Regional Policy Statement for Taranaki |
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| This page: | Part B Section 8 — Coastal environment | 8.1 Natural character |
| Other pages: | 8.2 Coastal water quality | 8.3 Public access |
8. Coastal environment
This section identifies resource management issues of regional significance, which have their primary effect on Taranaki's coastal environment. 'Coastal environment' refers to "...an environment (surroundings) in which the coast is a significant element or part, but because of Section 6(2), it now specifically includes all of the coastal marine area." (Department of Conservation: 'Report and recommendations of the Board of Inquiry into the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement' 1994). What constitutes the coastal environment will vary from place-to-place. It will include open coastal water, tidal waters, foreshore and seabed, dunes and beaches and may include estuaries, cliffs and other land areas near the coast.
These issues are grouped under the headings of:
- protecting the natural character of our coast
- maintaining and enhancing coastal water quality
- maintaining and enhancing public access to and along the coast environment.
Under the Resource Management Act 1991 a Regional Policy Statement must give effect to the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement. The Minister of Conservation has prepared and approved a New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement. The purpose of the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement is to state policies in order to achieve the sustainable management purpose of the Act in relation to the coastal environment of New Zealand. In preparing this Regional Policy Statement and identifying issues, and developing, objectives, policies and methods in relation to the coastal environment, the Taranaki Regional Council has given effect to the policies in the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement.
8.1 Protecting the natural character of our coast
Background to the issue
The Taranaki region has a long 295-kilometre coastline, comprising of rocky shores and cliffs, sandy beaches, a marine protected area, sub tidal reefs, river mouths and estuaries. Because of the rugged nature of the Taranaki coastal environment has meant that much of the coastline has retained its distinctive natural character marine area.
The natural character and associated values of the coastal environment of Taranaki make a significant contribution to the region's distinctive and unique character. These values or characteristics are important aspects of the quality of life of the Taranaki community, contributing to people's enjoyment and appreciation of the environment. Such characteristics are also important for the tourism industry in the region. Natural features of Taranaki's coastal environment that contribute to its natural character include natural coastal processes, marine life and ecosystems including indigenous flora and fauna (including those distinctive to the Taranaki coast) and biodiversity values, coastal landscapes and seascapes, surfbreaks and areas of forest, shrub land, open space and farmland. Wāhi tapu and other sites of spiritual or cultural significance to Māori, and places or areas with special historical, scientific, ecological or other heritage values or recreational and other amenity values also contribute to the natural character of the coastal environment. Natural character therefore includes a wide range of landscape, cultural, amenity and biodiversity values. The protection of the natural character of the coast will require managing the use, development and protection of resources in a way that allows those natural processes that contribute to the natural character, to occur.
Some parts of the Taranaki coastal marine area are considered to be of outstanding coastal value. The most notable of these are the Sugar Loaf Islands Marine Protected Area and the Parininihi Marine Reserve, both of which have statutory protection and are managed for conservation purposes. However, there are also other areas without formal protection, which are considered by the Taranaki community to be of outstanding coastal value and these include the Tongaporutu and Mohakatino coastline in the north and the Waitotara and Whenuakura estuaries in the south.
Most stretches of the coastline are untouched by significant developments, which might have a detrimental effect on the natural character of the coast. However, some areas such as Port Taranaki have been substantially modified and there is increasing pressure on coastal areas from urban development and subdivision.
The pressures of urban development on the coast are increasing with growing interest in subdivision and development in coastal locations. The most modified parts of the coastline are in and around the city of New Plymouth and Oakura. The north Taranaki coastline from New Plymouth to Urenui in the north, and Okato in the south, and some parts of the south Taranaki coastline, are becoming increasingly popular for residential living.
Protecting natural coastal character does not mean no coastal development - rather the focus is on protecting natural character from inappropriate, subdivision, use and development. Some parts of the coast particularly in rural areas and areas at the end of rural roads, are more vulnerable to development that may be of a type or scale that leads to a gradual loss in the natural character, and scenic and amenity values that attracted people and development to the area in the first place. Inappropriate development may also degrade water and air quality, and increase natural hazard risks or accelerated erosion.
