Agenda of Planning and Strategy Committee

PALMERSTON NORTH CITY COUNCIL

Planning and Strategy Committee MEETING

3 September 2018

Order of Business

Pursuant to Sections 46A(7) and 46A(7A) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987, to receive the Chairperson’s explanation that specified item(s), which do not appear on the Agenda of this meeting and/or the meeting to be held with the public excluded, will be discussed.

Any additions in accordance with Section 46A(7) must be approved by resolution with an explanation as to why they cannot be delayed until a future meeting.

Any additions in accordance with Section 46A(7A) may be received or referred to a subsequent meeting for further discussion. No resolution, decision or recommendation can be made in respect of a minor item.

3. Declarations of Interest (if any)

Members are reminded of their duty to give a general notice of any interest of items to be considered on this agenda and the need to declare these interests.

4. Public Comment

To receive comments from members of the public on matters specified on this Agenda or, if time permits, on other Committee matters.

(NOTE: If the Committee wishes to consider or discuss any issue raised that is not specified on the Agenda, other than to receive the comment made or refer it to the Chief Executive, then a resolution will need to be made in accordance with clause 2 above.)

5. Confirmation of Minutes Page 7

“That the minutes of the Planning and Strategy Committee meeting of 6 August 2018 Part I Public be confirmed as a true and correct record.”

6. Draft Cemeteries and Crematorium Bylaw 2018 - Deliberations on submissions and adoption of bylaw. Page 11

Memorandum, dated 17 August 2018 presented by the Strategy & Policy Manager, Julie Macdonald.

7. Annual Section 10A Dog Control Act Report to Secretary of Local Government Page 53

Memorandum, dated 30 July 2018 presented by the Head of Environmental Protection Services, Graeme Gillespie.

8. Pedestrian Needs Assessment Page 69

Memorandum, dated 9 August 2018 presented by the Roading Manager, Jon Schwass.

9. Committee Work Schedule Page 103

10. Exclusion of Public

To be moved:

“That the public be excluded from the following parts of the proceedings of this meeting listed in the table below.

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:

General subject of each matter to be considered		Reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter	Ground(s) under Section 48(1) for passing this resolution
11.	Annual Report Trade Waste Activity 2017 - 18	Third Party Commercial	s7(2)(b)(ii)

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 the relevant part of the proceedings of the meeting in public as stated in the above table.

Also that the persons listed below be permitted to remain after the public has been excluded for the reasons stated.

Chief Executive (Heather Shotter), Chief Financial Officer (Grant Elliott), Acting Chief Infrastructure Officer (Ray McIndoe), Acting General Manager – Strategy and Planning (David Murphy), General Manager - Community (Debbie Duncan), Acting General Manager – Customer (Sheryl Bryant), Human Resources Manager (Wayne Wilson), General Manager - Marketing and Communications (Sacha Haskell), because of their knowledge and ability to provide the meeting with advice on matters both from an organisation-wide context (being members of the Council’s Management Team) and also from their specific role within the Council.

Legal Counsel (John Annabell), because of his knowledge and ability to provide the meeting with legal and procedural advice.

Acting Governance and Support Team Leader (Stuart McKinnon) and Committee Administrators (Penny Odell, Rachel Corser and Courtney Kibby), because of their knowledge and ability to provide the meeting with procedural advice and record the proceedings of the meeting.

Water and Waste Services Manager (Robert van Bentum) and Waste Water Asset Engineer (Phil Burt) because of their knowledge and ability to assist the meeting in speaking to their report and answering questions, noting that such officer will be present at the meeting only for the item that relate to their respective report.

[Add Third Parties], because of their knowledge and ability to assist the meeting in speaking to their report/s [or other matters as specified] and answering questions, noting that such person/s will be present at the meeting only for the items that relate to their respective report/s [or matters as specified].

