Omaha Beach - Planning Forum 2010

Minutes of the Planning Forum
Omaha Beach Community Inc. ("OBC")
Held at Omaha Beach Community Centre at 4.00pm, Saturday 19th November 2011

PRESENT
OBC President Graham Painter (Chair) and Committee: Trish Jackson, (Secretary) Chris Allan, Roger Donald, Glenys McBain, Erin Sullivan.

Auckland Councillor -Penny Webster (arrived late)
Rodney Board Member-Tracey Martin

Approx. 100 OBC members and interested parties in attendance.

APOLOGIES
Committee members; Merv Dry, Kim Fisher, Steve Marshall.
Members; Denis & Judy O’Callahan, J Phillis, Richard & Leigh Fisher, Phil & Liz Winstone, Tim & Rosemary Auld, Donna & Ian Murray, Brian Holmes, Richard & Lyn Carbines, Carolyn Howden.
Rodney Local Board Members, Bob Howard, June Turner.

WELCOME
The Chairman noted that Rodney Ward Councillor, Penny Webster would be arriving late and welcomed Rodney Local Board Members Tracey Martin, Steve Garner and OBC members / meeting attendees.

PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS – Graham Painter
Special thanks were given to the Committee and also other members of the community such as Denis O’Callahan, Belinda Thomas, Terry Brailsford, Richard Brabant, plus the many others who have contributed to various projects.

The performance of the new Auckland Council was then commented on.
Particular reference was made of the following issues;

OBC submissions need to be better represented in Council. It appears that the rural community is not understood by central office. The Local Boards are caught up in the bureaucracy and need to get more proactive in their representation. There has been no carry over in funding from RDC to AC and local contacts with knowledge have been lost to centralization. Example described of Northern Regional Park Security contract being given to overseas provider.

Seawall replacement due to containing hazardous asbestos material was started two years ago without need for consent. This now requires consent despite the fact that it is to replace a health hazard. Also a planner is suggesting suggests that no sand should be taken from golf course because of historic archeological site whereas the alternative is to bring sand from outside at great cost and import from another source.
The performance to date of the Auckland City Council has been very disappointing.

OBC submissions emphasized the need for representation – it has not happened to date.

Whangateau protection initiatives for funding actioned by Kerry Connolly on behalf OBC has been lost in talk fest - $250,000 allocated to date but no real action.

Warkworth A&P show resource consent required after many years without requiring resource consent, now needs one, putting the event in jeopardy for the future.

Auckland Council CEO Claims consenting processes have improved yet applications for a 1m boundary adjustment took 3 months and cost $8,000.
A home and income resource consent on a qualifying site total cost $28,000 of which includes an unexplained $15,000 storm water contribution -yet there is no additional run-off on the site.

We need to be conscious of the use of the term “Holiday Highway”. It is a northern economic highway crucial to serve a struggling northern economy. Holiday traffic is a few hours a week.

Auckland Council Local Board Member Address – Tracey Martin
Tracey addressed each of the issues raised.
She noted that she did not know of some of the Omaha issues until 10days ago.
However agreed that locals have lost contracts which is not right and that the example of security given was bizarre.
She is not familiar with the Seawall consent issues.
The Whangateau has been very much an ARC (now defunct) concern and appears to have been “lost”.
The Warkworth A & P Show resource consent has been dealt with and a solution has been found.
The Extension of the Puhoi Highway is desperately needed for the economic growth of the area and she has been part of presentations towards the cause.

OBC President-Graham Painter expressed our appreciation for her commitment to Omaha.

1. Notices

1.1 Christmas/New Year Rubbish Collections will be as per last year. Dates put in Newsletter and on website.

1.2 Boat Ramp & Trailer Parking.
Parking area has been regrassed and trailer spacing marked. The rubbish bin is for boat rubbish, not household and will carry signage to state this.
A question was raised as to whether anything been done about parking by cars only and long-stay users? It is very difficult to police. Also, discussed if the Outrigger Canoes could be moved closer to harbour- to be followed up.

1.3 Cockle Ban.
More signage is to be organized by Whangateau Harbour Care primarily to educate visitors.

1.4 Security.
Same as last year -6:00 pm to midnight plus as required. Chris Martin and team at Insite thanked for all their work.

1.5 Public Property Maintenance
Changes will be coming up next year. City Care contract changing on 1st June and area rangers will be used. The implications of this change are unknown.

