Coastal management in New Zealand under the Resource Management Act 1991 including protection of natural character, coastal landscapes, biodiversity, coastal hazards, surf breaks, sedimentation and strategic planning

1. Managing the coastal
environment under the RMA
Raewyn Peart
Senior Policy Analyst
Environmental Defence Society

2. Introduction to EDS
Incorporated society
established in 1971
Comprises resource
management
professionals
Not for profit with
approved charitable
status
Works collaboratively
2

3. www.rmaguide.org.nz
www.eds.org.nz 3

4. Community Guides
www.eds.org.nz 4

5. Environmental Think Tank
www.eds.org.nz 5

6. Forthcoming releases
Oceans Institutions Policy
Paper
Revised Coastal Guide
Dolphin Encounters :
Exploring human interactions
with dolphins in New Zealand
Follow EDS on Facebook and/or
Twitter @Raewyn Peart to receive
alerts and updates
Launch, Auckland 29 April

7. Forthcoming Events
EDS University
Environmental Essay
Competition
7

8. SECTION 1: THE COAST AND
DEVELOPMENT PRESSURES

9. The New Zealand Coast: Before human
contact
Coastline
mostly
forested with
extensive
wetlands and
dunelands
Bruce Bay, Westland (Craig Potton)

10. The New Zealand Coast: After human
contact
Fundamentally changed but the new rural landscapes
are strongly valued by New Zealanders

11. Coastal holiday homes started to be built in NZ
during the 1890s

12. Baby boomers spent summer holidays at the
beach in small baches tucked behind beaches
Tutukaka Coast, Craig Potton

13. Different styles of baches

14. The 1990s brought a very different style of holiday
home with much greater impacts

15. Houses are much larger
Craig Potton

16. They are located in more prominent
positions
Manganes
e Point,
Whangarei
Craig Potton

17. With an exponential increase in holiday
homes
Number of holiday homes between 1926 and 2006
120,000
100,000
80,000
60,000
40,000
20,000
0
26
46
66
30
34
38
42
50
54
58
62
70
74
78
82
86
90
94
98
02
06
19
19
19
19
19
20
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
20

18. The greatest pressure is on the east coast of
the northern North Island
Number of unoccupied dwellings for selected districts
1996, 2001 and 2006
Kapiti Coast
Marlborough
Queenstown Lakes
Whangarei 1996
2001
Far North
2006
Taupo
Rodney
Thames Coromandel
0 2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000 12,000
Number of Dwellings

19. As a result small holiday settlements have
grown - Tairua

20. We have seen new types of settlements
High end resorts - Omaha (Craig Potton)

21. Canal developments
Craig Potton

22. Rural-residential – Takau Bay, Northland
coast
Craig Potton

23. High-rise – Mount Maunganui

24. SECTION 2: IMPACTS OF
DEVELOPMENT ON THE COAST

25. Encroachment onto headlands and
ridges

26. Expansion up ridges and
backdrop hillsides

27. Grid-like settlement design – Langs Beach

28. Houses dominating the coastal edge – Manly Beach,
Whangaparaoa (Rodney District Council)

29. Coastal Sprawl
Whangaparaoa Peninsula – where the rest of the
Northland coast is headed?
Craig Potton

30. Loss of camping grounds

31. Increase in gated communities

32. The overall result is loss of natural character,
natural coastal landscapes and coastal
wilderness
Ocean Beach, Whangarei
Heads, Craig Potton

33. SECTION 3:LEGAL AND POLICY
FRAMEWORK

34. Section 6 RMA – matters of national
importance
► The preservation of the natural character of the
coastal environment (including the coastal marine area),
wetlands, lakes and rivers and their margins, and the
protection of them from inappropriate subdivision,
use and development (s6(a))
► The protection of outstanding natural features and
landscapes from inappropriate subdivision, use and
development (s6(b))
► The maintenance and enhancement of public access
to and along the coastal marine area, lakes and rivers
(section 6(d))

35. But what is “inappropriate development”
Dictionary definition (Concise Oxford)
►“Inappropriate” – Not suitable or appropriate
►“Appropriate” – suitable, proper
►“Suitable” – right or appropriate for a particular
person, purpose or situation

36. Is this inappropriate development?

37. Is this inappropriate
development?

38. New policy
provides greater
direction on
implementing
section 6 matters

39. Policy 1: Coastal environment includes:
• Coastal marine area (MHWS to 12nm) and islands
• Where coastal processes, influences or qualities are significant
• Areas at risk from coastal hazards
• Coastal vegetation and habitat of indigenous coastal species
• Elements and features that contribute to natural character and
landscape
• Cultural and historic heritage
• Inter-related coastal marine and terrestrial systems e.g. inter-
tidal zone
• Built structures which have modified the coastal environment

40. Policy 1: Extent and characteristics of the
coastal environment

41. Landward extent of
coastal environment
needs to be identified
in plans
This is to provide
clarity on where
section 6(a) and
NZCPS 2010
provisions apply
www.eds.org.nz 41

42. Policy 13(2): Attributes of natural character
Not the same as natural features and landscapes or amenity values. May
include:
•Natural elements, processes and patterns
•Biophysical, ecological, geological and geomorphological aspects
•Natural landforms – headlands, peninsulas, cliffs, dunes, wetlands, reefs,
freshwater springs, surf breaks
•Natural movement of water and sediment
•Natural darkness of the night sky
•Places and areas that are wild or scenic
•From pristine to modified
•Experiential attributes including the sounds and smell of the sea; and their
context or setting
www.eds.org.nz 42

43. Policy 13: Attributes of natural character
Human perception and values
e.g. natural movement of
NATURAL PROCESSES sediments, water, air and living
organisms
e.g. landforms, water bodies
NATURAL ELEMENTS and vegetation
e.g. components of
NATURAL PATTERNS landscapes and seascapes

44. What is high natural character?
THIS
NOT THIS

45. Requirements to protect natural
character (policy 13)
► “Avoid” adverse effects in areas with
“outstanding natural character”
► “Avoid significant adverse effects” and A, R or M
other adverse effects on natural character in
other areas
REQUIRES identification of at least areas of high
natural character in plans

46. Promote restoration or rehabilitation of natural
character - Policy 14
www.eds.org.nz 46

47. Policy 15: Protecting coastal landscapes
► “Avoid” adverse effects on outstanding
natural landscapes (ONLs) – will be tested
in King Salmon case
► “Avoid significant adverse effects” and A, R
or M other adverse effects on other natural
coastal landscapes
REQUIRES mapping or other identification of
at least ONLs

48. Strategic Planning – Policy 7 (helps address
cumulative effects)
When preparing RPSs and plans,
councils must:
•Consider where, how and when to
provide for urban development and
other activities in the coastal
environment
•Identify areas where particular
activities and forms of subdivision
and development is inappropriate
AND provide them with protection
through objectives, policies and rules
48

49. Means no development at places like this –
New Chums Beach?

50. Careful location and design in areas which are
developed
THIS
NOT
THIS

51. Addressing cummulative effects :‘Death by a
thousand cuts’
► One or two houses may be fine – the natural
character and landscape is still dominant ...
www.eds.org.nz 51

52. Death by a thousand cuts!
But as more are
gradually
constructed …
…the built
environment
dominates
www.eds.org.nz 52

53. Roads and driveways can have more visual
impact than houses
www.eds.org.nz 53