PALMERSTON NORTH CITY COUNCIL

Palmerston North City Council

Minutes of the Planning and Strategy Committee Meeting Part I Public, held in the Council Chamber, First Floor, Civic Administration Building, 32 The Square, Palmerston North on 06 August 2018, commencing at 9.06am

Members

Present:

Councillor Duncan McCann (in the Chair), The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Brent Barrett, Susan Baty, Rachel Bowen, Jim Jefferies, Lorna Johnson, Karen Naylor, Bruno Petrenas, Aleisha Rutherford and Tangi Utikere.

Non Members:

Councillors Adrian Broad, Gabrielle Bundy-Cooke and Lew Findlay QSM.

Apologies:

Councillor Leonie Hapeta.

42-18

Apologies

Moved Duncan McCann, seconded Aleisha Rutherford.

The COMMITTEE RESOLVED

1. That the Committee receive the apologies.

43-18

Submissions on the Draft Cemeteries and Crematorium Bylaw 2018

The following people appeared before the Committee and made oral statements in support of their submissions and replied to questions from Elected Members.

William Cotton and Sons Ltd - Shane Cotton (4)

Mr Cotton spoke to the submission and made the following additional comments:

- There was an increase in requests for funeral services to be held on Saturday and therefore the operating hours of the Crematorium should be increased.

- Although customers were not Palmerston North ratepayers they spent a lot of their money in Palmerston North.

- At a recent meeting of Funeral Directors from around the country, no other business said they were charged an out of district fee.

Moved Duncan McCann, seconded Aleisha Rutherford.

The COMMITTEE RESOLVED

1. That the Planning and Strategy Committee hear submissions from presenters who indicated their wish to be heard in support of their submission.

2. That the Committee note the Procedure for Hearing of Submissions, as described in the procedure sheet.

44-18

Confirmation of Minutes

Moved Duncan McCann, seconded Tangi Utikere.

The COMMITTEE RESOLVED

1. That the minutes of the Planning and Strategy Committee meeting of 6 June 2018 Part I Public be confirmed as a true and correct record.

Note: The Mayor (Grant Smith) abstained from voting on clause 44.1 above.

45-18

Summary of submissions to the Draft Palmerston North Cemeteries and Crematorium Bylaw 2018

Memorandum, dated 19 July 2018 from the Policy Analyst, Lili Kato.

Moved Duncan McCann, seconded Aleisha Rutherford.

The COMMITTEE RESOLVED

1. That the summary of submissions to the draft Palmerston North Cemeteries and Crematorium Bylaw 2018 be received.

46-18

Community Funding Policy

Memorandum, dated 3 July 2018 from the Policy Analyst, Lili Kato.

In discussion Elected Members felt that the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson should be authorised to make minor amendments to the policy.

The meeting adjourned at 10am

The meeting resumed again at 10.32am

Moved Brent Barrett, seconded Duncan McCann.

The COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS

1. That the Community Funding Policy (2018), as attached to the report dated 3 July 2018 and titled “Community Funding Policy”, be adopted.

2. That the Community Funding Policy 2012 be rescinded.

3. That the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the Planning and Strategy Committee be authorised to make minor amendments to the Community Funding Policy (2018).

47-18

Proposed Plan Change A: Removal of Opening Hour Rules for the Sale of Alcohol

Memorandum, dated 6 July 2018 from the Senior Policy Planner, Jono Ferguson-Pye.

Moved Aleisha Rutherford, seconded Lorna Johnson.

The COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS

1. That Proposed Plan Change A: Removal of Opening Hour Rules for the Sale of Alcohol be approved for public notification under Clause 5, Schedule 1 of the Resource Management Act 1991.

2. That the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the Planning and Strategy Committee be authorised to make minor amendments to Proposed Plan Change A: Removal of Opening Hour Rules for the Sale of Alcohol.

Note: Councillors Susan Baty, Lew Findlay and Tangi Utikere abstained from voting on clause 47-18.

48-18

Deliberations on Unreinforced Masonry Earthquake-Prone Building Priority Routes

Memorandum, dated 17 July 2018 from the Policy Planner, Matthew Mackay.

Moved Rachel Bowen, seconded Lorna Johnson.

The COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS

1. That the amended list of Priority Routes, attached as Appendix 1 to the Report titled “Deliberations on Unreinforced Masonry Earthquake-Prone Building Priority Routes” dated 17 July 2018, is adopted pursuant to Section 133AF(2)(a) of the Building Act.

49-18

Declaring the Rosalie Terrace Road Reserve as Road

Memorandum, dated 10 July 2018 from the Property Officer, Bryce Hosking.

Moved Duncan McCann, seconded Aleisha Rutherford.

The COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS

1. That Council resolves that pursuant to Section 111 of the Reserves Act 1977, the land described as Lot 13 Deposited Plan 459294 contained in Certificate of Title 599741 and held by the Palmerston North City Council for the purpose of road reserve, be declared as road.

50-18

Committee Work Schedule

Moved Duncan McCann, seconded Aleisha Rutherford.

The COMMITTEE RESOLVED

1. That the Planning and Strategy Committee receive its Work Schedule dated August 2018.

The meeting finished at 11.13am

Confirmed 3 September 2018

Chairperson

PALMERSTON NORTH CITY COUNCIL

Memorandum

TO: Planning and Strategy Committee

MEETING DATE: 3 September 2018

TITLE: Draft Cemeteries and Crematorium Bylaw 2018 - Deliberations on submissions and adoption of bylaw.

DATE: 17 August 2018

PRESENTED BY: Julie Macdonald, Strategy & Policy Manager, Strategy and Planning

APPROVED BY: David Murphy, Acting General Manager - Strategy and Planning

RECOMMENDATION(S) TO Council

1. That the Council confirms that the Palmerston North Cemeteries and Crematorium Bylaw 2018 is the most appropriate form of bylaw and does not give rise to any implications under the NZ Bill of Rights Act 1990.

2. That the Council adopts the draft Palmerston North Cemeteries and Crematorium Bylaw 2018, and draft Palmerston North Cemeteries and Crematorium Bylaw 2018 Administration Manual, as attached to the report dated 17 August 2018 and titled “Draft Cemeteries and Crematorium Bylaw 2018 – Deliberations on submissions and adoption of bylaw.”

3. That the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the Planning and Strategy Committee be given delegated authority to approve minor amendments to the draft Palmerston North Cemeteries and Crematorium Bylaw 2018 and draft Palmerston North Cemeteries and Crematorium Bylaw 2018 Administration Manual prior to publication.

1. ISSUE

1.1. The Council has undertaken consultation on the draft Palmerston North Cemeteries and Crematorium Bylaw and received six submissions, along with some informal feedback through meetings held with some funeral directors.

1.2. This report recommends several changes to the draft Palmerston North Cemeteries and Crematorium Bylaw as a result of consultation, and recommends the adoption of these documents.

2. Background and previous council decisions

2.1. Section 16 and 40 of the Burial and Cremation Act 1964, as well as section 146(b)(v) of the Local Government Act 2002 grant the Council powers to make bylaws for the facilitation of the orderly and efficient management of cemeteries and crematoria under the Council’s control.

2.2. In November 2017 the Planning and Strategy Committee received a report under section 155 of the Local Government Act 2002 that recommended that a bylaw is the most appropriate way of addressing the issues relating to managing cemeteries and crematoria in Council’s control, including protecting the solemn nature of cemeteries, protecting the private interests of those with exclusive rights to burials, and creating a balance between pragmatic management and meeting the needs of the community.

2.3. A further report was presented to the Committee on 9 April 2018 to approve the draft bylaw for consultation and this was approved by Council on 30 April 2018. Consultation was carried out in May and June. Six submissions were received over this period. One submitter spoke to their submission on 6 August 2018 at the meeting of the Planning and Strategy Committee.

2.4. Staff also convened two meetings to enable funeral directors to provide further informal feedback on the draft bylaw.

3. Response to submissions on significant issues

3.1. A summary of submissions was provided to Council at the hearing on 6 August 2018. Attachment 1 records the key submission points and officer’s comments in relation to these points, including a statement about any changes recommended to the draft bylaw.

