May 2008

Submissions on the proposed New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement (NZCPS) close on Wednesday 7 May 2008. As you will be aware, a Board of Inquiry has been established to consider submissions, hear from submitters and prepare a report and recommendations on the proposed NZCPS to the Minister for Conservation. The Minister will then consider the Board's report and may or may not make any changes to the proposed NZCPS.

The purpose of the NZCPS is to achieve the purpose of the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) in relation to the coastal environment (section 56). The policy statement is mandatory and is prepared as for other national policy statements, except that the process is carried out by the Minister for Conservation (section 57). Section 58 of the RMA sets out a range of matters that may be included in a NZCPS.

It is important to note that in its current form the proposed NZCPS differs considerably from the 1994 NZCPS, with significant implications for local authorities in relation to coastal management.

Key matters in the proposed NZCPS include:

• Local authorities are to amend their policy statements and plans to give effect to the NZCPS as soon as practicable and no later than five years from gazettal, with lesser time frames in relation to Restricted Coastal Activities, Coastal Occupational Charges, and Maui Dolphin Habitat.
  
• Policies on integrated management across the MHWS and other boundaries.
  
• New policies on appropriate (and inappropriate) subdivision and development in the coastal environment, including policies directing local authorities to identify where the subdivision and development of coastal land is appropriate and the form of such subdivision and development.
  
• Policies on financial contributions.
  
• New policy on reclamations.
  
• New policy and schedule on coastal occupational charges, with the requirement to amend regional coastal plans within 12 months after gazettal of the NZCPS.
  
• Policies on the Crown's interest in relation to infrastructure, renewable energy and aquaculture projects.
  
• Policy on the protection of surf breaks of national importance.
  
• Policies on natural character, landscape and biodiversity protection.
  
• Maui Dolphin policy.
  
• Public access policies, relating to maintenance and enhancement of public access to and along the coast, walking access and vehicle access.
  
• New policies on water quality, including on mixing zones for discharges and management of stormwater discharges.
  
• Revised coastal hazard management policies.
  
• New policies on protection of historic heritage.

We recommend that you consider the proposed NZCPS (see http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/page.aspx?id=45969) and make a submission.