Submission to Horizons Regional Council Community Biodiversity Fund
Joint application by Horowhenua District Council/Waitarere Beach Progressive and Ratepayers Association (WBPRA) June 2021
HRC’s vision with this Indigenous Biodiversity Community Grant Programme is:
• ‘Empowering communities to reconnect with, and improve biodiversity”
This joint submission aims to fulfil these aspirations with a collaborative programme of biodiversity delivery which will involves both Horowhenua District Council staff and contractors, the WBPRA and also the wider Waitarere Beach community. The work programme seeks to both align with, and build on, the following documents:
• Restoration Plan for Waitarere Sand Dunes and Wairarawa Stream, Wildlands 2011 • Restoration Planting on the coast from Hawera to Paekakariki, a guide to the Waitarere Ecological District, Wild for Taranaki 2017
A significant aim of this project is to practically advance the dual benefits of both improved biodiversity, as well as adapting to climate change impacts in this coastal township.
Pertinent quote regarding biodiversity:
Restoration of an ecosystem is an on-going process, and key ecosystem types cannot be re-created with one initial planting. They are dynamic systems that require enrichment with mid to late successional species as they develop.
- Professor Bruce Clarkson, Waikato University (2014)
1. Background:
This joint submission between Horowhenua District Council and the Waitarere Beach Progressive and Ratepayers Association (WBPRA) brings together the biodiversity aspirations of both parties:
a. For HDC, there has been a districtwide approach to pest plant management over the last 2 years, as well as a programme of the coastal planting of spinifex and pingao; b. For WBPRA, in recent times this community have communicated clearly to Horizons Regional Council that biodiversity, particularly as it relates to the coast, is very important to its residents. The collective approach to date has been a targeted rate by Horizons Regional Council for Waitarere Beach ratepayers, for pest management work on a distinct dune section of this coastline. This is to target pest plant species acacia, lupin and yucca only.
Any funding contribution from this HRC biodiversity fund will look to greatly boost biodiversity in this coastal settlement, utilise and harness the passion of this community to achieve biodiversity improvements, and build on existing programmes of work by HRC noted in b), and by HDC noted in a).
1 | Page
This submission includes:
• Strategic context • How it meets HRC criteria for this biodiversity fund • Co-funding • Restoration approach • Project Plan, including budgets • Project monitoring and data capture
2. Strategic context
The Waitarere Beach Township has the following statistics (from Census 2018):
• A population of 2142 residents
This is a fast growing coastal township, with an engaged community which has a strong focus on environmental sustainability.
There are four main areas of benefit that this proposed programme of works seeks to aim for:
• Significant biodiversity improvements within Waitarere Beach over the next three years (and, depending on funding, beyond the three years); • Building of coastal resilience through an improved coastal dune environment, as well as significant biodiversity improvements • Greatly enhanced collaboration between HDC, the Waitarere Beach community, active ratepayer and ecological groups (like WBPRA), and other agencies like the Department of Conservation; • Education and raised profile of the importance of biodiversity on this part of the coast.
This work is intended to compliment the pest plant control works that in recent years have been undertaken by HRC and their contractor, through the targeted rate approach. The work, to be delivered through a mixture of contractor engagement and WBPRA/community volunteers, includes:
• Pest plant control by contractors, that goes wider than the current scope included in the targeted rate (acacia, lupin and yucca only) • Dune revegetation planting, both for the foredune and the top/rear dunes • Log loading of blowouts on the foredune • Beach clean-ups
This proposed work programme contained within this submission has also been compiled in the context of a number of national, regional and district level strategies that provide an overarching direction. These include:
At a national level:
• New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement 2010
At a regional level:
• Horizons Regional Council
2 | Page
o One Plan o HRC Regional Pest Management Plan
• Wellington Regional Growth Strategy
At a district level (Horowhenua):
• Waitarere Beach Community Plan (adopted 2020) • Horowhenua District Council Long term Plan • Horowhenua District Plan • HDC Open Space Strategy • Community Infrastructure Activity Management Plan
Further, the following document is also seen as a key strategic (and operational) guide to shape delivery in such a way as to ensure that all works follow best practice, as well as are appropriate for that local environment.