3.2. Amendments to the draft bylaw have been made in consideration of the submissions. Proposed changes to the draft Bylaw and Administration Manual are in Attachments 2 and 3.

3.3. Only three of the issues raised in submissions were within the scope of the bylaw. Those issues are as follows:

Grave Decorations:

3.4. Although the draft bylaw removes the five year maximum period for on the soil decorations this does not necessarily mean a relaxing of the rules. If anything, the draft bylaw has introduced more clarity around the extent of on the soil decorations and controls for Council to act when there has been a breach of responsibilities by plot holders.

3.5. Obtaining approval to decorate the soil of a grave still requires several conditions to be met and these are prescribed in section 11.2 of the bylaw.

3.6. The draft bylaw sets out the obligations of plot holders in relation to the maintenance of decorated plots, as outlined in sections 11.4 to 11.9 of the draft bylaw. The draft bylaw also sets out a process of how Council will act where there has been a breach of conditions and this is set out in section 10.2 of the draft Administration Manual.

3.7. Including provisions in the bylaw to uphold a certain aesthetic preference, as suggested by some submitters, would be outside of the scope of the bylaw.

3.8. No changes are recommended to the draft bylaw regarding the provisions relating to decorated graves.

Items prohibited from cremator

3.9. Some feedback was received that the proposed list is too general, restrictive, and inflexible and needs to be clarified further. For example, items such as metal, plastics and rubber may be impractical to exclude. Two funeral directors suggested that the list potentially contradicts the legal requirements for coffins. Suggestions for improvement included having two lists in the bylaw for items that are absolutely banned such as pacemakers, and another list the person applying for cremation should “endeavour to exclude”.

3.10. Section 40 of the Burial and Cremations Act 1964 plainly gives Council the power to make bylaws that protect the crematorium from damage or destruction. Specifying a list of prohibited items is best practice, and necessary to protect the crematorium from damage, as well as keeping Council within the limits of its resource consent.

3.11. The list of prohibited items is consistent with the best practice guidelines that came out of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. As well as the ‘Guideline for the contents of coffins delivered for cremation’ issued by the Australasian Cemeteries and Crematoria Association, which are referred to by the manufacturer of the Kelvin Grove cremator. The prohibited list is also consistent with what other territorial authorities have implemented, including Auckland City Council and Hastings City Council.

3.12. Given funeral directors play an integral role in the legal disposal of human remains, which they freely take on as part of the commercial services they provide, it would be difficult to absolve them all responsibility in regard to complying with the prohibited items provisions. However, officers do recognise that the current wording of draft bylaw in section 6.5 places a high expectation on those applying for cremation.

3.13. Officers do not recommend having a primary and secondary list of prohibited items. A secondary list of items that people should “endeavour to exclude”, has the potential to be disregarded as they are of seemingly of lesser importance. Items on the secondary list would still have the potential to cause damage to the cremator, and bring Council in breach of its resource consent which the bylaw is designed to prevent.

3.14. In relation to items prohibited from the cremator the following changes are made to the draft bylaw and administration manual:

- The insertion of the words ‘take reasonably practical steps to’ in section 6.5 of the draft bylaw. This will provide some clarity in terms of the level of responsibility for those who apply for cremation.

- The deletion of the words ‘Medical appliances including’ and the addition of the words ‘Cardiac’, and ‘and biomechanical aids’ in section 5.1(e) of the Administration Manual. This is to provide consistency with the Cremation Regulations 1973.

- The deletion of the words ‘including metal based products’ and the addition of ‘excluding medical implants and screws, nails or staples in coffin hardware’, in section 5.1(f) of the Administration Manual. This is to provide an exclusion for these items.

- The addition of ‘boots and shoes’ in section 5.1(i) of the Administration Manual, to provide more specifically the extent of rubber items that are prohibited.

- The addition of ‘excluding body bags and coffin linings’, and the deletion of ‘including PVC-based products’ in section 5.1(j) of the Administration Manual. This is to provide an exclusion for these items.

- The addition of (k) as ‘PVC in all forms’ in section 5.1(k) of the Administration Manual. This is to create a separate subsection for PVC from plastic, for clarity.

