Issue 3-1: Infrastructure and other physical resources of regional or national importance

There is potential for concerns about local adverse effects to prevail over recognition of the regional and national benefits of establishing infrastructure and other physical resources of regional or national importance. There is also potential for other activities to constrain the operation*, maintenance* or upgrading* of infrastructure and other physical resources of regional or national importance.

Issue 3-2: Energy

Energy conservation and energy efficiency are important but on their own will not be sufficient to meet future energy demands. If consumption of non-renewable energy resources is to be reduced or avoided, there will need to be an increase in the use of renewable energy resources. However, there are functional, operational and technical factors that constrain the location, layout, design and generation potential of renewable energy facilities.

Issue 3-3: The strategic integration of infrastructure with land use

Urban development that is not strategically planned can result in the piecemeal and inefficient provision of associated infrastructure.

Issue 3-4: Adverse effects from urban growth and rural residential subdivision on versatile soils

Urban growth and rural residential subdivision (“lifestyle blocks”), on versatile soils may result in those soils no longer being available for use as production land. These development pressures often occur on the fringes of some of the Region's urban areas, most notably Palmerston North.

Issue 3-5: Waste*, hazardous substances* and contaminated land

The increasing production of waste* and use of hazardous substances* in the Region has resulted in:

  1. wasted resources and an increasing need for appropriate disposal
  2. potential for the unsafe use, storage, disposal and transportation of hazardous substances*
  3. potential for land becoming contaminated to the point it poses a risk to people and the environment.