Any resource application on a Category 1 building which in the opinion of the Council involves significant work or alteration shall include a Conservation Plan as a part of the application. A Conservation plan must include:

1. A statement of the significance of the heritage item
2. The physical, conservation action and care necessary for retaining or revealing the heritage significance - this may include maintenance, reconstruction or restoration.
3. Particular activities which may be compatible with the protection of the heritage item and those which may need to be constrained
4. Policies to enable the cultural significance of a place to be retained in its future use and development

Explanation

These scheduled natural resources are considered significant (through complying with the evaluation criteria in Appendix 1) to Matamata-Piako and worthy of protection in the public interest. Resources included in the schedules are considered to be community assets and which would be valued ahead of most land development proposals which might endanger them or compromise their form or condition. Additional features may be added to the schedule by the Plan Change procedure including compliance with Appendix 1.

Heritage resources can be easily devalued or compromised by development or change, hence the need for rigorous controls over the redevelopment of these resources. The degree of protection afforded to heritage places should be adjusted to take account of the relative heritage value of the feature concerned. Categorising heritage significance into registration classes allows greater scope for adaptation and redevelopment of less significant items. It can also establish priority for the allocation of conservation resources.

Scheduled trees are recognised as community assets and are afforded the greatest level of protection. Any alteration to the Schedule must be by way of a plan change. The general tree protection category recognises the considerable amenity afforded by trees on roads and reserves and hence the provision for their protection. The height and girth criteria ensure that protection is afforded to mature trees which make a significant contribution to the landscape and amenity of the district. Trees located in the vicinity of rivers and streams contribute to water and soil conservation and can assist in minimising damage from natural hazards such as floods, erosion and siltation.

To avoid unnecessary delay in maintaining any scheduled items provision is made for minor or insignificant works as permitted activities.

Provisions for scheduled resources take precedent over the more general Te Aroha Character Area provisions. By controlling non-scheduled buildings in the conservation area it is expected that over time the particular character of Victorian Te Aroha will be retained and enhanced. Activities which do not adversely affect this character will be permitted in this area, as will new buildings and additions complimentary and in keeping with the character of the Te Aroha Character Area.

The Kaitiaki (Conservation) Zone is applied to significant natural landscapes and habitats where the geographical spread of areas or features is sufficient to justify zoning rather than individual schedule of areas. This zone applies to areas to protect or enhance their natural, intrinsic, or other recognised values of an area. It covers the Kaimai Ranges, Western Ranges, Peat Dome, riparian areas and Kahikatea floodplain forest remnants over 4000m2 in area. The Kaitiaki Zone in the Kaimai Ranges includes all that land held in public reserve, areas identified by previous Hauraki Catchment Commission reports as being subject to soil conservation and generally all land down to the bush line at the base of the ranges. Pastoral country is generally excluded. Provisions are designed to achieve the conservation emphasis of the zone and any development or activities are restricted to ensure adverse effects on the environment are minimised. Mineral or peat processing is prohibited in this zone as such activities can be located in less environmentally sensitive areas, and their adverse effects can be more appropriately mitigated. Protection Forestry is permitted subject to Council conditions concerning rehabilitation, replanting within one year and soil conservation matters. The Forestry Code of Practice will be used by Council as a guide to the implementation of the controlled category criteria. Pastoral farming that exists as at November 1996 may continue with existing use rights. The clearance of further bush for farming use within the Kaitiaki Zone is not to be allowed. Buildings are discretionary within the Kaitiaki Zone to ensure an appropriate location relative to the visual impact, the impact on ecology and fire fighting facilities.

The Council will undertake a review, 5 years after the plan has become operative, of the environment along the Waihou, Waitoa and Piako rivers in terms of land use, the Kaitiaki (Conservation) Zone and the categorisation of activities and methods used within the Kaitiaki (Conservation) Zone in conjunction with affected landowners, interest groups and other members of the public who may have an interest.

< Previous Index Next >