Southland District Council News

Southern Fire Fighters Heading to Victoria

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 10:41:07 +1300

Nine southern firefighters leave today to help fight the bushfires which have killed at least 181 people and have devastated large areas in Victoria in Australia.

Southern Rural Fire Authority Principal Rural Fire Officer Mike Grant said the nine are a mixture of forestry staff, forestry contractors and Department of Conservation staff.

"They need people who are used to hill and hill country and broken terrain and obviously people with forestry knowledge," Mr Grant said.

The team leaves at 6.30am this morning (Friday 13 February) and flies to Melbourne, along with the rest of the New Zealand team of 44.

The Kiwis will be briefed about the situation in Melbourne tomorrow and then go out on to the firelines on Sunday, Mr Grant said.

The team will be in Victoria for 18 days, working two seven-day assignments, with two rest days in between.

ENDS

For more information contact:
Mike Grant
Principal Rural Fire Officer, Southern Rural Fire District
Ph (0800) 732 732
Mobile: 027 471 6095

Mayor Criticises Roading Changes

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 00:00:00 +1300

The Government's changes to road funding will have a significant impact on Southland, District Mayor Frana Cardno said. Under the changes announced today, regional fuel taxes are replaced with increased fuel tax and road user charges.

"Southlanders have to travel further for day-to-day things, such as school and supermarkets, and businesses have to freight product to and from the provinces. The changes will see costs going up at all levels in the provinces," Mrs Cardno said.

"Our ratepayers are really struggling already to meet the roading costs, and Council has to increase the roading rate in order to pay for the roads that are being damaged.

"It is important to remember that agriculture and rural business is still the backbone of the economy."

Mrs Cardno said it was essential to have a system that was balanced for everyone.

"This would be an excellent time to review the financial assistance rate because our ratepayers are already paying the most per person in New Zealand towards roading.

"It's time for the Government to increase the minimum 43 percent subsidy to at least 50 percent."

Southland had supported the regional fuel tax in its original format, under which councils could use the tax to meet their needs. However, there was too much national interference in the model that was put in place by the previous Government.

"We recognise Auckland has transport problems, but so do we, and we would welcome Transport Minister Simon Joyce coming down to talk to us about Southland's roading and transport network," Mrs Cardno said.

Under the changes, the funds raised from the increased fuel taxes and road user charges will go into the National Land Transport Fund, almost $1 billion more will be spent on state highway construction in the next three years and Government will allocate an additional $258 million to land transport over the next two years.

There has been no announcement so far on additional assistance for territorial local authorities to fast-track projects to assist the Government in its endeavours to boost the economy.

Council congratulates Barnes

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 00:00:00 +1300

Southland athlete Sarah Barnes has reached another pinnacle in her sporting career by being selected in Rowing New Zealand's elite squad for the world championships in Poland in August.

Barnes was selected in the women's quadruple scull and is moving to Cambridge to train with Harriet Austin, Louise Trappitt and Genevieve Armstrong, under coach Dick Tonks.

The resource management planner was farewelled by her Southland District Council workmates on Friday.

Chief executive David Adamson said her selection was well deserved as she was a hard worker and dedicated to her sport, whether it be rowing or netball. Barnes had been in the Southern Sting netball team previously.

"We will miss her but wish her every success in rowing," Mr Adamson said.

"Sarah certainly contributed to our organisation and it's sad to see a productive and valuable member of our staff leave.

"She is an outstanding sportswoman."

Barnes said she would miss the Council and Southland.

"But I am excited at the opportunities rowing for New Zealand will provide, such as going to Europe for the Worlds for two months.

"There's a lot of work to be done, but I'm looking forward to seeing what I can do in training."

Barnes joins two other Southlanders in the 23-person squad, with Nathan Cohen combining with Matthew Trott in the men's heavy double scully and Storm Uru racing with Peter Taylor in the lightweight double scull.

New Treatment System for Scheme

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 00:00:00 +1300

Southland District Council will use an innovative and new to New Zealand method to treat wastewaters from the new Edendale-Wyndham sewerage scheme.

Council has decided to use the BioFiltro system, which is based on vermiculture. Bacteria will break down the organic waste, and a variety of worms will feed on the bacteria to ultimately form low-volume humus, which is a soil-like residue, and a high-quality liquid for discharging, Council project manager Bevan McKenzie said.

The system is common in South America, with more than 60 plants in Chile. Plants have also been installed in France and the Chilean Air Force Base in Antarctica.

The system provides higher quality discharge and a lower construction cost than the pond-based system, originally planned for the joint scheme, Mr McKenzie said.

"The BioFiltro system could save up to $1 million in construction costs and this saving would allow the scheme to be built within the original budget," he said.

Council had originally chosen a centralised pond-based treatment plant for both Edendale and Wyndham at a site between the two towns. However, it was approached by BioFiltro (NZ) Ltd and asked to consider its alternative system.

The system treats the raw sewage by first putting it through a mechanical screening filter, which removes larger solid inorganic matter. The waste water is then applied to a packed bed of plastic, screens, sawdust, rocks and bacteria. The worms within the sawdust bed provide aeration and consume the bacterial to create humus. The remaining clear liquid is treated by a UV unit before being discharged.

Investigations were carried out into the system by Council, and these showed the Biofiltro system could meet the consent conditions, including the lower level of phosphorus required by the Environment Court decision last year.

"BioFiltro has also committed to the high performance levels by agreeing to a warranty over a minimum of 18 months."

