Key Issues Report of the Porirua City Council - Environmental ...

Key Issues Report of the Porirua City 

Council 

Commissioned by the Environmental Protection Authority 

under Section 149G(3) of the Resource Management Act 

1991 on the Notices of Requirement and Resource Consent 

applications pertaining to the Transmission Gully Project. 

Environment and Regulatory services 

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Report Author 

Peer Reviewer 

Richard Watkins Date 

Principal Resource Consents Planner 

Adrian Ramage Date 

Manager Resource Consents 

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Contents 

1. Purpose 

2. Scope 

3. Conflict 

4. Relevant plan provisions 

5. Summary of Consents 

6. Activity status of all proposed activities 

7. Permitted baseline and existing environment 

8. Any other key issues 

Appendices 

Appendix A – Porirua City District Plan Objectives and Policies 

Appendix B – Links to Porirua City District Plan Rural and Public Open Space Zone's 

Permitted Activity provisions and National Policy Statement on 

Electricity Transmission Objectives and Policies 

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1 PURPOSE 

1.1 On the 15 th August 2011, the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) in 

conjunction with Porirua City Council (PCC) and Transpower New Zealand 

Limited (Transpower) gave Notice's of Requirement and made associated 

applications for resource consent with the Environmental Protection Agency 

(EPA) for a proposal generally referred to as the 'Transmission Gully Project'. 

1.2 In accordance with Section 149G(3) of the Resource Management Act 1991 

(the Act), the Environmental Protection Authority has commissioned the 

Porirua City Council to prepare a report on the key issues of the Transmission 

Gully Project (hereon referred to as TGP). The purpose of this report is to 

contextualise TGP within Porirua City's planning framework and instruments 

and to identify any key issues. 

1.3 Various Notices of Requirement (NoR) have been given/issued as part of TGP 

reflecting the two requiring Authorities and the cross-boundary nature of them. 

Applications for resource consent have also been made due to activities 

associated with the construction of the proposed roads not being permitted by 

the various plans that fall within the jurisdiction of the Greater Wellington 

Regional Council. Resource consent has also been applied for the relocation of 

the existing transmission lines. This report is limited to those matters pertaining 

to NoR3 (Transmission Gully Main Alignment - TGM), NoR5 (Kenepuru Link 

Road), NoR7 (Whitby Link Road), NoR8 (Waitangarua Link Road) and that 

part of the transmission line being relocated within the Porirua City boundaries. 

1.4 Section 149G(3) of the Act requires the following: 

(3) The EPA must also commission the local authority to prepare a report on 

the key issues in relation to the matter that includes— 

(a) any relevant provisions of a national policy statement, a New Zealand 

coastal policy statement, a regional policy statement or proposed 

regional policy statement, and a plan or proposed plan; and 

(b) a statement on whether all required resource consents in relation to the 

proposal to which the matter relates have been applied for; and 

(c) if applicable, the activity status of all proposed activities in relation to 

the matter. 

2 SCOPE 

2.1 This report identifies the key issues in relation to TGP that includes those items 

listed in S149G(3) (see para 1.4). As well the inclusion of those listed items the 

EPA has requested that the Council should provide the following: 

"(d) confirmation of the status, and weighting if proposed, of any relevant 

regional policy statement, and or relevant plan; and 

(e) Detail of the permitted baseline and existing environment for the resource 

consents applied for within your jurisdiction. This will include: 

• The permitted base line, and details of any relevant consents held in the 

area that form the existing environment within your authority’s 

jurisdiction. 

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• Comment on whether the proposed consents applied for within your 

jurisdiction will affect any relevant existing consent holder's ability to 

implement their existing consents, should the proposed consents be 

granted. 

(f) Identify any "sensitive land use" in relation to any Transpower consents in 

your jurisdiction, as defined in the National Environmental Standards for 

Electricity Transmission Activities. 

(g) Any other matter which is relevant to the key issues associated with the 

applications." 1 

2.2 In commissioning the report, the EPA have specified that the report should not 

be in the nature of a submission on TGP or advocate for a particular outcome 2 . 

The EPA has also specified that the report should not include a detailed 

assessment of the adequacy of the draft conditions 3 . This is acknowledged by 

the Author and the report has been prepared accordingly. 

2.3 It is not considered within the scope of this report, nor necessary, to summarise 

the proposed NoR's and resource consent and the activities that are required to 

be undertaken to give effect to them should they be confirmed/granted. 

Descriptions of the proposals are generally covered in the application material. 

3 CONFLICT 

3.1 In preparing this report, the author acknowledges on behalf of PCC the 

following actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest: 

• Porirua City Council is the requiring authority applying for two Notices of 

Requirement (NoR's) being NoR7 and NoR8 for the 'The Porirua Link 

Roads' which are being applied for concurrently with the Notices of 

Requirement from the New Zealand Transport Agency for the Transmission 

Gully Main Alignment and the Kenepuru Link Road along with associated 

resource consent applications to the Greater Wellington Regional Council. 

The Porirua City Council's Environment & Regulatory Services Group is 

responsible for the regulatory aspects of the Council's role in this Resource 

Management Act process. The Porirua City Council's Asset Management 

& Operations Group and Strategy and Planning Group are the primary 

Council groups responsible for the preparation and lodgement of the two 

NoR's. The Environment & Regulatory Services Group has recognised 

these differing roles through managing the potential conflict of interest by 

not seeking the assistance of the other Council groups in the checking of the 

completeness of these NoR's. 

• Porirua City Council submitted to the Western Corridor Transportation Plan 

(adopted 2006) which is contained within the Greater Wellington Regional 

Council Regional Land Transport Strategy (Approved September 2010). 

The Porirua City Council submitted in support of the Transmission Gully 

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Clause 6.6 of the Statement of Work Contract reference: 282 between the Environmental Protection 

Agency and Porirua City Council 

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oute as opposed to the upgrade of the existing State Highway One Coastal 

Route. 

