DEEP SEA OIL PROSPECTING AND DRILLING AND COMMUNITY VIEWS ON MINING MINERALS, OIL, GAS AND AGGREGATES

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1 MEETING: COUNCIL - 23 MARCH 2016 Name of item: Author: Date of report: 14 March 2016 Document number: Executive Summary Item: 6.2 PETITION DEEP SEA OIL PROSPECTING AND DRILLING AND COMMUNITY VIEWS ON MINING MINERALS, OIL, GAS AND AGGREGATES Kathryn Ross - General Manager Strategic Planning and Policy A The purpose of the report is to record the Strategy and Governance Committee s consideration of two reports pertaining to aspects of mining at its 09 March 2016 committee meeting and recommend next steps to Council. The reports are attached. The first report (tabled document number A ) pertains to a petition requesting Council oppose Deep Sea Oil Prospecting and Drilling. The second report (document number A ) pertains to Council s request that staff devise a community engagement programme to better understand broader community views on land-based and off-shore exploration and extraction of minerals, which could cover the full range of extraction from oil and gas to aggregates. At the Committee meeting both papers and all options contained in them were considered. Recommendation THAT community consultation on the issue of mining already underway as part of the District Plan review be noted; AND THAT staff analyse the matters raised in the petition; AND THAT staff report back to the Strategy and Governance Committee the results of the community consultation on the District Plan and the analysis of the petition; AND THAT the petitioners be asked to present to a subsequent meeting of the Strategy and Governance Committee at an appropriate time. 1) Discussion and options The discussion and options are contained in the original reports. In summary, the options before Council are to: develop a standalone position on deep sea oil prospecting and drilling based on the petition information (with or without staff analysis) not develop a standalone position on deep sea oil prospecting and drilling based on the petition information (with or without staff analysis) engage with the communities in the district to gather their views on deep sea oil prospecting and drilling and determine whether a position on the issue is desirable; and if it is desirable, use community feedback to determine what that position should be engage generally with communities on mining and extraction including deep sea oil prospecting and drilling and determine whether a position on mining and extraction (general or specific) is desirable. Document number A Page 1 of 3

2 This last option is further nuanced in the second report (and was the subject of discussion in the Committee meeting). Concerns raised included the potential conflict between Council s regulatory role under the Resource Management Act and a wider position statement. The Committee concluded that without a full staff analysis of the matters raised in the petition the Committee (and therefore the Council) was not in a position to make a recommendation / decision on the position Council should take on the issue of offshore drilling and exploration. Also, the Committee considered it was important to hear from the wider district before determining a position. The District Plan review community consultation and engagement process is currently underway. Public feedback is being sought on mining as part of the review of the plan. It is anticipated that issues such as off-shore drilling and exploration will be raised, despite Council not regulating this activity. The Committee concluded that the current district plan conversation is a good first step to understanding the level of interest and community views on mining. In addition, the Our Voices-Our Vision project encompasses the matters raised in the petition. The project and consultation plans for developing the Far North Sustainability Strategy can build in the information gained in the current District Plan review and the analysis of the matters contained in the petition. Integration into these existing processes is cost effective (a standalone consultation process was not thought to be cost effective). 2) Financial implications and budgetary provision Both the District Plan review and the Our Voices-Our Vision project are budgeted for in the Long Term Plan. If the recommendations in this report are accepted, there will be no unbudgeted expenditure. The financial implications of the staff recommendations in the original reports are attached. 3) Reason for the recommendation Staff analysis was not available to the committee at its March meeting. The committee concluded that the current district plan conversation is a good first step to understanding the level of interest and views on mining and deep sea exploration and drilling within the wider community. There was also an opportunity to engage with the community on the issue as part of Our Voices-Our Vision and that existing projects and community engagement processes should be used rather than establishing a stand alone project. Manager: Kathryn Ross - General Manager Strategic Planning and Policy Group Attachment 1: Petition - Deep Sea Oil Prospecting and Drilling Report - Document number A Attachment 2: Options to Better Understand Community Views on Land-Based and Off-Shore Exploration and Extraction of Minerals, Oil, Gas and Aggregates Report - Document number A Document number A Page 2 of 3

