Attachment 1 to Report 16.433 HRES Framework and Direction for Phase 2 - Hutt River Environmental Strategy Review Framework & Direction for Phase 2 Prepared for Greater Wellington Regional Council 31 August 2016 Document Quality Assurance Bibliographic reference for citation: Boffa Miskell Limited 2016. HRES Framework and Direction for Phase 2 - Hutt River Environmental Strategy Review: Framework & Direction for Phase 2. Report prepared by Boffa Miskell Limited for Greater Wellington Regional Council. Prepared by: Bron Faulkner Landscape Architect Boffa Miskell Limited Reviewed by: Boyden Evans Landscape Architect Boffa Miskell Limited Status: Final Revision / version: 1 Issue date: 31 August 2016 Use and Reliance This report has been prepared by Boffa Miskell Limited on the specific instructions of our Client. It is solely for our Client’s use for the purpose for which it is intended in accordance with the agreed scope of work. 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Template revision: 20150331 0000 File ref: Attachment 1 to report 16.433.docx CONTENTS 1.0 Background & Purpose 1 2.0 Summary - Direction for HRES 2017 1 3.0 Recommendations for HRES 2017 4 1 Environmental Strategy Purpose & Structure 4 2 Proposed Vision Statement 5 3 Proposed Objectives 5 4 Methods 6 5 Clarification of Roles and Responsibilities 7 6 Document Format 7 7 Mana whenua 7 8 Te Awa Kairangi/Hutt River 8 9 Statutory Context 8 10 Phase 2 Consultation and Approval Process 8 4.0 HRES Review Findings – Key Issues 9 5.0 Appendices 16 HRES Framework and Direction for Phase 2 - Hutt River Environmental Strategy Review | Framework & Direction for Phase 2 1.0 Background & Purpose Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) are undertaking a review of the Hutt River Environmental Strategy 2001 (HRES 2001). The objective of the first phase of this review project was to understand the current issues and opportunities relating to the river corridor and how these align with the existing HRES. This information will guide the revision and updating of the HRES (HRES 2017) to ensure it addresses the communities’ and stakeholders’ contemporary management and development aspirations. The purpose of this document is to define and recommend the content and focus of HRES 2017, based on the findings and feedback from Phase 1 of the project. It aims to identify the main strategic themes which should be focused on, and identify any gaps or omissions that are not addressed in the HRES 2001. Phase 1 of the review sought feedback from a wide range of stakeholders, including GWRC, Hutt City Council (HCC), Upper Hutt City Council (UHCC), iwi, community stakeholder groups, utility stakeholders and the public. The consultation comprised three methods – a ‘stocktake’ workshop of HRES 2001, a user intercept survey, and community/stakeholder consultation meetings. The Phase 1 findings are summarised in Section 2 & detailed further in Section 4 and the Appendices. In addition to considering the content of the HRES 2017, that document’s framework and structure has been considered to ensure that it is accessible and user-friendly to the community as well as those responsible for its implementation. This document’s recommendations also include the need to formalise a governance structure for the HRES and a framework for consultation. The recommendations for the proposed format and content of HRES 2017 are grouped under 10 headings in Section 3; for consideration and approval by GWRC. 2.0 Summary - Direction for HRES 2017 The project team has considered the feedback received via the review process with a view to understand how both the content and format of the HRES 2017 can respond to current issues and clearly articulate long term objectives for the river corridor to the community. Refer to Section 4 and appendices. The table below considers the key elements of the review findings in relation to the HRES 2001 document and suggests how the HRES 2017 can address these. HRES 2001 Review Findings HRES 2017 (Main Sections) Suggested focus /revisions Vision Vision does not fully capture Revise vision to capture current aspirations diversity of use/desired outcomes. Prepare draft vision and consult with key stakeholders. Purpose and Guiding Principles Structure of Strategy Structure of Strategy Purpose Revise HRES to ensure its Replace guiding principles To guide management of Hutt provisions are consistent with with a set of objectives that River and its corridor while the current GW planning are more directive. ensuring the integrity of the flood HRES Framework and Direction for Phase 2 - Hutt River Environmental Strategy Review | Framework & Direction for Phase 2 1 HRES 2001 Review Findings HRES 2017 (Main Sections) Suggested focus /revisions defence system in a way that: framework. Replace general guidelines (Abbreviated) with methods. Develop set of Objectives need to capture the • Maintains and enhances the methods that can give effect to contemporary issues and river environment; the objectives. • Provides a range of aspirations identified in the recreation activities; review process. Supremacy of flood protection • Contributes positively to the objectives. Clearly state Objectives should be worded in communities’ spiritual, relationship of HRES to FMP. such a way that the issues that mental and physical well- are being addressed are Limitations of Strategy need to being. evident. be stated. HRES is not a statutory document so need to Change terminology from Guiding Principles clarify its status, how it will be • Protect and enhance the ‘guidelines’ to methods in order used and how environmental ecosystems of river and its to be more directive. margins improvements will be • implemented and funded. Protect and enhance the Strategy Content cultural and historic values Common themes raised during Iwi as treaty partners are of river and its margins consultation integral to the HRES and its • Protect and enhance visual management. qualities of river and its • Governance margins • Management (particularly • Improve and extend passive day to day management via Strategy Content recreation opportunities River Ranger) Huge appreciation of the river • Allow iwi participation in • Iwi involvement corridor by the community. decision making and apply • Community Encourage and enhance the tikanga relationships/involvement communities’ ability to • Provide for continuing • Stakeholder interest groups participate in the management community input • Strong focus on terrestrial of the river corridor. and recreation • Open space values Clarify mandate of community General Guidelines • Connections across the river groups such as Hutt Rotary (generic to river corridor) and beyond the corridor Clubs in relation to the Hutt • Biodiversity – freshwater River Trail and terrestrial Direct what is appropriate in the • Vegetation More focus on ecological linear park • River ecology values and water flow/ and • Identify actions for Inadequate coverage of quality of the river. river/water and riparian implementation • Water quality Better balance between Guideline topics: • River flows in summer terrestrial and water/river. • Riverlink project- More explicit understanding of • Ecosystems and ecological urbanisation relationships between GWRC, processes • Hutt River HCC and UHCC and their • Maori history and cultural cycleway/walkway & values National Cycleway respective roles in • Contemporary history • Education opportunities environmental management • Landscape and visual • Interpretation & signage and enhancement. quality • Provision of facilities – more Clarify HRES scope and • Recreation required ensure objectives are realistic. • Tangata whenua and • User conflicts and anti-social community behaviour Focus on most used areas – • General lack of awareness facilities/planting. and understanding of the HRES in the community Identify and develop • Need to clarify clear scope opportunities HRES Framework and Direction for Phase 2 - Hutt River Environmental Strategy Review | Framework & Direction for Phase 2 2 HRES 2001 Review Findings HRES 2017 (Main Sections) Suggested focus /revisions of HRES, avoid trying to achieve too much? too aspirational? Need realistic goals. Reach Specific Analysis Need for recommended Actions Recommended actions to be and Key Proposals to be more directive and for specific with respect to; what greater clarity re responsibilities, needs to occur, how it should timing and priority. be implemented, priority of the action and who is responsible. Roles and Responsibilities Roles and responsibilities for Clear governance structure • Governance ownership, funding and needs to be developed prior to • Implementation implementation of the HRES are the completion of the HRES • Councils not clear between GWRC and 2017 so this can be included • Iwi stakeholder groups, community, HCC/UHCC. in the strategy. neighbours Iwi partners to be involved in the How actions / implementation development and management will be funded needs