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23. 10. 96
RICCARTON/WIGRAM COMMUNITY BOARD
2 OCTOBER 1996
A meeting of the Riccarton/Wigram Community Board
was held at Sockburn Service Centre
on Wednesday 2 October 1996 at 5.00 pm
PRESENT David Buist (Chairperson), Graham Berry, Helen Broughton, Mary Corbett, Ishwar Ganda, Lesley Keast, Mark Kunnen, Mike Mora and Bob Shearing.
APOLOGIES Apologies for lateness were received from Bob Shearing and Mark Kunnen.
Bob Shearing arrived at 5.05pm and was absent for Clause 3 only.
Mark Kunnen arrived at 5.23pm and was absent for the time 5.56pm to 6.04pm and was absent for Clauses 3, 4.1, 4.2 (part of), 8, 9, 10 (part of).
PART A - MATTERS REQUIRING COUNCIL DECISION
1. SHERRINGS DRAIN WIDENING
The purpose of this report from the Water Services Manager was to inform and seek support of the Board to a resolution of Council to the widening of Sherrings Drain under the provisions of the Christchurch District Drainage Act 1951.
THE ISSUE
The Water Services Unit wishes to widen Sherrings Drain through a privately owned rural property to alleviate flooding on other properties upstream. The owners do not wish the drain widening to proceed and will not allow the Council to gain access to do the work. Although other options are available they are both more expensive and less effective than the widening option. The Water Services Unit is to seek Council approval to proceed with the drain widening under the provisions of the Christchurch District Drainage Act 1951.
BACKGROUND
Upgrading of Sparks Road started in April and included the filling of a roadside drain (Sparks Road Drain) to allow construction of a footpath. During the design process Water Services recommended filling and discontinuing the drain because it had a very small catchment which could be diverted elsewhere at much less cost.
Some residents objected, after the start of works, to the filling of the drain. At a site meeting they alerted Water Services staff to intermittent flooding arising from the Sherrings Drain, which crosses under Sparks Road. They said that the Sparks Road Drain performs a useful function in alleviating such flooding.
Subsequent investigations showed this to be correct. Sherrings Drain (refer Figure 1 attached) has a two year return period capacity at Sparks Road, which is less than the normal Council design standard. The drain flows under Sparks Road in a culvert whose capacity is restricted by the narrow channel downstream. Discharges greater than the two year return period event flow over land to the east, and are taken to Ballantines Drain via the Sparks Road Drain. Thus the filling of this drain would worsen flooding to a number of Sparks Road properties on infrequent occasions.
The Sparks Road upgrading contract was put on hold in a partially finished state pending a drainage solution.
THACKER PROPERTY
South of Sparks Road the Sherrings Drain runs through the Thacker property. The drain is contained in a private easement which appears to be in favour of properties upstream. The Council has no easement over this section of the drain.
The land is pastoral, under a Rural 2 zoning and for some years it has been leased for grazing. The property occupies part of a low lying area known as the Cashmere Stream Ponding Basin. Large parts of the basin are poorly drained, and the Basin can be inundated, to varying depths, during large storms.
Sherrings Drain carries spring flow and stormwater from the Hillmorton area to the Cashmere Stream via the Ponding Basin. When the Cashmere Stream is high some of its water back-flows up the drains and all other inflows to the basin (via Sherrings and Ballintines Drains) are also ponded. The "50 year return period" ponding level reaches almost to Sparks Road.
DRAINAGE ALTERNATIVES
There are essentially two drainage alternatives which will allow the Sparks Road upgrading to proceed without causing additional flooding. The first is to widen Sherrings Drain downstream of Sparks Road. This would allow a flow of 1.9 m3/sec[1] through the Sparks Road Culvert. Its present capacity is 1.4 m3/sec[2]. During floods the upgrading would transfer approximately the same amount of water a little faster into the ponding area. The second option is to pipe the excess water to Ballintines Drain and increase the size of Ballintines Drain to cope with the extra flow. However, this option will merely take more or less the same amount of water into the ponding area by a different route. The second option is very much more expensive than the first and is no more effective.
The cost of the drain widening option is estimated to be $ 15-20,000 including the estimated value of compensation.
The cost of the piping alternative, which is less effective, is estimated to be $ 40-60,000 depending on the extent of improvements necessary to Ballintines Drain.
