Agenda of Upper Waitaki Zone Water Management Committee Meeting

Upper Waitaki Zone Water Management Committee Meeting Agenda 17 August 2018

Upper Waitaki Zone Committee Meeting Friday August 17^th, 9:30am Mackenzie Country Inn, Twizel
9:00am	Arrive / cup of tea	Lead
9:30	Standing Items Apologies, Minutes, Correspondence, Regional Committee update, Facilitators update	Simon Cameron
9.35	Mackenzie alignment report	Bill Bayfield Environment Canterbury
10.05	Mackenzie alignment update	Julia Forsyth and Alanna Hollier Environment Canterbury
10.45 – 11.00	Morning Tea
11.00	Social Media 101 - Using social media to tell the Upper Waitaki story	Kate Doran Environment Canterbury
11.20	Communication update	Kate Doran
11.30	Zone Manager’s report/ Compliance report	Chris Eccleston Environment Canterbury
12.10	Immediate Steps projects for consideration	Rob Carson-Iles Environment Canterbury
12.40	General Discussion	Zone Committee
1:00pm	Close and Lunch

5 Reports

5.1 Minutes of Upper Waitaki Zone Water Management Committee Meeting - 22 June 2018

File Reference: NA

Author: Arlene Goss, Committee Administrator (Temp)

Authoriser:

Attachments: 1. Minutes of Upper Waitaki Zone Water Management Committee Meeting - 22 June 2018

Recommendation

1. That the Minutes of the Upper Waitaki Zone Water Management Committee Meeting held on Friday 22 June 2018 be confirmed as a correct record of the meeting.

Upper Waitaki Zone Water Management Committee Meeting Minutes 22 June 2018

MINUTES

Upper Waitaki Zone Water Management Committee Meeting

22 June 2018

MINUTES OF Mackenzie District Council
Upper Waitaki Zone Water Management Committee Meeting
HELD AT THE Mackenzie Country Inn, Twizel
ON Friday, 22 June 2018 AT 9.30am

PRESENT: Simon Cameron (Chairman), Matthew Bayliss, Sandra Hampstead-Tipene, Barry Shepherd, Richard Subtil, John Sunckell, John Wilkie, Craig Dawson, Stuart Barwood

IN ATTENDANCE: Barbara Gilchrist (Facilitator), Chris Eccleston (Environment Canterbury), Joy Patterson (Aoraki Conservation Board), Ruth Grundy (Omarama Gazette), Rick Ramsay (Aquaculture Group), Mike Davies (Department of Conservation), John Benn (Department of Conservation), Arlene Goss (Committee Administrator), one member of the public.

1 Opening

2 Apologies

An apology was received from member Lisa Anderson.

3 Declarations Of Interest

There were no declarations of interest.

4 Visitors

The chairman welcomed Joy Patterson from the Aoraki Conservation Board and noted she might be interested in joining the committee when it was refreshed later in the year. Everyone present introduced themselves.

4.1 Visitor: MIKE DAVIES, DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION ON MANAGING TOURISM IN THE MACKENZIE

Mr Davies introduced himself and his experience with tourism issues. The Department of Conservation and others have recognised the pressures of tourism on the district. They have carried out a current state assessment. He came to speak to the committee about that assessment and what they were proposing to do to address some of the problems.

DOC would like to write a multi-agency tourism strategy for the district. The scope of the strategy would be from Burkes Pass, to Mount Cook, to Kurow, to Lindis Pass. This includes all land within this area and the state highway network.

Their assessment showed that people visit the basin for the landscape and special character of the area. Social media will encourage more and more people to come here, due to the photographs people are sharing. Major tourism flows are using the state highway network which is the key. Small communities along SHW8 provide the accommodation hubs. Visitors also want to get into the back country, which is why there is so much demand for any activities that get them into the snow.

The overall trend is for growth. Mr Davies listed the areas under pressure. There is a need for the infrastructure to be more fit-for-purpose to meet demand in the future. Also need more collaboration on these issues. Local attitudes to tourism are changing because of the pressures. There is also more pressure on emergency services. There is a feeling that international visitors are pushing out domestic visitors and residents.

Visitor numbers are projected to double in the next eight years. There is an opportunity for agencies to work together to manage these pressures in the basin. There are very few options to limit numbers.

Visitors don’t see the boundaries between the different organisations and land they manage. If you have different rules for different areas, visitors don’t know how they can use the area. Working within boundaries needs to change.

Next step is a spatial planning exercise. The critical thing is to address some form of camping strategy in time for this coming summer. They are planning to form a working group of all agencies and put in a funding application into MBIE to address the issues that have been identified.

Members of the committee expressed frustration at some of the past attempts to manage tourism in the district, and the lack of a national strategy on freedom camping.