• Restoration Planting on the coast from Hawera to Paekakeriki (a guide to the Waitarere Ecological District)
This document was put together for community groups who want to restore ecosystems by planting native species that best suit their site and conditions. This includes excellent information on: o Getting started o Geological, climate, soils and landscapes of this part of the region’s coast o Landscape and vegetation types o Plant lists o Taonga species etc
Although this project is a joint delivery between HDC and FBRA, this guide is a great reference document for this community-driven approach, as well as a roadmap for driving collaboration between all parties.
Further detail of the strategic drivers is documented in Appendix One.
3. HRC criteria for this Biodiversity fund:
HRC has set out a number of criteria by which submitters to this fund will be assessed. The following section addresses these individual criteria directly, as they relate to this submission. Place
How unique or special is the project?
This project represents a significant opportunity for the Waitarere Beach community, as well as statutory agencies like Horizons Regional Council, Department of Conservation and Horowhenua District Council to:
3 | Page
• Put in place a comprehensive plan for ecological improvements within this coastal community • Build resilience in terms of stability within this coastal space, as well as increasing its ability to adapt to climate change • Protect and enhance environments within Waitarere Beach, which is home to a number of rare dune plant species, as well as rare animal diversity • Leverage this project work to underpin the development of a comprehensive future coastal management plan within Horowhenua, and potentially other coastal areas of the region
How does the project contribute to restoring and/or maintaining the full range of indigenous ecosystems within the region?
This project seeks to undertake a comprehensive program of biodiversity improvements, including:
• Plant pest control • Dune revegetation planting • Coordination with Horizons Regional Council staff regarding pest animal management
May include how the project involves Iwi – cultural values, interests, and associations, the relationship of Maori and their culture and traditions with land, water, sites, waahi tapu and other taonga including fauna and flora.
HDC and WBPRA will look for opportunities to include and involve local Iwi during year one of this program of works, and depending on the Iwi willingness to be involved, their input and involvement will be incorporated into work programs in years two and three. It should be noted that WBPRA and Ngati Huia have a Memorandum of Understanding which provides guidance and substance to their relationship. It is envisaged that this work programme will offer further opportunities to collaborate between all parties to achieve the biodiversity outcomes that all parties are aiming for.
There are also significant opportunities to also incorporate informational signage to highlight the works, and any important features that Iwi or the community feel are worthy of doing so. Biodiversity Outcomes
• Is there a clear benefit?
There are three clear benefits that can be noted in relation to the project plan being outlined in this application:
• Collaboration between a number of organisations, maximising the efforts of all to achieve outcomes of which ‘the sum becomes greater than the parts’ • Biodiversity improvements for fauna, flora and also ensuring that the trend is to a more obvious equilibrium between existing development (houses, structures etc) and the natural environment of this coast • Climate change adaption and coastal resilience
• What is the size of that benefit in relation to the size of investment?
A level of investment set at $30,000 per annum for year one, and $20,000 for years two and three, will realise a number of benefits:
4 | Page
• Greatly improved biodiversity for the Waitarere Beach area • A level of improved coastal resilience which is incredibly cost effective compared to other alternatives of building coastal resilience, such as hard structures etc • An increased ability for the coast to adapt to rising sea levels, as well as one-off storm events, through a management approach which includes substantial spinifex and pingao plantings on the foredune (new, or enhancement of existing foredune vegetation)
• A clear need for the project
Dune management at Waitarere Beach has been relatively sporadic and fractured to date.
At this point in time, there is a much wider understanding of the importance of biodiversity to our environment, and well as a much clearer imperative and appetite to address climate change concerns. Progressing a clear, effective restoration plan at Waitarere Beach will be a big step towards meeting these challenges in this local setting, as well as having the potential to leverage other funding sources to become an exemplar of coastal management for NZ in the 2020’s.
Our communities are seeking leadership from Central, Regional and Local Government sectors on this issue. This submission aims to start that journey in a meaningful, practical and collaborative way.
• How the project will directly promote, enhance or protect biodiversity within Horizons region?
Although this township has a permanent population of only 2142 residents, it is a popular seaside holiday destination for ‘out of towners’. As such, it has a significant influx of visitors during holiday periods. A well-managed coastal space, with meaningful biodiversity gains being achieved, has the potential to be seen and recognised by a much greater number of New Zealanders, particularly with the Covid-19 pandemic driving an increased level of domestic tourism.
In terms of biodiversity impacts, these works would complement the efforts that both HRC and HDC are achieving in the control of pest plants in the district, as well providing an important natural habitat for native birds and animals.
