Part 1 - Palmerston North City Council

gemconsulting
the Esplanade Walkway between Fitzherbert Avenue and Albert Street. However, it is noted that these
views are very much localised to the immediate area. The area is not considered to be significant in
ecological terms in that it does not provide important habitat for rare or unique species nor is it an area of
indigenous flora. The site is of significance to tangata whenua being located just upstream of the historic
Te Motu o Poutoa pa site within ANZAC Park. The river offers important amenity values, in particular
recreational opportunities. However at the subject site these are compromised due to the current safety
issues. The site is not subject to any recognised national or regional protection instruments.
While the cliff is a distinctive natural feature, neither it nor this reach of the Manawatu River, is identified as
an outstanding or regionally significant natural feature in the PNCC District Plan, any Regional Plans or the
RPS. The applicant’s proposal will not adversely affect the visual prominence or other values identified
within Policy 8.1 in itself, however when considered in conjunction with the proposed works to re‐contour
the cliff there will be a change in the prominence and backdrop views offered by the cliff. It will, however,
remain as a recognisable river terrace or escarpment.
Objective 2
Objective 2 seeks to recognise and provide for the relationship of Maori, their culture and traditions with
their ancestral lands, water, sites, waahi tapu and other taonga in the beds of rivers and lakes. The site is
upstream of Te Motu o Poutoa, a site of significance to local Maori. The works that the MWRC are
proposing to undertake are within the active river bed and where the active river channel has been located
over the past 20 years or so. Therefore it is considered unlikely that any taonga, remains or archaeological
sites will be disturbed or discovered during the works. Nevertheless, a Protocol for the Accidental
Discovery of Archaeological Sites has been developed between the PNCC and Tanenuiarangi Manawatu
Incorporated for the proposed works, and the applicant has agreed to adhere to the protocol during the
works.
Objective 3
This objective seeks to enable the use and development of resources in, on, or under the beds of rivers
while ensuring that adverse effects on natural character, ecological, intrinsic, amenity or cultural values are
avoided, remedied or mitigated and that the existing life supporting capacity is maintained or enhanced.
The proposal will potentially see the Palmerston North community gaining more use and enjoyment out of
the river through enabling the provision of access along the left bank and through the removal of the risks
currently associated with the site. This will be especially so, with the location being very accessible and
close to the City. There will be some effect on the natural character of the area that is unavoidable. It will,
however, be mitigated to some extent with plantings proposed on the re‐contoured cliff.
The life supporting capacity of the river at the subject site is currently limited. The dynamic nature of the
cliff face and fine sediments of the cliff material do not allow for good habitat establishment. When the
works are complete it is expected that the life supporting capacity will be improved with less sediment
entering the river and a more stable environment being provided in the long term.
Objective 4
This objective seeks to recognise and provide for the physical resources in the beds of rivers and sustain
their potential to meet the reasonable foreseeable needs of future generations. The proposal recognises
not only the resources within the bed of the river but also the resources each side of the river. Use will be
made of the gravel resources in the river for the project. The gravel will be placed behind the rock lining to
provide support to it and as a foundation for the re‐contoured slope above. Ultimately, the gravel has not
been removed from the river bed but rather redistributed within it. If future generations considered that
better use could be made of that particular resource, it could potentially be recovered, albeit at some cost.
The proposal will enable recreational opportunities in this part of the river through the provision of a safe
environment and potential for access to the left bank to be developed. It also recognises the land resource
on each side of the river and will provide for its protection and use for future generations. The left bank will
be protected from further erosion so that the residentially zoned land above the cliff can be utilised and the
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