3.2 The Author is an employee of Porirua City Council and is employed within the 

Environmental and Regulatory Services Group. Due to the conflict of interest 

that the Porirua City Council has, this report has not been submitted to, either 

for input, comment and/or approval of any Council Committee or been the 

subject of any workshop with Councillor's. It is noted that no delegated 

authority is required by the Act to be able to approve a S149G(3) report being 

provided to the EPA. 

4 RELEVANT PLAN PROVISIONS 

General 

4.1 The following is a list of what are considered to be the relevant statutory 

documents applicable to the various TGP NoR's within Porirua City. 

Identification of the applicable provisions to the Transpower Resource Consent 

application is addressed separately in paragraphs 4.73 – 4.79. The matters 

considered applicable to the TGP NoR's are as follows: 

National Policy Statements 

New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement 

Regional Policy Statements 

Wellington Regional Policy Statement 

Proposed Wellington Regional Policy Statement 

Regional Plans 

Regional Freshwater Plan for the Wellington Regional 

Regional Air Quality Management Plan for the Wellington Region 

Regional Coastal Plan for the Wellington Region 

Regional Plan for Discharges to Land for the Wellington Region 

Regional Soil Plan for the Wellington Region 

District Plan 

Porirua City District Plan 

Proposed Plan Change 12 – Public Open Space Zone update 

National Environmental Standards 

National Environmental Standards for Air Quality 

National Environmental Standard for Sources of Human Drinking Water 

4.2 Comment on the documents under the headings of 'National Environmental 

Standards' and 'Regional Plans' in paragraph 4.1 is not considered appropriate 

for this particular S149G(3) report as these cover matters that are predominantly 

within the jurisdiction of the Regional Council. The objectives and policies are 

considered to be more likely applicable as part of the consideration of the 

applications for resource consent required by the various Regional Council 

planning documents that have been made concurrently with the NoR's. 

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New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement 

4.3 The New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement 2010 (NZCPS) took effect on 3 

December 2010. The NZCPS seeks to contribute towards the sustainable 

management of the coastal environment. A copy of this document can be found 

on www.doc.govt.nz/publications/conservation/marine-and-coastal/newzealand-coastal-policy-statement/new-zealand-coastal-policy-statement-2010. 

4.4 It is considered that the NZCPS is relevant to the NoR's due to the proximity of 

the proposed State Highway 58 interchange and adjoining Site Compound 

within the area commonly referred to as Lanes Flat. Lanes Flat is a low lying 

area approximately 700 metres from the upper reaches of the Pauatahanui Inlet. 

The Pauatahanui Stream flows parallel to State Highway 58, through Lanes Flat 

and enters the eastern end of the Pauatahanui inlet via the Pauatahanui Wildlife 

Management Reserve. Due to the close proximity of Lanes Flat and the 

presence of the Pauatahanui Stream within, it is considered that it forms part of 

the coastal environment. 

4.5 The NZCPS is also relevant for this proposal due to the substantial volume of 

earthworks that is required to be undertaken to construct the proposed 

Motorway and Link Roads. TGP is within the catchments of the streams 

adjacent to these works such as the Pauatahanui Stream, Duck Creek, Horokiwi 

Stream and Ration Stream that all flow into the Pauatahanui Inlet and in the 

case of the Porirua Stream, into Porirua Harbour. 

4.6 The relevant Objectives of the NZCPS are to safeguard the ecological values of 

the coastal environment (Objective 1), to preserve its natural character 

(Objective 2), take into account the principles of the treaty of Waitangi and 

recognition/involvement of tangata whenua (Objective 3) and to maintain and 

enhance pubic open space and recreation opportunities (Objective 4). These can 

all be summarised as seeking to protect the values that form the coastal 

environment. Objective 6 of the NZCPS provides for enabling people and 

communities to provide for their social, economic and cultural wellbeing within 

the coastal marine area by recognising that appropriate development is possible 

but at the same time ensuring the protection of the values of the coastal 

environment. 

4.7 To support these Objectives, the NZCPS contains 29 Policies. The Statutory 

Provisions Report 4 attached to the application lists almost all of what are 

considered to be the relevant policies being numbers 1, 2, 6, 13, 14, 21, 22 and 

23. Policy 1 seeks to recognise the extent and characteristics of the coastal 

environment which includes the coastal marine area and elements and features 

on the adjacent land that contribute to the natural character, landscape, visual 

qualities or amenity values. Policy 2 recognises the relationship of tangata 

whenua with the coastal environment and provides for their involvement 

including incorporation of mātauranga Maori in the consideration of Notices of 

Requirement. Policy 6 is about enabling activities at an appropriate level within 

the coastal environment whilst addressing the effects of them. The natural 

4 Technical Report 21(Folder 7 of 7 in Volume 3: Technical Reports and Supporting Documents) of the 

TGP application 

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character of the coastal environment is recognised by seeking to preserve it 

(Policy 13) as well as rehabilitate or restore (Policy 14) where it has been 

degraded. Policy 21 provides recognition of deteriorated water quality and 

affords the opportunity for priority to improve that quality through various 

methods. Policy 22 relates to the identification of and management of sediment 

rates into the coastal environment whilst Policy 23 addresses the management of 

discharge of contaminants. 

