Summary: This chapter explains the manual's purpose in guiding the Council's management of roads in Tasman. It outlines the key documents, definitions, enforcement requirements, fees, and the scope of activities related to the use and occupation of these roads.

What has changed: The relevant legislation has been updated. We have clarified that the Policies are separate from the Resource Consent processes. In many cases, people applying for permits or permission for activities in the road area should also contact the Council’s duty planner to discuss any required resource consent.

Summary: This chapter outlines the Council's guidelines for safely conducting certain activities and events on or near roads, ensuring they do not cause damage to road infrastructure.

What has changed: The relevant legislation has been updated, and a new paragraph relating to the approval process for undertaking private works within the road corridor.

Summary: This chapter explains how property owners can apply to build driveways (vehicle crossings and accessways) to their properties, whether for private or commercial use.

What has changed: The relevant legislation has been updated and links to the Nelson Tasman Land Development Manual have been added.

Summary: This chapter states that new open drains in the road margin, including accessway or side culverts, are not allowed without written Council approval. These drains mainly serve adjacent land, not the road, and are generally not maintained by the Council. Under Council policy and the Land Drainage Act 1908, adjacent landowners are responsible for their upkeep. NZTA and the Council will only fund maintenance in proportion to the road’s benefit. Council may step in if public assets are at risk.

What has changed: The definition section has been updated along with minor changes in relation to the process for approval.

Summary: This chapter explains the Council’s policy for allowing fencing within road margins under appropriate circumstances

What has changed: Two sections have been updated: a) Fencing application to cost share; b) prior notice requiring fences to be moved for road improvements

Summary: This chapter explains how the Council manages utilities within the road reserve and provide guidance around on the installation of privately owned services in these areas.

What has changed: Two sections have been added: a) Provisions of Council’s Resource Management Plan; b) As built plans.

Summary: This chapter explains how Council ensures public safety during special events, maintenance, or unforeseen circumstances on or near the roadway. It protects workers, participants, and passers-by, and maintains emergency access. The Council also requires adequate notice to those affected, and an opportunity for these parties to provide feedback on temporary road closures.

What has changed: Temporary closure of roads for public events has been merged into this policy. There have been minor adjustments made to the process section. Applicants must demonstrate that they will make reasonable efforts to minimise disruption.

Summary: This chapter provides guidelines on measures to reduce dust impacts on homes near gravel roads. The Council does not provide dust suppression agents or their application. The Council tries to use roading metal that is less prone to producing dust. Residents may apply for a permit to use approved dust suppressants, subject to conditions and approval.

What has changed: An additional sentence has been added to the section on treatment length.

Summary: This chapter outlines that the Council generally does not seal gravel (unsealed) roads at its own expense due to limited funding and the high cost of such works. However, the Council may approve requests from those who wish to seal unsealed roads at their own cost. The Council will approve sealing based on minimising future maintenance costs.

What has changed: The policy wording has been updated to reflect current practice.

Summary: This chapter outlines the process for managing public requests to form legal (paper) roads.

What has changed: A new section has been added relating to the requirements for registering the property owner’s responsibility regarding maintenance onto the property LIM.

Summary: This chapter explains the Council’s approach to partially formed roads within legal road corridors that it does not maintain. These roads are not regularly inspected. Council may install signs to warn of risks, and users must avoid trespassing on private land. The Council will only provide funds towards upgrades or ongoing maintenance if there is clear public benefit and sufficient funding is available.

What has changed: The section relating to a) public use and b) maintenance has been updated to clarify obligations of road users.

Summary: This chapter outlines the process for managing public requests to stop sections of legal road. Road stopping is the process of removing a road's legal status and granting freehold title to that land, allowing it to be sold to the adjoining landowner.

What has changed: This policy has been revised and now provides additional details regarding when Council will consider stopping a road, detailing the legal process and the role of the Road Stopping Panel.

