Proposed Regional Policy Statement for Otago Council Decisions Version APPEALS MARKED IN Text boxes identify the relief sought by each appellant [Provision appealed] relief sought Appellant Change requested [name] Reference in appeal 14 February 2017 Amended From ISBN: 978-0-908324-5 Otago Regional Council Proposed Regional Policy Statement for Otago, Appeals marked against provisions 14 Feb 2017 Chairman’s Foreword This document is Otago’s second Regional Policy Statement. Although the Otago Regional Council is responsible for its production, it is the Otago communities’ document. This time around, we want to look beyond the problems we face in resource management, to the Otago our community would like to see, and be proud to pass on to those who come after us. We have spoken to people throughout Otago to get an idea of what is important for Otago’s future. Predictably, Otago’s resources support a wide range of values for our communities, and we’ll need to work together to guide Otago’s prosperity and development. The Treaty partnership between the Crown and Kāi Tahu is a vital part of this collaborative effort. Kāi Tahu have been kaitiaki for Otago’s resources for hundreds of years, and we value their guidance and input. We will have some big changes and challenges to work through, such as the effects of climate change, and balancing land use intensification with the ongoing health of our land and water. However, focusing only on the problems at hand risks missing the opportunities that present themselves and neglecting the bigger picture. We need to watch the road, but we also need to know where we’re headed. Thank you to all of those who have provided comments through the review process and assisted to prepare this document. It now remains for the wider Otago community to have their say and we welcome your feedback through the submission process. Together we can create a Regional Policy Statement that benefits all of Otago’s communities now, and into the future. Stephen Woodhead Chairman Otago Regional Council Otago Regional Council Proposed Regional Policy Statement for Otago, Appeals marked against provisions 14 Feb 2017 Contents Chairman’s Foreword ........................................................................................................................ ii PART A: Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 1 Overview ............................................................................................................................... 1 The Otago Region ......................................................................................................................... 1 Kāi Tahu – The Treaty Partner....................................................................................................... 4 RPS Framework ............................................................................................................................. 8 PART B Chapter 1: Resource management in Otago is integrated .................................................. 10 Chapter overview: ............................................................................................................................ 10 Objective 1.1: Recognise and provide for the integrated management of natural and physical resources to support the wellbeing of people and communities in Otago ......... 11 Issue: ............................................................................................................................. 11 Policy 1.1.1 Integrated resource management....................................................................... 11 Policy 1.1.2 Economic wellbeing ............................................................................................ 11 Policy 1.1.3 Social and cultural wellbeing and health and safety ........................................... 12 Principal Reasons and Explanation: ............................................................................................ 15 PART B Chapter 2: Kāi Tahu values and interests are recognised and kaitiakitaka is expressed .... 16 Chapter overview: ............................................................................................................................ 17 Objective 2.1: The principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi are taken into account in resource management processes and decisions ................................................................ 18 Issue: ............................................................................................................................. 18 Policy 2.1.1 Treaty obligations ................................................................................................ 18 Policy 2.1.2 Treaty principles .................................................................................................. 18 Principal Reasons and Explanation: ............................................................................................ 19 Objective 2.2: Kāi Tahu values, interests and customary resources are recognised and provided for ........................................................................................................................ 20 Issue: ............................................................................................................................. 20 Policy 2.2.1 Kāi Tahu wellbeing ............................................................................................... 20 Policy 2.2.2 Recognising sites of cultural significance ............................................................ 21 Policy 2.2.3 Wāhi tūpuna and associated sites ....................................................................... 21 Policy 2.2.4 Sustainable use of Māori land ............................................................................. 22 Principal Reasons and Explanation: ............................................................................................ 22 Otago Regional Council Proposed Regional Policy Statement for Otago, Appeals marked against provisions 14 Feb 2017 PART B Chapter 3: Otago has high quality natural resources and ecosystems ............................... 23 Chapter overview: ............................................................................................................................ 23 Objective 3.1: The values of Otago’s natural resources are recognised, maintained and ......... enhanced ............................................................................................................. 25 Issue: ............................................................................................................................. 26 Policy 3.1.1 Fresh water .......................................................................................................... 26 Policy 3.1.2 Beds of rivers, lakes, wetlands, and their margins .............................................. 30 Policy 3.1.3 Water allocation and use ..................................................................................... 33 Policy 3.1.4 Water shortage .................................................................................................... 33 Policy 3.1.6 Air quality ............................................................................................................ 35 Policy 3.1.7 Soil values ............................................................................................................ 36 Policy 3.1.8 Soil erosion .......................................................................................................... 39 Policy 3.1.9 Ecosystems and indigenous biological diversity .................................................. 39 Policy 3.1.10 Natural features, landscapes, and seascapes ...................................................... 42 Policy 3.1.11 Natural character in the coastal environment .................................................... 44 Policy 3.1.12 Environmental enhancement .............................................................................. 44 Principal Reasons and Explanation: ............................................................................................ 45 Objective 3.2: Otago’s significant and highly-valued natural resources are identified, and protected or enhanced ........................................................................................ 46 Issue: ............................................................................................................................. 46 Policy 3.2.1 Identifying significant vegetation and habitats ................................................... 47 Policy 3.2.2 Managing significant vegetation and habitats .................................................... 48 Policy 3.2.3 Identifying outstanding natural features, landscapes and seascapes ................. 51 Policy 3.2.4 Managing outstanding natural features, landscapes and seascapes .................. 51 Policy 3.2.5 Identifying highly valued natural features, landscapes and seascapes ............... 56 Policy 3.2.6 Managing highly valued natural features, landscapes and seascapes ................ 57 Policy 3.2.7 Landward extent of the coastal environment ..................................................... 60 Policy 3.2.8 Identifying high and outstanding natural character in the coastal environment 61 Policy 3.2.9 Managing the outstanding natural character of the coastal environment ......... 62 Policy 3.2.10 Managing the high natural character