win. Staff have continued to make both NZTA staff and their agents aware of this option and the community benefits it would provide.
OROUA RIVER
8.39. Wet ground conditions and high river levels have delayed the start of programmed repair works on the Oroua. These works include programmed maintenance and the completion of all remaining flood damage sites from the June 2015 flood. 8.40. The raising of the stopbank at Saunders property in the Glen Oroua region has re- commenced. Started in the last financial year, the work was suspended over the winter period. Approximately 1,000 m of stopbank has been raised to height, with the remaining 300 m scheduled to be completed by late November. 8.41. Given the higher than expected flood levels in the June 2015 event, willow mulching has been prioritised on the Oroua River, with the programme completed for the 2016-2017 season. This has formed an integral part of vegetation management ensuring that willow vegetation provides adequate bank protection with strong root structure, while ensuring that the willow trees do not form an obstacle for flow paths. Work was first undertaken at Saunders on the right bank of the river to ensure willow restriction did not direct flows onto the newly constructed stopbank. Work was then undertaken from 2 km to 4 km on the right bank and 2 km to 7 km on the left bank, which connected to the mulching work done in the 2015-2016 season. 8.42. Following on from repair work done during the June 2015 flood, willow planting was undertaken to reinforce concrete riprap assets which had been placed in the summer of 2015-2016. This work forms a part of the MCDEM insurance claim. 8.43. Staff are continuing to explore a range of options to address the build up of silt on the berms of the Oroua River between Kopane Bridge and Hoihere Road (the reduction in flood flow conveyance and the consequent diminishment of levels of service). One option involves re-battering the stopbank sides from a 1 in 2 batter slope to a 1 in 7 batter slope and the second re-contouring of paddocks adjacent to the river. Initial feedback from landowners has seen two main issues raised; the transportation of the noxious weed field horsetail (Equisetum Arvense) from the river channel to farmland, and the potential decrease in fertility of land as a result of the silt spreading. Silt relocation aims to remove 72,900 m3 of silt from within the channel within four years, with just over 11,000 m3 used as part of Saunders stopbank upgrade. Consultation with landowners is progressing well and it is expected that agreements with landowners will be finalised mid-November with a contract going to tender late November for works to commence early next year. 8.44. Scheme engineers are assisting the Rural Upgrade Project upgrade of the Oroua River stopbanks, including introducing the project delivery team to some of our well known landowners. The involvement of River Management staff is important in ensuring that the works are carried out in a manner that compliments ongoing organisational and management activity.
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8.45. In preparation for rural upgrade works, significant work has been undertaken downstream
of the Rangiotu Bridge. This has involved the filling of a large erosion hole with concrete 8 and the mulching of willows to alleviate flow pressure. The upgrade work in this area has seen Horizons purchase land from Turks Poultry to enable the demolition of an existing
building, and allow a better stopbank alignment. The concrete received from the Item demolished building has been repurposed directly downstream of the site to ensure that a scour hole parallel to the Rangiotu Marae is rectified. 8.46. Lighting installations at the Hoihere Road barrier are almost completed. Solar powered floodlights will provide lighting to barrier installers if an event occurs during the hours of darkness. The lights are turned on via a switch located inside the storage bunker onsite. During the LMS Liaison Committee meeting, it was suggested that an ‘Open Day’ style event should be held at the Hoihere Road barrier. The purpose of this would be to provide an opportunity to inform members of the surrounding community how the barrier is installed and show how quickly this can be done when required. The meeting date has not yet been finalised, but is planned to take place before March next year. 8.47. Staff have been dealing with accretion claims on the Oroua River, one located downstream of State Highway 3 towards Awahuri, with a second regarding the land parcels of MDC’s water treatment plant, which will tidy up the area significantly. In some areas it would be preferable to retain an esplanade strip or reserve to allow room for future river channel migration to occur. This would reduce the confinement of a river and the potential for significant protection works in the future. Currently there is no general policy for this kind of land reservation to occur.
MANGAONE STREAM
8.48. The Mangaone Stream city reach is frequently inspected by scheme engineers and, overall, is in a good condition with regards to flood protection. Any areas where risk to stopbanks becomes imminent, works are undertaken immediately. 8.49. A drone fly-by to record the channel condition from Flygers Line to the confluence with the Manawatu River has been undertaken. A frequent problem when inspecting assets is that defects may be hidden under long grass or by high river levels. Inspection by drone is no different, and although this task has been ready to go for several weeks, it was delayed due to sodden ground conditions which made mowing difficult and water levels remaining relatively high. The drone videography is planned to be completed by the end of November. The advantage of a drone is to be able to spot river alignment problems that are not readily apparent from the ground, and also to have a record of the condition of channel that can be compared to future fly-bys. 8.50. Scheme engineers continue to check the Flygers Line spill gates at least once a week to make sure they will perform as designed in a flood event. This is necessary as the land around the gates is often grazed, occasionally resulting in gates being pushed over unintentionally. Additional inspections are undertaken prior to forecast severe weather events, especially if cattle have been seen in the area. It is likely the CCTV camera will be added at some point in the future as a more robust and cost-effective monitoring solution. 8.51. Investigations into the replacement of the gabion baskets downstream of the Tremaine Avenue Bridge have started. Clearly, PNCC take responsibility for erosion protection of their bridges; the gabion walls that extend downstream of the Tremaine Avenue Bridge are also identified as their assets. The walls are in very poor condition and their failure is likely to result in a stopbank breach. Repeated requests to PNCC staff to urgently replace the structures have so far prompted no action. In any event, the assets more logically lie with Horizons; provision has been made in the draft AP to replace the structures as an addendum to the City Reach Project.
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8.52. Mowing of the Mangaone Stream city reaches has been completed twice this reporting
8 period. Due to prolonged wet ground conditions and significant vegetation growth, both mows were very difficult. During the November mow, the right bank downstream of Flygers Line was also mown as the grass in the area had grown so long that the usual
Item Item grazing efforts would not be effective. 8.53. After the stopbanks and berm areas are mown, manual trimming with a weed-eater is undertaken around structures such as sign posts and areas which are too wet for the tractor. Officers monitor and undertake when possible, additional vegetation maintenance behind fence lines where fly tipping or hidden hazards are not an issue. This work includes weed spraying, grass trimming and removing saplings before they grow to become an issue. A total of four medium to large trees have been removed by arborists from within the stream reserve this reporting period. 8.54. The recently cleared old dog pound site on Botanical Road will likely be used as a stock pile area for works to be undertaken by PNCC in the coming months. PNCC have resource consent to construct walkway / cycleway underpasses at bridges throughout the city, and have recently put out to tender the projects located at Botanical Road and Highbury Avenue. It is understood that works will not commence until early next year. Scheme officers have been working with PNCC and have been fully involved in the process. 8.55. Scheme officers also assisted PNCC in undertaking mulching and spraying of considerable areas of blackberry and vegetation on the left bank below Pioneer Highway. The Mangaone Stream at this location has been inaccessible, and this clearance work will open up the stream for recreational use and the construction of a lime pathway, which will extend behind the Awapuni Race Course to Totara Road. The work was undertaken by an approved Horizons’ contractor and supervised by Horizons on behalf of PNCC, who funded the work. While on site, several log jams were removed from within the channel which had previously been very difficult to access. 8.56. Our staff continue to manage enquiries and requests from the public and neighbouring residents regarding the Mangaone Reserve, and work hard to respond to any concerns in a timely manner. It is also appreciated when members of the public alert staff when they see something new suddenly appear. One such alert was received the morning after a large fresh had deposited a very bulky tree stump on the Railway Bridge. Because of this early warning, staff were able to mobilise an excavator the same day to remove the trunk before the water levels rose again the following evening. 8.57. The stopbanks are continuing to be monitored for excessive vehicular movements and any damage repaired as necessary. New access gates and fencing are in the process of being installed across several points within the city where vehicular access is easy. Underground services have been marked by the associated utility companies, and any new fence lines will be constructed outside these areas to avoid possible damage. A recent example highlighting the need for these barriers occurred in November when a stolen van was driven along a stopbank and was abandoned. 8.58. Vegetation was removed from the Mangaone West Stream, immediately upstream and downstream of the Feilding–Awahuri Road, on behalf of the MDC.
MAKINO STREAM
8.59. Investigations were undertaken on the Makino Stream upstream of the diversion structure to assess the condition of the channel in light of the debris that collects on the diversion structure in a flood, and the effect that the urbanisation of the surrounding countryside may have on the flood carrying capacity of the stream. The scheme ends just upstream of the structure, and therefore the only works that have been undertaken on this reach of the Makino is by way of environmental grants.
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8.60. Flood damage repairs were completed on the stream edge timber wall in the Palmer
Reserve, Feilding Township. 8 8.61. A stockpile of 200 kg grade rock, plus another of concrete interlocking blocks, was
assembled ready for use in the summer construction period. Item Item 8.62. Two webcams have now been successfully installed on the Makino Stream. The two cameras live stream images of the Makino diversion structure and the stream at the Duke Street Bridge breakout point. These cameras have been installed as part of the Makino diversion structure upgrade works which are intended to decrease the response time required to lower the Makino diversion gates and operate the spillway. 8.63. On 7 October, the Makino Stream experienced a flood of 33 cumecs. Staff were on standby to operate the diversion gates. Fortunately, it was not required. 8.64. This flood created two erosion problems which required urgent repairs. Both sites were below Feilding Township and rock was used to secure both sites. 8.65. A local contractor has been engaged as a ‘backup’ for operating the Makino diversion gates in future. 8.66. At the Pharazyn Road floodgates, a lockable storage box has been permanently set up on site in which to store sand bags. 8.67. Windblown trees blocking the stream were removed from two separate sites.
KIWITEA STREAM
8.68. A programme of machine planting of willow poles has been completed in the lower reach of the Kiwitea Stream as part of the LMS i.e. Kimbolton Road Bridge downstream to the confluence with the Oroua River.
DERBY CREEK
8.69. No works have been undertaken on Derby Creek this reporting period.
STONEY CREEK
8.70. No works have been undertaken in this reporting period.
MANGAORE STREAM
8.71. All floodgates have been inspected, with no other works undertaken in this reporting period.
MOUTOA FLOODWAY
8.72. Inspection of all floodways, stopbanks and floodgates has been completed. Maintenance tasks have included spraying of lime on the tops of the piers, spraying on pier concrete, minor removal of silt and debris from the apron, general maintenance around the control tower, stopbank mowing and floodgate inspections. 8.73. The sluice gates are run every six weeks and the six monthly electrical testing of the gates was completed in November. 8.74. A culvert pipe was also replaced over the gas line in Whirikino in conjunction with FirstGas.
TOKOMARU RIVER
8.75. General inspections of all assets, including floodgates, have been undertaken. The winch was repaired on the floodgate located on Woods’ property.
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LOWER KIWITEA STREAM SCHEME 8 8.76. The Lower Kiwitea Scheme Liaison Committee meeting was held at Mr Wilkins (Chair)
property on 10 November. Item Item 8.77. A programme of willow planting has been completed on the Lower Kiwitea Stream. Approximately 5000 poles have been machine planted to date. 8.78. Channel clearing of flood debris and the relocating of gravel point-bars which were causing erosion problems, were completed as the machinery moved up the stream. 8.79. Several existing erosion repair sites have had extra work completed on them as a result of the smaller flood events over the winter period. 8.80. Gravel extraction was completed on several sites. 8.81. A gravel study has been completed on the Kiwitea Stream by Investigations and Design staff and was presented at the Lower Kiwitea Scheme Liaison Committee meeting. The study was completed to identify if the stream bed is aggrading or degrading and to check if the annual consented gravel extraction volume matches the available gravel resources. 8.82. At present there is no gravel extraction allowed in the lower reach of the stream i.e. 0 km to 1.0 km, and extraction allowable on the balance i.e. 1.0 km to 14 km (5000 m3 annually). Recommendation from the study is that the gravel extraction volume remains at 5000 m3 annually, and that the location is reversed i.e. extraction allowable in the lower half of the scheme and not in the upper reaches. 8.83. A new run of aerial photographs covering the scheme area was flown on 23 October 2016.
KAHUTERAWA STREAM SCHEME
8.84. A large Macrocarpa tree fell across the stream in the upper reach of the scheme. Under the current resource consent, this time of year is within the exclusion period for work in the stream. Therefore, permission / notification was applied for and the works to remove the tree was completed. The tree was used to finish a permeable rope and rail deflector groyne at the same site. 8.85. A landowner required urgent assistance after a recent fresh, when his bridge was washed out and he was stranded at home. Officers arranged for a contractor to undertake emergency repairs to assist the landowner.
ASHHURST STREAM SCHEME
8.86. A full inspection of the stream channel was completed. Maintenance work was completed at the flood wall immediately upstream of North Street i.e. cut and spray of rank grass.
LOWER MANAWATU SCHEME RURAL FLOOD PROTECTION UPGRADE PROJECT
8.87. The following table schedules all current Rural Upgrade Project works and provides commentary on 2016-17 project status.
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Project Title Description Status 8 Manawatu River Right Bank Stopbank Upgrade, Te Matai Upgrade 4,700 m of stopbank Due to landowner concerns, a section on the right bank of the of the proposed stopbank upgrade and Rd Item Manawatu River adjoining Te alignment through a farm in this Matai Rd, Whakarongo. location has been postponed until 2017-18. A tender for the remaining section through Higgins Aggregates has been awarded to M&M Earthmovers Ltd and works are currently in progress. Manawatu River Right Bank Stopbank Upgrade, Upgrade 1,600 m of stopbank This project is currently out to tender Longburn Railway on the right bank of the with a closing date of 12 Dec 2016. Manawatu River along the Land entry negotiations with KiwiRail railway line and adjoining cannot be finalized until the preferred farmland east of Longburn. tenderer has been appointed and trained. Manawatu River Right Bank Stopbank Upgrade, DOC Upgrade 930 m of the This contract was awarded to Paranui Reserve, Springs Rd, Manawatu River right bank Contractors Ltd during the 2015-16 Whirokino stopbank on Department of financial year and was suspended in Conservation reserve land at May 2016 due to the onset of wet two locations in the vicinity of weather. The contractor has since re- Whirokino Rd and Springs Rd, established on site and works are Whirokino. continuing as weather and ground conditions permit. Manawatu River Left Bank Stopbank Upgrade, Upgrade 200 m of the Survey and design work will be Koputaroa Manawatu River left bank undertaken for this work along with stopbank at Koputaroa. land entry negotiations in January 2017. Manawatu River Right Bank Concrete Floodwall, Ervine Construct 35 m of concrete Survey and design work is complete. A Property, Rangiotu floodwall on the Manawatu contract has been awarded to ABC River right bank at the Ervine Contractors Ltd. Work will commence property, Rangiotu. on site when weather and ground conditions permit. Oroua River Left & Right Bank Stopbank Upgrade, Upgrade 3,300 m of existing This project is currently out to tender Downstream of Awahuri stopbank and construct 1,300 with a closing date of 12 Dec 2016. Bridge m of new stopbank on the left The land entry agreement with and right banks of the Oroua Livestock Improvement Corporation River immediately downstream (LIC) is currently being finalised. of the SH3 Bridge at Awahuri. Oroua River Left & Right Bank Stopbank Upgrade, Construct new stopbanks on Survey and design work will continue Upstream of Awahuri Bridge the left & right banks of the through into January. This project to Feilding. Oroua River from the Makino involves a number of difficult design Stream confluence upstream issues due to the complex river terrace of the SH3 Bridge at Awahuri. alignment as well as there being no This project will extend over a pre-existing stopbanks in this area. river distance of approximately 6,000m to Feilding. Oroua River Left and Right Bank Stopbank Upgrade, Upgrade existing stopbanks on A tender for this work has been Rangiotu the left and right banks of the awarded to M&M Earthmovers Ltd and Oroua River from the Rangiotu works are currently in progress at this Rd bridge to the Manawatu site. Demolition works and site River confluence. Works will clearance of the pre-existing Turks extend over a river distance of Poultry building have been completed. 3,000 m. Oroua River Right Bank, Te Rangimarae Marae Concrete Construction of a 45 m long by An engineer has completed design Floodwall, Rangiotu 2.6 m high concrete floodwall work for this concrete wall. The marae on the Oroua River right bank building and narrow berm width at this adjoining the Te Rangimarae location prevent the continuation of the Marae. upgraded stopbank past this point.
