I hereby give notice that an ordinary meeting of the Catchment Operations Committee will be held on:
Date: Wednesday, 26 September 2018 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 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 Whanganui 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 26 September 2018
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 Welcome / Karakia 5
2 Apologies and Leave of Absence 5 Cr Rieger – Leave of Absence
3 Public Forums / Deputations / Petitions 5
4 Supplementary Items 5
5 Members’ Conflict of Interest 5
6 Confirmation of Minutes Catchment Operations Committee meeting, 15 August 2018 7
7 River and Drainage Engineering Report Report No: 18-169 13
8 Makirikiri Scheme Modifications (PRD 05 18) Report No: 18-170 33 Annex A - Aerial photograph showing locations of flood control, erosion and drainage assets in the Mangatikotoko Stream catchment 39
9 Natural Character Index - Presentation by Dr Ian Fuller Report No: 18-171 41
10 Sustainable Land Use Initiative (SLUI) Report No: 18-172 43
11 Regional Coast & Land Report No: 18-173 55
12 Members’ Questions
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AGENDA
1 Welcome/Karakia
2 Apologies and Leave of Absence Cr Rieger- Leave of Absence.
3 Public Forums: Are designed to enable members of the public to bring matters, not on that meeting’s agenda, to the attention of the local authority. Deputations: Are designed to enable a person, group or organisation to speak to an item on the agenda of a particular meeting. Requests for Public Forums / Deputations must be made to the meeting secretary by 12 noon on the working day before the meeting. The person applying for a Public Forum or a Deputation must provide a clear explanation for the request which is subsequently approved by the Chairperson. Petitions: Can be presented to the local authority or any of its committees, so long as the subject matter falls within the terms of reference of the council or committee meeting being presented to. Written notice to the Chief Executive is required at least 5 working days before the date of the meeting. Petitions must contain at least 20 signatures and consist of fewer than 150 words (not including signatories). Further information is available by phoning 0508 800 800.
4 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.
5 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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Minutes of the eleventh meeting of the tenth triennium of the Catchment Operations Committee held at 9.00am on Wednesday 15 August 2018, in the Tararua Room, Horizons Regional Council, 11-15 Victoria Avenue, Palmerston North.
PRESENT Crs DB Cotton (Chair), JJ Barrow (from 10.54am), LR Burnell QSM, EB Gordon JP (ex officio), RJ Keedwell, GM McKellar, NJ Patrick, PW Rieger QSO JP (from 9.05am), BE Rollinson, CI Sheldon, and WK Te Awe Awe (to 9.38am). IN ATTENDANCE Chief Executive Mr M McCartney Committee Secretary Mrs K A Tongs
ALSO PRESENT Mr R Strong (Group Manager Operations), Dr J Roygard (Group Manager Natural Resources and Partnerships), Dr N Peet (Group Manager Strategy & Information), Mr M Guy (Land Management Co-ordinator Whanganui), Mr G Cooper (Environment Manager Land), Mr W Spencer (Area Engineer), Mr D Harrison (Environmental Programme Coordinator), Mr M Todd (Environmental Programme Coordinator), Mrs C Hesselin (Senior Communications Advisor) and a member of the Press.
The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and invited Cr Te Awe Awe to open the meeting with a karakia.
APOLOGIES Cr Te Awe Awe advised he would be leaving the meeting early.
COP 18-76 Moved Keedwell/Gordon That the Committee receives an apology for lateness from Crs Rieger and Barrow. CARRIED
PUBLIC FORUMS / DEPUTATIONS / PETITIONS There were no requests for public speaking rights.
SUPPLEMENTARY ITEMS There were no supplementary items to be considered.
MEMBERS’ CONFLICTS OF INTEREST There were no conflicts of interest declared.
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CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES COP 18-77 Moved Te Awe Awe/Sheldon
That the Committee:
confirms the minutes of the Catchment Operations Committee meeting held on 12 June 2018 as a correct record, and notes that the recommendations were adopted by the Council on 20 June 2018. CARRIED
Cr Rieger joined the meeting at 9.05am.
SUSTAINABLE LAND USE INITIATIVE (SLUI) STUDENTS Report No 18-118 Dr Roygard (Group Manager Natural Resources & Partnerships) and Mr Cooper (Environmental Manager Land) introduced seven of the eight successful SLUI Scholarship recipients to the Committee; Louis Poole, Tor Holmes, Isabella Henderson, Jacob Howard, Charles Blair, Therese Kaul and Jake Robinson. On behalf of the Committee the Chair congratulated the students and looked forward to working with them and the fresh eyes they would see Horizons Regional Council business through. COP 18-78 Moved Sheldon/McKellar That the Committee recommends that Council: a. receives the presentation from Grant Cooper. CARRIED
RIVER AND DRAINAGE ENGINEERING REPORT Report No 18-119 This item reported on progress with river and drainage activities for the period 1 June 2018 to 31 July 2018. Mr Strong (Group Manager River Management) introduced his report and took Members through a presentation depicting photographs of a number of river management activities and elaborated further on the impacts of the mid-June flood event in both the Manawatu and Rangitikei Rivers and Pohangina and Oroua Rivers.
Cr Te Awe Awe left the meeting at 9.38am.
Mr Strong responded to questions around forestry activities, iwi relationships and activities relating to the Waikawa Stream. There was also discussion around Horizons’ current process relating to the need for landowners who received an environmental grant to use a Horizons approved contractor. COP 18-79 Moved Burnell/McKellar That the Committee recommends that Council: a. receives the information contained in Report No. 18-119. CARRIED
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RANGITIKEI GRAVEL RESOURCE STUDY Report No 18-120 The purpose of this report was to inform Members about the findings of a study of the gravel resource in the Rangitikei River. Mr Strong (Group Manager River Management) introduced the item as being a companion item to the presentation made by Consulting River Engineer Gary Williams at the June 2018 committee meeting. Mr Strong referred Members to the cross section data and the table regarding the gravel volume change along the Rangitikei River. COP 18-80 Moved Burnell/Keedwell That the Committee recommends that Council: a. receives the information contained in Report No.18-120 and Annexes. CARRIED
DETENTION DAM ASSESSMENT WORK Report No 18-121 Mr Nathan Fletcher from Engineering Consultant Stantec made a presentation to Members on the detention dam assessment work undertaken in conjunction with river management staff.
Cr Barrow joined the meeting at 10.54am.
Mr Fletcher talked to the presentation which was in three parts: Comprehensive Dam Safety Review (CDSR), Operation, Maintenance and Surveillance (OMS) and Renewal and Replacement (R&R). Mr Fletcher responded to questions which included the role CCTV cameras have in dam inspections. COP 18-81 Moved Keedwell/Sheldon That the Committee recommends that Council: a. receives the information contained in the presentation from Stantec. CARRIED
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PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT - BALLANCE FARM ENVIRONMENT AWARDS Report No 18-122 The purpose of this report was to seek Council’s approval to renew the Partnership Agreement with the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust (NZFET) in running the Ballance Farm Environment Award (BFEA) programme in the region for a further two years. Dr Roygard (Group Manager Natural Resources & Partnerships) took the item as read, and together with Mr Harrison (Environmental Programme Coordinator) and Mr Cooper (Environment Manager Land) answered Members’ questions regarding the improvements needed to extend the reach of the project. COP 18-82 Moved Keedwell/Sheldon That the Committee recommends that Council: a. receives the information contained in Report No. 18-122. b. instructs the Chief Executive to enter into a further two year Ballance Farm Environment Award Partnership Agreement with the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust. CARRIED
SUSTAINABLE LAND USE INITIATIVE (SLUI) Report No 18-125 Dr Roygard (Group Manager Natural Resources & Partnerships) introduced this report which updated Members on progress of Council’s Sustainable Land Use Initiative (SLUI) for the period 1 May to 30 June 2018. Dr Roygard highlighted both the increase in active Farm Plans and the decrease in inactive Farm Plans at year end, and announced the increase in funding streams. Members congratulated Dr Roygard and his team on the progress made to date and the outstanding work the team accomplished at the recent Storm Resilience Workshops in the Ruapehu area. The Chair made special note of Sarah Nicholson (Environmental Management Officer) and the work she did. Questions were raised around staff resourcing and the adequacy of pole supply. COP 18-83 Moved Burnell/Cotton That the Committee recommends that Council: a. receives the information contained in Report No. 18-125. CARRIED
REGIONAL LAND & COAST Report No 18-124 This report updated Members on the progress with Council’s Regional Land and Coastal and Whanganui Catchment Strategy activities from 1 May to 30 June 2018. Dr Jon Roygard (Group Manager Natural Resources & Partnerships) introduced the item and took Members through Table 1. He then responded to questions and explained the history behind the Whanganui Catchment Strategy (WCS). Discussion was had regarding the possible option of combining WCS into the Sustainable Land Use Initiative (SLUI) programme.
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COP 18-84 Moved Rollinson/Patrick That the Committee recommends that Council: a. receives the information contained in Report No. 18-124. CARRIED
NATURAL RESOURCES & PARTNERSHIPS OPERATIONAL PLANS Report No 18-123 This item presented Council with the Natural Resources & Partnerships Regional Land and Coast, and the Sustainable Land Use (SLUI) Operational Plans. Dr Roygard (Group Manager Natural Resources & Partnerships) took Members through the operational plans and Mr M Guy (Land Management Co-ordinator Whanganui) answered Members questions which included the pressures around nurseries and the constraints in labour in regard to planting the approximate two million trees lined up for both this year and 2019. COP 18-85 Moved Rieger/Burnell That the Committee recommends that Council: a. receives the information contained in Report No. 18-123 and Annexes. b. recommends that Council formally adopts and releases the 2018-19 Land and Coast Operational Plan annexed to this item. c. recommends that Council formally adopts and releases the 2018-19 Sustainable Land Use (SLUI) Operational Plan annexed to this item.
CARRIED
MEMBERS’ QUESTIONS There was comment and discussion around old poplar poles with a possible paper to Council regarding the size of the problem, trial areas of clean up, and costs involved.
The meeting closed at 12.10pm.
Confirmed
______CHAIR GROUP MANAGER RIVER MANAGEMENT
______GROUP MANAGER NATURAL RESOURCES AND PARTNERSHIP
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Item 7 Item Report No. 18-169 Information Only - No Decision Required
RIVER AND DRAINAGE ENGINEERING REPORT
1. PURPOSE
1.1. The purpose of this item is to report on progress with river and drainage activities for the period 1 August 2018 to 30 September 2018.
2. RECOMMENDATION
That the Committee recommends that Council: a. receives the information contained in Report No. 18-169.
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 2018-28 Long-term Plan (LTP) or additional approval will be specifically sought by way of recommendation in the item.
4. SIGNIFICANT BUSINESS RISK IMPACT
4.1. There are no significant risks inherent in the adoption of recommendations contained in this report.
5. DISCUSSION
5.1. The Horowhenua District Council (HDC) has agreed to share the cost of engaging coastal scientists Tonkin and Taylor to provide a definitive assessment of the coastal processes at play at the mouth of the Waikawa Stream. That work will also provide some high-level direction around what the most effective long-term management strategy is and what that might cost, to help inform a discussion with the community.
5.2. Staff along with Councillors Cotton and McKellar met with Pohangina-Oroua Scheme ratepayers on 13 September to provide an overview of the damage resulting from this years’ June flood event and current best estimates of the likely financial impacts for the scheme. Main discussion points were management techniques, financial impacts and the cost-share arrangements associated with bank protection works (60/ 40 cost share between landowners and the scheme).
5.3. A proposal to set scheme reserves drawdown to cover the effects of the June event at a ceiling of $200,000 had general endorsement from those present. In accordance with the financial delegations set, approval for that drawdown will now be sought from the Chief Executive. Discussion also took place around the 60/ 40 spilt for bank protection works; their seemed to be general consensus from those present for a shift to 50/ 50, with staff
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Item 7 Item noting that the change will require a formal consultation process (it will not be able to be applied in the current financial year).
