Omaha Beach - Planning Forum 2010

Minutes of the Planning Forum of Omaha Beach Community Inc. ("OBC")
Held at Omaha Beach Community Centre at 4.00pm
On Saturday 20 November 2010

PRESENT
OBC President Graham Painter (Chair) and Committee: Chris Allan, Mike Campbell, Roger Donald, Kim Fisher, Trish Jackson, Steve Marshall, Judy O'Callahan

Hon Dr Lockwood Smith, MP
Sgt Bede Haughey (Head of Station) and Jon Williams – Police, Warkworth

Some 80 other OBC members and interested parties

APOLOGIES
Committee members Merv Dry, Glenys McBain & Greg, Belinda Thomas; OBC members Darrell Colmore-Williams, Parker Cline, Colleen & Murray Ward, Ann Saunders, Max Marsh, Richard & Leigh Fisher, Dennis Currin; John Phillis; Rodney Local Board Member June Turner.

WELCOME
The Chairman welcomed Lockwood Smith, MP for Rodney; Rodney Ward Councillor, Penny Webster; Rodney Local Board Members Tracey Martin, Steve Garner and Chairman Bob Howard; former RDC Councillor Dave Parker, Sgt Bede Haughey and OBC members / meeting attendees.

OPENING ADDRESS – COUNCILLOR PENNY WEBSTER
Attendees congratulated Penny on her election, following which she commented on what has been happening to date in the new Auckland Council, mentioned some key projects and issues: eg the 'Spatial plan' (where to / not to develop? How to fit plan we need to where people want to go?), the inner-city rail loop, proposed route and planned exits for SH1 extension, environmental issues and future opportunities – and financial constraints. In conclusion she thanked the OBC President for this year's close working relationship.

RODNEY LOCAL BOARD MEMBER INTRODUCTIONS & COMMENTS
(Interspersed through meeting, the President introducing each of them.)

Tracey Martin described her position as that of an advocate on the one hand, listening to various local communities, and as a deliverer of messages on the other hand, ensuring we're fully informed.

Steve Garner said it was heartening to see so many Omaha residents here today, he appreciates why it's such a great community, and he, Tracey and June are here to support us.

Bob Howard introduced himself to us as a Kumeu resident of 25 years, with a country background, who's keen on keeping Rodney as a country playground with a 'friends and family' environment. He looks forward to representing the whole community.

STATUS OF PREVIOUS / CONTINUING OBJECTIVES
The OBC President outlined the status of these and OBC's 2009 initiatives, except where otherwise noted, and invited questions from the floor.

Seawall & Dinghy Ramp
This had been scheduled for February 2010, but having been redesigned at RDC's suggestion to enable provision of a new pond for the Golf Club this has been subject to a resource consent delay.

Boat Ramp & Trailer Parking
Driving of boats onto trailers has been exacerbating dangerous holes by the boat ramp. Parking areas were leveled and grassed and have now been delineated (for parking between the markers). The overload parking area must be kept open. The provision of an alternate ramp for the future is to be put on the new Auckland Council agenda – "but don't expect it in the short term". Residents asked for signs on two walkways between Community Centre and Boat Ramp and more "5 knot" signs on the harbour approach to boat ramp.

Vehicles on Walkways / Dunes / Beach
Reminder that the "no go" applies to all motorised vehicles including quad / trail and mini-bikes.

Rabbits
Reminder that the "no go" applies to all motorised vehicles including quad / trail and mini-bikes.

Public Property Maintenance (Council)
OBC, particularly through Merv Dry, has continued monitoring and liaising with Citycare and with RDC. Lots of work was done on the northern end walkways earlier in the year and this will be ongoing as needed. Let us know of any ongoing issues and we will pass them on.

Inundation Issue
This has been resolved after a long battle. The LIMS of affected properties will basically have a note along the lines of "there may be potential for inundation in 50 years' time if sea levels rise…"

Stormwater Rates
This issue has gone on and on this year, with numbers of meetings between OBC (President and other committee) and RDC (Mayor and Council officers). The President recounted some of the arguments and council 'come-backs' of this "'Yes, Minister' saga" noting, inter alia, that Council claimed stormwater spending averaged $27kpa, that Council hasn't been maintaining the median strips in Mangatawhiri Rd and remedying blockages will now cost some $90k – unnecessarily, had the work been done annually.

