ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE AGENDA - Manawatu-Wanganui...Dec 14, 2016 · The purpose of this item is to provide members of Council’s Environment Committee with an Environmental Education

Note: The reports contained within this agenda are for consideration and should not be construed as Council policy

unless and until adopted. Items in the agenda may be subject to amendment or withdrawal at the meeting.

I hereby give notice that an ordinary meeting of the Environment Committee will be held on:

Date: Time: Venue:

Wednesday, 14 December 2016

1.00pm

Tararua Room Horizons Regional Council 11-15 Victoria Avenue, Palmerston North

ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE

AGENDA

MEMBERSHIP Chair Cr GM McKellar Deputy Chair Cr PJ Kelly JP Councillors Cr JJ Barrow Cr LR Burnell Cr DB Cotton Cr EB Gordon JP (ex officio) Cr RJ Keedwell Cr NJ Patrick Cr PW Rieger, QSO JP Cr BE Rollinson Cr CI Sheldon Cr WK Te Awe Awe Michael McCartney

Chief Executive Contact Telephone: 0508 800 800 Email: [email protected] Postal Address: Private Bag 11025,

Palmerston North 4442

Full Agendas are available on Horizons Regional Council website www.horizons.govt.nz

for further information regarding this agenda, please contact:

Julie Kennedy, 06 9522 800

CONTACTS 24 hr Freephone : 0508 800 800

[email protected] www.horizons.govt.nz

SERVICE

CENTRES Kairanga Cnr Rongotea & Kairanga-Bunnythorpe Rds, Palmerston North

Marton Hammond Street

Taumarunui 34 Maata Street

Woodville Cnr Vogel (SH2) & Tay Sts

REGIONAL

HOUSES

Palmerston North 11-15 Victoria Avenue

Wanganui 181 Guyton Street

DEPOTS Levin 11 Bruce Road

Taihape Torere Road Ohotu

POSTAL

ADDRESS Horizons Regional Council, Private Bag 11025, Manawatu Mail Centre, Palmerston North 4442

FAX 06 9522 929

Environment Committee

14 December 2016

Page 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 Apologies and Leave of Absence 5

2 Public Speaking Rights 5

3 Supplementary Items 5

4 Members’ Conflict of Interest 5

5 Environmental Education

Report No: 16-247 7

6 One Plan Implementation Progress: Dashboard Report

Report No: 16-248 15 Annex A - One Plan Dashboard - December 2016 19

7 Regulatory Management and Rural Advice Activity Report - September to November 2016

Report No: 16-249 21 Annex A - Consent status on Non-Territorial Authority and Territorial

Authority WWTP’s 33 Annex B - Compliance status on Non-Territorial Authority and Territorial

Authority WWTP’s 36

8 Biosecurity & Habitat Protection Progress Report

Report No: 16-250 39 Annex A - Plants Progress Report 41 Annex B - Animals Progress Report 50 Annex C - Biodiversity and Habitat Protection Progress Report 60

9 Freshwater Progress Report

Report No: 16-251 69 Annex A - Freshwater Progress Report 71

10 Science Progress Report

Report No: 16-252 85 Annex A - Science & Innovation Progress Report 89

11 Members’ Questions


14 December 2016

Page 5

AGENDA

1 Apologies and Leave of Absence

At the close of the Agenda no apologies had been received.

2 Public Speaking Rights Notification to speak is required by 4pm on the working day prior to the meeting. Further information is available by phoning 0508 800 800.

Petitions/Deputations

Deputations: Written notice (fewer than 150 words) concerning the nature of the deputation must be lodged with the Chief Executive at least 2 working days before the date of the meeting and subsequently approved by the Chairperson.

Petitions: Written notice to the Chief Executive is required at least 2 working days before the date of the meeting.

Further information is available by phoning 0508 800 800.

3 Supplementary Items

To consider, and if thought fit, to pass a resolution to permit the Committee/Council to consider any further items relating to items following below which do not appear on the Order Paper of this meeting and/or the meeting to be held with the public excluded.

Such resolution is required to be made pursuant to Section 46A(7) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (as amended), and the Chairperson must advise:

(i) The reason why the item was not on the Order Paper, and

(ii) The reason why the discussion of this item cannot be delayed until a subsequent meeting.

4 Members’ Conflict of Interest

Members are reminded of their obligation to declare any conflicts of interest they might have in respect of the items on this Agenda.


14 December 2016

Environmental Education Page 7

Item

5 Report No. 16-247

Information Only - No Decision Required

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

1. PURPOSE

1.1. The purpose of this item is to provide members of Council’s Environment Committee with an Environmental Education progress report for the period 3 September to 2 December 2016.

1.2. For the purpose of this report, both the ‘Educator’ and the ‘Regional Coordinator’ refer to the Horizons Regional Council (Horizons) Environmental Educator. .5FTE of the role is regional coordination of the Enviroschools Programme, with the remaining .5FTE of the role delivering Horizons Environmental Education programmes.

2. RECOMMENDATION

That the Committee recommends that Council:

a. receives the information contained in Report No. 16-247.

3. FINANCIAL IMPACT

3.1. There is no financial impact associated with recommendations in this paper.

4. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

4.1. This is a public item and therefore Council may deem this sufficient to inform the public.

5. SIGNIFICANT BUSINESS RISK IMPACT

5.1. There is no significant business risk associated with recommendations in this paper.

6. ANNUAL PLAN TARGETS

Measure Reporting Period YTD

Actual Target % F/cast

1st

2nd 3rd

4th 5th

Enviroschools workshops held 1 7 8 24 33% 100%

Waiora sessions conducted 4 8 12 32 37% 100%

Community engagements 8 8 16 30 53% 100%

6.1. The measure for Enviroschools workshops held includes workshops run by the Regional Coordinator as well as workshops run by contracted Facilitators.

6.2. The measure for Waiora sessions conducted includes only sessions run by the Educator. Sessions conducted using Horizons’ kits without the Educator are not included.

6.3. The measure for community engagements does not include Waiora sessions or Enviroschools workshops. This measure tracks all other events and activities that fall within Environmental Education.

6.4. For further detail on all of the measures see the Environmental Education summary table.


14 December 2016


Item

5 7. ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATOR RECRUITMENT

7.1. Recruitment was successful for the role of Environmental Educator while Helen Thomas is on maternity leave during 2017. Sarah Galley has been appointed to the role of Environmental Educator and the handover process is underway. Helen Thomas’ last day is 23 December 2016.

8. ENVIROSCHOOLS DATA

Districts

Ruapehu Whanganui Rangitikei Manawatu

Palmerston North City

Tararua Horowhenua Ruahine

Kindergarten Association

Total

Enviroschools 7 8 5 9 9 3 1 6 48

Friends of Enviroschools

0 2 1 2 3 3 2 3 16

8.1. There are 48 official Enviroschools spread throughout the Region covering all districts.

8.2. There are 16 Friends of Enviroschools in the Region.

9. ACTIVITY REPORT - WAIORA

9.1. The Educator(s) conducted the following Waiora sessions, all on the Pohangina River at Totara Reserve: one session with St Mary’s School (Palmerston North); five sessions with Central Normal School; one session with Makuri School; one session with Terrace End School.

This reporting period, the Educator(s) took approximately 251 students through the Waiora programme.

9.2. One Waiora kit remains booked out with an after-school programme on the Mangatera Stream in Dannevirke.

9.3. The Educator(s) are doing a stocktake of the Waiora programme resources to ensure they are ready for Term 1 2017. This includes replenishing the kits spread throughout the Region, as well as ordering stock and materials as needed.

10. ACTIVITY REPORT - ENVIROSCHOOLS

10.1. The Regional Coordinator(s) attended the last Regional Coordinators (RC) Hui for the year. This was held in Papamoa over three days. The RC Hui allows Regional Coordinator(s) from across the country to come together for national updates, networking, resource and information sharing, as well as troubleshooting.

10.2. The Manawatu-Wanganui Regional Coordinator(s) held a Hui for the regional Enviroschools team. This Hui includes all the Facilitators and the Ruahine Kindergarten Association Teacher Facilitators. The Hui provides an opportunity to network, share information, provide regional and national updates, and do some professional development.

10.3. The Regional Coordinator(s) have met with all Facilitators this reporting period. These meetings were to introduce the new Regional Coordinator, discuss individual plans for Term 4, and the focus for their district in 2017.

10.4. The Regional Coordinator(s) have met with all the regional funding partners this reporting period. These meetings were to introduce and establish a relationship with the new Regional Coordinator, to sign on any new Enviroschools, and to discuss expectations and the district focus for 2017.


14 December 2016


Item

5 10.5. The Regional Coordinator(s) are in the process of signing on new Enviroschools to match

increased funding and capacity in the Region. Nine Support Agreements are ready to be signed by Toimata Foundation, one Support Agreement still needs to be signed by the funding partner, and one Support Agreement is still outstanding from the Enviroschool. This will take the total number of Enviroschools in our Region to 49.

Note: the Enviroschool that has their Support Agreement still outstanding has not been included in the overall district statistics table at the beginning of Section 8. Once the Support Agreement has been received, then they will be added to the relevant district.

10.6. The Regional Coordinator(s) met with the following schools and early childhood education centres about getting involved with the Enviroschools Programme: Parkland School; Tararua Educare; Ruapehu College; Whanganui Girls’ College.

10.7. New Friends of Enviroschools: Whanganui Girls’ College.

10.8. The Regional Coordinator(s) ran three Enviroschools unpacking workshops with the following Friends of Enviroschools: Parkland School; Feilding Playcentre; Matariki Rudolf Steiner Kindergarten.

10.9. The Regional Coordinator(s) ran the following regional workshops: the Enviroschools Holistic Reflections Process Workshop for all Enviroschools looking to reflect in 2017.

10.10. The new Regional Coordinator was invited to attend a Green-Gold Enviroschools Reflection at Marco School as part of the decision-making team.

10.11. A five-way partnership agreement for the implementation of the Enviroschools Programme in Central Kids Kindergartens has been formalised. Horizons Regional Council is part of this agreement as there are three kindergartens/early childhood education centres in our Region that could potentially become official Enviroschools. At this stage, none of those three are official Enviroschools, or looking to become Enviroschools in the near future. This partnership agreement is similar to the agreement Horizons Regional Council has with Ruahine Kindergarten Association.

11. ACTIVITY REPORT - OTHER

11.1. The Educator(s) ran the Awapuni Girl Guides through River Journey as part of an environmental badge.

11.2. The Educator(s) were invited to talk to the St John Youth Penguins about what Horizons Regional Council does and why it is important to care for and look after the environment. The discussion included the World Resources activity, and was part of an environmental badge.

11.3. The Educator(s) supported Raelene Mercer, Senior Scientist Water Allocation, for a presentation to approximately 50 students from Paraparaumu College on water quality. The students travelled to the Manawatu-Wanganui Region as part of a project to understand how water quality is impacted and managed.

The presentation involved discussing the following: the role of Regional Council and its legislative requirements; the Manawatū Catchment, its water quality history, and how it has changed over time; the main sources of pollution and the difference between point source discharge and runoff; regulatory and non-regulatory methods to minimise, mitigate, and prevent pollution.

11.4. As well as the Waiora sessions for Central Normal School, Neil Gallagher, Environmental Management Officer, supported the school with multiple biodiversity sessions. The sessions included discussion about invasive weeds and culminated in a hands-on weed removal exercise at Totara Reserve.


14 December 2016


Item

5 11.5. The Educator(s) hosted the second Challenge Day at Totara Reserve. Planned to coincide

with Conservation Week, the event followed the same amazing-race style as last year, but with more challenging stations and a variety of different activities. Themed around sustainability, it was the ideal opportunity to showcase Totara Reserve and the work Horizons Regional Council does for the environment. Teams of two students navigated to as many stations and completed as many activities as possible to earn points. The event requires not only sustainability knowledge and skills, but also strategic thinking and planning. There were 14 stations in total with activities including: pest plant identification and management match-up; a vegetation plot survey; the ‘are you a surviva?’ game; identification of native plants, forest and freshwater invertebrates; pest animal identification from tracking tunnel ink prints. The event involved staff from across the organisation. Without their support and help the Challenge Day would not have been as successful.

Ten teams competed on the day from schools spread across Palmerston North, Manawatu, and Tararua. The winning teams: 1st place – Palmerston North Intermediate Normal School (PNINS); 2nd place – Awahou School; 3rd place – Woodville School. No team left the event empty handed with each being given a kahikatea seedling to gift to their school. Feedback from the schools and students has been positive.

As part of the prize pack PNINS received $100 to put towards an environmental project. Since the event, the students from PNINS have been working collaboratively with the school about how to best use the money and decided to purchase bird feeders for the school to hang in the trees. They want to attract native birds to the school and are aiming for students to enjoy and observe the bird life as part of on-going science programmes.

A reporter attended on the day and an article featured in the Manawatu Guardian. Horizons’ Communications Team also created a video to further promote the event which was shared on social media.

11.6. Two students’ whose projects received a highly commended award at this year’s Manawatu Science and Technology Fair 2016 were surprised to be offered a hands-on, internship day at Horizons Regional Council. Elizabeth Woodhouse of Cornerstone Christian School and Jayde Rolfe of Carncot School both created projects around water quality. They joined Horizons staff to participate in activities including electrofishing, hydrology and freshwater, stream fencing and riparian planting and fish passes. The day also included a visit to the Manawatu River floodgates and Burkes pump station to learn about flood protection measures. The internship day was designed to give them the chance to extend and apply their project research in an applicable way and ask the question of ‘so what?’. It aimed to allow them to discover how science in action can inform communities and assist with policy making. Both students have subsequently provided feedback (either written or verbal) on their experiences of the day.

A reporter attended for a portion of the day with an article featuring in the Manawatu Standard as well as a video for an online edition.

11.7. Ben Irvine from PNINS also received a highly commended award for his project at this year’s Manawatu Science and Technology Fair 2016. Ben was able to attend and support the Young Cyclist of the Year 2016 event with Glenda in Wanganui. A follow-up meeting is being planned with Ben and the Road Safety Coordinator(s) to discuss his science project, how the event went, more about road safety and what our staff do, and to further encourage his interest.

11.8. The Educator(s) participated in the Council Expo 2016 held at Te Manawa. To showcase Environmental Education in action, four students from Palmerston North Girls’ High School came for the morning and enjoyed an interactive and educational session in the Flood Room. The primary focus was to teach flooding and erosion. This included activities and discussions around how rivers behave, the impact they can have on the surrounding landscape, and culminated in an activity putting their learnings into action. The Educator(s)


14 December 2016


Item

5 were supported on the day by Ian McMahon, Senior Engineer Officer, who was able to

provide further depth and knowledge to the session for the secondary school students.

11.9. Te Wananga o Raukawa borrowed Kokopu Mini Golf, a Horizons Regional Council Environmental Education resource, for their open day event.

11.10. The Educator(s) supported Ruth Fleeson, Environmental Management Officer, at Te Aroha Kindergarten’s Spring Fair with a biodiversity activity. This activity included making recycled paper pots and potting kowhai seedlings for Kindergarten families to take away.

11.11. The Educator(s) alongside Aaron Madden, Environmental Programme Coordinator, met with the teaching staff at Kairanga School to discuss Environmental Education and biodiversity opportunities with their local wetland. The wetland has received funding from a previous Community Grant and it is pleasing to see ongoing and long-term engagement with the project.

11.12. Work is underway to create a wetland invertebrate identification sheet with the freshwater science team, similar to the stream life sheet included in the Waiora programme.

11.13. The Educator(s) met with Cornerstone Christian School and Palmerston North City Council about potential student citizen science projects at Linklater Reserve.

11.14. The Educator(s) presented the Environmental Education resource Kura Kaitiaki: Water Conservation to teachers at a Whanganui Enviroschools workshop.

11.15. Work is currently underway with the biodiversity team to further expand the Environmental Education opportunities at Totara Reserve, including new plant identification plaques for the walking tracks. Awahou School has also indicated an interest in being involved.

Internship Day 2016 Internship Day 2016

Challenge Day 2016 Challenge Day 2016


14 December 2016


Item

5

Council Expo 2016 Council Expo 2016

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION SUMMARY

Project Key Deliverables Progress to Date

Enviroschools Target

24 workshops held

YTD

8 workshop held

NOTE: workshops run by Regional Coordinator unless otherwise stated

Open Polytechnic workshop session at Roslyn Kindergarten alongside the Teacher Facilitators from the Ruahine Kindergarten Association.

Regional Enviroschools Reflections Process Workshop.

A Term 3 Whanganui workshop run by the Whanganui Facilitator.

A Term 3 Manawatu workshop run by the Manawatu Facilitator.

A Term 3 Rangitikei workshop run by the Rangitikei Facilitator.

A Term 4 Whanganui workshop run by the Whanganui Facilitator.

A Term 4 Manawatu workshop run by the Manawatu Facilitator.

A Term 4 Rangitikei workshop run by the Rangitikei Facilitator.

Waiora Target

31 sessions conducted

YTD

12 sessions conducted

One session with St Matthew’s School at James Wilson Park.

Three sessions with Koputaroa School at Gladstone Reserve.

One session with St Mary’s School at Totara Reserve.

Five sessions with Central Normal School at Totara Reserve.

One session with Makuri School at Totara Reserve.

One session with Terrace End School at Totara Reserve.

Community engagements

Target

30 Community engagements

YTD

16 community engagements

Attending Country Kids ECE’s bronze reflection day.

Supporting and facilitating a youth engagement workshop.

Three River Journey sessions with Koputaroa School.

Supporting judging at the Manawatu Science and Technology Fair 2016.

Visiting Alfredton School alongside Ruth Fleeson.

Attending a presentation from Kimbolton School.

River Journey session with Awapuni Girl Guides.

Presentation to Feilding St John Youth Penguins.

Presentation to Paraparaumu College students about water quality alongside Raelene Mercer.

Challenge Day 2016 at Totara Reserve.

Internship Day 2016 for two Manawatu Science and Technology Fair 2016 students.

Participation at the Whanganui Young Cyclist of the Year 2016 for the final Manawatu Science and Technology Fair 2016 student.

Council Expo session on flooding and erosion with students from Palmerston North Girls’ High School.

Biodiversity activity at Te Aroha Kindergarten’s Spring Fair alongside Ruth Fleeson.

Presentation to Whanganui Enviroschools workshop about Kura Kaitiaki: Water Conservation.


14 December 2016


Item

5

12. SIGNIFICANCE

12.1. This is not a significant decision according to the Council’s Policy on Significance and Engagement.

Helen Thomas ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATOR

Sarah Galley ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATOR

Chrissie Morrison MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

ANNEXES

There are no attachments to this report.


14 December 2016

One Plan Implementation Progress: Dashboard Report Page 15

Item

6

Report No. 16-248


ONE PLAN IMPLEMENTATION PROGRESS: DASHBOARD REPORT

1. PURPOSE

1.1. This item is for information purposes. It presents the four-monthly dashboard report showing One Plan implementation progress, attached as Annex A.

2. RECOMMENDATION


a. receives the information contained in Report No. 16-248 and Annex.

3. FINANCIAL IMPACT

3.1. There is no financial impact associated with this item.


4.1. Publication of the item through the agenda and on the Horizons Regional Council website is deemed to be sufficient.


5.1. There is no significant business risk.

6. BACKGROUND

6.1. The report is presented every four months to this Committee, as previously agreed at the Regional Council meeting in February 2016.

6.2. The dashboard provides a high level overview of progress with One Plan implementation. It is intended to connect with more detailed information produced in other reports.

6.3. Most of the dashboard items are reported every four months - nutrient management consenting progress for example. However, for some items, less frequent reporting is preferable because the best information is only available annually, for example water allocation annual trends, or because the measure sees little change, for example One Plan methods implementation (as noted in the February 2016 Report No. 16-23).

6.4. This will allow reporting in the course of a year that rotates through a range of good measures. For example, on the Plan’s indigenous biodiversity priority, the dashboard will report three times a year in total - once a year each on wetland / bush protection, freshwater fish habitat protection, and active management of wetlands and bush remnants including pest plant and pest animal control.

7. DISCUSSION

7.1. New measures or changes from previous reports are:


14 December 2016


Item

6 i. Information on Sustainable Land Use Initiative (SLUI): The dashboard shows that

51.3% of priority farms have been mapped. This means that the Council has achieved its sustainable farm plan mapping target of 50% before 2017. This report also presents the total work that has been carried out on priority land compared with their Ministry for Primary Industry (MPI) target over the last three financial years and the years to date. Note that 2016/17 is the year-to-date, not a full year. The measure will be reported annually.

ii. Total infield consents for the 2015/16 financial year: Normally, for infield consents, extra detail is given each time on one category. For vegetation clearance see the February 2016 dashboard report (Annex A to Report No. 16-23); and for land disturbance see the June 2016 dashboard report (Annex A, Report No. 16-137). The intention was that this dashboard would report on cultivation. However, there were no consents recorded for the June – September 2016 quarter. Instead, the measure shows the total number of infield consents issued in each Freshwater Management Unit (FMU) during the 2015/16 financial year.

iii. Only information on surface water allocation is reported: Initially, reports for this measure were intended to alternate between groundwater and surface water. However, issues with validation of the data in IRIS mean that we are currently unable to report reliably on groundwater allocation. Resolution of some of these issues, which had not been identified in the February 2016 report, has led to improvement in the surface water allocation data reported in this dashboard.

iv. Resource consent compliance: In order to prioritise industrial sites in relation to their potential risk, the regulatory team uses a risk matrix to generate a site category between one and four. Category “one” sites have the highest risk, while category “four” sites are deemed to have very low to no risk. During the 2015/2016 financial year prioritisation was given to category “one” and “two” sites, with 100% and 86% of these sites being monitored respectively (compared to 72% of sites reported on in the February 2016 dashboard). The focus on the higher risk and non-complying sites has ‘skewed’ the statistics, resulting in a reduction in the industrial compliance. This was compounded by the increased complexity of new generation consents and large storm events. Data migration from R2D2 to IRIS has also caused significant reporting issues. For water in particular, this dashboard shows a substantial increase in the number of consents from the February 2016 dashboard. The original data earlier reported on was taken from IRIS. At the time, Horizons was migrating data from R2D2 to IRIS, with surface water takes being the first consents to be transferred. Therefore the data was under reported as it missed majority, if not all, of groundwater data. This measure also could not include the percentage of each category of consents assessed. The commissioning of IRIS across the regulatory team is expected to resolve these issues.

v. Point-source discharge consents: This dashboard shows an updated number of point-source discharge applications.

vi. Biodiversity measure: Active management of wetlands and bush remnants is reported in this dashboard. This is the last of three biodiversity priorities identified in the One Plan. The dashboard illustrates what is involved in active management of bush remnants and wetlands.

7.2. Further explanatory notes are given on the reverse side of the dashboard.


14 December 2016


Item

6 8. CONSULTATION

8.1. This report tracks implementation of One Plan methods across the organisation. Relevant teams have been involved in developing measures and supplying data.

9. SIGNIFICANCE


Milcah Xkenjik Tom Bowen POLICY ASSISTANT MANAGER POLICY AND STRATEGY

ANNEXES

A One Plan Dashboard - December 2016


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

6


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

6


14 December 2016

Regulatory Management and Rural Advice Activity Report - September to November 2016 Page 21

Item

7

Report No. 16-249


REGULATORY MANAGEMENT AND RURAL ADVICE ACTIVITY REPORT - SEPTEMBER TO NOVEMBER 2016

1. PURPOSE

1.1. This report updates Members on regulatory activity for the period September to November 2016. It also includes information on Rural Advice activity as it relates to implementation of land-use consents for intensive agriculture.

2. RECOMMENDATION


a. receives the information contained in Report No. 16-249 and Annexes.

3. FINANCIAL IMPACT

3.1. As identified to the Audit and Risk Committee, there are significant costs being incurred by Council as a result of the appeals on several large consents, the volume of consenting work, and on-going prosecution proceedings. These costs will be regularly updated to the Audit and Risk Committee.




