Agenda of Council Meeting - Thursday, 24 February 2022

24 February 2022

10.1 Proposed Transport Bylaw

Author: Suzanne Rushmere, Roading Network Planner

Authoriser: Sean Mallon, Group Manager Infrastructure Services

Purpose of Report

1 The purpose of this report is to seek approval to adopt the Transport Bylaw 2022, which will replace the Traffic Bylaw 2010.

Delegation

2 Council has the authority to make this decision.

Background

3 The Traffic Bylaw 2010 is now over 11 years old, and under the Local Government Act 2002, bylaws must be reviewed after ten years, however there is a two-year grace period.

4 The Traffic Bylaw 2010 allowed Council to set requirements for parking and the control of vehicular or any other traffic on any road, public car park, reserve or any other public place owned or managed by Kapiti Coast District Council (Council) in the district.

5 The Proposed Transport Bylaw 2021 identified the following amendments:

· changing the name to Kapiti Coast District Council Transport Bylaw 2021 to signal that the bylaw is not just associated with vehicular traffic;

· changes to the interpretation section to support new provisions;

· restructuring the bylaw to group similar activities together;

· clarifying areas to which the bylaw applies – wider than just roads, includes other Council owned / managed land;

· more clarity around parking on berms / road margins;

· more clarity on time restricted and charging for parking;

· inclusion of the ability to create and enforce residents and business parking schemes;

· disabled parking added to support provision;

· more clarity around Heavy Motor Vehicle management and exceptions;

· inclusion of mechanisms to provide for ability to designate and manage lanes such as bus lanes / high occupancy lanes; and

· new sections on activities in the road

6 The Proposed Transport Bylaw 2021 was consulted upon in accordance with the Local Government Act 2002 Special Consultative Procedures, and hearings were held on 25 November 2021. This report provides a summary of the responses received during consultation, identifies the issues raised at the hearings and summarises recommended amendments to the Proposed Transport Bylaw 2021.

7 The attached consultation report at Appendix One shows the responses received during consultation and at Appendix Two is the Waka Kotahi submission. Appendix Three identifies a more detailed summary of submissions and proposed changes as a result of these submissions. Appendices Four and Five show a schedule of changes and a tracked change version of the bylaw. At Appendix Six is a clean version of the bylaw for ease of reference.

SUMMARY OF SUBMISSIONS RECEIVED AND OFFICER RESPONSES TO THEM

8 A total of 44 submissions were received, 37 online and 7 in writing. Respondents were specifically asked whether they supported proposals relating to Residents and Business Parking Schemes, measures to manage Heavy Vehicles and Special Lanes. The questions were yes / no with opportunity to provide detailed comments on why the answered as they did, as well as to provide comments on the rest of the bylaw.

9 Of the online submissions:

· 94% were submitting as individuals;

· 69% of respondents supported the proposed amendments to enable future residents and business parking schemes if appropriate and developed through a resolution of Council;

· 74% supported the proposed amendments to manage heavy motor vehicles on certain roads and heavy motor vehicle parking in residential area; and

· 71% of respondents supported the proposed amendments to make provision for special lanes such as bus lanes in future if appropriate and agreed by a resolution of Council.

10 A full summary of submissions and further details on proposed responses is provided below and at Appendix Three, whilst this report focusses on the main issues raised during consultation.

Residents and Business Parking Schemes

11 This proposal was to enable residents and business parking schemes to be introduced in the future. A residents and business parking scheme would allow people who live in busy streets, such as those affected by commuter parking, and those that cannot park on site to park near their homes and work places, to have priority via the issuing of coupons or permits.

12 Below is a summary of the main issues raised in response to the proposed changes to the bylaw:

· There should not be private rights on public land that is enabled by residents and business parking schemes, and Council can only charge administration costs for this;

· This is a sensible way to manage limited resource of valuable public space;

· Council needs to consult with residents and business owners and meet to look at other solutions such as speed limit reductions and providing extra parking, and affected businesses and residents should not incur the costs of the scheme;

· Quality and consistency may be compromised by residents and business parking schemes and the bylaw should not be over complicated by this;

· There is no issue that needs to be addressed by residents or business parking schemes as we do not have high density housing.

13 Whilst the written responses represented a range of views, 69% of respondents supported the proposals. Prior to the consultation on the Proposed Transport Bylaw 2021, Council also received a number of requests for Residents and Business Parking Schemes, particularly in areas such as residential areas around rail stations and Waikanae Town Centre, where overspill rail commuter parking is causing some issues.

14 Section 22AB (o)(iii) of the Land Transport Act also enables Local Authorities to prescribe the use of a parking place for use by persons who reside in the vicinity and prescribe conditions under which a parking space can be used.

15 It is important to note that, whilst the bylaw makes provision for Residents and Business Parking Schemes, it does not put any scheme in place. Any scheme will need to be enabled through a resolution of Council, and consultation on the areas affected will take place before any scheme is introduced. This will give people a chance to make comments and raise issues, as well as addressing any issues resulting from high density development that is beginning in Kapiti, and the removal of parking standards from District Plans as required by the National Policy Statement on Urban Development.

16 Therefore, no changes are proposed to Residents and Business Parking Schemes section of the bylaw as a result of consultation.

Heavy Motor Vehicle Parking

17 The amendments in the Proposed Transport Bylaw 2021 related to the Council being able to prohibit heavy motor vehicles from being able to use, or park on, certain parts of the network.

18 Comments received regarding heavy motor vehicles, can be summarised as:

· Questions around how the heavy vehicle routes would be updated and publicly notified;

· The proposed amendments are supported as there is an issue with logging trucks parking in residential streets, as well as people sleeping in trucks overnight such as Parata Street Waikanae, which is causing sight visibility issues;

· More planning is required to support businesses such as those in Omahi Street, Waikanae, including places for loading and unloading, and for people needing to sleep in trucks overnight, especially in areas like outside the Paraparaumu Golf Club where they don’t cause sight visibility issues;

· Agree with restricting regular heavy vehicles, but concerned that some changes may prohibit residents from having short term visits from people with boats / heavy vehicles and enabling them to park on berms;

· Prohibiting business operators to park in residential areas will add costs and there is no rationale for the proposals;

· Businesses and drivers should be consulted and have their needs met; and

· Heavy vehicles should not be allowed to park in residential areas and on Council land and should not use routes that aren’t capable of accommodating them.

19 As identified in the Statement of Proposal, Council has received a number of complaints regarding trucks in residential areas. The District Plan also has rules around heavy vehicle parking in residential areas, and 74% of respondents supported the proposed changes.

20 Clauses 19.1 and 19.2 of the bylaw also address the concerns of submitters, and no changes are proposed to the bylaw in relation to these comments.

21 Written submitters also raised issues relating specifically to clauses 19.1 to 19.6 including not having detail on the problem that needed to be addressed, the need for supporting rationale, and no parking of heavy vehicles in residential streets overnight would add costs to businesses.

22 Submitters proposed an amendment to clause 19.3 to read: “Any resolutions made under clause 19.1 and 19.2 will be given effect to only once a clear, positive economic evaluation has been completed and shared with the Kapiti community”.

23 Details cannot be provided in the bylaw and an assessment would need to take place before any scheme was implemented.

24 Clause 5.5 of the bylaw also identifies that resolutions of Council relating to this bylaw will be published for at least 4 weeks and Council can determine if people can be heard.

25 In light of this, no changes are proposed to be made to the bylaw.

Special Lanes

26 This proposal was to support the ability to introduce special lanes, such as bus lanes and high occupancy vehicle lanes, without the need to make changes to the bylaw to do this. Comments received included:

· Council is applauded for foresight in planning for growth and changed in travel modes;

· Support ability to enable carbon neutral travel modes and prohibit vehicles that create greenhouse gas emissions, as well as provision of charging stations;

· Would like to know more information before supporting this proposed amendments;

· This should not be at the expense of traffic lanes;

· Dedicated bus lanes are key to ensure good services that can compete with private vehicles, beat congestion, and speed up travel time for bus commuters;

· Bus lanes are not required as their use is limited and they are expensive; and

· Need to look at specific measures before designating such as increase in congestion, bus routes and times, and an economic evaluation.

27 71% of respondents supported the provision for special lane in the bylaw. The bylaw also does not introduce special lanes but seeks to enable them through a future resolution of Council.

28 Council would need to undertake further work and attract funding before these can be introduced, and future consultation and Council decision making processes would enable the issues above to be addressed.

29 For these reasons, no changes are proposed to the bylaw as a result of comments received.

30 Submissions were also made on clause 20 on the ability to enable special lanes. Concerns included that the clause did not relate to specific measures that must be completed before designating the special lanes such as increase in traffic flow / congestion that necessitates the designation, the journey time increases to buses as a result of congestion / traffic flow, and an economic evaluation is needed.