3 Compliance schedule: Full consideration has been given to the provisions of the Local Government Act 2002 S77 in relation to decision making, in particular: 1. A Local authority must, in the course of the decision-making process, a) Seek to identify all reasonably practicable options for the achievement of the objective of a decision; and b) Assess the options in terms of their advantages and disadvantages; and c) If any of the options identified under paragraph (a) involves a significant decision in relation to land or a body of water, take into account the relationship of Maori and their culture and traditions with their ancestral land, water sites, waahi tapu, valued flora and fauna and other taonga 2. This section is subject to Section 79 - Compliance with procedures in relation to decisions. Relationship with existing policies and Community outcomes. Possible implications for the relationship of Māori and their culture and traditions with their ancestral land, water, site, waahi tapu, valued flora and fauna, and other taonga. Views or preferences of persons likely to be affected by, or to have an interest in the matter, including persons with disabilities, children and older persons. Does the issue, proposal, decision or other matter have a high degree of significance or engagement as determined under the Council's Policy #2124? If the matter has a Community rather than a District wide relevance has the Community Board's views been sought? Financial Implications and Budgetary Provision. Chief Financial Officer review. A position paper on land based mineral, oil, and gas extraction was developed on October 2014 Māori have strong views on protecting the land and environment. These views are being sought as part of the District Plan review process and will also be sought as part of the next stages of the Our Voices-Our Vision project. No specific consultation on deep sea oil exploration and drilling have been sought prior to the Council s consideration of this report. Submissions on deep sea oil exploration, drilling and forms of mining have been received as part of the LTP consultation. A petition has also been received and it requests Council develop a position in opposition to deep sea oil exploration and drilling. Low. District wide relevance No implications beyond those contained in the original reports. The Chief Financial Officer has not reviewed this report. Document number A Page 3 of 3

4 MEETING: Name of item: Author: Date of report: 08 March 2016 Document number: Executive Summary STRATEGY AND GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE 09 MARCH 2016 Tabled Item PETITION - DEEP SEA OIL PROSPECTING AND DRILLING Kathryn Ross - General Manager Strategic Planning and Policy A On 29 October 2015 a petition was received by Council requesting Council take a position in opposition to deep sea oil prospecting and drilling (the petition acknowledged Council did not have a role in regulating this activity). Council workshopped its response to the government s Reinga Basin Exploration Block offer consultation the same day the petition was received. Staff prepared and submitted on the consultation based on the direction from the workshop. The petition was referred to the Strategy and Governance Committee on 5 November Gail Aiken (the petition organiser) was given the opportunity to speak to the petition and the Committee requested staff to prepare a report for the March 2016 Strategy and Governance Committee meeting. On 19 November 2015, Council retrospectively endorsed the Block Offer 2016 Submission and requested staff to develop and report back to Council on a draft consultation and engagement programme to gauge community opinion on extractive industries to facilitate the development of a Council position statement on this matter. This request is the subject of the report to this (09 March 2016) Committee meeting - Item 3.2 Options to better understand community views on land-based and off-shore exploration and extraction of minerals, oil, gas and aggregates. Council officers should have provided an analysis of the petition for the 09 March 2016 Committee meeting. However, staff confused the request to respond directly to the petition on deep sea oil, with the instruction to provide options on how to consult communities and develop a position on the broader land-based and off-shore mining. This was a genuine error on behalf of staff. It is possible that this error could be misconstrued by the petitioners (and/or public) and therefore it is important that the error and responsibility for it is publically documented. The Committee can consider the petition without the analysis it requested, it can consider it in the context of the item on the agenda (Item 3.2 Options to better understand community views on land-based and off-shore exploration and extraction of minerals, oil, gas and aggregates) or it could defer both matters until a later meeting (i.e. let the matters lie on the table) or variants of these options. Recommendation THAT the Strategy and Governance Committee consider the petition and next steps as part of Item 3.2 Options to better understand community views on land-based and off-shore exploration and extraction of minerals, oil, gas and aggregates. Document number A Page 1 of 5

