LIJ. Maungatautari Reserve Committee Agenda. Waipa (5-9) PAGE NO. Time: Date: Venue:

Transcription

1 LIJ Committee Agenda Time: Date: Venue: 4.00pm Wednesday 21 August 2013 Committee Room, Cambridge Service Centre, 23 Wilson Street, Cambridge PAGE NO. Agenda- 21 August 2013 Minutes of Previous Meeting -19 June 2013 MElT General Manager's Report Manager Community Facilities Report! (5-9) 3 (11-13) 3-4 (No papers) f Page 1 of

2 LIJ Committee Agenda AGENDA ITEMS 1 MEMBERS Chairperson Cr GRP Webber Members Cr L Hoverd; T Tauroa {Ngati l<oroki l<ahukura); C Wirihana {Ngati l<oroki l<ahukura); R Smith {Pararewa Marae); I< Hodge {adjoining landowner); M Cook {DOC); Cr S Kneebone or alternate Cr P Legge {Environment Waikato); Mayor A Livingston; A Saywell {adjoining landowner) 2 APOLOGIES 3 DISCLOSURE OF MEMBERS 1 INTERESTS VISITORS 5 MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING I Pages 5-9 Minutes of the Meeting held 19 June Recommendation That the minutes of the Committee held on 19 June 2013, as circulated, be confirmed as a true and correct record of proceedings. 6 LATE ITEMS 7 CONFIRMATION OF ORDER OF MEETING Recommendation That the order of the meeting be confirmed. Page 2 of

3 ... Committee Agenda 8 MAUNGATAUTARI ECOLOGICAL ISLAND TRUST (MElT) GENERAL MANAGER'S REPORT I Pages General Manager Malcolm Anderson's report is attached. Recommendation That the information contained in the MElT General Manager's Report be received. 9 MANAGER COMMUNITY FACILITIES REPORT File: I No papers Wani Wani Block Council has successfully negotiated an outcome with the owners of the Wani Wani Block. Council has agreed to lease the forested land and manage same as part ofthe Scenic Reserve. The lease document has now been signed and we are awaiting registration of same on the property title. Council will now take responsibility for ensuring the fence on the property, and the culvert under the carriageway, is maintained and repaired as needed. MElT will undertake this work on behalf of Council. Contract for Service Agreement with MElT The Contract of Service Agreement is complete except for details around payment of the Council contribution. The dates for the payment of this sum during the financial year will change in order to accommodate seasonal changes in expenditure and to assist with MElT's cash flow. I expect the Group Manager to sign this Agreement within the next week. Once this contract is signed we will then complete the MOU between District Council and Waikato Regional Council. This document cannot be completed as the Contract for Service is attached as an Appendix. Criteria for the Allocation of Entitlements (MEl Lots) As a result of the submission made to Council on the Proposed District Plan, there is likely to be changes to the criteria for the allocation to landowner of MEl Lots. The likely change is around the number of entitlements based on the length of fence. The Commissioners and Councillors hearing the submissions were supportive of arguments around allocating MEl Lots based on the length of fence regardless of whether the fence was on private or on public land. The rationale being that the disturbance and disruption to the farm and farm operations caused by the construction of and the on-going maintenance of the fence was the same regardless Page3of

4 LIJ Committee Agenda of whether the fence was on, or in close proximity to the farm. These changes however will not be formalised until the Proposed District Plan is adopted by Council. That will be sometime between December 2013 and March Land owners will be advised of the proposed changes when the MElT call for a meeting of land owners to discuss the covenant and access agreements. Public Facilities Council staff continue to discuss with MElT the provision of additional public facilities, particularly toilets, both at the road end and within the southern enclosure. Council accepts it has a residual responsibility around the provision of public services to ensure public safety and public health. It is logical therefore to consider combining resources to achieve mutually acceptable outcomes. The preferred option for Council staff currently, is contributing to the upgrade of facilities within the Visitor Centre and the on -going operation of these facilities. This will meet the expectation of users wishing to access the reserve and to walk the over mountain track, but not wishing to visit the southern enclosure for which MElT have a trial concession. Recommendation That the information contained in the Report of the Manager Community Facilities be received. Page 4 of

