Guidance to people and groups making submissions on the Proposed New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement
Submission Requirements
Submissions on the Proposed National Coastal Policy Statement (NZCPS) close on 7 May 2008. Any person may make a submission on the proposal. You may do so by sending a written submission to:
Board of Inquiry - Proposed New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement
C/- The Department of Conservation
PO Box 10 420
WELLINGTON 6143
Submissions may also be emailed to email (submissions.nzcps@doc.govt.nz ).
Your submission should state whether you support or oppose the proposal; any changes that you want made; and reasons for your views. Your submission must state whether or not you wish to be heard on the submission.
Your submission should include your name, postal address, phone number and (if applicable) email address.
Submission forms are available here.
Additional guidance on the submission-making process has been obtained by EDS from the hearings panel and is available here.
Submission Contents
The NZCPS is a very important document in the hierarchy of resource management policies and plans. It sets out objectives and policies for the coast on matters of national significance. All regional and district level policies and plans under the Resource Management Act 1991 must give effect to the NZCPS.
The proposed 2008 NZCPS will replace the existing 1994 NZCPS which has been rather ineffective in giving clear direction about coastal planning and management. This has been in part because it has not been followed by district councils and consent authorities (poor practice) and also because it was a first generation NZCPS and was not as directive as it might have been.
The opportunity is now open to community groups and individuals to submit on the proposed 2008 NZCPS. In making submissions, EDS suggests that the following high level considerations should be included.
1. Mapping of areas of the New Zealand coast where preservation is of national importance (no subdivision, construction of major infrastructure or urban development).
2. Mapping of areas of the coast considered suitable for low density development (subdivision where the average minimum lot size is above 20 hectares).
3. Mapping of areas of the coast already compromised by development and considered suitable for more development (subdivision to urban residential standards).
4. Policies that encourage restoration of the coast by planting native vegetation and creating natural habitats such as wetlands.
5. Policies that will ensure the preservation of areas considered to be of national importance for preservation.
6. Policies that encourage long term certainty over future land use through mechanisms such as covenants.
7. Policies that will ensure high standards in terms of landscape and biodiversity conservation for areas considered suitable for low density development (up to say 20 hectares).
8. Policies that will establish firm urban limits and ensure high standards of urban design in areas considered suitable for further urban development.
9. Policies that will ensure that members of the public will have effective access to and along the coast
10. Clear subdivision policies which will discourage the creation of new lots in excess of foreseeable demand
An article written by EDS's Senior Policy Analyst Raewyn Peart provides further information and ideas about the draft proposed NZCPS and is available here.
EDS's comments on the Issues and Options Paper prepared by the Department of Conservation during the review of the NZCPS provides further background material and is available
here.
EDS will be making substantive submissions on the draft itself. Donations to assist EDS in this exercise would be very welcome and can be made on-line.