5 1) Background On 29 October 2015 a petition was presented to His Worship the Mayor, the Deputy Mayor, and the Chief Executive Officer (Acting) at the Te Ahu Centre in Kaitaia. This petition contained 634 signatures. To quote the summary of the petition: We are calling on FNDC to adopt a position of opposition to Deep Sea Oil prospecting and drilling. While we understand that FNDC didn t make the decision to issue permits for oil exploration we nevertheless ask that FNDC, as our representatives, help to ensure a future for generations still to come by making a clear statement of opposition. Also on 29 October 2015, a workshop was held to discuss the 2016 Northland- Reinga Basin Exploration Block offer. At this workshop staff were requested to provide options for consulting communities to develop an informed position on mining in general. On 05 November, Gail Aiken was given the opportunity to speak to her petition at the Strategy and Governance Committee. She raised concerns about the risk of oil spills, the effects on marine mammals, the impact of climate change, and the management models of oil companies which do not recognise that oil production is not economically sustainable. Due to the presentation being a late addition to the agenda, the Committee resolved the following: THAT the Petition regarding Oil Exploration be noted by the Strategy and Governance Committee as provided for in Section 46A(7A) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987; AND THAT the matter be referred to Council staff to prepare a report for consideration at the 10 March 2016 Strategy and Governance Committee meeting. On 05 November 2015 Council provided a submission on the 2016 Block Offer (note, the letter is dated 30 October as Council received an extension past the 30 October deadline to allow time for it to be finalised after the workshop). The submission provided information on the wider environmental concerns of our district and our district plan requirements should there be onshore activities associated with any exploration and future permits. It highlighted two areas of concern: 1. The need for the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment to provide further community information and undertake consultation 2. That a local share of income from offshore oil and gas profit should be allocated to districts adjacent to the blocks to strengthen directly impacted local infrastructure and/or for any other requirements not directly funded by Central Government or the block holder. The submission pointed out that Council has, like many other councils, received a petition against off-shore drilling and received submissions from some residents and ratepayers through other statutory process such as the Long Term Plan development against off-shore drilling and mining. The submission itself did not support or oppose the Block Offer. The petition and the presentation from Gail Aiken is confined to deep sea oil prospecting and drilling and does not address other forms of mining. The petitioners want Council to give serious consideration of the issues they raised and take a specific governance position on the issue on behalf of the communities of the Far North. Document number A Page 2 of 5

6 The petition covers concern about deep sea oil including the risk to wildlife of the surveying, concerns about risk to the marine and coastal environment and climate change. On the latter point the key tenant is that it is time to stop extracting oil and transition to a low carbon economy due to the climate change path the world is on and concerns that the climate risk is one that cannot be mitigated. The analysis of climate change and oil production are being considered as part of other work such as the Our Voices - Our Vision strategy and economic development activity. The Council has already committed to the Local Government Leaders Climate Change Declaration. The Council has informally indicated that it wishes to take a long term view on these important community issues with an opportunity for community consultation and engagement. 2) Discussion and options The petitioners want Council to make a clear statement on behalf of Far North communities. Council officers should have provided an analysis of the petition as requested by the Committee in time for the March 2016 meeting. Such analysis would normally come with advice to inform the Committee s consideration and recommendations to Council. However, staff confused the request to respond directly to the petition on deep sea oil, with the instruction to provide options on how to consult communities and develop a position on the broader land-based and off-shore mining. The fact that the analysis has not been prepared was notified to staff and there has not been sufficient time to rectify this situation by providing the analysis requested in a supplementary report to the Committee in time for the 09 March 2016 meeting. The report to this Committee meeting Options to better understand community views on land-based and off-shore exploration and extraction of minerals, oil, gas and aggregates recommends Council define the scope of consultation and that if it proceeds to consult that it undertakes a survey of a sample of residents to improve Council s understanding of resident views. In light of the above, the Committee has a number of options that are briefly outlined below. Option 1: Consider Deep Sea Oil as part of a Council approved consultation programme (to be determined as part of Report 3.2) Report 3.2 Options to better understand community views on land-based and offshore exploration and extraction of minerals, oil, gas and aggregates requests confirmation (ultimately from Council) on the scope of consultation and recommends undertaking a survey of a sample of residents to improve Council s understanding of resident views as an initial step to determining a position. If the recommended approach - to survey residents - is accepted then the outcome of the survey will inform next steps. If the Council resolves to engage / consult on off-shore oil exploration (by itself or as part of a wider spectrum of exploration and extraction activities) the issues raised by the petitioners (risk to wildlife of the surveying, concerns about risk to the marine and coastal environment and climate change) can be part of the information prepared and future engagement. If there is an identified need for a position statement, then further analysis of the issues raised by the petition to the development of the position statement can occur. Document number A Page 3 of 5

