3.6 Surface of Water Print E-mail

3.6.1 Significant Resource Management Issues

  • The three main rivers in the District, the Piako, Waihou and Waitoa, have all been modified to some extent as a result of farming, settlement, drainage, stopbanking and other activities. However some streams and creeks in the Kaimai-Mamaku Ranges and the Te Tapui Scenic Reserve are in a relatively natural state. The Waihou and its tributary streams provide trout habitat. The tributaries are important for providing spawning habitat for both brown and rainbow trout.

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  • Council wishes to avoid the progressive degradation of the quality of the District's waterways from inappropriate use and development on the surface of water and on adjacent land. A wide range of activities are undertaken on the District's waterways and in general, the majority of activities have little or no adverse effect. However individually or cumulatively, there is the potential for activities to adversely affect the environment and the public use of water resources.

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  • Activities that occur on the surface of water can have an adverse affect on the adjoining land. In particular noise from motorised boating can affect the enjoyment of land activities, particularly in the vicinity of esplanade reserves and walkways, and residences. Wash from boats can result in scouring and habitat disturbance or destruction. The action of boats can adversely impact on trout habitat. Structures over the surface of the water can also have an impact on the visual amenity and aesthetics of a water body. The visual appearance of the District waterways can be adversely affected by oil and grease films, scums and foams and by changes in colour and visual clarity on the surface of the water. There is also the potential for conflict to arise in respect of access, safety and general enjoyment of the water, where multiple use is made of an area, e.g. power boating and fishing. These activities and structures need to be managed to ensure that the effects are acceptable. It is acknowledged that the WRC has a role with regard to structures in, over or on the beds of rivers.


3.6.2 SURFACE OF WATER
Outcome Sought
(Objectives)		 Solutions
(Policies)		 Implementation
(Methods)
Refer to the following sets of controls and reasons for chosen methods		 Explanations and Reasons
for Objectives and Policies
O1 To ensure that activities carried out on the surface of water and structures occupying the water surface do not adversely affect the quality and amenity values of the water environment or that of adjacent land. P1 To ensure that nuisance effects of surface water activities, particularly noise and wash do not adversely affect the amenity enjoyed by people using the river and on the amenities of adjoining land The District is crossed by a number of significant waterways, particularly the Waihou, Waitoa and Piako Rivers which are capable of being utilised for a range of surface water activities involving river transport and recreational boating. Council recognises that these are legitimate activities but seeks to minimise the potential adverse effects created by surface water activities.

If the natural and ecological qualities of these waterways are to be enhanced, then the effects of activities need to be recognised and controlled. The effects of structures also need to be controlled, so that the natural values and public access to these water ways are not compromised.
P2 To ensure that activities and structures on the surface water do not adversely affect the integrity, functioning and resilience of ecosystems within and adjacent to the water environment
P3 To maintain safe and navigable waterways by avoiding conflicts between incompatible surface water activities.
ANTICIPATED ENVIRONMENTAL RESULTS
  1. Maintenance and enhancement of environmental quality along waterways and margins [typical performance measure: improved water quality, habitat quality and diversity].
  2. Improved public perception of general amenity on and in the vicinity of waterways [typical performance measure: reduction in number of complaints to Council regarding surface water activities].
  3. Maintenance and enhancement of the recreational and conservation values of waterways and access along them

 

 

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