Minutes of HDC – Tangata Whenua Wastewater Joint Committee Meeting

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HASTINGS DISTRICT COUNCIL

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE HDC–Tangata Whenua Wastewater Joint Committee HELD IN THE Landmarks Room, Ground Floor, Civic Administration Building, Lyndon Road East, Hastings ON

Friday, 28 June 2019 AT 9.25am

Present: Chair: Councillor Heaps

Councillors Barber, Travers and Watkins

Mrs Evelyn Ratima and Tania Kupa Huata

IN ATTENDANCE: 3 Waters Services Manager (Mr B Chapman)

Wastewater Manager (Mr D James)

Principal Advisor: Relationships, Responsiveness and Heritage – (Dr James Graham)

3 Waters Process Engineer (Mr K Sevaratnam)

3 Waters Consents Management Officer (Mr S Taylor)

3 Waters Service Assurance Manager (Mr Wojtek Dziubek)

Wastewater Treatment Plant Assistant (Mr A Baker)

General Counsel (Mr S Smith)

Committee Secretary (Mrs C Hunt)

AS REQUIRED: Mr Mark von Dadelszen, Legal Counsel

Mr Grant Russell, Planning Consultant, Stantec

MINUTE’S SILENCE

The Committee paid tribute to Bob McWilliams (9 April 2018), who had been employed at the Wastewater Treatment Plant for 27 years and was instrumental in the development of the biological trickling filter system, which saw raw human sewage no longer being discharged into the sea.

The Committee also paid tribute to Gordon Paku, who passed away on 15 October 2018, and had been a member of the HDC Tangata Whenua Joint Wastewater Committee since 2003. The Committee acknowledged the dedicated support and work Gordon had contributed for the last fifteen years, towards a solution for a sustainable waste water management system (the biological trickling filter system) installed at East Clive. Gordon would also be remembered for his great sense of humour.

The Chair then requested a Minute’s Silence to recognise the passing of both Bob McWilliams (Wastewater Treatment Manager) and Gordon Paku (Committee Member).

1. Apologies

Councillor Watkins/Councillor Travers

That an apology from Mr Peter Paku be accepted.

CARRIED

Leave of Absence had previously been granted to Councillor Lyons.

2. Conflicts of Interest

There were no declarations of conflicts of interest.

3. Confirmation of Minutes

Councillor Heaps/Councillor Watkins

That the minutes of the HDC – Tangata Whenua Wastewater Joint Committee Meeting held Thursday 1 March 2018 be confirmed as a true and correct record and be adopted.

CARRIED

4.	Going Forward - Tangata Whenua Wastewater Joint Committee (Document 19/481)
	Queens Birthday Honours 2019 - The Principal Advisor: Relationships, Responsiveness and Heritage, Dr James Graham, prior to addressing the report, congratulated Evelyn Ratima on being awarded the Queen’s Service Medal (QSM) in recognition of supporting and transforming the community of Whakatu. Dr Graham advised that the purpose of the report was to seek guidance regarding the two vacant tangata whenua representative roles on the Committee. The two vacancies have resulted in the passing of Tipu Tareha (2013) and Gordon Paku (2018). It is important that as old members depart and new members are appointed that the journey that the Committee has been on is not lost. The knowledge and understanding is intergenerational for the continuation of the journey,
	Dr Graham advised that previously the Tangata Whenua representatives would be nominated by two Māori Executives. However, these organisations were created under the auspices of the New Zealand Māori Council, which had recently changed its structural approach and these executives no longer existed. The New Zealand Māori Council structure had changed and its “local” representative body was more regional by nature and was constituted as the Takitimu District Māori Council. Legal Counsel, Mr von Dadelszen advised that the new consent was not as prescriptive as previously and allowed for more scope and that if the Committee wanted to include the three waters (stormwater, drinking water and wastewater) there was no reason why it could not be done. Any change would require Council agreement to include in a condition as the Committee had 50/50 representation. The current consent does not allow a casting vote for the Chair. The meeting agreed that they did not want to broaden the scope of the Committee to include other than wastewater. The new consent did not prescribe how tangata whenua were chosen and guidance for consultation and engagement with the correct communities and bodies. The meeting agreed that they did not want appointees to be “handpicked” and that a fair and transparent process occur. It was agreed that a workshop be held to discuss and establish a process for appointment of Tangata Whenua representatives to the Committee.
	Ms Huata-Kupa/Councillor Travers A) That the report of the Wastewater Manager titled “Going Forward - Tangata Whenua Wastewater Joint Committee” dated 28/06/2019 be received. B) That the Committee establish a process to appoint tangata whenua members to the HDC : Tangata Whenua Wastewater Joint Committee to fulfil the provisions of Condition 29 of the District Council’s Wastewater Discharge Consent granted on 25 June 2014. C) That a Committee Workshop be held on 12 July 2019 to review a process on a method of appointments and report back to the HDC : Tangata Whenua Wastewater Joint Committee by 2 August 2019. CARRIED

