whangarei disitrict council agenda 22 may 2013 · 2013-05-22 · whangarei district council 22 may...

Whangarei District Council

Notice of Meeting A meeting of the Whangarei District Council will be held in the Council Chamber, Forum North, Whangarei on:

Wednesday

22 May 2013 10.00 am

Committee His Worship the Mayor (Chairperson)

Cr C B Christie Cr S J Deeming Cr A J Edwards

Cr S M Glen Cr P R Halse

Cr J S Jongejans Cr G M Martin

Cr B L McLachlan Cr S L Morgan

Cr K J Sutherland Cr W L Syers

Cr M R Williams Cr J D T Williamson

Whangarei District Council CONFIDENTIAL – not for publication

Notice of Meeting A meeting of the Whangarei District Council will be held in the Council Chamber, Forum North, Whangarei on:

Wednesday

22 May 2013 10.00 am

Committee His Worship the Mayor (Chairperson)

Cr C B Christie Cr S J Deeming Cr A J Edwards

Cr S M Glen Cr P R Halse

Cr J S Jongejans Cr G M Martin

Cr B L McLachlan Cr S L Morgan

Cr K J Sutherland Cr W L Syers

Cr M R Williams Cr J D T Williamson

OPEN MEETING APOLOGIES CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Members are reminded to indicate any items in which they might have a conflict of interest.

INDEX Item No Page No 1. Public Forum ............................................................................................................................. 1 2. Minutes of a Meeting of the Whangarei District Council held 24 April 2013 ............................. 2

3. Minutes of the 20/20 Inner City (City Centre/Urban Design) Subcommittee

meeting held 8 May 2013 ......................................................................................................... 5 4. Police Report ............................................................................................................................. 8 5.. Northland Athletics and Gymnastics Stadium Trust – Report on

Financial Position ...................................................................................................................... 9 6. Review of Reserve Management Plan for William Fraser Memorial

Park on Pohe Island ................................................................................................................ 11 7. Youth Space ............................................................................................................................ 51

CONFIDENTIAL INDEX Item No Page No C.1 Confidential Minutes of a Meeting of the Whangarei District Council held 24 April 2013 ............................................................................................................................. 1 C.2 Property Transaction ................................................................................................................. 3

Recommendations contained in the Council agenda are NOT Council decisions.

Please refer to Council minutes for resolutions

Local Government Act 2002 Amendment Act 2012

Full consideration has been given to the provisions of the Local Government Act 2002 Amendment Act 2012 in relation to decision making and in particular the current and future needs of communities for good quality local infrastructure, local public services and performance of regulatory functions in a way that is most cost effective for households and businesses. Consideration has also been given to social, economic and cultural interests and the need to maintain and enhance the quality of the environment in taking a sustainable development approach.

Whangarei District Council 22 May 2013

1. Public Forum

Reporting officer C Brindle (Senior Meeting Co ordinator)

Date of meeting 22 May 2013

Vision, mission and values

This item is in accord with Council’s vision, mission and values statement.

Public Forum

Appendix F in Standing Orders allows for a period of up to 15 minutes to be set aside for a public forum at the commencement of each monthly council meeting.

The time allowed for each speaker is 3 minutes.

Members of the public who wish to participate should send a written application setting out the subject matter and the names of the speakers to the Chief Executive Officer at least 5 working days before the day of the meeting.

Speakers

There were no applications received for today’s Public Forum (at the time the agenda closed).

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2. Minutes: Whangarei District Council Wednesday, 24 April 2013

Minutes of a meeting of the Whangarei District Council held in the Council Chamber, Forum North on Wednesday 24 April 2013 at 10.00am

Present: His Worship the Mayor M C A Cutforth (Chairperson) Crs C B Christie, S J Deeming, A J Edwards, S M Glen, G M Martin, B L McLachlan, S L Morgan, K J Sutherland, W L Syers, M R Williams and J D T Williamson Apologies: Crs P R Halse and J S Jongejans Moved: Cr Martin Seconded: Cr Morgan “That the apologies be sustained.”

CARRIED

Also present: Area Commander Inspector Tracy Phillips (New Zealand Police) In Attendance: Group Manager Support Services (A Adcock), Group Manager District Living (P Dell), Group Manager Infrastructure and Services (S Weston), Legal Counsel (K Candy), District Promotions and Tourism Manager (T McInnes), Property Manager (M Hibbert), Regulatory Services Manager (G Couchman), Community Safety Officer (D Palmer), Casual Communications Adviser (S Halliwell), Personal Assistant (J Walters), Councillor Support (J Crocombe) and Senior Meeting Co-ordinator (C Brindle) In recognition of the forthcoming Anzac Day His Worship the Mayor provided the story of how the red field poppy came to be known as the internationally recognised symbol of Remembrance and then read the poem ‘In Flanders Fields’ written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, M.D. Canadian Army. 1. Public Forum

There were no speakers at today’s public forum. 2. Confirmation of Minutes of a Meeting of the Whangarei District Council held on

27 March 2013

Moved: Cr McLachlan Seconded: Cr Morgan

“That the minutes of the meeting of the Whangarei District Council held on Wednesday 27 March 2013, including the confidential section, having been circulated, be taken as read and now confirmed and adopted as a true and correct record of proceedings of that meeting.”

CARRIED

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3. Confirmation of Minutes of an Extraordinary Meeting of the Whangarei District Council held on 21 March 2013

Moved: Cr Martin Seconded: Cr Syers

“That the minutes of the meeting of the Whangarei District Council held on Thursday 21 March 2013, having been circulated, be taken as read and now confirmed and adopted as a true and correct record of proceedings of that meeting.”

CARRIED

4. Confirmation of Minutes of an Extraordinary Meeting of the Whangarei District Council held on 11 April 2013

Moved: Cr Syers Seconded: Cr Morgan

“That the minutes of the meeting of the Whangarei District Council held on Thursday 11 April 2013 having been circulated, be taken as read and now confirmed and adopted as a true and correct record of proceedings of that meeting.”

CARRIED

5. Police Report Area Commander Inspector Tracy Phillips spoke to the report and answered questions from Councillors. Moved: Cr Glen Seconded: Cr Edwards “That the information be received.”

CARRIED

6. Review and Adoption of the Board Venue Policy Moved: Cr Deeming Seconded: Cr Williams “That council adopt the Whangarei District Council Board Venue Policy, in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Act 2002.”

CARRIED Cr Christie withdrew from discussions and voting on Item 6.

7. Review and Adoption of the Class 4 Gambling Venue Policy Moved: Cr Williams Seconded: Cr Williamson “That council adopt the Whangarei District Class 4 Gambling Venue Policy in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Act 2002.”

CARRIED Crs Christie and Morgan withdrew from discussions and voting on Item 7.

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8. Northland Cricket Association Moved: Cr Deeming Seconded: Cr Williamson “1. That the information be received. 2. That Council supports the formation a Cobham Oval Trust to be assigned the lease of Cobham

Oval facilities currently held by Northland Cricket. 3. That Group Manager Support Services Alan Adcock be Council’s appointee to the Trust.”

CARRIED Group Manager P Dell took the place of Acting Chief Executive Alan Adcock for this item. Alan Adcock provided clarification on questions raised when invited to do so by the Chair.

Exclusion of the public

Moved: Cr Edwards Seconded: Cr Morgan “That the public be excluded from the following parts of proceedings of this meeting on the following grounds: Item C.1 Confidential Minutes of the Whangarei District Council meeting held on

27 March 2013 Item C.2 Property Transaction Reasons To enable the council to carry on without prejudice or disadvantage

negotiations Grounds Section 7(2)(i).”

CARRIED The meeting closed at 11.12am

Confirmed this 22nd day of May 2013 M C A Cutforth (Chairperson)

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3. Minutes: 20/20 Inner City Development (City Centre/Urban Design) Subcommittee Wednesday 8 May 2013

Minutes of a meeting of the20/20 Inner City Development (City Centre/Urban Design) Subcommittee held in the Council Chamber Forum North on Wednesday 8 May 2013 at 11.00am

Present: Cr P R Halse (Chairperson) His Worship the Mayor M C A Cutforth, Crs S J Deeming, A J Edwards, G M Martin, K J Sutherland and M R Williams Also present: Crs C B Christie, S M Glen, J S Jongejans, B L McLachlan, S L Morgan, W L Syers and J D T Williamson In Attendance: Chief Executive Officer (M P Simpson), Group Manager Environment (P Dell), Group Manager Positive Growth (J Thompson), Community Services Manager (O Thomas), Economic Development Manager (P Gleeson), Policy and Monitoring Manager (P Waanders), Resource Consents Manager (A Hartstone), Teal Leader Futures Planning (K Grundy), Senior Specialist (Policy) (H McNeal), Senior Specialist Urban Design (N Karlovsky), Senior Specialist Policy (D Coleman), Senior Communications Adviser (R Pascoe), Media Relations Adviser (A Midson), Casual Communications Manager (S Halliwell), Environmental Trends Analyst (S Seutter), Councillors Support (J Crocombe) and Senior Meeting Co-ordinator (C Brindle) Procedural motion Moved: Cr Halse Seconded: Cr Edwards “That the meeting be adjourned and be reconvened at 11.15am today (Wednesday 8 May) at 11.15am.”

CARRIED The meeting adjourned at 11.01am on Wednesday 8 May and reconvened in the Council Chambers at 11.15am on the same day. Minutes of the reconvened meeting of the20/20 Inner City Development (City Centre/Urban Design) Subcommittee held in the Council Chamber Forum North on Wednesday 8 May Deeming2013 at 11.15am

Present: Cr P R Halse (Chairperson) His Worship the Mayor M C A Cutforth, Crs S J Deeming, A J Edwards, G M Martin, K J Sutherland and M R Williams Also present: Crs C B Christie, S M Glen, J S Jongejans, S L Morgan, W L Syers and J D T Williamson Absent: Cr B L McLachlan (absent on Council business) In Attendance:

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Chief Executive Officer (M P Simpson), Group Manager Environment (P Dell), Group Manager Positive Growth (J Thompson), Economic Development Manager (P Gleeson), Policy and Monitoring Manager (P Waanders), Teal Leader Futures Planning (K Grundy), Senior Specialist Urban Design (N Karlovsky), Senior Landscape Architect (B Gilmour), Senior Roading Engineer (G Monteith), Media Relations Adviser (A Midson), Casual Communications Manager (S Halliwell), Property Officer (J Calder)Councillors Support (J Crocombe) and Senior Meeting Co-ordinator (C Brindle)

1. Minutes of the 20/20 Inner city Development (City Centre/Urban Design) Subcommittee meeting held 14 March 2013

Moved Cr Deeming Seconded Cr Edwards “That the information be received.”

CARRIED

2. Whangarei 20/20 InnerCity Report

Moved Cr Edwards Seconded Cr Deeming “That the information be received.”

CARRIED

3. Carpark to Park Public Engagement Feedback

Moved Cr Edwards Seconded Cr Williams “That Council’s Urban Designer and Landscape Architects, develop a revised concept scheme embodying a combination of:

stage and viewing terraces/great lawn area a spray park/water feature zone with a broad appeal in terms of target age groups, that would

also serve as a dry courtyard zone in cooler seasons

shade from both shade cloth and trees terraces stepping down into the water at the river edge.

As per the original three concepts, the revised concept will continue to feature:

service truck access to the commercial fishing boats

on site car parking

vehicle access up to, and temporary parking in front of, the Victoria Canopy

a pedestrian spine linking the Victoria Canopy and the main pedestrian crossing across Dent Street

a pedestrian cycle promenade parallel to the river edge, and a public toilet / utility building in close proximity to the Victoria Canopy.”

CARRIED

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4. CBD Stage 1 (Laneway) Presentation

Moved Cr Halse Seconded Cr Martin “1. That the report be received. 2. That the design protocols be approved. 3. That tenders be called when funds become available after reference to full council.”

CARRIED

The meeting closed at 12.30pm

Confirmed this 22nd day of May 2013

P R Halse (Chairperson)

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4. Police Report

Reporting officer C Brindle (Senior Meeting Coordinator)



This item is in accord with Council’s vision, mission and values statement.

The attached report has been received from Tracy Phillips Area Commander for Whangarei/Kaipara.

Recommendation

That the information be received.

Attachment

Police Report

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Whangärei / Kaipara Area

Council Report Submitted 10 May 2013 District Headquarters has made recommendations on new appointments to the rank of Senior Sergeant which includes a new Victim coordinator, Maria Nordstrom, who is currently working as a Sergeant at Dargaville. Maria has been working in Dargaville as a Sergeant and has a genuine interest in finding workable solutions and a prevention focus. Maria's position has been advertised and recommendation made which will see Mia Wilton welcomed to the area as soon as the process is complete and Masterton Police release her. Mia has a background in policing in Whanganui, Taumarunui and Carterton. She has a passion for rural policing and will be moving up with her family. Crime Burglaries and violence are spiking at present and we are working hard with partners and the public to ensure that the community is kept safe. Relieving Community Safety Officer James McCullough has been working hard to get Neighbourhood Support systems functioning better. He has also done some good work with partners recently working on the thefts from cars at Abbey Caves. We have had cluster of thefts from cars since the City Safe programme ended which really reinforces the value of such programmes. We currently have a lot of change coming which includes the introduction of the Crime Reporting Line (CRL) where non emergency crimes can be reported and entered by telephone. The reported matters will be scanned and prioritised by the investigative support unit who can collate and conduct some enquiries by phone before sending out files for follow up. This system should streamline procedures and free up our staff to do more prevention work. Road Policing We are increasing our focus on *555 calls and reviewing deployment of Road Policing Staff to try and beat demand. There is an expectation that our staff interacts positively with motorists and breath test every driver. We continue our focus around pedestrian crossings and driver behaviour especially around schools to keep our children safe. Inspector Tracy Phillips Area Commander Whangärei Kaipara

Whangärei /Kaipara

Area

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5. Northland Athletics and Gymnastics Stadium Trust - Report on Financial Position

Reporting officers Paul Dell (Group Manager District Living ) Simon Weston (Group Manager Infrastructure and Services)



This item is in accord with Council’s vision, mission and values statement as encouraging community partners to provide opportunities for residents to be active helps with creating healthy communities. The purchase of land and reorganisation of the park shows visionary leadership. Dedicated gymnastic and athletic facilities are recreational infrastructure which creates a more enviable place to live, visit, work and play.