5.4. Members will note in the body of this report a workplace injury that occurred to a contractor’s employee involved in undertaking South East Ruahine Scheme maintenance work. Although WorkSafe have declined to investigate, staff have been conducting their own enquiries around the circumstances that lead to the incident, identifying some deficiencies around properly documenting site hazards. Not uncommonly, the contractor involved is very experienced and has provided Horizons with many years of good service; the nub of the matter in this case was the contractor’s more experienced staff not having adequate systems and processes in place to ensure more junior staff were fully aware of the site-specific hazards.
5.5. Staff and Councillors met with farmers/ landowners in the Taonui Basin who have expressed concerns through a range of different channels around the operation of the Burkes pump station and the efficiency of the drainage network feeding the station. The meeting was relatively amicable and productive both in capturing most of the matters of concerns to those famers but also in outlining work underway that will in address in time some of the matters raised.
5.6. On 3 September, I gave Palmerston North City councillors an overview of Horizons’ river management activity, including the constraints associated with how the activity is funded, the achievements in regard to both the City Reach and Rural Upgrade Projects and the focus contained in our updated Long-term Plan. The meeting was well attended and very constructive.
5.7. Further steps to improve the resilience of the river training structures along the lower reach of the Whanganui River occurred over the period, with the main notable activity being a hui that took place in Whanganui on 30 August. The hui was facilitated by Ministry for Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) staff and attended by Horizons, Whanganui District Council (WDC) and Whanganui Port staff, along with Iwi representatives and the Chair of Ngā Tāngata Tiaki O Whanganui (NTT). Discussions centered on capturing all of the threads required to build a comprehensive case to central government for financial assistance.
5.8. A Christchurch-based economist with a background in reviewing/ critiquing targeted rate classifications has been engaged to assist with the review of the Koputaroa Scheme classification. External expertise is seen as necessary for this particular review given the complexities of the existing classification and the wider array of influencing factors, not the least of which is the current and future land-use change associated with a growing Horowhenua.
5.9. Staff and Councillors met with affected Reid Line floodway landowners on the evening of 5 September to provide an update of the project and to answer questions. The meeting was understandably fractious at times mainly relating to the uncertainty Horizons’ interest has created and what fair value might look like at an individual property level. I will be providing those landowners with regular updates as the project progresses.
5.10. In regard to staffing, John McCartin and Claire Kitson join the Investigations and Design team to assist in delivering the various major projects within the River Management group, particularly the Rural Upgrade Project (RUP). Tyree Laskey joins the southern area team as a skilled labourer. Morning tea to acknowledge 30 years’ service on the part of Woodville-based Engineering Officer Gordon Kuggeleijn took place on 6 September.
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6. INVESTIGATIONS AND DESIGN 7 Item
6.1. Through August and the first half of September the demands on the Investigations and Design team have remained high and varied. Focus has moved on to the delivery of a wide range of work over the coming year. That includes producing a range of designs and the provision of technical advice to support the wider River Management group as well as providing advice to the Regulatory and District Advice teams. Staff have also invested considerable time alongside the Finance team in answering a variety of questions from Audit NZ.
6.2. The following summarises the work that the team has undertaken over the period.
LOWER MANAWATŪ SCHEME
6.3. With winter at an end, design work in this area has focused on the projects programmed to be undertaken in the coming summer construction season. Advice has been provided in regard to the required stopbank heights and potential alignments on the Manawatū, Oroua and Tokomaru Rivers.
6.4. Ongoing advice has been provided to the Lower Manawatū Scheme in terms of various erosion issues and to support the work of Palmerston North City Council (PNCC) in the Manawatū River corridor through Palmerston North.
LOWER MANAWATŪ SCHEME – STOPBANKS THROUGH PALMERSTON NORTH
6.5. Consistent with the emphasis placed on operational effectiveness and reliability in Council’s Infrastructure Strategy, work to ensure that criticality is adequately reflected in stopbank surveillance and maintenance regimes has begun. Expressions of interest are currently being sought from suitably qualified and experienced consultants with the capability and capacity to review current practise for Palmerston North’s stopbanks against the 2015 New Zealand Dam Safety Guidelines.
SEDIMENTATION IN THE LOWER MANAWATŪ AND OROUA RIVERS
6.6. As part of the fluvial project, work is continuing in partnership with the Science and Innovation team to build up our understanding of the sedimentation that is occurring in the Lower Manawatū and Oroua Rivers. This financial year will essentially see this work progressed in two stages.
6.7. The first stage will be to assimilate the data needed to inform future decisions. Following on from the analysis of the Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data of the Oroua corridor that was successfully undertaken in the last financial year, the process will be extended to quantifying the changes seen in the Lower Manawatū River between the gorge and the mouth.
6.8. In parallel with this work, staff in the Investigations and Design team will carry out gravel resource studies of the Lower Manawatū and Oroua Rivers based on a traditional assessment of cross sectional surveys.
6.9. The information obtained from these work streams will be used to inform the second stage of the sedimentation work that is programmed to be carried out in the next calendar year. The preparation for this second stage of work has already begun in terms of looking for expressions of interest from consultants, Crown Research Institutes (CRI) and/or educational institutes that might be interested in carrying out an assessment of the assimilated data and providing recommendations on the range of effective interventions.
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Item 7 Item MANAWATŪ DRAINAGE SCHEME MODELLING
6.10. Work has continued on this project and it is anticipated that the indicative results will be delivered in time for them to be discussed at the scheme meeting in March. This will enable any feedback received to be incorporated into the final model and report.
KOPUTAROA SCHEME AND CLASSIFICATION REVIEWS
6.11. The scoping of the scheme review has begun and staff are currently involved in the initial data gathering stages of this project.
6.12. Thought has also gone into the classification review and this work is being scoped with an external consultant to provide an independent assessment of the scheme’s current classification system and to devise a new classification.
CLIMATE CHANGE EFFECTS IN THE WHANGANUI RIVER CATCHMENT
6.13. Work has also begun alongside the Science and Innovation team to engage the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) to look into the potential impacts of climate change on the region with a case study focusing on the Whanganui River catchment. The first step in this process is to organise a hui in Whanganui, involving NIWA, Horizons, WDC and NTT staff, along with what is envisaged to be wide-ranging Iwi representation.
ASSET MANAGEMENT
6.14. This reporting period has seen a great deal of staff time and effort working alongside the Finance team to provide information supporting the Annual Plan and its audit. This work has included, but is not limited to, the depreciation of assets, the additions and write-offs of assets, as well as the finalisation of the year end capitalisation process.
REGULATORY ADVICE
6.15. During this reporting period, advice was provided on a number of substantive matters. This regulatory work has included specialist advice on flood risk and the production of technical reports for consent applications, rezoning and subdivisions.
LOWER MANAWATŪ SCHEME RURAL FLOOD PROTECTION UPGRADE PROJECT
6.16. During this reporting period, there has been little internal resource available to progress work on the RUP. However, the tender process has now concluded for three of the most significant pieces of work programmed for construction this spring/ summer.
7. CENTRAL AREA GENERAL 7.1. The reporting period was characterised by steady rainfall through both August and September with patches of very heavy rainfall. The total rainfall for this period (1 August 2018 to 21 September 2018) was: 110.5 mm at Milson Line on the Mangaone; 111 mm at Cheltenham, Makino; 160 mm at Scott’s Road, Kahuterawa; and 365.5 mm at Rangiwahia, Oroua.
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7.2. The Manawatū River, at Teachers’ College, peaked on 5 September at 1050 cumecs 7 Item (4.6 m), which triggered the 4.2 m warning and the Moutoa Gates were prepared but not opened. The Oroua River at Almadale Slackline peaked on 5 September at 95 cumecs (2.4 m). The Mangaone Stream, at Milson Line peaked on 23 August at 31 cumecs (2.5 m). The Makino Stream at Reid’s Line peaked on 23 August at 10 cumecs (1.2 m). The Tokomaru at Riverland Farm peaked on 3 September at 14.5 cumecs (1.8 m).
LOWER MANAWATŪ SCHEME 7.3. Works undertaken on the various rivers within the scheme during this period include the following:
MANAWATŪ RIVER 7.4. The three large rock groynes constructed last summer to protect Ashhurst Domain from further Manawatū River erosion continue to perform well. The top groyne has sustained some damage with the Manawatū continuing to actively erode the area across the face of the Pohangina confluence, complicated by the Pohangina increasingly occupying an old back channel that runs alongside the top groyne. 7.5. Those changes in the Pohangina are influenced to some degree by debris accumulating on the New Plymouth – Napier Railway Line bridge crossing of the Pohangina a short distance upstream of the Manawatū confluence. Staff are attempting to broker with KiwiRail arrangements similar to the Ngawapurua bridge (Horizons inspecting and removing debris when required with KiwiRail covering the cost of the work). Staff will continue to monitor changes in this area; the budget associated with the Domain work includes an allowance (albeit limited) for further work in this area. 7.6. Pole planting of the areas between the Domain groynes commenced in the first half of September. Weather and supply permitting, approximately 1000 poles will be planted, work also funded from the tripartite arrangement between Horizons, PNCC and New Zealand Transport Authority (NZTA). 7.7. All the rock required for protection of the SH3 bridge and to restore river access and the shared pathway beneath the bridge has been stockpiled ready for placement. The design of the rock lining to protect the State Highway bridge will incorporate amenity enhancement features that will include improved parking areas, viewing platform and beach access, features paid for by PNCC. 7.8. A River Asset and Amenity Partnership (RAAP) meeting was held with PNCC during the period. Discussions included Freshwater Improvement Fund works, Green Corridors, Matariki commemorative planting, Urban Eels, River Framework, Landfill restoration, Ahimate works, Ashhurst river entrance, Mangaone works, stormwater outlets and Mangaone floodway at Benmore Avenue. 7.9. A high flow relief channel was created through the large and growing beach opposite the recently completed erosion protection works at river distance 90 km near Te Matai Road. The channel was seen to be working well during the early September event however as the flood receded the bed load (gravels) being transported by the river accumulated in the channel. A small amount of further work in this area will be required. 7.10. Repair works are planned to commence mid-September on a section of erosion that has occurred near Riverside Drive, above the end of the shared pathway in the city. This will include the battering back of the bank, and some revision of the secondary flow paths that caused the erosion. 7.11. Engineers and staff have continued maintenance tasks along the Manawatū River and floodway, and around the Moutoa sluice gates and tower. Several sections of stopbank and ramps have been hard faced and floodgates unblocked after high flows. A close eye
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Item 7 Item has also been kept on stock grazing during the exclusion period and early discovery of stock damage to stopbanks. 7.12. Staff and contractors are continuing to work hard to source poles for the remaining planting programme. A major planting effort has been completed at Hoults with several hundred poles being sourced from different locations and planted. This site was subjected to very high river flows soon after completion but suffered no additional damage. Improving ground conditions have reduced the access issues being faced earlier in the season. 7.13. Ongoing testing and repairing of identified issues at the Moutoa gates is being undertaken. This includes the removal and testing of brakes on all gate motors; gates one and two have been completed with gate three currently underway. The gates are over 55 years old, and a full mechanical assessment has been programmed for this year. 7.14. Engineers continue to work with PNCC concerning the new pedestrian bridge over the Manawatū River and the Turitea and Kahuterawa Streams, and the paths connecting these structures. Construction work on the Manawatū River bridge and city-side approach area are progressing well. 7.15. Willow mulching and layering work is underway along the left bank upstream of the Turitea Stream confluence and will soon allow views from Ahimate Park, across to the bridge construction site. Several other sites within the city reach are planned to be mulched in the coming weeks. 7.16. Ahimate Park development work by PNCC is continuing. Horizons staff are keeping a close eye on the development and working with the Consents and Compliance team to ensure that sediment traps remain fit for purpose. The park development has generally reached a stage where resource consents are likely to be required for much of the remaining work, such as the car park. The significant transformation to date appears to have increased the popularity and use of this area. The planting plan is being finalised in consultation with Horizons staff, in regards to the newly landscaped area. Meanwhile, small living willow ‘pods’ have been constructed alongside the river by the Rangiwahia Environmental Arts Centre Trust (REACT), and a large bonfire event has been planned by PNCC to both dispose of tree and flood debris, and to welcome in Spring. 7.17. Works at the Whirokino Trestle bridge are progressing well despite the recent near call for the Moutoa gate operation caused by the rain event in early September. Currently, the works in the floodway are due for completion Easter 2019, with the new bridge ready for traffic by the beginning of 2020 and all works including the demolition of the old bridge completed by Easter 2020.