4.8 It is also considered that Policy 4 is relevant which the application has 

addressed 5 but not included in the Statutory Provisions Report is relevant: 

Policy 4: Integration 

Provide for the integrated management of natural and physical resources in the 

coastal environment, and activities that affect the coastal environment. This 

requires: 

a. co-ordinated management or control of activities within the coastal 

environment, and which could cross administrative boundaries, particularly: 

i. the local authority boundary between the coastal marine area and land; 

ii. local authority boundaries within the coastal environment, both within the 

coastal marine area and on land; and 

iii. where hapū or iwi boundaries or rohe cross local authority boundaries; 

b. working collaboratively with other bodies and agencies with responsibilities 

and functions relevant to resource management, such as where land or 

waters are held or managed for conservation purposes; and 

c. particular consideration of situations where: 

i. subdivision, use, or development and its effects above or below the line of 

mean high water springs will require, or is likely to result in, associated 

use or development that crosses the line of mean high water springs; or 

ii. public use and enjoyment of public space in the coastal environment is 

affected, or is likely to be affected; or 

iii. development or land management practices may be affected by physical 

changes to the coastal environment or potential inundation from coastal 

hazards, including as a result of climate change; or 

iv. land use activities affect, or are likely to affect, water quality in the 

coastal environment and marine ecosystems through increasing 

sedimentation; or 

v. significant adverse cumulative effects are occurring, or can be 

anticipated. 

Comment 

4.9 The management of the effects, particularly those relating to the construction of 

the TGP, on the health of the receiving coastal environment are considered to be 

of relevance to this matter. This includes the appropriate management of the silt 

and sediment effects associated with the proposed earthworks, the management 

of on-site sewage generated by workers facilities at the Site Compounds, 

management of hazardous substances that may be utilised such as fuel storage 

and the management of the disturbance of contaminated material. 

5 Section 32.4 of the assessment of environmental effects 

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Regional Policy Statement 

4.10 There is an existing Regional Policy Statement which was declared operative on 

the 15 th May 1995. The applicant has identified what they consider to be the 

relevant provisions of the Regional Policy Statement which are categorised into 

resource types such as 'soils and minerals, coastal environment, natural hazards 

etc within the Statutory Provisions Report. 

4.11 The categories applicable to the consideration of the Notices of Requirement as 

distinct from the resource consent applications are: 

The Iwi Environmental Management System (Chapter 4) 

4.12 Objectives 2 & 3, Policies 2 & 3. 

These provisions relate to the recognition of tangata whenua and their 

involvement in the planning process. It is noted that the applicants have 

included a Cultural Impact Report 6 prepared by Te Runanga o Toa Rangatira 

who are recognised to the tangata whenua within the Porirua area. 

Freshwater (Chapter 5) 

4.13 Objectives 2 & 3, Policies 7, 12, 13, 16. 

These provisions seek to maintain the quality of water from the effects of 

activities. This includes appropriately addressing the effects of earthworks 

which have the potential to result in silt and sediment runoff into waterways if 

not suitably managed. The silt and sediment control measures will need to be 

sufficient enough to appropriately manage the effects of the earthworks that will 

be required to be undertaken as part of the construction of TGP. Policy 13 

relates to recognising the relationship of tangata whenua with waterways. 

Policy 16 includes provision for enhancing access to water bodies. The 

provision of a proposed walkway/cycleway including a pedestrian underpass at 

Bridge No. 15 as shown on plan GM13 and Sheet S15-02 along the Pauatahanui 

Stream as well as a similar arrangement at Bridge No.12 along the Ration 

Stream as shown on plan GM 10 and Sheet S12-01 may be appropriate forms of 

enhanced and or retaining access to these water-bodies. 

The Coastal Environment (Chapter 7) 

4.14 Objectives 1, 3 & 4, Policies 1, 5, 6 7. 

These provisions are similar to those contained in the NZCPS. It is noted that 

Policy 1 makes reference to Table 8: Sites of National or Regional Significance 

for Indigenous Vegetation or Significant Habitats for Indigenous Fauna. Table 

8 lists amongst other sites the Pauatahanui Inlet (Wildlife Refuge, Wildlife 

Management Reserve) and Horokiwi (Wildlife Management Reserve). As 

mentioned previously the State Highway 58 Interchange and Proposed Site 

Compound are upstream of these sites. 

Ecosystems (Chapter 9) 

4.15 Objectives 1 – 5, Policies 3 – 10. 

These provisions seek to sustain various ecosystems within the Wellington 

Region. The Porirua City Council has identified Sites of Ecological 

6 Technical Report 18 in Folder 6 of 7 Volume 3: Technical Reports and Supporting Documents 

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Significance within the district which is discussed in further detail in Section 7 

of this report. 

Natural Hazards (Chapter 11) 

4.16 Objective 1, Policies 1 – 4. 

These provisions seek to reduce the adverse effects of natural hazards to an 

acceptable level. This includes having sufficient information to inform the 

potential susceptibility of a proposal to natural hazards (Policies 1 & 2 which 

have been identified in the Statutory Provisions Report). The Ohariu Fault Line 

is identified in Council's GIS system as being sited through the northern tip of 

NoR3 which is also shown on Road Layout Plan Sheets GM04 and GM 05 7 . 

Policies 3 & 4 are also considered to be applicable: 

Policy 3 – To recognise the risks to existing development from natural hazards 

and promote risk reduction measures to reduce this risk to an acceptable level, 

consistent with Part II of the Act. 

Given that one of the objectives of TGP is to improve regional network security 

for Wellington this provision would appear applicable. 

Policy 4 – To ensure that human activities which modify the environment only 

change the probability and magnitude of natural hazard events where these 

changes have been explicitly recognised and accepted. 

This policy seeks to ensure that the increased risk of a hazard has been 

appropriately evaluated. This can be applied to TGP in ensuring that the cut and 

fill batters are constructed in an appropriate geotechnical manner. This can also 

be applied to ensuring that the potential increased flooding risk to the four 

properties located off Joseph Banks Drive (Whitby) as identified in Section 

19.5.3 of the assessment of environmental effects is appropriately evaluated. 

The Built Environment and Transportation 

4.17 The relevant objectives and polices are considered to be the same as has been 

identified in the Statutory Provisions Report. 

