Report to Council of the CCC-CRC Joint Meeting 24 October 1997

CHRISTCHURCH CITY COUNCIL

MINUTES OF A JOINT MEETING OF THE

CHRISTCHURCH CITY COUNCIL/

CANTERBURY REGIONAL COUNCIL COMMITTEE

Held on Friday 24 October 1997

in the No 2 Committee Room,

Civic Offices, 163 Tuam Street

at 9.30 am

PRESENT:	CANTERBURY REGIONAL COUNCIL Councillor Diana Shand (Chairman), Councillors Richard Budd, Sir Hamish Hay and Richard Johnson.

	CHRISTCHURCH CITY COUNCIL Councillors Anna Crighton, Pat Harrow, Margaret Murray (from 10.15 am) and Denis O'Rourke (from 9.50 am).

IN ATTENDANCE:	Councillor Valerie Campbell.

APOLOGIES:	Apologies for absence were received and accepted from Councillor Carole Evans and Councillor Neil Cherry.

	An apology for lateness was received and accepted from Councillor Margaret Murray.

1. MINUTES OF MEETING - 12 SEPTEMBER 1997

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 12 September 1997, as circulated, were taken as read and confirmed.

2. MATTERS ARISING

Nil.

3. DEPUTATIONS AND PETITIONS

Nil.

4. SUPPLEMENTARY - BONESEED

The Chairman referred to the following supplementary item which had been submitted for consideration at the present meeting:

Boneseed - A Threat to Our Coastal Environment

The Chairman advised that the item concerned had not been circulated with the main agenda for the reason that the relevant information was not available until after the agenda had been prepared and circulated, and that in view of the relevance to the present meeting, and as a matter of urgency, the item could not be deferred to a subsequent meeting.

It was resolved that the above item be received and considered at the present meeting.

5. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT

Background documents on the subject of Multi-Lateral Agreement on Investment had been circulated with the agenda, for consideration by the Committee.

It was agreed by consensus that consideration of this matter be deferred until the next meeting.

6. CANTERBURY PLAINS GRASSLAND PARK PROPOSAL

Both Liz Briggs, Senior Planner Conservation, Christchurch City Council, and Peter Rough, Landscape Architect Consultant, were in attendance for the presentation of this proposal. The concept had been developed by a project team of staff from both the CCC and CRC, led by Liz Briggs.

The presentation outlined the proposal for a "Canterbury Plains Grassland Park" within the Rural 6 zone of the Proposed City Plan, and sought support for the concept. The aim is to protect and manage the ecological heritage sites and the open grasslands, re-establish the native grasslands and dry forest and protect landscape qualities. Recreational opportunities would be important.

Anticipated benefits would include:

The protection and management of nationally unique dry grassland ecological communities which were once present over a significant portion of the plains. These plant communities are now limited to relatively small pockets of dry, unproductive soils on the flood plains adjacent to Canterbury's braided rivers.
The establishment of representative dry woodland, shrubland, and duneland plant communities which are now rare on the Canterbury Plains.
The provision of a valuable recreational asset on the northern side of Christchurch in a unique landscaped setting that complements and enhances Christchurch's network of parklands and reserves. This setting would be distinctively different from other spacial and recreational opportunities afforded close to Christchurch and indeed throughout New Zealand.
Protection of the last significant area of kowhai close to Christchurch. Kowhai are especially valued by Tangata Whenua for traditional uses and their medicinal properties.
The protection of a formerly extensive, primeval, Canterbury landscape close to Christchurch from continuing enclosure and land use intensification.
The opportunity to develop an area of "savannah" type landscape adjacent to Orana Park. This area would be suitable for grazing small herds of African animals as both an attraction and as part of an international species survival programme.
The rescue of the last substantial area of New Zealand dry plains experience that is comparable to savannah, veldt, steppe, prairie and pampas in other parts of the world.
The wise use of land that has low agricultural productivity and which is unsuitable for intensive urban development due to the area's high flood risk.

The matter of land ownership and land use was discussed. It was acknowledged that the development of this park would have some impact on the private lessees and owners in the area.

Stages 1 and 2 were outlined. In stage 1 the highest priority areas would be protected and enhanced. These areas are the Ecological Heritage Sites, sites where dry forest and shrubland plantings are to occur, and limited routes for public access. This stage could be developed within five years. Stage 2 would involve the development of the Orana Park savannah experience and the possible acquisition of the remaining leases within the park area. The second stage would enable a more comprehensive network of tracks and plantings to be established, guarantee protection and enhancement of the open landscape values, and enable the farming component of the park's management to be integrated into one enterprise. The second stage could occur over 20 years and would only take place if lessees and land owners were willing to sell their interests in the area.