Introduction – ASB Sports Arena Council has expanded Kensington Park through the purchase of properties, realignment of the fields and realignment of Park Avenue to provide for the All Weather Athletics Track and the newly completed ASB Sports Arena. The Northland Athletics and Gymnastics Stadium Trust (NAGST) has completed the ASB Sports Arena on Park Avenue which incorporates seating overlooking the new all weather track, and a purpose built gymnasium for the Academy of Gymnastics (WAGS), along with changing rooms, administration rooms, club facilities and carpark for use by both codes.

With completion of the Arena at a cost of $3,520,000 the Trust has a minor shortfall, having regards to its other funding sources of $25,000. Separate to this amount is a further $80,000 for the resource consents that were required for the facility and that council has been holding.

In discussions with Sport Northland representatives on behalf of the Trust, they have indicated a willingness to have the cost of the resource consent and additional shortfall repaid as a loan from Council on the normal terms of zero interest over 8 years. On this basis staff would recommend that Council advance the further $25,000 to the Trust.

Park Avenue Carpark The new Park Avenue Carpark (242 carparks), whilst a requirement of the Sports Arena development, is not within the lease held by NAGST as the carpark was always seen as being a District wide asset. The carpark is used by those involved in the various codes that use Kensington Park and the hockey facilities including athletics and gymnastics.

Due to poor ground conditions the stormwater soakage design for the carpark has required significant additional earthworks to ensure the rain garden / soakage system would operate effectively. The problems with the ground conditions did not become clear until late in the combined project, by which time the road had been realigned and the stadium well advanced.

The finalised additional costs to address the soakage issues have been identified at $454,311. While NAGST, through their Project Managers had been co-ordinating both the stadium and carpark, as the carpark is a Council District wide asset it is not considered realistic for NAGST to secure any external funding to cover the shortfall. As a Council asset the additional costs should be funded by Council.

Summary Whangarei District Council has gained another stunning facility for use by the community. Since completion, numbers using both the athletic track and gymnasium have significantly increased. While the stadium was completed close to budget the carpark which is a District wide asset has experienced cost overruns due to poor ground conditions impacting the soakage design. It is recommended that Council advance a further $25,000 to NAGST as a loan including the resource consent costs of $80,000.

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For the carpark it is considered that as a Council asset the additional costs of $454,311 be paid by Council and that the Chief Executive Officer be authorised to discuss payment terms with the contractor.

Recommendation 1. That the report be received.

2. That council advance an additional $25,000 to Northland Athletics and Gymnasium Stadium Trust and this along with the $80,000 for the resource consents is secured as an eight year zero interest loan.

3. That the Chief Executive Officer be authorised to negotiate payment terms for the additional carpark costs of $454,311 with the contractor.

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6. Review of Reserve Management Plan for William Fraser Memorial Park on Pohe Island

Reporting officer Robin Rawson (Group Planner, Infrastructure & Services)



The comprehensive public review of issues affecting the management of William Fraser Memorial Park on Pohe Island will help Council to manage the reserve in a strategic manner that better achieves Council’s mission to create the ultimate living environment.

1.0 Background

Council approved a review of the Reserve Management Plan for William Fraser Memorial Park on Pohe Island at its meeting held 27 February 2013. The review was instigated largely by an expression of interest from the amalgamated Old Boys and Marist Rugby Clubs to relocate to Pohe Island and construct a clubroom that was not consistent in size or location with the existing Reserve Management Plan. Other proposed changes to the management of the reserve include a proposal for the development of a Sportsville for cycling.

A public notice advising of the review was published on 5 March 2013, and information was sent to reserve stakeholders including clubs and submitters to the 2010 Reserve Management Plan revision.

The first submission period finished on 8 April and a total of 73 submissions were received. Two submissions from existing clubs were received after this date. The first stage of submissions for a Reserve Management Plan has less formal requirements, and these submissions have both been accepted.

A summary of submissions and an issues summary are included in the appendix.

2.0 Amendments to the reserve management plan

A Draft Reserve Management Plan is included as an appendix to this report.

Proposed changes to the Reserve Management Plan include the following:

Updating the Reserve Management Plan, including updated references to the lower harbour crossing and club information, and removal of information not relevant to the current draft.

Provision for a rugby facility within the Active Formal Recreation Area.

Strengthened provisions for use of the former recycling facility by cycle groups.

The vision and objectives remain unchanged except for the removal of an objective related to construction of lower harbour crossing that is now redundant.

The shape of the Active Formal Recreation has been amended but is unchanged in area.

3.0 Draft Reserve Management Plan Process

The Draft Reserve Management Plan for William Fraser Memorial Park has been prepared in accordance with Section 41 of the Reserves Act 1977. Subject to approval of this Agenda item, the following table outlines the expected timeline for this project:

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Task Date

Publish Public Notice 28/05/2013

Public Submissions on Draft Plan 2 months to 29/07/2013

Public Info Session on Draft Plan Date to be decided

Hui or similar on Draft Plan Date to be decided

Council hearing End of August

Council meeting to approve 25/09/2013 Final Plan available and mailed out to public

9/10/2013

Dates subject to approval of the draft reserve management plan for consultation

Recommendation

1. That the information be received.

2. That the Draft Reserve Management Plan for William Fraser Memorial Park on Pohe Island 2013 be approved by Council for advertising and public release for submission in accordance with Section 41(6) of the Reserves Act 1977.

Attachments

1. Draft Reserve Management Plan for William Fraser Memorial Park on Pohe Island 2013

2. Summary of individual submissions

3. Pohe Stage 1 submissions issues.

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William Fraser Memorial Park on Pohe Island

Reserve Management Plan - 2013

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William Fraser Memorial Park on Pohe Island Draft Reserve Management Plan - 2013

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Acknowledgements

Whangarei District Council (Council) wishes to thank those people who have contributed their ideas in the preparation of this management plan.

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Table of Contents Section 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 4

1.1 Purpose of this Management Plan ...................................................................................................... 4 1.2 Plan Implementation and Review ........................................................................................................ 4

Section 2 The Reserve ................................................................................................................................ 5 2.1 Location and General Description ....................................................................................................... 5 2.2 History of the Site ................................................................................................................................ 6 2.3 Existing Uses and Activities .............................................................................................................. 10 2.4 Future Uses and Activities ................................................................................................................ 13

Section 3 Vision and Objectives .............................................................................................................. 14 3.1 Vision ................................................................................................................................................. 14 3.2 Objectives .......................................................................................................................................... 14 3.3 Concept Plan ..................................................................................................................................... 14

Section 4 Landfill Rehabilitation ............................................................................................................. 17 4.1 Background ....................................................................................................................................... 17 4.2 Pohe Island Landfill - Post Closure Plan ........................................................................................... 17 4.3 Monitoring .......................................................................................................................................... 17 4.5 Objective – Landfill Rehabilitation ..................................................................................................... 20 4.6 Policies and Actions .......................................................................................................................... 20

Section 5 Recreation Access, Use and Activities .................................................................................. 21 5.1 General .............................................................................................................................................. 22 5.2 Access Links to William Fraser Memorial Park on Pohe Island ........................................................ 22 5.3 Internal Access and Parking ............................................................................................................. 22 5.4 Land-based Recreation ..................................................................................................................... 23 5.5 Water-based Recreation ................................................................................................................... 24 5.6 Commercial Activities ........................................................................................................................ 25 5.7 Community Activities Buildings ......................................................................................................... 26 5.8 Objective – Recreation Access and Use ........................................................................................... 26 5.9 Policies and Actions .......................................................................................................................... 26

Section 6 Landscape Enhancement ........................................................................................................ 30 6.1 General .............................................................................................................................................. 30 6.2 Objective – Landscape Enhancement .............................................................................................. 31 6.3 Policies and Actions .......................................................................................................................... 31

Section 7 Protection of William Fraser Memorial Park on Pohe Island’s Future Interests ............... 32 7.1 Statutory Provisions .......................................................................................................................... 32 7.2 Future Growth Potential .................................................................................................................... 32 7.3 Development of the Bell Block .......................................................................................................... 32 7.4 Objectives – Protection of William Fraser Memorial Park on Pohe Island’s Future Interests ........... 32 7.5 Policies and Actions .......................................................................................................................... 32

Appendix 1 Land Parcels Comprising Pohe Island ............................................................................... 33

Table of Figures Figure 1 Sketch Plan of ‘Pohe’s Island’ - 1907 ........................................................................................... 6 Figure 2 Pohe Island – Existing Features ................................................................................................. 12 Figure 3 Pohe Island – Concept Plan ........................................................................................................ 16

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Section 1 Introduction 1.1 Purpose of this Management Plan The William Fraser Memorial Park on Pohe Island Reserve Management Plan contains specific provisions for the future management and development of Pohe Island as a recreation reserve.

The management plan has been prepared in accordance with Section 41 of the Reserves Act 1977. Section 41(3) of the Act sets out the purpose of a reserve management plan, which is to:

‘provide for and ensure the use, enjoyment, maintenance, protection, and preservation…and…development, as appropriate, of the reserve for the purposes for which it is classified.’

Relevant statutory obligations, bylaws and approvals of the Government, Northland Regional Council (NRC) and Council will be complied with in the implementation of this plan. They include the following provisions. Reserves Act 1977 Local Government Act 2002

Long Term Council Community Plan Resource Management Act 1991 Regional Policy Statement for Northland

Northland Regional Plans Whangarei District Plan Whangarei Urban Growth Strategy

Whangarei Coastal Management Strategy Council Open Space Strategy Walking and Cycling Strategy for Whangarei District 2012 Whangarei District Public Places Bylaw Whangarei District Dog Management Policy and associated Dog Management Bylaw.

1.2 Plan Implementation and Review The management plan has a proposed ten-year life. At the end of that period the effectiveness of the plan will be reviewed by Council.

The vision and its associated objectives for Pohe Island, as set out in this plan, are long term and are intended to go beyond the 10 year timeframe of this particular plan. Community support and commitment in achieving the vision and in implementing the policies and actions in the plan will be encouraged.

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Section 2 The Reserve

Skate park user in flight Photo source: Council Parks (2005)

2.1 Location and General Description Pohe Island lies adjacent to the mouth of the Hatea River and Whangarei Harbour; Whangarei Terenga Paraoa (Figure 2). The Harbour has been recognised as a nationally significant Wildlife Refuge and is an important cultural taonga for local Māori.

Across the Hatea River to the northwest are Council’s Hihiaua Reserve, the Town Basin and Central Business District. There is a clear visual link between Hihiaua Reserve and Pohe Island. The elevated Parihaka and Riverside residential areas adjoin Pohe Island to the north on the opposite side of Riverside Drive. The site is particularly visible from many of the properties in these areas. Properties located to the west and south of Pohe Island on the opposite side of the Hatea River are predominantly commercial and industrial land uses. Some of the properties in the Okara Park, Port Road and Morningside areas to the south have a clear view to the site.

Vehicle and pedestrian access to Pohe Island is from both Riverside Drive and the new bridge and road that form the Lower Hatea crossing.

Pohe Island is approximately 54 hectares in area contained in several Certificates of Title. Details of the land parcels are shown in Appendix 1.

Pohe Island is owned and managed by Council, who has responsibility for its maintenance and general administration as a recreation reserve under the provisions of the Reserves Act 1977, the District Plan and Council bylaws.

Pohe Island is unique in that it is a relatively large coastal open space located within close proximity to central Whangarei. It was Whangarei’s largest urban landfill site. Future use and development of Pohe Island for recreation is constrained by past landfill operations. Recreation activities and uses currently on the site include a skate park, BMX track, sports fields and water-based facilities (e.g. clubrooms, ramp).

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Pohe Island has an undulating topography as a result of the past landfill operations. In effect, the swales and earth mounds form, and have created, definition to the site, providing relief and an element of interest in a wide expanse of open space. The site is a relatively open and exposed area. Mature mangroves are located around much of the coastal edge. A number of semi-mature trees exist along the frontage to Riverside Drive.

2.2 History of the Site 2.2.1 Names used for the Site A Sketch Plan produced by the Māori Land Court in 1907, labelled ‘Pohe’s Island’, shows clearly the existence of an island surrounded by sandy mudflats covered at high tide, fringed by mangroves on the coastal edge and a channel on the landward side. (Plan Reference: ML7418 – see Figure 1). The area of ‘Pohe’s Island’, according to the Sketch Plan, was 1 acre 1 rood. Its height was two feet above sea level, covered in manuka. ‘Pohe’s Island’ is noted as being included within the Whangarei Harbour Board’s Endowments.

