infrastructure, energy, wasre~, substafjces~ and ... · infrastructure, energy, waste*, hazardous...

3.4

3.4.1

~one plan

o ~21~3\

Infrastructure, Energy, Wasre~, Hazardous SubstafJces~ and Contaminated Land I(i) wlJakaiti i te rahi 0 te para ka pula mai huri noa i te Rohe, kia hua ai hoki

ka tika te whakawalea

(ii) whakahaere I nga panga kino na te whakamahl, te pUlu, te whakawatea,me te kawe I nga maID morearea, me te

(iii) wlJakahaere i nga panga kino no Ie whenua tahawahawa.

Policies

Infrastructure" and other Physical Resources of Regional or NationalImportance

Policy 3·1: Benefits of infrastructure" and other physical resourcesof regional or national importance

(a) The Regional Council and Terrilorial Authorities' must recognise thefollowing infraslOlclure' as being physical resources of regional or nationalimportance:

(i) facilities for the generation of more than 1 MW of electricity and itssupporting infraslOlclure' where the electricity generated issupplied to the electricity distribution and transmission networks

(ia) the National Grid and electricity distribution and transmissionnetworks defined as the system of transmission lines, subtransmission and distribution feeders (6.6kV and above) and allassociated substations and other works to convey electricity

(ib) pipelines and gas facilities used for the transmission anddistribution of natural and manufactured gas

(iii) the road' and rail networks as mapped in the Regional LandTransport Strategy

(iv) the Palmerston North and Wanganui airports'(v) the RNZAF airport' at Ohakea

(vi) telecommunications and radiocommunications facilities

(vii) public or community sewage treatment plants and associatedreticulation and disposal systems

(viii) public water supply' intakes, treatment plants and distributionsystems

(ix) public or community drainage systems, including stormwatersystems

(x) the Port of Wanganui.

(aa) The Regional Council and Territorial Aulhorlties' must recognise thefollowing facilities and assets as being physical resources of regional ornational importance:

(i) solid waste' facilities including landfills', transfer stations andresource recovery facilities that deal with municipal wasle'

(ii) 6xistinll flood protection schemes(iii) New Zealand Defence Force facilities.

(b) The Regional Council and Terrilorlal Aulhorities' must, in relation to theestablishment, operation', maintenance', or upgrading' of Infraslnlclure'and other physical resources of regional or national importance, listed in(a) and (aa), have regard to the benefits derived from those activities.

(c) The Regional Council and Territorial AUlhorities' must achieve as muchconsistency across local aulhorily' boundaries as is reasonably possible

Proposed One Plan as Amended by Environment Court Decisions (July 2013)

Infrastructure, Energy, Waste*, Hazardous Substances* and Contaminated Land

with respect to policy and plan provisions and decision-making for existingand future infrastructure'.

Policy 3-2: Adverse effects" of other activities on infrastructure"and other physical resources of regional or nationalimportance

The Regional Council and Territorial Authorities' must ensure that adverseeffects' on infrastructure' and other physical resources of regional or nationalimportance from other activities are avoided as far as reasonably practicable,including by using the following mechanisms:

(a) ensuring that current infrastructure', infrastructure' corridors and otherphysical resources of regional or national importance, are identified andhad regard to in all resource management decision-making, and anydevelopment that would adversely affect the operation', maintenance' orupgrading' of those activities is avoided as far as reasonably practicable,

(b) ensuring that any new activities that would adversely affect the operation',maintenance' or upgrading' of infrastructure' and other physicalresources of regional or national importance are not located near existingsuch resources or such resources allowed by unimplemented resourceconsents' or other RMA authorisations,

(ba) ensuring that there is no change to existing activities that increases theirincompatibility with existing infrastructure' and other physical resources ofregional or national importance, or such resources allowed byunimplemented resource consents' or other RMA authorisations,

(c) notifying the owners or managers of infrastructure' and other physicalresources of regional or national importance of consent applications thatmay adversely affect the resources that they own or manage,

(d) ensuring safe separation distances are maintained when establishingrules' and considering applications for buildings, structures' and otheractivities near overhead electric lines and conductors eg., giving effect tothe New Zealand Code of Practice for Electrical Safe Distances (NZECP34:2001), prepared under the Electricity Act 1992, and the Electricity(Hazards from Trees) Regulations 2003 prepared under the Electricity Act1992,

(da) ensuring safe separation distances are maintained when establishingrules' and considering applications for buildings, structures' and otheractivities near transmission gas pipelines eg., giving effect to theOperating Code Standard for Pipelines - Gas and Liquid Petroleum(NZS/AS 2885) and the Gas Distribution Networks (NZS 5258:2003), thelatter promulgated under the Gas Act 1992,

(e) ensuring that any planting does not interfere with existing infrastructure',eg., giving effect to the Electricity (Hazards from Trees) Regulations 2003promulgated under the Electricity Act 1992 and Section 6.4.4 ExternalInterference Prevention of the Operating Code Standard for Pipelines Gas and Liquid Petroleum (NZS/AS 2885), and

(I) ensuring effective integration of transport and land' use planning andprotecting the function of the strategic road' and rail network as mappedIn the Regional Land Transport Strategy.

3·6 Proposed One Plan as Amended by Environment Court Decisions (July 2013) ~one plan

3.4.2

Infrastructure. Energy. Waste'. Hazardous Substances' and Contaminated Land IPolicy 3-3: Adverse effectsA of infrastructureA and other physical

resources of regional or national importance on theenvironment

In managing any adverse environmental effects' arising from the establishment,operation', maintenance' and upgrading' of infrastnlc/ure' or other physicalresources of regional or national importance, the Regional Council and TerritorialAu/hotities' must:

(a) recognise and provide for the operation', maintenance' and upgrading' ofall such activities once they have been established,

(b) allow minor adverse effects' arising from the establishment of newinfrastntc/ure' and physical resources of regional or national importance,and

(c) avoid, remedy or mitigate more than minor adverse effectsA arising fromthe establishment of new infrastntcture' and other physical resources ofregional or national importance, taking into account:

(i) the need for the infrastnlcture' or other physical resources ofregional or national importance,

(ii) any functional, operational or technical constraints that requireinfrastntcture' or other physical resources of regional or nationalimportance to be located or designed in the manner proposed,

(iii) whether there are any reasonably practicable alternative locationsor designs, and

(iv) whether any more than minor adverse effects' that cannot beadequately avoided, remedied or mitigated by services or workscan be appropriately offset, including through the use of financialcontributions.

Policy 3-3A: The strategic integration of infrastructureA with landA

use

Territorial Au/horities' must proactively develop and implement appropriate land'use strategies to manage urban growth, and they should align their infrastntcture'asset management planning with those strategies, to ensure the efficient andeffective provision of associated infrastntcture'.

Policy 3-38: Urban growth and rural residential subdivision onversatile soils

In providing for urban growth (including implementing Policy 3-3A), and controllingrural residential subdivision ("lifestyle blocks"), Territorial Authorities' must payparticular attention to the benefits of the retention of Class I and II versatile soilsfor use as production land' in their assessment of how best to achieve sustainablemanagement.

Energy

Policy 3-4: Renewable energyA

(a) The Regional Council and Territorial Authorities' must have particularregard to:

(i) the benefits of the use and development of renewable energy'resources including:

(A) contributing to reduction in greenhouse gases,

(B) reduced dependency on imported energy sources,

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Proposed One Plan as Amended by Environment Court Decisions (July 2013) 3-7

waste' policy

3.4.3

Infrastructure, Energy, Waste~, Hazardous Substances~ and Contaminated Land

(C) reduced exposure to fossil fuel price volatility, and

(D) security of supply for current and future generations,

(ii) the Region's potential for the use and development of renewableenergy' resources, and

(iii) the need for renewable energy' activities to locate where therenewable energy' resource is located."

(b) The Regional Council and Territorial Authorities' must generally notrestrict the use of small domestic-scale renewable energy' production forindividual domestic use.

Policy 3-5: Energy efficiencY"

(a) The Regional Council and Territorial Aulhorities' must have particularregard to the efficient end use of energy in consent decision-makingprocesses for large users of energy.

(b) Terrilorial Authorily' decisions and controls on subdivision and housing,including layout of the site' and layout of the lots in relation to otherhouseslsubdivisions, must encourage energy-efficient house design andaccess to solar energy.

(c) Terrilorial Authorily' decisions and controls on subdivision and tand' usemust ensure that sustainable transport options such as pUblic transport,walking and cycling can be integrated into land' use development.

Waste'

Policy 3-6: Waste' policy hierarchy

Wastes', including solid, liquid, gas and slUdge waste', must be managed inaccordance with the following hierarchy:

(a) reducing the amount of waste' produced

(b) reusing waste'

(c) recycling waste'

(d) recovering resources from waste'

(e) appropriately disposing of residual wastes'.

Policy 3-7: Consent information requirementshierarchy and hazardous SUbstances'

Where a proposal has the potential to give rise to signiticant adverse effects' onthe receiving environment" an assessment must be required, as part of theconsent intormation requirements for all discharges' to air, land" water' and thecoastal marine area" of:

(a) reduction, reuse, recycle and recovery options tor the discharge' inaccordance with Policy 3-6, and

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3.4.4

......Infrastructure, Energy, Waste", Hazardous Substances" and Contaminated Land m

(b) any hazardous substances' that may be present in the discharge', andalternatives to those hazardous substances'.

Policy 3-8: Cleanfills', compost/ng' and other waste' reductionactivities

Waste' reduction activities will be encouraged, in particular by generally allowingc1eanfills' and composting' activities.

Policy 3-9: Landfil/* management

Landfills' must generally be designed, constructed, managed, operated,remediated and monitored in line with appropriate guidelines and nationalenvironmental standards'. Taking into account the applicability of theseguidelines and standards in relation to the type and scale of activity proposed, thefollowing guidelines may be considered appropriate:

(a) Centre for Advanced Engineering, Landfill Guidelines, April 2000

(b) Ministry for the Environment, Module 1: Hazardous Waste Guidelines Identification and Record Keeping, June 2002, ME637

(c) Ministry for the Environment, Module 2: Hazardous Waste Guidelines.Landfill Waste Acceptance Criteria and Landfill Classification, May 2004,ME510

(d) Ministry for the Environment, A Guide to the Management of Cleanfills,January 2002, ME418

(da) Ministry for the Environment, A Guide to the Management of Closing andClosed Landfills in New Zealand, May 2001, ME390

(db) Ministry for the Environment, Guide to Landfill Conditions, May 2001,ME389

(e) Ministry for the Environment, Good Practice Guide for Assessing andManaging the Environmental Effects of Dust Emissions, September 2001

(I) Landfill gas collection and destruction or reuse in accordance with theResource Management (National Environmental Standards Relating toCertain Air Pollutants, Dioxins and Other Toxics) Regulations 2004.

