SSttaattee ooff tthhee EEnnvviirroonnmmeenntt MMaannaawwaattuu 22000077 our district – our environment nō tātou te hau kāinga, nō tātou te taiao
Welcome to the 2007 State of the Environment report for Manawatu District
The State of the Environment report for Manawatu District provides a way of measuring the environment. It provides a ‘snapshot’ view of the state of our environment and key environmental issues facing us.
Monitoring the state of the environment is an important part of our future. our district - our environment 2007 will enable us to continue to make informed decisions to meet the needs and aspirations of Manawatu communities.
our district - our environment 2007 presents a number of environmental indicators and accompanying information that tell us about the state of Manawatu’s environment. This is the second report assessing how well we are meeting the resource management challenges our district faces. It also sets out what we need to do in the future to improve some areas. It provides an information base for a wide range of organisations, schools, residents and ratepayers.
More than 28,000 now call Manawatu District home because they value its environment and the lifestyle it has to offer. This is our report to you. We hope you find the information interesting and useful.
Ian McKelvie Rod Titcombe MAYOR CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Contents
Introduction 1 Land Use and Subdivision 19 Overview ...... 1 The Facts ...... 19 The Resource Management Act 1991 ...... 1 Progress so Far ...... 19 Relationship to District Plan ...... 1 Issues to Consider ...... 19 Relationship to Community Outcomes ...... 2 Land Uses ...... 20 Benefits of ‘State of the Environment’ Monitoring ...... 2 Residential Development ...... 24 Environmental Parameters and Monitoring Indicators ...... 2 Subdivision ...... 25 ‘Pressure – State – Response’ Model ...... 2 Noise ...... 29 What is the Council Doing? ...... 30 The Manawatu District Profile 4 Natural and Cultural Heritage 32 The Facts ...... 4 Progress so Far ...... 4 The Facts ...... 32 Issues to Consider ...... 4 Progress So Far ...... 32 The Location ...... 5 Issues to Consider ...... 32 The Climate...... 5 Heritage Sites and Buildings ...... 33 Natural Features ...... 5 Trees with Heritage Value ...... 34 Infrastructure ...... 5 Archaeological Sites ...... 34 Economy ...... 5 Heritage Precinct ...... 35 Population Census ...... 6 Heritage Incentive Strategies ...... 35 Population Estimates ...... 6 What is the Council Doing? ...... 36 Population Projections ...... 7 Concentration of People in Manawatu District ...... 8 Biodiversity 37 Gender ...... 8 The Facts ...... 37 Age Distribution and Projections ...... 9 Progress So Far ...... 37 Our Ethnic Profile ...... 10 Issues to Consider ...... 37 Tangata Whenua ...... 10 Endangered Species ...... 38 Birthplace ...... 11 Coastal Biodiversity ...... 38 Languages Spoken ...... 11 Rangitikei Estuary ...... 38 Labour Force...... 11 Aquatic Biodiversity ...... 39 Occupations ...... 12 Wetlands ...... 39 Industry ...... 12 Native Forests ...... 42 Income ...... 13 Protection of Areas of Indigenous Vegetation ...... 42 Education ...... 14 What is the Council Doing? ...... 44 Housing ...... 15 Dwelling Numbers ...... 15 Parks and Reserves 45 People per Household ...... 16 Family Type ...... 16 The Facts ...... 45 Household Composition ...... 16 Progress So Far ...... 45 Satisfaction as a Place to Live ...... 17 Issues to Consider ...... 45 What is the Council Doing? ...... 18 The District’s Parks and Reserves ...... 46 Esplanade Strips ...... 47 Esplanade Reserves ...... 49 Transport 72 Walkways ...... 50 Open Space Framework ...... 51 The Facts ...... 72 Reserve Management Plans ...... 51 Progress So Far ...... 72 What is the Council Doing? ...... 53 Issues to Consider ...... 72 Vehicle Usage ...... 73 Coastal Environment 55 Vehicles per Household ...... 73 Travel to Work ...... 74 The Facts ...... 55 Extent of Roading Network ...... 74 Progress So Far ...... 55 Traffic Volumes ...... 75 Issues to Consider ...... 55 Public Transport ...... 75 Land Use ...... 57 Vehicle Accidents ...... 76 Coastal Water Quality ...... 57 What is Council Doing? ...... 77 Shellfish Gathering ...... 57 Significant Habitats ...... 57 Natural Hazards 78 Coastal Reserves ...... 58 What is the Council Doing? ...... 58 The Facts ...... 78 Progress So Far ...... 78 Water and Wastewater 59 Issues to Consider ...... 78 Natural Hazards Management ...... 79 The Facts ...... 59 Civil Defence Emergencies ...... 79 Progress So Far ...... 59 Development in Hazard Areas ...... 79 Issues to Consider ...... 59 Earthquake Hazard Risk ...... 81 Council’s Reticulated Water Supply ...... 60 What is Council Doing? ...... 81 Drinking Water Standards ...... 61 Water Quality ...... 61 Conclusion 83 Wastewater Discharge to Water Consents...... 62 Sewage Discharge to Water Consents ...... 62 Manawatu District Profile ...... 84 Urban Stormwater ...... 62 Land Use and Subdivision ...... 84 Rural Land Drainage ...... 62 Natural and Cultural Heritage ...... 84 Water Quality at Popular Swimming Holes...... 63 Biodiversity ...... 84 Water Quality at Significant Rivers, Wetlands, Lakes and Lagoons ...... 63 Parks and Reserves ...... 85 What is the Council Doing? ...... 63 Coastal Environment ...... 85 Water and Wastewater ...... 85 Waste 64 Waste ...... 86 Transport ...... 86 The Facts ...... 64 Natural Hazards ...... 86 Progress So Far ...... 64 Issues to Consider ...... 64 References 87 Solid Waste ...... 65 Total Waste ...... 65 Glossary 88 Urban Refuse Transfer Stations ...... 65 Appendix One 90 Rural Refuse Transfer Stations ...... 66 Refuse Bag Collection ...... 66 Appendix Two 97 Recycling...... 67 Other Waste ...... 67 Appendix Three 98 Trade Waste ...... 69 Appendix Four 99 Hazardous Substances ...... 70 Contaminated Sites ...... 70 What is the Council Doing? ...... 71
IInnttrroodduuccttiioonn
Overview
The ‘State of the Environment’ report for Manawatu District (‘District’) provides a way of measuring the environment in which we live, work and play. It provides a ‘snapshot’ overview of the state of our environment and the key environmental issues facing us through a list of indicator measures.
our district - our environment 2007 is a result of investigation, consultation and data gathering over the past five years to enable Manawatu District Council (‘Council’) to report on those environmental matters that affect the communities of the Manawatu.
This is Council’s second published ‘State of the Environment‘ report (‘SOE report’). The first report was published in 2002. The Council will continue to prepare a comprehensive state of the environment report to measure changing environmental conditions in the District. This report does not contain detailed information on the air, water and land resources of the District. These are controlled primarily by Horizons Regional Council.
The monitoring indicators used in this report are listed in Appendix One. Those used in Council’s first SOE report are also listed. The measures used in this report are more comprehensive and will be used for the next report. Comparing trends from the previous report in some cases cannot be done because they were not previously reported on.
Importantly, our district – our environment 2007 provides a measure of the The Resource Management Act 1991 ability of the Manawatu District Plan (‘District Plan’) to address key issues. It does this by selecting indicators based on the key areas and objectives of the The Resource Management Act 1991 (‘RMA’) aims to promote the District Plan, and looking at the environmental results Manawatu District sustainable management of natural and physical resources. Amongst other seeks to achieve. monitoring functions, section 35 of the RMA requires the Council to monitor the state of the environment in the District to the extent necessary to enable the Council to carry out its functions under the RMA. Relationship to District Plan Monitoring is an ongoing process of data collection, analysis, interpretation, review and reporting. State of the Environment monitoring and reporting The District Plan is the primary document used by the Council to carry out its answers some basic questions, including: functions under the RMA. It specifies the significant resource management issues in the District, the objectives, policies and methods to address those What is happening in our environment? issues and the environmental results anticipated from its implementation. Monitoring is a critical link in the ‘feedback loop’. It enables the District Plan Why is it happening? and other documents to be reviewed to ensure that its provisions remain What are we doing about addressing negative trends? relevant and effective. How effective are our responses?
our district – our environment Introduction | 1 The ‘monitoring provisions’ of the District Plan states that Council has adopted Carry outs its functions under the RMA the following approach to monitoring: Strive towards sustainable management of the District’s natural and State of the Environment monitoring physical resources District Plan effectiveness monitoring Identify existing and emerging environmental issues Delegation of functions, powers or duties transferred to other bodies Assess whether existing policy responses (including the District Plan) monitoring adequately address the District’s environmental issues or whether changes or new responses are required Process monitoring Feeds into other monitoring requirements including the community outcomes process Relationship to Community Outcomes
The Manawatu District Council’s Long Term Council Community Plan - 2006- Environmental Parameters and Monitoring 2016 (‘LTCCP’) outlines a set of community outcomes, which are as follows: Indicators
Outcome 1 A vital community that is cohesive and is characterised by The ‘environment’ is a broad concept with many conceptual parts, or community involvement parameters. There is no one yardstick that can be used to assess the state of the environment. Rather it is a matter of building up a picture of the state of Outcome 2 A community that has access to effective services the environment by assessing a selection of environmental parameters and considering the results together. Outcome 3 A self-sufficient environment that preserves, values and develops our natural resources A total of 10 primary environmental parameters have been selected for this project – with each considered under a separate chapter. A number of Outcome 4 People are able to go about their business and leisure any monitoring indicators have been selected for each of the environmental time of the day without fear for their safety parameters. Appendix One lists the monitoring indicators for this report.
This report only looks at the environment ‘leg’. Economic and social trends Together, the monitoring results for each indicator build a picture about the will be the subject of other reports; however, a number of the indicators state of, and trends for, each parameter. When all the parameters are monitored as part of the community outcomes process are likely to be considered together, a picture emerges about the state of the District’s indicators included within the SOE reporting programme. environment.
Benefits of ‘State of the Environment’ ‘Pressure – State – Response’ Model Monitoring The ‘Pressure-State-Response’ model (‘PSR’ model) was developed by the SOE monitoring and reporting is a mandatory function of the Council under Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (‘OECD’). It is a section 35 of the RMA. It assists Council to: framework by which information on the environment is organised according to
2 | Introduction our district – our environment whether it tells us about the pressures on the environment, state of the Figure 1: Pressure-State-Response Model environment, and society’s responses to environmental problems.
The PSR model is based on the idea that human activities put pressures on the environment, which in turn alter its state or condition. We respond to this altered state through organised behaviour that aims to reduce, prevent or lessen undesirable changes. The critical factor with this model is that environmental changes are occurring because of human activity, rather than being simply a natural process. This distinction is necessary as pressures on the environment resulting from human activity can, in principle, be controlled or modified.
The PSR framework is therefore useful to identify human pressures, leading to possible response mechanisms to avoid, remedy or mitigate undesirable environmental effects.
The state of the environment is its condition at a point in time. This state is assessed by measuring various aspects of the environment, such as water quality or air quality over time to observe trends. People are then able to respond to these trends through organised actions such as objectives, Source: Ministry for the Environment (1997) policies, rules and incentives to bring about changes in behaviour.
The PSR model uses three types of indicators that are described as:
Pressure indicators: Indicators of environmental pressure from human activity (directly or indirectly). Pressure indicators are used to predict future environmental issues and trends that may need a new or modified policy response. State indicators: Indicators of environmental conditions resulting from human activities. State indicators summarise the effects of existing policies and activities. They can be used for enforcement or policy initiatives. Response indicators: Indictors of societal responses to environmental conditions. Response indicators demonstrate the community’s response to environmental pressures and conditions and give some indication as to their perceived importance.
our district – our environment Introduction | 3 TThhee MMaannaawwaattuu DDiissttrriicctt PPrrooffiillee
Population growth, economic development and aspects of social change can affect the natural and built environment. This Chapter provides a profile of the Manawatu District, giving context to the state of Manawatu’s environment.
90% of residents were either satisfied or very satisfied with the The Facts Manawatu District as a place to live (2007 CommunitrakTM Survey). The population increased by 744 people (2.7%) between 2001 and 2006, up to 28,254. This compares with a 7.8% population increase over New Zealand during the same period. Issues to Consider The population is estimated to increase to 32,500 by 2031 under the medium projection series. There is a need for ongoing monitoring of the population and The population ranks 41st in size out of the 73 districts in New demographic trends to measure progress in achieving community Zealand. outcomes. This will ensure that Council services, facilities and resources are best used and expanded if necessary to meet the The population is concentrated in the urban township of Feilding. needs of the growing district. It has a higher proportion of European people than the rest of The District’s population is predicted to increase by an average New Zealand. annual change of 0.5% through to 2031. More people own their own home than elsewhere in New There will be a general ageing of the population. This reinforces Zealand. the importance of the population projections in providing information about the changing age structure, which is at least as 18,120 people were available for the work force in 2006. 73.4% important as changes in total numbers. of those people were employed in a full-time or part-time position. Ensure there is sufficient land available for new housing and
businesses. Progress so Far All growth will be undertaken within a framework ensuring the promotion of the sustainable management of natural and physical resources. 90% of residents were either very satisfied or satisfied with their neighbourhood as a place to live. 90% felt the District was the same or a better place to live than three years ago (2007 CommunitrakTM Survey).
4 | The Manawatu District Profile our district – our environment The Location Natural Features
The Manawatu District Council was established on 1 November 1989 with the The Rangitikei River forms the western boundary of the Manawatu District. amalgamation of the five former authorities (Oroua, Kiwitea, Pohangina, The Oroua River is heavily utilised by both Feilding and rural users. A range Manawatu and Feilding). of natural features exist from the peaks of the Ruahine Ranges to the beautiful Pohangina Valley to the windswept West Coast beaches and dunes. The Manawatu District covers an area of 253,16ha. It stretches from Rangiwahia in the north to Himatangi Beach and Palmerston North in the south. The western boundary is the Rangitikei River and the eastern boundary the Ruahine Ranges. Infrastructure Figure 2: Location of the Manawatu District The District is serviced with 1,428km of roads and 420 bridges. State Highways 1 and 3 run through the south-western point of the District. Most villages are serviced with water supply, wastewater and stormwater disposal. Parks and reserves are dotted throughout the District. A number of rural communities are also connected to water supplies and drainage systems.
Economy
Key industry sectors in the Manawatu include agriculture, forestry, manufacturing, retail trade, health and community services. The District is home to significant livestock and cropping operations. Ohakea Air Base is also located within the district boundary.
Feilding acts as a service centre to the surrounding rural community. It has several rural-based businesses, including the Feilding stock sale-yards. It is also an increasingly attractive place to live with numerous Palmerston North workers choosing to live in Feilding and commute. It has a thriving central business district, with significant national retailers. Smaller communities around the district act as local service centres, with tourism and visitor industries increasingly prominent such as B&B's, cafés and rural homestays.
The District is centrally located with significant regional operations nearby The Climate including Palmerston North Airport, Massey University, Linton Army Camp, Palmerston North Hospital and the Universal College of Learning (‘UCOL’). average annual temperature (to be reported in next SOE report) The best source of accurate information on people is the five-yearly census – average annual rainfall is 934mm undertaken by Statistics New Zealand (‘Statistics’). The latest census was in 2006. We can use the New Zealand census area units from the data to show sunshine hours per annum (to be reported in next SOE report)
our district – our environment The Manawatu District Profile | 5 variations within the District for different population and economic parameters Figure 4: Census Usually Resident Population Count (As at March 2006) of interest. Census Usually Resident Population Change Area Population Count 2001-2006 2006 Number % Population Census Manawatu District 28,254 747 2.7 Waitomo District 9,441 -15 -0.2 The census ‘usually resident population’ count of an area in New Zealand is a Taupo District 32,418 897 2.8 count of all people who usually live in that area, and are present in New Stratford District 8,892 9 0.1 Zealand on census night. This count excludes visitors from overseas, visitors Ruapehu District 13,569 -723 -5.1 from elsewhere in New Zealand and residents temporarily overseas on Wanganui District 42,636 -630 -1.5 census night. Rangitikei District 14,712 -390 -2.6 Palmerston North City 75,543 3,510 4.9 The census ‘usually resident population’ count for the District totalled 28,254 Tararua District 17,634 -225 -1.3 in March 2006. At that time, the District contained 0.7% of the ‘census usually Horowhenua District 29,868 48 0.2 resident population’ of New Zealand. Manawatu-Wanganui Region 222,423 2,334 1.1 New Zealand 4,027,947 290,670 7.8 Since the 2001 Census, the population usually resident in the District has increased by 747 people or 2.7% compared with a rise of 7.8% for the New Source: Statistics New Zealand, Census of Population and Dwellings Zealand ‘usually resident population’ during the same period. At the same time, there was an estimated 10.8 people per kilometre compared with the New Zealand average of 14.9 people per square kilometre. Population Estimates Figure 3: Census Usually Resident Population Count (as at March 2006) The estimated ‘resident population of a given area’ is an estimate of all people 30 who usually live in that area at a given date. It includes all residents of that area present in New Zealand and counted by the census (‘usually resident 25 population’ count), residents who are temporarily overseas (who are not included in the census), and an adjustment for residents missed or counted 20 more than once by the census (net census undercount). Visitors from overseas are excluded.
15 '000 The estimated population of the District was 29,100 at 30 June 2007. This 10 was an increase of 110 people since 30 June 2006. It represents an increase of 0.4%, compared with a national increase of 1.0% over the same period. 5
- 1991 1996 2001 2006
Source: Statistics New Zealand, Manawatu District Quarterly Review (March 2008)
6 | The Manawatu District Profile our district – our environment Figure 5: Estimated Resident Population Change – Manawatu District Note that all figures have been rounded independently. Population estimates and New Zealand (June Year 2003 – 2007) for areas less than 10,000 have been rounded to the nearest 10. Populations between 10,000 and 20,000 have been rounded to the nearest 50. 2.5 Populations of 20,000 or more have been rounded to the nearest 100. Population changes have been rounded to the nearest 10. 2.0
1.5 Population Projections 1.0 Statistics project what is likely to happen to the District’s population in various circumstances over a period of time based on migration, mortality and fertility 0.5 PopulationChange(%) rates, along with other relevant factors. Three sets of projections are prepared by Statistics. There is an element of uncertainty when making 0.0 projections and the degree of uncertainty increases the further out the 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 projection goes. Nevertheless, population projections are a useful tool and they enable us to anticipate and plan for future environmental pressures and Manawatu District New Zealand other trends.
The low projection series shows a stable population for the District, with a Source: Statistics New Zealand, Manawatu District Quarterly Review (March 2008) slight increase in population until 2021, followed by a slight decrease. The medium and high projections show a gradual increase in the population over Figure 6: Estimated Resident Population Change 2006 – 2007 (as at time. June) Statistics considers the medium projection series the most suitable for Population Change Estimated Population assessing future population changes. The resident population of the District is Area 2006-2007 projected to increase by around 3,500, from 29,000 in 2006 to 32,500 in 2031 2006 2007 Number % according to the medium projection series. This is an average annual percentage increase of 0.5 and compares with a projected national annual Manawatu District 29,000 29,100 110 0.4 percentage increase of 0.8 during the same period. Waitomo District 9,680 9,600 -80 -0.8 Taupo District 33,400 33,500 40 0.1 In 2006, the District represented 0.7% of New Zealand’s resident population. Stratford District 9,120 9,090 -30 -0.3 In 2031, the District is projected to represent 0.6% of New Zealand’s resident Ruapehu District 14,050 13,800 -250 -1.8 population. Wanganui District 43,800 4,3600 -220 -0.5 Rangitikei District 15,150 1,5050 -110 -0.7 Palmerston North City 78,500 78,800 320 0.4 Tararua District 18,050 17,950 -140 -0.8 Horowhenua District 30,600 30,500 -30 -0.1 Manawatu-Wanganui Region 229,400 229,000 -330 -0.1 New Zealand 4,184,600 4,228,300 43730 1.0
Source: Statistics New Zealand, Population Estimates
our district – our environment The Manawatu District Profile | 7 Figure 7: Projected Resident Population – Manawatu District (2006 base Demographic projections should not be confused with economic forecasts. - 2031) Changes in the number of people, families and households do not necessarily relate to the social and economic well-being of an area. The number of 40 people, families and households may change independently of local economic 35 factors. 30 25
20 Concentration of People in Manawatu District '000 15 10 The population of the District is generally concentrated in a handful of areas. Feilding (north, west, central and east areas combined plus Oroua Bridge, 5 Maewa and Rakiraki) contains approximately 49% of the District’s population. 0 Oroua Downs-Waitohi, Tokorangi-Hiwinui and Kauwhata are also major population centres, representing approximately 26% of the District’s 2006 2011 2016 2021 2026 2031 population.
High Medium Low Appendix Two contains a figure illustrating the spread of the District population by area unit.
Source: Statistics New Zealand, Manawatu District Quarterly Review (March 2008)
Figure 8: Projected Resident Population Change (2006 - 2031)
Change Gender Projected Population 2006-2031 Area The split between males and females within the District has been relatively Average similar over the past three census periods. At the 2006 Census there were 2006 2031 Number Annual % Change 14,052 males (representing 49.7% of the population) compared to 14,202 females (representing 50.3% of the population). Manawatu District 29,000 32,500 3,500 0.5 Waitomo District 9,700 8,600 -1,000 -0.5 Figure 9: Genders of Manawatu District (1996 – 2006 Censuses) Taupo District 33,400 34,800 1,400 0.2 Stratford District 9,110 7,900 -1,300 -0.6 Manawatu District Ruapehu District 14,000 11,100 -2,900 -0.9 1996 2001 2006 Wanganui District 43,800 40,400 -3,300 -0.3 Rangitikei District 15,100 12,100 -300 -0.9 Count % Count % Count % Palmerston North City 78,500 93,600 15,100 0.7 Male 14,079 50.1 13,650 49.6 14,052 49.7 Tararua District 18,10 16,700 -1,400 -0.3 Female 13,998 49.9 13,857 50.4 14,199 50.3 Horowhenua District 30,600 29,200 -1,400 -0.2 Total 28,077 27,510 28,254 Manawatu-Wanganui Region 229,400 235,900 6,500 0.1
New Zealand 4,184,600 5,089,700 905,100 0.8 Source: Statistics New Zealand, Quick Stats about Manawatu District
Source: Statistics New Zealand, Subnational Population Projections, 2006 base - 2031
8 | The Manawatu District Profile our district – our environment Age Distribution and Projections 35.9 years. The District has 12.9% of people aged 65 years and over, compared with 12.3% of the total New Zealand population. The District has 23.0% of people aged under 15 years compared with 21.5% for all of New It is important to be aware of the age profile of the District as the community’s Zealand. These statistics are relevant, as people within the top level of this needs for facilities ranging from schools to retirement facilities change over age bracket have increased age-associated needs. time. Furthermore, people’s ages can influence environmental attitudes and perceptions of environmental issues. Figure 11: Population Age
Figure 10: Population by Broad Age Group 10 9 12000 8 7 10000 6 5 8000 4 Percentage 3 6000 2 1 4000
0
4 9
- -
14 19 24 29 34 39 44 49 54 60 64 69 74 79 84
0 5
------
2000 85+
10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 0 Estimated Projected (medium series) 1981 1986 1991 1996 2001 2006 2011 2016 2021 2026 2031 Age Group (years) New Zealand 2031 (medium projection) New Zealand 2006 (estimated) 0-14 years 15-39 years 40-64 years 65 and over
Source: Statistics New Zealand, Local Population Trends (December 2008)
Source: Statistics New Zealand, Local Population Trends (December 2008) Figure 12: Broad Age Group and Sex, Manawatu District (2006 Census) Population change has not been, and will not be, constant across age. The Manawatu District above graph illustrates that the population aged 65 years and over is likely to Age Group (years) grow fastest in the future in most areas. The population in the older working Male Female Total ages (40 - 64 years) is also likely to increase in the short term in most areas, Under 15 3,387 3,111 6,498 then decline from 2011 as more people move into the 65 and over group. 16 – 64 8,985 9,132 18,120 Conversely, the number of children (0 – 14 years) and the younger working 65 and over 1,680 1,956 3,636 age population (15 – 39 years) are expected to remain stable or decline in most areas. Total 14,055 14,202 28,254
Source: Statistics New Zealand, Quick Stats about Manawatu District The median age (half are younger, and half older, than this age) is 38.0 years for people in the District. For New Zealand as a whole, the median age is
our district – our environment The Manawatu District Profile | 9 atu nei koutou I te taheke roa. E moe, okioki koutou katoa. Huri noa ki a Our Ethnic Profile tatau te hunga ora, tena tatau katoa.