- The deletion of ‘bottles’ in section 5.1(m) of the Administration Manual to extend the prohibition to glass generally, rather than just glass bottles, in line with other best practice guides.

- The addition of ‘excluding rings made entirely of 9 carats or more of gold’ to section 5.1(o) of the Administration Manual. This is to create an exclusion for this item.

Disinterment

3.15. There was a submission for the Council to make reference in the bylaw or administration manual to the requirement to obtain a disinterment licence issued by the Ministry of Health.

3.16. Officers take the position that referring to section 51 of the Burial and Cremation Act 1964 which sets out the requirements of disinterment is sufficient and consistent with other parts of the bylaw where other requirements are prescribed in the governing legislation.

4. MINOR AMENDMENTS

4.1. In addition to the amendments described above in regard to the Administration Manual, some minor amendments are also recommended:

- The replacement of ‘the measurements set by Council’ with ‘2200mm in length, 780mm in width and 550mm in depth’ in section 4.2 of the Administration Manual. This is to provide some certainty and transparency for the public in terms of the coffin dimensions Council allows.

- The addition of ‘or where the proposed monument is for installation in the memorial plaque area’ in section 9.2(e) of the Administration Manual, to create an exclusion for this area.

- The addition of four other types of memorial plaque dimensions listed in Schedule 1 – Headstone Specifications, which were overlooked in the draft and provided here for completeness and transparency.

5. BROADER ISSUES RAISED IN THE REVIEW

5.1. It is noted that a number of submission points refer to general, or more operational aspects that Council should consider:

- The culture of the cemetery, creating a family friendly environment that is open and welcoming to everyone who wish to be in a place of restfulness and contemplation;

- Making the cemetery more physically accessible for people of all ages and heath categories;

- More investment in infrastructure, particularly at the Bunnythorpe cemetery, with more plantings and basic amenities such as refuse bins and seats;

- The type of fees that are charged.

5.2. Officers also note that the removal of the five year maximum period for on the soil decorations and the introduction of new administrative processes may have a significant impact on the operational requirements. This will relate directly to preparing graves and Council’s maintenance work and how this is carried out in terms of time and equipment needed. Consideration also needs to be given to capital outlay for the development of new grave plots, as decorated graves may change the forecast of available graves.

5.3. In a meeting with Rangitāne, representatives raised the need to set aside an area in the cemetery for the burial of Māori who do not otherwise get buried in their respective urupā.

5.4. While these matters are worthy of Council’s attention, they generally fall outside the parameters of the bylaw. Officers therefore recommend that it would be timely to review cemetery operations given the new rules being introduced through the bylaw. These issues have now been referred to the levels of service discussion held with Councillors (in 2020).

6. Other Considerations

6.1. The Council is required by S155 of the Local Government Act 2002 to determine whether the proposed bylaw is the most appropriate form of bylaw, and whether the proposed bylaw gives rise to any concerns under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 (NZBORA).

6.2. A full consideration of these matters was provided in a report presented to the Committee in November 2017, and was confirmed again in the April 2018 report that approved the draft bylaw for public consultation. At each stage, the Committee determined and confirmed that a standalone form of bylaw was the most appropriate form of bylaw, and that the bylaw was unlikely to give rise to any concerns under NZBORA.

6.3. Following consultation, the assessment remains the same. The standalone form of bylaw remains the most appropriate for the Cemeteries and Crematorium Bylaw. No concerns under NZBORA have been identified.

7. NEXT STEPS

7.1. If the Council adopts the draft Cemeteries and Crematorium Bylaw it will replace the current 2008 Bylaw. The new Cemeteries and Crematorium Bylaw will be published on the Council’s website, with physical copies placed in the Customer Service Centre.

7.2. The submitters will be contacted and advised of the outcome of the consultation process, and given a copy of the adopted Bylaw.

7.3. A public notice will be published in the Manawatū Standard advising of the adoption of the new Bylaw and its commencement date.

7.4. The suggested amendments to the Cemeteries and Crematorium Bylaw 2018 will improve the overall document, and address a number of concerns raised by submitters.

