MINUTES

Extraordinary Council Meeting

22 June 2021

Extraordinary Council Meeting Minutes                                                                           22 June 2021

MINUTES OF Mackenzie District council
Extraordinary Council Meeting
HELD AT THE Council Chambers, Fairlie
ON Tuesday, 22 June 2021 AT 9.30am

PRESENT:                 Mayor Graham Smith, Deputy Mayor James Leslie, Cr Anne Munro, Cr Stuart Barwood, Cr Murray Cox, Cr Emily Bradbury, Cr Matt Murphy

IN ATTENDANCE:     Suzette van Aswegen (Chief Executive), Paul Numan (General Manager Corporate Services), Tim Harty (General Manager Operations), Alexis Gray (General Manager People and Culture), Tim Mulcock (Transition Manager), Aaron Hakkaart (Planning Manager), Arlene Goss (Governance Advisor), Sam Molyneux (Executive Support), Charlie O’Mannin (media).

1            Opening

The Mayor opened the meeting and welcomed everyone. He then gave a karakia.

2            Apologies

There were no apologies.

3            Declarations Of Interest

There were no declarations of interest.

4            Reports

4.1         Adoption of Commissioners Recommendation on Plan Change 18 to the District Plan

The purpose of this report was for Council to make a decision on provisions and matters raised in submissions on Plan Change 18 (Indigenous Biodiversity).  

The Mayor introduced the background to Plan Change 18 and asked the Planning Manager to speak to his report.

Aaron Hakkaart  tabled an amendment to appendix B of the commissioners’ report. He said the amendment was in response to a question from staff regarding whether fence maintenance and clearance carried out for flood protection would be a permitted activity. Clarification was sought from the commissioners who confirmed this was permitted. The amendment was added to the resolution passed by Council (below) to clarify this matter.

Cr Barwood raised the issue of the definition of pasture. This was raised by the ecologist employed by MDC, Mr Harding, in a press release. Mr Hakkaart said the commissioners had all the information in front of them when they made a decision on this and it would not be appropriate to re-litigate it. It was noted that Mr Harding’s opinion was considered this at the hearing.

The National Policy Statement on Biodiversity was due to come out soon and Mr Hakkaart believed this decision was a step in the same direction.

Cr Murphy said he had received concerns about a heavy handed approach and the impacts on the future development of land.  Mr Hakkaart said this was considered by the commissioners. The Mayor noted that this decision gave farmers the ability to maintain existing tracks, fences and also ensured the continued use of improved pasture.

Resolution  2021/42

Moved:       Cr Anne Munro

Seconded:   Cr Emily Bradbury

That the report be received.

Carried

Resolution  2021/43

Moved:       Deputy Mayor James Leslie

Seconded:   Cr Murray Cox

That Council adopt the recommendations prepared by the hearing commissioners on Plan Change 18 and notify the decision pursuant to Clause 10(4)(b) of Schedule 1 of the Resource management Act 1991, after making the following amendment to appendix B to clarify ambiguity around track and fence maintenance above 900m (consent not required):

1.3.2     Any indigenous vegetation clearance in the following locations, unless specified as a permitted activity under Rule 1.1.1.1, 1.1.1.5 or 1.1.1.6 or a restricted discretionary activity under Rule 1.2.3:

Carried

Cr Stuart Barwood asked for his vote against the resolution to be recorded.

5            PubliC Excluded

RESOLUTION TO EXCLUDE THE PUBLIC

Resolution  2021/44

Moved:       Cr Anne Munro

Seconded:   Cr Emily Bradbury

That the public be excluded from the following parts of the proceedings of this meeting.

The general subject matter 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 of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 for the passing of this resolution are as follows:

General subject of each matter to be considered	Reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter	Ground(s) under section 48 for the passing of this resolution
5.1 - Increase in Approved Contract Sum: Contract 1222 and 1169	s7(2)(h) - the withholding of the information is necessary to enable Council to carry out, without prejudice or disadvantage, commercial activities	s48(1)(a)(i) - the public conduct of the relevant part of the proceedings of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding would exist under section 6 or section 7
5.2 - Funding Local Share of Tourism Infrastructure Projects - Twizel Long Vehicle Carpark and Tekapo/Takapo Car Park/Bus Stop	s7(2)(h) - the withholding of the information is necessary to enable Council to carry out, without prejudice or disadvantage, commercial activities	s48(1)(a)(i) - the public conduct of the relevant part of the proceedings of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding would exist under section 6 or section 7
5.3 - Appointment of External Engineer to Contract for Various Contracts	s7(2)(h) - the withholding of the information is necessary to enable Council to carry out, without prejudice or disadvantage, commercial activities	s48(1)(a)(i) - the public conduct of the relevant part of the proceedings of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding would exist under section 6 or section 7

Carried

Resolution  2021/45

Moved:       Deputy Mayor James Leslie

Seconded:   Cr Anne Munro

That Council moves out of closed meeting into open meeting.

Carried

The Meeting closed at 10.39am.

Staff Farewell – Bernie Haar

The Mayor invited former Asset Manager Bernie Haar to the front of the room and also welcomed the Assets team.

After 19 years, Mr Haar was the longest serving person in the building. The Mayor thanked him for what he had given to the district over many years of outstanding service. In particular the Mayor recognised Mr Haar’s contribution to Civil Defence, and his work to help the district recover from past snow events.

Cr Munro and Cr Barwood recounted stories of starting as a new councillor and the help they received from Mr Haar.

Mr Haar thanked the Mayor for his kind words and said over those 19 years he had spent millions of ratepayers dollars, making Mackenzie a better place for a lot of people. He was proud of the collective achievements of the council, and was proud of his team.

The minutes of this meeting were confirmed at the Ordinary Meeting of the Mackenzie District Council held on .

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CHAIRPERSON