MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE URBAN STRATEGY AND GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE HELD ON THURSDAY, 6 SEPTEMBER 2007 AT 9.30 AM

1. APOLOGIES

   That the apologies of Councillors Walsh and Simpson for non-attendance, and Councillor Storer for lateness, be accepted.

   CARRIED

2. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

   That the minutes of the Urban Strategy and Governance Committee meeting held on 2 August 2007 and the extraordinary meeting held on 23 August 2007 be confirmed as true and correct records.

   CARRIED

3. EXTRAORDINARY BUSINESS

   There was no extraordinary business.

4. PUBLIC FORUM

   4.1 QUEEN STREET BUS LANES - PETER CLARK, GENERAL MANAGER, STRATEGY AND PLANNING, ARTA

   Peter Clark advised that the Auckland Regional Transport Authority strongly supported the installation of bus lanes along Queen Street, particularly in relation to the reduction in travel time. He also addressed the issue of why Queen Street is important as a bus route.

   That Peter Clark be thanked for his presentation regarding Queen Street bus lanes.

   CARRIED

   4.2 QUEEN STREET BUS LANES - GARTH STEWART, NZ BUS

   Garth Stewart spoke in support of the bus lanes and reported on the investments made by the company in purchasing new, improved Link buses. He also confirmed that the company's fleet size would not be changing.

   That Garth Stewart be thanked for his presentation regarding Queen Street bus lanes.

   CARRIED

   4.3 QUEEN STREET BUS LANES - TIFFANY OLSEN

   Tiffany Olsen spoke on behalf of the owners of 95 Queen Street who wished that the status quo on Queen Street be retained.

   That Tiffany Olsen be thanked for her presentation regarding Queen Street bus lanes.

   CARRIED

   4.4 QUEEN STREET BUS LANES - MICHAEL URQUHART

   Michael Urquart, representing the Queens Arcade property owner, spoke to his tabled submission.

   That Michael Urquhart be thanked for his presentation regarding Queen Street bus lanes.

   CARRIED

   [ATTACHMENT 4.4]

5. REPORTS REQUESTED/PENDING

   That the list of reports requested/pending be amended as follows:

   Row	Target Date	Report Title	Reason for Update
   2	September 2007	Development Contributions Policy - request for a private development agreement in relation to a heritage site	Target date changed to December 2007
   6	Early 2008	Keeping Auckland's Future Bright - Our long-term plan for a sustainable Auckland City	Target date changed to March 2008

   CARRIED

6. QUEEN STREET BUS LANES CONSULTATION REPORT AND NEXT STEPS

   1. That the summary of findings of the Queen Street bus lane consultation be received, noting the main points as:
      • 319 [64%] in support
      • 172 [35%] in opposition
      • 7 [1%] unclear
   2. That officers respond to the CBD Board resolution requesting that a decision on Queen Street bus lanes be deferred until:
      1. an economic impact report is provided;
      2. a coherent transport plan is provided covering the Albert Street, Symonds Street and Queen Street bus routes; and
      3. a transitional management plan is put in place to minimise the impact on retailers.
   3. That officers report to the relevant committee in February 2008 with a recommendation on the proposal to install bus lanes on Queen Street.
   4. That officers work with the Auckland Regional Transport Authority as part of the central sector bus services review, to consider which bus routes use Queen Street, Albert Street and Symonds Street.

      Councillor Northey moved the following addition:

   5. That the committee support in principle the extended provision of bus lanes operating in Queen Street.

   A division was called for, voting on which was as follows:

   For the Motion:	Against the Motion:
   Cr Dr. Cathy Casey Cr Glenda Fryer Cr Richard Northey Cr Penny Sefuiva Deputy Mayor	Cr Doug Armstrong Cr Christine Caughey Cr Dr. John Hinchcliff Cr Scott Milne Cr Faye Storer His Worship the Mayor

   Cr Richard Simpson and Cr Vern Walsh were absent.

   The amendment was declared LOST by 6 votes to 5.

   The chairman agreed to incorporate the following additions into the substantive motion.

   5. That the submission by Portal Property Asset Managers and Advisors be received and considered as part of the transitional management plan.
   6. That the committee supports, in principle, the extended provision of public transport lanes operating in the central area.
   7. That the council strongly advocates to the Auckland Regional Transport Authority, and to Central Government, the urgent need to provide world class public transport in Auckland's CBD.

