BEFORE THE PAUP INDEPENDENT HEARINGS PANEL. TOPIC 81f Rezoning and Precincts. (Geographic) - Clevedon

Transcription

1 BEFORE THE PAUP INDEPENDENT HEARINGS PANEL SUBMITTERS The Clevedon Community and Business Association Incorporated (7421) and Hololio Farms Limited (6665) IN THE MATTER TOPIC 81f Rezoning and Precincts (Geographic) - Clevedon AND AND IN THE MATTER OF Plan Change 32 to the Auckland Council District Plan (Manukau Section) AND IN THE MATTER OF The Evidence Report of Vrinda Moghe dated 26 January 2016 EVIDENCE OF DENNIS SCOTT 10 February 2016 J E Elworthy / Hololio Farm, Clevedon AUCKLAND

2 1. Introduction 1.1. My name is Dennis John Scott I am a landscape architect and resource management consultant specialising in landscape assessment, land use management, planning and design in urban, rural and coastal environments I hold the qualifications of a Diploma in Urban Valuation (1969) and a postgraduate Diploma in Landscape Architecture (1974). I am a Registered Landscape Architect and Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects. I am a past President ( ) of the New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects (NZILA). I am a signatory to the Ministry for the Environment Urban Design Protocol. My career as a landscape architect dates back to 1974 when I began working in the public sector on a range of landscape planning and resource management projects. From I was the director and principle consultant of D J Scott Associates Limited, implementing projects for both private and public sector clients. I am now an independent consultant landscape architect Relevant specific landscape planning and resource management projects over my career of 42 years are set out in Attachment A to this evidence I confirm that I have read the code of conduct for expert witnesses contained in the Environment Court Consolidated Practice Note (2014) and I agree to comply with it. In that regard, I confirm that this evidence is written within my area of expertise, except where otherwise stated, and that I have not omitted to consider material facts known to me that might alter or detract from the opinions expressed I refer to the Outline Submissions and Evidence of Josephine Elworthy dated 10 February The Wairoa River 2.1. This brief statement of evidence supports the Clevedon Community and Business Association s submission that the general PAUP riparian planting obligations should not be applied to the Wairoa River floodplain. The CCBA submits for the deletion of General Subdivision clause , insofar as it

3 applies to the Wairoa River floodplain; or alternatively make the intended management solution subject to and dependent on the Franklin Local Board Wairoa specific Management Plan I have acted as landscape architect and consultant for Conmara Farms throughout the Plan Change process. I developed the Re-Vegetation plan for the Taitaia catchment (Wairoa River sub-catchment) that was incorporated into PC32 upon the settlement of the HK Hattaway/Conmara Appeal (now Precinct Plan 2 at page 44 of the Report, and associated rules) In my opinion there are difficulties in applying a blanket standard 20 metre riparian re-vegetation programme (as is effective for most streams and tributaries in Auckland) on the Wairoa floodplain This is because the Wairoa and its extensive floodplain has specific features and physical issues to address, including: The river channel drains a very substantial catchment of 11,380 Hectares. The river floods regularly. The river in the Precinct Area is very substantially infested with large tree weeds (willow and privet) Further, in relation to specific planting approaches: The planting of native species on the riparian margins prior to the effective and permanent removal of the weed species will be wasteful and pointless, since the weed species simply will overcome the new plantings. In the absence of intensive site preparation the fencing of stock from the riparian margins can lead to an increase the weed infestation. Only when proper preparation has been completed, native plantings and re-vegetation should be undertaken. The species selection is important. Planting plans should be developed in relation to catchment and sub-catchment dynamics and on a site-specific basis. Plant selection and matching species to the appropriate stream bank profile will be critical.