Hazardous Substances'

Policy 3-10: Responsibilities for the management of hazardoussubstances'

In accordance with s62(1)(i) RMA, local authority' responsibilities for themanagement of hazardous substances' in the Region are as follows:

(a) The Regional Council must be responsible for developing objectives,policies and methods to control the use of land' for the purpose ofpreventing or mitigating the adverse effects' of the disposal of hazardoussubstances'

(b) Territorial Authorities' must be responsible for developing objectives,policies and methods to control the use of land' for the purpose ofpreventing or mitigating the adverse effects' of the storage, use ortransportation of hazardous substances'.

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3.4.5

3.5

c:' U" ., 1 ~. ~ r, ) (~_ F ,) V)

Infrastructure, Energy, Waste*, Hazardous Substances· and Contaminated Land

Policy 3-11: Regulation of hazardous substances'

The Regional Council must not grant resource consents' for discharges' thatcontain or result in the production of enVironmentally persistent hazardouschemicals or hazardous chemicals that will bioaccumulate to a level that has acuteor chronic toxic effects' on humans or other non-target species.

Contaminated LandA

Policy 3-12: Identification of priority contaminated landA

The Regional Council and Territorial Authorities' shall jointly identify prioritycontaminated land'.

Priority contaminated tand' is land' that:

(a) is listed on a register of verified contaminated land' held by the RegionalCouncil or a Territoriat Authority', or

(b) would have been the site* of an activity identified on the HazardousActivities and Industries List (Ministry for the Environment, 2004a),including horticulture and sheep dips, and site* investigations have verifiedthat the land' is contaminated, and

(c) is expected to be subject to a change of land' use within the next 10 yearsthat is likely to increase the risks to human health or the environment"including where land' is identified for future residential zoning or where aspecific development is proposed.

Policy 3-13: Management of priority contaminated landA

Where land' use changes are likely to increase the risks to human health or theenvironment' from priority contaminated land' (as identified under Policy 3-12) theRegional Council and Territorial Authorities' must ensure that:

(a) the landowner or land' developer fully investigates the extent and degreeof contamination prior to the granting of consent allowing development(assistance with investigations may be provided by the Regional Council insome cases),

(b) land' is made suitable for its intended use through an appropriate level ofremediation or management (including engineering) controls, and

(c) land' remains suitable for its intended use through appropriate monitoringof residual confaminant' levels and associated risks and through the useof management controls on the activities undertaken on the land'.

Methods

Many of the policies in this chapter will be implemented by Territorial Authorities indistrict plans and in decisions on resource consents and designations. Thepolicies in this chapter will also be implemented by methods in other chapters inthis Plan.

Managing the environmental impacts of waste*, hazardous substances* andcontaminated sites* is a mix of regulatory and non-regulatory approaches. Part IIof this Plan contains regional rules relating to the waste* activities described in thischapter. The key non-regulatory methods the Regional Council will pursue areoutlined below.

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......Infrastructure, Energy, Waste*, Hazardous Substances* and Contaminated Land B

Method 3·1 I Regional Territorial Authority Waste Forum

Description The aim of this method is fo work with the Territoriat Authorities to achievea regionally consistent approach to waste' and to progress Region-widewaste' issues and implement agreed initiatives, including:• hazardous waste' disposal facililies

• recycling facilities

• resource recovery network waste' exchange• public informalion

• waste' educalion in schools• consistent waste' data colleclion and reporting• development of Region-wide waste' reduction targets in line with the

New Zealand Waste Strategy 2002

• c/eanfiJr management and monitoring• waste' minimisation and cleaner production in business/lrade seclors

• economic instruments including incenlives for waste' reduction.

Who Regional Council and Territorial Aulhorities.

Links to Policy This method implements Policies 3-6 to 3-10.

Targets • Continue Regional Territorial Authorily Waste Forum

• Implement iniliatives• Report to central Government on New Zealand Waste Strategy targels

on atwo-yearty basis.

Method 3·2 I Public Infonnation • Waste'

Description Easily accessible information will be developed and provided to increasepublic awareness on waste' issues generic to the Region, including:

• c/eanfilr management and guidelines

• w8ste* minimisation

• availability of waste' disposal and recovery facilities (including forcampeIVans)

• fly tipping

• hazardous substances*

• burning of waste'• offal pits and farm dumps

• septic tank discharges

• composting'.

Who Regional Council and Territorial Authorities.

Links to Policy This method implements Policies 3-6 to 3-11.

Target Information provided via websile and available in paper form by 2008.

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I)

3.6

Infrastructure, Energy. Waste', Hazardous Substances' and Contaminated Land

Method 3-3 I Contaminated Land - Information System

Description The Regional Council will seek to work vilh Territorial Authorilies todevelop and implement a regionally consistent recording and categorysystem and aprocedure for the consistent handling of information forregistered contaminated land. Appropriate information will be supplied onland information memoranda (LIM).

A regional register of contaminated land "ill be maintained and updated.

Who Regional Council, Territorial Authorities and Ministry for the Environment.

Links to Policy This method implements Policies 3-12 and 3-13.

Targets • Regionally consistent recording and category system implemented byall Terrilorial Authorities by 2010.

• Regional selected land use register linking to appropriate informationheld by Territorial Authorities by 2010.

Method 3-4 I Contaminated Land - Identification of Priority Sites'

Description The Regional Council, together with Territorial Authorities, will identifyareas of land where pressure for residential development exists and thoseareas where there is potential for contaminated land issues according toland use activities listed on the Hazardous Activities and industries List(Ministry for the Environment, 2004a), in particular horticultural siles' andsheep dip sites'.

Who Regional Council, Territorial Authorities and Ministry for the Environment.

Links to Policy This method implements Policy 3-12.

Target Pressure areas identified by 2008.

Anticipated Environmental Results

Anttclpated Environmental Result I Link to Polley I Indicator I Data Source

Increased efficiency otthe end use of Policies 3-4 and • Efficient end use of • Energy Efficiency andenergy and increased generation of 3·5 energy in the Region Conservation Authorityenergy from renewable resources in • Amount of energy (EECA) and Territorialthe Region. generated from renewable Authority monitoring of

energy resources in the building and resourceRegion consent applications to

improve energy efficiency

• Monitoring of the quantityof installed generationcapacity in the Region

Urban grovAh occurs in a strategically Policy 3-3A • Urban grovAh • District plan variations andplanned manner. changes

Class I and II versatile soils are Policy 3-3B • Urban grovAh and rural • District plan variations andretained, where appropriate for residential subdivision changesproductive use.

By 2017, the amount of residual wasle' Policies: 3·6, • Volume or weight of • Territorial Authorityper capila generated in the Region will 3-7 and 3-8 residual wasle' per capita monitoring of solid wasle'be less than prior to this Plan strategiesbecoming operalive.

3-12 Proposed One Plan as Amended by Environment Court Decisions (July 2013) ~one plan

Infrastructure, Energy, Waste'. Hazardous Substances' and Contaminated Land iAnticipated Environmental Result I Link to Polley I Indicator I Data Source

No "clean" sites' prior 10 this Plan Policies: 3-7, • Number of clean siles • Regional regisler ofbecoming operative will become 3-8,3-9,3-10, becoming contaminated contaminated landcontaminated by 2017. 3-11 and 3-12 • Regional Council's

incidenls dalabase

Priority conlaminated siles' are Policies: 3-12 • Number of remediated • Regional register ofremedialed appropriately prior to and 3-13 siles conlaminated landchange in land use.

3.7

3.7.1

3.7.1A

3.7.2

Explanations and Principal Reasons

Infrastructure and energy

Objectives 3-1 to 3-1C and Policies 3-1 to 3-5 have been adopted to recognise thebenefits of infrastructure and having it well integrated with other land uses, and torecognise and provide for renewable energy and energy efficiency measures. Thepolicies on infrastructure aim to give guidance to decision-makers aboul how toweigh up the local adverse effects of infrastructure against the positive regionaland national benefits. They also aim to provide guidance on how to avoid adverseeffects on important infrastructure through the inappropriate use of land near oradjoining important infrastructure, and the importance of integrating urban growthwith infrastructure provision and the retention of versatile soils for use asproduction land. The policies regarding energy efficiency and renewable energyseek to recognise the benefits to be derived from the use and development ofrenewable energy, and the efficient use of energy and resources (both of whichare mailers to be had in particular regard in Part II of the RMA).

In relation to the application of Policy 3-4(v) 'upgrading' has the ordinary meaningof the word, as used in the National Policy Statement on Renewable Electricity,Generation 2011.

Parts of Policies 3-1,3-2, 3-3A and 3-5 are included to give effect to parts of theRegional Land Transport Strategy, which seeks to protect the strategic transportnetwork and create opportunity for the uptake of public transport options in thefuture.

Urban growth, and rural residential subdivision on versatile soils

The RMA requires those with functions under it to have regard to resource costsand benefits of development. For example, directing urban growth and ruralresidential subdivision onto less versatile soils may increase travel distances,costs of service provision or other economic or environmental costs of landdevelopment. However, allowing urban expansion onto versatile soils adjacent tourban areas will result in a reduction of options for their future productive use,which is a cost to fulure generations. There are a range of factors required toenable land to be used for productive use. Territorial Authorities need to weigh allrelevant mailers when making land use decisions.

Waste'

Objective 3-2, Policies 3-6, 3-7, 3-8 and 3-9 and associated methods set up anoverarching policy framework for reducing waste' generation and managing theenvironmental effects of waste' discharges to air, land and water.

The Stocklake on Waste Report (Horizons Regional Council, 2004) was a firstregional attempt to assess the amount and type of wasle' generated in the

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I

3.7.3

Infrastructure, Energy, Waste"', Hazardous Substances' and Contaminated Land

Region, and the current level of existing waste' reduction and reuse opportunities.The report indicated that approximately 22 years of landfiW space remained in theRegion, based on current disposal rates. Looking ahead, possible scenariosinclude:

(a) the establishment of more landfills' for both domestic and industrialwaste', with associated environmental effects

(b) increased costs associated with limited disposal space or transport anddisposal outside the Region

(c) reducing the amount of waste' generated to enable remaining tandfiWspace to last longer.

Policy 3-6 establishes a hierarchy of reducing, reusing, recycling, recovering andfinally disposing of waste'. Policies 3-6, 3-7 and 3-8 together encouragereduction, reuse and recycling activities by being less restrictive and discouragingwaste' disposal as a first option. This framework is encouraged at the nationallevel by the New Zealand Waste Strategy (Ministry for the Environment, 2002).Policy 3-9 also sets high standards for tandfills', reflecting the significant adverseeffects that waste' disposal can have on the environment.

Territorial Authorities are required to develop waste' management strategiesunder the Local Government Act 2002 and, along with private operators, toprovide and manage waste' disposal services. It is appropriate that the RegionalCouncil works with the Territorial Authorities on the Region's generic waste'issues, to provide a consistent approach to waste' management and waste'minimisation where possible.