Proposed Regional Policy Statement 

4.18 Decisions have been released on the Proposed Regional Policy Statement (RPS) 

in May 2010 which is currently the subject of appeals. This document, as 

amended by decisions on submissions is accessible on 

http://www.gw.govt.nz/assets/Plans--Publications/Regional-Policy- 

Statement/Proposed-RPS-May-2010-Incorporating-changes-from-Decision.pdf. 

It is considered that more weight should generally be placed upon the objectives 

and policies of the proposed RPS rather than the Operative RPS due to decisions 

being released upon submissions. 

4.19 There are various policies within the proposed RPS which are considered 

relevant and regard should be had to in assessing TGP. In reading the proposed 

RPS, Section 4.2 identifies "the policies that need to be given particular regard, 

where relevant, when assessing and deciding on …notices of requirements. 8 " 

7 Volume 4:Plan Set 

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Policies 34 – 60 are included within Section 4.2 of the proposed RPS. A table 

on Page 147 of the proposed RPS categorises these particular policies into 

individual topics such as Coastal Environment, Indigenous Ecosystems, Natural 

Hazards etc. 

4.20 Within the Statutory Provisions Report, various policies and objectives have 

been identified as being applicable to this proposal. It is considered that there 

are additional policies applicable to TGP which should be considered as part of 

this proposal which are included below as part of the identification of the 

relevant provisions. The following provisions are considered relevant in their 

respective Topics as identified in the table on page 147 of the proposed RPS: 

Energy, infrastructure and waste 

4.21 Policy 38 seeks to recognise regionally significant infrastructure and lists the 

benefits including people and goods moving efficiently and safely around the 

region and to and from. Given that NZTA have classified the TGP as a Road of 

National Significance and that the objectives 9 include improved network 

security and better provision for through movement of freight and people this 

provision is applicable. Likewise it also applies to the consideration of the PCC 

Link Road NoR's which also have as part of their objectives improved access 

from Porirua's eastern suburbs to other areas of the Wellington region. 

Fresh water 

4.22 Policies 39 – 42 and 52 are considered to be applicable to TGP. Of these, 

Policy 40 which seeks to minimise the effects of earthworks and vegetation 

disturbance is very relevant during the construction phase of TGP due to the 

substantial earthworks that will be required to be undertaken. Policy 41, which 

seeks to minimise stormwater contamination, is relevant for when TGP is 

operating – it is noted that wetlands are proposed to be established along the 

route which could contribute to achieving the aim of this policy. Policy 52 

seeks to retain public access to and along the coastal marine area, lakes and 

rivers of which comment was provided previously in paragraph 4.13. 

Historic Heritage 

4.23 Policy 45 seeks to manage the effects of activities on historic heritage values. 

The Porirua City District Plan has identified St Josephs Catholic Church 10 as 

being a significant heritage feature worthy of protection. This church is 

identified on plan GM13 of the Plan Set. The potential effects that this church 

may be subjected to include noise 11 , vibration 12 and visual 13 . TGP is also 

proposed to pass through Battle Hill Farm Forest Park which also is identified 

as a significant heritage feature 14 . 

9 Section 2.5.1 of assessment of environmental effects. 

10 Site JA02 within Section J – Heritage Register of the Porirua City District Plan 

11 Section 26.3.1.2 within Folder 2 of 2: Volume 1 assessment of environmental effects report 

12 Section 16.4 within Folder 2 of 2: Volume 1 assessment of environmental effects report 

13 Section 25..3.3.3 within Folder 2 of 2: Volume 1 assessment of environmental effects report 

14 Site JB09 within Section J – Heritage Register of the Porirua City District Plan 

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Indigenous ecosystems 

4.24 Policy 46 seeks to manage the effects on indigenous ecosystems and habitats 

with significant biodiversity habitats. As identified in paragraph 4.15, comment 

on the sites of ecological significance is included in Section 7 of this report. 

Landscape 

4.25 Policy 49 seeks to manage the effects on outstanding natural features and 

landscapes and significant amenity landscapes. Parts of the proposed 

Transmission Gully Motorway (TGM) and Waitangarua Link Road (NoR3 and 

NoR8) are located within an area identified as being part of the Whitby 

Landscape Protection Area (WLPA). Policy 49 provides an interim assessment 

framework for areas that include those already identified in the District Plan 

prior to policies 24 and 26 being given effect to as is the case withy the WLPA. 

Further comment on the WLPA is provided in the identification of policy 

C9.1.15 below in paragraph 4.42. 

Natural Hazards 

4.26 Policy 50 seeks to minimise the risks and consequences of natural hazards and 

in achieving this measure Policy 51 seeks to minimise the adverse effects of the 

hazard mitigation measures that are utilised. It is noted that Policy 51 was 

omitted from the Statutory Provisions Report (Technical report 21) though it is 

referenced in Section 32.6.1.8 – Natural Hazards of the a.e.e. Policy 51 seeks 

that when designing measures to mitigate the risk of natural hazards that the 

method utilised needs to be of a structural or hard engineered nature or a nonstructural 

or soft engineering method can be utilised. These provisions are 

considered to be relevant due to the aforementioned presence of the Ohariu fault 

Line and also in that the earthworks cut and fill batters are designed and 

constructed in a manner that addresses the hazard risk posed to them in terms of 

stability. 

Regional form, design and function 

4.27 Policies 53, 56 and 57 are identified as being required to have particular regard 

to when considering NoR's in terms of this topic. Policy 53 relates to achieving 

the regions urban design principles which includes such design elements as 

connections, context and character. Policy 56 refers to the Wellington Regional 

Land Transport Strategy 15 (approved September 2010) which identifies 

Transmission Gully as one of the implementation measures 16 . 

Resource Management with tangata whenua 

4.28 Particular regard is to be had to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi (Policy 

47) and avoiding adverse effects on matters of significance to tangata whenua 

(Policy 48). As mentioned previously in paragraph 4.12 a cultural impact 

assessment has been included with the application. Battle Hill Farm Forest Park 

is identified as a tapu site in the Council's Geographic information System (GIS) 

so there is the potential that items of cultural significance could be present there. 