OROUA RIVER 7.18. A meeting was held with representatives from Rangiotu Marae to discuss possible amenity enhancement of the Oroua River adjacent to the marae. The focus was to determine whether safe access to the river could be incorporated into works that would stabilise the banks and address erosion issues in this reach. 7.19. A RAAP meeting was held with Manawatū District Council (MDC). The aim of these meetings is to strengthen the relationship between regional and district councils and working together on projects where possible. Items discussed were the vegetation clearance work between the Aorangi Bridge and Awa Street, development of the Makino in Feilding as a community asset, minor vegetation works in Timona Park for amenity enhancement and future proofing flood protection assets for river pathway construction at a later date. 7.20. Mulching along the stopbank and river edge above the Aorangi Bridge in Fielding has begun. The stopbank was maintained by MDC and was overgrown with wattle and blackberry. The stopbank has been included in the RUP and therefore, to properly assess its condition, has been cleared of unwanted vegetation, with the contractor also clearing an
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area of berm land for MDC. Clearing the berm land will improve the flood carrying capacity 7 Item of the Oroua and will also enhance river access and amenity value. The works will be undertaken under the supervision of river management staff to the standards set out in our Code of Practice for River Works, and will be funded by MDC. 7.21. A drain was dug and small remediation works were undertaken on LIC land. The newly constructed stopbank had caused ponding to occur on a paddock as the natural flow of water has been impeded by the new stopbank. 7.22. After the peak flow on 6 and 7 September, a survey was undertaken from the Kopane bridge upstream to above the Kopane spillway. This was done to calibrate our flood models by determining actual heights during the peak compared to modelled heights.
MANGAONE STREAM 7.23. The Mangaone Stream city reach is frequently inspected by scheme engineers and is in a good condition. General maintenance tasks such as mowing and weed spraying have recommenced for the year as ground conditions have improved. Staff are continuing to respond to public enquiries and, where appropriate, work with PNCC to find and action solutions. 7.24. Horizons and PNCC are working closely together to clear and stabilise the lower reaches of the Mangaone. PNCC and the Fresh Water Improvement Fund will be funding these works, with engineers undertaking the works under the Environmental Code of Practice for River Works. Mulching of the true left bank has been completed from racecourse boundary to the confluence with the Manawatū River. During these works, a small amount of channel work was also completed to improve the flow and channel alignment in this section. The aim of the work is to improve river access to the stream, reinstate areas of native flora and eventually extend the path along the Mangaone to the Manawatū River.
TURITEA STREAM 7.25. Staff recently pitched to Massey University to contribute to clearing the Tiritea Stream of trees. Massey University subsequently agreed to contribute $20k to the project. Discussions at our RAAP meeting with PNCC secured another $23k giving a total of $43k to clear the Tiritea Stream. Scheme staff will undertake the works in October.
MAKINO STREAM 7.26. A number of applications for new culverts discharging stormwater into the Makino have been received. The local erosion issues caused by these outfalls is relatively easy to mitigate however, the cumulative effect of additional stormwater into the Makino is more problematic.
TOKOMARU RIVER 7.27. Floodgates checked and stopbanks inspected for stock grazing.
LOWER KIWITEA STREAM SCHEME 7.28. No works were undertaken in this reporting period.
ASHHURST STREAM SCHEME 7.29. No works have been undertaken in this scheme this reporting period.
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Item 7 Item 8. NORTHERN AREA
GENERAL 8.1. Continuous wet conditions in the northern area during August and September continued to create challenging conditions for staff and limit site access in many areas. Although rainfall totals have not been high, there has been rainfall on almost every day that has exceeded the daily evapotranspiration rate keeping ground conditions saturated. 8.2. Although wet staff have continued to progress well with the annual planting programme, especially in the Rangitikei and Pohangina-Oroua Schemes. 8.3. A meeting was held on 11 September at the Tikorangi Marae to explain to local landowners the changing patterns in the Rangitikei River. An agreed outcome from this hui is to develop a co-management group with local landowners to ensure river management and maintenance through their land is well understood and for the betterment of the awa. 8.4. A meeting was also held at the Pohangina Community Hall on 13 September to advise the Pohangina-Oroua Scheme ratepayers on the extent of flood damage resulting from the 12 June Flood. The scheme emergency reserves are in a very healthy state and well able to fund the schemes 40% contribution to this work.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT 8.5. Staff attended a Rangitikei Treasured Environment meeting on 22 August.
RANGITIKEI RIVER CONTROL SCHEME 8.6. Very wet weather conditions have seen the Rangitikei River remain at elevated levels above the Mangaweka hydrometric station first flood warning level of 3.6 m for most of the reporting period. In early September rainfall spillover into the top portions of the Ruahine catchments resulted in a flood peak at the same station of 6.53 m. This exceeded the sites 6.50 m level 9 flood warning level. Of particular concern to scheme engineers is that during this event the river levels remained above the 5.0 m level 6 flood warning for over 3 days. 8.7. Extended periods of high river flows have the potential to incur extensive river bank and erosion damage. This has certainly been the case in this instance and staff have been responding to numerous calls from concerned landowners. As river levels recede, staff will undertake a further inspection of the river to assess the extent of this new damage and to estimate repair/ reinstatement costs.
RANGITIKEI MAINTENANCE WORKS 8.8. Following the 12 June flood event on the Rangitikei River a work program prioritising areas of damage for work were identified and collated. Initially the estimated costs of repairing damage were around the $300k mark but extended periods of high flows continue to cause extensive damage and this cost is steadily increasing making reprioritisation of work essential. Extended periods of high flows continue to make work, repairs and access to sites difficult. 8.9. The extended high flows continue to utilize pilot channels that were created last summer, taking the pressure off the outside bends and hard assets. 8.10. Floodgates have been inspected following the 12 June event and again before the 5-8 September flood events, all were operational but a few require the outlet drain clearing and reforming to allow water to escape. 8.11. Repairs- Stockpiled rock from the Kakariki Nursery was carted to the hole in the left bank below the Kakariki Rail Bridge ready to be repaired and the remaining rock was carted to the Mary Wilson bend for repairs to the scour holes and rock lining. Large debris was
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cleared off the groynes following the 12 June event and debris on the downstream beach 7 Item was cleared and piled ready to burn. Rock placement and the filling of the scour holes was postponed due to high flows. More rock will be required to complete the repairs. 8.12. Planting- The planting season is drawing to a close as spring approaches. Approximately 6000 willow poles were planted on the Rangitikei River this season with approximately 3000 willows harvested from the Haylock and Kakariki Nurseries. 4007 poles were planted 5 m from the edge of the bank, covering a 15-20 m strip on Rangitikei Aggregate land on the right bank of Rangitikei at the 40 km mark. 8.13. Unfortunately, a week of high flows at the beginning of September, only a week following the completion of the planting, caused 30 m of bank erosion. Ninety percent of the planting was lost. 8.14. Willow poles were also planted at Tonui, Walmac, Te Hou, Ham McConachy’s, and the Kakariki Nursery for the extension. 8.15. Amon Drain- Amon Drain culvert has been inspected several times following concerns of the flooding on the landward side. The flooding has simply been caused by the extended period of high flows. Allister Robertson has laid a concrete pad on the inlet for easier tractor access to attach the pump. Boxing has been set up for a concrete pad above the outlet for access and desilting purposes. 8.16. Stopbanks- The river level has been up to the toe of the stopbank twice this winter now. Other than a few ramp repairs and a patch up of the 2017-18 upgrade section, the network is in good condition. Mowing will be scheduled in the next few months. 8.17. Scouring of the berm land is still a problem. An inspection of the berm land will be required following the recent 5-8 September event when the water recedes. Most likely the scour holes will be larger and more extensive. Plans are being made to create willow tree groynes through this area to try and slow the high velocities down. 8.18. Forestry- External revaluation of the forestry on the Rangitikei River has now been completed. A work program and associated costs now needs to be established. 8.19. GBC Winstone Haul Road- The Haul Road was lost during the 5-8 September flood event. Fencing has been removed and vegetation cleared. Winstones are now building the new road approximately 60 m inland from the existing road. 8.20. Iwi Consultation- A meeting was held on 11 September at the Tikorangi Marae to discuss changes in the river characteristics, the recent Rangitikei River Review, recent Rangitikei River gravel report, proposed work and the Rangitikei River Global Gravel Consent application. The meeting was received well and we will continue to establish positive communication/consultation with the Reu Reu Road landowners and Iwi. 8.21. Asset Maps- Asset maps were updated for the year.
RANGITIKEI CAPEX WORKS PAREWANUI STOPBANK UPGRADE 8.22. The Parewanui stopbank upgrade work for 2018-19 will be located on the Walmac Farm near Scotts Ferry from river distance 3 km to 4 km. The contract will see the stopbank upgraded over the Kapuni gas main. Staff are working through design options with First Gas to ensure the additional weight of the upgraded stopbank does not impact the integrity of the gas line. Tenders for construction are likely to be invited in October.
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Item 7 Item GRAVEL EXTRACTION SITES – GBC WINSTONE 8.23. No gravel extracted from the scheme consent this period.
RANGITIKEI RIVER GLOBAL GRAVEL EXTRACTION CONSENT 8.24. Planning consultants Good Earth Matters Limited have been engaged to prepare and lodge a ‘Global’ resource consent application to enable gravel extraction, for river management purposes, from the Rangitikei River over a series of reaches extending from the Makahikato Stream to the mouth of the river. A draft application is being prepared with consultation planned for the last quarter of 2018.
RANGITIKEI RIVER ENHANCEMENT 8.25. The knee breaker fence around the native plantings at the Bulls bridge is now complete.
GRAVEL EXTRACTION 8.26. A consent application is being processed to allow the excavation of gravel from four proposed high level diversion channel sites where tight bends are causing extensive and expensive river bank erosion and damage to flood protection assets.
POHANGINA-OROUA RIVER CONTROL SCHEME 8.27. The after effects of the 12 June flood event are still being felt in both catchments. Staff continue to make contact with affected landowners to identify and price erosion repairs for inclusion in the coming summer work programme. 8.28. A meeting of landowners was held on 13 September at the Pohangina Community Hall to provide an update on flood damage. The latest estimate has erosion repair work at $628,000 which is 60% paid for by landowners and $172,000 in channel clearance work. Currently about $60,000 of erosion repair work has been completed for scheme landowners. The remaining work is programmed for the summer months when river levels are lower and trout spawning has finished.