31 Proposed amendments were suggested such that the bylaw includes a new clause that reads “Any resolutions made under clause 20.1 and 20.2 will be given effect to only once a clear, positive economic evaluation has been completed and shared with the Kapiti community”.

32 The bylaw only provides a mechanism to support the implementation of these schemes. As identified above, a full assessment would need to be undertaken and funding required for the implementation of special lanes.

33 No changes are proposed in relation to these submissions.

General Comments

34 Online submitters also made comments on other parts of the bylaw, which are summarised below. This section of the report identifies some of the bigger issues identified, whilst Appendix Three identifies all changes requested and responses to them.

Parking on Berms

35 Of the 6 written submissions, 5 related to clauses 7.3 to 7.5 of the Proposed Transport Bylaw 2021 relating parking on berms being in direct opposition. Most raised concerns that the Proposed Transport Bylaw 2021 would create issues, particularly in areas such as Waikanae Beach and rural areas where roads can be narrow and so parking on berms would be better than parking on narrow roads.

36 It was considered that the proposed bylaw would remove existing rights to park on berms outside their properties, parking on berms was envisaged by developers, it would prevent stock truck parking to unload / pick up stock.

37 Some submitters proposed amendments to the Proposed Transport Bylaw 2021 so clause 7.3 reads "No person shall park a vehicle on road margin where there exists kerb and channelling and/or formed footpaths, including grass berm, verge, kerb, lawn, garden, or reserves, without the prior written permission of an Authorised Officer"

38 One submitter felt that the Statement of Proposal had been misleading in that there was a fundamental change between the Traffic Bylaw 2010 and Proposed Transport Bylaw 2021 with regards to parking on berms that has not been effectively communicated.

39 Some submitters raised concerns that there are issues in rural areas where parking on the berm may be safer due to road widths and it does not allow stock to be unloaded on the road.

40 Proposed changes have been made to the bylaw to provide extra protection for the road margins, whilst recognising that this may not be required in all circumstances and ensuring that the fees fit with the offence. These can be seen in Appendices Four and Five of this report, they more closely align the new bylaw with the Traffic Bylaw 2010 and define what parking without due care means.

41 One submission raised concerns that the Proposed Transport Bylaw 2021 with particular regards to parking on berms would result in a rise in bureaucracy and fines, and amendments should be made to enable people without off street parking to park on berms whether the vehicle was registered and had a warrant of fitness or not. A solution was proposed to provide a permit to such situations at a zero cost to the resident. This submission is addressed in sections 48 and 49 of this report.

Statutory Consultees

42 The only statutory consultee that made a submission was Waka Kotahi, and a copy of their submission is at Appendix Two of this report. They expressed concerns that Council may be at risk if delegation to enforce in some circumstances was not included. They recommended changes to clauses 3.2, 3.4 and 4.1a) to address this. Officers agree with these recommendations and proposed changes can be seen at Appendices Four and Five.

43 No responses were received from the Ministry of Transport or the Police Commissioner, and no submissions were received from adjoining Councils.

44 Additionally, Te Āti Awa confirmed they had no comments to make and Ngā Hapū o Ōtaki confirmed they were unable to comment. No response was received from Ngāti Toa.

HEARING

45 A hearing was held on 25 November 2021 and 8 submitters spoke to their submissions. 5 of the 8 submitters wanted to be heard in respect of the proposals relating to parking on berms. These are largely represented by the written submissions and the concerns raised were identified in their submissions.

46 Of the concerns raised in relation to parking on berms submitters felt that:

· Their existing rights would be lost;

· Proposed amendments were not being effectively represented in the Statement of Proposal,

· Lack of evidence on parking on berms;

· They had concerns that written approval would be needed to park on berms,

· The cost to rate payers would be an issue;

· There would be consistency issues; and

· The existing bylaw should be retained.

47 Responses to these submissions have been addressed under section 40 of this report. This is with the exception of evidence relating to parking on berms. As outlined in the Statement of Proposal a significant number of service requests were received over a two year period relating to parking. Around 1500 parking based service requests were received between 2018 and 2020, and these included complaints about parking on berms, parking on footpaths, driving on the berm, damage from parking, kerbs damaged by larger vehicles, heavy vehicle parking, and parking over driveways.

48 A submission was made by the Paraparaumu Raumati Community Board relating to the issuing of infringements to vehicles parked on road without a warrant of fitness.

49 Issuing of fines where there is no evidence of current Warrant of Fitness derives from s.34(1)(b) Land Transport Act 1998. However, where appropriate, clause 32 of the bylaw allows dispensation.

50 One submitter was concerned around the proposals to prevent heavy motor vehicle parking on Omahia Street and one supported the Proposed Transport Bylaw 2021.

51 Response to this submission has been addressed under sections 20 to 25 and 27 to 33 of this report.

52 The last submitter to be heard was concerned about pedestrian safety relating to shared paths and at intersections, as well as where bins and articles were placed on legal road.

53 Responses to these submissions include passing relevant information to appropriate teams in Council, and this has also been addresses by section 24 of the bylaw.

COMMENTS USING SOCIAL MEDIA

54 87 comments were made via Facebook. Many were concerned that Council would not listen to public opinion. The purpose of the Special Consultative Procedure under the Local Government Act is to ensure this occurs, and changes have been proposed in response to submissions.

55 Other comments related to the new traffic lights on Rimu Road, whilst others were concerned with speed related issues, issues with motorists’ behaviour, the gateway project, a Waikanae recycling centre, and the airport, all of which are outside the scope of this bylaw.

56 Some comments have been passed onto the road safety engineer, but many require enforcing by the police. Council is also awaiting the outcome of the Speed Limit Review before considering any further speed limit changes.

57 A few comments were also concerned with cyclists on the Expressway, which is a Waka Kotahi issue.

RECOMMENDED CHANGES TO THE PROPOSED BYLAW IN RESPONSE TO SUBMISSIONS

58 Attached at Appendices Four and Five are a schedule of proposed changes and tracked change version of the bylaw recommended as a result of consultation under the Local Government Act special consultative procedures.

59 There is also a clean version of the bylaw attached at Appendix Six for ease of reading.

60 No amendments have been made to the attached Transport Bylaw 2022 as a result of the revocation of the General Bylaw 2010. This is because the transport bylaw review was undertaken at the same time that the review of the General Bylaw was being undertaken, and the Proposed Transport Bylaw 2021 took account of this.

61 Recommended changes to the bylaw in response to submissions include:

· Changes to the definitions;

· Changes to clauses relating to Council responsibilities;

· Changes to parking on berms;

· Some changes to language in the bylaw; and

· Changes to Part 5 of the bylaw to make this section clearer.

62 Further Schedules may be added to the bylaw in future subject to a resolution of Council to including (but not limited to) those that identify areas that are subject to residents and business parking schemes, heavy vehicle parking prohibitions, disabled parking spaces and special lanes.

63 Changes have also been proposed following a final internal and legal review. Some changes were also made to clause 5.2 (d) and 5.3 to clarify where the bylaw applies (to make it more consistent with other parts of the bylaw), and a new clause added to identify relevant acts relating to infringements.

64 Council was anticipating that the accessible streets work would be completed by now, but this has not occurred. Whilst future proofing the bylaw, to address what might come out of this work has been considered, changes may also be made to control vehicles and parking in future as enabled by relevant act changes.

Considerations

Policy considerations

65 There are no policy considerations relating to this report.

Legal considerations

66 The Transport Bylaw 2022 has been made under the Local Government Act 2002, and the Land Transport Act 1998.

67 The status of the Proposed Transport Bylaw 2021 is that it is sets out legal requirements that are specific to the Kāpiti Coast District and are introduced and enforced by the Kapiti Coast District Council.

68 Proposed amendments have been made as a result of a review of the bylaw by Counsel.

Financial considerations

69 There are no financial issues relating to this report.

Tāngata whenua considerations

70 There are no tāngata whenua considerations relating to this report.

Strategic considerations

71 There are no strategic considerations relating to this report.

Significance and Engagement

Significance policy

72 The matter has low significance under Council’s Significance and Engagement Policy.

Consultation already undertaken

73 Consultation was undertaken in accordance with the Local Government Act 2002 special consultative procedures and is outlined in this report.

Engagement planning

74 Council has recently consulted on this bylaw. Therefore, the engagement plan is now about advising the community about Council’s decision and providing information to explain that decision.

Recommendations

75 That Council adopt the Kapiti Coast District Council Transport Bylaw 2022.

76 That Council authorises the Chief Executive to make any minor typographical and grammatical errors prior to publication.