7 This option best fits with the Council s desire to make a long term decision in a strategic context with community participation and engagement. Option 2: Request that Council Officers analyse the issues raised in the petition and invite the petitioners back for further discussion at the next meeting (or earlier) Staff have not provided the analysis they should have for the committee to consider this petition. The Committee could request staff undertake that analysis and provide advice to the next scheduled meeting (or an earlier meeting if required). The Committee could delay its consideration of Report 3.2 also on the Committee agenda until such analysis occurs. This option does not fit with the Council s desire to make a long term decision in a strategic context with community participation and engagement as analysis would be confined to the matters raised by the petitioners. Given the delay in considering the petition the Committee could consider whether the petitioners should be invited to present again, or any other sections of the community. Option 3: Discuss matters raised in the current meeting The Committee could choose to discuss the petition and related issues in the current meeting, without any analysis or advice from staff and make a recommendation on a standalone position for Council on deep sea oil prospecting and drilling. This creates a risk in it may recommend a position that is not considered within the context of other work and positions and does not provide for other views to be considered. 3) Financial implications and budgetary provision There are no financial implications or need for budgetary provision. 4) Reason for the recommendation It is recommended that further work is required to assess the broader opinions of the District before Council makes position statements on contentions issues such as Deep Sea Oil Prospecting and Drilling. Manager: Kathryn Ross - General Manager Strategic Planning and Policy Group Attachment 1: Petition - Deep Sea Oil Prospecting and Drilling - Document number A The following attachment was presented to the 19 November 2015 Council meeting which is available on the Council s website at: archive/ council/ council-11.4-block-offer-2016-submissionand-development-of-a-position-statement.pdf Attachment 2: Item: 11.4: FNDC Petroleum Gas Block Offer Submission - Document number A Document number A Page 4 of 5

8 Compliance schedule: Full consideration has been given to the provisions of the Local Government Act 2002 S77 in relation to decision making, in particular: 1. A Local authority must, in the course of the decision-making process, a) Seek to identify all reasonably practicable options for the achievement of the objective of a decision; and b) Assess the options in terms of their advantages and disadvantages; and c) If any of the options identified under paragraph (a) involves a significant decision in relation to land or a body of water, take into account the relationship of Māori and their culture and traditions with their ancestral land, water sites, waahi tapu, valued flora and fauna and other taonga. 2. This section is subject to Section 79 - Compliance with procedures in relation to decisions. Relationship with existing policies and Community outcomes. Possible implications for the relationship of Māori and their culture and traditions with their ancestral land, water, site, waahi tapu, valued flora and fauna, and other taonga. Views or preferences of persons likely to be affected by, or to have an interest in the matter, including persons with disabilities, children and older persons. Does the issue, proposal, decision or other matter have a high degree of significance or engagement as determined under the Council's Policy #2124? If the matter has a Community rather than a District wide relevance has the Community Board's views been sought? Financial Implications and Budgetary Provision. Chief Financial Officer review A position paper on land based mineral, oil, and gas extraction was developed on October Māori have strong views on protecting the land and environment. This report considers the views of 634 petitioners. There are mixed views across the district to be considered. It could become controversial. The matter has District wide relevance. There are no financial implications or need for budgetary provision. The Chief Financial Officer has not reviewed this report. Document number A Page 5 of 5

9 MEETING: Name of item: Author: Date of report: 19 February 2016 Document number: Executive Summary STRATEGY AND GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE 09 MARCH 2016 Item: 3.2 OPTIONS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND COMMUNITY VIEWS ON LAND-BASED AND OFF-SHORE EXPLORATION AND EXTRACTION OF MINERALS, OIL, GAS AND AGGREGATES Joanne Field - Manager Strategic Planning and Projects A The purpose of the report is to propose a definition for mining and inform the Strategy and Governance Committee about options for community consultation to develop a position statement on mining. It suggests that prior to undertaking any engagement on the subject, Council undertake a random survey to gauge community opinion on mining. This would allow all opinions to be captured. The result would reflect the silent majority and would give Council a basis to determine what further engagement is required. Recommendation THAT the Strategy and Governance Committee makes the following recommendations to Council: THAT the definition Council uses for mining as contained in the District Plan be extended to include all land-based and sea-based extraction of minerals, oil, gas and aggregates; AND THAT Council endorse staff undertaking a random survey of community opinions on mining as an initial step in developing a Council position on mining. 1) Background On 30 October 2014 a position paper was adopted by Council on land based mineral, oil and gas extraction. This paper focused mainly on advocating for a local share of royalties from extraction. It acknowledges that further work should be done on the relationship between the position statement and off-shore extraction, any associated land based development and activity to support extraction, while retaining a position on local share. On 29 October 2015 a workshop was held to discuss the 2016 Northland-Reinga Basin Exploration Block offer. At this workshop it was agreed that staff would provide options for consulting communities to develop an informed position on mining in general. There are a number of factors influencing the demand for a broader position statement: Council has few mechanisms to influence decisions around mining. The only regulatory control is through the District Plan. There has been limited engagement with local government and Māori over off-shore mining, and often it feels cursory. Document number A Page 1 of 5