POHANGINA RIVER 8.29. To date, eight sites are identified on the Pohangina River where landowners are wanting erosion repair work carried out. The estimated cost of this work amounts to $280,000. On a priority basis, the damage at Passeys property was quite significant and we have moved in and carried out temporary repairs using groynes and tree bank protection work. The damage was very close to the stopbank and required urgent work. This will need a more permanent fix in summer months and require a diversion of the river to enable machinery access to the work site. 8.30. A similar situation has occurred at Carroll’s property where temporary work is now complete and it is pleasing to report both these sites are now safer and will be better protected over the coming months. There are still areas of damage at Wards, Eales, MacDonald’s and Fairless properties and other smaller damage areas which will need action over the coming months.
GRAVEL EXTRACTION 8.31. No gravel extraction has occurred from the Pohangina River.
OROUA RIVER 8.32. A similar situation has occurred over on the Oroua River where there are more than 12 sites identified with significant flood damage. With the passing of time, we are becoming aware of additional work as landowners bring their concerns to us.
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8.33. A permanent repair has been completed at the Silk property and this has allowed access to 7 Item winter feed stock which was impossible following the flood. The cost of some repairs is substantial for the landowner with several estimates coming in over $40,000. Even with the scheme contributing 40% towards the total cost there is a significant burden for them. 8.34. As with the Pohangina River, a number of repairs will require some diversion of the river. This cannot be actioned until trout spawning is over and the river levels drop significantly. 8.35. Other areas of extensive damage include the properties of Landcorps, Hoggards, McDougall, Martins ,Milns, and Griffiths.
GRAVEL EXTRACTION 8.36. No gravel extraction has occurred from the Oroua River.
TOTARA RESERVE 8.37. No work undertaken during this period.
UPPER WHANGANUI RIVER MANAGEMENT SCHEME 8.38. No work undertaken this period. 8.39. The proposed works programme for 2018-19 will shortly be discussed with Iwi and Council staff at Ruapehu District Council’s (RuDC’s) next iwi liaison meeting.
UPPER WHANGANUI SCHEME RuDC CULVERT UPGRADES 8.40. RuDC have engaged Horizons to provide an indicative engineer’s estimate for the upgrade of the Taupo Road culvert. The culvert transfers water from the Tuku Street drain under the road and stopbank to the Whanganui River. An estimate has been provided and a map of 200 year flood levels has been provided as this information was requested for floor levels.
MATARAWA FLOOD CONTROL SCHEME 8.41. No physical work has been completed due to wet ground conditions. A drainage inspection has been completed at the request of a resident who claims blockages and potential flooding.
MATARAWA URBAN 8.42. Ground conditions are at last improving – to the point that vegetation work at 17-19 Matarawa Street that was not completed in the autumn can now be finished.
TUTAENUI FLOOD CONTROL SCHEME 8.43. Staff have liaised with several owners regarding water quality issues in the stream near in Bulls area. Work has involved meeting the property owners, taking samples and forwarding the samples onto our Science and Freshwater teams to carry out further investigation. 8.44. Recent high flow events have resulted in some minor bank erosion. While channel management is within the mandate of this scheme, bank protection work is not; staff are assisting affected landowners, providing repair options and looking at how minor stream re- profiling in summer may help alleviate their problem. Staff time costs associated with non- scheme activities such as this is coded to the environmental grant budget.
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Item 7 Item 8.45. It was pleasing to note that the work at Christine Ramsey’s property has held up well in the intervening freshes and the tree bank protection work has protected her farm. The willows planted have also started to bud and will help protect this stretch of stream in the future.
MAKIRIKIRI FLOOD CONTROL SCHEME 8.46. No work undertaken this period.
MAKIRIKIRI FLOOD EGRESS GATE 8.47. It has been identified that the flood egress structure constructed in January 2017 requires modification. The gates are not sitting flush against the concrete walls. A solution has been established between Horizons and the contractor. The first half of the modifications were completed in June and the following alterations are to be completed in September. A scribed rubber seal and additional bearing housings are being added to the structure for functionality.
POREWA FLOOD CONTROL SCHEME DAM 100 8.48. The vegetation on the concrete spillway was sprayed and the erosion protection at the culvert outlet was modified. Further improvements will be required when dry. 8.49. An inspection of the forest upstream of Dam 100 was completed with input from Natural Resource and Partnerships staff. Dam 100 is our largest detention dam with a storage volume when full of just under 700,000 m3. In a large rainfall event there is potential for excessive amounts of slash and debris to block the dam outlet culvert which could in turn create larger concerns. Mitigation options include one or more of:
Modifications of the inlet grill; Constructing a debris trap upstream; Avoid removing any upstream poplars (as they will act as a natural filter); and Flagging the need for a harvesting plan with the Consents team.
DAM 62 8.50. The inlet grill/screen on Dam 62 was corroded and therefore replaced with a galvanized grill.
WHANGAEHU MANGAWHERO RIVER MANAGEMENT SCHEME 8.51. No work undertaken this period.
TURAKINA RIVER MANAGEMENT SCHEME 8.52. No work undertaken this period.
LOWER WHANGANUI VEGETATION MANAGEMENT AND FLOOD PROTECTION PROGRAMME 8.53. Extensive consultation is taking place with property owners between No’s 8 and 70 Papaiti Road with the aim of controlling the willows growing on river accretion land at the end of their properties. It looks as though work could start as early as this summer.
8.54. Controlling the vegetation on the Kukuta bend right bank should help to reduce the erosion against SH 4 by Sparrows Cliff.
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LOWER WHANGANUI RIVER INFRASTRUCTURE 7 Item 8.55. The north mole and south spit interface wall investigations have been completed with design of both having commenced early July. Given that the submission of the business case to central government is now looking closer to the end of the calendar year staff have been considering works programmes for the current financial year that better match the budget as it current stands.
8.56. A realistic target for the year end June 2019 is the construction/repair of the south spit interface wall, Tanae groyne and to stockpile approximately 20% of the rock required for the north mole strengthening. Physical works could be commenced early in 2019, in the event that consultation/consenting matters are able to be satisfactorily concluded in a reasonable timeframe and funding is confirmed by that time.
8.57. To that end:
Investigation and surveying of the existing rock structure below and above water has been completed; Wave height modelling and assessment for rock sizing calculations has been completed; Design profile sketches for various batter treatment of the north mole have been completed; Development of concept plans for the repair/strengthening of the south spit interface wall and the reinstatement of the Tanae groyne have been completed; The survey and associated construction drawings for the interface wall and Tanae groyne are completed; The identification of resource consent requirements is completed and the draft consent application is substantially complete; and Final design of the north mole and revetment will be completed by the end of September. 8.58. Tasks that will be progressed over the next two months include:
Development of construction methodologies and estimates; Obtain firm expressions of interest for rock supply; Notification of identified claimants for customary marine title and seek opinions; A determination from Te Pou Tupua; Consultation with Maritime NZ; and Input as required to progress the Port Revitalisation and River Control Infrastructure Business Case. 8.59. Concerns that have arisen are:
Availability of suitable rock in large volumes; and Potential consenting/consultation issues/ timeframes.
PAKIHI SCHEME 8.60. Some considerable repair work needs to be carried out to the intake grill on the Upper (Frew) Dam. Unfortunately the biennial works programme has not allowed for expenditure this year.
FOREST ROAD DRAINAGE SCHEME 8.61. No work undertaken this period.
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Item 7 Item HAUNUI DRAINAGE SCHEME 8.62. No work undertaken this period.
8.63. Staff are in discussion with a local valley contractor with the hope he will register for work with Horizons. It is difficult to get a suitable contractor out to this remote area to undertake what is essentially low volume work. If successful, the operational efficiencies and reduction in equipment location costs will enable more work to be stretched out of the scheme’s small budget.
OTHER WORKS NORTHERN ANNUAL SCHEME REPORT 8.64. Each year an Annual Report is prepared outlining the activities, and financial standing of the fourteen schemes in the northern area for the previous financial year. Work on the 2016-2017 report is now underway.
ENGINEERING ADVICE 8.65. During the last two 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, diversion queries and flood damage work. Two requests that have taken up considerable time are neighborly drainage issues in Westmere, Whanganui and on Raumai Road, south of Bulls.
OTHER PROJECTS MOAWHANGO RIVER 8.66. No work undertaken this period.
MISCELLANEOUS 8.67. Nil to report.
9. EASTERN AREA
GENERAL 9.1. This reporting period has been wet culminating in the early September event. Thankfully, rain intensities have stayed below 15 mm per hour which has kept damage to a minimum. For the period up to 12 September we have had the following rainfalls in the listed catchments:
Scheme Location Rainfall – mm River Peak Heights - m SER Tamaki headwater 555 SER Top Grass Road 396 Akitio Toi Flat 313 Tiramea Alfredton 200 Manawatū Weber rd 7.6 Manawatū Hopelands 4.8 Akitio Waihi Falls 2.4 Tiramea Ngaturi 8.5 Manawatū Gorge 7.5
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SOUTH EASTERN RUAHINE SCHEME 7 Item
9.2. The contracted scheme work here has focused on streams without trout spawning values. These same streams without trout have high native fish spawning values that restrict works from September onwards. Mulching of willow growth, repairs to tied works and some weirs have been completed as a carryover from last year. Work to the Fairbrother Road weir was combined with Alliance/Tararua District Council bridging flood repairs. Planting of shrub willow and native trees has been completed at various locations. Species selection is designed to add resilience to our planting assets. 9.3. One contractor had a “lost time accident”. The injured person was taken to Palmerston North Hospital and checked out, returned home and is now recovering. Lessons learnt have been reported and acted upon.
UPPER MANAWATŪ/LOWER MANGAHOA SCHEME 9.4. Work focused on rock placement at the Castles property. Current river flows interrupted this work. 9.5. While the Manawatū River flow was at its lowest staff shaped a small section of channel which has worked very well following the flow peaks on 4 September. Being able to work with the river flows has provided a cost-effective and robust outcome. Planting work has been completed at Sires. Species selection is designed for long-term resilience.
TARARUA RIVER MANAGEMENT SCHEME 9.6. Investigations and planning have been the focus over the period. Sites near bridges have been investigated and the plan is to work with and cost share with the Tararua Alliance on some channel clearing required around their bridge assets. Work is planned to commence in summer. A detailed operational framework will be brought to the November Committee meeting.
MANGATAINOKA RIVER SCHEME 9.7. With trout spawning season still in effect, work is yet to begin on Mangatainoka Scheme maintenance activities. Staff have been keeping busy preparing the scheduled works programme for the coming year, to ensure contractors are prepared and kept busy when work can start in October. 9.8. The rain event in early September posed a test for last years’ completed works. The works handled the flows well, with no significant damage or over-topping of the banks recorded. 9.9. Several contractors have expressed interest in gravel extraction this season. There seems to be sufficient accumulations at appropriate sites to meet their allocation requirements.
TAWATAIA – MANGAONE SCHEME 9.10. September’s rainfall saw both channels come close to capacity. There was not quite enough water to start collecting at the Tawataia dam however, it was not far off. A bit of scouring around the outlet for the dam has started to grow, as a response to this a small rock lining has been programmed for this season.
10. SOUTHERN AREA
GENERAL 10.1. Wet conditions in the southern area during August and September have created challenging conditions for staff and limited access to many of the schemes assets. 10.2. An intense weather system affected eastern catchments on 4 September resulting in high flows in many of the rivers and streams in the area, closing the majority of the drainage
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Item 7 Item scheme’s gravity outlets. That required all pump stations to operate for a significant period in order to maintain drainage levels. 10.3. During this reporting period, there have been many requests for advice on a variety of issues, particularly in non-scheme areas. The majority of these issues have involved drainage or flooding problems requiring site visits and providing advice on possible solutions. 10.4. Several of the engineering staff from Kairanga spent a morning over on the Rangitikei River meeting with staff from the Marton office to look at issues on the river and to discuss alternative options regarding edge protection and river management works 10.5. Staff continue to work with various other teams from within Council and consultants regarding the implementation of the new Asset Management System (AMS). 10.6. The recruitment process for two new skilled labourers who will be used to operate the Council’s spray rig have been partly successful with the engagement of Tyree Laskey. Ty comes from a background of drain laying and heavy machinery operation and has recently moved back from the South Island with his young family. 10.7. Staff have been busy organising Scheme Liaison Committee meetings which are set to commence during the last week in September.