5.1. There is no significant business risk associated with this item.

6. OVERVIEW

6.1. Since the beginning of the financial year Horizons has received a total of 155 consent applications, with 95 of these being received during the reporting period. This has resulted in continued high demand on consent and compliance resources. In addition to the high numbers of resource consents being lodged for various activities Horizons is continuing to progress a number significant applications including the Paihatua, Eketahuna and Foxton Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP’s), the Levin landfill review, the AFFCO Feilding processing plant, and the construction of Palmerston North City Council pedestrian bridge. Horizons continues to deal with appeals relating to the Levin water supply, New Zealand Energy and Lake Horowhenua consents.

6.2. To manage this high demand, resource has been diverted away from the Compliance monitoring programme and applicants are being advised of expected processing timeframes. The former action has seen the compliance programme re-prioritised. This is discussed below. An attempt is being made to recruit a planner and compliance officer for the next 6 months. Council will be asked to consider three additional FTEs across consents, compliance and the administration of these programmes as part of its Annual plan deliberations.


14 December 2016


Item

7 6.3. A capacity and capability review is underway with a series of metrics being collected. This

will be used to help inform the Council’s Long term Plan discussions.

6.4. In November the decision for the Levin landfill review was released. In summary this decision saw a number of conditions amended and new conditions included that will ensure the environmental effects associated with the landfill are appropriately managed and monitored. The decision also noted the concerns of submitters regarding the importation of waste from the Kapiti district, and requests for the landfill to be closed were not within the scope of the review proceedings. The commissioners also granted the Horowhenua District Council’s (HDC) application that saw the review condition amended to reflect the wording of section 128 of the Resource Management Act, and that a review may occur every 10 years (as opposed to 5 years). The commissioners determined an extension of the review period was appropriate given the amended and new conditions introduced more robust environmental standards and monitoring requirements.

6.5. During the reporting period, applications for the Raetihi water supply and Tokomaru WWTP were publically notified.

6.6. Council is still processing other significant applications, including those associated with the Ruapehu District Council and the Department of Conservation WWTP’s. Processing these applications will involve a significant amount of staff time and resource (including external resources).

6.7. Industrial and Territorial Authority wastewater discharge consents are complex and usually attract submissions, and are increasingly subject to appeals. It generally takes at least 18 months to process these applications. Longer timeframes can occur where there are appeals.

6.8. It is important to note that where a consent holder is seeking to re-new a current consent, they are required to submit new applications six months prior to the existing permit expiring. Given the processing timeframes associated with the more complex and contentious applications, there will always be a period of time where activities are subject to the existing use provisions of the Resource Management Act (RMA).

7. NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT IMPLEMENTATION

7.1. Environment Court Declaratory Proceedings

7.1.1. The Environmental Defence Society (EDS) and Wellington New Zealand Fish & Game have commenced declaratory proceedings in the Environment Court against Horizons. These proceedings have been brought due to concerns raised about how Horizons is implementing the One Plan in relation to intensive landuse activities. The proceedings are likely to absorb a significant amount of staff time in the Regulatory Team over the next few months.

7.2. Catchment Trends

7.2.1. The reduction in nitrogen leaching from existing operations in shown in Figure 1 below. This shows a relatively consistent level of reduction across catchments through Restricted Discretionary consents, and the scope for some low-leaching farms (particularly on the west coast) to increase leaching where they are under Table 14.2.


14 December 2016


Item

7

Figure 1: Nitrogen reduction through the consenting process.

7.3. Conversions

7.3.1. Five (5) consents have been issued for conversion or partial conversion to intensive land-use in the two months since the last Environment Committee report. The catchments which have experienced an increase in land converted since the last report are the Middle Manawatu and Coastal Manawatu. The increases in these catchments are minimal.

Catchment Catchment Area (ha)

Converted Area (ha)

Proportion Converted (%)

Target Catchments

Mangatainoka 43216 258 0.60

Waikawa 7936 216.2 2.72

Southern Whanganui Lakes 19533 448.7 2.30

Upper Manawatu 130827 270.3 0.21

Coastal Rangitikei 65993 459.6 0.70

Non-Target Catchments

Northern Coastal Lakes 11910 230.6 1.94

Mowhanau 2901 397.3 13.70

Cherry Grove 169718 529.6 0.31

Tiraumea 94159 35.1 0.04

Oroua 90301 1122.2 1.24

Middle Manawatu 72362 220.3 0.30

Lower Manawatu 49005 911.2 1.86

Coastal Manawatu 56706 561.4 0.99

Middle Rangitikei 217588 52.8 0.02

Lower Rangitikei 58775 69.2 0.12

Lower Whangaehu 109627 135.9 0.12

Coastal Whangaehu 10096 29.1 0.29

Turakina 95723 162.7 0.17

Table 1: Area subject to conversion, by catchment.


14 December 2016


Item

7 7.4. Existing Use

7.4.1. Focusing on restricted discretionary consents issued for existing operations, the majority of farms are making reductions between 2 and 15 percent, which remains unchanged from the last reporting period. Those farms not making a reduction were low-leaching operations taking reasonable steps to mitigate N loss. The distribution by catchment is shown in Figure 2 below.

Figure 2: Frequency of percentage reduction in existing farms within the restricted discretionary rule stream by catchment.

7.4.2. Figure 3 below shows the percentage reduction in nitrogen leaching for controlled activities by catchment. The controlled activity rule requires farms to meet the targets specified in Table 14.2 of the One Plan. Therefore whilst most farms are making no reduction, and some are increasing, they are still complying with the nitrogen leaching limits specified in the One Plan.


14 December 2016


Item

7

Figure 3: Frequency of percentage reduction in existing farms within the controlled activity rule stream by catchment. A negative percentage is an increase in leaching.

7.5. Progress with Implementation

7.5.1. Consenting has progressed steadily in the past two months with 36 applications for intensive land uses received between 1 September and 10 November 2016 compared to the 27 applications received in the previous reporting period (of a similar time period). Work with the industry continues to ensure these applications are being received.

7.5.2. During the reporting period one infringement notice was issued in relation to the unauthorised use of land for intensive farming. In short, the farmer had failed to meet deadlines to lodge an application despite repeated requests from council staff. Subsequent to the issuing of the infringement notice an application has been lodged with Horizons. Two remaining farms in the Mangatainoka are in the process of submitting applications.

7.5.3. As previously reported letters were sent to those existing farms in the Rangitikei that had not lodged resource consent applications with Horizons. These farms were required to lodge consent applications with Horizons by 1 November 2016 to avoid a formal regulatory response. At the time of writing this report 39 farms were still to lodge applications. A number of these farms have been granted minor extensions to allow them time to prepare complete applications. For the remaining farms Horizons is now considering taking further regulatory action.

7.5.4. Staff continue to work with the Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) and Federated Farmers to develop a consent process tailored to cropping operations.

7.5.5. During the reporting period letters were sent to commercial vegetable growing operations that have been identified as potentially requiring resource consent. Operations that require resource consent need to engage a consultant by the end of the December 2016 and lodge applications by the end of March 2017.

7.5.6. Tables 2 and 3 below provide an overview of progress with the intensive land-use consenting process. Table 2 summarises consents issued by catchment, while Table 3


14 December 2016


Item

7 focuses on progress with consenting existing intensive landuse activities in target

catchments. To date a total 186 consents have been granted for existing use activities within target catchments (compared to 162 at the end of August).

Catchment

Conversion Existing Use

Total

Controlled Restricted

Discretionary Controlled

Restricted Discretionary

Target Catchments

Mangapapa 0 0 1 5 6

Mangatainoka 0 1 0 72 73

Waikawa 1 0 0 6 7

Lake Horowhenua 0 0 2 8 10

Lake Papaitonga 0 0 1 0 1

Other Coastal Lakes 0 2 1 11 14

Upper Manawatu 1 1 0 19 21

Coastal Rangitikei 4 2 26 22 54

Non-Target Catchments

Other West Coast 0 3 3

Whanganui 1 2 3

Other Manawatu 13 13 26

Other Rangitikei 1 2 3

Whangaehu 0 3 3

Turakina 0 2 2

Ohau 0 1 1

Total 21 32 31 143 227

Table 2: Intensive Land Use consents granted by catchment (as at 24/11/2016).


14 December 2016


Item

7

Catchment

Gra

nte

d

In Process (including consents on hold)

Files with Consultants

(yet to be lodged) and base files

checked waiting assignment to

Consultant

Ou

tsta

nd

ing

Total number

to be granted

Date when applications have

to be lodged*

Mangapapa 6 1

0 7 1 January 2015

Waikawa 7 0 0 0 7 1 January 2015

Other southwest catchments (Papaitonga)

1 0 0 0 1 1 January 2015

Subtotal 14 1

0 15

Mangatainoka 73 9 2 1 85 1 January 2016

Other Coastal Lakes 14 3 11 5 33 1 January 2016

Coastal Rangitikei 54 4 18 5 81 1 January 2016

Lake Horowhenua 10 0 0 0 10 1 January 2016

Subtotal 151 16 31 11 209

Upper Manawatu (above gorge and Hopelands)

21 9 35 95 160 1 January 2017

Subtotal 21 9 35 95 160

TOTAL 186 26 66 106 384

Table 3: Overall summary of Regulatory Implementation of Nutrient Management in Target Catchments. (As at 24/11/2016)

8. OTHER RURAL ADVICE

8.1. Rural Advice continues to be occupied primarily with technical assessments to support intensive land-use consents, and consent related enquiries. Efforts are being made to improve the efficiency of the technical assessment process.

8.2. A minor update to OVERSEER took place during November 2016. These updates are necessary to incorporate improving science into the model and correct technical issues that arise from time to time. In the past, version changes have impacted significantly on estimated rates of nitrogen leaching from farms in this region and therefore operators’ ability to meet target rates in Table 14-2 of the One Plan. The effect of this update appears to be relatively minor.

8.3. Nationally, considerable effort is being invested in developing systems to ensure the consistent application of good management practice (GMP) as a means of managing the impact of agricultural production on the environment. Horizons staff are engaged in this process, to ensure we understand how it might be applied in this region, both within the current planning framework and through any future change to the One Plan.


14 December 2016


Item

7 9. CONSENTS

9.1. Progress in relation to significant applications since the last report are summarised below:

a. Department of Conservation (DOC) – Whakapapa WWTP

DOC formally lodged a resource consent on 16 June 2016, seeking to re-new the discharge of wastewater from its Whakapapa WWTP. Due to the bereavement of a key expert DOC requested that notification be delayed until they could engage another expert to assist with their response to further information. At present, notification is likely to occur early next year.

b. Horowhenua District Council (HDC) - Levin Water Supply

HDC has appealed the decision on the basis that, in its view, the conditions imposed compromise the level of service it can provide to Levin in relation to potable water supply. HDC also claimed the duration granted was too short. Discussions between Horizons and HDC staff are on-going in an attempt to resolve the appeal.

c. Horowhenua District Council – Foxton WWTP

As previously reported this matter is now with the Environment Court as part of the direct referral process. A hearing is scheduled to occur in March 2017.

d. PNCC – Pedestrian Bridge

This is a joint process between PNCC and Horizons. Applications related to this project were notified in November, with the submission period closing on 14 December 2016

e. AFFCO – Feilding

A hearing occurred on this matter during November. At present, we are expecting a decision by the end of January 2017.

f. Horowhenua District Council – Tokomaru WWTP

Applications relating to the renewal of this discharge consent were notified during the reporting period. In summary we received 15 submissions, with 4 submitting in opposition and support, respectively, and seven neutral submissions.

g. Tararua District Council (TDC)

Additional pre-hearings occurred during the reporting period in relation to the Eketahuna and Paihatua WWTP applications. Formal hearings for these WWTP are to occur in April and May 2017.

9.2. The following provides a summary of the current consent status of community WWTPs in the region. This relates to both Non-Territorial Authority and Territorial Authority WWTP’s. Annex A further summarises this information.

9.3. A number of community WWTPs are operating under the existing use provisions of the RMA. It is important to note that under the existing use provisions of the RMA, a consent holder is still required to comply with the conditions of the subject resource consent and in the event non-compliance occurs must take active steps to resolve the non-compliance. Accordingly, Horizons continues to monitor compliance against the conditions until such time as the new consents are granted.

9.4. All community WWTPs that are currently operating on the existing use provisions of the RMA are, as part of the consent renewal process, proposing upgrades which will result in improved environmental outcomes.

9.5. There are a total of 45 community WWTPs in the region. Twenty eight (28) WWTPs have current consents, whilst 17 are operating under the existing use provisions of the RMA (see Figure 4 below).

9.6. Over the last three years we have processed and granted eight community WWTPs resource consents, including the Whanganui District Council discharge to the coastal


14 December 2016


Item

7 marine area and the Feilding WWTP. Recently, several more applications have proceeded

to either the direct referral (Foxton WWTP) and pre-hearing stage (Pahiatua and Eketahuna WWTP) of the consent process. Whilst these consents have been ‘moved along’ we have also processed a number of other significant applications such as the New Zealand Energy and Lake Horowhenua applications. Scrutiny continues to be applied to the legacy of consents with long existing use periods.

Figure 4: Non-Territorial Authority and Territorial Authority community WWTP current consent status.

9.7. The majority of the existing use consents (14) relate to Territorial Authority WWTPs. It is important to note that in addition to resolving those WWTPs currently operating under the existing use provisions, an additional 10 WWTP consents expire prior to 2020. Accordingly, the high demand on resource within the Regulatory Team will continue for the foreseeable future and Horizons will, along with the Territorial Authorities, have to continue to work together to ensure the current and expected renewals are processed effectively and efficiently with the resources available.

10. APPEALS

10.1. The table below outlines the consents currently under appeal:

Applicant Status

New Zealand Energy Limited Hydro-electric Scheme - Raetihi Consents 101987/1, 101990/1, 101991/1, 101992/2, 101993/1, 102264/1, 104088, 104089, 104090, 104091, 106031, 106032 and 106033.

Waiting on decision from High Court.

Horowhenua District Council Levin water supply.

Staff currently working with HDC to resolve appeal. No date for hearing set down.

Horizons Regional Council Lake Horowhenua Restoration Works.

Decision from Environment Court released. Decision has been appealed to the High Court


14 December 2016


Item

7 11. CONSENT MONITORING

11.1. The consent monitoring programme covers two main activities, namely the assessment of consented activities and responding to environmental incidents (or complaints). The consents monitoring programme has three sub-programmes, namely Land and Industry, Three Waters and Air, and Rural.

11.2. As noted above compliance monitoring resource has been diverted into the consents processing programme to deal with a large influx of resource consents that occurred during the reporting period. This has resulted in the Land and Industry and Three Waters and Air monitoring programmes being re-prioritised until January next year. In summary this has resulted in monitoring of a number of Category 2 and 3 sites being deferred until the New Year. Whilst pro-active monitoring of these sites has been temporarily deferred, if complaints are received regarding these sites, then officers will respond.

11.3. Territorial Authorities

The following is an update on what has been happening, and a look at the larger consents:

a. Rangitikei District Council (RDC)

As noted in previous reports, concerns have been identified with the Marton, Taihape and Hunterville WWTPs.

In relation to Hunterville and Taihape, the primary issue relates to the inability of the WWTP to comply with the discharge volumes in the resource consent. As a result of on-going discussions with RDC, Horizons has required that either new applications or variations seeking to rectify this issue are lodged by 1 December 2016 for Hunterville, and 1 March 2017 for Taihape. RDC is on-track with lodging draft applications by these respective dates.

Horizons continues to monitor RDC’s compliance with the conditions that relate to the Marton WWTP. During the reporting period there was one non-compliance detected in early October, however follow-up sampling demonstrated the discharge was complying. In light of this, it was not considered appropriate to take any formal enforcement action. The non-compliance has been noted and reported to RDC. Horizons will continue to monitor compliance with this resource consent and if non-compliances occur will consider taking regulatory action.

b. Palmerston North City Council (PNCC)

As previously reported, the PNCC resource consent for the Totara Road WWTP was varied in November 2015. Under the varied consent, the following reports have been provided during the reporting period:

i. The Proposed River Monitoring Plan (RMP), which has been reviewed and meets the requirements of condition 19; and

ii. The next Quarterly Report has been received and is currently being assessed.

The next milestone is to commence preliminary investigations no later than May 2017 and provide Horizons with a Statement of Intent on the specific actions over the following 12 months to achieve the milestone targets (Best Practicable Options (BPO)) required by Condition 23 (B),(C) and (D). PNCC has advised they are on track for complying with this condition.

12. WATER USE PROGRAMME

12.1. During the reporting we issued 10 abatement notices requiring people to provide flow meter verifications as required by the National Regulations for Measuring and Reporting of Water Takes, 2010. We are continuing to follow-up on those people who have outstanding verifications for takes over 10 litres per second.


14 December 2016


Item

7 12.2. During the reporting period staff sent out pre-irrigation season letters to all consent holders

who take greater than 5 litres per second. This letter provided general information to consent holders about the Horizons water matters web-site, low flow checking and telemetry installations and checks.

13. WASTEWATER PROGRAMME

13.1. This section of the report details the current compliance status of the various community WWTPs in the region. Annex A summarises this information.

13.2. Of the 45 community WWTPs in the region, ten are significantly non-complying and one is non-complying with the conditions of their consents.

13.3. The ten significant non-compliances relate to continued failure to comply with environmental requirements of the resource consent, such as discharge volumes and quality. Of these eight are currently at different stages of the consent process, which will result in new resource consents with tighter environmental controls. In light of this it is considered the most appropriate mechanism to deal with these non-compliances is through this process, rather than undertaking further enforcement action. The two remaining significant non-compliances (Marton and Rongotea) are being managed by the consent holder and monitored by Horizons. Further regulatory action remains a possibility for these plants.

13.4. Horizons will continue to monitor these sites to ensure agreed timeframes are adhered to. If timeframes are not met then Horizons will consider what enforcement action it may take.

14. DAIRY AND NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME

14.1. The reporting period has seen the commencement of the monitoring programme for the intensive landuse and dairy effluent resource consents. As previously reported, we are expecting to undertake approximately 190 intensive land-use and 880 farm dairy effluent consent inspections.

14.2. During the reporting period 133 dairy effluent consents were inspected. Of those 10 non-compliances and 11 significant non-compliances were detected. The non-compliances generally related to exceedances in cow numbers, whilst the significant non-compliances related to the ponding and run-off of effluent.

14.3. During the reporting period 15 nutrient management consents were inspected. These primarily related to conversions in the non-target catchments. No non-compliances have been identified, with farmers adopting the agreed mitigations identified in their resource consents. Inspections of nutrient management consents in target catchments will commence in the New Year.

14.4. In addition to physical site inspections, staff are also planning to assess approximately 190 nutrient management budgets to track farms are performing against the N leaching trajectory identified in their resource consents. As previously reported to Council, compliance is assessed on a three year rolling average.

15. COMPLIANCE AND NON-COMPLIANCE

15.1. There were 276 compliance monitoring interactions during the reporting period. Of these 20 non-compliances detected and 13 significant non-compliances were detected. This equates to approximately 88% compliance rate across the programme.

15.2. Below is a breakdown of the non-compliances by consent area for the reporting period:

Industry: Ten (10) non-compliances and two significant non-compliances.

Rural: Ten (10) non-compliances and 11 significant non-compliances


14 December 2016


Item

7 15.3. In relation to the above non-compliances, Horizons issued 17 Abatement Notices and three

infringement notices, and commenced a formal investigation. The other non-compliances were either resolved by the time a follow-up inspection was undertaken or the consent holder is working towards resolving the non-compliances within specified timeframes.

16. ENVIRONMENTAL INCIDENTS

16.1. Over the reporting period a total of 124 complaints were received. The majority of these complaints (51) related to discharges to water. The remainder of the complaints related to discharges to land (41) and air (50).

17. SIGNIFICANCE


Greg Bevin Tom Bowen REGULATORY MANAGER MANAGER RURAL ADVICE

ANNEXES

A Consent status on Non-Territorial Authority and Territorial Authority WWTP’s.

B Compliance status on Non-Territorial Authority and Territorial Authority WWTP’s.


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

7 Current Consent Status for Wastewater Treatment Plants in the Region

Rangitikei District Council Consent Commence Expire Date Existing Use Rights Current Status Next Step in the process

Taihape 105518 3-Jun-14 1-Jul-27 N/A Currently non-complying with volume limits specified in consent. RDC have advised the current limits cannot be complied with despite proposed I and I work

Horizons have required that draft applications seeking to either re-consent or vary current consent is due by 1 March 2017

Marton 7312 30-Apr-98 31-Mar-19 N/A Consented Application due 6 months prior to consent expiring

Hunterville 105833 7-Mar-14 1-Jul-37 N/A Currently non-complying with volume limits specified in consent. RDC have advised the current limits cannot be complied with despite proposed I and I work

Horizons have required that draft applications seeking to either re-consent or vary current consent is due by 1 December 2016

Bulls 6406 29-Oct-96 1-Nov-06 Yes Revised application lodged in 2015. Further information was requested. Currently reviewing further information.

Decision on notification.

Ratana 7400 26-Aug-98 31-Jul-18 N/A Currently consented Application due 6 months prior to consent expiring

Mangaweka 101726 13-Apr-14 19-Mar-24 N/A Currently consented Application due 6 months prior to consent expiring

Koitiata 105079, 106028 12-Dec-11 1-Jul-24 N/A Currently consented Application due 6 months prior to consent expiring

Horowhenua District Council Consent Commence Expire Date Existing Use Rights Current Status Next Step in the process

Shannon 106892 20-Mar-15 20-Mar-48 N/A New consents recently granted by Environment Court. Discharge to land now operating

Application due in 6 months prior to consent expiring

Waitarere 102220 18-July-02 27-Jun-07 Yes Comment of revised proposal has been made. Revised applications now being prepared seeking a longer term, with additional land is now being prepared. Applicant is discussing revised application with submitters.

Focus has been on progressing Foxton WWTP. Working with applicant to identify timeframe by which revised application will be lodged.

Levin WWTP 107154 27-Nov-14 1-July-34 N/A Currently Consented Application due 6 months prior to consent expiring

Levin Pot 6610 27-Jul-98 31-Dec-18 N/A Currently Consented Application due 6 months prior to consent expiring

Foxton 103925 3-Dec-09 1-Dec-14 Yes Applicant has requested direct referral to the Environment Court. The request has been approved and the consent will be heard by the Environment Court. Mediation has been held.

Evidence to be prepared by all parties. A hearing date is yet to be set by the Court – likely to be March 2017.

Tokomaru 101227 15-Feb-02 24-Jan-17 Yes Application has been notified. Submissions closed on the 7 November 2016. A total of 15 submissions were received.

A pre-hearing meeting is to be held early next year.

Foxton Beach 102249 1-Apr-03 11-Mar-28 N/A Currently consented Application due 6 months prior to consent expiring

Palmerston North Consent Commence Expire Date Existing Use Rights Current Status Next Step in the process

Palmerston North 101829 16-May-03 16-May-2028 N/A Variation to consent now processed. PNCC is now working towards timeframes in amended consent. This includes having to lodge a new consent by 2022.

Application due 6 months prior to consent expiring


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

7 Whanganui District Council Consent Commence Expire Date Existing Use Rights Current Status Next Step in the process

Mary Bank 6735 18 Oct- 96 27 Sep-21 N/A Currently consented Application due 6 months prior to consent expiring

Mowhanau 100749 15-Jan-07 1-Dec-21 N/A Currently consented Application due 6 months prior to consent expiring

Whanganui District Council

101706 19-Feb-02 30-Jun-26 N/A Consented – Operating under consent below. Currently operating under short term consent to allow for construction of the new WWTP.

Whanganui District Council APP-2015200171.00 7-Jun-16 7-Jun-2019 N/A Consent granted for 3 years to allow for discharge via the ocean outfall for construction of new WWTP.

Construction to commenced, now being assessed as part of the compliance programme.

Manawatu District Council Consent Commence Expire Date Existing Use Rights Current Status Next Step in the process

Feilding 106945-106951 and 107072 and 107070 - 107072

14 July 2016 10 years for water discharge

35 years for land discharges

N/A Appeals resolved and final decision issued from Environment Court 14 July 2016. No further appeals received. WWTP to operate under the split discharge regime.