Figure 1 Sketch Plan of ‘Pohe’s Island’ - 1907 Source: N.Z. Gazette, 1907, No. 31, pp. 558-559

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The site was referred to as ‘Pohe Island’ at around 1973 (articles - ‘The Northern Advocate’ - Florence Keene Collection, Northland Room, Whangarei City Library - for example, the acquisition of Pohe Island – 18/07/1967 and the development of Pohe Island – 04/11/1964, 03/05/1966, 28/08/1968, 08/07/1971.)

In 1973, Whangarei sports bodies were invited ‘to submit suggestions to Whangarei City Council for developing William Fraser Memorial Park on Pohe Island.’ (article – ‘The Northern Advocate’ - 05/07/1973)

Also in 1973, the City Engineer, Whangarei City Council, was quoted as saying that Pohe Island was now renamed William Fraser Memorial Park. (article – ‘The Northern Advocate’ - 1973 - Florence Keene Collection, Northland Room, Whangarei City Library.)

By 1977, Whangarei City Council had set up a William Fraser Park Development Committee, and the media were using both ‘Pohe Island’ and ‘William Fraser Park’ (article - ‘The Northern Advocate’ – 27/07/1977).

By 1988, the media referred to the site as Pohe Island, but added that Pohe Island is ‘now also known as the William Fraser Memorial Park’ (article - ‘The Northern Advocate’ – 15/04/1988).

It is alleged that in the early 1970’s the former Whangarei City Council made a decision to change the name of the site from Pohe Island to William Fraser Park. During Council’s discussions on this item, it was alleged Councillor J D Williams objected to the name change but was over-ruled. No prior consultation with Māori had been carried out, according to Māori. A check of Council Minutes between 1966 and 1981 has been unable to find proof of this decision and the process involved.

While some people still refer to the site as William Fraser Memorial Park, informally through media releases and members of the public community, the name ‘Pohe Island’ is still in use when referring to the site; even as a landfill, it was known as ‘Pohe Island Landfill’.

Following a resolution of Council of 26 August 2009, it is the intention of this plan to refer to the overall site as ‘William Fraser Memorial Park on Pohe Island’.

2.2.2 Tikanga Māori Tāngata whenua have always known and referred to this site as Pohe Island, or more correctly, Te Matau o Pohe. The area was very important for kai moana gathering, and it appears the ancestors of the present day Pohe whānau (family) made fishing hooks on the site.

Māori ask of Pakeha to acknowledge the name ‘Pohe’ for the site. Further, they request that the entire site reflect and honour the Pohe whānau (family) in its name.

William Carruth, one of Whangarei’s first settlers, was brought up Whangarei Harbour/Whāngārei Terenga Parāoa by Wiremu Pohe in the late 1830’s. Wiremu Pohe is remembered for protecting early settlers in Whangarei from attack by other Māori. This gesture emphasises the mana of Wiremu Pohe and the recognition he had as rangatira (chief) of the Whangarei rohe (area). William Carruth subsequently became a good friend of the Pohe whānau. Wiremu Pohe, and his son, Wiremu Eru Pohe, were very involved in land sales on the northern side of the harbour. A canal was dug on the orders of a local chief to enable him to take his long war canoes by a more direct route to his landing near Oram’s boat yard. Until 1930s, it was possible to row a boat through this canal. It was near here where a female slave, having angered her owner, was buried in the soft mud. Her skeleton has never been found and is probably still buried underneath mountains of landfill material. (Source: Weekend Magazine, ‘Yesterday Today’, article by Bruce Collier, 18 July 1981).

2.2.3 Mr William Mackenzie Fraser (1878-1960) Mr William Mackenzie Fraser was a labourer, civil engineer, local politician, conservationist and ethnological collector. He had connections to the site by way of the former Whangarei Harbour Board’s land reclamation efforts.

William Mackenzie Fraser was born at Auckland on 6 April 1878, the son of Simon Fraser, a farmer, and his wife, Margaret Ann McKenzie. His father, who was attributed with finding gold at Taieri, Otago, was born in Scotland and his mother in Nova Scotia. The family lived at Point Chevalier, Auckland, until about 1890. They then settled at Maungatapere near Whangarei, where for a short time Billy Fraser attended school. He left after Standard Three to learn bush craft from Māori friends and surveying from his future brother-in-law, Harcourt Buttress. For a number of years he was gum-digging, bush-felling, roadmaking and contract surveying in the Mangakahia District. During this time, he studied by candlelight and obtained civil engineering qualifications.

From 1907 to 1918, Fraser was Whangarei County Council’s engineer. In 1920, he began a 27-year association with the Whangarei Harbour Board, working as engineer, secretary, harbourmaster, treasurer

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and later as superintendent. At one stage, when in the Harbour Board: as secretary, he wrote to himself as engineer, and then sent letters to himself in return. With energy, skill and foresight he created an efficient organisation and initiated major changes to the harbour. Under his supervision, hundreds of acres of land were reclaimed from the sea. This facilitated the development of a deep-sea port, provided sites for industry and recreation and added to the income of local authorities. He also prepared the way for the establishment of fertiliser works and envisaged the construction of an oil refinery.

Fraser resigned his position as an employee of the Harbour Board in 1947, when he stood successfully for both the Board and Whangarei County Council at the local body elections. In 1950 and 1953, he was elected to the County Council, Harbour Board and Whangarei Borough Council. In 1956 he stood only for the County Council.

From the time he was a young surveyor in the Northland bush, Fraser was interested in the native flora and fauna of the area. In the 1920s, he became honorary caretaker of island sanctuaries within the Whangarei District and was a member of several expeditions to offshore islands. In 1924, he assisted a Dominion Museum expedition to the Poor Knights Islands to collect the rare lily, Xeronema callistemon, which is unique to the islands. A foundation member of the New Zealand Native Bird Protection Society (which became the Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand), he was vice president for over 30 years from 1927, wrote for the Society's magazine and represented it on the Waipoua Forest Sanctuary Advisory Society. He was instrumental in having large areas of native bush at Whangarei Heads, Bream Head and the District's outlying islands set aside as reserves, and in having Whangarei Harbour declared a bird sanctuary in the early 1940s.

Over the years through friendship, personal gift, purchase or his own searching, Fraser accumulated about 700 Māori artefacts. Despite subsequent controversy over some acquisitions and legal problems concerning ownership, the Fraser collection, cared for by the Whangarei Museum, is a memorial to his lifetime interest in Māori lore. Fraser was himself honorary curator of the Museum from 1925 until the mid 1930s. He also served on the Borough Library Committee.

Fraser owned several properties, including a coastal dairy farm at Pataua. He was a director of the Kamo Colliery Company and of the limeworks on Matakohe/Limestone Island. He was always proud of his Scottish ancestry: as well as maintaining an interest in the Old Settlers' Association. He belonged to the Waipu Caledonian and the Whangarei and County Pipe Band societies. In 1953, he created the displays of artefacts for the Waipu centennial celebrations.

William Fraser was married twice. On 31 January 1907, in Auckland, he married Caroline Featherstone Griffin, the daughter of a baronet. After her death in 1931, he married Myra Annette Vaile in Whangarei on 24 April 1937. Fraser died in Whangarei on 13 September 1960. He was survived by his wife, four sons of his first marriage and an adopted son and adopted daughter of his second marriage. He was a man of diverse interests with a 'fertile and facile mind', and is commemorated in the William Fraser Memorial Park on reclaimed land in upper Whangarei Harbour. (Source: Dictionary of New Zealand Biography at www.dnzb.govt.nz)

2.2.4 Reclamation and Farming In 1922, the Whangarei Harbour Board adopted an internal report recommending the stopbanking and draining of a 200 acre harbourside area for an eventual multi-sports ground for Whangarei. It would include sports fields, a racecourse and gardens. Although the report did not specify where, it is believed to be Pohe Island. This idea seems to have then been put to one side for a period of time.

Sir Charles Kingsford Smith’s aircraft, the Southern Cross, landed on Pohe Island in 1928. This event was recorded in The Northern Advocate local newspaper.

In the early 1930’s a suggestion was put forward to reclaim land at both Pohe Island and Kioreroa Road. At the same time, a Government scheme to settle returned servicemen and other people on small farms was in progress. It was in conjunction with this ‘Small Farms Scheme’ that the reclamation of Pohe Island and Kioreroa Road was undertaken. Land was reclaimed by the Whangarei Harbour Board using unemployed or relief workers. Stopbanks were erected around the perimeter of the site, a drain and ditches dug and manuka fascines laid to facilitate drainage of the site. The drain was no longer required when subsequently the level of the site was raised to just above high tide mark with the addition of dredgings from the Hatea River channel. However, during times of high rainfall and/or tides, the site was still prone to flooding.

The land was cut into small blocks, houses and sheds built and farm units leased out. The Harbour Board provided the occupier with a loan of machinery to prepare the land and a weekly allowance to help them get started. Stock purchase and management of the animals on the land was the responsibility of the occupier. The first house on Pohe Island, close to the road to Onerahi, was officially opened in 1932. An aerial

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photograph in Council’s offices shows that by 1946, the site contained several farm houses and associated buildings and a metalled farm access track around the western edge. At one time the Harbour Board’s Tugmaster was living on one of the small farm holdings on Pohe Island.

The site was later used as an aerodrome. In the 1940s, Pohe Island was used for games of competitive cricket.

Information in these sections has been sourced from the following:

Previous employees of the Whangarei Harbour Board: Mr Ces Whimp, Mr Jim Houlihan and Mr Jack Crispin, and

Whangarei Library records - ‘Yesterday Today’ Weekend Magazine, Bruce Collier, 18 July 1981; Florence Keene Collection – articles from 1922 and 1973.

2.2.5 Vesting and Subdivision The Whangarei Harbour Board, in 1962, donated 93 acres (referred to as Lot 1 DP 50843) to the Whangarei City Council as ‘full settlement of the Board’s past, present and future subdivisional reserve contribution.’ It included the lands as defined in the Tenth Schedule to the Whangarei Harbour Board Vesting and Empowering Act 1962. Four years later (1966), the City Council bought the remaining 9.5 acres (Lots 2 and 3 DP 50843) along Riverside Drive from the Board for ₤34,000. In the same year, Council adopted a plan for developing the island as a ‘concentrated organised sports area’. This included an indoor stadium in association with playing fields. However, concern was expressed regarding the stability of underlying soils to withstand any substantial filling for buildings.

In 1962, the Harbour Board subdivided part of Pohe Island, which it leased to the Whangarei Rowing Club.

2.2.6 Pohe Island Landfill In 1964, following the closure of the Okara landfill site, Council began using the Pohe Island site for refuse disposal, particularly as this was seen to be the only feasible method of raising the ground level above flood height.

An experimental planting of trees on the site in 1971 resulted in nearly a 100% mortality rate due to the noxious gases and putrefaction created by the refuse fill. As a result of these concerns, a geotechnical assessment was commissioned by Council, its findings recommending continued use of the site as a refuse tip. The site was shown to have ‘serious stability problems’, a result of it being a reclaimed tidal mudflat. The report also warned that ‘the soft silty subsoils were likely to settle as much as three feet for every 10 feet of fill placed on site’. It was estimated settlement ‘could take as long as 100 years’.

A further assessment was undertaken in 1976 to examine the feasibility of converting the tip operation into an engineered sanitary landfill. The recommendations of this assessment were adopted and the landfill operation was undertaken with the aim of achieving a long-term contour, roading and landscape scheme as envisaged in a conceptual master plan.

Reports specifically on landfill management were written by Council in 1984, 1989, 1992 and 1996. They are available to members of the public by contacting staff in Council’s Waste and Drainage Department.

See also Section 4: Landfill Rehabilitation for information on tasks being undertaken immediately following closure of Pohe Island site as a landfill.

2.2.7 Changing the Focus to Recreation A Council-commissioned report in 1977 revealed the difficulties in providing suitable high quality playing surfaces for some of the sports envisaged for the site. The report emphasised the need to avoid unnecessary duplication of facilities already available or being developed elsewhere in Whangarei. It advocated that the site be developed in a staged manner. Refuse filling was accordingly relocated to the north west corner of the site in 1978, and construction of five playing fields were envisaged with two fields completed by 1984. (As at the beginning of 2006, there is one playing field and one ‘practice field’, both of which require attention).

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The former Whangarei City Council prepared a Draft Management Plan for William Fraser Memorial Park in 1984. This plan proposed that the site should be managed

‘to provide for recreational and sporting activities, the enhancement of the physical welfare and enjoyment of the public and the protection of the natural environment and beauty of the area with emphasis on the retention of open space and on outdoor recreational activities’.

and

‘to provide facilities for activities based on the use of the adjacent Hatea River’. (1994, 4)

The site was to be developed in stages, as dictated by the landfill operations, with detailed development plans produced for each stage.

Council’s ‘Pohe Island Landfill: Closure Plan’, 1997, presented various closure options for the landfill operations, though envisaged part of the site continuing to be the ‘service point’ for the public to dispose of waste and recyclables. The remaining land would be developed for a mixture of active and passive recreational uses, as outlined within a Development Concept Plan contained in the 1997 report. A lot of the elements of the 1997 Development Concept have been incorporated into the present management plan.

