Council is moving towards protecting the District’s outstanding natural landscapes and features and areas of high and outstanding natural character within the Coastal Environment. We have started drafting changes to the Tasman Resource Management Plan and two plan changes are expected to be notified towards the end of 2025.

Outstanding Natural Landscapes and Features

We are currently developing a plan change which identifies and protects outstanding natural landscapes and features within the Tasman District.

This continues an extensive programme of work that we discussed with landowners in 2021 and 2022 and aims to introduce new provisions that safeguard these areas while allowing landowners to continue using their land.

The plan change is in the process of being drafted and is expected to be released for public consultation in early 2025. Following consultation, the plan change will be formally notified in late 2025.

Coastal Natural Character and Coastal Environment

In addition to the plan change for outstanding natural landscapes, we are also working on a plan change to address coastal natural character and the coastal environment.

This plan change will replace the existing Coastal Environment Area with a more refined definition, enabling better protection of coastal areas. Information is currently being gathered through engagement with iwi and this information may further influence the inland extent of Coastal Environment.

We have identified areas within coastal Tasman that possess high, very high, or outstanding natural character. New provisions will be introduced to safeguard these special values, while also improving regulations for activities such as building new houses within the coastal fringe.

This work is needed to help us meet our requirements under the Resource Management Act and the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement.

These plan changes aim to implement Policies 1, 13 and 15 of the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement and Section 6(a) and (b) of the Resource Management Act 1991 for the Tasman region.

The Outstanding Natural Landscape and Features Landscape Plan Change 82

This will identify and assess Outstanding Natural Features and Landscapes (ONFL) areas and their values and protect the values of ONFL areas through objectives, policies, and rules.

Parts of the current plan affected by Outstanding Natural Landscape and Features Landscape Plan Change C82

The current Tasman Resource Management Plan (TRMP) chapters under review in this plan change process include:

• Part 1
  • Chapter 2 -Meaning of Words
• Part of Part 2:
  • Chapter 5 - Site Amenity Effects
  • Chapter 6-Urban Environment Effects
  • Chapter 7-Rural Environment Effects
  • Chapter 8-Margins of Rivers, Lakes, Wetlands, and the Coast
  • Chapter 9 -Landscape
  • Chapter 17-Zone Rules
  • Chapter 18-Special Area Rules
  • Chapter 19– Information required with Consent Applications
• Part 3 – Coastal Marine Area
  • Chapter 21– Effects of Disturbance, Structures and Occupation on Coastal Marine Conservation, Heritage, Access, and Amenity Values.
  • Chapter 25 Coastal Marine Area Rules

The Coastal Environment and Coastal Natural Character Plan Change 83

This will provide a comprehensive approach to managing and protecting our valuable coastal environment by identifying the inland extent of the coastal environment, assessing coastal natural character, and identifying areas of High, Very High and Outstanding Natural Character and protecting the coastal environment and coastal natural character areas through objectives, policies, and rules.

Parts of the current plan affected by the Coastal Environment and Coastal Natural Character Plan Change C83

The current Tasman Resource Policy Statement (TRPS) and TRMP chapters under review in this plan change process include:

• Part 1
  • Chapter 2 -Meaning of Words
• Parts of Part 2
  • Chapter 5 - Site Amenity Effects
  • Chapter 6-Urban Environment Effects
  • Chapter 7-Rural Environment Effects
  • Chapter 8-Margins of Rivers, Lakes, Wetlands and the Coast
  • Chapter 17-Zone Rules
  • Chapter 18-Special Area Rules
  • Chapter 19– Info Required with Consent Applications
• Part 3 – Coastal Marine Area
  • Chapter 21– Effects of Disturbance, Structures and Occupation on Coastal Marine Conservation, Heritage, Access and Amenity Values.
  • Chapter 22 Aquaculture
  • Chapter 25 Coastal Marine Area Rules

Latest mapping

Tip: As you navigate around the district, you can also toggle the ONL, ONF, and CE map layers on and off by using the layer button in the left-hand corner of the map.

To navigate further once in the layer field, use the drop-down arrow in the left-hand side of the panel to expand and the ellipse in the right hand-side of the panel for visibility.

Tip: There are satellite map options available (folded map button top left), and this can be useful for better understanding the special places identified.

The Previous Landscapes, Features and Coastal Mapping section below includes the Tasman Natural Character Study, amended 2022 CE mapping and the modified/amended 2022 ONL and ONF mapping.

Since 2020 the draft technical reports and maps have been discussed with the Tasman community including and landowners, stakeholders, and interest groups. Key outputs from consultation and engagement can be seen below.

During our first round of extended engagement, we heard from over 300 individuals and groups. Following feedback from landowners and stakeholders, the draft maps of the Tasman District Outstanding Natural Landscapes and Features, and the revised Coastal Environment area, was changed to reflect local knowledge.

Contact

For more information contact tania.bray@tasman.govt.nz or phone 03 543 8400.