5.	2017/18 Annual Wastewater Treatment Resource Consent Compliance Report (Document 19/594)
	The Wastewater Manager, Mr James spoke to the Annual Wastewater Resource Consent Compliance report and updated the Committee on key wastewater activities for the period ending June 2017.
	The Process Engineer, Mr Sevaratnam spoke to the powerpoint presentation (WAT-5-09-4-19-11) providing an overview of the 2017 annual discharge consent compliance summary. Despite a minor malfunction of the drogue being highlighted against Condition 17 in that it failed to collect data during the fourth quarter and was unable to determine the current. The consent was compliant. Officers did not foresee that the malfunction of the drogue would be a major issue and they were in regular contact with the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council. The following works were underway at the wastewater plant: · Replacement of the dewatering system in the Milliscreen building. · Replacement of one of the domestic step screens with a Centre-Flo band screen. · Upgrade of the plant control system (PLC). · Outfall pump station manifold renewal planning. · Emergency beach overflow chamber renewal.
	Grant Russell, Planning Consultant, Stantec advised that there were some minor administrative matters in the review of the consent conditions that would be undertaken. Condition 27 of the long term 35 discharge consent required Council to undertake a Nine Yearly Review. Investigations and studies were likely to commence in 2021/22. During the first review there would be an increase in engagement and contribution from the Committee with the following being considered: · Population and industry trends assessment · Wastewater flows and loads trends assessment · Trade waste profile assessment · Assessment of environmental guidelines and standards for treated wastewater · Assessment of operational aspects and changes in wastewater treatment technology and potential opportunities for beneficial reuse · Undertake benthic review, hydrodynamic study and public health impacts assessments An Open Day of the Wastewater Treatment Plant was held on 24 November 2018. A condition of the Consent stated that an advertisement of the Open Day be included in the Rates Notice. However, radio advertising was undertaken as well which proved to be highly effective and far reaching.
	Mr Russell advised that in order to preserve the journey of discovery (1999-2000) of the HDC : Tangata Whenua Wastewater Joint Committee with members departing it had been decided to put together a short video clip (CG-14-15-00008) which was displayed. To view open the hyperlink below: https://drive.google.com/a/grundyproductions.co.nz/file/d/18cr-rhaS2DQa4hSAyYop68rLlP2Vy1X6/view?usp=sharing
	It was noted that in recognition and memory of Bob McWilliams and the pivotal role he had played in the development of the biofilter trickling system that a memorial plaque at the East Clive Treatment Plant would be appropriate.
	The Chair advised the meeting that David James had resigned his position after eight years to embark on new ventures and on behalf of the Committee wished him well for the future.

Councillor Travers/Councillor Watkins

A) That the report of the Wastewater Manager titled “2017/18 Annual Wastewater Treatment Resource Consent Compliance Report ” dated 28/06/2019 be received.

With the reasons for this decision being that the objective of the decision will contribute to meeting the current and future needs of communities for good quality local infrastructure.

CARRIED

6. Additional Business Items

There were no additional business items.

7. Extraordinary Business Items

There were no extraordinary business items.

________________________

The meeting closed at 11.15am

Confirmed:

Chairman:

Date:

Hastings District Council

Lyndon Road East, Hastings 4156