Public information on the appropriate disposal of wastes' and opportunities forreduction, reuse and recycling are key to reducing waste' to landfiW into thefuture.

Hazardous Substances'

Objective 3-2, Policies 3-10 and 3-11 and the associated methods set up thepolicy framework for managing the effects of the storage, use, transport anddisposal of hazardous substances' in the Region as required under s62(1)(i) of theRMA.

The Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 provides a definition ofhazardous substances'. These substances pose a significant threat to theenvironment if not stored, used, transported and disposed of safely andappropriately. The Regional Council considers that it is in an appropriate positionto control the effects of the discharge of hazardous substances' to theenvironment by means of the resource consenting process. This enables anassessment of the environmental effects of hazardous substance' discharges toair, land and water on a case-by-case basis. Regional rules are an effectivemeans of controlling the effects of these substances. Territorial Authorities areconsidered to be in an appropriate position to manage the storage, use andtransport of hazardous substances' through their district planning provisions.

The Stockholm Convention, to which New Zealand is a signatory, aims to rid theworld of persistent organic pollutants. Many of these are hazardous substances'previously used in old agrichemicals'. Despite the Regional Council providing acomprehensive old agrichemicar collection in 1996, there is likely to be a riskposed by old agrichemicals' stiil stored on farms. The Regional Council and theMinistry for the Environment are committed to providing a further collection of oldagrichemicats'.

3-14 Proposed One Plan as Amended by Environment Court Decisions (July 2013) ~one plan

3.7.4

0)1--- ,+ \fnfrastruclure, Energy, Wasfe*, Hazardous Subsfaflces* and Contaminated Land i

Contaminated Land

Objective 3-2, Policies 3-12 and 3-13, and the associated methods set up thepolicy framework for managing contaminated land in the Region, including anapproach to determining priority contaminated land and a process to establish aconsistent information system across the Region.

The consistent management and appropriate remediation of contaminated land isof national concern because of the significant threat these sites' pose to theenvironment.

Contaminated land is any site where past (or present) activities have left ahazardous substance' that has, or is reasonably likely to have, significant adverseeffects. In order to adequately protect people and the environment, contaminatedland needs to be located and remediated as necessary. A number of sites' havebeen located in the Region already - mainly timber treatment yards, gasworkssites', and tandfills' - and because of this can be managed appropriately as landuse changes. However, the increase in residential subdivision in rural areas inrecent years means that other contaminated land such as horticulture and sheepdip sites', yet to be identified on the ground, pose a threat to people moving intothose areas. These are considered priority sites" along with sites' alreadyidentified. The Regional Council will work with Territorial Authorities to determinewhere pressure for residential development is expected in the next 10 years and toidentify the risks associated with contaminated land.

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PLEASE NOTE:

• This is as at 9 May 2013. It is how the plan will look assuming that consent order requests aresigned-off and there are no further redrafting requests from the Environment Court.

• Changes from Consent Orders are identified by yellow highlight.• Changes from Environment Court Decision on Appeals 31 August 2012 are highlighted in light

green highlight.• The Maori translations have been updated.

7 Indigenous biological diversity, landscape and historicheritage

7.1 Scope and Background

7.1.1

7.1.2

Scope

This chapter addresses three matters:

(1) Indigenous biological diversity - The maintenance of indigenousbiological diversity, the protection of areas of significant indigenousvegetation and significant habitats of indigenous fauna. and the division ofresponsibilities between the Regional Council and Territorial Authorities formanaging indigenous biological diversity

(2) Natural features, landscapes and natural character - The preservationof the natural character of the coastal environment, wetlands, rivers, lakesand their margins and the protection of them and outstanding naturalfeatures and landscapes from inappropriate use and development

(3) Historic heritage - The protection of historic heritage.

Chapter 4 - Te Ao Maori - also contributes to the management of historic heritage,in particular sites' of significance to Maori, including wah; tapu'.

Indigenous Biological Diversity

As discussed in Chapter 1, the decline of indigenous biological diversity("indigenous biodiversity") is one of the four most critical issues addressed in thisPlan.

Indigenous Biodiversity in the RegionThe Region now has only 23% of its original forest cover and 3% of its wetlandhabitat. The majority of the forest is found in the hill country and the ranges, withfragments scattered throughout the lower-lying and coastal areas of the Region,where typically iess than 10% of original habitat remains. Remaining naturalhabitat is small, fragmented and under pressure from pests and disturbance.Aquatic indigenous biodiversity is in a similar state of degradation with native fishpopulations greatly reduced, poor habitat (loss of riparian margins in most areasand introduction of exotic fish and pest plants) and many barriers between coastalwetlands, streams and headwaters.

Much of the remaining indigenous biodiversity is in poor condition and health.Ecosystem processes are more often than not interrupted. The long-term viabilityof natural areas is further compromised by continued pressure from invasive

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Proposed One Plan as Amended by Environment Court Decisions (May 2013) 7-1

A Indigenous biological diversity, landscape and historic heritage

species and surrounding land use. If such habitats and linkages between themare to survive they will require protection and ongoing management.

Future ApproachThis Plan's approach to indigenous biodiversity management focuses primarily onhabitats, rather than on individual species or genetic diversity. The RegionalCouncil believes that by managing habitats it will most effectively sustain regionalindigenous biodiversity into the future.

The Regional Council proposes to take a more active role around the coordinationof indigenous biodiversity management within the Region. The Regional Council'soverall indigenous biodiversity strategy is two-tiered, involving:

(a) Halting the decline - Those habitats that are rare habitats', threatenedhabitats' or at-risk habitats' (as determined in accordance with ScheduleE of this Plan) and that are recognised as being an area of significantindigenous vegetation or a significant habitat of indigenous fauna will begiven a high level of protection, through rules, from activities likely tocause any further loss or modification.

(b) Active Management - In addition, rare habitats', threatened habitats' andat-risk habitats' will be proactively managed through collaboration withlandowners for work such as pest control and fencing, and provision ofeconomic incentives such as grants and rates relief.

The protection and active management of sites' on private land is crucial tomaintaining indigenous biological diversity in the Region. Success in halting theindigenous biodiversity decline depends largely on the involvement andcommitment of private landowners. This is a tall order for individuals, and theRegional Council recognises that the public good arising from maintainingindigenous biological diversity should not be solely at the expense of landowners.The Regional Council is therefore committed to seeking arrangements thatadequately assist landowners and fairly apportion the costs of indigenousbiodiversity management.

7.1.3 Natural features, Landscapes and Natural Character

The protection of outstanding natural features and landscapes from inappropriatesubdivision, use and development is a matter of national importance. Outstandingnatural features and landscapes are memorable, affording aesthetic pleasure andexperiences that are shared and valued by a wider community. Outstandingnatural features and landscapes have natural and cultural dimensions that arecentral to a community's identity and sense of belonging. They are places thatreveal a community's history and a coherence and connectedness of people'slives through time and space.

A number of outstanding natural features and landscapes and their associatedvalues are identified in Schedule F'. These outstanding natural features andlandscapes exist on both public and private land and were originally identified bythe Regional Council, in consultation with the Territorial Authorities and theDepartment of Conservation, and included in the Regional Policy Statement for theManawatu-Wanganui Region (August 1998). In determining these natural featuresand landscapes as being "outstanding and regionally significant" specific matterswere considered, including geographical and geological features and theircontribution to the Region's character, ecological significance, the culturalsignificance of the site' or area, amenity, intrinsic, scientific and recreationalvalues, and any recognised (national or regional) level of protection.

7-2

SchedUle F is a component of Part 1- the Regional Policy Statement.

Proposed One Plan as Amended by Environment Court Decisions (May 2013) ~one plan

Indigenous biological diversily, landscape and historic herilageA

Territorial Authorities have the responsibility of managing the effects of land use,through district plan provisions and land use resource consents. Consequently, themanagement of competing pressures for the subdivision, use and development ofland that may affect outstanding natural features and landscapes is mostappropriately dealt with at a territorial level. However, to aid local decision-making,regional policies provide guidance for managing the effects of subdivision, use anddevelopment of land that may affect outstanding natural features and landscapes.In addition, a revised set of factors to be considered when assessing landscapesand natural features are provided, to aid decision making, and include naturalscience factors, aesthetic values, expressiveness (legibility), transient values,shared and recognised values, cultural and spiritual values for tallgata wlJellua'and historic heritage values.

Preservation of the natural character of the coastal environment, wetlands, rivers,lakes and their margins is also a matter of national importance. Natural characleris generally accepted as being an expression of:

• natural landform,• natural water bodies (lakes and rivers) and the sea,• vegetation cover (type and pattern),• natural processes associated with the weather and the ecology,• wildness, exposure, and the natural sculpturing of landforms and vegetation,

and• the wider landscape context and the site's' relationship to this.

Natural character is a sliding scale and varies from a low degree of naturalcharacter, such as urban environments, to a high degree of natural character (forexample, Tongariro National Park).

The approach of the One Plan is to at least maintain, and enhance whereappropriate, the current degree of natural character of the coastal environment,wetlands, rivers, lakes and their margins by:

• continuing to provide a regional policy on natural character to guide decisionmaking,

• protecting and managing indigenous biological diversity, important wetlands,rivers and lakes as described elsewhere in this Plan, and

• restoring and rehabilitating natural character where appropriate.

The natural character of rivers, lakes and their margins can be adversely affectedby aclivities, in particular structures and fiood mitigation measures such asstopbanks. It is important that preservation of the natural character of rivers, lakesand their margins, where this is reasonable, is considered when making decisionson relevant activities. The natural character of wetlands can best be provided forby proactively managing the top 100 wetlands in the Region (as provided for in thesections of this chapter dealing with indigenous biological diversity).

Chapter 9 addresses the management of activities in the coastal marine area(CMA), including policy guidance on the management of the elements oflandscapes and seascapes that contribute to the natural character of the CMA.Chapter 7 deals with outstanding natural features and landscapes and the naturalcharacter of the non-CMA portion of the coastal environment landward of meanhigh water springs and wetlands, rivers, lakes and their margins.

The coastal environment has seen some change in the last 10 years. There hasbeen an increase in residential subdivision on both the western and easterncoastlines. Within a 1 km inland coastal strip, however, this developmentaccounts for only 4% of the area. Allhough residential development is expected tocontinue, it is unlikely to affect the natural character of the coast at a regional scale

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Proposed One Plan as Amended by Environmenl Court Decisions (May 2013) 7-3

7.1.4

7.2

Indigenous biological diversity, landscape and historic heritage

for some time beyond the life of this Plan. Nevertheless, it is important andappropriate for local decision-making on land use, particularly residentialsUbdivision, to continue to take into account the natural character of a particulararea.