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6 w Committee Minutes 5 Time: 4.00pm Date: Wednesday 19 June 2013 Venue: Committee Room, Cambridge Service Centre, 23 Wilson Street, Cambridge 1 PRESENT Chairperson Cr GRP Webber Members Mayor A Livingston; R Smith (Pararewa Marae); A Saywell (adjoining landowner); M Cook (DOC); Cr S Kneebone (Environment Waikato); I< Hodge (adjoining landowner); Cr L Hoverd; Others General Manager MElT M Anderson, Manager Community Facilities T Roxburgh, Reserves Planner D Murphy, Committee Secretary G Clapperton 2 APOLOG IES RESOLVED 10/13/07 That the apology from Ted Tauroa for non-attendance be received. 3 DISCLOSURE OF M EM BERS' INTERESTS Webber I Kneebone There were no new disclosures. 4 VISITORS There were no visitors. Page 1 of

7 6 Lll Committee Minutes 5 MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING RESOLVED That the minutes of the Committee held on 17 April 2013, as circulated, be confirmed as a true and correct record of proceedings. 6 LATE ITEM S Cook I Kneebone There were no late items. 7 CONFIRMATION OF ORDER OF MEETING RESOLVED That the order of the meeting be confirmed. Webber I Mayor Livingston 8 MAUNGATAUTARI ECOLOG ICAL ISLAND TRUST {MElT) GENERAL MANAGER'S REPORT General Manager Malcolm Anderson presented his report and answered questions of interest and clarification from the Committee. He was asked if there have been any issues with culverts as a result of the recent downpours and said there have been no problems and they are working well. Another issue, however, is the gravel being washed off the roads. Mr Anderson advised that the new commercial brand Sanctuary Mountain has been approved by the Board and the trademark process is under way. He acknowledged that some people do not like the logo but said in terms of the tourism industry, Sanctuary Mountain it is the best thing. J<ataraina Hodge said it is more than a sanctuary for the people up there. Mr Anderson advised that the Sanctuary Mountain website goes live soon and there will be two websites running. Mayor Livingston advised of his meeting with Dr Nick Smith and said at the end of the day he had to accept the Minister's comment that funding is contestable. He said it was fortunate that the people accompanying Dr Smith included Greg Martin and Page 2 of

8 LLI Committee Minutes 7 people who are very familiar with the Maungatautari project and are strong supporters. Reintroduction of kakapo is of interest to the Minister. He thanked Malcolm Anderson and said it was beneficial having him there as well. Mr Anderson referred to MElT winning the 2013 TrustPower District Community Supreme Award in May and said the win wa s based around the volunteer input into the Sirocco project. MElT will be represented at the National finals in lnvercargill in Mr Hoverd asked about takahe on the main mountain and whether there is enough feed in the southern enclosure. Mr Anderson said that there are already 6 takahe on the main mountain and 3 in the wetlands. He explained that takahe did survive in forest but birds came with a fungal disease called bumble foot and this resulted in amputations. He said takahe have been seen right around the mountain and some at the visitor centre. Manager Community Facilities Tony Roxburgh gave an update on the covenant and access agreement situation and said historic issues are still there. He said they are resolvable but must be talked through. Mr Anderson advised of the proposed open weekend to be held 30 and 31 June and said there is good interest and more guides will be needed. RESO LVED 10/13/10 That the information contained in the MElT General Manager's Report be received. Kneebone I Hodge 9 M ANAGER COMMUNITY FACILITIES REPORT File: Manager Community Facilities tabled two draft documents: Memorandum of Understanding between District Council and Waikato Regional Council in relation to the Maungatautari Ecological Restoration Project. o Management Services Contract between District Council and Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust for the provision of services to manage the predator proof fence and eradicate mammalian pests from within the Maungatautari Scenic Reserve and associated private forest. Page 3 of

9 8 Lll Committee Minutes He said the Memorandum of Understanding document is still being worked on and is a work-in-progress. He talked about the 21 year lease and said Heads of Agreement have been given to landowners. He understands from agents that it is acceptable to them and sees no reason why they won't accept it. Mr Roxburgh introduced Reserves Planner Demelza Murphy to the meeting and advised that a generic Memorandum of Agreement document is required. He said there are some specific background issues that the Ngati l<oroki l<ahukura Trust will want to be included and detail will be required around that. He referred to governance of the arrangement and said the Deed of Settlement provides for the Committee to be made up of the Mayor, Members of the Committee and Members of Ngati Haua. He said that committee would have direct liaison with MElT and would be making transition around management of the maunga. Mr Roxburgh advised that the sooner feedback on the draft documents is received the better. Mayor Livingston thanked Mr Roxburgh for the work done on Wani Wani block producing a satisfactory outcome which is cost neutral to Council. He said goodwill is the operative word for landowners around the mountain. l<ataraina Hodge said it was envisaged that the mountain was to be looked after by the community including Raukawa and Ngati l<oroki l<ahukura and asked what the purpose of the tabled draft agreement is. Mr Roxburgh explained it is a contractual arrangement between Council and the Taumatawiwi Trust and it is necessary to explain the roles and responsibilities of the two entitles. This will then flow on to a contract for service agreement. Heritage Grant Demelza Murphy talked about the Heritage Fund and advised that it is open for applications now. She explained the criteria and advised that applications close 30 June RESOLVED 10/13/11 That the information contained in the Report of the Manager Community Facilities be received. Kneebone I Hoverd Page 4 of