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Drawings will be completed and works
8 commence upon completion of the adjoining stopbank upgrade project. Linton Main Drain Left and Right Bank Stopbank Upgrade existing stopbanks on This project will be released for tender Item Item Upgrade, Tane Rd the left and right banks of the by 1 Dec with a closing date of 9 Jan Linton Main Drain downstream 2016. Agreement has been reached of Tane Road. Works will with right bank landowners and extend over a river distance of Horowhenua District Council to permit 1,000 m. The right bank Linton Drain Rd to be raised. involves undertaking road re- construction along the crest of the upgraded stopbank. Tokomaru River Left and Right Bank Stopbank Upgrade existing stopbanks on Investigations into existing stopbank Upgrade, Okuku Rd the left and right banks of the and foundation material integrity have Tokomaru River from Okuku been completed. Design work is Pumpstation upstream to Opiki expected to be completed by 5 Dec Road. Works will extend over a 2016. The contract tender is expected river distance of 4,300 m. to have a closing date of 9 Jan 2017. LEA negotiations will be finalised during December. Tenders for this project have closed Mangaore Stream Left and Upgrade existing stopbanks on and a contract has been awarded to Right Bank Stopbank the left and right banks of the Graeme Bagrie Contracts Ltd. A Upgrade, Shannon Mangaore Stream downstream contract start date of 1 February has of Otauru Road, Shannon. been agreed to. Works will extend over a river distance of 2,700 m. Protect Individual Property, J.Mason, Lockwood Rd Lift the Mason house at 943 This landowner has confirmed they Lockwood Rd by 300 mm to a want the house to be raised. Alpha height of RL 10.19 m Group Ltd have been engaged to complete drawings and resolve a number of structural complications around raising this house as well as obtaining Building Code ‘Section 112’ approval from Manawatu District Council. Protect Individual Property, Taonui Farms, Main Drain Provide flood protection to the An agreement has been reached with Rd Taonui Farms dairy shed to a the landowner and design work is height of RL 10.19 m. expected to be completed by late- December. Protect Individual Property, Rangiotu Estates, Highway Provide flood protection to the An agreement has been reached with 56 Rangiotu Estates dairy shed to the landowner and design work is a height of RL 10.19 m. expected to be completed by late January. Protect Individual Property, P. Sales, Rangiotu Rd. Construct a flood protection Although this property protection work bund around the motorcycle is programmed for 2017-18, it is more workshop on this property cost-effective to complete the works where it adjoins the Oroua during the current construction season River left bank stopbank, and forming part of the adjoining Rangiotu. Oroua River left bank stopbank upgrade. Foxton Storm Surge Repair Stabilise erosion areas of the A rock supply contract is currently out concrete floodwall where to tender with a closing date of 9 Dec coastal erosion has been 2016. The subsequent rock placement undermining the wall. contract will be put out to tender by 5 Dec 2016 with a closing date of 9 Jan 2017. Oroua River Right Bank Stopbank Upgrade, Raise a section of right bank A contract was awarded to John Ray Saunders Property, Kopane. stopbank and widen a Ltd in 2016-17 which was suspended localized area of river channel. in May due to the onset of wet weather. The contractor has since re- established on site and works are
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continuing as weather and ground
conditions permit. Works are expected 8 to be complete by 5 Dec 2016. Feilding Golf Club Repay Feilding Golf Course Repayment was made on 18 Oct 2016. $75,000 for work advanced Item ahead of programme and paid for by them in 2013-14. City Reach Project: Benmore Ave Stopbank Upgrade a section of the The design work for this project has Upgrade Flygers Line Spillway stopbank been outsourced. Land entry adjoining Benmore Ave, negotiations will be undertaken during Palmerston North. December and a tender is expected to be advertised by mid-January 2017.
9. NORTHERN AREA
GENERAL
9.1. The reporting period has seen the weather conditions move from the cold, wet environment of winter to the rapid plant growing warmer spring period. In general terms, the work programme has followed the seasons where asset data processing and work programming occurs during the cold months, willow and native vegetation planting takes place in the autumn before conditions warm, through to the commencement of our construction season in late spring. We now have a wide range of work activities underway and look forward to a productive summer.
TRAINING AND FORUMS
9.2. Staff have been involved in several training opportunities this period including: The Area Engineer Northern attended a two day tour of Environment Canterbury river schemes on 4 and 5 August looking at a variety of river management techniques. Three staff attended the IPENZ Rivers Group workshop in Wellington on 29 and 30 September. A number of staff have attended a range of Chainsaw courses. The need for good proficient training in this field is emphasised by the number of injuries and deaths that occur annually in the forestry sector.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
9.3. This period a northern staff member has attended two Bulls Community River Group meetings where discussions focused around future planting following the completion of 370 m of rock lining upgrade on the right bank of the Rangitikei River at Bulls Bridge. Along with clearing and contouring the adjacent river berm, the contractor’s completed rock lining is of a very high standard. 9.4. Northern area staff are actively involved in the Ruapehu District Council (RUDC) Wai Group that meets regularly in Ohakune which has the aim to better holistically manage the waterways in the district. Recent meetings were held on 10 October and 17 November. 9.5. Staff attended the Rangitikei Environment Group Meeting hosted by the RDC on 19 October. 9.6. Scheme Liaison meetings have been held for all the larger schemes in the northern area. These are also noted in the individual scheme reports.
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RANGITIKEI RIVER CONTROL SCHEME 8 RANGITIKEI MAINTENANCE WORKS
Item Item 9.7. Now that winter is behind us there is a challenging work programme ahead of us to not only achieve the scheme’s regular maintenance works, but to also complete nearly $600,000 of June 2015 flood damage. 9.8. One area of particular interest is the repairs to the Wilson Rock riprap toe lining. This asset has received repetitive damage in large floods and a more integrated approach is to be followed in this repair process. In addition to the rock lining repair identified and supported by MCDEM there will be incorporated extensive beach clearing, willow planting, and river realignment works to help lessen the impact of future flood flows on the site. Close consultation has been maintained with adjacent landowners who now fully support this initiative. 9.9. The Opus project for Transit New Zealand upgrading the rock lining on the right bank upstream of the Bulls Bridge is now complete. This work was completed in a very professional and efficient programme that was able to continue construction through a range of winter water levels. Site re-instatement was completed to a high standard that now gives community groups a selection of options available to them to further enhance the site for public enjoyment. 9.10. Currently staff have commenced investigations for preparing an application for a global resource gravel extraction consent for the Rangitikei River Scheme. The approval of this consent will greatly assist scheme engineers manage the build up of gravel in the system to the betterment of river management. Staff are getting quotes from an engineering consultant for the preparation of these consent applications.
RANGITIKEI CAPEX WORKS
PAREWANUI STOP BANK UPGRADE FOR 2016-17
9.11. Tenders for this work closed on 6 October with four tenders received. The tender documents called for contractors to submit two tenders as MCDEM funding for the project was still to be confirmed. Option A tender, was for 750 m of stopbank upgrade and Option B tender was for 1300 m of stopbank upgrade. The Parewanui stopbank upgrade work is located on the Walmac Farm near Scotts Ferry from river distance 5 km to 6 km. Each tenderer submitted two tenders each, but during the tender assessment process Option A was confirmed as the preferred option. The successful tenderer was Graeme Bagrie Contracts Ltd of Waitarere with a tender price of $168,001.25. An acceptance letter was issued on 21 October 2016 with possession of site being given on Monday 7 November 2016. Unfortunately, due to very wet weather patterns work was not able to commence until 21 November.
WILSON ROCK RIPRAP TOE LINING
9.12. Last financial year the rock lining flood damage at the Wilson Rock site at river distance 27.4 km (right bank) of the Rangitikei River was postponed due to poor weather conditions, high river flows and awaiting MCDEM funding approval. Eight shortened rope and rail groynes were installed along with placement of 300 tonnes of rock at the head of the groynes to protect against further bank erosion. This period tender documents were prepared to complete these rope and rail groynes along with the rock riprap toe lining to be constructed this coming summer. 9.13. The contract was advertised via TenderLink; a pre-tender meeting was held on 27 October 2016 with two contractors attending. Two tenders were received at the contract closing date on 10 November with the successful tenderer being John Ray Ltd with a tender price of $399,167.50. The acceptance letter was issued on 18 November River and Drainage Engineering Report (PRD 01 02) Page 48
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2016. The inaugural site meeting is planned for Monday 28 November 2016. An Entry
Agreement was signed up with the property owner in late October. 8
RANGITIKEI RIVER ENHANCEMENT Item Item 9.14. No enhancement work undertaken this period.
GRAVEL EXTRACTION
9.15. No gravel extraction has taken place from Council’s consents in the reporting period.
POHANGINA-OROUA RIVER CONTROL SCHEME
9.16. A Scheme Liaison Committee meeting was held on 18 November at Country Fayre in Pohangina. Following the meeting a field trip was organised to give the committee an opportunity to inspect river works completed on the Andrew MacDonald and Ian Passey properties. This was greatly appreciated by those attending and stimulated some lively discussion between members.
POHANGINA RIVER
9.17. Pole planting is now complete for the season with some 5,400 poles installed. It is pleasing to see this trend in increased planting as Horizons has been looking to the farmers on this river to support a greater rate of willow installation to provide future stock for river protection work. 9.18. On the negative side however, the plan to establish a field nursery on the Bolton property downstream of the Saddle Road Bridge has been cancelled. Following a feasibility investigation by an experienced willow nurseryman the site has been deemed too dark with insufficient drainage and limited security to exclude four wheel drive vehicles to guarantee good willow growth. While this is regrettable, there are better options for willow plantings in the catchment and staff continue to explore other sites. 9.19. Other work on the Pohangina has included a short section of channel maintenance along the right bank below the Edwards property where the river was starting to undermine protection works already in place. At this location we have cleared the site of blackberry and unwanted trees then followed through with the planting of approximately 200 new willow poles. We are also in discussions with a gravel merchant about removing the local built up beach that is narrowing the channel and forcing water towards the river bank.
GRAVEL EXTRACTION
9.20. A total of 510 m3 of gravel was extracted in the August to November period.
OROUA RIVER
9.21. Pole planting is now complete for the season with some 4,235 poles installed. The largest single planting of 1,500 poles was on the McDougal property at the top end of the scheme. This area had a large number of mature pine trees that have been a nuisance to the scheme when they frequently fell into the river and required removal. The owner has recently decided to harvest them and this left the river bank area vulnerable to erosion. Several holes had been steadily developing along the reach and a repair using rope and rail groyne structures is soon to commence. In addition, minor channel maintenance is also planned. These willows were planted in late October and the warmish, wet conditions experienced since then have allowed the area to rejuvenate quite well. 9.22. Other work is planned at the Pettigrew property on Londons Ford Road and involves a short length of tree bank protection work, starting late November.
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GRAVEL EXTRACTION 8 9.23. A total of 10,932 m3 of gravel was extracted in the August to November period.
Item Item TOTARA RESERVE
9.24. As soon as the spring weather stabilises and the river levels drop work is planned to start on the rope and rail groyne at Totara Reserve on the left bank north of the Old Coach Road. There are several erosion spots along this section of the Pohangina and contractors are currently pricing up this work to start late November to early December. An additional 280 willow poles were planted in the reserve at the two repair sites recently completed in August and September. This brings the total willow poles planted in the reserve to 1280.
RAUMAI BRIDGE EROSION PROTECTION
9.25. For several years now concern has been expressed about the deterioration of the channel alignment in the Pohangina River immediately upstream of the Raumai Bridge. Following the June 2015 flood event, serious bank erosion on the right bank of the Pohangina River had encroached and was threatening to potentially sever the road access to the Raumai Bridge. 9.26. Designs were prepared and discussions were held with MDC as to the impact of a flood event that could detrimentally affect their assets. Consequently financial approval was given by MDC for Horizons’ staff to manage the proposed contract. Contract documentation was completed, tenders were called and the successful tenderer, John Ray Ltd, was awarded the contract for a sum of $179,150. Work on the 12 week contract commenced on the 15 August 2016 to construct a major rock groyne and associated rope and rail groynes to mitigate future flood erosion to the right bank of the Pohangina River. This lengthy contract period was allowed for to mitigate the expected difficulties expected in the supply of rock. 9.27. As it was, the supply of rock was excellent and the placement of 1840 tonnes of rock was completed on the 27 September. On the 19 October work commenced on installing four rope and rail tree groynes and these were completed on 11 November 2016.
UPPER WHANGANUI RIVER MANAGEMENT SCHEME
9.28. The Scheme Liaison meeting was held on 10 November in Taumarunui. 9.29. There were no issues with the proposed works programme for this current year, although there was some discussion on whether it was necessary to continue with the current level of funding for next years’ works programme. When the Ongarue River was bought into the Upper Whanganui Scheme it was envisaged that it would take six years to complete the removal of the old crop poplars through the urban township. Due to operational efficiencies this is now likely to be completed in five years. 9.30. Staff will look at the schemes’ long-term objectives to assess the feasibility of reducing the operational budget one year early from $99,000 to $60,000 in next years’ AP.
TARINGAMOTU RIVER MANAGEMENT SCHEME
9.31. The Scheme Liaison Committee meeting was held on 10 November in Taumarunui. 9.32. There were no issues with the proposed works programme for this current year that would see the completion of stage one, debris blockage clearance work, and the commencement of stage two works that focused more on riparian vegetation management. 9.33. A proposed format to accelerate and complete stage two works over a two year programme funded by a loan drawdown would be put to the Liaison Committee for them to approve before it was presented at the 2017 Catchment Community meeting.
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9.34. No work undertaken this period. 8 MATARAWA FLOOD CONTROL SCHEME
9.35. The Scheme Liaison Committee meeting was held on 19 October in Whanganui. Item 9.36. Work on this scheme has been limited to dam inspection and minor maintenance as wet ground conditions have limited access to many sites. 9.37. Some negotiations with Mateongaonga Stream landowners is currently underway to gain waterway access to machinery for much needed vegetation maintenance. Flood waters are diverted to the Mateongaonga Stream via a diversion channel from the Matarawa Stream during high flows to help protect the Whanganui East area from flooding. To date these landowner negotiations have been unsuccessful which may then result in higher scheme costs as work will need to be undertaken manually. 9.38. A proposal to extend the Matarawa Scheme to include the urban reaches through Whanganui East is being prepared by staff. Over many years this section of the waterway has been ignored and unmaintained by property owners. The channel is congested with overgrown weeds, unwanted trees, and debris blockages. The magnitude of the work is now greater than what most landowners can handle and a managed approach by Horizons is required to return flow capacity to the system. Consultation with the community on this proposal is planned for early 2017 and if supported a recommendation to Council will follow for inclusion in next years’ AP.
TUTAENUI FLOOD CONTROL SCHEME
9.39. The Scheme Liaison Committee meeting was held on 17 October in Marton. 9.40. Only minor maintenance has been undertaken to date this year. This scheme operates on a very small operational budget and it has been found more efficient to delay non urgent work until mid summer when the stream dries up and access conditions improve. 9.41. Progress on the two significant studies currently underway for the Tutaenui Scheme are near completion and will be presented to Committee in December. The first being a scheme audit that will review performance objectives against those delivered and also investigate the potential to increase the flood protection standard to the community. The second is an exercise looking at flood plain modelling, with a particular interest in flood mitigation options for Marton and Bulls. 9.42. Work has begun on obtaining a global gravel extraction consent for the scheme. Several property owners in the lower reaches of the river below Curls Bridge have conveyed their concerns about gravel build up since the June 2015 flood. In some areas this build up has had a detrimental effect on channel shape and flow carrying capacities resulting in more frequent flow over the berms. By obtaining this consent staff will be better able to manage this problem and meet the expectation of the landowners.