Consent holder to operate the WWTP under the new permits.

Himatangi Beach 105938 31-Jan-12 1-Jul-25 N/A Currently consented Application due 6 months prior to consent expiring

Halcombe 101252 19-Jul-01 28-Jun-16 Yes Application received 24 March 2016. Reviewing application. Applicant consulting with interested parties.

Cheltenham 103260 7-Aug-06 17 Jul- 16 Yes Application received 15 April 2016. Reviewing application. Applicant consulting with interested parties.

Sanson 101839 9-Jul-02 18 Jun-17 N/A Currently consented Application due 6 months prior to consent expiring

Rongotea 102242, 102245 2-Dec-02 11 Nov- 17 N/A Currently consented Application due 6 months prior to consent expiring

Kimbolton 103418 14-May-09 1 Sep-2019 N/A Currently consented Application due 6 months prior to consent expiring

Awahuri 103710 17-Aug-06 27 July 2026 N/A Currently consented Application due 6 months prior to consent expiring

Ruapehu District Council Consent Commence Expire Date Existing Use Rights Current Status Next Step in the process

Taumaranui 913243 5-Feb-93 26 Nov-12 Yes Decision issued, objection received in relation to conditions.

Processing objection has, with applicant’s agreement, been placed on hold while applications for National Park, Raetihi and Ohakune were being prepared for lodgement. Staff to contact RuaDC to resolve objection.

National Park 103403 and 106166 29-Feb-12 17 Nov-15 Yes Application received. Additional information received 21 October 2016. Reviewing additional information.

Notification decision.

Rangataua 4926 5-Feb-96 20 Dec- 05 Yes Revised application received in August 2014. On hold under s92 and seeking affected party approval. Focus has been progressing Raetihi, National Park, and Ohakune WWTP.

Staff to contact RuaDC to discuss how and when application can be progressed.

Pipiriki 106225 18-Apr-13 1-Jul-35 Yes Currently consented Application due 6 months prior to consent expiring

Raetihi 102379 17-Nov-05 17-Nov- 15 Yes Application received. Applicant requested application be placed on hold while further works are carried out

Further research to be carried out regarding water quality in the catchment.


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

7 regarding water quality within the catchment.

Ohakune 101699, 101701, 101702 17-Nov-05 17-Nov-15 Yes Application received. Additional information received 21 October 2016. Reviewing additional information.

Notification decision.

Ruatiti 7126 10-Jun-97 19 May 2027 N/A Currently consented Application due 6 months prior to consent expiring

Tararua District Council Consent Commence Expire Date Existing Use Rights Current Status Next Step in the process

Pahiatua 4369 21-Sep-95 30 Jun- 05 Yes Application was notified. Submissions received. Two pre-hearings have now occurred.

Hearing will occur in April

Eketahuna 103346 30-Jan-13 1-Jul-15 Yes Application was notified. Submissions received. Two pre-hearings have now occurred.

Hearing will occur in May

Woodville 104310, 101429 9-May-08 17-Apr-10 Yes Revised draft application lodged in August 2016 Currently reviewing draft application

Norsewood APP-2014016620.00 17-Jun-16 17-Jun-18 N/A Currently consented Application due 6 months prior to consent expiring

Pongaroa 102885 20-May-09 30-Apr-19 N/A Currently consented Application due 6 months prior to consent expiring

Ormondville 104163, 104164 10-Aug-09 1-Jul-26 N/A Currently consented Application due 6 months prior to consent expiring

Dannevirke 100979 24-Jan-03 9-Dec-27 N/A Currently consented Application due 6 months prior to consent expiring

Non TA Consent Commence Expire Date Existing Use Rights Current Status Next Step in the process

Whakapapa 105684 1-Feb-12 1-Dec-14 Yes Revised application lodged in mid June 2016. Further information requested. Staff undertaken site visit mid August.

Awaiting further information and notify the application early 2017.

NZDF Ohakea 105171 12-Apr-12 1-Jul-15 Yes Further information received is being assessed. Decision on notification.

NZDF Waiouru 102825, 105987 5-Jun-12 1 -Jul- 29 N/A Currently consented Application due 6 months prior to consent expiring

Hato Paora College 100228 15-Sep-1998 25-Aug-2008 Yes Working with College to get an application lodged.

Wanganui Prison 3767 31-Aug-95 31-Aug-13 Yes Applicant reviewing draft conditions.


14 December 2016


An

ne

x B

It

em

7 Current Compliance Status for Wastewater Treatment Plants in the Region

Rangitikei District Council Category Type of Assessment Compliance

Status Description of Non-Compliance Action

Taihape 1 Data SNC Daily exceedances. A new consent or variation application is due 1 March 2017. Compliance issues will be addressed through this process. The clarifier has been installed and is in the process of being commissioned.

Marton 1 Site and Data SNC Ammoniacal nitrogen. Non compliance noted. Future non compliances might result in regulatory action.

Hunterville 2 Data SNC Daily discharge volume, Installation of flow site. On track to submitting a draft variation application on 1 December 2016.

Bulls 2 Site and Data SNC Daily discharge volumes exceeding on a regular basis. Issues regarding volumes and environmental effects are to be addressed through the consenting process. A new flow meter has been installed to increase the accuracy of the data

Ratana 2 Site and data C NA No action

Mangaweka 3 Site C NA No action

Koitiata 3 Site C NA No action

Horowhenua District Council Category Type of Assessment Compliance


Shannon WWTP 1 Site and Data C NA No action

Waitarere 3 Site and Data C NA No action

Levin Pot 2 Site C NA No action

Levin WWTP Site C NA No action

Foxton 1 Data Assessment SNC Daily discharge volumes. A hearing is now scheduled for early March 2017. Issues regarding non-compliance are now been addressed through the consent renewal process.

Tokomaru 2 Site and Data C NA No action

Foxton Beach 3 Site C NA No action

Palmerston North Category Type of Assessment Compliance


Palmerston North 1 Site and data C NA No action

Whanganui District Council Category Type of Assessment Compliance


Mary Bank 4 Site C NA No action

Mowhanau 3 Site and data C NA No action

Whanganui District Council 1 Data C NA No action

Manawatu District Council Category Type of Assessment Compliance


Feilding 1 Site NA NA No action

Himatangi Beach 3 Site C NA No action

Halcombe 3 Site SNC Water quality. Application currently being processed. Issues of non-compliance will be addressed via the resource consent renewal process. Non-compliance with the current consent will continue to be formally recorded through the compliance monitoring programme.


14 December 2016


An

ne

x B

It

em

7 Cheltenham 3 Data C NA No action

Sanson 3 Site C NA No action

Rongotea 3 Site and Data SNC Effluent quality Required to be compliant by 30 December 2016.

Kimbolton 3 Site C NA No action

Awahuri 3 Site C NA No action

Ruapehu District Council Category Type of Assessment Compliance


Taumaranui 2 Site C NA No action

National Park 2 Site C NA No action

Rangataua 3 Site C NA No action

Pipiriki 4 Site C NA No action

Raetihi 1 SIte C NA No action

Ohakune 2 Site C NA No action

Ruatiti 4 Site C NA No action

Tararua District Council Category Type of Assessment Compliance


Pahiatua 2 Site and data C NA No action

Eketahuna 1 Site SNC Upgrades did not occur due to the prioritisation of the upgrades at Dannevirke, Woodville, Norsewood and Pahiatua WWTPs.

Hearing scheduled for May 2017. Issues of non-compliance will be addressed via the resource consent renewal process.

Woodville 2 Site C NA No action

Norsewood 3 Site C NA No action

Pongaroa 3 Site NC UV upgrades, rock outfall and aqua mats have not been completed due to the aforementioned priorities.

The upgrades are expected to commence by end of December 2016 and be completed by March 2017.

Ormondville 3 Site and data C NA No action

Dannevirke 1 site C NA No action

Non TA Category Type of Assessment Compliance


Whakapapa 1 C NA No action

NZDF Ohakea 3 C NA No action

Whanganui Prison 2 SNC Infiltration bed failures Issues of non-compliance will be addressed via the resource consent renewal process.

NZDF Waiouru 1 C NA No action

Hato Paora College 4 Site SNC No monitoring, seepage of effluent to waterway Sampling to commence in December. New application to be submitted prior to 1 July 2017.


14 December 2016

Biosecurity & Habitat Protection Progress Report Page 39

Item

8

Report No. 16-250


BIOSECURITY & HABITAT PROTECTION PROGRESS REPORT

1. PURPOSE

1.1. The purpose of this item is update members of Council’s Environment Committee on the progress made in the Biosecurity and the Habitat Protection activity over the period 1 July to 31 October 2016.

2. RECOMMENDATION


a. receives the information contained in Report No. 16-250 and Annexes.

3. FINANCIAL IMPACT




5. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND HIGHLIGHTS

5.1. The biosecurity and habitat protection programme has been busy over the reporting period from 1 July to 31 October. Some of the highlights are overviewed below and further detail is provided in the attached reports.

5.2. The biosecurity animals team has established the Possum Control operation workplan for the season and have undertaken work on 229,728 hectares which equates to about 30% of the area that is programmed to receive some maintenance treatment this year (765,760 ha). A further 29,738 ha of initial treatment work is also programmed for the year.

5.3. Designs for the monitoring of 12 possum control operations have been completed and contracted. In total, the monitoring programme for the year is planning to monitor 18 operations. Work has also been undertaken to assess options for an upgraded monitoring programme for next year.

5.4. The aerial nest baiting programme for Rooks was undertaken between 14 - 31 October 2016. In total, 141 nests were treated which is a 25% reduction on last year. The number of active breeding rookeries across the Region has dropped by 13 from 69 to 56 equating to a 19% reduction.

5.5. The pest plant team have taken on the role of regional coordinators for the National Wilding Conifer Control Group.

5.6. The Biodiversity team have advanced a number of projects including completing the new playground and track at Totara Reserve and holding the first meeting of the new Governance Group for the Te Apiti Manawatu Gorge project.


14 December 2016


Item

8 6. SIGNIFICANCE


Jon Roygard GROUP MANAGER NATURAL RESOURCES & PARTNERSHIPS

ANNEXES

A Plants Progress Report

B Animals Progress Report

C Biodiversity and Habitat Protection Progress Report


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

8

Biosecurity Activity (Plants)

1 Zero Density/Containment Species

1.1 Activity Overview

Control work against the following species has occurred during this reporting period: banana passionfruit, boneseed, Chilean rhubarb, Darwin’s barberry, evergreen buckthorn, knotweed, mothplant and pinus

contorta.

1.2 Targets

Table 2: Annual Plan performance measures for 2016-17 for Pest Plant Biosecurity.

Measure

Reporting Period Year to date

actual Target % complete 1

st

Jul to Oct 2

nd 3

rd 4

th

Number of listed pest plants controlled to zero density/containment increases as per RPPMS

6 6 21 29%

No new listed pest plants established in the Region

0 0 0 25%

Financially support the national bio control agent development programme

1 1 4 25%

Front line enquiries for plant pest control assistance are responded to within 48 hours

74% 74% 100%

1.3 Activity Highlights

Central North Island Regional Steering Group – National Wilding Conifer Control Programme

1.3.1 The Government’s recently announced $16 million commitment over four years to support pest conifer control has seen the formation of Regional Groups to manage the programme. Horizons facilitated the formation of the Nature Central Wilding Conifer Group, which decided on 18 August to function as the Central North Island Regional Steering Group with Horizons acting as Chair and Regional Fund holder. Horizons will hold a contract with Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to receive the Government money and then disperse this to the regional group partner organisations for programme related control operations within the prioritised area.

1.3.2 The national programme developed a number of prioritised Management Units across the country through a robust ranking system by a third party ecological consultancy. The Central North Island has one initial priority area and two secondary priority areas. The initial work is within what is called the Kaimanawa Management Unit and is centred on the southern Kaimanawa/upper Rangitikei River catchment. This area includes a mix of wilding conifer species at mostly light


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

8 infestation levels. It covers 307,000 ha and includes two DOC Operational areas, New Zealand

Defence Force training grounds, Waikato Regional Council programmes, Hawkes Bay Regional Council programmes, Horizons Regional Council programmes and Maori trust land supported by Nga Whenu Rahui. Operational plans are established for the Management Units and costs are estimated and phased within and across years for the multiple infestations and control operations required to find and control pest conifers.

1.3.3 Horizons staff have been involved with planning and supporting the national programme as a member of the Operational Advisory Group. This group has a wide scope that aims to ensure the programme can best achieve the greatest possible amount of cleared and protected land and to provide a planning, recording and reporting system to ensure the gains created can be accounted.

1.2.4 Horizons has begun work within the programme area this year and undertook search and destroy operations over 5,000 ha of the East Taupo Lands Trust block at the top of our region, when 22 trees were found and controlled. There were three species and four coning (reproductive) trees.

Figure 1 The Kaimanawa MU - 307,000 ha.

Figure 2 Survey flight lines for ETLT milestone. (M.Matthewson)


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

8 Boneseed

1.2.5 With spring in the air and some warmth in the mid-September, boneseed starts flowering, which makes it a great time of year to run our search and destroy programme. Boneseed is targeted around Whanganui district and down the coast to the containment area, which extends from Turakina beach to the northern side of the Rangitikei River where we again pick up control down to our boundary with Greater Wellington Regional Council.

1.2.6 Control at all sites over a long period has sites mostly only presenting seedlings or plants less than a year old. We occasionally find a new patch of adults, given the random spread pattern due to bird dispersal. In Whanganui a number of boneseed plants were treated between South Beach and the South Mole as well as on the bluffs on the Whanganui River. There were quite a few seedlings from disturbed soil where slips had occurred after the storm event of June 2015 and this was also evident within Whanganui. A new site was also discovered at Kai Iwi Beach where plants were cut and poisoned.

Chilean rhubarb

1.2.7 As a good example of the Big 5 way of working the pest plant team received a report from one of the Regional Response Teams about a large infestation of Chilean rhubarb previously unknown to the team. The plants were located adjacent to the Turakina River which a survey showed had spread from a homestead garden many years ago.

Photo 1: Chilean rhubarb as discovered by Regional Response Team. (P. O’Leary)


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

8 2 Production Species


2.1.1 We received complaints and enquiry about broom, gorse and blackberry, and chased up a number of land occupiers with woolly nightshade.


Woolly nightshade

2.2.1 During August a programme was run in Whanganui targeting woolly nightshade trees, specifically in the Aramoho and surrounding peri-urban area.

2.2.2 A newspaper article highlighting the campaign published by the Wanganui Chronicle encouraged people to look out for woolly nightshade and report any sightings to Horizons. A few large infestations were discovered and treated.

3 Biological Control


3.1.1 Establishment and assessment monitoring has begun for green thistle beetle and broom.

3.2 Targets – Year to Date Progress


Actual 1st 2

nd 3

rd 4

th 5

th

Monitor and report on bio agent release sites - sites inspected

12 12

Monitor and report on bio agent release sites - new releases/transfers


Green thistle beetle

3.3.1 Staff spent the day with Dr Mike Cripps from AgResearch during early October, assessing farms that were previous recipients of green thistle beetles for suitability to become part of a nationwide monitoring programme.

3.3.2 Horizons will contribute assessment results from three farms monthly over a six-month period for the next 2-3 years, to track the change effected by this agent against the Californian thistle. We will monitor the amount of damage by the beetle and the population of thistles in the monitor area.

3.3.3 Green thistle beetle is very popular in the farming community due to a number of press articles and work by Beef + Lamb NZ. We have a large register of farmers waiting for delivery of these beetles. Staff have been assessing the established sites to assess their suitability as a nursey to harvest large numbers of beetles needed to satisfy demand. Distribution is likely to happen in January. AgResearch has identified the mass rearing of this beetle as a current focus of work;


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

8 particularly an investigation into a constructed food that would allow beetles to be raised en masse

within glasshouses/laboratories rather than plant-based production, which requires either large amounts of plant material growing in a greenhouse or the less consistent farm-based situation, which has great variations in establishment and harvest success.

3.3.4 Green thistle beetle attacks all thistles by ‘windowing’ vegetation when eating – more so later in summer. It is probably the only recently released biological control agent allowed to have a generalist feeding nature. New Zealand has no native or commercially important species of plant close to the thistle family. We have found the beetle on scotch and wing thistles. Over time we expect this beetle to join the impacts of the seed feeders, gall formers and tip feeders to severely reduce the effect thistles have on pasture.

Photo 2: Green thistle beetles (centre of image) on scotch thistle near Dannevirke. A small amount of early season windowing can be seen across the leaves. (J.Keast)

Broom gall mite

3.3.5 We have found our first site of broom gall mite in Tararua District. The discovery was made close to a site established through the joint Horizons/KiwiRail distribution project.


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

8 4 Non-rateable Land & Crown Agencies


4.1.1 Staff are contacting and/or meeting with agencies as per memoranda of understanding or established processes to address annual work plans and other requirements.



Actual Target %

1st 2

nd 3

rd 4

th 5

th 6

th

MOU/Liaison progress 4 3 11 36


Desert Road Invasive Legume Control Group

4.3.1 Horizons facilitated the annual meeting of this collaborative group in September. Genesis Energy hosted the meeting in Turangi, where annual reports were tabled and planning for future work undertaken.

4.3.2 The group decided to begin the second round of aerial imagery of the 23,000 ha project area to enable progress to be charted against the baseline map established four years ago. The re-fly will take place in December 2016 and will use new digitally sourced imagery to produce an orthorectified distribution map with a resolution of 0.17 metres.

4.3.3 The group has also identified sites to establish interpretation signs of what the project aims to achieve along the lines of ‘Enjoy the view – it’s protected by….’. The Department of Conservation is formatting the draft.

5 Surveillance


5.1.1 We have been involved in planning for the next steps in the velvetleaf incursion and a staff member has been dealing with pea growing enquiries in the Tararua District due to the pea weevil incursion.


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

8 5.2 Targets – Year to Date Progress

Measure

Reporting Period YTD Actual

%

1st 2

nd 3

rd 4

th 5

th

Survey and inspect all nurseries for National Pest Plant Accord (NPPA) listed weeds

0 0

Report all discoveries and action taken Reported below

Survey and record status of all known and new Surveillance species sites

New sites 0

Total sites

Zero Density progress (cumulative sites at Zero Density)


Velvetleaf

5.3.1 After the search and destroy operations for velvetleaf finished, and MPI drove a council/farmer system to create infected property farm plans, a body of work was undertaken to establish a structured next step approach. A large part of this approach was the construction of Service Agreement type contracts between Regional Councils and MPI. The intent is to acknowledge the cost of constructing farm plans and the ongoing surveillance of the plans to ensure velvetleaf is not spread.

5.3.2 Horizons staff decided not to sign up to the Service Agreement as they are of the understanding that given we had completed our plans prior to the agreement, and there is no capacity for retrospective funding, as well as the weekly reporting requirements, we could be more effective directly dealing with affected farmers.

5.3.3 Horizons is yet to designate velvetleaf a pest. Our current approach is to work outside any rule framework and to walk alongside farmers to help them adhere to the actions identified for their specific farms. Our immediate aim across the eight properties that had seeding plants is to ensure all potential growing areas are surveyed regularly and any plants located and destroyed. We are still providing information about velvetleaf’s unwanted organism status and that MPI has the ability to use the Biosecurity Act to impose restrictions on crops and land use.

5.3.4 Staff are preparing to assist farmers with initial surveillance of farms for velvetleaf. Only one farmer has chosen not to enter into the farm plan process.

5.3.2 Staff visited a couple of paddocks where late autumn cultivation and sowing of grass mirrored situations in the Waikato region, following the report that velvetleaf had germinated and was visible. We did not find any plants.

5.3.3 One infected farm is in the process of being sold to a maize grower. We are to meet with the new owner and pass on the most up-to-date information coming from the Waikato about how maize growing and velvetleaf do not work well together. Maize crops with velvetleaf infestations have been notified under the Biosecurity Act as ‘Restricted places’ in the Waikato, given the inability to extract the unwanted organism from the crop. Market forces and velvetleaf’s unwanted organism status have also dictated that any infected maize is suitable for grain or on-farm use only.


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

8 6 Awareness & Promotion


6.1.1 Staff have been responding to calls for information and advice about a wide range of pest plant issues including a large proportion being plants and topics not included in the Regional Pest

Plant Management Strategy (RPPMS). We endeavour to help out where we can, by either

controlling the plants if it involves a visit and a small infestation. In these cases we provide chemicals and teach the landowner how to control the plant themselves, or offer advice on how best to resolve the problem, as control is not always feasible.

6.1.2 Staff attended the Kids Day at Totara Reserve and one staff member hit the spot with Pohangina Community Board when his 30 minute talk extended to two hours and we received very good feedback.

6.2 Activity Table

Activity What

Talks to groups Pohangina talk - velvetleaf and foot and mouth disease.

Media articles Woolly nightshade article, Wanganui Chronicle

Other Totara Reserve Kids Day


Graph 1: Pest plant enquiries - summary

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Production Zero-Density Freshwater Surveillance Non-Strategy

Frontlines July-October 2016


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

8 6.3.1 The main topics of enquiry during this period were:

PRODUCTION Gorse, thistles and blackberry

ZERO-DENSITY Old Man’s Beard

FRESHWATER Unknown plants

SURVEILLANCE Field horsetail

NON-STRATEGY Privet, pink ragwort

7 Activity Progress Report


Nature Central (NC) Wilding Conifer Implementation Plan

Work with NC partners and other stakeholders to: 1. Form plan

2. Activity planning and tracking sheet

3. Annual meeting scheduled.

Meeting to agree to become the Central North Island Regional Group in function.

Waimarino TNP Darwin’s barberry control programme

Organise joint work programme alongside DOC.

Programme nearly finished for 2016. We have good cooperation and alignment with DOC.

Rangitikei Horsetail Group

Assist group financially and with actions as required.

Group planning for imminent first release of weevil in early 2017.

Tutsan Action Group Assist group financially and with actions as required.

Group planning for imminent first release of one but hopefully both agents authorised for release.

Desert Road Invasive Legume Control Group

Relationship between parties maintained.

MOU completed

Coordinated action in priority areas is undertaken against the target species.

Annual meeting held in late September, collaborative approach to weed infestation management occurring between parties. Agreed to re-fly and produce broom distribution map.

Check, Clean, Dry (CCD) advocacy programme

Establish season plan

Advocate employed to focus on central plateau water ways and tourist areas.

Craig Davey ENVIRONMENTAL COORDINATOR – PLANTS

Jon Roygard GROUP MANAGER NATURAL RESOURCES AND PARTNERSHIPS


14 December 2016


An

ne

x B

It

em

8

Biosecurity Activity (Animals)

1 Possums (Possum Control Operations - PCOs)


This report summarises the operational and management work involved in the 2016-17 Possum Control Operation (PCO). A more detailed overview of the PCO is provided in the Combined Regional Pest Management Operational Plan 2016-17.


Measure

Reporting Period Allocated

work Target % 1

st

July to Oct.

2nd

3rd

4th

Maintenance PCOs (by count) 10 80 12.5%

Initial operational areas (by count)

0 5 0

Overall programme control (by

count) *1 10 85 11.8%

Control maintenance operational areas (by area)

229,728 765,760 N/A 30%

Control initial operational areas

(by area) *1 0 29,738 N/A

Overall programme control (by area)

229,728 795,498 N/A 28.8%

*1 AP/LTP targets


1.3.1 Good progress has been made in the PCO operational work, with 29% of the overall planned programme for the year being completed. Work has been completed in 10 maintenance operations and work is underway on another 22 jobs. Work has yet to commence in any of the initial operations.

1.3.2 Landowner cooperation is generally excellent with no major issues arising during the reporting period. In summary:

138,348 ha of land has been ‘opted-out’ of receiving control (Map 1). This equates to 12.4% of the area that has been offered control as a part of the programme

Of the 55,941 ha offered initial control this year 26,203 ha have ‘opted out’. This equates to nearly 47% of the area offered initial control this year, much higher than the overall average for the programme.


