August 2023: Local Board Member Report
- alexispoppelbaum
- Aug 28, 2023
- 19 min read
Updated: Aug 31, 2023
Is recycling a fraud? Is the food scraps collection just greenwashing?
Some of you may have seen this NZHerald article recently. I've had people get in touch and ask if there is any truth to it. Here's all the answers to your questions (spoiler alert- the article was rubbish). Please continue recycling and using your food scraps bins!
🍌Foodscraps
Food waste in landfill has been recognised as a global contributor to climate change. In landfill, it produces methane which is a greenhouse gas much more potent than carbon dioxide. One tonne of methane released into the atmosphere creates the same amount of global warming as 25 tonnes of carbon dioxide.
Many countries have already made keeping organic waste out of landfill mandatory and have had food scraps collections for a decade or more.
To choose the best option, we modelled different scenarios comparing home and commercial composting and anaerobic digestion to understand the likely global warming potential of each. The best of these was the anaerobic digestion option with annual savings over 21,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.
Transport is a small component of the overall carbon emissions from our kerbside service – less than 5%. Annual savings of over 21,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent assumes diesel collection vehicles. We are committed to introducing EVs for collections as they become viable.
While our food scraps collection trucks add more vehicles on the road, our refuse trucks will be able to service more households before returning to base so they are making fewer trips. Remember, food scraps made up 45% of the weight of rubbish going to landfill.
For the journey to Reporoa, we are using trucks that are already hauling aggregate from Waikato to Auckland. These trucks would otherwise be going back to Waikato empty.
Processed correctly and within a closed system, food scraps are a source of valuable products – clean energy and liquid fertiliser. The Ecogas organics processing facility in Reporoa stands right next to farmland and glasshouses which use the products extracted from the food scraps. We would have to either ship the product or the raw material to the customers. We’ve chosen the most cost-effective and efficient option.
♻️Recycling
Auckland Council collects approximately 132,000 tonnes every year from kerbside household recycling bins. Most of the material collected is sorted and baled as paper, cardboard, aluminium cans, tin cans, glass, and plastics (1, 2 and 5) and sent to facilities onshore and overseas for sale and reprocessing.
Currently, 100% of the glass and 50% of the plastics are recycled within NZ.
We are concerned the proportion of contamination in recycling bins has been increasing over the past few years. If collected material is contaminated with dirty recyclables and items like clothes, toys, and bagged rubbish, it is this contamination that is removed and sent to landfill. Residents can help increase the portion that is recycled by sorting their rubbish and recycling correctly.
If collected material is contaminated with dirty recyclables and items like clothes, toys, and bagged rubbish, it is this contamination that is removed and sent to landfill. Residents can help increase the portion that is recycled by sorting their rubbish and recycling correctly.
Recycling alone will not solve our waste problem, but it is a vital part of the solution. Along with a comprehensive recycling system, we should be: redesigning packaging and products to minimise single-use items and materials; reducing what we consume; reusing and repurposing used items; using materials that are easily recycled; creating product stewardship schemes to recycle items at end of life, such as a container return scheme. These are all solutions that Auckland Council advocates for and supports to meet our goal of Auckland as a Zero Waste city by 2040.
East Coast Bays wastewater network upgrade
East Coast Bays wastewater network upgrade $21 million 1.75km long pipe Under construction Rosedale To be completed by: April 2024
Watercare is building a new wastewater pipe which will reduce wastewater overflows and cater for growth in Rosedale and its surrounding suburbs. The new pipe, along with the $21.5 million Mairangi Bay Pump Station, will increase wastewater capacity and help reduce wet-weather overflows in the East Coast Bays area.
Work is being carried out from Windsor Park to the Rosedale Wastewater Treatment plant. To reduce the impact on commuters, Watercare has adjusted the original pipeline route along Constellation Drive, choosing a quicker, cost-effective, and less disruptive path. They have installed three sections using trenchless technology. Construction is currently taking place and will connect to the Rosedale Wastewater Treatment Plant around April next year.
Healthy Waters projects in Hibiscus and Bays
Below is a brief summary of quarter four updates on regionally funded Healthy Waters projects in our Local Board area (April - June 2023).