MAKIRIKIRI FLOOD CONTROL SCHEME
9.43. No scheme work undertaken in this period. 9.44. An upgrade of culverts to 750 mm diameter through the stopbank on either side of the Makirikiri Stream road bridge was completed by RDC in November. The increased culvert size will greatly improve the drainage of water back to the stream following floods reducing the time that productive land is submerged.
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MAKIRIKIRI EGRESS GATE 8 9.45. Resulting from significant flood events in the Turakina River in October 2013 and again in June 2015, the need to construct a flood egress gate through the Makirikiri Scheme
Item Item stopbank become a high priority. The flooding on these occasions closed the Turakina Beach Road for several days isolating the Koitiata community. Floodwater from the Turakina River overflowed the surrounding farmland, causing extensive ponding against the outside of the Makirikiri Stream stopbanks. With no natural drainage options the rising flood level closed Turakina Beach Road. To mitigate extended road closures the Makirikiri Stream stopbank was mechanically breached to quickly lower the flood levels to ensure the Koitiata community was not isolated and subjected to an unacceptable risk to their wellbeing. 9.46. The installation of the flood egress structure was seen as a good solution to mitigate these risks by allowing drainage to occur immediately if there is a water level difference between the Makirikiri Stream and the ponded floodwater. This will reduce road closure times to hours rather than days. At the same time the scheme’s flood protection capability is not compromised. 9.47. The funding for this project is estimated at $125k with the largest share of nearly 60% being funded by the NZTA through RDC. Horizons Regional Council will then fund a further 30% of the cost by way of environmental grant with the remaining balance being met by the landowner. The high level of financial support from NZTA reflects the importance of providing a largely retired and aged community with access to community services outside of their township. 9.48. Tenders were called in March 2016 and the contract was let to ABC Contractors Ltd for a sum of $124,550 with an agreed start date for construction of 9 January 2017. The contract documents have now been signed by both Horizons and the contractor. By providing a lead in time and constructing the egress structure during the summer months considerable savings have been made. The contract period is six weeks. When finished the flood egress gate will become a depreciable Makirikiri Scheme asset, inspected and maintained by Horizons staff. 9.49. It must be noted that a high level of collaboration was achieved between both councils and the property owner throughout initial project discussions. The outcome being a design that will greatly benefit the local community.
POREWA FLOOD CONTROL SCHEME
9.50. A Scheme Liaison Committee meeting was held on 26 October at the Hunterville Town Hall. No issues were raised and the few attending enjoyed a general discussion on the scheme’s operation. 9.51. An accumulation of flood debris around the Hunterville sewer pipe stream crossing is being investigated by staff. Local landowners are being asked to remove flood gates from around the road bridge and sewer pipe that collect debris putting the security of the sewer pipe at risk. 9.52. Work replacing the temporary Bailey Bridge at Te Hou Hou Road by RDC is now complete. Some site reinstatement work still remains to be done before Christmas including the removal of a large pine tree and smaller Macrocarpa tree that are threatening to fall into the waterway.
WHANGAEHU MANGAWHERO RIVER MANAGEMENT SCHEME
9.53. The Scheme Liaison Committee meeting was held on 19 October in Whanganui and endorsed the proposed works programme which will be centred around maintenance aerial spraying operation.
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TURAKINA RIVER MANAGEMENT SCHEME 8 9.54. The Scheme Liaison Committee meeting was held in Marton on 28 October.
9.55. The committee endorsed the aerial spraying programme proposed by the scheme engineer Item Item and further approved the use of funds held in reserve if deemed necessary to extend this work for efficiency reasons.
LOWER WHANGANUI VEGETATION MANAGEMENT AND FLOOD PROTECTION PROGRAMME
9.56. The Scheme Liaison Committee meeting was held in Whanganui on 27 October. 9.57. After the 2015 stopbank upgrade in Kowhai Park it has been difficult to keep vehicles off the Shellrock walking track. In the last month staff have focused on eliminating the numerous access points by installing kneebreaker fencing, bollards and ditching. Repair work has been carried out to fill in wheel ruts both up the batter slope and across the crest. 9.58. During the winter there was an almost complete breakdown of the riprap walls downstream of the Q West shipbuilders. 70 m has been replaced together with a 30 m extension funded by the District Council. 9.59. There will be a focus in December on removing large areas of bamboo from both banks of the Matarawa as it flows through Kowhai Park. Bamboo increases the likelihood of ‘piping’ within a stopbank but it is a dreadful plant to eradicate and takes many years of persistent effort to get any measure of control. It is made more difficult in this type of riparian / park environment where the efficiency of some chemicals is questionable. 9.60. On 15 September staff were advised that an investigational borehole being drilled in Karoro Road had passed through a Whanganui District Council (WDC) 1600 mm diameter gravity sewer line close to the main WDC pumping station. Karoro Road is located beside Horizons’ Balgownie stopbank; the depth of the sewer line (located in the order of 7 to 8 m below ground level) and the sandy nature of the soils led to the rapid formation of a sinkhole in Karoro Road. As per a previous report to Council repairs will begin in the New Year when the sewer has been repaired. 9.61. Work has begun on preparations for the round of community consultation that is programmed for early next year where Horizons will talk to Whanganui residents on the level of flood protection they desire. Cost estimating associated with some of the more challenging / complex components of the earlier technical work are currently being revisited. 9.62. Staff have attended two meetings of the Whanganui Navigation and River Safety Group meetings held on 13 September and 15 November. 9.63. Early in the New Year the NZ Secondary School Triathlon Series is being held in Whanganui. Sports Whanganui have experienced some challenges in obtaining river access for the swim leg starts and staff have been providing advice in this respect.
PAKIHI SCHEME
9.64. The scheme will now have a biennial works programme commencing 2017-18.
FOREST ROAD DRAINAGE SCHEME
9.65. The Scheme Liaison Committee meeting was held at Forest Road on 11 October. 9.66. The fencing of drains throughout this scheme has increased the need for two weed sprays a year as the waterway banks are no longer being grazed. This unfortunately comes at a higher cost leaving less funding for other maintenance work. A re-adjustment of budget is required in the next LTP round.
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HAUNUI DRAINAGE SCHEME 8 9.67. A Scheme Liaison Committee meeting was held on 11 October. No issues were raised at the meeting and a general discussion took place on scheme management. Staff are to
Item Item look at getting a light mechanical clean of the open drain between the Bebarfald and Sainsbury’s properties before Christmas along with some drain spraying.
OTHER WORKS
NORTHERN ANNUAL SCHEME REPORT
9.68. Each year an Annual Report is prepared outlining the activities, and financial standing of the 14 schemes in the northern area for the previous financial year. Work has now commenced on the 2015-2016 report.
THE BIG FIVE
9.69. Currently one staff member is representing the Marton Service Centre on the Big 5 Strategy Group. Following a recent meeting all staff have been updated on some of those initiatives. They include the Creativity Group, who have been blown away by the number of ideas to create efficiencies for staff to help deliver the business needs of our customers, Service Centre Open Days, the ‘Good Sorts’ award which is to encourage staff to recognise those staff who embody the Big 5 in their work or who have gone the extra mile for someone in need.
PROPOSED OHAKUNE SCHEME
9.70. The Ohakune Township is seriously affected by flooding as waterways through the community are congested with vegetation, blocked by urban development, and in many locations under sized for the flow required of them. 9.71. Horizons has completed a flood modelling exercise for the town and prepared an upgrade proposal that will be taken to the community for feedback next year. The concept and feedback received will be brought to Council ahead of the process of beginning the update of the LTP.
ENGINEERING ADVICE
9.72. During the last four months there have been continued requests for advice on a variety of issues including rural flooding in non scheme areas, involving clearing blocked culverts, clearing stream channels of vegetation and fallen trees, drainage issues and flood damage work. 9.73. Another request involved a joint consultation by River Management and Natural Resources and Partnership staff working with a local iwi group from the Kai Iwi Marae regarding stream channel clearing work. In addition, requests have been made for checking rating areas on a farm and some survey assistance regarding an irrigation system. 9.74. Staff met with Transpower staff at Rangitatou East Road in Kai Iwi and provided advice on river management options to protect a power pylon at risk of being undermined by river erosion.
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OTHER PROJECTS 8 MOAWHANGO RIVER
9.75. The works programme is most likely to be centred around the control of regrowth willow Item between Maunganui Station and the confluence with the Aorangi Stream, but this is subject to a ground inspection to determine the extent of the problem.
MISCELLANEOUS
9.76. During August staff completed inputting all the scheme asset inspection data into the AMS. 9.77. A further Health and Safety meeting was held at the Marton Service Centre for staff from Whanganui, Taihape and Marton. 9.78. Over the past 18 months the Horizons Rural Advice Team have requested assistance from the River Management Team to assess the actual catchment boundaries pertaining to specific farms as it affects the resource consent conditions applicable to a particular farming operation. During the last four months northern staff have assessed seven separate farm properties located mainly in the coastal corridor from Wylie Road, Himitangi through to Parewanui Road, Bulls. 9.79. In early August 2016 letters were sent out to all properties with detention dams requesting invoices to pay property owners the annual licence agreement fee. To date 80% of property owners have responded and annual fees have been paid out. The licence agreement fee paid by Horizons acknowledges that the Council has rights under statute to enter the owner’s land at reasonable times with vehicles and other machinery or equipment in order to examine, clean, repair or otherwise maintain the existing dam and if necessary to reconstruct the dam and the works on the owner’s land. A recent change in land ownership for Porewa Scheme detention dam 75 has required the completing of a new Licence Agreement with the new landowners.
10. EASTERN AREA
GENERAL
10.1. The weather over the last four months has been fairly unsettled. As so often happens, spring tends to deliver more rain with greater intensities than we receive during winter. Fortunately, while this weather has caused the bigger rivers to fluctuate, they have not risen to the point of causing severe flooding. 10.2. The highest total rainfall recorded in the eastern catchment during the last four months was close to 1,400 mm and this was recorded at the Upper Mangahao hydro recording site in the Tararua Ranges, and while this was much the same as what fell during the same period last year, November has been particularly wet with over 500 mm falling this month alone. 10.3. Work efforts this period have seen the planting programmes for all schemes completed and the start of river maintenance works are well underway for most. The schemes that are a little behind are the Mangatainoka and Manawatu, and this is largely because these rivers have been too high and the paddocks have been too wet for machinery. 10.4. This period staff have also been busy introducing our new staff member (Matt Kilsby- Halliday) to the ratepayers, inspecting the rivers - post freshes, whilst also preparing for and undertaking Scheme Liaison Committee meetings. The Mangatainoka and South Eastern Ruahine Scheme meetings were held on 26 October, and the Upper Manawatu- Lower Mangahao and Eastern Manawatu meetings were held on 27 October. These meetings were well attended and there was good discussion, generally in regard to the seasons programmed works.
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10.5. With the summer roading season for the District Council (Tararua) and NZTA starting to
8 kick off, contractors have been busy sourcing gravel for this work. So far 10,000 m³ has been allocated from each of the Manawatu reaches as well as the full 14,000 m³ from the
Mangatainoka. Item Item 10.6. A recent inspection of the eastern areas willow plantings have shown that the Giant Willow Aphid has, as it usually does, disappeared over winter. However, our expectation is that while the pest will return it is unlikely to be any worse than last year. This season staff have planted bigger poles to combat mortalities caused by the pest (last season the smaller poles were often overcome by the infestation) and tried to plant a greater percentage of other varieties, varieties that appeared to be less desirable. Staff continue to work with the Willow and Poplar Collective to learn more about the problem.
AKITIO SCHEME
10.7. Again, the Akitio catchment has remained fairly settled over the last four months. Like the rest of the eastern area, this catchment has had an increased level of rainfall but this has been fairly well spread out. The only period to note was during early September when close to 40 mm fell over several days. There have been no incidences of flooding so far this season and the rain has been welcomed by the landowners. 10.8. Because this season is again, a season of reduced works, there are no programmed works going forward. However, staff will be undertaking an inspection of the channel in preparation for next season’s maintenance spraying. There is also $1,000 available for minor works if needed. 10.9. Current inspections indicate that the channel is currently in a good condition, and as such, staff will continue to monitor the river for willow debris going forward. This will be completed while monitoring the debris accumulation at the river mouth which will be done in accordance with the agreement made with the local landowners last season. To date, inspections of the beach show that this material continues to do a good job of protecting the vulnerable foreshore from sea erosion.
EASTERN MANAWATU SCHEME
10.10. Like the Akitio, the Manawatu has again been settled over the last four months, in actual fact, records show that the Manawatu at Weber Road has so far been more settled than it has been in any other year in recent history. This has meant that there have been no significant debris dams forming that require clearing enabling staff to work on clearing minor blockages where one or two trees have fallen. 10.11. Over the last two months staff have also undertaken a small amount of planting and have been updating works programmes preparing for the season’s programmed works.
IHURAUA SCHEME
10.12. Ongoing inspections show that the Ihuraua Stream has remained clear and free flowing throughout winter and spring and as such, staff will continue to monitor its condition over the coming months while also planning the season’s programmed works. These include some substantial works to widen the channel in several locations and work identified in the last audit report which was postponed in order to allow a sufficient accumulation of funds to become available.
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MANGATAINOKA SCHEME 8 10.13. As mentioned earlier, the planting programmed for the season has been completed, but unfortunately the wet weather, while good for watering plantings, has made it hard to start
river bank protection works due to the higher flows and unpredictable water levels. Item 10.14. During this period staff have also been undertaking inspections. Staff have just begun bank protection works and the focus of these efforts will include catching up on any maintenance that had to be deferred from last season. There is a small amount of claimable work, still outstanding following the June 2015 flood event to be undertaken this season; however this can be undertaken utilising the emergency reserves that were approved last season. The total is only $22,000 worth and this will largely be covered by the pay out to come from the MCDEM. 10.15. Recently there has been a high level of interest in gravel for local roading projects and staff have been able to organise the material to be extracted from sites where it will benefit the river and scheme. The scheme is able to allocate 14,000 m³ annually, this has already been allocated and so far 11,000 m³ has already been taken. Most of this is being taken by the District Council for local road works.
SOUTH EASTERN RUAHINE SCHEME
10.16. The South Eastern Ruahine Scheme is ahead of the eight ball and has made good progress in undertaking not only its planting programme but also its bank protection works. Although river / stream levels have fluctuated recently this early start has been possible because these steep, small waterways quickly settle down to a workable water level. Fortunately this means two things; that the trees used in tree works are ready for a full season of growing and that once complete, the scheme manager can focus on undertaking work in the other rivers that are currently a little high. 10.17. During this period the Investigations & Design Team have been helping to investigate a flooding issue on Sinclairs Creek. This is a situation where there are multiple factors effecting the water level near the State Highway just south of Woodville and this has caused ponding around a house. Survey work has also been carried out and staff are looking at programming a combination of channel clearance and the lowering of a diversion structure. 10.18. Going forward, staff will be busy undertaking the remainder of the scheme works while inspecting the scheme for any new damage or maintenance to consider.
TAWATAIA - MANGAONE SCHEME
10.19. As with the Ihuraua, ongoing inspections indicate that the scheme is in a good position and that the drainage systems have worked well over the recent wetter months. 10.20. Going forward staff will continue to monitor channel performance and plan to undertake the seasons’ programmed works.
UPPER MANAWATU – LOWER MANGAHAO SCHEME
10.21. Like the Mangatainoka, the season’s programmed planting is complete, but higher river levels have meant that bank protection works are having to wait. 10.22. Again, like the Mangatainoka, the works programme will involve catching up on any maintenance that was deferred from last season, while also undertaking the still outstanding small amount of claimable work that was caused by the June 2015 flood event. These works are to be undertaken utilising emergency reserve funds that were approved last season. This totals $29,000, and is to be reimbursed by the pay out to come from MCDEM later in the season.
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8 10.23. As mentioned earlier, there has been a large interest in gravel. So far 20,000 m³ of the consented 40,000 m³ has been allocated and this is for the district councils local roading
works. So far 10,000 m³ has been extracted and this was taken from the upper reach of Item Item the upper Manawatu. 10.24. Going forward, staff will be busy carrying out inspections while planning the upcoming works.