Appendices

1. Appendix One Submission Responses ⇩

2. Appendix Two - Waka Kotahi Submission ⇩

3. Appendix Three - Summary of Submissions and Proposed Responses ⇩

4. Appendix Four - Schedule of Proposed Changes ⇩

5. Appendix Five - Tracked Changed Version of the Bylaw ⇩

6. Appendix Six - Clean Version of Bylaw ⇩

Council Meeting Agenda

24 February 2022

10.2 District Growth Strategy for adoption

Kaituhi | Author: Hamish McGillivray, Manager Research & Policy

Kaiwhakamana | Authoriser: Natasha Tod, Group Manager Strategy, Growth and Recovery

Te pūtake | Purpose

1 This report provides a final District Growth Strategy for Council to adopt.

He whakarāpopoto | Executive summary

2 This report provides the background for developing a final District Growth Strategy including the consideration of submissions received during public consultation on a proposed approach for growth in October 2021.

Te tuku haepapa | Delegation

3 Council has authority to make this decision under B1 of the Governance Structure and Delegations for the 2019-2022 Triennium as a responsibility delegated to the Strategy and Operation Committee.

Taunakitanga | RECOMMENDATIONS

That Council adopt the District Growth Strategy: Te tupu pai: Growing well.That Council agrees to an editorial group comprising the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Chief Executive to approve any further editorial changes to the document prior to publication.

Tūāpapa | Background

4 The development of the District Growth Strategy began in late 2020 in response to the rapid growth the district was facing, new central government direction in the National Policy Statement – Urban Development (NPS-UD) and anticipated future population growth in the western corridor as indicated in the Wellington Regional Growth Framework (WRGF).

5 The new growth strategy provides a vision for managing how, where and when our district grows to meet the 32,000 extra residents anticipated over the next 30 years. It has a key role in guiding the intensification and greenfield district plan changes scheduled over the next few years and is pivotal in ensuring there is adequate planning and investment in the necessary infrastructure, services and facilities needed by our future population.

6 The new growth strategy will replace the current Development Management Strategy 2007, which no longer reflects the challenges and opportunities facing the district, including those arising from government direction.

7 The growth strategy sits alongside other Council strategies to provide direction and coordination of activities to help support and achieve our community outcomes for the district. It will provide more detail on how Kāpiti’s future growth sits within the Wellington Regional Growth Framework (WRGF) and how we intend to meet the requirements for intensification and enablement of sufficient capacity for growth under the NPS-UD and the new Medium Density Residential Standards (MDRS) that recently came into force through amendment to the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA). It also has the potential to assist us respond to upcoming government direction for greater spatial planning in the signalled Strategic Planning Act (part of the Resource Management reforms).

8 A draft approach to growth was developed from a series of briefings held with elected members and iwi partners across 2021 and from iwi and community feedback received about growth during the What matters most initiative in November and December 2020, and subsequent submissions to the draft 2021-2041 Long-term Plan consultation.

9 Council approved a proposed approach for growth for consultation on 30 September 2021. Consultation on Te Tupu Pai, Growing Well: our proposed approach for enabling sustainable growth in Kāpiti ran from 19 October to 19 November 2021.

10 Feedback was received through 145 submissions. Of these, 46, including our three iwi partners, spoke to their submissions at a hearings workshop with Councillors on 30 November 2021. Councillors were provided with copies of submissions for those wanting to be heard ahead of hearings and formally received all submissions at the Council meeting held on the 9 December 2021.

11 Submissions received during the consultation period have been considered and have informed changes to the attached District Growth Strategy document (Appendix 1). A Summary of Submissions providing a thematic analysis carried out by Public Voice is provided at Appendix 2.

12 During the consultation period, the government introduced new legislation which requires greater density housing to be enabled within most existing urban areas in Kāpiti. These new requirements are reflected in the final growth strategy now proposed for adoption.

13 The recommendations of this report to adopt the draft District Growth Strategy as attached (Word document), include the recommendations from staff outlined in the Issues section below.

He kōrerorero | Discussion

14 The attached District Growth Strategy builds on the consultation document, Tu tupu pai – Growing well, and now focuses more on the approach to growth, presented now as the growth strategy for the district. The growth strategy also highlights the underpinning principles, and priorities on which it is based, with implementation of the growth strategy outlined in section 3 on Delivering our strategy.

Our approach to growth – Growing up and Growing out

15 Our district is growing. We are anticipating around 32,000 more people coming to live in Kāpiti over the next 30 years between 2021 and 2051. Our strategy in response to this growth is articulated in our vision to “grow well”. Our vision for growth supports the community’s clearly expressed desire to see Kāpiti grow sustainably, retaining what we value most while taking advantage of the opportunities that come from a larger population.

16 Through our growth strategy we are aiming for growth that contributes to our overall vision for the district of a thriving environment, vibrant economy and strong communities – Toitu Kāpiti.

17 This vision reflects our drive for a vibrant and thriving Kāpiti made up of flourishing communities that are strongly connected to our natural environment and contributing to a sustainable future. Our approach, therefore, is to grow progressively, our urban areas in stages, over the next 30 years, emphasising intensification, with some greenfield development, enabling different types of housing, businesses and community facilities

18 This approach to growth is based on Council’s decisions to date and takes account of submissions from our iwi partners and the community. The main elements of the strategy include:

· growing both up and out, with an emphasis on intensification and greenfield development progressively over time

· protecting, enhancing and living sensitively with our beautiful whenua, wai and green spaces (both natural and developed)

· offering different kinds of homes and more options for how people live (including papakāinga, apartments and semi-detached and terraced houses)

· revitalising our centres: encouraging more ‘mixed uses’ – places to live and gather with a wider range of businesses and services to support people’s everyday needs

· reducing our carbon footprint and connecting our communities through improving access and transport options, making our communities and public spaces more welcoming and walkable

· integrating spaces for business and industry and protecting our highly productive rural land.

19 How this approach will look across the district is outlined in Section 2 of the attached Strategy.

20 The approach to growth outlined in the growth strategy is designed to deliver resilient, accessible, and connected communities in a way that protects and enhances our environment and our sense of place and identity.

Rationale for the approach taken

21 The approach to growth was chosen as it placed emphasis on a compact urban form, that, supported by good design, would protect and enhance Kāpiti’s natural and built environments, and better enable reducing carbon emissions. Well designed and focused development around denser town and local centres will attract a wider range of services, employment and business offerings, providing for the ability to more readily ‘live, work and play’ within the local community. This will reduce the need to travel, which in turn supports reducing our carbon footprint, proactively responding to climate change. Strong town and local centres within the urban fabric can further enhance our sense of community and identity, while a wider mix of housing choice can provide more affordable options and will foster diversity arising from our community growing and changing into the future.

Implementing the District Growth Strategy

22 How the District Growth Strategy will be implemented as outlined in the Delivering our strategy section of the strategy. Section 3 outlines how we will deliver our growth strategy working with our iwi partners and community, in the context of the Government’s requirements and the development of the greater Wellington region.

23 The section explains the Council’s role in delivering the growth strategy and how parts of our approach are dependent on key developments by central government, and others like the regional council for the rail services and public transport.

24 It also identifies key work programmed in the 2021—41 Long-term Plan to invest in infrastructure and increase options for housing. The section sets out the key first steps in implementation such as updating the District Plan to apply the Government’s new requirements for urban development and planning for our infrastructure needs in the upcoming 2024—44 Long-term Plan, and highlights work in other Council strategies that contributes to our objectives of growing well.

Next steps

25 On Council’s approval of the attached District Growth Strategy, we will produce a publishable version for release. The finalised growth strategy will be published in hardcopy, online in pdf, with the online version having links to supporting and ancillary information. This information will include the thematic summary of submissions produced by Public Voice (Attachment B). We will also report back to the community and submitters on the changes we have made to the growth strategy in response to submissions.

He take | Issues

26 The following section identifies and discusses matters raised in response to consultation questions on the proposed approach and a number of specific issues that emerged. Staff have considered both the thematic analysis by Public Voice, as well as individual submissions. For brevity we haven’t duplicated the submission summary into this report, but refer to key parts of the summary of submissions.

Thematic analysis by question

27 Challenges and Opportunities:

Q1. Have we reflected all the significant challenges and opportunities?

Q2. If you have any views, please comment.

Of submissions received, 38% agreed the consultation document reflected all the significant challenges and opportunities facing the district, with 62% disagreeing.

For the points raised by submitters please see Section 5, pages 14 to 19 of Appendix 2.

Response:

28 ‘Growing well’ is the central theme of the strategy, and the priorities and aspirations identified within the growth strategy have been further strengthened, their linkages more fully expressed, to support the growth principles. In the final strategy we have strengthened the statements on housing affordability and supply, more explicitly linking them through to the growth principles regarding choice, and the focus for intensification that will provide for a wider range of housing options. Within the Delivering our strategy section, we note the Housing Strategy currently being developed, and the housing needs analysis and action plan associated with this strategy. Council’s ongoing monitoring and reporting under the NPS-UD is also captured and will help provide regular information on changes and progress in implementing the growth strategy.

29 In the growth strategy, the need for infrastructure planning to support growth is more prominent, both within the prioritisation, timing and sequencing of when and where development will occur and within the implementation actions, through for example, the Sustainable Transport Strategy and the Open Space Strategy. Links to the Economic Development Strategy and Implementation Plan and other work in the area of social and economic wellbeing are also captured in the implementation actions (Accessibility Strategy, scoping and developing town centre plans).

