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Coastal Plan

The Regional Coastal Plan sets out how Environment Southland will carry out its resource management responsibilities in the Coastal Marine Area (CMA).

The values of Southland's coast are described and issues of management identified. Fundamental principles in the management of the CMA are set out and then sections of the plan deal with specific matters, including estuaries, coastal water, air, occupation, the seabed and foreshore, structures in the coast, coastal processes and protection works, cruise ships and other ships in internal waters, recreational activities, marine farming, surface water activities, financial contributions and bonds to be made.

The Regional Coastal Plan for Southland became fully operative in March 2013. A change to Section 16 of the plan, which covers surface water activities on the internal waters of Fiordland from Yates Point to Puysegur Point was made in 2023 and, after approval by the Minister of Conservation, became operative on 18 October 2024.

A copy of the operative Regional Coastal Plan for Southland can be found here.

Coastal Plan review

The existing Coastal Plan has been in place since 2013. The Resource Management Act (1991) requires regional plans to be reviewed every 10 years, to ensure they remain relevant to the community and in step with current legislation. Environment Southland will continue to work in partnership with Te Ao Mārama Inc. (TAMI), to set direction for resource management in Southland region in a new Regional Coastal Plan.

Environment Southland acknowledges that Central Government is reviewing resource management legislation and national direction. This may necessitate changes in the scope of coastal plan review already undertaken. This work will continue when firm direction from Central Government is available.

Information relating to the Coastal Plan review can be accessed here.

https://www.haveyoursay.es.govt.nz/coastal-plan-review

Plan Change 5

A coastal plan change for Section 16 of the Regional Coastal Plan, which covers surface water activities on the internal waters of Fiordland from Yates Point to Puysegur Point is currently occurring. This is referred to as Plan Change 5 of the Regional Coastal Plan.

The appeals period through the Environment Court closed 26 January 2024 and no submissions were received. Council has moved to adopt the changes to the Coastal Plan, which are with the Minister of Conservation to be signed off. Once Ministerial approval has been granted, public notification will advise the date on which Plan Change 5 becomes operative. There is currently no time frame in which this shall be completed.

Information relating to the Plan Change 5 can be accessed here.

Related resources

Porpoise Bay and Curio Bay near Waikawa, Catlins.

River mouth agreement – 2020 update

The CMA landward boundary determines where the jurisdiction of the Regional Coastal Plan ends and the proposed Southland Water and Land Plan starts. Environment Southland, the Department of Conservation, Southland District Council, and Invercargill City Council are all parties to an update of the Southland Region Agreement for the Position of River Mouths which is dated 23 December 2020 and has full legal effect. The original agreement in the Coastal Plan is superseded and will be removed when the Coastal Plan is updated.

Read the Southland Region Agreement for Position of River Mouths

Stirling Point, Bluff.

National Environmental Standards for Marine Aquaculture

The National Environmental Standards for Marine Aquaculture come into effect on 1 December 2020. The regulations apply to replacement consents for existing marine farms and prevail over the relevant rules in the Regional Coastal Plan for Southland.

Please refer to the Ministry for Primary Industries website for further information.

Southland Murihiku Regional Coastal Environment Study

This report was created to define and map the terrestrial and marine components of Southland’s Regional Coastal Environment, using the elements described within Policy 1 of the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement (NZCPS). Boffa Miskell compiled the report on behalf of Environment Southland, Invercargill City Council, Southland District Council and Te Ao Mārama Incorporated. The report does not articulate or identify areas of natural character significant to Ngāi Tahu ki Murihiku, who hold mana whenua status in Southland.

Read the full document

Surf Breaks of Regional Significance

Surf breaks and surfing resources are recognised by statutory instruments including the Resource Management Act (1991) and the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement (NZCPS). The NZCPS has a number of policies relevant to the sustainable management of surfing resources. At the regional level this is to be addressed in the Regional Coastal Plan.

Read more about Surf Breaks of Regional Significance

Natural Character

This report was created in response to the Southland Regional Policy Statement requiring the identification of significant and important natural character throughout the region. Boffa Miskell compiled the report on behalf of Environment Southland, Invercargill City Council, Southland District Council and Te Ao Mārama Incorporated. The report does not articulate or identify areas of natural character that are significant to Ngāi Tahu ki Murihiku who hold mana whenua status in Southland.

Read more about the Regional Coastal Study.

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