Regional Policy Statement for Taranaki |
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| This page: | Part B, Sect 10 — Landscapes, heritage, amenity | 10.1 — Natural features, landscapes |
| Other pages: | 10.2 — Historic heritage | 10.3 — Amenity values |
10. Natural features and landscapes, historic heritage and amenity value
This section identifies resource management issues of regional significance, which have their primary effect on Taranaki's natural features and landscapes, historic heritage and amenity values. These issues are grouped under the headings of:
- protecting our outstanding and important natural features and landscapes
- protecting our historic heritage
- maintaining and enhancing amenity values.
10.1 Protecting our outstanding and important natural features and landscapes
Background to the issue
For the purposes of this Regional Policy Statement, 'outstanding' refers to those natural features or landscapes of exceptional value or eminence or distinction on a national regional or district level.
Taranaki contains many natural features and landscapes that are outstanding. Some of these are nationally and internationally outstanding while others are outstanding at a regional or district level. Outstanding natural features and landscapes include Mt Taranaki, the Pouakai and Kaitake Mountain Ranges and parts of the distinctive lahar mounds of the ring plain.
Some outstanding natural features and landscapes are associated with parts of Taranaki's coastal environment and these include the Sugar Loaf Islands and Paritutu, parts of the coastline and cliffs of north and south Taranaki and some river mouths and estuaries.
In the inland hill country, vast panoramas of accordant hill tops and steep sided valleys can be viewed from a number of saddle and summit points and these views are considered to be valued features of the Taranaki landscape.
A number of Taranaki rivers and lakes and their margins (eg the Hangatahua (Stony) River, Maketawa Stream and Lake Rotokare) are also considered to be outstanding in terms of their natural values, features and landscapes.
Inappropriate subdivision, use and development may adversely impact on people's use, enjoyment and appreciation of outstanding natural features and landscapes and/or result in the degradation of their values. Examples include the increasing level of subdivision along the coast and site-specific developments that can affect archaeological and heritage sites, indigenous bush or amenity. Activities such as building, subdivisions, mining, logging and quarrying, reclamations, land clearance, grazing, afforestation and road and infrastructure development, can have varying effects depending upon the scale and location of the activity.
Other natural features and landscapes, while not considered outstanding, may nevertheless still be of value at a regional or district level. e.g. wetlands. These areas may be of value for their scenic, amenity, recreational, scientific and Maori cultural and spiritual values or other values which may contribute to the quality of the Taranaki environment make an important contribution to the social wellbeing of individuals and communities and are appreciated by residents and visitors alike. Some of these areas are identified in Appendix I and Appendix II. The value of these features and landscapes should be given appropriate consideration in managing the use, development and protection of resources.
Many natural features and landscapes of rural Taranaki exist within productive farmland. Indeed many valued aspects of Taranaki rural landscapes are present as a result of generations of farming. Farming and its associated activities are important to the region and normal farming operations are able to fit within and contribute to the region's rural landscape values.
The significant issues in relation to outstanding and important natural features and landscapes in the Taranaki region are:
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Protecting our outstanding natural features and landscapes from inappropriate subdivision, use and development.
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The appropriate management of other natural features and landscapes of value to the region. |
Objective
NFL OBJECTIVE 1
To protect the outstanding natural features and landscapes of the Taranaki region from inappropriate subdivision, use and development, and to appropriately manage other natural areas, features and landscapes of value to the region.
Policies
Nationally and regionally outstanding natural features and landscapes
NFL POLICY 1 Outstanding natural features and landscapes are to be protected from inappropriate subdivision, use and development, including protection of: (a) the special scenic, recreational, scientific and Māori cultural and spiritual values associated with Mount Taranaki; (b) the volcanic landforms and features of regional significance on the Taranaki ring plain; (c) the special scenic, recreational and scientific values associated with the coastal environment and coastal features of regional significance; (d) the natural character and natural features and landscapes of regional significance associated with Taranaki's rivers and lakes and their margins; (e) the rural features and landscapes of regional significance, including the scenic and landscape qualities of the raised marine terraces of south Taranaki and inland Taranaki hill country; and (f) landscape features associated with areas of indigenous vegetation that are of regional significance.
Other natural areas, features or landscapes of value
NFL POLICY 2 Recognition shall be given to the appropriate management of other natural areas, features or landscapes not covered by Policy 1 above, but still of value to the region for one or more of the following reasons: (a) the maintenance of water quality and quantity; (b) soil conservation; (c) the avoidance or mitigation of natural hazards; (d) natural character amenity and heritage values and scientific and educational significance; (e) geological and geomorphological, botanical, wildlife and fishery values; (f) biodiversity and the functioning of ecosystems; (g) 'sinks' or 'pools' for greenhouse gases; and (h) cultural features of significance to tangata whenua.
Appropriate subdivision, use and development
NFL POLICY 3
The protection of outstanding and where appropriate, other natural features and landscapes of value shall be achieved by having regard to the following criteria in determining appropriate subdivision, use and development:
(a) the value, importance or significance of the natural feature or landscape at the local, regional or national level;
(b) the degree and significance of actual or potential adverse effects on outstanding natural features and landscapes or other important natural features and landscapes, including cumulative effects, and the efficacy of measures to avoid, remedy or mitigate such effects;
(c) the benefits to be derived from the use and development at the local, regional and national level;
(d) the extent to which the subdivision, use or development recognises or provides for the relationship of tangata whenua and their culture and traditions with their ancestral lands, water, sites, wâhi tapu and other taonga;
(e) the need for use or development to occur in the particular location;
(f) the sensitivity or vulnerability of a natural feature or landscape to change, and its capacity to accommodate change, without compromising the values of the feature or landscape;
(g) the degree of existing modification of the natural feature or landscape from its natural character;
(h) the degree to which financial contributions associated with any subdivision, use and development can be used to offset actual or potential adverse effects arising from those activities.