30 Our Growth Principles and our Priorities and Aspirations:

Q.3. Do you think these give us the right focus?

Q.4. If yes, why?

Q.5. If no, why?

Q.6. Have you any views on our growth principles, or our priorities and aspirations?

61% of submissions agreed that the growth principles, priorities, and aspirations provided the right focus, while 39% disagreed.

For the points raised by submitters please Section 5, pages 20 to 25 of Appendix 2.

Response:

31 The overall thrust of the growth strategy is to support housing choice by enabling a full range of housing typologies, with newer typologies for Kāpiti (eg terrace housing and apartments) enabled through intensification, while also strengthening our communities and looking after the environment. These new housing typologies make more efficient use of land and will feature in both existing urban areas and future greenfield developments, alongside more traditional housing designs. As discussed above, the Implementation of our growth strategy identifies a number of additional initiatives to be undertaken to better understand and therefore support delivery of housing affordability and choice (Housing needs assessment and the three yearly Housing and Business Assessment under the NPS-UD).

32 Overall, the growth strategy provides a balanced approach to growth, reflecting government directives within a framing that strongly upholds the Kāpiti lifestyle and focus on protecting and enhancing our natural environment that that lifestyle is based on. The linkages between the principles and priorities have been strengthened to ensure this, including how the compact urban area spatial approach supports response to climate change, both through directing new areas of greenfield development away from coastal areas, and also by focusing on intensification within walkable catchments of a hierarchy of centres offering progressively more and wider selections of services and businesses. These enhanced centres of service and amenity will offer further opportunity for strengthening a sense of place and identity while providing Kāpiti with an efficient urban form supporting, walkability, enhanced accessibility, and infrastructure affordability.

33 Our proposed approach (Growing up and Growing out):

Q.7. Do you think our proposed approach will help us achieve good growth?

Q.8. If yes, how?

Q.9. If no, what is your concern?

Of submissions received, 60% agreed the proposed approach to growth – Growing up and Growing out – would help achieve good growth for the district. 40% disagreed.

For the points raised by submitters please see Section 5.4, pages 26 to 29 of Appendix 2.

Response:

34 The growth strategy carries forward a spatial approach that responds to growth through intensification of existing urban areas, supported by progressive release of greenfield. This approach has been further supported by recent changes to the NPS-UD that requires councils to be more enabling of growth (through intensification) around existing town and local centres. Additionally, recent changes to the Resource Management Act 1991 have seen the introduction of the medium density residential standards that require councils to now provide for the construction of up to three dwellings of up to three storeys on any urban site (except on sites where a qualifying matter has been applied) as a permitted activity within the District Plan.

35 Our overall approach is to emphasise intensification within the existing urban area, with greenfield development progressively staged over the 30 years of the growth strategy. Initially this will see greenfield growth on the periphery of current urban areas to provide growth capacity while the market orients to growth through intensification.

36 The growth strategy is flexible as to timing; if our population grows faster than expected, development can be brought forward, if slower, pushed back. We will monitor capacity uptake through the Housing and Business Assessments and infrastructure provisions through our Long-term plans and annual reporting.

37 Growing up – Intensification

Q.10. Do you think these heights and levels of intensification around existing centres will help us grow well?

Q.11. If yes, how?

Q.12. If no, what alternatives should be considered?

37% of submissions supported that the heights and levels of intensifications in the proposed approach to growth would support Kāpiti growing well while 63% disagreed. This result was contradictory to that delivered on the previous question on the overall proposed approach and seemed to reflect the concern about growth in specific centres. In particular, a number of submissions raised concerns on increased density in the Waikanae Beach area and its local centre. This matter is discussed further below in paragraphs 57- 62.

For the points raised by submitters please see Section 5.5, pages 30 to 34 of Appendix 2.

Response:

38 As noted above, response to questions on density for the district were contradictory. Given new government direction, and the overall fit of our spatial strategy with the growth principles, and priorities and aspirations underpinning the growth approach, we believe that the densities and catchments around the different centres provide a logical density hierarchy. They provide different levels of population and activity to support access, walkability, and service levels (including for public transport) for people’s everyday activities and reduce potential reliance on private motor vehicles, supporting carbon emissions reduction. It is considered that the benefits of our growth approach to deliver housing choice and affordability, lower our carbon footprint, while protecting our natural environment, productive land, biodiversity and freshwater quality, are preferrable to the potential for ongoing unplanned urban encroachment into greenfield areas, and requiring extension to infrastructure networks.

39 Although, it should be noted, that efficient delivery of intensification is dependent on key investments in infrastructure – including public transport – particularly for Ōtaki .

40 Growing out – Greenfield growth:

Q.13. Are the locations and scale of proposed greenfield areas suitable for supporting good growth?

Q.14. If yes, how?

Q.15. If no, what alternatives should we consider?

55% of submissions agreed that the scale and indicative priority of the proposed greenfield areas is suitable for supporting good growth, with 45% disagreeing.

For the points raised by submitters please see Section 5.6, pages 35 to 39 of Appendix 2.

Response:

41 While providing for additional greenfield development was questioned by some submitters, the need to allow for measured expansion balances this. Overall, the greenfield provisions in the growth strategy, alongside the emphasis on intensification, remain unchanged, although it should be noted that reflecting the MDRS adds further capacity within existing urban areas. We consider that for the district and within the WRGF, what is proposed provides a resilient, sustainable and flexible provision of new land for development over the 30 years of the strategy. Through submissions several additional pieces of land were put forward for inclusion in the strategy. These are further discussed below in paragraphs 66 – 71.

42 Flexibility is provided in that the timing of greenfield land release will be influenced by capacity needs (as determined through Council’s Housing and Business Assessments (HBA)) and subsequent review of the growth strategy over time, and the provision of enabling infrastructure. There is flexibility to bring forward or push back timing depending on growth and market pressures. Any new greenfield areas will also need to be enabled through plan change processes.

43 Growing up and Growing out mix:

Q.16. Do you think our proposed approach gives us a good mix between intensification and greenfield development to grow well?

Q.17. If you have any views, please comment here.

55% of submissions agreed that the proposed approach would give a good mix between intensification and greenfield development, with 45% disagreeing.

For the points raised by submitters please see Section 5.6.4, pages 40 to 41 of Appendix 2.

Response:

44 A majority of submitters agreed that we had the quantum and location of greenfield development right in our spatial approach. A number of those who disagreed to this question opposed intensification in support of greenfield development or opposed any greenfield development in favour of intensification. While there were requests for changing the priority of some of the greenfield areas, there were only a couple of requests for additional areas. These are both discussed in more detail below in paragraphs 66-71.

45 Our plan for implementing the proposed approach:

Q.18. Is there anything else you think is important that we need to do to achieve our approach to good growth in Kāpiti?

Q.19. If you have any views, please comment here.

64% of submitters agreed there were other factors that needed to be considered to those captured in the strategy to achieve good growth, while 37% disagreed.

For the points raised by submitters please see Section 5.7, pages 42 to 44 of Appendix 2.

Response:

46 The growth strategy has a section on Delivering our strategy, which outlines the main things we’ll be working on to deliver our approach to growth. This focus on implementation has been further developed in the strategy. The growth strategy outlines a number of streams of implementation that will support delivery of the strategy. Our delivery approach includes how we will work with our iwi partners, central government agencies, developers, and our community to achieve our objective of growing well. This includes actions taken through the district plan, Council’s long-term plans, the infrastructure strategy, and other strategies such as the Open Space Strategy, Sustainable Transport Strategy and Economic Development Strategy and Implementation Plan, and through work Council is involved in with the Wellington Regional Growth Framework.

47 District plan changes will be a primary mechanism for implementing the growth strategy, both in respect to its spatial elements and also in providing the design guidance to ensure well-functioning urban environments will be created. Plan changes anticipated over the next few years include the Urban Development plan change focusing on implementing the intensification requirements of the NPS-UD and MDRS, Urban Design guidelines, with future changes focused on greenfield areas, flood risk, coastal hazards and mana whenua.

48 We will share progress on delivering the growth strategy through our annual monitoring and reporting to meet central government requirements under the National Policy Statement on Urban Development and more broadly through Council’s annual reports.

49 If there are significant changes to proposed work – such as needing to respond to new Government directives and reform – these will be reflected in updates to our implementation plan that will flow into a reviewed growth strategy. The Council’s Long-term Plans will be a key tool for engaging with the community on changes.

50 Other feedback:

Q.20. If you have any other feedback about how we can grow well, please comment her.

For the points raised by submitters please see Section 5.8, pages 45 to 46 of Appendix 2.

Response:

51 Points raised by submitters in response to these questions were predominantly around infrastructure, enabling quality development, and future opportunities for community input.