There are two other reasons why the drain widening option would be advantageous to the Council and, to a lesser extent, to the Thackers. Firstly, the Council would landscape the widened drain to the appearance of a natural stream. The drain's year-round base flow provides a wonderful opportunity for this. Secondly, the drain connects to a permanent wetland on the Thacker property which is not suitable for pastoral purposes, but which the Water Services Unit is seeking to purchase for a wetlands reserve. The linkage would be beneficial to the City and, we believe, to the Thackers when their land is further developed as they intend.
DISCUSSIONS WITH LAND OWNER
Discussions have been held with Mrs J P Thacker the land owner. Mrs Thacker thinks that the flooding problem is of the Council's own making and should be solved by some means which does not impact on her land.
CONCLUSIONS
Having considered the options available, and having heard the land owner's views the Water Services Unit believes that the most effective and reasonable option is to widen the existing Sherrings Drain and compensate the owner.
It is proposed that the Council should proceed using its powers under section 28 of the Christchurch District Drainage Act 1951 to do the improvements to Sherrings Drain. The process prescribed by the Act would include:
(a) Putting the plans on public display,
(b) Notice in writing to the owner/occupier,
(c) Hearing of objections by the Council,
(d) Decision by Council including compensation as provided for in the Public Works Act.
The matter will be considered by the Christchurch City Council as required by the Act.
Recommendation: That the Council adopt the following resolutions.
1. That procedures be commenced pursuant to Section 28 of the Christchurch District Drainage Act to enable the Council to carry out drainage works in Sherrings Drain immediately downstream of Sparks Road, the drain being currently situated within a private easement on land owned by Mrs J P Thacker.
2. That the Community Board appoints a Hearing Committee which under delegated authority from the Council will hear objections, if any, to the proposed drain widening.
[1] 1.9 m3/sec is the"5 year return period" flow, which is the City's drainage design standard for urban catchments on the flat.
[2] 1.4 m3/sec is the"2 year return period" flow.
2. HANSONS LANE RESERVE PLAYGROUND MANAGEMENT PLAN AMENDMENT
The Parks Planner provided a report seeking the amending of the Hansons Lane Reserve Management Plan Policy to allow for the installation of play equipment.
At its July meeting the Board received a 49 signature petition requestion play equipment in Hansons Reserve and a survey of the area supported the petition. However, the management plan for this reserve (November 1985) did not allow for the installation of play equipment and under the Reserves Act, Section 41.4, this is required to be amended and publicly notified in accordance with Section 41.6 of the Reserves Act 1977.
It was noted that no funding was available at this time for this work and the Community Manager has been asked to report to the next Board meeting on the possibility of being able to fund this work estimated to be at a cost of $10,000.
Recommended: That the Council adopt the following resolutions.
1. That the Hansons Lane Reserve Management Plan Policy 4.3 be amended to read -
"That play equipment be permitted in this reserve"
2. That the Council's resolution to change Policy 4.3 of the Hansons Lane Reserve Management Plan be publicly notified in accordance with Section 41.6 of the Reserves Act 1977.
PART B - MATTERS DEALT WITH BY THE BOARD AND
REPORTED FOR INFORMATION ONLY
3. confirmation of MEETING report
The Board resolved that the report of the Riccarton/Wigram Community Board meeting held on 4 September 1996 be confirmed as a true and correct record of that meeting.
4. SPEAKING RIGHTS
4.1 MR TONY HAMPTON AND MR GILBERT ROBERTS
TEMPLETON RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION
Speaking rights had been granted to enable Messrs Hampton and Roberts to address the Community Board on a request for a grant towards costs incurred in a Management Resource Hearing.
On behalf of the Association, Mr Hampton tabled a submission in which he identified the work undertaken by the Association in making a submission to the Selwyn District Council on the Telecom cell site application.
Over 400 objections by local people were lodged against the proposal and the Association, on behalf of the residents, retained a lawyer, a town planning consultant and a environmental/landscaping consultant, a total cost of over $7,000.
A total of $5,000 had been raised and the balance was now well overdue for payment.
The Community Board was in receipt of a report which identified similar requests on three previous occasions from recognised residents groups seeking financial assistance for costs incurred in resource management hearings.