The occupation and use of the foreshore or the seabed may also adversely affect the natural character of the coast. These activities include reclamations, building or removal of structures, removal of sand and shingle, deposition of material and other disturbances to the foreshore and seabed, the allocation of coastal space for use and development (e.g. marina or aquaculture development) and the occupation of the foreshore and seabed. Some uses and developments which depend upon the use of natural and physical resources in the coastal environment are important to the social, economic and cultural wellbeing of people and communities. Functionally, certain activities such as ports, reclamations, offshore production platforms for the oil and gas industry and other structures can only be located on the coast or in the coastal marine area. Marine electricity generation and associated pipelines, cables and onshore substations may also be located in the coastal environment. Taranaki's coastal environment has potential for marine electricity generation and this form of electricity generation may become an increasingly important way to meet New Zealand's electricity demand in future.
The protection of the values of the coastal environment need not preclude appropriate use and development in appropriate places or where adverse effects can be avoided, remedied or mitigated. In Taranaki, the number of coastal structures in Taranaki is relatively small and many, such as coastal protection structures, pipelines and boat ramps, provide wider benefits to the community. However, adverse impacts may include the degradation of amenity, landscape, cultural, recreational and commercial values associated with the coast.
The significant issues in relation to protecting the natural character of the coastal environment are:
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Managing the adverse effects of subdivision, use, development and occupation on the natural character of Taranaki's coast. |
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Providing for appropriate subdivision, use, development and occupation of the coastal environment. |
Objectives
CNC OBJECTIVE 1
To protect the natural character of the coastal environment in the Taranaki region from inappropriate subdivision, use, development and occupation by avoiding, remedying or mitigating the adverse effects of subdivision, use and development in the coastal environment.
CNC OBJECTIVE 2
To provide for appropriate, subdivision, use, development and occupation of the coastal environment in the Taranaki Region.
Policies
Natural character of the coast
CNC POLICY 1 Management of the coastal environment will be carried out in a manner that protects the natural character of the coastal environment from inappropriate subdivision, use, development and occupation and enhances natural character where appropriate. In determining the natural character of the coastal environment, matters to be considered will include: (a) the degree of modification from a natural state; (b) the amenity values of the environment, which collectively give the coastal environment its natural character including rural amenity value; (c) the importance of landscapes, seascapes and landforms, including visually or scientifically significant geological features and wild and scenic areas; (d) the contribution of Taranaki's historic heritage to the natural character of the coastal environment; (e) the degree to which the coastal environment provides for the continued functioning of ecological and physical processes including consideration of the diversity, productivity, variability and importance of marine ecosystems and marine ecosystems typical or representative of the region, and links between marine and terrestrial ecosystems; (f) the natural quality of water and air; indigenous biodiversity values; the characteristics of special spiritual, historical or cultural significance to tangata whenua; and (g) the degree of integration of human use, development and subdivision with the above components.
Appropriate subdivision, use, development and occupation
CNC POLICY 2 The protection of the natural character of the coastal environment shall be achieved by having regard to the following criteria in determining appropriate subdivision, use, development or occupation of the coastal environment: (a) the degree and significance of actual or potential adverse effects on the natural character of the coastal environment, including cumulative effects, and the efficacy of measures to avoid, remedy or mitigate such effects; (b) the extent to which the subdivision, use, development or occupation recognise and provide for the relationship of tangata whenua and their culture and traditions with their ancestral lands, water, sites, wāhi tapu and other taonga; (c) the degree to which adverse effects on those historic heritage values that can contribute to natural character can be avoided, remedied or mitigated; (d) the need for development or occupation to occur in the coastal environment; (e) where it is likely that an activity will result in significant adverse effects on the environment, any possible alternative locations or methods for undertaking the activity, and where the activity involves the discharge of any contaminant, any possible alternative methods of discharge; (f) the degree to which the subdivision, use, development or occupation will avoid adverse effects at alternative non-coastal locations; (g) the degree of existing modification of the coastal environment from its natural character; (h) the degree to which the subdivision, use, development or occupation will disrupt natural processes or will be threatened by, or will contribute to, the occurrence of natural hazards, particularly coastal erosion; (i) the degree to which the subdivision, use, development or occupation can be accommodated near existing developments and in spatially compact forms and the extent of further modification of the natural character of the coastal environment through sprawling and sporadic development; (j) the provision of adequate services, particularly the disposal of wastes; (k) the need to protect habitat (in the coastal marine area) of species including mobile species and those that are important for commercial, recreational, traditional or cultural purposes; (l) the benefits to the community of the use, development or occupation of the coastal marine area; (m) the degree to which financial contributions associated with any subdivision, use and development can be used to off set potential or actual unavoidable adverse effects arising from those activities; and
(n) the benefits to be derived from the use and development of renewable energy sources, including national, regional and local benefits.