Winter driving campaign starts

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:00:00 +1200

Winter can be a dangerous time on the roads, so Road Safety Southland, ACC and Police have combined to deliver a Winter Driving campaign starting in May. Road Safety Southland community advisor Jane Ballantyne said ice, snow, rain and poor visibility can push drivers and vehicles to their limit.

"In the past five years three people have been killed and 75 injured in crashes caused by bad weather and Road Safety Southland, ACC and Police want to help Southlanders not become one of those statistics," Ms Ballantyne said.

A few simple precautions can be the difference between a safe trip and a crash. The campaign starts this week with a feature page in The Southland Times. Following on from that Beaurepaires will run vehicle maintenance workshops, targeted at women, which will include how to change a tyre and how to look after the car's tyres, changing oil and jump starting the battery. These courses will be limited to 20 people.

ACC will run safe winter driving seminars with five main employers in the region and ice scrapers will be given out to help drivers clear icy or misty windscreens as well as information on winter driving.

"It's what you don't see that can be the problem - expect the unexpected," ACC injury prevention consultant Nic Miller said.

During the winter months Police will run Operation Frosty, when they will pull over vehicles with misty or frosted windscreens. A brochure containing safe winter driving tips will be available at council offices, some local libraries and garages and will go direct to some employers.

Road Safety, ACC and Police believe a defensive approach to driving is the smart way to stay out of winter driving trouble. This involves being alert to the driving environment around you and constantly watching for potential crash creating situations, like the cyclists who may have inadequate lighting on their bikes, or the pedestrian who may step unexpectedly on to the road.

"A pre-winter fitness test on your car is a good investment if you value safe trouble-free winter driving - many garages in your local area will offer these."

The checks should cover at least the brakes, cooling systems, fan belts, lights, batteries, alternators, tyre pressure and tread checks. It is also a good time to have your vehicle anti-freeze checked.

For further information please contact:

Jane Ballantyne

Road Safety Southland

Ph: 03 2112502 ext 3189

Cellphone: 0274512483

Nic Miller

ACC

Ph: 03 2110210

Cell: 027 281 6698

Kerrin Price

Police

Ph: 03 2110400

Cell: 027222807

Land use consent granted to South Coast Dairy

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:00:00 +1200

South Coast Dairy Ltd has been granted land-use consents by the Southland District Council for gravel extraction and building construction at its proposed dairy conversion at Curio Bay. District Council resource management manager Bruce Halligan said two land-use consents - to extract 9,000m3 of gravel and to establish and operate a dairy shed and six-bay implement shed within the coastal resource area - were granted with 27 conditions by Council.

These conditions include ongoing monitoring for compliance with conditions and carrying out landscaping to mitigate the visual effects of the activities.

Council and Environment Southland heard South Coast Dairy's application at a joint hearing on 1 and 2 April in Invercargill. More than 100 submissions to the application were made, and the applicant and several submitters were heard at this hearing.

South Coast Dairy Ltd sought land use consents from the Southland District Council because under the Southland District Plan, the buildings required resource consent as their sites are located in the Coastal Resource Area under the District Plan.

Councillors who heard the application considered very closely the information presented by the applicant and also the strong concerns expressed by the numerous submitters to the proposal, Mr Halligan said.

"The Committee noted that in relation to the effects of the proposed building, visual effects would be mitigated by the removal of several existing buildings so therefore the extent of built structures in the area would not be significantly greater."

The committee also closely scrutinised the extent of the gravel extraction proposed from two extraction sites on the property, and noted this extraction was not significantly greater than what the District Plan allowed as of right and was not large in the context of other extractions occurring within the province.

"Effects of this extraction could be mitigated by the imposition of suitable conditions, which included a requirement that the bulk of the gravel extraction occur on the less visually prominent extraction site, and ongoing monitoring for compliance."

Most of the submissions expressed concern over the potential effects of dairy effluent discharge on the environment, which is under Environment Southland's jurisdiction under the Resource Management Act 1991. Environment Southland is yet to release its decision on the water and discharge consents sought.

For further information please contact:

Bruce Halligan

Resource Management Manager

Southland District Council

Phone: 0800 732732

Council saddened by mill closure

Thu, 14 May 2009 00:00:00 +1200

Southland District Council Mayor Frana Cardno says the closure of the Brightwood Mill in Otautau next month is a tragedy for the workers. "I am disappointed at the way it has happened. The first thing I knew about it was in the newspaper today," Mrs Cardno said. It has been a tough year for Western Southland, with this and the announcement in February that Solid Energy is closing its Ohai mine at the end of June, she said.

"I feel for the community - this area has been hard hit and is suffering."

Up to 60 workers will lose their jobs when the sawmill closes next month. Mill management said they had looked at every alternative to try to keep it open.

A similar announcement was made in January 2007, but 10 days later, it was announced the mill would stay open. However, management says this time is "more final," according to the Southland Times.

Mrs Cardno said Council and Venture Southland had met with mill management in 2007 and had worked hard to avoid total closure.

Council and Venture would encourage mill owners to mothball the mill, rather than dismantle it, so the closure could be short-term rather than longterm, she said.

"If the economy picks up then the mill could reopen as it is an important industry for Western Southland and indeed for the region."

Venture Southland community development group manager Rex Capil said from a community development perspective, he did not think the decision could be changed this time.

Venture would be working with the workers and other residents after the closure to see what options could be available, Mr Capil said.

Council and Venture would also talk to Government departments to see what support could be offered.