Council’s ‘Open Space Strategy: Open Spaces – Special Places’, 2001, establishes a vision for how the open spaces in the District are to be managed. Pohe Island (referred to as William Fraser Memorial Park in that Strategy) is seen as part of the Whangarei Harbour/Terenga Paraoa open space area, with potential linkages to the Town Basin open space area. The Strategy notes the site as a proposed Recreation Hub. These are centres of recreation activity for the District. Development of the site for aquatic recreation activities was viewed as a medium priority for Council.

Council’s ‘Urban Growth Strategy, 2003’ shows Pohe Island as a future ‘Open Space Development’ area.

2.3 Existing Uses and Activities 2.3.1 Vehicular Access and Car Parking Pohe Island is bounded to the northeast by Riverside Drive. The Lower Hatea Crossing will provide vehicle entry to the dog park to the east and a future connection near the former paper recycling building to the west. This is in addition to the two existing vehicular entry/exit points located off Riverside Drive. In the short term the entry near the paper recycling building will be retained as a left in / left out intersection, however this entry may be removed in the future. A new vehicle entry is proposed that would bisect the Active Formal Recreation Area. The gravel entry at the north-western end of the site is still used by the Rowing Club and other clubs in this area. While there is an internal road network providing vehicular access around Pohe Island to existing activities, this will need to be re-established to take account of new entry points. No formalised car parking is provided, however small areas for informal car parking are utilised adjacent to some existing activities (e.g. BMX track, Rock ‘n’ Roll Club building). Figure 2 illustrates uses and activities which currently exist on Pohe Island.

2.3.2 Recreational Activities The following major recreational activities and their associated facilities are currently practiced on Pohe Island:

A public skate park that is owned and maintained by Council (a small toilet facility is located adjacent to the skate park)

Two BMX tracks and associated built structures and amenities utilised by the Whangarei BMX Club, are located on land leased from Council. The international grade BMX track (designed by UCI and Olympic track builder Tom Ritzenthaler who also designed the Beijing Olympics BMX track) was the site of the 2009 National Championships. The site is regularly visited by teams from around New Zealand, Canada, Australia, USA and Spain

Rowing clubrooms and boat ramp owned and maintained by the Whangarei Rowing Club Inc., while the Whangarei Young Mariners, the Navy League and Sea Scouts are located on land sub-leased from the Rowing Club

Soccer fields, with associated clubrooms and lights (owned and maintained by the Madhatters’ Football Club Inc.), are located on Council land. The Madhatters’ Football Club has been in operation since 1977. Initially a social soccer club, it now has 65 members in 2013. The Madhatters’ Football Club share their clubroom with the Ultimate (Frisbee) Group.

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Whangarei Rock ‘n’ Roll club have their own building and are located on land leased from Council

A dog exercise area was constructed in 2008, providing a safe and secure area for dogs and their owners to run freely and undertake dog training activities

The rally of New Zealand has, since 2006 undertaken a special stage on Pohe Island, utilising the site for racing one day each year with associated stage set-up and dismantling as well as time trials ,

Supporting recreational activities include walking, picnicking, the operation of stalls and markets and other occasional events.

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Figure 2 Pohe Island – Existing Features

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2.3.3 Existing Buildings and Structures

While Pohe Island is an expansive open space, it contains a number of existing built structures that have been constructed in association with the various activities on site.

The former waste management operations on Pohe Island included a recycling (salvage) centre for the disposal and re-use of salvageable items. With the closing of the landfill in October 2005, this building was no longer required for its waste management purposes. Noting the constraints placed on the construction of any future buildings and structures on Pohe Island from past landfill activities, it is desirable to retain this building on site for indoor recreational use by Bike Northland, with the lease to Bike Northland for the BMX track extended to cover the recycling building.

The Rowing Club, Navy League Young Mariners and Sea Scouts currently utilise four buildings as clubrooms and storage located on the north-western edge of Pohe Island. The Rowing Club leases an area of 0.52 hectares from Council and is head lease to other clubs on this land. A small clubroom for the Madhatters’ Football Club is located adjacent to the existing sports fields, one of which has lighting provision. The Rock ‘n’ Roll Club leases land from Council for its building. Its lease commenced 1 March 2003 and does not expire until 2023. Both the Madhatters’ Football Club clubrooms and the Rock ‘n’ Roll Club clubrooms are relocatable buildings.

To the west of these buildings lies a skate park and an older, BMX track. A small public toilet block is located adjacent to these structures.

Six existing private boat sheds owned by two people are located within the coastal marine area off the south-westernern margin (Hatea River) of Pohe Island. Northland Regional Council-re-issued resource consent for these boat sheds in 2010 for a period of 10 years. Whangarei District Council did not support renewal of the resource consents, and provided detailed comment on the application, including an intention to submit to the next revision of the Regional Coastal Plan for Northland to have these sheds removed from Schedule 2 (Controlled Structures), so that consenting wouldl be more difficult in the future. It remains the intention of Whangarei District Council that these structures be removed.

Various structures, including lighting poles, associated with the BMX tracks, and a number of utility structures have been located adjacent to the existing skate park. Floodlighting adjacent to the BMX tracks provide for the use of the track to 10pm daily.

As a result of earlier submissions to this plan, a dog exercise area was constructed in 2008 at the eastern end of the site. The area is fenced and contains timber structures suitable for dog discipline training and free running.

2.4 Future Uses and Activities 2.4.1 Rugby Clubrooms The Northland Rugby Union (NRU) has proposed that a shared facility be constructed to house the Old Boys Marist Rugby Club, the NRU and the Northland Rugby Referees Association (NRRA), with the possibility for additional sports to be accommodated. The clubrooms would be constructed between the existing soccer fields and the three fields under construction.

The plans provided by the NRU show a two storey building with a ground floor area of 1640m2, an upstairs area of 910m2, and a height of approximately 7.5m Downstairs the building would contain clubrooms including a kitchen and bar, eight changing rooms and associated showers and additional toilet facilities accessible from the outside of the building. Upstairs the building would contain a gymnasium and office rooms.

2.4.2 Cycling Infrastructure Bike Northland has an existing BMX track on the site, and has submitted a development plan for additional cycling facilities on William Fraser Memorial Park on Pohe Island. Proposed facilities, which would be subject to Council and resource consent approvals and funding consist of the following:

Purchase the former recycling building from Council so that it can be redeveloped to include function and meeting areas, administration, storage and training areas

A dirt jump area A mountain bike obstacle course / cyclocross course Shared paths around the park Future criterium course.

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Section 3 Vision and Objectives 3.1 Vision William Fraser Memorial Park on Pohe Island provides a variety of predominantly passive, marine and land-based recreational and sporting activities and programmes for the well-being and enjoyment of the community, within a coastal reserve environment.

3.2 Objectives Landfill Rehabilitation (See Section 4 below) To ensure the process for landfill rehabilitation is carried out in a structured manner.

Recreation Access, Use and Activities (See Section 5 below) To develop William Fraser Memorial Park on Pohe Island for a range of appropriate land and water based passive and supporting active recreational opportunities and activities for the use and enjoyment of the public.

Landscape Enhancement (See Section 6 below) To rehabilitate and enhance the landscape and amenity of William Fraser Memorial Park on Pohe Island.

Protection of the Reserve’s Future Interests (See Section 7 below) To ensure all relevant statutory and bylaw requirements pertaining to William Fraser Memorial Park on Pohe Island are met.

To integrate the management and development of William Fraser Memorial Park on Pohe Island with nearby existing and planned reserves.

The management of William Fraser Memorial Park on Pohe Island as an integral part of Council’s parks and reserves network will help to achieve the above Vision and Objectives.

3.3 Concept Plan An indicative Concept Plan has been prepared for William Fraser Memorial Park on Pohe Island (see Figure 3, below). This plan provides an overview of how Pohe Island could be developed in line with the above Vision and Objectives. The Concept Plan is proposed as an enabling device and, while specific uses are identified within each indicative area (as below), it is anticipated that these uses are not all-encompassing and that future uses may be altered in line with changing Community recreation requirements: 1 Community Based Activities - Buildings and Activities

a Rowing Club Boatshed and Clubrooms b Sea Cadet Boatshed and Clubroom c Sea Scout Boatshed and Clubroom d Young Mariners Boatshed and Clubroom e Navy League Buildings f Possible Community Use Buildings

2 Active Informal Recreation Area a Circus, Market, Alternative Entertainment Area b Skate Park c Future youth activity area / Parkour zone, linked to river

3 Active Formal Recreation Area a Existing Sports Fields b Proposed Sports Fields c Proposed Rugby and NRU clubrooms

4 Existing Buildings a Madhatters’ Football Club Clubrooms (includes Whangarei Ultimate (Frisbee) group

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b Rock and Roll Club 5 Proposed Open Area - Passive Recreation

a Open Space b Proposed Shared Cycle and Walking Tracks c Cycle and Pedestrian Links to Surrounding Areas d Rally of New Zealand

6 Cycle Activity Area BMX Track and Facilities including recycling building to be converted to clubrooms 7 Dog Park

a Dog Exercise Area b Proposed Car parking

8 Proposed re-vegetation with coastal planting a Existing Intertidal Mangrove Forest b Proposed Coastal Enhancement/Habitat Restoration Planting area c Proposed Boardwalk/Promenade

9 Access and Linkages for Water Based Activities (e.g. Pontoons, Boat Launching Facilities etc) 10 Proposed rugby clubrooms and HQ with parking 11 Proposed access off Riverside Drive

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Figure 3 Pohe Island – Concept Plan

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Section 4 Landfill Rehabilitation 4.1 Background Until November 2005, all refuse from Whangarei District’s transfer stations and bins was delivered to the landfill at Pohe Island for disposal. The site catered for various waste flows from domestic, commercial and industrial sectors. Clean fill (clay, topsoil and some wood wastes) and vegetation were also disposed of on the site. To reduce the total volume of waste flows entering the landfill, a recycling facility was set up. Recyclable materials, such as cardboard, paper, plastic, glass and metals were collected at the site. A salvage centre also operated at the site’s landfill for the reuse of salvageable items.

In November 2005, Pohe Island’s use as a public landfill site ceased. A new Urban Transfer Station (Re:Sort) was opened in Kioreroa Road to replace Pohe Island and to service Whangarei City..

4.2 Pohe Island Landfill - Post Closure Plan The process for landfill rehabilitation on Pohe Island has involved progressive stages from waste management to waste closure, remediation, park development and finally park management.

The landform of Pohe Island does not necessarily meet the functional requirements of proposed recreational activities and site landscaping, and further contouring works continue to be required. There will be limited disposal of sewage sludge until April 2014.

4.3 Monitoring A site specific monitoring programme has been designed and included in the Post Closure Plan to monitor potential problems and to ensure closure of the landfill will not lead to adverse environmental effects. Extensive historical monitoring has given a good indication as to which discharges and structures require ongoing monitoring. Council will undertake monitoring until 2025 and beyond, as may be required. Sites on Pohe Island associated with the monitoring are shown on Figure 4.

4.3.1 Groundwater Monitoring There was no indication of significant changes in groundwater quality between 1996 and 2003. Seepage to groundwater directly below the landfill appears to be minor and slow. Although groundwater discharge is not considered a significant problem, borehole monitoring will continue into the future.

4.3.2 Stormwater Monitoring Post closure stormwater monitoring is carried out at three locations on and adjacent to the site. Monitoring at the floodgate (eastern end of Pohe Island, near Riverside Drive) is considered to be the most suitable location for water quality monitoring, as both the Riverside Drive drain and the Houseboat drain discharge to the floodgate. The stormwater quality monitoring programme is considered to be the best indicator of the losses of leachate from the landfill to these drains.

Leachate from the landfill is currently collected at a small pump station located on the site. From the pump station the leachate is pumped under the Hatea River and across to the Wastewater Treatment Plant on Kioreroa Road. No leachate currently goes from the landfill direct into Whangarei Harbour and this situation will be continually monitored as required by the Post Closure Plan.

Organic compounds do not appear to be a major concern at this stage. Heavy metals do not appear to be causing significant environmental effects.

Stormwater monitoring will continue into the future.

4.3.3 Physical Inspection Monitoring This involves inspections of the site and its perimeter (fences, gates, signs, ground cover), outer walls (bund wall, sea wall), the landfill cap and settlement. Evidence of erosion, wind blown litter, subsidence and displacement will be looked for and repairs or re-vegetation carried out as necessary. Historically, the sea wall has required attention approximately every five years due to erosion. To measure the settlement of the site, it is proposed to place 15 benchmarks over the entire site for surveying. Some of these benchmarks will not, however, be established until contouring with clean fill is complete.

Physical Inspection Monitoring will continue until 2025 and beyond, as may be required.

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4.3.4 Contaminants to Air Monitoring The monitoring programme used for contaminants to air is based on the Centre for Advanced Engineering landfill gas monitoring guidelines, and includes complaints monitoring, visual monitoring (e.g. distressed vegetation, evidence of cap cracking), monitoring in buildings (measuring methane and carbon dioxide concentrations) and sub-surface gas monitoring.

4.3.5 Landfill Gas Management NRC’s Resource Consent #7145 allows for discharges of contaminants to air (among other things) from a closed landfill until May 2025. The Regional Air Quality Plan for Northland (RAQP) contains provisions regarding the discharge of contaminants to air. More specifically, Rule 9.1.7 of the RAQP states that ‘the discharge shall not result in any offensive or objectionable odour, or any noxious or dangerous levels of gases, beyond the boundary of the subject property.’ These provisions came into effect when the previous consent for the use of the site for landfill activities expired on 31 May 2007.

