ISSUE #87
SEPTEMBER 2015
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R U O Y
O T A K I A W
COUNCIL L A N O I G E R WAIKATO M O R F E T A D NEWS UP L A N IO G E R R YOU
Voice of youth heard on river health For 18 months Jason Sebestian has been a voice for Waikato’s youth, speaking up for the health of the Waikato and Waipā rivers as part of a multi-stakeholder project. But he says it’s now time for other young people to have their say, as the Healthy Rivers: Plan for Change/Wai Ora: He Rautaki Whakapaipai project nears a major milestone. The specially-formed 24-member Collaborative Stakeholder Group he’s part of is developing changes to the Waikato Regional Plan, which will be notified for public feedback next year. “I find it incredibly rewarding to be able to sit in a room with people from different backgrounds and experiences to hear what they think and to work together on a common goal,” says Jason. Over time, the plan change will help to reduce sediment, bacteria and nutrients entering water bodies in the 1.1 million hectare Waikato and Waipā river catchments.
Have your say in October Engagement events and a survey starting in late October will be people’s last chance to provide feedback to the Collaborative Stakeholder Group before they recommend a solution for the rivers. “I believe more needs to be done to protect the rivers, because if we leave it any later than this our future generations will be left with an even tougher job,” says the 24-year-old from Hamilton. “Our rivers affect so many people in the region – whether you are a farmer, an environmental advocate, a swimmer, a kayaker, a rural or urban resident. “Even if the only interaction you have with the river is appreciating how beautiful it looks, you should have your say on what could be done.
“It’s vital our communities get involved in this process. This plan change proposes solutions that will hopefully reverse the trend of worsening water quality in these rivers. It is a major opportunity for people to be involved in something that will bring about big changes to our water over the near and far future.” Jason is especially keen to hear from the region’s youth. “Any decisions that are made around safeguarding the health of these rivers and waters are going to be long term, with long term impacts, and that means our younger and future generations will be involved in both the solutions and reaping the rewards from them,” he says. Turn to page 4 to find out how you can get involved. waikatoregion.govt.nz/healthyrivers
Our report card’s out Find out how we performed over the past year in our annual report, due out in the next month. The work we do helps to make the Waikato a great region in which to live, work and play by producing a balance of environmental, economic, cultural and social benefits. We have a mission to work with others to create a Waikato region that has a healthy environment, strong economy and vibrant communities. The work that we've been doing over 2014/15 contributes to this and is reflected through the report.
Talks begin at Tauhei
Here’s a snapshot of the highlights 92%
Performance targets achieved.
1732
Resource consents processed.
9693
Resource consents administered.
78.4km Fencing completed in priority catchments and significant natural areas. 1374
Sites monitored for environmental data , including water and air quality, geother mal and rainfall.
86
Heating appliances replaced with app roved clean-heat options.
42,542
Native dune plants dug in by voluntee rs at 18 of 24 beachcare sites on the Coroma ndel Peninsula and region’s west coast.
2108
Farmers and rural professionals at our workshops and field days.
$214,440 Granted to boost 10 commun ity initiatives contributing positive environmental outcomes. 185 Works costing $3.72 million are proposed to alleviate frequent flooding in the Tauhei catchment. Next month we’re kicking off community discussions about a proposed programme of flood mitigation works in the Tauhei catchment. The first step is an information day for landowners who will benefit the most from these works and/or will be affected by works being carried out on their property. This event will be on Wednesday 7 October. The proposed works, which have been developed by our council in conjunction with tangata whenua, local representatives and landowners, aim to alleviate the frequent flooding and waterlogging of paddocks in the area. Works include widening stream channels and floodways, shifting stopbanks back from the edges of streams, and building new stopbanks. This will provide a consistent standard of flood protection to a 10-year level for the whole of the Tauhei stream catchment. The works are budgeted to cost $3.72 million over the first three years of the council’s long term plan, which was adopted in June following public consultation. At the information day, landowners will learn more about the works, the reasons for them, the benefits that will result, and how the cost will be shared between the local and wider communities. Letters of invitation to the information day have already been sent to the most affected landowners. Subject to landowner feedback and the level of support for the proposal, another information day will be held in November for landowners in the wider benefit area.