Numbers of residents expressed their frustration over this continuing issue and the suggestion was made that ratepayers deduct the stormwater rate (or percentage of same) when paying their annual rates assessment. OBC has noted Council's policy statement that ratepayers not be charged for services not supplied – the crux of our argument – but cannot support withholding a portion of rates. A discussion paper has been sent from RDC to Auckland City and OBC will continue to fight. Residents were assured that if there is a legal option we will use it. We will get further advice and explore whatever options are available, in a coordinated way.

Questions were raised about the Watercare bills for wastewater, received recently. We will attempt to clarify rates bills via the newsletter and website.

Mail Box Placements
NZ Post's current policy is dangerous and, in our view and that of RDC, illegal. It is an ongoing issue we are attempting to resolve. Please contact OBC committee if contractor won't deliver because of mailbox placement.

Christmas / New Year Rubbish Collections
No information yet available, but expected to be as for last year. We will put this on website and in newsletter. The provision of a large bin by the boat ramp last year was welcomed – though we received a complaint about the colour.

Civil Defence – Tsunami Warning Testing & RDC Management Plan
RDC had provided an evacuation plan – delivered to mailboxes – but the plan is inherently dangerous and OBC cannot support it. (In effect it tells all residents to evacuate the whole spit – on foot, and over the causeway.) It makes no use of existing high ground, takes no account of any degree of wave effect, and adhering to it would create dangerous bottlenecks.

The tsunami sub-committee has now met with Auckland City's new North-Western area civil defence controller and will work up a management plan which will take into account property height above sea level and anticipated wave effect. We will forward a contour plan to every resident, showing property heights above sea level.

WHANGATEAU HARBOUR
Cockle Ban Support
We supported the cockle ban, in place since 28 March, and hope it will be successful. Marine biologist Roger Grace told the Whangateau Forum in late November that there is no sign of recovery yet, according to recent cockle counts done in the harbour.

Mangroves
An ARC protocol now exists for management control of mangroves in estuaries, which potentially provides a 'middle ground' between total eradication on the one hand and total protection on the other. It was noted that the Whangateau Harbour Care Group's 10 Point Plan does provide for the removal of mangroves in certain areas.

A suggestion by one resident that mangroves 'on the causeway' be controlled received support. Members with views on this are asked to contact OBC through the website so that we can collate opinions and come back to the community.

SECURITY
The number of security 'incidents' has escalated this year, in particular during the weekends before, over and after Labour weekend. In mid-November, after considerable discussion among the community, an email was sent out to all members whose email addresses are on our database. As a result of the email we had ten responses over and above what we had received before, and the primary offenders have been identified and are being dealt with by the police.

There are differences of opinion about whether these incidents should be publicised and Bede Haughey, Sergeant-in-Charge, Warkworth Police explained his concerns that the fear of crime can become greater than the reality of crime: "one bit of bad news told 100 times becomes for some people 100 crimes".

Bede referred to the liquor ban, which differs in Omaha from some other areas: it applies across the whole Omaha spit, for the twelve hours from 6pm to 6am, during the whole period of daylight saving each year. He commented that the relationship the Omaha Beach community enjoys with Insite and the Police is good and the envy of other areas – and that we have a level of security here which exceeds that of most other areas. We have high expectations, which is good.

He is confident the police have the resources they need, with police in different areas supporting each other; he admitted however that they could 'lift their game' with regard to follow-up. From now on the proposal for an alternate resolution process whereby young offenders who have been are identified following involvement in low level crime will have to front up to the community.

Bede expressed his support for his Greymouth colleagues; meeting attendees agreed with this and applauded Bede and his team.

The President referred to a member's claim that the police were never here, assuring them that that is quite wrong – but we have to remember they can only respond if there is a car available. He asked residents to consider whether, given we are seeing an increase in nuisance behaviour, we need to increase the security levy. One suggestion is that patrols start at 6pm and finish at midnight. There is also the question of whether we should retain Insite during all long weekends – and potentially school holidays. This will be further discussed at the AGM.

The President introduced Chris Martin, Insite Security, who thanked Bede, John and "their guys", assuring residents that every time Insite has needed police assistance they've been there within minutes.

