Regional Policy Statement

The 2007 review of the Regional Policy Statement has been re-prioritised in Council's work so the review of the draft has been indefinitely postponed. You can still read about the draft document on this page. For more information on the Regional Policy Statement consultation, visit the consultation page.

Vision Statement

Council wants to start the Regional Policy Statement with a clear statement of where we, as a community, want to go. A vision statement can create a picture of what we want to achieve with the document.

Proposed vision

Nelson is committed to achieving a high quality of life and environment for present and future generations.

Nelson takes action to achieve:

  • clean air, freshwater and coastal water
  • a city with character that’s easy to get around, that offers diverse housing, work, and lifestyle opportunities
  • more walking, cycling and public transport
  • an efficient network of roads
  • energy and water efficient buildings and industries
  • more renewable energy sources, particularly solar energy
  • less waste going to landfill
  • care and enhancement of all our species of plants and living creatures recognising that we all depend on each other for survival
  • a clear distinction between urban and rural areas
  • economic activity that also looks after the natural environment
  • protection of heritage and taonga
  • wise use of both renewable and non-renewable resources, that respects the limits of the natural environment

Summary of the issues

Below is a summary of the key issues in the areas of concern in the Regional Policy Statement. Click on any of the subheadings below to be taken to that section. You can also download the complete Regional Policy Statement in its draft form (PDF @ 200KB).

Urban growth

Issue 1 - land shortage

Land suitable for residential, commercial and industrial development will become severely limited within the next twenty years.  Currently most of Nelson’s development is quite spread out (low density), which is not an efficient use of the scarce land resource, or existing roads, water supply, sewerage systems and other infrastructure.

Issue 2– quality of development

If we don’t apply urban design principles to how and where building and development can take place as Nelson’s population increases  we run the risk of losing some of the qualities that make Nelson a desirable place to live.

Issue 3 – competing and conflicting uses of land

As our region grows there is more demand for land for things like the port, airport, roads, electricity pylons etc, as well as more demand for residential land. This creates conflict between the competing uses as there is a shortage of suitable land for each use while allowing them to stay separated.

What IT could mean for Nelson’s future
  • A wider range of housing types and a more compact city
  • Council more active in determining how new developments look and where they can be built and what they are like to live in
  • People live in closer proximity to where they work, shop and relax
  • More commercial and industrial development occurring in Richmond
  • Requirements for more sound insulation for buildings near airport and port

Energy

Issue – costs of energy use

Future access to energy is limited by increasing financial and environmental costs, and the natural limits of finite resources. Dependence on external sources of energy makes the region vulnerable to cost and supply uncertainties. Nelson is at the “end of the line” for electricity supply so we are vulnerable to more frequent or extended periods without electricity supply.

What IT could mean for Nelson’s future
  • Fuel and energy costs increase
  • More use of local renewable energy, eg. solar energy
  • More financial incentives for energy efficient products and home insulation

Land Transport

Issue 1 – more vehicles on the road

More people and a growing economy will mean more cars on the road and more congestion unless we reduce our reliance on private vehicles.  Current solutions to the problem, i.e. building more roads, will have adverse effects on: convenience, cost, productivity, community dislocation, air quality, and the essential qualities and characteristics that make Nelson a desirable place to live. Ongoing reliance on private vehicles also contributes to climate change.

Issue 2 - freight

There is heavy reliance on road transport for freight movements.

What IT could mean for Nelson’s future
  • Better bus service is introduced
  • More cycle lanes
  • More people live close to work, shops and community facilities which reduces their number of vehicle trips

Air Quality

Issue – Air pollution

On many occasions in urban Nelson there is more pollution in our air than is deemed acceptable according to national environmental standards.  Most of the pollution comes from domestic heating, with further contributions from industry and transport.  Poor air quality affects the health of the community.  It can cause premature death and affects the day-to-day lives of people through lung and respiratory complaints and may restrict people’s participation in some activities.

What IT could mean for Nelson’s future
  • Less use of fires and more reliance on heat pumps
  • New houses are designed to make good use of sunlight
  • More emphasis on good insulation in new and existing homes

Freshwater Quality

Issue – water quality and stream health

Water quality and other characteristics of stream health are below acceptable standards in most of Nelson’s urban streams and some rural streams.  Improving water quality is difficult, because contamination is mainly coming from water running off surrounding land.  What the surrounding land is used for, as well as changes to stream beds, affect the range of plant and animal life that exists in and around our streams. 

What IT could mean for Nelson’s future
  • Stricter controls on stormwater discharges to water
  • More planting of stream banks
  • More restrictions on water being taken from streams and aquifers

Freshwater Quantity

Issue 1 – conflicting uses and values of water

Increasing demand for water as a result of population growth and changing weather conditions may create more conflict in the future between how much water should be left in streams and how much it is reasonable to allocate for other uses.