15 http://www.gw.govt.nz/assets/Transport/Regional-transport/RLTS/RLTS2010-docs/WRLTS-2010- 

2040-Doco-WEB.pdf 

16 Section 2.1 of Appendix Four – Implementing the RLTS 

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Soils and Minerals 

4.29 Policy 40 is considered to be relevant which relates to minimising the effects of 

earthworks and vegetation disturbance. As commented earlier there are 

substantial earthworks proposed as part of the construction of TGM and the 

effects of these will need to be appropriately managed. There are also areas of 

significant ecological value identified by the Council which is discussed in 

Section 7 of this report. 


4.30 The Porirua City District Plan (the District Plan) was prepared under the 

Resource Management Act 1991, notified 25 October 1994, and declared 

operative on 1 November 1999. Since this time various plan changes have been 

prepared as part of a 'rolling review' of which the majority are now operative. 

4.31 The TGP traverses several zones as defined by the District Plan. The zones 

traversed by TGP inform, in part, what are considered to be the 'zone specific' 

relevant District Plan Objectives and Policies that particular regard is to be had 

in considering the effects on the environment of TGP. The zones affected by 

each of the NoR's are as follows: 

NoR3 (Main Alignment) 

• Rural 

• Public Open Space Zone 

• Suburban 

• Judgeford Hills Zone 

• Recreation Zone 

NoR5 (Kenepuru Link Road) 

• Suburban Zone; 

• Industrial Zone 

NoR7 (Whitby Link Road) 

• Suburban Zone 

NoR8 (Waitangarua Link Road) 

• Rural Zone; 

• Suburban Zone 

4.32 In identifying the zones, it is acknowledged that neither the NoR's nor the 

Transpower application are subject to having to comply with the Rules of the 

District Plan. 

4.33 There is one plan change that has land affected by TGP being Proposed Plan 

Change 12. Decisions on submissions to proposed Plan Change 12 were 

notified on 2 August 2011 in accordance with Clause 10 of the Schedule 1 of 

the Act and the closing time for submissions is 14 September 2011 i.e. after the 

date of submission of this report. It is proposed, as part of Plan Change 12, to 

rezone land located south of Cannons Creek legally described as Sec 2 SO 

368657 (referred to as Waitangarua Farm) from Rural to Open Space. This land 

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is the subject of NoR3. It is noted that the NZTA submitted to this plan change 

in relation to areas affected by TGP and therefore an appeal may have been 

lodged in relation to the proposed zoning of this land subsequent to the writing 

of this report. 

4.34 In Appendix A to this report are what are considered to be the relevant 

Objectives and Policies of the District Plan that are relevant to TGP. From 

these provisions, it is considered that the key environmental effects relevant to 

TGP can be identified. The Objectives and Policies identified are all operative 

and, at the time of writing of this report, there were no plan changes proposing 

to either amend these or introduce additional provisions. 

Silt and Sediment Effects of Earthworks 

4.35 The District Plan contains a number of Objectives and Policies which 

specifically address the effects of earthworks. This includes: 

• Policy C3.2.1 which seeks to protect and enhance the amenity and character 

of the residential resource through amongst other methods defining the 

nature and scale of activities such as earthworks. 

• Policy C4.2.2 which seeks to protect the natural and physical environment 

from silt run-off by the removal of vegetation and earthworks in the Rural 

Zone; 

• Policy C4A.3.6.1 which seeks to control the extent of earthworks in the 

Judgeford Hills Zone to an appropriate level on stormwater, geotechnical 

stability and amenity values; 

• Policy C9.1.15 which seeks to recognise, protect and enhance the existing 

ecological and landscape features of the Whitby Landscape Protection area, 

including Duck Creek through amongst other methods the management of 

earthworks; 

• Policy C10.1.5 which applies to all areas of Porirua City which seeks to 

manage the effects of activities likely to result in increased levels of silt runoff 

that could either directly or indirectly enter the coastal marine area. 

4.36 It is also considered that there are indirect references to the effects of 

earthworks within the Objectives and Policies including: 

• Policy C4B2.3 which seeks to ensure that adverse environmental effects of 

activities within the Public Open Space and Recreation Zones, including on 

the environmental quality of adjoining areas and water-bodies and the coast, 

are avoided, remedied or mitigated. 

4.37 Due to the undulating topography within Porirua City, earthworks are a 

commonly occurring activity associated with the development of land. TGP is 

another example of this, albeit at a far bigger scale than what typically occurs 

with other developments. It is recognised that the volume of earthworks 

identified to occur as part of TGP is a reflection of the length of the route, the 

topography of the land covered and one of the objectives of the project to 

provide an alternative strategic link for Wellington that improves network 

security. 

4.38 As can be seen above, there are a number of provisions within the District Pan 

which seek to ensure that the effects of earthworks are appropriately managed 

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due to the adverse effect posed by uncontrolled silt and sediment runoff to the 

receiving environment. As part of the suite of methods to manage the effects of 

earthworks within Porirua City, all Zones have Permitted Activity Standards 

that limit the maximum area, depth/height and slope of ground (except for 

Recreation and Open Space Zones) that earthworks may occur as a Permitted 

Activity. Landuse resource consent is required, if an activity is unable to 

comply with the relevant Earthworks Permitted Activity Standard(s), which 

must include the provision of an Earthworks Management Plan/Assessment 17 

with the application. It is acknowledged that the NoR's are not subject to 

compliance with the Permitted Activity Standards. The management of 

earthworks is an important issue to Porirua City due to the receiving 

environment being both neighbours from nuisance dust effects as well as the 

exposure of waterways and the Porirua Harbour, including both the Onepoto 

Arm and Pauatahanui Inlet, to silt and sediment runoff. 

