RPS: Use of resources

4. Use and development of resources

4.1       RECOGNISING THE ROLE OF RESOURCE USE AND DEVELOPMENT IN TARANAKI
Background to the issue
The sustainable management of natural and physical resources means managing the use, development and protection of resources in a way or at a rate that enables people and communities to provide for their economic, social and cultural wellbeing while meeting the requirements of section 5 (2) (a), (b) and (c) of the Act.

A notable feature of the Taranaki region is its reliance on the region's natural and physical resources for its economic and social wellbeing. Farming and other land based activities play a prominent role in employment. Over 16% of Taranaki's labour force is employed in agriculture, forestry and fishing. Dairying dominates farming in Taranaki particularly on the ring plain. Over 1900 dairy farms produce approximately 12% of New Zealand's total milk solids. In addition to direct farm income from milk production, the added value by the processing of milk, whey and cheese manufacturing is a significant contributor to regional employment and income. There are approximately 1150 sheep and beef farms, mostly concentrated in the inland hill country. Exotic forest plantations continue to expand. Taranaki is also one of New Zealand's leading poultry meat producing regions and has significant pig farming operations.

Taranaki's oil and gas industry is of strategic importance to New Zealand. Taranaki contains New Zealand's only commercially producing oil and gas fields. Exploration interest in the region remains high. The presence of oil and gas in the region has given rise to industries involved in the processing, distribution, use and export of hydrocarbons important to both the regional and national economy. Gas fired power stations at Stratford and New Plymouth supply electricity to the national grid. There are also significant hydroelectric power generation facilities in the region (Patea, Motukawa, Mangorei and Waiaua).

Apart from its oil and gas resources, Taranaki has important aggregate resources used in the building and construction industries. The manufacturing and construction sectors also play an important role in the regional economy. The region has developed a national and international reputation for its food processing industries, particularly in dairy and meat products and speciality dough production. Heavy and light engineering industries have developed to service the needs of the dairy and petrochemical sectors and the meat, energy, industrial, chemical and timber processing industries.

Tourism is playing an increasingly important role in the Taranaki economy with developments based around the region's mountains, forests and other natural resources.

The region's infrastructure plays a vital role in the region's economy and the wellbeing of its people and communities. The region's road and rail network, Port Taranaki, New Plymouth airport, power generation facilities radio and telecommunications facilities, transmission lines and sewage and water treatment and reticulation systems among other infrastructure, all provide essential services to the regional community and regional and national economies.

Use and development as well as protection of natural and physical resources is therefore a significant resource management issue for Taranaki.

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The significant issue in relation to use and development of resources in Taranaki is:

Objective

UDR OBJECTIVE 1

To recognise the role of resource use and development in the Taranaki region and its contribution to enabling people and communities to provide for their social, economic and cultural wellbeing.

Policy
Use and development of resources

UDR POLICY 1

Recognition will be given in resource management processes to the role of resource use and development in the Taranaki region and its contribution to enabling people and communities to provide for their economic, social and cultural wellbeing.

Explanation of the policy

Policy 1 has been adopted to recognise the role of resource use and development in Taranaki and its contribution to the social, economic and cultural wellbeing of people and communities. Use and development of resources may be of regional and national importance providing benefits to people and communities in Taranaki and to New Zealand as a whole. The use and development of resources must be undertaken in a way which promotes the sustainable management purpose of the Act. This will mean enabling people and communities to provide for their economic, social and cultural wellbeing and for their health and safety while meeting the requirements section 5 (2) (a), (b), and (c) of the Act to meet the reasonably foreseeable needs of future generations, safeguard life-supporting capacity of resources and avoid, remedy or mitigate adverse effects on the environment.

Related policies

All other policies in this Regional Policy Statement.

Methods of implementation

The Taranaki Regional Council will:

Territorial authorities may wish to consider the following method:

Principal reasons for adopting the objective, policy and methods

The objective, policy and methods of implementation have been adopted to ensure that the role of resource use and development in enabling people and communities to provide for their economic, social and cultural wellbeing is recognised in resource management decision making processes. Such recognition is a core part of sustainable management of resources.

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