18.2.1 Policies

Policy 18-2: Occupation^ of space^ by aquaculture

The allocation of space^ for aquaculture must be established through a plan change^, and regard must be had to the following matters when evaluating a proposed change^:

  1. giving effect to the Regional Policy Statement, particularly all the objectives and policies of Chapters 2 and 8, Objective 3-1 and Policies 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, 3-6 and 3-7Objective 6-2 and Policy 6-6 and any relevant policies in the NZCPS;
  2. the impact of the proposed activity on neighbouring uses, the Protection Activity Management Areas set out in Schedule I and the ecological carrying capacity of the area;
  3. the type and location of any land^ use facilities that would be required;
  4. the effects^ on navigation safety, public access, natural character and marine ecosystems; and
  5. available alternatives to the applicant’s proposal and the applicant’s reason for making the proposed choice.


Policy 18-3: Consent decision-making for occupation^ of space^ by activities other than aquaculture

When making decisions on resource consent^ applications and setting consent conditions^ for the allocation of space^ for activities (excluding aquaculture), the Regional Council must have regard to:

  1. the Regional Policy Statement, particularly all the objectives and policies of Chapters 2 and 8, Objectives 3-1 and 3-2 and Policies 3-13-2, 3-3, 3-6 and 3-7, Objective 6-2 and Policy 6-6 and any relevant policies in the NZCPS;
  2. enabling occupation^ where it is a functional necessity of an activity covered by another rule^ in this chapter;
  3. requiring efficient use of space^ in the CMA by using the smallest amount of space^ reasonably practicable for the activity and limiting the adverse effects^ on public access to the space^;
  4. the effects^ on navigation safety, natural character and marine ecosystems;
  5. requiring a plan change^ pursuant to s165D of the RMA where there is demand for use of the same space^ or different spaces^ in close proximity by more than one party and a first-in-first-served consent process will not adequately manage the cumulative effects^ of the proposed activities; and
  6. available alternatives to the applicant’s proposal and the applicant’s reason for making the proposed choice.


Policy 18-4: Decision-making for occupation^ charges

In accordance with s64A RMA the Regional Council, after having regard to:

  1. the extent to which public benefits from the CMA are lost or gained; and
  2. the extent to which private benefit is obtained from the occupation^ of the CMA,

has decided that a coastal occupation^ charging regime should not be applied to persons who occupy^ any part of the CMA.