News & Events
- First Edition
- First Rate
- Flyers
- Key Dates
- News/Media Releases
- Southern Fire Fighters Heading to Victoria
- Mayor Criticises Roading Changes
- Council congratulates Barnes
- New Treatment System for Scheme
- Winter driving campaign starts
- Land use consent granted to South Coast Dairy
- Council saddened by mill closure
- Presentation on new code planned
- Revamp for Council website
- Record number of submissions
- Councils working together
- District funding of water and sewerage postponed
- Council defends response timeframes
- Council to apply for consent to clear vegetation
- Resurfacing contract let
- Proposed plan changes to be notified
- Southern Councils pleased with cycle trail announcement
- Next steps in joint planning review process
- Preliminary work on cycle trail moves along
- Council urges decision on subsidy
- Feedback sought on Curio Bay draft plan
- Rock quarry granted consent
- Proposed plan changes notified
- English visits south
- Unqualified Annual Report adopted
- Regional CD organisation step closer
- New Papatotara Coast Road opened
- Our Towns
- Public Notices
- RSS Feeds
- Emergency Road Closures
Council to apply for consent to clear vegetation
Thursday, 23 July 2009Vegetation clearing on the Manapouri foreshore is on hold at the moment while the Southland District Council applies for resource consent.
Council area engineer Graham Jones said the clearing of vegetation carried out last month was as allowed for under the reserve management plan, which was adopted in 2003 after public consultation.
"Most people were very positive about the work done as it enables a view of Lake Manapouri. However, some negative feedback was also received and possible legal action signalled if the work continued," Mr Jones said.
A meeting held recently to discuss the clearing was helpful in establishing a better understanding. However, Council also received legal advice that a resource consent was needed to continue clearing indigenous vegetation.
Council resource management manager Bruce Halligan said Rule HER.3 in the District Plan governs indigenous vegetation modification throughout the district.
"The Resource Management Act requires Council to recognise and provide for the protection of significant indigenous vegetation and significant habitats of indigenous fauna. While this is primarily aimed at private land, it also applies to public land.
"If more work is carried out on the Manapouri Foreshore, Council could be seen to be in breach of its District Plan, which is obviously not acceptable."
Any further work would need a resource consent and an application for such would be publicly notified to allow all parties to make a submission in support or in opposition.
Mr Jones said some Manapouri people could be frustrated by this, but it is essential that Council ensures any future work is lawful and has followed the correct procedure. An application should be lodged within a month. Council is likely to hold the pre-hearing meeting and possibly also the formal hearing itself in Manapouri. Submitters who wish to be heard at the formal hearing will have the opportunity to speak to their submissions.