2. Community Centre

OBC has approved the purchase of a Defibrillator. Staff will be trained with liaison from surf club paramedics. Since the meeting this is now changed due to outside donations. Hutchinson’s were commissioned by OBC to do a complete report on interior & exterior. The exterior maintenance program has commenced – Cedar cladding has been chemwashed and will not be stained. Staining requires regular upkeep at considerable cost and is not recommended. The roof has been repaired and painted; flashings and membrane are to be repaired. The deck is now being replaced. The starter’s shed seating has been rebuilt. Approx. $40,000 from Maintenance Fund is to be spent.
Interior plan is still to be received from OBGC as the OBC has offered a $ for $ subsidy up to $10,000.

3. Whangateau Harbour-Mangroves

Small areas of new growth are allowed to be removed but larger ones need Council approval. WHC group want to co-ordinate this and develop a step by step management program. They will also co-ordinate a working bee to pull new growth and ask all Omaha residents to offer help by emailing us. Date will be posted on the website when available.

4. Seawall and Golf Club Ponds

Richard Brabant was introduced and explained progress.
Resource consent has been applied for seawall replacement and we have been advised that 14 submissions have been received. These mainly relate to the area north of the Club where the gabion baskets are sited. Residents are asking for better public access, including steps and dinghy ramps, which is restricted under the current plan.. Discussion with residents is underway. This process has been lengthy as the 1st phase was completed 2 years ago and 2nd phase was planned to be done a year ago. Tracey Martin said that it was on the 10 year Long Term Plan and that $208,000 was allocated towards the project.

5. Marine Reserve

Richard Brabant explained that a proposal slipped into the Draft Auckland plan without knowledge of community or local board. The areas indicated on the plan are extensive and extend to Gt Barrier. Submissions have closed, but Resource Management processes will be subject to appeal process and creating a marine reserve is a special process. RB will monitor for OBC.

6. Omaha Park

There are rumours that developers will do something further and OBC have a search warrant on files under Official Information Act. OBC recommend that funds be retained for future legal actions and will communicate with all contributors recognizing commitment to refund any surplus.

7. Walkways- Taniko & Quarry

OBC committee requires assistance in order to get these projects going with a standalone committee. The walkway has been pegged and around half / 1,500m needs boardwalk but we will re-look at the route in the summer dry period to confirm if this is correct A Bridge across stream at southern end by 8th tee forms part of Tsunami evacuation route to quarry so Council should pay for this.

8. Dotterels & Predator Fence

David Stone thanked the community for generous donations to the Predator Fence and reported the total required of $144,000 has been reached. This is a major initiative to protect the native & migratory birds on the spit. Consent is with Council and it is planned to be built in 2012. Marie explained the significance and special features of the site to the audience. Volunteers currently assist with setting 30 traps daily. Human predators/vandals/domestic cats are biggest problem.

9. Wastewater Rates

OBC has responded to and provided an explanation to a number of queries regarding the perceived increases. There had been a steady increase in charges although the basic methodology had not been altered. Some figures quoted for increases were incorrect The increase between the 2006/7 years and 2010/11 years was 25.7% or a 6.4% average increase over the 4 years. .Existing rates are locked in by legislation until 1 July 2012 when a uniform rate for all Auckland is to be set after public consultation thru LTCCP process. OBC has concerns about a uniform rate and will monitor but cannot do anything at present.

There were strong views expressed by 2 residents that the water rates issue should be protested. After some discussion a motion was proposed although there was a view that the forum was not constituted to pass binding resolutions. It was clear however there was concern about the continued level of increases and that OBC should be active to try to ensure Omaha Beach was fairly treated by comparison with other areas when the new system comes into force. It was agreed that the OBC should give advance notice of its concerns to the council and Watercare before the final basis is agreed. Penny Webster the Auckland Councilor for Rodney advised that her expectation was that rates would decrease for the Rodney area when the new basis was finally approved.

10. Storm water

Problems occurred following three extreme rain events in Dec/Jan where significant flooding occurred in a number of areas.
Excellent response and communication was received initially from Storm water people. There are three soak holes now being monitored; Southern Isle, Darroch Slope and 164 Mangatawhiri.
The Southern ponds have been mucked out and water level lowered 200mm
Problem areas have been identified on plans.
Several problem properties have garages below road level which we cannot deal with but others with failed storm water systems more of a concern.

OBC’s concern is that no remedial action plan is in place for identified areas. In response, Council storm water experts say more monitoring is required.
There is targeted rate being levied but this is a play on words. The previous targeted rate was at $500k pa yet only approx. $23,000 spent pa.
OBC require action and meeting planned on site with Council storm water staff. Assistance is being received from Tony Kortegast and Tonkin & Taylor.