The projects below allow our infrastructure to cope with the increasing demands of growth, support development, mitigate flooding risk, improve, and protect our environment. Both the Council and its contractors will be in regular contact with communities to keep them up to date during the delivery of these projects.
The Healthy Waters’ budget for the 2022/2023 financial year has been impacted severely by Auckland Council’s economic position and new tendering of projects receiving significantly increased construction costs. The culmination of these factors has put a lot of pressure on the existing programme of works and forced a reprioritisation of the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 financial year programmes. To mitigate the effects, work is being done to get projects ‘shelf-ready’ so that they can be delivered as budget becomes available; this includes completing the project design, obtaining resource consent, and utilising our relationships with other stakeholders to ensure projects can be delivered quickly.
There are a number of work programmes that are happening on private properties which are not included below for confidentiality reasons, as it may affect landowners in a variety of ways which may not be clear or in some cases may not eventuate at the early stages of the project delivery.
Okura. To improve stormwater conveyance at inlets and outlets currently restricting flows and/or causing blockages during flood events, and to reduce stormwater flow velocity to reduce erosion. Consultant is scoping up the work to provide solutions for each outfall in this package, using a toolbox that has been developed during the first 3 outfalls packages delivered. This project is in the preliminary design phase. The project will be made 'shelf-ready' so it can proceed without delay when budget is available
Orchard Road, Browns Bay. Improve the level of service provided by the piped storm water reticulation and reduce the frequency of overland flows through the affected properties. A business case is being developed to allow design to progress, having been delayed due to spending restrictions implemented in March 2023.
Helvetia stormwater wetland renewal, Browns Bay. The project will aim to remedy these issues including looking at the potential for including extended detention in the renewal. A business case is being developed to allow design to progress.
Reynolds Place, Torbay. To extend the existing public stormwater reticulation to support future development and reduce flooding. Detailed design drawings submitted to Council. Consultant still working on technical reports and detailed design report.
Korotaha Terrace, Rothesay Bay. Pipe renewal and flood mitigation. The main objective for this project is to renew and upgrade a critical asset with identified structural condition grade five in Rothesay Bay stormwater catchment. The resource consent has been approved and the project will be made 'shelf-ready' so it can proceed without delay when budget is available.
Mayfair Crescent, Mairangi Bay. Renew and upgrade the stormwater pipe to an adequate level of service. Design work is targeted to be completed by mid-2024. The project is being made 'shelf-ready' so it can proceed without delay when budget is available. Construction will be programmed when shelf-ready status has been achieved.
Nereus Place, Mairangi Bay. To reline 76m of pipe and install a manhole. A business case is being developed to allow design to progress, having been delayed due to spending restrictions implemented in March 2023.
Roberta Pond, Orewa. Improve safety by ensuring the device meets the NZ Dam Safety Criteria; meet requirements of the Stormwater Network Discharge consent to maintain existing water quality treatment devices by ensuring the pond can function to treat stormwater; ensure that the pond can be operated and maintained safely and effectively; improve water quality treatment capability of the pond if practicable; provide improved amenity features and enhanced aesthetics; and provide a stable embankment to the west of the pond. Design work has commenced for this project. Once this is complete staff will verify the existing business case to develop the design.
Milton Road and Pine Road, Orewa. Reduce flood risk with renewal and upgrade of pipe. The option assessment and some investigations including topographic survey are currently underway. The project is being made 'shelf-ready' so it can proceed without delay when budget is available.
Centreway Wetland Pond renewal. To remove sediment, repair minor inlet, provide better maintenance access provision, and moderate aquatic pest flora presence. Delivery TBC.
Edith Hopper Park. To increase the ecological and amenity value of 520 m of Edith Hopper Reserve stream to offset the loss of ecological values from development and/or the provision of infrastructure elsewhere in the region. To recover the cost of this project from those projects or developments that are required to provide offset mitigation. Design commenced with design office - Construction will commence in October 2025.
Shakespear Regional Park. Ensuring that onsite systems remain compliant with NZDWS standards. Construction has been delayed due to the need to divert resources towards storm event and flood recovery work and spending restrictions implemented in March to July 2023. Design has now been completed and final prices received. Construction will be scheduled in line with contractor availability but delivered within FY 2023/24.
Crossing being investigated for Glencoe Road, Browns Bay
I've had a few people contact me requesting pedestrian improvements around this area, particularly for school children walking to and from the local schools. After investigation, a request for a pedestrian crossing on John Downs Drive was turned down but Auckland Transport will be adding my request for the area near Glencoe Rd and Sartors A
ve to their list for investigation this financial year. I'll keep you posted on the progress. From AT:
"We’ve now completed our investigation
We have visited the area concerned and assessed the possibility of installing a pedestrian crossing facility near Glencoe Road and Stapleford Crescent. Several factors are carefully considered prior to implementing a pedestrian crossing such as the pedestrian demand, pedestrian desire line, traffic volumes, crash history and proximity to driveways and side streets.
Sartors Avenue and Glencoe Road intersection has been added to the Minor Improvements Programme for the 2023/24 financial year for investigation to install a pedestrian facility. This programme involves the collation of all proposed projects before ranking the sites based on their safety and operational issues. There are a number of projects already awaiting prioritisation and delivery as part of this programme.
Once funding has been provided, we progress with those projects we are able to within the available resources and funding. Due to this process, we are unable to provide a timeframe for any changes."
Update on Vaughans Road (Okura - Long Bay connection) severance
The Long Bay developers have just about fulfilled their commitment to build a roundabout connecting Te Oneroa Way and Vaughans Rd. AT understands well that Vaughans Rd (and ORR) is not up to safe standards to take on any increase in traffic volume. They intend to sever Vaughans Rd at #189 down the end as a 'temporary' measure for 18-24mo.
AT has a long-standing commitment, plans and intention, to upgrade Vaughans and Okura River Roads. They appear to have forgotten this. There is no budget to do this and certainly not within 18-24mo. My fear is that they will reopen the connection in 2 years' time with some very low-cost improvements like a passing bay and not complete the upgrade as they were meant to and we will be stuck with poor roading infrastructure for another 1-2 decades.
Important background info:
A road connection between the Long Bay Structure Plan (LBSP) area and Vaughans Rd, and the flow of traffic between the two, is a fundamental part of the local transport network and has been flagged and included in the relevant planning documents for many years.
Vaughans Rd (and Okura River Road) is clearly not up to normal urban road standards, and no significant action has been taken by Council or Auckland Transport to remedy this, despite the Environment Court in 2008 confirming Vaughans Rd as one of the primary connection points for the LBSP area.
The upgrade of Vaughans Rd was never a consent condition of the developer. They were going to take on the upgrade of it when they wanted to urbanise part of Okura, but the Environment Court decision in 2008 knocked that development down. AT then took it on (as required to under the Environment Court ruling to have a connection) and had substantial plans in place - they were just waiting on funding to do it. See this archived web page with all the detailed upgrade plans from approx 2015 that has now disappeared and seems to have been forgotten about: https://web.archive.org/.../okura-river-vaughans-roads/
The Environment Court Ruling 3.1.5.2 Connections said "...it is necessary to allow for a proposed road from the LBSP area to Vaughans Rd...irrespective of the zoning pattern ultimately adopted for the North Vaughans slopes, separate access to that area via Vaughans Rd is necessary as insurance against the potential effects of a civil emergency...".Here is the Environment Court Ruling https://www.environmentcourt.govt.nz/.../okura-holdings-ltd/
A precinct plan land use consent for the area, including the connection to Vaughans Rd, was granted in September 2013 that spoke of AT indicating it will seek to prevent a road connection until such time as upgrades seen as necessary by AT, are undertaken (noting that it would be unlikely until some time after Long Bay development has been built out).
We must push back and ensure these rural, dangerous roads get upgraded as they were meant to be years ago.
Glenvar Road updates
Thanks Long Bay Residents Assoc for hosting another great AGM. I provided a couple of updates about Glenvar Rd. Special thanks to Jo and Colin who are retiring after years of service to the LBRA Board, and congratulations to the new Chair Gareth and other new Board members. What a great and active community you're working hard to support!
Glenvar Road storm repairs
The works on the Western wall have had mesh and shotcrete placed. The prep works for the footpath are underway. Soil anchors and the mesh is progressing on the Eastern wall. The team are targeting the last of the concrete works this week. Pavement repair options are being analysed and finalised shortly. At this stage Fulton Hogan is on track for completion mid-November. Auckland Transport has a new page for updates on Glenvar storm repair work that you can check out for up to date information.
