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25. 2. 98
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE
11 FEBRUARY 1998
A meeting of the Parks and Recreation Committee
was held on Wednesday 11 February 1998 at 4.00 pm
| PRESENT: | Councillor Gordon Freeman (Chairman), Councillors Carole Anderton, Graham Berry, David Buist, Graham Condon, David Cox, Ishwar Ganda and Gail Sheriff. |
The Committee reports that:
PART A - MATTERS REQUIRING A COUNCIL DECISION
1. KENNEDY'S BUSH SCENIC RESERVE EXTENSION RR 6827
| Officer responsible | Author |
| Parks Manager | Kelvin McMillan, Parks Planner |
| Corporate Plan Output: Parks Plans & Policy Statements and New Assets - Reserve Purchases | |
The purpose of this report is to recommend that the Council purchase 40ha of land on the Port Hills for the extension of Kennedy's Bush Scenic Reserve.
This report has been submitted to the Riccarton/Wigram Community Board as an information item.
Mr Wallace of Amber Rose Estates Limited has approached the Council with an offer of sale for 40ha of Amber Rose Estate property in order to enlarge the adjoining Kennedy's Bush.
Kennedy's Bush Extension is on the Parks Unit list of potential acquisitions within the Strategic Reserve Purchase - Natural Heritage Parks/Port Hills category, one of seven parks acquisition categories that the Parks Units works with.
LOCATION AND ACCESS
The land fronts onto the Summit Road and adjoins the southern boundary of the 86ha Council managed Kennedy's Bush Reserve.
It is situated in Selwyn District within 1.5km of the City Boundary. Access to the land will be from Kennedy's Bush and from the Summit Road for pedestrians and by way of a right-of-way for Council maintenance vehicles from the Summit Road.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND RESERVE CONTEXT
The land is situated on the western portion of the Summit Road recreation corridor, Christchurch's primary scenic route. It can also be clearly seen from the main Christchurch-Akaroa Highway. Recent survey work undertaken by the Christchurch City Council has shown that 96% of Summit Road use is for scenic/recreation reasons. Approximately 210,000 non-tour vehicle borne visitors are estimated to use the western Port Hills area each year. Many of these pass by the project area which is visible from the Summit Road. Fourteen percent of non bus users travelling the Summit Road are tourists. Some 35,565 coach borne tourists use the Summit Road west of The Sign of the Kiwi each year, but the majority of coaches currently do not travel past the Sign of the Bellbird which is close to the land in question.
Seventy-seven percent of visitors to the Port Hills come from Christchurch City.
Environmentally, the land is strategically placed between Kennedy's Bush and Burkes Bush in the next valley, although it does not connect with Burkes Bush. The wetter climate and large areas of regenerating bush make this part of the Port Hills especially suitable for restoration of native forest.
The land is within the general area of the Port Hills 2000 'Crater Rim Forest' proposal. This project aims to restore native bush and provide habitat for native birds on the Port Hills, thus enhancing native bird numbers in the city. If purchased, the land would make a valuable contribution towards providing more north facing bush on the Port Hills.
Bush bird habitat is now rare on the sunny north faces of the Port Hills preferred by birds in cool conditions.
PROPERTY DETAILS
Legal Description
The land contains an approximate area of 40,285 hectares and is part of the land contained in Certificate of Title 38B/653 being Lots 6 and 7 together with part Lot 8 DP 61752.
The Land Use Zoning
It was also classified as an area of outstanding landscape and a small area of the lower land is within the Kennedy's Bush site of Significant Nature Value in the Selwyn District Plan which has recently been withdrawn. The property is zoned Rural 1 in the Paparua Section of the Selwyn Transitional Scheme.
Location
The property is located on the Summit Road adjoining the southern boundary of Kennedy's Bush Reserve as depicted on the attached plan.
The Property
This is quite steep hill falling from the main ridge into the gully adjoining Kennedy's Bush with a general northerly aspect. Along the top is relatively clear country with pasture and some weak tussock cover, but the lower areas are heavily covered with gorse and broom with some native second growth starting to appear in patches. It is of little agricultural value and its redevelopment into farm land would be uneconomic at the present levels of profitability for pastoral farming. It does potentially have some value as a lifestyle block however.
