3.1 This District Plan has been prepared to fulfil Council's obligations pursuant to the Resource Management Act 1991(The Act). The purpose of the Act is to promote the sustainable management of natural and physical resources. In the Act sustainable management means :

Section 5. Purpose

Managing the use, development, and protection of natural and physical resources in a way, or at a rate, which enable people and communities to provide for their social, economic, and cultural wellbeing and for their health and safety while -

(a) Sustaining the potential of natural and physical resources (excluding minerals) to meet the reasonably foreseeable needs of future generations; and

(b) Safeguarding the life-supporting capacity of air, water, soil, and ecosystems; and

(c) Avoiding, remedying, or mitigating any adverse effects of activities on the environment.

Resource Management Act 1991

3.2 The Act requires the Council to have a District Plan to give effect to the purpose of the Act. The Plan explains how Council will manage and control the effects of land use activities, and subdivision, within the district. This will enable the maintenance and enhancement of the high environmental quality enjoyed in the district.