The Community Board had a current resolution in this regard as follows:
"... the Board being able to receive such requests for individual consideration but that no guarantee can be given that favourable consideration is assured."
The Board is aware that the Environmental Committee will be considering a report on the broader resource management issues that relate to the public and resident groups.
Members were very supportive of the work done to date by this Association and were sympathetic to their request.
The Board resolved that they commit a maximum of $2,000 from their 1996/97 discretionary allocation to assist the Templeton Residents Association meet the shortfall of funds for costs incurred on the basis that the forthcoming consideration by the Environmental Committee does not by resolution set up a fund from which such requests could be considered.
4.2 Dr Ray Kirk, Health Research Services
Dr Kirk was granted speaking rights to make a presentation to the Community Board on the Youth Research Project which had been commissioned by the Board at its meeting in November 1995.
Background
In November 1995 the Community Board agreed to commission the Research Consultants `Health Research Services' to "access the need from, and appropriate type of, youth services n the Riccarton-Wigram Wards."
The objectives of the study were:
1) To establish a database that details the social and demographic profile of young people aged 11-18 years living in the Riccarton-Wigram Wards.
2) To provide information on the need for and appropriate type of services for youth living in the Riccarton-Wigram Wards.
3) To establish a database of youth focused services currently being provided in the Riccarton-Wigram Wards.
4) To obtain the view of young people, parents/caregivers, youth programme providers, community groups and stockholders about the needs for, and appropriate type of service for youth.
5) To identify current gaps in the provision of youth services.
6) To identify barriers to establishing and maintaining additional services for youth; and
7) To identify the barriers to youth participation in services for youth.
A series of focus group discussions, in depth interviews, self completion questionnaires and statistical data extraction were used to gather the information.
Dr. Ray Kirk presented the findings to a combined meeting of the Riccarton and Hornby youth liaison groups (ie. the providers). A second meeting was held at which the providers were given the opportunity to give their feedback/response to the findings and have a say in the process to follow.
The major issues the group believe need to be addressed were as follows:
i) Transportation ie. more buses linking the youth related venues/activity spots to the suburbs. One example being `Hoyts 8 on Moorhouse Avenue providing a bus to the Square.'
ii) A Youth Centre/focal point in the area, ie. there was a request to investigate options for a base, eg. Wigram Airbase and to re-visit a 1993 proposal developed by Hornby Youth Trust.
iii) The need for Youth Workers/personnel in the area.
proposed working party
It was also agreed to set up a working party to establish recommendations relating to the study; and to adhere to the following guidelines:
The Working Party promoted the following resolutions:
1. The Community Board endorses the outcomes of the youth research as outlined in the executive summary.
2. The Community Board supports the process of a community partnership throughout the project.
3a. That two community board members, one from each of the Riccarton and Wigram Wards become representatives on the working party.
3b. That a representative of the Tangata Te Whenua (from the Paparua Maori Trust), is invited on to the Working Party.
4. That the Board consider `youth needs' when updating Community Board objectives, statement of priorities and Board input into the annual plan process.
The Board resolved that the report from Dr Kirk be received and that the Working Party recommendations be endorsed with Messrs Mike Mora and Graham Berry being the two representatives to serve on the Working Party.
5. NOTICE OF MOTION
PARKING RESTRICTIONS NORTH OF RICCARTON ROAD
The Board was in receipt of the following Notice of Motion signed by Board Members Mark Kunnen and Graham Berry:
"That the restricted parking, as approved by the Riccarton/Wigram Community Board at its meeting on 19 October 1994, as follows, be rescinded in respect of Rata and Rimu Streets.
That the current P120 parking restrictions in Rata Street, Rimu Street (and Titoki Street) remain in place but that this decision be reviewed at an appropriate time, but not later than twelve months.
That the new restricted parking be as follows:
and that the resolution in respect of Kauri Street (presently P60 on both sides) be amended to P120 on the west side."
Board members were in receipt of information relating to decisions made dating back to 1994 with respect to restricted parking on the north side of Riccarton Road and information pertaining to the public meeting and special Community Board meeting held in mid-October 1994 and the subsequent decision of the Board in December 1994 to initiate a parking survey within the greater Riccarton area. It was noted that this parking survey would be considered at the next meeting of the Traffic Committee.