It is fenced to all boundaries except to Lot 8 where it is estimated that approximately 720m of new fencing will be required to complete the ring fencing of the proposed purchase. It is understood from the owner that a half unit of water from the Landsdowne Community Water Scheme will be included in the sale which amounts to 500 litres per day although it is understood additional supplies are available on application to the scheme. Vehicular access to the property is available from a right of way secured against the adjoining land and this will be available to the Council for its use only and not for public access.
As indicated the land forms part of Certificate of Title 38B/653 which in total contains an area of 51.77 hectares for which Resource Consent is held to construct a dwelling subject to certain conditions being complied with including the provision of walkways through the property to link with Kennedy's Bush Reserve as well as the revegetation of 15ha of the land with native plants. As the owner will have to re-apply to the Selwyn District Council to subdivide the property it will be necessary for the owner to apply to review the conditions of the Resource Consent under Section 127 of the Act. While the Christchurch City Council has reached agreement with the owner to acquire the land free of all encumbrances including the Resource Consent conditions they are not onerous and if on review the Selwyn District Council reimposes the conditions on the area to be acquired by the Christchurch City Council it will not detract from the purchase given that the requirements to form tracks and to revegetate the area would be appropriate and desirable for an enlarged Kennedy's Bush Reserve.
DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE COSTS
Initially there would be a cost of around $4,000 to establish boundary fencing. A cost of around $5,000/year could be anticipated for development of tracks and limited planting. Supervision costs would be low.
PROPERTY VALUES
The major values of the land for a reserve extension to Kennedy Bush are:
Currently, the southern boundary of Kennedy's Bush runs vertically up the slope of the Spur forming a very unnatural, obvious boundary between park and adjacent rural land. The boundary division (bush regeneration on the park side, pasture on the other) can be clearly seen from State Highway 75 (Christchurch-Akaroa Road). Achieving an integrated landscape pattern on the Port Hills, especially the upper more natural areas nearer the Summit Road, is a major objective of Port Hills Park Management. Currently, Kennedy's Bush occupies about three quarters of the catchment.
Purchase of the Amber Rose land will allow greater integration of landscape within the catchment than would otherwise be possible. This will have important scenic, recreation and ecological benefits.
The nearby Sign of the Bellbird which once functioned as a rangers residence and 'resthouse' could potentially be an important visitor entrance point to the new Crater Rim Forest Park. Provision of 500 litres of water a day would make public toilets and drinking water more viable on this site.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Port Hills 2000 have expressed strong support for the acquisition of the land as it will be an important step toward realisation of the Crater Rim Forest Park Concept, a Port Hills 2000 Project.
SOURCE OF FUNDS OF PARKS ACQUISITION PROGRAMME 1997/98
$1.6 million is budgeted for Citywide, neighbourhood and strategic reserve purchases in the 1997/98 year. Annual revenue from reserve contributions taken in cash is estimated to be $1.9 million. It is important that cash taken in lieu of reserve land is strategically reinvested in land. While most assets depreciate, land values both capital and recreation appreciate.
Christchurch City Council Plan (page 86) Reserves Purchase
| Reserve Purchases | |
| Project Management | 34,955 |
| Strategic Reserve Purchases | 750,000 |
| Neighbourhood Reserve Purchases | 600,000 |
| District Sports Park Purchases | 250,000 |
| Waterways and Wetlands Purchases | 100,000 |
This proposed land purchase falls within the Strategic Reserves Purchase, along with Westminster Park extension $100,000 and Westlake Reserve extension full settlement $190,000.
Also refer to the Corporate Plan Vol III 1997, page 9.4.74 New Assets - Restricted Assets - Output Reserves Purchases.
Other purchase under investigation/negotiation within the Strategic Reserve category are Halswell Domain extension and Mona Vale car park.
Neighbourhood Reserve Purchase (local reserve
deficiencies) $600,000
Negotiations are proceeding for a new local reserve in Merivale
reserve. This is expected to use all of this year's allocation
for new local reserves in deficient areas.
Sports Parks Purchases
This year's budget has an additional $250,000 (AMP result)
targeted at cheaper rural areas to be bought for future sports
parks. Rural land around Halswell Domain has been targeted to
date.
