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Reserves Act
Hearings Panel
27 July 2022
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4. Roto
Kohatu Reserve Management Plan
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Reference / Te Tohutoro:
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22/693217
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Report of / Te Pou Matua:
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Antony
Shadbolt
Team Leader: Biodiversity
antony.shadbolt@ccc.govt.nz
Philippa Upton
Engagement Advisor
philippa.upton@ccc.govt.nz
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General Manager / Pouwhakarae:
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Mary
Richardson
GM Citizens and Communiy
Mary.Richardson@ccc.govt.nz
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1. Purpose of the Report Te Pūtake
Pūrongo
1.1 The
purpose of this report is for the Reserves Act Hearings Panel to:
1.1.1 Consider
the submissions received through the public consultation process and all other
relevant information presented on the Draft Reserves Management Plan (Attachment
A) for Roto Kohatu Reserve; and
1.1.2 Deliberate
and make a recommendation to the Waimāero Fendalton-Waimairi-Harewood
Community Board, as the decision-maker, to determine whether the Roto Kohatu
Reserve Management Plan should be adopted.
1.2 This
report has been written as a result of:
1.2.1 The
Council releasing a Draft Management Plan for consultation; and
1.2.2 A
number of submitters on the proposed plan indicating they wish to be heard by a
Reserves Act Hearings Panel in support of their submission.
1.3 The
decisions in this report are of medium significance in relation to the
Christchurch City Council’s Significance and Engagement Policy. The level
of significance was determined by such factors as:
1.3.1 Roto
Kohatu Reserve not being a strategic asset but still providing a strong
contribution towards the City’s health and wellbeing;
1.3.2 a
strong interest from a range of user groups;
1.3.3 the
proposal is unlikely to have cost risks to the Council;
1.3.4 any
decisions are capable of being reversed; and
1.3.5 the
proposal largely clarifies and formalises existing use and agreements.
2. Officer Recommendations Ngā
Tūtohu
1. That the Reserves Act Hearings Panel:
recommends that the Fendalton-Waimairi-Harewood Community Board:
2. Receive and consider the information in the
report, the submissions, and all other relevant information received on the
proposed Roto Kohatu Reserve Management Plan.
3. Adopt the Roto Kohatu Reserve Management Plan
containing revisions agreed to by the hearings panel at its meeting on 27th
July 2022.
3. Reason for Report Recommendations Ngā Take mō te
Whakatau
3.1 Staff
are confident that the Management Plan reflects the needs of the community, the
natural environment, and the Council. The draft management plan (and an
associated Development Plan for the reserve) was prepared with extensive input
from staff, user groups, and the wider public through a series of meetings,
surveys, and workshops between August 2020 and February 2021, and ongoing
communication with those groups via the Council’s Have Your Say website.
4. Alternative Options Considered Ētahi atu Kōwhiringa
4.1 An
alternative option is to not approve the Management Plan in its current form,
but instead request changes prior to approval.
4.2 Note
that a management plan for this reserve must be prepared, as it is a
requirement of the Reserves Act 1977. Without the plan the Council has very
little guidance to effectively manage and develop the reserve.
5. Detail Te Whakamahuki
Public
Consultation Te
Tukanga Kōrerorero
5.1 An
early engagement information-gathering process resulted in feedback from more
than 30 stakeholders, organisations, user groups, or individuals through a Have
Your Say consultation process and direct contact with user groups and key
stakeholders including local iwi representatives.
5.2 Feedback
from this process and earlier informal consultation informed development of the
draft plan in key areas relating to layout and facilities, vegetation and
birds, water, and reserve use.
5.3 A
parallel consultation process confirmed a change of land classification of two
land parcels to confirm all the park as Recreation Reserve.
5.4 Te
Ngāi Tūāhuriri Rūnanga gave early feedback followed by
comment on the draft plan, responding particularly in relation to biodiversity,
ecology including pest fish concerns, and suitable native plantings.
5.5 To
meet Reserves Act requirements, consultation on the draft Reserve Management
Plan ran on the Council Have Your Say
website over a period of two months from 24 January until 28 March 2022. An
email was sent to approximately 100 stakeholders, including community
organisations and user groups.
5.6 A
Newsline article on 22 January was picked up by the Christchurch Press.
Consultation was posted on the CCC Facebook page, also inviting a range of
likes and comments on five local and wider area Facebook pages.
5.7 Copies
of the draft Reserve Management Plan and Development Plan were available in
central and local service centres, and letters were sent to approximately 30
adjacent property owners and occupiers letting them know of the draft plan, and
how to submit.
5.8 A
drop-in session held on site on Tuesday 15 February was attended by
approximately 30 members of the public and user groups.
5.9 Additional
meetings and phone calls were held with user groups and stakeholders, including
adjacent property owners, during the consultation period.
Summary
of Submissions Ngā
Tāpaetanga
5.10 We
received 86
submissions from ten recognised organisations, including
six user groups and one business. This included feedback from the Department of
Conservation, Environment Canterbury, North Canterbury Fish and Game,
Christchurch International Airport Ltd, The Cancer Society, Disabled Persons
Assembly, and six user groups.
5.11 The
remainder were residents from across the city and wider area, with 36
submitters giving addresses from adjacent or nearby suburbs. All
submissions are provided in the Hearings Panel Agenda.
5.12 We
asked for comments on both the draft Reserve Management Plan and the
Development Plan. Although most people provided suggestions only, there were a
number of positive comments about the proposed future management and
development of the reserve, indicating how strongly they valued the lakes and
surrounding reserve area.
5.13 One
submitter requested we don’t change anything in the reserve.
