Eastern Bay of Plenty residents are being asked to give their opinion on rural land use as consultation on the Whakatane District Council's draft district plan continues.

The council is seeking feedback on a new rural Ohiwa harbour zone and changes to the rural coastal zone as these two elements have been added to the plan.

Policy manager Julie Gardyne says other changes aim to protect the productive potential of land on the Rangitaiki and Galatea Plains.

The new zone and changes to the rural coastal zone were introduced to protect the values of the harbour and coastal areas.
'It's important to protect the natural character of our coastal areas and the quality of the environment. Rules required for each zone are designed to achieve this,” says Julie.

Land development in the rural Ohiwa harbour and rural coastal zones, including some production forestry, building, subdivision and earthworks, will require resource consent.

This is to ensure development doesn't impact the natural qualities of these areas.

'The rural coastal zone begins at the coastal protection zone and extends to the landward toe of the dunes, from coastlands to Matata,” says Julie.

'The rural Ohiwa harbour zone stretches 2-3km inland from the harbour's edge, but excludes Ohope.”

Some changes are proposed for subdivision in new and existing rural and coastal zones. Minimum lot sizes have increased from two to four hectares in the rural Ohiwa harbour and rural coastal zones.

In Galatea and the Rangitaiki Plains, a rule allowing lifestyle subdivision rights in areas of poor soil quality has been removed in order to maximise land available for rural production. The minimum lot size of eight hectares for the plains zone has not changed.

Julie says the plan still provides for rural lifestyle subdivision in the rural foothills zone and further lifestyle opportunities are available in a proposed rural residential zone.

'Feedback is welcomed on the proposed rural residential zone near Shaw Road, even though provisions for the zone are still being developed. Other locations for rural residential opportunities are also being considered,” she says.