Waterways and Wetlands $100,000
A new item this year (AMP result) targets acquisitions necessary
to enhance the city's waterways. A joint purchase with Water
Services, of a property next to Horseshoe Lake Reserve is
planned.
PROPERTY PURCHASE
A sale and purchase agreement has been negotiated by the Property Unit with the owner of the property, subject to Council approval. Details of the settlement are contained in the public excluded section of the agenda.
CONCLUSION
The purpose of this purchase is to extend Kennedy's Bush Scenic Reserve up toward the ridgeline on the south west side of the Kennedy's Bush catchment. This would vastly improve the visual quality of the upper part of the scenic reserve by allowing reserve boundaries to better relate to the topography rather than the current unnatural cadastral boundaries.
Purchase of the upper part of the Amber Rose property will allow natural bush expansion upslope to form a more ecologically and visually appropriate pattern in the landscape. Expansion of bush onto the warm north facing slopes will provide better winter habitat for native birds. North facing bush habitat is now relatively uncommon the Port Hills, most native forest stands now being restricted to south facing slopes and gullies.
The Council would also be able to extend the Kennedy's Bush track system with short loop tracks and alternative walking access to the Summit Road and Crater Rim walkway. A mountain bike route may also be a possibility. Provision of vehicle access for Council to Kennedy's Bush and 500 litres of water per day are added benefits.
Purchase of 40ha from Amber Rose Estates would not only benefit Kennedy's Bush Scenic Reserve, but would be another critical step toward the creation and protection of a larger Port Hills Native Forest Park for this area which has been approved as a Port Hills Turning Point 2000 Millennium project by the Turning Point 2000 Executive Committee.
This would be of great benefit to the Christchurch area in the enhancement of the important Summit Road scenic and recreation corridor.
| Officer's Recommendation: |
|
The Committee was equally divided on the proposal to purchase the above property and the above recommendation when put to the meeting was lost on the Chairman's casting vote.
2. GIBRALTAR FARM PURCHASE RR 6982
| Officer responsible | Author |
| Parks Manager | Kelvin McMillan, Parks Planner (Policy) |
| Corporate Plan Output: Parks Plans and Policy Statements and New Assets - Reserve Purchases | |
The purpose of this report is to respond to a request by Wai-Ora Trust for the city's support for purchase of Gibraltar Farm on the Port Hills by Selwyn District Council for a reserve.
INTRODUCTION
Wai-Ora Trust has an agreement to purchase 192 hectares of land at the head of the Otahuna Valley on the Port Hills. The agreement has been extended until 27 February 1998 when a deposit is due subject to satisfactory finance being raised. The Selwyn District Council are interested in purchasing the land, subject to further investigations on the proposed management concept and the support, in principle, of the Regional and City Councils.
GIBRALTAR FARM
The property is situated on the southern Port Hills in Selwyn District approximately 3.5km from the city boundary.
Gibraltar Farm contains two high value bush remnants including part of an old growth forest. Purchase of this property for native forest protection and restoration will be of enormous long term benefit to the forest ecosystems and birds of the Port Hills Ecological District.
The landscape, scenic and recreational benefit will be high because the project area is situated adjacent to the Summit Road one of Canterbury's premiere recreational and tourist routes.
The original 192ha purchase option included a block of 75 ha of pine forest adjoining the Summit Road. This has now been excluded from the purchase leaving the area to be purchased by Selwyn of 117ha.
Wai-Ora Trust now seek the City Council's support for this purchase by way of:
ENVIRONMENTAL AND PARKS CONTEXT
Gibraltar Farm is situated at the wetter end (Sugarloaf/Hoon Hay to Coopers Knob) of the Port Hills. This area is the best in the Christchurch area for the protection and enhancement of large expanses of native forest because:
Two important Council reserves, Ahuriri and Coopers Knob, are situated within 1.5 km of Gibraltar Farm. The northern end of Coopers Knob Scenic Reserve is within a few hundred metres of the top of Gibraltar Farm. The privately owned (purchased 1997) conservation area of Prendergasts Bush (part of the Coopers Knob bush complex) is situated in the next valley. The Crater Rim Walkway runs parallel to the Summit Road on the uphill side of the farm.