Discussion took place on the issues and the need for action quickly because of the doubling of tourist numbers. Mr Davies said he could take from the meeting the committee’s support for action.

A public meeting is planned at Omarama Hall to form a plan regarding freedom camping. Discussion was held on whether DOC staff would be attending and the reason for that meeting. Committee members will be attending.

5 Reports

5.1 Minutes of Upper Waitaki Zone Water Management Committee Meeting - 18 May 2018

Committee Resolution UPP/2018/12

Moved: Sandra Hampstead-Tipene

Seconded: Craig Dawson

1. That the Minutes of the Upper Waitaki Zone Water Management Committee Meeting held on Friday 18 May 2018 be confirmed as a correct record of the meeting.

Carried

Matthew Bayliss reported that he had completed all the actions assigned to him in the minutes.

Richard Subtil has talked to Dean Nelson about finding someone from the conservation community to join the committee, and hasn’t heard back.

Braided River Project – On the 15^th July a morning session is planned. Richard Subtil will attend this.

There was no correspondence.

John Sunckell noted that the power generators are facing the need to renew their consents in the next five years. Meridian and Genesis will be working together on this process.

5.2 Review of Committee Outcomes

The purpose of this report was for the committee to consider the outcomes as defined in the ZIP and ZIPA and decides whether these remain the priority outcomes for the committee.

Chris Eccleston from Environment Canterbury noted the list of recommendations on page 14 and 15 of the agenda and asked the committee if they still agreed with these.

Matthew Bayliss said the committee has expressed frustration with slowness on data reporting. Richard Subtil said there is better compliance now from the farming community and more awareness. He would like easier ways for people to understand things like the TLI of Lake Benmore.

Mr Eccleston said we need to work harder on reporting and bringing the reporting into real life, and also concentrating more on the influence of tourism.

Matthew Bayliss suggested building understanding around changes in the planning rules in the Mackenzie.

Discussion was held on the need to add communication to the list of priorities. Mr Eccleston agreed to add the need for a communications plan to the list of priorities. Staff profiles were suggested. Also the need to get into local schools with education. The committee asked Mr Eccleston to follow up on the need for childhood education. A photography competition was suggested.

The meeting adjourned for morning tea at 11.17am and reconvened at 11.40am.

5.3 Fit for Future Project

The committee received the report on the Canterbury Water Management Strategy (CWMS) Fit for the Future project.

Barbara Gilchrist said after nine years of the CWMS there were some gaps and the Mayoral Forum was sponsoring a project to ensure the document was fit for future use. This paper was to inform the committee about what was happening. Some draft goals will come to the committee later this year for consideration.

5.4 Biodiversity Decisions

The purpose of this report was for the committee to consider two requests for funding from the Immediate Steps Biodiversity Fund.

Chris Eccleston asked the committee to put the first request, related to the Tasman River, on hold because more work was needed before coming back to the committee for funding. This was agreed.

The committee discussed the second application to erect a rabbit proof fence. The committee did not think this was a water issue, and also questioned why the committee would pay for rabbit control on private land when other land owners pay for their own pest control. Mr Eccleston said the aim was to protect vegetation on the land.

The chairman expressed concern that this would set a precedent for other lifestyle blocks to come to the committee for funding. John Sunckell said he would like to know what ecological values would be protected by this work. Is this vegetation genuinely important? What is the significance of what we are trying to protect?

The committee agreed to defer this application to the next meeting when more information could be provided.

5.4.1 Report Back on Immediate Steps Work

Barry Shepherd reported that he phoned Danny McAughtrie. He was very positive about the work he has done. He has double fenced about 5km of creek and spring heads. He is concerned that lotus is growing in the creek. The grass is growing between the fencing and also difficult to manage.

Richard Subtil said he would like reporting back on Immediate Steps to be a staff role rather than a committee member role. Mr Eccleston said committee members were asked to help with this because staff resources were concentrated on doing new things rather than following up on projects. Staff could take this on, but it would take longer to achieve. Discussion was held on the benefits of getting in touch with previous Immediate Steps recipients as a communication tool for the committee.

Mathew Bayliss asked if some budget could be spent on hiring a communications contractor to visit places and take photos to promote the work of locals.

5.5 Facilitator's Report

Communications Update - Barbara Gilchrist shared an update from Kate Doran. Articles on the Alder Control project at Lake Poaka received wide media coverage. An information sign will go on Meridian land, awaiting permission from Meridian. If anyone takes photos once work gets started can they please forward them to Barbara or Kate.

Regarding community signs, Kate is working with a graphic designer. Barbara Gilchrist described the designer’s ideas for the signs, which could be easily updated. These could be placed around the community. Discussion was held on the best size and locations for signs, and the need to keep the information up to date.

