District Plan
Mahere a-Rohe
What is a District Plan?
District Councils are required to prepare a District Plan under the RMA 1991. The District Plan sets out the objectives and policies that manages the physical and natural environment of the district. With a framework that guides how the district’s land and resources can be used, developed or protected, in order to avoid or lessen the impact of any adverse effects.
The District Plan controls the way land is used, developed, protected and subdivided in South Taranaki and to ensure that land use and subdivision in the South Taranaki District are sustainably managed.
See the 2004 District Plan downloads below.
The District Plan review process
Councils are required to review the provisions of the District Plan every ten years. Council started the review process of the operative South Taranaki District Plan (2004) in December 2014. The outcome of the review was a Proposed District Plan that was released for submissions in August 2015 and for further submissions in January 2016. The Council’s Proposed District Plan Hearings Panel has carefully considered the matters raised in the submissions and has heard from many of the submitters. The Council has one outstanding appeal to finalise before the proposed South Taranaki District Plan (2015) will become the operative District Plan.
The Proposed District Plan
There are several differences between the new Plan and the 2004 Plan. Some of the key ones are summarised briefly below;
- Providing for higher density housing near Hāwera’s Central Business District;
- The creation of a new Township Zone for the district’s small towns;
- Introduction of a minimum lot size and minimum balance area for rural subdivision;
- Two new Rural-Industrial Zones;
- New simplified provisions for controlling Hazardous Substances;
- Specific provisions to incentivize renewable energy generation activities;
- New provisions to manage indigenous vegetation removal in wetlands, some new Significant Natural Areas and a smaller maximum area for indigenous forest removal;
- The Coastal Protection Area has been redefined based on a Natural Character Assessment and the list of activities controlled has been refined;
- New areas of Outstanding Natural Character, Outstanding Natural Landscapes and Outstanding Natural Features have been identified;
- A Waitotara Flood Hazard Area to ensure development in flood-prone areas is safe;
- Specific provisions for short-term events that happen infrequently
Most of the Proposed District Plan rules now apply. Certain rules were effective immediately from the date of notification of the Proposed District Plan (15 August 2015). There are some Proposed District Plan rules that do not have legal effect as they are part of an ongoing appeal; these are primarily relate to petroleum activities and hazardous substances and the rules within the Operative District Plan (2004) apply for these activities. Most applications for Resource Consent will be considered under the Proposed District Plan.
Proposed District Plan (2015) - Table of contents
Section 1 | Introduction and Definitions | Purpose of the District Plan, Statutory requirements of the Plan, Structure of District Plan, Categories of Activities, How to use the District Plan, Cross referencing table, Monitoring, Designations, Plan interpretation and definitions, General rules of interpretation, Definitions |