14 December 2016


An

ne

x B

It

em

8 1.3.3 Of the area that has ‘opted in’ for control (1,113,705 ha), 318,2017 ha (28.5%) has been deferred

and will receive no treatment this year.

1.3.4 Four of the five initial operations that are scheduled for control this year are being worked ‘in house’ by the Regional Response Team. The remaining contract area (Parikino) was offered for tender to our external services providers during the reporting period. The successful tenderer was Whanganui-based KB Environmental Services. None of these programmes have begun work during the reporting period.

Map 1: Map of the Possum Control Operation for the 2016-2017 (Year 11).


14 December 2016


An

ne

x B

It

em

8 2 Monitoring


This report summaries the operational and management work involved in the 2016-17 Regional Animal Pest Monitoring programme. A more detailed overview of the regional monitoring programme is provided in the Combined Regional Pest Management Operational Plan 2016-17.


Measure

Reporting Period YTD

Actual Target % 1

st

Jul to Oct 2

nd 3

rd 4

th

Possum Densities are maintained at/below 10% residual trap-catch (RTC) in existing /new possum control operation areas. This is to enhance production, biodiversity, disease

protection and amenity values.*1

0 <10% RTC

Possum Densities are maintained at/below 5% RTC for all maintenance

control programmes *1

0 <5% RTC

Sample of new initial (PCOs) to have possum populations at or below 10% residual trap catch (RTC).

0 <10% RTC

Sample of ex-TB free NZ and existing PCOs to have possum populations at or below 5% RTC.

0 <5% RTC

Record all inputs associated with the management and control of possums in the PCO’s including Inputs maps; input/habitat ratio; inputs (labour & consumables); medical officer of health approvals

Undertake RTC monitors 12

designs completed

18-plus operatio

ns

Undertake operational audits to ensure compliance with operational and contract standards

0

10% (8-9

operations)

Rabbit night counts 0 No

counts this year

*1 AP/LTP targets


Possum monitoring

2.3.1 Monitor designs have been completed for 12 of this year’s PCO wax tag monitors. These monitors have been released for tender to our monitoring service providers. The first of the monitors are


14 December 2016


An

ne

x B

It

em

8 expected to commence prior to Christmas. Average results based on the monitoring completed to

date for the life of the programme are shown in Table 1.

2.3.2 We have commenced the designs on the remaining six monitoring operations and should have these completed early in the New Year. Some of these monitors are likely to be undertaken by members of the Regional Response Team and the balance will be tendered out.

2.3.3 Staff have in collaboration with Landcare Research Scientists reviewed the monitoring data from the PCO programme. Options for monitoring have are being developed for potential application next year. The aim of the revised monitoring programme is to provide a more representative monitoring regime for the programme that includes some monitoring before control to provide additional information to that provided from monitoring after control. The monitoring design is being stratified to provide information on the areas receiving control for the first time and the areas where there are deferrals that do not receive any treatment. Note not all of the PCO areas will be monitored, the stratified design aims to provide representative information. A small component of the monitoring will be undertaken to assess the effectiveness of varying levels of control. The conceptual design has been reviewed by Landcare Research and the next step is to progress the more detailed design components of the programme. This will be undertaken in the new calendar year to provide the ability to implement the programme in the next financial year (from July) if Council choose to do so.

Table 1: Average results for the monitoring completed to date as a part of the possum control operation.

Monitor results for the life of the Possum Control Operation Ex-TB free operations 5% target Initial operations 10% target

2.16% average (34 monitors) 4.71% average (61 monitors)

Overall average 3.79% (95 monitors)

Rabbit Monitoring

2.3.4 No rabbit monitoring has been planned for this year. The current plan is to complete monitoring next year.


14 December 2016


An

ne

x B

It

em

8

Map 3: 2016-17 PCO monitoring map (Round One).


14 December 2016


An

ne

x B

It

em

8 3 Rooks


This report summaries the operational and management work involved in the 2016-17 regional rook programme. A more detailed overview of the rook programme is provided in the Combined Regional Pest Management Operational Plan 2016-17.


Measure

Reporting Period YTD Actual Target % 1

st

Jul. to Oct. 2

nd 3

rd 4

th

a. Existing rook colonies (rookeries) (a) 43 Complete Record 100%

b. New sites (b) 13 Complete Record 100%

Total rook colonies (rookeries) (a + b) 56 56 Record 100%

All known Rookeries are treated annually

to reduce crop losses and damage *1

100%

(56 rookeries) 100% 100% 100%

Ground poisoning operations 0 Completed All N/A

Report ground control efficacy (% estimated kill)

N/A Completed 80% N/A

Breeding Rookery database updated by January 2017

Completed Completed Record 100%

*1 AP/LTP targets


3.3.1 The aerial nest baiting programme was undertaken between 14 - 31 October 2016.

3.3.2 The results from this season’s aerial work were excellent with a 25% reduction in the number of ‘active’ breeding nests treated compared to last year, and nest numbers dropping from 188 in 2015 to 141 this year. The number of active breeding rookeries across the Region has dropped by 13 from 69 to 56 (Map 3).

3.3.3 Since the inception of the region-wide aerial baiting programme in 2005 the number of active nests treated per year has reduced by 95% (down from 2,942 nests in 2005 to 141 nests in 2016).

3.3.4 There were four sites where it wasn’t possible to use the aerial control technique due to proximity to townships. In these sites an arborist was engaged to climb the trees and destroy the nests. In all of these situations the nests destroyed were ‘inactive’ i.e. they didn’t contain eggs or chicks.

Area summary: Reductions since 2005

Taihape: 96% reduction from 476 nests to 20 nests.

Manawatu: 96% reduction from 101 nests to 4 nests.

Tararua: 95% reduction from 2,365 nests to 117 nests.


14 December 2016


An

ne

x B

It

em

8

Map 3: Rook distribution post control November 2016


14 December 2016


An

ne

x B

It

em

8 4 Amenity Pests


This report summarises the operational and management work involved in the 2016-17 Amenity Pest programme. A more detailed overview of the programme is provided in the Combined Regional Pest Management Operational Plan 2016-17.



Actual Target % 1

st 2

nd 3

rd 4

th

Provide an urban/periurban animal pest management service to assist urban ratepayers with specialist advice and

equipment *1

233 233 >300

responses /year

77%

Animal pest control assistance / enquiries

are responded to with 48 hours *1

100%

(233 responses)

100%

(233 respon

ses)

100% 100%

Close out or action all enquiries within 5 working days of receipt

233 233 100% 100%

*1 AP/LTP targets


4.3.1 A total of 233 enquiries were received during the reporting period. All landowners making enquiries were contacted / visited within the prescribed timeframes and provided with advice, equipment (traps etc) or small amounts of toxins to help them deal with their particular pest issue.

Graph 1: Pest Animal Enquiry Summary – by Pest Type

Possums Mustelid Magpie Rabbit Rook Cat All Other

This Year 54 30 22 55 26 23 23

Last Year 57 29 21 54 29 9 11

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Pest Animal Enquiry Summary by Pest Typefor Period 1st July 2016 to 31st October 2016


14 December 2016


An

ne

x B

It

em

8

Graph 2: Pest Animal Enquiry Summary – by District

ManawatuPalmerston

NorthTararua Rangitikei Wanganui Ruapehu Horowhenua

District 57 40 31 24 44 13 24

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Pest Animal Enquiry Summary by District for Period 1st July 2016 to 31st October 2016


14 December 2016


An

ne

x B

It

em

8 5 Activity Progress Report


Possum Control Operation

Operational implementation

2016-17 operational work has commenced

The tender process has been completed for the Parikino PCO

The Vertebrate Toxic Agents (VTA) permits have been obtained for the majority of the 2016-17 programmes.

Success indicators

Designs completed for 12 monitors. No results to date.

Data management Post-operational reports have been received

GPS data uploaded into the GIS database

Rook Management

Aerial nest baiting The 2016-17 aerial programme has been completed.

Ground control No action required.

Rook database Reviewed and updated.

Amenity Pest Programme

Respond to enquiries/complaints within agreed timeframes

Frontline database reviewed daily.

233 enquiries received to date this year.

Individual ‘enquiries’ actioned

Database updated regularly

Assist landowners with advice on appropriate pest control techniques

Ongoing – advice provided as appropriate

Loan trap and other equipment supplied

Initiate appropriate enforcement action against land occupiers who do not comply with strategy rules.

No action required to date

Ensure that information on control methods for amenity pests is available at horizons.govt.nz

Ongoing (updated as required)

Animal Pest Monitoring Programme

Possum Control Operation

The 2016-17 monitoring plan has been completed

The first 12 monitors have been awarded to Horizons monitoring contractors.

Eric Dodd ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMME COORDINATOR (ANIMALS)



14 December 2016


An

ne

x C

It

em

8

`

Habitat Protection

1 Biodiversity Protection Programme


This programme aims to have 100 of the Region’s best wetlands and 200 of the best bush remnants under active management by 2028-29. Active management means that the site is being protected from livestock, pest animals and pest plants that threaten it, and that necessary enhancement work (e.g. planting) is undertaken.


Measure Reporting Period

YTD Actual

Allocated Target

*1

% complete

% allocated

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Additional top 100 wetlands

actively managed *2 0 0 3 0

New high priority wetlands under partial management

0 0 NA NA

Additional top 200 bush

remnants actively managed *2 0 0 6 0

New high priority bush remnants under partial management

0 0 NA NA

Environmental Grants

supported *2 2 2 11 30 7% 37%

Continue to support existing community-based biodiversity improvement projects

10

1.3 Targets - Life to Date Progress

Measure Reporting Period LTD

Actual LTD

Target %

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

Total high priority wetlands under active

management *2 0 59 62 95%

Total high priority wetlands under partial management

0 24 NA NA

Total high priority bush remnants under

active management *2 0 118 124 95%

Total high priority bush remnants under partial management

0 28 NA NA

*1 Annual target, *2 AP/LTP targets, *3 Life to date target


14 December 2016


An

ne

x C

It

em

8 1.4 Activity Highlights

This report covers the reporting period from 1 July to 31 October. A summary of the progress made against the targets for the year is in the table at the end of this section.

General:

1.4.1 Staff have been involved in planting programmes, site assessments, audits and maintenance.

1.4.2 Environmental Grant activity is starting to pick up and there have been several applications for predator trapping projects. Some of this interest can be attributed to publicity around the Government’s Predator Free NZ programme.

Community/private biodiversity:

1.4.3 So far, 11 grant applications have been approved and two have been paid out.

High priority wetlands:

1.4.4 No high priority wetlands were added to the managed list during the reporting period. The total number of high priority wetlands under active management is 59 and the number of sites under partial management is 24.

High priority bush remnants:

1.4.5 No high priority bush remnants were added to the list of actively managed sites during this period. The total number of high priority bush remnants under active management is 118 and the number of sites under partial management is 28.


14 December 2016


An

ne

x C

It

em

8 2 Community Biodiversity


The community biodiversity activity encompasses the work completed in collaboration with others to deliver biodiversity and recreational benefits to the region via projects such as the Manawatu Gorge and Pukaha Mount Bruce and projects to support community led initiatives such as the Rangitikei Environment Groups efforts to control Old Mans Beard.

2.2 Targets – Year to Date Progress (% complete)

Progress on Specific Projects Reporting Period

YTD Actual Target 1

st 2

nd 3

rd 4

th 5

th

Support community involvement in biodiversity protection

Continue to support existing community-based biodiversity improvement projects*

1

16 in part

10

Totara Reserve Regional Park

Operate a regional park and camping facility that is appreciated by the community, responding to all enquiries and complaints within 48 hours. Track and report the number of campers to the park and the number of complaints/queries as a % of this figure *

1

100% 100%

*1 AP/LTP targets,

Progress on Specific Projects Reporting Period

YTD Actual Target 1

st 2

nd 3

rd 4

th 5

th

Totara Reserve Regional Park

Totara Reserve Regional Park (Manawatu) 40% 100%

Collaboration Projects

Manawatu Gorge (Palmerston North and Tararua) 30% 100%

Pukaha/Mt Bruce (Tararua) 30% 100%

Kia Wharite (Ruapehu) 30% 100%

Save Our River Trust (Horowhenua) 30% 100%

Manawatu Estuary (Horowhenua) 30% 100%

Community Projects (10 supported)

Massey Hill (Palmerston North) 20% 100%

PN Weedbusters (Palmerston North and Manawatu) 10% 100%

Rangitikei Environment Group (Rangitikei) 20% 100%

Waitarere Beach (Horowhenua) 20% 100%

Bushy Park (Whanganui) 30% 100%

Tawata Mainland Island (Ruapehu) 30% 100%

Awahuri Forest Kitchener Park (Manawatu) 30% 100%

Moawhango Community Project (Rangitikei) 0% 100%

Turitea Reserve (Palmerston North ) 30% 100%

Te Potae o Awarua (Rangitikei) 30% 100%

Lower Kahuterawa Stream (Palmerston North ) 30% 100%

New community projects supported as resources permit

Gate Pa Bush Restoration (Manawatu) 10% 100%

Ohau Beach Walkway (Horowhenua) 0% 100%

Friends of Waitoetoe Park (Palmerston North) 30% 100%


14 December 2016


An

ne

x C

It

em

8


Totara Reserve Regional Park (Manawatu):

2.3.1 The big highlight is completion of the new playground (Photo 1) next to the Kereru campground ablution block. There was a desire to create something that fitted with the surroundings and didn’t look like a city playground. Feedback from visitors has been overwhelmingly positive with some parents commenting that their children didn’t want to leave the playground, even after enjoying it for several hours. Three Councillors – McKellar, Te Awe Awe and Kelly – were involved in the opening of the playground at Labour Weekend.

2.3.2 Phase 2 of the Fern Walk track upgrade was completed. The second pedestrian bridge (Photo 2) and several boardwalks were installed. Steps were added to the steep top section of the new track that was created in Phase 1 of the upgrade.

Photo 1: Playground opening at Totara Reserve.


14 December 2016


An

ne

x C

It

em

8

Photo 2: New bridge in the Fern Walk.

Lower Kahuterawa Stream (Palmerston North):

2.3.3 Planting was audited by Project Crimson following its payment of $35,000 from the Trees That Count project. The auditor was full of praise for the way the partnership has tackled this project, the largest of its kind in the country.

Aaron Madden ENVIRONMENTAL COORDINATOR – BIODIVERSITY



14 December 2016


An

ne

x C

It

em

8 3 Collaboration Projects – Horizons / Department of

Conservation (DOC)


This report captures some of Horizons and DOC collaborative projects which are not covered elsewhere in Environment Committee reports.


Kia Whārite (Ruapehu/ Whanganui):

3.2.1 Kia Whārite biodiversity project is a collaborative partnership between the Department of

Conservation, Horizons Regional Council, Landowners and Iwi. The project area (180,000 ha) is a mixture of public, private and Maori land that aims to protect some of our most precious taonga in one of the most stunning and least visited areas of the North Island.

3.2.2 The project is on track, with significant work planned for the summer period. The project has also received a significant recognition and a financial boost following the confirmation of an Air New Zealand partnership – see detail in ‘spotlight’ section below.

DOC Community Fund Updates

3.2.3 DOC’s Community Fund provides support for community groups focused on the ground and is now in its third year. All existing projects are on track.

3.2.4 DOC assessed the Expressions of Interest (EOI) that were received in early July and successful EOI applicants were invited to submit full applications by 16 September 2016. Assessment of these applications is underway and we expect the final decisions to be made in November 2016. Applicants will be notified as soon as this is complete. An update of successful projects in Horizons’ Region will be provided in the next report.

Pukaha Mt Bruce

3.2.1 Pukaha Mt Bruce is a National Wildlife Centre and major tourism destination in the southern Tararua District. Pukaha is managed by a Board, supported through partnerships with Department of Conservation, Horizons and Greater Wellington Regional Council. The buffer control provided through the Horizons partnership is critical to the survival of birds such as kiwi, kokako, kaka, kereru, rifleman, bellbirds and tui.

3.2.2 Rat control in the reserve is delivered through the aerial application of 1080. An aerial operation will commence in the next fine weather window. Stoats, ferrets and feral cats invade the reserve from adjoining farmland but trapping efforts by Horizons and Greater Wellington Regional Council in the buffer significantly reduce the risk of invasion. Adult kiwi are particularly vulnerable to ferret predation. Traps in the reserve provide a second line of defence against the predators. The new walk-through aviary, opened in February 2016 by the Minister of Conservation, is proving to be very popular and the visitor centre is gearing up for a strong summer visitor count. The transfer of management of the visitor centre, captive management and restoration from the Department of Conservation to the Board is operating well. Bob Francis, Pukaha Board Chair, would likely welcome an invitation to attend the next meeting to provide more information on this transition and further growth of Pukaha’s conservation and economic contribution to the Tararua District.


14 December 2016


An

ne

x C

It

em

8

Manawatu Estuary

3.2.3 Manawatu Estuary is one of six in wetlands in New Zealand to be recognised as internationally significant wetlands by the International Wetland (Ramsar) Convention. A key aspect of this status is the migratory birds. The area includes land and waters for which Horizons, Horowhenua District Council and DOC have responsibility. Management is coordinated through the Manawatu Estuary Management Group, which includes iwi and community groups.

3.2.4 Migratory birds have started to return for the summer season. Summer work programme is underway with focus on weed and pest control. DOC has not been alerted to any planned events on the estuary (eg. kiteboarding) this summer.

Te Apiti Manawatu Gorge Biodiversity Project

3.2.5 The first meeting of a revised Governance Group occurred in September under the Chairmanship of Bruce Gordon. The meeting focused on the need for the development of a new long-term biodiversity plan, renewed neighbour engagement programme and more detailed reporting on all work streams. The next meeting is scheduled for December. The summer work programme is underway with the plant pest old man’s beard, rats, possums and mustelids a key focus. There was a slip on a section of the 10 km east to west track in mid-September. Although the slip is still active, DOC has assessed options and a bid has been made to DOC’s capital fund to get the track re-routed and opened as soon as possible. This is likely to be in the new year. A bid to the mid-size tourism fund was lodged on behalf of the Gorge project seeking funding to upgrade toilet facilities within the area. This was unsuccessful and feedback was provided to inform the rebid of this project in the second round of this fund.

Biosecurity work in the Rangitikei

3.2.6 The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) contracts DOC to provide biosecurity control of pyp grass and white bryony in the Rangitikei District. MPI and DOC have agreed on a contract for the 2016-17 season and work is underway.

Rangitikei and Tararua Tourism

3.2.7 DOC is focused on supporting regional tourism growth. A current initiative is to make two huts in the Ruahine Ranges bookable as a trial this summer. This complements our other focus on securing more reliable access into the Ruahine Forest Park assets. More predictable experiences in the park should support new visitors and the surrounding local communities.

Conservation Management Strategy

3.2.8 DOC’s review of the Wellington Conservation Management Strategy is progressing well and is scheduled to be notified as early as December. DOC looks forward to continued constructive engagement with Horizons on this document.

4 Spotlight On Kia Wharite

4.1.1 Air New Zealand Great Walk Biodiversity Partnership – The Whanganui District was successful in securing funding for the Restoring the Whanganui River Forest Corridor project. The aims of the project are to improve forest condition, enhance biodiversity values and understand the growth of the kiwi population along the Whanganui Journey. This will allow for additional pest control and monitoring along the river corridor.


14 December 2016


An

ne

x C

It

em

8 4.1.2 The partnership will add $127k in year 1, $133k in year 2, $83k in year 3 and $83k in year 4.

4.1.3 Goats – The tender has been notified on the Government Electronic Tenders Service (GETS) for a panel of suppliers for ground-based goat control in the Whanganui National Park over the next three years. Up to 34,000 ha of land is hunted each year through the programme.

4.1.4 Possums - Planning is underway for the 2017 aerial pest operation in the 52,000 ha Matemateāonga and Waitotara blocks.

4.1.5 Rats - Pre-Great Walk season control has been undertaken at all Whanganui Journey campsites using bait stations. These stations will continue to be monitored during the season.

4.1.6 Stoats - Maintenance of all stoat traps in the Manganui o te Ao/Retaruke Whio Security Site has continued as planned through the start of the whio breeding season. A total of 85 km of waterway is under protection through this network of traps.

4.1.7 Whio - Monitoring of the whio breeding success has begun with the surveys conducted on the Manganui o te Ao, Upper Retaruke and Kaiwhakauaka. A total of 15 pairs, seven single adults and 16 Class I ducklings were sighted. More surveys are to be completed this breeding season.

4.1.8 Following a request from the Whio Recovery Group, four whio nests outside the security site will be identified for egg collection, with hatched whio to be included in the captive breeding for release programme. Potential pairs have been identified and are being monitored periodically so that once nesting occurs, the eggs can be translocated and hatched in captivity.

Allanah Irvine DOC OPERATIONS MANAGER, MANAWATU Jon Roygard GROUP MANAGER NATURAL RESOURCES AND PARTNERSHIPS


14 December 2016

Freshwater Progress Report Page 69

Item

9

Report No. 16-251


FRESHWATER PROGRESS REPORT

1. PURPOSE

1.1. The purpose of this item is to introduce Members of Council’s Environment Committee, the Freshwater Progress report for the period for 1st July to 31st October 2016.

2. RECOMMENDATION





3.1. The Freshwater programme at Horizons is reported on publicly to the Environment Committee regularly throughout the year and also communicated via various forums and methods.


4.1. There is no immediate financial impact associated with this report.

5. SUMMARY

5.1. The Freshwater programme is the implementation of the water quality and allocation programme which is primarily driven through riparian planting and fencing. The first four months of the year have been a really busy period with a significant amount of work being completed and signed up for the year ahead. As a overview:

The regional freshwater programme has worked with 88 groups and provided grants to 52 groups over the reporting period with 3.9 kilometres has worked with 88 groups and provided grants to 52 groups over the reporting period with 3.9 kilometres of riparian and 5,800 plants being put in the ground.

The Manawatu Accord programme completing 6.076 kilometres of fencing and 17,719 plants being placed in the ground and another 22 kilometres being signed up.

Lake Horowhenua programme received its consents from the Environment Court with little change to the original decision. Work is continuing on the Lake Horowhenua Accord and Te Mana o Te Wai projects.

The announcement of the final two Te Mana o Te Wai projects in the Manawatu and Rangitikei in the Horizons Region with a total pool of over $2.5 million in Central Government funding coming to the region.


14 December 2016


Item

9 6. SIGNIFICANCE


Logan Brown FRESHWATER & PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER Jon Roygard GROUP MANAGER NATURAL RESOURCES & PARTNERSHIPS

ANNEXES

A Freshwater Progress Report


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

9

Freshwater Management

1 Waterway Enhancement & Protection


The Freshwater Team at Horizons is a small team that works closely with other Horizons teams as well as people external to the organisation to implement works for water quality improvement. The Freshwater Team draws on the scientific monitoring work carried out by Horizons and other agencies to prioritise and focus implementation efforts. The team works with a number of external agencies including iwi and hapu, District and City Councils, industry and community groups to undertake collaborative projects and actively seeks funding from other sources, allowing the acceleration of works.

The main activity of the team includes riparian fencing and planting for water quality and fish habitat enhancement as well as the identification and enhancement of whitebait spawning habitat and fish passage improvement.

2 Regional Freshwater Programme


This programme focuses on the protection and enhancement of waterways across the region. This section of the report does not include work in the Manawatu and Horowhenua Catchments which are reported in another section of this report. The main component of the Freshwater teams work is supporting stock exclusion from waterways (via freshwater grants, advice and education), riparian enhancement and planting (where desirable), aquatic habitat enhancement, and supporting industry and community-led initiatives.

Targets

Table 1: Annual Plan performance measures for 2016-17 for the Regional Freshwater Programme (excluding the Manawatu Accord work for the Manawatu catchment and the Clean-up Fund for the Horowhenua Catchment).