ENVIRONMENTAL GRANT WORKS AND ENGINEERING ADVICE
10.25. Following the higher flows of winter and spring there have been several enquiries for engineering advice and a number of these are likely to result in applications for environmental grant assistance.
11. SOUTHERN AREA
GENERAL
11.1. Weather for the last four months has been very unsettled. Extended periods of rain on already saturated ground conditions have seen many of the streams, rivers and drains levels fluctuate over the period. 11.2. Increasing temperatures during October saw weed growth in drains take off. October and November have also seen some strong winds and rain which have kept the spray contractor at home putting our maintenance programs behind schedule. Strong weed growth over this latter part of the period has seen a number of weed blockages form and weed growth keeping up water levels in the drains. This has resulted in the need to put machinery into these drains which otherwise would have been sprayed. 11.3. The persistent rainfall and fluctuating river and drain levels have kept staff and contractors busy running around the various scheme pumpstations in order to keep the screens and platforms clean of weed. 11.4. The 14 November Kaikoura Earthquake caused major disruption across the schemes with many of the pumpstations losing power for a period of time. Follow-up inspections were undertaken by our on call electrician to reset the soft starters. A majority of the stations were up and running within two days. Staff have also carried out external inspections of all the pumpstations for signs of earthquake damage. More detailed inspections of the pump chambers and discharge pipes will be undertaken over the next few months as weather conditions improve and drain levels drop. 11.5. During this period staff have attended three workshops for the Levin Northern Connection Otaki to North of Levin, part of the Roads of National Significance project. The meetings involve various groups including NZTA and their consultants, representatives from HDC and Horizons and a number of other cultural and environmental advisors. The workshops are aimed at looking at the various alternative routes and intersections and reviewing them through a Multi-Criteria Analysis process. 11.6. Staff have attended several meetings in regards to progressing the works around Lake Horowhenua. 11.7. Staff attended a meeting with various other groups from within Horizons to look at the potential impact of the weir failure at the downstream end of Lake Kaikokopu. Further monitoring of the impact of the weir failure on the lake over the summer period will be undertaken by consents monitoring staff before a decision is made on whether to replace the weir or not.
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8 11.8. Staff hosted consultants and staff from Waikato Regional Council who were interested in discussing and visiting Burkes Pumpstation. The visit was part of a fact finding trip to
guide capex Waikato Regional Council have planned for their land drainage infrastructure. Item Item 11.9. Staff have meet with representatives from HDC to discuss a number of issues including the proposed Koputaroa Stream discharge consent, responsibilities of the different councils in regards to rural stormwater management, and the stormwater modelling being undertaken both in and around the Foxton Township.
OHAU-MANAKAU SCHEME
11.10. Ongoing rainfall over this period has seen the rivers and streams in this area respond quickly to any rainfall in the headwaters. While there have been no significant events in the rivers the largest flows in the channels were: Ohau – 2 m (156 m³) on 11 November, Waikawa – 1.3 m (38 m³/s) on 11 November, Manakau – 1.9 m (14 m³/s) on 15 November. 11.11. This time of year normally sees maintenance and planting of willows along the edges of the rivers and streams in this scheme. This period is no exception with 3250 willows and 500 natives being planted and 3 km of willows along the Waikawa Stream and Ohau River being either mulched or layered. 11.12. In 2013, a new Fish-Friendly Floodgate (FFFG) supplied by ATS Environmental Solutions was installed on the old loop outlet on the Ta Hamata farm block. Not long after the gate was installed staff noticed several of the welds on the steel gate had failed. The supplier of the gate was informed and they subsequently repaired the welds. During a recent inspection of the gate staff again noticed that a number of the welds had again failed, however this time the actual gate had also been damaged. Due to the extent of the damage and the lack of confidence in this type of gate a decision was made to replace the gate with a different type. As the new gate will take some time to be constructed, temporary repairs have been carried out to the old gate in order to provide a level of protection for the upstream properties. The new gate is expected to be installed before the end of January. 11.13. Repairs were carried out to the floodgate hinges on the Takapau Drain outlet. 11.14. A total of 3 km of drain machine cleaning occurred during this reporting period.
MANAWATU DRAINAGE SCHEME
11.15. During this period the spring spray programme has been put together, detailing the work required to be carried out on the scheme drains. Both mechanical and spray work is required of the drains. 11.16. During the June 2015 event a section of Mitchells Creek was over topped resulting in the flooding of several properties. Some minor topping up of the bank was done following the event at the request of the landowners however ,heavy rainfall in August again saw water spilling out of Mitchells Creek and flowing around adjacent properties. Further discussions with the landowners have revealed that this has been a regular occurrence during heavy rainfall events. As a result, staff have agreed to review the performance of the creek and to discuss options to improve the performance of Mitchells Creek with the landowners. As part of this review a 1.6 km section of Mitchells Creek has been surveyed to determine the current capacity of the creek. This information will be used to identify restrictions within the channel and what options are available to provide additional protection to the surrounding properties.
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8 11.17. Along the Lockwood Road Drain a culvert became blocked with weed so this was cleared. 11.18. Along the Rongotea Road Drain a collapsed culvert that ran along the side of the road and
Item Item into Whiskey Creek has been replaced with a new 600 mm pipe. Also a second culvert upstream of this was also replaced to a larger culvert size. 11.19. Due to the high amount of rainfall during this period the Burkes gate outlet has been clogged with weed. This has meant regular removal of weed from the gate structure. 11.20. A 0.3 km section of Walls Drain has been machine cleaned. 11.21. Rutledge Drain has been machine cleaned through the Fleming’s property. 11.22. A new floodgate (225 mm) has been fitted on K4 to prevent water flowing back up the pipe into the adjoining property. Also a new 450 mm floodgate had been fitted to K6 to replace a broken concrete gate causing flooding at the property. 11.23. A large number of willows and other invasive plants have been removed from a section of the Taonui Stream down stream of Waughs Road as part of a joint project with both the Fresh Water and Environmental Education Teams’. The area of land from which the trees were removed from will be planted up with natives by students from the local Taonui Primary School. 11.24. A 100 m section of Wilsons Drain has been machine cleaned due to a large build up of weed.
MAKERUA DRAINAGE SCHEME
11.25. During this period the spring spray programme has been compiled, detailing the work required to be carried out on the scheme drains. Both mechanical and spray work is required of the drains. 11.26. Large weed blocks that were holding up the water in Funnels property along Akers Drain, have been removed. 11.27. Due to the high amount of rainfall this period Okuku Pumpstation has been running and the weed screen grills have required regular mechanical cleaning. Electrical contractors were also called into this station to replace one of the soft starter units after the old unit failed. 11.28. A 1 km section of Sieferts Drain North has been machine cleaned. 11.29. A culvert on the intersecting channel has been replaced with new pipes and a new floodgate. 11.30. A 1.2 km section of Donnelly’s Drain was machine cleaned. 11.31. Old Main South Drain a retaining wall was constructed to repair slumping that was occurring on the Taylors property. 11.32. A rotten roof beam has seen the roof replaced on Ashlea Road Pumpstation, at the same time the builder undertook some minor maintenance on the main door which tended to stick during the winter period.
KOPUTAROA DRAINAGE SCHEME
11.33. Spring drain maintenance inspections are underway and the work will be completed during the next reporting period.
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11.34. While undertaking inspections at Koputaroa No.4 Pumpstation following the November
earthquake, staff observed water piping from the back of the pumpstation. Material had to 8 be removed from behind the station in order for preliminary inspections of the pipe to be undertaken. High water levels in the drain prevented staff from entering the pump
chamber to inspect the pipe. Closer inspections revealed a crack at the base of the surge Item chamber along with a crack around the outlet pipe. Earth blocks were installed both upstream and downstream of the pumpstation so the site could be dewatered. Once this was completed work was undertaken to fill the cracks in both the chamber and pipe after which concrete was poured into the floor of the chamber and around the pipe to reinforce the repairs and provide a good watertight seal. 11.35. While the station was switched off and dewatered for the work to be undertaken, the gravity pipe and the station outlet pipe had a CCTV camera inspection to record their condition. Apart from the crack at the surge chamber end the outlet pipe was in good condition. The gravity pipe was in good condition also apart from the first pipe on the upstream end which had disconnected from the rest. This pipe was dug out and relayed. 11.36. An inspection was also conducted on the weed fence and a possible gap was found that could let weed through. Staff used fencing materials to minimise any weed being sucked through. 11.37. As part of the renewal program the culvert on Kanes Spillway No.2 was replaced. This culvert had high headwalls made of concrete sandbags which were leaning out. A gap was growing behind the headwalls where material was being washed away due to pipes in the culvert separating. New collared pipes were installed and the culvert was extended so that the headwalls did not require being so high. 11.38. A tree was removed that had fallen onto the outlet of Koputaroa No.3 Pumpstation. 11.39. Council surveyors have completed a crest survey on both the left and right stopbank on the Koputaroa Stream from the floodgates up to the Railway Bridge. This information will be used to identify any remedial works that may be required to ensure that the banks are up to design height.
MOUTOA - WHIROKINO DRAINAGE SCHEME
11.40. Work is underway at both the Cooks and Diagonal Pumpstations to improve the safety of the sites, part of an initiative reported to Committee earlier in the calendar year. New handrails have been installed at the weed screens and around the tops of the surge chambers. New and improved walkways are also being installed in the pump chambers to ensure working around the pumps are safe. Lifting beams have also been installed above the manholes to the pump chambers so that extraction of personnel can be achieved. 11.41. With the work at these stations expected to be completed by the end of November, members of the Moutoa, Makerua, Koputaroa, Manawatu and Te Kawau Scheme Liaison Committees have been invited to attend an Open Day at Cooks Pumpstation on 14 December to inspect the improvements that have been made at this station.
TE KAWAU DRAINAGE SCHEME
11.42. During this period the spring spray programme has been compiled, detailing the work required to be carried out on the scheme drains. Both mechanical and spray work is required of the drains. 11.43. Several drains have been mechanically cleaned to remove weed build up and blockages. In total 3.7 km of scheme drains have been machined cleaned.
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11.44. Council surveyors have commenced a crest survey on both the left and right stopbank on
8 the Sluggish Main Drain from the floodgates up to Saunders Road and on Johnsons Drain from Kaimatarau Road to Longburn Rongotea Road. This information will be used to identify any remedial works that may be required to ensure that the banks are up to design
Item Item height. 11.45. High water levels in Johnsons Drain resulted in some localised over topping of the right bank downstream of Leens Drain outlet. Material was excavated from a nearby paddock to stem the over topping.
HOKIO CATCHMENT DRAINAGE SCHEME
11.46. This period saw some more work carried out under the drainage upgrade program. A culvert under CD Farm Road was completed and the drain leading into a culvert under Bruce Road was re-graded to align it with the new culvert recently installed. 11.47. An existing drain was regraded to provide better drainage to a property on Hokio Beach Road and a culvert was installed at the end to ensure water did not flow back up it. The drain and the culvert were added to the scheme’s asset list
HIMATANGI DRAINAGE SCHEME
11.48. During this period the spring spray programme has been compiled detailing the work required to be carried out on the scheme drains. Both mechanical and spray is required of the drains. 11.49. During this period a total of 1 km of scheme drains have been mechanically cleaned and 2 km have been sprayed.
FOXTON EAST DRAINAGE SCHEME
11.50. Rapid weed growth in some of the scheme drains have resulted in the early spraying of Kings Canal from Purcell Street up to Avenue Road. 11.51. A collapse culvert at the top end of Howan Street has been replaced with a larger sized culvert.
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12. ENVIRONMENTAL GRANT WORK 8 12.1. Environmental Grant works to date for 2016-17 are noted in the below table. Name River Description Application Estimated Expected Work Status Status Cost Subsidy Item Cost N Randell Tutaenui Stream Bank Approved $7,000 $2,100 In progress Protection Carried over from Works 2015-16 Rangitikei DC & Makirikiri Stream Construct Approved $125,000 $37,500 Work to Redmayne Flood Gate commence in Jan
Egress 2017 Structure Carried over from 2015-16 Whenuatupu Ohinemoa Willow Approved $33,000 $9,900 Yet to commence Ohinemoa Trust Stream Clearing Work Ruapehu DC Makotuku River Remove lf Approved $45,000 $13,500 Yet to commence Willow Congestion Hooper-Smith Mangatoro TBPW, Approved $8,000 $2,400 In progress Stream Mulching Carried over from 2015-16 PNCC Ashhurst Bank Approved $260,000 $78,000 Yet to commence Domain Protection – Rock Riprap / Rail Groynes & Tied Tree Work Robb Mangamaiti & Removal of Awaiting $23,650 $7,095 Awaiting Approval Mangaetoroa Willow Approval Streams Congestions N Kelland Ongarue River Remove Application $10,000 $3,000 Application being Poplars from being Prepared River Banks Prepared I McKean Mangawharariki Bank Erosion Application $8,500 $2,550 Application being Stream Repair Work being Prepared Prepared B Walker Mangawharariki Bank Erosion Application $12,000 $3,600 Application being Stream Repairs & being Prepared Clearing Prepared Vegetation off Beaches D Smith Tutaenui Stream Bank Application $12,000 $3,600 Property Owner Protection being has put Work On Work Prepared Hold R Redmayne Mangatikotoko Construct Application $18,000 $5,400 Stream Concrete being Weir & Prepared Timber Retaining Wall at River and Drainage Engineering Report (PRD 01 02) Page 63
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Tunnel Hill
8 Flume J Patel Tutaenui Stream Rock Lining Application $45,000 $13,500 Discussing Design Bank being with Consultants Item Item Protection Prepared Work R Lee Urban Drain Repair Flood Application $10,000 $3,000 Damage being Bank Erosion Prepared J Allen – Whangaehu Ring Bank Application $90,175 $27,053 Iwi Funding – Kauangaroa River Flood being Highly Possible Marae Protection Prepared Marton Motel Tutaenui Stream Rock Lining Application $20,000 $6,000 Client to get Bank being Independent Protection Prepared Design Work K Norman Mangahao River R&R Application $5,000 $1,500 To be Investigated Groynes, being Planting Prepared Riding for the Mangaramarama Stopbank Application $5,000 $1,500 To be Investigated Disabled Stream Work being Carried over from Prepared 2015-16
C McConachy Tributary of Bank Completed & $4,000 $1,046.25 Completed & Paid Porewa Stream Protection & Paid Channel Clearing G Waller Taringamotu Bank Completed & $27,000 $7,471.20 Completed & Paid River Protection & Paid Diversion M Short Tapuata Stream Rock Lining Completed & $8,000 $2,088 Completed & Paid Paid K Black Oroua River Repair Bank Work Not $13,000 $3,900 Work Not Erosion Proceeding Proceeding M Carte Mangataua Removal of Work Not $33,000 $9,900 Work Not Stream Willow Proceeding Proceeding Congestion S Glasgow Kahurauponga Channel Work Not $11,000 $3,300 Work Not Creek Willow Proceeding Proceeding Clearing TOTAL $776,325 $231,803
13. SIGNIFICANCE
13.1. This is not a significant decision according to the Council’s Policy on Significance and Engagement. Ramon Strong GROUP MANAGER RIVER MANAGEMENT
ANNEXES There are no attachments to this report.
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Report No. 16-246 9 Information Only - No Decision Required
WHANGANUI FLOOD MANAGEMENT REVIEW GROUP UPDATE (PRD 05 34) Item
1. PURPOSE 1.1. The purpose of this item is to update the Committee on Whanganui Flood Management Review Group progress. It also seeks Committee endorsement around further community engagement, specifically the merits of initiating a conversation with the community around river related flood protection standards ahead of the process of updating Council’s Long- Term Plan (LTP).