Section 2 | Objectives and Policies | Rural Zone, Residential Zone, Township Zone, Commercial Zone, Industrial Zone, Rural Industrial Zone, Transportation, Hazardous substances and contaminated land, Energy, Network utilities, Historic heritage, Notable trees, Tangata whenua, Integrated land use and infrastructure planning ,urban growth and financial contributions, Coastal environment, Natural features and landscapes, Indigenous biodiversity, Waterbodies, Natural hazards, Temporary activities, Relocated buildings, Signs |
Section 3 | Rural Zone Rules | Categories of activities, Performance standards - permitted activities, Rural zone appendix 1 |
Section 4 | Residential Zone Rules | Categories of activities, performance standards - permitted activities, Performance standards - restricted discretionary activities, Residential zone appendix 1 |
Section 5 | Township Zone Rules | Categories of activities, Performance standards - permitted activities |
Section 6 | Commercial Zone Rules | Categories of activities, Performance standards - permitted activities |
Section 7 | Industrial Zone Rules | Categories of activities, Performance standards - permitted activities, Performance standards - discretionary activities, Industrial zone appendices |
Section 8 | Rural Industrial Zone Rules | Categories of activities, Performance standards - permitted activities, Rural industrial zone appendices |
Section 9 | Subdivision and Development Rules | Categories of activities, Performance standards, Subdivision and development appendix 1 - structure plans |
Section 10 | Parking and Transportation Rules | Categories of activities, Performance standards - roads and access ways, vehicle crossings, railway, parking, loading spaces, tree planting, restricted discretionary activities, Parking and transportation appendices |
Section 11 | Noise Rules | Categories of activities, Performance standards - permitted activities, Nosie appendix 1 |
Section 12 | Hazardous Substances Rules | Categories of activities, Performance standards - permitted activities, Hazardous substances appendix 1 |
Section 13 | Energy Rules | Categories of activities, Performance standards - permitted activities, Energy appendix 1 |
Section 14 | Network Utilities Rules | Categories of activities, Performance standards - permitted acitivities |
Section 15 | Heritage Protection Rules | Categories of activities |
Section 16 | Financial Contribution Rules | General, Recreation and civic development contributions, Roads and access contributions, Water supply contributions, Sanitary drainage and trade waste disposal contributions, Stormwater drainage contributions, Heavy vehicle traffic contributions, parking contributions |
Section 17 | Natural Environment Rules | Categories of activities, Natural environment appendix 1, Natural environment appendix 2 |
Section 18 | District Wide Rules | Categories of activities, Performance standards - permitted activities, District wide rules appendix 1, District wide rules appendix 2 |
Section 19 | Sign Rules | Categories of activities, Performance standards - permitted activities, Performance standards - restricted discretionary actibvities |
Section 20 | Resource Consent Information Requirements and Assessment Matters | Land use consents, Subdivision consents, Administration requirements, Cross boundary matters, Assessment matters |
Schedule 1 | Historic heritage and sites of significance to Tangata whenua | |
Schedule 2 | Significant natural areas | |
Schedule 3 | Designations | |
Schedule 4 | Notable trees | |
Schedule 5 | Significant Waterbodies | |
Schedule 6 | Regionally significant Wetlands | |
Schedule 7 | Marae | |