Purchase of this property will make restoration of a relatively continuous tract of native forest in this area of the Port Hills a much more realistic future planning option. A future forest of 200 to 500ha is a practical and realistic option for this area of the Port Hills based around the existing Christchurch City Council managed reserves Prendergasts' Bush and Gibraltar Farm. Other nearby forest remnants could be included as funds allow in the future.
This will have recreation and scenic benefits for visitors to this area of the Summit Road Corridor.
GIBRALTAR FARM PURCHASE - OBJECTIVES
The primary aim in the purchase of the Gibraltar Farm would be to protect and restore an area of ecologically sustainable and aesthetically attractive native forest area on the Port Hills.
The property's 117ha contains two native forest remnants situated in gullies, Otahuna (5ha) and Block VI (30ha), with grassed spur between them. Large areas of gorse, and kanuka patches, are situated on the north and south margins of the bush blocks. This landscape pattern is largely a result of the impact of logging and burning followed by 150 years of management for agricultural purposes. The property is situated in the Port Hills Ecological District.
The two bush patches are both highly graded botanically on the 1992 survey of Banks Peninsula indigenous remnants. On an A-E scale Otahuna Bush is A graded and Bush Block VI a B+.
The property extends from approximately the 180m contour in a gully up to the 460m contour at the Summit Road encompassing the majority of the upper portion of the upper Otahuna and Block VI Bush block.
An adjoining landowner owns a strip of pasture land about 150m wide between the main bush block and the adjoining Gibraltar Rock.
The main purchase objectives are to:
The majority of users of this park will come from Christchurch City.
MANAGEMENT
The property would be owned by Selwyn District Council. It is envisaged that a management committee would be established with representatives from Canterbury Regional Council, Christchurch City Council, Land Care, Department of Conservation, Wai-ora Trust, Forest and Bird and a private landscape architect. At a community level, the 'Addington Bush Society' network, are very interested in participating in restoration work to complement their urban based work.
DRAFT ANNUAL BUDGET
$
| 1. | Fencing | 10,000 |
| 2. | Animal control (goats, possums, rabbits) | 10,000 |
| 3. | Interpretation (tracks, signs, PR) | 5,000 |
| 4. | Boundary control (keeping gorse away from boundaries) | 5,000 |
| 5. | Planting (mainly a totara sponsorship concept) | 5,000 |
| 6. | Management/Administration | 5,000 |
| 40,000 |
Any major developments such as the 'sustainable totara forest concept or an educational day shelter, would be funded by grants and sponsorships.
Wai-ora Trust consider the City Council's participation in the project as very important. It could include:
COMMUNITY AND INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT
The importance to the city of areas adjacent to the Summit Road can be gauged by the areas popularity with the public with 210,000 non tour vehicle borne visitors estimated to use the western Port Hills each year. Seventy seven percent of these visitors come from Christchurch City.
The Regional Council has already indicated its support of the project and its willingness to contribute resources to its management.
The Regional Council considers that the property has regional importance in respect of its biodiversity and potential educational value to future generations of school children in learning the concepts of sustainable management.
The Forest Heritage Fund have agreed to contribute funds towards the purchase with the best native forest areas being set up as Scenic Reserves.
Land Care are very interested in the land being secured for community and scientific purposes and are proposing to set up field trials on the property to help define best practices for restoration of indigenous habitat and establishing potentially commercial indigenous species.
CONCLUSION
Port Hills Parks by their nature tend to provide greater benefit (ecological, recreation, scenic, landscape) than their immediate locality might suggest. For this reason there is widespread community and institutional co-operation in this potential purchase ie:
By supporting this purchase the City Council can make a significant contribution toward sustainable management of a high value scenic and natural heritage area, as well as increasing recreation, employment, training and education opportunities in an area popular with many Christchurch residents.
The above proposal was considered and supported, on environmental grounds, by the Environmental Committee at its meeting on 9 February 1998.
At the Parks and Recreation Committee meeting staff advised that the estimated cost of the City Council's participation in the project was $5,000. The Committee considers that all costs incurred by the Council should be recovered from Selwyn District Council.
| Recommendation: |
|
(Note: Councillor Cox requested that his vote against recommendation 2 be recorded.)