The Post Closure Plan notes that methane gas concentrations in the landfill have the potential to ignite or explode. It recommends that new buildings should incorporate gas intrusion blocks. Protection against explosive methane gas should be investigated for any development that includes above or underground structures.

Testing has been carried out twice annually since April 2007 and an annual report prepared on the findings. Of the 31 sites monitored, typically between 3 and 5 show the presence of methane indicative of landfill gas venting to atmosphere. This gas will continue to be generated for another 20 years or more. Best practice for gas management involves engineered solutions for venting the gas safely. This may be by passive vents or more active destruction of the gas by use as fuel or flaring to burn the methane.

Council in the Long Term Plan 2012-2022 has budget provision for gas management investigation at this site, and construction in years 2014-2017. Until landfill gas has been vented and further tests done, camping on the reserve needs to be carefully controlled.

It is noted that 40 years of past refuse disposal at Pohe Island will place constraints on future recreational activities, buildings and structures planned for Pohe Island. This includes differential settlement affecting foundations, build-up of methane gas in or under buildings and potentially contaminated leachate. There is a possibility that gas leakage from the landfill may occur. It is essential any design work must include mitigation measures for these issues. Further, future activities and structures must not penetrate the clay cap situated between 200 - 800mm below ground surface.

Landfill areas cover almost the entire site. Landfill areas have been capped with a minimum of 500mm of clay. There are sufficient soil volumes overlaying this clay to support grass growth but insufficient soil for other vegetation. A large mature tree requires significant volumes of soil to ensure long term survival (30m3 or more),

Council’s Parks and Recreation and Waste and Drainage Departments undertake regular meetings during the ‘transition’ from waste closure to remediation to park development to discuss site management issues.

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4.5 Objective – Landfill Rehabilitation To ensure the process for landfill rehabilitation is carried out in a structured manner.

4.6 Policies and Actions 1 The disposal of inert clean fill materials and treated sewage sludge may continue in order to achieve

desired contouring for the development of the reserve.

2 Future earthworks, buildings and structures, and landscaping works will be planned and constructed in a manner which takes account of site constraints, including, but not limited to, the unknown nature of the compacted fill, differential settlement, build up of methane gas and the need to protect the clay cap.

3 Recreational activities will be developed so as to avoid conflict with the clean fill operations.

4 Council’s Parks and Recreation and Waste and Drainage Departments will maintain close liaison during the staged progression of the site from waste management to reserve management and development.

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Section 5 Recreation Access, Use and Activities

Action on the BMX track at William Fraser Memorial Park on Pohe Island (2009)

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5.1 General Note References to areas identified in the Concept Plan (Figure 3 above) are linked to the text below.

Future development and use of William Fraser Memorial Park on Pohe Island will have an emphasis on passive recreation for both families and individuals, with some active recreation, mainly concentrated in the Riverside Drive edge of the site. Clear visual and physical linkages to the harbour and Town Basin will be established. Community use of the reserve will be consistent with its recreation reserve classification under the Reserves Act.

The continued and future use of William Fraser Memorial Park and Pohe Island as a recreational resource will require both careful planning and also tight control over conflicting uses. As examples, clear restrictions on noise control would accompany potentially noisy activities (such as concerts), or restrictions on the way intermittent active recreation use could overlap into passive public areas (such as the ‘Rally of New Zealand’).

Security and safety during night hours will become increasingly important as Pohe Island is developed with upgraded or additional infrastructure. Protection of assets and facilities (e.g. clubrooms, sports equipment and sports fields, sculptures, car parks and park furniture) will be required. Adoption of clear security measures for the reserve, such as limiting night-time vehicle access may be required. Traffic calming devices such as speed humps, and speed restrictions along internal roads and in car parks will be considered as appropriate. Additional bollards and/or fencing in areas around the park may also be required. A permanent site Custodian for the reserve may also be considered in the future.

Development of William Fraser Memorial Park on Pohe Island may involve proposals that require new buildings or extensions to existing buildings and structures, which may require earthworks on potentially contaminated soils. The guidance of engineering consultants will be required to ensure compliance with the Whangarei District Plan and other safety measures. Council will ensure that sufficient amenities (e.g. toilets, shelter, sunshade structures, seating, picnic tables, artwork, signs, information boards, lighting, rubbish bins, and drinking water outlets etc) are provided so that the public can continue to enjoy William Fraser Memorial Park on Pohe Island in a way consistent with its recreation reserve classification under the Reserves Act.

The current water supply reticulation system on Pohe Island, while consistent with its current use as a landfill, will require overhaul to align with a full time use as recreation reserve. Older connections no longer required will be permanently disconnected and it is anticipated that the water supply system will be relocated to follow, as far as practically possible, the alignment of internal access roads as these are developed. The services to the Rock and Roll Club and Madhatter’s Footbal Club have been relaid.

Similarly, the sewer system may require upgrading (See Figure 4: Services Reticulation and Landfill Monitoring). While existing toilets are located adjacent to the existing skate park in the north-western corner of the reserve, it is envisaged that additional toilets may be required either adjacent to the existing facilities or closer to the main car park. Community support and involvement in the development of Pohe Island is encouraged. Tāngata whenua groups, including the Pohe whānau, have also expressed their wish to be involved.

5.2 Access Links to William Fraser Memorial Park on Pohe Island A shared cycleway/walkway along Riverside Drive between Onerahi/Waimahanga Track and the Town Basin is provided for in Council’s District Cycle Strategy.

Council will promote alternative methods of access to William Fraser Memorial Park on Pohe Island, including public transport and walking/cycling from surrounding suburbs as may be required in future.

5.3 Internal Access and Parking There are presently three entrances to William Fraser Memorial Park on Pohe Island off Riverside Drive; one near the existing skate park, a second being the existing road into the landfill and the third a metalled road close to the creek at the western end of the site that provides access to the Rowing Club and nearby clubrooms. While it remains useful to the current users and fits in with the development plan for the reserve, it is suggested the metalled road near the creek be retained.. The existing entrance to the skate park may be retained and upgraded, continuing as a gated or ungated additional entry point following the construction of the new main vehicle entrance.

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Public vehicle access will be via an internal road network. Site maintenance and emergency vehicles only, will be permitted to cross over or park on grassed areas of the reserve except at the discretion of Council’s Parks and Recreation Manager.

Vehicle parking areas will be established close to the active recreation facilities (i.e. skate park, sports fields, children’s playground, marine leisure area and for walkers/cyclists) at the western end of the reserve. A small car park may be constructed close to any community recreation facility for users of that facility. A small car parkhas been constructed in association with the dog park. Additionally, an area will be set aside for parking for users of the Madhatters’ Soccer Club and Rock ‘n’ Roll Club clubrooms adjacent to these clubrooms.

Shared pedestrian and cycle tracks on the reserve will be developed. Design and construction will take on board requirements for user groups such as walkers, cyclists and bladers. Where appropriate, provision will be made for access for people with disabilities and special needs... It is further envisaged that the specific routes of these tracks will incorporate consideration of the requirements of the once-yearly Rally of New Zealand event. A pedestrian crossing will be provided to cross the new Lower Hatea Crossing near Riverside Drive to allow access from one side of the park to the other.

Pedestrian access around Pohe Island will be enhanced, including maximising harbour viewing opportunities and utilising the space opposite Hihiaua Reserve. This may include new boardwalk areas through coastal mangroves.

5.4 Land-based Recreation The following activities are currently undertaken on William Fraser Memorial Park on Pohe Island. It is not the purpose of this Management Plan to prevent alternative activities from being undertaken, however this list provides a useful guide to the types of recreation uses that will be considered acceptable on this park.

5.4.1 Passive Open Space Areas It is anticipated that the predominant use of William Fraser Memorial Park on Pohe Island will be for the purpose of passive recreation, with significant areas being set aside for activities such as picnicking, volleyball or kite flying, as well as future passive recreational uses such as a child’s learn to ride (cycle) area or an 18 hole flying disc (Frisbee) course.

5.4.2 Outdoor Concerts It is envisaged that some passive areas of the reserve could be utilised for outdoor concerts. Such concerts would be limited to those generating no or low levels of amplified noise and would comply with noise requirements for the Open Space Environment as set out in the Whangarei District Plan.

5.4.3 Sports Fields The park currently contains two existing playing fields, one of which was upgraded in 2013 and will be available for use from 2014. The other existing field will need to be upgraded in the next few years. The platforms for 3 additional fields have been recently developed and will require further development before they are useable The two original fields have been used primarily for soccer, and also for baseball. Cricket wickets can be incorporated into both the new and the original fields.

As early as 1962, and perhaps back to 1922, the former Whangarei Harbour Board talked about the development of the site for playing fields. In the late 1970s, the construction of 5 playing fields was envisaged, and these have recently been completed.

5.4.4 Dog Park Whangarei has one of the highest number of dogs per head of population in New Zealand. The need for a dog park in Whangarei has been identified in the last few years, particularly through public submissions on this management plan. They are operating successfully in Auckland, Hamilton and Christchurch. Dog parks are seen as a good way to exercise and socialise dogs and their human friends. Dogs are thought to be less likely to attack people if they can socialise freely amongst their own.

To this end, a dog park has been established in the eastern portion of the reserve, between the proposed arterial road and the eastern perimeter of the site. It is fenced, with double gated entry, vehicle parking close by, shade and drinking water, dog faeces disposal facilities, seating for dog owners, dog obedience and exercise obstacles and signs. It has been acknowledged that the position of the dog park may in future be required to be altered in line with the eventual design of the proposed arterial road.

William Fraser Memorial Park on Pohe Island will continue to be recognised by Council as a Dog Exercise Area, where dogs must be kept under control. The establishment of the dog park area does not prevent dogs

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being allowed in other parts of Pohe Island except on the sports fields, on the BMX track and on the skate park facilities.

5.4.5 Cycling Events The Marsden Wheelers Cycle Club has requested the construction of a fully self-contained criterium course, 1-2 km in length, on the reserve to be used for competitive cycling events. A combination of pedestrian/ cycleways are considered suitable to the Club. However, it would be necessary for the cycleways to be closed to the public during cycle events. Once a track is established, any closure of wider areas of the park for events would be at the discretion of Council’s Parks and Recreation Manager.

5.4.6 Rally of New Zealand Motor sport activities will be generally considered unsuitable on the reserve due to their potential noise nuisance for residents nearby and other reserve users. However The Rally of New Zealand has successfully established a short-course circuit operating for one race day a year (exclusive of organisation and time trials) and is an existing use of the site. This activity will remain very strictly controlled.

5.4.7 Bike Northland Bike Northland is a multi-disciplinary cycling organisation. The former recycling building on the reserve has been retained for future indoor recreational use. Bike Northland uses this building for storage, but does not yet have a lease over this building.

It is anticipated that these types of activities will continue at this site with leases being entered into where required. It is intended to have a management agreement for use of facilities regarded as mixed public and organised use. This will enable streamlined bookings and a single point of contact for Council.

While unfenced facilities will be open to the public, it is anticipated that the Bike Northland groups will have first right of bookings and refusal based on their own events. Groups other than those affiliated with Bike Northland would make arrangements for the exclusive use of facilities through Bike Northland and Council.

Council acknowledges the current popularity of BMX and a newly developed international grade track was opened April 2009 with the support of the Whangarei BMX Club.

5.4.8 Unsuitable Activities Council does not consider a golf course or golf driving range is suitable on the reserve as there are sufficient existing golfing facilities in Whangarei.

No provision for horse trails, equestrian activities or facilities is anticipated.

Activities requiring flat stable land such as bowling and croquet are better suited to alternative sites, with further consolidation and shifting in ground levels expected on the site.

Other than the single, yearly rally event no vehicle based recreational activities are anticipated or will be permitted on this site.

5.5 Water-based Recreation 5.5.1 Regional Coastal Plan Waters surrounding Pohe Island and eastwards to, but excluding, Kissing Point are in a Marine 2 (Conservation) Management Area as defined in NRC’s Regional Coastal Plan for Northland (RCP) 2004. (Kissing Point is recognised as a Marine 4 (Mooring) Management Area.) This Management Area requires areas to be managed to conserve ecological, cultural and amenity values. The erection or placement of new structures, marina development and the removal of mangroves will require resource consent from the NRC.

5.5.2 Marine Leisure Area Council supports enhanced water-based leisure activities for the public in the adjacent Hatea River, with access facilities on Pohe Island within an area generally extending from and including the Rowing Club/Young Mariners area (club-focused activities) southwards to the site of the existing private boat sheds. Associated activities would have a passive use focus and high importance is placed on public access around the river margins. Separate club and public launching facilities are envisaged within this area. Public facilities including a floating pontoon for the launching of small craft (e.g. kayaks, canoes, and radio controlled yachts) are anticipated in this area. Ideally, all-tide access and use is preferable for both the club and public launching facilities.

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Land-based activities along the coastal edge supported by Council may include assembly of radio controlled yachts, beach volleyball or similar. Vehicle parking in association with public marine leisure activities will be provided as part of the main car park close to the marine leisure area.

Development of the marine leisure area could include the removal of mangroves between the existing club launching ramp and the site of the present private boat sheds. Selective clearance of mangroves south of the private boat sheds as far as the proposed Hatea River road crossing to enhance views out over Hatea River is also a possibility. These proposals will require prior consent from NRC, as indicated above.