4.39 It is noted that various silt and sediment control measures have been proposed 

as part of the NoR's. These will need to be sited in the appropriate places and 

be of sufficient size for the runoff that will occur. Also at the completion of 

each stage excavation and filling, the restoration of exposed earthworks areas 

will need to be successfully implemented to mitigate on-going silt and sediment 

runoff post construction of TGP. This is a standard approach undertaken by the 

Porirua City Council in the consideration of resource consents 

Ecology 

4.40 As well as the ecological effects associated with earthworks as identified in 

paragraphs 4.35 – 4.39, there are also potential ecological effects stemming 

from the loss of indigenous vegetation. This is recognised by: 

• Policy C4.2.4 which seeks to maintain and enhance the ecological integrity 

and natural character of the Rural Zone; 

• Policy C4B.2.3 which seeks to avoid, remedy or mitigate the effects of 

activities on the ecological values of the Open Space and Recreation Zones; 

• Policy C9.1.5 which seeks to protect the ecological character of the Rural 

Zone; 

• Policy C9.1.6 which seeks to protect and preserve areas of significant native 

vegetation 

• Policy C9.1.14 which aims to protect and enhance the ecological integrity 

throughout Porirua City. 

4.41 As can be seen, the District Plan has a suite of provisions which seek to protect 

and preserve areas of ecological value. These provisions highlight that sites of 

ecological significance and the consideration of the impacts upon them by 

development are a key issue in terms of the District Plan. 

Landscape 

4.42 There are two areas identified as having landscape values that are covered by 

the proposed NoR's. In the vicinity of Whitby is the Whitby Landscape 

Protection Area. Policy C9.1.15 makes specific reference to this landscape area 

17 Section F7.4 Information Schedule 4 of the Porirua City District Plan 

15

seeking to protect and enhance its landscape features. This includes Duck 

Creek. 

4.43 To the south of Ranui and Cannons Creek is another Landscape Protection Area 

supported by Policy C9.1.4 which seeks to protect the Belmont Scarp and 

Eastern Porirua Ridge from urban encroachment to preserve the open space and 

rural edge of Porirua City. Whilst it is acknowledged that the proposal is for a 

road rather than an urban development, it is considered that this policy is 

applicable in the sense of ensuring that the landscape character is retained. 

Amenity 

4.44 The District Plan seeks to protect and enhance the amenity of the Suburban 

Zone (Objective C3.2, Policy C3.2.1). The District Plan also seeks to ensure 

that activities do not detract from the character or quality of the rural 

environment (Policy C4.1.3). 

4.45 There are various effects associated with the project that have the potential to 

affect the amenity of existing residential areas as well as the rural character. 

These effects relate to both during the construction of the project as well as the 

operation of the roads. There are effects such as noise and traffic which are 

addressed also later in the identification of key issues through the District Plan 

provisions – these effects all contribute towards the 'make-up' of the amenity of 

an area. 

4.46 During the construction of TGP there will be traffic generated by transporting 

workers to and from the sites, movement of earthmoving machinery and general 

road construction materials and infrastructure, and trucks associated with the 

removal of forestry. Some of these movements may be required to be through 

residential areas such as Ranui, Whitby and Waitangarua as identified in 

Section 7.2 of the Assessment of Traffic & Transportation Effects 18 . The level 

and nature of construction traffic through residential areas will affect those 

residents amenity. In the provision of comments on the Completeness Report to 

the EPA, comment was made on the absence of information on how the trees 

located south of Ranui were to be removed from near residential areas. If this 

removal involved forestry trucks traversing through residential areas then Policy 

C3.2.1 would be relevant. 

4.47 Other factors associated with the construction of the project that have the 

potential to affect amenity is construction noise from blasting and rock 

crushing. This activity was identified as potentially needing to be undertaken 

between Cannons Creek and the Gun Club 19 . There are residential suburbs 

adjacent to this such as Cannons Creek and Ranui and therefore the effects of 

such an activity has the potential to affect the amenity of these residents. 

4.48 The Lanes Flat site compound, as identified on Sheet No.GM13, and the layout 

of displayed in Figure 8.1 of the a.e.e, has the potential to generate noise and 

dust effects from such activities as concrete batching. It is assumed that this site 

18 Folder 1 of 7 – Volume 3: Technical reports and supporting documents. 

19 Section 5.6.2 – Excavation Characteristics of the Road Design Philosophy (Technical report 1) in 

Folder 1 of 7 – Volume 3: Technical reports and supporting documents) 

16

compound is likely to be operated for the majority of the duration of the 

construction period being six years 20 . As well as nearby rural residences, 

Pauatahanui Village and the eastern Whitby residential area, including the 

approved allotments within the Silverwood subdivision located on Endeavour 

Drive are nearby. The effects of the site compound on the amenity of the 

residents will need to be appropriately managed where required. 

4.49 In undertaking earthworks, there is the potential for dust nuisance stemming 

from the undertaking of the earthworks. Dust, unmanaged, has the potential to 

drift in an airborne manner onto adjacent properties and affect the amenity of 

the owners/occupiers of these. This potential adverse effect will need to be 

appropriately managed to maintain their amenity. 

4.50 Operation of the roads will result in vehicle traffic noise. Traffic noise of an 

adverse level that is not appropriately mitigated has the potential to result in a 

reduction in amenity values. It is noted that the NoR's include mitigation 

measures to address this in the form of a combination of noise bunds and 

barriers. These are proposed in both a rural area (Flightys Road – Sheet GM10) 

as well as residential areas (Maraeroa Marae – Sheet GM15, Awatea Street – 

Sheet GM 20). It is also noted that Policy 7.1.3 seeks to avoid, remedy or 

mitigate adverse environmental effects of the transportation network on the 

environment which includes the effects on amenity from the construction of 

new roads such as that proposed. 