Measure


work Target

% comple

te

% allocated

1st

Jul to Oct 2

nd 3

rd 4

th

Continue to work with, and provide advice to, individuals, landowners, community and iwi

groups to improve waterways *

1

88 N/A 25 352% N/A

Freshwater grants are provided each year, with priority given to working in focus catchments

and improving aquatic habitat *1

14 Grants

3.9 km of fencing

and 5,800 plants

52 Grants

Over 12 km of fencing

14,220 plants

20 70% 260%

*1 Annual Plan (AP)/ Long-term Plan (LTP) targets


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

9 2.2 Activity Highlights

Work with individuals, community groups and iwi to improve waterways:

2.2.1 So far this year the team has had contact with and provided specialised freshwater advice to 88 individuals, iwi, community groups and clubs in the regional programme (excluding the Manawatu and Horowhenua catchments). This includes 36 cases where advice only was given, and 52 where the advice led the other party to lodge a grant application for works that met criteria for funding. Within each project one contact person generally is counted, even if there are several people working on the project. Despite there generally being numerous contacts with each person over the course of the project, they are only counted once per year.

2.2.2 Work continues in partnership with groups such as the Bulls Community Group, Whanganui’s “Healthy Streams” group, Hautapu Catchment care group, and Rangitikei’s Treasured Natural Environment Group, on community focused freshwater enhancement programmes.

2.2.3 Staff have worked with seven different iwi as well as Whanganui’s Nga Tangata Tiaki on site-specific freshwater restoration projects over this period.

2.2.4 A planting day was held with Huntley School in September on the Koitiata Stream at the OB Group dairy farm. More than 700 trees, shrubs and grasses were planted as part of Huntley’s Service in the Community Week. Staff also assisted with plant supply for the Taihape Golf Club’s planting day with a number of native trees put in adjacent to the Hautapu River. Another planting day at Nukumaru, west of Wanganui, at Hopkins nutrient treatment wetland is being planned for early December.

Photo 1 and Photo 2: Students and staff from Huntley School starting the planting day along the Koitiata Stream (September 2016). Right: Flyer advertising the freshwater programme sent out to rural delivery addresses in November.

2.2.5 Flyers were distributed in early November to most of the rural delivery addresses in the Region to advertise the freshwater programme and help ensure landowners were aware of the advisory and funding service for environmental works. There was a good uptake this year, leading to a number of projects for the freshwater team and some for the land team.


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

9 Environmental Grant applications supported:

2.2.6 Fifty-two environmental grant applications have been received and so far plans have been made for more than 12 km of fencing and 14,220 plants planned. Nearly 3.9 km of fencing has been completed and more than 5,800 plants have been put in the ground. The wet weather has been delaying the start of a number of fencing projects. Staff are noticing an increase in the number of smaller farms or lifestyle blocks that are seeking to do environmental work in conjunction with the team, which is reflected in the smaller numbers of plants or fence length per application.

2.2.7 Staff have been monitoring last year’s plantings and have advised on, or organised, release spraying as and when required to ensure plants get a good start and are not smothered with the spring/summer grass growth.

2.3 Nga Whenua Rahui Work:

2.3.1 Fencing has begun on one Atihau bush block at Tawanui over this period. However two other projects have been delayed by the wet weather and are now expected to start in the new year.

2.3.2 Sites are being visited to identify the required pest plant programme for the summer. Joe Martin is training two others to pick up some of his work within the Nga Whenua Rahui programme.

2.4 Spotlight On… SHMAK monitoring

2.4.1 NIWA has developed, and continues to refine, a community monitoring programme called the Stream Health Monitoring and Assessment Kit (also known as SHMAK). This is a tool kit providing a method for communities to monitor waterways and assess changes over time. The kit includes tools and instructions for measuring the clarity of the water (clarity tube); flow velocity; pH, temperature and conductivity; and information and tools for undertaking assessments of periphyton growth and invertebrates present. Horizons has been using a modified version of the kit, called Waiora, with school groups for the past few years. The monitoring is done as frequently as the community group can commit to – quarterly or six monthly is ideal – using exactly the same site and approximately the same time of year each time. The actual timing is influenced by flow as it is best to wait a week after high flows where possible.

2.4.2 The freshwater team has been involved with training iwi groups with the full SHMAK kit as part of the Te Mana o Te Wai projects. This allows the iwi/hapu/marae groups to really connect with what is happening within the stream/river they are working to restore, and provides one method – to be used in conjunction with other cultural monitoring protocols – to identify long-term improvements in water quality and aquatic life.

Photo 3 and Photo 4: Determining algae coverage on the rock and identifying invertebrate species.


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

9

Photo 5: Testing water clarity by viewing a sample of water through a tube and moving the disc back until it is unable to be seen.

2.5 Activity Progress Report


Working with individuals, community groups or iwi to improve waterways.

Work with 25 individuals, community groups or iwi.

There have been 88 contacts over this period with 36 being provision of advice only.

Staff are working with a number of iwi and community groups towards freshwater improvement projects and connecting the communities back to their rivers/streams.

Environmental Grant applications supported.

20 Environmental Grants supported

52 Environmental Grant applications have been lodged.

Nga Whenua Rahui (NWR)

Works completed in accordance with the contract to NWR, including assessing proposal for protection of bush remnants, wetlands and stream sites on Maori land.

Fencing has begun on Tawanui.

The plant pest programme for the summer is being developed.


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

9 3 Manawatu River Accord


The Manawatu River Leaders’ Accord Action Plan includes an array of activities related to water quality, to achieve the goals of the Accord. This activity funds works to improve the water quality in the Manawatu Catchment as part of the Accord, including fencing off streams, riparian planting, improving fish passage and supporting community projects.

3.2 Targets

Table 2: Annual Plan performance measures for 2016-17 for Manawatu River Accord.

Measure


work Target

% comple

te

% allocat

ed 1

st

Jul to Oct 2

nd 3

rd 4

th

Stream fencing. Measure lineal metres (km) of fencing installed (all types).

6.076 km 27.9 km 45 13.5% 62%

Improve native fish habitat and fish passage. Number of sites protected/ enhanced.

24 planting sites & 17,719 riparian plants

planted

53 Sites

26,705 plants

10 240% 530%

Community involvement projects.

5 projects started, none

completed 5 4 0% 125%


Manawatu River Leaders’ Accord and Action Plan:

3.3.1 The new Manawatu River Leaders’ Action plan was launched in March 2015 and lists the actions committed to by members of the Accord for the next five years. The first report back to the Manawatu River Leaders’ forum on progress on the actions will be on 30 November 2016. A Hui-a-iwi meeting was held on 26 October 2016 and covered a range of topics including the recent announcement of the Te Mana O Te Wai Funding for the Manawatu, The Manawatu River Advisory Board and the process for potential future funding applications. These items were also on the agenda for the Manawatu River Leaders Forum Meeting.

Manawatu River Accord Targeted Rate

3.3.2 The main focus during this reporting period has been on completing the last of the planting projects. The wet spring has allowed for planting later in the season than normal.

3.3.3 The community projects funded under the Manawatu targeted rate have started with three – Taonui School, Tararua Breeding Centre and the Kui Kui Charitable Trust – holding plantings. The two other community projects have also started with equipment being purchased for the Partnerships through Collaboration Project and project planning support for this project. The Mangaone West Landcare Group has been scoping projects for the next planting season.

3.3.4 In mid-November over 5,000 flyers were delivered to rural delivery mail boxes throughout the catchment, resulting in a handful of enquiries so far. Another round of advertising is likely early in the new year.


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

9 3.4 Spotlight On … fish pass trial

3.4.1 A rock and concrete fish pass was constructed in Waterfall Creek just south of Tokomaru. A large box culvert under SH57 had become perched over time, resulting in a drop of approximately 50 cm in places which made it impassable for inanga. In 2014 the fish pass was constructed under the guidance of experts from NIWA. NIWA has developed fish pass testing protocols which were followed to assess the effectiveness of the fish pass. Inanga were caught from lower in the Manawatu Catchment and stained using dye so they could be easily identifiable; a non-stained control population was also used in the trial. The fish pass was electro-fished to remove any inanga that may have been there prior to the imported fish being released. Nets were placed below the fish pass and above the culvert so the inanga could be recaptured and counted. At the end of the trial 21% of the fish released were recovered from the trap at the top of the fish pass, but in total only 52% of the 277 fish released during the trial were found again. Due to the uncertainty of where the other fish ended up we intend to re-run the trial in December.

Photo 6: Waterfall Creek culvert before work (left top) ) and Photo 7: After construction (right top).Photo 8 and Photo 9: Nets in place on Whitebait Creek and stained inanga.


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

9 3.5 Activity Progress Report


Manawatu River Leaders’ Forum (MRLF)

Meetings completed, Action Plan implemented.

Hui a iwi held at Caccia Birch on 26 October 2016

MRLF held on 30 November 2016

Manawatu Accord implementation work

Work to complement the goals of the Manawatu Accord.

Allocations to date are 27.9 km of fencing proposed, 26,705 riparian plants planned and 4 fish passes proposed.

Advertising via flyers delivered to all rural delivery box holders in the catchment has been carried out.

4 Lake Horowhenua Accord and Lake Horowhenua Freshwater Clean-Up Fund


The Lake Horowhenua Accord is a partnership to address water quality issues in Lake Horowhenua. Horizons has the lead role in delivering on the Lake Horowhenua Freshwater Clean-up Fund, which consists of eight projects designed to contribute to the restoration of Lake Horowhenua.

Targets

Table 3: Annual Plan performance measures for 2016-17 for the Lake Horowhenua Accord and Freshwater Clean-up Fund.

Measure

Reporting Period 2016-17

Actual Target % 1

st

Jul. to Oct.

2nd

3rd

4

th

Obtain consents and operate a lake weed harvester on Lake Horowhenua (Environment Court process for consents

completed)*1

Consents obtained

and appealed

Consents obtained 0%

*1 AP targets


The Lake Horowhenua Accord and Freshwater Clean-Up Fund:

4.2.1 Consents required for the fish pass, sediment trap and lake weed harvesting were granted in December 2015 and the decision was subject to one appeal to the Environment Court. Following the Environment Court hearing in May 2016 the court ruled in favour of Horizons (as an applicant) in September 2016. The Environment Court decision was subsequently appealed to the High Court, although there were some issues around the timing of the appeal and the service of the appeal to the parties involved. Horizons has filed notice to be involved in the case to the court along with some preliminary matters noted. An initial date for the first case conference was delayed due to the earthquakes. Horizons is currently preparing to install the fish pass and have notified a range of parties including the court. This project is being progressed on the basis that the opposition to this activity was withdrawn as a part of the Environment Court process.

4.2.2 The ninth Quarterly Report was completed and submitted to the Minister for the Environment (MfE) on 31 October 2016. A variation to the Deed with MfE is being sought to extend the timeframes for the delivery of the fish pass project and the sediment trap, due to the delays caused by the legal process. An extension to the integrated stormwater management project was also sought to allow


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

9 for further farm visits and implementation on the Horticultural farms and for a final report on the

project to be prepared by Dan Bloomer.

4.2.3 Horowhenua District Council has confirmed it will not continue with stage one of the urban stormwater project as a part of the Lake Horowhenua Clean-Up Fund project due to the difficulty in obtaining archaeological authority. Staff at HDC have indicated they are progressing work to improve treatment of the water flowing from Queen Street drain to the Lake (when it does flow to the Lake). The work is however being progressed outside of the Clean-Up Fund project. The variation sought from MfE has requested that the $50,000 allocated for the urban stormwater project be reallocated to the sediment trap project and if it is not fully utilised on that project that any remaining funds be directed to the establishment of the Lake Weed Harvesting project

4.2.4 The Lake Horowhenua Trust reconfirmed their support for the Lake Accord and the Clean-Up Fund projects at there meeting in November.

4.2.5 Staff presented a progress report on the integrated stormwater management project at the Tararua Growers Association AGM in September.


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

9 4.3 Activity Progress Report


Lake Horowhenua Accord

Regular meetings and progress on the Lake Accord projects

Lake Horowhenua Accord Group meetings held on 4 July and 28 September.

Lake Horowhenua Clean-Up Fund

Lake weed harvesting

This project is completed from a financial perspective with MfE.

Consents have been obtained, with an appeal to the High Court received.

Oct 2016 NIWA undertook a further round of weed mapping to help inform the weed harvesting methodology.

Boat wash facility The boat wash was installed in 2014 and this project

is completed.

Riparian fencing and planting

This project is ongoing and will be completed in December 2016.

2 community planting days have been held.

6,854 plants planted and 1,108 metres of fencing, 2 signs erected, and one fish ladder installed under this project.

Urban stormwater treatment

Horowhenua District Council has confirmed its withdrawal from the implementation of stage one of this project

No MfE funding has been spent on this project.

Sediment trap Consents have been obtained.

Archaeological authority gained.

Integrated stormwater management plan

$300,000 of Horizons’ Long-term Plan budget has been allocated for the upgrade of the Arawhata stormwater network, including 6 km of drain upgrades and replacement of culverts. Upgrades have started and 3 culverts have been replaced.

368 ha of cropped land has been mapped to identify areas of ponding and high risk soil loss areas. Plans are being implemented by the growers to reduce the impact of storm events and soil loss into the drainage network and ultimately finding its way into the lake.

Sustainable milk production plans

This project has been completed with all 10 farms within the catchment mapped and plans delivered and discussed.

All of these farms are now operating with resource consents.

Fish pass on Hokio Stream

Consent obtained.

Archaeological authority obtained.

Designs for the fish pass have been completed.


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

9 5 Te Mana o Te Wai Projects


The Te Mana o Te Wai Fund is administered by Ministry for the Environment and has had one round of project funding open to iwi/hapu/marae for freshwater restoration works. Horizons has supported a number of applications and has had four projects succeed in their funding bids, all of which have begun works. Approximately half of the available funding from the Te Mana o Te Wai Fund has been secured for work in Horizons region, although it is noted that one of the projects does work in both the Taranaki and Manawatu-Wanganui Regions. The projects run over a two year time frame with two officially beginning on 1 March 2016 and two on 1 July 2016. All four have now been announced.


Rangitikei – Ngā Puna Rau Rangitīkei

5.2.1 Ngā Puna Rau Rangitīkei is a project arising from the Nga Pae o Rangitīkei group. It includes six site-specific projects and four that are catchment-wide. The site specific projects include fencing and planting at the Moawhango River, Paharakeke Stream (Moawhango), Pourewa Stream, and Makowhai Stream (Tangimoana). Restoration plans have been prepared, monitoring carried out and some restoration completed of the Hautapu River and Lake Oporoa (Utiku). The four catchment-wide projects include planning for and undertaking communications, stream monitoring, developing a catchment strategy and arranging signage.

5.2.2 The project was officially announced on 2 September 2016 via a press release by Ministers Dr Nick Smith and Te Ururoa Flavell, and MP Marama Fox on the Beehive website. This was celebrated with a powhiri at Rata Marae and planting of 1,000 native trees and harakeke along the banks of the Pourewa Stream. The project team leaders, along with iwi representatives and whanau, were joined by MP Ian McKelvie, Councillor McKellar, Department of Conservation representatives and Horizons staff as well as students from Hunterville School. The project will receive approximately $700,000 from the Government towards the $800,000 total expected cost. Horizons co-funding agreement has been finalised and signed by both parties.

5.2.3 The project has planted 9,200 trees between June and September 2016 across three sites/catchments, the Makowhai (Tangimoana), Pourewa (Rata) and Moawhango streams.

5.2.4 The Project Governance Group (PGG) has met twice during this reporting period and is schedule to meet again in February. It includes two Horizons representatives, with Councillor Patrick recently elected onto it as well as Jon Roygard. Clare Ridler is Horizons primary point of contact for the project and also attends the governance group meetings in an Advisory Role.

5.2.5 The project team had a training day with Horizons staff at Rata in November to learn how to use the Stream Health Monitoring and Assessment Kit (SHMAK). The SHMAK kit will form part of a monitoring programme to be undertaken at five of the catchments where restoration works is occurring to provide data on any changes over the long term.


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

9

Photo 10: Left. MP Ian McKelvie, Councillor McKellar, and Neville Lomax planting the first plants alongside the Pourewa Stream during the announcement celebrations. Photo 11: Right Public announcement of the Tu te Manawa project at Te Manawa.

Manawatu – Tu te Manawa

5.2.6 The Tu te Manawa project was launched on 21 October 2015 at Te Manawa in Palmerston North. The project was formally announced in a press release by Minister Dr Nick Smith and MP Marama Fox on the Beehive website. This was celebrated at Te Manawa Art, Science, and History Museum on the same day as the Horizons Council expo. The celebration was well attended with the project team leaders, iwi representatives and whanau joined by MP Ian McKelvie, Horizons Councillors, MfE and Horizons staff as well as the general public.

5.2.7 Tu te Manawa has a total project budget of $813,840.00 with $533,840.00 coming from the Te Mana o te Wai Fund administered by MfE. This project incorporates the following three main objectives:

1. To instil community and iwi/hapu pride to enable action for improving our awa.

2. To complete physical intervention to protect, clean up and reduce impacts on our awa.

3. To increase the presence and number of culturally significant species within the catchment as a key indicator of mauri.

5.2.8 The first whare will be completed in Ferry Reserve in December 2016 and an iwi/hapu planting day was held at the site on 12 November.

5.2.9 Horizons is supporting the project through financial contributions towards the stream fencing, planting and fish pass projects which will be undertaken as part of the Manawatu targeted rate work. Further information on this project is available on request.

5.2.10 The Project Governance Group includes Councillor Sheldon as a Horizons representative. Lucy Ferguson is Horizons primary point of contact for the project.

5.2.11 The additional funding for stream fencing and planting through this project places additional workload on the freshwater team to secure work in the Manawatu Catchment. The team have started advertising (as reported in a previous section) and will advertise again in the new calendar year.


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

9 Lake Horowhenua – Te Kakapa Manawa o Muaūpoko – The Heartbeat of Muaūpoko

5.2.12 The Te Kakapa Manawau o Muaupoko (the heartbeat of Muaupoko) project was the first of the four to be announced in the Region (in November 2015). There are 13 sub-projects including community and manawhenua engagement, physical water quality improvement interventions and work to enhance and better understand the state of native fisheries and how to enhance them.

5.2.13 Te Kakapa Manawa o Muaūpoko has a total project budget of $1,162,160 with $971,660.00 coming from the Te Mana o te Wai Fund administered by MfE.

5.2.14 The co-funding agreement between Horizons and the Horowhenua Part II Trust has been signed by both parties during the reporting period. Horizons is involved in five of the 13 projects, which include the lake report card, lake bed sediment report, in-lake planting trial, fencing and planting, and the native fish survey and report projects. Horizons’ involvement includes both in-kind and financial support. Further details on the projects are available on request.

5.2.15 Horizons staff have helped with the organisation of two community planting days in August and September on the banks of the Hokio Stream near the weir. They also held a school planting in the same area to fill in gaps, resulting in an additional 1,006 plants planted along the Stream.

5.2.16 Work is underway on other projects including the glass eel capture and repatriation project, the lake report card project, in-lake planting trial and scoping work for the fencing and planting projects are also underway.

5.2.17 The PGG includes Councillor Sheldon as a representative of Horizons and Jon Roygard is a member in an advisory capacity only. The Governance Group has meet four times during this financial year (2 August, 7 September, 5 October, and 22 November). The project has also reported to two Lake Accord meetings 4 July and 28 September. Logan Brown is Horizons primary point of contact for this project.

Nga Rauru – Te Kaahui o Rauru Waterways Restoration.

5.2.18 The Nga Rauru project includes seven site-specific catchment restoration projects, three of which – the Kai iwi, Okehu and Ototoka Streams – are in Horizons’ Region.

5.2.19 The Te Kaahui o Rauru Waterways Restoration proect has a total project budget of $400,000 with $376,000 coming from the Te Mana o te Wai Fund administered by MfE.

5.2.20 Planning for willow control works, fencing and planting has been carried out across all three of these catchments. It is expected that approximately 800 metres of willow control, plant pest control, and more than 1 km of fencing will be completed by April 2017; and more than 5,000 plants will be put in during May, June and July 2017.

5.2.21 Horizons are not involved in the Governance of this project. Clare Ridler is Horizons primary point of contact for this project.

Clare Ridler FRESHWATER COORDINATOR

Lucy Ferguson FRESHWATER COORDINATOR

Logan Brown FRESHWATER AND PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER

Jon Roygard

GROUP MANAGER NATURAL RESOURCES AND PARTNERSHIPS


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

9

Map 1: Location of the proposed and completed Freshwater Grants for 2016-17 including the Regional, Manawatu and Horowhenua programmes. Each point on the map represents one fencing or planting project.


14 December 2016

Science Progress Report Page 85

Item

10

Report No. 16-252


SCIENCE PROGRESS REPORT

1. PURPOSE

1.1. The purpose of this item is to introduce Members of Council’s Environment Committee, the Science and Innovation Progress report for 1st July to 31st October 2016.

2. RECOMMENDATION



3. FINANCIAL IMPACT



4.1. The Science and Innovation work programme at Horizons is reported on publicly to the Environment Committee regularly throughout the year and also communicated via various forums and methods.


5.1. There is no immediate financial impact associated with this report.

6. SUMMARY

6.1. The Science and Innovation work programme has progressed a range of work over the reporting period, with much of the teams energy applied to scoping and contracting of new projects and work programmes. Staff vacancies have delayed some external contracting of work. However, much of this work will be underway by the end of the calendar year, with a view to delivering these projects by 30 June 2017.

6.2. In terms of capacity, the Science and Innovation team has been working hard to rebuild following the promotions of Logan Brown to Freshwater and Partnerships Manager and Abby Matthews to Science and Innovation Manager. The Groundwater Scientist, Freshwater Scientist and Natural Resources Scientist positions have now been filled by Stephen Collins, Michael Patterson and Staci Boyte, respectively. This has lead to us recruiting two new Research Associates to support the biomonitoring programme, and we have recently welcomed Miriam Niessen and Ariana Blackwood to the team. Raelene Mercer returned from maternity leave in September and will now form part of the Science and Innovation leadership team as Senior Scientist – Allocation, along with Maree Patterson (Senior Scientist – Water Quality) and James Lambie (Science Co-ordinator). Manas Chakraborty, Harold Barnett, Melanya Yukhnevich, Amy Shears and Stacey Binsted round out our team. Further recruitment will be underway shortly to fill two fixed-term roles for maternity leave cover.


14 December 2016


Item

10

6.3. This Environment Committee report has been redesigned at the request of the previous Committee. Rather than report on the progress of each of the eight science portfolio’s the new report format will cover the four activity areas set out in Horizons Long-term Plan: Water Quality and Quantity, Land, Biosecurity and Biodiversity, and Environmental Reporting and Air Quality Monitoring, to align with our 2016-17 Science and Innovation Operational Plan. Each of the four sections provides the following:

Activity Overview - an overview of each activity and an update on progress to date against performance measures outlined in Horizons Annual Plan;

Activity Highlights - a commentary on key deliverables and progress made during the reporting period. The aim of this section is to enable us to draw attention to key outputs throughout the year at times when they are most relevant to the Committee. Please note that the un-numbered paragraphs set the context for each work programme, while the numbered paragraphs provide an update of progress made during the reporting period;

Spotlight On – covers a topic of interest, or key deliverable for each activity that is likely to be of interest to Council, and to the general public. For example, for this report we have focused on four key outputs: (1) our new coastal and estuary monitoring and research programme, with a particular focus on estuary susceptibility mapping; (2) gravel use monitoring and reporting; (3) the Regional Pest Management Plan; and (4) Swimming and Recreation.

Activity Progress Report – provides a year-to-date report on progress across the full Science and Innovation programme. These tables will be updated for each Environment Committee report with an aim to provide a complete progress report by the end of the 2016-17 reporting year.

6.4. Water Quality and Quantity activity includes monitoring and research delivered via the Water Quality State of Environment, Water Quality Monitoring and Research, Groundwater and Allocation portfolios. Highlights from the reporting period include scoping of the water metering programme for takes between 5 and 10 L/s; a groundwater level survey of the Whakarongo area, north of Palmerston North; fish passage trials in the Manawatu to test effectiveness; and initiation of a stocktake of information on our Region’s fisheries, in partnership with Fish and Game.