Presentation on new code planned

Wed, 20 May 2009 00:00:00 +1200

Southland contractors, plumbers, engineers and utility providers are invited to a presentation this month about the new national code of practice for utilities' access to the transport corridor. Southland District Council roading manager Michael Voss said Council is preparing to implement the new code, which will replace the existing trenching bylaw and affect the subdivision and land development bylaw.

"Council believes everyone involved in accessing transport corridors for services needs to have knowledge about the new code and so everyone is invited to the presentation at 10am on 29 May," Mr Voss said.

All works within the Council's urban and rural roading network, including works to be vested with Council at a future date, will be subject to the provisions of this new code.

The code is available for downloading from http://www.nzuag.org.nz/national-code/implementation-code.html

Council does need numbers for the presentation so please register your attendance on 0800 732 732 before 25 May.

The presentation will be at the Stairs Function Centre, on the corner of Tweed and Ethel Streets, at 10am and attendees are encouraged to bring a copy of the code with them.

Revamp for Council website

Fri, 22 May 2009 00:00:00 +1200

The Southland District Council website www.southlanddc.govt.nz has had a makeover. Communications manager Louise Pagan said the revamped site is now live after several months of work.

The old site was looking tired and had some navigational problems, so it was time for redevelopment.

"Some things like our Southland banner have stayed the same, but we have made it easier to find what you want quickly," Mrs Pagan said.

The front page of the new site will be updated frequently with news and events and will have a monthly focus on one of Southland's towns and communities.

"We are moving to being able to do more things online and people will be able to sign up for updates on their water supply scheme, or get press releases when they are issued, or even simply changes on the site.

"People will also be able to search our cemetery records online."

Mrs Pagan encourages people to have a look and to email Council on emailsdc@southlanddc.govt.nz if they have feedback and/or suggestions on how to further improve the site.

"It will be a continually evolving site so any suggestions are welcome. However, we are also very aware of the fact that many Southlanders are still on dialup and so we have tried to ensure the site is simple and easy to download."

Record number of submissions

Tue, 26 May 2009 00:00:00 +1200

Southland District Council has had a record number of submissions to its draft long-term plan, with 201 received. Council corporate planner Nicole Taylor said 61 of those submitters indicated they wanted to speak to their submission and that was also a record number.

"It's great to see the number of people interested in the long-term plan process.

"Roading and the funding of roading work is the hot topic, with 73 submissions on roading, including several about the proposed Haast Hollyford link.

"44 submissions were made about how we fund the work we do on Southland roads," Miss Taylor said.

The three-bin recycling proposal received 34 submissions, district-wide funding of sewerage and water received 33 and resource management issues, including a drive to get the area around Curio Bay protected, received 31.

In total, submissions were made on 55 topics and Council staff are now summarising them, getting staff comment and getting them out to councillors to read before the hearings next month.

Submissions closed on May 21 and will be heard by Council on June 9 and 10 and considered at another meeting on June 11.

The final plan will be brought to Council for adoption on June 30.

Councils working together

Fri, 29 May 2009 00:00:00 +1200

Planners from the Southland District Council and Environment Southland are working together on the review of two of the region's most significant planning tools - the Regional Policy Statement and the Southland District Plan. While the two documents have separate purposes, the District Plan has to give effect to provisions in the Regional Policy Statement so they are being reviewed together after each being in use for over 10 years.

The Councils agreed on the joint approach over a year ago because many of their issues are common to both regional and local planning. Working together will avoid duplication and make it easier to think about the ways policies and plans could be updated and made more relevant to today's communities.

Southland District Council Senior Planner Luke McSoriley said that the collaboration between the two councils would benefit the public, not only by saving money for ratepayers but by saving time for those who wanted to be involved in two separate but complementary planning processes.

The first step had been to develop a set of discussion papers that identify some of the big issues. These have been summarised in two alternative formats - short reports and information cards - to meet the needs of people with different levels of interest or understanding.

Now the Councils are bringing the review of the Regional Policy Statement and the District Plan into the public domain with the launch of the Issues and Options phase. This will include making all the discussion papers available to sector groups and the general public and a series of public forums around Southland over the next two months.

"It's a great opportunity for us because if the community is able to identify the issues that are significant to them, and come up with some new approaches for dealing with them, it will give us much more flexibility when we come to develop the new Regional Policy Statement and the new Southland District Plan," Environment Southland Resource Planner Ilana Batchelor said.

Consultation on the Issues and Options phase lasts until the end of July. Then both Councils will look at the comments and suggestions they receive from the public and interest groups before deciding how to proceed with the next phase of each of the respective Plan reviews.

For more information, go to the District Plan Review page.

District funding of water and sewerage postponed

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +1200

Southland District Council has postponed a proposal to fund water and sewerage district-wide, rather than by individual communities, for a year. The proposal put up in the Council's draft 10-year plan meant ratepayers on water and sewerage schemes would pay the same across the district for maintenance and renewal costs.

However, the majority of councillors felt more work was needed on this proposal after listening to submitters over the two days of hearings to the draft LTCCP.

Council spent yesterday discussing the 202 submissions and deliberating on changes to the draft plan.

Cr Diane Ridley said more work is needed on the proposal.

"We need to put these things to the communities."

There is a strong push to user-pays on everything and this is going in the opposite direction.

Mayor Frana Cardno said Council will have to look seriously at the management of water in the future as Central Government will be pushing it.

Councillors also discussed the roading budget and the way it is funded.

