Supplementary Agenda of Council - Wednesday, 21 February 2024

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Christchurch City Council

Supplementary Agenda

Notice of Meeting:

An ordinary meeting of the Christchurch City Council will be held on:

Date: Wednesday 21 February 2024

Time: 9.30 am

Venue: Council Chambers, Civic Offices,
53 Hereford Street, Christchurch

Membership

Chairperson

Deputy Chairperson

Members

Mayor Phil Mauger

Deputy Mayor Pauline Cotter

Councillor Kelly Barber

Councillor Melanie Coker

Councillor Celeste Donovan

Councillor Tyrone Fields

Councillor James Gough

Councillor Tyla Harrison-Hunt

Councillor Victoria Henstock

Councillor Yani Johanson

Councillor Aaron Keown

Councillor Sam MacDonald

Councillor Jake McLellan

Councillor Andrei Moore

Councillor Mark Peters

Councillor Tim Scandrett

Councillor Sara Templeton

20 February 2024

Principal Advisor

Mary Richardson

Interim Chief Executive

Tel: 941 8999

Katie Matheis

Democratic Services Advisor

941 5643

Katie.Matheis@ccc.govt.nz

www.ccc.govt.nz

Council

21 February 2024

12. Draft Council Submission: draft Canterbury Regional Land Transport Plan 24-34
Reference / Te Tohutoro:	24/193140
Report of / Te Pou Matua:	Jane Cameron, Team Leader Strategic Transport
Senior Manager / Pouwhakarae:	Jane Parfitt, Interim General Manager Infrastructure, Planning and Regulatory Services (Jane.Parfitt@ccc.govt.nz)

1. Purpose and Origin of Report Te Pūtake Pūrongo

1.1 The purpose of this report is to seek approval of the draft Council submission to the Canterbury Regional Transport Committee (RTC) on the draft Canterbury Regional Land Transport Plan 24-34 (RLTP).

1.2 The RTC has invited submissions by 26 February 2024 on the draft RLTP. A draft Council submission has been prepared for consideration following a request from Councillors at the 31 January Finance and Performance Committee meeting.

1.3 The decision in this report is of low significance in relation to the Christchurch City Council’s Significance and Engagement Policy. This recognises that while there may be community interest in the consultation and the subsequent finalisation of the RLTP, the specific decision (to approve the draft submission) is of a lower level of significance.

2. Officer Recommendations Ngā Tūtohu

That the Council:

1. Receive the attached draft submission (Attachment A to this report) to the Canterbury Regional Transport Committee on their Draft Regional Land Transport Plan 24-34.

2. Approve lodging the final submission with any agreed amendments.

3. Requests the opportunity to speak to its submission during the hearings on 18^th-19^th March 2024.

4. Appoints [enter name] to present on its behalf.

3. Reason for Report Recommendations Ngā Take mō te Whakatau

3.1 The Council regularly makes submissions on proposals which may significantly impact Christchurch residents or Council business. Submissions are an important opportunity to influence thinking and decisions through external agencies’ consultation processes.

4. Alternative Options Considered Ētahi atu Kōwhiringa

4.1 The alternative option would be to not submit on the RLTP.

4.2 This course of action is not recommended in this case as making a submission is a valuable opportunity to provide additional information for consideration by the RTC in finalising the RLTP.

5. Detail Te Whakamahuki

Overview

5.1 The RLTP is a statutory plan that is prepared every three years by the Canterbury Regional Transport Committee (RTC). The draft RLTP describes the region’s land transport system and the challenges it faces now and in the future. It sets out a vision and priorities for Canterbury’s transport network for the next 10 years and how they will be achieved.

5.2 The plan’s 30-year vision is for ‘an innovative, resilient, low emissions transport system that helps Canterbury thrive for generations’. The high level priorities in this draft RLTP are well aligned with those of the Council and include:

· Create a well maintained network

· Manage risks of exposure to extreme events

· Support and develop public transport and active transport networks

· Implement safer systems; and

· Support and develop freight systems connecting to air, rail and sea.