2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2.1. The June 2015 weather event had a substantial impact on many communities around the Region, particularly in the Whanganui district. That event had a number of particular aspects to it that exacerbated its impact on Whanganui, although for the lower reaches (downstream of Cobham Bridge) favourable sea conditions lessened that impact. Following that event Horizons Regional Council (HRC) and the Whanganui District Council (WDC) resolved to establish a coordinated response to the infrastructural issues that event highlighted, establishing the Whanganui Flood Management Review Group. The Group comprises staff from both organisations and iwi representatives and it has completed a number of tasks to date. 2.2. A key component of that response is community engagement around flood protection standards and gauging sentiment around paying higher rates for a higher standard of flood protection. Staff, at the invitation of iwi representatives, presented the Putiki community with an update on the activities of the Whanganui Flood Management Review Group in August; a wider conversation with the community relating to both the Taupo Quay / Whanganui CBD and Kowhai Park / Anzac Parade areas is now considered timely. Ideally this would take place ahead of, and separate to, the Annual Plan (AP) consultative process, helping shape Council’s next steps around protecting Whanganui from flooding.
3. RECOMMENDATION That the Committee recommends that Council: a. receives the information contained in Report No. 16-246. b. endorses the consultation strategy identified for further engaging with the Whanganui community around river related flood hazard and the future direction of risk reduction strategies.
4. FINANCIAL IMPACT 4.1. There is no immediate financial impact arising from the recommendations contained in this item. Technical work undertaken by Horizons as part of Whanganui Flood Management Review Group activity is funded through a partly re-prioritised Schemes General Investigations Activity budget. Other projects such as the extension to the scope of the Matarawa Scheme will be brought back to Council as separate / specific items. Further community engagement around protection from Whanganui River flooding is a relatively
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minor cost that can be accommodated within existing budgets. No financial commitment is
9 being sought beyond those items.
5. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Item Item 5.1. As noted elsewhere in this report, it is considered timely to engage with the community around the river-related flood hazard that Whanganui is exposed to. Consultation at an earlier stage may have risked overlapping with event response / recovery when matters can be still relatively ‘raw’; although well-intentioned it might also have been perceived as insensitive. The particular aspects of that event also required a body of technical work to be completed in order to have an informed discussion and maximise the effectiveness of that conversation. 5.2. Conversely community engagement can be less productive when the effects of a flood have faded from memory; conveying an accurate picture of flood risk is an essential component of an informed community discussion around levels of service. Having a relatively wide appreciation within the community of the consequences of a large flood to aid that discussion is about the only positive that can be taken from the June 2015 event. 5.3. Initiating a conversation without a particular agenda can provide a platform for a more productive discussion; a February / March timeframe enables engagement in a less formal way than through Annual / Long-Term Planning frameworks. It gives an opportunity to better understand community sentiment in advance of updating the LTP. In many respects it should be something of a given to initiate such conversations with any body of scheme ratepayers in the wake of events that push the limits of or exceed a particular level of service. 5.4. Despite some of the inherent limitations public meetings are, in my view, the best means of initiating that conversation. There are a number of individuals within the community who have in the past made their views clearly known; the challenge for a public meeting will be ensuring that the discussion it initiates is productive, forward-focussed and as well- informed as possible. From a Council perspective the key is finding a balance between conveying a level of information / detail sufficient to initiate that conversation but not to a level where it could be perceived (as has perhaps been the case in the past) as a fait accompli. 5.5. One of the challenges will clearly be accurately gauging public sentiment. Communication staff are proposing a range of initiatives, some conventional, such as advertisements and arranging a Whanganui Chronicle briefing session similar to the one that took place earlier in the year. It is also proposed to have stalls at the weekend markets following the public meetings as an opportunity to engage further with the community. Communication staff are also exploring more convenient / immediate ways of capturing community sentiment, including the model that Z Energy Limited has adopted (token system).
6. SIGNIFICANT BUSINESS RISK IMPACT 6.1. There is no significant business risk arising from this item.
7. BACKGROUND 7.1. In June of 2015 much of the Region was impacted by an intense weather system. It had a substantial impact on many communities, particularly in the Whanganui district. That event had a number of particular aspects to it that exacerbated the impact on Whanganui, in particular: A prolonged period of heavy rain saturating the lower part of the catchment; Significant flood flows in the Whanganui River;
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Very intense rainfall in the latter stages of the event; and 9 The coincidence of that intense rainfall with peak flood flows in the Whanganui River. 7.2. While relatively benign storm surge effects and favourable tide conditions saw the Balgownie stopbank barely tested, extensive river-related flooding occurred upstream. Item Outside of those areas the particular aspects of that storm combined to overwhelm parts of the city’s stormwater network. 7.3. In response HRC and the WDC both resolved to establish a coordinated response to the infrastructural issues that event highlighted, recognising (amongst other things) some of the overlap in respective responsibilities, establishing the Whanganui Flood Management Review Group.
8. DISCUSSION 8.1. The Group has now met on nine occasions, progressing a range of issues to date including a detailed analysis of particular aspects of the June 2015 event, an assessment of changes in riverbed profile and the influence that event had on the defined flood protection standards for the different network components in Whanganui. Other jointly progressed projects include: Assisting WDC by providing technical assistance around the influence that the size of the Wikitoria Road culvert has on Awarua Stream flood hazard; Updating the Whanganui River flood prediction model; and Updating flood hazard advice relating to Whanganui, including updating property file information on flooding. Whanganui District Council have progressed separately from the Group initiatives relating to the urban stormwater network capacity limitations and measures to address those limitations. 8.2. Initiatives planned or underway include addressing some of the conveyance issues with the lower reaches of the Matarawa Stream through Whanganui and undertaking numerical modelling work to better quantify issues relating to the Ngatarua Stream. Provision has been made in the 17-18 AP for work to the lower reach of the Matarawa Stream and to add two new rainfall gauges to the lower Whanganui River catchment. 8.3. The work undertaken by the Group and the recent focus by WDC on the port (a component of the Accelerate25 launch in August), has given rise to discussions around roles and responsibilities in regard to the various river-related assets near the river mouth; the not insubstantial overlap between the interests of the Lower Whanganui River Scheme and Whanganui Port Limited. Consequently Group discussion has included the need for HRC and WDC to better define roles and responsibilities, including more aligned monitoring strategies. This is intended to be the subject of a separate report to Committee in the new calendar year in advance of the LTP update process. 8.4. It is also worth noting three particular matters; the outcome of the Putiki meeting held in August and some of the particular complexities / challenges associated with providing flood protection to the Taupo Quay / eastern end of the CBD and in potentially raising flood protection standards for the Kowhai Park / Anzac Parade area. 8.5. The Putiki meeting was held at the Putiki Marae and was initiated at the request of the Whanganui River Management Review Group iwi representative Chris Shenton. The meeting was well attended with staff delivering a presentation covering river-related flood risk to Whanganui, particular / unique aspects of the June 2015 weather event, Lower Whanganui River Scheme Operations and Maintenance (O&M) activities, the current
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funding model for the scheme, an overview of the Balgownie project and funding model
9 and a refresh of what had previously been proposed by way of flood protection for Putiki. 8.6. Much of the discussion at the Putiki meeting focussed on how any future flood protection
works needed to account for the Ngatarua Stream; the confluence of the Ngatarua Stream Item Item and the Whanganui River is located immediately upstream of the Putiki Marae. Investigative / analytical work relating to the Ngatarua Stream flood hazards is programmed for later in the current financial year. Once that work is completed it is intended to further engage with the Putiki community. 8.7. Similarly, staff focus has shifted somewhat from June 2015 response / recovery to brushing off some of the previous technical work around what flood protection for the eastern end of the CBD might look like and what it might cost. Some new complications have arisen e.g. the shared path being constructed by WDC, but much of the focus is on what a workable solution might look like (and what it might cost) upstream of the City Bridge. Initial indications are that the previous cost-estimating in this area is somewhat light; even if this work does not proceed it is important to have realistic cost-estimating to ensure as much as possible informed decision-making. 8.8. The standard of flood protection for the Kowhai Park / Anzac Parade area has been upgraded relatively recently although the June 2015 event easily overwhelmed those defences. Although the challenges are somewhat different to those across the river they are perhaps equally daunting; achieving a 200 year standard of protection will require stopbanks to be raised by 1.5 m. 8.9. The components to that 1.5 m lift in crest height are clearly the level of service adjustment from 30 year standard to 200 year standard but they also reflect the impact the June 2015 event has had on our current understanding of the relationship between peak flood flow and return period; the Kowhai Park stopbank in its current form has no allowance for freeboard. A prolonged quiescent period of flood activity will have the opposite effect on that relationship but the underlying effects of climate change would suggest that it would not be wise to rely on such circumstances. 8.10. A 1.5 m lift in stopbank height will translate to a substantial and expensive civil construction project. Such a high stopbank will require a substantially larger footprint with implications for some of the significant trees close to the existing structure. Potentially impounding a much greater depth of floodwater will also substantially increase foundation seepage pressures, potentially requiring parts of the existing network to be completely rebuilt (to give adequate assurance around operational reliability given the potential failure consequences). There are a range of other complications such as accommodating existing vehicle ramps over the stopbank. 8.11. In order to permit a comprehensive discussion around Kowhai Park / Anzac Parade flood hazard, staff have also commissioned a specialist property consultant to determine the cost associated with acquiring the properties at risk of flooding. While fundamentally sound, such an approach is, in my experience, fraught with difficulty for a whole range of reasons, not the least of which is determining what an equitable funding model might look like. Without wanting to be presumptive one potential outcome may well be HRC and WDC working jointly on policy initiatives in this space.
9. CONSULTATION 9.1. Preliminary planning suggests there would be merit in a joint HRC / WDC Council workshop as a starting point for that conversation with the community. Ideally that would take place in the WDC council chambers and be chaired by HRC’s Catchment Operations Committee Chair. Staff would take Councillors through the presentation to be delivered to ratepayers, including an overview of the proposed alterations to the Matarawa Scheme. It is envisaged that what would follow would be one or two publicly advertised meetings
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followed by invite-only meetings for those impacted by the Taupo Quay / CBD flooding and
the Kowhai Park / Anzac Parade flooding. 9
10. SIGNIFICANCE Item Item 10.1. This is not a significant decision according to the Council’s Policy on Significance and Engagement.
Ramon Strong GROUP MANAGER RIVER MANAGEMENT
ANNEXES There are no attachments for this report.
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Report No. 16-243 0 Information Only - No Decision Required
LOWER MANAWATU SCHEME (LMS) RURAL UPGRADE PROJECT - PROJECT 1 Item REVIEW AND WORK PROGRAMME FOR 2016-17 (PRD 5 35)
1. PURPOSE 1.1. The purpose of this item is to report on progress to date with implementing the Lower Manawatu Scheme (LMS) Rural Flood Protection Upgrade Project (the Rural Upgrade Project) and to outline the programme of works for Year 11 (2016-17 financial year) of the 12 year programme. It also highlights a range of current project delivery issues.
2. RECOMMENDATION That the Committee recommends that Council: a. receives the information contained in Report No. 16-243; b. notes progress with implementing the LMS Rural Upgrade Project; and c. notes that the total project is forecast to be completed on time and to budget.
3. FINANCIAL IMPACT 3.1. The works referred to in this report are provided for in the current 2015-25 Long-Term Plan (LTP) and 2016-17 Annual Plan (AP) as part of the Rural Upgrade Project delivery. The summary for the current financial year as at 1 December 2016 is as follows:
Amount budgeted in the current AP (includes $88k carry-forward) $4.760M Committed to date (contracts entered into and other PM costs) $1.864M Committed + estimated values of contracts currently out to tender $2.464M Current full year estimate $5.264M 3.2. Note that the difference between the budget and the estimate is something of a moving target at this time of year and accounts for a wide range of factors; any expenditure beyond the amount budgeted would be brought back to Committee / Council for approval. 3.3. The life to date financial summary is as follows:
Total project implementation cost (end of 2015-16 FY, July 2008 values) $31.49M Expected delivery cost, Years 11 and 12 (final two years, July 2008 values) $7.55M Estimated total spend (July 2008 values) $39.03M Original July 2008 budget $40.06M 3.4. Note that the expected delivery cost makes no allowance for the financial implications of the issues identified in this report or for other issues that might come to light in the course of delivering the remaining two years of this report.
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4. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 0 4.1. Ongoing community engagement around the LMS Rural Upgrade Project is achieved through the LMS Liaison Committee and Catchment Community meetings.
Item 1 Item 5. SIGNIFICANT BUSINESS RISK IMPACT 5.1. Implementing the Rural Upgrade Project significantly reduces business risk associated with the provision of LMS flood protection. Although much of the focus with the Rural Upgrade Project has been on gross standards of flood protection, the work also strengthens a significant portion of the network ultimately providing a higher level of operational reliability. This in turn translates to a tangible and substantial (but not quantified) reduction in expected damage costs across a significant portion of the Manawatu River floodplain.
6. BACKGROUND 6.1. In August 2008, Council adopted the recommendations of a Special Hearing Committee established to hear submissions on a proposal to raise the standard of LMS flood protection for areas other than Palmerston North, known as the Rural Upgrade Project. The project scope and associated rating system, as amended through that submissions hearing process, were then ultimately adopted through the 2009-19 LTP. 6.2. The project works were programmed to be completed over a 12 year period. The project commenced in 2006-07 (under an interim funding arrangement), noting that some initial urgent work was undertaken in 2005-06 (technically Year 0) in anticipation of the project’s ultimate approval. 6.3. The total cost of the project was estimated to be $40.056M as at July 2008. All scheduled works were prioritised for completion over the 12 years, with the prioritisation taking into account both freeboard deficiency and the consequences (at a macro level) of failure. 6.4. A number of performance reviews have been undertaken since project inception. These reviews have been on an annual basis since 2012 with the last review presented to Council in October 2014; the absence of reporting last year reflects overall Group workload following the June 2015 flood event.
7. PROGRESS TO DATE 7.1. As at 30 June this year 10 years of the project timeframe has elapsed. At that time, the following works had been completed: Raising / modifying over 85 km of stopbank; Improving the standard of flood protection provided to Feilding from the Makino Stream; Removing the road bridge constriction to Oroua River flood flows at Kopane by constructing a new bridge; Particularly complex analysis and consenting associated with the diversion of additional floodwater into the Taonui Basin; Contributing $2.1M toward the cost of constructing the Burkes Pumpstation; Widening of the lower 1.8 km of Burkes Drain; and Flood mitigation works on 23 properties within the Taonui Basin including the installation of six large floodwater egress culverts for Burkes Drain, Main Drain, Blackmores Drain and Rangiotu Post Office Drain.
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7.2. Following completion of work in 2013-14 (Year 8), a full review of the project was
undertaken. All outstanding works items were reviewed in terms of their extent, priority 0 and estimated cost. In particular this included reviewing the outstanding sections of stopbank scheduled for raising to ensure that they satisfy the criteria for raising (essentially that they have a design freeboard deficit that exceeds 100 mm but also accounting for the likely consequences of network failure), incorporating more detailed survey information. 1 Item 7.3. Delivering the Rural Upgrade Project has provided the River Management Group with a number of challenges, most notably the complexities associated with obtaining consents / approvals for additional floodwater discharge to the Taonui Basin and the occurrence of the June 2015 flood event. The Taonui Basin consenting in particular created some project slippage necessitating acceleration of the programme in the 2013-14 financial year and some reprioritisation to put delivery back on track. Although somewhat fortunate in timing (work for the season had been completed) the devastating June 2015 floods reinforced the importance of delivering the project as quickly as possible; although significant investment had already been made along the Oroua River level of service improvements are largely realised when all of the work is completed. 7.4. It should be noted that the work packages to be completed in the next two years are typically smaller and more complex than the work completed to date, adding to resourcing requirements in the area of project management. Additional dedicated project management resource has been added to provide a greater level of certainty around delivery and at this stage it is still seen as realistic to complete the scope of work within the timeframe and to the original budget set. 7.5. In regard to financial performance, total project expenditure to 30 June 2016 has been $35,373,809. As can be expected with a project of this size, increases in construction costs become a significant sum over the life of the project, even in a relatively low inflationary environment; adjusting that sum back to July 2008 values gives a total of $31,485,739. 7.6. As with any large capital works programme a range of factors have contributed to the variances between the original estimate and the actual costs to date. Given the volume of earthworks undertaken not surprisingly the most significant influencing factor are rates for bulk earthworks – while the tendered rates have in general compared favourably to those used for estimating purposes, rates have also lifted markedly over the last three to four years, reflecting the level of activity in the civil construction sector in the lower North Island. Recent tender experience, particularly where road cartage was required, showed a surprisingly weak level of interest. Other costs such as land purchase, legal services, design and consenting have generally exceeded estimates. Expectations around financial compensation relating to land entry agreements has also shown something of an upward trend. 7.7. Taking the programme as originally devised, the estimate of outstanding works costs (as a July 2008 value) is $7,547,100, giving an estimated total project cost of $39,032,839 against the original budget of $40,056,000. This does not account for the issues identified in Section 9 below; although the cost of some of these issues is not yet well quantified the total project cost is unlikely to exceed the original budget. Further refinement will take place over the course of the financial year and an update on the issues identified and projected costs will be presented to Committee early in the 17-18 financial year.