OHAU-MANAKAU SCHEME 10.8. The scheme has been relatively quiet over this period due to the weather making it difficult to carry out any work in the rivers or the drains. The wintery conditions have seen the flows fluctuating throughout the period which is typical for this time of the year. The peak flows in the Ohau was 1.53 m (81m³/s), Waikawa 0.95 m (8.4m³/s) and the Manakau 1.7 m (7.8m³/s). 10.9. Channel maintenance work which includes debris removal, beach shaping, willow pole planting and willow layering have been completed in the Ohau and the Waikawa Streams. 10.10. A build-up of weed on a culvert on Takapau Drain which had stopped the flow in the drain has been removed. 10.11. Work to reinforce the winch on the floodgate at the end of Takapau Drain has been completed. 10.12. This period has seen 4.8 km of scheme drains mechanically cleaned. 10.13. River management and consents staff met with representatives from HDC to discuss issues they’re having with a section of Gladstone Road just upstream of the Ohau River and Makahika Stream confluence. Over the last few years, several large slips have occurred on this section of road isolating residents. 10.14. A recent report commissioned by HDC has confirmed that this section of road will continue to be impacted by slips and that there is little they can do to prevent that, requiring the road to be moved. HDC are now looking at alternative routes for the road which could include the potential realignment of the Makahika Stream.
MANAWATŪ DRAINAGE SCHEME 10.15. A large macrocapa tree which had fallen across Whiskey Creek, causing erosion both sides of the drain has been removed. At the same time, a short section of drain was machine cleaned to remove the large build-up of debris including a fridge and other house hold rubbish that had become caught in the tree. 10.16. A 600 mm culvert was extended along the Cloverlea Road drain to prevent further deterioration of the culvert. The section of drain directly downstream was machine cleaned at the same time.
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10.17. A tree that had fallen and blocked a short section of Mitchell’s Creek drain was removed. 7 Item 10.18. Sections of Funnels and Calsons drain have been machine cleaned. 10.19. A meeting was held at Burkes pump station to discuss concerns raised by several ratepayers at recent meetings regarding its operation, rating classification and the maintenance of the local network. Attending the meeting were members of the Scheme Liaison Committee, landowners currently paying direct pumping rates, Councillors Cotton, Keedwell and Sheldon along with staff. Issues raised were noted and will form the basis of an action plan.
MAKERUA DRAINAGE SCHEME 10.20. Ashlea Road drain was spot cleaned to remove weed blockages that had formed. 10.21. This period has seen 2 km of scheme drains mechanically cleaned.
KOPUTAROA DRAINAGE SCHEME 10.22. Investigations into a blocked culvert has found that a couple of pipes had separated and had allowed debris to be caught inside the culvert. Following discussions with the landowner the culvert was removed and the relayed with a portion of the cost of the work being shared with the landowner. 10.23. This period has seen 0.8 km of scheme drains mechanically cleaned. 10.24. A review and reclassification of this scheme was identified in the current LTP for this financial year. Preliminary discussion with a staff and a consultant were held this period to scope out the work involved and to identify timeframes for the various components of the work.
MOUTOA - WHIROKINO DRAINAGE SCHEME 10.25. The refurbishment of the access track to the Pleuger pump station was undertaken. This track has been deteriorating for some time with large potholes developing. The cost of this was shared with the LMS. 10.26. This period has seen 2 km of scheme drains mechanically cleaned.
TE KAWAU DRAINAGE SCHEME 10.27. An existing 450 mm diameter culvert on Gimlets drain has been renewed after the old butt jointed pipes had parted allowing material to fall between the gaps in the pipes and partly block the culvert. 10.28. Staff have meet with representatives from MDC to discuss a large Armco culvert under the Longburn Rongotea Road on Walsh’s drain. High water levels in the drain have prevented the district from undertaking a full inspection of the culvert and potentially undertake repairs. Horizons’ staff will work with MDC staff to dewater the site this summer so that the inspections and any repair work can be successfully carried out. 10.29. This period has seen 2 km of scheme drains mechanically cleaned.
HOKIO CATCHMENT DRAINAGE SCHEME 10.30. No work carried out in the scheme this period due to weather.
HIMATANGI DRAINAGE SCHEME 10.31. Staff have meet with representatives from the HDC to discuss issues regarding culverts on Whitebait Creek under Palmer Road and Edinburgh Terrace. As the name suggests, Whitebait Creek is the main watercourse for native fish to get up into the dune lakes
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Item 7 Item between Foxton and Himatangi. Staff will be working closely with HDC to improve fish passage at these culvert when they come up for replacement. 10.32. A new 5.4 m long, 600 mm plastic culvert was placed in a section of the golf course drain to enable machinery and vehicles to cross drain. A 400 m section of this drain was machine cleaned to remove trees that were impeding flow in the drain.
FOXTON DRAINAGE SCHEME 10.33. A culvert was replaced in Andrews drain after it had become blocked with tree roots.
11. ENVIRONMENTAL GRANT WORK 11.1. Below outlines environmental grant works thus far for the 2018-19 financial year Estimated Applicant Proposed Estimated Grant Name Location River/Stream Works Cost Contribution Status Erosion Ashhurst Manawatū Protection Works carried over from PNCC Domain River Work $258,100.00 $50,000.00 previous year
Groynes, Rock, Works carried over from N Randall Tutaenui Willow Work $26,747.00 $8,024.00 previous year PVC Sheet R Piling, Rock Works carried over from Redmayne Mangatikotoko Work $11,570.00 $3,470.00 previous year
Haynes Creek - Cheltenham Gravel removal Hunterville and construct Road, permeable tree Application awaiting J. Dermer Cheltenham Haynes Creek groynes. $15,290.00 $4,587.00 approval
Bartlett's Creek - Clear trees Fitzherbert from creek East Road, edge and install Application awaiting C. Sanson Aokautere Bartlett's Creek rock lining. $7,713.25 $2,313.98 approval
Stoney Creek - McGovern property - Install concrete Application awaiting McGovern Napier Road Stoney Creek riprap. $6,820.00 $2,046.00 approval
Waikawa Waikawa Waikawa Mouth Stream Mouth Stream Channel Cut $9,298.00 $2,789.40 Approved – work complete
Kiwitea Stream – Curwen Beaconsfield Application awaiting Hare Valley Road Kiwitea Stream Bank Protection $3,604.00 $1,082.00 approval
Porewa Stream – W Blakely & Patikipapa Rd Application awaiting B Crawford Marton Porewa Stream Bank Protection $44,092.00 $13,228.00 approval
12. SIGNIFICANCE 12.1. This is not a significant decision according to the Council’s Policy on Significance and Engagement.
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7 Item Ramon Strong GROUP MANAGER RIVER MANAGEMENT
ANNEXES There are no attachments for this report.
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Item 8 Item Report No. 18-170 Decision Required
MAKIRIKIRI SCHEME MODIFICATIONS (PRD 05 18)
1. PURPOSE 1.1. The purpose of this item is to seek the Committee’s approval of a proposed model for future management of various flood and erosion control and drainage assets within the Mangatikotoko Stream catchment at Turakina.
2. RECOMMENDATION That the Committee recommends that Council: a. receives the information contained in Report No. 18-170; b. supports an extension of the Makirikiri Flood Control Scheme to include various flood control, erosion control and drainage assets within the Mangatikotoko Stream tributary catchment; c. notes the proposed funding arrangements; and d. instructs the Group Manager River Management to make provision in the Draft 2019- 20 Annual Plan for the proposed scheme extension, including amendments to the present rating system.
3. FINANCIAL IMPACT 3.1. Adoption of the recommendations in this item, and subsequent adoption through the 2019-20 Annual Plan, will result in increases in both targeted scheme and general rates, commencing in 2019-20. The combined rate impact in Year 1 is estimated to be $12,000, and for following years $4,000.
4. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 4.1. Staff have been engaging with the property owners directly concerned with the issues discussed in this item, both as a group and as individuals, since December 2017. At the most recent meeting, the owners were acquainted with the proposals contained in this item. No wider community engagement is intended at this stage.
5. SIGNIFICANT BUSINESS RISK IMPACT 5.1. The recommendations contained in this item are largely intended to reduce business risk in terms of liability that Council may at present be exposed to with regard to an un-consented dam on a private property. Nevertheless, accepting responsibility for new flood control infrastructure, as recommended, does increase Council’s operational risk profile, although arguably not to a significant degree.
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6. BACKGROUND 6.1. A number of isolated flood control, drainage and erosion control works have been Item 8 Item undertaken within the lower reaches of the Mangatikotoko Stream over the period 1960 to 2018. The location of the Mangatikotiko catchment, and of the various works/assets are shown on an aerial photograph at Annex A. 6.2. Each of the works, designed and undertaken by either Rangitikei Catchment Board or Horizons Regional Council engineering staff, has attracted either Central Government or Board/Council funding assistance, most recently through environmental grants. The assets created are privately owned and maintained – that is they do not fall within any river or drainage scheme but rather are the responsibility of the landowners concerned. 6.3. A detailed memorandum recording the background to the various works undertaken over the period of almost 60 years, and commenting on present asset condition and maintenance requirements, was prepared in February 2018 and is available to members on request.