Blacked Back Gulls report - Barbara Gilchrist said members might want to attend one of the meetings mentioned on page 30 of the agenda. Matthew Bayliss said this was one of the predators being managed by Project River Recovery and the committee had not heard from them lately. Barbara Gilchrist offered to look into this.

Zone Committee Powers - John Sunckell provided background information on this issue. This paper makes it clear that zone committees cannot have side-agreements with others. But they can enter into memorandums of understanding for collaborative projects, and can make recommendations to councils.

General Discussion - Barbara Gilchrist has met with Jeremy Severinsen who represents DOC and LINZ. He is happy to come and talk to the committee and suggested the September or October meetings. He also suggested a drylands field trip to the Tekapo scientific reserve. Richard Subtil said the committee was more interested in the LINZ role in the district, in particular at Haldon Camp and crown-owned camping areas. The committee was concerned about the recreational and amenity value of the lakes and water quality. It was agreed to invite him to the next meeting. The committee would also like to see a map of all areas controlled by LINZ and the statutory responsibilities they hold for those areas.

Matthew Bayliss mentioned a public forum on the Ahuriri Bridge camping area will be held on Saturday 21^st July in the Omarama Hall. The chairman will be attending and members are invited.

The Meeting closed at 12.33pm.

The minutes of this meeting were confirmed at the Upper Waitaki Zone Water Management Committee Meeting held on 17 August 2018.

...................................................

CHAIRPERSON

Upper Waitaki Zone Water Management Committee Meeting Agenda 17 August 2018

AGENDA ITEM NO:	SUBJECT MATTER: Facilitator update
REPORT: Upper Waitaki Water Zone Committee	DATE OF MEETING: 17 August 2018
REPORT BY: Barb Gilchrist

Purpose

1. This paper updates the Zone Committee on points of interest from the zone facilitator

Recommendations

That the Upper Waitaki Water Zone Committee:

1. Receive this facilitator’s report.

Report

Key points

1. Refresh process:

Community members are appointed for a term of three years., with appointments expiring on 31 December. Membership is staggered so that all appointments do not expire at the same time. The next community member refresh process will begin in August 2018. Decisions by respective councils will be made by December 2018, with new members starting their term January 2019.

Members of the Upper Waitaki zone committee whose term expires on 31 December 2018 are Barry Shepherd, Matthew Bayliss, Richard Subtil and Simon Cameron; all four are warmly invited to reapply.

This is an ideal opportunity for committee members to approach those in the community they feel would make a valuable addition to the group. Both print and digital advertising will be undertaken during September. The timetable for the refresh process is below.

August	Zone Committees advised
September	Advertising and recruitment; applications open
October	Applications close
Mid October – Mid Nov	Selection workshops
Mid November	Candidates informally advised; agenda papers sent to councils
December	Appointments made by councils
31 December	Existing members appointments expire
1 January 2018	New members/reappointed members terms begin

2. Fit for Future Project

As part of the Fit for Future Project, task and goal groups have now been set up, and at the next zone committee meeting, the committee will be presented with draft goals, on which their feedback will be sought at a short workshop session. Once revised, these will come back to the committee in November, with the project having a completion date of February 2019.

3. BRIDGE Project

The BRIDGE Project, as presented to the committee earlier this year, aims to develop a Canterbury-wide approach to identifying the extent of the river bed on a braided river, and the values associated with the river and how best these can be managed.
The Ahuriri, above the SH bridge, is one of the reaches included in the project.

Following a meeting in July, a second meeting is scheduled for the 11^th of September. Committee members and Environment Canterbury staff who attended the first meeting are welcome to discuss this with the committee, and further information will be available at next month’s meeting.

Upper Waitaki Zone Water Management Committee Meeting Agenda 17 August 2018

5.3 Social Media guide for members

File Reference: NA

Author: Arlene Goss, Committee Administrator (Temp)

Authoriser:

Attachments: 1. Ecan Social Media 101 ⇩

Staff Recommendation

That the committee receives the attached social media guide from Environment Canterbury.

Arlene Goss

Committee Administrator (Temp)

Upper Waitaki Zone Water Management Committee Meeting Agenda 17 August 2018

5.4 Immediate Steps Biodiversity Decisions

File Reference: NA

Author: Arlene Goss, Committee Administrator (Temp)

Authoriser:

Attachments: 1. Report on Biodiversity Decisions

2. Information from Manuka Terrace Conservation Group

Staff Recommendations

1. That the Upper Waitaki Zone Water Management Committee approves the spending of $20,000 from the Immediate Steps Fund to extend the pre-emptive week control programme in the Upper Waitaki Zone.

2. That the Upper Waitaki Zone Water Management Committee approves the spending of $12.131 from the Immediate Steps Fund to erect a rabbit proof fence around two lifestyle properties on Manuka terrace and remove all rabbits.

