RDC making a positive difference Annual Report 2008/09 Rodney look at you now! RDC making a positive difference WELLSFORD MATAKANA WARKWORTH HIBISCUS COAST OREWA WAINUI HELENSVILLE KUMEU CONTENT RODNEY DISTRICT COUNCIL WELCOMES YOU 3 A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE YEAR’S RESULTS 9 GROUPS OF ACTIVITIES 15 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS & POLICIES 129 APPENDICES 169 THE YEAR AT A GLANCE How the Money was Spent Capital Expenditure 2008/2009 ($87.5M) 1% Civic Leadership 28% Water Services 16% Community Facilities 3% Community Support 5% Corporate Holdings 7% Corporate Holdings 1% Community Support 2% District & Env. Planning 1% Economic Development 2% Other 8% Regulation 35% Transportation 49% Transportation 3% Waste Management 15% Community Facilities 24% Water Services More than half of Council’s expenditure was committed to We spent $87.5 million on acquiring and constructing assets. Transport and Water Services. We spent 77% of our capital expenditure on transportation or Water Services assets. Council’s property plant and equipment assets are valued at over $1.6 billion assets. RDC making a positive difference 1 RDC an historical overview We’re young, by New Zealand standards—just 20 years old District – Wide following the amalgamation of the Helensville Borough with the former Rodney County in 1989. But we have grown and grown fast. In fact, Rodney District, stretching from Te Hana in the north to Kumeu in the south, is one of the fastest growing areas in New Zealand. And one of the most beautiful. The 1000 kilometres of coastline, the stunning regional parks (thanks ARC) and above all the relaxed and friendly lifestyle omnipresent throughout Rodney attract visitors and residents alike. In droves. As a result we are a thriving community of communities that celebrate and, indeed propagate, our historical links to a diverse and harmonious blend of cultures and ethnicity that made Rodney the distinctive district she is today. Hibiscus Coast Ward Some may call it the population capital of Rodney and certainly it has the largest Population: population of all our wards. And much of its industry. But it still has the Rodney laid-back lifestyle and even if we do lose a large part of its employment base to 42,000. Auckland every day, the Hibiscus Coast is still a great place to come home to. Our youngest ward, created just before the 2007 Local Body election. Largely rural The Central Ward in character, the Central Ward attracts those escaping from the madding crowd in Auckland. In the Central Ward you’ll find peace and solitude if that’s what you Population: want—and a real sense of community, if you prefer to mix it up a little. Someone once calculated that tens of thousands of trees have been planted by life-stylers in Rodney 7,500. in the last 30 years. You’ll find most of them in the Central Ward. Possibly the most diverse of all our wards and the one pundits predict will have The Western Ward the most growth—28% in the next 10 years. Here in the Western Ward you will find everything from the rugged coastline at Muriwai to the sweeping dunes of South Head Population: and the more sedate and increasingly renowned vineyards inland. Here too you’ll find towns such as Helensville, Kumeu and Huapai and Riverhead—each fiercely parochial, 25,000. proud of their past and looking positively to the future. Fertile ground and rolling terrain suggest a farming flavour. And the Northern Ward The Northern Ward is that. But it is much more. Fabulous scenery, great beaches and reserves, history, arts and crafts and some of the best restaurants and cafes north of Auckland draw Population: huge crowds, particularly on the weekend. And they are welcome. But in its quieter moments the pristine environment and the slower pace of our northern-most ward 21,600. fashion a lifestyle without peer. Muriwai Beach. 2 RDC ANNUAL REPORT 2008/09 RODNEY DISTRICT COUNCIL WELCOMES YOU About Rodney District Council 4 Introduction from the Mayor 5 Introduction from the Chief Executive 6 Meet your Mayor & Councillors 7 Meet your Management Team 8 RDC making a positive difference 3 RDC About Rodney District Council About Rodney District Rodney District Facts Rodney District stretches from the east to west coast just Population1: 96,562 north of metropolitan Auckland. It is the most northern of the Growth since 1996: +43.8% seven local authorities that make up the Auckland Region. Its neighbours are Waitakere and North Shore Cities to the District area: 2,475 square kilometres south and the Kaipara District (part of the Northland Region) 2 to the North. Rateable land value : $21,461,700,859 Rodney District is one of the fastest growing districts in New Rateable capital value: $33,209,653,000 Zealand and has a unique blend of urban and rural lifestyles. Number of rates assessments: 45,362 Rodney District Council 