4.51 Policy C4A.3.6.3 seeks that upgraded vehicle accesses to or from Belmont Road 

and TGM is limited. This provision has been included in the District Plan due 

to potential adverse effects on the amenity of Belmont Road and the area 

identified as Judgeford Hills Zone if there were to be otherwise increased traffic 

through this area. It is noted that access into this area will not be possible due to 

TGM be constructed to Motorway standard. 

Noise 

4.52 An objective of the District Plan is to minimise the adverse effects of noise 

(Objective 10.1) which includes protecting the natural and physical environment 

from unreasonable noise to maintain and enhance amenity values (policy 

C11.1.1). This will also promote peoples health (policy C11.1.2). 

4.53 As identified in paragraph 4.46 there are effects associated with construction 

noise as well as in paragraph 4.50 the effects of the operation of the road. The 

effects of noise, if not properly managed, have the potential to pose a risk to 

people's health. Given the close proximity of some residential areas, as well as 

individual residences, the effects of noise in terms of health and people's 

amenity should be taken into account both during the construction of the roads 

and during their operation after construction. 

Visual Effects 

4.54 Policy C4.2.1 of the Rural Zone seeks to manage the environmental effects of 

buildings including visual effects. This policy is considered applicable due to 

20 Section 8.6 of the assessment of environmental effects. 

17

the proposed establishment of the Site Compounds at Lanes Flat and 

Paekakariki Hill Road. The concrete batching plant to be located within a 10 

metre high shed at the Lanes Flat Site Compound has the potential for visual 

effects. 

4.55 Objective C4A.3.5.1 of the Judgeford Hills Zone seeks to minimise any adverse 

visual effects on the surrounding landscape and natural character. Policy 

C4A.3.5.2 specifically recognises the effects of TGM on landscape and natural 

character. It is understood that the James Cook Interchange as shown on Map 

GM 14 is located within the Judgeford Hills Zone. It is considered that Policy 

C4A.3.5.2 is seeking to afford recognition that the landscape and natural 

character will be altered by TGM as covered by the existing designation K0405 

which is described in paragraph 7.1. It is also noted that TGM is identified on 

the Judgeford Hills Structure Plan (Drawing C905) and the James Cook 

Interchange Connection option (Page D4A-3) which form part of the Judgeford 

Hills Zone Rules (Section D4A of the Porirua City District Plan). 

Transportation 

4.56 As well as containing a policy to address the effects of transport on amenity as 

discussed in paragraph 4.50 above, the District Plan contains an Objective and 

Policies to address the various issues associated with the operation of the 

transportation network. Objective C7.1 of the District Plan is to achieve a safe 

and efficient transport network without creating adverse environmental effects. 

4.57 Policy C7.1.1 seeks for the establishment of a roading hierarchy to manage the 

effects of traffic and adjacent activities on each other. This is applicable with 

the identification of the main alignment (NoR3) as being for a Motorway 21 , 

Kenepuru Link Road (NoR5) as being State Highway 22 . The Porirua Link 

Roads (NoR's 7 & 8) are identified in Sections 7.2.1 and 7.3.3 as being designed 

to 'local road standards'. It is noted that Sheet No. GM23 Version No.B 23 has 

included a Cross Section of the PCC Link Roads displaying them as "Rural 

Minor Arterial". Confirmation of the design/construction standard for the 

Porirua Link Roads in the District Plan will contribute towards this policy. This 

policy is also applicable in informing the appropriateness of the various 

types/numbers of vehicle movements that will occur on the affected roads as 

part of the construction of TGP as defined by the hierarchy. For instance heavy 

vehicle movements may well be more appropriate on an Arterial Road as 

opposed to a Local road. This policy is also considered to be applicable in 

guiding the consideration of the distributional traffic effects that may occur as a 

result of the construction and operation of the various NoR's including 

maintenance of 'downstream' intersection efficiency. 

4.58 Policy C7.1.3 is also applicable in a general environmental effects basis. The 

Principal Reason for this policy is to take into account environmental 

considerations when determining a new proposed road such as those that are the 

subject of TGP. The Principal Reason identifies effects such as those on 

neighbouring landuses, loss of sensitive ecosystems, increases in silt run-off and 

21 Section 1.2.1 within Folder 1 of 2 of Volume 1: assessment of environmental effects report 

22 Section 1.2.2 within Folder 1 of 2 of Volume 1: assessment of environmental effects report 

23 Volume 4: Plan Set 

18

the loss of productive farmland and visual impact of roading development. 

These are all issues considered to be relevant to TGP. 

4.59 Policy C7.1.4 seeks to protect the corridors of existing and proposed major 

transport routes in the City. A method of achieving this is the designation 

process such as that proposed for TGP. 

4.60 Policy C7.1.5 seeks a strategic approach to roading improvements. The TGM is 

recognised by this policy as being the "most significant roading issue for the 

City" 24 . 

4.61 Alternative forms of transport are encouraged in the form of bicycles (Policy 

C7.1.7) and public transport (Policy C7.1.8). Policy C7.1.7 seeks to make the 

use of bicycles more convenient and safer. This policy will be applicable 

during both construction, such as the retention of cycle access along Kenepuru 

Drive, as well as provision for future cycle access on the Porirua Link Roads 

and passes under TGM. 

Wastewater 

4.62 Policy C4.2.3 requires a high standard of wastewater disposal. This policy is 

applicable to where there will be construction workers ablutions facilities that 

will require appropriate management of wastewater such as at the Proposed Site 

Compound at Lanes Flat. 

Recreation and Open Space Values 

4.63 The explanation to Objective 4B.1, which aims to provide for suitable public 

open spaces and recreation areas, recognises the need for transport corridors to 

be sited within the Recreation and Public Open Space Zones. This is applicable 

in this case as TGM (NoR3) is proposed to go through these zones. Policy 

4B.1.2, which seeks to provide for a limited range of non-recreation and noncommunity 

activities identifies that transport infrastructure, including 

recognition of its significance, may need to be located within these zones. 