Currently, poor water quality and associated health risks of the Hatea River mean it is unrealistic to promote the area for swimming, kite surfing or wind surfing type activities.

5.5.3 Club Facilities Key issues associated with the existing facilities of the water-based clubs are sub-standard service supplies (water, sewage disposal and power), the poor condition of buildings (including non-compliance with minimum floor level requirements that were applied after construction) and limited access to the Hatea River.

Limited sanitary facilities are currently available at the Whangarei Rowing Club building and new toilets and showers will be constructed as part of a proposed new building.

Co-ordination of shared facilities for all users of Concept Plan - Area 1 is encouraged. Preference will be given to the development of multi-purpose buildings, which may incorporate equipment storage areas, toilets, kitchen, meeting rooms, short term accommodation, an internal parade ground and administrative offices. While Council encourages the development of these co-ordinated facilities, Council reserves the right to determine the suitability of any such building following consultation with any person or persons they consider affected by the proposal.

Current access to the water for launching club boats is down a small concrete ramp terminating in accumulated mud layers on the edge of the river. The ramp can only be used in high tide conditions, which are approximately one week in two and requires upgrading. A floating pontoon in this area is also anticipated.

Provision for the development of shared facilities for water sports on Pohe Island is preferred. Council will encourage the various organisations to co-ordinate the development of the Rowing Club lease area and the associated Hatea River frontage. Improvements to club facilities should assist in attracting increased numbers of competitors and spectators to the rowing events, and enhance enjoyment for members of all the water-based clubs using the facilities.

5.5.4 Unsuitable Water-Based Activities Private boat sheds are located in the coastal marine area off the western margin of the reserve. Private access to and use of the boat sheds is inconsistent with proposals for development as a public recreation reserve and this management plan provides for the discontinuation of vehicle access to the private boat sheds and of vehicle parking in association with the boat sheds. It is anticipated that the future use of this site is to develop it as the southern end of the proposed marine leisure area (as above).

The possibility of constructing an artificial pond or lake, for uses such as radio controlled model boats has been explored by both Council’s Parks and Waste and Drainage Departments. Due to the use of the site for 40 years as a landfill, the practicality, technical feasibility and cost bring this idea into serious question. Council recognises a demand in the Whangarei area for an artificial pond for passive recreation, which is safe and clean for the public. However, this reserve is not considered a suitable location.

5.6 Commercial Activities 5.6.1 General William Fraser Memorial Park on Pohe Island will cater for activities such as musicals, theatrical events such as Shakespeare in the Park, bands, circus and markets. These activities may provide a revenue source for further development of the site. Although the emphasis will be on activities and uses that are not for profit, licenses may be granted for mobile shops or stalls to sell food and drinks. Liquor licenses may also be granted on occasion. Approved commercial activities will be limited in number and frequency and will complement the recreational uses of Pohe Island.

A small café may be considered at an appropriate location in the future although this would require consideration through a resource consent process.

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It is proposed that the new facility for the Old Boys Marist Club could incorporate the Northland Rugby Union.

5.7 Community Activities Buildings Council would give consideration to the development of community activity focussed facilities, to be constructed adjacent to other existing buildings at the western end of the reserve and within Concept Plan – Area 1.

Activities occurring in such a building would be required to identify a relationship to the site and it’s status as Recreation Reserve (Reserves Act 1977), and to show how consideration has been given to other reserve users and the public.

Such an activity may contain a commercial aspect.

Council will retain full discretion regarding the approval, or otherwise, of any Community Activities Building.

5.8 Objective – Recreation Access and Use To develop William Fraser Memorial Park on Pohe Island for a range of appropriate passive and supporting active recreational opportunities and activities for the use and enjoyment of the public.

5.9 Policies and Actions Use/Activities – General 1 Community support and involvement in the development will be encouraged and actively sought by

Council Parks.

2 Council Parks will consult with neighbouring and affected landowners on large development projects that may impact on them.

3 Council will provide for distinct areas where required to minimise conflict between active and passive recreational activities.

4 Council will be responsive to the changing recreational needs of the community.

5 Recreational access, opportunities and facilities will be considered and provided for people with disabilities and special needs as funding becomes available.

6 Council will provide safe sport and leisure equipment and surfaces so as to comply with relevant health and safety provisions including crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) and a safe playing environment in accordance with the relevant NZ Standards of the time.

7 Council will take appropriate steps to minimise damage from unauthorised and inappropriate activities.

8 All uses and activities will comply with the noise requirements set out in the Whangarei District Plan.

9 Council will provide limitations on the hours of use and access to certain activities that have the potential to cause excessive noise that may adversely affect the amenity of occupants of residential properties that neighbour the site.

10 Council will upgrade the water supply reticulation system and the sewerage system to meet required standards as development funding becomes available.

11 The carrying or use of firearms or any other offensive weapon is prohibited.

Access Links to Pohe Island 1 Council will encourage the use of public transport and the construction of a suitable bus shelter(s) on

Riverside Drive for users of Pohe Island in consultation with Northland Regional Council,

Internal Access and Parking 1 Vehicle access will continue to be from Riverside Drive.

2 In the longer term, it is anticipated that the primary entry point into Pohe Island will be via a new single vehicle entrance off Riverside Drive, to the west and opposite Tanekaha Drive. The timing of construction will depend on the completion of detailed planning for the proposed arterial road across Pohe Island, and the availability of funding. Traffic management investigations will be undertaken in consultation with the Roading Department, for the new main entrance.

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3 The vehicle entry to the recycling building may be removed in the future, and internal circulation adjusted to take account of this and a new entry through the Active Formal Recreation Area.

4 Council may retain and upgrade the existing vehicle entrance close to the skate park, subject to budgetary process. This entrance may continue to be used as a secondary entry point following the construction of the main vehicle entrance and may be gated.

5 Council will retain the existing metalled road off Riverside Drive at the north-western corner of the reserve.

6 As funding permits, Council will provide suitable paving surfaces to internal access roads to minimise dust, reduce maintenance costs and provide for an improved vehicle traffic surface.

7 Council will install traffic calming devices and speed restrictions as required on internal access roads and car parks.

8 Council will construct a vehicle parking area in the vicinity of the active recreation nodes at the western end of Pohe Island, with construction subject to budget availability. A vehicle parking area may be constructed in the vicinity of the Bike Northland facility. A car park has been constructed in association with the dog park. An area will be provided adjacent to the Madhatters’ Football Club and Rock ‘n’ Roll Club clubrooms for vehicle parking by club users.

9 Council will provide a network of well-defined pedestrian/cycle tracks on Pohe Island, with construction subject to appropriate funding availability. These tracks will connect with the proposed cycleway/ walkway along Riverside Drive. Subject to resource consent, a section of the internal tracks may be constructed as a boardwalk through or close to the coastal mangroves. These tracks may form part of a future criterium track.

Land-based Recreation 1 Council Parks will investigate, in consultation with the Marsden Wheelers Club and affected parties,

the holding of cycling events run by the Marsden Wheelers Club and other cycle groups on reserve cycleways. The granting of permission for these events will be at the discretion and satisfaction of Council.

2 Council will encourage the development of a ‘learn to ride’ cycle facility for children, in conjunction with other cycling interests on the park.

3 Council recognises the continuing use of the BMX track and skate park and encourages the continued development of those facilities. Consideration will be given to covering the new BMX track and construction of an administrative building and toilet block within Concept Plan Area 7 – BMX track and facilities. Consideration will also be given to covering the skate park.

4 The continued presence of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Club and the Madhatters’ Football Club is recognised and encouraged. Consideration will be given, in consultation with both clubs, to the future re-location of buildings associated with the clubs to positions adjacent to Riverside Drive, in anticipation of reducing the impacts of buildings within the predominantly passive part of the reserve.

5 Rugby clubrooms will be established within the Active Formal Recreation Area to be used by Old Boys Marist Rugby Club, Northland Rugby Union, Northland Rugby Referees and other compatible clubs.

6 Motor sport activities, excluding the Rally of New Zealand event, but including the racing of all other motor vehicles, will not be permitted on Pohe Island due to their potential noise nuisance. Rally of New Zealand event shall be limited as to days at the discretion of Council.

7 Council will develop a total of five sports fields. The existing ‘practice field’ and playing field will be upgraded as a priority, their timing subject to budgetary availability. No further sports fields will be developed on the site.

8 Dogs are permitted on all areas of the reserve with the exception of the sports fields, BMX and skate park areas. They must be kept under control at all times.

9 Council has established a fenced dog park and associated facilities at the eastern end of Pohe Island.

10 The former recycling building will remain on site and be used as a club and storage area for Bike Northland, other cycling disciplines, and other compatible clubs.

11 Areas of the reserve will be set aside as open space for passive recreation uses and activities.

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12 Future earthworks, buildings, structures and planting will recognise and provide for existing site constraints including the unknown nature of the compacted fill and the requirement to protect the clay cap.

13 With the exception of areas identified for building development within this plan, including proposed Community Activities Buildings and the new Rugby Clubrooms, Council will seek to limit new or additional buildings to a maximum of 50 m2 to limit their environmental effects and maintain the amenity of the Open Space Environment zoning for Pohe Island as stated in the Whangarei District Plan. The full agreement of Council will be required prior to any building, temporary or permanent, being constructed on this site.

14 The construction or alteration of a building(s) on Pohe Island will comply with the requirements of the Whangarei District Plan. Council will exercise its discretion in terms of design, external appearance and colour as the proposal relates to: optimum use of existing buildings nearby buildings existing landscape/streetscape, and

proximity of residential properties.

15 Signs will be provided for visitor information, interpretation, direction, advertising via the naming of building(s) and to promote safe and enjoyable use of the reserve by the public.

16 Sponsorship signs on buildings will be limited to the naming of the building(s).

17 Council will maintain visual cohesiveness and amenity values of the reserve by limiting the size, scale, location and nature of all signs and advertising hoardings so that they do not detract from the primary features and recreation purpose of the reserve.

18 The size of signs naming buildings must be in scale with the building itself, and required to be of a design and colour scheme which complements the site, as determined and approved by Council’s Parks and Recreation Manager.

19 Temporary signs installed on Riverside Drive roadside will be discouraged.

20 Lighting of the BMX track and sports field is an approved activity under this plan.

21 Amenity lighting will be provided in vehicle parking areas and near toilet facilities to increase public and personal safety and help deter crime.

22 Low level amenity lighting may be provided along pedestrian/cycle tracks to clearly mark the route, dependant on the availability of funding.

23 Park furniture (e.g. seating, picnic tables, and rubbish bins) will be provided where considered suitable and as funding becomes available.

24 Proposals for creative art and sculptures from community will be encouraged and assessed for suitability. Council will make the final decision regarding the implementation of any artwork on the reserve.

25 Camping will need to be carefully controlled in terms of location and allowed activities until landfill gas has been vented and tests done to assess the safety of a particular area. Camping will only be allowed if it is associated with an approved recreation activity on the site (e.g. BMX event, circus performers, Tinkers and Traders fair and Motor Campervan Association event).

26 User charges may be established for recreation events and other events.

27 The playing or practicing of golf is prohibited.

28 Horses are not permitted except as part of approved circus events.

29 Council will give consideration to professionally organised fireworks displays to be held within the passive-use area of the reserve.

30 No further maintenance will be undertaken on the old BMX track and future activities at that location may require its removal.

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Water-based Recreation 1 In consultation with NRC, Council will establish a marine leisure area on the western perimeter of

Pohe Island to cater for passive water-based recreation. Separate launching facilities for club use and public use will be established within the marine leisure area. These facilities are likely to include a floating pontoon and jetty or ramp.

2 Swimming, kite surfing and windsurfing in Hatea River adjacent to Pohe Island are not recommended due to poor water quality and associated health risks.

3 New and extended facilities for organised water based activities are planned at the north western corner of the park. Current interest would indicate a new building for the Navy League, Cadet Forces and Young Mariners. Whangarei Rowing Club has indicated a need to extend its building and raise floor levels. Any development in this area should ensure that public access is maintained around the harbour edge most of the time. These indicated developments are considered to be consistent with the objectives of the plan.

4 The reserve is not considered suitable for the construction of an artificial lake or pond due to doubts over its practicality, technical feasibility and cost.

Commercial Recreation 1 Commercial use of the reserve will be ancillary to recreational use.

2 Commercial uses and activities are required to comply with relevant Council policies (e.g. ‘Leases on Reserves Policy’).

3 Leases, licences or permits issued to current and future user groups and organisations will aim to maximise the recreational and community use potential of the reserve, be consistent with the ‘recreation reserve’ classification of the land and be consistent with the vision and objectives of this plan.

4 A lease, licence or permit will be required for all commercial activities.

5 A bond for damages may be charged for commercial and non-recreation events, as directed by Council’s Parks and Recreation Manager.

6 Commercial mobile shops or stalls selling food, drinks or any other goods are not permitted on the reserve unless with the prior permission of Council.

7 Council may grant liquor licenses where this is appropriate to the operation of the user groups, and the sale and consumption of liquor are ancillary to a primary recreational use.

8 Council will consider options for the future use of the existing landfill entry kiosk, after it is no longer required for clean fill operations.

9 Council will consider, as a lower priority, the possibility of a café. This would be subject to resource consent, with provision made for public comment at that time.