10 It would provide Council with an informed stance to comment on legislation and central government consultation on future Block Offers as well as licences. It would inform strategy development within Council. There are noted mixed views in the community. While Council hears from the groups with strong opinions, there is no clarity about what the majority of people think and the reasons for their opinions. Some individuals and communities don t understand Council s role and level of influence on issues such as off-shore exploration. As a result they feel like they aren t being heard or that Council is not going far enough on their behalf. During engagement, there is an opportunity to increase people s knowledge about mining, its risks and benefits, who has what role, and where and with whom they should engage. Some councils are taking on an advocacy role on behalf of their communities, e.g. Kaikoura District Council. The fit with Council s broader consideration about sustainability and the adopted District Vision - how will economic benefits be advanced while sustaining the environment; and for mining who benefits? New Zealand Petroleum & Minerals (a subsidiary of Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)) is the agency that leads and manages the Government s petroleum and minerals portfolio 1. Council has a relationship with MBIE through the Tai Tokerau Northland Growth Study and Tai Tokerau Northland Economic Action Plan, the Te Hiku Social Development Accord. MBIE is also a key player in the development of digital infrastructure, including the Ultra-Fast Broadband and Rural Broadband initiatives. The District Plan has a section on Minerals Zones (Section 8) which provides for mineral extraction activities. Traditionally these zones have been to acknowledge existing mines or quarries. Farm and forestry quarries used for internal roads are contained within the definition of normal rural practices. The District Plan review team are working with other stakeholders to identify and map sources of aggregate and minerals in the district and assess whether existing earthwork rules are appropriate. 2) Discussion and options Prior to undertaking any engagement on mining there needs to be an agreed scope developed for this work, and some background research undertaken. It is recommended that the definition we use for mining includes all land-based and seabased extraction of minerals, oil, gas and aggregates. This includes existing local businesses, and potential activities. Background research would be required to build a picture of the current situation, i.e. who currently holds extraction or exploration permits? Where does current product (such as aggregates) go and what is it used for? What is the situation with old quarries or mines? What opportunities have been identified from previous studies? What is the potential impact of various activities? This would be complemented by information on the current framework for management, Government policy etc. 1 Relevant legislation includes the Crown Mineral Act 1991 which relates to Mineral extraction on Crown land. The Environmental Protection Agency administers the Exclusive Economic zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Act 2012 and associated regulations which impact on offshore exploration and prospecting. Document number A Page 2 of 5

11 Through engagement with the community there are a number of issues that can be explored: Is offshore drilling supported? While we don t have a direct influence over this area, we can advocate for or against it. Is land-based extraction supported? Is it extraction of all minerals, oil, gas and aggregates? Should locally owned businesses and non-locally owned businesses be treated differently? What if there were ways to mitigate risk to the environment (and what level of precaution would be expected / risk could be tolerated)? Any new position would be complementary to the existing position paper as it would be a position on whether Council supports mining or not, and in what form. The existing position paper states that when mining is occurring within the Far North District benefits should flow to the district. What type of engagement? Preliminary Survey To determine whether the issue / concern over mining in the district is widespread or whether Council has only heard from the louder voices of people at each end of the (support or oppose) spectrum, Council could undertake a random survey of the district. This would ensure there is good representation from a broad cross-section of the community. It could be done quickly, and would provide robust results to support a position. It would give Council a representative voice from the silent majority. It would also give good information on community segmentation (who thinks what and why). To ensure people have an informed opinion, it is recommended that information about mining risks and benefits be provided to participants before they are surveyed. As indicated, these results could inform what next steps and consultation may be required in forming a position. Irrespective of what the next steps are for a position paper, the results would inform work on the Our Voices - Our Vision Far North Sustainability Strategy and the District Plan review. Part of OVOV - Far North Sustainability Strategy Work has begun on a Far North Sustainability Strategy to support the district vision (He Whenua Rangatira: a district of sustainable prosperity and wellbeing). A consultation plan will be developed for this work within the next two months. The consultation will seek to involve communities in conversations about our priorities for action to reach the vision. Mining can be included in these conversations along with other topics about our natural environment and would be one of many topics discussed, and so won t be singled as a single issue that on its own could raise the level of controversy. The Far North Sustainability Strategy is envisaged to include a framework for decision-making into the future, so a position statement may not be required. Stand-alone Council could undertake a full consultation process to gain community opinions to inform a Council position on the issue of mining. This option would require staff to develop and implement a consultation plan to engage communities about their opinions on mining. Consultation on a specific topic such as mining has a high degree of risk of controversy, may polarise communities and would need to be designed to engage comprehensively. Council would need to be clear what it would Document number A Page 3 of 5

