Council moves to standardise contracts
A proposed review of the Auckland Council’s maintenance contracts across the city would see a reduction in the use of chemical weed sprays in parks.
Project 17 outlines the maintenance contracts for more than 5000 council sites across the region, which expire on June 30, 2017. The sites include parks, buildings and open spaces, and the project splits the city into five contract areas.
Auckland Council’s general manager of community facilities, Rod Sheridan, told the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board, which is part of contract area Tahi, that Project 17 is about having ‘‘smarter, better managed contracts and improving our services’’ and having ‘‘standardised contracts with flexibility’’.
He said the proposal, which has been in discussions since September 2016, will streamline and standardise service and maintenance around the city.
‘‘The contract areas were put together to be small enough to make sure that we actually get the local requirements into the contracts,’’ Sheridan said.
The three core contracts outlined in the proposal are for: a full facilities contract, including open spaces and building maintenance, and; two specialised contracts for arboriculture, including pruning, tree removal and planting, and ecological work, including removal of pests to restore native biodiversity.
The proposal outlines weed management focused on reducing the use of chemicals. Manual and mechanical weed controls are currently used in and around children’s playgrounds, and that won’t change, but mechanical edging would also be used along paving and other hard edges under the new contracts. The report said the reduction in the use of agrichemicals would be closely monitored.
Site-specific exceptions to the rule will be discussed with local boards in April and May and Sheridan said local boards will have the opportunity to vary service levels.
The recommended contracts for five areas across the region will be presented to the Finance and Performance Committee on March 30 for approval.
Project 17 is separate to the review of services provided by the council and council-controlled organisations which will take place over the next three years, under section 17A of the Local Government Act.