Schedule 8 | Outstanding natural features/landscapes and areas of outstanding natural character | |
Appendix 1 | Hāwera aerodrome protection area | |
Appendix 2 | Ngāti Ruanui statutory acknowledgement | |
Appendix 3 | Ngā Rauru statutory acknowledgement |
Proposed District Plan (2015) - Sections
- Section 01 Introduction and Definitions (PDF, 1.3MB)
- Section 02 Objectives and Policies (PDF, 1.5MB)
- Section 03 Rural Zone Rules (PDF, 671.3KB)
- Section 04 Residential Zone Rules (PDF, 503.8KB)
- Section 05 Township Zone Rules (PDF, 224KB)
- Section 06 Commercial Zone Rules (PDF, 244.1KB)
- Section 07 Industrial Zone Rules (PDF, 560.9KB)
- Section 08 Rural Industrial Zone Rules (PDF, 7.8MB)
- Section 09 Subdivision Development Rules (PDF, 863.4KB)
- Section 10 Parking and Transportation Rules (PDF, 1.6MB)
- Section 11 Noise Rules (PDF, 310.7KB)
- Section 12 Hazardous Substances Rules (PDF, 481.7KB)
- Section 13 Energy Rules (PDF, 283.2KB)
- Section 14 Network Utilities Rules (PDF, 282.7KB)
- Section 15 Heritage Protection Rules (PDF, 221.7KB)
- Section 16 Financial Contributions Rules (PDF, 188.2KB)
- Section 17 Natural Environment Rules (PDF, 1.5MB)
- Section 18 District Wide Rules (PDF, 341.7KB)
- Section 19 Signs Rules (PDF, 244.6KB)
- Section 20 Resource Consent Information Requirements and Assessment Matters (PDF, 471.1KB)
- Section 3 Rural Zone Rules.pdf (PDF, 673KB)
Proposed District Plan (2015) - Schedule
- Schedule 1 - Heritage Sites and Sites of Significance to Tangata Whenua (PDF, 340KB)
- Schedule 2 - Significant Natural Areas (PDF, 147.4KB)
- Schedule 3 - Designations (PDF, 439.5KB)
- Schedule 4 - Notable Trees (PDF, 292KB)
- Schedule 5 - Significant Waterbodies (PDF, 166.9KB)
- Schedule 6 - Regionally Significant Wetlands (PDF, 186.7KB)
- Schedule 7 - Marae (PDF, 188.5KB)
- Schedule 8 - Outstanding Natural Features and Landscapes and Areas of Outstanding Natural Character (PDF, 177KB)
Proposed District Plan (2015) - Appendices
Proposed District Plan (2015) - Urban Maps
- Combined Urban Maps (PDF, 4.8MB)
- Index - Urban Maps (PDF, 375.2KB)
- Urban Map 01 (PDF, 186.2KB)
- Urban Map 02 (PDF, 195.7KB)
- Urban Map 03 (PDF, 220.1KB)
- Urban Map 04a (PDF, 341.1KB)
- Urban Map 04b (PDF, 287.5KB)
- Urban Map 04c (PDF, 320.1KB)
- Urban Map 05 (PDF, 192.9KB)
- Urban Map 06 (PDF, 246.4KB)
- Urban Map 07a (PDF, 232.5KB)
- Urban Map 07b (PDF, 232.4KB)
- Urban Map 07c (PDF, 210.9KB)
- Urban Map 07d (PDF, 265.1KB)
- Urban Map 08 (PDF, 240KB)
- Urban Map 09 (PDF, 162.2KB)
- Urban Map 10 (PDF, 266.1KB)
- Urban Map 11a (PDF, 276.2KB)
- Urban Map 11b (PDF, 359.7KB)
- Urban Map 12a (PDF, 377.8KB)
- Urban Map 12b (PDF, 319.8KB)
- Urban Map 12c (PDF, 390.2KB)
- Urban Map 12d (PDF, 202.4KB)
- Urban Map 12e (PDF, 387.4KB)
- Urban Map 12f (PDF, 313.9KB)
- Urban Map 12g (PDF, 256.7KB)
- Urban Map 12h (PDF, 202.8KB)
- Urban Map 12i (PDF, 378.1KB)
- Urban Map 12j (PDF, 260.2KB)
- Urban Map 12k (PDF, 170KB)
- Urban Map 12l (PDF, 282.5KB)
- Urban Map 12m (PDF, 200.7KB)
- Urban Map 13 (PDF, 164.7KB)
- Urban Map 14 (PDF, 199.7KB)
- Urban Map 15a (PDF, 222.1KB)
- Urban Map 15b (PDF, 297.2KB)
- Urban Map 15c (PDF, 289.4KB)
- Urban Map 16 (PDF, 270KB)
- Urban Map 17a (PDF, 216.8KB)
- Urban Map 17b (PDF, 237KB)
- Urban Map 18 (PDF, 323.4KB)
- Urban Map 19 (PDF, 418KB)
- Urban Map 20 (PDF, 241.9KB)
Proposed District Plan (2015) - Rural Maps
- Combined Rural Maps (PDF, 5.7MB)
- Index for Rural Maps (PDF, 333.1KB)
- Rural Map 01 (PDF, 333.5KB)
- Rural Map 02 (PDF, 466.9KB)
- Rural Map 03 (PDF, 429.6KB)