Often people from different ethnic groups have different cultural practices and We acknowledge the rivers, mountains and respected peoples of the world views. This diversity adds to the vibrancy and excitement within the Manawatu. The tears still fall upon the land in remembrance of those who District and exposes people to different languages, art, religion, food and have passed on to the spirit world. Return to your rest in peace. To those forms of environmental understanding. who walk in their footsteps today, to the living, greetings to all.
Ethnicity is the ethnic group or groups that people identify with or to which Source: Manawatu District Council, State of the Environment Report, 2002 they feel they belong. Ethnicity is a measure of cultural affiliation, as opposed to race, ancestry, nationality or citizenship. Ethnicity is self-perceived and The District Council has a responsibility to incorporate Maori values in the people can belong to more than one ethnic group. SOE monitoring process under section 6(e), 7(a) and 8 of the RMA. No specific performance indicators have been monitored by Council to date. Figure 13: Ethnic Groups in Manawatu & New Zealand (2006 Census) However, the Marae Consultative Standing Committee has had input into a number of Council-initiated projects. Manawatu District New Zealand Ethnic Group (%) (%) Council is confident it has been undertaking its functions in relation to Maori Male Female Male Female values in good faith, and in accordance with the RMA. However, a workshop held in August 2008 with Council’s Marae Consultative Standing Committee, European 75.9 79.5 66.7 68.4 established a number of key issues of interest for incorporation as potential Maori 14.7 13.8 14.6 14.7 indicators within the next SOE report. Pacific peoples 1.7 1.4 7.0 6.8 Asian 1.3 1.4 9.0 9.4 Te Harakeke Middle Eastern/Latin 0.2 0.1 1.0 0.8 American/African Other ethnicity Hutia te rito o te harakeke If the centre shoot of the flax bush were plucked New Zealander 16.5 14.7 11.8 10.4 Other ethnicity - other 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Kei whea to komako e ko? Where would the bellbird sing? Total 16.5 14.7 11.9 10.5 Ki mai ki a au If you should ask me
Source: Statistics New Zealand, Quick Stats about Manawatu District He aha te mea nui o te ao What is the greatest thing in this world? The above figure illustrates that the District has a higher proportion of people belonging to the European ethnic group, compared with New Zealand as a Maku e ki atu I should answer whole. In the District, 14% of people belong to the Maori ethnic group, He Tangata, he Tangata, he Tangata ’Tis People, ’tis People, ’tis people compared with 14.6% for all of New Zealand.
Tangata Whenua The harakeke represents people in their environment in Aotearoa. The rito - the new shoot of the flax bush is the centre of life - the child - growing up in E mihi ana ki nga mana whenua, ki nga wai tapu, nga maunga teitei o te our society - Aotearoa, where communication and understanding of cultures is Manawatu. Ki nga roimata kua horahia ki te pae o maumahara. Tenei most important. tatau te tangi nei ki o tatau mate e takahia ana te ara wairua. Whakaoma Source: Manawatu District Council, State of the Environment Report, 2002
10 | The Manawatu District Profile our district – our environment Birthplace Languages Spoken
Birthplace refers to the country where a person was born. In the District, 9.3% Apart from English, the next most common language spoken in the District is of people were born overseas, compared with 22.9% for New Zealand as a Maori, which is spoken by 3.9% of people. For New Zealand as a whole, the whole. The most common birthplace was the UK for people born overseas most common language apart from English is Maori, spoken by 4.1% of who are now living in District, and the UK was the most common birthplace for people. all of New Zealand. In the District, 90.7% of people speak only one language, compared with Figure 14: Birthplace of People in Manawatu District and New Zealand 80.5% of people for all of New Zealand. (2006 Census) Figure 16: Languages Spoken in Manawatu District (1996 – 2006 Manawatu District New Zealand Censuses) Birthplace Count % Count % Birthplace 1996 2001 2006 New Zealand 24,987 88.4 2,960,214 73.5 Australia 345 1.2 62,742 1.6 English 26,463 25,758 26,895 Pacific Islands 138 0.5 135,852 3.4 Maori 891 960 1,041 UK and Ireland 1,386 4.9 251,688 6.2 Samoan 66 54 72 Europe (excl. UK and Ireland) 234 0.8 68,067 1.7 NZ Sign Language 309 372 267 North America 105 0.4 26,940 0.7 Other 813 822 978 Asia 195 0.7 251,130 6.2 None 675 507 480 Other 150 0.5 83,124 2.1 Total 27,249 26,355 27,471
Not Elsewhere included 714 2.5 188,187 4.7 Source: Statistics New Zealand, Quick Stats About Manawatu District Total 28,254 4,027,947
Source: Statistics New Zealand, Quick Stats About Manawatu District
Figure 15: Birthplace of People in Manawatu District (1996 – 2006 Labour Force Censuses) The labour force consists of members of the working-age population (people Birthplace 1996 2001 2006 aged 15 years and over) who were either employed or unemployed. In 2006, New Zealand 25,128 24,486 24,987 there were 21,756 people in the District aged 15 years and older. Of these, Australia 279 300 345 18,120 (83.3%) people were available for the labour force. In the labour force, Pacific Islands 105 108 138 73.4% of people were employed in a full-time position (more than 30 hours UK and Ireland 1,188 1,188 1,386 per week) and 22.8% in a part-time position (fewer than 30 hours per week). Europe (excl. UK and Ireland) 222 207 234 North America 105 96 105 The unemployment rate in the District is 3.8% for people aged 15 years and Asia 156 165 195 over, compared with 5.1% for all of New Zealand. Between 1996 and 2006 Other 45 66 150 there has been a decrease of 2.3% (267 people) in unemployment figures. Not Elsewhere included 852 894 714 Employment levels over the past three census periods have been reasonably Total 28,080 27,510 28,254 steady and increasing in a positive direction.
Source: Statistics New Zealand, Quick Stats About Manawatu District
our district – our environment The Manawatu District Profile | 11 Figure 17: Labour Force Status of People in Manawatu District and New Figure19: Occupation of Employed People in Manawatu District and Zealand (2006 Census) New Zealand (2006 Census)
Manawatu District New Zealand Occupation Manawatu District New Zealand Labour Force Status Count % Count % Managers 3,135 340,530 Employed Full Time 11,484 73.4 1,531,017 73.2 Professionals 2,061 374,328 Technicians and trades workers 1,803 241,857 Employed Part Time 3,564 22.8 454,758 21.7 Unemployed 588 3.8 106,497 5.1 Community and personal service workers 1,158 156,468 Clerical and administrative workers 1,515 240,816 Not in the Labour Force 5,808 961,788 Status Unidentifiable 312 106,311 Sales workers 1,257 186,060 Machinery operators and drivers 957 114,324 Total 21,753 3,160,371 Labourers 2,049 218,991 Not elsewhere included 1,113 112,404 Source: Statistics New Zealand, Quick Stats About Manawatu District Total 15,048 1,985,775 Figure 18: Labour Force Status of People in Manawatu District (1996 - 2006 Censuses) Source: Statistics New Zealand, Quick Stats About Manawatu District Manawatu District This figure illustrates that the most common occupational group in the District Labour Force Status 1996 2001 2006 is ‘Managers’. This is followed by ‘Professionals’ and ‘Labourers’. ‘Professionals’, is the most common occupational group in New Zealand. This Count % Count % Count % is followed by ‘Managers’ and ‘Technicians and trades workers’/’Clerical and Employed Full Time 9,963 70.9 10,080 71.6 11,484 73.4 administrative workers’. Employed Part Time 3,228 23.0 3,183 22.6 3,567 22.8 Unemployed 852 6.1 825 5.9 585 3.8 Not in the Labour Force 6,435 6,186 5,808 Status Unidentifiable 423 483 312 Industry Total 20,904 20,757 21,756 Industry is the type of activity undertaken by an organisation, enterprise or Source: Statistics New Zealand, Quick Stats About Manawatu District business within which a person is employed, such as mining and manufacturing industries. One way of illustrating the industry breakdown of the District economy is to Occupations recognise employment by industry. A total of 8,150 employees worked in the District as at February 2007. This represented 0.4% of total employees in Occupation refers to the job, trade, profession or type of work in which a New Zealand. The manufacturing industry (mainly food processing) was the person is employed for financial reward or as an unpaid worker in a family largest industry in terms of employees and employed 17.5% of all employees business. Once again, figures relate to the employed census ‘usually resident in the District. The agriculture, forestry and fishing industry employed a population’ count aged 15 years and over and is based on the ‘Australian and further 17.3% of total employees in the District (especially dairy and cattle New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations’ (ANZSCO V1.0). farming, and livestock and cropping farming). The District also has a large defence industry at Ohakea, which makes up around 8% of employment.
12 | The Manawatu District Profile our district – our environment Figure 20: Employees by Industry (Manawatu District as at February Figure 21: Income of People in Manawatu District and New Zealand 2007) (2006 Census)
Industry (ANZSIC 1-digit) Employees % of Total Income Group ($NZ) Manawatu District New Zealand A Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing 1,470 17.3 Loss 132 17,355 B Mining 0 0.0 Zero Income 876 145,050 C Manufacturing 1,490 17.5 1 – 5,000 1,470 221,166 D Electricity, Gas & Water Supply 6 0.1 5,001 – 10,000 1,491 226,800 E Construction 620 7.3 10,001 – 15,000 2,763 355,899 F Wholesale Trade 520 6.1 15,001 – 20,000 1,983 260,082 G Retail Trade 860 10.1 20,001 – 25,000 1,638 219,657 H Accommodation, Cafes & Restaurants 320 3.8 25,001 – 30,000 1,776 215,301 I Transport & Storage 300 3.5 30,001 - 35,000 1,584 201,300 J Communication Services 15 0.2 35,001 - 40,000 1,494 202,770 K Finance & Insurance 80 0.9 40,001 - 50,000 1,905 262,299 L Property & Business Services 480 5.6 50,001 - 70,000 1,875 281,160 M Government Administration & Defence 920 10.8 70,001 - 100,000 678 125,118 N Education 750 8.8 100,001 or more 501 105,525 O Health & Community Services 460 5.4 Not stated 1,593 320,892 P Cultural & Recreational Services 55 0.6 Total 21,753 3,160,374 Q Personal & Other Services 180 2.1 Source: Statistics New Zealand, Quick Stats About Manawatu District Total 8,510 100.00
Source: Statistics New Zealand, Manawatu District Quarterly Review (March 2008)
Income
For people aged 15 years and over, the median income (half earn more, and half less, than this amount) in the District is $24,200. This compares with a median of $24,400 for all of New Zealand.
In the District, 43.2% of people aged 15 years and over have an annual income of $20,000 or less, compared with 43.2% of people for New Zealand as a whole. In the District, 15.1% of people aged 15 years and over have an annual income of more then $50,000, compared with 18.0% of people throughout New Zealand.
our district – our environment The Manawatu District Profile | 13 Figure 22: Income of People in Manawatu District (1996 - 2006 Figure 23: Proportion of Students Leaving Secondary Schools by Level Censuses) of Highest Attainment and Gender (Manawatu District and New Zealand 2006) Income Group ($NZ) 1996 2001 2006 Loss 147 102 132 80 Zero Income 921 744 876 70 1 – 5,000 2,052 1,638 1,473 60 5,001 – 10,000 3,111 2,328 1,491 50 10,001 – 15,000 3,510 2,997 2,763 15,001 – 20,000 2,181 2,100 1,983 40
20,001 – 25,000 1,968 1,689 1,638 30 Percentage 25,001 – 30,000 1,890 1,812 1,776 20 30,001 - 35,000 2,046 2,289 1,581 10 35,001 - 40,000 NA NA 1,497 40,001 - 50,000 984 1,320 1,902 0 50,001 - 70,000 624 990 1,875 Little or No Formal NCEO Level 2 and Above University Entrance Attainment Level of Highest Standard 70,001 - 100,000 216 366 678 Attainment 100,001 or more 210 357 498 Not stated 1,041 2,028 1,593 Manawatu District Male Manawatu District Female Manawatu District Total Total 20,901 20,757 21,756 New Zealand Male New Zealand Female New Zealand Total Source: Statistics New Zealand, Quick Stats About Manawatu District
Source: Statistics New Zealand, Manawatu District Quarterly Review (March 2008)
Education
The total number of students leaving secondary school during 2006 in the District was 349. This was a 1.1% decrease from the previous year, compared with a 1.0% national decrease.
In 2006, the District had 37.8% of students leaving secondary schools with the University Entrance standard. This was an increase of 10.3% from 2005. This compares with a national increase of 3.4%.
The proportion of students leaving secondary schools in the District with little or no formal attainment was 6.9% in 2006, a decrease of 2.4% from the previous year, compared with a decrease of 1.8% nationally.
14 | The Manawatu District Profile our district – our environment Figure 24: Number of Secondary School Leavers by Gender Figure 25: Tenure of Household in Manawatu District and New Zealand (2006 Census 2005 2006 Area Tenure Manawatu District New Zealand Male Female Total Male Female Total Owned or partly owned by usual resident(s) 5,922 743,955 Manawatu District 221 132 353 189 160 349 Not owned by usual resident(s) 2,643 451,965 Waitomo District ...S ... S ...S ...S ...S ...S Held in a family trust by usual resident(s) 1,857 167,922 Taupo District 180 219 399 163 170 333 Not elsewhere included 480 90,333 Stratford District 61 115 176 61 116 177 Ruapehu District 86 84 170 91 82 173 Total 10,419 1,454,175 Wanganui District 392 389 781 358 344 702 Rangitikei District 62 127 189 55 129 184 Source: Statistics New Zealand, Quick Stats About Manawatu District Palmerston North City 666 647 1313 568 654 1,222 Tararua District 103 105 208 106 113 219 Figure 26 shows that households owned or partly owned by usual residents, Horowhenua District 186 198 384 175 200 375 has decreased in the District over the past three census periods. Manawatu-Wanganui 1,716 1,682 3,398 1,542 1,682 3,224 Region Figure 26: Tenure of Household in Manawatu District (1996 - 2006 New Zealand 28,917 28,537 57,454 28,436 28,459 56,895 Censuses)
Tenure 1996 2001 2006 Source: Statistics New Zealand, Manawatu District Quarterly Review (March 2008) – Ministry of Education Owned or partly owned by usual 7,077 7,104 5,922 resident(s) Not owned by usual resident(s) 2,478 2,457 2,643 Held in a family trust by usual resident(s) NA NA 1,377 Housing Not elsewhere included 186 363 480 Total 9,741 9,924 10,422 Figure 25 relates to households located in private occupied dwellings. The
‘tenure’ of households refers to the nature of the occupancy of a household in Source: Statistics New Zealand, Quick Stats About Manawatu District a private dwelling, at the time of the census. It does not refer to the tenure of the land on which the dwelling is situated.
In the District, 59.6% of households in private occupied dwellings own the dwelling, with or without a mortgage. For New Zealand as a whole, 54.5% of Dwelling Numbers households in private occupied dwellings own the dwelling, with or without a mortgage. A dwelling is any building or structure, or part thereof, that is used (or intended to be used) for the purpose of human habitation. It can be of a permanent or temporary nature and includes structures such as houses, motels, hotels, prisons, motor homes, huts and tents.
In 2006, there were 10,515 occupied dwellings, 1,029 unoccupied dwellings and 96 dwellings under construction in the District. For New Zealand as a whole, there were 1,478,709 occupied dwellings, 159,273 unoccupied dwellings and 13,557 dwellings under construction. The proportion of all
our district – our environment The Manawatu District Profile | 15 dwellings in the District under construction (0.9%) was comparable to the ‘Couples with children’ make up 42.8% of all families in the District, while national average of 0.8% in 2006. ‘couples without children’ make up 41.4 percent of all families. In New Zealand, ‘couples with children’ make up 42.0% of all families, while ‘couples Figure 27: Dwellings in Manawatu District (1996 – 2006 Censuses) without children’ make up 39.9% of all families.
Manawatu District 15.9% of families in the District are ‘one-parent with children’ families, Dwelling Status 1996 2001 2006 compared with 18.1% of families for New Zealand as a whole. Count % Count % Count % Figure 28: Family Type in Manawatu District and New Zealand (2006 Occupied 9,804 91.7 10,065 90.6 10,515 90.3 Census) Unoccupied 843 7.9 1,005 9.0 1,029 8.8 Under Construction 45 0.4 42 0.4 96 0.9 Tenure Manawatu District New Zealand Total 10,689 11,112 11,640 Couple without child(ren) 3,270 425,976 Couple with child(ren) 3,381 447,894 Source: Statistics New Zealand, Quick Stats About Manawatu District One parent with child(ren) 1,254 193,635 Total 7,908 1,067,502 Although houses are being built, this may not translate into more people residing in an area. This could be the result of such factors as fewer people Source: Statistics New Zealand, Quick Stats about Manawatu District per household on average, the building of holiday homes, or new buildings replacing demolished houses. Figure 29: Family Type in Manawatu District (1996 – 2006 Censuses)
Manawatu District Dwelling Status 1996 2001 2006 People per Household Count % Count % Count % Couple without child(ren) 2,781 36.7 3,000 40.2 3,270 41.4 The average number of people in a household is one factor that influences the Couple with child(ren) 3,669 48.4 3,231 43.3 3,381 42.8 demand for dwellings in the District (the other factors being natural population One parent with child(ren) 1,137 14.9 1,233 16.5 1,254 15.8 growth and migration rates). The average household size in the District is 2.6 people, compared with an average of 2.7 people for all of New Zealand. Total 7,584 7,464 7,908
Fewer people per household are projected in all territorial authorities and Source: Statistics New Zealand, Quick Stats about Manawatu District regions, largely due to the general ageing of the population. More people are moving into older age groups where they are most likely to live in couple without children families or one-person households. Household Composition
A household is either one person who usually resides alone, or two or more Family Type people who usually reside together and share facilities (such as eating facilities, cooking facilities, bathroom and toilet facilities, and a living area) in a private dwelling. The family type classifies family nuclei according to the presence or absence of couples, parents and children.
16 | The Manawatu District Profile our district – our environment One-family households make up 72.9% of all households in the District. For Satisfaction as a Place to Live New Zealand as a whole, one-family households make up 69.1% of all households. 2,310 people (or 22.3%) live in one-person households in the tm District. Throughout New Zealand, one-person households make up 23.0% of The 2007 Communitrak Survey identified that 90% of residents were very all households. satisfied/satisfied with their neighbourhood as a place to live, to work and to spend their spare time, while 6% were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied and Figure 30: Household Composition in Manawatu District and New 4% were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied. There were no notable differences Zealand (2006 Census) between wards and socio-economic groups for those who stated that they were very satisfied or satisfied. Manawatu Tenure New Zealand District Figure 32: Residents' Satisfaction with their Neighbourhood as a Place One-family household (with or without other people) 7,593 985,545 to Live Two-family household (with or without other people) 150 37,083 Three or more family household (with or without other 70 3 2,526 people) 60 Other multiperson household 282 72,657 One person household 2,310 328,299 50 Household composition unidentifiable 81 28,065 Total 10,419 1,454,175 40
Source: Statistics New Zealand, Quick Stats about Manawatu District 30 Percentage Figure 31: Household Composition in Manawatu District (1996 – 2006 20 Censuses) 10 Manawatu District Dwelling Status 1996 2001 2006 0 Count % Count % Count % Very Satisfied Satisfied Dissatisfied Very Dissatisfied
One-family household (with or without other 7,278 94.7 7,197 72.5 7,593 72.9 Source: Manawatu District Council and the National Research Bureau Limited (2007) - CommunitrakTM Survey – Public people) Perceptions and Interpretations of Council Services and Representation Two-family household (with or without other 141 1.4 126 1.3 150 1.4 Residents were asked to consider the range and standard of amenities and people) activities that Council can influence. They were also questioned whether they Three or more family think the District is a better, about the same, or worse as a place to live, than it household (with or 9 0.1 6 0.1 3 0.02 without other people) was three years ago. The results of this survey indicated that 35% of Other multiperson residents felt the District was a better place to live than three years ago, 55% 345 3.5 300 3.0 282 2.7 household felt it was the same and 4% said it was worse. 6% were unsure. One person household 1,884 19.3 2,139 21.6 2,310 22.2 Household composition 87 0.9 156 1.5 81 0.8 unidentifiable Total 9,744 9,924 10,419
Source: Statistics New Zealand, Quick Stats about Manawatu District
our district – our environment The Manawatu District Profile | 17 Figure 33: Residents' Satisfaction with the Manawatu District as a Place What is the Council Doing? to Live
60 The Council has a number of roles in providing information and developing policy to influence community outcomes. Demographic information has strong links to environmental management. The demographics collected above will 50 be used in future policy development, including the following Council reports:
40 Long Term Council Community Plan, including community outcomes; 30 District Plan changes and review; and
Percentage Urban growth monitoring 20
10
0 Better Same Worse Unsure
Source: Manawatu District Council and the National Research Bureau Limited (2007) - CommunitrakTM Survey – Public Perceptions and Interpretations of Council Services and Representation
18 | The Manawatu District Profile our district – our environment LLaanndd UUssee aanndd SSuubbddiivviissiioonn
Council has a number of specific functions and responsibilities under the RMA. These include controlling the subdivision of land, noise and the effects of the use, development or protection of land.
The District Plan is Council’s main tool in implementing the RMA as it sets out Council’s objectives, policies and rules for resource management in the District.
The Facts Council commissioned a joint industrial land use study with Palmerston North City Council. Stage 1 has been completed; Stage 2 is now being undertaken. The Manawatu District comprises predominantly pastoral land. Plan Change 27 approved the expansion of the residential zone Demand for Industrial land is currently unable to be satisfied for to the north and north-east of Feilding. 2000 – 8000m2 lots.
There is estimated to be 1,200 vacant residential lots. 2,198 building consents were issued in the District between 1 Issues to Consider July 2002 and 30 June 2007, predominantly for farm buildings and dwellings. Comparison between background noise levels measured in different zones and noise standards specified in the District Plan. 160 applications for land use consent were received for relocated buildings between 1 July 2001 and 30 June 2007. Dealing with noise issues in the residential zone from non- residential activities. 246 land use consents were sought between 1 July 2001 and 31 October 2007 for setback from boundary infringements. There is an opportunity to review the District Plan for activities with large numbers of approved consents to assess if changes The number of noise complaints received is increasing over time, should be made (if appropriate). and so is Council’s ability to resolve noise issues. Assess the future impact on infrastructure particularly roads, from 3% of land in the District is set aside as native bush. production forestry harvesting.
Progress so Far
Council monitors background noise levels on a five-yearly basis. Council has a complaints system in place to record all complaints received.
our district – our environment Land Use and Subdivision | 19 Figure 35: Agricultural Land Use by Category for the Manawatu District (as at 30 June 2002)
Tussock and danthonia used for grazing 3% Other land 2% Native scrub and regenerating native bush 2% Matural native bush 1% Planted production forest 3% Land in horticulture 0% Arable crop land, fodder crop land and … 4%
Grassland 85%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% Land Uses Source:: Agricultural Production Survey (Year ended 30 June 2002)
Forestry and Timber Harvesting The majority of land in the District is covered in exotic pastureland. There are Figure 34: Production Forestry in Manawatu District few areas remaining in their original native vegetation cover. The Ruahine Ranges and the coastal areas of the District are some of the only remaining Year 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 areas that have not been modified by pastoral farming.