6.5. A new focus for the Water Quality and Quantity programme during the 2016-17 year will be providing our community with a better understanding of the suitability of our Region’s popular swimming spots for recreational use. This includes an expanded monitoring programme, covering over 80 sites across the Region. We have also been working closely with Horizons’ communications team to deliver a safe swim spot summer campaign to improve community understanding of water quality for recreation, highlight Horizons’ work, and update the website to allow up-to-date “swimmability” reporting for the public.


14 December 2016


Item

10

6.6. During the next reporting period (November 2016 – January 2017) the focus for the Water Quality portfolio will include delivery of the contact recreation monitoring programme; completion of a radon survey to identify groundwater inflows to surface water in the Rangitikei catchment; and completion of a draft report of catchment contaminant accounting (also in the Rangitikei).

6.7. Land activity includes monitoring and research delivered via the Land and Fluvial portfolios. Highlights during the reporting period include initiation of two new projects as part of our Sediment Transport research programme: (1) Development of a farm scale model of sediment loss using SedNetNZ; and (2) an investigation of sediment transport in the Manawatu and Whanganui catchments. Both projects are co-funded with Landcare Research and will significantly build knowledge of sediment transport in our Region.

6.8. The work programme for Land will move from programme scoping and planning to implementation during the next reporting period. For the fluvial portfolio, the focus will now shift to delivery of a LiDAR and field survey of the Rangitikei catchment, which is planned for early 2017. Scoping of a longer-term monitoring and research programme for the fluvial portfolio is underway, with a workshop with research providers planned for early in the calendar year.

6.9. The Biosecurity and Biodiversity section reports on the monitoring and research programme delivered via the Biodiversity portfolio. Highlights during the reporting period include progress with delivery of the Regional Pest Plan and Possum Control Operation Strategy, and advancing the surveying of our Top 100 wetlands. A stocktake of information for the Region’s lakes is also progressing well.

6.10. During the next reporting period, the Biosecurity and Biodiversity work programme will focus on delivery of the bird monitoring survey at Totara Reserve, and delivery of the Regional Pest Plan.

6.11. Environmental Reporting and Air Quality Monitoring activity incorporates the State of Environment and Policy and Air Quality portfolios, along with the provision of technical support to the Regulatory Group through consents, consents monitoring and RMA Advice. Highlights for Environmental Reporting and Air Quality Monitoring during the reporting period include: (1) a refresh of LAWA rivers, lakes, coastal and water quantity modules; (2) contribution by staff to a number of national work programmes and community initiatives; and (3) initiation of seven new Envirolink funded projects.

6.12. An exceedance in air quality was detected at the Taumarunui monitoring station during the Easter break. The cause of the exceedance was not determined however, our investigation concluded the breech was likely due to an isolated incident. An exemption was sought from the Minister for the Environment, and this has now been granted.

6.13. The focus for Environmental Reporting and Air Quality Monitoring during the next reporting period will include delivery of a public campaign to promote our Region’s swim spots, in partnership with Horizons’ communications team. Scoping of the 2018 State of Environment report will also kick off early in the new calendar year.


14 December 2016


Item

10

7. SIGNIFICANCE


Abby Matthews SCIENCE & INNOVATION MANAGER Jon Roygard GROUP MANAGER NATURAL RESOURCES & PARTNERSHIPS

ANNEXES

A Science & Innovation Progress Report


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

10

Science and Innovation

1 Water Quality and Quantity


Water is an important resource that provides for the cultural, environmental and economic needs of our Region. The Science and Innovation Team serves the Water Quality and Quantity activity of Horizons’ Annual Plan through a range of science monitoring and research programmes that track changes in the water resource and inform decision-making around water management.

Water Quality and Quantity activity during 2016-17 is focussed on improving our knowledge and understanding of the Region’s water resource. Additional investment by Council will enable Horizons to comply with the revised National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2014 (NPS-FM), which requires a monitoring plan, and freshwater quantity and quality accounting systems. Developing further understanding around the thresholds for managing contaminants to ensure the health of our freshwater systems is also a key outcome. In addition to meeting the objectives of the NPS-FM, these programmes will inform the implementation of Regional Growth initiatives through the Accelerate25 programme. Finally, this information will also be useful to inform decision-making, State of Environment (SoE) reporting and, in some cases, measurement of policy effectiveness. The provision of public information is reported in the Environmental Reporting and Air Quality Monitoring section of this report.

As set out in Horizons’ Annual Plan, planned work for 2016-17 includes:

Studying the interactions between groundwater and surface water, and their influence on nutrient management;

Ensuring the reporting needs of the national regulations for measurement of water takes and the reporting requirements of the revised NPS-FM are met;

Increased monitoring and science on periphyton in the Region’s rivers via targeted catchment-specific investigations;

Increased monitoring and reporting of rivers, lakes and estuaries in the Region; and

Improved reporting of water quality and water quantity information.

The Water Quality and Quantity monitoring and research programmes are measured against three performance measures:

Measure Reporting Period

Actual Target 1

st 2

nd 3

rd 4

th 5

th

Track changes in the health of the Region’s water resource *1

30% 30% 100%

Inform policy and non-regulatory programme development *1

30% 30% 100%

Assess policy implementation effectiveness *1

30% 30% 100%

*1 AP/LTP targets


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

10


This report covers the reporting period from 1 July 2016 to 31 October 2016. A summary of the progress made against the targets for the year is in the table at the end of this section.

Water Allocation and Groundwater Monitoring:

Context

The science and innovation team oversees the management and reporting of the water allocation and groundwater quality monitoring programmes, including work completed as a part of the core hydrology programme. This includes a wide range of environmental monitoring programmes, such as the measurement of river level, flow, rainfall, soil moisture and gauging rivers during low flow. Groundwater levels and quality are also monitored as part of regional State of Environment and national monitoring programmes. Changes in groundwater quality and quantity provide baseline information on the health of our Region’s aquifers and enable us to identify changes in quality due to natural processes and human impact, such as land use effects. Monitoring for seawater intrusion in a network of monitoring wells provides Horizons with a mechanism for early detection, and is crucial for informing decision-making around the use of groundwater near the coast.

A key component of the water allocation monitoring programme is the quantification of water use, which ensures that Horizons meets the requirements of the National Regulations on Water Measurement and Reporting and the requirements under the One Plan. This also provides meaningful data for future freshwater accounting as required by the NPS-FM. Actual water use information is used for assessing compliance, to make resource management decisions and to estimate river flows that would have occurred had there been no abstraction (the naturalised flow).

Activity

1.2.1 The water metering project team is now making preparations for the upcoming irrigation season, including writing to consent holders to make contact prior to the season, reminding them of their obligations and the services we can provide. The WaterMatters web pages are being checked to ensure there are no unforeseen issues associated with the changeover to Horizons’ new website.

1.2.2 The field team has 36 telemetry installations scheduled for this season, with a number still to be booked. This represents a 9.4 percent increase on the 382 data streams (323 consents) already telemetered in the region. This year (in November) the requirement for takes of between 5 and 10 L/s to measure and report their water use come into force under the National Regulations on Water Use Measurement and Reporting. The majority of takes of this size in our Region are already metered, and some report water use manually, but the team is continuing to offer telemetry to many of these water users. This eliminates the need for the consent holder to record and manually report water use, and also eliminates the needs for handling, converting, checking and archiving the data at our end. Table 1 provides a summary of the status of the telemetry programme to date.


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

10

Category

Number telemetered

% of total

consents in this

category

Number yet to be

telemetered

Number booked

for install this

season

Number remaining

for telemetry

installation

Reason for not having telemetry installed

>20 L/sec 229 77

67 22 45

21 of these are yet to have any kind of infrastructure installed; 20 are providing manual records; remainder are new consents that still need to install meters.

10-20 L/sec

65 65 35 14 20

5 of these are yet to have any kind of infrastructure installed; 9 are providing manual records; 6 are on mobile units; 1 new consent that still needs to install a meter

5-10 L/sec 24 22

84 None to

date TBC TBC

5 <10

Will only be telemetered as low priority (not included in the regs).

Table 1: Summary of telemetered water meter status as at 31 Oct 2016


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

10

1.2.3 Horizons has been supporting Massey PhD student Caleb Higham with the provision of data logging equipment and water use data for his dairy shed water use monitoring project for which he has sites in the Manawatu and Waikato regions. The study that is primarily funded by Dairy NZ and Massey University is nearing completion of his project and is writing up his findings. Initial results indicate some interesting points around the significant amounts of leakage apparently occurring in most farm systems. At this stage Caleb is linking this to factors such as age of infrastructure and earthquake frequency. There are two scientific journal articles in press to date (Journal of Dairy Science) and Caleb will be providing these to Horizons as they become available.

1.2.4 The groundwater monitoring programme includes 130 bores monitored monthly for groundwater levels, 11 bores monitored automatically and 31 bores monitored quarterly for groundwater quality. These bores cover a range of depths and hydrogeological situations, i.e. artesian and non-artesian bores, as well as a range of land uses and water uses. The most recent groundwater level survey was conducted during October and shows levels were typical for the time of the year, with reasonable winter-spring recovery in most wells across the Region. Groundwater quality monitoring was completed in September 2016, with the next sampling round due in December.

Water Quality Monitoring:

Context

The collection of accurate water quality information from sites throughout the Region is required for a range of outputs that seek to improve our knowledge of the current state and changes in water quality over time. This programme includes monitoring water quality in freshwater environments such as rivers and lakes, and our coastal and estuarine environments, along with improving our understanding of aquatic ecosystem health. This includes both monthly and continuous monitoring of climate and water quality, including physical and chemical indicators such as water and air temperature, barometric pressure, flow, turbidity (to provide sediment concentrations and volumes), and dissolved oxygen. During 2016-17 we are also trialling the continuous monitoring of nitrate-nitrogen.

An important part of our monitoring programme is the biological component, which provides information on periphyton and didymo (algae) growth, and the abundance of fish and macroinvertebrates – both of which are sensitive to changes in water quality and therefore useful for understanding the effects of any changes on the health of waterways. We also undertake water quality monitoring contracted by external parties, the costs of which are recovered from external agencies.

The 2016-17 programme includes a review to determine the alignment of sites to support the NPS-FM requirements, any discharge sites that may have changed as a result of changes to discharge points, and alignment with the National Environmental Monitoring Standard for discrete water quality sampling once formally adopted. Additionally, the laboratory tender process will commence during the 2016-17 financial year. We will also work in partnership with the Freshwater Team to support the restoration of habitat for fish in key areas of the Region, and support the implementation of works associated with the Manawatu River Leaders and Lake Horowhenua Accords.

Activity

1.2.5 The monitoring programmes described in this section are considered long-term programmes. Information gained from these long-term programmes is utilised to under-pin reporting on the state of the environment inform regulatory programs such as (policy development and consent decision) and to inform non-regulatory programs. Reporting for the 2016-17 year includes:

summary reports for each of the target catchments for nutrient management;

reporting on drivers of periphyton growth;

reporting on the state and trends of macroinvertebrates in the Region;

supply of information to the Land Air Water Aotearoa (LAWA) website; and

provision of data to the public, research projects and consultants upon request.


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

10

Contact Recreation:

Context

Our contact recreation monitoring programme provides information on the suitability of freshwater and coastal sites with regard to the health risks of swimming and water sports and the safety of gathering shellfish in the coastal environment. It also provides information on the effectiveness of the One Plan for meeting recreational values for our freshwater and coastal environments.

This work is undertaken through two work programmes:

(1) The contact recreation monitoring programme which involves checking indicator E. coli and enterococci counts to determine if well-used coastal, stream and estuarine sites are suitable for contact recreation. This also includes the monitoring of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) in lakes, with warnings posted when undesirable levels are reached, and faecal coliforms in the coastal area to inform us on the suitability for shellfish gathering; and

(2) The periphyton monitoring programme, through which we also collect samples of cyanobacteria when they are found to be present in rivers and streams, and test them for toxins which can pose a health risk to humans and animals.

Activity

1.2.6 Monitoring and reporting for the 2016-17 year focusses on providing our community with a better understanding of the suitability of the Region’s popular swimming spots for recreational use. This includes an expanded monitoring programme, covering more than 80 sites across the Region. A key task will be working closely with Horizons’ communications team on a safe swim spot summer campaign to improve community understanding of water quality for recreation, highlight Horizons’ work and update the website to allow up-to-date “swimability” reporting for the public.

1.2.7 Monitoring for the 2016-17 season commenced on 2 November at the 17 existing sites, and the expanded monitoring programme is proposed to commence in early December. An overview of the expanded programme is included in the Environmental Reporting and Air Quality Monitoring section of this report.

Hydrogeology and Catchment Characterisation:

Context

The aim of this work programme is to further develop and refine the hydrogeological conceptual models for the Region, to inform freshwater research and monitoring programmes, and support the sustainable use of freshwater resources. The overall management of freshwater relies on a good fundamental understanding of groundwater recharge, discharge and movement through the subsurface environment. While there is a general understanding of the geology and hydrogeology at a regional scale, further development and refinement of conceptual models at catchment-scale is being undertaken to further inform management of freshwater resources in the Region.

Activity

1.2.8 The area of focus for this year is the Whakarongo area, immediately west of Palmerston North. This targeted investigation is in response to enquiries from water users in the area who have reported low pressure in groundwater bores. To begin characterising the hydrogeology, the Science and Innovation Team initially carried out a groundwater level survey across Palmerston North, Ashhurst and Bunnythorpe. Fifty of the 200 bores inspected had access for water level measurement and were measured in October. Data collected will be used to create a groundwater contour map of the area to interpret groundwater recharge and discharge, as well as flow directions within the area.


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

10

1.2.9 A review of a 3D flow model of the Santoft area is currently underway. This is being delivered by Jacobs, which has staff with expertise in water resource modelling. We are expecting a report by February 2017.

1.2.10 Providing advice and information to our community is a key function of the Science and Innovation Team. Throughout the year, and particularly during the summer months, staff respond to many enquiries about the availability and use of groundwater. Guidance information is now being drafted by our groundwater specialists, Pattle Delamore Partners, to provide useful information to the public around how groundwater consent applications are assessed under various policies and rules in the One Plan; and provide information for bore owners on the process for obtaining resource consents, including the technical review process.

Surface Water / Groundwater Investigations:

Context

This work programme represents a significant investment by Council, through Horizons’ Long-term Plan, to characterise groundwater and surface water resources, flow pathways, transport mechanisms and in-stream water quality and biology to improve understanding of land use effects on water quality throughout the Region. Outputs will inform decision-making around resource allocation in the Region with a particular emphasis on water allocation and decision-making for nutrient management, informing both our regulatory and non-regulatory programmes.

Activity

1.2.11 A major focus for this summer is to investigate interactions between surface water and groundwater in the Rangitikei Catchment. The Rangitikei is a priority catchment for Horizons in terms of nutrient management and water allocation, and is a focus of a collaborative research programme between Horizons and Massey University. We are currently in the planning phase of a catchment-scale survey of radon, a radioactive gas found in high concentrations in groundwater. High concentrations of radon in groundwater rapidly decay in surface water, making radon a useful tool for identifying areas of groundwater inflow to waterways. The Rangitikei is our most ambitious radon survey to date, so will be managed on a sub-catchment basis. The Tutaenui and Porewa streams are programmed to be sampled during December 2016 with the Rangitikei River and Makowhai Stream sampled in early 2017. It is noted the timing of these surveys may be delayed if river flows are considered too high.

Innovative Science and Research:

Context

Horizons undertakes a number of research programmes that aim to advance our understanding of natural systems and processes, and develop tools, techniques and technology to improve our ability to monitor and measure them.

Activity

1.2.12 The first of a pair of fish passage trials has been undertaken in the Manawatu Catchment to measure the effectiveness of fish barrier fixes. Identified fish barriers, such as perched culverts, may require modification to enable passage of our migratory fish species. Horizons is involved in providing technical support for the design and construction of fish passes and the construction of fish passes. To ensure the advice, design and construction is appropriate, trials are undertaken on fish passes and the efficiency of these passes is measured. The first such fish pass monitoring run for the 2016-17 financial year was undertaken in early November on a fish pass in the Mangaharakeikei Stream (known locally as Waterfall Creek), a tributary of the Tokomaru River. Preliminary results show that the fish pass is working as designed. An additional trial and further analysis is to be undertaken draw a robust conclusion.


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

10

1.2.13 During 2016-17 the focus for the water quality monitoring and research programme in this space is to continue the investigation of water quality monitoring compared to nutrient diffusers for determining limiting nutrients for algal growth. Currently Horizons uses water quality monitoring results as one indicator of the likely nutrient limitation for periphyton growth within waterways. The assumption is that nutrients that are available in the water column are directly related to the nutrients needed for periphyton growth. However, this fails to account for other potential sources of nutrients, such as those stored in sediments. This year will include more monitoring using the nutrient diffusing substrate method that provides an alternate assessment of nutrient limitation in waterways. Monitoring will include additional sites in the Ohau and Waikawa catchments and the addition of a site in the Mangawhero Catchment which has naturally high phosphorus. This work will be reported in the 2017-18 financial year.

1.2.14 Scoping of a research project to ascertain the state of our knowledge of the freshwater fisheries in our Region, in partnership with the NZ Fish and Game Council, is underway. The work will be undertaken by experts from the Cawthron Institute and is intended to determine what we know and do not yet know about these fisheries, what kind of data is available and where the gaps lie. The subsequent report will inform a range of future projects such as the State of the Environment Report (due later 2018) and catchment summaries and report cards - both of which will be opportunities to engage in discussion with our community around values, such as habitat for trout fishing and spawning, among others. Along with any monitoring we might undertake, the work will help us to develop a robust fish monitoring programme for the Region, by identifying available information and any gaps that might be addressed through a new monitoring programme. A collaborative approach, working with other organisations to collect fish and fishery information, is the preferred option identified by Horizons and Cawthron at our 2015 allocation workshop.

Resource Accounting:

Context

The focus of this work programme is to meet the requirements of the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2014 (NPS-FM), which requires Horizons to establish freshwater accounting systems for both water quantity and quality. This ultimately sets the foundation for a more cohesive catchment management-based approach to address areas under pressure from existing or potential use, and identify opportunities for sustainable economic development.

Activity

1.2.15 The Rangitikei Catchment contaminant accounting work that commenced in collaboration with Dairy NZ during the 2015-16 financial year is still being written up. It is anticipated that a draft report will be available shortly. Resource accounting work for the 2016-17 financial year will initially focus on the target catchments for nutrient management and may expand to include other catchments across the Region.

1.2.1 WaterMatters provides telemetered water use and river flow data to allow consent holders to monitor and manage their own water use via the Horizons website: http://www.horizons.govt.nz/managing-natural-resources/water/water-matters. Plans for the rebuild of the WaterMatters system are still moving ahead, with many of the database issues that were slowing progress approaching resolution. However, the “public facing” web pages will remain unchanged for this irrigation season, with the proposed additional functionality planned for implementation in the next financial year, contingent on developments with IRIS.

1.2.2 Horizons will be represented at the upcoming Ministry for the Environment workshop by Raelene Mercer from the Science And Innovation Team. The workshop organisers have requested a case study presentation on our WaterMatters system, our telemetered water use programme and the application of that data in water use accounting.

http://www.horizons.govt.nz/managing-natural-resources/water/water-matters


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

10

1.3 Spotlight On Coastal and Estuary Monitoring and Research

1.3.1 Our Region’s coast and estuaries provide important habitat for aquatic plants and fauna including fish and shellfish. In recent years, much of our effort has focussed on water quality in our major river systems. Increasing awareness of the potential effects of sedimentation (excessive muddiness) and eutrophication (excessive nutrients) has highlighted a need to better understand the existing condition and vulnerability of our estuarine and coastal environments to these pressures. Additional funding has been introduced by Council through Horizons’ Long-term Plan, to facilitate the development of broad- and fine-scale estuarine habitat mapping to better characterise these systems. As a first component of this research Horizons commissioned a stocktake of the regions estuaries and an assessment of their susceptibility, the nutrient and sediment inputs. This work was completed this year. The project was carried out by Wriggle Consultants in consultation with NIWA, and is summarised below. Copies of the full technical report can be provided on request.

1.3.2 Estuaries act as a sink for sediment and over time they naturally infill. While this cycle is a natural process, land clearance and development and wetland drainage, has fast-tracked the process. Current sedimentation rates in our estuaries are typically 10 times, or more, higher than before humans arrived (Wriggle, 2016), and the impacts on estuarine ecology can be difficult (and expensive) to reverse. Changes in sediment and water quality in our estuaries can result in habitat loss, reduced sunlight for aquatic vegetation, increased toxicity and eutrophication, and loss of sensitive shellfish. They can lead to unsafe or unappealing conditions for swimming and other water sports.

1.3.3 Eutrophication is excessive enrichment of nutrients that leads to increased algal growth and degradation of water quality. The effects of eutrophication are estuary-specific and depend upon physical, biological and hydrochemical processes that are unique to each estuary. This means that in some estuaries, high nutrient concentrations may create problems for ecosystems, particularly where these systems are contained (closed, or partially closed) and unable to rapidly flush nutrients. However, high-flow, rapid-flushing estuaries may have greater ability to cope with higher nutrient enrichment, providing the system retains its capacity to discharge nutrient-enriched water (i.e. isn’t significantly modified by sedimentation, for example).

1.3.4 Other impacts can include contamination from pathogen and toxic contamination. Water-borne diseases carried by humans and animals can survive for periods of time in estuarine environments, while toxic contaminants (such as hydrocarbons and pesticides) may accumulate in sediments and bio-accumulate in fish and shellfish, which poses a health risk to marine life and to people.

1.3.5 Monitoring of our Region’s coastal beaches and estuaries commenced in January 2011 and has since become part of the core monitoring network within the Region. During the 2015-16 financial year, with the additional funding from Council and a $20,000 grant from Envirolink, Horizons engaged Wriggle Consultants and NIWA to undertake a habitat mapping and vulnerability assessment relating to the issues of eutrophication and sediment. This was undertaken using a combination of existing monitoring information, field visits and broad-scale mapping of dominant habitat and substrate types, and catchment-derived sediment and nutrient loads to provide information for 39 (30 of which were mapped during the project) estuaries across the Region (Figure 1).


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

10

Figure 1: Waikawa estuary, Horowhenua.

1.3.6 The results of the mapping showed that all of the surveyed estuaries were shallow, short residence time, tidal river estuaries (SSTREs) that could be further divided into four categories:

Type 1: Short length (<1km long), beach located, low freshwater inflows (<1 m3/s), mouth

sometimes restricted/closed. These estuaries are the least vulnerable to sedimentation and eutrophication due to their small size, low ecological diversity and regular flushing. Surveys confirmed an absence of algal blooms or significant areas of sediment build up in these types of estuaries.

Type 2: Moderate length (1-2km long), low freshwater inflows (<2 m3/s), mouth sometimes

restricted/closed. The vulnerability of these estuaries is primarily dependent on their flushing ability. Algal blooms and sedimentation are more likely during seasonal low flows when the estuary has less ability to flush nutrients and sediment.

Type 3: Long length (3-12km long), moderate flow, moderate freshwater inflows (4-6 m3/s),

mouth always open. These estuaries are moderately vulnerable to eutrophication due to their high nutrient loads and length, which create a longer residence time and provide an opportunity for persistent algal blooms as nutrient-enriched water flows through the estuary.

Type 4: Long length (3-12km long), high flow, moderate freshwater inflows (7-220 m3/s),

mouth always open. Despite their high nutrient loads, these estuaries have a low vulnerability due to their ability to rapidly flush nutrients and sediment. Surveys confirmed an absence of symptoms of eutrophication or sedimentation.


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

10

Table 1: Summary of monitored estuaries by type.