What’s it like living three days without the basics? For many of us, when the power goes off or the WiFi runs out and goes to dial up speed, an hour can seem like a lifetime! But this is barely a taste of what it would be like if you were in a disaster, like an earthquake, and it could be three days before services arrive to help you. So you need to be ready! You also need to know what to do during an event. Drop, cover, hold is the right action to take in an earthquake, and it will be practiced on Thursday 15 October at 9.15am. It’s the second time this national earthquake drill has been held, and it’s hoped 1.5 million people will sign up to participate. This would make it the biggest per capita ShakeOut drill in the world. Sign up your family, flat, business or school today at shakeout.govt.nz. YOUR WAIKATO
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96%
Schools participating in the Enviroscho ols programme. School satisfaction with the Ruben the Road Safety Bear programme.
waikatoregion.govt.nz/annual-report
Here in the Waikato we want to know what the aftermath of a disaster would be like. How would people cope for three days on their own with all they have in their fridge and pantry, and no electricity? So, Waikato Civil Defence will be broadcasting ‘webisodes’ of ‘Disaster House’ – three people, living for three days, in one house, after a disaster. The civil defence team will be filming their experience and broadcasting it on the Waikato Civil Defence YouTube channel. Tune in to see how the housemates react to the challenges they face.
Student’s flood of ideas for Graham’s Creek An innovative design by a Wintec student could change the way floodgates are operated in some areas of New Zealand and overseas. Staff in our council’s integrated catchment management (ICM) directorate approached Wintec late last year with a challenge for a mechanical engineering student: design a floodgate mechanism that opens and closes under hydraulic pressure without the need to be powered and controlled by electricity. Third year Bachelor of Engineering Technology student, Juan Martinez, accepted the challenge and produced 11 designs, with up to three being tested before the end of this year. If successful, the mechanism will be used in the Graham's Creek flood mitigation project at Tairua on the Coromandel Peninsula, with the floodgate to be installed by May next year. The floodgate will shut in high waters to divert the flow down a high-volume channel. The Uruguay born student has been supported in his work by staff from ICM and Wintec. Specialist environmental and engineering consultancy Tonkin & Taylor has provided free technical advice. “It’s been a challenging project and a big learning curve for me, but a real pleasure to be part of something so important for the Tairua community. “The beauty of engineering, for me, is that you need the structure, numbers and calculations, as well as the creativity to explore and dream,” he says. And his design is winning awards. In August, Juan won the Todd Foundation Award for
Excellence and received a grant of $3700 to go towards testing the mechanism. That's on top of $5000 we had set aside for the project. What's extra special about the design is its potential to enable native fish to more easily pass through flood-gated outlets. Also, because it eliminates the need for electricity or a person to open and close the floodgates at any time of the day and night, it could significantly reduce operational costs.
Graham’s Creek project timeline The Graham’s Creek flood protection system has been designed by a working party with community representatives, as well as councillors and staff from the Waikato Regional Council and Thames-Coromandel District Council. A significant amount of the work by both councils will be carried out over the next nine months. Phase 1: Late October to mid December 2015 • Upstream works including: • channel diversions • stream channel widening • excavation of floodway/spillway • sediment control. • Manaia Road causeway upgrade. Phase 2: Mid February to April • Stopbank construction. • Manaia Road stopbank upgrade. Phase 3: May to June 2016 • Restoration planting.
Moody kererū photo takes top prize Ngāruawāhia woman Jeanine Ashdown is more used to snapping dirt bikes than birds in her spare time, but her stunning image of a plump kererū on a moody day has taken out top spot in the Hamilton Halo photo competition. The people’s choice winner is Kevin Krippner, with a gorgeous photo of a tūī in an earlyblooming hybrid kōwhai. More than 70 photos of tūī, kererū and bellbird were submitted for judging in the biennial competition, which helps raise awareness about protecting our precious native birds. Hamilton Halo, initiated by our council in
conjunction with Landcare Research, aims to bring native birds like tūī, bellbird and kererū back into urban areas by assisting habitat restoration and biodiversity. The ‘Halo’ is a ring around Hamilton, taking in key sites within the 20km tūī feeding range. Studies have shown that without adequate animal pest control, tūī nesting success is only 27 per cent, mostly due to the high populations of ship rats in the Waikato. To improve nesting success, intensive rat control is undertaken leading up to the breeding season at Halo sites.
