5.1 Each of the sections of the District Plan are set out in a standard manner. The sections start with an introduction, follow with the resource management strategy including issues, objectives, policies and methods, an explanation, and finish with the anticipated environmental outcomes for that section.
5.2 The District Plan should be considered as a whole and there may be instances where the objectives and policies stated for one zone are applicable to another. This can occur where the effects of activities cross Zone boundaries, or where an activity occurs on the boundary of a Zone.
5.3 Section 75 and the Second Schedule of the Act state what a District Plan is to contain, thus providing a District Plan template. All of the matters stated in Section 75 must be in a District Plan. The following discusses those components of the District Plan.
5.3.1 Section Introduction or Zone Introduction
The Section Introduction or Zone Introduction introduces the topic upon which the objectives, policies, and methods of that section are based. The Zone Introduction details the character of the Zone and the zone components. The Section or Zone Introduction provides a 'snapshot' of the section topic.
5.3.2 Resource Management Strategy
The Resource Management Strategy is the strategy adopted to manage a particular topic. The strategy comprises the issues, objectives, policies, and methods including rules, that guide effective resource management decisions. The components of the Resource Management Strategy are discussed below.
5.3.3 Resource management issues
The resource management issues identified in the Plan focus on environmental management areas of concern. Resource management issues are derived from legislative responsibility and from issues raised throughout the District Plan consultation process. Resource management issues provide the basis for intervention in environmental management. They also provide the foundation for the objectives and policies of the District Plan.
5.3.4 Objectives
Objectives are the desired outcomes, or goals, that are to be achieved from the implementation of policies and methods of the District Plan. The objectives of the Plan are derived from the resource management issues.
5.3.5 Policies
Policies are the driving force to attain the objectives of the Plan. A policy is what is required to achieve the Plan's objectives. Policies are effects based and provide guidance for the community and resource consent applicants.
5.3.6 Methods
The policies of the Plan are implemented by the Methods. There are many methods able to be employed by Council, these range from least interventionist to more regulatory methods. The methods of the District Plan include Rules and Other methods.
5.3.7 Rules
Section 76 of the Act enables Council to have rules in the District Plan that prohibit, regulate, or allow activities. Rules give legislative effect to the objectives and policies of the Plan. Rules are enforceable and require compliance. The Rules of the District Plan provide for permitted, controlled, discretionary, and non-complying activities (See 2.2). They also state whether an activity requires a resource consent.
5.3.8 Assessment criteria
Assessment criteria are stated for each Zone. They are used to assess the effects of proposed controlled, discretionary, and non-complying activities on the environment. The lists are not exhaustive and the Council must also have regard to the matters stated in Section 104 and 105 of the Act. Assessment criteria are a guide to Council Officers, Councillors, and consent applicants as to the practical matters to be considered in assessing an application for a resource consent. The assessment criteria are used when formulating conditions which may be imposed on resource consents for controlled activities in respect of those matters over which Council has reserved control. Subdivision is a controlled or discretionary activity in each zone and a resource consent is always required.
5.3.9 Zone standards
Zone Standards are stated for each zone in the plan. They are standards for all activities. Where any activity does not comply with the Zone Standards it will require a resource consent and will be assessed according to the assessment criteria stated in the relevant zone.
5.3.10 Other methods
Other methods, methods other than rules, are stated for each section of the Plan. Other methods include education, collection of information, community initiatives, further research, and the use of methods derived from other legislation, such as the use of Reserve Management Plans. The other methods stated in the Plan are a combination of those methods that can be instituted by Council or the community.
5.3.11 Explanation
Each section of the Plan Section 3 to Section 19 has an explanation. The explanation discusses the reasons for adopting objectives, policies, and the methods of the Plan.
5.3.12 Anticipated environmental outcomes
The anticipated environmental outcomes stated in each section are the environmental results that the community can expect from the implementation of the objectives, policies, and methods of the District Plan. Each of these outcomes should be measurable and able to be monitored.
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