Freshwater

Management

Unit (FMU)

Type 1. Short

length, low flow

SSTREs

Type 2. Moderate

length low flow

SSTREs

Type 3. Long

length, moderate

flow SSTREs

Type 4. Long

length, high Flow

SSTREs

Whanganui

Ototoka Stream

Estuary

Omapu Stream

Estuary

Mowhanau

Stream Estuary

Okehu Stream

Estuary

Kaitoke Stream

Estuary

Kai Iwi Estuary Whanganui

Estuary

Turakina-

Whangaehu

Turakina Estuary

Whangaehu

River Estuary

Rangitikei

Koitiata Stream

Estuary

Lake Koitiata

Outflow Estuary

Waimahora

Stream Estuary

Unnamed

Stream south

Waimahora

Estuary

Unnamed

Stream north

Raumai Range

Estuary

Raumai Range

Stream

Pukepuke

Estuary

Rangitikei River

Estuary

Manawatu Three Mile Creek Manawatu River

Estuary

Horowhenua

Waiwiri Stream

Estuary

Wairarawa

Stream Estuary

Waikawa Estuary

Hokio Stream

Estuary

Ohau River

Estuary

East Coast

Papuka Stream

Estuary

Waimata Stream

Estuary

Nine unnamed

discharges of

small streams

directly to the

beach on the

east coast

Tautane Estuary

Wainui Estuary

Akitio River

Estuary

Owahanga River

Estuary

1.3.7 The final assessment of the report was to classify the vulnerability of the estuaries to sedimentation and eutrophication as low, moderate or moderate-high. Table 2 provides a summary of the estuaries and their vulnerability. The majority of the estuaries in the Region were assessed to have low vulnerability either due to their size and frequent flushing or due to the high freshwater flow through the estuary leading to frequent flushing.


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

10

Table 2: Summary of monitored estuaries and their vulnerability to sedimentation and eutrophication.

Freshwater Management

Unit (FMU)

Low-Moderate Vulnerability Moderate

Vulnerability

Moderate – High

Vulnerability

Whanganui

Ototoka Stream Estuary

Omapu Stream Estuary

Mowhanau Stream Estuary

Okehu Stream Estuary

Kaitoke Stream Estuary

Whanganui Estuary

Kai Iwi Estuary

Turakina-Whangaehu Turakina Estuary

Whangaehu River Estuary

Rangitikei

Koitiata Stream Estuary

Lake Koitiata Outflow Estuary

Waimahora Stream Estuary

Unnamed Stream south Waimahora Estuary

Unnamed Stream north Raumai Range Estuary

Raumai Range Stream

Pukepuke Estuary

Rangitikei River Estuary

Manawatu Three Mile Creek

Manawatu River Estuary

Horowhenua

Ohau River Estuary

Waiwiri Stream Estuary

Wairarawa Stream Estuary

Waikawa Estuary

Hokio Stream

Estuary

East Coast

Papuka Stream Estuary

Waimata Stream Estuary

Nine unnamed discharges of small streams

directly to the beach on the east coast

Akitio River

Estuary

Owahanga River

Estuary

Tautane Estuary

Wainui Estuary

1.3.8 Wriggle recommends ongoing monitoring for each combination of estuary type and vulnerability class. Further recommendations around frequency of broad- and fine-scale mapping are also made in the report. These recommendations have been taken into consideration when determining the work programme for the 2016-17 reporting year and during summer the first of three years of fine-scale habitat mapping of the Manawatu Estuary, and more detailed broad scale mapping of the Whanganui Estuary, will be undertaken.

1.3.9 While our initial focus is on providing more detailed analysis of our larger estuaries, the initial habitat survey and vulnerability assessment highlights a need to focus our attention on the Horowhenua and East Coast Freshwater Management Units (FMUs), which are home to our most vulnerable estuary environments. Much work is already underway in the Horowhenua, including improvement in the discharge from Lake Horowhenua (Hokio Stream Estuary) and our intensive catchment investigation in the Ohau and Waikawa (Ohau and Waikawa estuaries), both of which include regular water quality monitoring. Further work to better understand our East Coast area will now be scoped as part of our ongoing monitoring and research programme.


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

10

Figure 2: West Coast Estuaries in the Manawatu-Wanganui region – source Wiggle 2016.


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

10

Figure 3: East Coast Estuaries in the Manawatu-Wanganui region – source Wiggle 2016.


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

10



Contaminant Accounting Summary reports for target catchments

Work on the Rangitikei Catchment loads is ongoing

Ohau and Waikawa Stream Investigation – water quality component

Fortnightly periphyton monitoring and water samples

Macroinvertebrate monitoring

Dissolved oxygen monitoring

Fish monitoring

Planning analysis and reporting for the 2017-18 financial year

Fortnightly monitoring of periphyton and water quality is ongoing

Other monitoring is currently being programmed into the summer field work season

Characterisation of the hydrogeology of the Ohau/Waikawa catchments is ongoing - analysis of radon and isotope results are expected in 2017

Biological Monitoring Monthly periphyton monitoring

Annual invertebrate monitoring

Didymo monitoring undertaken in all quarters except winter

Inanga spawning site identification and monitoring

Monthly monitoring for periphyton is ongoing

Other monitoring is currently being programmed into the summer field work season.

Fish Monitoring Programme Brown mudfish monitoring undertaken

Sites of Significance Aquatic (SOS A/SOE) monitoring undertaken

Brown mudfish monitoring has been undertaken at four sites

Stream Walking, Fish Pass installation and Monitoring Effectiveness

Two fish passes monitored for effectiveness.

Report of findings

Monitoring was carried out at the Waterfall Creek fish pass in November

Freshwater Investigations Nutrient diffusing substrate monitoring

This monitoring is currently being planned into the summer field work season

Preferential uptake of ammonia by periphyton

- Funding provided

- Work undertaken and report produced

Work is currently underway to seek co-funding for this project with Territorial Authorities and other Regional Councils, to commence in the new calendar year, if successful

Ecological effects of cyanobacteria on macroinvertebrates monitoring


Contact Recreation Monitoring undertaken during 1 Nov - 30 April

Expanded programme initiated and monitoring undertaken during 1 Dec – 30 April

Cyanobacteria monitoring

Monitoring has commenced for the bathing season

Scoping and planning for the expanded programme is underway

Monthly monitoring for cyanobacteria is ongoing as part of the periphyton monitoring programme

The expanded weekly recreational water quality monitoring programme will also include cyanobacteria monitoring


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

10


Coastal Monitoring and Research

Monthly monitoring of coastal and estuary sites

Broad-scale mapping in the Whanganui and fine-scale mapping in the Manawatu undertaken and reported

Monthly monitoring of four coastal streams

Monthly monitoring of the coastal and estuary monitoring sites and coastal streams is ongoing

Work is underway with Wriggle Consultants to plan the field work for the broad- and fine-scale mapping

Regional Tools Monitoring of the Turitea Stream restoration project completed

Monitoring at reference sites to inform the development of the Stream Ecological Valuation calculator


External (Contract) Monitoring

Monitoring completed as per contract

This monitoring is ongoing as required

Accord Support Support for the Accords as required

Staff from NIWA carried out weed mapping on Lake Horowhenua at the end of October

SoE River Physico-Chemical Monitoring

Monthly SoE and Discharge monitoring undertaken

Automated QC software is running on the Data

Lab tender is completed

Water Quality statistics course held

Hilltop software training for new staff

Report completed for the Tiraumea investigation undertaken in 2009-10

Continuous nitrate sensor trial

Continuous sediment, temperature and dissolved oxygen data processed and on the archive as agreed with Catchment Information Team

Monitoring is ongoing

Work is continuing with the Catchment Information Team to improve the automated software developed for checking the water quality data

Work is currently underway writing the RFP for the Lab Tender

The water quality statistics course (part funded by Envirolink) was held on 10

-11

of November. The course was attended by 12 staff from Horizons (across the science, catchment information, catchment data and consent monitoring teams) and two staff from Taranaki Regional Council

Scoping of the report from the Tiraumea investigation is underway

The continuous nitrate sensor trial is ongoing. Staff meeting with a second provider in late November to see if we can parallel test another instrument.

Continuous monitoring is ongoing

Lake Monitoring Quarterly lakes sampling undertaken

Lake Submerged Plant Indicators (SPI) monitoring

undertaken

Lake nutrient budget report complete

Lake bathymetry monitoring undertaken

Quarterly lake sampling is ongoing

NIWA has been booked to undertake the lake SPI work in late November


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

10


National Engagement Contribution to national forums. Staff continue to lead and participate in regional council special interest groups and national working groups

Staff are involved in the development of the National Environmental Monitoring Standard for Discrete Water Quality.

Water Quality portfolio management and data provision

Project communication (internally and externally)

Provision of data

Data from the water quality monitoring programmes has been provided to Land, Air Water Aotearoa (LAWA) website for

the updated reporting in September 2012

Data from the continuous sediment project will be provided to Landcare Research as part of the Our Land and Water National Science Challenge (OLWNSC) project as described in the Land report

Mike Patterson SCIENTIST – FRESHWATER Stephen Collins SCIENTIST - GROUNDWATER Raelene Mercer SENIOR SCIENTIST – WATER ALLOCATION Maree Patterson SENIOR SCIENTIST – WATER QUALITY Abby Matthews SCIENCE AND INNOVATION MANAGER



14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

10

2 Land


The Land Management Activity covers Horizons’ main land-based initiatives: the Sustainable Land Use Initiative (SLUI), the Whanganui Catchment Strategy (WCS) and our Regional Land and Coastal Programme. While these programmes are undertaken as part of the Natural Resources and Partnerships Group function and reported to Horizons’ Catchment Operations Committee, Horizons’ Land and Fluvial Research and Monitoring programmes assist these programmes by informing prioritisation of the work programme and the effectiveness of the work programmes.

The two research programmes in the Land Management Activity are:

(1) Land research and monitoring, which includes support of the SLUI programme, project work around effluent management and treatment; and

(2) Fluvial monitoring and research, which completes monitoring and project work around gravel management and sediment movement/storage in the Region’s rivers. A major component of this work is carrying our regular surveys of the Region’s rivers to measure changes in river channel capacity.

Fluvial monitoring and research during 2016-17 will focus on advancing the collection and analysis of fluvial survey data, with a focus on processing the existing data for the Oroua and Manawatu rivers and advancing a survey of the Rangitikei River. These surveys provide crucial information about the storage and transport of sediment to inform the up-coming evaluation of Horizons’ policy and plan framework around the management of sediment in our Region.

A new research programme investigating sediment transport and effects on water quality and flood schemes is underway. Over the next two years, this programme will be delivered through a partnership with Landcare Research and will focus on two key outputs:

(1) Development of a farm-scale model using SedNetNZ to determine sediment loss from farms; and

(2) Delivery of a $400,000 National Science Challenge project investigating the transport of sediment and its effects within the Manawatu and Whanganui catchments. A further component of the research will include a partnership with Landcare Research and Massey University to further investigate the sedimentation rates in the Manawatu and Rangitikei rivers and mechanisms to address this.

The Land Management Activity is measured against three performance measures:

Measure

Actual Target 1

st 2

nd 3

rd 4

th 5

th

Track changes in the health of the Region’s land and fluvial

resources. *1 30% 30% 100%

Inform policy and non-regulatory programme development. *1 30% 30% 100%

Assess policy and implementation effectiveness. *1 30% 30% 100%

*1 AP/LTP targets




14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

10

Fluvial Monitoring and Reporting:

Context

The fluvial survey programme provides information on the changes in levels of aggradation or degradation of river channels and berms. This information is important for the management of gravel takes from the Region’s rivers and flood protection schemes, and as an indicator of the efficacy of programmes such as SLUI. The work is coordinated by a cross-organisational team involving science, river management, catchment data and survey staff, and includes the processing of gravel use records.

Activity

2.2.1 The 2015-16 fluvial field programme was completed and the team (science, river management, catchment data and survey staff) have finalised the detail of the Lower Rangitikei River survey scheduled for early in the new calendar year. This will be delivered through a mixture of lidar data and traditional cross sectional survey. This will be the first time this combined approach has been undertaken by the programme.

2.2.2 Work has also progressed on the lidar collection for the Manwatu-Oroua area. The lidar capture that was delayed from last year has been completed. The data has been delivered to Horizons and is currently being processed. Once completed the details will be compared to lidar collected in 2006 to assess changes in sediment in the berms of the rivers within the area of the stopbanks.

Sediment Transport Research Programme:

Context

Erosion is one of the most critical issues affecting land productivity in our Region. Loss of nutrient-rich topsoil affects the productivity of our land, while high levels of sediment in rivers and estuaries reduces habitat for fish and invertebrates. Soil-bound nutrients such as phosphorus are transported into our rivers and lakes, feeding algae in some catchments. Sediment deposited throughout catchments also damages infrastructure and reduces the life of flood control schemes.

The costs to our Region arising from the impact of erosion and sediment transport and deposition are significant. Central Government investment to reduce hill country erosion in Horizons’ Region reflects the scale of the issue: during 2015-16 the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) invested 50% of the Sustainable Land Management (SLM) Hill Country Erosion Fund in Horizons’ Region

1. This

funding contributes to SLUI), which is overseen by our Natural Resources and Partnerships - Land Management Team. Our science and innovation work programme supports SLUI with targeted monitoring to assess the effectiveness of SLUI and research to develop approaches to assessing and informing future work programmes and policy development.

Activity

2.2.3 Our Sediment Transport Research is a new work programme that seeks to deliver an integrated monitoring and research programme relating to the implementation of One Plan policy, State of the Environment monitoring and river scheme management to identify methods and reporting tools

1 MPI Sustainable Land Management Hill Country Erosion Programme

Horizons 273,527

(50%) Greater Wellington

63,500 (12%)

Northland 82,491 (15%)

Waikato 23,832 (4%)

Hawke's Bay 22,900 (4%)

Taranaki 83,474 (15%)

Figure 1: Allocation of 2015-16 funding for SLM Hill Country Erosion Fund by Area Covered (ha) and Percentage Share

of Fund (%).

http://www.mpi.govt.nz/funding-and-programmes/environment-and-natural-resources/sustainable-land-management-and-hill-country-erosion-programme/


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

10

that enable us to transition from the current emphasis on fluvial surveys and monitoring of gravel use. We aim to develop a more integrated programme that seeks to extend the life of the flood protection infrastructure and improve our understanding of the effects of sediment transport on water quality in key catchments. This work programme is carried out in partnership with Horizons’ River Management Group and Land Management Team, as information arising from this project also contributes to, and is informed by, SLUI outcomes research under the Land Monitoring and Research portfolio.

2.2.4 Horizons and Landcare Research have partnered in a 50:50 funded project to use SedNetNZ with farm-scale mapping to develop a farm-scale model of sediment loss. The benefit of this model is its application in future discussions with landowners to quantify reduction in sediment loss to water to water gained from the implementation of works on an individual farm rather than aggregated to the catchment scale. The project is due for completion in June 2017 and will also provide a set of recommended soil conservation works for each Land Use Capability (LUC) unit and estimated resulting sediment load reductions.

2.2.5 Landcare Research, in partnership with iwi and Horizons Research Council, has successfully acquired a $400,000 Our Land and Water National Science Challenge (OLWNSC) research grant to investigate sediment transport in two Horizons’ catchments: the Manawatu and Whanganui. This forms part of the 1.6 million programme described below.

This $1.6 M two-year work programme will investigate the linkages between land use (and management) and freshwater sediment attributes. The project seeks to develop a spatial-temporal model of erosion and sedimentation to characterise sediment generation and its transport and storage over time. This work programme contributes to the development of a National Objectives Framework (NOF) value for sediment, as part of a larger OLWNSC work programme. Horizons will provide data and in-kind support to the project, with contribution from the science and innovation, land management and catchment data teams.

2.3 Spotlight On Gravel Use Monitoring and Reporting

2.3.1 Rivers are some of our most dynamic natural systems and are in a constant state of change due to erosion and flow processes. The characteristics of a river catchment, such as the geology of its headwaters and the stability of its banks, affect how far sediment is carried and where it is deposited. In some river systems in our Region, such as the Rangitikei and Manawatu, deposited gravel provides high quality material for roading, construction and other infrastructure projects to the benefit of our local economy.


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

10

2.3.2 An important part of Horizons’ role is to ensure that any gravel use is managed in a way that doesn’t compromise flood protection, infrastructure or adversely affect the river ecosystem. Information on where, when and how much gravel is taken is crucial to ensure sustainable allocation of gravel for different river catchments in our Region, and to monitor the effects of gravel removal on channel form and flow processes. While the stony bottoms of these rivers provide a home for fish and insects, the gravel beaches along the river channels provide breeding grounds for wader birds including banded dotterel. Therefore, it is important that we also manage gravel use in a way that minimises impacts on the river ecosystem.

2.3.3 A primary component of the fluvial resource project is regular collation of the amount of gravel being removed through consented gravel takes. The efficient management of gravel use data is vital for checking compliance status of existing consented takes and informing consent decisions, as well as setting gravel allocation limits for river scheme management.

2.3.4 The fluvial monitoring and research programme is partly funded by charges on the amount of gravel used set via Section 36 (Science and Research charges) of the Resource Management Act (RMA). To obtain this revenue, consented gravel users are charged quarterly for the actual amount of gravel taken. The administration of the Section 36 gravel levies involves appropriate invoicing, which is accompanied by a letter explaining the charges to individual consent holders and contractors for Horizons’ global consents. The current charge for gravel use, as set out in Horizons’ 2016-17 Annual Plan, is 41 cents per cubic metre.

Currently there are about 50 consented gravel takes in the Region with a total annual consented volume of approximately 900,000 m

3. Most of these takes are located in the Rangitikei River and the Manawatu River

and its tributaries (Figure 7). In the last five years on an average more than 375,000 m3 of gravel has been

extracted annually through these consented takes. In the last three years the average has been reduced to around 330,000 m

3 per year.

Figure 2: Gravel extraction in Horizons’ Region


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

10

Figure 6: Plot showing amount of gravel taken through consented takes in each quarter during the last five years including the first quarter of 2016-17 financial year. Q1 = July to September, Q2 = October to December, Q3 = January to March, Q4 = April to June.

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

700,000

800,000

900,000

2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016/17

Gra

vel v

olu

me

ext

ract

ed

(m

3 )

Financial Year

Q4

Q3

Q2

Q1


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

10

Figure 7: Map showing location of consented gravel takes within the Manawatu-Wanganui region. The graduated symbols are based on annual maximum volume of gravel consented.


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

10



Fluvial monitoring and research to inform gravel management

Cross-section field surveys and information to inform gravel management and river management (Rangitikei River)

Gravel use management

Field surveys of the Oroua River, Makino Stream, Kiwitea Stream and the Waikawa River were completed last year

Lower Rangitikei River survey programmed for 2016-17. Detail to be finalised at next fluvial meeting (23 November 2016)

Gravel extraction data continues to be collected and collated on a quarterly basis

Application of SedNetNZ using farm-scale LUC mapping

Initial workshop.

Shapefile of the model outputs for existing SLUI farms

LUC works recommendations

Workshop and technical notes

The contract for the project has been signed and the initial workshop has been booked for early December

Our Land and Water National Science Challenge – Cascade of Sediment project

Provision of information and in-kind support

An initial meeting with Landcare Research has been held

A data request from Landcare Research for this project has been received and is being processed by staff

The Suitability of Tephra to treat Municipal Wastewater

Research update from Massey

Conclusion of study (June 2018)

The project is ongoing through until June 2018

The annual research update from Massey is expected in December

Manas Chakraborty SENIOR RESEARCH ASSOCIATE Staci Boyte SCIENTIST – NATURAL RESOURCES Harold Barnett ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST Maree Patterson SENIOR SCIENTIST – WATER QUALITY Abby Matthews SCIENCE AND INNOVATION MANAGER Jon Roygard GROUP MANAGER NATURAL RESOURCES AND PARTNERSHIPS


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

10

3 Biosecurity and Biodiversity


Biosecurity and biodiversity management are core functions of Horizons that add significantly to the environmental, economic, social and cultural prosperity of the Region, by enhancing the quality of indigenous ecosystems and reducing the impacts of pest plants and animals. This group of activities includes Horizons’ species-led pest plant and pest animal control (Biosecurity function) and the protection of bush and wetlands though site-led approaches, including support of community biodiversity programmes (Living Heritage function).

The Biodiversity Monitoring and Research programme assists these functions by informing prioritisation of biodiversity sites, measuring the effectiveness of biodiversity work programmes and undertaking research to inform pest management under the Regional Pest Management Strategy and Regional Pest Management Plan. The biodiversity and biosecurity monitoring and research activity also maintains functional links to biodiversity and biosecurity research-related activity occurring under the land, water quality and water quantity programmes.

The work programme for 2016-17 includes:

A re-survey of actively managed wetland and bush remnant sites to determine the effectiveness of these programmes in meeting the One Plan anticipated environmental results;

An investigation into the degree to which SLUI Farm Plan retirement sites overlap with significant bush and wetland sites;

Completion of the Regional Pest Management Plan;

Drafting a lakes management strategy for the Region’s significant lakes; and

Continuation of the Totara Reserve Regional Park bird monitoring programme to measure and report on the biodiversity outcomes of reserve management.

A collaborative project with the Department of Correction to develop a Biodiversity Management Plan for the Te Apiti Manawatu Gorge project.

Biodiversity and biosecurity activity for scientific monitoring and research is measured against three performance measures:

Measure

Actual Target 1

st 2

nd 3

rd 4

th 5

th

Track changes in the health of the Region’s living heritage. *1 30% 100%

Inform policy, habitat protection, and biosecurity programme

development. *1 30% 100%

Assess policy implementation effectiveness. *1 30% 100%

*1 AP/LTP targets



Biodiversity Monitoring:

Horizons’ biodiversity monitoring programme currently encompasses two key work programmes:

(1) The active management of 200 high priority bush remnants and of 100 high priority wetlands; and


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

10

(2) The response of native birds to predator management in Totara Reserve Regional Park. Both programmes are designed to determine if management programmes are effective and that we are achieving the One Plan anticipated environmental outcomes for biodiversity.

3.2.1 In preparation for the State of the Environment reporting, the biodiversity monitoring programme has a major focus on wetland monitoring for 2016/17. This follows work in 2015/16 to establish a peer reviewed and repeatable method for wetland condition assessment. This year’s wetland monitoring project aims to assess the condition of around 50 wetlands including estuaries, swamps, wetland forests, bogs, marshes, and lakes.

3.2.2 The survey work for the project is well underway. Sites where Horizons has made an investment in their management (“actively” or “partially” managed sites) are being revisited to collect information about their current state and condition. The result for each wetland is contrasted with a previous assessment, where one exists. A number of unmanaged sites of similar ranking will also be surveyed for comparison.

Figure 8: Pah Hill Wetland (near Raetihi). October 2016.

3.2.3 Planning for fieldwork for the bush remnant sites has started. The focus this year will be on sites in the northwest part of the Region between Raetihi and Taumarunui. For this work, sites where Horizons has made an investment in their management (“actively” or “partially” managed sites) will be visited to assess whether the management interventions (mainly fencing, but also weed and pest control) have led to forest floor and canopy recovery. The monitoring protocol is still in the “testing” phase but it is anticipated the results will be able to be contrasted against published literature on the forest floor and canopy condition of unfenced and unmanaged sites. A key output for the year will be finalisation of the monitoring protocol and having this peer reviewed.

3.2.4 Procurement of an external contractor for Totara Reserve bird monitoring is underway. The work will begin mid November and run through until Christmas. This project was first instigated in 2012 as part of an integrated pest management effectiveness monitoring and native bird monitoring programme designed to determine whether pest animal management in the Regional Park was making a difference to biodiversity. Last year, the results indicated a potential causal link between intensive rat management and increasing bird numbers. The research component of the project has reached its conclusion. The bird monitoring part of the programme has been retained as a measure of the “State of the Regional Park” from the perspective of public enjoyment of the diversity and number of native birds at the Regional Park, and from the perspective of a regular biodiversity health check.


