Minutes of Eastbourne Community Board

2 16 February 2021

Eastbourne Community Board | Poari Hapori o Ōkiwinui

Minutes of a meeting held in the East Harbour Women's Clubrooms, 145 Muritai Road, Eastbourne on

Tuesday 16 February 2021 commencing at 7.15pm

PRESENT:	Ms V Horrocks (Chair)	Mr M Gibbons
	Ms B Moss (Deputy Chair)	Mr B Spedding
	Deputy Mayor T Lewis

APOLOGIES: Mr F Vickers

IN ATTENDANCE: Mayor Campbell Barry (part meeting)

Mr K Puketapu-Dentice, Director Economy and Development (part meeting)

Ms K Stannard, Head of Democratic Services (part meeting)

Mrs H Clegg, Minute Taker

PUBLIC BUSINESS

The Chair advised of the recent passing of two prominent Eastern Bay residents, Mr Matt Hayes and Mr Alan Webb. Mr Hayes was instrumental in working with the Eastbourne Community Board to install the skate ramp. Mr Webb was the first chair of the Eastbourne and Bays Community Trust and was a Commodore of the Yacht Club.

1. APOLOGIES

Resolved: (Ms Horrocks/Deputy Mayor Lewis) Minute No. ECB 21101

“That the apology received from Mr Vickers be accepted and leave of absence be granted.”

2. PUBLIC COMMENT

Speaking under public comment, Mr J Welch asked why the opening of the Eastbourne pool had been delayed. He advised he had sent an official information request to Council that requested all assessments and costings detailing the justification for the delay. He noted the information he received was not as specifically requested with information for all swimming pools being supplied rather than detailed costings for just the Eastbourne Pool. He asked whether the Board had been included in the decision to delay the opening.

The Chair advised the Board had no input into Council’s decision for opening dates for the pool. The Board would ensure they were involved in any decisions being made concerning the opening dates for 2021.

Mayor Barry advised that in July 2020, Council had established an emergency budget due to the Covid-19 lockdown. He said that Council divisions had been required to cut costs. He added the swimming pools had been assessed as one entity and that separation of the financials of each pool had not occurred, resulting in an overall cost saving for the July 2020 budget.

Speaking under public comment, Ms D Cheyne, Chair of the Days Bay Residents Association expressed confusion over recent correspondence received from Council’s Team Leader, Parks that suggested a new idea for the Days Bay Tennis Courts. She requested the tennis courts be included in the overall plan for the new park rather than as a separate entity.

The Chair advised she had drawn Council’s attention to the email, adding that it was a preliminary idea and that engineering input was required. She further advised that after discussions with Council’s Chief Executive, any future contracts involving the park would be sighted by the Board, prior to them being signed by Council.

Mayor's Address

Mayor Barry read out his Mayoral Address attached as pages 9 and 10 of the minutes. He explained that affordability was a major focus of the Long Term Plan. He acknowledged the proposed 5.9% rates increase was higher than in past years. He said the increase was required to fund the infrastructural works required to be undertaken. He advised that a final decision for the Eastern Bays Shared Path was expected in the next few days. He acknowledged the passing of Mr Hayes and Mr Webb and expressed condolences to their families and friends. He also acknowledged the efforts of Greater Wellington Regional Council Councillors Prue Lamason and Josh van Lier for supporting a Hutt Valley Airport Flyer bus route.

Presentation by Local Councillor from Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC)

Cr Prue Lamason advised that she and Cr van Lier supported the resumption of a Hutt Valley Airport Flyer bus route. She urged the Board and members of the public to submit to GWRC’s Draft Regional Transport Plan. She acknowledged the unacceptable service cancellations on the Eastbourne bus services. She explained they were mostly caused by unexplained and late absences by bus drivers. She also acknowledged the real time information service was often incorrect. She stated GWRC officers were working with the contractors to resolve the issues. She updated members about the Mahina Bay bus shelter. She advised officers had assessed the shelter and found it was at the end of its life. She said officers were keen to work with the community in designing a new shelter in a new location.

In response to a question from a member, Cr Lamason agreed to report back to the Chair with information on critical dates for the Draft Regional Transport Plan.

Presentation by Park Ranger from Greater Wellington Regional Council

Ms Jo Greenman, East Harbour Regional Park Ranger provided an update of recent occurrences in the park. She advised the next professional cull of animals in the Northern Forest would occur in April 2021. She added that officers were liaising with the Mainland Island Restoration Operation (MIRO) regarding a formal deer culling plan. She said the McKenzie Step Replacement Project was slowly progressing with engineers currently working on a design for the complicated site. She highlighted the successful Dotterel breeding season.