Staff also recommended that $200,000 could be removed from sealed and unsealed road maintenance costs for each of the ten years after recent maintenance tenders came in lower than expected.

While Cr Wallace Jack wanted to see further reductions in the roading budget, Council felt that there was a need to have a thorough review of roading levels of service, maintenance and costs over the next year rather than making a knee jerk reaction.

With submissions commenting on issues around maintenance of roads, particularly grading and potholes, councillors commented on the need to focus on the basics.

The roading rate was discussed at length, including the effect of the increase on lifestyle properties and the difference between models.

Cr Brian Dillon said Council and submitters are getting too hung up on individual properties.

"We have to take an overview - look at the big picture.

"I think we are walking down the right track. It's not perfect but nothing is."

No change was made to the model.

Councillors also agreed to fund health regulation as a uniform annual charge per dwelling across the district rather than a rate based on the land value of a property. The move was in response to calls to increase the proportion of rates collected this way. This will see around $12.66 added onto rates per dwelling and will be offset by a decrease in the rates collected by on land value.

While there was also some discussion about whether civil defence and rural fire should also be funded by uniform charge, Council left this unchanged in the plan.

Grants to Stadium Southland, the Warm Homes Trust and the Rugby World Cup were agreed on, as was continued funding for a biodiversity position.

Council has retained the proposal for a three-bin recycling service in the LTCCP, but this is subject to tendering, the final costs and a regional agreement.

Council Group Manager Services and Assets Cameron McIntosh said it is likely the proposal will come back to Council in November and at that time, Council will be able to make a decision about whether to proceed and in what format it might be.

Staff will now make the approved changes to the draft long term plan and it will be brought back to an extraordinary Council meeting on June 30 for final adoption.

Council defends response timeframes

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +1200

Southland District Council believes its resource management response timeframes have improved markedly from the Ministry for the Environment figures released recently. Finance Minister Bill English, who is also the MP for Clutha-Southland, has criticised the Southland Council for its 73^rd position in the MfE report. However, Council chief executive David Adamson said the data in the report is between 12 and 23 months old (from 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2008).

"We have been able to recruit staff with more experience and have implemented several measures in staff training to streamline consent processing and create efficiencies since this time.

"We have also dealt with the largest number of consents within this period of all southern councils excluding Queenstown Lakes (Southland processed 395 consents, Invercargill City 345, Clutha District 133, Gore 75). For Southland District, this was an increase of almost 100 percent from the previous year.

"I would rather Council took 2 days longer than the required 20 days and produced the right decision based on the right information than rubberstamp an inadequate application within the timeframe and it not be robust. If it's late it's late once, if it's wrong it's wrong forever. Council is, however, endeavouring to get it right and on time," Mr Adamson said today.

Council resource management manager Bruce Halligan said Council also queries the accuracy of the survey data as it appears several councils have been using Section 37 of the Resource Management Act, which allows councils to lengthen processing timeframes.

"Those councils who use section 37 and process a consent in 39 days will still be classed as within time, whereas those who don't use the section and process a consent in 21 days are over time.

"Southland District Council does not use this section. If we had, our ranking would have been different, but that would give a false impression of processing times."

Staff have raised this with MfE but have not received a response.

A resource management customer service survey has also been recently undertaken and this has shown a marked improvement in customer satisfaction since the previous one in 2007.

In 2009 71.3 percent of those surveyed were satisfied with resource management staff, compared to 59.6% in 2007. Overall satisfaction was up slightly to 58.8% from 55.1%, but dissatisfaction had decreased by nearly 10%, from 32.7% in 2007 to 23.5% in 2009.

Council also receives a lot of consent applications which have been filled out by individuals and often need more information and detail.

Mr Adamson said he would like Mr English to come south and talk to Council about the issue so he could understand it better.

"The two largest developments that have been built in Southland in the past five years - White Hill Windfarm and the Fonterra extension at Edendale - have both been within our District and in both cases, we have received praise from these applicants for our professionalism and processes."

Mr Halligan said he and his department are happy to be judged on their results, provided that everyone has the full picture and it is being judged on a level playing field with other councils in relation to processing time calculations.

"Timeliness is only one component of resource consent decision-making; and we consider getting adequate information from applicants with which to adequately assess a proposal and its impacts on the environment and our communities is very important.

"We also refer non-notified applications in our community board areas to the boards for input prior to approval , which many other councils don't do. This does lengthen the timeframe but it provides community input and makes for a more robust process.

"I think we enjoy a positive working relationship with our customers, particularly our regular clients who lodge multiple applications with us, and we value this relationship very highly. Our recent customer survey showed that 81% of our customers were happy with the service that they received from the resource management staff, which we think is a good result bearing in mind that with resource consent outcomes you can't necessarily please all the people all of the time." Mr Halligan said.

Council to apply for consent to clear vegetation

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +1200

Vegetation clearing on the Manapouri foreshore is on hold at the moment while the Southland District Council applies for resource consent.

Council area engineer Graham Jones said the clearing of vegetation carried out last month was as allowed for under the reserve management plan, which was adopted in 2003 after public consultation.

"Most people were very positive about the work done as it enables a view of Lake Manapouri. However, some negative feedback was also received and possible legal action signalled if the work continued," Mr Jones said.

A meeting held recently to discuss the clearing was helpful in establishing a better understanding. However, Council also received legal advice that a resource consent was needed to continue clearing indigenous vegetation.

