The Rakino Way
Introduction | Central
principles | Development strategy | Physical
infrastructure | Social infrastructure | Implementation
and monitoring
Physical infrastructure
Rakino Island requires basic infrastructure to support the lifestyle of the
Rakino community, maintain the character of the island and protect the natural
environment. Auckland City's priorities for spending on Rakino Island will be
influenced by the amount of additional development that the island accommodates.
Physical infrastructure consists of pipes, lines and other systems that
provide essential services to the general public.
Water supply
Roofwater
Rakino Island residents rely entirely on roofwater for water supply. Over the
drier summer months some properties can suffer from water shortages due to lack
of holding capacity in water tanks. It is important for residents to provide
water tanks of sufficient size or number to cope with summer drought and holiday
pressures.
Residents should consider comprehensive systems, which provide for reuse of
greywater and stormwater.
Borewater
The underlying geology of Rakino consists of greywacke, a very hard,
shattered and uplifted marine sedimentary rock that on the hills has weathered
to a clayey soil mantle about 10m thick.
Aquifers probably exist within the fractured greywacke, but the limited
groundwater recharge from rainfall would be insufficient to sustain a long term
island-wide water supply. Generally water bores on small islands are unreliable
because they are easily contaminated by saltwater intrusion. For these reasons
roofwater will continue to be the sole source.
Key actions
Auckland City currently:
- requires that water tanks meet the statutory capacity requirements, and
promote the use of fire resistant water tank materials.
Auckland City will:
- encourage wise use of the island's water resources.
Wastewater and effluent disposal
All wastewater on Rakino Island is treated through septic tanks or a sand
filter system before being discharged to the ground through soakage pipes or
evapotranspiration beds. Care must be taken to ensure that pollution of fresh
water or coastal water does not occur as a result of poorly located wastewater
disposal systems.
There are currently no sites on the island for disposal of septage (solids)
from septic tanks and neither is there an island based tank cleaning facility
available. However, Auckland City has a responsibility to ensure that private
effluent disposal systems do not cause a public nuisance. Accordingly, within
the next 5 years, Auckland City will consult with the local community on the
future provision of and responsibility for sludge disposal sites.
Independent on site systems will continue to be the primary method for
effluent and wastewater disposal on Rakino Island. However the gradual
introduction of water conserving devices and alternative effluent disposal
methods should be encouraged as the older septic tanks fail and need replacing,
to benefit the island's environment in the long term.
The greatest threat to coastal water quality comes from recreational boating
activity. Liaison will continue with the Auckland Regional Council to enforce
the Resource Management (Marine Pollution) regulation 1998.
Key actions
Auckland City currently:
- liaises with other agencies responsible for public health, including the
Auckland Regional Council (ARC), Ministry of Health and Public Health Protection,
Auckland Healthcare Services Ltd
- requires that all effluent disposal systems comply with the relevant New
Zealand design standards and the ARC technical Publication 58, which is being
updated
- enforce standards that apply to the Consolidated
Bylaw 1998 - Section 29 Waiheke
Wastewater Management Strategy, and other Building Act standards.
Auckland City will:
- investigate the cost and practicality of monitoring septic tanks
- investigate requirements including any necessary consents for septic tank
pump out facilities and septage disposal sites for Rakino Island
- have input into the national review of on site wastewater disposal
standards, in consideration of the specific circumstances of Rakino Island
(and other Gulf Islands)
- provide information on the use of alternative technologies such as
composting toilets.
Solid waste management
In 2001, 35.31 tonnes of refuse, including 20 tonnes of glass and 14 tonnes of
paper/cardboard were transported off Rakino Island.
Households are provided with a weekly refuse and recycling collection
service. The refuse and recycling is transported to Home Bay and sorted into
mobile garbage bins. From there it is collected and barged to the mainland for
disposal and recycling.
Litterbins and recycling bins are located throughout the island. They are
emptied as necessary to eliminate overflowing. The contents of the bins are
transported to Home Bay for sorting and barging to the mainland for disposal and
recycling.
Inorganic collections continue to be held every two years in accordance with
the citywide policy. The material collected is barged to the mainland for final
disposal. Approximately 25 abandoned vehicles are removed from Rakino Island
every year. The vehicles are transported to Home Bay where they are stripped.
The car bodies are barged to the mainland for recycling and other materials are
sent for final disposal.
Refuse and recycling services on Rakino are designed to both accommodate the
unique nature of the island and encourage waste minimisation through application
of the 'waste hierarchy' principles.
Key actions
Auckland City currently:
- encourages initiatives that focus on the prevention, reduction, reuse and
recycling of waste, and facilitates measures that enable residents and
visitors to reduce waste going to landfill
- advocates at a national and regional level for national waste reduction
programmes.
Auckland City will:
- encourage visitors to take away their rubbish
- investigate upgrading the Home Bay Refuse and Recycling Transfer Station
- encourage community based education about waste reduction, reuse and
recycling
- investigate looking at appropriate mechanisms to discourage abandonment of
vehicles on the island
- encourage self sufficiency in waste management.
