Introduction

The coastal environment encompasses all of the coastal marine area out to 12 nautical miles and includes the foreshore and land area along the full 700km+ coastline where coastal processes and patterns dominate the land. We have numerous iconic beaches, spectacular coastlines, and unique coastal places, including estuaries where our freshwater meets the sea. Our activities in and around the coastline can affect natural processes, impact on the habitat of our native plants and animals, lead to conflicts between users and impact on natural process.

We are required to preserve the natural character of the coastal environment from subdivision and development. This requirement comes from the Resource Management Act 1991 and the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement 2010.

We have identified and mapped the coastal environment through a district-wide assessment (view the inland boundary on our interactive map), and a draft Coastal Environment Study was released to the public in March 2021. This has been updated in response to community feedback and continues to be refined.

Within the coastal environment we need to look strategically at where, how, and when to provide for change and growth. We need to determine what activities in the coastal space are appropriate or not. As part of this determination we are preparing a Coastal Strategic Plan and the starting point for this is to reach agreement on an appropriate vision and values statements for the Coastal Environment.

In previous feedback we have heard that the following are key concerns for the community and pressures on the coastal environment:

  • Land based activities, such as forestry, nutrients, stormwater, sediment
  • Human disturbance, such as noisy motorised craft, dogs, vehicles on beaches, hunting
  • Human behaviour, such as lack of awareness, lack of support for change
  • Water based activities, such as aquaculture, fishing, dredging/trawling, noise pollution, effluent discharges
  • Restrictions on public access
  • Coastal development, such as housing, mining, commercial, infrastructure, coastal protection structures
  • Climate change and sea level rise

    • Creating a Vision

    The draft vision below has been developed based on what we have heard so far in working with local communities and the engagement feedback in 2022.

    Thanks to all those who gave further feedback in 2023. It is important that the vision reflects our shared and diverse views as the vision will direct what the coastal framework seeks to achieve through the plan.

    The draft vision may change based on further feedback we receive through the plan process.

    Draft Vision

    Based on the feedback received to date, and background research, we have crafted a potential vision statement for the coastal environment (including the coastal marine area):

    Draft Values

    In the late 2022 Tasman Environment Plan engagement process, we asked people for their feedback on the values that they thought applied to coastal and marine areas in the Tasman region.

    The following map shows the places where people thought certain values applied. You can drop pins and include details to add to these.