Important infrastructure and renewable energy are key areas of concern for our communities, as are the ways we deal with waste, hazardous substances and contaminated land.
These issues cross over all the resource themes so are addressed in an integrated manner at the start of the proposed One Plan.
Some infrastructure, including developments associated with renewable energy, is regionally and nationally important and provides significant community benefit. At the same time it is important that the associated environmental effects are well managed. The proposed One Plan sets out policy acknowledging important infrastructure and how we will make decisions about it to ensure the benefits and effects are balanced and managed appropriately.
The proposed One Plan recognises the need to focus on the full life cycle of waste from generation to disposal, and that waste is a wasted resource. We need to make sure we reduce the amount of waste being created and continue to improve on methods of management and disposal (so we don’t end up with any more areas of contaminated land). New requirements mean consent applicants will have to assess disposal alternatives if they wish to discharge waste to air, land, water, or the coast.