Council resource management manager Bruce Halligan said Rule HER.3 in the District Plan governs indigenous vegetation modification throughout the district.

"The Resource Management Act requires Council to recognise and provide for the protection of significant indigenous vegetation and significant habitats of indigenous fauna. While this is primarily aimed at private land, it also applies to public land.

"If more work is carried out on the Manapouri Foreshore, Council could be seen to be in breach of its District Plan, which is obviously not acceptable."

Any further work would need a resource consent and an application for such would be publicly notified to allow all parties to make a submission in support or in opposition.

Mr Jones said some Manapouri people could be frustrated by this, but it is essential that Council ensures any future work is lawful and has followed the correct procedure. An application should be lodged within a month. Council is likely to hold the pre-hearing meeting and possibly also the formal hearing itself in Manapouri. Submitters who wish to be heard at the formal hearing will have the opportunity to speak to their submissions.

Resurfacing contract let

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +1200

Southland District Council has let its single biggest annual roading contract for the 2009/2010 year. Southland District Council asset manager roading Russell Hawkes said the tender from Fulton Hogan Ltd of $4,943,000 excluding GST was accepted by Council's activities performance audit committee.

The contract covers the 2009/10 resurfacing requirements for the three maintenance areas operated by Council. The three tenders closed on the same day with two of the tenderers providing Council with a single option alternative that would provide overall benefit to the Council.

Three tenders were received, with Fulton Hogan providing an alternative tender for all three areas. 145.1km of urban and rural roads will be resurfaced, ie, resealed and second coat sealed, under the contract, Mr Hawkes said.

"However, an additional 22.4km of road has been identified as being a priority for inclusion in this program, depending on the bitumen prices and the New Zealand dollar," he said.

The average cost per metre for this construction season based on the tender prices received will be $4.40 plus GST

"Fulton Hogan's track record of delivery gives us confidence that the solutions they come up with will provide good long term value for money and will be delivered," Mr Hawkes said.

Proposed plan changes to be notified

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +1200

Southland District Council will soon notify three proposed changes to the Te Anau section of the Southland District Plan. Resource management planner Luke McSoriley said the proposed changes follow on from the discussion document sent out to Te Anau ratepayers in June 2008.

"Council received 244 responses to the proposals in that document and the three proposed changes received a lot of support," Mr McSoriley said.

The first change seeks to expand the existing urban resource area of Te Anau to incorporate recently consented residential developments currently sitting outside the present urban resource area boundary. This will provide for future urban expansion near to the existing urban area.

The second proposed change seeks to expand the existing industrial resource area and relates to an area east of the existing area. If approved, this will provide additional scope for future industrial expansion and will include a recently consented industrial subdivision development.

The third proposal relates to the creation of a lakeside protection area and seeks to strengthen the height provisions in the current District Plan. Currently, the limit in the urban resource area is 12 metres, but resource consent can potentially be sought and obtained for buildings higher than that.

"The proposed change would prohibit any exceeding of the 12 metre maximum, thereby sending a strong message that the community wishes to see development maintained at a maximum height of 12 metres beside the lake," Mr McSoriley said.

Council staff have prepared three reports which consider the alternatives, benefits and costs of undertaking each of the proposed changes, which will be publicly notified next month. Once the proposed changes are publicly notified, any party is able to submit in relation to these changes and be heard by Council if they wish to do so.

The proposed changes have been approved by Council's resource management committee. The Te Anau Community Board had previously endorsed the proposals.

Southern Councils pleased with cycle trail announcement

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +1200

Prime Minister John Key's announcement today about seven "Quick Start" cycle trails is excellent news for Southland and Otago, southern council leaders say. The Mayors and Chair from the seven southern councils - Southland District, Queenstown-Lakes District, Central Otago District, Clutha District, Gore District, Invercargill City and Environment Southland - have worked together to promote the Around the Mountain Rail Trail and it is fantastic that the Prime Minister has included it in his "Quick Start" projects, Southland District Mayor Frana Cardno said.

In a speech to Local Government New Zealand today Mr Key said the Government had set aside $9 million from the $50 million New Zealand Cycleway Fund for projects earmarked for a "Quick Start."

Mr Key said that the first three large regional clusters were formed by 21 Mayors and Chairpersons in Northland, the Central and Eastern North Island, and the south of the South Island. These clusters, along with the Department of Conservation, have recommended a small number of projects they believe can be started this summer.

"This is a fantastic example of a cooperative approach that will be critical to the success of the Cycleway. The projects that have been selected for 'Quick Start' are: Waikato River Trail, Central North Island Rail Trail, Mount Ruapehu to Wanganui, St James Trail, Hokianga to Opua/Russell, Hauraki Plains Trail and Southland Around the Mountain Rail Trail.

"These are only the first set of projects for the New Zealand Cycleway. As the numbers of tracks grow, and cycle tourism increases, the numbers of jobs generated will increase," Mr Key said.

Mrs Cardno, Queenstown Lakes District Mayor Clive Geddes, Central Otago District Mayor Malcolm Macpherson, Gore District Mayor Tracy Hicks, Clutha District Mayor Juno Hayes, Invercargill City Mayor Tim Shadbolt and Environment Southland Chair Stuart Collie had written a joint letter to Mr Key to support the trail.

The letter said the councils see the cycle trail project as adding to the portfolio of complementary tourist attractions in the region, which provide visitors with a unique and high quality experience.

"It is clear to us that visitors will move across boundaries and value diversity, but will also want consistency in the standard and quality of what we offer. For those reasons, and because of the benefits of joint promotion, we believe that co-operation across all districts is an attractive option."

