New coastal plan for Bay of Plenty

Pilot Bay. Photo/file

The voice of the people has helped reshaped a new coastal plan for the Bay of Plenty.

Regional direction and delivery committee chair Paula Thompson said feedback from the 194 submissions that Regional Council received on the Proposed Bay of Plenty Regional Coastal Environment Plan had been valuable.

"It's shaped changes to rules and policies about protecting natural areas, managing mangroves, recognising cultural values, and providing for economic development and recreation".

The changes were approved by the Committee on August 20 and were publicly released today.

"There's now an opportunity for submitters to appeal to the Environment Court on our plan decisions, so it may be another 12 months before the new coastal plan can be finalised and replace the existing 2003 plan," councillor Thompson said.

Regional Council is required by the Resource Management Act to prepare a regional coastal plan that sets rules, policies and objectives for the coastal marine area (from mean high water springs to 12 nautical miles out to sea).

The plan controls activities such as construction of marinas and seawalls, dredging, mangrove removal and discharges to the coastal marine area. It informs city and district plans and guides Regional Council's work and resource consent decisions, relating to the protection and use of the coastal marine area and the wider coastal environment including sand dunes, rocky coast, coastal cliffs and wetlands.

A summary outlining the key changes to the Proposed Regional Coastal Environment Plan is available at www.boprc.govt.nz/newcoastalplan. The full Hearings Committee report and supporting documents are available to view online or by phoning 0800 884 880.