Complete agenda for October 2009 Council Meeting (pdf, 1610KB)

Northland Regional Council - 21 October 2009 Page 25 Item 7INFORMATION TECHNOLOGYGIS information was made available online during September. This was highlysuccessful and Council received a high level of positive feedback as a result.In August, the purchase of a Storage Area Network (SAN) and back-up solution wasapproved. Work on the SAN project is continuing. The SAN arrived in early Octoberand HP are working on the implementation.STRATEGY AND PLANNINGONE PLAN FEASIBILITY REPORTCouncil staff have prepared a draft report entitled “Resource Management PlanningDocuments in Northland – An Analysis of Possible Future Options”. This reportevaluates a number of options for combined planning documents. The report hasbeen reviewed by Mr David Hill (consultant). A workshop with councillors was heldon 24 August 2009. A separate agenda item has been prepared which recommendsthat this report be received by the Council.Regional Policy Statement – 10 Year ReviewCouncil staff have commenced the statutory 10 year efficiency and effectivenessreview of the Regional Policy Statement (RPS). Initial meetings have been held withdistrict council staff and internal meetings are currently being held with NRC staff toupdate the 5 year efficiency and effectiveness. It is anticipated that a CouncillorWorkshop will be held in mid October to discuss the RPS review and drafting of the2 nd generation RPS.Regional Coastal Plan Change 1 (Moorings and Marinas), Regional CoastalPlan Change 2 (Marine 1 Review – Whangarei Harbour) and Regional CoastalPlan Change 3 (Mangrove Management)The Council is still awaiting final approval from the Minister of Conservation for thesethree plan changes. Once received, the next step will be for Council to make theseplan changes fully operative by way of a public notice.Regional Coastal Plan Change 4 (Aquaculture Management)The appeals process continues. The Court had written to the parties (18 August2009) advising that the Court appointed mediator was to determine progress by 4September 2009 and reconvene mediation if he thinks this is appropriate. There hasbeen no correspondence from the mediator to the appeal parties. The Court wascontacted on 1 October 2009 asking for an update on progress. No response hadbeen received at the time of writing.Plan Change 2 (Animal Effluent Discharges) to the Regional Water and SoilPlanAn initial meeting with the appellants was held on 4 September 2009 to explore thecommon ground where agreement may be reached and to identify areas whereEnvironment Court assisted mediation may be required. The outcome of thismeeting, and subsequent discussions, being that resolution on all points of appealshould be able to be negotiated without the need for Court assisted mediation. It isanticipated that the Plan Change 2 Subcommittee, comprising of Crs Brown, Hill andCarr, will be convened in mid October 2009 to present the amended wording andseek their approval to resolve the 2 appeal by consent order. It is anticipated that allpoints of appeal will be resolved by the end of November 2009.