Historic Heritage

The protection of historic heritage from inappropriate subdivision, use anddevelopment is a matter of national importance. Historic heritage is defined in theRMA. It means those natural and physical resources that contribute to anunderstanding and appreciation of New Zealand's history and cultures, derivingfrom archaeological, architectural, cultural, historic, scientific or technologicalqualities. Historic heritage includes historic sites, structures, places and areas,archaeological sites, sites of significance to Maori, including wahi tapu, andsurroundings associated with the natural and physical resources. Some activitiesthat are controlled by the Regional Council can have an adverse impact on historicheritage qualities. For example, the discharge of sewage to land or water couldhave an adverse impact on the historic heritage qualities of a particular site* orstructure. The Regional Council can control these activities to avoid, remedy ormitigate adverse effects.

The Region has a long and recognised history and culture, and contains specialplaces such as the Tongariro National Park, Whanganui River, Lake Papaitonga,the wreck of the Hydrabad, historic towns such as Whanganui, Marton, Taihape,Bulls and Raetihi, and many important archaeological sites such as WillisRedoubt, WaiO Pa and Te Aputa Pa. The accurate identification of historicheritage sites' or structures, including the identification of currently "unknown"sites', is an issue in the Region, as is their protection from potential threatsincluding demolition, "demolition by neglect", fire, flood and earthworks.

Subdivision and land development can also have a negative effect on historicheritage qualities. This is particularly an issue in coastal areas which are rich inhistoric heritage, including wahi tapu' and archaeological sites. Subdivision andland development are controlled by Territorial Authorities.

Along with the Regional Council and Territorial Authorities, a number of otheragencies have responsibilities for the identification and management of historicheritage. These agencies include the New Zealand Historic Places Trust(NZHPT), the New Zealand Archaeological Association (NZAA) and theDepartment of Conservation. In particular, the modification of archaeological sitesas defined in the Historic Places Act is controlled by the NZHPT, and a personcarrying out any activities that may damage, destroy or modify these sites musthave authority from the NZHPT to do so. The NZAA owns and manages thenational database of archaeological records, the Site Recording Scheme.

Decision-makers may refer to the NZHPT document dated 3 August 2007,Sustainable Management of Historic Heritage Guide No. 1 Regional PolicyStatements (pp 12-13), which provides an example of the matters to beconsidered by local authorities.

Significant Resource Management Issues

Issue 7-1: Indigenous biological diversity

Indigenous biological diversity is not being maintained in the Region. As a resultof historical land development practices, only a small proportion of the originalextent of indigenous habitats remains. The diversity within remaining areas isdeclining owing to their isolation or as a consequence of a range of activities, mostnotably:

7-4 Proposed One Plan as Amended by Environment Court Decisions (May 2013) ~one plan

7.3

Indigenous biological diversity, landscape and historic heritageA

(a) pest plants and pest animals

(b) stock access

(c) land drainage, which impacts upon wetlands

(d) perched culverts and other barriers to fish migration

(e) run-off and discharges causing poor water quality

(I) vegelation clearance'.

Issue 7-2: Outstanding natural features, landscapes and naturalcharacter

(a) The Region's outstanding natural features and landscapes can beadversely affected by land use activities and development. Adverseeffects of development on outstanding natural features and landscapesinclude the potential for significant adverse cumulative effects.Developments with the potential for greatest impact include wind farms,residential subdivision and other major structures.

(b) The natural character of the coastal environment, wetlands, rivers, lakesand their margins can be adversely affected by land use activities anddevelopment, particularly new river works, drainage and subdivision.

Issue 7-3: Historic heritage

Development and land use can damage and destroy historic heritage ofsignificance in the Region. In the context of the Regional Council's role, thisincludes activities in the coastal marine area and discharges to land and water.Outside of the coastal marine area, Territorial Authorities are responsible formanaging the effects of land use activities on historic heritage, including unders9(2) RMA for activities in the beds of rivers and lakes.

Objectives

Objective 7-1: Indigenous biological diversity'

Protect areas of significant indigenous vegetation and significant habitats ofindigenous fauna and maintain indigenous biological diversily" includingenhancement where appropriate.

Whiiinga 7-1.. Te kanorau koiora taketake

Ka whakamarumaru i nga wahi kei reira elahi tipu lakelake fino molulJake, nganohonga moluhake kei reira a ngai kTrehe lakelake hoki, me Ie fiaki lonu i Iekanorau koiora lakelake, ka whai wahi hoki nga whakarakailanga i nga wa e likaana.

Objective 7-2: Outstanding natural features and landscapes, andnatural character

(a) The characteristics and values of:

(i) the Region's outstanding natural features and landscapes,including those identified in Schedule F, and

(ii) the natural character of the coastal environment, wetlands',rivers' and lakes' and their margins

are protected from inappropriate subdivision, use and development.

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SoIndigenous biological diversity. landscape and historic heritage

(b) Adverse effecls'. including cumulative adverse effecls'. on the naturalcharacter of the coastal environment, wetlands', rivers' and lakes' andtheir margins, are:

(i) avoided in areas with natural character, and

(ia) avoided where they would significantly diminish the attributes andqualities of areas that have high natural character, and

(ii) avoided, remedied or mitigated in other areas.

(c) Promote the rehabilitation or restoration of the natural character of thecoastal environment, wetlands', rivers' and lakes' and their margins.

WlJiiinga 7-2: Ngii tohu k6hure, ngii mata whenua motuhake mete iilwatanga miiori

(a) Ko nga ahualanga me nga Oara 0:

(i) nga lolw kOlwre me nga mala whenua moluhake 0 Ie Rolle eharalonu ko era ka lauluhia i rolo i Pukapuka Apili F, me

(ii) Ie atwalanga maori 0 Ie laiao lakulai moana, nga papa waiwai, ngaawa, me nga rolo me nga lapa 0 era

ka whakamanJmanllia i Ie wehewehe w/lenua, Ie whakamahi me Iew/Jakaa/w whenua kaore i Ie lika.

{b) Ko nga panga kino, ehara lonu ko nga panga kino kaloa, ki Ie atwa maorio Ie laiao lakulai moana, nga papa waiwai, nga awa, nga rolo hoki, menga lapa 0 era:

(i) ka parea i rolo i nga wahi lino rawe Ie alwa maori,

(ia) ka parea i nga wahi ka kaha Ie whakamemeha i nga a/walangame nga kounga 0 nga wahi nui Ie alwa maori, a,

(ii) ka parea, ka whakalikaina, ka whakailingia ranei i wahi ke alu.

(c) Ka whakalairanga i Ie whakaora ake, Ie whakahou ake ranei i Ie i-ihuamaori 0 Ie taiao takutai moana, nga papa waiwai, nga awa, nga roto menga lapa 0 era,

Objective 7-3: Historic heritage h

Protect hisloric herilage' from activities that would significantly reduce heritagequalities.

Whiiillga 7-3: Ngii taonga tuku iho 0 mua

7.4

7.4.1

Ka whakamarumaru i nga taonga tuku iho 0 mua i nga ngohe whakaili i ngakairangi laonga luku iho.

Policies

Indigenous Biological Diversity"

Policy 7-1: Responsibilities for maintaining indigenous biologicaldiversity"

In accordance with s62(1 Hi) RMA, local authority responsibilities for controllingland' use activities for the purpose of managing indigenous biological divelsily' inthe Region are apportioned as follows:


(, (),)


(a) The Regional Council must be responsible for:

(i) developing objectives, policies and methods for the purpose ofestablishing a Region-wide approach for maintaining indigenousbiological diversity', including enhancement where appropriate

(ii) developing rules' controlling the use of land' to protect areas ofsignificant indigenous vegetation and significant habitats ofindigenous fauna and to maintain indigenous biological diversity"including enhancement where appropriate.

(b) Territorial Authorities' must be responsible for:

(ii) retaining schedules of notable trees and amenity trees in theirdisfricf plans' or such other measures as they see fit for thepurpose of recognising amenity, intrinsic and cultural valuesassociated with indigenous biological diversity', but not for thepurpose of protecting significant indigenous vegetation andsignificant habitats of indigenous fauna as described in (a)(ii)above.

(c) Both the Regional Council and Territorial AuthoritiesA must beresponsible for:

(i) recognising and providing for matters described in s6(c) RMA andhaving particular regard to matters identified in s7(d) RMA whenexercising functions and powers under the RMA, outside thespecific responsibilities allocated above, including when makingdecisions on resource consent' applications.

Policy 7-2A: Regulation of activities affecting indigenous biologicaldlversityA

For the purpose of managing indigenous biological diversity' in the Region:

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

Habitats determined to be rare habitats' and threatened habitats'~chedUle E must be recognised as areas of significant indigenousvegetation pr significant habitats of indigenous fauna.

Potential adverse effects' on any rare habitat', threatened habitat' or atrisk habitat' located within or adjacent to an area of forestry' must beminimised.

When regulating the activities described in (c) and (d), the RegionalCouncil must, and when exercising functions and powers described inPolicy 7-1, Temlorial Authonlies' must:

(i) allow activities undertaken for the purpose of pest plant and pestanimal control or habitat maintenance or enhancement,

(ii) bonside~ indigenous biological diversity' offsets in appropriatecircumstances as defined in Policy 12-5,

(iii) allow the maintenance', operation' and upgrade' of existingstructures" including infrastructure' "nd other physical resourcesof regional or national importance as identified in Policy 3-1, and

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A Indigenous biological diversity. landscape and historic heritage

(iv) not unreasonably restrict the existing use of production land'where the effects of such land' use on rare !Jabilat', t!Jreatenedhabitat' or at-risk !Jabitat' remain the same or similar in character,jntensity and scale.

7.4.2

Policy 7-4: Proactive management of indigenous biologicaldiversity·

(a) The Regional Council will aim to maintain or enhance indigenousbiological diversity' by working in partnership with relevant landowners,other parties with a legal interest in the land" and relevant consentholders to establish a management plan and incentive programme for thevoluntary proactive management of identified sites' by 2016.

(b) For the purposes of (a), separate programmes will be established forwetlands" bush remnants, native fish communities and coastalecosystems.

(c) The management plans under (a) will generally address the followingmatters as a minimum:

(i) fencing and prevention of stock access

(ii) pest plant and pest animal control

(iii) planting(iv) agreed land' uses

(v) work and materials to be provided by the Regional Councilor athird party

(vi) financial assistance to be provided by the Regional Councilor athird party

(vii) monitoring

(viii) legal options for ensuring longevity of the measures implemented.

Policy 7-5: Fostering an ethic of stewardship

The Regional Council will equip landowners and others with the information theyneed to act as good stewards for indigenous biodiversity, and to act responsiblyand proactively. These initiatives will be additional to the Council-led programmesunder Policy 7-4.

Policy 7-6: Pest plants and pest animals

(a) To the extent that they relate to the maintenance of indigenousbiodiversity, the pest plant and pest animal management functions of theRegional Council will primarily target pests threatening rare !Jabilals',t!Jreatened Ilabilats' and at-risk !Jabitats'.

(b) When exercising functions and powers as set out in Policy 7-1, TerritorialAut!Jorities· must take into account the risks of introducing pest plants orpest animals into rare Ilabilats', t!Jreatened !Jabitats', at-risk !Jabitats' andnearby areas.