"The Otago Central Rail Trail is an excellent example of the broad economic, community development and job-creation benefits of cycling-related recreation investments. There are a number of additional cycle trails in development in this Southern region where similar successes can be replicated.

"We see this proposal as initially setting up a cycle trail which will form the backbone of a wider network of trails."

Mrs Cardno said it was also a great example of councils working together and would hopefully form the basis for doing more together as a group.

"It's a win-win situation for us all. The trail will be great for economic development throughout the region and will bring more tourists, who can visit the many attractions Southland and Otago are well-known for."

This trail would form the backbone from which future cycle trails could be developed, including from Lumsden to Invercargill/Bluff and from Lumsden to Gore/Catlins Coast.

Next steps in joint planning review process

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +1200

More than 220 people attended the nine Issues and Options held in Southland in June and July as part of the initial consultation stage of the Regional Policy Statement and Southland District Plan review.

Planners from the Southland District Council and Environment Southland have been working together to update the key documents, more than 10 years after they first came into force. The issues and options papers were the first round of pre-consultation.

Southland District resource planner Luke McSoriley said the feedback from the forums and the additional 57 comments that were received from individuals, key stakholders and other groups will now form part of an Issues and Options Community Debrief, which summarises key issues the community has raised.

"We are hoping to publicly release the Community Debrief during the week of 19 October 2009."

Environment Southland planner Walter Denley said the issues and options forums had given different communities, groups and individuals the chance to raise local issues that they wanted considered as part of the review.

Mr Denley stressed that people will have many more opportunities to be part of the review.

"This is just the start of the consultation process," he said.

The Councils agreed on the joint approach over a year ago because many of their issues are common to both regional and local planning. By working together, they are avoiding duplication and making it simpler for people to take part in the review of both the plans.

For more information please contact:

Walter Denley

Environment Southland

0800 76 88 45

OR:

Luke McSoriley

Southland District Council

0800 732 732

Preliminary work on cycle trail moves along

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +1200

Southlanders will soon find out more detail about the Around the Mountain cycle trail.

Venture Southland community development group manager Rex Capil said MWH is preparing an engineering feasibility and construction cost study on the trail and this will assist in determining the possible route for the trail. This study is funded by the Ministry of Tourism.

"Venture Southland, the Southland District Council, Environment Southland, Invercargill City Council and Queenstown Lakes District Council are at present working with the Ministry of Tourism on the development of this trail. The councils and Venture are also looking at a partnering trail from Lumsden to Bluff," Mr Capil said.

Once these details, the MWH report and a business case feasibility report are considered, meetings with the communities and businesses will be held to discuss the trail and possible input into its developments.

"There has been significant positive support from the Southland community for the trail and we are looking at ways that individuals and the community can help with the development of the trail, including employment opportunities and research into local historical sites," Mr Capil said.

"Sections of the proposed trail are already popular cycle tours, with about 1000 international visitors a year cycling from Walter Peak to Mavora Lakes and onwards. We are also aware that a number of cycle tourists ride from Kingston through to Te Anau or the Catlins.

"The quick start trail announced by the Prime Minister will hopefully build on this interest and provide a high quality experience for locals and tourists alike."

A final decision on the trail will be made once the Ministry of Tourism and the local authorities have finished investigating fully the merits and viability of it.

For more information please contact:

Rex Capil

Venture Southland

Ph: (03) 211 1406

Council urges decision on subsidy

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +1200

Southland District Council Mayor Frana Cardno is urging the Government to make a decision on the drinking water subsidy scheme and make it soon. The Government announced last week it was putting the subsidy scheme on hold again to enable a review aimed at ensuring best use of the money in the scheme, which aims to improve drinking water supplies in small communities of fewer than 5000 people.

"This delay is definitely an issue for Council as it causes problems for our programmed work," Mrs Cardno said.

However, the bigger concern is that if the Government changes the rules, like it did with the sewerage subsidy, some of Southland's communities will miss out on funding.

"That really worries me, particularly as any changes will disadvantage communities that may not be in the high deprivation areas, but are certainly suffering at this time," she said.

The drinking water subsidy scheme originally had $117.8 million in funding for 10 years from 1 July 2006. About $30 million of that had already been given out and applications for a further $27.5 million in subsidies have been received for the current round.

Included in that are applications from Southland District Council.

The townships that have currently been approved for Stage 1 subsidy upgrades are:

Edendale
Wyndham
Riverton
Tuatapere
Ohai-Nightcaps-Wairio
Lumsden-Balfour

Most of these townships will be two stage applications and Council are concerned that the second stage may not get approved if the Ministry change the criteria to qualify for subsidy monies.

The cost of improvements which would be applied for in the second stage applications range from $100,000 to $600,000 for each of these communities.

Other townships that would be affected by changes to the subsidy rules are:

Otautau
Winton
Te Anau
Manapouri
Mossburn

The cost of improvements for these townships would be in the range of $250,000 to $1,000,000. These applications are in the initial stages of being compiled except for Otautau, which was to be lodged this month.

The Government is saying the review should be completed early next year and the programme is then expected to reopen with new critieria.