   The chairman put the substantive motion:

   1. That the summary of findings of the Queen Street bus lane consultation be received, noting the main points as:
      • 319 [64%] in support
      • 172 [35%] in opposition
      • 7 [1%] unclear
   2. That officers respond to the CBD Board resolution requesting that a decision on Queen Street bus lanes be deferred until:
      1. an economic impact report is provided;
      2. a coherent transport plan is provided covering the Albert Street, Symonds Street and Queen Street bus routes; and
      3. a transitional management plan is put in place to minimise the impact on retailers.
   3. That officers report to the relevant committee in February 2008 with a recommendation on the proposal to install bus lanes on Queen Street.
   4. That officers work with the Auckland Regional Transport Authority as part of the central sector bus services review, to consider which bus routes use Queen Street, Albert Street and Symonds Street.
   5. That the submission by Portal Property Asset Managers and Advisors be received and considered as part of the transitional management plan.
   6. That the committee supports, in principle, the extended provision of public transport lanes operating in the central area.
   7. That the council strongly advocates to the Auckland Regional Transport Authority, and to Central Government, the urgent need to provide world class public transport in Auckland's CBD.

   The motion was put in parts and declared CARRIED.

   Councillor Caughey asked that her vote against resolution C be recorded.

7. CBD - PUBLIC OPEN SPACE PLAN

   1. That the revised CBD Public Open space Plan be updated to reflect the recommendations of the CBD Board, specifically:
      1. the role of technology in open space to facilitate greater use, e.g. WiFi and the exploration of innovative technology such as the ability to use cell phones to transmit narratives about, for example, the history of places;
      2. reflecting a greater use of colour in vegetation in the vegetation plan and subsequent designs;
      3. ensuring the roll-out of the design guides does not create a formulaic approach to design of space in the CBD; and
      4. better integration of social meaning into the plan, such as catering for the diversity of people that use the CBD.
   2. That the final version of the CBD Public Open Space Plan be approved by the Chairman of the Urban Strategy and Governance Committee and General manager, Arts, Community and Recreation.

   CARRIED

8. STATUS OF AOTEA SQUARE REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT

   That the committee notes the following for the Aotea Square redevelopment project:

   1. the project is in concept design phase;
   2. there are several issues being worked through, including future-proofing for a convention centre, reviewing scope and budget for both the square upgrade and Aotea Centre work, Urban Design Panel feedback and minimising disruption;
   3. the proposed car park roof repair methodology is being peer reviewed to ensure its viability; and
   4. the programme is being reviewed and public consultation may move to early 2008.

   CARRIED

9. ST PATRICK'S SQUARE UPGRADE CONSULTATION SUMMARY AND CBD STREETSCAPES PROJECTS UPDATE

   1. That the committee notes:
      1. that feedback on the St Patrick's Square draft concept design was positive overall; and
      2. that the concept design is currently being reviewed taking into account the feedback received, in particular reviewing the themes associated with safety, planting, parking, adjacent developments, artworks and water features.
   2. That the CBD Board be delegated authority to approve the St Patrick's Square final concept design at its meeting of 24 September 2007, noting that the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillors Caughey, Sefuiva and Northey are members of the Board.
   3. That the committee notes that:
      1. construction has commenced on the Swanson Street upgrade;
      2. Stage 3 of Queen Street has reached practical completion and the construction contract tender acceptance report will be reported to Council on 20 September 2007;
      3. Vulcan Lane is substantially complete; and
      4. Victoria Street and Albert Street consultation is anticipated to run from Monday 3 September to Monday 24 September 2007.

   CARRIED

10. WATERFRONT PROJECTS

    That the committee notes that the council is proceeding with four preferred tenderers for a master plan for the waterfront of Westhaven, for which the first phase is the $20M expenditure for public promenades and other facilities within the marina.

    CARRIED

11. LEADING IN URBAN SUSTAINABILITY - PROGRESS REPORT FOR 2006/2007 PRIORITIES

    That the report of the Senior advisor and Strategic analyst, Strategic Development dated 29 August 2007 be received, and that the role of the Planning Fixtures Committee in the political overview of Council's regulatory processes, including appeals to the Environment Court, be acknowledged.

    CARRIED

    That item 13 be taken at this point.

    CARRIED

12. KEEPING AUCKLAND'S FUTURE BRIGHT - TARGETS, KPI'S AND ACTIONS

    1. That key indicators in relation to sustainability as presented in the agenda report in draft form, be further developed and refined and reported back to the appropriate committee for approval by March 2008.
    2. That progress on the targets contained in the first year of the three year programme of action be reported to the appropriate committee by March 2008, along with information on the specific actions and means through which these targets are being pursued.
    3. That the following be inserted under the climate change section:

    "Achieve a carbon neutral city" with a target date of 2030.