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Care about our rivers? Be part of the solution.
About the project Healthy Rivers: Plan for Change/ Wai Ora: He Rautaki Whakapaipai is working with stakeholders to develop changes to the regional plan to help restore and protect the health of the Waikato and Waipā rivers.
The Collaborative Stakeholder Group wants to know your thoughts before they recommend a solution for the Waikato and Waipā rivers. They hope to see you at one of the following events.
The project plays a part in achieving the Vision and Strategy for the Waikato River/Te Ture Whaimana o Te Awa o Waikato. The Waikato and Waipā catchments are the focus of this plan change. The council will review water quality policy for the rest of the region from 2015, as part of the wider review of the Waikato Regional Plan.
OPEN STAKEHOLDER WORKSHOP Water quality policies and solutions 8.30am-4.00pm An optional introductory presentation precedes the main workshop. Tuesday 27 October Mystery Creek Events Centre, near Hamilton You must register at waikatoregion.govt.nz/ healthyrivers. COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS All community workshops run from 6.30pm-8.30pm. Registration is not required. TOKOROA Wednesday 28 October South Waikato Sport and Events Centre TUAKAU Thursday 29 October Tuakau Memorial Hall HAMILTON Thursday 5 November Hamilton Gardens Pavilion ŌTOROHANGA Tuesday 10 November Ōtorohanga Club
About the Collaborative Stakeholder Group
CAN’T MAKE AN EVENT?
The 24-member group was formed especially to bring parties likely to be affected together to deal with the complex issues involved. It’s hoped that working together will result in a better solution, and better outcomes for the rivers in the long term. Find out who’s on the CSG at waikatoregion. govt.nz/csg. Some members are holding workshops for their sectors. For more information, contact your sector representative on healthyrivers@waikatoregion.govt.nz, stating your sector.
Then do our online survey at waikatoregion.govt.nz/healthyrivers from 28 October to 13 November. Sign up to be part of the solution at waikatoregion.govt.nz/healthyrivers and we’ll send you a reminder when the survey is available.
NEXT STEPS
Public feedback will help the Collaborative Stakeholder Group to finalise their recommended solution.
The proposed plan change will go to Waikato Regional Council for adoption from April 2016.
The proposed plan change will be publicly notified. This will include details on how you can view the proposed plan change and make a submission on it. Anyone can make a submission.
Name
Constituency
Phone
Name
Constituency
Phone
Jane Hennebry
Hamilton
021 229 8591
jane.hennebry@waikatoregion.govt.nz
Hugh Vercoe
Waihou
021 673 716
hugh.vercoe@waikatoregion.govt.nz
Lois Livingston
Hamilton
021 704 293
lois.livingston@waikatoregion.govt.nz
Kathy White
Taupō
021 676 947
kathy.white@waikatoregion.govt.nz
Bob Simcock
Hamilton
021 673 940
bob.simcock@waikatoregion.govt.nz
Clyde Graf
Thames-Coromandel
021 919 504
clyde.graf@waikatoregion.govt.nz
Paula Southgate
Hamilton
021 589 957
paula.southgate@waikatoregion.govt.nz
Stu Kneebone
Waipa-King Country
(07) 827 3079 or 021 943 055
stuart.kneebone@waikatoregion.govt.nz
Peter Buckley
Waikato
021 227 3436
peter.buckley@waikatoregion.govt.nz
Alan Livingston
Waipa-King Country
021 670 511
alan.livingston@waikatoregion.govt.nz
Theresa Stark
Waikato
021 941 314
theresa.stark@waikatoregion.govt.nz
Tipa Mahuta
Ngā Hau e Whā
021 919 398
tipa.mahuta@waikatoregion.govt.nz
Stuart Husband
Waihou
027 233 0030
stuart.husband@waikatoregion.govt.nz
Timoti Bramley
Ngā Tai ki Uta
021 675 703
timoti.bramley@waikatoregion.govt.nz
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