7.5. The issues raised during the review of the bylaw relating to the provision of cemetery services will be raised to the levels of service discussions.

Compliance and administration

Does the Committee have delegated authority to decide? If Yes quote relevant clause(s) from Delegations Manual <Enter clause>		No
Are the decisions significant?		No
If they are significant do they affect land or a body of water?		No
Can this decision only be made through a 10 Year Plan?		No
Does this decision require consultation through the Special Consultative procedure?		No
Is there funding in the current Annual Plan for these actions?		Yes
Are the recommendations inconsistent with any of Council’s policies or plans?		No
The recommendations contribute to Goal 3: A connected and safe community
The recommended option contributes to the outcomes of the Connected Community Strategy
The recommended option contributes to the achievement of action/actions in the Community Services and Facilities Plan The action is: Provide cemeteries (at Kelvin Grove, Terrace End, Ashhurst and Bunnythorpe) and a crematorium (at Kelvin Grove).
Contribution to strategic direction	The adoption of the bylaw is essential for the facilitation of the orderly and efficient management of cemeteries and crematoria under the Council’s control.

Attachments

1.	Attachment 1 - Summary of Submissions ⇩
2.	Attachment 2 - Draft Cemeteries and Crematorium Bylaw 2018 ⇩
3.	Attachment 3 - Draft Cemeteries and Crematoria Bylaw 2018 Administration Manual ⇩

PALMERSTON NORTH CITY COUNCIL

Memorandum

TO: Planning and Strategy Committee

MEETING DATE: 3 September 2018

TITLE: Annual Section 10A Dog Control Act Report to Secretary of Local Government

DATE: 30 July 2018

PRESENTED BY: Graeme Gillespie, Head of Environmental Protection Services, Customer

APPROVED BY: Sheryl Bryant, Acting General Manager - Customer

RECOMMENDATION(S) TO Council

1. That the report on the Dog Control Policy and Practices for Palmerston North City Council pursuant to Section 10A of the Dog Control Act 1996 for the period of 2017/18, as attached to the memorandum dated 30 July 2018 and titled `Annual Section 10A Dog Control Act Report to Secretary of Local Government’ be adopted.

1. ISSUE

The Dog Control Act 1996 (“the Act”) requires Council’s to produce an annual report on the administration of its dog control policy and practices. This is the Palmerston North City Council report for the 2017/18 year.

2. BACKGROUND

The Act requires the following information to be provided:

(a) the number of registered dogs in the territorial authority district;

(b) the number of probationary owners and disqualified owners in the territorial authority district;

(d) the number of dogs in the territorial authority district classified as menacing;

(e) the number of infringement notices issued by the territorial authority;

(f) the number of dog related complaints received by the territorial authority in the previous year and the nature of those complaints; and,

(g) the number of prosecutions taken by the territorial authority under this Act.

Attached is the report on Council’s administration of its Dog Control Policy and practices.

Council reviewed its Dog Control Policy during the year and adopted a new Policy on 25 June 2018. The key change was the removal of the restriction on dogs in the CBD for a 12-month trial.

A total of 3859 complaints or investigations were conducted during the year. The number of reported dog attacks increased by 33% from previous years, but is consistent with the five-year average. There is no evidence of any increase in the severity of attacks and this is possibly due to variations in reporting. The most significant source of complaint was in relation to roaming or uncontrolled dogs (39%) followed by barking dogs (26%). The number of barking dog complaints received by Council decreased by 17% from the previous year.

Highlights of the year were the introduction of afterhours patrols during the summer months of popular dog walking areas. Animal Control Officers also attended the Christmas Parade, Esplanade Day and Dog Day Out.

A four-month trial was commenced in February 2018 to respond to roaming dogs afterhours. The increased level of service was made permanent following the conclusion of the trial.

3. NEXT STEPS

This report, if adopted, must be publicly advertised and a copy forwarded to The Secretary for Local Government within one month of it being adopted.