    Councillor Hinchcliff moved the following amendment to C:

    That the target date to achieve a carbon neutral city be 2020.

    A division was called for, voting on which was as follows:

    For the Motion:	Against the Motion:
    Cr Dr Cathy Casey Cr Christine Caughey Cr Dr John Hinchcliff Cr Glenda Fryer Cr Penny Sefuiva Cr Faye Storer His Worship the Mayor Deputy Mayor	Cr Doug Armstrong Cr Richard Northey

    Cr Scott Milne, Cr Richard Simpson and Cr Vern Walsh were absent.

    The motion was declared CARRIED by 8 votes to 2.

    Councillor Armstrong moved the following amendment by way of substitution:

    That Council re-state that one of its core values is sustainability and that attention be given to its tangible manifestation and sensible publicly acceptable ways.

    The amendment was declared LOST.

    The Chairman agreed to incorporate the following addition into the substantive motion:

    4. That Auckland City Council endeavour to get a regional agreement to a common target year for carbon neutral status amongst all the TLAs in the greater Auckland area, and with the Auckland Regional Council.

    The Chairman put the substantive motion:

    1. That key indicators in relation to sustainability as presented in the agenda report in draft form, be further developed and refined and reported back to the appropriate committee for approval by March 2008.
    2. That progress on the targets contained in the first year of the three year programme of action be reported to the appropriate committee by March 2008, along with information on the specific actions and means through which these targets are being pursued.
    3. That the following be inserted under the climate change section:

       "Achieve a carbon neutral city" with a target date of 2020

    4. That Auckland City Council endeavour to get a regional agreement to a common target year for carbon neutral status amongst all the TLAs in the Greater Auckland area, and with the Auckland Regional Council.

    CARRIED

13. SUBMISSIONS TO REGIONAL COASTAL PLAN CHANGE - WYNYARD

    That the committee retrospectively endorses the plan change submissions attached to the agenda report of the Waterfront Planning Consultant dated 30 August 2007, and delegates the lodgement of the submissions to the Group Manager, Democracy Services.

    CARRIED

14. DEVELOPMENT CONTRIBUTIONS POLICY - REQUEST FROM PERRON CENTRAL LIMITED FOR A PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT

    1. That the committee agrees that entering into a private development agreement, under section 8.10 of the 2006 development contributions policy, in relation to the development at 29-31 Eden Crescent known as the Verve, is in the best interests of all parties and should therefore be pursued.
    2. That the appropriate basis for the private development agreement with Perron Central Limited is that the development contributions for the development at 29-31 Eden Crescent known as the Verve be assessed in accordance with the 2006 development contributions policy.
    3. That delegated authority be granted to the General manager, City Development and the Group manager, City Planning to negotiate and prepare [together with the council's legal advisors] and conclude a private development agreement, in line with the terms set out in resolutions A and B above.

    CARRIED

    Councillors Storer and Caughey left the room and did not speak nor vote on this motion.

15. CIVIL DEFENCE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT - 12 MONTH REPORT

    That the committee requests the Auckland Regional Civil Defence Emergency Management Group to reflect savings identified by the Cranleigh report in group budgets for 2008/2009 and beyond.

    CARRIED

16. EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC : LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL INFORMATION AND MEETINGS ACT 1987

    That the public be excluded from the following part(s) of the proceedings of this meeting.

    The general subject of each matter to be considered while the public is excluded, the reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter, and the specific grounds under Section 48(1) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 for the passing of this resolution are as follows:

    This resolution is made in reliance on Section 48(1)(a) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 and the particular interest or interests protected by section 6 or section 7 of that Act which would be prejudiced by the holding of the whole or relevant part of the proceedings of the meeting in public are as follows:

    Item no.	General subject of each matter to be considered	Reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter	Particular interest(s) protected (where applicable)	Ground(s) under section 48(1) for the passing of this resolution
    C1	Avondale Development Opportunities Study	The public conduct of the part of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason to withhold exists under section 7.	Section 7(2)(i} The withholding of the information is necessary to enable the local authority to carry on, without prejudice or disadvantage, negotiations [including commercial and industrial negotiations]. In particular, the report and appendices contain references to properties that Auckland City Council may seek to acquire. Disclosure of information identifying these sites would seriously disadvantage council's negotiating position when trying to acquire these sites.	Section 48(1)(a) The exclusion of the public from the part of the meeting is necessary to enable the local authority to deliberate in private on its decision or recommendation.

    CARRIED

    Prior to declaring the meeting closed, the Chairman thanked the committee and staff who supported the committee over the past term.

    There being no further business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 1.00pm.