3. PORRITT PARK - PARKING RESTRICTIONS RR 6825
| Officer responsible | Author |
| City Streets Manager | Malcolm Taylor, Area Engineer, Chris Freeman, Parks Planning Team Leader |
| Corporate Plan Output: Street Signs and Markings 9.6.9 | |
The purpose of this report is to seek approval to introduce parking restrictions at Porritt Park to enhance the safety of pedestrians and cyclists using the park.
On inspection it was found that cars parking along the roadway beside the Leander Club and Rowing Club facilities were obstructing the safe vision and passage of pedestrians and cyclists through this area.
Investigations are currently being carried out to provide a separate cycle/pedestrian facility in this area. In the meantime, to improve the safety of cyclists and pedestrians it would be appropriate to ban parking on the access road to the car park at the hockey grounds.
| Recommendation: |
|
4. DEPUTATIONS BY APPOINTMENT
SPORT AND ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE - DAVIS CUP TIES
Messrs David Munro and David Blackwell of Canterbury Tennis addressed the Committee in respect of a problem which had arisen over the use of the new Sport and Entertainment Centre for Davis Cup tennis ties.
Canterbury Tennis have pencil booked the Centre for a Davis Cup tie on 25, 26, 27 September but will not be in a position to confirm their booking until the results of a series of matches to be held in April are known. In the meantime NCC have received a request to use the stadium for a major pop concert during the same time. Canterbury Tennis has been advised by NCC that if the latter booking is confirmed they will be given the option of entering into a contract and paying a deposit or face losing the booking. It was confirmed that if the tie cannot be held at the centre then this event will be lost to Christchurch.
The above situation has highlighted a problem which is likely to recur given that Davis Cup bookings can only be confirmed 3-4 months in advance. The deputation expressed their concern that this could result in tennis and possibly other sports being excluded from using the stadium because of their inability to confirm bookings well in advance.
The deputation also advised that the stadium has been designed to allow major international tennis events to be staged in it and will be far superior to any other venue in New Zealand. Canterbury Tennis were therefore looking forward to Christchurch once again becoming the main New Zealand base for David Cup tennis.
Concerns were also raised by the deputation regarding the rental costs of the centre.
The Committee was sympathetic to the concerns raised by Canterbury Tennis and suggests that a sub-committee be appointed to meet with NCC (NZ) Ltd with a view to finding a solution to the problem.
| Recommendation: | That a sub-committee comprising the Chairman and Councillors Berry and Buist be appointed for the above purpose. |
PART B - REPORTS FOR INFORMATION
5. CHRISTCHURCH FESTIVAL OF DANCE 1997 STATISTICS RR 6877
The Communications and Promotions Manager reported, in response to an earlier request of the Committee, on attendance figures and expenditure for the above event.
Concerns were expressed by the Committee regarding the over-expenditure of $10,000 on this event. The Committee requested the Communications and Promotions Manager to submit updated revenue and expenditure figures for the festival to the Committee's Annual Plan meeting.
| 6. | CHARGING POLICY ON USE OF RESERVES BY SPORTS CLUBS | RR 6917 |
The Parks Manager reported, seeking the appointment of a sub-committee to hear submissions from sports organisations and community groups on the draft charging policy. The Committee appointed a sub-committee comprising the Chairman and Councillors Sheriff and Anderton to hear such submissions.
7. ITEMS RECEIVED
The Committee received the following reports:
7.1 QEII Fun Park - Operational Issues RR 6985
The Leisure and Community Services Manager updated the Committee on the outcome of a safety audit undertaken by the Council's Health and Safety Auditor and the maintenance work undertaken by Council staff over the past month.
7.2 Christchurch: Sports Training Destination RR 6999
This report updated Councillors on progress to date on the promotion of Christchurch as a pre-Olympic training destination for the Sydney summer games in the year 2000. At the Committee's request a further update report will be submitted in three months' time.
| 8. | ITEM DEFERRED THE QEII FUN PARK - LEASING ISSUES | RR 7012 |
The Committee deferred consideration of the above report. The report will be presented to a special meeting of the Committee at Queen Elizabeth II Park, together with a report on alternative uses for the land currently occupied by the fun park.