12 use the community feedback for i.e. to develop a position and whether it would then re-consult on the position, and how this position would be implemented. This option could be complemented by the survey option, as a first step. It should be supported by information (as recommended under the survey option). BAU Undertake informal workshops and conversations as part of business as usual (BAU). The option proposes to seek opinions about mining within Council s usual stakeholder engagement, for example, it can be part of the District Plan consultation. It is not recommended that these conversations occur as part of the Annual Plan 2016/17 process as the lead in time for that consultation is short and Annual Plan consultations are now designed to be focused on the key changes from the LTP. As part of BAU Community Development Advisors could seek opinions from groups they engage with. If combined with the survey option, it could provide qualitative information to support the quantitative results of the survey. 3) Financial implications and budgetary provision Undertaking a random sample of community views, and developing an information pack to support an informed opinion is not currently budgeted for, however it is likely to be covered within unspent budget in the Strategic Policy area. Quotes from an external provider would be required. A posted invitation to an online survey, followed by a reminder with a paper questionnaire would hopefully yield about 15-20% response rate. For 3,000 invitations this would cost approximately $10,000-$15,000. A standalone consultation would be the most expensive option, and is not currently budgeted for. It is likely to be in the region of $50,000 if people are to be given multiple channels to be heard (and if the option to survey is also included). The development of the Sustainability Strategy is currently budgeted, as is the review of the District Plan and community planning. Integration into these processes is cost effective. 4) Reason for the recommendation Undertaking a random survey of people who live in the district would be a good first step to understanding the level of interest on mining in the wider community and would determine the level of feeling about the issue. The results could then inform further consultation if or as required. Manager: Kathryn Ross - General Manager Strategic Planning and Policy Group The following attachment was presented to the 30 October 2014 Council meeting which is available on the Council s website at: archive/ council-agenda/ council-11.5-position-paper-on- Mineral,-Oil-and-Gas-Extraction.pdf Attachment 1: Item: 3.5: Position Paper Mineral, Oil and Gas Extraction - Document number A Document number A Page 4 of 5

13 Compliance schedule: Full consideration has been given to the provisions of the Local Government Act 2002 S77 in relation to decision making, in particular: 1. A Local authority must, in the course of the decision-making process, a) Seek to identify all reasonably practicable options for the achievement of the objective of a decision; and b) Assess the options in terms of their advantages and disadvantages; and c) If any of the options identified under paragraph (a) involves a significant decision in relation to land or a body of water, take into account the relationship of Māori and their culture and traditions with their ancestral land, water sites, waahi tapu, valued flora and fauna and other taonga. 2. This section is subject to Section 79 - Compliance with procedures in relation to decisions. Relationship with existing policies and Community outcomes. Possible implications for the relationship of Māori and their culture and traditions with their ancestral land, water, site, waahi tapu, valued flora and fauna, and other taonga. Views or preferences of persons likely to be affected by, or to have an interest in the matter, including persons with disabilities, children and older persons. Does the issue, proposal, decision or other matter have a high degree of significance or engagement as determined under the Council's Policy #2124? If the matter has a Community rather than a District wide relevance has the Community Board's views been sought? Financial Implications and Budgetary Provision. Chief Financial Officer review A position paper on land based mineral, oil, and gas extraction was developed on October 2014 Māori have strong views on protecting the land and environment. A random survey should ensure appropriate initial engagement but can be augmented once next steps are agreed. No particular impact It could become controversial. District wide relevance If it is agreed a survey will be undertaken, budget will be required for the survey and developing the information pack to support it. This is likely to be covered by unspent funds in the strategic policy area (2811). The Chief Financial Officer has reviewed this report. Document number A Page 5 of 5