7. Powers of the board under Section 6N of the Conservation Act

Advocacy Role [Section 6N (2) (a)]

The board has continued to focus on two major themes of concern to the wider Wellington Conservancy - coastal development and freshwater resources.

The board has on several occasions considered it desirable to present submissions. This is not a step taken lightly. One such submission involved the opposition to a proposed subdivision along the Pukerua Bay to Paekakariki escarpment on the grounds of the impact on a unique landform.

The matters raised, in statutory processes as well as outside these processes, were:

Regional and district planning

(a) The board commented on two occasions on a draft Plan Change to the Kapiti Coast District Plan proposing to replace the current subdivision control guides with a new set of guiding documents. The board supported the draft change proceeding without amendment, and decided not to submit on the Proposed Plan change when it was notified.

Management Plans - Other Authorities

(b) The board made a submission to Greater Wellington Regional Council on the draft Queen Elizabeth Regional Park management plan.

Resource Consent Applications

(c) The board submitted in support of resource consent applications lodged by Masterton District Council to construct and maintain seawalls at Castlepoint in the Wairarapa.

(d) The board submitted on a resource consent application from Hutt City Council to discharge untreated wastewater into the Waiwhetu Stream, seeking that the consent have a reduced term and specific conditions regarding monitoring, riparian planting, and a goal to eliminate wet-weather overflows during the term of the consent.

(e) The board provided comments to South Wairarapa District Council on their proposed resource consent application for the continued operation of water races, noting that the board was happy with the proposal

(f) Board members attended public forums convened by Masterton District council regarding their sewage/wastewater consent process, and Hutt City Council regarding the consents held for the Seaview wastewater plant.

(g) The board considered involvement in a number of resource consent applications but declined to become involved due to reasons of board workload and priority, because the adverse effects were adequately addressed in the application, or because the department of Conservation appeared to be adequately addressing conservation issues in its involvement in the applications. The department maintained a close liaison with members over a number of applications during the year.

Other planning matters

(h) The board received a presentation by Masterton District Council staff and consultants on the options being considered for management of Masterton's wastewater.

Other conservation issues

(i) The board commented on the Ministry of Fisheries Consultation document on management of brown bull-head catfish, supporting one option, with an addition being made to it, and requesting that the Ministry explore options for the eradication of these fish.

(j) The board requested and received a presentation from Dave Allen from the Ministry of Fisheries regarding the implications of the new Quota Management System for eel populations in the Wairarapa.

(k) The board submitted on the "Sustainable Programme for Action Proposals for Freshwater" exercise being conducted by the Ministry for the Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The board commented that too much emphasis was placed on achieving economic development, rather than a balance of water management and conservation and the prevention of harm to underground water resources, waterways and wetlands. The submission made some suggestions to redress the balance.

(l) The board provided comment to Capacity , acting for Wellington City Council, on the proposed Assessment of Water and Sanitary Services and on a draft Liquid Waste Management Plan for Wellington City. The board considered the documents were poorly drafted and offered suggestions to improve the guiding principles, objectives and stormwater and sewage treatment.

(m) The board wrote to the Ministers of Local Government, Conservation and State Owned Enterprises on several occasions, had a member attend a workshop, and maintained communication with Greater Wellington Regional Council, Kapiti Coast District Council, the department of Conservation and community groups over the proposed disposal by Landcorp of Whareroa Farm. The board also wrote to Ministers over the proposed sale of Waitangirua Farm by Landcorp. The board sought that the farms be retained in public ownership.

(n) The board received a briefing by Kapiti Coast District Council councillors and staff on the planning processes and outcomes being promoted in the district.

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