Landscapes and Natural Character

Policy 7-7: Regionally outstanding natural features and landscapes

The natural features and landscapes listed in Schedule F Table F1 must berecognised as regionally outstanding and must be spatially defined in the reviewand development of district plans. All subdivision, use and development directlyaffecting these areas must be managed in a manner which:


Indigenous biological diversity. landscape and historic herilageA

(aa) avoids significant adverse cumulative effects' on the characteristics andvalues of those outstanding natural features and landscapes, and

(a) except as required under (aa), avoids adverse effects' as far asreasonably practicable and, where avoidance is not reasonablypracticable, remedies or mitigates adverse effects' on the characteristicsand values of those outstanding natural features and landscapes.

Policy 7·7A: Assessing outstanding natural features and landscapes

The Regional Council and Territoriat Authorities' must take into account but not belimited to the criteria in Table 7.2 when:

(a) identifying outstanding natural features and landscapes, and considerwhether the natural feature or landscape is conspicuous, eminent,remarkable or otllerwise outstanding, and

(b) considering adding to, deleting from, or otherwise altering, redefining ormodifying the list of outstanding natural features or landscapes listed inTable F1 of Schedule F, or

(c) considering the inclusion of outstanding natural features or landscapesinto any disfrict pIa"', or

(d) establishing the relevant values to be considered when assessing effects'of an activity on:

(i) outstanding natural features and landscapes listed in Table F1 ofSchedule F, or

(ii) any other outstanding natural feature or landscape.

Table 7.2 Natural Feature and Landscape Assessment Factors

Assessment faclor Scope

(a) Natural science faclors

(b) Aesthetic values

These factors relate to the geological, ecological, topographicaland natural process components of the natural feature orlandscape:

(i) Representalive: the combination of natural componentsthat form the feature or landscape slrongly typifies thecharacter of an area.

(ii) Research and education: all or parts of the feature orlandscape are important for natural science research andeducation.

(iii) Rarily: the feature or landscape is unique or rare wilhin thedistrict or Region, and few comparable examples exist.

(iv) Ecosystem functioning: the presence of healthyecosvstems is clearlv evident in the fealure or landscape.

The aesthetic values of a feature or landscape may beassociated with:

(i) Coherence: the patterns of tand' cover and land' use arelargely in harmony I'nth the underlying natural pattern oflandform and there are no, or few, discordant elements ofJandA cover or JandA use.

(ii) Vividness: the fealure or landscape is visually striking,vndely recognised I'nlhin the local and wider communily,and may be regarded as iconic.

fiiil Naturalness: the feature or landscaDe appears laraelv

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A Indigenous biological diversity, landscape and historic heritage

unmodified by human activily and the pallerns of landformand land' cover are an expression of natural processesand intact heailhy ecosystems.

(iv) Memorability: the nalural feature or landscape makes suchan impact on the senses that it becomes unforaellable.

(c) Expressiveness (legibility) The feature or landscape clearly shows the formative naturalprocesses or historic influences that led to its existinQ characlef.

(d) Transient values The consistent and noticeable occurrence of transient naluralevents, such as daily or seasonal changes in Vleather,vegetation or ynldlile movement, contribules to Ihe characler ofthe fealure or landscaoe.

(e) Shared and recognised The fealure or iandscape is vndely knoVin and is highly valuedvalues for its contribution to local identily Ynthin ils immediate and

ynder communily.

(f) Cullural and spiritual Maori values inherent in the feature or landscape add to Ihevalues for tangata fealure or landscape being recognised as a special place.whenua A

(g) Historic Heritage values Knovnedge of historic events that occurred in and around thefeature or landscape is Yndely held and substantially influencesand adds 10 Ihe value Ihe community allaches to the naturalfeature or landscape. Heritage features, siles' or structuresthat are present and add to the enjoyment and understanding ofthe feature or landscaoe.

Policy 7-8: Natural character

(a) The natural character of the coastal environment, wetlands', rivers" andlakes' and their margins must be preserved and these areas must beprotected from inappropriate subdivision, use and devetopment.

(b) The natural character of these areas must be restored and rehabilitatedwhere this is appropriate and practicable.

(c) Natural character of these areas may include such attributes andcharacteristics as:

(i) Natural elements, processes and patterns;(ii) Biophysical, ecological, geological, geomorphological and

morphological aspects;(iii) Natural landforms such as headlands, peninsulas, cliffs, dunes,

wetlands, reefs, freshwater springs and surf breaks;(iv) The natural movement of water and sediment including

hydrological and fluvial processes;(v) The natural darkness of the night sky;(vi) Places or areas that are wild and scenic;(vii) A range of natural character from pristine to modified; and(viii) Experiential attributes, including the sounds and smell of the

sea; and their content of setting.

Policy 7-8A: Managing natural character

In relation to the natural character of:

(a) the component of the coastal environment which is not coastal marinearea' (eMA), and


7.4.3

Indigenous biological diversity. landscape and historic heri,ageA

(b) wetlands', rivers' and lakes' and their margins

subdivision, use or development must generally (but without limitation) beconsidered appropriate if it:

(c) is compatible with the existing level of modification to the environment,

(d) has a functional necessity to be located in or near the component of thecoastal environment which is not coastal marine area' (CMA), wetland',river' or lake' and no reasonably practicable alternative locationseXist,lNF1

(e) is of an appropriate form, scale and design to be compatible with theexisting landforms, geological features and vegetation,

(I) will not, by itself or in combination with effects' of other activities,significantiy disrupt natural processes or existing ecosystems, and

(g) will provide for the restoration and rehabilitation of natural character wherethat is appropriate and practicable.

Policy 7-9: Public access to and along rivers" and lakes" and theirmargins

(a) Activities within or near rivers' and lakes' must be established andoperated in a manner which readily provides for public access. Publicaccess may be restricted only where necessary for safety, cultural orconservation purposes, or to ensure a level of security appropriate foractivities authorised by a resource consent'.

(b) Public access for recreational purposes must recognise the need toprotect rare habitats', threatened IJabilats' and at-risk habitats'.

(c) Public access must recognise existing private property' rights.

Historic Heritage"

Policy 7-10: Historic Ileritage"

The Regional Coastal Plan' and district plans' must without limiting theresponsibilities of local authorities to address historic heritage' under the RMAinclude provisions to protect from inappropriate subdivision, use and developmentIlistoric heritage' of national significance, which may include places of special oroutstanding heritage value registered as Category 1 historic places, wahi tapu,and wahi tapu areas under the Historic Places Act 1993 and give dueconsideration to the implementation of a management framework for other placesof historic heritage.

Policy 7-11: Historic heritage' identification

(a) Territorial Authorities' must develop and maintain a schedule of knownhistoric heritage' for their district to be included in their district planA

(b) The Regional Council must develop and maintain a schedule of knowntJistoric tJeritage' for the coastal marine area' to be included in theRegional Coastal Plan'.

(c) Historic IJeritage' schedules must include a statement of the quatities thatcontribute to each site'.

~~oneplan

Proposed One Plan as Amended by Environmenl Court Decisions (May 2013) 7-11

7.5


Methods

The main non-regulatory methods the Regional Council will pursue are outlinedbelow as action plan summaries.

Method 7-1 I Wetlands· Biodiversity

Description The Regional Council and other agencies will work with landowners to protectand enhance priority wetlands throughout the Region. Resources will bedirected towards the most significant sites'.

Wetland owners will be provided advice and financial/project managementassistance to carry out enhancement and protection measures includingfencing, planting, and pest (plant and animal) control. The Regional Councilwill seek funding trom third parties to assist with this method, and encouragethe establishment of covenants.

Monitoring of the effectiveness of the protection and enhancement works willbe undertaken.

This method will include publicity to increase pUblic awareness about theimportance of wetlands and indigenous biological diversity.

Who Regional Council, landowners, foresters, relevant consent holders, FederatedFanmers, Territorial Authorities, Department of Conservation, hapO' and iwl',non-government agencies including NZ Fish and Game, QEII Trust, NZWetland Trust, NZ Landcare Trust and relevant funding agencies including theHe Tini Awa Trust, Biodiversity Condition Fund, Nga Whenua Rahui andDucks Unlimited.


Targets The top 100 wetlands in the Region are actively managed, including protectionor enhancement measures, within 10 years o!this Plan becoming operative.

Method 7-2 I Bush Remnants - Biodiversity

Description The Regional Council and other agencies will work with landowners to protectand enhance priority bush remnants throughout the Region. Resources willbe directed towards the most significant sites'.

Bush remnant owners will be provided with advice and financial/projectmanagement assistance to carry out enhancement and protection measuresincluding fencing, planting, and pest (plant and animal) control. The RegionalCouncil will seek funding from third parties to assist with this method, andencourage the establishment of covenants.

Monitoring of the effectiveness of the protection and enhancement works willbe undertaken.

This method will include publicity to increase pUblic awareness about theimportance of bush remnants and indigenous biological diversity.

Who Regional Council, landowners, foresters, relevant consent holders, FederatedFanmers, Territorial Authorities, Department of Conservation, hapO' and iwl',non-government agencies including QEII Trust and NZ Landcare Trust, andrelevant funding agencies including the He Tini Awa Trust, BiodiversityCondition Fund and Nga Whenua Rahui.

Links to Policy This method implements Poticy 7-4.

Targets The top 200 bush remnants in the Region are being actively managed,including protection or enhancement measures, within 10 years of this Planbecoming operative.



Method 7-3 I Sites of Significance -Aquatic

Description The Regional Council and other agencies will work with landowners to protectand enhance water bodies and parts of water bodies that serve an importantroie in the lifecycle of the Region's rare and threalened native fish, Resourceswill be directed towards the most significant sffes',

Owners of land adjacent to water bodies will be provided advice andfinancial/project management assistance to carry out enhancement andprotection measures including fencing, planting, replacement of perchedculverts and pest (plant and animal) control. The Regional Council will seekfunding from third parties to assist with this method,

Monitoring of the effectiveness of the proteclion and enhancement works willbe undertaken,

This method will include publicity to increase public awareness about theimportance of native fish and indigenous bioiogical diversity,

Who Regional Council, landowners, foresters, relevant consent holders, FederatedFarmers, Territorial Authorities, Department of Conservation, hapo' and iw,'and funding agencies including the He Tini Awa Trust, Biodiversity ConditionFund and Nga Whenua Rahul.