8. PROGRAMME FOR 2016-17 8.1. The works programmed for 2016-17 cover a range of areas, including modifying some 20 km of stopbank, floodwall construction and undertaking modification works to three properties located within the Taonui Basin. Details of works programmed for the approaching construction season are shown below.
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0 Project Title Scope of Works Estimated Cost
Manawatu River Right Bank Upgrade 4,700 m of stopbank on the right $200,000 Stopbank Upgrade, Te Matai bank of the Manawatu River adjoining Te
Item 1 Item Road Matai Rd, Whakarongo. Manawatu River Right Bank Upgrade 1,600 m of stopbank on the right $200,000 Stopbank Upgrade, Longburn bank of the Manawatu River along the Railway railway line and adjoining farmland east of Longburn. Manawatu River Right Bank Upgrade 930 m of the Manawatu River $88,000 Stopbank Upgrade, DOC right bank stopbank on DOC reserve land Reserve, Springs Road, at two locations in the vicinity of (carry-forward) Whirokino Whirokino Rd and Springs Rd, Whirokino. Manawatu River Left Bank Upgrade 200 m of the Manawatu River $19,000 Stopbank Upgrade, Koputaroa left bank stopbank at Koputaroa. Manawatu River Right Bank Construct 35 m of concrete floodwall on $42,200 Concrete Floodwall, Ervine the Manawatu River right bank at the Property, Rangiotu Ervine property, Rangiotu. Oroua River Left & Right Bank Upgrade 3,300 m of existing stopbank $1,233,000 Stopbank Upgrade at Awahuri and construct 1,300 m (total) of new stopbank on both banks of the Oroua River immediately upstream and downstream of the SH 3 Bridge at Awahuri. Oroua River Left & Right Bank Construct between 1,000 and 2,000 m Stopbank Upgrade, Upstream of (total) of new stopbank on both banks of the Makino Stream Confluence the Oroua River upstream of the Makino Stream confluence. Oroua River Left and Right Bank Upgrade 3,000 m of existing stopbank on $400,000 Stopbank Upgrade, Rangiotu the left and right banks of the Oroua River at Rangiotu downstream of the Highway 56 Bridge to the Manawatu River confluence. Linton Main Drain Left and Right Upgrade 1,000 m of existing stopbank on $1,265,000 Bank Stopbank Upgrade, Tane both banks of the Linton Main Drain Road downstream of Tane Road. The right bank involves undertaking road re- construction work on the crest of the upgraded stopbank. Tokomaru River Left and Right Upgrade 4,300m of existing stopbank on $708,000 Bank Stopbank Upgrade, Okuku both banks of the Tokomaru River from Road Okuku Pumpstation upstream to Opiki Road. Mangaore Stream Left and Upgrade 2,700 m of existing stopbank on $400,000 Right Bank Stopbank Upgrade, both banks of the Mangaore Stream Shannon downstream of Otauru Road, Shannon. Protect Individual Property, Flood-protect the Mason house at 943 $100,000 J.Mason, Lockwood Road Lockwood Rd by 300mm to a height of RL 10.19m. Protect Individual Property, Provide flood protection to the Taonui $100,000 Taonui Farms, Main Drain Road Farms dairy shed to a height of RL 10.19 m. Protect Individual Property, Provide flood protection to the Rangiotu $0 Rangiotu Estates, Highway 56 Estates dairy shed to a height of RL 10.19 m.
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9. NOTABLE ISSUES WITH YEAR 11 IMPLEMENTATION 0 9.1. As noted earlier in this report, better survey information has previously enabled refinements in the scope of the Rural Upgrade Project, maximising the benefits of the upgrade programme. Staff have identified potential issues around the accuracy of the
benchmarks used for some of that survey, specifically the reach of the Manawatu River 1 Item downstream of the Oroua River confluence. Ongoing ground settlement has the potential to progressively reduce the accuracy of these benchmarks; relatively few Land Information New Zealand benchmarks in the area make the task of re-levelling the Horizons Regional Council’s benchmarks an involved and relatively expensive exercise. For that reason the datums of those benchmarks are considered to be well out of date. Provision has been made in the draft 17-18 AP to re-level these benchmarks; although that cost has not been attributed to the Rural Upgrade Project it could give rise to additional implementation costs. 9.2. One particular issue identified with the 2015-16 implementation programme was a deficiency in the longitudinal profile of a section of the true right Oroua River stopbank adjacent to Duncan Road. As-built surveys identified a low point in the stopbank, a problem for flood events that are close to or that marginally exceed a ‘bank full’ conveyance capacity, concentrating overtopping and increasing the risk of network failure. 9.3. Rates of berm sedimentation make this a difficult issue to manage (the longitudinal water surface profile will vary from flood to flood) and the anomaly under other circumstances may not have given rise to such urgent action; there are other parts of the network that would have a potentially stronger case. However events associated with the June 2015 flood however necessitate a degree of urgency with this particular issue. The work was partly completed in the 15-16 financial year and will be completed by the end of the calendar year. The component of that cost that will fall to the Rural Upgrade Project is $120,000. 9.4. An earlier stage of the upgrade included, amongst other things, constructing sections of seawall and stopbank to protect parts of Foxton Beach from a combination of high river flows, tide / storm surge and strong sea swell conditions. Winter weather this year has resulted in voids forming in behind the seawall, a consequence of sea swells drawing fine soil particles from beneath the wall. Erosion of an adjoining section of stopbank has also occurred requiring the placement of a rock riprap revetment and filter layer to ensure the integrity of the structures is retained. It is intended to undertake the work this summer and fund it as part of the Rural Upgrade Project. $225,000 has been set aside to complete this work. 9.5. Part of the scope of works for Year 10 included improving the standard of flood protection that the LMS provides to areas adjoining the true right bank of the Manawatu River immediately west of Palmerston North (Te Matai Road, Whakarongo). Issues with obtaining the landowner entry agreements saw this deferred from Year 10 and discussions in the early part of Year 11 prompted a more fundamental review of the existing network alignment. This identified a solution that reduces the overall length of stopbank but it also has a range of other advantages. It would also be desirable to give consideration to return banking for Stoney Creek. 9.6. Accordingly most of the Te Matai Road work will be deferred to Year 12; a contract has been awarded to upgrade a small part of this section at the upstream end, reflecting the minimal scope for alternative alignments and the relative ease with which land entry agreement has been obtained. The balance of the Te Matai Road work is now scheduled for Year 12 with other Year 12 work being brought forward to Year 11 to compensate. 9.7. Note that the indicative costings suggest the alternative alignment might cost more than rebuilding the stopbank on its current alignment but that this is also likely to be an order of magnitude less than the projected overall Rural Upgrade Project underspend. It would also be desirable to acquire the footprint of the realigned stopbank, possibly under a land
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swap arrangement. If agreement in principle with the landowner can be achieved this
0 would be brought back to Council for approval as a scope change for the Rural Upgrade Project. 9.8. One of the main focusses for Years 11 and 12 are the Tokomaru River stopbanks. These
Item 1 Item stopbanks are located close to, and potentially have vulnerabilities similar to, the Linton Main Drain stopbanks. Some sub-surface investigation has been carried out although (as with all geotechnical investigations) it relies on point to point inference. That is, it is prohibitively expensive to assess ground conditions in a manner that does not involve a degree of assumption; logically (to enable project delivery in a cost-effective manner) the level of investigation warranted is proportional to the level of risk. That work suggests more favourable foundation conditions than initially assumed, although construction will be sequenced in a manner that enables further physical verification of the foundations. Further geotechnical work is planned later in the current financial year to support the Year 12 Tokomaru work, an additional but relatively minor project cost. 9.9. One of the substantial challenges with the Rural Upgrade Project has been the property specific work required in the Taonui Basin; the discharge of a potentially greater volume of floodwater into the basin changes the inundation extents, requiring mitigation works to some properties at the margins (and where an increased inundation depth has a material impact). 9.10. There have been a number of challenges around managing expectations as they relate to that mitigation work and in at least one instance the possibility remains of a legal challenge to Council (the landowner asserts that the mitigation is not consistent with the resource Consent application / decision and the land entry agreement). Easily the most complex item in that category in the current financial year is a house raising along Lockwood Road; the value of the house would suggest that the merits of raising are tenuous at best. However legal advice suggests that Council has no recourse other than being able to voluntary persuade the property owner that better options (i.e. acquisition) exist. Those attempts have not been successful and therefore the raising of the house is being progressed. 9.11. As previously identified one of the items proposed for inclusion in the draft 17-18 AP is to address an anomaly relating to Makino stopbanking upstream of the control gates. This stopbank at present has a termination point on the floodplain and is not connected to higher ground, presenting an outflanking risk in a moderate to large flood scenario. While this is likely to have been of little consequence at the time of construction, relatively rapid residential development has substantially altered the risk profile to the point where some urgency exists in rectifying the situation. Accordingly, an additional $140,000 has been allocated in the Year 12 (draft 2017-18 AP) Rural Upgrade Project budget to address this issue. 9.12. As a final point it is worth emphasising the substantial number of complex value judgements required to deliver the Rural Upgrade Project. The observations I have made around the project and its delivery suggest that (arguably) the emphasis placed on gross levels of service has been a little too great; network reliability under operation has perhaps not been sufficiently emphasised. By that I mean the decision-making criteria outlined in paragraph 7.2 accounts for only one aspect, albeit an important one, of overall network performance; if the freeboard deficit for a given part of the network is less than 100 mm but it has other physical attributes that are less than ideal (primarily a poor cross sectional profile) in many instances it would be omitted from the Rural Upgrade Project scope of works.
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9.13. Notwithstanding the level of debt incurred by the LMS in undertaking the Rural Upgrade
Project, there would seem to be value in developing ways in which network reliability could 0 be systematically addressed, something I intend to give more consideration to (and to bring
back in more detail to Committee) as part of considerations around updating the LTP. Item 1 Item 10. SIGNIFICANCE 10.1. This is not a significant decision according to the Council’s Policy on Significance and Engagement.
Rob Gardner Ramon Strong PROJECT ENGINEER GROUP MANAGER RIVER MANAGEMENT
ANNEXES There are no attachments for this report.
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Report No. 16-244 1 Information Only - No Decision Required
SUSTAINABLE LAND USE INITIATIVE (SLUI) 1 Item
1. PURPOSE 1.1. This report is to update Members about progress on Council’s Sustainable Land Use Initiative (SLUI) for the period 1 July to 31 October 2016.
2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2.1. This report provides an overview of progress on SLUI. This is the first report in a new format which aims to provide better information through summarising: targets, progress to meet those targets (Life to Date (LTD) and Year to Date (YTD)), projections for the year and an overview of activity completed and proposed. 2.2. Some of the information proposed in this new framework is not currently available and is a work in progress. Work is underway to provide this additional reporting. 2.3. Council’s feedback on the new format is sought, as we seek to improve the next committee report.
3. RECOMMENDATION That the Committee recommends that Council: a. receives the information contained in Report No. 16-244 and Annex.
4. FINANCIAL IMPACT 4.1. There are no direct financial impacts associated with this report. However, it does update Members on a number of financial matters associated with SLUI.
5. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 5.1. Consultation was carried out through the 2012-22 Long-Term Plan (LTP) submission process. 5.2. The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has a key role in funding and overseeing this activity. 5.3. The SLUI Advisory Group is updated every six months on progress with this programme and receives copies of these agenda items. The last group meeting was held on 10 May 2016. The net meeting is planned for February.
6. SIGNIFICANT BUSINESS RISK IMPACT 6.1. There are no significant risks inherent in the adoption of recommendations contained in this report.
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7. BACKGROUND 1 7.1. SLUI has been in operation in Horizons’ Region since 2006. The initiative, targeting hill country erosion, is funded from Central Government’s Hill Country Erosion Fund (HCEF), Horizons’ rates and farmer contributions.
Item 1 Item 7.2. MPI is contracted to provide $1.19 m this year, out of $2.2 m in total available through the HCEF. 7.3. SLUI is delivered by Horizons in partnership with the HCEF and MPI through a contracted works programme which sets targets for plans and works completed. 7.4. This report is delivered as we undertake year two of a four-year contract with MPI which runs until June 2019.
8. REPORT ON PROGRESS 8.1. Contract Targets
The agreed contract targets are shown in Table 1.
Table 1: Contract Targets (this year’s targets highlighted) Contract Target 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 WFPs completed (no.) n/a n/a n/a n/a WFP area mapped (ha) 25,000 20,000 20,000 15,000 Area mapped in target 17,500 14,000 14,000 10,500 catchments (ha) Afforestation (ha) Retirement (ha) 1,700 1,980 2,050 2,100 Riparian retirement (ha) Managed retirement (ha) Poles planted (no.) 24,000 26,000 26,500 28,000 Area protected by space pole planting (ha) 800 820 850 900 Other non-retirement (ha) Progress toward this years targets
On track to achieve hectares of both Whole Farm Plans (WFPs) mapped and hectares within target catchment
On track to achieve hectares of works completed (although there may be differences within work types)
On track to meet poles planted.
8.2. Long Term Plan (LTP) and Annual Plan (AP) Targets The LTP and AP targets align with the contract targets (Table 1) and the LTP notes that it will continue to meet annual contract levels under the SLUI programme: Add 60,000 ha of land into the SLUI programme under a WFP within three years;
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Support 8,200 ha of land use changes through SLUI environmental grants within three years. 1
We are on track to meet AP targets this year. Item 1 Item 8.3. National and Regional Context MPI funds this SLUI programme and programmes by five other North Island Regional Councils.
SLUI currently receives approximately 50% of the total allocated funding.
SLUI delivers works at an average grant cost (2015-16) of $500 per ha, which compares favourably with the Government’s Afforestation Grant Scheme (AGS) at $1,300 per ha or the Erosion Control Funding Programme with grants of up to $2,000 per ha.
The SedNet NZ model indicates:
o By the year 2043 a reduction in sediment in rivers of 10.6% on work completed to date;
o If SLUI continues at its current rate this reduction is 27% overall, with a range of 0-60%.
o Under a mid-range climate change scenario the 27% overall reduction could be reduced to 13% overall.
o Under a major climate change scenario the 27% reduction could be reduced to 5% overall.
8.4. Work completed, priority erodibility classes and land left to treat
This section of the report aims to identify progress of the programme in the context of the size of the overall issue of erodible land in the Region.
Graph 1 shows the amounts of land mapped within the SLUI programme split into four land erodibility classes (not erodible, erodible, highly erodible and top priority). Within each of these classes the amount of land that has tree cover and the amount that is pasture land is shown. The quantity of works in these areas is also shown.
In summary, the programme has completed work on 14% of the mapped top priority land, 7% of the mapped highly erodible land, 4% of the mapped erodible land and 1% of the mapped not erodible land.
Graph 2 provides a further display of this data that includes projects of the amount of land that is high priority and top priority. At present the projections are based on extrapolation of numbers collected from mapping with the SLUI whole farm plans. These projections do not take into account of any potential bias that may be introduced into the projections of the amount of high and top priority land outside of SLUI (i.e. has the programme mapped a higher proportion of the Top and High Priority land due to targeting Top Priority farms).