PART C - REPORT ON DELEGATED DECISIONS TAKEN BY THE COMMITTEE
9. COWLES STADIUM HEATING RR 6814
The Leisure and Community Services Manager submitted a report seeking approval for a budget adjustment between the 1997/98 and 1998/99 years to enable the heating system at Cowles Stadium to be upgraded prior to the 1998 winter sports season. The estimated cost of this work is $35,000. Funding of $34,000 has been provided in 1997/98 for the interior decoration of the stadium and authority was sought to defer this work until the 1998/99 financial year.
The Committee resolved that the upgrade of the heating system at Cowles Stadium be brought forward to the current year's asset maintenance programme and that any interior redecoration that is affected by the architectural report be held over until the 1998/99 financial year.
10. WHARENUI SWIMMING POOL - FILTRATION UPGRADING RR 6983
The Leisure and Community Services Manager sought approval for a budget adjustment between the 1997/98 and 1998/99 years to enable the upgrading of the filtration system at Wharenui Pool to be completed this financial year. Approval was sought to delay the mechanical services upgrading at Wharenui and the filtration upgrading at Jellie Park until the 1998/99 financial year. The current budget allocation for the three projects is as follows:
| Budget Allocation | 1997/98 | 1998/99 |
| Wharenui Filtrating Upgrading | 235,000 | 210,000 |
| Wharenui Mechanical Services | 110,000 | |
| Jellie Park Filtration Upgrading | 100,000 | 278,000 |
| $445,000 | $488,000 |
The revised programme is as follows:
| 1997/98 | 1998/99 | |
| Wharenui Filtration Upgrading | 405,000 | 40,000 |
| Wharenui Mechanical Services | 15,000 | 95,000 |
| Jellie Park Filtration Upgrading | 25,000 | 353,000 |
| $445,000 | $488,000 |
The Committee resolved that the request for the reallocation of funds to allow for the completion of the Wharenui filtration upgrade in the 1997/98 financial year be approved.
11. PURAU RESERVE PINE TREE REMOVAL RR 6843
The Parks Manager sought approval to remove four large pine trees from Purau reserve and to replace them with a more suitable species. A neighbouring property owner had sought the removal of the trees on safety grounds as branches and pine cones from the trees frequently fall onto the roof of his house, lawn and outdoor decking.
The Committee noted staff advice that Purau Reserve is well stocked with mature deciduous exotic and native trees and the loss of the four pines will not have a significant impact on the amenity values of the reserve or those of the neighbourhood. The resident concerned has offered to meet the cost of providing the replacement trees.
The Committee resolved that the four large pines be removed and replaced with more suitable trees.
12. HONORARY WARDEN APPOINTMENTS RR 6913
The Parks Manager reported, recommending that the following persons be appointed as Honorary Wardens:
| Mr Jack Chorie | 355 Ferry Road | Edmonds Factory Gardens |
| Mr Steven Ritchie | 336 Ferry Road | Edmonds Factory Gardens |
| Mrs Beverley Hawthorne | 21 Ryan Street | Edmonds Factory Gardens |
| Mrs Glenys Fisher | 58 Ryan Street | Edmonds Factory Gardens |
| Mr Allan Polaschek | 43 Ryan Street | Edmonds Factory Garden |
| Mr Gary Clarke | 23 Ryan Street | Edmonds Factory Gardens |
| Mrs Robyn Cumberpatch | 340 Ferry Road | Edmonds Factory Gardens |
| Mrs Mary Gullery | 2 Buscot Gate | Hyde Park |
| Mr Gordon Reid JP | 4 Copperfield Close | Copperfield Reserve |
The Committee resolved that the above persons be appointed as Honorary Wardens pursuant to Christchurch City Bylaw 120 Clause 5(ii) and Christchurch City Bylaw 118, Clause 4, relating to the control of parts of the Avon and Heathcote Rivers, certain foreshore and adjacent areas and the city's parks and reserves.
The meeting concluded at 6.30 pm
CONSIDERED THIS 25TH DAY OF FEBRUARY 1998
MAYOR