Community Activities Buildings 1 Council will give consideration to applications for community activities buildings, that may or may not

contain commercial activities, provided that:

i Any building is to be located in Concept Plan – Area 1

ii A cultural and/or other relationship to the site can be identified

iii Regard is shown for existing users and the public

iv A correlation can be shown with the purpose of a recreation reserve, as identified at section 17 of the Reserves Act 1977.

Council retains the right to support or refuse any such application and to undertake any public consultation considered necessary (including as may be required by the Reserves Act 1977) prior to determining the suitability of any such building.

2 The policies relating to ‘Commercial Recreation’ (immediately above) shall apply.

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Section 6 Landscape Enhancement

Changing the use of Pohe Island Photo source: Malcolm Pullman © 2005

6.1 General A number of intrinsic and amenity considerations should always be considered when undertaking a large scale reserve redevelopment such as is the case with the change in land use from a landfill to a recreational reserve. Important considerations on this reserve include: landscape impacts topographical variations visual impacts open space provision linkages to the surrounding area enhanced coastal edge biodiversity (including the habitat restoration area) with appropriate coastal

and estuarine vegetation, and creation of a range of suitable coastal habitats or gardens removal of mangroves from the marine leisure area to the proposed site of the second harbour

crossing and selective removal of mangroves along the southern edge to enhance views provision of appropriate plants that have botanic value and will encourage biodiversity, with an

emphasis on native trees and shrubs amenity planting along roads and tracks and along the Riverside Drive frontage recognition of landfill-associated constraints placed on plantings, and educational opportunities.

The preparation of a landscape development plan would aid in addressing these issues. This would also consider cultural landscape matters, including on-site information on the history of the Island and reserve.

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6.2 Objective – Landscape Enhancement To rehabilitate and enhance the landscape and amenity of William Fraser Memorial Park on Pohe Island.

6.3 Policies and Actions 1 A landscape development plan will be prepared and implemented for William Fraser Memorial Park on

Pohe Island.

2 A variety of coastal habitats will be developed to enhance native biodiversity, potentially as part of a network of interconnected native habitats within the greater Whangarei area.

3 Existing coastal vegetation on Pohe Island will be maintained and enhanced, with the exception of:

the removal of mangroves in the marine leisure area to provide for public access to the Hatea River and Whangarei Harbour and to the west of the proposed second harbour crossing

the selective removal of mangroves along the southern coastal edge to provide for enhanced public views and use.

Note Any proposals for the removal of mangroves will require resource consent from NRC in accordance with the Northland Regional Coastal Plan.

Pohe Island and Surrounds Photo source: Council Parks (2013)

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Section 7 Protection of William Fraser Memorial Park on Pohe Island’s Future Interests

7.1 Statutory Provisions William Fraser Memorial Park on Pohe Island comprises four land parcels, as detailed in Appendix 1, owned and managed by Council. Lots 1-3 DP 50843 are held in fee simple and are formally classified as recreation reserve under the Reserves Act 1977. Lot 1 DP 50410 is leased to the Whangarei Rowing Club and is currently not formally classified under that Act.

Amalgamation of the land parcels may assist site management. However, amalgamation could not be carried out until the new arterial road is surveyed.

The site has an Open Space Environment zoning under the Whangarei District Plan, which provides for both community well-being and environmental health, in addition to the provision of a wide range of social and recreational opportunities, activities and facilities.

7.2 Future Growth Potential The population of the Whangarei District continues to grow, with over 74,000 people recorded in the 2006 census. Approximately eighty percent of this population increase is currently occurring in the District’s rural and coastal areas. Whangarei has an ageing population and a large proportion of children under the age of fifteen. ‘The provision of, and access to, open space that meets the demands of a growing population’ was recognised as a key issue in Council’s Whangarei Urban Growth Strategy, 2003.

Council acknowledges that the demands on existing recreational areas and the provision of new recreational areas will continue to increase and diversify. In order to provide people with high quality recreational experiences, future planning and diversity for recreational requirements is needed. The provision of recreation areas and facilities is critical with increased pressure from urban subdivision and subsequent population growth.

7.3 Development of the Bell Block Located on the north side of Riverside Drive, between Mackesy Road and Waioneone Creek, is 20 hectares of coastal fringe land known as the Bell Block. Much of it is below sea level, with flood gates at its most northern point to keep out the seawater. Vested from the former Harbour Board to Council during the 1989 local government re-organisation, it is subject to the Foreshore and Seabed Endowment Revesting Act.

A written agreement between Council and the Whangarei Harbour Marina Management Trust states that land, currently Bell Block, shall be provided for the purpose of disposal of dredging materials from the Town Basin and Kissing Point. The intention is to utilise the compacted dredgings to build up the land by 3-4 metres for potential future sports fields development. This process is anticipated as being longer term, possibly more than 20 years.

7.4 Objectives – Protection of William Fraser Memorial Park on Pohe Island’s Future Interests

To ensure all relevant statutory and bylaw requirements pertaining to William Fraser Memorial Park on Pohe Island are met.

To integrate the management and development of William Fraser Memorial Park on Pohe Island with nearby existing and planned reserves.

7.5 Policies and Actions 1 The management, use and development of William Fraser Memorial Park on Pohe Island will comply

with relevant legislation and Council bylaws.

2 Council will consider amalgamation of existing titles, following the construction of the proposed arterial road to better reflect its recreational use and management.

3 Consideration will be made to the investigation of pedestrian, cycle and water based linkages to adjacent reserves and the provision of appropriate signage.

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Appendix 1 Land Parcels Comprising Pohe Island Legal Description

Certificate of Title

Area (Ha) Details Reserve Status Deed No

Lot 1 DP 50843 1B/927 37.6358 Land held in fee simple but subject to the Reserves and Domains Act 1953

Classified under section 16

1538

Lot 2 DP 50843 17D/194 10.3675 Land held in fee simple but subject to the Reserves and Domains Act 1953


1533

Lot 3 DP 50843 17D/195 5.9691 Land held in fee simple but subject to the Reserves and Domains Act 1953


1534

Lot 1 DP 50410 301105 0.5261 Land held in fee simple but subject to a 21 Year Lease from 1/8/2005. Whangarei Rowing Club Inc.

Total Area 54.4985

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Review of William Fraser Memorial Park on Pohe Island :

Summary of Stage 1 submissions 2013

Date & file Person / organisation Comment

1. 18 March 13/18643

Richard Field + Requests completion of dog park including drainage, landscaping, a pond, litterbins, BBQ tables and car parking + WDC has publicised that the dog park would be upgraded while temporarily closed + Requests dog park be upgraded as a priority and before other park upgrades

2. 3 April 13/23479

Peter Smart + History of Old Boys Rugby Club + Support for relocation of rugby club to park as ideal location including both clubs and Rugby Union + There is plenty of room for other passive sports on park

3. 5 April 13/24979

Northland Rugby Union (Jeremy Parkinson, Chief Executive Officer)

+ Requests that plan allows for a shared facility building to be built on the site + Information including draft plans of possible building to house shared facility clubrooms + Requests a partnership with Council to lead a joint venture for the shared facility with the Northland Rugby Referees Association, the Northland Rugby Union and Old Boys Marist Rugby Club. + Shared facility could provide facilities for other sports clubs without homes + Requests 31 year lease + History of NRU

4. 5 April 13/24979

Tim Hurst Brad Te Haaia Kyal Collins Mike Coulthurst Tai Rogers Garry McCulhouse Ross Brown Damian Manahi Ed Poa Troy Gilbert Shaun Damora Zion Saunders Dieter de Cleng Aaron Des Lavender Hadlee Matson Mateo Malupo Paul Crawford Gary Wakelin Kevin Hayes Boyd Matson Tom Rihia Aimee Rogers Bruce Robertson Matt Phillips Jeremy Parkinson Alanna Clare Peter Nock Derren Witcombe Marina Shipton Greg Shipton Richard Talich Glen Cowie Michael Jujnovich Greg Allan Jared Cutforth

+ Supports the proposed shared sports facilities at the site to house Old Boys and Marists clubs, also NRU as well as the potential for other codes to share the facility (Proforma submission)

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Ajit Balasirghan Murray Dunn Joseph Cochrane Brent Hewitt John Mason Sid Going Donald Nicholson Merv Paul Martin Albrecht Warren Jones Roddy Finlayson Bernard Goodhue Trent Bocock KM Goodhue George Goodhew Moses Cherrington Graham Kidd Bryce Gatehouse June Nissen Michael Fletcher Peter Hargreaves Alistair McGinn

5. 4 April 13/24940

Northland Rugby Referees Association (Alanna Clare, Referee Administrator)

+ In support of Northland Rugby Union’s submission of the review on the Reserve Management Plan. + Support for a NRU facility to accommodate referees and gear as they no longer have a facility

6. 5 April 13/24153

Paul Fancy + Support for use of Pohe Island for cycling. + Support for the creation of a cycling criterium track. + Supports use of former recycling facility for Bike Northland + Opposed to rugby relocating to site as insufficient room, and insufficient demand for new sports fields.

7. 5 April 13/24417

Paul Berks + Support for passive recreation and non-commercial water activities + Suggests considering relocation of cycle tracks or widening footpaths for safety of both cyclists and walkers, less central location possible for cycling + Support for Rally of New Zealand. + Opposed to formal recreation at the site and relocation of Rugby Clubs due to valuable location with proximity to water and the city + Opposed to NRU on site + Opposed to Rock n Roll Club at the site.

8. 8 April 13/24854

Jeremy Busck + Supports the use of the park for passive activities only, strategic site as close to city and waterfront. +Opposed to relocation of NRU to site + Opposed to Rally + Opposed to use of park for formal sports as would waste centrally located land + Opposed to park and ride facility + Provides a list of activities that should be encouraged at the park in place of organised sports events including paths, model airplanes, picnic tables, exercise equipment

9. 7 April 13/24414

Madhatters Football Club (Paul Bonetti, Chairman)

+ Club facilities shared with Whangarei Ultimate (frisbie) group. + Supports five sports fields on site and use for summer activities, recognizes growing need + Request speed restrictions needed on proposed road as road bisects fields + Request improved security and lighting + Requests involvement in decisions on park development + Offer to be involved in planting, management committees

10. 8 April

Ian Goodison

+ Support for the proposed loop walkway, new entrance, cycle/walkway link to riverside drive, proposed internal

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13/24603 cycle/walkway links and the proposed cycle activity zone and bike facilities, passive areas + Supports a mix of passive and active recreation + Opposed to use of the site for motorsport. + Supports landscaping with specimen trees not bush + Requests jetty/pontoon structure for public access to river for small boats + Requests removal of old BMX track + Suggests several small carparks rather than one central + Suggests the park should be formally known as Pohe Island rather than the William Fraser Memorial Park + Need to rethink access roads

11. 8 April 13/24608

Robin Lieffering + Support for access and linkages for water-based activities including pontoons and boat launching facilities, coastal boardwalk, passive recreational facilities. + Opposed to the establishment of further rugby fields and buildings. + Requests parking facilities for self contained motor caravans at northern end of island.

12. 8 April 13/24676

Old Boys Rugby Sports Club Incorporated (Jon Harvey, President)

+ Support for shared facility for Old Boys Marist Rugby Sports Club and the Northland Rugby Union as central location and access, possible use by other codes + Support for NRU submission + History of club

13. 8 April 13/24752

Whangarei Rock n Roll Club (Suzie Rogers, Secretary)

+ Support for the overall development as community asset + Support for formal car-park and proposed new entrance + Proposed carparks should be close to Rock n Roll clubrooms, existing club car-parking not disrupted, enough car-parking and suitably finished to allow for limited mobility users + Request improved night time security and safety. + Request speed restrictions on roads. + Club would like improved signage. + If relocation of clubrooms was considered by council, adequate time to consult needed, appropriate noise limits at alternative sites and Council to cover any relocation costs

14. 8 April 13/25267

Bike Northland (Stuart Bell)

+ Proposed plans for cycling on park: Draft Plan for the Development of the Pohe Island Bike Park and a Multisport centre’, including request for lease, sale of building and other support from WDC + Requests that Council finalise plans for Pohe so that Bike Northland can develop the Multisport Centre + Shared paths and cycleways should be constructed to recommended widths from Austroads + Allowance for criterion style cycle track, dirt jumps, mountain bike obstacle course + Current Management plan only allows 3 events per year on wider reserve, need more frequent events

15. 9 April 13/25685

Whangarei BMX Club (Kathryn Darroch)

+ Support for existing references in plan to cycling, passive recreation and future toilets, limits to size of community buildings, lighting of BMX track, camping on park for events + Support for all forms of cycling in this park, lease needed + Oppose removal of old BMX track as well-used + Funding for toilet and administration building (referred to Annual Plan process)

16. 16 April 13/27321

Whangarei Rowing Club (Kevin O’Hagan)

+ Requests any increased security on site not restrict movements of members who often train in darkness + Queries proposed building referred to in section 5.5.3 in existing plan (note: this wording came from earlier submission) + Requests measure to restrict vehicle access near club. Pedestrian access around waters edge fine, however vehicles potentially hazardous and damaging to ramp Retain access to harbour

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Review of William Fraser Memorial Park on Pohe Island :