Links to Policy This method implements Policy 7-4,

Targets The top 100 Sites of Significance - Aquatic are actively managed, includingprotection or enhancement measures, within 10 years of this Plan becomingoperative,

Method 7-4 Iinanga Spawning and Native Fishery Siles - Biodiversity

Description The Regional Council and other agencies will work with landowners to protectand enhance water bodies and parts of water bodies (wetlands and streams)that serve an important role in the lifecycle of the inanga and whitehait'species, Resources will be directed towards the most significant sites',

Owners of land adjacent to water bodies will be provided advice andfinancial/project management assistance to carry out enhancement andprotection measures including fencing, planting, replacement of perchedculverts and pest (plant and animal) control. The Regional Council will seekfunding from third parties to assist with this method,

Monitoring of the effectiveness of the protection and enhancement works willbe undertaken,

This method will include publicity to increase public awareness about theimportance of native fish and indigenous biological diversity,

Who Regional Council, landowners, foresters, relevant consent holders, FederatedFarmers, Territorial Authorities, Department of Conservation, hapo' and iwtand funding agencies including the He Tini Awa Trust, Biodiversity ConditionFund and Nga Whenua Rahul.

Links to Policy This method implements Policy 7-4,

Targets The top 30 inanga spawning and native fishery sites' are actively managed,including protection or enhancement measures, within 10 years of this Planbecoming operative,

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soIndigenous biological diversity. landscape and historic heritage

Method 7·5 IBiodiversity (Terrestrial and Aquatic) Research, Monitoring andReporting

Description The aim of this method is to develop an integrated research, monitoring andreporting programme that supports delivery and refinement of existing policiesand methods, guides implementation planning, and allows implementationeffectiveness to be assessed.

Who Predominantly the Regional Council, with assistance from research inslilutes,universilies, non·government agencies and community groups as required.

Links to Policy This melhod implements Policy 7-4.

Targets Aresearch, monitoring and reporting programme that supports delivery andrefinement of existing policies and methods, and guides and assessesimplementation.

Method 7·6 I Education In Schools - Biodiversity

Description The aim of this melhod is to raise awareness amongst the youth of Ihe Regionof the significance of indigenous biological diversity, Ihe threats to it, and whatthey can do to protecUrestore it. This \,,11 be achieved through variousenvironmental education programmesfiniliatives eg., Green RIG,Enviroschools, Trees for Survival and Youth Environment Forum.

Who Regional Council, Department of Conservation and various national and localenvironmental education providers.


Targets The Regional Council develops and delivers a biodiversity-relatedenvironmental education programme.

Method 7·7 IDistrict Planning - Natural Features, Landscapes, Historic Heritage andIndigenous Biological Diversity

Description The Regional Council will formally submit on resource consent applicationsreceived by Territorial Authorities for land use activilies where there ispotential for effects on outstanding natural features, landscapes or indigenousbiological diversity.

The Regional Council will formally seek changes to district plans if necessaryto ensure provisions are in place to provide an appropriate level of protectionto natural features, landscapes, historic heritage and indigenous biologicaldiversity.

The Regional Council Vlill formally seek changes to dislrict plans if necessaryto ensure district plan rules requiring protection of significant indigenousvegetation and the significant habitats of indigenous fauna do not contradictrules on indigenous biodiversity in this Plan.

Who Regional Council and Territorial Authorities.

Links to Policy This method implements Policies 7·1, 7·4, 7-5, 7·7, 7·8 and 7-8A.

Targets • Submissions completed on censent applications.

• District plan changes sought if necessary aller Ihis Plan becemesoperative.


Indigenous biological diversity. landscape and historic herit3geA

Method 7·7A Consistent Landscape Assessment

Description

Who

Links to Policy

Targets

The aims of this method are:

!ill to develop a consistent and robust characterisation of the landscapeI'nthin the Region and consistent idenlification of outstanding naturalfeatures and iandscapes, and

ilil to include specified areas in any fulure iandscape assessmenls

The Regional Council vnll collaborale vnth Terrilorial Authorilies to develop andadopt consistent methodology for undertaking any assessmenl of landscapeincluding for Ihe purposes of identifying the outslanding nalural features andlandscapes vnlhin Ihe Region. The methodology vnll include consideration ofPolicy l-lA and the factors detailed in Table 1.2.

The Regional Council I'nll make available relevant resource data includingmaps suilable for the sludy area descriplion.

Anumber of areas have been idenlified by the Regional Council that should beincluded during landscape assessments undertaken by the Regional Counciland Terrilorial Aulhorities and include:

(i) Central North Island tussocklands

(ii) Eastern Desert Road landscape

(iii) Moawhango Ecological Region including Ihe Moawhango Gorge,Makirikiri Tarns and Reporoa Bog, and the Kutaroa and OlahupitaraSwamps (Irirangi Swamp)

(iv) Waimarino - Erua - Nalional Park faull scarp

(v) Weslern Edge of the Voicanic Plaleau

(vi) Landguard Bluff

(vii) Lake HoroVlhenua and its margins

(viii) Lake Papalonga and ils adjacent scenic reselVe

The Regional Council vnll assist territorial authorities undertaking landscapeassessments to define more specifically areas of high natural character andoulstanding natural fealures and landscapes vnlhin the coaslal environmenl ofthe Region.

Regional Council and Territorial Authorities.

This method implements Policy l-lA.

Methodology for assessment of nalural features and landscapes agreedbetween the Regional Council and Territorial Authorities vnlhin one year of thisPlan becoming operalive.

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:\0


7.6

Method 7·8 I Indigenous Biodiversity Advice and Information

Description The aim of this method Is to provide landowners and other parties vnlh aninterest in biodiversily with advice and information about the stale ofbiodiversity in the Region, information aboulthe rules and methods contained..thin this Plan to manage indigenous biodiversity, and advice about howthese melhods and rules vnll be implemented. This includes providingguidance on the rules conlained I'nthin Ihis Plan so thatlhey can be easilyunderstood and used by landOl'mers.

Who Regional Council, vnth assislance from landol'mers and communily groups asrequired.

links to Policy This method implemenls Policies 7·4 and 7-5.

Targets An education and advice programme Ihat is freely available and allows thoseinleresled to undersland and use lhe methods and rules provided for in lhisPlan.

Method 7·9 I Proactive Identification of Historic Heritage

Description The aim of this method is 10 determine an approach to provide for Iheproactive idenlificalion of historic heritage resources I'nthin the Region andshould be read in conjunclion vnth Melhod 9-4.

The approach may include lhe development of a Region-vnde dalabase or lislof areas ..th a high polential for conlaining unidentified historic heritage sites'and structures, amendments or varialions to existing regional or TerritorialAulhorily plans, or agreed partnerships for funding and carrying oul surveys.

Who Regional Council, Territorial Authorities, New Zealand Historic Places Trusl,New Zealand Archaeoiogical Associalion, hfJpu' and iwl' and landowners.

links to Policy/Method This melhod implements Policies 7-10 and 7-11 and Method 9-4.

Targets An approach is agreed upon within two years of Ihis Plan becoming operative.

Anticipated Environmental Results

Anticipated Environmental Result Link to Polley Indicator Data Source

Except for change because of naluralprocesses, or change authorised by aresource consent, by 2017, Ihe extenlof rare habilat', threatelled habitat' orat-risk habitat' is Ihe same as (orbeller than) that estimaled prior 10 thisPlan becoming operative, and thenumber of aI-risk habilals' has notincreased.

Indigenous biologicaldiversily, landscape andhistoric herilagePolicies: 7-1, 7·2A, 7-4,7·5,7-6 and 7-8

Administralion Policies:llA-4, 11M, llA-6and llA-8

Water Policies: 6-1, 6-2,6·3,6-4,6·5,6-7,6-17,6-18,6-19, and 6-28

• Extent of each habilatlype compared toformer exlenl

• Number of rarehabitats', Ihrealelledhabitats' and at·riskhabitals' damaged byunauthorised activities

• Landcare Research:Land Environments NZTool, EcoSat tool andLand Cover Database2tool

• Regional Council'sincidents dalabase


So ?-1/5CZIndigenous biological diversity, landscape and historic herilageA

Anticipated Environmental Result Unkto Polley Indicator Data Source

By 2017, Ihe Region's lop 100 Indigenous biological • Number oftop 100 • Regional Council'swetlands and lop 200 bush remnants diversity, landscape and wellands and lop 200 identification andvnll be in beller condition Ihan Ihat historic heritage bush remnants under assessmenl ofmeasured prior 10 this Plan becoming Policies: 7-1, 7-2A, 7-4, proaclive management significant indigenousoperative. 7-5,7-6 and 7-8 • Habitat condition aquatic, coaslal and

measure(s) which, lerreslrial habitaltypesAdministration Poiicies: where possible, vnll be • Regional Council's11A-4, 11A-5, 11A-6 consistentwilh Ihose progress reports onand 11A-8 used by Ihe results of proactive

Water Policies: 6-1, 6-2,Departmenlof managemenl of lopConservation weiland and bush

6-3,6·4,6·5,6-7,6·17, remnanl habilals6-18,6·19, and 6-28

By 2017, the Region's known hisloric Indigenous biological • Level of protection from • Dislricl plansherifage I'nll be recorded in dislricl diversify, landscape and inappropriale • Regional Coaslal Planplans and Ihe Regional Coaslal Plan historic heritage subdivision, use andfor proledion from inappropriale Policies: 7-10 and 7-11 development affordedsubdivision, use and development. and Policy 4-2 10 scheduled hisloric

heritage in lerrilorialauthority District Plansand the RegionalCouncil Coastal Plan.

0 Portion of RegionalCouncil submissionsaccepted versus lotalRegional Councilsubmissions made onhistoric herilage 10Territorial Authorityconsenl planningprocesses

Except for change because of natural Indigenous biological • Number of Schedule F • Oulslandingprocesses, or change aulhorised by a diversity, landscape and outslanding landscapes and naluralresource consenl, at 2017 Ihe hisloric heritage landscapes and nalural features characlerislicscharacterislics and values of all Policies: 7-7 and 7-7A features where and valuesauIslanding landscapes and nalural identified assessmenl surveyfealures identified in Ihe Region characleristics and • Regional Council's(Schedule F Table F1) vnll be in Ihe values have been incidents dalabasesame or abeller slale as assessed damaged • Regional Council'sprior 10 Ihis Plan becoming operalive. • Level 01 prolection Subdivision Enquiry

afforded to Schedule F Database (SED)outstanding • Territorial Authoritylandscapes and natural dislrict plansfealures in Terrilorial • Territorial AuthorityAUlhority dislricl plans consent decisions

• Ratio of successfulRegional Councilsubmissions versuslolal Regional Councilsubmissions made onoutstandinglandscapes and naturalfeatures to TerritorialAuthority consentplanninn processes

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S c) ~1 ~ eSclA Indigenous biological diversity, landscape and historic heritage

7.7 Explanations and Principal Reasons

Indigenous biological diversityRare habitats' and threatened habitats' are made up of habitats that are eithernaturally rare in the Region (that is, there was never a large number of that type ofhabitat) or have been reduced to a level of 20% or less of their original extent inthe Region. At this level they cannot sustain themselves without intervention.Even a small loss of, or small amount of damage to, these habitats may lead to thetotal loss of this habitat type in the Region.