Area of Production Forest (ha) 5,144 5,262 5,345 6,422 6,453 7,142
Industrial Use There is an increasing trend for land to be planted as production forest within the District. However, this remains a relatively small percentage of vegetation In the early 1990’s Council recognised the need to provide sufficient land to cover over the entire District. cater for likely future industrial needs. The largest area of industrially zoned land in the District Plan is located between Turners and Kawakawa Roads. This area totals approximately 72ha, of which an estimated 24ha (one-third) is currently vacant1. Agricultural Use There are approximately 27ha of land in the Industrial Zone in Longburn. Figure 35 shows that the dominant agricultural land use category in the Approximately 7.5ha (28%) of this land is vacant, with more than 3ha being District (as at 30 June 2002) was grassland (85% of all land). Only 3% of unoccupied ‘Greenfield’ land on parcels already partially developed. production land in the District is set aside as native bush, native scrub or regenerating native bush.
1 Good Earth Matters Consulting Limited (May 2007). Palmerston North City and Manawatu District Industrial Land Use Planning Review (Stage One Report).
20 | Land Use and Subdivision our district – our environment There are pockets of industrial land scattered throughout the District with the If all six growth areas were subdivided, it was calculated they could produce same set of Industrial Zone provisions applying in all locations. nearly 2,900 sections. This does not mean that Council would not consider other applications on their merits, to rezone particular pieces of land on According to the 2007 ‘Industrial Land Use Planning Review’, demand for Feilding’s fringe from Rural to Residential. The analysis did not reveal any industrially zoned land in the range of 2000 - 8000m2 is currently unable to be ‘fatal flaws’ in any of the six possible growth areas. However, the costs satisfied. Council was aware of at least two private plan change requests for associated with servicing the different areas varied considerably, as did the re-zoning of land from ‘Rural’ to ‘Industrial’ at the time the Industrial Land Use types of development constraints present. The six urban growth areas are Planning Review was issued (May 2007). shaded in Figure 36.
Plan Change 27 to the District Plan (Feilding Urban Growth) was made operative on 1 August 2007. This Plan Change involved the re-zoning of two Residential Greenfield Landbank areas of land from Rural to Residential (refer to Figures 36 and 37). The first area incorporated sections from the ‘Roots Street East’ and ‘Arnott Street’ In June 2005, Council produced a Discussion Paper on ‘Feilding’s Urban urban growth areas, identified in Feilding’s Urban Growth Discussion Paper. Growth’. This Discussion Paper was produced because of increased demand The second involved the majority of the ‘Lethbridge North’ urban growth area. for residential sections in Feilding. The Discussion Paper identified that the amount of land already zoned residential within the town boundary is sufficient Funding has been requested through the Annual Plan process for Council to to provide about 490 new building sites. rezone a third area. There is pressure from residents living in the Ranfurly Road area to rezone to Residential. This area was also identified in the At the time the Discussion Paper was written, one sixth of this ‘landbank’ was Urban Growth Discussion Paper. already in the process of being subdivided. However, it was identified that some of the land within the landbank may be difficult to develop or had limited The total amount of available urban land is estimated to be 1,200 lots, market appeal. It was therefore considered important to maintain a landbank including the 490 vacant lots within the existing town boundary and of a reasonable size – giving buyers a good choice of sections. approximately 700 lots from land re-zoned by Plan Change 27.
Based on population and household growth, it was considered that future demand for residential sections in Feilding would range between 45 and 90 lots per year, and it was considered necessary to look at rezoning land from Rural to Residential to help meet this demand.
The Discussion Paper identified six sites that could represent the urban growth path for Feilding over the next 50 years. The areas identified were:
Lethbridge Road North Makino Stream West Roots Street East Arnott Street Sandon Road/Ranfurly Road Awahuri Road
our district – our environment Land Use and Subdivision | 21 This figure incorporates land from the Roots Street East and Arnott Street This figure incorporates land from the Lethbridge North Urban Growth Area. Urban Growth Area.
Figure 36: Land Rezoned from Rural to Urban as Part of Plan Change 27 Figure 37: Land Rezoned from Rural to Urban as Part of Plan Change 27
22 | Land Use and Subdivision our district – our environment Figure 38: Feilding Reserves, Future Growth Areas and Walkways/Cycleways2
2 Manawatu District Council, Open Space Framework (August 2006)
our district – our environment Land Use and Subdivision | 23 Residential Development 1,127 building consents issued in the Rural zone for other developments (excluding dwellings) over this same period.
New Building Consents Figure 40: New Building Consents by Category (1 July 2002 to 30 June 2007) A building consent must be obtained from Council for new building construction and for modification to existing buildings. Council procedures have been adjusted to take into account the provisions of the Building Act Swimming pools 2004, which became operative on 1 April 2004. Recreation (eg playgrounds) Commercial buildings Relocated dwellings It should be noted that changes to Schedule 1 of the Building Act 2004 came Effluent systems into force on 16 October 2008. These changes increase the range of Underpass exempted work ie. building work that does not require a building consent Bridges under the Building Act 2004. Farmhouse/other shed Garage Figure 39: Number of New Building Consents by Year (from 1 July to 30 New dwelling June the following year) 0 100 200 300 400 500 600
1,350 No of Consents 1,300 Rural Urban 1,250
1,200 1,150 Relocated Buildings 1,100 It has become popular within the District to place relocated houses or buildings on residential sections and on sites within the rural area. The 1,050 District Plan manages the visual effects of the initial period after relocation 1,000 and the prevention of the type of ‘eyesores’ which may result from a relocated building being left unfinished for years. 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 Monitoring Period (1 July - 30 June) 160 applications were received over the period from 1 July 2001 to 30 June 2007 for relocated buildings - 153 of which were approved. The majority of these applications were for relocated dwellings. Of the 128 applications received for relocated dwellings, 121 were approved, 4 were declined and 3 There were 338 building consents issued for new dwellings in the residential were cancelled or withdrawn. 13 applications were received for accessory zone between 1 July 2002 and 30 June 2007. Over this same period, there buildings such as garages, sheds, and carports; all of these applications were were 313 building consents issued for new dwellings in the rural area. There approved. Other applications for relocated buildings were for sleep-outs or were 420 other building consents issued for developments in the Residential granny flats, a church building, a dwelling to be converted into a kennel Zone (refer to Figure 40) – including consents for garages, sheds, relocated (Bainesse Kennels), a studio and an office. All of these applications were dwellings, commercial buildings, recreation and swimming pools. There were approved.
24 | Land Use and Subdivision our district – our environment Figure 41: Land Use Consent Applications for Relocated Buildings ( 1 In those instances where there are reasonable numbers of applications July 2001 to 30 June 2007) lodged for similar activities, with very few of these applications declined, there is an opportunity for Council to review those provisions in the District Plan. 140 120 Figure 42: Council Decisions on Land Use Consents for Activities not provided for by the District Plan 100 80 120 60 100 40 80 20
No ofRelocated NoBuildings 0 60 Dwelling Accessory Unspecified Granny Other 40 buildings building flat/sleepout
20 No ofLand use No Consents Category of Building 0 Approved Declined Withdrawn Successful Withdrawn Declined
Consent Decision
Non-Residential Activities in Residential Areas To assess the effects of different activities on the environment, Council Subdivision requires resource consents to be obtained for certain land use and subdivision activities. Resource consents are processed in accordance with the provisions of the District Plan and statutory requirements contained within the Monitoring rural subdivision trends is essential for determining pressure on the RMA. availability of land resources and for identifying potential future land use. All figures have been produced for the period from 1 July 2001 through to 30 Appendix 3 contains a table illustrating the land use consents approved for June 2007. activities not provided for within the District Plan (between 1 July 2001 and 31 October 2007). 22 applications were received for non-complying signage of The definition of subdivision includes cross-leases, company leases and unit which 20 were approved, one was withdrawn, and one was declined (refer to titles. This means that such subdivisions are subject to exactly the same rules Figure 42). 10 applications were received for accommodation facilities such and potential consent conditions as ‘ordinary’ fee simple subdivisions. Any as backpackers, student hostels, lodges, and conference centres – with 6 leases or parts of a block of land for longer than 20 years also qualify as applications approved and 2 declined. 8 applications were received and subdivisions. Partitions of Maori land do not need subdivision consent if the approved for places of assembly, church-related activities, chapels and places new land parcels are to be held by members of the same hapu. of worship. Figure 43 shows the distribution of subdivision by zone. Subdivision applications in this instance reflect the creation of new lots (standard subdivision) or the adjustment of boundaries between existing titles (boundary
our district – our environment Land Use and Subdivision | 25 adjustment). Subdivision resulting in the creation of new lots was more Figures 44 and 45 show the range of lot sizes created within the Rural 1 and 2 common than boundary adjustments in all zones between 1 July 2001 and 30 zones. Between 1 July 2001 and 30 June 2007 the greatest demand was for June 2007. Furthermore, the demand over this period was greatest in the lots of 1-2ha, followed by 2-4ha and 0.7-1ha respectively. This generally Rural 2 zone and boundary adjustments were more commonly undertaken in means a reduction of larger rural lots to provide for the creation of smaller lot rural areas. sizes.
Figure 43: Subdivision Type by District Plan Zone Figure 44: Subdivision in the ‘Rural 1’ Zone
350 50 300 40 250 30 200 20 150 10 100 ofLots No 0 50 -10 No ofApplications No -20 0
Rural 1 Rural 2 Residential
1 ha 1
2 ha 2 ha 4 ha 8
-
- - -
20 ha 20 ha 40 ha 80
0.4 ha 0.4
0.7 ha 0.7
1 2 4
- - -
160 160 ha
-
8
-
160+ ha 160+
0.9
20 40 80 Subdivision Zoning 0.4 Boundary Adjustment Standard Subdivision Lot Size
Lots gained Lots lost
Rural Subdivision In the Rural zone, the District Plan uses an average lot size philosophy. It does not prevent the creation of small blocks within the Rural zone, but effectively requires that people creating a small lot must also create a larger one to achieve the average. There is also a requirement that at least 50% (or at least 20ha, whichever is smaller) of the block being subdivided be left in one piece. This aims to discourage subdivision into uniform blocks all at the average size. The minimum lot size in the Rural zones has been set at 0.8ha.
The District Plans Rural 1 zone identifies the District’s main areas of versatile land, and recognises the potential effects on its productive options by requiring an 8ha minimum average lot size in that zone. The average lot size for the Rural 2 zone (less-versatile land) has been set at 4ha. This is because the finite demand for small rural blocks is unlikely ever to have a major impact on the availability of the District’s large areas of non-elite soils for productive uses.
26 | Land Use and Subdivision our district – our environment Figure 45: Subdivision in the ‘Rural 2’ Zone Nodal Subdivision 250 Nodal areas are specific areas identified in the District Plan that have a rural- 200 residential atmosphere. These are located in areas of the Rural zone that 150 have a higher density of housing, giving them elements of an urban character. 2 100 The nodal areas are deemed generally suitable for smaller lots (ie. 4,000m ) 50 than other parts of the Rural zone. However, they are not areas suitable for No ofLots No 0 fully-fledged townships and therefore the lot sizes are not as small as those in -50 town.
There are nodal areas on the outer edge of Feilding, Rangiwahia and Hiwinui
1 ha 1
2 ha 2 ha 4 ha 8
-
- - -
20 ha 20
40 ha 40 ha 80
0.4 ha 0.4
0.7 ha 0.7
1 2 4 - -
- (refer Appendix 5A of the District Plan). Other nodal areas exist within 1km of
160 160 ha
-
8
-
160+ ha 160+
0.9 40
20 Pohangina, Bunnythorpe, Halcombe, Colyton, Taikorea, Glen Oroua, Apiti, 0.4 80 Kimbolton, Utuwai, Rongotea, Cheltenham, Sanson and Waituna West. Council is monitoring nodal subdivision growth in an effort to concentrate Lot Sizes growth around existing settlements and minimise outwards expansion of Lots gained Lots lost residential areas.
Between the 1 July 2001 and 30 June 2007, the nodal areas experiencing Boundary adjustment subdivisions have also been included in these above greatest demand were located in Pohangina and the Feilding surrounds graphs, with the number of new lots created balanced by the number of lots between. Demand for subdivision development was low in the nodal areas of lost. These were included as they can be useful for illustrating demand in the Bunnythorpe, Halcombe and Colyton. District for certain lot sizes. Figure 46: Nodal Subdivisions
40 35 30 25 20 15
10 No ofSubdivisions No 5 0 Pohangina Feilding Hiwinui Bunnythorpe Halcombe Colyton Location of Nodal Subdivision
our district – our environment Land Use and Subdivision | 27 Residential Subdivision Business and Industrial Subdivision Figure 47: Subdivision in the ‘Residential’ & ‘Village’ Zones Figure 49 shows that there was fairly high demand for industrial expansion in Feilding during this monitoring period. Demand for subdivision was low in the Business and other Industrial areas of the Manawatu District. Tangimoana Himatangi Rongotea Figure 49: Subdivision in the Business and Industrial Zones Other Village Longburn Residential and Village Bunnythorpe Industrial Sanson Residential Feilding Residential Longburn Industrial
0 50 100 150 200 250 Feilding Industrial
No of Lots Created Sanson Business Boundary Adjustment New Lots Feilding Business
0 5 10 15 20 25 Subdivision design and the physical works undertaken at subdivision time have a large and permanent effect upon the form and character of an urban No of Lots Created area. The greatest demand for residential subdivision between 1 July 2001 and 30 June 2007 was in the Feilding Residential zone followed by the Village Boundary Adjustments New Lots zones. The majority of subdivision involved the creation of new lots, rather than boundary adjustments.
Figure 48: Subdivision in the ‘Residential’ and ‘Village’ Zones (Excluding Feilding) Amenity While noise is an important factor in amenity levels, there are other residential Tangimoana amenity issues that affect the amenity enjoyed by people living and working in Himatangi the District. Residential amenity issues range from the size and location of Rongotea buildings, separation distances, non-residential activities, community safety, Other Village dust, odour and visual amenity. Longburn Residential and Village Many of the minor land use consents processed by Council are for yard Sanson Residentail encroachments, ie. when new dwellings or accessory buildings are located closer to the property boundary than District Plan provisions allow. 0 2 4 6 8 10
No of Lots Created Boundary Adjustment New Lots
28 | Land Use and Subdivision our district – our environment District Plan Separation Encroachments Figure 51: Land Use Consents for ‘Amenity’ Related Infringements Figure 50: Land Use Consents for Separation Encroachments 35
70 30 60 25
50 20 40 15 30 10
20 Infringements 10 5 0 0 Flood Industrial Residential Rural 1 Rural 2 Nodal Village Sit Coverage Insufficient Site Too Close of Outside Building Too Close to Channel Size Watercourse Envelope Another Dwelling District Plan Zoning
Front/Road Boundary Paper Road Side Boundary(ies) Rear 43 applications were identified as having some other form of amenity-related infringement (sometimes in addition to building set-back infringements). Of these 43 applications, all were successful in gaining consent (refer to Figure 246 applications for land use consent were sought between 1 July 2001 and 51). 31 October 2007 for some form of building set-back encroachment. Of the 246 applications, 241 were successful and 5 were declined or withdrawn. There were also 60 land use consents sought for developments within the Flood Channel 1 and 2 zones. These applications have been considered Side boundary infringements were more common in the Rural zones and separately under the ‘Natural Hazards’ chapter of this report. Nodal areas, while front or road boundary infringements were more common in the Residential, Flood Channel and Village zones. It is noted that not all applications identified whether the infringement was with a side or rear boundary, which may influence the accuracy of this graph. Noise
Under section 31(d) of the RMA, Council is responsible for controlling the emission and effects of noise in the District. Noise is an important factor in determining the level of amenity experienced by people living and working in the District.
Whether a particular noise is perceived by listeners to be a real nuisance depends on a number of different factors. These include the time of day, how quiet the neighbourhood is, how long the noise lasts, the nature of the sound, and the source of the noise. The nuisance value of a noise is not always related to its measurable level in decibels.
our district – our environment Land Use and Subdivision | 29 Background Noise Levels Figure 52: Noise Complaints Received by Council Noise can be defined as ‘unwanted sound’ and is a part of our daily lives. 700 Noise associated with normal daily activity is called background noise. 600 Appendix 4 contains background noise data recorded over the period from 500 July 2005 to April 2006. Measurements shown are the average weekday and 400 weekend day and night noise levels. 300 200 This is the initial background noise survey, with monitoring to take place on a Received No 5 yearly basis. Comparisons between the noise levels recorded in this survey 100 and future surveys will enable us to establish trends in background noise over 0 time. The decibel measure for noise is a logarithmic scale, so an increase of 1/11/01 - 1/11/02 - 1/11/03 - 1/11/04 - 1/11/05 - 1/11/06 - 3 decibels is a double increase in noise. This information will be used to 31/10/02 31/10/03 31/10/04 31/10/05 31/10/06 31/10/07 determine if noise standards in the District Plan are appropriate.
Noise complaints generally occur when a noise significantly intrudes above Monitoring Period the background noise, known as ‘nuisance noise’. Noise measurements are Complaints Resolved Complaints Not Resolved taken in response to complaints. If a complaint is received and the noise is considered to be either unreasonable or excessive, Council may then issue an excessive noise direction or abatement notice.
Monitoring sites have changed since the 2000 survey, which was commented on in the last SOE report. The new sites are more evenly distributed What is the Council Doing? throughout the different zones in the District (such as urban, industrial and commercial areas). These sites will be monitored at five-yearly intervals and The District Plan is scheduled for a review in 2009. The results of any used to assess whether or not background noise levels are changing in the monitoring undertaken and the findings of this SOE report will be used in this District over time. upcoming review.
Council produced a Discussion Paper on ‘Feilding’s Urban Growth’ in June 2005. This Discussion Paper identified six possible growth areas around Noise Complaints Feilding for future urban expansion. Figure 52 shows that the number of noise complaints received is increasing Council is working with Palmerston North City Council to progress Stage 2 of annually. The graph also shows that Council is becoming more successful in the Joint Industrial Land Use Study (‘Study’). Stage 1 of this Study was resolving complaints received. Possible explanations for the increasing completed in May 2007 and reviewed the provision of industrial land in number of noise complaints may be that people are becoming less tolerant of Palmerston North. The key recommendation from Stage 1 was that the noise over time; or are more aware of action able to be taken by Council Manawatu District Council and the Palmerston North City Council jointly against unreasonable noise. develop an integrated Combined Urban Growth Strategy to encompass land use; infrastructure; and funding and timing. Stage 1 of this Study also A company contracted to Council responds to incidents relating to excessive recommended that the two Councils prepare a combined District Plan, to give noise after hours. Each incident is assessed and appropriate action taken to effect to the necessary zone changes and other changes recommended. mitigate noise where excessive noise has been identified.
30 | Land Use and Subdivision our district – our environment Council will be undertaking a further study in 2009 to ascertain the existing landbank for both Residential and Industrial areas.
Council is taking a stronger line on enforcement resulting in more noise complaints being resolved. Trends do point to a continuing increase in noise incidents. Council will continue to concentrate efforts into minimising the impacts of environmental and excessive noise. This may be achieved by increased enforcement of noise standards within the District Plan and resource consent conditions and an increased level of enforcement by Council for people making excessive noise.
our district – our environment Land Use and Subdivision | 31 NNaattuurraall aanndd CCuullttuurraall HHeerriittaaggee
The term ‘heritage places’ means all of the places and objects that Council is responsible for passing onto future generations. Part of this heritage is the bush and wetland areas that are discussed under the ‘Biodiversity’ chapter of this report. This chapter will focus on ‘built’ and cultural heritage, including historic buildings and objects, archaeological sites, notable trees and cemeteries.
Local bodies are required to be involved in the protection of these places by the RMA. The question therefore becomes how involved Council should be (given that other bodies such as the New Zealand Historic Places Trust, DoC, QEII National Trust, the Maori Heritage Council, the New Zealand Archaeological Association, and the Geological Society of New Zealand are active in these areas), and what level and method of protection should be applied to specific places.
The Facts Issues to Consider
The District Plan lists a total of 132 buildings or objects with heritage A large number of heritage buildings are at risk of damage in an value. earthquake. However, few have taken advantage of financial incentives available to undertake earthquake strengthening. There have been 52 applications issued to alter or demolish heritage buildings since 1 January 2002. Of these applications, 8 were granted A large number of consents have been sought for minor works on for buildings within the Feilding Heritage Precinct. heritage buildings, such as minor alterations and plumbing. A few applications have been received for major works or demolition. There are 13 trees or groups of trees listed as having heritage value in the District Plan. Two items have been added since 30 June 2001. Monitoring the implementation of the heritage guidelines to assess their effectiveness. There are 46 archaeological sites listed in the District Plan.
Progress So Far
Plan Change 11 approved the addition of new significant tree(s) to the District Plan. A Heritage Precinct has been identified, with guidelines for the redevelopment of these buildings included in the District Plan. Both Council and the New Zealand Historic Places Trust have financial incentives available for the owners of heritage buildings, such as for earthquake strengthening.
32 | Natural and Cultural Heritage our district – our environment Heritage Sites and Buildings
The quantity, quality and accessibility of our historic or cultural heritage can have an important bearing on our sense of well-being and perceived quality of life.
Building or objects with significant heritage value are given a level of protection through being listed in the District Plan. Each heritage place on this list has been identified as being Category A, B or C. Category A confers the highest level of protection, since destroying these places is a non- complying activity. Some modification is allowed, but Council may impose conditions on the manner in which it is done.
For Category B places, Councils consent is required before modification or demolition, and this consent may be granted or refused. Category C places can be modified ‘as of right’ but advance notice must be given to the Council in the case of building alterations or demolition. This notice is to allow time for the place to be photographed and recorded, and/or for alternative provision to Photograph of Rongotea War Memorial, Douglas Square be made for it. The historic objects listed in the District Plan include 11 war memorials. (Note that decisions on which natural areas to list as A, B or C were based on These have been documented and placed within Council’s property system. DoC's Recommended Areas for Protection (RAP) survey and consultation Other historic objects include remains of early bridges, old hitching posts and with statutory bodies, local communities and the general public). a public water trough on Kimbolton Road.
Figure 53: Buildings and Objects with Heritage Value in the District Plan
Category A Category B Category C Commercial Buildings Feilding Heritage Precinct 1 30 Rest of Feilding 4 6 Other Townships 2 6 Houses Feilding 3 13 1 (plus 1 part B, 27 (plus 1 part B, Rural part C) part C) Objects and Memorials 2 17
Churches and Community 1 7 11 Photograph of St John’s Anglican Church, Feilding, built in 1882 Buildings
our district – our environment Natural and Cultural Heritage | 33 Trees with Heritage Value Figure 54: Classification of Archaeological Sites Type of Site Number of Sites There is a strong community and Council awareness of the importance of notable trees in the District. Large trees add considerably to the appearance Maori Pa 3 and character of urban areas, and some of the trees which have heritage Pa and Village 1 value are listed in the District Plan. Pit/Whare 1 Flax Stripper 1 There are 13 trees listed in the District Plan as having heritage value. Midden(s) 22 Furthermore, this document states that ‘many trees located on reserves make Pit(s) 2 a significant contribution to the neighbourhood in which they are located, but Oven(s) 3 are not listed here due to their number and since protection is already Shell Midden(s) 3 conferred by reserve status’. Hearth 2 Flax Mill 1 Two listings have been added to Appendix 1D – ‘Trees with Heritage Value’ Railway Bridge 1 since the 2002 SOE report. These were added in 2003 at the request of the Adze Findspot 5 landowners, as Plan Change 11. The first is a group of four chestnut trees and two oak trees (T12); and the second listing is an English Oak and a Giant Terraces 1 Redwood (T13). There have been no applications received for the maintenance or removal or trees with heritage value since the last SOE report was produced. The ‘State of the Environment Report’ prepared by the Te Komiti Marae o Kauwhata Trust on behalf of Ngäti Kauwhata (2002), notes the importance to Tangata Whenua that their wahi tapu are not inadvertently destroyed; that people going near these places observe Tikanga Maori; and that the appropriate people are consulted before any development occurs nearby. It Archaeological Sites was also stated that the ‘need to inform people about the presence of wahi tapu however needs to be tempered by the fact that some of the sites valued There are 46 archaeological sites recorded in the District Plan. These sites by Maori are best protected by not being publicised’. For this reason a are classified as follows: number of waahi tapu sites or objects of cultural importance to tangata whenua are absent from the District Plan.
