3.7 Works and Network Utilities
3.7.1 Significant Resource Management Issues
- Rainfall events that exceed the capacity of the drainage and flood control schemes have led to inundation. The District’s agriculture is dependent on the continual maintenance of the Piako and Waihou River drainage/flood control schemes. Te Aroha township is dependent on the flood control works on the tributaries of the Waihou River to reduce the effects of major flood events as occurred in 1985. On the plains future modifications may be necessary to flood control structures to mitigate the effect of rising sea levels. See also Natural Hazards Section 11. There is a need to ensure that the public has access to information defining the location and extent of such facilities so that adverse effects can be avoided.
- Works and network utilities may have adverse effects. However the community often accepts this because the service is required for the effective functioning of our society. Adverse social, economic and environmental effects would result if works and infrastructure services were not provided whilst avoiding, remedying, or mitigating adverse effects on the environment. It is acknowledged that works and infrastructure can be developed by requiring authorities, private companies and in some cases individual groups or persons.
3.7.2 Works and Network Utilities |
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| 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 |
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| 1. | PROVISION AND BENEFITS | ||||
| O1 | To enable the effective provision of works and utilities so as to minimise the adverse environmental effects while enabling people and communities to provide for their social economic and cultural wellbeing and for their health and safety. | P1 | To encourage the co-siting of facilities where practical to avoid, remedy or mitigate adverse environmental effects particularly the impact of multiple masts and lines on the landscape. |
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Works and utilities are generally critical to the effective operation of the economy and the well being of the community and in some cases the environment. Works and Utilities are provided for the purposes of furthering the community’s activities and therefore any proposals Co-siting of large masts and microwave dishes and the like can reduce the degree of adverse visual impact or should maximise the benefits to the community rather than the operator. Such maximisation must be achieved whilst minimising adverse effects.interference with natural environments on the high peaks where such facilities are often located. There is the potential to use land more efficiently and potentially gain cost savings which may be passed on to the community. Whilst it is accepted that the majority of work and utilities are necessary for the maintenance and enhancement of the economy and the community’s standards of living, all proposals need to be assessed in terms of the effects of the environment. The duty to avoid, remedy or mitigate adverse effects has not diminished. The acceptable degree of protection from flooding is that identified on the planning maps and the return periods are identified in the policies and rules |
| P2 | To protect existing and proposed works and infrastructure from incompatible use or subdivision of adjacent lands. | ||||
| P3 | To ensure that works and network utilities are considered having particular regard to the avoidance, remediation or mitigation of anticipated adverse environmental effects and comprehensive analysis of the existing and future services/facilities. | ||||
| P4 | To provide an acceptable degree of protection to settlements and productive rural land from the adverse effects of flooding. | ||||
| P5 | To take a precautionary approach in the siting of facilities relative to dwellings where there is significant doubt or debate over the impact of its effects. | ||||
ANTICIPATED ENVIRONMENTAL RESULTS
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| 2. | COUNCIL INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES | ||||
| SO1 | To ensure that effective, efficient and environmentally appropriate water supply, sewage reticulation and treatment and stormwater services continue to be provided and maintained. |
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In managing the effects of a proposal Council needs to consider the unique technical features of a proposal that are operationally necessary. With the increasing privatisation of utility operator companies, proposals should be driven by community need and not only commercial advantage. The District Council will continue to provide a significant proportion of the utility services within the District. The funding of the capital works and maintenance will be drawn principally from rates and development contributions. The Morrinsville landfill is the only existing landfill site with future capacity and therefore Council is in the process of researching and planning for future needs. See Natural Hazards, Section 11 and Development Contributions, Section 7. The agricultural sector on the plains is reliant on the continued effective operation of drainage and flood control schemes. The district's economy would falter if the systems are not maintained. |
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ANTICIPATED ENVIRONMENTAL RESULTS
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| 3. | RESERVES AND PUBLIC OPEN SPACE | ||||
| O1 | To manage the development of reserves in a manner which best serves the dual objectives of environmental enhancement and the provision of adequate land for recreational use. | SP1 | To adopt a comprehensive approach to reserve management utilising a 10 year strategic plan covering acquisition, maintenance and upgrading of all public open space. |
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The objectives and policies recognise that social well-being is largely dependent upon the availability of open space and recreational opportunities for the District Residents to enjoy. At the same time, however the acquisition, development and use of reserve land must not generate adverse environmental effects and in this regard it is appropriate that a strategic plan be prepared to guide Council-policy on recreational matters. Improved public access to the District’s principal waterways is identified as an important recreational goal. At the same time increased usage of existing natural areas such as the Kaimai Ranges and Kopuatai Peat Dome is desirable provided that adverse effects due to public accessibility are avoided. |
| SP2 | To encourage increased recreational usage of the natural open space areas of the District while avoiding the adverse effects of increased public accessibility. | ||||
ANTICIPATED ENVIRONMENTAL RESULTS
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| 4. | SOLID AND HAZARDOUS WASTE | ||||
| O1 | To ensure the appropriate storage, disposal and reduction of solid and hazardous wastes through the avoidance, remediation or mitigation of adverse effects on the environment. | P1 | Solid waste storage and disposal must be safe and effective with minimal adverse effects on the environment. |
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Council has introduced waste minimisation and recycling strategies at Council landfills and transfer stations. In addition similar actions by private developments will be considered as positive effects of activities. Serious environmental degradation can occur through the inappropriate management of disposal of solid waste and more particularly hazardous wastes. To ensure that private solid waste disposal is effectively controlled particularly on farms. To ensure that all waste storage areas particularly in industrial sites are effectively managed. |
| SP1 | To introduce and support other organisations practices, which reduce the generation of waste, and recover and conserve resources for the community. | ||||
ANTICIPATED ENVIRONMENTAL RESULTS
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