Port Taranaki
CNC POLICY 3 Appropriate recognition should be given to Port Taranaki to ensure its efficient operation and to enable appropriate development and diversification to occur to meet changing needs.
Protection of areas in the coastal environment of importance to the region.
CNC POLICY 4 Areas in the coastal environment of importance to the region will be identified and priority given to protection of the natural character, ecological and amenity values of such areas from any adverse effects arising from inappropriate subdivision, use and development. In the assessment of areas of importance, matters to be considered will include: (a) wetlands, estuaries or coastal lagoons and coastal turf, forest and shrublands of regional, national or international importance; (b) their importance for marine mammals or birds, invertebrates and lizards for breeding, roosting or feeding, or habitats of threatened indigenous bird species; (c) the existence of regionally or nationally outstanding ecosystems or communities or nationally threatened plant or animal species; (d) scenic sites and recreational sites of outstanding or regional or national significance; (e) historic heritage values, including archaeological sites of national or outstanding significance; (f) the existence of nationally significant or outstanding coastal and marine landforms, landscapes, scientific features and associated processes; (g) the cultural and spiritual values of tangata whenua; (h) wāhi tapu and sites of importance to tangata whenua; and (i) the existence of marine protected areas.
Protection of other coastal areas of value
CNC POLICY 5 Recognition will be given to the protection where appropriate of other areas, features or landscapes in the coastal environment not covered by Policy 4 above, but still important to the region for one or more of the following reasons: (a) recognition of the special value of estuaries, including the unique physical processes that occur as a result of the interaction of coastal and river dynamics; and the importance of estuaries in providing spawning areas and nursery areas for juveniles of aquatic species; (b) amenity and scenic values; (c) recreational and historic areas; (d) biodiversity and the functioning of ecosystems; (e) scientific and landscape features; and (f) cultural features of significance to tangata whenua.
Explanation of the policies
The coastal environment as a whole has distinctive features, including natural character that are to be protected from inappropriate subdivision, use and development under section 6 of the Act and in accordance with the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement.
Policy 1 lists those matters to be considered in determining an area's natural character and, therefore, the controls or measures to be adopted to avoid, remedy or mitigate adverse effects on that natural character.
Policy 2 lists those matters to be considered in determining appropriate use and development. Although it is a matter of national importance to preserve the natural character of the coastal environment, the Resource Management Act does not preclude appropriate use and development. The New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement further establishes the requirement for the Regional Policy Statement for Taranaki to define what form of subdivision, use, development or occupation would be appropriate in the coastal environment and where it would be appropriate.
Policy 3 recognises that Port Taranaki is of regional and national significance. It is the only deep water port on the west coast of New Zealand and makes a significant contribution to the social, economic and cultural wellbeing of people and communities. It is important for the region and for New Zealand that the Port is able to operate efficiently and that appropriate development and diversification is able to occur to meet changing demands. Policy 3 recognises or gives effect to a number of the matters listed in Policy 2 and in particular Policy 2 (c), (d), (e), (g) and (j). Other policies in this Regional Policy Statement will also apply.
Policy 4 recognises that certain parts of the coastal environment are important to the region having regard to their ecological, scientific, landscape, historic, cultural and spiritual, recreational, amenity and other values, and are deserving of added protection. Some of these areas which are of local, regional and national importance are shown in Appendix II. The areas shown on the maps in Appendix II have been sourced from Taranaki Regional Council's 'Inventory of coastal areas of local or regional significance in the Taranaki region' (2004) which is a non-statutory document. Some areas are in the coastal marine area and will be identified in the Regional Coastal Plan while others where the landward component is predominant will be identified in district plans. This Regional Policy Statement is required to identify such areas and afford them protection in accordance with the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement.
Policy 5 recognises that other areas, features or landscapes in the coastal environment may also be important or valued having regard to the attributes and values listed and that recognition should be given to their protection.
Related policies
All policies in Section 5 [Land], Section 6 [Freshwater] and Section 7 [Air]; Policy 1 of Section 8.2 [Coastal water quality]; Policy 1 of Section 8.3 [Public access to and along the coastal environment]; all the policies in Section 9.1 [Indigenous biodiversity], Section 10 [Natural features and landscapes and historic heritage]; Section 11.1 [Natural hazards]; Section 12.1 [Waste management]; Section 13 [Minerals]; Section 14.1 [Energy]; Section 15.1 [Built environment]; and Section 16 [Issues of significance to iwi].
