Operative Waikato Regional Policy Statement (October 2000)

<<Previous    Index    Next>>

3  Significant Resource Management Issues, Objectives, Policies and Methods

3.5  Coast

3.5.4 Natural Character and Coastal Processes

Principal Reasons for Adopting: Section 6(a) of the RMA requires as a matter of national importance that the preservation of the natural character of the coastal environment (including the coastal marine area), wetlands, and lakes and rivers and their margins, and the protection of them from inappropriate subdivision, use and development be recognised and provided for. The preservation of natural character is also a major focus of the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement (NZCPS).

A wide range of factors can contribute to the degradation of coastal areas. Modification of the coastal area can result from the way the area is used. For example, vehicle and pedestrian traffic, dredging, harvesting of marine species, stock access, removal of vegetation, coastal subdivision, developments and associated infrastructure.

Through a consultative process, identify and protect significant areas, features, processes, and the range and diversity of species and their habitats in the coastal environment, including:

1. natural character of the coastal environment
   
2. outstanding landforms and landscapes
   
3. significant indigenous vegetation and significant habitats of indigenous fauna
   
4. areas of importance to tangata whenua.

1. In consultation with territorial authorities, DoC, coastal communities, iwi, and other interested parties, identify outstanding landforms and landscapes, and areas of significant indigenous vegetation and significant habitats of indigenous fauna, and provide protection for such areas.
   
2. Liaise with tangata whenua to determine how information about areas of the coastal environment of importance to tangata whenua should be identified and recorded, and which areas should be protected.
   
3. Develop and maintain an information base, including identification of areas in the coastal environment of significant natural character.
   
4. Through regional and district plans and resource consents, ensure areas of significant natural character in the coastal environment are recognised and protected.

Ensure that the subdivision, use and/or development of the coastal environment are undertaken in a way, or at a rate which recognises and provides for the unique processes operating in this environment.

1. Through regional and district plans and resource consents, ensure that subdivision, use and development of the coastal environment recognise and provide for the dynamic nature of coastal processes.
   
2. Collect, and make publicly available, information on coastal processes, and how these processes can be affected by subdivision, use, and development.

Adopt a precautionary approach when managing the coastal environment which recognises the likely occurrence of events in the coastal environment of high potential impact and low probability.

1. Through the regional coastal plan, establish performance criteria to guide use and development in the coastal marine area.
   
2. Through the regional coastal plan, ensure that where the effects of any activity in the coastal environment are unknown, a precautionary approach is taken.

Promote the use of ‘soft-engineering’ or non-engineering solutions to avoid or mitigate the adverse effects of natural hazards in the coastal environment.

1. Through regional and district plans, resource consents, and environmental education, advocate the use of soft engineering or non engineering solutions to coastal hazards.
   
2. Provide information and encourage territorial authorities and the public to use methods to avoid or mitigate coastal hazards that preserve the natural character of the coastal environment.

The natural character and associated values of the coastal environment of the Waikato make an important contribution to the Region’s uniqueness. Features such as: the habitats of indigenous fauna; coastal landscapes and seascapes; sites of spiritual or cultural significance; and significant historic places or areas all add to the special value of the coastal environment. Policy One will ensure such values are protected.

The Waikato Regional Council (Environment Waikato) requires sufficient information to make informed and responsible resource management decisions. Information about the Region’s natural and physical resources and knowledge about the values associated with particular resources is important for effective resource management. Natural values and features will need to be identified and managed carefully. As well as physical and biological characteristics, Policy One recognises that community values are also important in identifying natural features of significance.

The coastal environment is dynamic, and processes such as dune formation, longshore drift, and erosion influence its form. Policy Two recognises that the coastal environment undergoes continual change. Any proposal to use or develop the coastal environment must take into account any potential effects it may have on coastal processes and the effects of coastal processes on the use or development. Any proposal to use, develop or protect the coastal environment should also take into account relative changes in sea level.

The precautionary approach to coastal management, as promoted in Policy Three, recognises the current lack of knowledge about the coast by treating activities as either discretionary, non-complying, or prohibited where there is insufficient knowledge to predict the effects of the activity, the activity may have significant adverse effects, or it is not practicable to require the applicant to gather sufficient information to predict the effects of the activity. The precautionary approach is advocated in the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement.

Objectives, policies and methods relating to natural hazards (including coastal hazards) are contained in section 3.8. Policy Four relates to the natural character aspects of coastal hazard avoidance and mitigation, for example ‘soft-engineering’ or non-engineering solutions. Soft-engineering options such as beach nourishment or setback zones recognise that structures can not only interfere with wave patterns and sand transport, resulting in additional or transferred problems of erosion or accretion, but can also have adverse effects on natural character.

1. Significant coastal areas, features and processes protected.
   
2. No further inappropriate subdivision, use or development.
   
3. Reduced use of hard engineering solutions to coastal erosion and hazards.

<<Previous    Index    Next>>

Footnotes

1. See Glossary for definition of preservation, natural character and coastal environment.
2. See also section 3.11, Plants and Animals (Biodiversity).
3. See Glossary for definition of precautionary approach.
4. See section 3.8 for objectives, policies and methods relating to natural hazards, including coastal hazards.