17.2 Policies

Policy 17-1: Consent decision-making for activities in, on, under or over the beds^ of rivers^ and lakes^ (including modified watercourses but excluding artificial watercourses*)

When making decisions on resource consent^ applications, and setting consent conditions^, for activities in, on, under or over the bed^ of a river^ or lake^ (including modified watercourses but excluding artificial watercourses*) the Regional Council must:

1.  have regard to the extent to which the activity is consistent with best management practices,
2. seek to avoid where reasonably practicable any adverse effects^ on any other lawful activity in, on, under or over the bed^ of the river^ or lake^, including existing structures^,
3. have regard to whether the activity is of a temporary nature or is associated with necessary maintenance* work,
4. have regard to the objectives and policies of Chapters 2, 3, 5, 6, 9 and 12 to the extent that they are relevant to the activity, and
5. have regard to the matters in Policy 14-9.

Policy 17-2: Consent decision-making for activities in artificial watercourses*

When making decisions on resource consent^ applications, and setting consent conditions^, for activities on land^ in an artificial watercourse* the Regional Council must:

1. have regard to the purpose for which the artificial watercourse* was established,
2. in circumstances where the artificial watercourse* joins a river^ or lake^, have regard to the policies relating to the beds^ of rivers^ and lakes^ in Section 5.4.4,
3. seek to avoid, remedy or mitigate adverse effects on any significant ecosystems intrinsic to the artificial watercourse*,
4. manage the activity in accordance with (a), (c) and (d) of Policy 17-1, and
5. have regard to the matters in Policy 14-9.

Policy 17-3: Gravel extraction

Having regard to Policies 5-22 to 5-25, activities in, on, under or over the beds^ of rivers^ and lakes^ that enable gravel extraction will generally be allowed provided that:

1. The long term average annual volume of gravel available for extraction from those rivers^ and river^ reaches listed in Table 17.1 must be limited to the quantities stated in the table, unless:
   1. there is a demonstrable river^ management need to increase or decrease this volume, or
   2. the gravel extraction is necessary to decrease the risk of flooding or damage to structures^, or
   3. future information establishes that actual sustainable rates of gravel extraction are higher or lower than those in Table 17.1 taking into account the cumulative volumes being extracted, the natural rates of replenishment and the effects^, including cumulative effects, of extraction.
2. For any river^ or river^ reach not specified in Table 17.1, the effects^ of the cumulative volume of gravel being extracted on an annual
   basis in the river^ reaches must be considered, including matters in relation to:
   1. the natural rates of gravel replenishment,
   2. the effects^, including cumulative effects^, of the gravel extraction,
   3. demonstrable river^ management needs, and 
   4. the need to decrease the risk of flooding or damage to structures^.
3. For the purposes of this policy “annual” is defined as 1 July to 30 June the following year.

Table 17.1 Long term average annual allocable volumes of gravel

River or Reach Volume (m3)	Volume (m3);
Kawhatau River	20,000
Makino Stream	3,000
Makuriiti Stream	3,000
Manawatū River
From 1 km upstream of Ngawapurua Bridge to source	20,000
1 km upstream to 2.5 km downstream of Ngawapurua Bridge	No extraction
2.5 km downstream of Ngawapurua Bridge to Ballance Bridge	15,000
Manawatū Gorge to Karere Rd	2,500
Karere Rd to Hamilton’s Line	15,000
Hamilton’s Line to Oroua confluence [2007 to 2009]	20,000
Hamilton’s Line to Oroua confluence [2009 onwards] the 2 km aggrading reach between 39 Miles (NZMS 260 S24:212-832) and Benchmark 643 (NZMS 260 S24:226-830)	17,500
Hamilton’s Line to Oroua confluence [2009 onwards] the 2 km aggrading reach between BM 604 (NZMS 260 S24:206-833) and BM 622 (NZMS 260 S24:207-826)	35,000
Mangahao River	15,000
Mangatainoka River	15,000
Ōhau River
Upstream of a point 1 km above SH 1 bridge	5,000
Downstream of a point 1 km above SH 1 bridge	10,000
Oroua River
Upstream of Menzies Ford	10,000
Downstream of Menzies Ford	55,000
Oroua River
Upstream of Menzies Ford	10,000
Downstream of Menzies Ford	55,000
Pohangina River	25,000
Rangitīkei River
Makahikatoa Stream to Mangarere Road bridge	15,000
Mangarere Road bridge to Rewa	25,000
Rewa to 7 km downstream of SH 1 bridge	30,000
7 km downstream of SH 1 bridge to mouth	100,000
South East Ruahine Streams
Kumeti	3,000
Mangaatua	5,000
Mangapapa	2,000
Mangatera	500
Mangatewaiiti	2,000
Mangatewainui	4,000
Oruakeretaki	5,000
Otamaraho	2,000
Otamarahu	1,000
Rokaiwhana	10,000
Raparapawai	3,000
Raparapawai	3,000
Tamaki	20,000
Turakina River	3,000
Whangaehu River	8,000
Whanganui River	7,000

Policy 17-4: Rivers^
 
The loss of river^ extent and values is avoided, unless the Regional Council is satisfied that:

1. there is a functional need* for the activity in that location; and
2. the effects of the activity are managed by applying the effects management hierarchy*.