Category: Local Government

Source: Auckland Council

Auckland Council is reminding off-road drivers that vehicle access to Te Oneone Rangatira / Muriwai beach will be restricted during Guy Fawkes this year.

Coast Road access to Muriwai beach, north of the Muriwai golf course, will remain closed from Saturday 2 November through to Monday 11 November.

Councillor Josephine Bartley, who chairs the Regulatory and Safety Committee, says the increased risk of fire during this time must be mitigated to protect Muriwai Regional Park and the surrounding environment.  

“There are serious concerns about the potential threat from fire associated with fireworks along isolated stretches of Muriwai’s 60-kilometre coastline. We will continue to manage that risk by limiting vehicle access during Guy Fawkes, as well as over the New Year,” Cr Bartley says.

Coast Road beach access will again close from 31 December until 13 January, with a possible extension if considered necessary by Fire and Emergency New Zealand.

Cr Bartley reminds all beachgoers that fireworks and fires are not permitted on any Auckland beaches, including along the foreshore.

Regional Park Manager Scott De Silva says the council’s first Guy Fawkes vehicle restriction at Muriwai last year resulted in significantly less stress and demand on Fire and Emergency services, with no fireworks related callouts to the area.

“We know that temporarily limiting access when there is a high fire risk reduces the potential for devastation to occur,” Mr De Silva says.

Signage will be installed this week along access roads to Muriwai and Coast Road to inform drivers of the upcoming gate closure and of vehicles barriers being put in place.

Since 2020, the council has closed Coast Road from late December to early January to limit vehicle movements on the beach, when there is also a high safety risk to people, the environment, and from fire.

Both closures were approved last October to continue through to 2026. Other safety requirements include all recreational off-road drivers to have a current registration, warrant of fitness and acquire a current annual permit for each vehicle in order to drive on Muriwai and Karioitahi beaches.

“As part of this process, we ask you to go over the road rules on beaches and the speed limit variations to ensure you drive appropriately at all times,” says Mr De Silva.

“Both of these wild West Coast landscapes are constantly changing. Driving along the beach requires drivers to apply additional skills and be aware of the potential hazards that can arise at any time,” he says.

Anyone who has concerns about unsafe or dangerous driving on beaches in the meantime should report this to police, by calling *555 or 105 for urgent but non-life threatening situations and 111 when life is at risk.

Source: Auckland Council

Former Papakura Mayor John Robertson (2004-2007) returned to the area recently, leading a delegation of Waitomo councillors and the district’s chief librarian to check out facilities in the town.

Papakura Local Board chair Brent Catchpole says it was a case of back to the future when the group visited Sir Edmund Hillary Library, because Robertson played a role in redeveloping the floor now occupied by the library and museum.

Until the then Papakura District Council sold its stake in the building and used the proceeds to redevelop and bring the facilities together, the museum was on an upper level.

“He told us it was quite satisfying to see what had been achieved and congratulated us and library staff for leading such a dynamic facility,” Catchpole says.

“The library is about so much more than books, and the role it plays in our community because of that is invaluable.”

Robertson and his colleagues also toured Papakura Museum, Papakura Marae – where staff work with the board in a several areas, Central Park and Te Paataka Korero o Takaanini.

“Our council is very small and that means it doesn’t have a wide rating base. Looking at ways that might allow us to create facilities for our community, particularly ones that can be used in multiple ways, makes sense.

“What has been achieved in Papakura is a model we can draw on.

“It shows you don’t have to be thinking you need to build a museum, a library, meeting rooms and everything else. Instead, you can create something that might meet many of the community’s needs in a more affordable way.”

Like the Papakura Local Board, Waitomo Council is committed to working to promote the social, cultural, environmental and economic wellbeing of its community.

“We say ‘te hanga tahi o tātou Takiwa – shaping our district together,” says Robertson – who also served as Papakura MP from 1990 to 1996. “Members are working hard to enable a thriving economy to create greater benefits everyone can enjoy.”

Papakura Museum staff gifted Robertson a 1993 photo showing the then MP with Papakura Mayor David Hawkins, promotions officer Christine Laurenson, and franchisee Martha Hill, on the site where the town’s original McDonald’s was to be built.

Stay connected

Sign up for your Local Board E-news and get the latest news and events direct to your inbox each month. Or follow us on Facebook.

Source: Auckland Council

In a reserved decision handed down in the Auckland District Court last Friday (18 October), contractor Prameet Sharma was fined $144,500 and ordered $11,575 in reparations for extensive violations of the Resource Management Act (RMA), involving illegal earthworks and environmental contamination at his Drury property at Judge Richardson Drive, Drury.

Sharma was convicted on three charges, including breaching an abatement notice, depositing contaminated fill, and conducting unauthorised earthworks exceeding legal limits.

The fine is the largest handed down to an individual in recent years for breaches of the RMA.

Serious environmental harm

Judge Semple, referencing a report that found hazardous materials including asbestos, arsenic, and lead in the fill deposited by Sharma, described the environmental harm as significant and long-lasting, and the effects of the offending on the environment as serious.

“Even once remediated, the site will remain a HAIL (Hazardous Activities and Industries List) site with ‘no build’ areas, which is a significant consequence of Mr Sharma’s actions.”

The court heard that between 2015 and 2022, Sharma allowed illegal earthworks on his property, depositing over 33,900 cubic metres of contaminated fill, far exceeding the permitted consented limit of 5,000 cubic metres.

The fill, which included asbestos and other harmful materials, was found to have travelled onto neighbouring properties, causing land instability and damaging ecosystems.

Reckless and prolonged breach

Judge Semple emphasised Sharma’s culpability, noting he ignored repeated warnings and enforcement actions from Auckland Council.

“Mr. Sharma was alerted to issues with the volume and placement of fill as early as 2015.

“Despite receiving abatement and infringement notices, Mr Sharma continued illegal activity. His disregard for the legal process and expert advice resulted in long-term environmental damage.”

The judge rejected claims Sharma was merely trying to resolve issues arising from the council’s changing parameters.

“I find limited evidence to support this assertion,” said Judge Semple. She noted Sharma refused to comply with council directives and acted with a high level of culpability. “Mr Sharma chose to continue undertaking earthworks in breach of his consent.”

Public deterrence

Auckland Council’s Team Leader Investigations David Pawson was happy with the outcome.

“The court ruling marks a strong stance in upholding the integrity of environmental laws and sends a clear message to the public regarding the consequences of non-compliance.

“The decision highlights the importance of holding an offender accountable to prevent similar violations in the future.”

Failure to remediate

The court ruled out a discharge without conviction, finding the seriousness of the offences and their ongoing impacts warranted a significant penalty.

While the court acknowledged enforcement orders were issued to Sharma in 2024, Judge Semple noted no remediation had taken place despite these orders and refused to grant credit for remediation work, stating that returning the land to a compliant state is the bare minimum requirement.

Final orders

In addition to the $144,500 fine, Mr Sharma has been ordered to pay $11,575 in reparations to his neighbour, whose property was damaged due to the migration of contaminated fill.

Source: Auckland Council

From 29 October, Aucklanders will be asked to have their say on a strategy for the region’s southern rural area. The Southern Rural Strategy sets out how the area will accommodate a growing population, while enabling industries like farming and food production to thrive.  

Councillor for Franklin ward, Andy Baker, chairs the political working group overseeing the development of the strategy.  

“A lot of the food eaten around the country comes from the rural parts of south Auckland – the unique climate, soils and proximity to markets, airport and port see major growth in our under-glass and kiwifruit industries. We rely on these, and other vital industries found in this region, every day.”  

“The Franklin area is growing and is expected to become home to another 100,000 people over the next 30 years. This is great news for our economy, and means we need a strategy to manage the valuable – and vulnerable – natural resources found here. People all over New Zealand enjoy the produce from this area, so, we need to get the balance right as we develop to maintain our horticultural and agricultural advantage.”  

“Growth needs to be at the right place and right time, with infrastructure in place to support new development. We also need to develop employment at the same time as housing so people can live and work in the same locality. The best places for that are in our existing towns and villages.   

Which areas does the strategy cover?  

The strategy covers the full Franklin ward. It also includes some rural land from the Howick and Papakura local board areas.  

Why do we need this strategy? 

There are many different factors at play in Auckland’s southern rural area. The temperate climate and fertile soils make it ideal for rural production, one of New Zealand’s primary food production areas, and a significant contributor to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). It’s also an area where significant urban development is taking place to accommodate the increasing population.  

The Southern Rural Strategy is being coordinated to manage each of these factors, to ensure they fit together in harmony. This will allow the area to be developed sustainably, as it needs to be, and ensure it continues to evolve as a key economic and environmental resource for the future.  

Importantly, the strategy will reflect the views of communities in the area.  

Where will growth happen in this area? 

Drury, Opaheke, Pukekohe, Waiuku are identified as towns where the most growth will occur, mainly through in-fill development and expansion to future urban areas. Development has already started in some of these towns, supported by water infrastructure, roads, and are expected to have new railway stations from 2025. 

Deputy chair of Auckland’s Policy and Planning Committee, Councillor Angela Dalton, also sits on the political steering group for development of the Southern Rural Strategy. She says it is anticipated that these areas will grow over the next 30 years.    

“Drury and Pukekohe have long-term plans for how they will expand over time – so the communities that live here now have had a chance to say how they would like their towns to grow.” 

“Importantly, the investment in infrastructure to support the growth happening in these towns is already planned through a mix of council budgets, government investments and development contributions.” 

When can I have my say? 

You will be able to have your say on the Southern Rural Strategy from Tuesday 29 October until Sunday 1 December 2024.  

Source: Auckland Council

Steps to creating a sustainable Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland are demonstrated by the region’s economic and cultural agency in its annual sustainability story, highlighting the organisation’s multifaceted approach to climate change and sustainability, and its commitment to continuous improvement.