4. Compliance and administration

Does the Committee have delegated authority to decide? If Yes quote relevant clause(s) from Delegations Manual <Enter clause>	No
Are the decisions significant?	No
If they are significant do they affect land or a body of water?	No
Can this decision only be made through a 10 Year Plan?	No
Does this decision require consultation through the Special Consultative procedure?	No
Is there funding in the current Annual Plan for these actions?	Yes
Are the recommendations inconsistent with any of Council’s policies or plans?	No

The recommendations contribute to Goal 3: A connected and safe community

The recommendations contribute to the outcomes of the Connected Community Strategy

The recommendations contribute to the achievement of action/actions in the Safe Community Plan

The action is:

· Achieve compliance with relevant legislation, bylaws, and policies through provision of information, education and enforcement (animal control, building compliance, bylaws, health compliance, liquor licensing, noise control, planning compliance).

Contribution to strategic direction

Section 10A of the Dog Control Act 1996 requires Council to report on its dog control policy and practices to the Secretary for Local Government for each financial year. The Council must give public notice of the report and submit it to the Secretary for Local Government within 1 month after adopting the report.

Attachments

Annual PNCC Dog Control Act Report 2018 ⇩

PALMERSTON NORTH CITY COUNCIL

Memorandum

TO: Planning and Strategy Committee

MEETING DATE: 3 September 2018

TITLE: Pedestrian Needs Assessment

DATE: 9 August 2018

PRESENTED BY: Jon Schwass, Roading Manager, Infrastructure

APPROVED BY: Ray McIndoe, Acting Chief Infrastructure Officer

RECOMMENDATION(S) TO Council

1. That Council receives this memorandum dated 9 August 2018 and titled “Pedestrian Needs Assessment” and the attached report and notes the progress and actions regarding pedestrian safety and crossing facilities identified in the report.

1. Issue

1.1 The Committee requested a Pedestrian Needs Assessment be completed given concern and monitoring of pedestrian safety since initial concerns were expressed regarding the safety of the hospital zebra crossing on Ruahine Street (October 2014).

Excerpt i) Resolution of Council – Planning & Policy (21 November 2016)

76-16 Pedestrian Crossing Review

2. That a needs assessment and report on options to improve pedestrian safety be reported to the Committee in October 2017.

1.2 Officers have been reporting on pedestrian safety quarterly since March 2016. Inherent within this reporting was discussion of opportunities to improve pedestrian safety. The Committee however expressed an interest in having a specific assessment completed thus an engineering consulting firm (Beca) was engaged to investigate and provide a ‘Pedestrian Needs Analysis’ for Palmerston North City. The assessment has been completed and is attached to this report for reference. The scope of the needs assessment was defined to have a focus on engineering matters and analysis of crash data with additional discussion around softer elements relating to pedestrian safety and actions that encourage walking.

Crash Analysis

1.3 The analysis of crash data (2008 - 2018^{^[1]}), from the NZTA’s crash analysis system which documents crashes reported by the Police, found the following.

1.3.1 Palmerston North City has crash rates and distribution similar to that of comparable local authorities and national figures.

Table 1: Pedestrian Crashes / Capita (2008 – 2018)

Location	Population	Total Crashes 2008-2018	Crashes / 10,000 people	Fatal + Serious	Fatal + Serious / 10,000 people
New Zealand	4,793,700	9,586	20	2,866	6.0
Palmerston North	87,300	219	25	46	5.3
Nelson	51,400	129	25	47	9.1
Napier	62,000	111	18	31	5.0
Invercargill	54,800	135	25	40	7.3

1.3.2 There is no readily identifiable trend to injury crashes over the last ten years, given the moderate number and natural variation that can be expected. Injury crash numbers are typically between 15 and 25 per year except for 2008 and 2009 which appear to have had fewer crashes. No pedestrian crashes have been recorded so far in 2018.

1.3.3 Most crashes occur where there are no specific pedestrian facilities.

1.3.4 Traffic signals (63), raised islands (43) and driveways (37) have the largest numbers of crashes. Pedestrian crossings (20) and roundabouts (13) have lower crash numbers. Patrolled pedestrian crossings have had no recorded injury crashes in the crash analysis period (2008-2018).