• Likelihood of success
The collaborative intent embraced by all parties regarding this submission, combined with the intent to draw on an excellent resources such as:
• ‘Restoration planting on the coast from Hawera to Paekakariki (a guide to the Foxton Ecological District) • Restoration Plan for Waitarere Sand Dunes and Wairarawa Stream, Wildlands 2011
These will guide delivery, and ensure the project is on a very good foundation for success.
• Applicants ability to deliver the outcomes of the project
Horowhenua District Council: The Parks & Property team of HDC have a long track record of delivery on biodiversity works, including in coastal environments. These works include plantings, pest plant control, and dune restoration projects. Within the last 3 years, specific projects include significant
5 | Page plantings of spinifex and foredune recontouring at Waitarere, in conjunction with HDC’s Stormwater team, dune works at Waitarere Beach, as well as leading community reserve and foredune planting projects at Waikawa Beach, Manakau, Waitarere Beach, Foxton and Foxton Beach. HDC is currently collaborating with HRC in the Manawatu Estuary area to deliver tangible biodiversity improvements within that coastal space.
WBPRA: This association has been an active participant in Waitarere Beach’s management and development for a number of years. The Association were instrumental in working with HRC in the formation of a targeted rate approach in recent years.
The WBPRA are keen to put in place a holistic, longer-term approach to biodiversity in Waitarere Beach, in collaboration with other agencies. Indeed, this association were a pivotal part of the creation of the Waitarere Beach Community Plan, which recently adopted by HDC, and within that document is a very strong emphasis on achieving environmental improvements in the township and surrounding dune system.
• A robust project plan
See Section 6: Project Plan.
• A clear link between the action to be taken, and the biodiversity outcomes
All the actions and year by year plans for delivery are based on strong fundamentals from resources like the Restoration planting guide for the Foxton Ecological District, and the Restoration Plan for Waitarere Sand Dunes and Wairarawa Stream. It aligns closely with the biodiversity goals in HRC’s One Plan, HDC’s Long Term Plan and District Plan, as well as a number of other strategic documents, not least NZ’s Coastal Policy Statement.
• A method for monitoring the success of the project, that is appropriate to the size of the grant
It is planned for all parties to meet at a minimum of six-monthly over the course of this three year project plan, to monitor progress, undertake forward planning and assess work done to date for learnings, as well as more frequently for preparation and planning soon after commencing.
Community Outcomes
• Participation and awareness
The Waitarere Beach community is highly engaged in terms of ecological aspirations in both the reserve areas of the township, as well as the coastal areas within and surrounding Waitarere Beach.
Through this joint submission, the WBPRA have committed to significantly increased community volunteer works in the dune area of Waitarere Beach over the next three years, including:
• Planting days (jointly with HDC, other agencies, and residents in the community) • Weed control works
6 | Page
• How the project involves the wider community including iwi (and how it increases public awareness of the importance and issues surrounding biodiversity)
The project is a joint application between HDC and WBPRA. However, both HDC and WBPRA have significant channels to communicate these works either within their own constituencies, or wider to the whole Waitarere Beach community, and district.
o Membership of Waitarere Beach Progressive Association, regular communications by that group; o Utilisation of HDC website and Facebook as platforms to highlight these works; o Iwi communication channels through whanau engagement
• Considers the ongoing accessibility of the site to the community, the educational value and the number of people involved
This coastline at Waitarere Beach is a significant feature and attraction of this seaside settlement. As such, it is very well used by both local residents and visitors to the town. There are a number of beach accessways for pedestrians, and this level of accessibility to the coast will mean any biodiversity improvement works have a prominent public profile. The use of signage where restoration projects are being undertaken will increase this exposure, and represent a good opportunity to encourage education about biodiversity and everyone looking after this precious coastal area.
The fact that this proposal is a collaboration between both parties (HDC/WBPRA) also means that a significant number of people will be aware and involved in works over this three year programme of delivery.
Collaboration and Partnership
• Whether the applicants have explored and developed opportunities for collaboration and partnership with other parties
This submission has collaboration at the heart of its biodiversity goals. Meetings have been held with the WBPRA to discuss aspirations, and to agree a biodiversity approach which maximises the benefits of involvement by all parties.
• Applicant contribution, actively involved in the project, making a contribution in the form of material, labour, advisory role, education or financial contribution.
The following table is a summary of the inputs from various parties that are collaborating in this submission. Note that the financial contribution from HDC is detailed in Section 5: Co-funding.