11. Surf Club

No update as Jonathan Williams unable to attend.

12. Dune Signage

Beach side signage to keep off the dunes is urgently needed. The Kermadec earthquake created wave surge that eroded all of southern end dune frontage and driftwood washed to top of walkways. Visitors, particularly children think dunes are fun play slopes but they are Omaha’s only protection against a large tidal surge and any destruction allows further erosion. Public are encouraged to remind people of the need to stay off the dunes.

13. Civil Defense- Tsunami Management Plan

This is a major project involving David Neil (Emergency Management Controller for region), Police, Surf Club, Insite Security, OBC, Dennis O’Callahan, Belinda Thomas, Chris Allen and Graham Painter.

A year ago RDC circulated a plan to simply evacuate across causeway and not to use vehicles. OBC rejected this plan.
Omaha is different from Snells Beach / Point Wells which have relatively stable populations and either immediate high ground or compulsory road egress.
Omaha has 2-300 people mid-winter week days and up to 10,000 in peak summer holidays and anywhere between 100 to 2-3,000 vehicles.
Any Tsunami plan must be flexible in all respects.
The level of risk had to be determined by the expected time of surge arrival, magnitude and the likely level of population in residence at the time.
A distant long term event would allow 12-16 hours for an orderly vehicle evacuation by road as this is no different than a peak Sunday for traffic. However, a near source there could be as little as 20 minutes warning making vehicle evacuation difficult. Safety would be only on high ground on the Omaha spit as identified.

A pamphlet is currently being prepared to circulate plus an A3 size map showing all properties and 10m zone. A separate plan for golfers is required.

High ground areas - Northern zone around Caroline Heights.
Southern zone back of Mangatawhiri in north
Hill at back of Taumata tennis courts
Mangatawhiri extension thru security gate. Traffic to be managed by Insite and Surf Club to ensure cars–move to furthest point on road to avoid traffic jams.

Police are to locate base for communications – initially at Surf Club then Ching residence above Pink Beach – Police / OBC / Insite / Surf club to liaise re management requirements on the day.

Telephone tree to be set up to cover street by street and volunteers sought to do this.

Marine VHF communication being discussed with Police and Coastguard as many people have marine radios if landline or mobiles are put out of action .
David Neil from Council Civil Defense addressed the meeting and explained how they are working with communities. A question was asked as to how one should prepare to leave their home in a Tsunami regarding power and windows. No clear advice able to be given because of the large number of individual variables except get out quickly and peoples safety is the first and only priority.

Questions & General
Is the footpath to be built on the south end of Omaha Drive? Discussion in the past has clearly shown that not all residents were in favour of this and drainage was an issue. There was a 50/50 for and against. Although rejected in prior planning forums the issue will be raised in a newsletter to seek further opinion.
How do new residents learn about the OBC and membership? It was explained that this occurs through OBRS and Real Estate agents. Also OBC website has details of how to join.

David Hansen thanked Chris Martin and Insite for all the work they did for Omaha residents.

Auckland Councillor- Address by Penny Webster
Penny Webster described the first year for the new Council as being a very interesting and a challenging one with new roles and cultures being established.
However, there have been many positive aspects, especially of note is the Auckland Plan. This has been worked on all year as a discussion document “Auckland Unleashed” however it is disappointing the way in which the Plan was presented. Submissions were received during the Rugby World Cup which was not the best time to allow full public input.
There are political issues around some councillors pushing their own regional/legacy issues. Cr Webster feels strongly that we do need to get the right growth that is required and especially in this area.
Re, The Marine Reserve- “It will not be in the final Plan”, “Fishing is what we do”. However a ban on Commercial fishing and Bottom Netting in the area could be the issue which needs to be addressed and she would support this type of ban.
Wastewater rates- we can be assured that these will come down along with general rates by up to 16%.
Mangroves are a big concern receiving a lot of submissions and the council will address the uncontrolled spreading.
Local Boards-roles are still being established. Relationships from the past don’t necessarily stand now so communities need to establish new relationships.
The merger of the Auckland councils is a very large undertaking and will take time to consolidate. She compared this to the formation of Fonterra from the individual milk companies which is a far more simple business yet took some years to complete. It is now considered a very well structured and functional organization.

OBC Annual General Meeting – Saturday 7th Jan, 4 pm will be a working meeting without repeating any matters discussed in the Planning Forum.

Close of Meeting-6.10pm