Energy
Energy supply on Rakino Island is the responsibility of individual
landowners. There is no reticulated electricity supply and it is unlikely that
it will be connected to a mainland supply within the foreseeable future. While
solar power or bottled gas are becoming the more common sources of energy on the
island, diesel generators are still used to supply energy to some houses. Use of diesel generators with insufficient noise insulation can result
in disruption to Rakino's valued peaceful character.
Key actions
Auckland City will:
- provide educational material about energy conservation through building
design, use of materials and alternative energy technology
- investigate in the development of the new land unit mechanisms, to
encourage ecologically sustainable practices including energy efficiency.
Telecommunications
Telephone lines to Rakino Island are linked to the mainland via Waiheke
Island. Telecom advises that there is sufficient line capacity to accommodate a
substantial amount of growth on Rakino and Waiheke Islands. There is one public
telephone on the island.
Rakino Island has access to all of the telecommunication facilities that are
available in Auckland, including internet access, where the power supply is
consistent, cell phone coverage and smart phone technologies.
Key actions
Auckland City currently:
- advocates that telecommunications utility providers ensure that a reliable
service is supplied to Rakino Island.
Auckland City will:
- protect the visual amenity of the island by ensuring the adverse effects
of the provision of telecommunications facilities and equipment are avoided,
remedied or mitigated and any impacts on the community have been evaluated.
Transport infrastructure
It is critical for the transport network in the Hauraki Gulf to meet the
transport needs of the Rakino Island community and visitors in a safe, efficient
and cost effective manner. Transport infrastructure must not compromise the
essential character of the island and should conform to acceptable environmental
standards.
Roading
Roading on Rakino is the responsibility of Auckland City. Significant issues
were raised in consultation with the community about the standard of the road.
Opinions were split between those who wanted a minimum standard of seal and
those who believe that the unsealed roads added to the character of the island.
While the permanent population remains low on Rakino there will be no Transit
New Zealand subsidy available for sealing of the main road. Consultation has
indicated that the small section of unsealed road at the northern end of the
island at the intersection of South Pacific Road and Jane York Place is a
particular problem and a priority for sealing when funding becomes available.
Parking
Auckland City owns and administers the public carpark at the wharf. The angle
parking strip on the western side of the road north of the wharf provides
restricted parking. Other parking at the lower half of South Pacific Road and at
the corner of Sanford Way provides for more long term parking. As the primary
entry point to the island it is important that this area has good amenity
landscaping, a covered shelter at the wharf and welcoming, informative signage.
Wharf
The wharf at Sandy Bay will continue to be the primary point of entry to the
island. There are no other jetties on the island that are owned by Auckland
City, that could be used when the Sandy Bay Wharf becomes unusable because of weather
conditions. There is barge access at Home Bay. Consultation has indicated that
an alternative wharf location is desirable and should be provided on the western
side of the island. The service provider Fullers Ltd has confirmed that the ferry is
prevented from using the existing wharf due to rough conditions approximately
twice a year. This along with the level of patronage at peak periods (which has
been confirmed as being approximately 25 persons per trip), and the low number of
residents on the island makes the investigation of an alternative wharf location
not economically viable.
Helicopter access
Currently there are no set landing areas on the island but there are informal
areas. Helicopter access must comply with the rules of the district plan, which
limit the number of inward and outward movements in any seven day period. There
is no helipad on the island and Auckland City does not currently have any suitable
land for helipad development.
Public transport
A water taxi service is
available. A community bus provides a service primarily to transport luggage. An
appropriate user friendly service catering for the needs of residents and
visitors is essential. However, it is important to remember that the rate of
future growth, and the number of visitors to the island is dependent on the
level of accessibility. Requests for transport improvements must be balanced
against the privacy and self sufficiency valued by the residents.
Walking
Rakino Island is of a suitable size and topography to promote walking as a
primary means of transport for visitors.
Boat moorings
Access to Rakino for many residents and landowners is gained through private
boats. It is essential to retain safe and sheltered mooring areas for these
boats. Currently the Regional Coastal Plan allows for one mooring area in Sandy
Bay. Other mooring areas exist at Woody Bay and Home Bay. The Auckland Regional
Council has raised concerns about permanent moorings impacting on recreational boating anchorage.
Key actions
Auckland City currently:
- owns and maintains the wharf facility at Sandy Bay
- controls and restricts the use and movement of helicopters as a mode of
transport, to keep the community safe from air traffic danger and to protect
the amenity values of the island, particularly noise levels.
Auckland City will:
- consider the implications any improvements in transport infrastructure
will have on the rate of growth and development patterns on Rakino
- work with community to develop an enhancement plan for the wharf carpark
area
- ensure that wharf facilities are safe, efficient and meet the needs of
residents and visitors to Rakino
- investigate the provision of a shelter for ferry passengers at the wharf
- work with Rakino residents and landowners to identify appropriate areas
for additional safe, sheltered and permanent boat moorings, and advocate
with the Auckland Regiuonal Council and the Harbour Master for the appropriate provision of these
areas through changes to the Regional Coastal Plan.
Published February 2003