7 | Page
Figure 3: Table of proposed inputs from stakeholders
• Desirable attributes: include a project budget (providing visibility of all funding sources for the project)
A project budget is detailed in Section 6: Project Plan.
4. Restoration Approach
The biodiversity restoration included in this three year project plan is predominantly based on the following two documents:
• Restoration Plan for Waitarere Sand Dunes and Wairarawa Stream, Wildlands 2011 • Restoration Planting on the coast from Hawera and Paekakariki, a guide to the Foxton Ecological District (Wild for Taranaki, 2016)
In terms of planting planning for the different zones that make up the work program in this submission, the following ‘plan of action’ guiding principles will be followed as listed on page 6 of the above restoration document:
8 | Page
Figure 4: Extract from Restoration planting on the coast
Should this application be successful, planning will be commenced between HDC officers and WBPRA to undertake a detailed scope of works based on:
• the guidelines noted above; • as well as the combined biodiversity knowledge, local knowledge and expertise of HRC Officers, and DoC staff.
5. Co-funding and volunteer contributions
Horowhenua District Council has allocated $10,000 in funding per annum over the next three years to supplement this Waitarere Beach biodiversity work program. This will be comprised of:
9 | Page
• $5,000 for the purchase of spinifex and pingao plants, to be planted on the coastal foredunes of Waitarere Beach, in conjunction with the community (organised planting days) • $5,000 for weed control works (contractor delivery)
Additionally, as detailed in the project costings in Section 6, community volunteer contributions of $9,000 projected, for a combination of planting works and weed control. Note: this level of community involvement through the WBPRA has been committed to in this submission. However, should volunteer uptake be higher, HDC and WBPRA will include further works (planting/weed control) and will report through to HRC accordingly, as per the requirements of the fund criteria.
Given that this is a proposed three year programme of delivery, HDC and the WBPRA will also look to submit applications to other ecological funding sources during 2021, such as:
• Jobs for Nature • Lotteries Ecological and Heritage Fund
This would be complimentary to funding received through this HRC biodiversity fund, HDC complimentary funding (10K), and the WBPRA volunteer labour contributions ($9K).
HDC also have an Open Space Contractor in place, Recreational Services Limited, that have undertaken coastal works (plantings, pest plant control), as well as assisting on rubbish removal for planned beach clean-up events. This company undertake a number of community engagement projects every year through the contract with HDC, and HDC officers will look for opportunities to involve Recreational Services in assisting this biodiversity project at Waitarere Beach in this regard over the next 3 years.
6. Project Plan
This section includes the following:
a) Proposed programme of works b) Project Costs
Programme of works
This programme is divided into the following components:
• A three year programme of works, with additional information provided of broader aspirations for a longer-term biodiversity delivery for Waitarere Beach (years 4-10) • Six separate zones of work (zones 1-6) within the Waitarere Beach township area (see map on page 16) • Types of work proposed, i.e. Foredune planting (zones 1 -3), top and rear dune planting (zones 4-6), log loading, beach clean-ups
Year One:
This initial one year programme plans to concentrate biodiversity works in the following zones, and includes a mixture of delivery elements:
10 | Page
Zone 1 & 2: Foredune areas
Contractor delivery:
• Pest management contractor (physical works) • Log loading of foredune blowouts
Foredune planting (HDC/WBPRA):
• Purchase of foredune plants (spinifex and pingao) • HDC and WBPRA planting days
Zone 5: Top and rear dune
Contractor delivery:
• Pest management contractor (physical works)
Top and rear dune planting (HDC/WBPRA):
• Purchase of top and rear dune plants (shrubland (low growing woody species) • HDC and WBPRA planting days
Preparatory tasks:
• Health and Safety training (although this is required in terms of the Health & Safety in Employment Act 2015, undertaking this in year one is a foundation of the capacity building that will be a large part of the longer term success of this project) • Purchase of minor equipment for volunteers (gloves, temporary fencing and tape etc) • Signage, to be utilised longer term not just Year 1 (Educational/informational; for the dual purpose of showcasing the coastal works being undertaken, as well as providing a rationale why an area of coastal restoration has been fenced off)
Marketing and communications:
• Utilisation of HDC’s communications channels (Facebook, Website etc) to promote progress • Utilisation of WBPRA’s communication channels and network for promoting progress and upcoming opportunities for involvement
Capture of data:
• Plot and document plantings and extent of weed control
Year Two:
This middle year of delivery includes the following delivery elements:
Zone 3: Foredune
11 | Page
Contractor delivery:
• Pest management contractor (physical works) in Zones 3, including minor maintenance/follow up works in zones 1 & 2
Foredune planting:
• Purchase of foredune plants (spinifex and pingao) • HDC and WBPRA/community planting days
Zone 6: Top and rear dunes
Contractor delivery:
• Pest management contractor (physical works), and additional more minor maintenance/follow up works in zone 5
Top and rear dune planting (HDC/WBPRA):
• Purchase of top and rear dune plants (shrubland (low growing woody species) • HDC and WBPRA planting days
All works year 2 (i.e. Zones 1-3, 5 and 6):
Preparatory tasks:
• Existing signage (purchased in year 1) to be utilised and well as temporary fencing/tape
Marketing and communications:
• Utilisation of HDC’s communications channels (Facebook, Website etc) to promote progress • Utilisation of WBPRA’s communication channels and network for promoting progress and upcoming opportunities for involvement
Capture of data:
• Plot and document plantings and extent of weed control
Year Three:
This is year three of the programme and it predominantly focuses on the following:
Zone 4: Top and rear dunes
Contractor delivery:
• Pest management contractor (physical works) in Zones 5, and additionally significant maintenance/follow up works in zone 1-3, 5 and 6
Foredune planting: Follow up works in zones 1-3
• Purchase of foredune plants (spinifex and pingao) • HDC and WBPRA/community planting days
Zones 5 and 6: Top and rear dune planting
12 | Page
Contractor delivery:
• Pest management contractor (physical works) in zones 1-4, and 6, all being follow up works from year 1 and 2
Top and rear dune planting (HDC/WBPRA):
• Purchase of top and rear dune plants (shrubland (low growing woody species) • HDC and WBPRA planting days
All work Year 3 (all zones 1-6):
Preparatory tasks:
• Existing signage (purchased in year 1) to be utilised and well as temporary fencing/tape
Marketing and communications:
• Utilisation of HDC’s communications channels (Facebook, Website etc) to promote progress • Utilisation of WBPRA’s communication channels and network for promoting progress and upcoming opportunities for involvement
Capture of data:
• Plot and document plantings and extent of weed control in all zones
Year four to ten:
This is an aspirational plan outline for these years, given that HRC funding is yet to be secured.
However, priorities will be as follows:
• Maintenance and enhancement of plantings, as well as weed control in Zones 1 - 6; • Further spinifex, pingao and shrubland native plantings (from, as a minimum, HDC funding – similar level to what has been documented in Section 5); • The Wairarawa Stream environment (taking into account Iwi aspirations), including riparian planting, and weed control including phragmites infestation; • Biodiversity improvements within the Waitarere township reserves, roading network; • Seeking additional external funding sources for all works noted above (Jobs for Nature etc).
13 | Page
Project costs Year 1:
Works concentrated in Zones 1, 2 and 5:
Activities Resources Total Funding estimated cost requested Purchase of spinifex/pingao 3,675 plants @ approx. $2.72 $12,000 $7,000 plants per plant (incl freight) Purchase of top and rear dune 2,435 plants @ approx. $4 per $8,150 $8,150 native plants plant (incl freight) Physical pest plant control $15,000 $10,000 (contractors) Log loading of foredune $3,000 $3,000 (contractor) Purchase of signage and temp $1,000 $1,000 fencing Field equipment (for Gloves, first aid kit etc $500 $500 community works) Health & Safety training (for One x H&S training session, $300 $300 WBPRA and community including on-going volunteers) documentation Administration Communications/marketing $50 $50
Total funding sought Year 1 $30,000 Volunteer and in-kind contributions Volunteers to plant foredune Labour for 240 hours @ $20 $4,800 n/a and top/rear dune plants per hour Volunteers for weed control Labour for 120 hours @ $20 $2,400 n/a per hour Volunteers for beach clean- Labour for 90 hours @ $20 per $1,800 n/a ups along Waitarere Beach hour
Year 2:
Works in Zones 3 and 6, but substantial follow up works also in all zones of work undertaken in year 1:
Activities Resources Total Funding estimated cost requested Purchase of top and rear dune 2,610 plants @ approx. $4 per $10,450 $10,450 native plants plant (incl freight) Purchase of pingao and 2,940 plants @$2.72 per plant $8,000 $3,000 spinifex plants (incl freight) Log loading $1,500 $1,500 Physical pest plant control $10,000 $5,000 (contractors) Administration Communications/marketing $50 $50
14 | Page
Total funding sought Year 2 $20,000 Volunteer and in-kind contributions Volunteers to plant foredune Labour for 240 hours @ $20 $4,800 n/a and top/rear dune plants per hour Volunteers for weed control in Labour for 120 hours @ $20 $2,400 n/a zones 1 and 2 per hour Volunteers for beach clean- Labour for 90 hours @ $20 per $1,800 n/a ups along Waitarere Beach hour
Year 3:
For the following works in zone 4, but substantial follow up works also in all zones of work undertaken in year 1 and 2:
Activities Resources Total Funding estimated cost requested Purchase of top and rear dune 1,500 plants @ approx. $4 per $10,450 $10,450 native plants plant (incl freight) Purchase of pingao and 1820 plants @$2.72 per plant $7,000 $2,000 spinifex plants (zone 1 revisit) (incl freight) Physical pest plant control $11,000 $6,000 (contractors) in Zones 1,2,3 and 4 Log loading $1,500 $1,500 Administration Communications/marketing $50 $50 Total funding sought Year 3 $20,000 Volunteer and in-kind contributions Volunteers to plant foredune Labour for 240 hours @ $20 $4,800 n/a and top/rear dune plants per hour Volunteers for weed control Labour for 120 hours @ $20 $2,400 n/a per hour Volunteers for beach clean- Labour for 90 hours @ $20 per $1,800 n/a ups along Waitarere Beach hour
Years 4-10:
No funding is committed in years 4-10 at this point. However, subject to confirmation through future HDC Long Term Plan processes, HDC will continue to commit $10,000 per annum for a mixture of weed control works and biodiversity planting. Additional external funding streams will also be explored to compliment this proposed work program.
15 | Page
Figure 5: Map of zones of work within the Waitarere Beach area
16 | Page
7. Project reporting, monitoring and data capture
HDC/WBPRA fully commit to fulfilling all of HRC’s requirements for reporting on progress. Additionally, as detailed in Section 6: Project Plan, all works will be mapped and documented, and transferred to HDC’s weed mapping layer that is being developed. It is also planned to collaborate with HRC’s Biodiversity team to transfer that data to HRC’s spatial system.
Enquiries regarding this submission should be directed to:
Sean Hester Parks & Property Lead North Horowhenua District Council Ph: 027 205 1261, or [email protected]
Note: see also attached: Appendix One: Detailed Strategic Context
17 | Page
Appendix One:
Detailed strategic context (which builds on the content of Section 2 of the document)
A) NZ Coastal Policy Statement 2010
Objectives include:
Objective 1
• To safeguard the integrity, form, functioning and resilience of the coastal environment and sustain its ecosystems, including marine and intertidal areas, estuaries, dunes and land, by: • • maintaining or enhancing natural biological and physical processes in the coastal environment and recognising their dynamic, complex and interdependent nature; • • protecting representative or significant natural ecosystems and sites of biological importance and maintaining the diversity of New Zealand’s indigenous coastal flora and fauna
Objective 2
• To preserve the natural character of the coastal environment and protect natural features and landscape values through: a. recognising the characteristics and qualities that contribute to natural character, natural features and landscape values and their location and distribution; b. encouraging restoration of the coastal environment.
Objective 3
• To take account of the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, recognise the role of tangata whenua as kaitiaki and provide for tangata whenua involvement in management of the coastal environment by: a. recognising the ongoing and enduring relationship of tangata whenua over their lands, rohe and resources; b. promoting meaningful relationships and interactions between tangata whenua and persons exercising functions and powers under the Act; c. incorporating mātauranga Māori into sustainable management practices; and d. recognising and protecting characteristics of the coastal environment that are of special value to tangata whenua.
Objective 4
• To maintain and enhance the public open space qualities and recreation opportunities of the coastal environment by: a. recognising that the coastal marine area is an extensive area of public space for the public to use and enjoy;
18 | Page
b. maintaining and enhancing public walking access to and along the coastal marine area without charge, and where there are exceptional reasons that mean this is not practicable providing alternative linking access close to the coastal marine area; and c. recognising the potential for coastal processes, including those likely to be affected by climate change, to restrict access to the coastal environment and the need to ensure that public access is maintained even when the coastal marine area advances inland.