Glenvar Road realignment project
The Glenvar East Coast Road corridor upgrade project has completed the detailed design except for at the Glenvar Road slip location. Additional design effort is required at the slip location to make enough room for a shared path. AT’s Capital Programme FY24-27 indicates that no funding is available to commence construction over the next few years. The additional design and construction will commence once funding is allocated for the project in AT’s Capital Programme.
The RLTP is the 10-year plan for Auckland's transport network and details what relevant agencies will focus on to respond to Aucjland's transport challenges. It also outlines the proposed 10-year investment programme for specific projects (like Glenvar Road). The next draft RLTP is due to come out early next year and this will be an incredibly important one to give feedback on to ensure this necessary (and overdue) safety project is funded.
Understand the flood risks for your property
Auckland Council have launched a new online tool to make it simpler for Aucklanders to understand the flood risk for their property. It includes flood plains (areas predicted to be covered by flood water during heavy rain), flood prone areas (low-lying areas where water can become trapped and collect during heavy rain, especially if the stormwater outlet is blocked or reaches capacity), overland flow paths and coastal inundation (coastal areas predicted to be covered by sea water during large storms).
Why you should run your taps for 5 seconds in the morning
Did you know that it is best practice to flush a large glass of water from your drinking water tap each morning before using any water? Watercare advises this to remove any metals that may have dissolved from plumbing fittings.
New Zealand’s water can be slightly acidic and can dissolve metals. If water stays for several hours in your household pipes, it can dissolve heavy metals such as lead or copper. Small amounts of these metals may then enter your water supply. This is a simple precaution for all households on both public and private water supply. The health risk is small, but a build-up of heavy metals in your body can cause health problems. We continue to meet the requirements of the Drinking Water Standards for New Zealand 2022 and deliver safe water. For more information, visit watercare.co.nz and search for ‘drinking water quality’
Mayor and Council considering options to return parts of Port land to public
Mayor Wayne Brown and Council’s Governing Body met again in August to consider credible options for the release of parts of the Port footprint back to Council so that it can be developed for the enjoyment of all Aucklanders and provide better access to the harbour.
Image credit Nick McKay, Eke Panuku
At a series of confidential workshops, council staff, independent advisors Flagstaff Partners, GHD Engineering and Eke Panuku discussed the draft findings of land release options for waterfront land.
The independent advisors and Eke Panuku presented a high-level preliminary feasibility study which identified the possible first stage of land release, redevelopment options and commercialisation opportunities.
“I want us to deliver to Auckland the most beautiful and loved publicly owned waterfront of any harbour city in the world, and this is a first step,” Mayor Brown said.
Stage one of the release would focus on the redevelopment of the central wharves - Queens Wharf, Captain Cook Wharf, Marsden Wharf, and the Hobson Wharf extension – for a mix of uses, activities and development with Bledisloe Wharf to follow in the not too distant future.
“I have strong public support for getting more public access to the harbour. By freeing up and developing these valuable waterfront spaces, we have an opportunity to create a world-class arts, culture and entertainment destination that celebrates our identity and evokes pride in Aucklanders.
“We can create an open space that interacts with the harbour with the potential for an urban beach or tidal pool where people can actually touch the water, while housing a water-based amphitheatre for maritime events and activities that will attract thousands of local and international visitors. It also has the potential for an international event and exhibition venue and a Te Ao Māori showcase centre, to celebrate our rich cultural heritage.
“I’m pleased with the progress made on this work so far, which is indicating that there is a pathway to return a portion of land back to public use within the next 2 to 5 years without undermining the Port operation, while delivering significant wellbeing benefits for Aucklanders. “As far as the port operation goes, we are just following on from the work commenced by the previous Mayor and council and I think it is worthy of consideration.
“I am still opened minded about the best solution and am genuinely interested in hearing what councillors, the Maritime Union and users of the Port and Aucklanders think about it,” Mayor Brown said.
To help inform master planning for the Ports of Auckland and infrastructure for the wider region, council has canvassed the views of port operators and investors on potential approaches to deliver on its ownership objectives for the POAL. This process and the outputs will remain confidential and there will be a significant public consultation process before any further progress is made.