At-risk habitats' are made up of habitats that have been reduced to a level of lessthan 50% of their original extent in the Region. These habitats are at risk of fallinginto the threatened category (described above) in the lifetime of this Plan ifsomething is not done to prevent that habitat loss. At-risk habitats' also includethose areas which provide a habitat for a rare or threatened species.

The objectives, policies and methods adopted aim to prevent the further loss ofrare habitats' and threatened habitats' and to control activities which may have anadverse effect on the unique characteristics of at-risk habitats'. Also included areobjectives, policies and methods to actively manage, improve and protectidentified habitats.

Natural features and landscapesThe protection of outstanding natural features and landscapes from inappropriatesubdivision, use and development is a matter of national importance. While theregulation of land use with regard to competing pressures for the subdivision, useand development of land that may affect natural features and landscapes is mostappropriately dealt with at a Territorial Authority level, it is considered importantthat this document should continue to provide a list of regionally outstandingnatural features and landscapes and their associated characteristics and values.The objectives, policies and methods provide guidance and direction for theprotection of these values. For example, the policies require avoidance ofsignificant adverse cumulative effects (ie., cumulative effects that are so adversethat they have the potential to significantly alter or damage the essentialcharacteristics and values of the natural feature or landscape).

Natural characterThe preservation of the natural character of the coastal environment, wetlands,rivers and lakes and their margins is a matter of national importance. The naturalcharacter of the CMA is dealt with in Chapter 9. The approach of the One Plan isto maintain the current degree of natural character of the coastal environment,wetlands, rivers and lakes and their margins and to restore and rehabilitate naturalcharacter where appropriate. The objectives, policies and methods adopted in thisdocument aim to achieve this by:

(a) providing policy guidance on matters to be taken into account whenexercising functions and powers under the RMA and when makingdecisions on applications which may affect natural character,


Indigenous biological diversity. landscape and hislorlc herilageA

(b) the restoration and rehabilitation of natural character where appropriate,and

(c) actively protecting and managing indigenous biodiversity, wetlands, andrivers and lakes as described in other parts of this document.

Historic HeritageThe protection of historic heritage from inappropriate subdivision, use anddevelopment is a matter of national importance. II is considered important toprovide a regional framework for the protection of historic heritage by:

(a) requiring Territorial Authorities and the Regional Council to identify historicheritage sites' and structures, and to include them in district plans and theRegional Coastal Plan for protection from inappropriate subdivision, useand development, and

(b) requiring the Regional Council to manage the effects on historic heritagefor those resource use activities for which it has jurisdiction.

Objective 7-3 and Policies 7-10 and 7-11 and Policy 4-2 provide the regionalframework, guidance and direction required to manage historic heritage.

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PLEASE NOTE:

• This is how the plan will look assuming that consent order requests are signed-off by theEnvironment Court

• Changes by consent orders approved by the Environment Court are shown in light pink highlight.• Changes from Consent Orders in the Environment Court are identified by yellow highlight.

10 Natural Hazards

10.1 Scope and Background

This chapter establishes an overall framework for natural hazard managementunder the RMA. It also sets out the division of responsibilities between theRegional Council and Territorial Authorities for natural hazard management underthe RMA.

The Region is vulnerable to a number of natural hazards. The principal threat isfrom flooding. Other natural hazards include earthquakes, tsunami, volcanicaclion and land subsidence. Climate change is likely to influence the frequency,scale or intensity of atmospherically influenced natural hazards such as flooding.The vulnerability of the Manawatu-Wanganui Region to natural hazard events isincreased because of human activity such as:• land disturbance' and vegefation clearance', particularly on hill slopes in a Hill

Country Erosion Management Area', which can increase the erosion risk andthe amount of sediment in the flood channel, in turn increasing the intensity of,and effects from, floods and reducing the effectiveness of mitigation measuressuch as stopbanks

• the increasing number of people living in hazard-prone areas (includingassociated infrastructure) such as along the coast and adjacent to rivers,which increases the damage potential from natural hazard events, putting livesat risk. It can also reduce the effectiveness of existing mitigation measuressuch as stopbanks.

Most of the Regional Council's operational work on natural hazard management iscarried out under the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Act 1941, whichprovides for the establishment of river and drainage schemes. Emergencyresponse, community readiness, recovery planning and research into naturalhazard risks, is carried out under the Civil Defence and Emergency ManagementAct 2002. These roles are implemented through the Civil Defence and EmergencyManagement Group Plan rather than through the One Plan. The role of theRegional Council and Territorial Authorities under the RMA is primarily one of riskreduction to ensure that resource use activities do not exacerbate natural hazardrisks or impede natural hazard mitigation works, thereby ensuring thatdevelopments do not put people or property in places or circumstances of unduerisk.

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Proposed One Plan as Amended by Environment Court Decisions (as at 29 August 2013)

10.2

Natural Hazards

The approach to managing natural hazards in this Plan is to:

(a) set out a clear regional framework for natural hazard management,

(b) improve clarity around the respective roles of the Regional Council andTerritorial Authorities under the RMA,

(c) discourage future residential development and placement of criticalinfras/ructure* in areas prone to natural hazard events, particularly areasat high risk of flooding, and

(d) continue to provide information to Territorial Authorities and the generalpublic with regard to natural hazards.

FloodingFlooding occurs frequently in the Region. The impacts of floods are mostlylocalised, but the likelihood of a major flood occurring in any year is high.

The February 2004 storm event caused widespread flooding. Recovery from thatevent will span many years. It showed only too well the problems that can arisefrom the combination of such a large storm event with vegetation clearance* on hillslopes and residential settlements and infrastructure on flood-prone or unstableland. The resulting sedimentation in water bodies and erosion on land hasimpacted on infrastructure, people, land use and the natural environment.

Today over half of the Region's population lives on the floodplains of the majorrivers. The establishment of river and drainage schemes (with the associatedconstruction of stopbanks, floodgates, spillways and retention dams) has been anintegral part of the development of the Region. Current schemes undergo regularreview and assessments are undertaken for areas that could be included in theseschemes or established as new schemes. More information on minimising theeffects of erosion and flooding on the beds of rivers and lakes can be found inChapter 6.

ErosionHill country erosion and coastal erosion are both of concern, as human activity hasthe potential to greatly increase erosion risk and associated impacts on peopleand property. Hill country erosion is addressed in Chapter 5.

Other natural hazardsOther natural hazards that occur less frequently include earthquakes, volcanicaction, land subsidence and coastal environment hazards (including tsunami,storm surge and sea level rise* hazards). Despite their low frequency, they havepotential to put the Region at risk. Although little is known of the risks of thesehazards, current research, such as the Regional Council's tsunami hazards study,will enable better future planning. Due to limited knowledge of the influenceclimate change may have on some natural hazard events, a precautionaryapproach to establishing or intensifying land use activities in areas potentiallysubject to natural hazards is required. Potential impacts will continue to be dealtwith by contingency planning, such as the regional civil defence response teamand insurance schemes, until further research can be undertaken.

Significant Resource Management Issue

Issue 10-1: Effects of natural hazard events

Natural hazard events can adversely affect people, including their social,economic and cultural wellbeing, and the natural and physical resources they relyon, such as property and infrastructure. In particular:

10-2 Proposed One Plan as Amended by Environment Court Decisions (as at 29 August 2013) ~one plan

30

10.3

Natural Hazards

(a) development can exacerbate the risks from natural hazards, particularlyflooding and coastal hazards, by placing more people, property andinfrastructure in hazard-prone areas and by reducing the effectiveness ofexisting hazard mitigation measures such as stopbanks,

(b) climate change is likely to cause the hydrological cycle to become moreextreme, resulting in an increase in the intensity and frequency of hazardssuch as droughts, heavy rainfall, cyclones and storm surges, and

(c) predicted sea level rise' is likely to increase the risk of inundation anddamage to communities and infrastructure in coastal areas during naturalhazard events.

Objective

Objective 10-1: Effects A of natural hazardA events

The adverse effects' of nafural hazard' events on people, property, infrastructure'and the wellbeing of communities are avoided or mitigated.

WhiJinga 10-1: Nga panga 0 nga mea m6rearea 0 te ao toroa

10.4

Ka parea, ka whakaitingia nga panga kino 0 nga mea morearea 0 te ao toroa ki tefangata, nga rawa, nga kaupapa 0 raro, me te oranga ohanga 0 nga hapori.

Policies

Policy 10-1: Responsibilities for natural hazardA management

In accordance with s62(1)(i) RMA, local authority' responsibilities for naturalhazard' management in the Region are as follows:

(a) The Regional Council and Territorial Authorities' must be jointlyresponsible for:

(i) raising public awareness of the risks of natural hazards' througheducation, including information about what natural hazards' existin the Region, what people can do to minimise their own level ofrisk, and what help is available.

(b) The Regional Council must be responsible for:

(I) developing objectives and policies for Region-wide managementof activities for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating naturalhazardsA,

(Ii) developing specific objectives, policies and methods (includingrules') for the control of:(A) all land' use activities in the coastal marine area',

(8) erosion protection works that cross or adjoin mean highwater springs,

(C) all land' use activities in the beds' of rivers' and lakesA,

for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating natural hazardsA, and

(iii) taking the lead role in collecting, analysing and storing regionalnatural hazard' information and communicating this information toTerritorial Authorities'.

(c) Territorial Authorities' must be responsible for:

(i) developing objectives, policies and methods (including rules') forthe control of the use of landA to avoid or mitigate natural

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Proposed One Plan as Amended by Environment Court Decisions (as at 29 August 2013) 10-3

A Natural Hazards

l1azards' in all areas and for all activities except those areas andactivities described in (b)(ii) above, and

(ii) identifying floodways' (as shown in Schedule I') and other areasknown to be inundated by a 0.5% annual exceedance probability(AEP) flood event' on planning maps in district plans', andcontrolling tand' use activities in these areas in accordance withPolicies 10-2 and 10-4.

Policy 10-2: Development in areas prone to flooding

(a) The Regional Council and Territorial Autl1orities' must not allow theestablishment of any new structure' or activity, or any increase in thescale of any existing structure' or activity, within a floodway' mapped inSchedule I unless:

(i) there is a functional necessity to locate the structure' or activitywithin such an area, and

(ii) the structure' or activity is designed so that the adverse effects' ofa 0.5% annual exceedance probability (AEP) (1 in 200 year) floodevent' on it are avoided or mitigated, and

(iii) the structure' or activity is designed so that adverse effects' onthe environment', including the functioning of the f1oodway,arising from the structure' or activity during a flood event' areavoided or mitigated,

in which case the structure' or activity may be allowed.

(b) Outside of a floodway' mapped in Schedule I the Regional Council andTerritorial Autl1orities' must not allow the establishment of any newstructure' or activity, or an increase in the scale of any existing stn/cture'or activity, within an area which would be inundated in a 0.5% AEP (1 in200 year) flood event' unless:

(i) flood l1azard avoidance' is achieved or the 0.5% AEP (1 in 200year) flood hazard is mitigated, or

(ii) the non-habitable structure' or activity is on production/and" or

(iii) there is a functional necessity to locate the stn/cture' or activitywithin such an area,

in any of which cases the structure' or activity may be allowed.