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1 Further work is underway to more accurately estimate the size of the remaining high and top priority land in the programme using a combination of Landcare Research’s original mapping of erodible land in the region and the more detailed mapping of the region that has now been completed through the SLUI programme. This analysis will be presented at the next Catchment Item 1 Item Operations committee meeting.
Graphs 1 and 2: Area of SLUI works completed in relation to mapped farm plan area and estimated remaining high and top priority land.
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Context: These graphs show the life to date (to March 2016) areas of SLUI work completed on the various land
erodibility classes and the estimated amount of Top and High Priority land remaining to be mapped. The breakdown in 1 each bar shows land already in trees (light green), land that was already in trees but has had SLUI works completed (dark green), land that was in pasture but has had SLUI works completed (red), and land in pasture still to be treated (blue). The estimated remaining Top and High priority land is hatched in graph 2.
1 Item
8.5. Whole Farm Plan (WFP) Production
WFPs are a tool for both bringing new land into the programme and for allocating grants to the various land types. An important part of maintaining the momentum of the SLUI programme is the ability to bring new farms and new land onto the books. This table shows the plans completed in SLUI’s Life to Date (LTD) and progress in bringing new plans on board.
Table 2: WFP Production No. Plans Hectares 643 481,024 WFPs completed in SLUI Life To Date. Paper work with landowners for plan this year, not committed to a plan at this 27 n/a stage. Plans on the books this year, committed to a plan, with all 25 in the priority 25 17,492 catchments. 2 2,737 Plans delivered to farmers so far this year. This is 14% of target. 0 n/a On wait list . 634 n/a Landowners engaged in SLUI WFP (nine completed plans to deliver).
On track to reach target of 20,000 ha mapped, all within the target catchments. The target is for 70% of farms to be within target catchments.
This will equate to 25-30 plans, depending upon property size.
There will be a waiting list develop as the year continues (25 plans already committed and a further 27 farms with documentation). If finances permit we will exceed the 20,000 ha target slightly but some farms will go on a wait list until 2017-18.
8.6. Whole Farm Plan Implementation (Current Year) The implementation rate of WFP will provide measures of uptake of work this year and into the future. The number of landowner contacts made, the amount of work completed to date and the projections for work this year are shown in Table 3. It should be noted that some of these numbers have not been regularly collected in the past and new systems for collecting this information are currently being implemented.
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1 Table 3: WFP Implementation No. Plans Hectares 602 470,737 Plans available for implementation at June 15, means they have had all of 2016
to begin to implement their works programme Item 1 Item xx n/a Landowners contacted this year x 117 Work completed, which is 4% of target, and 34 individual claims 259 1,031 Committed to works. This is 37% of target and 297 proposed individual claims to charge (see * note 1) 10 x Indicative commitment to works next year ($62,000 grant) 10 n/a Plan reviews and five-year programmes completed * note 1: incomplete data at this stage with actual numbers of plans and hectares much higher than this This table is incomplete as we do not have ready access to this data yet. We will be upgrading our methods of data collection and will progressively fill out the gaps and improve this reporting
At this early stage we believe we are on track to meet our hectares work target.
8.7. Whole Farm Plan Activity (LTD July 2006 – June 2016) While contract targets focus on the number of plans completed, the activity of individual plans is a better measure of the level of “buy in” to the project. The number of plans active in any one year can and does change, and this table also tracks the number of plans that have had no activity.
Table 4: WFP Activity No. Plans Hectares 482 26,318 Active plans completed; 2,324 individual claims or 4.8 claims per plan (ranging from 1-32 claims per plan) 159 n/a Non-active plans; 62 of these plans have been non-active for more than 5 years, 34 between 2-5 years, and 63 plans are non-active but less than 2 years old, x n/a Non-active plans; farmers contacted this year, x have committed to a work programme
Staff are tasked with contacting farmers with long-term non-active plans at least once every two years.
Plans non-active and less than two years old are expected to start works within the next season. More than 90% of these have verbally committed to do so, and are expected to do so provided materials (e.g. poles) are available.
8.8. Life To Date Achievements (by work type and land priority) Tables 5, 6 & 7 shows a summary of works completed. They track works by work type and by erodible land type. Table 5 highlights the quantity (number of claims) and dollar cost (grant paid) by work type including average costs per claim and average costs per hectare (Ha). Eventually we hope to be able to add the number of farms and the total costs to this table. Table 6 shows the summary of works by different work type on the different erodible land types percentages of the work type in the overall programme. Table 6 provides further detail of the percentages of work in each work type on the different types of priority land and the overall programme. The tables contain a lot of information and some of the key messages from the three tables are:
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26,318 ha of work has been completed (Table 5) with 35% on Top Priority and 30% on High Priority land (Table 6). This work has received $12,512,547 in Grants, which 1 equates to an average grant cost of $475/ha. In total the works completed total cost
was $27.1 million which equates to an average cost of $1,030 per hectare (Table 5). Item 1 Item The $14.6 M landowner/other share includes contributions from landowners, Afforestation Grants scheme (AGS), Nga Whenua Rahui, and QE II Trust. The cost per ha of works can be skewed by inclusions of areas with little or no erosion, where no grant has been paid.
The majority of the claims by number (38%) relate to space planting, followed by riparian retirement (24%). Afforestation makes up 11% of the claims and Retirement 10% (Table 5).
The majority of the expenditure to date has been for riparian retirement (41%), followed by afforestation (27%), retirement (16%) and then space planting (6%).
In terms of treatment of top priority land, afforestation has treated 36%, followed by retirement at 32% and riparian retirement at 20 percent (Table 5).
The majority of the claim work (876 claims or 38 % of all claims) are for space planted poles and on average these jobs cost $870 dollars per grant ($203/ha). These claims cover 3,750 ha (14% of the area completed so far) and this is primarily (54%)on erodible land with 28% on high priority land and 15% on top priority land.
Afforestation makes up 11% or 249 of the claims with the average claim being 13,809 or $308/ ha covering 42% of the area treated to end of June 2016.
Table 5: Works LTD to June 2016 showing number of claims, total hectares (Ha) and summaries of costs. Life to Date Average Cost Grant $ Grant/ $Total Work Type Farms Claims Grant $ Total Cost $ Total Ha $/claim Ha cost/ Ha Afforestation X 249 3,438,327 X 11,167 13,809 308 NA Retirement X 233 2,032,884 X 6,162 8,725 330 NA Riparian Retirement X 549 5,218,112 X 3,373 9,505 1,547 NA Wetland Retirement X 86 340,230 X 200 3,956 1,701 NA Managed Retirement X 32 149,508 X 479 4,672 312 NA Space Planting X 876 762,424 X 3,750 870 203 NA Gully Planting X 153 183,093 X 879 1,197 208 NA Structures/Earthwork X 44 123,389 X 170 2,804 726 NA Other X 68 264,581 X 138 3,891 1,917 NA 27,100,000 Total X 2,290 12,512,547 26,318 5,464 475 1,030 (rounded)
Table 6: Works LTD to June 2016 showing the percentage statistics for each work type e.g. 11% of the claims, 27% of the grants and 42% of the works for the programme have been for afforestation (highlighted blue). Further 36% of top priority land treatment so far has been via afforestation (highlighted green). Percentage statistics for each work type on LTD to June 2016 Percentage statistics for each work type the priority land types
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Not High Top Work Type Farms Claims Grant $ Total Ha Erodible
Erodible Priority Priority 1 Afforestation X 11% 27% 42% 28% 40% 55% 36% Retirement X 10% 16% 23% 18% 20% 17% 32% Riparian Retirement X 24% 42% 13% 28% 8% 6% 20% Item 1 Item Wetland Retirement X 4% 3% 1% 7% 1% 0% 0% Managed Retirement X 1% 1% 2% 1% 2% 3% 1% Space Planting X 38% 6% 14% 14% 24% 13% 6% Gully Planting X 7% 1% 3% 3% 3% 4% 3% Structures/Earthwork X 2% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% Other X 3% 2% 1% 0% 0% 0% 1% Total x 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Table 7: Works LTD to June 2016 Area of of work (ha) on each Percentage of each work type on Percentage of work completed in
priority land types each priority land type overall programme Not High Top High Top Not Not Erodib High Top Work Type Erodibl Erodible Priorit Priorit Priorit Priorit Erodib Erodible Erodible le Priority Priority e y y y y le Afforestation 267 3,324 4,307 3,269 2% 30% 39% 29% 1.0% 12.7% 16.4% 12.5% Retirement 173 1,662 1,369 2,951 3% 27% 22% 48% 0.7% 6.3% 5.2% 11.3% Riparian 265 679 491 1,853 8% 21% 15% 56% 1.0% 2.6% 1.9% 7.1% Retirement Wetland 66 102 7 24 33% 51% 4% 12% 0.3% 0.4% 0.0% 0.1% Retirement Managed 5 141 262 71 1% 29% 55% 15% 0.0% 0.5% 1.0% 0.3% Retirement Space 134 2,021 1,032 564 4% 54% 28% 15% 0.5% 7.7% 3.9% 2.2% Planting Gully 25 278 343 232 3% 32% 39% 26% 0.1% 1.1% 1.3% 0.9% Planting Structures/ 10 47 50 63 6% 28% 29% 37% 0.0% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% Earthwork Other 2 28 1 107 1% 20% 1% 78% 0.0% 0.1% 0.0% 0.4% Total 947 8,281 7,862 9,133 4% 32% 30% 35% 3.6% 31.6% 30.0% 34.8%
Graph 2 shows the works completed in the programme split out by work type in the different years of the programme.
Hectares of work rose steadily over the first years of SLUI, leveling off since 2012 as funding stabilized.
The spike in works in 2013 was due to SLUI supported AGS projects and Council JV forests, and large joint funded retirement projects with Nga Whenua Rahui.
Changes in the level of afforestation over the years shows the complex interrelationships between government policies (AGS and ETS, carbon value), ability of Horizons to fund joint ventures, current forestry returns and competing land uses such as manuka.
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1 Item 1 Item
Graph 2: SLUI works completed by work type over the life of the programme Context: Works completed over the life of the programme with the MPI contract target (red line).
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8.9. Year to Date Achievements 1
Table 8 shows the same information as Table 5, but for this financial year.
Item 1 Item Table 8: Works YTD 2016-17 Priority Land Type Work Type Total Not High Top Farms Claims Grant $ Erodible Ha Erodible Priority Priority Afforestation 6 7 37,003 27 2 17 4 5 Retirement 2 2 11,635 3 2 1
Riparian Retirement 13 13 73,530 22 5 7 2 7 Wetland Retirement 2 2 3,203 7 1 6
Space Planting 8 9 9,172 58 1 44 13
Structures/Earthworks 1 1 - 0 0 0
Total 29 34 134,543 117 10 75 20 12
117 ha of work completed is 4% of target Claims completed to date are similar in number to the same time last year.
8.10. Current Year Forecast (targets vs actual by work type) This table is a work in progress and requires some upgrading of data collection and compilation in order to complete. The forecast figures will change throughout the year as new jobs are agreed to and some jobs are cancelled. At this stage individual field staff manage their own allocations and the details by property and work type haven’t been a priority. We are now working at further centralisation and consistency in recording this information.
Table 9: Current year forecast Ha Ha Target Forecast Dif. x Work Type WFP Claims Dif Target Forecast x$1000 X $1000 $1000 Afforestation 1,080 1,038 308 730 Retirement 350 270 263 7 Riparian Retirement 450 670 928 -258 Managed Retirement 100 13 30 -17 Space Planting 199 250 -51 720 Gully Planting 60 30 30 Structures/Earthworks 25 10 15 100 Other 20 0 20 Total 2,800 2,295 1,819 476
The forecast figures are inaccurate at this stage and need refining with staff in order to split some figures where more than one work type has been recorded in the database.
The MPI contract allows for reallocation between individual targets, acknowledging work programmes are fluid.
Currently forecasting to meet overall targets and be under budget.
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There is no allocation for major afforestation projects (JVs) at this stage, and although any large-scale afforestation is included in the MPI hectares of work target, it is not 1 part of the MPI-Horizons funding contract.
At this stage lack of large-scale afforestation project(s) is projected to result in an 1 Item under-spend of Horizons’ share of the programme.
9. ACTIVITY SUMMARY
9.1. Season
Typical reasonably wet and mild spring conditions prevail across the Region. This should result in satisfactory establishment of winter planting programmes and staff are reporting good establishment so far.
Over winter staff assisted with delivery and planting programmes, with most cases involving advice, demonstration and liaison with contractors.
During spring staff have started the five-year plan review programme (see Table 3). The aim is to have approximately 50 reviews completed in the first half of the financial year. These reviews will assist with forecasting future works.
9.2. Staff activity
The landowner who had been considering a joint venture forestry project has decided not to proceed. This frees up funding tentatively earmarked for lease and establishment costs.
Staff investigated a site where the landowner is keen to undertake retirement. However, the potential for old man’s beard invasion is high. At this stage our best solution is managed retirement while retaining sheep grazing.
Advice given regrading pre-plant spraying of gorse for afforestation next winter, a follow up inspection has been completed.
Advice given regarding the removal of old man poplars.
Two trial sites of Manuka, planted this winter as bare rooted seedlings, were inspected and as at late October both have very good initial survival.
Inspected release spraying of a grant and non-grant afforestation site. The non-grant area was aerial broadcast sprayed with a 20 metre riparian buffer.
Advice given on a proposed manuka planting, potentially with an AGS application.
A property in the upper Rangitikei has indicated it will cease its cattle feeding operation near the river. The river flats will be returned to pasture and grazed as part of normal farming operations.
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Two SLUI Scholarship students have begun their summer work programme. 1
Massey University is still investigating the slump at Utiku, and the landowner is
considering options for work on the site. Item 1 Item
9.3. Contract
End of year (2015-16) report sent to MPI and accepted.
Financial reports to MPI sent August and September.
MPI and HCEF group meeting held in Wellington to discuss common areas of interest in projects.
MPI contract manager changed during period; the new manager is Louise Askin, Neil Williams is due back as manager in early December.
First MPI milestone report for 2016-17 sent for period July-October, currently on track with contract deadlines.
9.4. Operational Plan Work Streams
This section discusses completion of internal targets and progress on issues outlined in Sections 5 and 6 of the SLUI Operational Plan.
Final draft and follow up on the joint Horizons/Ministry for the Environment (/MfE)/Agresearch programme looking at Whole Farm Plans. Willie Smith has undertaken this review and he will be presenting this report to MfE (as the contract funder) on 22 November. This report compares four groups – SLUI farmers with a WFP, those without, dairy farmers with a dairy environmental plan (nutrient plan) and those without. – note this presentation with MfE has been postponed due to the earthquake as the room booked for the video linkage has not received engineer’s clearance.
Science challenges and contracts will be reported more fully through the Environment Committee) but include “SedNetNZ to farm-scale Land Use Capability (LUC) units” which is work contracted to Landcare Reseach.
A case study looking into the options of manuka, retirement and afforestation is underway. The subject property is in the Tararua District and the work is being undertaken by Woodnet Ltd
LandVision has provided a draft “how to” guide for landowners considering on-farm dams and irrigation.
Staff are trialling in-field data recording using iPads. The work looks very promising and should improve our ability to capture, record and report information on WFP and SLUI progress
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The claims for the resilience project (MPI funded at $150,000) have been completed. The mitigation project (SLUI funded free poles up to $136,000) will be completed once 1 this year’s follow-up pole inspections are finished. A report on both projects will be
available at the next committee meeting. Item 1 Item 9.5. Forestry issues
Carbon accounting has been completed for the June 2016 return. This is part of our normal Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) obligations with our JV/FR forests.
Inspection of forests for wind damage has revealed toppling on the most recent Ridge Road (Pohangina) planting. We have made contact with our insurers and are investigating options. At this stage a partial claim has been made.
The wind damage assessment has lead us to re examine our insurance, we may need to make changes in the future.
Woodnet have completed two reports recently, the valuation as required by Audit and a further report on the carbon opportunities provided by our JV/FR forests.
