The Auditor Generals standard AG-4 has focused attention on the systems and controls around Council’s performance reporting. Issues identified regarding the current indicators, methods of measurement and their relevance to the customer experience are addressed as they are raised. 2.4.1 National Benchmarking In 2013 Non-Financial Performance Measures were issued by the Secretary for Local Government in accordance with S.261B of the Local Government Act 2002. The rules came into force in 30 July 2014. Sub-part 3 of the rules prescribe eight performance measurements for stormwater drainage to be adopted by all local authorities throughout New Zealand. The new measures have the same intent as the existing performance indicators measuring the number of properties flooded during storm events; the quality of stormwater discharges, the response time to flooding events and the number of customer complaints. The new benchmark measures are attached in Appendix 3 – Non-Financial Performance Measures. 2.4.2 The Murphys Creek Case Study The Blenheim Stormwater Strategy has sought community involvement and acceptance throughout its development and the early stages of implementation. The involvement of residents and stakeholders to the proposed developments affecting Murphys Creek in north Blenheim has provided an interesting recent example of this evolving process. Murphys Creek is a spring fed creek that drains through a northern suburb of Blenheim and into the Taylor River just north of the town centre. The spring water is supplemented along the water course by drainage from the adjacent land through private drains and Council’s stormwater pipes. The surface water flows have increased over the years as there has been housing infill and a decrease in permeable surfaces for rainwater soakage. Flow conditions in the creek are also heavily influenced by weed control in the watercourse. Murphys Creek has a high amenity value to local residents and particularly property owners adjacent to the water course. The spring fed creek is generally considered to be high quality water and is valued for is its aesthetic and ecological value. Whilst this would appear to be self- evident there is little supportive long term data as to the chemical and biological quality of the stream. The Blenheim Stormwater Strategy identified the Murphys Creek catchment for inclusion in Springlands Stormwater Management Area. However, recent urban development and re-zoning of land in the head waters of the catchment has promoted the priority of this area. A resource consent was given to permit the stormwater from a large retail park to be discharged into upper Murphys Creek. The pipe was installed in 2012 with additional capacity to allow for future urban development on the north-west periphery. The potential consequences of the additional flow from a large commercial site provoked considerable concern amongst the downstream stakeholders. The Murphys Creek stakeholders have been well organised in their opposition to the upstream developments. Their concerns centre around an increased risk of flooding due to the additional flows and the potential damage to water quality and the eco-system from the stormwater collected from a commercial/urban area. Council have responded by helping to facilitate the investigation of their concerns. Detailed hydraulic modelling of the relationship between the flows in the creek and Taylor River has been undertaken. Flood levels along the course of the creek have been projected from the mathematical models for a range of different storm scenarios. A permanent water quality monitoring station has been established at a point on the creek. The data is supplemented by routine manual sampling. An analysis of ‘first flush’ rainwater run-off has also been undertaken to check the effects of surface water draining to the creek after a prolonged dry spell. The data is being made available to an independent consultant to analyse and report on. Page 17