Issue 2 - long term water supply for Nelson

In the long term, predicted population growth will mean the demand for water will exceed the supply available from the Maitai dam and Roding by 2059.  Additional sources of water are likely to be needed.

Issue 3 – access to potable water in Nelson North

Nelson North (North of Atawhai) residents are reliant on private water supplies, and in some areas there is not enough water available from rainwater, surface water or groundwater sources to supply nearby households. 

What IT could mean for Nelson’s future
  • Less water available
  • More need to conserve water
  • Long term water restrictions similar to those in place in Australia
  • Higher cost of water supply

Waste

Issue – waste of resources

Since the opening of the York Valley Landfill in 1987 the rate of waste to landfill has increased by approximately 5% per year.  In the 2004/05 year 46,500 tonnes was disposed to York Valley Landfill.  There are high financial and environmental costs when sending waste to landfill.  Reducing waste depends on the Nelson community’s willingness to purchase things that do not result in waste, and to separate more materials at home, as well as facilities available for reuse, recycling or composting.

What IT could mean for Nelson’s future
  • Requirement to separate out food and garden waste for composting
  • Separation of building waste for reuse rather than disposal
  • Increased landfill charges used as a disincentive to waste disposal

The Coast

Issue 1 – public safety and amenity

There’s a future need to balance the needs and safety of everyone who wants to use the Coastal Marine Area including: Port operations, shipping, boat maintenance slipways, recreational boats and swimmers, and aquaculture.

Issue 2 – The health of our coastal marine environment

The natural character and health of the Coastal Marine Area has been affected by the introduction of exotic species and by human activities.  These include what we use surrounding land for, the placement of wharves and piers and what we discharge into the sea including stormwater.

Issue 3 – public access

Public access to the coast may be compromised by private land ownership, traffic barriers, or areas that may be devoted to aquaculture industries in future.

What IT could mean for Nelson’s future
  • More action to control and prevent the spread of marine pest and weed problems
  • More control of development along the coast
  • Parts of the marine area set aside for aquaculture
  • More natural enhancement projects at Tahunanui Beach and other coastal areas
  • Segregated areas for differing uses to protect the health and safety of users

Greenhouse gas emissions

Issue – greenhouse gas emissions

Nelson’s contribution to greenhouse gas emissions is likely to increase with population growth unless the community changes its current energy use and the amount of methane it generates.

What IT could mean for Nelson’s future
  • More effort to reduce use of electricity and fossil fuels, as well as efforts to reduce waste
  • Increased electricity and petrol prices

Climate Change

Issue – effects of climate change

The effects of climate change, including sea level rise, higher temperatures, and changing rainfall patterns, are likely to increase the risk of floods and other natural hazards.

What IT could mean for Nelson’s future

Sea level rise, hotter temperatures, drier spring, summer and autumn seasons, and more intense rainfall events which will need to be planned for to avoid risks to people and property.

Biodiversity

Issue - loss of biodiversity

The Nelson environment has been changed a lot by human occupation which means we’ve lost some of our native species of plants, birds, insects and animals.

Further losses of indigenous species are likely to occur due to the continuing spread of pests and weeds, and the effect humans have on natural habitats.

What IT could mean for Nelson’s future

More planting, fencing and pest control

Heritage

Issue – loss of heritage features and sites

Loss of important heritage buildings and areas through allowing development that doesn’t take into account their importance to the community. The high cost of maintaining heritage resources can be a factor in whether or not they are retained.

What IT could mean for Nelson’s future

Introduction of stricter rules about development on sites with heritage values.

Landscapes and natural features

Issue – impacts on landscapes and natural features

Structures and other buildings that impact on our landscapes and natural features.

What IT could mean for Nelson’s future

More controls on where buildings and structures are allowed to occur.

Hazardous substances and contaminated sites

Issue – residual contamination

Land previously used for farming, orchards or market gardening may have some residual contamination from use of agrichemicals.  Service stations and some other industrial uses also have potential for contamination.  This historic contamination poses potential risks to the environment, or health risks if the land is converted for residential or recreational uses.

What IT could mean for Nelson’s future

Identification of any contamination issues before land is zoned residential to ensure any health or environmental risks are avoided.

Nuclear issues

Issue – threat of radioactive contamination

The threat of radioactive contamination of the environment posed by the presence of nuclear power facilities, nuclear propulsion, or the disposal of nuclear waste in the Nelson City area.

What IT could mean for Nelson’s future

Our ongoing nuclear free status is confirmed

Soils

Issue 1 – erosion and soil compaction

Erosion and soil compaction caused by land development.

Issue 2 – loss of productive land

Loss of productive land as a result of development.

What IT could mean for Nelson’s future

Impact on soil productivity is considered when developments are assessed.

Genetic engineering

Issue – establishment of genetically engineered species

The risk of genetically engineered species establishing and impacting on Nelson’s animal and plant species.

What IT could mean for Nelson’s future

Our ongoing GE free status is confirmed