Some of the above applications were to subdivide land to create more than one new lot. In 2016/17, there was just one boundary relocation application on high quality soil and only two in 2017/18. In 2018/19, 10 applications were processed in relation to boundary relocation.  The rise in figures is a result of the economic growth that the district has been experiencing.

The number of new lots less than 8 ha created as a result of subdivisions on high class soils is shown below.

New Dwellings in the Rural Zone

The number of building consents applied for on Class I, II and III soils for new dwellings in the Rural Zone steadily decreased from a high of 54 in 2007/08 to the lowest level since state of the environment reporting began, 19 in 2009/10. The trend in the number of building consents has been consistent with the trend in the number of lots created in the Rural Zone.

Designations in the Rural Zone

A designation is a selected piece of land that is required by an authority for a specific purpose. Designations are listed in Schedule 4 of Council’s District Plan and may be required for uses such as roads, water, sewerage, electricity and communication purposes.

In the Matamata-Piako District the area of class I, II and III soils in the Rural Zone designated for non-productive uses decreased, overall, from 1160 hectares in 2010/11 to 634 hectares in 2013/14.

In 2011/12, 23 designations were removed from the District Plan because they had not been given effect to before the date of their expiry. Designations in the district include Council-owned facilities such as cemeteries, recreational reserves, water and sewerage works, roads and other government-owned purposes such as electricity supply, schools, roading and telecommunications and radio. No designations were added or removed in the rural area in 2013/14 or 2014/15. In 2015/16, a designation was added for the Mount Misery water reservoir south of Morrinsville.

Non-productive Activities in the Rural zone

There are non-productive activities other than designations on Class I, II and III soils. Non-productive activities include educational facilities, places of assembly, accommodation facilities, industrial and depot activities, mining/quarrying, offices, marae developments, commercial services and boarding/breeding of domestic pets.

These are activities that do not depend on soil quality; some have located in the rural environment because of the adverse effects that they create while others serve a rural purpose, or have historically been located in a rural area.

In 2016/17, there were 23 applications granted. Three related to the establishment of depots, and four to the construction of garages. There were also applications for the expansion of a chicken farming operation and a new wastewater treatment plant at an industrial site.

In 2017/18, there were also 23 applications granted for non-productive activities on the highest class soils: two related to the expansion of chicken farms, four related to bridge construction, and 10 were for yard encroachments.

In 2018/19, there were 45 applications granted for non-productive activities in the Rural zone.  These included 12 yard encroachments, nine applications to relocate second hand buildings, four applications related to poultry farming and three applications for accessory farm buildings in the peat hazard zone.