5.3 The RTC are proposing a $10.8 billion investment in the region’s land transport network over the next decade. This is almost double the funding outlined in the 2021 plan.

5.4 The RLTP identifies a list of regionally significant projects that represent to the Government what the region’s highest priorities are. The Pages Road Bridge renewal project has dropped in regional significance ranking in the 2024 Draft RLTP compared to the 2021 RLTP (from number 1 to number 12). While acknowledging that a revised ranking process has been undertaken by the RTC, the attached submission requests that the RTC reconsider the regional significance ranking of this project due to its risk profile.

5.5 The Pages Road Bridge is a key lifeline route into and out of New Brighton. A particular high impact risk is the potential for a large-scale tsunami event originating from the Hikurangi Trench near Kaikoura. If this were to eventuate New Brighton residents would have a very limited window, approximately one hour, to evacuate safely. By implementing this project, it is estimated that the traffic egress enhancements proposed alongside the bridge renewal could potentially save a significant number of lives in the event of a catastrophic tsunami.

5.6 The decision affects the following wards/Community Board areas:

5.6.1 The Pages Road Bridge renewal project, through consultation with its community has been consistently identified as a priority for the Waitai Coastal-Burwood-Linwood Community Board. Points reinforced by the Board in support of this submission include: improved evacuation during emergencies, responding to the increased threat of climate change; and the well-being and safety benefits for coastal residents.

6. Policy Framework Implications Ngā Hīraunga ā- Kaupapa here

Strategic Alignment Te Rautaki Tīaroaro

6.1 This decision aligns with the Council’s Strategic Framework.

6.2 This report supports the Council's Long Term Plan (2021 - 2031):

6.3 Strategic Planning and Policy

6.3.1 Activity: Strategic Planning, Future Development and Regeneration

· Level of Service: 17.0.1.1 Advice to Council on high priority policy and planning issues that affect the City. Advice is aligned with and delivers on the governance expectations as evidenced through the Council Strategic Framework. - Triennial reconfirmation of the strategic framework or as required.

Policy Consistency Te Whai Kaupapa here

6.4 The decision is consistent with Council’s Plans and Policies.

Impact on Mana Whenua Ngā Whai Take Mana Whenua

6.5 The decision 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.

6.6 The decision does not involve a matter of interest to Mana Whenua and will not impact on our agreed partnership priorities with Ngā Papatipu Rūnanga.

Climate Change Impact Considerations Ngā Whai Whakaaro mā te Āhuarangi

6.7 The decisions in this report are likely to:

6.7.1 Contribute positively to adaptation to the impacts of climate change.

6.7.2 Contribute positively to emissions reductions.

6.8 The draft RLTP identifies a low emission transport system and managing the risk of exposure to extreme events as priorities for the transport funding system.

Accessibility Considerations Ngā Whai Whakaaro mā te Hunga Hauā

6.9 There are no direct accessibility implications associated with the decision to approve this submission.

7. Resource Implications Ngā Hīraunga Rauemi

Capex/Opex Ngā Utu Whakahaere

7.1 Funding Source – the cost of making this submission will be met from existing operational budgets.

Other He mea anō

7.2 There are no other resource implications.

8. Legal Implications Ngā Hīraunga ā-Ture

Statutory power to undertake proposals in the report Te Manatū Whakahaere Kaupapa

8.1 The RTC’s consultation on the RLTP is public and open to any person or organisation.

Other Legal Implications Ētahi atu Hīraunga-ā-Ture

8.2 There is no legal context, issue, or implication relevant to this decision.

9. Risk Management Implications Ngā Hīraunga Tūraru

9.1 There are no significant risks associated with this decision to lodge submission.

10. Next Steps Ngā Mahinga ā-muri

10.1 The finalised submission will be signed by the mayor and submitted to Environment Canterbury.

10.2 The submission will be uploaded to the Council’s website on the Council submissions to external agencies webpage.

Attachments Ngā Tāpirihanga

No.	Title	Reference	Page
a ⇩	Attachment A - CCC draft 2024 RLTP submission	24/256797	9

In addition to the attached documents, the following background information is available:

Document Name – Location / File Link

Regional Land Transport Plan 2024-34

Confirmation of Statutory Compliance Te Whakatūturutanga ā-Ture

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.