Explanation of the policies
Policies 1 and 2 give effect to the requirements of the Resource Management Act. In particular, they address matters of national importance under the Act - namely, the protection of outstanding natural features and landscapes (section 6(b) of the Act), the relationship of Māori and their culture and traditions with their ancestral lands, water, sites, wāhi tapu and other taonga (section 6(e) of the Act) and, in part, the protection of areas of significant indigenous vegetation and significant habitats of indigenous fauna (section 6(c) of the Act).
Policy 1 identifies some of the areas that contain natural features and landscapes that are considered to be 'outstanding' and of national or regional significance. Provision for their protection through the methods listed below will be made.
Policy 2 recognises that other natural areas, features or landscapes are of value to the region. These include wetlands and areas of vegetation important to introduced species, such as introduced game birds and trout. Consideration is to be given to these areas and values in managing the use, development and protection of resources. Policy 2 gives effect to applicable aspects of both Sections 6 and 7 of the Act including under Section 7 the efficient use and development of natural and physical resources (Section 7 (b)), the maintenance and enhancement of amenity values (Section 7(c)), the intrinsic values of ecosystems (Section 7 (d)), the maintenance and enhancement of the quality of the environment (Section 7 (f)) and any finite characteristics of natural and physical resources (Section 7(g)).
Policy 3 lists those matters to be considered in determining appropriate subdivision, use and development in outstanding or important natural features and landscapes. These include the value or importance of the natural feature or landscape, their vulnerability to change and the overall degree of adverse effect. The benefits to be derived from the use or development at a local, regional and national level must also be considered. These and other matters listed in Policy 3 will need to be considered in determining whether on balance the use is appropriate and will meet the sustainable management purpose of the Act.
Related policies
All policies in Sections 6.1 [Surface water allocation]; Section 6.2 [Surface water quality]; Section 6.4 [Wetlands]; Section 6.5 [Land drainage and associated diversions]; Section 6.6 [Use of river and lake beds]; Section 6.7 [Public access to and along rivers and lakes]; Section 7.1 [Air quality]; Section 8.1 [Natural character of the coastal environment]; Section 8.2 [Coastal water quality]; Section 9.1 [Indigenous biodiversity]; Section 13 [Minerals]; Section 15 [Built environment]; and Section 16 [Issues of significance to iwi].
Methods of implementation
The Taranaki Regional Council will:
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Maintain a regional plan or plans with objectives, policies and methods of implementation promoting the protection of outstanding natural features and landscapes in the coastal marine area, and associated with wetlands, rivers, lakes and their margins.
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Have particular regard to the values of other natural areas, features or landscapes of value but not considered to be outstanding, when managing the use, development and protection of resources.
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Apply regional rules in the coastal marine area and in relation to soil conservation, air quality and freshwater to regulate, mitigate or prohibit resource use and development activities that have potential or adverse environment effects on outstanding natural features and landscapes.
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Promote the maintenance and enhancement of amenity values as a trustee of the Taranaki Tree Trust
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Recognise the ecological, intrinsic, amenity and conservation values afforded by indigenous vegetation and habitats of indigenous fauna when carrying out the Council's responsibilities under the Biosecurity Act 1993, Soil Conservation and River Control Act, and other legislation.
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Advocate to relevant agencies, the use of other legislation (such as the Conservation Act 1987, the National Parks Act 1980, the Reserves Act 1977, the Queen Elizabeth II National Trust Act 1977, the Fisheries Act 1983 and the Biosecurity Act 1993) or mechanisms (such as the Forest Heritage Trust Fund, Biodiversity Fund and Sustainable Management Fund) to protect or restore areas of outstanding natural features and landscapes including significant indigenous vegetation and habitats of indigenous fauna.
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Provide advice and information including guidelines to landowners, resource users and the public to: (a) generally promote awareness of the benefits of protecting and restoring areas of indigenous vegetation and habitats of indigenous fauna, including wetlands; and (b) encourage the voluntary protection or restoration of areas of indigenous vegetation and habitats of indigenous fauna, including wetlands.
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Territorial authorities may wish to consider the following methods:
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Include in district plans and on resource consents, provisions or conditions promoting the protection of outstanding natural features and landscapes.
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Have particular regard to the values of other natural areas, features or landscapes of value but not considered to be outstanding, when managing the use, development and protection of resources.
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Identify through public consultation and other processes, the region's outstanding or important natural and cultural features and landscapes. |
Principal reasons for adopting the objective, policies and methods
Territorial authorities have a particularly important role in the protection of outstanding natural features and landscapes within district plans given that most matters of this nature refer to site-specific land use consents and effects which are of direct concern.
The objective, policies and methods establish a policy framework for outstanding and important natural features and landscapes in the Taranaki region. Their aim is to promote the protection of outstanding natural features and landscapes from inappropriate subdivision, use and development, and to protect or restore other areas, features or landscapes of importance.
Through the implementation of the policies and methods, the Taranaki Regional Council can manage adverse effects on outstanding and important natural features and landscapes. The policies and methods build on current approaches. They have proven to be successful to date in terms of achieving desired environmental outcomes and are considered appropriate having regard to their efficiency and effectiveness and their benefits and costs.
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Environmental results anticipated NFL ER 1 Appropriate protection and enhancement of outstanding natural features and landscapes and other natural areas, features or landscapes of value. NFL ER 2 Appropriate subdivision, use and development are able to occur in accordance with the criteria in Policy 3. |