There are two Kauwhata Marae currently established in the Manawatu region - the Kai Iwi Pä (Kauwhata Marae) and the Aorangi Marae. There are also two historical Marae under consideration to be re-built. These are known as Pakingahau and Te Iwa Te Kau Mä Iwa. There are 15 other historic Pä sites within the Ngäti Kauwhata Rohe3.
3 Te Komiti Marae O Kauwhata Trust on behalf of Ngäti Kauwhata. (2002) – ‘State of the Environment Report’ for the Manawatu District Council.
34 | Natural and Cultural Heritage our district – our environment Heritage Precinct Heritage Incentive Strategies
The District Plan recognises the historic character of the Feilding town centre Manawatu District Council by identifying a special ‘Heritage Precinct’. While there are a number of registered buildings in this area, it is the collective value of all of the older In 1998 Council adopted a Heritage Incentive Strategy (‘Strategy’). This was buildings in the precinct which is important and which needs to be protected. based on the concept that if controls were placed over historic buildings because it was in the public interest for these buildings to be retained and Figure 55 shows the number of building consents granted for works within the looked after, it was only fair for the public (via the Council) to assist building Heritage Precinct (since December 2002). A total of 7 applications have been owners to meet some of the added costs that arise from owning such a granted (predominantly for plumbing) since 2002. One application involved building. the conversion of a building into a two-cinema complex on Manchester Street. One of the potential costs identified was earthquake strengthening. The Appendix 1H of the District Plan contains guidelines for the redevelopment of Strategy therefore included grants to owners of listed buildings to assist in Central Feilding. Many facades in central Feilding date back to the Edwardian strengthening advice and for reimbursement of any building consent fees period (from 1900 to 1920). The design guidelines aid in ensuring that new incurred. buildings are compatible with those surrounding them and relate to restoration, maintenance and/or redevelopment; verandas; corner buildings; In 2001 Council added a policy of making low-interest loans available to building signage; and exterior colour. The success of these heritage strengthen the facades of heritage buildings. By the start of 2002, only one guidelines at preserving the heritage and character of Feilding will need to be landowner had taken advantage of this policy and this related to the monitored in the future. conversion of a shop into a café.
Figure 55: Building Consents Granted for Works within the Heritage Precinct (Post 2002) New Zealand Historic Places Trust Modification Type Number of Building Consents Issued The New Zealand Historic Places Trust (‘NZHPT’) has a National Heritage Alterations 13 Preservation Incentive Fund to assist private owners of Category 1 registered Fire 11 properties. In addition, any wahi tapu or wahi tapu area in private ownership Accessory Building 7 that is either registered under the Historic Places Act 1993, or could satisfy Extension 6 the requirements for wahi tapu or wahi tapu area registration, is eligible to Other 5 apply to the fund. This fund does not apply to churches or other charitable Kitchen Alterations 4 trust institutions who can apply to the Lottery Fund for assistance. Plumbing 3 Repile 2 The District has three buildings registered as Category I by the NZHPT. Relocation 2 These are St Johns Anglican Church in Feilding, the McKelvie Homestead Repairs 0 (‘Pukumarama’) in Rosina Road, and the Community Learning Centre in Sign 0 Feilding. Only one of these buildings is in private ownership. There has been Logburner 0 no funding sought for this property to date. Demolition 0 The following conservation projects are eligible for application to the fund:
our district – our environment Natural and Cultural Heritage | 35 Stabilisation, repair or restoration relating to historic buildings or Earthquake Prone Building Policy structures (eg. repairs to masonry, joinery, plaster or glazing, earthquake strengthening or fire protection); Many of the buildings in the Feilding town centre are made of non-reinforced masonry, and are regarded as earthquake-prone. There is a risk that some Conservation work relating to land or archaeological sites (eg. site building owners might opt to pull them down rather than strengthen them to stabilisation, repair, vegetation management or fencing); and the required standard.
Professional services (eg. research, condition reports, conservation Council has an Earthquake Prone Building Policy, developed in accordance plans, conservation work specifications, management plans or with section 131 of the Building Act 2004, made operative on 31 May 2006. supervision of work). There is a strong link between earthquake issues and heritage. A structural The fund nationally is worth $500,000 a year. In the Central HPT region, the engineer identified 33 of Feilding’s 42 heritage buildings in 1995 as being at fund has been used for painting, structural work on buildings, fire protection risk of earthquake damage. Council keeps a record of all earthquake-prone and other conservation projects4. buildings on its property file, noting any requirements for improvement or strengthening work undertaken.
What is the Council Doing? Heritage Incentive Strategies District Plan Provisions As noted earlier in this report, Council has developed a Heritage Incentive Strategy to assist owners of Heritage Buildings. Uptake of this fund by the The District Plan includes heritage schedules, giving listed sites and features community has been low. greater protection against development that could adversely affect heritage values. These heritage schedules include:
Trees with heritage value (Appendix 1D); Buildings and objects with heritage value (Appendix 1E); and Sites with heritage value (Appendix 1F). The District Plan lists criteria for assessing heritage buildings, objects and sites (Appendix 1G). It also lists guidelines for the redevelopment of central Feilding (the Feilding Heritage Precinct).
4 Source: New Zealand Historic Places Trust
36 | Natural and Cultural Heritage our district – our environment BBiiooddiivveerrssiittyy
The Facts Issues to Consider
Celmisia aff. gracilenta 'Mangaweka' is an endemic plant to the Comparison between key wetlands indentified in the Regional District that is only found in one locality. Inventory, and wetlands protected by Council, DoC and QEII Trust. The most diverse populations of species in the District are found in coastal areas. Progress towards achievement of objectives contained in the Open Space Framework. There are approximately 3,060ha of palustrine and 250ha of estuarine wetlands remaining in the entire Manawatu-Wanganui Creating connections between areas of ecological significance Region. such as mountains, coast, rivers, wetlands and forest remnants. Eleven ‘Sustainable Forest Management Permits’ covering a total area of 789.3ha of indigenous forest were approved from 1 July 2001 to 30 June 2007. DoC protected areas total 29,640ha and QEII protected areas total 477ha. 3% of production land in the District is set aside as native bush.
Progress So Far
The ‘In-stream habitat and ecology of Kaikokopu Stream, Himatangi’ Report has been produced with recommendations for improving aquatic biodiversity. Council has completed the Open Space Framework. Recommendations within that Report have been made for improving biodiversity of the District. A report by Horizons Regional Council has identified significant wetlands in the District.
our district – our environment Biodiversity | 37 Endangered Species Coastal Biodiversity
Endangered Plants The most diverse populations of species in the Manawatu are found in coastal areas. There are a number of endangered coastal species including: As noted in the 2002 SOE report, the endangered daisy Celmisia aff. gracilenta 'Mangaweka' is an endemic plant found on a slip-prone roadside Carex litorosa (coastal sedge) in serious decline (nationally threatened) cliff in the northern part of the District, not far from Mangaweka. The Palmerston North Area Office of the Department of Conservation (‘DoC’) Isolepis basilaris (pygmy clubrush) in serious decline noted that the population of Celmisia mangaweka is still declining, largely due to slips and droughts. DoC has been collecting and rearing seeds from these Pimelea aff. arenaria ‘southern’ (sand daphne) in serious decline plants with the hopes of planting nearby areas to increase the population distribution. Desmoschoenus spiralis (pingao or Pikao) is a keystone species and has been reduced to remnant populations. Along with spinifex, school Another plant in gradual decline is the Peraxilla tetrapetala (Mistletoe), and so groups have been collecting and growing seed and replanting the foredunes DoC has banded all remaining trees for protection against possum. Selliera rotundifolia (a half star) are also endemic to the District and are in gradual decline Endangered Animals Gunnera arenaria is categorised as being under gradual decline The 2002 SOE report highlighted a need for more research on keystone bird Eleocharis neozelandica (sand spike-sedge) is categorised as being species (those that pollinate and spread the seeds of native shrubs and under gradual decline trees). The degree of their presence tells us a lot about the long-term health of our natural areas. DoC has noted that Kaka have recently been observed in Feilding. Rangitikei Estuary A long-tailed bat survey has been completed with long-tailed bats observed around Rewa. The Rangitikei Estuary is very important to the District from a biodiversity perspective. DoC was not aware of any significant changes to the Estuary A fish pass is being constructed in the Pukepuke Lagoon (between Himatangi since 2001. However, they noted that Carex litorosa (coastal sedge, nationally and Tangimoana, where there is currently a one-metre drop over a weir). threatened) is found there, and this was not mentioned in the previous SOE report. DoC undertook a bird survey in 20065. This study focused on the banded dotterel, black-fronted dotterel and the pied stilt. There were no banded The Tawhirihoe Scientific Reserve Management Plan by Grant Blackwell has dotterels, a few pied stilts and several black-fronted dotterels recorded at been implemented since the last report was written. selected sites on the Oroua River.
5 Key Bird Species Survey: Rangitikei, Manawatu, Pohangina & Oroua Rivers by Don Ravine (January 2006).
38 | Biodiversity our district – our environment Aquatic Biodiversity
There has been an ecological assessment6 undertaken on the in-stream habitat and ecology of the Kaikokopu Stream. Kaikokopu Stream flows from Lake Kaikokopu, a dune lake at 10m above sea level, and is of low gradient with a naturally slow water velocity. The stream supports a diverse fish fauna in its lower reaches, probably because of its proximity to the ocean. The Stream is a brackish system and provides a suitable habitat for inanga to live and spawn. This Stream is therefore a popular locality for white-baiting.
There is little native vegetation in the riparian zone of the Kaikokopu Stream, but the vegetation that is present provides shade, fish cover, suitable spawning habitat for inanga and stabilises the otherwise very erosion-prone sandy banks. Revegetation with native plant species should therefore be carried out in a way that minimises disturbance to existing vegetation. Re- Photograph of Desmochoenus spiralis (pingao)7 shaping of embankments was considered unnecessary for this Stream.
Recommendations for improving the water quality of this Stream included: Wetlands Partnerships with neighbouring landowners to work together to improve water quality The extent of wetlands in New Zealand has decreased by approximately 90% since European settlement began in 1840. Rehabilitation of the stream upstream of the township by fencing of the stream to exclude stock, and planting riparian vegetation Remaining wetlands continue to be threatened by drainage, weeds and pest Fish passage could be improved by installation of a fish ladder or invasion. The Manawatu-Wanganui Region has approximately 3,060ha of 8 removal of the weir at the entrance to Himatangi township. palustrine and 250ha of estuarine wetlands remaining . DoC has noted that the area of wetlands in the District is decreasing at a number of localities. Horizons Regional Council monitors aquatic biodiversity. Horizons Regional Council’s State of the Environment Report and Proposed One Plan contain A Regional Wetland Inventory and Prioritisation Project was completed in further information on aquatic biodiversity within the District, and greater February 2005 by Helmut Janssen, Olivier Ausseil and Alistair Beveridge9. Manawatu-Wanganui Region. This report brought together three years’ work by Horizons Regional Council, in collaboration with Landcare Research. It succeeded in cataloguing and prioritising wetlands in the Horizons Region in terms of their ecological values.
7 Source: Station Alpine Joseph Fourier/S. Aubert 8 Ausseil, A.G; Dymond, J.; Shepherd, J, Rapid Mapping and Prioritisation of Wetland Sites in the Manawatu-Wanganui Region, New Zealand. Environmental Management, Volume 39, Number 3, March 2007 , pp. 316-325(10) 6 Dewxon, Z; and James, A. for Parks and Open Spaces Ltd, Instream habitat and ecology of 9 Janssen, H.; Ausseil, O.; Beveridge, A, Regional Wetland Inventory and Prioritisation Project Kaikokopu Stream, Himitangi (2008) (2005)
our district – our environment Biodiversity | 39 Figure 56: Historic Extent of both Permanent and Ephemeral Wetlands Figure 57 lists the 'rankings' of the District’s key wetlands from the Regional based on Soils, Wetland Vegetation and Remotely Sensed Data Wetland Inventory and Prioritisation Project. (Landcare Research) Figure 57: Regional Wetland Inventory & Prioritisation Project
Region ecoBase Site (DoC Reserves in Italics) Easting Northing Rank ID 6 Totara Reserve (wetland habitats) 2754489 6114484 1290 22 Kitchener Park 2726000 6103600 858 Pukepuke Lagoon/Wildlife Management 24 2702300 6093800 904 Reserve 46 Lake Kaikokopu 2702219 6089946 902 58 Rangitikei Estuary Saltmarsh A (North) 2700007 6098254 17760 75 Rangitikei Estuary Saltmarsh B (South) 2700159 6098539 17761 79 Tangimoana Fernbird Area 2700109 6096737 888 107 Karere Lagoon 2724514 6086095 952 114 Kennerleys Wetland 2709571 6085768 17749 117 Sharlee's Bush 2712107 6087474 17748 132 Legg Estate Bush 2711949 6087413 917 149 C L Pemberton Reserve 2759420 6143387 17757 164 Voss Lagoon 2721816 6084988 946 232 Reu Reu Road Swamp Remnants 2723800 6124000 852 235 Pukemarama Lagoon 2707500 6098500 914
Appendix 1A of the District Plan lists a number of wetlands, lakes, rivers and their margins as having special heritage value. There have been no changes to those areas since 2001. These areas are listed in Figure 58:
40 | Biodiversity our district – our environment Figure 58: Wetlands, Lakes, Rivers & Margins with Special Heritage Number Name of Wetland, Lake, River or River Margin Map Grid Ref Value 16 North Lake Kaikokopu S24 024 908 Map Grid 17 South No. 1 Line Oxbow S24 225 877 Name Location Category Ref 18 East Puke Puke Lagoon S24 083 942 Lake Kaikokopu and the 19 Tangimoana Forest S24 015 970 Himatangi Beach S24 024 896 QEII A Kaikokopu Stream 20 Valley Road T23 436 076 Karere Lagoon Karere Road S24 245 860 A 21 Bainesse Road S24 134 893 Tangimoana Dump Dunes 22 Tangimoana Forest S24 015 933 Tangimoana Beach Road S24 993 977 A and Fernbird Area 23 Cole Road S24 185 986 Lake Omanuka North of Omanuka Road S24 076 948 A 24 Midland Road T23 426 059 Edwards Lagoon Oroua Road S24 232 967 QEII A 25 Whale Road S24 070 959 Boss Lake Near Lake Omanuka S24 045 959 B 26 Tangimoana Forest S24 023 914 Hamilton’s Bend Lagoon Hamilton’s Line S24 215 843 B 27 Tangimoana Road S24 037 980 Voss Lagoon Hamilton’s Line S24 217 850 B 28 Downs Road S24 088 894 Willow Island Karere Road S24 253 860 B 29 East Tangimoana Oxbow S24 016 987 Shaw’s Lake North of Campion Road S23 100 023 B 30 Eden Park Oxbow S24 232 850 Foxtangi Dunes (South of Himatangi Beach) S24 992 893 B 31 Sandon Road S23 250 063 32 South Himatangi Beach S24 017 885 33 Lockwood Road S24 208 900 Appendix 1A of the District Plan also includes the following Supplementary 34 Whale Road S24 071 960 List of Wetlands, Lakes, Rivers and their margins. 35 South Taylor Road lagoon S23 083 045 36 South Highway 56 S24 085 860 Figure 59: Supplementary List of Wetlands, Lakes, Rivers and River 37 Tangimoana Forest S24 035 953 Margins from Appendix 1A of the Manawatu District Plan 38 Haynes Line T23 380 177 39 Pukemarama Lagoon S24 075 985 Number Name of Wetland, Lake, River or River Margin Map Grid Ref 40 South Highway 56 S24 095 859 T22 632 364 & T22 627 41 Highden Oxbow S24 220 999 1 South Conspicuous Road Wetlands 367 42 South Highway 56 S24 094 864 2 Main Drain Road S24 166 888 3 Jackeytown Road S24 222 866 4 Southeast Edwards Lagoon S24 223 965 Only six of the key wetlands identified by Horizons Regional Council are 5 North Raumai T23 464 075 protected under the District Plan (refer Appendix 1A). These are: 6 Lake Road S24 042 908 7 Raumai Swamp Oxbow T23 466 067 Pukepuke Lagoon/Wildlife Management Reserve 8 Taikorea Road S24 131 900 9 South East Mangawhata Oxbow S24 183 869 Lake Kaikokopu 10 East Hokerua Trig S24 238 977 11 Tangimoana Road S24 054 990 Tangimoana Fernbird Area 12 Tangimoana Forest S24 026 916 Karere Lagoon 13 North Highden Oxbow S24 225 005 14 Wylies Road S24 039 876 Voss Lagoon 15 South Highway 56 S24 100 854
our district – our environment Biodiversity | 41 Pukemarama Lagoon harvesting is to be undertaken, an Annual Logging Plan must be approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.10 Legg Estate Bush is listed under Appendix 1B of the District Plan as a ‘significant area of indigenous forest/vegetation (excluding reserves)’. Other There have been two applications for land use consent relating to native wetlands are located within reserves or parks, including: Totara Reserve; vegetation lodged with Council. The first application was successful and Kitchener Park; and the C L Pemberton Reserve, and therefore would be approval provided for the clearing, spraying or felling of vegetation in a accorded some level of protection through this recognition. ‘Significant Natural Area’ under Appendix 1B of the District Plan (Application Number 6136). The second application was for indigenous forestry harvesting DoC is investigating plans to create a new wetland in the Tawhirihoe Scenic by a sawmilling company (Application Number 6662). In this instance, the Reserve at Tangimoana. The natural processes have seen the area of application for land use consent was unsuccessful. remaining wetland becoming very restricted.
Native Vegetation on Production Land Native Forests The Agricultural Production Statistics identified that at 30 June 2002 there were 2,903ha of mature native bush and 4,051ha of native scrub and Native Forest Harvesting regenerating native bush on production land in the District. This indicates that For the period from 1 July 2001 to 30 June 2007, 11 Sustainable Forest a very small proportion of production land (3% total) is set aside as native Management (‘SFM’) permits covering a total area of 789.3ha of indigenous bush or regenerating native scrub and bush. forest were approved under the Forests Act 1949 for the District. The combined approved harvest volume for these permits is 1,737.3m3 standing (tree) volume (all species). Protection of Areas of Indigenous Vegetation SFM permits have a term of 10 years and a capped ‘harvesting’ volume over the term of the permit. At the end of the 10-year term, an owner may apply for There are several avenues available for the protection of indigenous a new permit. However, before a new permit can be issued for the same vegetation in the District. These include Council’s Covenant and Reserve forest area, the volume of timber harvested (by species) has to have been status (including listing in the District Plan); the provision of Department of replaced by growth, ie. regeneration and increased growth on the residual Conservation Reserve Status to Council; and covenant protection through the forest. Queen Elizabeth II National Trust (‘QEII’).
There is one SFM Plan that was approved for indigenous forest in the District The 2002 SOE report stated that about 72% of the estimated 40,350ha of in 1999. This plan has a term of 50 years and covers an area of 130ha of 3 native forest cover was in public ownership. In 2002, DoC managed 28,890ha indigenous forest. It has an approved annual harvest volume of 801.9m of land and this increased to 29,640ha by April 2008. standing (tree) volume (all species). The area of land protected by QEII covenants has also increased from 357ha There is no information available on the area of harvesting under these SFM in 2002, to 477ha in 2007. The area of Council’s bush reserves has largely permits and plan as harvesting may only be done on a single tree/small group stayed the same. (3-5 trees) basis with the harvest being spread over the forest. The exception is beech species, which may also be harvested in coupes (small clear-cuts) up to a maximum size of 0.5ha. Thus, clear felling of forest (even on a short- term basis) is restricted and the area must be regenerated. In this way, the area of indigenous forest does not decrease. For any year in which 10 Source: Indigenous Forestry Unit, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
42 | Biodiversity our district – our environment The 2002 SOE report stated that public ownership was not a guarantee of 8105 Totara Bush Reserve 279.5 healthy ecosystems. For example, possums have completely removed the 8917 Mt Lees Reserve 16.6 rata and kamahi canopy from more than half of the Ruahine Ranges since the 716, 717 Coles Bush 5.9 1950’s. Kimbolton Scenic Reserve, Forest NA 17.7 Rd Figure 60: Land in the Manawatu District Protected for Biodiversity & Total 336.4 Conservation Purposes
Protected Land Category Area (Hectares) Other important natural areas protected under the District Plan include 9 DoC Protected Land 29,640.21 wetlands and 19 other forest remnants. QEII Covenant 477.42 Council Bush Reserves 336.32 Esplanade Strips 42.18 Esplanade Reserves 7.72 Department of Conservation (DoC) Protected Areas in Total 30,503.85 Manawatu District
As at April 2008, there are 97 protected areas in the District, with 35 of these The District Plan lists five properties that are subject to a Manawatu District areas added following the publishing of DoCs ‘Conservation Management Reserves Act Covenant, as follows: Strategy’ (‘CMS’) in 1997. These sites add an additional 751ha of land to the DoC estate, bringing the total area to 29,640ha. The Ruahine State Forest Park remains the largest single protected area in the District, with an area of Highden Property – Green Road (S24 218 993) approximately 27,827ha or 94% of the total land in the Manawatu District DoC Chubb Property – Tangimoana Road (S23 111 088) Estate. Gee-Taylor Property – Tokorangi Road (S23 226 203) DoC protected areas are categorised and given different conservation status according to their management purpose. Figure 62 provides a breakdown of Southern Pastoral Property – Pohangina Valley West Road (T23 548 the area of land added to the DoC Estate since 1997 by management 183) category. Eames Property – Pohangina Valley West Road (T23 578 235). Figure 62: Land added to the DoC Estate in the Manawatu District since 1997 Council Reserves Protected Areas by Type Area (hectares) Percentage (%) Local Purpose Reserve 206.1 27 Council reserves includes six bush reserves protecting a total area of Scenic Reserve 129.6 17 approximately 350ha, of which 280ha is located in Totara Reserve. Scientific Reserve 152.4 20 Moveable Marginal Strip 4.1 1 Figure 61: Bush Reserves in the Manawatu District Recreational Reserve 214.6 29 Government Purpose Reserve 0.0047 0 Land Identification Details Name of Bush Reserve Area (hectares) Fixed Marginal Reserve 22.6 3 8601, 14019, 8769, 2658 Kitchener Park 10.3 Conservation Area 21.4 3 Pt 1474 Almadale Reserve 6.4
our district – our environment Biodiversity | 43 QEII National Trust Progress towards achieving these aims and objectives is currently unknown, but will be reported on in the next SOE Report. The QEII Trust helps landowners in New Zealand to protect significant natural and cultural features on their land through open space covenants, which Figure 63: Bush Reserves in the Manawatu District11 protect the land in perpetuity. Features protected around the country include landscapes, forest remnants, wetlands, grasslands, threatened species habitats and cultural and archaeological sites.
There are 42 registered QEII covenants in the District and 4 approved covenants that are awaiting registration. The total surveyed area of registered covenants is 411.42ha, and the approved covenants, once registered, will add an estimated additional 66ha of protected land in the District.
These covenants are classified according to ‘Open Space Type’ ie. the type of forest or feature being protected by the QEII covenant. Open space types in the District include primary and secondary podocarp and podocarp- broadleaved forest, primary and secondary hardwood forest, beech forest and other significant areas such as riparian forest remnants, geological landforms and exotic arboretums.
What is the Council Doing?
Figure 63 shows the location of District reserves and other Council-owned lands that aid in ensuring a sustainable future for the District’s native biodiversity (plotted as green circles). This figure also shows the key actions that Council aims to enact in order to improve biodiversity in the District. 11 Manawatu District Council, Open Space Framework (2006)
44 | Biodiversity our district – our environment PPaarrkkss aanndd RReesseerrvveess
Open space, reserves and walkways are an important part of our District’s environment
The Manawatu is included within a Regional Sport and Active The Facts Recreation Strategy.