A snapshot for the 2023/24 financial year shows Tātaki Auckland Unlimited’s initiatives and achievements in fostering a more resilient and inclusive Auckland, on the heels of its strong annual results delivering value for Auckland and its people. It shows how the organisation is embedding sustainability practices internally while simultaneously taking on a leadership role across the region.

Nick Hill, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited Chief Executive, emphasises the importance of a holistic approach.

“This is testament to our commitment to creating a sustainable future for Auckland. While Tātaki Auckland Unlimited is charged with the social, cultural and economic outcomes of our activities, we are increasingly considering climate change and environment in decision-making. Taking an integrated approach is crucial for building a resilient, thriving and future-ready region.”

Key highlights include:

1. Climate Change and Environment Strategic Plan: This inaugural plan outlines Tātaki Auckland Unlimited’s actions for the next three years towards its sustainability goals and targets.

2. Decarbonisation project at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki: A successful transition from gas- fired heating to electric heat pumps resulted in a 99 per cent reduction in natural gas consumption and a 22 per cent decrease in overall energy use within the first three months.

3. Climate Connect Aotearoa initiatives: The climate innovation hub, established and led by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, brought together 115 stakeholders to explore Māori knowledge systems in climate action. This hui was an extension of He Kete Mātauranga, a knowledge hub to connect businesses, communities and organisations with Māori-led climate resources. Additionally, Climate Connect Aotearoa launched ClimateLink, a tool to increase access to connections, resources and funding for climate action.

4. Proactive climate resilience planning: Adaptation planning for the Aotea Precinct to help mitigate risks associated with physical climate hazards, including extreme heat and flooding.

5. PalmOil Scan app: Auckland Zoo released a mobile app in New Zealand and Australia to help consumers identify products using certified sustainable palm oil, supporting rainforest conservation and biodiversity.

6. Commitment to diversity and inclusion: Initiatives include the refresh of Te Mahere Aronga (Māori Outcomes Plan), participation in the whāia te ao Māori self-assessment programme, support for the Rainbow Games and publication of gender and ethnic pay gap data.

Dr Parin Rafiei-Thompson, Head of Climate Innovation and Sustainability at Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, says, “Our approach to sustainability aligns with Auckland’s broader climate goals in Te Tāruke-ā- Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Plan. Our work in areas like decarbonisation, climate resilience and collaborative climate innovation demonstrates our commitment to driving meaningful change at Tātaki Auckland Unlimited for Tāmaki Makaurau. While there is a lot more work to be done, we are progressing year-on-year towards our goals and seeking out areas for improvement.”

“We’re proud of the progress we’ve made, but we also recognise that this is an ongoing journey,” says Nick Hill. “We celebrate our achievements while also setting the stage for future actions. We’re committed to continuous improvement and transparent reporting of our progress.”

Tātaki Auckland Unlimited’s ‘Our Sustainability Story’ is available on the organisation’s website, alongside the Climate Change and Environment Strategic Plan.

More information is available here.

Source: Auckland Council

It’s official! Watercare has moved out from Dunkirk Rd.

After 27 months, Watercare has completed a new wastewater pump station and a 1.4-kilometre gravity main that will greatly reduce overflows into the Tāmaki River and accommodate planned growth in the area.

The infrastructure was delivered under a $51 million shovel ready project between Watercare and Kāinga Ora at $42.7 million.

Watercare capital delivery general manager Suzanne Lucas says the wastewater upgrades were delivered on time and under budget.

“This achievement is a testament to the combined efforts of our designers, infrastructure teams, and contractors who worked collaboratively to deliver critical infrastructure that meets the needs of the community without exceeding our budget.”                                                                                                                                                       

The final remediation works on the Dunkirk wastewater pump station are now complete.

Watercare project manager Jason Salmon says that since the pump station went into service in July, teams have been busy.

“They have demolished the old pump station in the reserve and cleared out the laydown site where all the equipment and materials were stored.

“This month our crews worked hard to complete the final remediation, planting and operational works at the reserve and pump station sites.

“They also removed the traffic management, enabling access to Dunkirk Rd from Tangaroa St and Tobruk Rd.

Salmon says the new Dunkirk Wastewater Pump Station – on the corner of Dunkirk Rd and Tangaroa St – can handle flows of up to 225 litres per second and hold up to 700,000 litres of wastewater across its four underground storage tanks.

“The pump station’s increased pumping and storage capacity will play a significant role in reducing overflows into the Tāmaki River during wet weather.

“The gravity main will also help to prevent most overflows into local waterways by diverting the extra flow during heavy rainfall to the new wastewater pump station.

“In the future, stage two of the works will involve construction of a new rising main from the pump station to the Eastern Interceptor – a large transmission pipe that carries wastewater to our Māngere Wastewater Treatment Plant.”

Salmon thanks the community for their patience and understanding while Watercare and its construction partner Fulton Hogan undertook this critical infrastructure work.

“The completion of the Dunkirk wastewater upgrades marks the end of a significant journey to futureproof for current and future generations.

“The benefits of these upgrades will be felt for years to come, ensuring a sustainable future for our community.”