1) Source: Rodney Growth Model, using average Rodney District Council is the statutory organisation projected growth rate 2006-2011 responsible for a range of functions and services including 2) Rate information from reconciliation of valuations on rubbish disposal services, urban water, sewerage and District Valuation Roll with Pathway system @ 30 June 2009. stormwater services and local roads. Council Membership It develops policies and bylaws to facilitate local economic growth while protecting the interests of the community at large The Council is governed by a mayor elected on a district wide and the local environment. basis and 12 councillors elected from four wards. It is also responsible for community wellbeing, fostering the Elected representatives of Rodney District are responsible arts and providing facilities such as holiday parks, libraries, for establishing policies on behalf of the district, setting the leisure centres, parks and reserves, rural fire services and necessary financial requirements and monitoring the Chief civil defence. Executive’s performance in delivering the Long Term Plan, Annual Plan and budget objectives. It advocates the needs of the local community to central government, other local authorities and other agencies. Council agendas and minutes are freely available through the Rodney District Council website www.rodney.govt.nz Like other councils, Rodney District Council carries out a number of statutory functions under the Resource Management Act 1991, the Building Act 2004, the Bio security Act 1993, the Health Act 1956 and others. Morning Surf at Te Arai ©Rodney District Council This publication is Copyright. Other than for purposes and subject to the conditions prescribed under the Copyright Act, no part of the publication may in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, micro copying or otherwise) be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted without prior written permission. Enquiries should be addressed to the publisher: Rodney District Council Private Bag 500, Orewa NEW ZEALAND 4 WELCOME Introduction from the Mayor ‘I have always considered the opportunity to get out and about and listen to the views of different sectors of the community essential to good decision making’. This Annual Report sets out the achievements of 2009 began with the opening of the Northern Rodney District Council during what will be our last motorway extension, a project which Rodney District ever complete year of operation. Council had been working on for the past five years with NZTA and other members of the Northern A review of the past year shows it has been a Gateway Alliance. The Tunnel Dinner was one of the challenging time both for Rodney District Council and most memorable events of the year and was truly a the wider Rodney community. For most of 2009, the credit to its organisers. future governance arrangements of our district have been uncertain, and at times seemed to be changing This year also saw significant progress made on almost daily. the Orewa Boulevard and Warkworth town centre upgrade. At the time this report was published both Despite this, I believe we have managed to achieve projects were either at or near completion, and will a great deal over the past twelve months. With the be of significant benefit to the local economy. adoption of Planning Rodney and the resolution of most of the outstanding appeals to our District Plan, Finally, construction on the new Northern Animal Rodney now has in place a planning framework which Shelter commenced in 2009, and it was officially will enable us to retain our own distinctive rural and opened in August this year. The shelter was coastal character. As the new Auckland Council does developed in partnership with North Shore City not yet have a planning framework in place, Council and is a great example of neighbourly we expect that it will adopt the existing planning collaboration creating cost savings for ratepayers. documents and District Plans of Councils across the region. The plans adopted by Rodney District I recognise that the last year has been particularly Council will therefore continue to shape the future difficult for Council staff. Not only has there been a development of our area. long period of uncertainty for staff about the future, but on top of this there has been a significant amount In June 2009, the Council also adopted a ten year of additional work associated with preparing for the Long Term Council Community Plan (LTCCP). 844 transition to the new Auckland Council. The efforts submissions were received on the draft Plan and of staff are very much appreciated by myself and the Councillors travelled around the District to listen to other Councillors. Our staff are also part of the local the views of submitters. community and we hope that they will be able to continue to live here in the future.