In speaking to the Notice of Motion Mr Kunnen stated that the Chairperson of the Traffic Committee (Helen Broughton) should step aside from discussion as she was a resident of Rata Street and that she could have a conflict of interest in accordance with Section 6.1 of the Local Authorities (Members' Interests) Act 1968.
This statement was challenged by Mrs Broughton and the Chairperson ruled that there was no need for Mrs Broughton to retire from consideration of this issue.
The Board resolved, on a show of hands by two in favour and seven against, that the Notice of Motion was lost.
6. MASHAM ROAD/STEADMAN ROAD INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS
The Board received a report from the Area Traffic Engineer concerning the improvement works planned to be undertaken at the Masham Road/Steadman Road corner. As part of its allocation of 1996/97 Project Funds, the Board had set aside $8,000 to enable this work to proceed. The proposal involved banning right-turning traffic into and out of Steadman Road and had received favourable support from the residents.
Transit New Zealand had agreed to the proposal subject to the addition of a median island in Masham Road to further discourage the right-turning traffic and this total job was now estimated to cost $60,000.
Transit New Zealand had declined a request for a financial contribution as it was considered to be a low priority in terms of safety and efficiency of the highway network.
It was clear that the total monies available to the Community Board in the sum of $20,000 only was not sufficient to enable the total project to be undertaken. The Board considered that a commitment to the residents had been made earlier in the year to have this work undertaken. On the suggestion of the Area Traffic Engineer the Board looked at holding another meeting with the residents to consider other options within the budget available. The full $20,000 (which could be funded from project monies) could construct either a series of mild restraints or a substantial restraint.
The Board resolved that the balance of funds in the Neighbourhood Safety Improvements Allocation (1996/97 project funded) be allocated to Steadman Road and that a further meeting be held with the residents to discuss other options for traffic management at the Steadman Road/Masham Road intersection.
7. COMMUNITY BOARD TRAFFIC COMMITTEE
The Board received a report on the 17 September meeting of the Traffic Committee. Matters discussed included:
(a) Shand/Piko/Rattray/Rattray Traffic Petitions
The Traffic Committee was in receipt of a submission made to the Council's Draft Annual Plan process in which the petitioners sought some traffic management works in the above streets. The Council, in receiving this submission and petition, had asked the Board to give some priority to consideration of a Local Area Traffic Management Scheme for this area.
The Area Traffic Engineer reported that these areas were not considered to be suffering from excess through traffic and as such the priority for a Local Area Traffic Management Scheme would not be considered great.
The Board has endorsed the need for a Local Area Traffic Management Scheme but is mindful of the priority in which it should rank in terms of other Local Area Traffic Management Scheme commitments.
(b) Lochee Road Traffic Petitions
At the August meeting of the Community Board a public consultation was accepted to respond to residents' petitions seeking relief to parking and speeding on Lochee Road.
As a result of the questionnaire sent out the Area Traffic Engineer reported a 63% return rate from residents. Most of the concerns, according to the results, could be mitigated by some reasonably simple measures and at a low cost. This was the basis of "Option 2" in the questionnaire and it received 76% support from the residents, but with minor additions suggested by residents.
It was noted that this option did not address speed concerns. However, it was felt that speed was not a major issue.
The Board resolved to endorse "Option 2", with minor additions, for consideration at a residents meeting to be held on Saturday 4 October 1996.
(c) Service Centre Traffic Workload
At its 28 August meeting the Traffic Committee had recommended that a letter be sent to the City Manager on this issue and this was further endorsed by the Traffic Committee at its meeting on 17 September 1996.
The Board had resolved that a letter be sent to the City Manager identifying concerns of the Traffic Committee at the frustrations caused by insufficient resources being put into the Sockburn Service Centre Traffic Engineering works.
8. BASKETBALL HALF COURTS
The Community Board had set aside an amount of $18,000 from its project monies in the current financial year to install two basketball half courts in the Riccarton/Wigram area. Five basketball courts are already in place or under construction and the Area Parks Officer presented a report which identified three possible sites for the two courts.
The Board resolved that the half courts be constructed at Scott Park and Staveley Reserve, to be funded from its allocated project monies subject to public acceptance from the residents in the immediate areas.