1.3.5 A significant number of crashes occur in the CBD where pedestrian activity is high.

1.3.6 The most commonly recorded factors in pedestrian crashes have been relating to inattention and mistakes of both pedestrians and drivers.

Recommended Priorities

1.4 The crash patterns and numbers are similar to national and comparable local authority figures, however increasing pedestrian safety is important for wellbeing and for contributing to Council’s goal of having “the most active community in New Zealand”.

1.5 Inevitably there is variability in where and why crashes occur thus, whilst there are areas which can be prioritised, a holistic approach is needed. This is consistent with a ‘Safe System’^{^[2]} approach which recognises that people make mistakes and that people are vulnerable in a crash. A Safe System approach also recognises that all need to take responsibility in improving safety and that all aspects of road safety need to be strengthened.

1.6 The ‘Needs Analysis’ therefore recommended:

1.6.1 A holistic approach to safety is continuing to be developed. The needs analysis provides a useful basis for discussion which can continue to be developed / revised as work is undertaken and knowledge develops.

1.6.2 A culture of safety is fostered which includes, for example, holistic approach to design where all users and their safety are inherent in design. Another example would be the development of a culture where maintenance contractors recognise the significance of their part in ensuring road facilities are up to standard, proactively address issues and proactively contribute to improved safety.

1.6.3 Crash reduction studies, audits and / or facility reviews are conducted.

1.6.4 Attention is given to reviewing pedestrian safety and opportunities in routes and / or areas of higher crash numbers. These are often areas with high traffic volumes and pedestrian use. These areas include The Square, and Featherston Street.

1.6.5 Attention is given to reviewing pedestrian safety and opportunities on routes and / or areas that present challenges for pedestrians such as four lane roads.

1.6.6 Work to improve pedestrian safety at traffic signals continue. Crashes that occur at ‘raised islands’ are reviewed in detail within the crash analysis system to see if any insights into crash causes and safety improvement opportunities can be identified.

1.6.7 Council continue to take a lead role in providing strategic direction including high quality urban design and liveable infrastructure.

1.6.8 Council take an active role in encouraging its partners to be involved in pedestrian safety and travel behaviour change.

2. NEXT STEPS

2.1 Much of the investigation and improvements to infrastructure are presently being accommodated from within existing operating budgets, renewal and capital work programmes, particularly Programme 279 City-wide Minor Works Programme.

2.2 Council’s Strategic Transport Plan and Active and Public Transport Plan each contain an action plan that will further contribute to improvements to pedestrian routes.

3. Compliance and administration

Does the Committee have delegated authority to decide? If Yes quote relevant clause(s) from Delegations Manual <Enter clause>		No
Are the decisions significant?		No
If they are significant do they affect land or a body of water?		No
Can this decision only be made through a 10 Year Plan?		No
Does this decision require consultation through the Special Consultative procedure?		No
Is there funding in the current Annual Plan for these actions?		Yes
Are the recommendations inconsistent with any of Council’s policies or plans?		No
The recommendations contribute to Goal 3: A connected and safe community
The recommendations contribute to the outcomes of the Creative and Liveable Strategy
The recommendations contribute to the achievement of action/actions in the Active and Public Transport Plan The action is: Upgrade on a prioritised basis pedestrian routes, connections and road crossings.
Contribution to strategic direction	Adoption of a safe system approach ensures that problems on pedestrian routes are identified and improvement works are programmed.

Attachments

Beca Palmerston North Pedestrian Needs Assessment July 2018 ⇩

[1] 2018 is an incomplete year with approximately one third of crashes reported to date.

[2] https://www.nzta.govt.nz/assets/resources/safe-system/docs/safe-system.pdf

Duncan McCann (Chairperson)
Aleisha Rutherford (Deputy Chairperson)
Grant Smith (The Mayor)
Brent Barrett	Lorna Johnson
Susan Baty	Karen Naylor
Rachel Bowen	Bruno Petrenas
Jim Jefferies	Tangi Utikere