4 2.6. The Clevedon Conversations engagement process has identified considerable public appetite for public recreational access to the river. Planting of the standard native 20 m riparian planting with tall shrubs and trees could preclude public access to and views of the river In addition, there are potentially disparate commitments in relation to proposed zoning opportunity/development yields and associated required planting quantum This is an important matter as the management of plantings post-site preparation and planting implementation will be significant due to the above outlined biophysical Wairoa River and floodplain conditions I am aware that the Franklin Local Board has funded and is putting together a Steering Group for the purpose of developing a new Management Plan for the Wairoa. I have been approached to contribute to this group and have offered to do so. I believe that planting plans specific to various different parts of the river and catchment will be necessary, on the basis of proper ecological and design analysis of the particular attributes of each stretch of river In my opinion, General Subdivision Clause requires additional qualification as per the original Plan Change 32 documentation In addition and or alternatively reference to the overall catchment management approach as promoted by the Wairoa Management and River Action Plan could be included in the General Subdivision clause. 3. The Bridle Trails Design Guide 3.1. I support the CCBA s submission for amendment of the Clevedon Design Guide Bridle Trail design rules so that trails can or may be routed between rather than through the middle of rural housing clusters In my opinion, the General Trail Design Issues last bullet point on page 29 of the Guide All trails should be designed to respect the rural privacy, set back requirements and aesthetic of the cluster houses and their communal open space areas is a better formulation for good design, than a prescription for trails through the middle of clusters. Such routing might prejudice privacy for residents. My experience of routing trails is that householders like to have trails (particularly bridle trails which are generally separate from roading) within reach and within view, but not immediately proximate.

5 Dennis Scott Registered Landscape Architect 10 February 2016

6 Attachment A PO Box 49 Whitford Auckland New Zealand 2149 Ph dennis@djscott.co.nz Profile: DJScott Landscape Architect Experience and Qualifications 1. DJScott Landscape Architect is a Landscape Architect and Environmental Planning and Design Consultancy, specialising in landscape analysis and assessment, land use management, planning and design in urban, rural and coastal environments. 2. I hold the qualifications of a Diploma in Urban Valuation (1969) and a postgraduate Diploma in Landscape Architecture (1974). I am a Registered Landscape Architect and Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects; and a past President ( ) of the New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects (NZILA). I am a signatory to the Ministry for the Environment Urban Design Protocol. My career as a landscape architect dates back to 1974 when I began working in the public sector on a range of landscape planning and resource management projects. From I was the director and principle consultant of D J Scott Associates Limited, implementing projects for both private and public sector clients. Currently, I operate (from 2010) as an independent consultant landscape architect and environmental planner and designer. I am also a retired Adjunct Professor from the Department of Landscape Architecture at Unitec, Auckland, where I taught in the in the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture programme since the inception of the BLA Degree in My specialist professorial subject was (and is) Landscape Planning, Assessment, Design and Management. 1

7 3. I have a significant track record as an expert witness providing evidence on many previous occasions before District and Regional Council Hearings and before the Environment Court. This expertise is based on experience of continued involvement in a wide range of landscape issues. These include; the interpretation of community aspirations, policy documents and instruments, private landowner interests, and landscape and environmental analysis at a range of integrated spatial and temporal scales. The project work has ranged from the site specific to sub-regional and regional landscape scales, and from site-specific landscape management plans to district plans and structure plans. The practice focus throughout these projects has been to enable the successful implementation of sustainable environments for future generations, thereby fulfilling the purpose and principles of the Resource Management Act A selection of specific landscape planning and resource management projects over my 40 year career include: The Marlborough Sounds Planning Study ( ); Several large scale infrastructure projects for the MWD on behalf of Government client departments, including housing, roading, energy (dam construction), mining and quarrying and irrigation schemes excluding secondment to the NRPA from )) Catchment development, management and advisory projects at a national, regional and local scale in conjunction with the MWD, Water and Soil Division functions. (1974 -!989) Assessments in relation to coastal development and protection for Northland Regional Planning Scheme ( ); Russell Planning Study (1980); Rangaunu Harbour Study (1982); Hokianga Environment Issues and Options Paper (1983); Kerikeri Catchment Study (1985); Bay of Islands Water and Coastal Planning Study (1986); Planning and Resource Management Framework for the Preparation of the Hauraki Gulf District Plans ( ); Point Chevalier Coastal Management Plan (1994); 2