In discussion the following points were noted:

Four irrigation systems are already established in the area.
The remaining area is likely to cater for sheep grazing (important role in weed control).
Shelter belts would be replaced by native tree plantings.
Would provide a unique open space area close to Christchurch, which would include parking provisions, information kiosk, elevated walkways, provision for horse riding, running and cycling.
Should existing leases be relinquished, the leased land boundaries could be adjusted in a form of "environmental trading". It was noted it would be important to look at the area as a whole to allow for flexibility with the lessees.
Some concern was expressed at the loss of potential horticultural land use for the Christchurch area.
The Waimakariri floodplain area is now vested in the Canterbury Regional Council: rental income from the land can only be used for river protection works, and it was noted the Council can resume use of the land for protection work.
The significance of the houses and buildings established by lessees in Conservators Road was noted.
Significant areas have not been cultivated since "horse-drawn" days.
The area is Crown land vested in the Canterbury Regional Council for river management purposes.
This proposal will not impinge on the flood protection works.
The rental income from leased land totals $33,000 per annum from the Eyre/Cust rating system.
Concern was expressed that construction of a stopbank and consequent planting may reduce the "open vistas" concept. The meeting was advised the construction of the stopbank would probably not be implemented for 5-10 years.
Timing for residents in the area important and will need to be handled sensitively.
Effect of airport extension/aspirations? Need to bring Airport into the picture.

The Chairman extended congratulations to those involved with preparing the presentation.

It was agreed:

That the Joint Committee support in principle the concept as outlined.
That a joint project team be established to investigate the management, costs, timing and staging of implementing the concept, including full public consultation, and that the project team report back to the Joint Committee within nine months.

(Note: Councillor Pat Harrow voted against these motions and asked that this be recorded.)

7. BONESEED: A THREAT TO OUR COASTAL ENVIRONMENT

Two papers were received:

Boneseed: A Threat to Our Coastal Environment (yellow paper - copy attached to official minutes), presented by Mike Freeman.
Boneseed Chrysanthemoides Monilifera (white paper - copy attached to official minutes), presented by Councillor Campbell.

It was agreed that the Christchurch City Council/Canterbury Regional Council Joint Committee recommend that the Canterbury Regional Council Resource Development Committee give consideration to amending the Proposed Regional Pest Management Strategy to provide a greater level of control of Boneseed in the Canterbury, Banks Peninsula, and in particular the Port Hills areas.

It was agreed by consensus that it would be appropriate for the Local Government Association to be advised of this problem.

It was agreed by consensus that a report on this matter be submitted to the Joint Committee, and the appropriate Standing Committees of the Christchurch City Council.

8. PASSENGER TRANSPORT UPDATE

Mark Bachels (Strategic Analyst) and Richard Ball (Energy and Transport Planner) of the Canterbury Regional Council spoke to their report, which had been circulated with the agenda. A series of overhead projections outlined the trends in public transportation. It was noted that during 1955, 25 million trips had been taken, compared with 8 million during 1995.

Points noted included:

Potential congestion problems.
Christchurch crash rate 20% above New Zealand average.
CO levels in Riccarton Road exceed WHO guidelines on one out of three days.
$40 million pa road maintenance costs for the city.
Children's survey "Noise Traffic and Roads Second Most Negative Aspect of Christchurch".

It was agreed by consensus it would be appropriate for the Joint Transport Sub-Committee to work through Cathedral Square issues, including siting the kiosk.

Trial Services

Concern was expressed that the Regional Council's proposals for trial services should be dealt with separately, with separate budgets. Richard Ball explained the concept was to sell ideas to any operators, who would then take ownership. If the trials were successful the contract could run for up to four years, thereafter routine review through competitive process.

Super Low Floor Buses

Discussion ensued on super low floor buses. The meeting was advised the total number of these buses would be less than last year for budget reasons. A request was received from Councillor O'Rourke that once the programme for the introduction of super low floor buses is clarified, a report be submitted to this Committee.

The matter of the location of bus stops was raised. It was acknowledged there was a need to look at the economies of scale, and to consider the location of bus stops in relation to existing hedges and front fences.

The information was received.

9. CANTERBURY REGIONAL COUNCIL/CHRISTCHURCH CITY COUNCIL FUNCTIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

The meeting was advised that a report on this matter would be submitted to the Committee in the New Year.

The information was received.

10. MAI (MULTI-LATERAL AGREEMENT ON INVESTMENT)

It was agreed by consensus that this matter be deferred until the next meeting.

11. AIR QUALITY UPDATE

The meeting was informed that a draft plan should be available by the end of this calendar year. A further opportunity will then be provided for public input.

Following discussion on air quality and the effects of pollution on health, it was agreed by consensus that the Canterbury Regional Council reconfirm health issues generally, to assist with informed comparisons and the public information process.

12. NEXT MEETING

The date of the next meeting of the Joint Committee has still to be decided, as several members will be unavailable for the proposed date of 12 December 1997.

The meeting concluded at 12.30 pm.

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