KEY POINTS:
The public is being invited to make submissions to a board of inquiry on a policy statement that will guide councils on how to manage coastal development.
Conservation Minister Steve Chadwick appointed the board to carry out public consultation on the draft New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement.
This document acts as a guide to management of the coastline under the Resource Management Act.
Examples of what the statement requires councils to do include protecting surf breaks of national importance, reducing impacts on endangered species, working with iwi to protect aspects of the coastline, and principles to guide coastal subdivisions - for instance reduce ribbon developments or destruction of natural values.
The public has until May 7 to make submissions to the board of inquiry. Public hearings would be held later this year.
- NZPA