Methods of implementation
The Taranaki Regional Council will:
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Maintain the Regional Coastal Plan for Taranaki with objectives, policies and methods of implementation addressing the adverse effects of use and development on the natural character of the coastal marine area.
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Apply regional rules that recognise different coastal processes, values, and uses, and which allow, regulate or prohibit activities in: (a) areas of outstanding coastal value; (b) estuaries; (c) the open coast; and (d) Port Taranaki.
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Consider the need to make provision for the allocation of coastal space, the need for aquaculture management areas, and whether or not coastal occupation charges should be included in the Regional Coastal Plan.
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Provide advice and information to generally promote awareness of the need for the protection of the natural character of the coastal environment and the importance and values of areas of outstanding coastal value and other coastal areas of value, including rare and distinctive indigenous flora and fauna species.
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Gather or collate information on the resources and values of the coastal environment of Taranaki including flora and fauna in the coastal environment and where possible make this available in easily accessible forms including electronic forms.
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In considering applications for coastal permits for reclamation, the removal of sand, shingle, shell or other natural materials for commercial purposes, and rights to occupy, have regard to any alternatives available to the applicant and the reasons for making the proposed choice. |
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Participate as appropriate, in central government planning for a network of marine protected areas around New Zealand.
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Advocate when appropriate, to relevant agencies, the establishment of marine protected areas including marine reserves to preserve the natural character of the coastal environment.
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Assist, when appropriate, with the integrated management of marine protected areas.
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Notify Maritime New Zealand and the Hydrographic Office of the Royal New Zealand Navy when a coastal permit is granted for a new structure or other harbour work and when that structure or work is completed. |
Territorial authorities may wish to consider the following method:
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Include in district plans and resource consents, provisions or conditions to protect the natural character of the coastal environment from inappropriate subdivision, use and development of the coastal environment.
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Principal reasons for adopting the objective, policies and methods
The preservation of the natural character of the coastal environment, and protection of this area from inappropriate subdivision, use and development, is a matter of national importance.
The objective, policies and methods of implementation give effect to the purpose and principles of the Resource Management Act and establish a policy framework for maintaining and enhancing natural character and associated values of the coastal environment of Taranaki as well as providing for appropriate subdivision, use and development of the coastal environment.
The policies and methods focus on regulatory and non-regulatory methods that have regard to different values and uses that apply to different parts of the coast. What is 'appropriate' or 'inappropriate' use and development will depend not only on the activity but also upon the part of the coast where they occur. The methods and approach have proven to be successful to date in terms of public acceptance and the achievement of desired environmental outcomes. They are also considered appropriate having regard to their efficiency and effectiveness and their benefits and costs.
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Environmental results anticipated CNC ER 1 Preservation of the natural character of the coastal environment of Taranaki. CNC ER 2 Provision for appropriate subdivision, use and development of the coastal environment. |
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The New Plymouth Coastal Strategy A prosperous, growing coastal community, balancing the needs of people and environment within our high energy untamed coast (Coastal Strategy vision, 2006).
The New Plymouth District Council, after an 18-month process of research and consultation, has adopted its Coastal Strategy. The Coastal Strategy provides a strategic framework for the District Council to manage the coastal environment.
The Coastal Strategy has identified nine coastal communities, which have been identified as being distinct in the coastal environment -Tongaporutu, Urenui, Onaero, Waitara, Bell Block, Fitzroy/East End, the New Plymouth central business district and waterfront, and Oakura and Okato. For each coastal community, the Strategy outlines a vision, identifies challenges and opportunities, and sets out goals and implementation methods.
Through the Coastal Strategy, the New Plymouth District Council has identified and prioritised 100 key actions that it will implement over the next 20 years.
In the short term, the New Plymouth District Council's focus is on implementing urgent and high priority actions such as the preparation of structure plans for Urenui and Oakura, reviewing rural subdivision policies in relation to the coast, preparing an open space strategy, reviewing the district wide approach to coastal erosion, and preparing a Coastal Access Action Plan.
The Coastal Strategy, and implementation of its key actions, represents a significant commitment by the New Plymouth District Council to, not only achieving the Strategy's vision, but also in ensuring that coastal use and development will be undertaken in a manner that will protect the natural character of the New Plymouth coast. |