With regard to Baring Head, Ms Greenman advised of the 2021 plan to plant 7,000 plants in the challenging Wainuiomata River area. She added that Spotted Skink survey was currently underway to ascertain skink numbers in the only mainland natural population unprotected by predator fencing.

Presentation by Seaview Energy Resilience Project

Mr William Woods, Strategic Planning Manager and Mr Brent Cooper, Project Manager from Z, Ms Belinda Mackenzie-Dodd, Stakeholder Manager, Mr Tim Haylock, Project Manager and Mr Anthony Delany from Downer and Centreport were in attendance for the item.

Mr Cooper outlined the extent of the pipe and wharf renewal programme. He explained that tankships delivered all types of fuel to the Point Howard Wharf.

In response to a question from a member, Mr Cooper explained the pipelines and wharf were being replaced as they were no longer up to standard and they were a vital link in the resilience network.

Mr Delany explained that Centreport and the fuel industry representatives had been working together for three years, culminating in the renewals project. He said the Lifelines project had identified the network as being critical in an emergency. He advised the wharf had suffered up to $20M worth of damage in the Kaikoura earthquake which need to be remedied.

In response to a question from a member, Mr Delany advised the wharf’s structure would retain its current look once the rebuild had been completed. He noted that often pipes and the forecourt areas were painted glossy white for safety and visibility issues and requested community input into the final colour. Ms Moss agreed to canvas the community on the colour.

Mr Haylock explained the proposed three stage construction details. He advised work had commenced on stage one at the corner of Port Road and Marine Drive. He explained that preliminary works would ascertain exact service locations to enable final engineering designs to be completed. He advised the project team was liaising with Council officers to develop a service lane adjacent to the two lane carriageway to enable traffic flows to be maintained.

Ms Mackenzie-Dodd asked for the Board’s assistance in identifying contact points for public notifications of the proposed works and for information updates as the project proceeded. The Chair suggested contacting the Editor of the Eastbourne Herald, placing information articles in the Eastbourne library, on the Board’s Facebook page, in the local newsletters of the Point Howard and Lowry Bay Residents’ Associations and with Council for publishing on its website.

In response to a question from a member concerning climate change, Mr Haylock confirmed that climate change had been taken into account when future proofing the project.

Mr Delany explained stage two: Wharf Renewal. He stated the existing head of the wharf would be completely demolished, with new piles and a pre cast concrete deck installed to meet new standards with seismic improvements utilised. He advised that a self-sufficient electrical system would be installed. He added this system would be solar panel based, with the panels being integrated into the existing remaining buildings.

Mr Delany advised marine ecology studies had already been undertaken and that noise impact studies were currently underway. He noted the area had extensive historical data concerning the seabed, including the location of the aquifer and that the project was working closely with Wellington Water Ltd and Greater Wellington Regional Council. He added the community engagement phase was just beginning. He anticipated the entire project would take two to three years.

Mr Cooper explained stage three of the project that involved the replacement of the pipes through the Barnes Street area. He explained investigations were ongoing to find an alternate underground route for the pipe network that did not involve using Barnes Street.

Mr Cooper provided an email address for inquiries (seaviewproject@z.co.nz) and advised a website would be live by 22 February 2021.

Presentation on Hutt City Climate Change Community Engagement

Mr Brett Holland was an apology for the meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 8.38pm and resumed at 8.43pm.

8. CONFLICT OF INTEREST DECLARATIONS

There were no conflict of interest declarations.

9. Minutes

Resolved: (Ms Horrocks/Ms Moss) Minute No. ECB 21102

“That the minutes of the meeting of the Eastbourne Community Board held on Tuesday 3 November 2020, be confirmed as a true and correct record.”

10.

Committee Advisor's report (21/20)

Report No. ECB2021/1/4 by the Democracy Advisor

Resolved: (Ms Horrocks/Mr Spedding) Minute No. ECB 21103

“That the report be received and noted.”

11.	Chair's Report (21/32) Report No. ECB2021/1/5 by the Committee Advisor
	The Chair provided an update on the sand at Kauri Street. She explained sand had been removed from the road and was a work in progress. She advised the Days Bay Crossing Active Management Trial had been scheduled for the weekend of 20-21 February 2021.
	Resolved: (Ms Horrocks/Mr Gibbons) Minute No. ECB 21104 “That the report be noted and received.”
12.	2021 NZ Community Board Conference (21/110) Memorandum dated 29 January 2021 by the Senior Democracy Advisor
	There were no expressions of interest from members in attending the conference. Mr Gibbons noting the planned opening of the Days Bay Wharf was scheduled for the same weekend as the conference.
	Resolved: (Ms Horrocks/Mr Spedding) Minute No. ECB 21105 “That the Board: (1) notes the Community Board’s Conference will be held in Gore from 22-24 April 2021, attached as Appendix 1 to the memorandum; (2) notes the estimated cost of attending the conference per Board member is approximately $2,000.00; (3) notes that the Training Policy for Community Boards was adopted by Council at its meeting held on 26 March 2019, attached as Appendix 2 to the memorandum; and (4) records that there will be no Board representative at the 2021 New Zealand Community Board conference.”
13.	Board Walkaround Tour The Chair noted the Board Walkaround Tour was scheduled for Saturday 27 February 2021, commencing at 8.30am.