10 LIJ Committee Minutes 9 10 NEXT M EETIN G The next meeting of the Committee will be 4:00pm on Wednesday, 21 August There being no further business the meeting closed at 4.4Spm CONFIRMED AS A TRUE AND CORRECT RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS CHAIRPERSON: DATE: Page 5 of

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12 1 1 General Managers Re--n Reserves Committee Reporting Areas 1.0 Fund Development 1.1 Immediate priorities are to: update database, database CRM, development of a positioning/benefits package and a review of upcoming opportunities. 1.2 The last payment from the Biodiversity Conditioning Fund has been received {$50k) 2.0 Human Resources 2.1 Two resignations occurred in this period, one a Ranger role the other Administration. 2.2 Formal exit interview processes are being implemented from August onwards. 2.3 Three interns from the University of Waikato are working on an on-boarding {induction) package over the next 6 weeks. 3.0 Programmes 3.1 Administration Processes continuing as normal. Volunteer help for the administration role has continued at Manu Tioriori. New processes around membership and donations are being implemented. During August 4318 visitors looked at the web-site. Figures remain relatively consistent at 1584 new and 2734 returning visitors. Facebook continues to grow with 1738 individual likes. 3.2 Fence and Tracks Good settled weather has only resulted in one call out on the 15th of July at post 39-54, this was caused by a small branch. Work continues on updating the dialers through implementation of an automatic polling system. Further solar panels are in the process of being installed. Spraying in various locations around the road margins has commenced. Shifted 30 truckloads of metal up to the Northern Enclosure for surfacing the OTM track. RNZAF are assisting us with an Iroquois flying gravel for a day onto the new Maungatautari track during the first week in December. 3.3 Field Overheads Volunteer staffed events have included Visitor Centre operations and the monthly stall in Cambridge. b:: 0 CL w a:: fq w ~ ~ ~ w z w 0

13 12 Continued working with on an interpretation plan encompassing the Southern Enclosure, Visitor Centre and road/carpark approach to Tari Rd. Continued work on an A3 visitor guide to the Southern Enclosure. Images of a mountain sanctuary' exhibit is now on at the Te Awamutu museum (until beginning Sept). Met with local businesses including Rhubarb Cafe, Arapuni, re working together & promotion of Maungatautari. Communications Supporters Updates sent out on 5 and 19 July to keep our community of supporters updated. Met with key journalists including Viv Posselt (Editor Cambridge Edition) and phone contact with Aaron Leaman (Waikato Times). Media releases included: Follow-up media release on open weekend. Media release about firewood sponsorship from Double-Click I.T. Media release about 'images of a mountain sanctuary' exhibition. Actively monitoring letters to the editor in local newspapers. Tourism Responded to image and rate requests from Hamilton & Waikato Tourism. Set up new listings on Tourism NZ website and operator database. Liaised with several inbound operators/wholesalers to provide wholesale rates and information. Events Liaised with DC regarding possible joint events. Considering events for Conservation Week and Kiwi month Fund raising Continuing to investigate fund raising/donor database systems. We are now proceeding with membership package with a launch dates of September 1 st. Online Continued to manage MElT Facebook - current count now 1,738 fans Monitored Tripadvisor page and encouraged reviews - now 24 reviews and have climbed 11 more places to #21 of 762 of attractions in the North Island. Set up Pinterest account Spent some time on Twitter trying to grow our following ~ li! ~ UJ (!) ~ <( 2...J ~ UJ z UJ (!)

14 Facilities 6.1 The pro-bono work by Boffa Miskell (landscape architects) and Aecom (architects) continues on Master Plan. 6.2 We have commissioned a full review of sustainability (lighting, heating, cooling) options for Manu Tioriori. Initial investment is needed but savings and enhanced positioning will follow. 7.0 Risl< Management 7.1 MElT continues to work with WDC around a revised covenant which all parties can accept. Date needs to be set for a meeting with landowners. Malcolm Anderson General Manager 11 August 2013

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