- Rural Map 04 (PDF, 368.8KB)
- Rural Map 05 (PDF, 310.6KB)
- Rural Map 06 (PDF, 391.8KB)
- Rural Map 07 (PDF, 382.9KB)
- Rural Map 08 (PDF, 293.4KB)
- Rural Map 09 (PDF, 458.1KB)
- Rural Map 10 (PDF, 464.8KB)
- Rural Map 11 (PDF, 285KB)
- Rural Map 12 (PDF, 425.9KB)
- Rural Map 13 (PDF, 501.8KB)
- Rural Map 14 (PDF, 440.5KB)
- Rural Map 15 (PDF, 390KB)
- Rural Map 16 (PDF, 456.8KB)
- Rural Map 17 (PDF, 496.9KB)
- Rural Map 18 (PDF, 312.3KB)
- Rural Map 19 (PDF, 290.1KB)
- Rural Map 20 (PDF, 415.7KB)
- Rural Map 21 (PDF, 424.7KB)
- Rural Map 22 (PDF, 369.4KB)
- Rural Map 23 (PDF, 258KB)
Proposed District Plan (2015) - Special Maps
District Plan (2004)
- 00 How to use (PDF, 85.5KB)
- 00 Table of Contents (PDF, 37.8KB)
- 01 Introduction (PDF, 279.5KB)
- 02 General Objectives and Policies (PDF, 416.8KB)
- 03 Rural Zone (PDF, 128.2KB)
- 04 The Residential Zone (PDF, 254.7KB)
- 05 Commercial Zone (PDF, 95.9KB)
- 06 Industrial Zone (PDF, 161.2KB)
- 07 Rural Industrial Zone (PDF, 2.6MB)
- 08 Subdivision (PDF, 53.5KB)
- 09 Parking and Transportation (PDF, 422.8KB)
- 10 Noise (PDF, 104.3KB)
- 11 Hazardous Substances (PDF, 134KB)
- 12 Natural Hazards (PDF, 91.4KB)
- 13 Designations (PDF, 96.7KB)
- 14 Utilities and Services (PDF, 89KB)
- 15 Heritage Protection (PDF, 111.1KB)
- 16 Financial Contributions (PDF, 143.8KB)
- District Plan 2004 - Appendix 1 Flight Path Protection Plan (PDF, 125KB)
- District Plan 2004 - Appendix 2 Hazardous Facilities Screening Procedure (PDF, 244.8KB)
- District Plan 2004 - Appendix 3 Rural Industrial Zone Site Specific Noise Standards (PDF, 333.5KB)
- District Plan 2004 - Appendix 4 Lake Rotorangi Pātea River Hydro Scheme Designation Decision (PDF, 115.2KB)
- District Plan 2004 - Appendix 5 Statutory Areas Ngato Ruanui Claims Settlement Act 2003 (PDF, 6.3MB)
- District Plan 2004 - Appendix 6 Vehicle Crossing Standards (PDF, 488KB)
- District Plan 2004 - Appendix 7 Statutory Areas Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi Claims Settlement (PDF, 294.9KB)
- District Plan 2004 - Schedule 1 Heritage Items (PDF, 68.9KB)
- District Plan 2004 - Schedule 2 Significant Natural Areas (PDF, 75.7KB)
- District Plan 2004 - Schedule 3 Designations (PDF, 52.2KB)
- District Plan 2004 - Schedule 4 Register of Marae (PDF, 96.1KB)
- District Plan 2004 - Schedule 5 Rivers (PDF, 75.1KB)
- District Plan 2004 Map 40.pdf (PDF, 207.8KB)
- Index for maps (PDF, 159.4KB)
- Map 01 (PDF, 384.6KB)
- Map 02 (PDF, 398.9KB)
- Map 03 (PDF, 395.9KB)
- Map 04 (PDF, 116.5KB)
- Map 05 (PDF, 184.3KB)
- Map 06 (PDF, 398.6KB)
- Map 07 (PDF, 348KB)
- Map 08 (PDF, 752KB)
- Map 09 (PDF, 270.5KB)
- Map 10 (PDF, 408.1KB)
- Map 11 (PDF, 593.3KB)
- Map 12 (PDF, 543.6KB)
- Map 13 (PDF, 523.7KB)
- Map 14 (PDF, 701.1KB)
- Map 15 (PDF, 641KB)
- Map 16 (PDF, 595.3KB)
- Map 17 (PDF, 324.6KB)
- Map 18 (PDF, 162.4KB)
- Map 19 (PDF, 402.5KB)
- Map 20 (PDF, 247.1KB)
- Map 21 (PDF, 80.9KB)
- Map 22 (PDF, 75.9KB)
- Map 23 (PDF, 180KB)
- Map 24 (PDF, 111.2KB)
- Map 25 (PDF, 162.7KB)
- Map 26 (PDF, 179KB)
- Map 27 (PDF, 146.2KB)
- Map 28 (PDF, 140.2KB)
- Map 29 (PDF, 110.7KB)
- Map 30 (PDF, 60.4KB)
- Map 31 (PDF, 166.5KB)
- Map 32 (PDF, 269.5KB)
- Map 33 (PDF, 80.9KB)
- Map 34 (PDF, 240KB)
- Map 35 (PDF, 218.5KB)
- Map 36 (PDF, 226.7KB)
- Map 37 (PDF, 215.7KB)
- Map 38 (PDF, 333.1KB)
- Map 39 (PDF, 185.3KB)
- Map 41 (PDF, 415.8KB)
- Map 42 (PDF, 105.6KB)
- Map 43 (PDF, 481.1KB)
- Map 44 (PDF, 165.5KB)
- Map 45 (PDF, 91.2KB)
- Map Airport (PDF, 318.3KB)
- Map Fonterra Noise (PDF, 84.4KB)
- Map Road Network (PDF, 183.4KB)