52 Within the growth strategy, the Priorities and Aspirations support the Growth Principles. They provide a focus on ensuring development keeps what is great about our district as a place to live, through protecting the natural environment and enhancing our links to the district’s natural resources and heritage and our sense of place and identity. Achieving this through developing well designed walkable neighbourhoods that promote physical activity and social interaction sits at the core of our growth strategy’s objective to enhance the physical, economic, and social wellbeing of our community.

53 These themes arising from the priorities and aspirations will be picked up through the actions to be carried out, as outlined in the growth strategy’s section on Delivering our strategy. The delivery plan will also canvass the infrastructure work that will be done as part of the 2024-2044 Long-term Plan, to ensure Council is planning for delivery of infrastructure necessary to support the growth identified.

Specific issues

New Government requirements:

54 The growth strategy emphasises enabling growth through intensification of Kāpiti’s urban areas. The NPS-UD initially directed certain levels of intensification around metropolitan centres and rapid transit stops, leaving Council some discretion as to the level of intensification around its town and local centres. In the growth approach taken out to consultation we settled on a density hierarchy across our urban areas ranging from 12 storeys in central Paraparaumu to two to three storeys in suburban areas. Amendments to the NPS-UD in late 2021 strengthened the requirement for Council to focus intensification within and around town and local centres. Also in late 2021, Parliament passed legislation requiring councils to make changes to the district plan to enable the construction of up to three homes of up to three storeys on most residential sites without the need for a resource consent. These new rules amending the RMA are referred to as medium density residential standards (MDRS). The MDRS are required to be enabled in all residential zones within the district, except on sites where there are “qualifying matters”, such as natural hazards, ecological sites, and sites of significance to mana whenua.

Densities

55 Higher density can sustain delivery of increased services and facilities to better support peoples’ everyday needs. Our vision is for more people living in accessible, walkable neighbourhoods. The emphasis is on urbanised living with less reliance on private vehicle use, and new developments centred on public transport, particularly rail.

56 As discussed above there were a range of comments generally on the density/intensification levels proposed. However, for the growth strategy as a whole, we believe we have promoted a logical density hierarchy. Our approach in the growth strategy means:

· in and around our town and local centres there will be medium-high density development (enabling development in local and town centres up to 4 and 6 storeys respectively, and in central Paraparaumu enabling up to 12 storeys)

· infill development in residential areas up to 3 storeys as per the Government’s MDRS

· more intensity in greenfields developments including different forms of housing – such as terraced housing and apartments.

57 For the suburban areas the new MDRS requirements provide a minimum that we must enable, however, this is not a minimum standard that has to be built. Property owners and/or developers may choose to develop at lower levels.

Changes to local centres

58 We have made a number of changes to the growth strategy with respect to local centres. In the consultation document local centres included Raumati South, Kena Kena, the Meadows precinct, Te Moana Road (at the Te Moana Road/Ono Road corner), and Paekākāriki (although the local centre area in Paekākāriki is subsumed within the rapid-transit walkable catchment). These centres are all currently listed as local centres in the current District Plan. There is also one other local centre identified in the District Plan at the corner of Mazengarb Road and the Guildford Drive extension. As the NPS-UD now emphasises intensification around town and local centres, although this local centre is quite small, we believe it should now be included, providing consistency with how we have treated the other listed local centres.

59 We received a submission from the Waikanae Beach Residents Society opposing the intensification levels proposed for the Te Moana Road (Waikanae Beach) local centre and surrounding walkable catchment. This submission was directly supported by 31 further submissions. The Society suggested that the density proposed for the centre and its surrounding catchment were contrary to the area’s character and that the local centre could more usefully be located at Ngārara. On the basis that the Te Moana Road local centre is currently identified in the District Plan and the directives of the NPS-UD are quite clear, we have not changed it’s inclusion as a local centre in the growth strategy. This retains a consistent approach to local centres across the district.

60 There is also currently provision for future local centres at both Ngārara and Waikanae North in the District Plan. To be consistent with the NPS-UD and overall approach we are taking in the growth strategy, these are now included as Indicative Future Local Centres.

Intensification at Paekākāriki

Submitter comment on intensification in Paekākāriki was directly tied to the provision of infrastructure and concerns regarding coastal hazards. Under the NPS-UD we are required to include Paekākāriki, as it is both a rapid transit (rail) stop and a local centre in our District Plan. However, Paekākāriki is limited by a range of constraints including the presence of a range of natural hazards, and the lack of reticulated wastewater infrastructure. These issues will likely present practical challenges to intensification in this area.

Intensification at Ōtaki

61 With respect to Ōtaki, we received a submission from Ngā Hapu o Ōtaki and from others in the community, that intensification anywhere in Ōtaki should not be developed over two storeys in height. Reasons given where the town’s special character, cultural heritage, and places of significance to mana whenua.

62 Within the growth strategy, Ōtaki is planned to take a greater prominence as the district centre for the northern half of the district supporting economic and cultural development in the area. Both within the District Plan and under the definitions of the NPS-UD, Ōtaki is an urban environment, and therefore one that should be intensified. Growth in Ōtaki will see better service provision and can recognise Ōtaki’s rich cultural heritage and identity. As a northern centre it also reflects our district’s relationship with the Horowhenua district and the emphasis on strengthening our linkages with all our neighbouring districts through the Wellington Regional Growth Framework.

63 Maintaining densities as proposed in the growth approach delivers on the requirements of the NPS-UD’s emphasis on intensification in town and local centres. Intensification can provide opportunities for Ōtaki to grow and deliver a range of housing (including papakāinga) to provide better opportunity for all who want to live in, and maintain their connection to, their rohe, to do so. In implementation, council will be working with its iwi partners and the community to help shape Ōtaki’s twin townships to ensure that attractive well-functioning urban environments are designed to incorporate the area’s cultural identity in future development.

Additional greenfield areas proposed for inclusion

64 Two separate submitters requested consideration of two extensive areas (one north of Ōtaki, the other at Peka Peka), to be added to the greenfield areas in the growth strategy and to have the priority for development of these areas brought forward to either high priority or medium priority.

65 The area north of Ōtaki is considerable (at 200ha) and would roughly double the urban area and current and future housing capacity of Ōtaki. The area was not included in the areas assessed in the supporting technical work as a potential future greenfield area. The area is separate from the current urban area (but adjoins a future urban zone), with development isolated from the town’s services and current public transport. Although the area could provide future areas for development, its subject to a range of constraints and further away from existing urban areas than other areas already identified.

66 It is not recommended that the area is included in the current growth strategy, but that a preliminary assessment of the area be undertaken for possible inclusion of the area as a long-term growth area / Future urban study area when the growth strategy is next reviewed. Should the property owner wish to move sooner they could look to plan change processes (including a private plan change) to progress their development interests.

67 The Peka Peka Farm submission sought reclassification of the Peka Peka Farm area to Priority 1 or 2A in the supporting technical report, which would then potentially warrant the area’s inclusion in the growth strategy as at least a Medium Priority. Due to the significant natural hazard constraints of areas west of the State Highway in the north Waikanae/Peka Peka area, the growth strategy has focused future development on the areas east of the Expressway in contiguous extension to existing urban areas and centred around the rail and expressway in the medium- and longer-term. This is consistent with not encouraging new development on coastal margins and in areas prone to hazards. As such it is not recommended that the Peka Peka Farm area be brought into the growth strategy at this time. As with the Ōtaki proposal, the property owner could look to private plan change processes to progress their development interests. The area could be reviewed at the next review of the growth strategy.

Site specific requests

68 Several submitters sought the re-prioritisation of specific sites within wider assessment areas looked at in the supporting technical reports. Areas of prioritisations in the growth strategy are based on maintaining in the first instance, growth contiguous with the current urban edge. The growth strategy’s spatial strategy does not resolve to the level of specific sites. Further work on hazard assessment for some of the areas put forward, particularly with respect to flooding, will be undertaken. Based on this work these areas may be brought into the urban area in future plan changes.

Land to the east of Otaihanga/ near Otaraua Park (Tini Village)

69 The submitter requested that the priority for development of this area as assessed in the supporting technical work, be brought forward to 2A, which would suggest a reconsideration of the area to medium priority in the growth strategy. They also requested that some adjoining areas of land (some of which have not been assessed at all in the supporting technical work) be included. It is recommended that the additional areas could be assessed for potential inclusion in the future. It is proposed to retain the current categorisation.

The airport lands

70 The owners of the airport lands submitted, requesting an amendment to how the airport lands are referenced in the growth strategy. Currently, the land around the operating airport is provisionally indicated as a potential greenfield development opportunity. This land around the operating airport is listed within the ‘High priority greenfield growth areas’ category. The submitter requested that the description of this land, which currently reads, “Potential development around an operating airport,” be added to with the words “… plus the land containing the airport if the airport closes.” This would be out of step with commentary on other land parcels which doesn’t tie development opportunity to potential future change of land use. It is therefore recommended that the wording in the growth strategy remains changed.