3. That the Upper Waitaki Zone Water Management Committee approves the spending of $22,700 from the Immediate Steps Fund to exclude stock from Lake Murray, Lake Alexandrina, Tui Tarn, Stony Tarn and Grebe Tarn over the next two years.

Arlene Goss

Committee Administrator (Temp)

Upper Waitaki Zone Water Management Committee Meeting Agenda 17 August 2018

AGENDA ITEM NO:

SUBJECT MATTER:

Immediate Steps Biodiversity Decisions

REPORT BY:

Robert Carson-Iles

Purpose: To present three applications for Immediate Steps funding

DATE OF MEETING:

17^th August 2018

Staff Recommendation: That the Upper Waitaki zone committee agree to fund the attached projects

Upper Waitaki Pre-Emptive weed Control

Proposed project*

Project details in brief

Land tenure

Ecological score

Funding requested

(Total cost in brackets)

Target weed species before they can get established

This is an extension of a successful program that ran for the last three years, targeting weed species that are in the initial stages of invasion. Funding has been spent primarily on cotoneaster control and has been focussed on the western side of the Ohau catchment. It is envisaged that this years funding will be spent targeting a few discrete patches of cotoneaster near Lake Avimore and the Ahuriri, however this has not yet been discussed with the landowners.

Mixed

39/45

$20,000

($30,000)

Recommendations: It is useful to have a fund which allows for the targeting of biodiversity threat weed species, particularly when there are no incentives available for their control through regional or district rules or other funding bodies. Weeds are best targeted in the initial stages of their invasion as it is the most cost-effective option. It has been great being able to get stuck into cotoneaster in the Ohau catchment and it will be good to extend that out to other sites where a difference can be made. The project is in alignment with the Zone Implementation Plan including:

4.9 – Invasive weeds

4.10 - Indigenous dryland ecosystems.

I recommend that this project be approved.

Manuka Terrace Landcare group

Proposed project*

Project details in brief

Land tenure

Ecological score

Funding requested

(Total cost in brackets)

Exclude and remove rabbits from two adjoining properties on Manuka Terrace.

The proposal is to erect a rabbit proof fence around two lifestyle properties on Manuka terrace and remove all rabbits.

These two properties are dominated by a diverse range of native species however browsing by rabbits and hares as well as wilding pine invasion are altering and inhibiting the natural regeneration of the site.

The landowners are highly motivated to promote the natural regeneration of the site and are well equipped to properly manage and maintain the rabbit eradication.

This will protect 8ha of regenerating native vegetation of a type that would have originally covered much of this ecological district prior to human intervention.

Private

31/39

$12,131

($20,267)

Recommendations: One of the landowners has already excluded rabbits from a smaller area on their property. There is a marked change from one side of the fence to the other with the inside having less open patches of ground, less hawkweed, greater tussock growth and more palatable species. If Rabbits can be excluded and weeds kept on top of then these properties will pretty much sort themselves out. It also aligns with the recommendations in the Zone Implementation Programme, particularly:

4.10 Indigenous dryland ecosystems.

I recommend that this project be approved.

Figure Three: Looking up through tussock grass area towards manuka dominated are.

Figure Four: Regenerating manuka and tussock. Contorta have been removed and nigra are progressively being removed.

Glenmore Station Fencing

Proposed project*

Project details in brief

Land tenure

Ecological score

Funding requested

(Total cost in brackets)

Exclude Stock from Lake Murray, Lake Alexandrina, Tui Tarn, Stony Tarn and Grebe Tarn.

This is an extensive fencing project to remove stock access from these water bodies. They are all significant, supporting a wide range of values such as threatened plant and bird species, aquatic habitat and landscape values.

The fencing around Lake Alexandrina will remove the last bit of stock access to the lake.

The fencing around Lake Murray and Tui, Stony and Grebe Tarns will protect the vulnerable turf communities around their margins, protect their water quality and reduce disturbance of bird species such as the Black stilt.

The landowner intends to break this into two years, year one being Lakes Alexandrina and Murray and year two the three tarns.

Private

Lake Murray 30/45

Tui / Stony / Grebe Tarn 39/45

Lake Alexandrina

29/45

(Year one Lake Alexandrina and Murray)

$22,700

($34,000)

(Year two Tui / Stoney / Grebe Tarn)

$32,200

($48,300)

Recommendations: This is an exciting opportunity to protect one of the best areas of tarns and kettle holes in the South Island from stock impacts. The proposed fencing is above and beyond what is required by Environment Canterbury’s rules and shows a clear commitment from the landowner. The work closely aligns with the recommendations in the Zone Implementation Programme, particularly:

4.5 Native fish

4.7 Riparian protection

4.10 Indigenous dryland ecosystems.

I recommend that this project be approved.

Map One: Draft fence line locations shown in yellow

Lake Murray

Stony Tarn

Tui Tarn