Issue 1:

Discharges of contaminants from agricultural activities into rivers, streams and lakes in the Erehwon Region reduce water quality and can damage aquatic ecosystems by increasing the levels of suspended solids, nutrients and faecal coliforms.

 Objective 1.1 

To reduce the level of suspended solids, nutrients and faecal coliforms in rivers, streams and lakes in the Erehwon Region resulting from discharges from agricultural activities to a level that maintains or enhances aquatic ecosystems.

Policy 1.1.1

All dairy-shed effluent associated with farming activities near a river, stream or lake in the Erehwon Region should be disposed of to land, taking into account:

1. The degree to which topography enables effluent runoff to avoid discharge to surface water bodies;
2. The degree to which weather and soil conditions enable disposal to land all year round;
3. The assimilative capacity of the receiving environment; and
4. The volume of effluent to be discharged.

Refer to objectives 1.1 and 6.2

Policy 1.1.2

Land uses in the rural areas of the Erewhon region should retain or increase the proportion of lake shore and stream and river bank planted with riparian vegetation to act as a barrier or filter for diffuse source discharges and runoff.

Refer to objective 1.1

Issue 2:

Activities on, in, or under the bed of Lake Waeroa, including the building and location of structures, reclamation works, and extraction of gravel, can damage or destroy the ecology of the lake by contributing to erosion, sedimentation, plant life and fish spawning areas.

Objective 2.1

To avoid further erosion or sedimentation of Lake Waeroa and the Lake Waeroa bed and damage to the ecology of the lake arising from activities that build, locate or operate on, in or under the lake bed.

Refer to issues 2 and 6

Policy 2.1.1

Structures and activities in, on, or under the bed of Lake Waeroa should be located, operated and managed in such a way that avoids:

1. Damage or destruction to the habitat of aquatic and terrestrial flora and fauna including fish;
2. Erosion or accretion of the lake bed or shoreline;
3. Exposure or destabilisation of existing structures on the bed or shoreline;
4. A decrease in water quality.

Refer to objectives 2.1

Policy 2.1.2

Any man-made disturbance to the bed of Lake Waeroa should be carried out in a location and at a time that will avoid or mitigate any adverse effects on fish spawning or migration.

Issue 1:

Intensification of land use and development in the rural environment of Whatsup District can adversely affect the visual and scenic character, and health, safety and enjoyment of residents by changing the appearance of the area and increasing noise, vibration and traffic.

Objective 1.1

To retain and protect the significant landscape features and ecological areas that contribute to the scenic character of the Whatsup District rural environment.

Objective 1.2

To ensure that new development is consistent with, and does adversely affect, the open, small scale development, character of the Whatsup District rural environment.

Policy 1.1.1

All new development in the rural environment of the Whatsup District should be located in a position, or in such a way, that avoids adverse visual impacts on identified significant landscape features and ecological areas. 

Refer to objective 1.1 and Annex B.

Policy 1.2.1

All new development in the Whatsup District rural environment should be of the same small scale and low density that constitutes the predominant character of the rural environment.

Issue 2:

Noise from the Whatamata International Airport can have an adverse effect on the health and wellbeing of people living in the expanding suburb Whatamata West.

Objective 2.1

To enable the continued operation of the Whatamata International Airport while ensuring the noise received by people living or working in Whatamata West is maintained at a level that does not compromise their health and wellbeing.

Policy 2.1.1

Ground based activities and the operation of aircraft that is not immediately before or after flight should be managed to avoid adversely affect health and wellbeing of existing areas of Whatamata West.

Refer to objective 2.1

Policy 2.2.1

New activities, land use and development around the Whatamata International airport should:

1. be of a type that is unaffected by the noise generated by aircraft; or
2. incorporate measures that reduce the adverse effects of the noise being received to levels that do not result in adverse effects on human health and wellbeing.