Te Horo/Hautere area

71 Points were also raised by submitters around the provision for rural residential use and that development in the Hautere future urban study area include more of Te Horo and that the type of development indicated for the area be based on rural residential/lifestyle development (with development in rural clusters) rather than fully urbanised development. It was suggested that the need for rural lifestyle was not sufficiently recognised in the growth strategy. It was submitted that this rural lifestyle provision could occur from the immediate future.

72 While rural residential is envisaged as part of the overall housing mix across the district, additional provision for its increased use or consolidation has not been identified as part of the growth strategy with its focus on compact urban areas and low carbon forms. Another key consideration is the need to ensure productive land is appropriately considered and protected to support future localised food security. The Hautere future study area, is also identified as a potential future urban centre. It is important that these areas are not further fragmented so they can support productive land and potential future urban uses. Further rural lifestyle development would not deliver the density of development necessary to support a future railway station, preserving reliance on private motor vehicles, which does not support carbon emissions reduction.

Climate change

73 Some submissions emphasised the need for a stronger stance in the growth strategy on responding to climate change, including taking a regenerative approach to enhancing the district’s environment. Achieving climate neutral living is one of the priorities and aspirations of the growth strategy. This includes applying our climate emergency framework to our development management approach, actively planning on how to reduce our carbon footprint through an incremental approach to expanding the district’s urban extent and emphasising intensification for delivering on growth capacity. Captured as one of the growth strategy’s Priorities and Aspirations, achieving climate neutral living, will be reflected through the approach to the growth strategy’s implementation through other Council strategies, such as the Sustainable Transport Strategy, Takutai Kāpiti and Stormwater Strategy.

Ngā kōwhiringa | Options

74 Options for the issues raised have been canvassed in the section above.

Tangata whenua

75 We have engaged with our iwi partners, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngā Hapū o Ōtaki, and Ātiawa ki Whakarongotai, over the development of the growth strategy, and they provided initial feedback on the Proposed Approach that went out for consultation.

76 All three iwi provided in-depth submissions (two in writing and one orally) on the consultation document, and each took the opportunity to speak directly to councillors on their feedback, Ngāti Toa Rangatira and Ngā Hapū o Ōtaki on 30 November, and Ātiawa ki Whakarongotai on 7 December 2021.

77 Through their submissions our iwi partners re-iterated their concerns, aspirations and keen willingness to partner with council through the implementation of the growth strategy.

78 A key issue raised was their interest in seeing a wider range of housing – including papakāinga – in the district, enabling more people to live and work closer to their ancestral whenua to avoid growth displacing whānau.

79 Concern was expressed that if not managed well, growth could put too much pressure on the environment. Preference was expressed that growth is focused away from natural hazards and areas at particular risk from climate change impacts.

80 Opportunity was also recognised in using development to enhance the natural and built environment through improving riparian margins, revitalising lost wetlands, and enabling better access to waterways, and to encourage quality urban design and more rigorous building standards.

81 Our iwi partners also expressed a wish to contribute their unique knowledge of the environment to achieve sensitive and appropriate development across our district. They voiced a desire that the cultural identity of each iwi to be respected and given effect to in the planning for and development of their rohe enabling the wellbeing of their people to be advanced.

82 We will work in partnership with iwi to implement our growth strategy and monitor our progress in achieving our objectives to grow well using our kaupapa framework.

Panonitanga āhuarangi | Climate change

83 The growth strategy emphasises intensification and a climate neutral approach to development. The district’s proximity to the coast means that climate change, and sea level rise in particular, can present potential challenges to future development. Stormwater and flooding are also existing hazards faced in areas of our district and are projected to become worse due to climate change. Areas proposed for intensification and greenfield development have undergone initial high-level assessment for natural hazard constraints. Further work is underway (see section on Delivering our strategy) in this area.

84 The approach to growth in the growth strategy provides a mix of growing up and growing out, an emphasis on intensification and walkability around existing and new proposed centres supports active travel options and with improved public transport, will help reduce the use of motor vehicles, lowering carbon emissions and the overall impact of growth on our natural environment. Greater housing density will also require more emphasis on quality public open spaces, which is why the Open Spaces strategy is a key supporting strategy.

Ahumoni me ngā rawa | Financial and resourcing

85 Planning for growth, including providing the infrastructure and community facilities to support this growing population will have financial implications over time. The implementation of the strategy is proposed to form part of monitoring and reporting alongside NPS-UD requirements. The implementation of the strategy will primarily coordinate current activities and projects identified under other strategies and the Long-term Plan. Where new or additional areas of work are identified they will be raised and considered as part of the annual plan process and future Long-term Plan processes. The 2021-2041 Long-term Plan has a significant programme of work under District Planning with ongoing pressures from new Government direction in this area.

Ture me ngā Tūraru | Legal and risk

86 There were no specific legal considerations to take account of in Council developing and adopting the District Growth Strategy. Council was not required to follow the special consultative procedures set out in the Local Government Act, however, given the importance of the growth strategy, a period of public consultation was undertaken, with receipt of submissions and an opportunity provided for submitters who wished to, to directly address councillors at a workshop at the end of November 2021.

87 Some submissions expressed a desire for more consultation on the growth strategy prior to finalisation. Best practice consultation was undertaken to the extent allowed by the restrictions of Covid-19 Alert level 2 in place at the time. Consultation on aspects of the management of growth were also tested with the public through the What matters most initiative in late 2020, and through the 2021-2041 Long-term Plan consultation.

88 There will be opportunities for direct public input into a range of implementation activities ranging from Long-term plan consultation, the notification and submission processes of the upcoming District Plan changes and through development of a range of further strategies and plans.

89 There are no implications on human rights and the District Growth Strategy is consistent with the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990.

Ngā pānga ki ngā kaupapa here | Policy impact

90 The strategic direction set in the 2021 Long Term Plan includes strong emphasis on growth and resilience and investing in infrastructure to support this. The growth strategy aligns with this direction. Our growth strategy also aligns with our community outcomes of partnership with mana whenua, restoring and enhancing the natural environment and enabling our people to have access to suitable housing in Kāpiti so they can live and thrive

91 The growth strategy has a section on delivering the growth strategy that will identify the links between it and Council’s other strategies, such as the Open Spaces Strategy (draft), Economic Development Strategy and Implementation Plan, Sustainable Transport Strategy, and work going forward on district plan changes, infrastructure planning and work, coastal management, and stormwater and flood management. It will also identify future work such as the Centres Plans which will initially focus on the main centres, and work associated with the WRGF.

Te whakawhiti kōrero me te tūhono | Communications & engagement

Te mahere tūhono | Engagement planning

93 This matter has a low degree of significance under Council’s Significance and Engagement Policy. The growth strategy itself will be a non-statutory document, and while it provides a framework for how we manage growth, changes to achieve it will be implemented under further processes. These includes change under the District Plan and planning and investment decisions around council infrastructure and services under the Long-term Plan.

94 The growth strategy provides the ‘Kāpiti Vision’ for growth in our district and will provide a basis for input to regional planning activities such as the WRGF and any future Regional Strategic Plan/Spatial Plan proposed as part of reforms to the RMA.

95 Feedback to submitters and the community from the consultation document will include publication of the finalised growth strategy, a summary of submissions received, and report back to the community and submitters on the changes we have made to the growth strategy in response to submissions.

Whakatairanga | Publicity

96 Submitters will be informed by email that the finalised District Growth Strategy will be considered for adoption at the Council meeting on 24 February 2022, along with a thematic summary of submissions.

97 For the 24 February 2022 Council meeting there will be a media release briefly outlining the main points in the final growth strategy. Further media releases will accompany the publication of the District Growth Strategy at the end of March 2022. Further work will be undertaken to communicate the strategy to the wider community, including through Council’s website.

Ngā āpitihanga | Attachments

1. Te tupu pai, Growing well — District Growth Strategy ⇩

2. Te tupu pai, Growing well — summary of community consultation ⇩

Council Meeting Agenda

24 February 2022

10.3 Appointment to the Greater Wellington Regional Council Whaitua Committee

Kaituhi | Author: Rita O'Brien, Stormwater & Coastal Engineer

Kaiwhakamana | Authoriser: Sean Mallon, Group Manager Infrastructure Services

Te pūtake | Purpose

1 This report seeks Council’s approval of an appointment, with an alternative, to the Kāpiti Coast Whaitua Committee.

He whakarāpopoto | Executive summary

2 This report seeks Council’s approval of an appointment, with an alternate, to the Kāpiti Coast Whaitua Committee.

Te tuku haepapa | Delegation

3 Under the 2019-2022 Triennium Governance Structure and Delegations, Council has the authority to consider this matter.

Taunakitanga | Recommendations

A. That Council confirms the appointment of XX to the Kāpiti Coast Whaitua Committee as of 1 March 2022.

B. That Council confirms the appointment of XX as an alternate to the Kāpiti Coast Whaitua Committee as of 1 March 2022.

Tūāpapa | Background

4 Since the release of the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPS-FM) in 2014, Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) has been establishing whaitua committees across the Wellington Region to develop community-based freshwater policies aligned with the national direction of the NPS-FM.