8 Auckland Central Area Urban Design Assessment ( ); Manukau Harbour Coastal Management Strategy (1996); Development East Tamaki Structure Plan (1998); Mangawhai Structure Plan (2004); Kaipara District Council Reserves and Open Space Strategy ( ); Mangawhai Estates Development and Structure Plan ( ) Whakatane District Council Natural Heritage Chapter, Proposed Whakatane District Council Plan ( ). Matiatia Village (2006) - Urban Design Competition Winner (Auckland Council) Westpac Mussel Development, Whangaroa Northland (2008) Lee Island Development Estates (2008 Current) Plan Change 32 Clevedon (HK Hattaway) ( ongoing) Recent project clients include Auckland City Council, Whangarei District Council, Kaipara District Council, and Whakatane District Council, together with a wide range of private sector clients. 5. Of general relevance is the large scale macro-landscape expertise and focus of the practice. In addition to the large scale studies numerous individual private projects and developments has been undertaken within the Northland, Hauraki Gulf Islands, Auckland, Waikato, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty and Hawke s Bay Regions. These have included rural subdivisions, marina developments, invidual/private jetties, other coastal structures and marine farms and quarry and mine projects. 6. The DJ Scott Landscape Architectural practice also has specialist knowledge in the area of landscape rehabilitation utilising native plant material. From 1979 to 1987 I was the nursery manager for the Ministry of Works Kauri Nursery, Northland. Operating in conjunction with Aokautere Plant Science Centre, Palmerston North, I carried out research and development of plant material production and implementation of revegetation techniques. This was part of a government research programme that initiated and pioneered techniques in the area of large-scale landscape rehabilitation in New Zealand. I have since refined these techniques and 3

9 methodologies successfully through my role as technical manager (Research and Development) of Awarua Nursery (now Green Infrastructure Nurseries Ltd), a specialist revegetation / production nursery and Green Input Ltd, specialist revegetation implementation contractors. 7. In addition to the specific career experience in landscape architectural practice I have had an ongoing academic involvement in landscape theory and education; specialising in rural and coastal landscape planning, management and design. I was a part time lecturer in Rural Land Management at Auckland University Town Planning School for three years ( ) and a part time tutor for the Diploma of Horticulture at Northland Polytechnic. I have also tutored at seminars / field days at the Northland Polytechnic in Sustainable Agriculture for farmers and small rural property owners. Until recently, I lectured at UNITEC, Auckland, for the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree on Rural Landscape, a role I have had involvement in since the inception of the UNITEC Bachelor of Landscape Architecture in I was appointed to the position of Adjunct Professor in 2009 within the landscape Department of UNITEC. My specialist subjects include Rural and Urban Design Studio (Level 7), Landscape Planning, Assessment and Management (Level 6) and Practice Organisation (Level 7 and 8). 8. In addition, for a period of 12 years I was a partner in a consultancy, Rural Design; providing specialist advisory services to farmers, small landholders and general landuse managers on sustainable agricultural practices and farm design. 9. I was also a member of the national Integrated Catchment Management steering committee (now in recess) for the Ministry for the Environment Sustainable Management Fund, administered by Landcare Trust. I have been involved in a number of significant development projects in applying my knowledge of Integrated Catchment Management in urban, rural coastal environments and extractive industry projects. The location of most of these developments has been within the Northland, Hauraki Gulf Islands, Auckland, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty and Hawke s Bay Regions. This experience with the rural and coastal development sector has required, over the past 30 years, an evolving knowledge of the marketplace for land and the associated financial feasibility and viability of projects. More often than not, involvement in rural / coastal residential projects now assumes a project management role, including assistance to developers in financial decision making, due diligence analysis and marketing strategies. Project management of the construction / implementation phase of project development is also part of this role. 10. These, and a significant number of previous similar projects, has provided the development of a firm understanding of the types of landscape, visual, amenity, environmental, community, territorial authority and private development matters and 4

10 issues that arise as part of the process associated with projects such as the PAUP hearings process. DENNIS JOHN SCOTT Registered Landscape Architect Fellow NZILA