9. COMMUNITY PRIDE GARDEN AWARDS
The Area Parks Officer presented a report on the Community Garden Pride Awards and noted a change in format away from the previous "competition" format. It was noted that the Horticultural Society and the Beautifying Association Garden Awards were based on a "competition" format and agreement was sought from the Community Board that the Community Garden Pride Awards be such as to provide a recognition to average residential gardeners whose efforts contributed to the overall image Christchurch as a garden city.
The Board endorsed the changes sought to the Community Pride Garden Award and allocated a sum of $1,000 from its 1996/97 allocation to assist in this.
10. SHAND/PAEROA/HARRINGTON RESERVES
The Area Parks Officer provided an extensive report on the recent letterbox drop and public meeting on 12 September in respect of these reserves and now sought Board adoption of the three design concepts.
In respect of the Shand Crescent Reserve, the Board was in receipt of a report from a horticulturalist (commissioned by the local residents) in respect of a large gum tree that the Council's Arboriculturalist had undertaken some safety works on.
The Board resolved to receive this report and seek comment on its contents.
The Board further resolved to approve the design concept and allocate the sum of $10,000 from its 1996/97 Discretionary Fund to enable the work on Shand Crescent to be commenced as soon as possible.
In respect of the Paeroa Reserve, the Board resolved to approve the design concept but with the consideration of playground equipment being installed being the subject of discussion with an officer of the Parks Unit at the November meeting of the Board.
In respect of the Harrington Reserve, the Board resolved to approve the design concept and that the placement of the proposed cricket net be sited between the existing half court and play equipment on the eastern side of the reserve.
11. LITTER IN WATERWAYS
The Land Drainage Engineer provided a report on new initiatives for the management of litter in waterways.
The Water Services Unit had primary responsibility for waterway litter control and this is now co-ordinated by the Litter Co-ordination Committee.
One effective public educational approach was the installation of debris traps at locations with high public profile.
The Land Drainage Engineer advised that two floating litter traps had been purchased from Australia and these had been installed at Dudley Creek and the other one at Kerrs Reach.
Water Services staff have also identified various other locations for positioning of the traps in the Avon/Heathcote Rivers and these would be progressively trialled to monitor the amount of litter and establish priority locations.
It was reported that the performance of the traps had proved to be very effective with the Dudley Creek location showing up as a major source of floating litter. A good level of publicity had been received during the installation of the traps and it was planned to build upon this impact with follow-up coverage and installation of suitable signs on the traps themselves. It was also considered important to build on the public awareness of the Litter in the Waterways issue and the new traps would be another effective tool in this education process.
The Board resolved to receive the information.
12. AWATEA STREAM ENHANCEMENT - WARREN PARK
The Land Drainage Engineer provided a report to the Community Board of the Draft Landscape Plan for Enhancement of Awatea Stream through Warren Park and sought comment from the Board.
The Board was pleased to receive the plan and has resolved that the three stages of work be undertaken as finance permits.
13. WARREN PARK DISUSED RIGHT OF WAY
Board comment was sought by the Property Manager on an area of surplus property to be offered to an adjoining property owner, this land being a disused right of way into Warren Park from Springs Road.
In accordance with the Property Unit decision-making flow chart process comment had been sought by the Board which would then be considered by the Property Unit for appropriate recommendation to Council.
The Board was supportive of the selling off of the surplus property as identified by the Property Manager.
14. PROPOSED ROAD AND RIGHT OF WAY NAMES IN THE WIGRAM WARD
The Environmental Services Manager sought Board approval for four new roads and one new right of way names.
The Board resolved as follows:
1. That COLUMBIA AVENUE be approved for the new road off 555 Halswell Junction Road.
2. That the name MAGDALA PLACE be extended to include the new extension.
3. That the name MARQUESS AVENUE be approved for the new road which is created by the extension to Rempstone Drive.
4. That the name SAVANNAH LANE be approved for the extension of the right of way off Happy Home Road.
5. That the three names promoted for the new road between Annex Road and Magdala Place be declined as they are not in accordance with Council policy on road names.
15. RESOLUTION TO EXCLUDE THE PUBLIC
The Board resolved that the draft resolution to exclude the public, as set out on page 45 of the agenda, be adopted.
CONFIRMED THIS 6TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 1996
D N Buist
CHAIRPERSON