5 These whaitua committees are made up of local community members, iwi representatives, local authority representatives, and GWRC representatives. In each instance, these groups come together to develop Whaitua Implementation Programmes (WIP) that include:

5.1 A vision and objectives for the freshwater bodies and receiving environments of the whaitua (catchment area), which become incorporated into the Regional Policy Statement

5.2 Water quality and quantity targets and limits, which become incorporated into the Natural Resources Plan

5.3 Methods (regulatory and non-regulatory) for achieving the objectives, targets, and limits

5.4 Recommendations for District Plans and investments.

6 To date, four whaitua committees have been established in the Wellington Region: Te Awarua o Porirua; Wellington Harbour and Hutt Valley; Ruamāhanga; and the Wairarapa Coast. The fifth whaitua committee for the Wellington Region will be on the Kāpiti Coast.

7 The Whaitua Committee is an advisory body. The Committee is not a subordinate decision-making body for the Regional Council and is not a committee under the Local Government Act 2002.

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He kōrerorero | Discussion

8 In a briefing to Council on 2 December 2021, GWRC stated its intentions to establish a Kāpiti Coast Whaitua Committee (Kāpiti Whaitua) in March 2022.

9 The Kāpiti Whaitua will be made up of representatives from:

9.1 Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga

9.2 Āti Awa ki Whakarongotai

9.3 Ngāti Toa Rangatira

9.4 Community

9.5 Greater Wellington Regional Council

9.6 Kāpiti Coast District Council.

10 GWRC has requested the appointment of a Kāpiti Coast District Councillor to the proposed Kāpiti Whaitua.

11 The appointment of an alternative Kāpiti Coast District Councillor is required in the event the main nomination is unavailable.

12 GWRC is currently engaging directly with Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangātira, Ngā Hapū o Ōtaki, and Āti Awa ki Whakarongotai Charitable Trust for the appointment of iwi representatives.

13 Penny Gaylor is Greater Wellington Regional Council’s elected member.

14 There will be at least one community member [method for selection to be confirmed].

15 GWRC anticipates the entire Kāpiti Whaitua process will take approximately 12 months, with an absolute deadline of 30 May 2023 to ensure enough time for the subsequent plan change. This timeframe is driven by pressure to notify the Regional Plans with the water quality targets by December 2024 and a mandate from the NPS-FM that national bottom lines must be met for all waterbodies by 2040-50. The 12-month timeframe is ambitious as the other whaitua processes in the region have taken longer, but GWRC contends that learnings from the previous whaitua processes, Waikanae Ki Uta ki Tai [Mountains to Sea], and our work with iwi developing Council’s Stormwater Management Framework, will help to streamline the Kāpiti Whaitua process.

16 GWRC is committed to developing the Terms of Reference [TOR] for the Committee with iwi and KCDC. Matters to be confirmed in the TOR includes the exact Tiriti House approach to be used, definition of scope, membership [alternatives], meeting schedules and expectations, and decision-making process. GWRC expect to have the TOR finalised in March for a first Committee meeting in April.

17 GWRC are committed to supporting the appointed KCDC member(s) so they can hit the ground running in April.

He take | Issues

18 The importance of the Kāpiti Whaitua must not be underestimated. The aim is to establish a partnered decision-making process that will drive freshwater improvement throughout Kāpiti. This will occur by enabling mana whenua and community input on freshwater management, aligning regional and district council approaches, and providing a platform for collective efforts to improve the health of local water bodies.

19 This aligns with the purpose of local government as set out in Clause 10(1) of the Local Government Act 2002 in that it aims to enable democratic local decision-making, while also protecting and promoting the environmental, cultural and social well-being(s) of communities, in the present and the future.

20 It also aligns with several of Council’s Long-term Plan community outcomes, including:

20.1 Mana whenua and Council have a mutually mana-enhancing partnership

20.2 Our communities are resilient, safe, healthy, thriving and connected

20.3 Our natural environment is restored and enhanced as we transition to a low carbon future.

21 It is also important to note that the whaitua process is likely to encounter some challenges along the way. While the NPS-FM 2020 prioritises Te Mana o Te Wai, the NPS on Urban Development states that councils must provide capacity for development in urban areas at the same time. Providing for increased housing without degrading water quality is challenging in some instances.

22 Council must ensure that any person it appoints to the Kāpiti Whaitua has the appropriate knowledge and experience; is familiar with the relevant council policy, programmes and activities; and understands the nature of the role to which they have been appointed.

Ngā kōwhiringa | Options

23 The Kāpiti Whaitua is likely to be of interest to many Councillors as it will impact each geographic ward, cut across a range of issues, and involve our partnerships with GWRC and mana whenua.

Tangata whenua

24 Because tangata whenua will have a strong interest in the whaitua process, GWRC intends to employ a Tiriti House approach for the Kāpiti Whaitua.

25 In December 2021, GWRC sent letters to the Chairs of Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangātira, Ngā Hapū o Ōtaki, and Āti Awa ki Whakarongotai Charitable Trust requesting the appointment of iwi representatives to the whaitua committee. GWRC reports that it has allocated budget in its Long-Term Plan to resource iwi participation.

26 The exact Tiriti House approach to be used is yet to be confirmed, e.g. Mana Whenua working separately or directly with the Committee

Panonitanga āhuarangi | Climate change

27 Climate change will be an important consideration for the Kāpiti whaitua process because the predicted impacts of climate change will undoubtedly influence the quantity and quality of freshwater in the district, which will then have secondary impacts on the natural and built environments.

28 The climate change predictions for the district include:

28.1 increasing average annual temperatures,

28.2 increased rainfall and more frequent and severe storm events,

28.3 occasional drought conditions contributing to low river flows, and

28.4 rising sea levels.

29 The proposed approach for the whaitua process aligns with the principles of the Climate Emergency Action Framework that was adopted by Council on 29 July 2021. Two principles that are particularly relevant include:

29.1 Council honours Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its partnership with mana whenua. Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga, Ātiawa ki Whakarongotai, and Ngāti Toa Rangatira will be involved as partners in Council’s climate change response and any projects that arise from this Framework to ensure a mana enhancing partnership is nurtured throughout.

29.2 Decision making is inclusive, transparent, and based on ongoing collaboration and consultation with the wider community, businesses, social service organisations, and key sectors from industry and science.

30 The targets and limits developed by the Kāpiti Whaitua will consider timeframes of 10, 20, 50, and 100 years and the climate change predictions that were extrapolated by GWRC’s climate change scientists for the Kāpiti Coast District will be included in the body of evidence provided to the whaitua committee.

31 For these reasons, it is important that the appointee be familiar with Council’s Climate Emergency Action Framework and the climate change predictions for the district.

Ahumoni me ngā rawa | Financial and resourcing

32 Councillors do not receive additional remuneration from Council for appointments to external bodies as they would be appointed to these while acting in their role as an elected member of Council, but may claim the reimbursement of reasonable expenses i.e. travel.

33 Greater Wellington Regional Council pay honoraria to iwi and community members, but not elected members.

Ture me ngā Tūraru | Legal and risk

34 There are no legal considerations.

Ngā pānga ki ngā kaupapa here | Policy impact

35 National policy statements provide direction that must be translated into action on the ground through regional policy statements, regional plans, district plans, and resource consents. It is anticipated that the outputs from the Kāpiti Whaitua will feed into future strategies, policies and plans, but this is unlikely to influence the appointment process.

36 The Governance Structure and Delegations document will be updated as a result of the new Forum and the appointments.

37 Provision within the TOR will be made for change of membership after the local government elections.

Te whakawhiti kōrero me te tūhono | Communications & engagement

Te mahere tūhono | Engagement planning

38 An engagement plan is not required to implement this decision.

Whakatairanga | Publicity

39 The appointment will be included on the information about Elected Members on the Council website.

Ngā āpitihanga | Attachments

Nil

Council Meeting Agenda

24 February 2022

10.4 Reports and Recommendations from Standing Committees and Community Boards

Kaituhi | Author: Tanicka Mason, Senior Advisor Democracy Services

Kaiwhakamana | Authoriser: Janice McDougall, Group Manager People and Partnerships

Te pūtake | Purpose

1 This report presents reports and recommendations considered by Standing Committees and Community Boards from 1 November 2021 to 8 February 2022.

He whakarāpopoto | Executive summary

2 Not applicable.

Te tuku haepapa | Delegation

3 The Council has the authority to consider recommendations made from Standing Committees and Community Boards to the Council.