There are 71 parks and reserves in the Manawatu District The District Council has developed an Alive ‘n Active Leisure Plan for (approximately 558ha), which represents 0.22% of the total land area. promoting leisure in the District. Approximately 63% of ‘parks and reserves’ land is contained within 6 The Kitchener Park Management Joint Venture between the District bush reserves. Council, Horizons Regional Council and local volunteer organisations has been completed. The majority of esplanade strips are for access not conservation purposes. 65% of esplanade reserves are located along either the Makino Stream Issues to Consider or Oroua River, while 56% of esplanade strips are along the Oroua River and Mangaone West Stream. Bush reserves represent a significant proportion of total parks and reserves provision in the District. Progress So Far Walkways and linkages between parks and reserves in the District. Parks and Reserves are concentrated in the urban area of Feilding, where the majority of the District’s population is also concentrated. All of Council’s Bush and Coastal Reserves are subject to a Reserve Management Plan, which is reviewed 5 yearly. Implementation of the various Management Plans and the Open Space Framework. Council’s Open Space Framework includes recommendations for improving walkways and opportunities for outdoor recreation in the District.
our district – our environment Parks and Reserves | 45 The District’s Parks and Reserves
The District’s parks and reserves are divided into park types and summed to give an overall park area for each category. Figure 64 illustrates that the greatest area of parks and reserves is contained within ‘Bush Reserves’ (350ha) – a total of six parks and reserve within the District.
The most common type of park or reserve is ‘Open Space’. Overall, this forms a reasonably small area, with the 31 parks totalling only 30ha. Rural parks and reserves have a greater total area than parks located in either Feilding or Urban Townships.
Parks and Reserves in the District total 558.5ha. As the District has a total land area of 253,164ha, this means only 0.22% of the total land area is managed as Parks and Reserves.
The resident population of the District was 28,254 in 2006. This means that there is an average land area of 0.02 hectares (197.67m2) of parks and reserves per person living in the District.
Figure 64: Parks and Reserves in the Manawatu District
Park or Reserve Type Number Area (ha) Benefit to the Manawatu District
Including Fergusson Street playground and Vista Park in Feilding, and Himatangi Beach and Beaconsfield School in the rural areas. These local Playgrounds 16 22 areas provide safe, informal, active recreation opportunities with easy family access in suburban areas.
Including Victoria Park, Johnston Park and Kimbolton Domain. Sports fields are provided at both Timona and Kowhai Parks. The intention is to Sports Grounds 10 33.5 supply sufficient ground space for organised sports where codes do not provide it themselves. The sports grounds also act as open space for the wider community.
Including Denbigh Square and Pemberton Corner. They provide pleasant green areas for passive recreation activities while protecting Open Spaces 31 30 Manawatu’s historic features. Certain open spaces have also been designated as dog walking areas.
Including Totara Reserve, Almadale Reserve, Mt Lees and Kitchener Park. These facilities provide the Manawatu District with a mixture of native Bush Reserves 6 350 and exotic bush, creating habitats for many species of birds. Both Kitchener Park and Totara Reserve also provide for the conservation of the natural environment.
River Side Reserves Including Putai Ngahere Domain and Totara Reserve Camping Area. These reserves provide safe and easy access to the rivers of the Manawatu 6 55 and Camping for swimming and other water sports. Several of these reserves may also be used for camping and all provide picnicking facilities. Including Kowhai Park, Timona Park and Makino Park. These parks are maintained to high standards and provide a wide variety of recreational Urban Parks 3 68 opportunities for residents and visitors. They are significant to Manawatu's cultural heritage. Manfeild Park is now managed by Manfeild Park Trust. Total 72 558.5
46 | Parks and Reserves our district – our environment Figure 65 shows the location of Reserves in the District by reserve type. This These parks are distributed throughout the District as follows: figure shows that there is a concentration of reserves in the Feilding township, where the District’s population is also concentrated. Figure 66: Distribution of Parks and Reserves in the District
Figure 65: Reserves in the Manawatu District12 Location Number Area (ha) Feilding 21 93.7 Other townships 24 28.0 Rural Area 23 447.3 Total 68 569.0
Figure 67: Distribution of Land among Council Parks & Reserves
Esplanade Reserves 7.1 Parks on Legal Road 3.9 Road Reserves 8.4 Urban Parks 68.9 Riverside Reserves and Camping 55.1 Bush Reserves 336.3 Open Spaces 94.7 Sports Grounds 36.2 Playgrounds 15.4
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350
Hectares
Esplanade Strips
The RMA allows District Plans to specify the places where a Council wishes to improve public access to rivers, lakes or the sea. The Council can then require ‘esplanade reserves’ or ‘esplanade strips’ to be created when people subdivide or apply for land use consent on properties in those places.
An esplanade reserve means that the land along the water’s edge becomes a Council-owned reserve, usually 20mwide.
12 Manawatu District Council, Open Space Framework (2006)
our district – our environment Parks and Reserves | 47 If an esplanade strip is created, the landowner retains ownership of the Figure 69: Esplanade Strips Added by Purpose (Access and water’s edge but the public obtain a type of ‘right-of-way’ to walk along it. Conservation)
The District Plan lists waterways where better public access will be sought. It 20 aims to use esplanade reserves within Feilding, and esplanade strips in rural 18 areas. The target is to use esplanade strips to provide legal public access 16 along the full length of the Rangitikei, Manawatu and Oroua rivers within the 14 District. The Council also intends to use these strips to establish walkways 12 along the Makino Stream north and south of Feilding, and between 10 Bunnythorpe and Palmerston North. 8 6 The aim for the District’s other major rivers is to create such access within 4 1km of road access points and existing reserves to provide for picnicking and ofEsplanade NoStrips 2 similar opportunities. 0 1993-Jun 1999 July 1999-Oct 2001 Post Oct 2001 Figure 68: Esplanade Strips in the Manawatu District Access Conservation Annual Average 50 40 Figure 70 shows the number of esplanade strips added in the District 30 according to purpose. As the periods differ in duration, the annual average number of esplanade strips added (regardless of purpose) was calculated, to 20 show the trend over time (red line). 10 This figure shows that esplanade strips are more commonly created for 0 access purposes rather than for conservation purposes. As at 1999 As at 2002 As at 2008
Cumulative area (ha) Cumulative length (km)
48 | Parks and Reserves our district – our environment Figure 70: Esplanade Strips in the Manawatu District (by Watercourse) Esplanade Reserves
Oroua River 17 There were 20 esplanade reserves in the District as at July 2007. There is a total area of 7.72ha; covering 3.92km of waterways (refer to Figure 71). Mangaone West Stream 8 Seven of these esplanade reserves are located along the Oroua River and six Kiwitea Stream 4 are along the Makino Stream. The remaining esplanade reserves are along Makino Stream 4 the Manawatu River, the Pohangina River, the Waituna Stream, the Konewa Stream, the Mangaone Stream, the Mangaone West Stream and the Rangitikei 3 Mangawharariki River. Pohangina River 3 There has only been one esplanade reserve added in the District since the Manawatu 2 last SOE report was produced. This esplanade reserve is located on both Tokeawa Stream 1 banks and the bed of the Konewa Stream, is 0.09km long, and has an area of 2 Te Ekaou Stream 1 6,540m . Mangoira Stream 1 Figure 71: Esplanade Reserves in the Manawatu District
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 Waituna Stream 1 Konewa Stream Esplanade strips were most commonly added to the Oroua River, followed by 1 the Makino Stream, over the monitoring period (1993 – 2007). A number of Pohangina River 1 watercourses had one esplanade strip added to them over the monitoring Manawatu River 1 period. The reason for this huge variation in the number of esplanade strips may be due to the length of the stream or river running within the district Mangaone West Stream 1 boundaries. Mangaone Stream 1 Makino Stream 6 The location of esplanade strips is likely to be related to the areas of greatest subdivision development, as new esplanade strips are usually added by way Oroua River 7 of a condition of consent for new subdivisions. Mangawharariki River 1
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
our district – our environment Parks and Reserves | 49 Figure 72: Esplanade Reserves in the Manawatu District (by Waterway) Figure 73: Location of Outdoor Recreation Areas in the Manawatu District13
Waituna Stream Konewa Stream Pohangina River Manawatu River Mangaone West Stream Mangaone Stream Makino Stream Oroua River Mangawharariki River
- 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50 3.00
Area (ha) Length (km)
The Makino Stream has the greatest length and area of esplanade reserves in the District, followed by the Oroua River. This is likely because these are the largest waterways flowing through the District.
Walkways
The location of existing walkways, and Council’s intentions for improving the walkway network, is illustrated in Figure 73. Progress towards creating the walkways shown in this figure has still to be monitored and will be considered as part of the next SOE report.
13 Manawatu District Council, Open Space Framework (2006)
50 | Parks and Reserves our district – our environment Open Space Framework Other Council-Owned Lands Other Council-owned lands and reserves also contribute to the open space The District Council has an ‘Open Space Framework’, which gives direction network. for effective planning, management and development of the district’s public open space. This Framework provides key directions, principles and actions These lands include: to aid decision making for a ten-year period (from 2006 – 2016), ensuring that decisions to do with individual reserves or other Council-owned lands are made in the context of the needs of the wider District. The aim of this Esplanade reserves and strips Framework is to: Utility reserves for drainage, sewage, gravel, flood control etc
Strengthen the existing public open space network Road reserves Improve access to natural areas for recreation Cemeteries Improve the natural environment Promote and develop the open space network Strengthen partnerships to ensure effective and efficient use of the district’s open space resources The Open Space Framework will enable Council to respond to changes in the District. These changes include: community needs, population trends, subdivision, recreation and needs of other agencies, organisations and providers both within and outside the District.
Distribution of these Reserves The largest numbers of reserves managed under the Reserve Act 1977 are in Feilding and rural towns and communities. These are playgrounds, sports grounds and facilities such as community buildings and domains or amenity Reserve Management Plans reserves with special planting. A number of reserves are in water catchments - Pohangina River, Oroua River, Makino Stream and one reserve on the Rangitikei River. Coastal reserves are in Himatangi Beach and Tangimoana. All of Council’s Coastal and Bush Reserves have a ‘Reserve Management Plan’ prepared in accordance with Section 41 of the Reserves Act 1977. The balance has been designated reserve because of special features. This Reserve Management Plans are reviewed every 5 years. includes the plain forest remnant Coles Bush, remnant semi-swamp podocarp forest at Kitchener Park/Awahuri Scenic Reserve, the mix of native and exotic The purpose of these management plans is to provide for the use, enjoyment, plantings at Lees Valley and memorial reserves at Mt Stewart and Te Arakura. maintenance, protection, preservation and appropriate development of reserves within available resources. This provides the community with
our district – our environment Parks and Reserves | 51 certainty about the future of the reserves. It also enables the Council to 14 To undertake further research on the historic and cultural history of the manage them effectively. reserve generally
The following reserves have Reserve Management Plans: To ensure that a viable and appropriate use is continued with or found for all the heritage buildings and structures in Kowhai Park Kowhai Park Kitchener Park Kitchener Park Weed Management Plan (Neil Gallagher Urban Reserves Combined Management Plan (Timona Park, Johnston July 2007 – Horizons Regional Council) Park, Rimu Park and Kimbolton Domain) Kitchener Park is a lowland bush remnant in the Manawatu covering an area Himatangi Beach Coastal Reserve of approximately 5ha. It contains good examples of podocarps and lower canopy trees; however, much of this remnant has succumbed to the invasion Tangimoana Coastal Reserve from exotic weed species. Timona Park and Johnston Park have been considered together for the purposes of the Management Plan, as land acquisition has now made these Kitchener Park has been divided into six management zones, with a weed parks adjoining. management plan and follow-up control recognised as the best option for restoring the ecological, recreational and aesthetic values within this park; and protecting it from further invasion by exotic weeds.
Kowhai Park Reserve Management Plan Planned management of Kitchener Park will be a joint venture between the District Council, Horizons Regional Council and local volunteer organisations. Kowhai Park comprises approximately 9.9ha with the main entrance shared with Manfeild Park. The first Kowhai Park Management Plan was approved by Council on 31 July 2003. The Management Plan will be fully reviewed at five-yearly intervals. The Development Concept Plan aims to integrate the Urban Reserves Combined Management Plan three management areas of the park: the heritage area, village green, and gardens. The Urban Reserves Combined Management Plan (Urban Plan) provides for the management of Timona Park, Johnston Park, Rimu Park and Kimbolton The key objectives of the August 2003 Kowhai Park Reserve Management Domain. These reserves are to be managed primarily to provide areas for Plan were to ‘identify, maintain, and conserve historic places in the park and recreation and sporting facilities, for the benefit and enjoyment of the public. interpret them for public enjoyment and education and to work with other agencies, iwi, hapu and the community to provide cohesive, effective and Timona and Johnston Park have been considered together, as land meaningful management of the park’. Recommendations for meeting the acquisition over the years has now made these parks adjoining. They also objectives of the management plan included: provide complimentary recreational opportunities, facilities and amenities. Kimbolton Domain contains some important sports clubs, buildings, memorials To register the historic places with the NZHPT and trees that are associated with the community’s cultural heritage. It is the home of a number of sports clubs and has played a vital role in the To prepare conservation and maintenance plans development of sport in the area.
Key actions arising from this Urban Plan have been divided into three categories: Planning; Asset Management/Improvement; and Development. 14 MDC (2007) Coastal Reserves Management Plan.
52 | Parks and Reserves our district – our environment Progress towards achieving these actions will be assessed at the time the Kowhai Park Reserve Management Plan management plan is reviewed and reported within the next SOE report. Opus International Consultants Limited (‘Opus’), on behalf of Council, reviewed the Kowhai Park Reserve Management Plan in 2007. This review included an Ecological Assessment (by John Turner of Opus) and a Cultural Coastal Reserves – Himatangi Beach and Tangimoana Heritage Assessment (by Cathryn Barr of Opus). Beaches The main findings of the Ecological Assessment were: These two reserves provide public access to Manawatu beaches at both Himatangi and Tangimoana. Management of these Coastal Reserves is There are two main habitat components within the park – a bush covered in the ‘Coastal Environment’ chapter of this report. remnant; and the Makino Stream and its riparian margin. The park has one key management issue relating to maintaining the existing values of habitats ie. the continued protection of the bush and riparian corridor from plant and animal pests. What is the Council Doing? The park presents a number of opportunities to meet the key objectives of the management plan through enhancement and development of the Open Space Framework existing resources: 1 Cataloguing of the ecological resource Progress on achieving the key aims and objectives set out in the Open Space Framework is underway and will be reported on in the next SOE report. 2 Enhancement of vegetation within the existing bush area 3 Extension of the indigenous habitats to south and east into non- designated area Walkways 4 Enhancement of the vegetation along the riparian corridor within the park The LTCCP stated that $100,000 per annum would be set aside for three 5 Enhancement of the vegetation along the walkway between years from 2006/07 to 2008/09 for the development of a district walkway link Kowhai Park and Kitchener Park between Kitchener Park and Feilding Township15. 6 Development of the education potential of the bush and habitat restoration initiative 7 Maximising the value of the aviary re-development Recent Reserve Acquisitions and Disposals Progress towards these recommendations will be reported in the next SOE There have only been a few recent reserve acquisitions and disposals. report. Council purchased a strip of land between Kitchener Park and Awahuri Road opposite Lees Line some years ago. It sold a former playground reserve opposite the Feilding Railway Station in 2007. The Regional Sport and Active Recreation Strategy The only other changes to Manawatu’s Parks and Reserves are esplanade strips along streams and rivers as reserve contributions for subdivisions. The Regional Sport and Active Recreation Strategy (‘RSARS’) guides the provision, development and management of sport and recreation in the Horowhenua, Manawatu, and Tararua Regions. The development of this 15 Manawatu District Council’s Long Term Council Community Plan 2006-2016
our district – our environment Parks and Reserves | 53 strategic plan in conjunction, with key stakeholders, will encourage greater Encourage and enable district residents to have a healthy, balanced ongoing investment in our region by Sport & Recreation New Zealand and fun life (‘SPARC’). The organisations that fund sport and active recreation in our communities are also demanding an evidence-based approach. The Leisure Plan outlines a broad vision for leisure in the District of ‘Promoting easy leisure for healthy minds and bodies’.” This recognises the Four factors have been identified as driving active sport and recreation. importance of ensuring quality venues for leisure, of reducing barriers to These are participation, facilities, funding and regional development. The participation and of ensuring good information is available about leisure strategy is organised according to these four drivers. Each section contains a opportunities. Five key themes have been identified from community list of objectives, recommended actions against those objectives; and feedback and research that provide a roadmap for how we will work towards anticipated outcomes for each of the actions. the vision. The themes are:
Success at achieving these objectives will be reported on in the next SOE Places for leisure report. Communicating about leisure Leisure partnerships Alive ‘n Active - Manawatu District’s First Leisure Plan Encouraging participation in leisure In February 2003, the Council released its first Leisure Plan. The aims of the Resourcing leisure Alive ‘n Active Project were: Progress towards achievement of the vision and aims of the Alive ‘n Active Project will be reported on in the next SOE report. Create a direction and framework for leisure in the District
54 | Parks and Reserves our district – our environment CCooaassttaall EEnnvviirroonnmmeenntt
The District’s coastline is about 11.5km long. It runs from the Rangitikei River mouth to 2km south of Himatangi Beach. The shoreline is ‘aggrading’ rapidly. In fact, the high tide mark is moving seaward by more than half a metre per year. The sand country is part of the largest sand dune system in New Zealand, which by nature is ever changing.
Wind blown sand from the prevailing wind, has formed a series of parallel dune ridges running west. These dunes extend inland nearly 20km until the Oroua River bars their way. Sand plains, lakes and wetlands have formed between the dunes.
The natural cycle is that lakes and wetlands appear, shift, and fill as the dunes move and new dunes are formed. Some plant communities are specially adapted to live on bare shifting sand.
Two streams make their way through the dunes from Lake Kaikokopu and Pukepuke Lagoon to the sea. The Rangitikei River estuary is just outside the District for planning purposes, but includes a salt marsh that is an important habitat for plants and birds.
The District Plan uses the term ‘coastal area’ to refer to the land within 4km of the ocean (refer to Figure 74). This 4km strip contains the coastal dunes and the sand ecosystems behind, including the main lakes and wetlands between the dunes. The District Plan aims to preserve the natural character of the coastal area (refer Part 4.10 of the District Plan).
The New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement states that ‘it is a national priority to restore and rehabilitate the natural character of the coastal environment where appropriate’. Responsibility for the beachfront is split under the RMA, with territorial authorities looking after the area above the high tide mark (Mean High Water Springs) and Regional Councils and DoC having responsibilities for the area between high tide and the 12-mile limit.
The Facts Progress So Far
The ‘Coastal Area’ is the land within 4km of the ocean. The District Plan has objectives, policies and rules, which aim to Council has coastal reserves in Himatangi and Tangimoana. preserve the natural character of the coastal area.
Water quality generally complies with guideline values at coastal swimming spots. Issues to Consider There are a number of endangered plants in the coastal area. There have been two short-term closures of beaches since 2001 Dune lakes, swamps and young dunes are poorly represented in the because of shellfish biotoxins. District’s coastal area.
our district – our environment Coastal Environment | 55 Figure 74: Manawatu District Council’s Coastal Zone16
16 Manawatu District Council, District Plan (operative 2002)
56 | Coastal Environment our district – our environment Horizons Regional Council have advised that there has been no beach closures within the District since bathing water quality monitoring began in Land Use 2004. It is very rare that beaches do not comply with water quality guidelines.
There were six subdivisions in the coastal zone during the period from 1 July Figure 75: Results of Water Quality Monitoring at Popular Coastal 2001 to 30 June 2007. Three of these sites were zoned Rural 1 and three Swimming Spots in the Manawatu District were zoned Rural 2. 100% Two private plan change requests were approved between 2005 and 2006. Plan change 16 involved the rezoning of an 80.7ha property on the northern 80% outskirts of Himatangi Beach from Rural 2 to Village. Plan change 17 sought 60% to change the zoning of a 23.2ha property on the eastern outskirts of 40% Himatangi Beach from Rural 2 to Village. 20% The District Plan contains a provision relating to the development of rural 0% 2 allotments down to 4,000m in area as a discretionary activity around many of 04-05 05-06 04-07 04-05 05-06 04-07 the District’s villages. This does not apply to Himatangi Beach or Tangimoana. Rural subdivision in the coastal area has been made a discretionary activity so that its impact upon the coastal environment can be Himatangi Beach Kaikokopu Stream at Himatangi
assessed. (Refer Rule C1 1.3.1, Page 152 of the District Plan). Beach Samples by Water by SamplesQuality Category Location and Period of Monitoring Green Amber Red Coastal Water Quality
Swimming water quality is classified according to the level of health risk for swimmers. Where water quality poses a minimal health risk to swimmers, it is assigned a ‘green’ rating. Where the health risk for swimmers is becoming Shellfish Gathering marginal the water quality is given an ‘amber’ rating. Water quality of green or amber rating is generally considered acceptable for recreational use. When water quality reaches the ‘red’ level, urgent action is required and the level of There was one short-term closure of beaches in the District from October to health risk for swimmers could be significant. December 2003, and in September 2007 because of shellfish biotoxins.
The water quality of popular coastal swimming spots varies quite significantly between localities. Figure 75 shows that Himatangi Beach has the best water quality, having a risk level of green or amber (acceptable level of risk) 95% of Significant Habitats the times it was surveyed between 2004 and 2007. The Kaikokopu Stream at Himatangi Beach had a much higher level of water quality risk, with water There are a number of endangered plant species in the coastal zone. These quality being considered ‘acceptable’ (green plus amber categories) 76.4% of are explored in the ‘Biodiversity’ chapter of this Report. the time. Dune lakes, swamps and young dunes are poorly represented in the District’s coastal area. The coastal strip of the District where sand is still drifting or has
our district – our environment Coastal Environment | 57 been stable for no more than 50 years is particularly important ecologically. Tangimoana Beach This is because of the distinctive plant communities it supports. The key objectives of the Coastal Reserves Management Plan for It has been identified on the District Plan Planning Maps as the ‘coastal Tangimoana are: vegetation area’ and is subject to special controls on clearance of vegetation for this reason. (Refer Appendix 1J, Page 190 of the District Plan). The focus Work with neighbouring district and regional councils to manage the is on preserving the ecological values of these remaining natural areas, and floodplain reserves effectively as part of the wider contiguous area on maintaining open spaces that play an important ecological role along the coastal fringe.17 Develop, manage and maintain reserve planting with appropriate native and exotic species The Reserve Management Plan also proposed to protect coastal dunelands at Himatangi Beach and floodplain lands at Tangimoana by incorporating these Coastal Reserves reserves into a coastal regional park extending from Foxton Beach to Tangimoana. Council has coastal reserves in the coastal settlements of Himatangi Beach and Tangimoana. These reserves are subject to a Coastal Reserve Much of the reserve area at Tangimoana is part of the flood channel zone of Management Plan (CRMP), developed in October 2007 under the Reserves the nearby Rangitikei River, which because of its gravel-based bed is Act 1977. The CRMP covers a number of issues at each coastal settlement constantly shifting laterally across the land. Some of the reserves are used as follows: for picnicking with grassed areas and amenity planting.
In the ‘summary of property details’ contained in the Coastal Reserve Management Plan there is a total of 22 reserves located within the coastal Himatangi Beach zone, with a total reserve area of more than 26ha. The key objectives of the Coastal Reserves Management Plan for Himatangi Beach are: What is the Council Doing? Reduce the impact of coastal erosion and storm surge on Himatangi Beach Township Council will retain the District Plan subdivision rules, which limit development in these areas by making rural subdivision in the coastal area a discretionary Rehabilitate Kaikokopu Stream activity so that its impact upon the coastal environment can be assessed. Recognise the role of existing reserve lands in relation to the Council will also retain the ‘coastal vegetation area’ in the District Plan, which development of subdivision is subject to special controls on clearance of vegetation.
The reserves at Himatangi Beach include fore dunes between the residential Council will assist other departments such as DoC in working alongside area and the sea, reserves along Kaikokopu Stream, the area with the surf landowners in actively protecting the natural areas. club, community centre, car park, playground and camping ground and the bowling club. One small reserve is located at the entrance to the town on Koputara Road and another forms part of a walkway between residential properties on Mahuri Street and Te Awe Awe Grove.