Signatories Ngā Kaiwaitohu

Authors

Sharna O'Neil - Policy Analyst

Jane Cameron - Team Leader Transport

Approved By

Lynette Ellis - Head of Transport & Waste Management

Jane Parfitt - Interim General Manager Infrastructure, Planning and Regulatory Services

Council

21 February 2024

13. Mayor's Monthly Report
Reference Te Tohutoro:	24/255709
Report of Te Pou Matua:	Phil Mauger, Mayor

1. Purpose of Report Te Pūtake Pūrongo

1.1 The purpose of this report is for the Mayor, on behalf of Council to:

1.1.1 Acknowledge the impacts of the 2024 Port Hills Fire on the affected residents.

1.1.2 Thank Fire & Emergency New Zealand (FENZ), NZ Police and all the responding agencies, including Christchurch City Council staff for their efforts in responding to the fire.

1.1.3 Note that the Recovery Plan is under development collaboratively with Council, ECAN, Selwyn DC Canterbury Civil Defence Emergency Management Group and iwi representatives. Emerging priorities will be summarised verbally and discussed with Council on 21 February when this report is presented.

1.1.4 Note that the Mayor has requested that staff incorporate, in the Recovery Plan, a relief funding mechanism for any impacted households who may receive an excess water use charge as a result of their efforts during or after the fires.

1.1.5 Note that the Mayors Welfare Fund was immediately stood-up as the mechanism to receive financial donations to support affected people and volunteers.

1.2 This report is compiled by the Office of the Mayor and Chief Executive, with input from relevant staff.

2. Mayors Recommendations / Ngā Tūtohu o Te Koromatua

That the Council:

1. Acknowledge the impacts of the 2024 Port Hills Fire on the affected residents and note that the Mayor’s Welfare Fund was immediately stood-up as the mechanism to receive financial donations to support affected people and volunteers.

2. Thank Fire & Emergency New Zealand (FENZ), NZ Police and all the responding agencies, including the Christchurch City Council staff for their efforts in responding to the fire.

3. Note the Response Transition Report, informing the transition from response into recovery, was updated on 20 February 2024.

4. Note a Recovery Plan is under development collaboratively with the Council, Environment Canterbury, the Selwyn District Council, and others.

5. Note that the Mayor has requested that staff incorporate, in the Recovery Plan, a relief funding mechanism for any impacted households that receive an excess water use charge as a result of their efforts during or immediately after the fires.

3. Detail Te Whakamahuki

3.1 At around 2:30pm on the 14^th February 2024, a fire started in the Worsley area in the Port Hills and then spread towards Selwyn, fanned by hot dry winds.

3.2 At 6:13 pm that day a State of Local Emergency was jointly declared for Christchurch City (which includes Banks Peninsula) and Selwyn District. The declaration enabled better coordination of response across all the various agencies involved, and that assistance could be directed to where it’s most needed. It also meant the local Controller (Neville Reilly) could approve the evacuation of people or restrict access to affected areas as required.

3.3 Over the next three days Fire & Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) had over 100 staff fighting the fires as well as 22 Fire trucks, helicopters with Monsoon buckets, fixed wing aircraft spreading retardant and a number of diggers and other specialist machinery.

3.4 Evacuation centres were set up at Te Hapua - Halswell Library and Community Centre, and at the Lincoln Community Centre.

3.5 At its peak the number of evacuated households was approximately 80 in the Christchurch area and approximately 30 in the Selwyn area. By Monday 19 February the number of evacuated houses was one in the Christchurch area and zero in the Selwyn area. There was one destroyed temporary home in the Christchurch area.