(c) F/ood 11azard avoidance' must be preferred to flood hazard mitigation.

(d) When making decisions under Policies 10-2(a) and b(i) regarding theappropriateness of proposed flood hazard mitigation measures, theRegional Council and Territorial Autl1orities' must:

(ia) ensure that occupied structures have a finished floor or groundlevel, which includes reasonable freeboard, above the 0.5% AEP(1 in 200 year) flood level.

(i) ensure that in a 0.5% AEP (1 in 200 year) flood event' theinundation of access between occupied structures' and a safearea where evacuation may be carried out (preferably ground thatwill not be flooded) must be no greater than 0.5 m above finishedground level with a maximum water velocity of 1.0 mis, or someother combination of water depth and velocity that can be shownto result in no greater risk to human life, infrastn/cture' or

Schedule I is not a componenl of Part I - the Regional Policy Statement. It is a componenl of Part 11- the Regional Plan.2 Flood event does not include the effects of stormwater which are managed by Terrifon'a! Authon'ties" under different criteria including

engineering, subdivision and design standardsfmanuals

10·4 Proposed One Plan as Amended by Environment Court Decisions (as at 29 August 2013) ~~one plan

Natural Hazards Aproperty',

(ii) ensure that any more than minor adverse effects' on theeffecliveness of existing flood hazard avoidance' or mitigationmeasures, including works and structures' within River andDrainage Schemes, natural landforms that protect againstinundation, and overland stormwater flow paths, are avoided,

(iii) ensure that adverse effects on existing stnlctures' and activitiesare avoided or mitigated,

(iv) have regard to the likelihood and consequences of the proposedflood hazard mitigation measures failing,

(v) have regard to the consequential effects' of meeting therequirements of (d)(i), including but not limited to landscape andnatural character, urban design, and the displacement offloodwaters onto adjoining properties', and

(vi) have regard to the proposed ownership of, and responsibility formaintenance of, the flood hazard mitigation measures includingthe appropriateness and certainty of the maintenance regime.

(e) Within that part of the Palmerston North City Council district that isprotected by the Lower Manawatu River Flood Control Scheme to a 0.2%AEP (1 in 500 year) standard, including the Mangaone Stream stopbanksystem, additional flood hazard avoidance' or mitigation measures willgenerally not be required when establishing any new structure' or activityor increasing the scale of any existing structure' or aclivity.

(ea) Despite Policy 10-2(d)(ia) and (i), within that part of the Wanganui centralcity bounded by Bates Street, Ridgeway Street and Victoria Avenue, floodhazard mitigation measures will not be limited to considering flood heightand flow but will include such methods as resilient construction andemergency management systems.

(I) This policy does not apply to new critical infrastn/cture'.

Policy 10-4: New critical infrastructure'

The placement of new critical infraslruclure' in an area likely to be inundated by a0.5% AEP (1 in 200 year) flood event' (including floodways mapped in ScheduleI), or in an area likely to be adversely affected by another type of natural hazard"must be avoided, unless there is satisfactory evidence to show that the criticalinfrastructure*:

(a) will not be adversely affected by floodwaters or another type of naturalhazard"

(b) will not cause any adverse effects' on the environment' in the event of aflood or another type of natural hazard"

(c) is unlikely to cause a significant increase in the scale or intensity of naturalhazard' events, and

(d) cannot reasonably be located in an alternative location.

Policy 10-5: Other types of natural hazards"

,..,..~

one plan

The Regional Council and Territorial Authorities' must manage futuredevelopment and activities in areas susceptible to natural hazard' events(excluding flooding) in a manner which:

(a) ensures that any increase in risk to human life, property or infrastructure'from natural hazard' events is avoided where practicable, or mitigatedwhere the risk cannot be praclicably avoided,

Proposed One Plan as Amended by Environment Court Decisions (as at 29 August 2013)

Natural Hazards

(b) is unlikely to reduce the effectiveness of existing works, stn/ctures"natural landforms or other measures which serve to mitigate the effects"of natural hazard" events, and

(c) is unlikely to cause a significant increase in the scale or intensity of naturalhazard" events.

Policy 10-6: Climate change"

10.5

The Regional Council and Territorial Authorities" must take a precautionaryapproach when assessing the effects of climate change and sea level rise' on thescale and frequency of natural hazards" with regard to decisions on:

(a) stormwater discharges" and effluent disposal,

(b) coastal development and coastal land" use,

(c) activities adjacent to rivers"

(d) water" allocation and water" takes,

(e) activities in a Hill Country Erosion Management Area',

(I) flood mitigation activities, and

(g) managing storm surge.

Methods

The following are non-regulatory methods to implement the policies of Chapter 10:

Method 10-1 I Hazards Research

Description This method provides for the investigation, identification and mapping of thoseparts of the Region that are at risk from natural hazards, including seismic,volcanic, land subsidence, tsunami, fiooding and coastal erosion hazards. Itincludes consideration of sea level rise' and climate change implications onthose hazards.

This infonmation will be provided to Territorial Authorities for district planningpurposes and to other interested parties, and maps will be updated asrequired.

Who Civil Defence and Emergency Management Group, Regional Council,Territorial Authorities and research institutes.

Links to Policy This method implements Policies 10-1, 10-4 and 10-5.

Target Hazards are mapped by 2010 and updated as required.

Method 10·2 IAreas Prone to Flooding Research

Description A Region-wide study of areas prone to fiooding, including consideration of sealevel rise' and climate change implications, will be carried out to update fioodmaps and infonmation in order to assist Territorial Authorities in thedevelopment of district plans, and the Regional Council's advice service.

Who Civil Defence and Emergency Management Group, Regional Council, andresearch institutes.

Links to Policy This method implements Policies 10-1, 10-2, 10-4 and 10-6.

Target Hazards are mapped by 2010 and updated as required.

10-6 Proposed One Plan as Amended by Environment Court Decisions (as at 29 August 2013) ~one plan

Natural Hazards A

Method 10-3 I Natural Hazard Infonnation and Advice

Description The Regional Council will provide Terrilorial Authorities and other interestedparties with up-to-date natural hazard infonnation to assist in the assessmentof land development consent applications, particularly subdivisions.

Who Regional Council.

Links to Policy This method implements Policies 10-1, 10-2, 10-4, 10-5 and 10-6.

Target Ongoing advice to Territorial Authorities and other interested parties.

Method 10-4 Public Infonnation - Natural Hazards

Description Easily accessible information will be developed and provided to increasepublic awareness of the risks of natural hazards, including earthquake,volcanic aclion, land subsidence, tsunami, flooding and coastal erosion,including consideration of sea level rise' and climate change implications.

Up-to-date natural hazard infonnation will be provided to the general publicand other interested parties (for example, advance warning flood and laharsystems and civil defence literature), together with advice on appropriateoptions for avoiding or mitigating natural hazards.

Who Civil Defence and Emergency Management Group, Regional Council,Territorial Authorities, research institutes and other relevant agencies.

Links to Policy This method implements Policies 10-1, 10-2, 10-4, 10-5 and 10-6.

Target Information provided via website and available in paper fonn by 2010.

10.6 Anticipated Environmental Results

Anticipated Environmental Result I Link to Policy I Indicator I Data Source

By 2017, the risk to people, property Natural Hazards • Number of new dwelling • Territorialand critical infrastructure' will be the Policies: 10-1, houses in areas prone to Authoritiessame as or less than before this Plan 10-2, 10-4, 10-5 flooding consistent with Policy • Regional Council'sbecame operative. and 10-6 10-2 Operations Group

• Number of incidents where maintenanceLand Policies: 5-1, activities are affecting records5-2A and 5-5 schemes, especially • Regional Council's

Water Policies:stopbanks compliance

• Natural hazard infonnation database6-29 and 6-31 shared with Territorial Regional Council's•

Authorities and interested incidents databaseparties

• District plans incorporatinghazardous areas on planningmaps and associatedregulation of land use inthose areas

By 2017, people will be more aware of Natural Hazards • Public perception • Customer surveysthe risks of natural hazards in the Policies: 10-1, • Number of requests for • Subdivision EnquiryRegion and how to cope with them 10-2, 10-4, 10-5 information Database (SED)than they were before this Plan and 10-6

• Districl plans incorporating

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Proposed One Plan as Amended by Environment Court Decisions (as at 29 August 2013) 10-7

,," Natural Hazards

became operative. hazardous areas on planningmaps and associatedregulation of land use inthose areas

10.7 Explanations and Principal Reasons

Objective 10-1, Policies 10-1 to 10-6 and the methods above set out a regionalframework for avoiding or mitigating the adverse effects of natural hazard eventson communities, infrastructure and the natural environment.

Policy 10-1 clarifies the respective roles of the Regionat Council and TerritorialAuthorities as required by s62 RMA. Policy 10-1 largely continues the delineationof responsibilities under the former Regional Policy Statement. The RegionalCouncil has taken on the role of selling a regional framework for natural hazardmanagement, while allowing decisions on most land use activities to be made byTerritorial Authorities.

Policy 10-2 targets floodways and areas prone to flooding, as flooding is the mostsignificant natural hazard in the Region. Areas prone to flooding (including the"floodable area" as in Figure 1:3A) are defined as those areas that would beinundated by a 0.5% AEP (1 in 200 year) flood event'. This is a change from thepreviously used standard for delineating areas prone to flooding of a 1% AEP (1 in100 year) flood event', in order to take into account the iikely effects of climatechange. Policy 10-2 generally seeks to avoid residential development and othernew activities in areas likely to be affected by flooding, due to the risks to humanlife and property. It is recognised, however, that some activities have a functionalnecessity to be located in areas prone to fiooding (Policy 10-2(a) and Policy 102(b)), or that mitigation for dwellings and other activities (for example, access in orout of areas prone to fiooding and building design) can be put in place to avoid anyincrease in impacts of floods (Policy 10-2(d)(ia) and (i)).

Policy 10-5 sets up the general management regime for other types of naturalhazards. Hazard avoidance is preferred to hazard mitigation because of theimpacts on human life, property and infrastructure. Avoiding all hazards is difficult,however, because of their infrequency and the widespread nature of their effects.

Policies 10-2, 10-4 and 10-5 also include provisions seeking to ensure that theeffectiveness of existing hazard mitigation measures is not undermined by futureactivities.

Policy 10-4 seeks to ensure that critical infrastructure' is not disabled by naturalhazard events, by avoiding the placement of critical infrastructure' in areas proneto natural hazards. The policy recognises that in some cases this is unavoidable for example, roading and gas supplies in coastal areas regardless of tsunami risk,and infrastructure in settlements located on liquefaction zones.

Policy 10-6 seeks to ensure that the implications of climate change are consideredas appropriate.

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