Plans, policies and reports
Hauraki Gulf Islands review
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Issues and options papers
Earthworks - Farm Tracks
Issue
Farm tracks on Great Barrier Island come under Clause 6B.1.3.6 - Earthworks, in
the Hauraki Gulf Islands District Plan, which contains the following additional
provisions for farm tracks:
"C. Earthworks to construct farm tracks in Land Units 3 and 5 on Great
Barrier Island which do not comply with (A) above are a permitted activity
where:
i) the tracks are required for farming activities; and
ii) the earthworks comply in all respects with the standards set out in (F)
below."
(A) contains the standard earthworks limits that in Land Units 3 and 5 would
permit up to 50m2 of earthworks on land with a slope greater than 1 in 6, and up
to 400m2 on land with a slope of less than 1 in 6. (F) requires the use of
sediment control measures, no depositing of material on public roads, no more
than 200m3 of cleanfill to be transported by public road to or from the site,
and any surplus material to be disposed of in a legally authorised manner.
The additional provisions for farm tracks were inserted into the District
Plan by the Council's decision of 18 December 2004 on submissions received to
plan change 24, which amended the earthworks' controls. Several of the farmers
on Great Barrier Island were concerned about the need to obtain resource
consents for earthworks involved in the construction of farm tracks. Taking a
pragmatic approach, the hearing panel decided to go some way towards meeting
this concern.
It is likely that some Great Barrier farmers consider that the farm track
provisions are still too restrictive because they apply only in Land Units 3
(alluvial flats) and 5 (foothills and lower slopes).
On the other hand, some staff consider that the farm track provisions are too
imprecise. Possibly there should be a definition of "farm track". It
is also unclear what standard of access is proposed and the extent of earthworks
that is envisaged.
It can also be argued that it is difficult to justify having special
exemptions for earthworks for farm tracks on Great Barrier Island. In terms of
effects, it is the nature of the earthworks, rather than their purpose, which is
of relevance.
Possible approaches
You may have a better or alternative approach to those outlined below. If so,
we would like to hear from you.
- Status quo. Retain the existing provisions or provisions of a similar
nature.
- Retain the existing provisions, but clarify them by including a definition
of "farm track".
- Extend the existing provisions to other land units where farming occurs.
- Remove the existing provisions. Make no extra provision for farm tracks -
the standard earthworks controls apply.
Note:
While this issue paper can be read in isolation, it is best read in
association with the issue paper relating to:
