Title: Memorandum of Understanding between Auckland City Council and the Department of Conservation
Report to: Great Barrier Island Community Board
Author: Matthew Paterson
Date: 5 May 2004
Democracy services file: Group file:311/004105
Keywords: Memorandum of Understanding, Auckland City Council, Department of Conservation

1.0 Summary and conclusions
The attached Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been prepared as part of an initiative between the Department of Conservation (DoC) and Auckland City Council to foster closer working relationships between our two organisations.
The MOU is a commitment to keep each other informed of the projects we are working on; to look for opportunities to assist one another in the advancement of specific projects and land management issues; and to guide our working relationships. The MOU includes a list of issues of mutual concern that the two organisations want to work together on. This list (attached as Appendix A) is to be progressed by group managers and operational staff of both organisations and is to be updated annually at a meeting between our CEO and the Regional Conservator.
The purpose of this report is to make the Community Board aware of the MOU and provide an opportunity for the Community Board to review the current list of issues of mutual concern and suggest amendments if appropriate prior to the MOU being signed.

2.0 Recommendations
A. That the Board review the schedule of issues of mutual concern attached as Appendix
A to this report, and amend or confirm the current schedule.

3.0 Narrative
3.1 Background
In August 2003, Councillor Yates and staff from City Planning, Community Planning and Recreation and Community Services met with DoC staff to discuss issues of mutual concern and identify ways of working together to progress these issues. It was decided that a MOU should be developed with the objective of building a more positive and collaborative working relationship between our two organisations.

3.2 Issues
While the working relationship between DoC and the Council is reasonably good, both organisations recognise that we could be working more closely together to advance specific projects and land management issues that we both have responsibilities for. The MOU is a commitment to keep each other informed of the project we are undertaking, to ensure “no surprises” between the two organisations, and to look for opportunities to work together on issues of mutual concern. The MOU establishes a framework to guide our working relationship and also provides a list of current projects of mutual interest we wish to work together on. The current list of issues is attached as Appendix A.
The purpose of this report is to make the Community Board aware of the MOU and provide an opportunity for the Community Board to review and amend where appropriate the current list of issues of mutual concern prior to the MOU being signed.

3.3 Budget Implications
The list of issues of mutual concern currently shown in Appendix A are budgeted for in the 2004/05 annual budget. Should the Community Board wish to amend the schedule to include additional matters, resources and budget will have to be sought at the expense of other projects.
Name and title of signatories
Author Matthew Paterson: Planner
Reviewer Karen Bell: Manager Isthmus and Islands
Approver John Duthie: Manager City Planning

Appendix A
SCHEDULE
Current issues of mutual concern

Land Rationalisation
Great Barrier
Rakino Island

Marine Reserves
Strategic Approach
Eco-Tourism Opportunities

Visitor Facilities
Review of visitor infrastructure in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park that is within the ACC district
Explore opportunities for co-operation

Pest and Noxious Weeds Management
Complimentary operational initiatives
Quarantine issues
Building community support

Biodiversity
Funding to support community initiatives
Co-operation in considering techniques for the protection of biodiversity on private land eg. land covenants, conservation covenants

Rural Fire
Co-operation as a Rural Fire Authority

Dog Control
Co-operation in the management of the Dog Control Policy and the Controlled Dog Areas

Public Perception
Co-operation in interactions with the public

Bylaws
Complementary provisions

Management of Reserves
Process for approving works and activities on Crown reserves administered by the Council under the Reserves Act

Cemeteries
Great Barrier: the need for two cemeteries

Browns Island
Review of Agreement