Summary of issues from Stage 1 submissions 2013

Submission number & comment Amendments to Reserve Management Plan

Rugby clubrooms

Supports 2. WFMP Park is ideal location for a sporting facility that includes Rugby 3. NRU proposes a shared community facility to include Old Boys Marist, NRU and NRRA and possibly other sports codes 4. (58 submissions) Support for a shared facility to include Old Boys Marist and NRU (& NRRA) & possibly other sports codes 5. NRRA supports a shared facility including NRU & Old Boys Marist & NRRU 12. Shared facility to include Old Boys Marist and NRU (&NRRA) will give benefit to whole community

+ Clubrooms to house Old Boys Marist, NRU, NRRA and included in consultation draft as strong support received + as above + as above + as above + as above

Opposes 6. Insufficient participation in team sport to justify more playing fields 7. Opposed to Old Boys and NRU relocating to site 8. Land in this location too valuable for active sports 11. No to further rugby fields and buildings

+ Playing fields already provided for in existing RMP + Clubrooms included in consultation draft as strong support received + Active recreation area not increased from last plan + Clubrooms included in consultation draft as strong support received

Neutral 10. Queries if rugby fields are a priority, fields should be used by a range of sports codes 15. Size of buildings should be limited

+ Fields are available for a range of sports codes + Clubrooms as provided in NRU included in consultation draft

Establish NRU on site

Supports 2. Supports office space for NRU 3. NRU proposes a shared community facility to include rugby clubs, NRU and NRRA 4. (58 submissions) Support for a shared facility to include Old Boys Marist and NRU & possibly other sports codes

+ Inclusion of NRU in consultation draft as strong support received + as above + as above

Opposes 7. Opposed to NRU relocating to site 8. NRU are a commercial enterprise and should rent commercial premises not be on park

+ Inclusion of NRU in consultation draft as strong support received

Cycling Supports 6. Old recycling building should be used by Bike Northland, supports cycling criterium track around outside of park & other use of park for cycling 10. Support for wide range of cycling activities 14. More than 3 cycle events needed per year, National and North Island events have been hosted. Requests purchase and lease of recycling building, space for a dirt jump area and mountain bike obstacle course, a new skate park and multi-use shared paths around park for pedestrians, parks, skaters 15. Support for all forms of cycling in this park, BMX track is well-used and should be retained, needs administration block and toilet and lease of recycling building

+ Use of former recycling building provided for in plan + Cycling activities provided for in plan + reference to 3 cycling events per year changed to at the discretion of Parks Manager + Cycling activities provided for in plan in general

Opposes 10. Old BMX track should be removed + Not supported by other submissions

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Neutral 7. Need wide paths to accommodate cyclists 8. Park could include a mini road network for children to learn bike skills and a bicycle obstacle course 14. Shared paths / cycleways should be constructed to recommended widths (Austroads)

+ Paths will be constructed at 2.5 m widths + Could be provided for in current plan +Paths will be constructed at 2.5m width which is considered adequate in park environment

Passive

Supports 7. Passive recreational park supported 8. A passive park would be visionary, and could include playground, fitness equipment, frisbee, parkour, band stand, remote controlled cars and bikes etc 10. Supports mix of passive and active activities, all-tide access to river needed 11. Need access and linkages for water-based activities, passive recreation activities

+ Active recreation area not increased from last plan + Active recreation area not increased from last plan, provision for passive activities + Passive recreation provided for + Passive recreation provided for

Neutral 10. Not enough information on youth activity zone

Other sports & clubs

Supports 7. Water based activities and Rally of NZ supported 9. Football club appreciates 2

nd dedicated soccer field

+ Rally to be retained on park + Existing field provision

Opposes 7. Inappropriate location for Rock and Roll club 8. Opposed to rally on park 10. Rally and associated motorcycle displays on site opposed

+ Established club with community benefits to be retained + Rally to be retained on park + Rally to be retained on park

New entranceway

10. Support for new Riverside Drive entry & access roads & smaller carparks 13. Support for new entranceway

+ plan amended to remove reference to large carpark, entry and access provided for in plan + provided for in plan

Other issues 1.Further works needed to improve dog park

8. Park and ride not needed on park 9. Speed restrictions and barriers needed for safety near sports fields 10. Dense bush plantings opposed 11. Must provide parking for self-contained motor caravans at northern end of park 13. Support for new carpark that allows easy access for those with limited mobility, need speed restrictions and better night time security 14. Support for camping on park for events 16. Need to allow for early and late entry to and exit from park for rowing activities, restrict vehicles in proximity to rowing club and ramp, retain access to harbor including restricting vehicle access near rowing club

+ Further works including planting will be done as part of park landscaping + park and ride removed from plan as not feasible + provided for in plan + Comment noted, landscaping plan to be prepared + Refer section 4.4.5, camping not recommended until landfill vented + New carparking and speed restrictions and security provided for in plan + Refer section 4.4.5, camping not recommended until landfill vented + Entry near rowing to be retained, vehicle restrictions provided for in plan

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7. Youth Space

Reporting officer Owen Thomas (Community Services Manager)



This item is in accord with Council’s vision, mission and values statement by furthering opportunities for positive youth development within the district aiding the development of economic growth, sense of place and aligning with the purpose for Local Government.

Introduction

The Whangarei Youth Space Steering Group (“WYSSG”) is seeking Council support for the establishment of a Youth Space close to the Central Business District. (“CBD”)

The support requested is for a lease of the building in Calder Park. (ex Whangarei Art Museum) at a peppercorn rental with other standard lease conditions.

Background

In 2009 an inter-sectoral group formed and have spent the last three years progressing this ‘youth focused’ initiative. During this time a group of young people came together to provide support and a youth voice to the project. In 2012 a submission was made by the Whangarei Youth Space Working Party to WDC’s Long Term Plan signalling the completion of a business plan and asking for support. Following on from their submission the working party, with the support of Manaia PHO, made an application to ASB and secured an establishment grant of $150,000 to further progress the concept to implementation. This process is currently underway. The WYSSG intend to make a further application to ASB Community Trust’s Catalyst for Change Fund which provides multi-year funding.

Youth Space

The Youth Space is a project that will develop a facility that is universally accessible for young people (12 – 24) and brings together the inter-connected elements of health and social service provision, youth development and information sharing as well as recreational activities. It will involve youth in design, governance and evaluation.

The inter-related elements of the Youth Space are presented diagrammatically below.

The service provision and referral element of the Youth Space will include a Nurse, Counsellor, Youth Workers and Administrative Support.

The youth development element will include information and support on education, employment, health and social services, peer mentorship, governance and leadership, involvement in volunteering and community initiatives and training opportunities.

Proposed recreational activities and facilities include a homework space, pool table, table tennis table, fitness equipment, access to internet, games, open microphone/stage, art room, DVD room, clothes exchange and drinks/coffee machine.

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Goals

In the short term the Youth Space will assist in alleviating boredom and increase the feeling of connectedness for young people in the community and develop greater awareness and utilisation of social and health services.

In the medium term the Youth Space will increase engagement in education, employment and recreational opportunities.

Over the longer term the Youth Space will increase engagement in the community by young people and develop new leaders across the Whangarei District. Young people will be valued by the community and the increased engagement will result in healthier, happier young people.

Objectives

To deliver a range of health and social services from the facility, through employing appropriate staff and providing a venue where existing service providers can deliver some components of their service.

To ensure that all services provided from the facility work within a youth development framework. To connect young people into other existing services, through appropriate referrals and advocacy.

To link young people into their primary care provider to ensure an integrated approach to health service delivery.

To strengthen collaboration and linkages between services and agencies to avoid duplication of services.

To facilitate access to information regarding health, social, educational and employment services and opportunities for young people, utilising a range of youth friendly strategies.

To provide a variety of planned activities which are youth focused and fun, and which support youth development.

To provide a range of recreational opportunities to encourage networking and the development of friendships.

To support community initiatives that will strengthen relationships between young people and the wider community.

To actively and genuinely involve young people in governance and operational components of the Youth Space to encourage skill development, a sense of ownership and pride, and to maintain a youth friendly and youth centred approach.

The Youth Space will be for all young people, rather than targeted to particular groups.

Facility needs

The facility will need to be a quality building that demonstrates trust and the value the community places on young people. It must create a sense of pride and ownership. The space within the facility needs to be sufficiently flexible to allow the inter-connected elements to operate together whilst allowing confidentiality when required. A location within, or adjacent to the CBD will reinforce that the facility is for all Whangarei District youth. Accessible public transport and support services for youth must be in close proximity.

Available Facility

The former Whangarei Arts Museum, in Cafler Park on Water Street, is currently vacant and has been since the relocation of the museum in 2011. The building comprises of a two story house that has been converted to provide an ‘open plan’ level and toilets on the ground floor (203.8 m2) and first floor (81.0 m2) offices with store rooms and kitchen amenities. As it is set in Cafler Park there are no immediate carparks. The rent assessment conducted by Telfer Young in November 2011 recommended rental of this property at $31,000 per annum plus GST and outgoings. As this premise is currently vacant and has been for some time the outgoings are currently being paid by WDC and are approximately $10,000 per annum. This rent assessment also specifically notes that because this property is not leased with any associated carparking and is set back from the road frontage in a park, it would appeal to a more restricted market.

At times WDC have been concerned with and challenged by anti-social behaviour within Cafler Park. The leasing of the former Whangarei Arts Museum building would introduce capable guardians to the space and their occupation will re-energise the area with positive activity.

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Funding

The Youth Space working group, together with the support of Manaia PHO in preparing the business case, received $150,000 from ASB Community Trust (‘the trust’) to fund the establishment phase of the project.

The Youth Space Steering Group is now working alongside ASB Community Trust developing an investment plan. This plan includes an application to the trust’s ‘Catalysts for Change Programme’. Through this programme the ASB Community Trust has identified issues within their region and then funds organisations, in a sustained way over a number of years, to try and address these issues. The intention is to create significant positive change through supporting innovative projects and practices.

The WYSSG is also working with Northland District Health Board, Department of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Social Development and other granting organisations as part of its sustainable business planning.

Initial projections and modelling estimate that, once operational, the Youth Space will bring an additional $750,000 to $1 million into the Whangarei District, over the first 5 years. Funding source estimates for the first five years are as follows:

ASB Community Trust 49%

Contracts 36%

Other Trust Grants 10%

Commercial Activity 2%

Donations / Fundraising 2%

The financial commitment requested from Whangarei District Council is limited to a favourable lease arrangement with the Youth Space. The facility would be made fit for purpose/refurbished at no cost to the Whangarei District Council.

Governance

Manaia Primary Health Organisation is the current “custodian” of the project having worked closely with inter-sectoral groups and a dedicated Youth Space Youth Group during 2012. A new Charitable Trust and Board will be set up during the establishment phase of the project to manage ongoing governance.

The Establishment Steering Group has representatives from 15 community groups and organisations.

The Project Manager and Clinical Services Manager at Manaia PHO meet formally each month with representatives of The Pulse (Raumanga) and the Foyer Project (NorthTec). These meetings are facilitated by the Northern Regional Manager of the Ministry of Youth Development with the support of the Northern Inter-sectoral Forum. The purpose of these meetings is to ensure connectedness, share resources and to provide strategic oversight of these significant youth focused initiatives in Whangarei.

Youth have been involved with the development of the business case and continue to be a key reference group for this project. There will be significant involvement in the new governance structure for youth creating opportunities for youth development and leadership.

Management

The staffing structure of the Youth Space is under development but will include a nurse, counsellor, youth workers, service leader and administrative support. These positions will not all be employees of the Youth Space as the financial and service delivery models require and reinforce collaboration and partnership between organisations that support youth.

Time-frames

The establishment phase of the Youth Space project is expected to conclude with the opening of a facility in mid December 2013.

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Other key milestones include:

30 June - Charitable Trust Established 5 July - Facility confirmed/secured 31 July – New governance board established 31 August - Investment Plan submitted to ASB 15 September – Contracts and MOU with providers confirmed 7 December – Facility opening

Conclusion

Council supports the provision of youth facilities and has done for some time. This aids in the provision of various youth services within our district. While the levels of service may have varied over the years the need for supporting positive youth development in Whangarei District has not.

There are a number of synergies between this proposal and some local, regional and national planning documents. At a local level there are relationships between this project and WDC’s LTP, Draft Annual Plan and Youth Policy. At a regional level, the Northland District Health Board has a strong commitment to the project with active participation in the Youth Space Steering Group and service design. The potential establishment of a facility is noted in the Northland District Health Board’s Health Services Plan 2012 – 2017. Finally, the youth participation principles outlined in the national youth development strategy have been closely followed to ensure quality youth involvement with this project to date.

A broad range of community groups and organisations have been involved in the project and continue to be kept informed on progress. As part of the establishment phase for this project the WDC Youth Advisory Group will become more actively engaged in the design of the facility and its operations.

The support of Whangarei District Council for this proposal will provide a catalyst for further funding applications and the development of service delivery models. It will also enable the project team to engage with potential service providers and partners who may be located at the facility.

Recommendation

1. That the information be received

2. That staff formalise a lease agreement, for the building in Cafler Park, formerly occupied by the Whangarei Art Museum, with the Whangarei Youth Space, once their Trust is established.

3. The term of the lease be for 3 years with the right to renew for a further 3 years if all lease conditions are met to a satisfactory standard

4. That Council approve a peppercorn rental of $1.00 per annum, to the Whangarei Youth Space Trust, for the building in Cafler Park, formerly occupied by the Whangarei Art Museum.

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whangarei disitrict council agenda 22 may 2013 · 2013-05-22 · whangarei district council 22 may...

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