POLICIES 10.3 Utilities and roading
The presence of utilities and development of new roads is generally inconsistent with the preservation of national parks in a natural state. It is considered that there is sufficient roading in existing national parks and that further roads are not desirable. The need for ongoing maintenance and potential upgrading of existing roading infrastructure is recognised. There may be circumstances when location of utilities within a national park will be unavoidable; but the adverse effects of any such utilities and access to them should be minor. No roads, tracks, or routes can be constructed and no building or machinery can be erected in a wilderness area within a national park.
POLICIES
10.3(a) Utilities may be provided for in a national park where:
- i) they cannot be reasonably be established in a location outside the national park or elsewhere in the national park where the potential adverse effects would be significantly less;
- ii) they cannot reasonably use an existing structure or facility;
- iii) their provision, uses and the means of access to them is not inconsistent with the recreational uses and opportunities of the site; and
- iv) they have minimal impact on ecological values, scenery and natural features and on the qualities of solitude, remoteness, wilderness, peace and natural quiet.
10.3(b) Conservation management strategies and national park management plans should require that utilities be of a scale, design and colour that harmonises with the landscape and any seascape, and not have an adverse effect on the natural state of the national park.
10.3(c) The construction or extension of utilities should take into account cultural values and avoid detrimental effects on wāhi tapu.
10.3(d) A lease granting an interest in land with exclusive possession for a utility should be considered only when exclusive possession is necessary for the protection of public safety or the physical security of the activity or for its competent operation.
10.3(e) Co-siting of telecommunications and associated facilities should be required, to reduce the adverse effects of the facilities and the access to them, unless applicants can demonstrate that this would be impracticable.
10.3(f) Utilities that are redundant should be removed from the national park for the purpose of minimising adverse effects on the landscape, and the site restored as far as possible to a natural state.
10.3(g) When new facilities are installed or existing facilities upgraded, equipment and technology that reduces visual and other environmental effects should be required.
10.3(h) No new roads will be made over or through a national park except with the consent of the Minister given in accordance with the national park management plan.
10.3(i) New or upgraded roads provided for in a national park management plan should have minimal effect on natural features and those undertaking the construction should take measures to mitigate any adverse effects, including:
- i) avoidance of fragmentation of habitats and ecosystems;
- ii) rehabilitation of surfaces of earthworks;
- iii) weed control; and
- iv) collection and treatment of storm water run-off.
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