What research is needed for a District Plan Review?

In order to carry out a robust and efficient review of the district plan we need to ensure we have researched all the issues around the district plan’s guiding principles and rules.  We need to know what our natural and physical resources are, what condition they are in, how vulnerable they are to adverse effects, and what demands are being placed on them by current and anticipated future activities and growth.
In other words, we need to know what we have, how precious it is, and how best to manage it for the future.
A well developed base of information and facts about the environment, and particularly the local environment is essential.  Issues about environmental effects can only be identified through research and analysis, monitoring and consultation, and not simply by a ‘feeling’ or a ‘hunch’.

Facts form the basis and justification of the contents of a plan and enable policy to be developed in an informed way.  As part of the review of the district plan, research is needed to identify:

• Natural and cultural heritage;
• Natural and physical resources and their condition;
• Outstanding natural features and landscapes;
• Patterns and trends of land-use and development;
• Future demands on resources;
• Resource management threats, issues and solutions;
• Natural hazards; and
• Limitations and constraints on land-use.

Using existing research

Much of the information is already available as a result of ongoing environmental monitoring, or projects completed by the Council and others such as Environment Waikato (EW).  For instance, EW monitors air and water quality for parts of the district.  Recent building, subdivision and resource consents are a useful source of information about patterns of land-use.

Landscape Assessments

The South Waikato District Landscape Assessment is well underway.  The landscape assessments identify outstanding natural features and landscapes, as well as defining landscape areas and units that future policy development needs to consider.

Built Heritage Inventory

The Built Heritage Inventory for the District has been completed recently and further work is planned to ensure that all of the relevant buildings have been identified.  This work will identify buildings and structures that have heritage value and recommend mechanisms for their protection.

Significant Natural Areas Study

This assessment of the importance of the areas of significant indigenous vegetation and habitats of indigenous fauna builds upon similar work done by Environment Waikato.  It provides an information base for Council to decide how best to ensure that these areas are protected and enhanced.
In addition to these projects, a number of other research projects are being planned for completion as part of the district plan review, eg:

• Update of cultural heritage inventories i.e. archaeological sites, historic sites
• Noise surveys in order to set District Plan noise limits that are realistic.