Feedback sought on Curio Bay draft plan

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +1300

Public comment is sought on the Curio Bay Recreation Reserve Draft Management Plan, which has just been released by the Southland District Council. Council reserves officer Leighton Hare said the plan is open for consultation for six weeks from 1 October. Copies of the plan are available for perusal at the Council area offices in Invercargill, Riverton, Otautau, Te Anau, Stewart Island, Lumsden and Wyndham. A PDF copy is also available on the Council website www.southlanddc.govt.nz

"The aim of the plan is to ensure the reserve is managed well and to set guidelines for its future use and development," Mr Hare said.

"It's important we hear from the general public about the reserve as it is becoming a very popular area," he said.

The Curio Bay Recreation Reserve is located between Haldane and Waikawa, about 88km east of Invercargill. It is on the south head of Porpoise Bay and adjoins the Curio Bay Scientific Reserve, which contains the petrified forest remains. This reserve is managed by the Department of Conservation.

Rock quarry granted consent

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +1300

The Southland District Council has granted resource consent for a rock quarry in the Mataura Island area, after a hearing was held on 11 September. Idesia Investments Limited has been granted resource consent to take a maximum of 1,900,000 cubic metres of rock from a site at 47 Mataura Island-Fortrose Road, Mataura Island, with the consent having a maximum timeframe of 25 years, Council resource management manager Bruce Halligan said.

The resource consent application was publicly notified, with a number of submissions being received, both in support and opposition. Key concerns expressed in submissions related to noise management issues, visual effects, management of heavy vehicle movements and the extent of monitoring which would occur.

The resource management committee closely considered the issues raised by submitters and its decision, Council has granted the consent subject to an extensive suite of 25 conditions. These include conditions to specify maximum numbers of heavy vehicle movements, maximum noise levels, maximum hours of operation, a minimum buffer from a nearby watercourse, requirements for landscaping and reinstatement, and ongoing monitoring.

There is a right of appeal to the Environment Court on this decision for the applicant and submitters, for a period of 15 working days from their receipt of the decision.

Proposed plan changes notified

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +1300

Two question and answer sessions on four proposed plan changes to the Southland District Plan, relating to the Te Anau area, will be held in Te Anau in November. The proposed plan changes are being formally notified tomorrow (Saturday 17 October) by the Southland District Council.

Council resource management planner Luke McSoriley said the two sessions in Te Anau are to enable people to have any of their questions answered by Council staff.

The first session will be on Tuesday 3 November, from 4pm to 9pm, and the second the next day, Wednesday 4 November, from 10am to 1pm.

Mr McSoriley said three of these proposed changes are Council-initiated. The fourth proposed change has been initiated by private landowners who own land on the south-eastern periphery of Te Anau, which they are seeking to have rezoned under the District Plan.

The proposed changes follow on from the discussion document sent out to Te Anau ratepayers in June 2008, and previous public meetings held in Te Anau.

"Council received 244 responses to the proposals in that document and the three Council-proposed changes received a lot of support," Mr McSoriley said.

The first change seeks to expand the existing Urban Resource Area of Te Anau to incorporate recently consented residential developments currently sitting outside the present Urban Resource Area boundary. This will provide for future expansion near to the existing area.

The second proposed change seeks to expand the existing Industrial Resource Area and relates to an area east of the existing Industrial Resource Area. If approved, this will provide additional scope for future industrial expansion and will include a recently consented industrial subdivision/ development.

The third proposal relates to the creation of a proposed Lakeside Protection Area, which seeks to strengthen the height provisions in the current District Plan in relation to land close to the Lake Te Anau foreshore. Currently, the maximum height limit in the Urban Resource Area is 12 metres, but resource consent can potentially be sought and obtained for buildings higher than that.

"The proposed change would prohibit buildings and structures in excess of the 12 metre maximum, thereby sending a strong message that the community wishes to see development maintained at a maximum height of 12 metres beside the lake," Mr McSoriley said.

Council staff have prepared three reports which consider the alternatives, benefits and costs of undertaking each of the proposed Council-initiated plan changes, which are available on the Council's website and at the Council's Te Anau Area Office, 116 Town Centre Te Anau.

The private plan change seeks to rezone 120 hectares of land owned by T E and A Buchanan from its current zoning of Plains Rural Resource Area to Te Anau Residential B Resource Area, with two associated Scenic Protection Zones (the portions of the property closest to State Highway 94) to facilitate future residential development in this locality. The documentation related to this private Plan Change proposal is also available on the Council's website

The proposed changes have been approved for notification by Council's Resource Management Committee. They are available by clicking here.

Any party is able to submit in relation to these changes and be heard by Council if they wish to do so. Submissions close on 23 November .

English visits south

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +1300

Acting Prime Minister Bill English is to investigate Southland's roading issues after a meeting with representatives from Southland District Council and Federated Farmers yesterday. Mr English said he was happy to take up the issues raised with the New Zealand Transport Agency.

Mrs Cardno said the meeting was very helpful as both she and the Federated Farmers representatives were able to put their views and information across.

Federated Farmers spokesman Doug Fraser emphasised the importance of the rural road network to the New Zealand economy.

"Any shortfall in funding would have to be met by Southland ratepayers, particularly the farming community who pay 70% of the District Council's roading rate," Mr Fraser said.

Council has major concerns about the constrained funding from NZTA for its roading budget and has raised these at national level with Transport Minister Steven Joyce.

Of particular concern are the constrained funding for the reseal programme and the reductions to unsealed road maintenance and snow clearing.

"Mr English is our MP as well as being Finance Minister and so it is important he is fully aware of the issues we are facing here in the south.

"We are struggling to maintain our roads now and the constrained funding is going to hurt us and the Southland economy," Mrs Cardno said.