The Woodnet report on carbon opportunities highlights the uncertainty for forest growers, especially given the Government review of the ETS. Woodnet suggests the situation will not be any clearer until after the review is completed and our best course of action will be to wait and see what changes if any the ETS review may bring.
Pre-assessment for silviculture and first thin to waste, carried out on a JV/FR. Contracts will be let once pre-costing work has been completed.
Liaison with landowners re Forestry Right agreements, including one landowner who is keen to sell the remaining portion of his property.
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10. NEXT THREE MONTHS 1 Afforestation claims completed as establishment phase complete.
Item 1 Item Continue five-year reviews.
Begin space planting claims.
SLUI Advisory Group meeting (proposed for February).
Six month milestone report to MPI (due 20th February).
Silviculture continues on FR forests provided conditions allow.
Continue to add new WFPs into database.
Complete and deliver plans as they return from contractors.
Recruit for Land Information Advisor to manage WFP production, train new staff member.
Landowners generally busy and/or taking holidays so it is often hard to arrange site visits.
Follow up on works progress and begin fencing claims.
Meeting with Landcare Research on SedNetNZ work.
Next meeting will report on forest growth, mitigation and resilience packages, WFP research, and pole planting within the region.
11. SIGNIFICANCE 11.1. This is not a significant decision according to the Council’s Policy on Significance and Engagement.
Grant Cooper MANAGER - LAND
Jon Roygard GROUP MANAGER NATURAL RESOURCES & PARTNERSHIPS
ANNEXES A SLUI Overview and Plan Progress
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1
Item 1 Item
AnnexA
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Report No. 16-245 2 Information Only - No Decision Required
REGIONAL COAST AND LAND 1 Item
1. PURPOSE 1.1. This report is to update Members on the progress on Council’s Regional Land and Coastal and Whanganui Catchment Strategy activities from 1 July until 31 October 2016
2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2.1. This report updates both the Regional Land and Coastal and Whanganui Catchment Strategy (WCS). The WCS project relates to its ‘strategy’ activities introduced in 1997, which focus on the upper Whanganui River catchments and aim to prioritise an incentive programme in the area. Ultimately, the strategy aims to address erosion ‘hot spots’ that affect downstream water quality. Funding from the Whanganui River Enhancement Trust (WRET) is managed to assist this programme. 2.2. This is the first report to the Catchment Operations Committee for this triennium and is in a new format. This report covers Natural Resources and Partnerships – Land outputs for works outside the Sustainable Land Use Initiative. 2.3. Feedback and suggestions for improvement are welcome and will be incorporated into future reports where possible.
3. RECOMMENDATION That the Committee recommends that Council: a. receives the information contained in Report No. 16-245.
4. FINANCIAL IMPACT 4.1. There is no financial impact associated with recommendations in this paper.
5. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 5.1. This is a public item and therefore Council may deem this sufficient to inform the public.
6. SIGNIFICANT BUSINESS RISK IMPACT 6.1. There are no significant risks inherent in the adoption of recommendations contained in this report.
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2 7. OUTPUTS FOR ANNUAL PLAN 2016-17
Table 1: Annual Plan targets
Item 1 Item YTD REPORTING PERIOD TARGET % MEASURE ACTUAL Dec 2nd 3rd 4th
Regional Land and Coastal Provide support for industry partnership start na 4 Fund Ballance Farm Environment Awards 1 1 1 100 Operate nursery to deliver poles 12,167 12,167 12,500 97 Source additional poles 18,215 18,215 19,500 93 Land improvement through Env. Grant (ha) 0 0 150 0 Whanganui Catchment Strategy Carry out agreed WRET programme start 1 Land improvement through Env. Grant 10 10 200 5 All targets still in progress
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8. OPERATIONAL PLAN OUTPUTS 2016-17 2 In addition to the Annual Plan targets, a number of supporting work streams have been agreed to in the Operational Plans. These targets are more flexible and can change depending on workload, priorities and demand from the public. 1 Item
Table 2: Operational Plan Outputs
TARGET QUANTITY PROGRESS FORECAST
Regional Land and Coastal
Produce Environmental Property Plans 5 0 Unknown Manage Environmental Grant projects ($80,000) 50 32 Unlikely Manage consents for vegetation clearance in the coastal na 0 No target zone Run Soil Health Workshops 2 Underway On target Produce Soil Health Plans 2 One on books On target Implement State of Environment monitoring programme for Report due next 1 On target soil health and report results of previous year’s programme meeting Commit funding to the Poplar and Willow Research Trust 1 1 Target met (P&WRT) Purchase and re-sell nursery materials to support land na Underway On target management activities Provide technical support to the P&WRT 1 Started On target Provide sites suitable for trial and bulking new varieties as na na supplied by P&WRT Whanganui Catchment Strategy
Produce WCS property plans 2 0 Unlikely Met number of Manage Environmental Grant projects ($50,000 + $53,000) 25 48 projects Provide copies of Catchment Operations reports to WRET 3? 0 On target Provide progress reports to WRET 2 1 On target Continue demonstration farm – hold field day 1 0 On target Visit every WCS farm plan holder during the year 45 0 Unknown Sell all poles produced from Council nursery na Complete Met This is a multi Increase pole production from Taumarunui-Ruapehu area na New sites year project Develop new nursery with funding assistance from WRET 1 1 Target met Region-Wide Outputs Meeting Complete vegetation clearance consents within timeframe na 2 timeframe Meeting Complete cultivation consents within timeframe na 1 timeframe Meeting Complete land disturbance consents within timeframe na 10 timeframe Manage Plantation Forestry Erosion and Sediment Control na 22 Plans
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2 9. ENVIRONMENTAL GRANT FUNDING 9.1. Environmental Grant funding is in place to support landowners to undertake works which will reduce erosion and protect the environment. This funding is targeted slightly differently
Item 1 Item between Regional and Coast and the WCS work streams. Under the WCS, support from WRET enables a greater variety of work to be funded at higher grant rates. 9.2. Tokirima School collected move then 300 used Dynex sleeves as part of the recycling programme. A grant of 50 cents per sleeve is available to participating schools and the used plastic is stockpiled and returned to a company in Palmerston North which returns it to the producer in Auckland. 9.3. Various inspections were completed and some resulted in applications for Environmental Grant funding (through land, freshwater or biodiversity funds) while others involved advice: 8 visits for erosion control Visits for wetland restoration, riparian retirement and alternative water supply, bush retirement, willow clearance, shelter planting and supporting a school with on-farm planting. Actual Grant Approved Grant Target Spend Spend
Whanganui Catchment Strategy $10,344.00 $89,473.74 $103,000.00 Regional and Coast $489.38 $46,113.23 $80,000.00 Total $10,833.38 $135,586.97 $ 183,000.00
Both environmental grant categories are indicating an under spend at this stage. Staff are canvassing for more work and some new jobs may come in, other jobs may end up being cancelled or postponed. In the WCS five of 48 approved jobs have been claimed, these jobs have a total cost of $33,220. In the Regional and Coast two of 32 jobs have been claimed, these jobs have a total cost of $1,631.
10. ACTIVITY
General:
10.1. Winter throughout the Region has been mild and wet with parts of the Tararua District having a dry winter while Ruapehu reported it was very wet). Spring has been mild and wet and all areas are now reporting good growing conditions. 10.2. The spring weather across the Region has been conducive to good establishment of winter plantings. Staff report poles, pines and manuka have all established well to date. 10.3. An interim report was prepared for the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) noting progress on expenditure of the resilience funding. This fund, of $150,000, was received after the June 2015 storm and was for “building future resilience generally, acknowledging Regional Council projects in this area, rather than being based on storm impacts”. A final report will be provided to MPI once final winter claims have been completed. It is expected the final expenditure will be around the $150,000 +/- 10%. Any under-spend will need to be returned to MPI while over-spend can be accommodated within land budgets via Environmental Grant or SLUI. A final numbers will be reported to Council at the next meeting.
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Soil Health: 2 10.4. Planning is underway to run one or two soil health workshops in conjunction with Beef and Lamb NZ. Dates and locations are yet to be finalised.
10.5. Staff are currently planning to start the second year of the soil quality sampling. Ground 1 Item conditions dictate when sampling can be undertaken, with spring and autumn the most appropriate times when soil moisture conditions are optimum. 10.6. Laboratory results from the 2015-16 soil quality sampling have all been received. A final report is in preparation and will be presented at the next Catchment Operations meeting.
Industry Partnerships: (see tables 1 and 2 for contribution to Annual Plan and Operational Plan Targets)
BFEA 10.7. A number of staff and Councillors attended a workshop in Feilding on “constructed wetlands”, run by the regional Ballance Farm Environment Awards (BFEA) committee. Approximately 80 people turned out to hear from Dr Chris Tanner from NIWA. 10.8. Hew Dalrymple, a NZ Farm Environment Trust (NZFET) trustee and Terry Olsen, BFEA regional chair, spoke to Council at a workshop outlining changes underway with the awards programme. They noted a need for the awards to evolve and to develop more of a partnership approach with their regional partners. 10.9. As a follow-up to this meeting the new partnership agreement was signed between Horizons and the NZFET. It is for two years and covers years two and three of the Long- Term Plan. 10.10. Entries have closed and first round judging has been completed. There were 10 entries (one dairy and nine sheep and beef). 10.11. There are three first round judging teams, each with a Council staff member (from Land, Freshwater and Rural Advice). There will be one Council staff member on the finalist judging round, due in December. Beef and Lamb 10.12. Staff attended one Beef and Lamb NZ (B&LNZ), Land and Environment Plan workshop, in Mangatainoka, and an irrigation field day at Mangamahu. 10.13. Staff met with a number of B&LNZ staff during the reporting period and discussed potential partnership programmes, including a workshop on “getting more from your WFP”, further Land and Environment Plan (LEP) workshops in Manawatu-Rangitikei and issues involving feedlots. 10.14. A “Getting more from your WFP” workshop is planned for 6 December at the Rangatira Golf Club, near Ohingaiti.
Poplar and Willow Trust 10.15. A second year trial with the P&WRT was established this spring. This trial is attempting to ascertain any difference in survival of willow poles in the field relating to infestation of Giant Willow Aphid. Nursery stock from Hawkes Bay Regional Council (poles treated for aphid control) are being compared with those from Horizons’ Weber nursery (no treatment). 10.16. Discussions have been held with Ian McIvor, P&WT manager, with the objective of setting up a major poplar demonstration site in Horizons’ Region. The proposed project would involve funding from P&WRT, B&LNZ and Horizons. 10.17. Staff attended the P&WT AGM on 17 November.
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2 Forestry and Farm Forestry 10.18. Staff attended a SCION and Specialty Wood Products workshop on the research directions for alternate species to radiata. Item 1 Item 10.19. Staff attended a Farm Forestry Association (FFA) meeting at Feilding which discussed all aspects of forestry in our Region. The FFA also hosted a manuka field day at Massey University.
Other 10.20. Attended Accelerate 25 launch at Whanganui and assisted MPI with organisation of a farm visit for Minister Guy at Cheltenham. 10.21. Attended a Primary Sector stakeholder meeting and a Primary Sector Accelerate 25 meeting. Provided feedback to Accelerate 25 Chair on small-scale on farm irrigation. 10.22. Attended a joint Land Managers Group and New Zealand Association of Resource Management (NZARM) executive meeting prior to the NZARM conference to discuss joint issues such as national context for farm plans, staff training and development, and professional certification. 10.23. Attended Land Managers Group meeting in Christchurch where issues included reviewing the business plan, national consistency around farm plans, and developing capacity within the sector. 10.24. Worked with Hawkes Bay Regional Council (HBRC) to discuss support for an east coast centric Envirolink Tools project on dryland grazing management. Supported by all councils on east coast but may struggle to get national support.
Nurseries:
10.25. Woodville: Pole harvest was completed by late July and all slash from the harvest has been mulched. Shelterbelts were trimmed and rubbish burnt. One new paddock has been established with a variety of poplar and willow (14,000 stakes in all). Nursery has been mown and sprayed. 10.26. Bulls: Harvesting completed, all slash mulched, some larger slash piled to be burnt. Nursery mown and sprayed. 10.27. Northern Nurseries: Contractors completed harvesting at four sites: yard, Manunui, Ohura and NZ Redwood with 1,792 poles cut. Copper spraying has commenced for rust control but wet weather is a hindrance. 10.28. Weber: Harvest completed and general tidy up. 10.29. Aokautere: Completed our contract to harvest, with some 4,000 poles cut. 10.30. The management contract with David Murray was renewed. David manages the Woodville and Bulls nurseries. 10.31. A Health and Safety audit was completed for contractor Enviroworks and it has completed documentation to go onto the Plant Hire Register. Enviroworks has completed harvesting work at Woodville and Aokautere, and establishment work at Woodville. 10.32. Engaged consultant to review the future issues and options for pole planting in Horizons’ Region.
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Whanganui Catchment Strategy and WRET: 2 10.33. The WRET AGM was finally held in Ohakune in late September after a postponement due to snow and road closures. The Horizons Annual Report and request for funding was
presented by George Powell and Weston Brown. Both were accepted and funding 1 Item approved for 2016-17 financial year. 10.34. The final (third) new pole nursery site was established this spring at Blue Duck Station, Whakahoro. Staff from Horizons and Blue Duck Station planted 500 shinsei and 1,860 kawa poplar stakes. 10.35. As weather improves staff will copper spray the two other WRET nurseries in the upper Whanganui catchment. 10.36. Staff attended the October Taumarunui Sustainable Land Management meeting. The site visit looked at a project in the Waikato where a sheep milking joint venture is being developed with local iwi (40%) and Chinese (60%) funding. 10.37. Staff met with an iwi chair on Whanganui River to discuss opportunities to work on environmental projects. 10.38. Discussion with WRET on its strategic Plan will take place on 22 November.
Training: 10.39. A resilience workshop was attended in conjunction with NZARM conference. 10.40. A number of staff attended the NZARM conference in Hawkes Bay. The theme was resilience and field trips looked at manuka planting, the proposed Ruataniwha dam, and the farm plans that need to be prepared as a result of the Tukituki plan change. 10.41. One staff member is continuing the Manawatu-Wanganui Local Authority Shared Services (MW LASS) graduate training programme, which runs until December. 10.42. One staff member attended the internal negotiating outcomes workshop.
One Plan Implementation: 10.43. Eleven staff have totalled 254 hours work on One Plan implementation this year. This has involved granting 13 consents (see table 2) and viewing 22 Erosion and Sediment Control Plans. The statistics on the number of consents issued do not tell the full story of the work being carried out in this area. Work during the reporting period included: A pine harvest inspection at Rakatapuama swamp, Waiaruhe Road, Irirangi. Four islands were logged, one with an eco-logger and three with helicopter. Proposed harvest of pines at the Utiku slump. The harvest is to clear pines from power lines and the area will not be replanted but additional toe of slump planting will be completed next winter. A number of inspections were made where logging involves stream crossings and advice was given regarding the need for consent; other advice given relating to replanting. Three logging follow-up inspections, including one on River Road, Whanganui which had caused some concern among locals and road users. This was a complicated mix of logging and roading improvements but has been resolved with the parties involved. Two inspections for dune reshaping and one follow-up inspection of consented work Five inspections for possible land consents where no consent was required
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2 Item 1 Item
Photo 1 – “Islands” of trees in Rakatapuama Swamp before logging. – Libby Owen 10.44. Total consents issued to date are recorded by type and location:
Table 2: Land Use Consents Issued Location Consent Type Regional and Coast Total WCS Area Area Vegetation clearance 1 1 2 Cultivation > 20 degrees 0 1 1 Land disturbance < 20 degrees 1 4 5 Land disturbance >20 degrees 4 1 5 Total 6 7 13
11. SIGNIFICANCE 11.1. This is not a significant decision according to the Council’s Policy on Significance and Engagement. Grant Cooper MANAGER - LAND
Jon Roygard GROUP MANAGER NATURAL RESOURCES & PARTNERSHIPS ANNEXES There are no attachments for this report.
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