Possible structure for a combined regional plan
Structural component |
Comments |
|---|---|
Frontispiece
|
Single page at the very front of the plan carrying information on what the plan is to be called, information as to which version of the plan this document is, and the legal status of the plan. The reverse side could carry publishing information and references to other key documents. |
Contents Page |
Key navigational tools for the plan, need to be easy to find so they are placed up front. There should be sufficient detail to demonstrate the plan structure and where key topics or provisions can be found. |
Plan Purpose
|
Provides the reader with a quick explanation as to the mandate for the plan, what it can cover by law, and how it fits in with other documents (LTCCP, RPS, other plans, section 32 reports, monitoring reports). This section is considered useful but is not mandatory. |
Definitions Glossary [optional - see note regarding status] |
Definition of key terms used in the objectives, policies and rules of the plan arranged alphabetically. A glossary of terms defined in legislation may precede or follow the definitions section. If a glossary is included be clear that it does not have the status of being part of the plan but is a resource provided for the benefit of readers (ie, explanatory). |
Issues Overview:
|
Short section outlining the origin of issues in the plan and how they interrelate. This section is considered useful but is not mandatory. |
[Tangata Whenua] [World View] [Issues] [Objectives] [Policies] |
Optional separate chapter for those councils that have chosen to have a chapter dealing specifically with tangata whenua values and concerns. This chapter could include either an overview of tangata whenua values and concerns that contains details as to how the plan manages these, or a more fulsome policy framework. |
[Regional Policy Statement] [Significant Issues For The Region] [Objectives] [Policies] |
The RPS could be inserted in here for those councils that have chosen to combine their RPS and regional plans. The document must clearly identify that these are the provisions of the RPS. |
Region-wide issues, objectives and policies: Air
Coastal
Hazards
Integration of infrastructure and land use
Soil
Water
|
This section contains the policy framework for issues that are found throughout the region. Issues are grouped according to the resources or topics areas to which they related. Each resource or topic is arranged alphabetically. The topics shown are for example purposes only but do reflect regional council areas of responsibility. The issues of this section should be the same, or a refinement of the issues notes in the 'Issues Overview ' section (if the plan contains that section). |
Issues, objectives and policies related to certain districts, specific zones or areas [if any] Issues Specific To Districts Haumuri District
Wairaki District
Issues Specific To Management Areas Tohatoha Geothermal Field Management Area
|
This section contains the policy framework for issues that are limited in their geographic distribution and impact to discrete and identifiable areas of the region. These chapters can be left out of plan if there are no issues specific only to certain districts or management areas. Following the 'general ' before 'specific ' principle, any issues related directly to individual districts are listed before issues that are related to regional council defined management areas or environments (on the assumption that the latter are smaller in scale). The order in which districts or management areas are listed is alphabetical. Issues within are then listed according to the resource they relate to, which each resource also listed in alphabetical order. |
Region -wide Rules Air
Coastal
Hazards
Integration of infrastructure and land use
Land
Soil
Water
|
This section of the plan contains rules for managing the issues that apply across the city or district. Rules are arranged under issue or topics alphabetically for ease of reference. Cross-references within rules link back to issues, objectives and policies as necessary. (see notes regarding cross-references under this table) |
District/ Zone / area-specific Rules [if any] Rules Specific To Certain Districts Haumuri District
Wairaki District
Rules Specific To Management Areas Tohatoha Geothermal Field Management Area
|
Zone or area-specific rules are grouped according to each geographic area they are specific to. All zones or areas are listed in alphabetical order to enable them to be found easily in tables of contents etc. The names shown in this document are examples only. Councils are able to select those that best reflect their city or district. |
Schedules [or Appendices]
|
Schedules or appendices may contain information that is too large, in a format that does not fit with the general format of the plan, or which provides assistance in understanding plan provisions. Copies of Statutory Acknowledgement could be inserted here for example. |
Maps
|
Maps are in a separate volume to allow them to open alongside plan provisions and printed on paper of a different size. Maps are arranged so that the largest scale and more general maps are place first and the smaller-scale and more detailed maps toward the back. |
Notes as to cross-referencing
The combined plan model presents a number of challenges due its complexity. The format above means that prospective consent applicants will be looking at provisions from either a topic orientated or geographic location point perspective (or both).
Extensive use of explanatory notes and cross-references would most likely be required to:
- ensure that those who are looking at provisions related to a particular district or management area are also referred back to region-wide provisions that apply.
- that those who are looking at provisions in the region-wide chapters are also referred to any district-specific or management area provisions that also apply.
