District Plan - Hauraki Gulf Islands section

District plan review

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Sustainability focus group - directions for working party

Introduction

Group members:
Julia Meek
Ivan Kitson
Tony King-Turner
Kelly-Ann Harvey
Christopher Wragge
Trevor Darvill
Uli Umbreck
Debbie Sheridan
Tim Rimmer
Mary Evans
Rev Dick Thompson

Group support:
Jan Crawford
Marcus Langman
Rennae Shirley

The focus group has particularly considered the following aspects of sustainability:

• Alternative wastewater methods
• Sustainable design for buildings
• Water supply
• The permissive nature of the current plan
• Supply of affordable housing

Directions

The focus group wishes to indicate the following directions to the working party:

1.0 Principles

Here are some principles we would like the council to follow when drafting and considering the plan provisions

• The special nature of Waiheke, which is distinct from Auckland in both natural landscape and community value terms
• The opportunity to encourage sustainability on Waiheke as an exemplar
• The seasonal nature of Waiheke's community
• The importance of tourism and commuter employment to the islands economy
• Maintenance and enhancement of the unique ecology of the islands and the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park
• Recognition that the economic, social and cultural aspects of sustainability are as important as the environmental aspects.
• The high value Waihekeans place on their sense of community
• The need to recognise people more in the planning process (especially via the LGA 2002 and LTCCPs)
• The need to identify and recognise the potential financial burden to Waihekeans of non-optimal decision making, especially the potential need for localised sewerage reticulation.
• Approach wastewater, storm-water and domestic waste as a resource that can be utilised for re-use.
• Give sustainability a higher priority
• Need a significant focus on operational management interface creating practical and cost effective outcomes, and "ground-truthing" using local experts.
• Employment visioning should interface commercial, industrial, rural, tourism and home employment sectors.

2.0 District Plan issues

• Incorporate a sustainable building guide as an appendix to the plan, with the ability to place conditions on resource consents to undertake sustainable practices (such as passive solar heating and use of renewable energy resources).
• "Ground-truthing" of a sustainable building guide appendix using local experts.
• Provision in the plan for an holistic approach to a 6 waters resource philosophy
  • Stream
  • Aquifer
  • Tidal
  • Catchment
  • Stormwater
  • Wastewater
• Implementation of a minimum 40,000l rainwater storage capacity per site (commercial and residential). Alternatively, implement a rainwater storage capacity based on roof area, such as 200l/m2
• A more prescriptive plan that identifies appropriate and inappropriate activities more explicitly. This includes an expansion and clarification of definitions, so that inappropriate activities do not occur in rural-residential areas. Include a definition on "community scale".
• Undertake water catchment plans to identify all streams, watercourses and wetlands and have these identified in planning maps.
• Allow for an increase of affordable housing types, including provision of minor dwelling units in rural-residential land units 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 20, 21, and 22 whilst limiting effects in relation to wastewater. Such minor dwelling units should be limited to 65m2, integrated in terms of wastewater disposal and access, and covenanted in a way that restricts freehold subdivision, cross-leasing, or unit titling.
• Promote affordable housing as an objective in the plan, so that a possible non-complying activity for affordable housing will not be contrary to the plan.
• Provision in the plan for allowing large-scale wind generation (and other renewable energy resources) in appropriate locations as a discretionary use.

3.0 Other issues

• Auckland City Council should be leading in sustainability through its actions and its own buildings.
• Advocacy on the community's behalf to encourage alternative wastewater systems, with particular regard to encouraging ARC to consider alternative systems as permitted activities. This includes the use of composting toilets, grey and black-water separation, and wetland systems for water treatment.
• Consideration of a community reservoir to address issues around local water supply and supply for a possible cottage hospital.
• Additional funding be made available for public and internal council education on methods for sustainable development.