Environment Waikato’s statutory policies and plans can be subject to submissions, references and other challenges. This is part of the public consultation processes set out in the legislation that they are prepared under. Find out where our policies and plans are in the statutory process, including changes, variations and amendments.
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Environment Waikato’s policies and plans can move through different stages as they go through the consultative process. The level of legal effect each has may change at each stage. Use the information below to find out which stage each document is at and any changes which may have been made to them since they became operative.
Find out more about the consultative process and the terminology we use to describe the status of a plan document. You can also find out more information about where our policies and plans are in this process in our quarterly Policy Update.
Long-Term Council Community Plan (LTCCP)
The Long-Term Council Community Plan is the new name for the long-term planning that Environment Waikato has always done. It replaces our previous Strategic and Annual Plans, and its content is crucial to how Environment Waikato manages our environment and how this work is funded.
The LTCCP covers a 10-year period from 2006-2016 and includes our 2006/07 Annual Plan. The LTCCP spells out how we intend to contribute to the environmental, social, cultural and economic well-being of the region. Check out the LTCCP.
Annual Plan
Our Annual Plan sets out our work programmes, activities and long-term aims for managing the environment in the Waikato region. You can see the Annual Plan and download the plan document and its associated policy documents in PDF format.
Navigation Safety Bylaw 2006
The Environment Waikato Navigation Safety Bylaw 2006 covers such matters as lifejackets, moorings, operating water recreation equipment such as jetskis and reporting collisions. The Navigation Safety Bylaw became operative in July 2006. Check out the Navigation Safety Bylaw 2006.
Regional Coastal Plan
The Waikato Regional Coastal Plan applies across the Coastal Marine Area of the Waikato region from the line of Mean High Water Spring out to 12 nautical miles. The plan was notified in 1994 and decisions were made on submissions in 1997. All appeals to the Environment Court have been resolved and the plan has been approved by the Minister of Conservation. The Waikato Regional Coastal Plan became operative on 27 October 2005.
Check out the Regional Coastal Plan, and find out about this plan’s:
Regional Land Transport Strategy
Our current Regional Land Transport Strategy became operative 29 November 2006. The strategy identifies the transport needs of the region and the means of achieving those needs.
Regional Passenger Transport Plan
Our Regional Passenger Transport Plan was published in July 2003 and is reviewed every three years. The plan sets out the objectives and policies of the regional council with regard to providing passenger transport in the region. Environment Waikato must have a Passenger Transport Plan if it wishes to contract for passenger services. Check out the Regional Passenger Transport Plan, and find out about this Plan's status.
Regional Pest Management Strategy
Our Regional Pest Management Strategy (RPMS) was adopted on 28 June 2007. It details which plants and animals are declared pests in the Waikato region. It explains why they are pests, and outlines how each pest will be managed over a five-year period. Check out the Regional Pest Management Strategy, and find about about this plan’s latest Annual Report and Operational Plan.
Regional Plan
The Waikato Regional Plan was made operative in part on 28 September 2007. The plan applies to all parts of the region above Mean High Water Springs. The plan sets out how Environment Waikato will perform its functions for the management of the region’s soil, water, air and geothermal resources. The plan includes rules permitting and restricting the use of these resources.
Check out the Waikato Regional Plan.
Regional Policy Statement
Our Proposed Waikato Regional Policy Statement was made operative on 1 October 2000. It applies to all uses of natural resources across the entire Waikato region, from the top of mountain ridges to 12 nautical miles (approximately 20 kilometres) out to sea. It provides an overview of resource management issues in the Waikato region. Policies and a range of methods in the document integrate the management of natural and physical resources across resources, legal boundaries and agency functions, and guide the development of sub-ordinate plans (regional as well as district) and the consideration of resource consents. Check out the Regional Policy Statement, and find out about this policy’s status and changes.
Regional Road Safety Plan
Our Regional Road Safety Plan became operative in June 1999 and is reviewed every three years. The plan sets out the objectives and actions with regard to road safety within the region. Environment Waikato’s role in road safety is to provide a regional overview and strategic marketing and promotion of road safety across the region. Check out the Regional Road Safety Plan, and find out about this Plan’s status.