Plan Change 5 2022
Plan change 5 2022 - initial public notification
Plan Change 5 was publicly notified on 18 July 2022.
The initial submission period commenced on 18 July 2022 and closed on Monday 29 August 2022.
The following documents relating to the Plan Change can be assessed here.
- Public Notice
- Plan Change 5 (track changes and clean versions)
- Report - Wilderness and Remoteness Values of Fiordland Waters
- Report - Fiordland Coastal Waters Context
- Report - Section 32 Evaluation
A factsheet containing frequently asked questions on Plan Change 5 can be accessed here.
Plan Change 5 centres around Section 16 - Surface water activities on the internal waters of Fiordland from Yates Point to Puysegur Point of the Regional Coastal Plan for Southland.
Environment Southland is seeking to tackle pressures on the area by putting in place rules to control increases in commercial activities and to strengthen other measures aimed at protecting the area and the wildlife. Measures include halting the granting of new or additional consents in the area.
The increasing pressure these activities were placing on Fiordland were raised with Environment Southland via their partners. In response, the Council commissioned a report into the impact that increase was having on the area. The conclusion of that report showed that, if unchecked, the continuous increase in commercial activity could have a negative impact on the natural and wilderness values of Fiordland.
Some impacts identified relate to seeing other boats, more boats present in the more remote fiords and staying for longer, increased use of aircraft for access to boats, crowding on moorings and anchorages, and a potential loss of boatie etiquette on the water.
A summary of the proposed changes is included in the table below:
Clause | Proposed Change | Purpose and impact |
|---|---|---|
Add Policy 16.2.2 | Avoid adverse effects on nationally and regionally significant values | Use of the phrase “avoid” sets a high bar of protection for these values. |
16.2.2 (b) | Specifically directs that new consents will not be granted where any adverse effects on those values. | |
An “end-date” | Enabling ongoing discussion of this matter through the remainder of the Regional Coastal Plan review. | |
Add Policy 16.2.3 | Avoid or mitigate adverse effects on marine mammals | Provides additional protection for marine mammals including significant habitat areas for the endangered bottlenose dolphin. |
Delete Policy 16.2.4 | Deletion | Removes “no limits on the SWA in Milford Sound/Piopiotahi” as the new policies conflict with this. |
Amend Policy 16.2.6 | Insertion of “including the use of dual place names” | Clarifies an existing policy which calls for “fiords correctly referred to”. |
Amend Policy 16.2.8 to 16.2.7 | “Manage adverse effects of commercial SWA in Fiordland” | Specifically provides protection for remote and wilderness values whilst maintaining recreational activities. |
Add Policy 16.2.8 | “Impacts on wilderness and remoteness values” | Direction for consent applicants and processing officers of the specific matters that require recognition when considering impacts of activities on wilderness and remoteness values. |
Amend Policy 16.2.11 | Additional consideration of adverse effects on the National Park | Must “have regard to the Fiordland National Park Management Plan”. |
Add Policy 16.2.15 | Consent term direction | To provide guidance for staff and applicants to ensure consent terms reflect specific nature of the proposed activity and its effects. |
Rule 16.2.1 | Increased strengthening of the consent requirements | Inserts a non-complying activity status for more remote areas and aims to ensure no further intensification of SWA. |
During the submissions period Environment Southland received a request for further information concerning vessels, trips and passenger numbers in Fiordland. |
Response: Please see copy of list of current resource consents by following this link. Also, see copy of Commercial Surface Water Activity Vessels Operating in Fiordland (2019) by following this link. |