3.6 By 5:00pm 19 February the Fire had a 24 km perimeter and was nearing 100% contained. Firefighter numbers were expected to be reduced from the more than 100 firefighters working that day to dampen down 40 hotspots.

3.7 I appreciate that the response is not yet over, and firefighters will remain working on site for many days, given the 2017 Port Hill fires was only officially declared extinguished after 66 days.

3.8 I would like to thank all those households and residents impacted by the fire for complying in a calm and timely manner with evacuation orders which allowed the emergency services to do their jobs.

3.9 I would like to thank FENZ Incident Controllers Dave Stackhouse, Steve Kennedy and all their staff for their hard and tireless work over long hours – those in the field, in the air and in the office. A special mention goes to all the families who didn’t see their loved ones while they were working to control the fire.

3.10 I would also like to acknowledge the other responder agencies including NZ Police, Hato Hone St John New Zealand Response Teams, Council Contractors, MPI, Te Whatu Ora and others, including many volunteers.

3.11 I would like to acknowledge the joint Christchurch and Selwyn Civil Defence Team response. I’m advised it has been a well-coordinated response and many staff and volunteers put in long hours.

3.12 I would like to thank all our Council staff who have contributed to the fire response – both those directly involved in the response and those back at the office. To date Council have contributed 772 staff hours to the response. Credit is due to the Council’s Civil Defence team who started planning with FENZ and other agencies in spring 2023 for such an event.

3.13 I particularly want to acknowledge our Port Hills Park Rangers. The Port Hills are their workplace and their tūrangawaewae [place to stand]. It must be gut wrenching to see them in flames again.

3.14 I would like to thank Minister for Emergency Management and Response – Hon. Mark Mitchell for coming down to Christchurch so promptly to assess the scale of the Port Hills fire first-hand and to play a visible supporting role.

3.15 Finally, I would also like to acknowledge Councillors for doing your role, keeping your residents updated and enabling FENZ and other agencies to manage the response.

4. The Recovery Plan

4.1 A Response Transition Report, informing the transition from response into recovery was completed by 20 February, subject to ongoing events.

4.2 A Recovery Plan is already being worked on in a collaborative process led by Group (CDEM), ECAN, Council, Selwyn DC, Ngai Tahu and FENZ. Recovery planning is an ongoing process with immediate, short term, medium term and long-term actions. The Plan will have an “end-date” whereby ongoing longer-term actions are morphed into BAU for project partners.

4.3 A communications plan is under development to support the recovery process.

4.4 The Council will receive ongoing updates on the planning process, resulting actions and any longer-term implications.

4.5 The Mayors Welfare Fund was immediately stood-up as the mechanism to receive financial donations to support affected people and volunteers.

4.6 A number of residents were actively dampening down their homes or allowing their swimming pools to be utilised for Monsoon Buckets. In the months ahead, Residents may also need to undertake replanting of damaged trees involving watering.

4.7 To avoid residents unfairly receiving an excess water charge for breaching the allowance of 900 L per average household, I have asked staff to include in the Recovery Plan a mechanism for ensuring anyone impacted by the fire with an excess water charge, is able to pay the charge via a grant from the Mayoral Welfare Fund. This will be a customer friendly service with minimal administration.

4.8 Other elements that staff envisage will be included in the Plan include but are not limited to:

4.8.1 Environmental impacts, such as ecological and habitat considerations, erosion, sedimentation, waterways and consideration of future planting.

4.8.2 Social impacts, primarily psychosocial, supporting affected people and volunteers. Appropriate communication with individuals and community networks is important.

4.8.3 Built impacts, such as the restoration of infrastructure and buildings damaged by the fire and the response.

4.8.4 A thorough assessment of the damage from the fire and the response. This will also include a financial assessment, consenting earthworks and legal implications.

4.8.5 The establishment of a robust recovery structure to inform and deliver the Plan reporting to ECAN, Council, Selwyn DC and the community.

Attachments Ngā Tāpirihanga

There are no attachments for this report.