Objective 5
• To ensure that coastal hazard risks taking account of climate change, are managed by: a. locating new development away from areas prone to such risks; b. considering responses, including managed retreat, for existing development in this situation; and c. protecting or restoring natural defences to coastal hazards.
Objective 6
• To enable people and communities to provide for their social, economic, and cultural wellbeing and their health and safety, through subdivision, use, and development, recognising that: a. the protection of the values of the coastal environment does not preclude use and development in appropriate places and forms, and within appropriate limits; b. some uses and developments which depend upon the use of natural and physical resources in the coastal environment are important to the social, economic and cultural wellbeing of people and communities; c. functionally some uses and developments can only be located on the coast or in the coastal marine area; d. the coastal environment contains renewable energy resources of significant value; e. the protection of habitats of living marine resources contributes to the social, economic and cultural wellbeing of people and communities; f. the potential to protect, use, and develop natural and physical resources in the coastal marine area should not be compromised by activities on land; g. the proportion of the coastal marine area under any formal protection is small and therefore management under the Act is an important means by which the natural resources of the coastal marine area can be protected; and h. historic heritage in the coastal environment is extensive but not fully known, and vulnerable to loss or damage from inappropriate subdivision, use, and development.
Objective 7
• To ensure that management of the coastal environment recognises and provides for New Zealand’s international obligations regarding the coastal environment, including the coastal marine area.
19 | Page
B) Wellington Regional Growth Strategy
Figure 6: Extract from Wellington Regional Growth Plan
Objectives 2, 4 and 5 are relevant to the goals of the Project Plan contained in this submission.
C) Horizons Regional Council a. One Plan
20 | Page
This extract is from the One Plan. Although this document was written in 2016, and some of the focus is evolving to some extent, the fundamental rationale still applies. For example:
• The intent for the formation of coastal care groups through the region • The type of dune works (as outlined in the project plan – Section 6 of this submission (weed control, planting, stream enhancement, litter removal)
Figure 7: Extract from HRC One Plan
Also from One Plan:
Issue 4: Threatened Indigenous Biological Diversity
The Problem: Due to more than a century of landscape modification, the Region has lost much of its indigenous habitat. Habitat remnants continue to be threatened by land development and by pest plants and pest animals. An Example: Vanishing Wetland Habitats The Manawatu Plains were once covered by a mosaic of wetland habitats. Largescale drainage has reduced this wetland habitat to about 3% of its former area and, although drainage has mostly stopped, the few remaining wetland habitats are still vulnerable.
Proposed Approach: The Regional Council will be the lead agency for indigenous biodiversity1 management for the Region by controlling activities in rare habitats, threatened habitats and at-risk habitats, and working with landowners to protect and enhance these habitats. The Regional Council has identified the Region’s top 100 wetland habitats and is encouraging their owners through advice and financial incentives to actively manage these habitats. The objective of the programme is to have all 100 wetlands under active management within 10 years.
Look For: Objectives, policies and methods that address this keystone issue in Chapter 6 and rules in Chapter 13.
21 | Page
1.4 Planning for Climate Change
Climate change is not one of the Big Four issues dealt with in the One Plan, but it is an overarching issue for the regional community and touches on many of the keystone issues.
The Problem: There is conclusive evidence that our climate is changing. The Region can expect (New Zealand Climate Change Office, 2005):
• a 30-50 cm rise in sea level in the next 100 years
• an increase of up to 3ºC in temperature in the next 70-100 years
• more rainfall in the western part of the Region and less in the east
• more westerly winds • an increase in more extreme weather events – floods, droughts and high winds. Climate change could result in both positive and negative effects for the Region. People are likely to enjoy the benefits of warmer winters with fewer frosts but hotter summers will bring increased risks of heat stress, drought and possibly the introduction of new pests and subtropical diseases. The Region is likely to experience more frequent heavy rainfalls and floods. Changing weather patterns may provide new horticultural or cropping opportunities, but may also impact on biodiversity by affecting the balance of ecosystems. Species that are already under threat or are at the limit of their climatic range may not be able to survive. 1 “Biodiversity” may be used as an alternative to “biological diversity”.
Setting the Scene One Plan - 2014 1-5 Proposed Approach: The Regional Council’s primary focus is to help the Region adapt to the effects of climate change by:
• promoting resilient land-management practices under the SLUI, which will reduce the effects of climate change and provide carbon sinks at the same time
• managing water quality within a values framework responsive to climate change
• managing water quantity according to minimum flows and a core allocation framework responsive to climate change
• planning for changes to the scale and frequency of natural hazards.
Look For: Objectives, policies and methods that directly or indirectly address climate change in Chapters 3, 4, 5 and 9.
The works included in this application have the dual purpose of improving biodiversity, as well as initiating works which contribute to building natural resilience into this section of the Horowhenua coastline, and the Waitarere River edge, and adapting to climate change impacts.
• HRC Regional Pest Management Plan
From the foreword to that document:
22 | Page
This plan seeks to provide a framework for pest control over the region, and sets out responsibilities of the different stakeholders involved. Note: TLA’s within the Horizons Region are required to submit on an annual basis a district specific Pest Management Plan. HDC have fulfilled those obligations by submitting plans for the Horowhenua over the last 2 years.
Note that under this plan, HRC has responsibility for the management of pest animals in the region. On that basis, HDC and WBPRA will look to collaborate with HRC on this aspect of the proposed biodiversity program included in this submission, so that any biodiversity improvements achieved are protected and enhanced over the long term.
D) Horowhenua District Council:
a. Horowhenua Long Term Plan
From the Community Outcomes:
b. Horowhenua District Plan
Objectives & Policies
Objective 5.1.1 Natural Character of the Coastal Environment
To preserve natural character of the Coastal Environment and avoid, remedy or mitigate the adverse environmental effects from inappropriate subdivision, use and development.
Policy 5.1.2 Identify in the District Plan the landward extent of the Coastal Environment based on the presence of coastal characteristics including the extent of where the coastal processes, influences and qualities are significant (i.e. the Coastal Significance Sector). Policy 5.1.3 Identify in the District Plan areas with high and very high natural character based on the degree of natural character for following components:
• Waterscape
• Landform
• Vegetation/habitats
• Biodiversity
• Systems and processes
• Structures/settlement
23 | Page
• Perceptual and Experiential
c. Community Infrastructure Activity Management Plan
From HDC’s Community Infrastructure Activity Management Plan 2020:
ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECOLOGICAL SUSTAINABILITY
The obvious approach to environmental sustainability lies with the principles of the Resource Management Act 1991. The enforcement of these rules/policies has been delegated to the Horizons Regional Council who is the regulatory agency for the Whanganui - Manawatu Region within which Horowhenua District is located.
Some of the most important aspects of environmental sustainability, as it relates to the Community Infrastructure activity, are:
1) Biodiversity; and
2) Resource conservation.
Below is a list of actions that HDC has implemented directly and indirectly through our contractors within the Community Infrastructure activity area which have resulted in Environmental Sustainability.
1) Employ the Use of eco-friendly chemicals where possible and reduce the use of non-eco- friendly chemicals –
a) Chemicals such as fungicides and herbicides are used for the maintenance activity of our parks and reserves. Similar to other Council’s Contractors throughout New Zealand, our contractors only use fungicides and herbicides that have no residual effect.
b) Monitoring the use of chemicals and using the right amount to achieve the desired results.
2) Increasing plantings within our reserves, in particular native plantings – Within the beach foreshore where two native grasses Spinifex and Pingao are being used to stabilise dune movement and reduce blow-outs. The Council currently have an ongoing planting Program for this project.
3) Re-using materials such as tree mulch recovered from windblown trees or other tree maintenance activity in our gardens thereby reducing the need to buy mulch.
d. HDC Open Space Strategy
Key principles include:
• Utilise natural corridors for recreation and ecological benefits
24 | Page
• Enhance and strengthen partnerships
The aspirations set out in this submission align strongly with these principles. This document also captured community aspirations, including:
• Coast: To ensure access is maintained, whilst protecting the coastal environment • Natural values: To protect and enhance natural features
The following extract from the Open Space Strategy sets out the context of why large parts of the Horowhenua, including by the coast at Waitarere have been heavily impacted from a development perspective, and provides a rationale for why it is important for biodiversity improvements to be advanced as a means of addressing these issues.
Figure 8: Extract from HDC Open Space Strategy 2012
25 | Page
• Waitarere Beach Community Plan 2020:
This plan has been developed by HDC with significant involvement from the Waitarere Beach Progressive and Ratepayers Association. It includes a very significant emphasis on environmental outcomes, and this is a result of the extent of thorough consultation of the broader Waitarere Beach community.
26 | Page
Figure 9: Extracts from Waitarere Beach Community Plan
27 | Page