17 Manawatu District Council, District Plan (operative 2002).
58 | Coastal Environment our district – our environment
WWaatteerr aanndd WWaasstteewwaatteerr
The Facts Issues to Consider
Domestic water consumption per person in Feilding is the same It is recommended that Council increase its monitoring of water as in 2000/2001, but commercial consumption has increased quality from water schemes, particularly those located in rural over time. areas, to work towards full compliance with the New Zealand Drinking Water Standards under the Health Act 2008. There are five urban reticulated water supplies and four rural reticulated water supplies managed by Council. Demand for services will be related to population growth, economic growth and public awareness of the environmental Urban supplies generally comply with the drinking water issues associated with waste. standards, but the quality of rural water supplies is less known.
$6m has been set aside in the LTCCP for the upgrade of the Feilding wastewater treatment plant between 2006 and 2008. Water quality at popular river swimming spots in the District generally complies with water quality standards, having acceptable or good levels of risk over 70% of the time at all three localities monitored
Progress So Far
Council has been investigating the potential for reticulated sewage scheme in Himatangi Beach and an urban reticulated water supply in Rongotea.
our district – our environment Water and Wastewater | 59 Council’s Reticulated Water Supply Figure 77 identifies the various water schemes managed by Council, and details the type of water system, its fire fighting capability, quality of pipes, and compliance with the New Zealand Drinking Water Standards (DWS). The annual water consumption for Feilding in 2007 was 2,089,500m3. 3 Four of these schemes are Rural Water Schemes (RWS) and the remaining Domestic consumption was 1,619,500m from 5,244 connections. This five are urban-based Water Schemes (WS). This equates to an average of 309m3 per connection or 320 litres per person per day. Commercial or metered consumption was measured at 470,000m3 from 3 The majority of urban water schemes have pipes that are in generally good 350 connections. This equates to an average of 1,343m per connection. condition, and water quality that generally complies with the Drinking Water Standards. Some of the water pipes in Bunnythorpe and Feilding are aged The 2002 SOE report stated that domestic water use in 2000/2001 averaged and may soon require replacement. Fire fighting capability varies, with 344 litres per person per day. This is equal to domestic consumption in 2007, Bunnythorpe and Feilding having fire-fighting capability, while Himatangi indicating that there has been little change in domestic consumption of water Beach’s fire fighting capability is limited, and Longburn and Sanson have no over this time. Total commercial and industrial water use between 1 July fire fighting capability. 2001 and 30 June 2002 was approximately 420,000m3 or 20% of total water consumption. Commercial water use in 2007 is almost unchanged from 3 None of the Rural Water Schemes have fire-fighting capability as all have 2001/2002 with 470,000m measured or 22% of total water consumption. restricted flow. The quality of pipelines is poorer in the rural water schemes than in urban schemes. Poor installation has caused maintenance problems Figure 76 illustrates Feilding’s annual domestic water consumption for the in Stanway/Halcombe and Waituna West. The quality of pipelines is unknown years from 2002 to 2008. Water use was very high over the summer months in the Kiwitea and Oroua No 1 schemes. Further investigation is required. of 2002/03, particularly in January and March. Council began a water conservation campaign around this time, with the aim of reducing water The Waituna West intake was damaged during the February 2004 flood consumption during summer. This water conservation campaign may have event. The design to renew the intake has been completed but the costs and influenced water consumption in the latter years. the risk of losing the intake again in a flood event are high. The renewal work is therefore on hold until investigation into a bore water source is completed. Figure 76: Feilding Water Consumption A report on the groundwater resource is expected in early 2009.
2,350,000 Community feedback consistently indicates water supply is the number one 2,300,000 priority for Manawatu District residents. This is expressed on two levels: 2,250,000 Firstly, there is an expectation for a safe, reliable and plentiful water 2,200,000 supply 2,150,000 Secondly, water is viewed as vital to the continuity and future 2,100,000 development of Manawatu agriculture and horticultural industries and for the potential attraction of new business.18 Cubic MetresCubic 2,050,000 2,000,000 1,950,000 1,900,000 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08
18 Manawatu District Council, LTCCP 2006-2016
60 | Water and Wastewater our district – our environment Figure 77: Characteristics of Council’s Reticulated Water Supplies
Scheme Type Pipe Quality DWS Compliance Urban normal Bunnythorpe WS Average – combination of several historical schemes Generally yes Fire fighting capability Urban normal Feilding WS Generally good – some old cast iron pipe Generally yes Fire fighting capability Urban normal Himatangi Beach WS Generally good Generally yes Limited fire fighting capability Urban normal Longburn WS Generally good Generally yes No fire fighting capability Urban restricted flow Sanson WS Generally good Generally yes No fire fighting capability Rural restricted flow Generally good Stanway/Halcombe RWS Generally yes No fire fighting capability Poor installation causing maintenance problems Rural restricted flow Generally good Boil water notice active Waituna West RWS No fire fighting capability Poor installation causing maintenance problems Intake damaged in 2004 Rural restricted flow Kiwitea RWS Unknown Unknown No fire fighting capability Rural restricted flow Oroua No 1 RWS Unknown Unknown No fire fighting capability
Drinking Water Standards Water Quality
In the 2002 SOE report it was noted that groundwater is used as the sole Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements supply of town water for Bunnythorpe, Himatangi Beach and Longburn, while the Sanson scheme extracts water from a bore approximately 100m from the Councils LTCCP 2006-2016 indicated that $6m has been set aside between Rangitikei River. Figure 77 shows that all these water schemes 2006 and 2008 for the Feilding Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade. This is (Bunnythorpe, Himatangi Beach, Longburn and Sanson) generally comply a requirement of the Manawatu Catchment Water Quality Plan for 2009. with the Drinking Water Standards. Much larger quantities of underground water are also used for rural houses, farms and irrigation. In order to meet current and future consent requirements of Horizon Regional Council’s One Plan, Council has undertaken a trial of chemical dosing to In regards to the rural water schemes, only water from the Stanway/Halcombe improve the effluent quality for continuous river discharge. The result of the Rural Water Scheme is recorded as generally complying with the Drinking trial has led to the design of the upgrade of the plant. The scope of the work Water Standards. The water quality compliance for the Kiwitea and Oroua No includes: 1 RWS’s is unknown. The Waituna West Scheme has had a ‘Boil Water Notice’ active since the water intake was damaged in 2004. Installation of new variable speed pumps to replace the old pumps
Construction of new flow splitter structure
our district – our environment Water and Wastewater | 61 Replacement of trickling filter supply pipes Urban Stormwater Automation of chemical dosing Council currently administers urban stormwater drainage schemes in Installation of flow control systems Bunnythorpe, Feilding, Longburn, Rongotea and Sanson. Feilding has the most extensive piped stormwater network, with the smaller urban schemes Additional works for Stage 2 will include: consisting of a mixture of open drains, channels and piped sections. Most urban properties are provided with a stormwater connection to the kerb and New Motor Control Centre channel or the adjacent roadside drain. Stormwater run-off from the road surface also drains to the stormwater drainage schemes. All stormwater Pond DO Control automation eventually discharges into a stream or river within the District. Peak Flow Controls Services provided include:
Sludge Pump replacement Pipe locations on request In addition to this, $4m was aside in 2006/07 for the development of a Stormwater connection pipes are provided from the property boundary sewerage scheme in Himatangi Beach. A feasibility study for the Himatangi to the stormwater drainage scheme, upon payment of the necessary Beach sewerage scheme was completed. In view of the cost of the project fee and feedback received from the community, Council has decided to put a hold on this project until certainty of Government funding has been confirmed. Residential properties can discharge an unlimited volume of stormwater via their connection A feasibility study is currently underway for the potential development of a sewerage scheme in Rongotea. This feasibility study is yet to be completed. Open drains are progressively being upgraded and piped where communities are prepared to meet the associated costs. Stormwater system capacity may be limited because of pipe sizes and catchment characteristics, but it is designed to minimise significant nuisance. Wastewater Discharge to Water Consents
The District Council holds one ‘Discharge to Water Consent’ for the discharge Rural Land Drainage of wastewater from the Feilding Almadale Water Treatment Plant sediment settling pond to a road side drain that eventually feeds in to the Kiwitea Four rural land drainage schemes operate under the umbrella of Council – Stream. Bainesse, Maire, Makowhai and Oroua Downs. The principal function of the land drainage schemes is to ensure that the productive capacity of land in the low-lying areas of the District is maximised and maintained through efficient drainage. The drains concerned, whilst carrying some ‘stormwater’ element, Sewage Discharge to Water Consents are primarily designed to deal with ground water. Services provided include: There have been seven ‘sewage discharge-to-water consents’ issued for discharges managed by Council during the period from 1 July 2001 to 30 Council provides administrative, management and engineering support June 2007. through the collection of rates and liaises with the farmer committees and land owners over drain clearing/maintenance
62 | Water and Wastewater our district – our environment Private contractors, engaged on behalf of the land drainage What is the Council Doing? committees, generally undertake maintenance works on an as required basis Councils ‘Feilding Growth Study’ identified a number of required upgrades to Council’s stormwater system19. The LTCCP indicated that $2.6m has been set aside for this over the next 10 years, with $1.8m to be spent between Water Quality at Popular Swimming Holes 2006 and 2010.20
Horizons Regional Council has monitored the quality of water at a number of Council has spent approximately $820,000 on wastewater treatment plants popular swimming spots around the region for compliance with the Ministry for since the adoption of the LTCCP in 2006. This amount relates to purchase of the Environment Guidelines. The results of this monitoring is illustrated in equipment for the upgrade of the Feilding Sewerage Treatment Plan. All Figure 78. This figure shows that the Pohangina River at Totara Reserve sewerage treatment plants are in full compliance with their resource consent consistently has the highest water quality, followed by the Oroua River at conditions. Timona Park. The Rangitikei River at Vinegar Hill has the poorest records of compliance with water quality guidelines. The LTCCP stated that $450,000 per annum has been set aside in order to replace old cast iron and asbestos cement water mains. This project is ongoing and the pipes are within the Feilding Water Scheme. The 2006-2016 LTCCP also noted that $1.9m has been allocated in the budget for 2007/08 Water Quality at Significant Rivers, Wetlands, for the installation of Ultra Violet (UV) disinfection at Almadale water treatment plant to achieve ‘A’ grade water supply. These works have been delayed until Lakes and Lagoons the 2008/09 year.
Horizons Regional Council monitors water quality in the region’s significant rivers, wetlands, lakes and lagoons. Refer to Horizon Regional Council’s Proposed One Plan for more information on water quality. Figure 78: Results of Water Quality Monitoring at Popular Swimming Spots in the Manawatu District’s Rivers
100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10%
0% Samples by Category by Samples 04-05 05-06 04-07 04-05 05-06 04-07 04-05 05-06 04-07
Oroua River at Timona Park Pohangina River at Totara Rangitikei River at Vinegar Reserve Hill
Green Amber Red 19 Manawatu District Council, Feilding’s Urban Growth Discussion Paper (June 2005) 20 Manawatu District Council, Long Term Council Community Plan 2006-2016
our district – our environment Water and Wastewater | 63 WWaassttee
Waste disposal is an important issue in New Zealand. This Chapter covers solid waste management, hazardous substances and contaminated sites.
The Facts
The total amount of solid waste disposed of at landfills is generally decreasing over time. The amount of waste disposed of at rural transfer stations is
generally decreasing in Rongotea and Kimbolton and increasing in Bunnythorpe.
The number of hazardous substances callouts in the District has generally decreased.
Progress So Far Issues to Consider
Implementation of a Waste Management Plan. The number of fly tipping complaints received is increasing. Recycling services provided throughout the District. The total number of refuse bags and recyclables collected in the Feilding landfill has closed. District are increasing. An additional transfer station for Himatangi Beach is under Regularly review the Waste Management Plan. consideration because of subdivision growth. Educate the community about waste minimisation opportunities.
Update the register of sites that are known to be or that may be considered contaminated sites within the District. Record the sites on the property affected.
64 | Waste our district – our environment Solid Waste Figure 79: Total Waste to Landfill 1400 Solid Waste management in the District has been developed through implementation of the Waste Management Plan. Solid Waste includes items 1200 such as garden waste, old washing machines, car bodies, commercial waste and normal household refuse. 1000
Solid waste disposal includes the refuse transfer stations at Feilding, 800 Bunnythorpe, Kimbolton and Kaimatarau Road (near Rongotea) and the
recycling centres at Himatangi Beach, Tangimoana, Sanson and Pohangina. 600 Tonnes Litterbins are provided in towns throughout the District. Bulk collections are 21 provided in some communities. 400
The 2002 SOE report noted that the Feilding Landfill did not meet current 200 industrial guidelines for environmentally sound landfill construction at that
time. The resource consent for the discharges from the landfill expired in 0
01 02 03 04 05 06 07
00 01 01 01 02 02 02 03 03 03 04 04 04 05 05 05 06 06 06 07 07 07
2006. The Feilding Landfill, the only disposal site in the District, has now 00
------
------
closed for general refuse. Council has been granted approval by Horizons -
Jun Jun Jun Jun Jun Jun Jun
Mar Mar Mar Mar Mar Mar Mar
Dec Sep Dec Sep Dec Sep Dec Sep Dec Sep Dec Sep Dec Sep Dec Regional Council to utilise the closed landfill for cleanfill storage. Sep
Due to the Feilding landfill being closed waste was disposed of at Awapuni until 2007 and is now disposed of outside of the District.
Urban Refuse Transfer Stations Total Waste Figure 80 illustrates the amount of solid waste (in tonnes) disposed of at the Feilding refuse transfer station and other urban transfer stations. There are two data gaps in July and August 2006 for the Feilding Refuse Transfer Figure 79 shows the total amount of waste disposed of and includes waste Station data, and recording of ‘Other’ ends in April 2006. These data gaps collected at the Feilding refuse transfer station, rural refuse transfer stations result from the closure of the Feilding Landfill in 2006. The amount of waste (at Kimbolton, Rongotea and Bunnythorpe), other transfer stations and disposed of at these urban refuse transfer stations has fluctuated over time, roadside refuse bag collections. but is generally between 300 and 500 tonnes per month.
The amount of waste to the Feilding Landfill fluctuated but generally increased While the Feilding Landfill on Ranfurly Road is now closed, there are still four until the landfill’s closure in 2006. There was drop in total waste disposed of refuse transfer stations open within the District. These are located as follows: at landfills following closure of the Feilding Landfill in 2006, but that total waste disposed of now fluctuates around 600 tonnes per month. Kawakawa Road, Feilding Kaimatarau Road (off SH1, Rongotea) London Street (off Edwards Street, Kimbolton)
21 Manawatu District Council, LTCCP 2006-2016 Waugh’s Road, Bunnythorpe
our district – our environment Waste | 65 Figure 80: Waste Disposed at Urban Refuse Transfer Stations Figure 81: Total Waste Disposed at Rural Refuse Transfer Stations
900 35 800 30 700 600 25 500 20 400
Tonnes 300 15 Tonnes 200 10 100
0 5
01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08
01 02 03 04 05 06 07
00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07
------
------
------
- 0
Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan
Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep
00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07
01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08
01 02 03 04 05 06 07
May May May May May May May
------
------
------
Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan
Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep
May May May May May May Monitoring Period May Feilding Refuse Transfer Station Ltd Other Monitoring Period
Kimbolton Rongotea Bunnythorpe Linear (Kimbolton) Linear (Rongotea) Linear (Bunnythorpe)
Rural Refuse Transfer Stations
Figure 81 shows the total amount of rural refuse disposed of at rural refuse Refuse Bag Collection transfer stations over time. The amount of refuse disposed has been decreasing over time at the Kimbolton and Rongotea refuse transfer stations, Refuse bags are collected weekly in Feilding, Sanson, Himatangi Beach, but increasing slightly over time at the Bunnythorpe rural refuse transfer Tangimoana, Rongotea, Longburn, Cheltenham, Kimbolton, Waituna West, station. This graph also shows data gaps around July and August 2006 and Rangiwahia, Apiti, Pohangina, Bunnythorpe, Halcombe and roads to these peaks in refuse disposed towards the end of 2006. This is likely due to the townships. The commercial area in Feilding is collected twice weekly.22 closure of the Feilding landfill at this time. Figure 82 shows that the number of refuse bags collected in the District is generally increasing. When this is plotted against total recyclables, the trends are quite similar, with total recyclables increasing at a slightly greater rate than refuse bag collection. This indicates that while the total amount of waste being recycled in the District is increasing, this has not resulted in an expected decrease in refuse bag disposal.
22 Manawatu District Council, LTCCP 2006-2016
66 | Waste our district – our environment Figure 82: Total Number of Refuse Bags Collected and Total Recyclables Figure 83: Recyclables Disposed of at Recycling Centres and Kerbside Disposed of in the Manawatu District Recycling
200 100 90 180 80 160 70 140 60 120 50 100 Tonnes 40 80 30
Tonnes 60 20 40 10
20 0
00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07
01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08
02 03 04 05 06 07
0 01
------
------
------
01 02 03 04 05 06 07
00 00 01 01 02 02 03 03 04 04 05 05 06 06 07 07
01 02 03 04 05 06 07
Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan
Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep
May May May May May May May
------
------
------
Jun Jun Jun Jun Jun Jun Jun
Mar Mar Mar Mar Mar Mar Mar
Dec Dec Dec Dec Dec Dec Dec Dec
Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep Recyclables from Centres Recyclables Kerbside Monitoring Period Refuse bag collection Total Recyclables Linear (Refuse bag collection ) Linear (Total Recyclables) The quantity of recyclables disposed of at kerbside has increased, since it was introduced in June 2001. The quantity of recyclables disposed of at recycling centres has fluctuated more dramatically, particularly from June 2006 until June 2007, but appears to have stabilised between 20 and 30 tonnes of recyclables per month, down from an average of 30 and 40 tonnes Recycling per month in 2001 and 2002.
A kerbside recycling collection is available in Feilding for plastic bottles, cans, paper, cardboard and glass. Other plastic containers (eg. ice cream, margarine and yoghurt) and plastic bags are not collected as recyclables, Other Waste except those labelled numbers 1 & 2. Recycling drop off centres for cardboard, paper, plastic bottles, tin cans, aluminium cans and glass are Figure 84 plots the total amount of greenwaste disposed of in the District available at all refuse transfer stations and at Pohangina (Finnis Road), (collected at the Feilding Refuse Transfer Station). This figure shows that the Sanson Library (Dundas Road), Tangimoana (Tangimoana Beach Road) and amount of Greenwaste disposed of has fluctuated, but is generally higher in Himatangi Beach (Koputara Road). the summer months. Overall, it appears that the amount of green waste has decreased slightly from an average of around 150 tonnes per month, to around 130 tonnes per month.
our district – our environment Waste | 67 Figure 84: Greenwaste Disposed of in the Manawatu District Council has a number of functions and responsibilities under the Litter Act 1979 and the Local Government Act 2002 relating to the control and disposal 300 of abandoned vehicles and litter. Fly tipping includes the dumping of full rubbish bags, mattresses, offal, dead animals, non-approved Council bags 250 and green waste.
200 The number of fly tipping complaints received by Council has increased. Reasons for this increase include increasing cost of waste disposal; closure of 150 the Feilding Landfill in 2006; and increasing community awareness of the
Tonnes ability to lodge a complaint with Council upon discovery of fly tipping incidents. 100 The Council actions all complaints received regarding fly tipping and if possible, the offenders are identified and fined. 50 Figure 86: Fly Tipping Complaints Received by Manawatu District 0
Council
00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07
01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08
01 02 03 04 05 06 07
------
------
------
180
Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan
Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep
May May May May May May May 160 Figure 85 shows that the disposal of cleanfill is not a significant issue in the 140 District. Apart from a few significant peaks, which may correspond to large 120 construction projects, the amount of cleanfill disposed of in the District is generally less than 100m3 (three monthly). 100 80 Figure 85: Cleanfill Disposed of in the Manawatu District 60 1200 ofComplaints No 40 1000 20
800 0 1/07/01 - 1/07/02 - 1/07/03 - 1/07/04 - 1/07/05 - 1/07/06 - 600 30/06/02 30/06/03 20/06/04 30/06/05 30/06/06 30/06/07
Cubic Metres Cubic 400
200
0
01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08
00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07
01 02 03 04 05 06 07
------
------
------
Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan
Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep
May May May May May May May
68 | Waste our district – our environment Figure 87: Car Bodies Disposed of at Refuse Transfer Stations in the Figure 88: Cars Legally Disposed of and Illegally Abandoned in the Manawatu District (2001 to 2006) Manawatu District
600 600
500 500
400 400
300 300
No of Cars of No 200 No ofCars No 200 100 100 0 0 1/07/2001 - 1/07/2002 - 1/07/2003 - 1/07/2004 - 1/07/2005 - 1/07/2006 - 30/06/2002 30/06/2003 30/06/2004 30/06/2005 30/06/2006 30/06/2007 1/07/01 - 1/07002 - 1/07/03 - 1/07/04 - 1/07/05 - 1/07/06 - 30/06/02 30/06/03 30/06/04 30/06/05 30/06/06 30/06/07 Cars Legally Disposed of Abandoned Car Complaints
The number of car bodies disposed of at Refuse Transfer Stations in the District has fluctuated between 450 and 480 cars. It should be noted that there are data gaps between 1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007. Trade Waste Figure 88 shows the number of cars legally disposed of, and illegally abandoned in the District. As mentioned above, the data for cars disposed of Council has a Trade Waste Bylaw that was revised in 2005. Any person at refuse transfer stations between June 2006 and July 2007 is incomplete. discharging to the Council’s sewerage system must also comply with the In the majority of cases, vehicle identification has been removed or the vehicle requirements of this bylaw. Under the previous Trade Waste Bylaw all trade owner cannot be located to remove the vehicle. Council removes the vehicle waste discharges must apply for consent. The modified general bylaw means at a cost to the ratepayer. that Council can allow minor trade waste discharges to operate without consent. The use of a ‘Prohibited’ category means that Council can forbid the Council initiated a petrol voucher scheme in December 2002, aimed at discharge of trade waste containing substances that could impair treatment preventing the dumping of unwanted vehicles throughout the District. The plant performance or damage pipelines. Council was the first local authority to undertake such a scheme. Initially Council issued $10.00 petrol vouchers to those people who disposed of their There have been no prosecutions made under this Trade Waste Bylaw since cars correctly – this was increased to a value of $30.00 in November 2006. it was passed in July 2006. From December 2002 to 31 December 2007 a total of 1,229 petrol vouchers were issued. In November 2006.
our district – our environment Waste | 69 Hazardous Substances Figure 90: Hazardous Substances Call-outs by Incident Type
Council was responsible for issuing and monitoring dangerous goods licences up until 31 March 2004 under the Dangerous Goods Act 1974. The Environmental Risk Management Authority of New Zealand (‘ERMA’) took over this responsibility from Council under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996. As at April 2003, there were 61 Hazardous Goods Licences for activities in the District. Of these, 40 have been assessed as having potential risk.23 Because of the new Act, Council no longer responds to any possible hazardous incidents. This is now undertaken by the agency responsible for the area eg. Department of Labour for places of work.
Figure 89 shows the number of Hazardous Substances spills in the District, attended by the New Zealand Fire Service, during the time period of 1 July 2001 to 30 June 2007. This data excludes vehicle accidents where no gas or fuel leakage occurred, and electrical hazards. This graph shows that the Figure 90 shows that the majority of hazardous substances spills are liquid, number of hazardous substance spills varies from year to year, but that in gas leaks or spills without fire; followed by gas and liquid spills from vehicle recent years there have been fewer spills reported. accidents. Figure 89: Hazardous Substances Call-outs in the Manawatu District
20 18 Contaminated Sites 16 The issue of land contamination is one that has gained prominence in recent 14 years as a result of society’s increased understanding and knowledge of: 12 10 The effects that human activities can have on soil and water quality,
8 and therefore environmental quality; and No of of Incidents No 6 The relationship between environmental quality and human health. 4 Contamination of land by hazardous substances can pose a serious risk to 2 people’s health and the environment. The RMA deems regional and local 0 authorities responsible for the management of contaminated sites. Horizons 01/02 02/03 03/04 04/05 05/06 06/07 Regional Council is responsible for controlling discharges from existing sites, including discharges to land, air and water. Council has a register of sites that are known to be or that may be considered contaminated sites of varying degrees within the District. However the data contained within this register is over 10 years old and has not been updated or maintained. Council also has a list of dangerous goods licences up to the 31 23 Manawatu District Council, Dangerous Goods Licences Register (as at April 2004) March 2004. Information sharing between Council and Horizons Regional
70 | Waste our district – our environment Council will need to be developed to ensure effective management of What is the Council Doing? contaminated sites within the District.