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

10

Lakes Strategy (background and progress):

The water quality and ecological health of the Region’s lakes is increasingly a focus for the Science and Innovation Team. A significant addition to science funding in 2014 enabled the initiation of a lakes monitoring programme integrated across Horizons’ groundwater quality, terrestrial biodiversity, and surface water quality science programmes. Baseline data for some lakes is now available, and with that, strategic identification of management and future monitoring priorities can be refined. This project furthers the strategic planning process for integrated lakes management.

3.2.5 Over the reporting period, we have continued our stocktake of key information for our Region’s lakes, such as salient water quality, habitat, physical, and other science information that will help identify current knowledge gaps and research priorities. This will provide a baseline data set to support the development of further categorisation and prioritisation of our lakes for future monitoring and research.

3.3 Spotlight On The Regional Pest Management Plan

Horizons has two existing pest management strategies under the Biosecurity Act – the Pest Animal Management Strategy and the Pest Plant Management Strategy. These strategies are presently under review and are being combined into one Regional Pest Management Plan (RPMP) that details the regulatory aspects of Horizons’ pest management objectives. The RPMP is supported by a Regional Biosecurity Strategy that describes Horizons’ general aspirations for, and non-regulatory approaches to managing pests.

The review of the existing strategies was initiated in 2013 and the intervening term has been spent on proposal formation, council workshops on content and direction, and public consultation that included a submissions process with formal hearing. During the term of RPMP development, the National Policy Direction for Pest Management (NPD) was released on 24 September 2015.

The Biosecurity Act and the NPD contain prescriptive processes that Horizons must check have been followed in the formation of the RPMP. After seeking a legal opinion of the process undertaken so far, and after considering the submissions from stakeholders, staff are following the process and preparing an amended proposal to present to Council for consideration. The documents in preparation include not only the amended proposed RPMP, but also updated cost benefit analyses, an updated beneficiary and exacerbator analysis, and a check that the good neighbour rules in the RPMP are consistent with the NPD. The documents are to ensure Council has adequate information to complete the plan forming process. Staff are also working on re-drafting wording in the RPMP and the Biosecurity Strategy to remove some of the ambiguity noted by submitters. The aim is to have this documentation complete and ready for presentation to Council in February.

In the new calendar year, staff will present the documentation to Council to seek their views on policy matters and any further consultation. This will likely be in a workshop environment, followed up by a formal item to the Strategy and Policy Committee or full Council for adoption of the RPMP.

Horizons has until 24 March 2017 to respond to the Ministry for Primary Industries as to whether Council is satisfied that the RPMP is consistent with the NPD, or provide a plan covering how we will ensure that the RPMP is consistent with the NPD. The response to this will be considered closer to the date, following workshops and meetings with Council.


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

10



Wetlands and Bush Remnants 30 actively managed wetlands surveyed

10 actively managed bush remnants surveyed

21 wetland sites surveyed – of which 18 are actively managed

Bush remnant survey work has been planned and booked to occur

Te Apiti Manawatu Gorge Project Options for long-term biodiversity management

Engagement with DOC and agreement to co-fund the project. DOC will lead contractor procurement

Totara Reserve Assessment of the trend in native birds

Procurement of external contractor underway

Lakes Strategy Draft a Lakes Strategy Collection of relevant data underway

Pest Plan Amended proposal

Final Plan

Supporting documentation nearly complete

Amended proposed plan nearly complete

Amendments to strategy started

Information and Advice Provide biodiversity information and advice as required

Large external data / advice requests are presently tracking at just over two inquiries per month

National Engagement Regular contribution to the Biodiversity Working Group (Regional Council Special Interest Group)

Preparation of recommendations for standardised wetland condition monitoring across regional councils

James Lambie SCIENCE CO-ORDINATOR Abby Matthews SCIENCE AND INNOVATION MANAGER Jon Roygard GROUP MANAGER NATURAL RESOURCES AND PARTNERSHIPS


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

10

4 Environmental Reporting and Air Quality Monitoring


Effective management of the Region’s natural resources depends on accurate and timely information about the environment and its health, ready access to this information, and having this information packaged in a way that is understandable to the intended audience. Reporting provides a summary of the information in a way that can inform decision-making and help to raise the community’s awareness of natural resources and their management, including the state of our natural environment, how it is changing and where there might be opportunities for further growth and development.

The State of the Environment reporting programme will continue to focus on sound communication of environmental information as a lynchpin to proactive policy and non-regulatory programme development and implementation.

Policy effectiveness monitoring will continue to focus on assisting the Strategy and Policy Team with policy effectiveness monitoring of the implementation of the One Plan, in addition to supporting implementation programmes across the Natural Resources and Partnerships Group and wider organisation.

The air quality monitoring programme will continue to monitor and report on air quality in Taihape and Taumarunui, the two air-sheds designated under the National Environmental Standard for Air Quality.

Key work programmes for 2016-17 include the continuation of input into the Land, Air, Water Aotearoa (LAWA) website, supporting biosecurity policy development (The Pest Plan as reported via Biodiversity Monitoring and Research), beginning the preparation of the 2018 State of the Environment Report and input into national forums eg. The Land and Water Forum and the Groundwater Forum.

The Environmental Reporting and Air Quality Monitoring programmes are measured against four performance measures:

Measure

Actual Target 1

st 2

nd 3

rd 4

th 5

th

Complete State of the Environment report including reviewing

and updating environmental indicators *1 30% 30% 100%

Undertake policy and programme implementation effectiveness monitoring and provide input into programmes

and policies that are in development *1

30% 30% 100%

Environmental information is made available to the public via Horizons’ website, Environment Committee reporting and on

request, including contributions to national level reporting *1

30% 30% 100%

Monitor and report on air quality *1 30% 30% 100%

*1 AP/LTP targets



Air Monitoring:

New Zealand’s National Environmental Standards for Air Quality (NESAQ) require regional councils to monitor and report exceedances of the short-term World Health Organisation (WHO) guideline values for outdoor air quality. Monitoring of air quality is undertaken by Horizons in two designated air sheds: Taihape


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

10

and Taumaruni. At these sites we measure a range of contaminants against these guidelines and standards. We assess fluctuations in these contaminants over time, and report any exceedance of particulate matter (PM), a mixture of solid and liquid particles in the air, such as dust and smoke, that can get into the lungs and cause serious health problems. This helps us determine the extent of air quality issues in our Region and informs how we might reduce man-made emissions, where necessary.

4.2.1 The national standards allow one exceedance day per year for PM concentrations above the threshold of 50 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m

3) for particles less than 10 microns in diameter

(PM10). Over the 2016 Easter break, the Taumarunui air quality monitoring station recorded high levels of particulate matter exceeding 50 µg/m

3 over a period of four days. This exceedance

prompted an investigation by Horizons, which determined that the exceedance was likely due to an isolated incident, and an exemption was sought by the Council through an application to the Minister for the Environment during the reporting period. The Minister was satisfied that the cause of this exceedance was an exceptional circumstance that was beyond the reasonable control of Horizons. Our application was granted during the reporting period, and we have thanked the Minister for his careful consideration of our application.

4.2.2 Horizons’ air quality monitoring equipment is now 10 years old and due to be replaced. The Minister is presently considering changes to the current benchmark for measuring air quality to account for the effects of longer-term exposure. This may require Horizons to install equipment to monitor finer particulate matter (PM2.5). Implementation of the NESAQ, and implications for planning processes, are also under review. While this uncertainty remains, no plans for replacement of the equipment are being made.

4.2.3 Air quality monitoring during the reporting period at Taumarunui and Taihape continues with average daily PM10 concentrations well within the NESAQ guideline values. This is shown in the two plots below showing average daily PM10 concentration over the 12-month period starting November 2015 to date.

Figure 9: Taumarunui – 12 month (Nov 2015 – Nov 2016) plot showing Average Daily PM10


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

10

Figure 10: Taihape - 12 month (Nov 2015 – Nov 2016) plot showing Average Daily PM10. (Note: vertical scale different to that for Taumarunui). Maximum value for Taihape during the period shown was 40µg/m3 on 7 June 2016.

The maximum value for Taihape during the period shown was 37µg/m3 on 7 June 2016

LAWA:

Water Quality State & Trend Update

Horizons provides science support for the continued evolution of the Land, Air, Water Aotearoa (LAWA) website: a Regional Council-driven initiative to present information about the state and trends of New Zealand’s environment and natural resources.

4.2.4 The refresh of the water information presented on LAWA was released in September. This included the rivers, lakes, coastal and water quantity modules. Data for rivers and lakes modules were updated to December 2015, while recreational water quality was updated to the end of the last bathing season.

4.2.5 Horizons staff were involved in the collation and analysis of the national dataset for the rivers and coastal modules and the collation of the national dataset for macroinvertebrates and lakes (analysed by Waikato and Bay of Plenty Regional Councils). The method of data transfer for these modules was updated for the refresh from spreadsheet transfer to live feeds of the data being published by each agency and being consumed into the analysis. This type of data transfer will position the regional sector to be more responsive to data requests, reducing the amount of time spent extracting data.

4.2.6 As part of the rivers update, the LAWA website presents trends in water quality for sites monitored as part of the State of the Environment (SOE) river water quality network across the Region over both the last five (2011-15) and last 10 (2006-15) year periods. To enable a trend to be calculated there must be a certain number of monitoring months represented (all for the last five years and 90% for the last 10 years) and the site must have fewer than 30% censored (below or above detection limit) values. If either of these criteria is not met for a parameter the analysis is not undertaken. It is noted that LAWA does noit presently include the data collected directly downstream of point source discharges.

4.2.7 Table 2 presents the results of the updated 10-year trend analysis by Freshwater Management Unit (FMU) for 37 sites in the monitoring network. The majority of the trends are either improving or indeterminate (in other words, there is too much ‘noise’ in the data to determine the statistical significance).

4.2.8 Five degrading trends (declining water quality) have been identified in the analysis, three of which are for turbidity (Rangitikei at Pukeokahu, Rangitikei and Kakariki and Whanganui at Paetawa), one for ammoniacal nitrogen (Rangitikei at Kakariki) and one for dissolved reactive phosphorus


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

10

(DRP) (Whanganui at Cherry Grove). While it is difficult to confidently determine the drivers of these degrading trends with the information now available, it is possible that one of the possible causes of an increase in sediment and nutrients is the significant flood event in June 2015. Ongoing monitoring, and the development of our fluvial research programme in Rangitikei and Whanganui, will help us to establish drivers and longer-term outcomes for water quality in these catchments. The first step will be the completion of the Rangitikei fluvial survey, which is scheduled for this reporting year.

4.2.9 The following bullet points provide a summary of the analysis presented in Table 3

Trends in visual clarity were assessed at 12 sites, five of these sites were showing improving trends and seven of these sites showing an indeterminate trend. There are a large portion of NA’s recorded for this measurement due to the number of missing observations related largely to flow conditions. In the last year we have introduced a second method (using a SHMAK tube) to gain visual clarity readings when flow is too high for safe access to the River.

Trends in turbidity were assessed at 36 sites, seven of these sites were showing improving trends (all in the Manawatu and Horowhenua FMU’s) three showing degrading trends (In the Rangitikei and Whanganui FMU’s) and 26 showing indeterminate trends.

Trends in Escherichia coli (E. coli) were assessed at 34 sites, eight of these sites (in the Manawatu and Whanganui catchments) were showing improving trends and 26 sites showing indeterminate trends.

Trends in ammoniacal nitrogen were assessed at six sites, two showing an improving trend, one showing a degrading trend and three showing indeterminate trends. There are a large portion of NA’s recorded for this measurement this is largely due to a number of sites having more than 30% censored values.

Trends in total nitrogen (Total nitrogen) were assessed at 31 sites, six sites (in the Manawatu FMU) showed improving trends and 25 sites showed indeterminate trends.

Trends in total oxidised nitrogen (Total oxidised nitrogen) were assessed at 36 sites, 21 sites were showing improving trends and 15 sites were showing indeterminate trends.

Trends in dissolved reactive phosphorus (Dissolved Reactive phosphorus) were assessed at 31 sites, 10 sites were showing an improving trend, one site (Whanganui at Cherry Grove) was showing a degrading trend and 20 sites showing indeterminate trends.

Trends in total phosphorus (Total phosphorus) were assessed at 31 sites, five sites (in the Manawatu and Rangitikei FMU’s) were showing improving trends and 26 sites were showing degrading trends.


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

10

Table 3: Summary of trends in Water Quality over the 10-year period (January 2006 - December 2015). See Table 4 for detail.

Trend type Visual clarity

% Turbidity % E coli % Amm.

N % Total N %

Total oxidised

N % DRP % Total P

Improving 5 14 7 19 8 22 2 5 6 16 21 57 10 27 5

Indeterminate 7 19 26 70 26 70 3 8 25 68 15 41 20 54 26

Degrading 0 0 3 8 0 0 1 3 0 0 0 0 1 3 0

Not assessed 25 68 1 3 3 8 31 84 6 16 1 3 6 16 6

Total 37 100 37 100 37 100 37 100 37 100 37 100 37 100 37


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

10

Table 4: Trends in Water Quality over the 10-year period (January 2006 - December 2015). ↑↑ - Improving trend; ↓↓- Degrading trend; ~ -Indeterminate Trend; NA -Not assessed

FMU Monitoring Site Visual Clarity Turbidity E. coli Ammoniacal N

Total N

Total oxidised

N

Dissolved Reactive

P Total

P

Horowhenua

Ohau at Gladstone Reserve NA ↑↑ NA NA NA ↑↑ ~ NA

Waikawa at Huritini ↑↑ ~ ~ ↑↑ ~ ~ ↑↑ ~

Manawatu

Makakahi at Hamua NA ~ ↑↑ NA ↑↑ ↑↑ ↑↑ ↑↑

Manawatu at Hopelands NA ↑↑ ↑↑ NA ↑↑ ↑↑ ~ ~

Manawatu at Teachers College NA ~ ~ NA ↑↑ ~ ~ ~

Manawatu at Upper Gorge NA ↑↑ ↑↑ NA ↑↑ ↑↑ ↑↑ ~

Manawatu at Weber Road NA ~ ↑↑ NA ~ ↑↑ ↑↑ ~

Manawatu at Whirokino NA ↑↑ ~ ~ ~ ~ ↑↑ ↑↑

Mangahao at Ballance NA ↑↑ ~ NA NA ↑↑ NA NA

Mangapapa at Troup Rd NA ~ ~ NA ↑↑ ↑↑ ↑↑ ~

Mangatainoka at Brewery - S.H.2 Bridge ↑↑ ~ ~ NA ~ ~ ↑↑ ↑↑

Mangatainoka at Larsons Road NA ↑↑ ~ NA ~ ↑↑ NA ~

Mangatoro at Mangahei Road NA ~ ~ NA ↑↑ ↑↑ ~ ~

Oroua at Almadale Slackline ↑↑ ~ ~ NA ~ ↑↑ ↑↑ ~

Oroua at Awahuri Bridge ↑↑ ~ ↑↑ ~ ~ ~ ↑↑ ↑↑

Pohangina at Mais Reach NA ~ ~ NA ~ ↑↑ ~ ~

Tamaki at Tamaki Reserve NA ↑↑ ~ NA NA ↑↑ ~ NA

Tokomaru River at Horseshoe bend NA ~ ~ NA NA ↑↑ ~ NA

Rangitikei

Hautapu at Alabasters NA ~ ~ NA ~ ↑↑ NA ~

Hautapu at u/s Rangitikei River Confluence ↑↑ ~ ~ NA ~ ↑↑ ↑↑ ↑↑

Rangitikei at Kakariki2 ~ ↓↓ ~ ↓↓ ~ ~ ~ ~

Rangitikei at Mangaweka NA ~ ~ NA ~ ↑↑ ~ ~

Rangitikei at McKelvies NA ~ ~ NA ~ ↑↑ ~ ~

Rangitikei at Onepuhi NA ~ ~ NA ~ ↑↑ ~ ~

Rangitikei at Pukeokahu ~ ↓↓ ~ NA ~ ↑↑ NA ~

Whangaehu/Turakina

Makotuku at Raetihi NA ~ ~ NA ~ ~ NA ~

Mangawhero at Pakihi Rd Bridge NA ~ ~ NA ~ ~ ~ ~

Mangawhero at Raupiu Road ~ ~ ~ NA ~ ~ ~ ~

Tokiahuru at Junction ~ ~ ~ NA ~ ↑↑ ~ ~

Whanganui Mowhanau Stream at Footbridge NA ~ NA ↑↑ NA ~ ~ NA

Ohura at Tokorima NA ~ ↑↑ NA ~ ~ ~ ~

Whanganui at Cherry Grove NA ~ ~ NA ~ ~ ↓↓ ~

Whanganui at Paetawa2 ~ ↓↓ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Whanganui at Pipiriki NA ~ ~ NA ~ ~ ~ ~

Whanganui at Te Maire NA ~ ↑↑ NA ~ ↑↑ ~ ~

Whanganui at Te Rewa ~ ~ ↑↑ NA ~ ~ ~ ~

Whanganui at Wades Landing ~ NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

2 Monitored by NIWA


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

10

Community and National Engagement, and Public Information:

Content

Up-to-date and relevant science information is communicated to Horizons staff, councillors, iwi, the public, external agencies, and other parties interested in aspects of natural resource management. Horizons science and innovation team members contribute to national work programmes such as Environmental Monitoring and Reporting (EMaR) and the development of National Environmental Monitoring Standards (NEMS). Staff members also serve in leadership roles across the regional sector Special Interest Groups (SIGs) and contribute to national workshops and conferences.

Activity

4.2.10 Staff contributed to a number of community, industry and sector events during the reporting period, including:

Landcare Research Co-innovation workshop – biodiversity and biosecurity to assist in the development of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)-funded national work programme and scope future research opportunities for Horizons.

Horizons Region primary sector stakeholder meeting, hosted by Federated Farmers.

Governance of Natural Resources workshop where staff contributed to an initial stakeholder meeting for two MBIE-funded research programmes, lead by Scion and AgResearch, investigating the application of adaptive management and its social and economic implications in environmental management.

Surface water / groundwater integrated water allocation workshop where staff presented to scientists and regional council staff on our progress to date investigating water availability and management approaches in the Santoft area of the Rangitikei Catchment.

Contribution to the final MBIE-funded Values, Monitoring and Outcomes (VMO) Symposium and VMO Regional Council Forum.

Staff presented the outcome of the monitoring and research programme investigating groundwater resources to the Santoft Water User Group. Local Councillors attended the workshop and meeting.

Staff attended a number of National Environmental Monitoring Standards (NEMS) and LAWA Steering Group and Biodiversity Working Group meetings and workshops.

Nga Rauru Te Mana o te Wai open day, Taipake Marae.

Land and Water Forum meetings providing guidance to ministers on freshwater management.

4.3 Spotlight On: Swimming and Recreation

4.3.1 Our Region has a wide range of unique lakes, rivers and beaches that are ideal for swimming and water sports, when conditions are right. During certain times of the year, high and rapid flows can make some waterways unsafe for swimming. These flows occur through increased rainfall and rapid run-off which carries contaminants, such as bacteria and nutrients into our rivers and streams, which then discharge to lakes, wetlands and the coast. In these conditions it is generally unsafe to swim, irrespective of water quality.

Figure 3: River swimming, Horizons Region


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

10

4.3.2 Our current approach to contact recreation monitoring is to carry out weekly monitoring of popular swim spots from 1 November through to 31 April every year, when they are most likely to be in use. This involves collecting samples of E. coli and Enterococci, which are indicator bacteria – in other words they provide an indicative measure of the risk of presence of bacteria and waterborne diseases that make people sick, along with samples of cyanobacteria when it is observed. We collect these samples in all weather and flow conditions.

4.3.3 In recent years, Horizons has carried out sampling at 17 popular swim spots around the Region. These sites were selected based on the significance of the site, i.e. how popular it is for swimming and recreation, or where we were aware there was a potential risk to swimmers during summer months. While this provides key information to our community, it does lead to a bias when reported at a regional or national scale. To this end, during 2016-17, we will be carrying out contact recreation monitoring at more than 80 sites around the Region to better understand the seasonal variability in water quality for contact reaction. This will also enable us to validate our unique method for flow – E. coli thresholds which can be used to provide an indication of suitability for swimming at sites in near real-time and where we do not collect samples for contact recreation purposes.

4.3.4 Sampling and reporting of water quality results takes around two days from collection to reporting, so results are always retrospective. This means that the most important information people can use when deciding when and where to swim is a combination of the information we provide (which gives a general risk assessment) and their own judgement based on what they see and smell.

4.3.5 The key messages for our community are:

If the water is clean and clear and it is a sunny day, it should be safe to swim.

It is safest to wait three days after rain before swimming at river swimming spots.

If musty smelling, black slimy mat-like growths are observed on river bed stones during low river flows, it is safest for you and your dog to avoid using the river.

Always check for hazards, such as submerged logs and rocks, and unstable cliff faces before entering the water.

4.3.6 Information to support community discussion on swimmability in our rivers, lakes and beaches should be accessible and easy to understand. Consistent messaging across the country is key because multiple sources of information on swimmability currently create confusion for communities. Our aim is to provide clear advice and guidance to help the public make informed decisions about where and when it is safe to swim in our Region. We believe that this information should be consistent with the information provided by Central Government, other regional and district councils, and public health. To achieve this, we need to work closely with key stakeholders to ensure that data is collected, processed and interpreted in the same way, and that reporting is clear, concise and easy to understand.

4.3.7 Our swim spot monitoring programme for 2016-17 includes a public information campaign to promote our Region as a great place to play. While it is important that we provide up-to-date information to inform the community of any risks, and support our public health officers and district councils, we should also celebrate the wonderful places our Region offers. Horizons staff will be monitoring our favourite swim spots every week throughout summer, and keeping our website up-to-date with the latest data and information. We would love to see and hear from people out and about in the Region, and the LAWA website is a great place to share stories about your favourite swim spots. Horizons’ Facebook page will also keep you informed with some exciting competitions and updates on our favourite spots!

Figure 4: Black, slimy mat-like growth of Phormidium, found on the bed of rivers in the Region.


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

10

Map 1: Map of swim spot monitoring sites for2016-17.


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

10



Air Monitoring and Reporting

Air quality monitoring and reporting.

Air quality monitoring continues in the Taihape and Taumarunui airsheds.

Letter from the Minister received confirming he has accepted the exceedance recorded early in the year as an exceptional circumstance and beyond the control of Horizons.

A camera installed at Taumarunui to provide remote observation of visual signs of air quality exceedances has been moved to a more suitable location.

Air quality public education campaign – cleaner heating.

Education material on encouraging healthier heating is being promoted and our website is being updated.

Pest Management Support

Contribute to the development of the Pest Plan

Pest Plan supporting documentation near completion as reported in the Biodiversity Monitoring and Research Report.

Envirolink Secure Envirolink-funded

science relevant to Horizons.

Seven Envirolink-funded projects underway.

LAWA website

Supply information as required. Support has been provided to the other councils to set up data feeds and troubleshoot issues with the transfer method.

Support for other councils as required.

The annual update of water quality information for the LAWA website was completed in September.

State of Environment Reporting

Project plan for delivery of the 2018 SoE report

Scoping of the 2018 SoE report is in the initial stages.

Catchment Summaries and Report Cards

Key catchment information identified

Reporting framework developed

Freshwater workshop held with staff across Horizons to identify key messages and information gaps for each catchment (FMU)

Community and National Engagement, and Public Information

Information provision to the public and external agencies.

Information provision to external organisations has continued.

Information provision via websites.

The Air Matters and Water Matters websites continue to provide up to date information on a daily basis.

Staff are upgrading our Swim Spot website to incorporate the additional monitoring sites


14 December 2016


An

ne

x A

It

em

10

Harold Barnett ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST Raelene Mercer SENIOR SCIENTIST – WATER ALLOCATION Maree Patterson SENIOR SCIENTIST – WATER QUALITY James Lambie SCIENCE CO-ORDINATOR Abby Matthews SCIENCE AND INNOVATION MANAGER


Documents

ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE AGENDA - Manawatu-Wanganui...Dec 14, 2016 · The purpose of this item is to provide members of Council’s Environment Committee with an Environmental Education