Great Barrier Island issues and options

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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:

1. the tracks are required for farming activities; and
2. 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.