None of the contaminated sites is listed on Council’s database - only the As ERMA is responsible for the monitoring and registration of hazardous Dangerous Good Licences that were issued by Council. Council will need to substances, Council now has a limited role with respect to private dwellings update the register of contaminated sites and notify all those landowners and public places not covered by other agencies. whose sites have been indentified as either known to be or potentially contaminated from certain past or present land uses. Confirmation of all facts Demand for services will be related to population growth, economic growth about past land use activities is needed, so Council can effectively record and public awareness, in particular awareness of the environmental issues contaminated sites in relation to the properties concerned. This information is associated with waste. Increased emphasis will need to be placed on then on Council’s property files and relayed to any persons applying for a education initiatives to reduce, reuse, recycle waste to minimise the volume of Land Information Memorandum (‘LIM’) or a Project Information Memorandum waste to landfills. (‘PIM’). Council will update the register of contaminated sites. This information is placed on Council’s property file and relayed to any persons applying for a LIM or a PIM. This will also alert Council staff of the potential contamination issues and the possible need to undertake remedial action.
Abandoned vehicles and fly tipping are likely to remain a problem in the District. A greater level of enforcement action (including prosecutions) is likely to be taken against offenders found to be fly tipping and abandoning vehicles.
our district – our environment Waste | 71 TTrraannssppoorrtt
Transport is a key component of all our lives. Positive social effects of transportation include the benefit of increased mobility and accessibility for the general population. However, transportation can also generate adverse effects such as pollution, noise, congestion and accidents.
Council is responsible for the management of roads throughout the District. This includes the repairs and maintenance of the carriageways and bridges, sealing and resealing, drainage, kerb and channelling, culverts, signage, cycleways, lighting and footpaths. There are also four state highways within the District – these fall under the jurisdiction of the New Zealand Transport Agency (‘NZTA’).
The Facts Issues to Consider
Annual increase in vehicle numbers in the District over the past 5 Impacts of forestry and commuter traffic on roading assets. years has been 1.66%. New industry to the District. The number of households with access to two or more vehicles is increasing over time. Greater traffic volumes on key arterial and inter-regional routes. The dominant mode of transport to work is by private vehicle. The potential closure of Milson Line. Road assets make up 75% of the Council’s infrastructure assets Construction of an outer ring road around Palmerston North by value. including a new bridge across the Manawatu River There are 1428.3km of road in the District, 90% of total road Horizons Regional Council intention to replace the Kopane length being rural. Bridge on Rongotea Road over the Oroua River in conjunction with raising sections of the downstream stopbanks. In 2006, there were 53 injury crashes and 68 non-injury crashes on District roads and 43 injury crashes and 74 non-injury crashes Reviewing and disposal of unformed roads. on State Highways. Investigating the need for any traffic management strategies or Progress So Far cycle plans for the District.
Council is investigating locations for a proposed road link between Feilding and Palmerston North, and for a heavy traffic bypass in Bunnythorpe or elsewhere
72 | Transport our district – our environment Vehicles per Household
The number of vehicles per household provides an indication of potential vehicle usage on the roading network.
19.3% of households in the District have access to three or more motor vehicles, compared with 15.9% of all households in New Zealand. Figure 91 shows that there has been an increase in the number of households with access to two or more vehicles and a decline in the number of single car or no car households.
Figure 91: Access to Motor Vehicles in the Manawatu District (1996-2001 Censuses)
45 40 35 30 25 20
Percentage 15 10 5 0 No Access One Two Three or More Not elsewhere included(3)
1996 2001 2006
Vehicle Usage The large number of vehicles per household in the District compared to the rest of New Zealand is likely to be the result of the largely rural nature of the District, and Changes in rural land-use, especially dairying and forestry, will have comparatively poor public transport provision (refer to Figure 91). significant effects on road infrastructure. Pavement deterioration will increase significantly, where there are changes in heavy vehicle loadings. Vehicle growth across the District over the past 5 years has been 1.66%.24 Traffic flows between Feilding and Palmerston North are affected both by through traffic and commuter traffic, and anticipated growth in traffic numbers may mean that additional roads will be required within the next 20 years.
24 Manawatu District Council, Land Transport Asset Management Plan (July 2005)
our district – our environment Transport | 73 Figure 92: Household Access to Motor Vehicles in Manawatu District Figure 93: Means of Travel to Work for the Manawatu District, 1996 – and New Zealand (2006 Census) 2006 Censuses25
60 Other
Walked or jogged 40 Bicycle
20 Motor cycle or power cycle Percentage Train
0 Public bus 0 1 2 3+ Car, truck, van or company bus passenger
No of Motor Vehicles Drove company car, truck or van
Manawatu District New Zealand Drove private car, truck or van
Did not go to work today
Worked at home
Travel to Work - 10 20 30 40 50
The most dominant method of travelling to work is by private vehicle, although 2006 2001 1996 there has been a slight decrease in the proportion of people travelling by this mode since the 2001 Census (refer Figure 93). The high proportion of people travelling in private vehicles to work is likely to be a reflection of the largely rural population that makes public transport less commercially viable. In addition, many people commute daily to Palmerston North or other urban Extent of Roading Network centres for work. According to the Land Transport Asset Management Plan (1 July 2005), It is not unsurprising given the largely rural population, that large numbers of Council’s road network includes approximately 1,428km of roads, 420 bridges people work from home and therefore do not ‘travel to work’ (second highest (including culverts with a water area greater than 3.4m2), 135km of footpath, score). The third most common mode of transport to work was travelling by 1,585 street lights and has a current optimised depreciated replacement cost company vehicle. (ODRC) of $288 million (at 30 June 2005 – excluding land under roads). Road assets make up 75% of the Council’s infrastructure assets by value26. Only a small proportion of people use sustainable modes of transport to travel to work (such as walking, biking, or using public transport), and these proportions are decreasing over time.
25 Statistics New Zealand, 2006 Census 26 Manawatu District Council, Land Transport Asset Management Plan (July 2005)
74 | Transport our district – our environment There are also four state highways within the District that are the responsibility 27 Forestry – primarily at harvesting time when roads are subjected to of the NZTA. Distances shown below are those within the District. huge increases in pavement loadings
SH1 (Bulls – Sanson – Himatangi) = 27.42km Through traffic, commuter traffic and residential growth in the Feilding and Palmerston North environs – anticipated growth may mean an SH3 (Bulls – Sanson – Palmerston North - Ashhurst) = 20.58km additional road is required within the next 20 years SH54 (Vinegar Hill – Feilding – Palmerston North) = 56.51km SH56 (Opiki – Longburn – Palmerston North) = 10.92km Public Transport
Horizons Regional Council is responsible for the provision of public transport Traffic Volumes throughout the District. Figure 95: Traffic Volumes on Regional Arterial Routes (including the The District is largely rural, of moderate size (253,000ha), with most roads State Highway network) within the Manawatu District carrying low traffic volumes. The primary influence on the type of traffic in the District is land use. Approximately 203,281ha of land in the District is used for 2002/2003 2003/2004 2004/2005 2005/2006 2006/2007 grazing and arable purposes, predominantly dairy farming, cropping, beef and Route Name sheep farming. There are a further 2,853ha in exotic forestry and 1,460ha in Actual Actual Actual Actual Actual horticulture. The rural character of the District is reflected in Figure 94, with ADT ADT ADT ADT ADT 90.3% of the total road length (2,579.6km) being classified as ‘rural’. Aorangi Street 7,605 7,605 4,605 7,605 7,605 Awahuri Road 4,239 4,561 4,115 4,074 4,856 Roads in the District are classified according to a hierarchical system. A map Campbell Road 6,561 3,272 NA 2,941 2,941 of this hierarchy is included as Figure 96. An indication of the average daily Halcombe Road 1,914 2,467 2,260 2,357 2,408 traffic counts on the regional arterial routes (including the state highway Kairanga Bunnythorpe 1,926 NA NA NA 2,536 network) plus the percentage of heavy vehicles is shown in Figure 95. Road Kimbolton Road 3,900 3,768 3,043 3,172 3,078 Figure 94: Length of Roads Maintained in the Manawatu District28 Railway Road 3,783 NA 2,763 3,546 4,150 Rangiwahia Road 274 258 255 255 245 Roads Urban (km) Rural (km) Total (km) Rongotea Road 2,017 1,838 1,716 1,905 1,864 Sealed 126.8 906.8 1033.6 Saddle Road 133 510 749 749 170 Unsealed 11.7 383.0 394.7 South Street 3,753 3,973 3,101 3,938 3,751 Waugh’s Road 6,261 2,774 2,774 1,597 5,601 Total 138.5 1289.8 1428.3 West Street 3,388 2,699 2,697 3,071 3,073 Totals 45,754 33,725 28,078 35,180 43,278 Total (Percentage of The Land Transport Asset Management Plan identified the primary impacts on Heavy Vehicles) 6.18 5.51 5.23 5.69 5.66 road assets as:
27 Manawatu District Council, LTCCP 2006-2016 28 Manawatu District Council, Land Transport Asset Management Plan (July 2005)
our district – our environment Transport | 75 Figure 96: Roading Hierarchy for the Manawatu District29 this crash-monitoring period from 2002 to 2006, involved loss of control of a vehicle.
The major road safety issues identified for the District were:
Loss of control at bends (30% of all injury crashes between 2002 and 2006) Fatigue (contributory factor in 11% of injury crashes) Urban intersections (16% of all crashes and 14% of injury crashes) Rural intersections (22% of all crashes and 24% of injury crashes) The major road safety issues for the District differ from those identified as major road safety issues for New Zealand as a whole. The key national issues are:
Speed Alcohol Failure to give way Restraints In 2006, on local roads in the District, there were 53 injury crashes and 68 non-injury crashes. In addition, there were 43 injury crashes and 74 non- injury crashes on the state highway network, as reported by the New Zealand Police. The figure below shows the number of injuries in 2006 resulting from crashes by rural or urban areas for both local roads and state highways.
Vehicle Accidents Figure 97: Injuries Resulting from Crashes in Rural or Urban Areas (Local Roads & State Highways) in the Manawatu District The NZTA prepared a road safety issues report, based on reported crash data for the District for the period from 2002 to 200630. The intent of this report is Casualties (2006) to highlight the key road safety issues and be a resource to identify possible Serious Fatalities Minor Injuries Total ways to reduce the number of road deaths and injuries in the District. Over Injuries 90% of the roads in the District are rural roads, governed by speed limits Rural31 4 21 84 109 greater than 70km/h. The most common type of crash in the District, during Urban 0 3 25 28 Total 4 24 109 137
29 Manawatu District Council, District Plan 2002 (Appendix 2B) 30 Land Transport NZ, Briefing Notes – Road Safety Issues – Manawatu District (2007) 31 ‘Rural’ is defined as an area with a speed limit of 80km/hr or more.
76 | Transport our district – our environment The number of people killed or injured on roads in the District in 2006 4 The Eastern Growth Corridor increased slightly to 137 from 132 in 2005, however the three fatalities in 2006 5 Enhancement of the Bunnythorpe residential environment were the lowest for the 2002-2006 period. The number of casualties in 2006 is the second lowest in the last five years. 6 Linkages to, and formation of, part of the proposed Rural Ring Road
32 There are a number of options available for routes improving or creating an Figure 98: Casualties Trend for the Manawatu District (2002 - 2006) arterial link between Feilding and Palmerston North, including routes around Casualties Trend (2002 - 2006) or through Bunnythorpe. These options must be assessed in terms of the six principal drivers.
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 NZTA has commissioned a strategy study on State Highway 1. This has Fatal 5 7 7 11 4 identified the need for a bypass for through traffic at Sanson that could impact on existing local roads. The conclusions of this report were published in Serious 36 38 31 28 24 November 2002. Minor 111 101 115 93 109
Total 152 146 153 132 137 A strategy study has also been completed on State Highway 3 by NZTA. This will be extended by Council to involve local roads parallel to State Highway 3
(State Highways 54, 56 and 57). Traffic flows between Feilding and Palmerston North are affected both by through traffic and commuter traffic,
and anticipated growth may require an additional road within the next 20 years.33 What is Council Doing?
Demographic changes within the District will affect vehicle volumes and travel patterns.
Opus International Consultants Limited has been working with the Palmerston North City Council to develop the preferred option for a transportation network linking State Highway 57 at Aokautere on the eastern bank of the Manawatu River, crossing the Manawatu River via a new bridge, and linking through to Napier Road (State Highway 3). The basis of this investigation was the Palmerston North City Council Transportation Management Plan 2002.
To address the current network inefficiencies between Feilding and Palmerston North plus other strategic issues, six principal drivers for the options were presented in May 2007 at a public meeting held in Bunnythorpe:
1 The North East Industrial Area 2 Feilding to Palmerston North City 3 Milson Line closure
32 Land Transport NZ, Briefing Notes – Road Safety Issues – Manawatu District (2007) 33 Manawatu District Council, Land Transport Asset Management Plan (1 July 2005)
our district – our environment Transport | 77 NNaattuurraall HHaazzaarrddss
A natural hazard is defined in the RMA as ‘any atmospheric or earth or water related occurrence (including earthquake, tsunami, erosion, volcanic and geothermal activity, landslip, subsidence, sedimentation, wind, draught, fire or flooding) the action of which adversely affects or may adversely affect human life, property, or other aspects of the environment’.
This Chapter covers natural hazards management, civil defence emergencies and development within hazard areas. Both Council and Horizons Regional Council have responsibilities to control land use in a way that avoids or mitigates adverse effects from natural hazards.
The Facts
There has been one Civil Defence Emergency declared since 1988 – the February 2004 floods.
Progress So Far
Manawatu Wanganui Civil Defence Emergency Management Group (CDEM Group) has prepared a ‘Group Plan’, which includes the Manawatu District.
The CDEM Group has identified the key hazards for the Region. A prioritisation process for these hazards has yet to be completed.
The Council is an active member of the CDEM Group. The District Plan controls subdivision and land-use activities within the Issues to Consider Flood Channel 1 and Flood Channel 2 zones. The District Plan also contains maps indentifying the Flood Channel 1 Implementing the new flood mapping provided by Horizons Regional and 2 zones. Council within the District Plan maps.
78 | Natural Hazards our district – our environment Natural Hazards Management Hazard Man-Made Remarks Natural CDEM is a function and responsibility of regional, district and city councils Technological under the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002. Consequently, Incidents Transport local authorities throughout New Zealand have joined on a regional basis to Storage form CDEM groups. These groups, in partnership with emergency services Air Transportation Road and other organisations, are responsible for emergency management. Accidents Rail The CDEM Group has produced the ‘Civil Defence Emergency Management Maritime Urban Group Plan’ (the CDEM Group Plan) for the Manawatu–Wanganui Region. Fire Rural Animal epidemic The Manawatu District is covered by this emergency plan, along with the Agricultural Crop failure
Districts of Horowhenua, Tararua, Rangitikei, Wanganui, Ruapehu and the Emergency Biosecurity Palmerston North City Council. The CDEM Group Plan represents a tool for Threats ensuring that hazard management within the Manawatu-Wanganui Region Public Health Including epidemics/pandemics requiring occurs in an integrated and co-ordinated way. The focus is on co-ordinating Emergency community quarantine the strengths and resources of the many agencies involved with emergency Terrorism management (including regional and territorial councils, the police, fire services, ambulance, health services, and community and service organisations). There is not yet sufficient information available to undertake an objective prioritisation process and risk assessment of all hazards. Each District The goals, objectives, targets and actions within the CDEM Group Plan will covered by the CDEM Group Plan will produce ‘risk descriptions’ for each help the region to avoid or mitigate the effects of hazards as far as is hazard, expanding on specific areas of concern for the local area. The CDEM practicable, identify the key issues that face the region, and prepare long-term Group Plan therefore provides a basis for local level emergency planning. objectives to address these issues. Figure 99 identifies the key hazards for the Manawatu-Wanganui Region, as identified in the CDEM Group Plan. Figure 99: Key Hazards of the Manawatu-Wanganui RegionH Civil Defence Emergencies Hazard Man-Made Remarks A Civil Defence Flooding Emergency was declared on 16 February 2004 for Natural Technological the District. This emergency was upgraded to a Manawatu-Wanganui Regional scale-flooding emergency on 17 February 2004. Volcanic Action Flooding Storm information
Earthquake Tsunami Land Subsidence Development in Hazard Areas Power Outage Water Utility Failure Communication Highly Erodible Areas Gas Schedule A of Horizons Regional Council’s Proposed One Plan contains a During production Hazardous Substance map identifying coastal highly-erodible land and hill country highly-erodible
our district – our environment Natural Hazards | 79 land. Figure 100 shows that the District contains a large area of hill country Development in Flood Zones erodible land (approximately 35% of the District). There is also a band of coastal erodible land that extends approximately 5km inland over the entire Land use controls limit activities in hazard prone areas. When issuing a stretch of the District’s coastal boundary. building or resource consent, Council requires the appropriate avoidance or mitigation measures to be undertaken. Examples of such measures are the Figure 100: Hill Country Highly Erodible Land from the Proposed One siting of buildings and the minimum height of floors to minimise the Plan34 development’s risk of being adversely affected by a natural hazard. All building or resource consents applied for within the Flood Channel 1 or 2 zones are forwarded to Horizons Regional Council for comment.
Development in Flood Channel 1 and 2 zones is restricted by provisions in the District Plan. Permitted activities in the Flood Channel zones include: reserves; farming; mineral exploration; extraction of sand or gravel; pig farming; signs; vehicle crossings; earthworks ancillary to permitted activities; planting, tending or removing shelter belts; planting, tending and harvesting forests, woodlots, or specialised tree crops (Flood Channel 2 only); and clearance, modification or harvesting of indigenous vegetation if it qualifies as a permitted activity under Appendix 1J of the District Plan.
All other activities require resource consent Figure 101 shows the variety of consents for land use activities in both the Flood Channel 1 and 2 Zones.
Figure 101: Land Use Consents issued in Flood Channel 1 and 2 Zones (1 July 2001 - 31 October 2007)
New shell house and implement shed
Dwelling and Commercial greenhouse
Relocated dwelling
Additions to dwelling
SubjectofConsent Hayshed/Lean-to
Garage/Farm accessory building
0 5 10 15 20 25 No of Land Use Consents
34 Horizons Regional Council, Horizons Proposed One Plan - Schedule A (2007)
80 | Natural Hazards our district – our environment There were a total of 60 Land Use Consent applications for works within the erected after the 1931 earthquake were constructed under more strict building recognised Flood Channel Zones between 1 July 2001 and 31 October 2007. requirements. Of these 60 applications, 56 were successful, 2 were declined and 2 were cancelled. In Council’s Earthquake Prone Building Policy, it was noted that a visual survey by a structural engineer was undertaken in 1995. This survey identified 15 ‘high-risk’ buildings, all of which are heritage listed. Out of Feilding’s 42 heritage buildings, 33 were identified in this engineer’s survey as Flood Protection Works being ‘high-risk’ or of concern. There is therefore a strong link between earthquake risk and the historic importance of the town centre. The Reid Line Spillway was constructed in 1970 as part of the Lower Manawatu Scheme, designed to divert floodwater overland to the Makino Section 131 of the Building Act 2004 requires territorial authorities to adopt a Stream, thereby protecting Feilding from flooding. The stream bank was policy on dangerous, earthquake-prone and insanitary buildings. Council has lowered to allow overflow at the spillway inlet, and a single stopbank formed produced two separate policies - one for earthquake prone buildings and 200-400 metres north of Reid Line to divert floodwater some 2km from the another for dangerous and insanitary buildings. Council has recognised the Makino Stream into the Kiwitea Stream. Low stopbanking was also formed importance of this issue for the last decade, and adopted a package of along the Makino Stream to contain floodwaters between Reid Line and the incentives for earthquake strengthening in 1998. This was complemented by spillway, with the right banking extending about 150m upstream of the the District’s first ‘Earthquake Prone Policy’ introduced in 1999. spillway inlet. In 1998 Council adopted a Heritage Incentive Strategy. The Strategy includes Following the February 2004 floods, the Horizons Regional Council proposed grants to owners of listed buildings to help pay for strengthening advice and to improve the existing Reid Line Spillway and limit overflows from the Kiwitea for reimbursement of any building consent fees incurred. In 2001, Council Stream. These upgrades were considered necessary to provide the required added a policy of making low-interest loans available to strengthen the 100-year flood protection to Feilding. The proposal was adopted by Horizons facades of heritage buildings. Regional Council following public consultation and the works programmed for 2007 and 2008. Owners of heritage buildings have been made aware of the incentives available to them, but to date only one owner of a heritage building has taken advantage of this assistance. Earthquake Hazard Risk
The District is in a zone of moderate seismicity. Its buildings comprise a range What is Council Doing? of types and ages reflecting development over more than a century. They range from un-reinforced masonry buildings to modern steel and concrete The Council will continue with training and development of staff to ensure that structures. Almost all of the older buildings that might be regarded as there is appropriate co-ordination and response available to emergencies. potentially earthquake prone are located in central Feilding. Council will also continue contributing to the Manawatu Wanganui CDEM In the past 100 years, Feilding has been hit by four earthquakes that would Group. have generated a shaking intensity of 7 on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale (MM 7). These were the 1931 Hawkes Bay earthquake, the 1934 Council will work with the Regional Council to reduce the possible effects from Pahiatua earthquake and the two Wairarapa earthquakes of 1942. The a natural disaster by including measures with the District Plan ie. Flood buildings that form the historic centre of Feilding have survived those Channel zoning. earthquakes and many smaller shakes with little apparent damage. Buildings
our district – our environment Natural Hazards | 81 Hazard Reports Commissioned Council has not commissioned any reports on hazard events to date.
82 | Natural Hazards our district – our environment CCoonncclluussiioonn our district – our environment is the Manawatu District Council’s State of the Environment report, which follows on from the ‘State of the Environment’ report produced in 2002. our district – our environment is a culmination of five-yearly monitoring undertaken by the Manawatu District Council.
This report considerably extends the 21 environmental indicators reported on within the 2002 report. The topic areas covered are:
Manawatu District Profile Land Use and Subdivision Natural & Cultural Heritage Biodiversity Parks and Reserves Coastal Environment Water and Wastewater Waste Transport Natural Hazards
our district – our environment Conclusion | 83 Some significant findings from the report highlight that: The District Plan is scheduled for a review in 2009 with the results of any monitoring and the findings of this SOE report playing an important role. Manawatu District Profile Natural and Cultural Heritage The population is estimated to increase to 32,500 by 2031 under the medium projection series. The District Plan lists a total of 132 buildings or objects with heritage There is need for ongoing monitoring of the population and value. demographic trends to measure progress in achieving community outcomes. This will ensure that Council services, facilities and 52 applications have been issued to alter or demolish heritage buildings resources are best used and expanded to meet the needs of a growing since 1 January 2002. Of these, 8 were granted for buildings within the District. Feilding Heritage Precinct. There will be a general ageing of the population. This reinforces the There are 13 trees or groups of trees listed as having heritage value in importance of the population projections in providing information abut the District Plan. Two items have been added since 30 June 2001. the changing age structure. This is at least as important as changes in There are 46 archaeological sites listed in the District Plan. total numbers. A Heritage Precinct has been identified, with guidelines for the No specific environmental indicators have been monitored by Council to redevelopment of these buildings included in the District Plan. date. Potential indicators will be incorporated in the next SOE report. Both Council and the NZHPT have financial incentives available for the owners of heritage buildings. Land Use and Subdivision Plan Change 11 approved the addition of new significant tree(s) to the District Plan. The number of noise complaints received by Council is increasing over time and so is Council’s ability to resolve noise issues. There were 2,198 building consents issued between 1 July 2002 and 30 Biodiversity June 2007, predominately for farm buildings and dwellings. Celmisia aff. gracilenta 'Mangaweka' is an endemic plant to the District The greatest demand for residential and village subdivision between 1 that is only found in one locality. July 2001 and 30 June 2007 was in Feilding. The most diverse populations of species in the District are found in The greatest demand in the rural zone between 1 July 2001 and 30 coastal areas. June 2007 was for new 1 – 2ha lots, followed by 2 – 4ha lots and 0.7 – 1ha lots. This generally means a sacrifice of large rural lots for the There are approximately 3,060ha of palustrine and 250ha of estuarine creation of smaller lot sizes. wetlands remaining in the entire Manawatu-Wanganui Region. 246 land use consents were sought between 1 July 2001 and 31 October 2007 for non-compliance in terms of building set back from boundary or boundaries infringement.