"We really appreciate the fact that Mr English took the time to come to Council and talk to us," Federated Farmers Southland provincial president Rod Pemberton said.

The group asked Mr English for help in finding solutions that could meet the needs of both parties.

Unqualified Annual Report adopted

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +1300

Southland District Council has received an unqualified Audit report to its 2008-2009 Annual Report which was adopted at a meeting yesterday. Southland District Mayor Frana Cardno said she was proud to receive an unqualified audit report.

"It shows Council is on track and the people of Southland can have confidence in us," Mrs Cardno said.

Council chief executive David Adamson said the past year had been challenging with changes at both national and international level.

However, Council had continued to work towards making Southland a great place to live, with work completed on several local township projects, some of which are significant for the communities.

"Managing the District's roads continues to be a test, as it is our main area of focus and spending," Mr Adamson said.

"During the year, Council resealed more than 116km and rehabilitated 18km on our roads. A new route for Papatotara Coast Road was developed inland and a number of roads were resealed on Stewart Island.

"Together with maintenance activities, Council's overall expenditure on roading was $26.6 million compared to the budget of $23.9 million," he said.

Unfortunately, the New Zealand Transport Agency's cuts to funding have extenuated the problems and this is a major issue for Council.

Satisfaction with the performance of Council and its activities remains high and improvements in satisfaction in dog control, location of refuse stations and recycling centres, community development and the level of consultation are pleasing.

Council returned a net surplus of $4.6 million, less than the budgeted $14.4 million. This was because of a reduction in asset development revenue of $6 million, principally due to the timing of a number of water and wastewater projects. Other revenue was lower by $2.3 million, with the key reason being the old Waiau Airport had not yet been sold. There was also increased operational expenditure.

Regional CD organisation step closer

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +1300

Southland's four councils are one step closer to one shared Civil Defence organisation for the region after agreement this week by Southland's political leaders, Invercargill Mayor and Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Chairman Tim Shadbolt said today. In a joint statement, the political leaders of the region's four councils explained the merits of the proposal. Mr Shadbolt said one shared Civil Defence organisation would lead to greater efficiencies, better use of resources and more services than are currently provided by the four councils acting individually.

Invercargill City Council, Gore District Council, Southland District Council and Environment Southland, in June this year, jointly commissioned a Civil Defence Review as part of the combined council group that looks at sharing services between councils.

The review, conducted by strategic consultant Janette Malcolm, concluded that one shared Civil Defence organisation should be formed. The organisation will be located at Environment Southland and will be jointly controlled by all four participating councils.

Mr Shadbolt said one shared Civil Defence organisation would benefit the province in the following ways:

Civil Defence would be better able to cope in an emergency;
The ability to have an integrated plan for the region.
Increased backup for key roles;
Higher specialisation of staff;
Less duplication of resources;
Improved financial accountability; and
Increased transparency and performance accountability.

"The proposal will go to all four councils for their individual approval before Christmas and it is hoped that the new organisation will be up and running before 1 April 2010," Mr Shadbolt said.

Southland District Mayor Frana Cardno said: "I am delighted - Southland councils have proven again how we can work together and achieve the best result for Southlanders, as well as lead the way for the rest of New Zealand."

Environment Southland Chairman Stuart Collie said the restructured joint Civil Defence organisation was the only logical way to proceed. "Emergency management has to be done on a region-wide basis to be able to provide the level of coordination necessary to mount an effective response."

Gore Mayor Tracy Hicks said: "It is a concept that makes sense. The time is right and it is good to see the Southland authorities working together."

New Papatotara Coast Road opened

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +1300

Goodwill and cooperation have been the base for the new Papatotara Coast Road, which was opened on Saturday by Deputy Prime Minister Bill English. Southland District Council Mayor Frana Cardno, who spoke on behalf of Council at the opening, said the entire project of relocating the road after storm damage would not have been possible without the cooperation of landowners, contractors, the New Zealand Transport Agency and Council.

Council chief executive David Adamson said the old road which ran along the coast was damaged by a storm in July/August 2007, with an estimate of $350,000 to fix. Consents were applied for, but before the work could begin, another storm in July 2008 caused significant additional damage to the road.

"The revised estimate for repair was $1,300,000 and the repaired road would still have been at risk from storm damage so Council decided to look at other options, including relocating the road using both existing land reserved for road and also across private property.

"The road needed to be fixed as it was access to the Hump Ridge Track and for farmers. It also provides access for any further development."

The option chosen utilised an existing track across land owned by Glenn and Tracy Thomas and land administered by Rowallan Alton Incorporation and cost about $950,000.

Council negotiated with the landowners and obtained consents and because of the goodwill of all parties, this process took only three months.

SouthRoads started work on the 5km of new road in mid November and access would have been available by Christmas if it wasn't for very wet weather in December. The road was open by the end of January and on budget despite the conditions on site being worse than anticipated, he said.

The work was done in three stages, with the first clearing the path through the bush and scrub. Stage two involved excavating drainage along the full length of the project, building up the road with bulk fill and then sub-base material. After about 70 percent of the sub-base was placed, the road was opened to traffic to allow it to settle and for soft areas to be identified. After three months, stage three saw the rest of the sub-base going on, particularly in the weak areas, and then a finishing layer was added.

"The road is appropriate for its use and the cooperation between all parties allowed us to do something innovative and quickly. As Mr English said at the opening, if this was happening anywhere apart from Southland, it would probably have taken much longer," Mr Adamson said.