7. DISCUSSION 7.1. The assets fall into two categories, the first being a detention dam (height 6.7m, ponding volume approx. 60,000 m3). The dam is located such that the landowner receives little or no benefit, an issue not dissimilar to many Porewa and Tutaenui scheme dams. It provides benefit to three other landowners further west. The dam was built as part of a drainage project and was designed to detain peak flows, providing a degree of flood protection and drainage benefit, a function as important now as it was when the dam was built. 7.2. At present there is no formal arrangement in place that facilitates an appropriate standard of dam monitoring and maintenance and there is considerable confusion and misunderstanding amongst the parties as to the risks and responsibilities associated with ownership and operation of the dam. While the dam has performed as intended to date with very minimal maintenance, some issues that could potentially affect its integrity have been identified and these require prompt attention. A recent legal opinion obtained by Council confirms that Council has no proprietary interest in the dam and that its maintenance and repair is the responsibility of the three landowners who were party to a formal agreement for its construction, funding and ongoing maintenance. 7.3. There is, however, currently no resource consent for the dam, as has been required since the adoption of the One Plan, and Council may have some liability for not enforcing its operative plan in circumstances where damage ensues as a result of non-enforcement of appropriate monitoring/maintenance conditions for a dam known to exist. The granting of a resource consent (Controlled Activity) would bring the matter of monitoring and maintenance under the Resource Management Act (RMA) in that appropriate conditions could then be imposed and enforced. In particular, one matter of control under the relevant One Plan rule is “Management of Dam Failure” under which a condition could be imposed that requires compliance with the 2015 New Zealand Dam Safety Guidelines. 7.4. There are however a number of challenges around leaving consenting of the dam in the hands of the parties who benefit from its operation, relating both to the number of parties involved and the fact that the landowner on whose land the dam is sited on derives no benefit from its operation. Consenting also does not confer any rights of access – all of the parties would need to come to some mutually agreeable solution as to access, without the aid of the statutes that are available to Horizons. 7.5. The only practicable alternative is to therefore transfer ownership to the adjoining Makirikiri Scheme with the dam and associated drain becoming scheme assets. Responsibility would then rest with Council, with the scheme manager then applying for and holding a resource consent; insuring the asset; commissioning a comprehensive dam safety review;
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seek protection of the structure through designation in the District Plan; and undertaking all 8 Item required monitoring and maintenance activities in compliance with consent conditions. 7.6. The present targeted rating system for the Makirikiri Scheme would need to be amended to include a new Mangatikotoko benefit category, to ensure that all costs associated with the dam, after general rate contribution, were funded within that catchment. While the present Makirikiri Scheme rating system includes a contributor category (20% of the rating revenue), there is some resistance to extending that to encompass the Mangatikotoko catchment (approximately 730 hectares). 7.7. The imposition of such a rate across the Mangatikotoko catchment is likely to have a high degree of controversy attached to it from those within that area; somewhat unusually at least one direct benefit landowner is also resistant to the extension of the contributor rate. Accordingly staff have opted for a funding model based on 80% of all dam and drain maintenance costs being met by the three direct benefit landowners, apportioned appropriately. 7.8. An estimate of costs that would be incurred in respect of the dam and swamp drain is as follows: Initial costs (consent application and processing; comprehensive dam $6,000 safety review; operation, maintenance and surveillance manual) Dam repairs arising from dam safety review $10,000 Ongoing costs (annual inspection, asset management, average $3,300 annual dam and swamp drain maintenance) 7.9. Informal consultation with the three direct benefit landowners has been positive, with a proviso that the present owners meet only 50% of the initial costs, with a cap of $8,000. That would require Council to fund the other $8,000 out of general rate and also to carry the full cost of any initial repairs in excess of $10,000. 7.10. The second category of works on the Mangatikotoko Stream comprises a diversion channel, flume, and series of grade control structures, designed to convey normal stream flows from the outlet of an historic tunnel, across steep sand country, to the Makirikiri Stream. All of those works are located on the Tunnel Hill property and largely provide direct benefit to only that property, hence their distinction from the dam. Those works do provide to the Makirikiri Scheme through reduced sediment load and consequently reduced channel/drainage outlet maintenance costs, with Tunnel Hill making up a significant portion of the land within the scheme’s direct benefit area. 7.11. The particular nature of those works, combined with the readily erodible sand country on which they are established, means that there is a greater than usual risk of structural failure which in turn demands regular proactive maintenance. The present management arrangement however tends to deliver a more reactive approach. An extreme region-wide storm event in June 2015 caused substantial damage in the catchment and extensive works have been required subsequently to re-establish a degree of stability in the highly erodible lower reaches of the stream. 7.12. To date, environmental grant assistance has been approved for all of those works. While a condition of funding assistance has always been that the subject works must be maintained in good condition by the owner, there has been no undertaking of any funding assistance with maintenance works. That said, the approval of all requests for assistance to date may have created a perception of funding entitlement. 7.13. However a significant and disproportionate allocation of limited environmental grant funding to works in this one small stream over the past three years, together with an acknowledgement that a relatively high level of ongoing maintenance is likely be required, raises some concern. Furthermore, Council’s criteria for application of environmental grant are not easily satisfied in respect of ongoing maintenance of these works. Options for
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future management of the stream have been reviewed accordingly with staff attempting to navigate a path that draws a line under further grant assistance but avoids the potential for
Item 8 Item litigation. 7.14. Three options have been considered – special dispensation for environmental grant assistance, the addition of the assets to the Makirikiri scheme asset register or Horizons effectively walking away. 7.15. A change to environmental grant policy adds to matters of precedent for a very small fund spread across the region and is considered the least palatable option. Walking away in some ways is simplest option but one that perhaps does not adequately meet Horizons’ moral responsibility (and one that could well see legal action ensue). 7.16. Extending the Makirikiri Scheme to encompass the waterway and those assets is seen as the best option, ensuring proper asset management practices are applied with secure funding for proactive maintenance. 7.17. Discussions with the affected landowner have identified a preference for a ‘hybrid’ approach whereby costs of asset inspection, engineering advice and asset management/insurance would be funded through scheme and general rates, while any maintenance activity would attract only general rate input, with the balance of 80% of costs funded by cash payments on an as-required basis. 7.18. With this in mind it’s proposed that no changes are made to the present scheme rating system; while the extension will result in some additional inspection/ management costs these are considered to be minimal (estimated to be $1,000 per year), noting that Tunnel Hill are already a substantial Makirikiri scheme ratepayer. 7.19. Such an arrangement is not without challenges but is also seen as the best arrangement for drawing a line under further environmental grant assistance. Note that the original tunnel that the property draws its name from would not become a scheme asset – the brick-lined tunnel through a sand-dune is historic, built originally to power a flax mill.
8. COMMENT 8.1. There is at present an ‘untidy’ situation as regards ownership and operation/maintenance responsibility for various flood/erosion control and drainage assets within the Mangatikotoko Stream catchment. Furthermore, there is uncertainty as to the ability to continue funding the maintenance of some of those assets through the environmental grant facility. 8.2. With respect to the detention dam in particular, the status quo is not an option. An extension of the present Makirikiri Flood Control Scheme to include those various assets would best address those issues; would facilitate improved asset management and thereby reduce risk of malfunction and consequent damage costs; and would best manage any contingent liability that Council may have.
9. CONSULTATION 9.1. While the proposed change in scope of the Makirikiri Scheme would have minimal impact beyond the immediate direct benefit area, it should be signalled in the 2019-20 Draft Annual Plan and subjected to the associated consultation process.
10. SIGNIFICANCE 10.1. This is not a significant decision according to the Council’s Policy on Significance and Engagement.
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Allan Cook Ramon Strong 8 Item PROJECT ENGINEER GROUP MANAGER RIVER MANAGEMENT
ANNEXES A Aerial photograph showing locations of flood control, erosion and drainage assets in the Mangatikotoko Stream catchment
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Item 8 Item
Annex A
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Item 9 Item Report No. 18-171 Information Only - No Decision Required
NATURAL CHARACTER INDEX - PRESENTATION BY DR IAN FULLER
1. PRESENTATION 1.1. One of the actions identified with the Manawatu River Leaders’ Accord is to “develop a Natural Character Index for all river schemes”. This work has a number of drivers attached to it, not the least of which is the increasing importance that the Manawatu River has a natural feature for Palmerston North, and some of the management challenges that poses. 1.2. Dr Ian Fuller, Professor in Physical Geography at Massey University, will make a presentation to Committee members on the natural character of rivers and the development of a quantitative comparator.
2. RECOMMENDATION That the Committee recommends that Council: a. receives the information contained in the presentation from Dr Ian Fuller.
3. SIGNIFICANCE 3.1. 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. 18-172 10Item Information Only - No Decision Required
SUSTAINABLE LAND USE INITIATIVE (SLUI)
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 August 2018.
2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2.1. The report provides an overview of progress on SLUI for this financial year. 2.2. Since the SLUI programme began in 2006 more than 34,600 ha of work has been completed. 2.3. The allocated work programme so far this year indicates there will be over 3,100 ha of work (target 3,000 ha) and $2.6 m of grant expenditure. Last year the grant expenditure was $1.778 m. This work programme is expected to increase as new jobs are confirmed through the year. Current works allocation suggests use of SLUI reserves may be necessary. 2.4. The Government’s May budget announcement provided extra funding to the Hill Country Erosion Programme (HCEP) through the HCE Funding Boost. Horizons has been successful in its application for additional funding for this financial year, through the Supplementary SLUI Programme (SSP). The contract for this additional work has yet to be signed so contract targets and work programmes are yet to be reported. 2.5. The 1 billion trees or Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) application has added further funding to SLUI and other grant funded programmes.
3. RECOMMENDATION That the Committee recommends that Council: a. receives the information contained in Report No. 18-172.
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, the Provincial Growth Fund and Supplementary SLUI Programme.
5. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 5.1. Consultation was carried out through the 2012-22 Long-Term Plan (LTP) submission process and the recent Annual Plan process. 5.2. MPI has a key role in funding and overseeing this activity. 5.3. The SLUI Advisory Group is updated approximately every six months about progress with this programme and receives copies of these agenda items. The group last met on 17 July and will meet again on 25 September.
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6. SIGNIFICANT BUSINESS RISK IMPACT
Item 10Item 6.1. There are no significant risks inherent in the adoption of recommendations contained in this report.
7. BACKGROUND 7.1. SLUI has been in operation in the Region since 2006. The initiative, targeting hill country erosion, is funded from Central Government’s Hill Country Erosion Fund (HCEF) plus Horizons’ rates and farmer contributions. 7.2. The Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) is contracted to contribute $1.15 M of its $2.2 M in total available funds through the national HCEF this year. The may budget announcement added $1.8 M to this fund. 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 in year four of a four-year contract with MPI, which runs until June 2019.
8. REPORT ON PROGRESS Contract and Annual Plan Targets (2018-19) 8.1. The claim process is at its low point for the year as staff concentrate on the tree planting programmes. Most planting projects will be claimed over summer while most fencing projects are planned for autumn completion. 8.2. The contract targets for 2017-18 are: 28,000 poles planted; 900 ha of non-retirement work; 1,150 ha of forestry established; 350 ha retired; 500 ha riparian retirement; 100 ha managed retirement; 15,000 ha of farm plans mapped; 11,500 ha of land in priority area under farm plans; and 1 sediment monitoring report. Note the Horizons AP target for farm plans mapped is 20,000 ha. 8.3. Progress against these targets is reported later in this document. Whole Farm Plan (WFP) Production 8.4. WFPs are a tool for both bringing new land into the programme and for allocating grants to the various land types (priority land). An important part of maintaining the momentum of SLUI is the ability to bring new farms, new land and new work into the programme. This table shows the plans completed in SLUI’s Life to Date (LTD) and progress in bringing new plans on board.
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Table 1: WFP Production (Life to Date) 10Item No. Plans Hectares Comments
707 529,145 WFPs completed in SLUI until 30 June 2018 11 12,516 Less plans completed but not yet delivered to farmers (from 2017-18). 0 0 Plus plans completed in 2018-19 and delivered to farmers 696 516,629 Equals landowners / hectares able to be engaged in SLUI WFP implementation 0 0 Plans / ha mapped in 2018-19 but yet to be delivered to farmers 20 13,474 Plans allocated to contractor for 2018-19 0 0 Committed to a plan and on the list for 2018-19, yet to be allocated
All 45 plans (28,133 ha) from 2017-18 have been completed (38 new plans and 7 extensions to existing plans) and are either delivered to landowners or with the Land Management Advisor awaiting delivery (11 plans awaiting delivery). The 11 plans awaiting delivery will be delivered after pole planting season, the aim will be to have all plans from 2017-18 delivered by late October. There are now 20 plans allocated to the contractors for this financial year (up from 13 in the last report).
Along with the 20 plans committed another 48 farms (24,181 ha) have information documents awaiting return. Those still with paperwork out have been prioritised by: having existing plans, Top, High, Oroua Catchment and likelihood of doing works.
There are potentially five new WFP applicants arising from the Ruapehu meetings held in August (this will be reported more fully in the Regional and Coast report).
Whole Farm Plan Implementation (2018-19 Year) 8.5. The implementation rate of WFPs provides a measure of uptake of work during the year. The number of landowner contacts made, the amount of work completed to date and the projections for work this year are shown in Table 2.
Table 2: WFP Implementation (Current Year – actual YTD 2018-19) No. Plans Hectares Comments
Plans completed by 30 June 2018 have been delivered and the landowner has had time 696 516,629 to consider and start a works programme this year. (see Table 1) 31 n/a Landowner contacts in 2018-19 (can be more than one contact per landowner) 14 114 Work completed and claimed through the grant process (15 claims) 360 3,133 Indicative commitment to works 2018 -19 0 n/a Plan reviews and five-year programmes completed this year
The record of contacts for the year is based on items recorded on staff iPads and includes phone, written and personal contacts. The bulk of the 31 contacts will be for plan delivery, claims and general advice, and does not include contacts made during pole delivery.