84 | Conclusion our district – our environment Sustainable Forest Management Permits covering a total area of Council’s Open Space Framework includes recommendations for 789.3ha of indigenous forest were approved from 1 July 2001 to 30 improving walkways and opportunities for outdoor recreation in the June 2007. District. DoC protected areas total 29,640.21ha and QEII protected areas total The Manawatu District is included under a Regional Sport and Active 477.42ha. Recreation Strategy. 3% of production land in the District is set aside as native bush. Council has developed an Alive ‘n Active Leisure Plan for promoting leisure in the District. The ‘In-stream habitat and ecology of Kaikokopu Stream, Himatangi’ report has been produced with recommendations for improving aquatic The Kitchener Park Management Joint Venture has been developed biodiversity. between Council, Horizons Regional Council and local volunteer organisations. Council has completed an Open Space Framework. Recommendations within that Report have been made for improving biodiversity of the District. Coastal Environment A report by Horizons Regional Council has identified significant wetlands in the District. The ‘Coastal Area’ is the land within 4km of the ocean. Locations of Council reserve and other Council-owned land aid in ensuring a sustainable future for the District’s native biodiversity. Council has coastal reserves in Himatangi and Tangimoana. Water quality generally complies with guideline values at coastal swimming spots. Parks and Reserves There are a number of endangered plants in the coastal area.
There are 71 parks and reserves in the District, totalling 558.5ha, which There have been two short-term closures of beaches since 2001 represents 0.22% of the total land area. caused by shellfish biotoxins. Approximately 63% of parks and reserves land area is contained within The District Plan has objectives, policies and rules, which aim to 6 bush reserves. preserve the natural character of the coastal area.
The majority of esplanade strips are for access not conservation purposes. Water and Wastewater 65% of esplanade reserves are located along either the Makino Stream or Oroua River, while 56% of esplanade strips are along the Oroua River and Mangaone West Stream. Domestic water consumption per person in Feilding is the same as in 2000/2001, but commercial consumption has increased over time. Council’s bush and coastal reserves are subject to a Reserve Management Plan, which is reviewed every 5 years. There are 5 urban reticulated water supplies and 4 rural reticulated water supplies managed by Council. Urban supplies generally comply with the drinking water standards, but the quality of rural water supplies is less known.
our district – our environment Conclusion | 85 $6m has been set aside in the LTCCP for the upgrade of the Feilding Road assets make up 75% of the Council’s infrastructure assets by wastewater treatment plant between 2006 and 2008. value. Water quality at popular river swimming spots in the District generally There are 1,428.3km of road in the District, 90% of total road length complies with water quality standards. They have acceptable or good being rural. levels of risk over 70% of the time at all three localities monitored. In 2006, there were 53 injury crashes and 68 non-injury crashes on Council has been investigating the potential for a reticulated sewage District roads and 43 injury crashes and 74 non-injury crashes on State scheme in Himatangi Beach and an urban reticulated water supply in Highways. Rongotea. Council is investigating locations for a proposed road link between Feilding and Palmerston North, and for a heavy traffic bypass in Bunnythorpe or elsewhere. Waste
The total amount of solid waste disposed of at landfills is generally Natural Hazards decreasing over time. The amount of waste disposal at rural transfer stations is generally There has been one Civil Defence Emergency declared since 1988. decreasing in Rongotea and Kimbolton and increasing in Bunnythorpe. The Manawatu Wanganui CDEM Group has prepared a ‘Civil Defence The number of hazardous substances callouts in the District has Emergency Group Plan’, which includes the Manawatu District. generally decreased. Horizons Regional Council has identified the key hazards for the region. Implementation of a Waste Management Plan. A prioritisation process for these hazards is still to be completed. Recycling services are provided throughout the District. The Council is an active member of the Manawatu Wanganui CDEM Group. Feilding landfill has closed. The District Plan controls subdivision and land-use activities within the An additional transfer station for Himatangi Beach is under Flood Channel 1 and 2 zones. consideration because of growth in new subdivisions. The District Plan also contains maps indentifying the Flood Channel 1
and 2 zones. Transport
Annual increase in vehicle numbers in the District over the past 5 years has been 1.66%. The number of households with access to two or more vehicles is increasing over time. The dominant mode of transport to work is by private vehicle.
86 | Conclusion our district – our environment RReeffeerreenncceess
External Publications Manawatu District Council Publications
Agricultural Production Survey, June 2002 Annual Plan (2008/09) Briefing Notes – Road Safety Issues (Manawatu District), Land Communitrak Survey Results – Public Perceptions and Interpretations Transport NZ (2007) of Council Services and Representation (2007) Instream habitat and ecology of Kaikokopu Stream (Himitangi), Parks Earthquake Prone Building Policy (May 2006) and Open Spaces Limited, 2008 Feilding’s Urban Growth, Discussion Document (June 2005) Key Bird Species Survey: Rangitikei, Manawatu, Pohangina & Oroua Rivers, Don Ravine, January 2006 Heritage Incentive Strategy (1998) Local Population Trends, Statistics New Zealand, December 2008 Land Transport Asset Management Plan (2005) Manawatu District Quarterly Review, Statistics New Zealand, March Makino Aquatic Centre Asset Management Plan (2005) 2008 Manawatu District Councils Long Term Council Community Plan 2006- National Environmental Performance Indicators, Ministry for the 2016 Environment, 1997 Manawatu District Plan (December 2002) New Zealand Census 2006, Statistics New Zealand Open Space Framework (August 2006) Quick Stats about Manawatu District, Statistics New Zealand, 2006 Palmerston North and Manawatu District Council – Industrial Land Use State of the Environment Report, Te Komiti Marae o Kauwhata Trust, Planning Review, Stage One (May 2007) on behalf of Ngati Kauwhata, 2002 Parks & Reserves Asset Management Plan (2005) Tawhirihoe Scientific Management Plan, Grant Blackwell Solid Waste Asset Management Plan (2005)
State of the Environment Report (October 2002) Wastewater Asset Management Plan (2005)
our district – our environment References | 87 GGlloossssaarryy
Accessibility – the degree to which facilities and services can be accessed (a) when discharged into water, changes or is likely to change the physical, chemical, or biological condition of water; or Amenity Values – natural or physical qualities of an area that contribute to people’s appreciation of its pleasantness, aesthetic coherence, and cultural (b) when discharged onto or into land or into air, changes, or is likely to and recreational attributes change the physical, chemical, or biological condition of the land or air onto or into which it is discharged Biodiversity – the variability among living organisms Council – means the Manawatu District Council or any Committee, Sub- Climate Change – means a change of climate that is attributed directly or committee, or person to whom the Councils powers, duties and discretions indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global have been lawfully delegated atmosphere and that is in addition to natural climate variability observed over comparable time periods District Plan – is the primary document used by the Council to carry out its functions under the RMA. It specifies the significant resource management Community – a network of people and organisations linked together by issues in the District, the objectives, policies and methods to address those common factors. This might refer to a network of people linked by place (that issues and the environmental results anticipated from its implementation is, a geographic community), common interest or identity (for example, a hapu, a voluntary organisation or society), an administrative community (such Ecosystem – any system of organisms interacting with their natural and as a district) physical environment
Communitrak Survey – survey which measures satisfaction with Council Environment – includes ecosystems and their constituent parts, people and services, and asks questions in Council policy and direction, rates issues, communities, all natural and physical resources, amenity values, and social, contact with Council, information and representation. The survey also economic, aesthetic and cultural conditions compares Council performance against a peer group of councils and a national survey of 1,006 interviews conducted in January 2007 Esplanade Reserve – are strips of Council reserve land, usually 20m wide, located along the edge of rivers, lakes and the sea Community Outcomes – a set of desired states of affairs that the community identified through a process. These outcomes are meant to inform the Esplanade Strip – are pieces of land of defined width (usually 20m) along the development of local authority planning, and coordinate the activities and waters edge. Instead of being transferred to the Council, they remain in the planning of all sectors of the community owner’s possession
Contaminant – includes any substance (including gases, odorous Excessive Noise – means any noise that is under human control and such a compounds, liquids, solids, and micro-organisms) or energy (excluding noise) nature as to unreasonably interfere with the peace, comfort, and convenience or heat, that either by itself or in combination with the same, similar, or other of any person (other than a person in or at the place from which the noise is substances, energy, or heat – being emitted), but does not include any noise emitted by any aircraft being operated during or immediately before/after flight; vehicle being driven on a
88 | Glossary our district – our environment road; or train, other than when being tested (when stationary), maintained, NZHPT – means the New Zealand Historic Places Trust Pouhere Taonga loaded or unloaded Pressure Indicators – means the indicators of environmental pressure from Greenfield Subdivision – means land in the Residential zone that has not human activity (directly or indirectly). Pressure indicators are used to predict previously been subdivided for urban purposes future environmental issues and trends that may need a new or modified policy response Indicator – an information tool, summarising data on an environmental issue to indicate a status and/or trend in order to assess performance Pressure-State-Response Model – is a framework by which information on the environment is organised according to whether it tells us about the Indigenous Vegetation – means any naturally occurring association of pressures on the environment, state of the environment, and society’s indigenous plant species, and includes indigenous forest responses to environmental problems. The PSR model was developed by the OECD Infill Subdivision – means the subdivision of land previously subdivided for urban purposes RMA – means the Resource Management Act 1991, and its amendments
Infrastructure – utility networks, links and parts of facility systems, such as State Indicators – means indicators of environmental conditions resulting transport infrastructure (roads, rail, parking etc) or water system infrastructure from human activities. Response indicators demonstrate the community’s (pipes, pumps, treatment works etc) response to environmental pressures and conditions and give some indication as to their perceived importance Legal Covenant – means a covenant with Council under the Reserves Act 1977, an open Space Covenant with the QEII National Trust, or a covenant Response Indicators – means indicators of societal responses to with the Department of Conservation under the Conservation Act 1987 environmental conditions. Response indicators demonstrate the community’s response to environmental pressures and conditions and give some indication Long Term Council Community Plan (LTCCP) – a plan, covering at least as to their perceived importance ten years, adopted under section 93 of the Local Government Act 2002, that describes the activities the local authority will engage in over the life of the Tangata Whenua – people of the land – in relation to a particular area, plan, why the local authority plans to engage in those activities and how those means the iwi or hapu that holds a contemporary association to that area activities will be funded Urban Growth Area – planned growth areas for housing and service Local Authority – a territorial authority or regional council as defined by the Local Government Act 2002 State of the Environment Report – means a report providing a ‘snapshot’ overview of the state of the environment and the key environmental issues Natural Area – means any wetland, lake or river and its margin, any area of facing the District through a list of indicator measures indigenous vegetation, or any other outstanding natural feature
Nodal Area – means any land within the Feilding, Rangiwahia or Hiwinui subdivision nodes identified in Appendix 5A of the District Plan and any land within 1km of Colyton, Taikorea Hall, Glen Oroua School, Apiti Village Zone boundary, Utuwai School, Pohangina Hall, Rongotea Village Zone boundary, Bunnythorpe Village Zone boundary, Cheltenham Village Zone boundary, Sanson Village Zone boundary, Kimbolton Village Zone boundary, Halcombe Village Zone boundary, and Waituna West School
our district – our environment Glossary | 89 AAppppeennddiixx OOnnee
Indicators for Manawatu District Council’s State of the Environment Monitoring
Reported within Reported within Parameter Monitoring Indicator 2002 SOE 2007 SOE Demographics Pressure Indicators Current population Estimated population Projected population Population distribution Gender Age distribution Ethnicity Birthplace Languages spoken Labour Force Occupations Industry Household income Education Ownership of dwellings Dwelling numbers People per household Family type Household Composition State Indicators Satisfaction as a place to live Resident’s neighbourhood as a place to live Manawatu District as a place to live Response indicators None
90 | Appendix One our district – our environment Reported within Reported within Parameter Monitoring Indicator 2002 SOE 2007 SOE Land Use and Subdivision Pressure Indicators Number of new urban dwelling building consents Number of new rural dwelling building consents Number of consents for activities not provided for in the Plan Amount of rural land converted to rural subdivision nodes Feilding Locality Rangiwahia Locality Hiwinui Locality Average size of new subdivision lots for each zone in the District Number of home occupations in the residential zone Number of noise complaints received by Council Number of consents for setback and separation distance infringements – rural, residential, village and industrial zones Number of consents for bulk and location in residential and village zone (site coverage and height) State Indicators Amount of land used for forestry Amount of land used for horticulture/cropping Amount of vacant residential land Amount of vacant industrial land Background noise levels (Feilding and other locations) Response Indicators Location of primary growth areas, as identified through the Urban Growth study Response to noise complaints by type (ie. response time, number of warnings issued, number of confiscations) Biodiversity Pressure Indicators Number of native timber harvesting permits granted and area of harvesting Remaining wetlands (ha) State Indicators Tenure of bush and wetlands – crown, QEII, covenants Areas of significant indigenous vegetation and habitats identified in the District Plan Number and location of endangered species Aquatic biodiversity – number and location of endangered aquatic species.
our district – our environment Appendix One | 91 Reported within Reported within Parameter Monitoring Indicator 2002 SOE 2007 SOE Response Indicators QEII covenants in process Uptake of the MDC funds programme Number and location of Reserve Management Plans and whether or not implementation has achieved objectives Coastal Environment Pressure Indicators Number of subdivisions in the coastal environment Total area of land rezoned from Rural 1 or Rural 2 to Rural Subdivision Node, Village or Residential by plan change Number of resource consents within the coastal environment State Indicators Water quality at coastal bathing beach locations Number of days there are closures or restrictions placed on shellfish stocks and mataitai Areas of significant vegetation and habitats within the coastal environment in the District Plan Response Indicators Number of days the coastal bathing beaches are closed ie. guideline values have been exceeded) Number of significant indigenous areas currently seeking protection Water Quality Pressure Indicators Number of discharge to water consents issued by Horizons Regional Council for discharges in the Manawatu District Number and location of discharge to water consents held by Manawatu District Council State Indicators Number of instances in which river water quality at popular swimming areas fails to meet guideline values for the following water quality parameters: Entercocci levels, water clarity, ammonia levels, dissolved reactive phosphorus, dissolved oxygen, water temperature Water quality in the District’s significant rivers, wetlands, lakes and lagoons (Appendix 1A) Response Indicators Improvements to Manawatu District Council water treatment plants Money spent
92 | Appendix One our district – our environment Reported within Reported within Parameter Monitoring Indicator 2002 SOE 2007 SOE Improvements to Manawatu District Council sewage treatment plants Money spent Quality of discharges Infringements/prosecutions made under the Manawatu District Council trade waste bylaws Riparian planting initiatives Money spent Length or riverbank planted Number of farmers involved in the Clean Streams Accord Water Use Pressure Indicators Domestic water consumption – annual Feilding water use (per person average) Urban Water consumption – industrial use m3 per day Number, location, and type of water supply sources managed by Manawatu District Council State Indicators Quality of water pipes in urban areas Quality of water supply – compliance with the drinking water standards Response Indicators None Parks and Reserves Pressure Indicators Access for tangata whenua to food gathering sites Number of people using walkways Number of people using the following District recreation facilities: Makino Pool (annual entry) Feilding Library (number of card holders) Civic Centre (number of events held annually and ticket sales) Manfeild (number of events held annually and ticket sales) State Indicators Location, area and type of reserves/parks Number and area of existing esplanade reserves and strips in the District Parks (ha/person) Percentage of land in total District in Parks/Reserves Amount of land purchased by Council for recreation or reserve purpose
our district – our environment Appendix One | 93 Reported within Reported within Parameter Monitoring Indicator 2002 SOE 2007 SOE Response Indicators Number and area of new esplanade reserves/strips created Number of reserves with reserve management plans Progress made towards implementation of the reserve management plans (number of objectives achieved) Completion of a recreation needs analysis Progress made towards implementation of the recreation needs analysis (number of objectives achieved) Completion of an Open Space Framework (2006) and progress towards its implementation (number of objectives achieved) Solid Waste Pressure Indicators Tonnage of waste to each transfer station Composition of waste at each transfer station Tonnage of waste to recycling stations in the Village Zone Number of abandoned cars Number of fly tipping incidents State Indicators Amount of recycling at transfer stations Amount of recycling through kerbside services Amount green waste composted Response Indicators Complaints of rubbish and litter Hazardous Substances Pressure Indicators Call outs to hazards substances spills State Indicators None Response Indicators None Contaminated Sites Pressure Indicators Number of known or potentially known contaminated sites State Indicators Number of confirmed contaminated sites requiring remediation Number of contaminated sites where no action is required
94 | Appendix One our district – our environment Reported within Reported within Parameter Monitoring Indicator 2002 SOE 2007 SOE Number of contaminated sites where further investigation is necessary Number of contaminated sites that have been remediated Response Indicators None Natural Hazards Pressure Indicators Number of land use consents granted for new houses in Flood Channel 1 Number of land use consents granted for new houses in Flood Channel 2 Number of land use consents granted for new houses in land subject to inundation (Appendix 6) Number of subdivisions in floodable areas State Indicators Number of major natural hazard events Number and age of houses affected by flooding Area of land instability – hill country erosion risk Area of land instability – lowland erosion risk Number of earthquake-prone buildings in the District Response Indicators Number, location and size of new flood protection works Number of times a civil emergency is declared Progress towards implementation of the Civil Defence Emergency Management Plan (number of objectives achieved) Reports commissioned by Council on hazard events Uptake of funds for improving earthquake-prone buildings/policy Number of approved applications Money awarded Natural and Cultural Heritage Pressure Indicators Number of consents to modify or destroy heritage sites/buildings Number of consents for the removal of trees with heritage value (Appendix 1D) Number of applications to the Historic Places Trust for authority to disturb sites State Indicators Number of archaeological sites recorded Number of recorded waahi tapu sites or objects of cultural heritage to tangata whenua Number of trees with heritage value in the District
our district – our environment Appendix One | 95 Reported within Reported within Parameter Monitoring Indicator 2002 SOE 2007 SOE Number of heritage sites/buildings Response Indicators Number of consents granted for works within the Heritage Precinct (Appendix 4A) Implementation of the Heritage precinct design guideline Development and implementation of Heritage Incentive Strategies Number and types of incentives available Number awarded Money awarded Transport Pressure Indicators Vehicles per household Heavy vehicles as a percentage of total traffic State Indicators Vehicle counts for arterial roads Method of travel to work Number and location of accidents Total length of road in district Length of cycleways and cycle tracks within the District Response Indicators Development of traffic management strategies or cycle plans
96 | Appendix One our district – our environment AAppppeennddiixx TTwwoo
Population Distribution within the Manawatu District
4000
3500
3000
2500
2000
1500 No ofResidents No 1000
500
0
Area Unit
our district – our environment Appendix Two | 97 AAppppeennddiixx TThhrreeee
Land Use Consents Approved for Activities not Provided for in the District Plan
98 | Appendix Three our district – our environment AAppppeennddiixx FFoouurr
Noise Monitoring Results for the Manawatu District (July 2005 to April 2006)
Location Land Use Period Date Time Average L95
Day 0700-2200 43.4 Weekday Night 2200-0700 34.4 Drake St, Feilding Feilding Residential – Industrial 1 Autumn/Winter 26 Jul - 1 Aug 05 Day 0700-2200 40.6 Weekend Night 2200-0700 33.6 Day 0700-2200 41.6 Weekday Night 2200-0700 43.1 Himatangi Village Zone - Future Development Autumn/Winter 8 Aug – 18 Aug 05 Day 0700-2200 45.4 Weekend Night 2200-0700 45.8 Day 0700-2200 37.4 Weekday Night 2200-0700 31.5 Himatangi Village Zone - Future Development Spring / Summer 19 Jan – 25 Jan 05 Day 0700-2200 38 Weekend Night 2200-0700 36.5 Day 0700-2200 41 Weekday Night 2200-0700 34.8 322 Kellow Road, Rongotea Rural Zone - South Autumn/Winter 9 Jul – 15 Jul 05 Day 0700-2200 44.4 Weekend Night 2200-0700 37.2 Day 0700-2200 42.50 Weekday Night 2200-0700 42.27 Kellow Road, Rongotea Rural Zone - South Spring/Summer 27 Feb – 6 Mar 06 Day 0700-2200 43.35 Weekend Night 2200-0700 42.44 Day 0700-2200 41 Weekday Night 2200-0700 34.8 Kellow Road, Rongotea Rural Zone - South Spring/Summer 27 Feb - 6 Mar 06 Day 0700-2200 44.4 Weekend Night 2200-0700 37.2 Day 0700-2200 49.4 Weekday Night 2200-0700 33.2 Rangitikei Line Transportation (SH 3) Rural Autumn/Winter 5 Apr – 12 Apr 05 Day 0700-2200 47.1 Weekend Night 2200-0700 36
our district – our environment Appendix Four | 99 Location Land Use Period Date Time Average L95
Day 0700-2200 50.1 Weekday Night 2200-0700 38.1 29 Dundas Road, Sanson Village Zone Autumn/Winter 4 Apr - 11 Apr 06 Day 0700-2200 48.8 Weekend Night 2200-0700 36.6 Day 0700 – 2200 45.3 Weekday Night 2200 – 0700 44.8 Finnis Road, Pohangina Village Zone Autumn/Winter 15 May – 19 May 06 Day 0700 – 2200 Not measured Weekend Night 2200 - 0700 Not measured Day 0700-2200 35.38 Weekday Night 2200-0700 29.77 14 Tudor Street, Feilding Feilding Residential North Autumn/Winter 7 Sep – 14 Sep 06 Day 0700-2200 37.33 Weekend Night 2200-0700 30.96 Day 0700 – 2200 40.22 Weekday Night 2200-0700 38.22 9 Windsor Terrace, Feilding Feilding Residential South Autumn/Winter 30 Aug – 6 Sep 06 Day 0700-2200 39.0 Weekend Night 2200-0700 37.3 Day 0700 – 2200 37.56 Weekday Night 2200-0700 28.31 Owen Street, Feilding Residential/Industrial Interface Summer/Autumn 22 Mar – 27 Mar 07 Day 0700-2200 30.66 Weekend Night 2200-0700 29.01 Day 0700 – 2200 41.00 Weekday Night 2200-0700 30.48 CBD Feilding CBD Autumn/Winter 10 May – 15 May 07 Day 0700-2200 38.34 Weekend Night 2200-0700 31.66 Day 0700 – 2200 42.55 Weekday Night 2200-0700 44.78 Longburn Village Autumn/Winter 17 May – 24 May 07 Day 0700-2200 44.00 Weekend Night 2200-0700 44.00 Day 0700 – 2200 40.5 Weekday Night 2200-0700 38.2 Hiwinui Rural/Residential – Future Development Spring/Summer 1 Feb – 8 Feb 05 Day 0700-2200 38.5 Weekend Night 2200-0700 38
100 | Appendix Four our district – our environment Location Land Use Period Date Time Average L95
Day 0700 – 2200 51.6 Weekday Night 2200-0700 51.2 Hiwinui Rural/Residential – Future Development Autumn/Winter 29 Sep – 7 Oct 05 Day 0700-2200 51 Weekend Night 2200-0700 51.3
our district – our environment Appendix Four | 101