Jane Nees BOP Regional Councillor www.janenees.co.nz

Last week the Bay of Plenty Regional Council signed off a draft Regional Coastal Environment Plan for public feedback. The plan has been updated to give effect to the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement and the new Bay of Plenty Regional Policy Statement. It identifies issues and objectives for the coastal environment, policies and rules for activities in the coastal environment, and methods by which they can be achieved.

Key additions or changes in the plan include:

• A new integrated management section of the plan which covers matters such as water quality, natural heritage and coastal hazards where effects often cross the land/water divide.
• New policies and rules for mangrove management and aquaculture.
• Updated biodiversity assessments that are consistent with the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement and clearer guidance on how to manage natural heritage.
• Revised Harbour Development Zone (HDV) provisions.
• Identification of regionally significant surf-breaks and historic heritage sites in the coastal marine area.
• A revised section on Iwi Resource Management to reflect the increasing recognition of iwi roles in resource management.
• New policies regarding management of tsunami risk.
• A revised series of maps that identify various sites of significance, zones and existing uses in the coastal environment.

The draft plan will be released for public feedback in May and comments will be sought by the end of June. These will be considered by a sub-committee of council; and appropriate amendments to the plan will be made. The proposed plan will be officially notified by the end of the year for formal consultation and amendment before final adoption.

If you have any views on this or any other issue, please contact me by email: neesj@xtra.co.nz or ring me on 07 579 5150. Or you can check out my website at: www.janenees.co.nz