The estimated number of plans carrying out works and hectares of work to be completed changes throughout the year and staff are in contact with farmers to keep updated on progress. Autumn fencing programmes remain problematic with landowners committed to the work but unable to complete by year end. This will be monitored more closely this year.
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Whole Farm Plan Activity 8.6. While contract targets focus on the number of plans completed, the activity of individual Item 10Item plans is another measure of SLUI activity. The number of plans active in any one year can and does change, and Graph 1 and Figure 2 track the number of plans that have had no activity at all in terms of implementation of grant works. This measure is complicated by the increasing number of plans as new plans come into the programme during the year.
Table 3: WFP Activity Life to Date No. Plans Hectares Comments
696 Landowners able to be engaged in SLUI WFP implementation (see Table 1)
580 34,645 Active plans completed; 3,124 individual claims or 5.4 claims per plan
At the time of this report there are 580 active plans involved in the work programme (Table 3) and this is increasing due to more plans being completed and previously inactive plans carrying out works. The number of active plans at June 2017 was 540 (Graph 1), and 302 of those plans did work last year.
Active and inactive plans can be tracked by year (Graph 1); this shows the number of inactive plans is slowly declining since 2015, down from 175 to 130 at the end of last financial year.
The ratio of active to inactive plans improved considerably. In 2010 there was around one active plan to one inactive plan, by the end of June 2018 this had improved to over four active plans for every inactive plan.
In the early part of every financial year we would expect a slight rise in the number of inactive plans as the new plans are delivered and there is a lag before the work programme commences.
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Item 10Item
Graph 1: Active Farm Plans by year mapped (at end of financial year June 2018).
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Total Plans Active Inactive % Active <2 years 68 34 34 50%
Item 10Item 2-5 years 156 122 34 78% >5 years 483 424 59 88% Total 707 580 127 82% Figure 1: Trend of active vs. inactive plans over the life of SLUI.
The data in Figure 1 (580 active plans) shows there are three newly active plans since the end of June 2018 (Graph 1- 577 active plans). Two of these plans are new, completed in the 2017-18 financial year. The other newly active plan was completed more than five years ago. This plan was one of three completed for one landowner and now two of his three plans are active.
Life to Date Achievements (by work type)
Graph 2: SLUI works completed by work type over the life of the programme against annual contract targets (red line).
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Item 10Item 8.7. Graph 2 shows the annual works completed in the programme split out by work type: Each year since 2010 the Contract target for ha of works being completed has been exceeded. The amount of work completed was relatively stable from 2010-16. However, 2013 was an exceptional year with 3,224 ha of afforestation. This was due to uptake of Afforestation Grant Scheme and retirement projects in association with Ngā Whenua Rāhui. The 2017-18 year has been the third largest work year, largely due to an increase in the afforestation category, this is mostly due to an increase in Mānuka planted. The 2017-18 year was also the largest year by individual jobs (claims) completed with 437 claims, six more than the previous year.
Afforestation (red) has made up approximately 40% (13,694 ha) of the work completed and retirement/riparian retirement (green) 40% (13,852 ha). These two work types account for the bulk of the hectares of work completed over the life of the programme.
On-farm conservation (purple) is predominantly space planting and gully planting with poles. It makes up 19% (6,537 ha) of the work by area, but also includes structures and earthworks. In total, the programme has planted more than 164,000 poplars, with 27,634 ha planted in 2017-18. We expect to exceed that number this year.
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Item 10Item
Map 1 Location of all grant works carried out during 2017-18.
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10Item Year to Date Achievements 8.8. Table 4 shows the split of works completed and claimed from 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2018.
Table 4: Works YTD (completed and claimed, by grant amount and land priority) 2018-19 Priority Land Type (ha) WorkType Claims Farms Grant Total Not Erodible High Top ha Erodible Priority Priority $ Afforestation 3 3 19,802.86 40.7 0.2 31.5 7.1 1.9 Retirement 2 2 4,453.50 11.8 0.2 2.4 1.7 7.5 Riparian Retirement 8 7 44,801.97 56.2 6.8 6.7 7.9 34.8 Wetland Retirement 2 2 11,639.00 5.6 1.3 1.8 2.6 Total 15 14 80,697.33 114.4 8.5 42.3 16.7 46.8
114 ha of works have been completed and claimed this year, which is 4% of the 3,000 ha target. 12 of the 15 claims completed are for fencing projects carried over from last year. 63.5 ha or 56% of works completed are on Top and High Priority land.
Forecast v Actual (targets vs actual by work type) 8.9. Table 5 shows the forecast figures against target for 2018-19. The work programme is fluid and changes throughout the year. Some of the changes are due to postponements or cancellations and some due to new plans coming on stream and bringing in new work programmes.
Table 5: Proposed work 2018-19 (Contract v Forecast v Actual) and difference Forecast to Contract Work Type Contract Forecast Actual Dif Dif Target Forecast Actual Dif. Target Ha Ha Ha % $ $ $ $ Ha x1000 x 1000 X 1000 x1000 Afforestation 1,150 799 41 -351 69 747 612 19 -135 Retirement 350 533 12 +183 152 179 395 4 +216 Riparian Retirement *1 500 711 61 +211 142 750 1267 57 +517 Managed Retirement 100 115 - +15 115 20 36 - +16 Space Planting and - - 800 967 +167 121 345 335 -10 Gully Planting Structures/Earthworks 100 1 - -99 1 30 0 - -30 Other 4 - - - 33 11 - -22 Total 3,000 3,133 114 133 104 2,104 2,660 80 +556 *1 – includes wetland
The target for works for 2018-19 is 3,000 ha, at this stage we are forecasting 3,133 ha to be completed. The value of work forecast to be completed is $2,660,000. This is above the budgeted level of $2,104,000. At this early stage this would signal possible use of SLUI Reserves, but it is too early to make accurate forecasts for overall expenditure.
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The successful funding bids for both Provincial Growth Fund afforestation and Supplementary SLUI Programme will impact on budgets and expenditure. The impact of these projects will be clearer once contracts are completed and will be discussed in
Item 10Item the next Catchment Operations report.
9. ACTIVITY SUMMARY Season 9.1. July and August rainfalls haven’t been extreme but this period has followed on from a wet autumn where rainfall was above normal. Farm access has been difficult with wet and greasy tracks. This has slowed many planting jobs where ATV or LUV access is required. 9.2. The positive side to these wet conditions is that all tree planting will be going into ground set up for a good spring.
Staff activity 9.3. The major activity over winter is related to the pole planting programme. Pole delivery and logistics around planters (contractor or farmers) including support on where and how to plant is a major job. This is often carried out in adverse conditions with short daylight hours. The closure of the Manawatū Gorge and travel restrictions on the Saddle Road have tested us this winter. 9.4. Pole delivery was mostly complete by mid August, planting will proceed into September. 9.5. A pole planting contractor working for a farmer in the Tararua District had an LUV accident in early September. This has meant his subsequent planting in the Taihape area has had to be rescheduled with a new contractor. 9.6. Staff have completed 15 claims, primarily fencing programmes carried over from last year.
Contract 9.7. The final SLUI/HCEP reports have been submitted to MPI. Some clarification on various items has been required (lesson learnt from SLUI to date, more information re case studies, and feedback on the SLUI Review). MPI have accepted the year end position. 9.8. An application to MPI for additional funding for 2018-19 was submitted by the end of June and the announcement of the acceptance of the application was made by government on the 9th August. Work is currently underway to finalise a funding contract and milestones. 9.9. The application was successful in obtaining an extra $310,750 from the HCEP. Existing SLUI funding and farmer share will add to a programme with a total cost of around $713,625. The HCEP funds confirmed are: $27,500 for 2,000 additional poles in the Ruapehu area; $10,500 for two ETS assessments for space planted poles, with a case study written up to report the outcomes; $250,000 to fund 500 ha of land reversion on marginal LUC Class 7 land; and 22,750 to plant an additional 13,000 plants in riparian retirement areas. 9.10. The successful PGF application is close to having a contract signed. This project has called for an expression of interest for establishing new forests this winter and we have provisionally approved 50 projects through this fund, mostly on SLUI properties. 9.11. The PGF programme and SLUI will result in around 2.2 million trees being established over 1,500 ha. 9.12. Progress against SLUI contract targets is shown in Table 6.
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9.13. Staff presented on attitude and behaviour change of land managers through SLUI to a 10Item symposium of New Zealand and Australasian Agricultural Resource Economics Society.
Table 6: Progress against MPI contract targets (Year to Date) Target Current Comment
Planting almost completed expect to 28,000 Poles planted exceed the target 900 ha Non-retirement work Mostly related to pole planting Underway, planting complete this 1,150 ha Forestry established 41 spring 350 ha Retired 12 underway 500 ha Riparian retirement 62 Some carry over from last year 100 ha Managed retirement No claims yet Contractors have over 13,000 ha to 15,000 ha Farm plans mapped map to date 10,500 ha Land in priority area under farm plans Not assessed yet 1 Sediment monitoring report Not planned at this stage
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. Most of staff time at this stage is related to the contracts noted in Sections 9.9 and 9.10 of this report and on preparation of a new SLUI/HCEP application to be completed by the end of October.
Forestry issues 9.14. Internal work has included updating cost and budget spreadsheets, confirming insurance cover and finalising the valuation report.
10. NEXT THREE MONTHS (Sept - Nov) Continue on claims for work programmes, still mostly carry over works at this stage. Once pole planting is complete farmers will be keen to get lambing completed before turning their thoughts to SLUI works. Record all contacts via iPads and survey application. Complete pole delivery and support with planting programmes. Support afforestation projects as required. Begin invoicing for pole and sleeve supply. Continue with landowner contacts for five year reviews and non active plans. Maintain WFP priority process. Complete contracts for new funding programmes. Complete SLUI Advisory Group meeting and Council SLUI workshop 25th September. Submit an indicative SLUI/HCEP funding application by mid October, at request of MPI with a final application due by the end of October. SLUI Operational Plan 2018 -19.
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11. SIGNIFICANCE
Item 10Item 11.1. This is not a significant decision according to the Council’s Policy on Significance and Engagement.
Grant Cooper MANAGER – LAND & PARTNERSHIPS
Jon Roygard GROUP MANAGER NATURAL RESOURCES & PARTNERSHIPS
ANNEXES There are no attachments for this report.
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Report No. 18-173 11Item Information Only - No Decision Required
REGIONAL COAST & LAND
1. PURPOSE 1.1. This report is to update Members on progress with Council’s Regional Land and Coastal and Whanganui Catchment Strategy activities from 1 July to 31 August 2018.
2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2.1. The report updates both the Regional Land and Coastal and Whanganui Catchment Strategy (WCS) work streams as outlined in the Annual Plan and Operational Plan for 2018-19. 2.2. The Regional Land and Coastal and WCS programmes have five Annual Plan targets, as shown in Table 1. 2.3. In addition to the Annual Plan targets there are a number of Operational Plan targets as shown in Table 2. These targets are more flexible and can change with changing work priorities. 2.4. The WCS programme is supported through funding from the Whanganui River Enhancement Trust (WRET). 2.5. This report will highlight work carried out within the WCS programme which has resulted in an extra 2,000 poplar poles being planted over August and September.
3. RECOMMENDATION That the Committee recommends that Council: a. receives the information contained in Report No. 18-173.
4. FINANCIAL IMPACT 4.1. There is no financial impact associated with recommendations in this report.
5. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 5.1. This is a public item and therefore Council may deem this report 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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7. OUTPUTS FOR ANNUAL PLAN 2018-19 Item 11Item 7.1. All of the Annual Plan targets were achieved (Table 1).
