Pipes or pipis? Marinas or marsh birds?

20 June 2014

Bay of Plenty Regional Council says you can have a say on how the region’s coastal areas should be cared for, by making a submission on the Proposed Bay of Plenty Regional Coastal Environment Plan by Friday 22 August 2014.

Regional Council Strategy General Manager Fiona McTavish, said that it’s important for people to take a look at the plan and let Council know what they think, especially if they’re interested in protecting or using areas in the coastal environment.

The Proposed Plan includes new rules for mangrove removal, aquaculture and sewage discharge from boats. It also contains new policies for managing tsunami risk and identifies four new Harbour Development Zones in the Tauranga Harbour.

Areas with significant natural and wildlife values have been re-classified and re-mapped. Under the Proposed Plan the most sensitive of these areas will be protected from activities like mining and petroleum extraction, vehicle use, land reclamation and digging new drains.

“The Regional Coastal Plan informs city and district council plans and guides Regional Council’s work and resource consent decisions. It puts controls in place for activities in the coastal marine area, like building sea walls or boat ramps, dredging, and removing mangroves,” she said.

The Proposed Plan outlines how infrastructure and other activities can be provided for in the coastal environment, whilst ensuring water quality and areas with special natural, cultural, recreational or historic values are protected, along the region’s coastline and up to 12 nautical miles out to sea.

“The last plan was completed in 2003. Since then, community demands have changed, new information has been gathered and new legislation and coastal policy have been adopted. The Proposed Plan reflects those changes,” said Mrs McTavish.

“We’ve consulted widely and worked hard to provide a plan that is appropriately balanced between protection and use of the coastal environment. The public notification phase is a final opportunity for people to tell us if there are parts of the plan they particularly agree or disagree with, and let us know if they think further changes are needed,” she said.

A Coastal State of the Environment Report has also been prepared. It provides a summary of current management activities, threats and environmental monitoring information relating to the Bay of Plenty coastal environment. The report is available at www.boprc.govt.nz/coastalreport.

From Tuesday 24 June, the plan & submission information will be available at www.boprc.govt.nz/coastalplan or from Regional Council offices, public libraries, district and city council offices in the region.

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