Waiwera drinking water and wastewater upgrades
The timelines for the Waiwera drinking water and wastewater upgrades have been extended by about 6 months. The project has proven more challenging than expected with more need for investigations.
The current reviewed timeline is:
Site investigations: samplings and surveys from August 2023
Preliminary design: finalised by November 2023
Site investigations: samplings and surveys from August 2023
Resource consents: assessments to begin right after (April – May 2024)
Resource consents: lodgement by August 2024
Resource consents: granting by December 2024
Execution and construction from then onwards.
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Changes to Auckland Zoo ticket prices
Auckland Zoo has been exploring new ticketing options to help it meet rising costs and reduce its reliance on ratepayer funding, while maintaining subsidised entry fees for Aucklanders.
A decision has been made to bring in new, more flexible, ticket options from 1 August. The key changes are the introduction of peak/offpeak pricing for Aucklanders, and price increases for New Zealand residents from outside Auckland.
These changes follow four years of reduced ticket prices while the Zoo built its now multi-award winning South East Asia Jungle Track, and come after a period during which the Zoo has had to absorb significantly increased costs for operational necessities such as animal feed. Like all of Tataki Auckland Unlimited, the Zoo is playing its part in meeting the $34.5 million budget reduction Auckland Council has requested of TAU for the 2023/24 financial year. That means the Zoo is no longer in a position to support subsidised tickets for non-Aucklanders.
From 1 August, New Zealanders living outside of Auckland will pay the same price as international visitors: $35/adult and $20/child during peak* days; and a new price of $29/adult and $16.50/child for off-peak days.
All children under 4 remain free, and there are no changes to annual membership fees or school visits.
Aucklanders can still visit for the current (pre-1 August) prices ($24/adult and $14/child) – provided they book a day in advance (before 12 midnight the day prior); or for the even lower pre-booked price of $19/adult, and $11/child if they also choose an off-peak day (*peak days are weekends, school and public holidays; a child is 4-14 years).
Aucklanders who purchase tickets on the day of their visit will now pay $29/adult and $16.50/child on peak days, and $24/adult and $14/child for off-peak days.
The Zoo’s community ticket programme offering free entry for people/groups not in a position to access normal or subsidised tickets, will continue.
A not-for-profit as part of TAU Trust, the Zoo covers more than two thirds of its operating costs with revenue generation on site, of which approximately two thirds is derived from admission fees and annual pass memberships. The revenue goes back into caring for the Zoo’s animals, its extensive aucklandunlimited.com conservation mahi, education/public programmes, and delivering on its mission ‘to bring people together to build a future for wildlife’.
Ranger-guided walk: Alice Eaves Bush, Orewa - 21 Sept
Where: Alice Eaves Bush, Orewa. Meet at the Kensington Drive entrance to the reserve.
When: Thursday 21 September 2023, 10am-12pm.
Cost: Free
Contact: Anna Baine, mylocalpark@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz , 027 270 8297
Take a guided walk with the community parks team through the beautiful Alice Eaves Bush in Orewa.
This scenic reserve is a 16-hectare remnant of coastal kauri-broadleaf forest. Learn about the wide range of native plant and animal species that live in the reserve as well as important environmental issues that continue to have an impact on the forest and stream ecosystem of the reserve.
A good level of fitness and mobility is required.
Consultations running at the moment
Storm Recovery and Resilience - closes 31 August!
In early 2023, the Auckland region experienced a series of extreme weather events, with record-breaking rainfall, floods, landslides and high winds. Tragically, six people lost their lives. Thousands of people have been affected, and homes, businesses, and communities have suffered long-term impacts. Auckland Council is committed to supporting communities to recover and prepare for the future.
To address these events, Council has formed the Recovery Office and created an interim recovery plan.
Council are now developing the Tāmaki Makaurau Recovery Plan and a series of stormwater improvements called 'Making Space for Water' to focus on the longer-term recovery. Your feedback is needed on these plans.
Tāmaki Makaurau Recovery Plan
The Tāmaki Makaurau Recovery Plan will outline priorities for region-wide and local recovery activities. This plan is a legal requirement to address the repair, regeneration and resilience of our region.