Table 1: Annual Plan targets and progress Year to Date (YTD) Predicted MEASURE PROCESS FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD YTD TARGET % Result 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Regional Land and Coastal, Industry and Nursery Environmental Grant programmes to deliver 0 0 100 0 On target erosion reduction works (hectares) Support for at least five industry partnership 2 3 5 60 Will achieve initiatives Operate council nursery and source additional Will exceed - - 30,000 0 poles to deliver for erosion target control Whanganui Catchment Strategy Environmental Grant programmes to deliver 1 1 75 1 On target erosion reduction works (hectares) Deliver programme with - - 1 - On target WRET
8. OPERATIONAL PLAN OUTPUTS 2017-18 8.1. 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 at this point in the year.
Table 2: Operational Plan outputs and progress YTD
TARGET QUANTITY PROGRESS RESULT
Regional Land and Coastal
Produce Environmental Property Plans As required 1 request Manage Environmental Grant projects to commit funding ($) 80,000 allocated Industry Partnerships Commit funding to the Poplar and Willow Research Trust 1 nil (P&WRT) Commit funding to support the Ballance Farm Environment 1 Contract signed Awards (BFEA) in our region Whanganui Catchment Manage Environmental Grant projects to commit funding($) 103,000 allocated Deliver demonstration farm including field day 1 Autumn 2019 Soil Health Run Soil Health Workshops As required nil Continue to implement State of Environment (SoE) Awaiting lab 1 monitoring programme for soil health and report results of results
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TARGET QUANTITY PROGRESS RESULT 11Item previous year’s programme Spring and Set up new SOE monitoring sites 10 autumn Nurseries
Provide technical support to the P&WRT 1 Ongoing Provide sites suitable for trialling and bulking new varieties 2 4 planted as supplied by P&WRT Finalise and implement pole strategy nil Building due to Complete capital upgrade project at Woodville nursery start Develop a nursery strategy nil Regulatory Support Manage consent process for vegetation clearance, nil earthworks and cultivation to meet regulatory requirements Support Consents and Compliance in implementing the Discussion with National Environment Standard for Plantation Forestry Consent team (NESPF) Land use consents centralised and reported through the Consents database Erosion and Sediment Control Plans for forestry essentially ceased at 1 May with the introduction of the National Environmental Standard for Plantation Forestry. The National Environmental Standard (NES) database is centralised through the Consents database.
9. ENVIRONMENTAL GRANT FUNDING 9.1. Environmental Grant funding is in place to support landowners to undertake works that will reduce erosion and protect the environment. This funding is targeted slightly differently between Regional Land and Coast and the WCS work streams. Under the WCS, support from WRET enables a greater variety of work to be funded and at higher grant rates.
Table 3: Work area and budget expenditure year to date WORK AREA (ha) BUDGET ($) AP % AP AP % AP Target Complete Allocated Complete Allocated Complete Budget Complete
WCS 75 1 102 1 103,000*1 6,107 160,998 6 RC 100 0 128 0 80,000 0 94,320 0 Total 175 1 230 0.5 183,000 6,107 255,318 3 Note *1 this is $50,000 Horizons and $53,000 WRET 58 Regional Environmental Grant projects have been allocated. One project transferred from the 2017-18 year. 0 of 58 claims have been completed. 59 WCS Environmental Grant projects have been allocated. Seven projects have been transferred from the 2017-18 year. 1 of 59 claims have been completed.
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ACTIVITY
Item 11Item General:
9.2. July and August have been mild and wet with no significant storm events. As early winter conditions were wet, hill country properties have remained wet with slippery, greasy tracks making access difficult. 9.3. Wet ground conditions have set us up for a good pole planting season, provided sites can be accessed for planting. 9.4. Staff visits to landowners during this period have been mostly about pole planting.
Soil Health:
9.5. All soil samples have been sent to the lab and once results are received a final report can be prepared. 9.6. Staff have assisted the SOE report by providing soil and land information.
Ballance Farm Environment Awards (BFEA) 9.7. The Partnership Agreement between Horizons and the Trust has been renewed for a further two years. 9.8. Entries are open for this year’s awards programme and will close on 28 September. Land Coordinator Dave Harrison is happy to talk to prospective entrants. Beef + Lamb New Zealand (BLNZ) 9.9. BLNZ followed up on the June grazing management workshops with two more in August, near Taihape and Ohingaiti. These workshops focused on good management practice, especially around winter grazing and aerial cropping. The aim of the workshops was to increasing farmer awareness and monitoring behaviour, and to get ahead of regulation. There is support for small catchment groups to continue these activities. Horizons staff provided information on the current rules and the SLUI Whole Farm Plan programme. 9.10. The Farming for Profit field day at Fordell on 9 August covered similar topics as above with Horizons staff speaking on land resource use, land mapping and farm plans.
Poplar and Willow Research Trust (P&WRT) 9.11. Staff have planted four new trials of maxi-nigra poles. These are trial poles growing in the Woodville nursery.
Forestry and Farm Forestry 9.12. Nothing to report this period.
Other 9.13. Staff attended a meeting of the Vinegar Hill stock water supply scheme, assisting with logistics around the feasibility study and a farmer meeting. 9.14. Attended the Primary Sector PGF meeting.
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9.15. Work with the Land Managers Special Interest Group (SIG) has included; 11Item A SIG conveners’ training session. Ongoing support and liaison with the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) about improving the capability and capacity of the land management sector, including potential for funding for training. Two workshops with MPI Te Uru Rākau (Forestry NZ) to support their new grant funding programmes under the “1 billion trees” or 1BT. One was a general workshop about grant criteria, the other a specific workshop discussing funding criteria for reversion of marginal land.
Nurseries:
9.16. Early numbers for pole delivery and nursery production suggest we have had an exceptional year, possibly at the expense of next year’s production. More than 41,000 poles have been supplied to landowners for planting (a mix of 2.5-3 meter poles); our own nurseries produced approximately 26,000 “A-grade 3 m” poles compared to about 17,000 last year. 9.17. The increase in Council harvest was achieved through an extra 4,500 poles produced from Woodville. Interestingly, at the time of the last assessment in April/May poles were continuing to grow, meaning more poles than expected reached harvestable size. 9.18. This increase in supply has resulted in some logistical issues, mainly difficulties finding planters, and there may be issues getting the last of these poles in the ground. 9.19. Work continues on capital upgrades at the Woodville nursery, including: Completion of the three-bay storage shed; consent obtained for shed and septic tank; shed and building quotes obtained; ready to sign off contracts. We hope that the shed will be complete by the end of November. Design of the irrigation system for next growing season. Irrigation ponds have been emptied and silt removed. Gasnet advised that a shelterbelt and four rows of established poles needed to be removed to accommodate the safety zone for the gas pipeline running up one side of the property. This has been completed. The last of the existing infrastructure not needed for the nursery – an old deer shed and loading ramp – is currently being demolished. 9.20. Woodville: Harvest contractors were engaged and the harvest commenced in early June and is now complete. There were two full-time harvesters, one extra contractor for four weeks, the nursery manager and occasional assistance from Horizons staff. The newly established pole storage area worked well as the all-weather gravel surface helped keep the poles in good condition. New growth is sprouting and as soon as clean up mulching is completed, the spray programme will commence. 9.21. Bulls: Harvest completed by early July. Mulching and tidy up work underway. Preparations ongoing for planting out 5,000 Veronese stakes in early October.
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9.22. Northern: Harvest completed by late June using Mananui Silviculture.
Item 11Item 9.23. Weber: Harvest completed. 9.24. We have engaged an extra staff member on a fixed-term contract from June to September to help with pole delivery and contractor management. As noted below (9.28), Phil will continue in his employment following this fixed term to cover for a staff member on parental leave.
Whanganui Catchment Strategy (WCS) and Whanganui River Enhancement Trust (WRET): 9.25. The Marginal Land Use Assessment Workshops planned as part of the WRET demonstration farm programme were completed in June. Four farmers took up the offer from WRET to have more in-depth reports completed for their farms. Two reports have been completed and have been discussed with the farmers. 9.26. The WRET AGM was set for 14 September at Ohakune.
Ruapehu meetings: 9.27. Our last report noted there would be four farm workshops in the Ruapehu area and a summary of the outcomes from those meetings follows. This programme has been funded through SLUI (staff time, vehicles, staff costs) and Supplementary SLUI Programme (poles, dynex, planting). Four meetings were held in early August targeting areas where earlier storm events had caused considerable damage to properties (erosion and on-farm infrastructure). The meetings were organised by Lyn Neeson (Federated Farmers and Rural Support Trust) at Kaiteike, Kirikau, Whangamomona and Tokorima. Staff and Councillors from Horizons and MPI staff spoke at the meetings. Landowners present were offered a one-off free pole programme (funded by Supplementary SLUI Programme (SSP) for this winter only. Landowners had to sign up their interest at the meeting. Some key actions following these meetings were: 29 people signed up, requesting poles or more information about them. 16 of these 29 had no previous contact resulting in working with Horizons Land Team. 25 of 29 requested poles. 25 of 29 had follow up visits with staff to discuss needs, our expectations, organise planting locations, number of poles and logistical support from landowner. 2,000 poles have been planted (seven varieties all sourced from our Woodville nursery). Five of the 16 with no previous contact have indicated they would like a SLUI Whole Farm Plan. Three of 25 were already on the list for a plan, one would like a plan for a new property and one (lifestyle) wants an Environmental Plan. Overall, 10 of 25 want some kind of plan. 15 of 25 have indicated they would like some ongoing support, either for farm plans or other land management advice; and
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Nine of 25 contacts are from the Whangamomona area and five of these are likely to 11Item be an ongoing relationship.
Staff and contractors Eight staff, including two from other Horizons’ teams, have assisted with planting, along with three contracting teams (one team being new to pole planting). Approximately 51 man days contract planting (25 small 50-100 pole jobs spread over a wide area). Approximately 73 staff man days including the meetings, planning and logistics, farmer site visits and assessments, carting poles, and planting or supervising planting. This exercise pushed our staff to the limit to deliver in a very short timeframe. Three staff bore the brunt of this extra effort with organising logistics, pole delivery and contractor supervision. Free offers are not always appreciated or valued and follow up contacts will be important to build on a very successful planting programme. The follow up contacts could build this into a number of ongoing work programmes.
Training: 9.28. Nothing to report.
One Plan Implementation: 9.29. The Land Use Consents are currently on hold as the Consents Team redesign the consent application form. Future reporting of these consents is likely to occur through the Environment Committee via the Regulatory Team report. 9.30. The Land Team are liaising with Consents in redesigning the process for issuing “in-field” consents. 9.31. The new NES – Plantation Forestry requires forestry operations to report their activities through the consent process. This process is also still being developed, with the primary responsibility falling on Consents and Compliance. The land team are looking to support this process with advice where appropriate. Next Three Months (September - November): 9.32. Activity over the next period will include: Continue Woodville nursery upgrade, let contract, start build;
Complete nursery harvest, tidy up and mulch cut material, begin new cycle;
Support planting where required, invoice for poles and sleeves;
Accelerate25 Primary Sector Reference Group meeting;
Continue Plantation Forestry NES project, liaise internally and externally to ensure parties are aware of new responsibilities;
Complete SoE soil monitoring report;
Annual report to WRET, and seek approval for 2018-19 work programme;
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The New Zealand Association of Resource Management (NZARM) Conference in Tauranga;
Item 11Item Land Managers and Land Monitoring Special Interest Group (SIG) meetings in Wellington;
Ballance Farm Environmental Awards (BFEA) entries will have closed, judges training held and judging started.
10. SIGNIFICANCE 10.1. This is not a significant decision according to the Council’s Policy on Significance and Engagement.
Grant Cooper MANAGER – LAND & PARTNERSHIPS Jon Roygard GROUP MANAGER NATURAL RESOURCES & PARTNERSHIPS
ANNEXES There are no attachments for this report.
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