Responding to a question regarding the effectiveness of the CCTV cameras at the roundabout, Chris replied that they are very effective both in getting 'great leads' for the police and as a deterrent, a number of boy racers thinking they're speed cameras! He noted the cameras have been replaced recently, and can now be viewed remotely.

The President passed on a resident's request that drivers not exceed the speed limit on Mangatawhiri Rd.

OMAHA PARK
Richard Brabant, OBC's barrister for the Omaha Park Ltd ("OPL") case, updated the meeting, advising that OPL did not appeal the decision. In his view the likelihood of any zoning review in the near future is remote and some findings in the decision will make future development difficult.

He advised that while awards of costs are not common on plan change appeals OBC's request for reimbursement of expenditure on imagery (provided by OBC and used by all parties) seems reasonable. We needed to apply for a general award of costs too after other parties made this application, but we think it unlikely that general costs will be awarded.

Peter Jackson complimented Richard Brabant, Chris Allan (OBC's instructing solicitor) and Graham Painter (OBC President) on the "fantastic job" they did in achieving that result and attendees congratulated them acclamation.

Graham Painter noted that most of the "pretty big team" were introduced at the function held a few weeks after the decision was announced, and thanked members who attended the hearings; the community's presence was appreciated. There will be an accounting at the AGM.

FORESHORE & SEABED
Richard Brabant, at OBC's request, explained what the current proposals really mean - from a legal perspective and from his background in environmental law - as there is some misinformation circulating.

Four of the points he noted were:

The specific provision for access in the proposed legislation;
The very high threshold for customary rights applications, including uninterrupted use stretching back generations;
The importance of respecting wahi tapu – sacred places – especially burial areas (as Europeans expect for cemeteries);
The detailed consultation that has already taken place at Omaha, especially in conjunction with the Omaha South development.

WALKWAYS
The Matakana walkway group has been fundraising and is planning a Fun Walk ("Fruit Loop") on Saturday 5 March 2011. The Point Wells walkway stage to Omaha Flats Road, opposite Jones Road, is progressing. We apologise for lack of progress on the Taniko walkway this year, due mostly to the OPL case; this is now a priority.

DOTTERELS & PREDATOR FENCE
David Stone described the setting up of the Omaha Shorebird Protection Trust ("OSPT") which is fundraising for a predator-proof fence ("like the ones at Tawharanui and Karori") to protect the dotterels who mate and breed here. The OSPT now has approx 60% of the anticipated cost and has tenders for the fence. A new brochure being distributed includes information, a Youtube reference for a video, and an invitation to become a 'Friend of Omaha Shorebirds' and/or make a tax-deductible donation. He asked that we "tread softly up there: it's unique".

FUTURE - AND GENERAL
Carolyn Howden's has suggested a project to develop the quarry at the southern end with some landscaping and design - "a perfect adjunct to the Taniko walkway".

A resident suggested the hours on which dogs cannot be on the beach should be 10am to 6pm (instead of 9am to 7pm). There appeared to be support for the evening change.

One resident raised the issue of the speed of broadband at Omaha, considering it unacceptably slow. Others do not perceive a problem, and OBC understood this had been fixed a year or two ago. The President asked that anyone with a problem let OBC know, with local address and phone number, and we will follow it up. Councillor Webster noted that this is a priority for the Auckland Council.

GUEST SPEAKER – HON DR LOCKWOOD SMITH, MP FOR RODNEY
Lockwood expressed his interest in local community activities and congratulated the community on the Omaha Park development result and the OSPT on their interesting, impressive developments in twelve months, commenting that having people understanding more is important. He noted that some of our issues are so common to some other areas – eg mangroves, relating how 'his' childhood beach is now destroyed – and offered to take up the Civil Defence management plan with the relevant minister.

He stressed that the biggest issue for all of us is Auckland Council – where Penny Webster has huge responsibility and is now more important to us than she was as Mayor. In his view the areas north of Auckland have always been ignored by Auckland - at great cost to the Northland economy, an example being State Highway 1 which carries more traffic each day, on the Warkworth to Puhoi section, than does the whole Auckland railway network. He advised us to "watch the 'Spatial Plan' with absolutely clear eyes" and concluded by thanking OBC for what they do for the community.

CLOSE OF MEETING
The President thanked guests and residents, reminded members of the AGM on Monday 3 January 2011 and closed the meeting at 5:50pm.