'Making Space for Water'
The council's Healthy Waters department is developing a series of stormwater improvements called 'Making Space for Water' as part of recovery efforts. Healthy Waters is planning nine initiatives to reduce flood risks and make big improvements to Auckland's stormwater network.
They propose to deliver the initiatives over six years including:
infrastructure improvements, such as culvert and bridge upgrades
increased stormwater maintenance
empowering our communities to prepare for and increase resilience to flooding
creating blue-green (waterways and parks) networks to allow stormwater to safely pass through urban areas.
What we want your feedback on
We want your feedback to help us develop the Tāmaki Makaurau Recovery Plan and refine the 'Making Space for Water' initiatives.
They want to know:
how the storms affected you
what is important for your recovery and the recovery of your community
how we can better prepare for future extreme weather events
your opinion on the ideas proposed in 'Making Space for Water'.
Your feedback will inform how Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland recovers from the recent storms and help shape how we build flood resilience for the future.
Have your say by 31 August by completing the online feedback form by 31 August 2023.
Meeting with flood-affected residents in August to discuss this consultation
2023 Wastewater Network Strategy
Watercare has submitted its 2023 Wastewater Network Strategy to Auckland Council and the consultation engagement feedback summary is now available online.
The Wastewater Network Strategy is a requirement of the 35-year Network Discharge Consent that sets the performance standards for the wastewater network. The strategy sets out the actions that Watercare plans to take over a six-year period to improve the performance of our wastewater network, reduce wet weather overflows and to protect the health of Auckland’s communities and environment (such as beaches and waterways). Watercare is investing $10.7 billion over the next ten years to reduce the impact of wastewater overflows on the environment and 2023/24 will be our largest ever in terms of infrastructure investment.
Māori seats for Auckland Council
Auckland Council will decide in October 2023 whether to introduce Māori seats for the 2025 local elections. Māori seats are designated council seats for Māori representatives. They provide a way for Māori to have direct representation on Auckland Council's Governing Body.
Auckland Council currently has 20 elected general ward councillors (seats) and no Māori seats. The Governing Body has previously agreed in-principle to Māori seats for Auckland Council once the set number of councillors had been removed.
Changes to the existing legislation are currently before Parliament. Learn more about our current governance model(External link).
The Governing Body will decide in October 2023 whether or not to introduce Māori seats. Before they decide, they want to hear from Māori and Auckland's wider public. If Council decides to introduce Māori seats, they also need to know what your preferred model is. There are two ways to fill possible Māori seats:
by election
by appointment.
The parliamentary model is possible under existing legislation. This model allows for:
one or two elected seats
no appointed seats.
The Royal Commission model requires new legislation. It includes:
two elected Māori seats
one Māori seat, appointed by mana whenua (Māori with ancestral authority over a specific area of land).
Any other model would require further work to develop. You can find more information on these options in the consultation material under ‘Options for Māori seats’.
We want to know:
what you think about introducing Māori seats for the 2025 local elections
what your preferred model is.
For more information, read the Māori seats for Auckland Council consultation document.
How you can have your say
complete the online feedback form before 24 September
register for a Have Your Say event to provide verbal feedback
phone 09 301 0101
visit your local service centre or library(External link).
You can have your say from Monday 21 August to Sunday 24 September 2023. Council will use your feedback to inform the Governing Body decision in 2025. This is in time for the 2025 local elections. Although the 2025 local elections may seem far away, we have a lot of work to do before the next election. After a decision on Māori seats is made, Council will begin a representation review to investigate the representation arrangements for the 2025 local elections. Council has to do a representation review (where they address the total number of Councillors for the region and the way they are elected) every six years. The next review is in 2024 whether or not Māori seats are introduced. See How we ensure all Aucklanders are represented(External link) for more information.
August Local Board meeting
We had a jam-packed August Local Board business meeting with lots of feedback to provide on a number of matters. I took on drafting feedback on the Draft Waste Management and Waste Minimisation Plan 2024 and feedback on current proposals for achieving funding equity through the Long-term Plan. Julia Parfitt took on feedback on the Future Development Strategy and Gregg Walden took on drafting thoughts on the Tāmaki Makaurau Recovery Plan and Making Space for Water.
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