14. Reports from representatives on local organisations

a)	Okiwi Trust (21/22) The chair advised the Okiwi Trust was operating well with Mr George Tuffin as chair.
b)	Eastbourne Youth Workers Trust (21/23) Mr Spedding advised there was nothing to report.
c)	Community Emergency Response Group (21/24) Mr Spedding advised the group was operating well. He added that Mr Gibbons and himself had been part of a recent Radio NZ broadcast workshop regarding an earthquake early warning system for New Zealand. He further advised information had been exchanged with Council officers regarding fire safety and efforts to co-ordinate messaging and locating information.
d)	Eastbourne and Bays Communities Trust (21/25) Mr Gibbons advised the Trust had not met since the last Community Board meeting. He said he had spoken to the Chair and had learnt that education scholarships were being advertised in the upcoming Eastbourne Herald edition.
e)	Vibrant Village (21/26) Mr Gibbons advised he had received verbal confirmation that Council would contribute to the cost of the Greenwood Park signs which had been made of wharf timbers from Days Bay. He added he had received financial assistance from the Greenwood family and Eastbourne Lions with negotiations continuing with the local Harcourts office. He noted the target date for the opening of Greenwood Park was Friday 26 March 2021. Mr Gibbons advised the refurbishment of Days Bay Wharf was a moving target, with a tentative opening day date of Friday 23 April 2021. He explained the theme would be “Green” with the new Days Bay electric ferry in attendance along with electric cars, bikes and scooters. He added Meridian Energy would be present and he was hoping to attract Wellington Electricity to the event.
f)	MIRO (21/27) The Chair advised of the recent media reports concerning the successful Dotterel breeding season.

14. QUESTIONS

There were no questions.

There being no further business the Chair declared the meeting closed at 8.56 pm.

V Horrocks

CHAIR

CONFIRMED as a true and correct record

Dated this 13th day of April 2021

Community Board Statement - February 2021

Kia ora koutou katoa. Firstly can I extend a bit of a late public Happy New Year to everyone.

As everyone knows, 2020 was a tough year on many fronts. Everyone thoroughly deserved a restful and relaxing break over summer.

COVID-19

In light of yesterday's news, there is potential that the tough times may continue in our city.

It is important that as community leaders we set a good example of public health behaviour and encourage others to do the same.

Please use your networks to encourage our residents to scan QR codes, wash and sanitise hands, and maintain social distancing.

And as always, check on your friends and family, and encourage ‘local’. These are stressful times, particularly for our small businesses, and it’s important that we all have each other’s back.

10 year plan

With the uncertainty we live in at the moment, this makes this year’s 10 year plan so important for our city.

The growth Lower Hutt is experiencing is exciting and creates enormous potential for our city, but we have to be honest and confront the significant challenges that come with that.

Growth is putting pressure on our transport infrastructure with more people sitting in traffic. More homes means more pressure on our already ageing water infrastructure, and increases the risks of pipes failing.

That’s why this 10 year plan is all about getting the basics right for all of our people -- we’re doubling our capital investment over the next ten years, with a major focus on our city’s infrastructure.

We simply cannot wind up investment in infrastructure and kick the can down the road. Having an infrastructure network under pressure, coupled with the effects COVID-19, could seriously put our city at risk.

Pre-engagement

I’m happy to say that the focus of investing in our infrastructure got the support in our 10 year plan pre-engagement phase, with the community agreeing that this is a major priority for Lower Hutt.

The community also provided feedback on our other priorities: housing, the environment, an innovative economy, connected communities, and financial sustainability.

Financial sustainability

The latter is vital to this plan. Affordability is front of mind, as we recognise that COVID-19 has been tough on our community, and made the economic outlook more uncertain.

To achieve this necessary investment, we are proposing an overall 5.9% increase in rates revenue for 2021/22 – this equates to $2.50 per week per residential household. Over half of this will be invested directly back into our critical three waters infrastructure.

Conclusion

This 10 year plan is for our people here in Lower Hutt, and we will be seeking their feedback. On March 22, Council will meet to check off the consultation document for the 10 year plan, and will then put that out to the public on March 29 till May 3.

As community board members, I encourage you to use your networks to get the consultation document out to as many people in our city.