Taunakitanga | RECOMMENDATIONS

A. That the Council notes the following recommendations from the Waikanae Community Board on 9 November 2021:

· That the Waikanae Community Board requests that the Council undertakes an inventory of all reserves in the Waikanae area, their status, whether or not they have been appropriately gazetted and if not, what actions need to be taken to achieve that. The Board requests that a report on this be presented to the Community Board meeting scheduled for March 2022.

· That the Waikanae Community Board requests that Council defers the planned strengthening and renewal work on the Waikanae Beach Hall, to enable discussion between Council, the Waikanae Community Board and the Waikanae Beach Residents Association regarding a possible alternative hall or facility which is fit for purpose.

B. That the Council notes the following recommendations from the Paraparaumu/Raumati Community Board on 23 November 2021:

· That the Paraparaumu/Raumati Community Board requests Councillors to please re-visit the Beach Bylaw Section 16.3 Authorised Disability Parking Areas are located in the following sites to include:

as soon as possible to allow vehicles access to the Beach Manly Street North for people with disabilities.

C. That Council receives this report (Reports and Recommendations from Standing Committees and Community Boards.

Tūāpapa | Background

4 During the time period of 1 November 2021 to 8 February 2022, Standing Committee and Community Board meetings took place on the following dates:

Audit and Risk Subcommittee	2 November 2021
Ōtaki Community Board	2 November 2021
Strategy and Operations Committee	4 November 2021
Grants Allocation Subcommittee (Districtwide Facilities for Hire)	4 November 2021
Waikanae Community Board	9 November 2021
Paekākāriki Community Board	16 November 2021
Strategy and Operations Committee	18 November 2021
Paraparaumu-Raumati Community Board	23 November 2021
Grants Allocation Subcommittee (Waste Levy)	25 November 2021
Waikanae Community Board	1 February 2022
Ōtaki Community Board	8 February 2022

5 Details with regards to the discussion items of each of the meetings listed in paragraph 4 are noted below:

5.1 On 2 November 2021, the Audit and Risk Subcommittee met to discuss:

· Closing Report from Audit for the year ended 30 June 2021

· Audit Report to Management for the year ended 30 June 2021

· Draft Annual Report for 2020-21

· Quarterly Treasury Compliance Report

· Health and Safety Quarterly Report: 1 July 2021 - 30 September 2021

· Confirmation of Minutes

· Confirmation of Public Excluded Minutes

· Update on litigation status, statutory compliance issues, investigations

5.2 On 2 November 2021, the Ōtaki Community Board met to discuss:

· Considerations of Applications for Funding

· Road Naming and Reserves Naming - 215 Mill Road, Otaki

· Ōtaki Community Board - Draft Calendar of Meetings 2022

· PP2O Update

· Confirmation of minutes

· Matters Under Action

5.3 On 4 November 2021, the Strategy and Operations Committee met to discuss:

· Covid-19 Recovery Update

· Kāpiti Coast Major Events Fund

5.4 On 4 November 2021, the Grants Allocation Subcommittee (Districtwide Facilities for Hire) met to discuss:

· Applications for Districtwide Facility Hire Remission

· Confirmation of Minutes

5.5 On 9 November 2021, the Waikanae Community Board met to discuss:

· Consideration of Applications for Funding

· Waikanae Community Board - Draft Calendar of Meetings 2022

· Works planned for Waikanae Beach Hall 2021-2024

· Confirmation of Minutes

· Matters Under Action at 2 November 2021

5.6 On 16 November 2021, the Paekākāriki Community Board met to discuss:

· Consideration of Funding Applications

· Paekākāriki Community Board - Draft Calendar of Meetings 2022

· Update on Transmission Gully Project from Darren Utting

· Update on Paekakariki Seawall Project from Sean Mallon

· Confirmation of Minutes

· Matters Under Action

5.7 On 18 November 2021, the Strategy and Operations Committee met to discuss:

· Housing Bill Submission

· Finance Report as at 30 September 2021

· Contracts Under Delegated Authority

· Six Month Update - Economic Development Kotahitanga Board

· Confirmation of Minutes

· Write-off of Sundry Debt

5.8 On 23 November 2021, the Paraparaumu-Raumati Community Board met to discuss:

· Consideration of Applications for Funding

· Paraparaumu-Raumati Community Board - Draft Calendar of Meetings 2022

· Update on Raumati South Informal Tracks (former Waka Kotahi land)

· Revocation and Town Centre Projects

· Confirmation of minutes

· Matters Under Action

5.9 On 25 November 2021, the Grants Allocation Subcommittee (Waste Levy) met to discuss:

· Recommendations on Waste Levy Grant applications 2021/22 - Community Projects

· Recommendations on Waste Levy Grant Applications 2021/22 - Seed funding and Business waste reduction categories

5.10 On 1 February 2022, the Waikanae Community Board met to discuss:

· Declaration for new elected member and explanation of legislation

· Road Naming - Manu Park, Waikanae

· Consideration of applications for funding

· Confirmation of Minutes - 9 November 2021

· Matters Under Action at 25 January 2022

5.11 On 8 February 2022, the Ōtaki Community Board met to discuss:

· Consideration of Applications for Funding

· Confirmation of Minutes

· Matters Under Action

6 In addition, the following meetings took place:

Kāpiti Coast Youth Council	1 November 2021
Te Whakaminenga o Kāpiti	7 December 2021

7 Details with regards to the discussion items of the meetings listed in paragraph 6 are noted below:

7.1 On 1 November 2021, the Kāpiti Coast Youth Council met to discuss:

· BIG Day Out Update

· Group Agreement & Pūtake

· Work Ready Kāpiti Update

· Councillor’s Update

· Draft Workforce Plan Update

· Presentation & Update to Council

· Growth Strategy Update

· Leaving a Legacy

· Where to next?

7.2 On 7 December 2021, Te Whakaminenga o Kāpiti met to discuss:

· Update on Housing

· Kapiti Workforce Plan

· Te Whakaminenga o Kāpiti - Draft Calendar of Meetings 2022

· Māori Economic Development Grants

· Waitangi Day Commemorations 2022

He kōrerorero | Discussion

He take | Issues

8 Within the reports and recommendations considered by Standing Committees and Community Boards from 1 November 2021 to 8 February 2022, there were three recommendations made to Council.

9 Two of the recommendations were part of the Waikanae Community Board meeting on 9 November 2021 in relation to the planned strengthening and renewal work on Waikanae Beach Hall and obtaining an inventory of all Council reserves.

10 One recommendation from the Paraparaumu/Raumati Community Board on 23 November 2021 in relation to the Beach Bylaw.

11 The recommendations were:

Waikanae Community Board, 9 November 2021

11.1 That the Waikanae Community Board requests that the Council undertakes an inventory of all reserves in the Waikanae area, their status, whether or not they have been appropriately gazetted and if not, what actions need to be taken to achieve that. The Board requests that a report on this be presented to the Community Board meeting scheduled for March 2022.

11.2 That the Waikanae Community Board requests that Council defers the planned strengthening and renewal work on the Waikanae Beach Hall, to enable discussion between Council, the Waikanae Community Board and the Waikanae Beach Residents Association regarding a possible alternative hall or facility which is fit for purpose.

Paraparaumu/Raumati Community Board, 23 November 2021

11.3 That the Paraparaumu/Raumati Community Board requests Councillors to please re-visit the Beach Bylaw Section 16.3 Authorised Disability Parking Areas are located in the following sites to include:

as soon as possible to allow vehicles access to the Beach Manly Street North for people with disabilities.

Ngā kōwhiringa | Options

12 There are no options relevant to this report.

Tangata whenua

13 There are no tāngata whenua considerations relevant to this report.

Panonitanga āhuarangi | Climate change

14 There are no climate change considerations relevant to this report.

Ahumoni me ngā rawa | Financial and resourcing

15 There are no financial and resourcing considerations relevant to this report.

Ture me ngā Tūraru | Legal and risk

16 There are no legal considerations relevant to this report.

Ngā pānga ki ngā kaupapa here | Policy impact

17 This report has no current or future impact on Council policies.

Te whakawhiti kōrero me te tūhono | Communications & engagement

18 No consultation has occurred in preparing this paper.

Te mahere tūhono | Engagement planning

19 An engagement plan is not required for this report.

Whakatairanga | Publicity

20 No publicity is required with regards to this report.

Ngā āpitihanga | Attachments

Nil


AGENDA Council Meeting
I hereby give notice that a Meeting of the Kapiti Coast District Council will be held on:
Date:	Thursday, 24 February 2022
Time:	9.30am
Location:	Online via Zoom
Wayne Maxwell Chief Executive

Mayor K Gurunathan	Chair
Deputy Mayor Janet Holborow	Deputy
Cr Angela Buswell	Member
Cr James Cootes	Member
Cr Jackie Elliott	Member
Cr Gwynn Compton	Member
Cr Jocelyn Prvanov	Member
Cr Martin Halliday	Member
Cr Sophie Handford	Member
Cr Robert McCann	Member
Cr Bernie Randall	Member