Plans, policies and reports
Hauraki Gulf Islands review
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Issues and options papers
Viticulture
Issue
While there is some viticulture on other islands in the Gulf, it is principally
located on Waiheke Island. Winemaking began on Waiheke in the 1970s. Since then
a number of wineries have been established and the Island is becoming well known
for its wines. While viticulture has been established for some time on Waiheke,
grape growing and the number of wineries have increased considerably since the
inception of the current Hauraki Gulf Islands (HGI) District Plan. The growth of
viticulture has contributed to the growth of the tourism industry, with many
people visiting Waiheke for its vineyards.
The growth of viticulture has given rise to some associated environmental
effects. Viticulture and grape processing can create discharges to air, land and
water. Vines may require spraying which may impact people and properties around
the vineyard due to spray-drift. The proposed Air Land and Water Plan has rules
retarding the use of agrichemicals and preventing spray-drift. Wineries have
associated traffic, aural and visual effects. In more recent times resource
consent applications relating to vineyards have included applications for
restaurant and conference facilities, which can also have adverse effects.
Issues associated with viticulture need to be considered as part of the District
Plan review.
Viticulture has tended to be located in Land Units 20, 21 and 22. These are
generally rural land units with strong landscape consideration requirements. The
provisions of Land Unit 20 - Landscape Protection
seek to preserve its predominantly rural character in order to maintain a buffer
of open countryside between the villages on Waiheke Island. In Land Unit 21 -Te
Whau Peninsula there are many areas of high amenity and environmental value
within the coastal environment. The general purpose of Land Unit 22 is to
encourage the continued management of land for rural and conservation purposes
while permitting comprehensive developments involving the provision of
low-density accommodation. Given the number of lifestyle block developments in
these land units, there may be some conflict between residential and commercial
land uses.
The current District Plan does not define "viticulture" or
"wineries" and hence does not require resource consent for their
establishment and operation. Restaurants, which have been established in
conjunction with many vineyards, are permitted activities within Land Units 20,
21 and 22. As the existing plan focuses on the built environment, any resource
consents are required for the building, earthworks associated with the building
and so on, rather than the activity of operating a winery. Given the growth of
this industry, particularly on Waiheke Island, and the attendant effects
associated with it, there may be need for greater definition and control through
the District Plan process.
Possible approaches
You may have a better or alternative approach to those outlined below. If so,
we would like to hear from you.
- Retain the status quo.
- Place greater control on the effects of viticulture and wineries in the
Hauraki Gulf through the District Plan.
- Define "wineries" in the definitions sections and require
consent for them in particular land units.
- Add a new, comprehensive definition with an appropriate activity status,
which would apply to combinations of activities such as viticulture,
accommodation, restaurant and conference activities.
- Develop assessment criteria for wineries. Restaurants and entertainment
facilities within Land Units 20, 21 and 22 could be required to obtain
resource consent.
- Revise the parking requirements associated with viticulture activities to
ensure that an adequate amount of parking is provided within the site.
Note:
While this issue paper can be read in isolation, it is best read in
association with the issue papers relating to:
