Coastal Policy Statement Recognises Development

New Coastal Policy Statement recognises importance of development based on good information – Straterra

The new coastal policy framework provides clear direction for local authorities to consider development in their planning, provided good information is available on which to base decisions, Straterra says.

Chris Baker, CEO of the body representing the New Zealand resource sector, was commenting today on the Coastal Policy Statement 2010, released yesterday by the Minister of Conservation.

“Straterra welcomes the new CPS because it provides greater clarity than the 2004 document on what councils will need to include in regional and district plans,” Mr Baker said today.

“This includes recognition that ‘some uses and developments which depend on the uses of natural and physical resources in the coastal environment are important to the social, economic and cultural wellbeing of people and communities’,”.

“In considering all the values present at places, local authorities will be required to work collaboratively with all stakeholders when making decisions about the development, use and protection of the coastal environment.”

“This is a big step forward in statutory coastal planning but the new CPS will only work well if there is good information on which to base decisions. This means understanding both the economic and the environmental issues at places.”

Mr Baker said councils will have clear direction on the need to protect outstanding natural features and landscapes at places, and sites with representative or significant natural ecosystems, and this is supported by the resource sector, on the basis of the information-based and collaborative approach provided for in the CPS.

Resource activities in the coastal environment include quarrying for aggregate, gold mining, and mining of ironsands for the manufacture of steel. The onshore ironsands mine at Taharoa, Kawhia, has reserves of 184 million tonnes of ore, according to the Ministry of Economic Development Crown Minerals Group. The Glenbrook steel mill, which uses New Zealand ironsands and coal, contributes more than $80 million a year to the South Auckland economy, and employs around 1200 staff.

“Some minerals activities in or near the coastal environment are of regional or national significance to the economy,” Mr Baker said. “It is important to provide for the development of these resources, in an environmentally-responsible way.”

ENDS

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