Summary: This chapter explains when the Council may permit gates or cattle stops across roads and outlines the associated process and requirements.

What has changed: The amount of public liability insurance has been increased.

Summary: This chapter explains the importance of keeping road surfaces clear of materials that could compromise safety or reduce the lifespan of the road.

What has changed: Minor amendments to reflect current practice, including the process when a) debris does not impose an immediate safety risk, and b) the introduction of an administration fee.

Summary: This chapter outlines when the Council may permit temporary roadside grazing under appropriate circumstances.

What has changed:Grazing of urban roads is no longer included in the policy as a permitted activity. New wording has been added in relation to the distances between the fence and the roadway, and the re-erection of fences.

Summary: This chapter states that the Council generally does not allow storage on road margins except in exceptional circumstances. Some private structures, like mailboxes, are usually permitted. Most others, such as rural schools, bus shelters or gateway structures, require a Licence to Occupy approved by the Council. Encroachments over 20m2 are charged market rental as determined by the valuer.

What has changed: A new clause has been added stating that larger encroachments, such as buildings, will incur an annual rental fee based on the equivalent rates for similar buildings.

Summary: This chapter allows rural property owners to apply for a 'no spray' frontage if they manage vegetation to the Council’s satisfaction. In urban and peri-urban areas, the current service level continues. Adjacent landowners are expected to maintain the road verge, as the Council does not budget for this except in limited garden areas.

Summary: This chapter explains the process for residents or organisations to make changes to trees and shrubs on roadsides.

What has changed: The following sections have been updated: a) Objectives, b) Road Safety Implications, c) Key Linkages. In addition, techniques to trim or maintain trees are preferred rather than removal, where possible.

Summary: This chapter ensures that regulatory, wayfinding and advertising traffic control devices (signs) are suitable for their location and installed correctly.

What has changed: This chapter has been updated to reflect the new requirements under the Traffic Control Devices Rule and to clarify the importance of standardised and compliant signs. It also reflects the Public Places Bylaw 2024 and requirements for sandwich boards.

Summary: This chapter outlines the process for managing public requests to install convex mirrors.

What has changed: This chapter has been updated to reflect that these devices are considered a last resort and specifies the circumstances under which they may be installed. The Council will accept no liability or responsibility for matters relating to the road mirror.

Summary: This chapter outlines the criteria and process for installing school and pedestrian crossings, including Kea crossings.

What has changed: A new process has been introduced for crossings, along with an updated key linkage section, to reflect current good practice regarding pedestrian network planning and design guidance.

Summary: This chapter outlines how the Council will manage low use bridges to ensure prudent application of ratepayer funds.

What has changed: This is a new policy. The Council may choose not to repair or replace bridges on low-traffic roads when they reach the end of their life. This approach aligns with NZTA funding criteria policy. Routine and low-cost maintenance will continue. The policy also allows for lowering bridge weight limits and/or closing them as they deteriorate or when costly repairs or replacements are needed, when there is insufficient funding. Before carrying out major work, the Council will seek contributions from landowners who benefit. Landowners may also propose bridge upgrades to Council.

Summary: This chapter explains the process and considerations when a private landowner seeks approval to establish Coastal Erosion Protection Structures (CEPS) on road reserves or unformed legal roads.

What has changed: This new policy outlines the criteria and process for establishing hard Coastal Erosion Protection Structures (CEPS). Key elements include:

• Roads as Inappropriate Locations: Roads are generally not considered suitable places for CEPS.
• Access Retention: Access to these roads must be maintained.
• Cultural and Environmental Considerations: Establishing a CEPS requires consideration of historic places, iwi values, and native vegetation.
• Preference for Soft Engineering Solutions: The Council prefers soft engineering solutions over hard structures.
• Expert Assessment Requirement: An expert assessment must be provided to justify the need for the structure.
• Landowner Responsibility: Landowners are responsible for all costs associated with the CEPS.
• Removal: Council will retain the ability to remove the CEPS if need be.