5.14 Key
comments supported:
· A new entrance at
Outlook Place
· Improvements such as
grading of beach to access and use Lake Rua, e.g. swimming, boat/model
yacht launch
· Development and
building of facilities to support aquatic recreation for groups
· Retaining
natural environment and the general approach to keep built structures to a
minimum
· Additional
activities put forward in the plan including more canoe polo courts.
5.15 Key
suggestions included requests for:
· More parking, that is also
better defined and managed
· Facilities that provide
sun safety and adequate shading
· More facilities such as
picnic tables and barbecues
· Improved access including
wayfinding, paths, and cycle facilities.
5.16 Key
concerns related to the need to manage anti–social behaviour, and there
were a range of suggestions about how to manage dog behaviour and access. There
were also several requests relating to jet-ski use on Lake Tahi including
allocation of space and protection of birdlife. Christchurch Airport raised
concerns about managing the risk of bird strike. These have been addressed in
the management plan.
5.17 There
was a range of feedback about ways to manage timing and allocation of space,
including detailed responses and suggestions from user groups. There were also
a number of ideas provided about specific activities for the public including
families and children.
5.18 These
points and further detail are included in the consultation analysis table (Attachment
B) and project team response tables (Attachment C).
5.19 In
total, 16 amendments have been made to the draft Management Plan and are
contained within the track-changed document (Attachment A) and discussed
in the project team response table (Attachment C).
5.20 The
decision affects the following wards/Community Board areas:
5.20.1 Fendalton-Waimairi-Harewood
6. Policy Framework Implications Ngā Hīraunga ā- Kaupapa here
Strategic
Alignment Te Rautaki
Tīaroaro
6.1 This report supports the Council's
Long Term Plan (2021 - 2031):
6.1.1 Activity: Parks and Foreshore
· Level of Service: 6.3.5 Overall customer
satisfaction with the recreational opportunities and ecological experiences
provided by the City’s Regional Parks. - Regional Parks
resident satisfaction >=80 %.
Policy
Consistency Te Whai
Kaupapa here
6.2 The
decision is consistent with the Council’s Plans and
Policies.
Impact
on Mana Whenua Ngā
Whai Take Mana Whenua
6.3 Staff
engaged with Tangata Whenua as project partners via Mahaanui Kurataiao Ltd
during pre-engagement. Feedback was that the matter does not involve a
significant decision in relation to ancestral land or a body of water or other
elements of intrinsic value, therefore this decision does not specifically
impact Mana Whenua, their culture and traditions.
6.4 Mahaanui Kurataiao Ltd submitted feedback on the draft Management
Plan on behalf of Te Ngāi Tūāhuriri Rūnanga. Their feedback
was focussed on four elements: 1) inclusion of Māori design elements in
interpretation signage, 2) eco-sourcing of native plant species, 3) accidental
discovery protocols, and 4) potential contamination from the closed landfill.
Subsequent communication with Mahaanui Kurataiao Ltd also highlighted pest
management requirements of the Mahaanui Iwi Management Plan. Staff responses
and recommendations related to these points are included in Attachment C (Project
Team Response Tables).
Climate
Change Impact Considerations Ngā Whai Whakaaro mā te Āhuarangi
6.5 The Management Plan (and associated Development Plan) encourages
tree and shrub-land planting which will support an increase in city-wide canopy
coverage and reduction in mowing to help mitigate climate change.
Accessibility Considerations Ngā Whai Whakaaro mā te Hunga
Hauā
6.6 The Management Plan (and associated Development Plan) supports
improved access to Roto Kohatu Reserve for people of all abilities, with the
inclusion of specific policies to guide this in the Management Plan.
7. Resource Implications Ngā Hīraunga Rauemi Capex/Opex /
Ngā Utu Whakahaere
7.1 An
approved Management Plan will guide day to day management of the reserve.
Capital development will need to be consistent with this plan. Some development
funding is available in CPMS 65241. Further funding to implement the
Development Plan will be sought through LTP processes once the Management Plan
and Development Plan are approved.
Other / He mea anō
7.2 None
8. Legal Implications Ngā Hīraunga ā-Ture
Statutory power to undertake proposals in the report /
Te Manatū Whakahaere Kaupapa
8.1 The
process of preparing, advertising, and finalising the Management Plan has been
completed in accordance with the Reserves Act 1977. Community Boards have the
delegation to adopt reserve management plans (excluding the hearing and
determining of submissions/objections) and to approve landscape plans for
parks.
Other Legal Implications / Ētahi atu
Hīraunga-ā-Ture
8.2 Not
applicable
9. Risk Management Implications Ngā Hīraunga Tūraru
9.1 Not
applicable
Attachments / Ngā Tāpirihanga
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No.
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Title
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Page
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a ⇩
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Attachment A -
Track Changed Management Plan
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11
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b ⇩
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Attachment B -
Consultation Analysis Table
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48
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c ⇩
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Attachment C -
Project Team Response to Submissions
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49
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In addition to the attached documents, the following background
information is available:
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Document
Name
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Location
/ File Link
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Not
Applicable
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Not
Applicable
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Confirmation of Statutory
Compliance / Te
Whakatūturutanga ā-Ture
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Compliance with Statutory Decision-making
Requirements (ss 76 - 81 Local Government Act 2002).
(a) This report contains:
(i) sufficient information about all reasonably practicable
options identified and assessed in terms of their advantages and
disadvantages; and
(ii) adequate consideration of the views and preferences of
affected and interested persons bearing in mind any proposed or previous
community engagement.
(b) The information reflects the level of significance of the
matters covered by the report, as determined in accordance with the Council's
significance and engagement policy.
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Signatories / Ngā Kaiwaitohu
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Authors
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Antony
Shadbolt - Team Leader Biodiversity
Philippa Upton
- Engagement Advisor
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Approved By
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Andrew
Rutledge - Head of Parks
Mary
Richardson - General Manager Citizens & Community
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