Tangata Whenua 

4.64 Objective 5.1 along with Policies 5.1.1, 5.1.3, 5.1.4, 5.15 and 5.1.6 all relate to 

the recognition of Te Runanga o Toa Rangatira as tangata whenua within 

Porirua City and their role in contributing to the management of resources 

within the city. As discussed previously, the Requiring Authority's 

commissioned a Cultural Impact Assessment from the tangata whenua. It is 

noted that the Cultural Impact Assessment seeks the ongoing relationship and 

involvement of tangata whenua as TGP progresses. 

24 Principal Reasons to Policy C7.1.5 of the Porirua City District Plan. 

19

Heritage 

4.65 Objective C8.1 and Policy C8.1.1 seek to protect significant heritage features 

within the City. In the case of this proposal, St Jospehs Catholic Church and 

Battle Hill Farm Forest Park have been identified in the District Plan as 

previously discussed in paragraph 4.23 as being worthy of protection under 

Policy C8.1.1. The effects of TGM on the heritage values of these two features 

will need to be appropriately addressed. 

Flooding and Earthquake Risk 

4.66 Objective C12.1 and supporting Policies C12.1.2 – C12.1.5 address the 

minimisation of risks from earthquakes to the wellbeing and safety of the 

community. As identified in paragraph 4.16, the Ohariu fault line is located at 

the northern end of NoR3. Also, areas south of Ranui, east of Maraeroa Marae, 

Lanes Flat and the Ohariu Fault Line are identified as Seismic Hazard Areas in 

the Porirua City District Plan. 

4.67 Policy C12.1.2 seeks to avoid structural damage to buildings and utility 

services. Policy C12.1.3 seeks to minimise the disruption to activities of 

community significance from an earthquake event. Policy C12.1.4 seeks to 

manage the risk of activities to ground liquefaction. Policy C12.1.5 seeks to 

minimise the effects of ground damage from land instability as a result of 

earthquakes. These provisions are considered to be applicable, both in terms of 

the manner in which TGM is designed as well as providing for its ongoing 

operation after an earthquake event. 

4.68 Objective C12.2 and Policy C12.2.1 relate to the effects flood hazards pose to 

the proposed development on the land as well as the potential effects the 

development may have on the flood hazard to the surrounding environment. 

Properties fronting Kenepuru Drive within the vicinity of the Kenepuru Link 

Road (NoR5) and Lanes Flat are identified in Council's GIS as being subject to 

Overland Flow Ponding. Also there are a number of overland flow-paths 

identified throughout the route. 

4.69 Policy C12.2.1 is applicable to the design measures associated with the various 

features of TGP including the roads, fill areas and Lanes Flat Site Compound. 

These design measures will be applicable in the sense of the risk posed by 

flooding to these features as well as the effects that the construction of TGP 

may pose to adjacent properties from increased flooding risk. 

Contamination and Hazardous Substances 

4.70 Objective C15.1 relates to preventing or mitigating the adverse effects 

associated with hazardous substances. 

4.71 Policy C15.1.1 seeks to control the location of facilities involving the storage of 

hazardous substances. This provision is potentially applicable due to the Fuel 

Storage, depending on its size, identified within the Lanes Flat Site 

Compound 25 . Other hazardous substances may be stored as part of the 

construction of TGP also. 

25 Figure 8.1 within Folder 1 of 2 of Volume 1: assessment of environmental effects report. 

20

4.72 Policy C15.1.4 seeks to control activities that could be adversely affected by 

contaminated sites. Two potentially contaminated sites are identified within the 

route on Council's GIS both in the southern portion of the main alignment 

(NoR3). These two sites are Lot 6 DP 78422 (south of Ribbonwood Terrace) 

and Pt Lot 1 DP 28193 (Porirua Park) both being identified as former landfills. 

There is also the potential for other land that may be contaminated. This policy 

is applicable to the appropriate management of contaminated material including 

the disturbance of and appropriate remediation prior to being deposited as fill 

material. 

Transpower application 

4.73 As part of the application for resource consent by Transpower, the following are 

considered to be the relevant statutory documents: 

• National Policy Statement on Electricity Transmission; 

• Porirua City District Plan 

4.74 It is noted that Transpower have applied for resource consents under the 

Resource Management (National Environmental Standards for Electricity 

Transmission Activities) Regulations 2009 (NESETA). There is no scope 

within this particular regulation for allowing for rules in the District Plan or a 

resource consent to be more stringent than it 26 . Therefore in assessing the 

Transpower application, the applicable rules are solely those contained within 

the aforementioned 2009 Regulations. The District Plan provisions are only 

considered to be relevant to this proposal in terms of identification of possible 

applicable objectives and policies. 

4.75 In is noted that Technical Report 21 27 of the application material contains 

provisions that the NZTA and PCC consider relevant to the various NoR's. It is 

also noted that Transpower New Zealand have identified 28 what provisions they 

consider to be relevant to the application for resource consent. 

4.76 In Appendix A, Objective 14.1 along with Policies 14.1.1, 14.1.2 and 14.1.4(a) 

of the Porirua City District Plan have been listed as being relevant to the 

proposed relocation of the transmission lines. However it is considered that due 

to the dominant status of the NESETA and supporting National Policy 

Statement on Electricity Transmission that little if no weight should be placed 

on these District Plan provisions. 

4.77 The National Policy Statement on Electricity Transmission (NPSET) contains 

Objective and Policies which it is considered are the relevant provisions to the 

Transpower resource consent application. The provisions, considered to be 

specifically relevant to this proposal are the sole Objective and Policies 1 - 8. 

The Objective of the NPSET is to recognise the national significance of the 

electricity transmission network such as the line that is the subject of this 

26 Section 43B(1) of the Resource Management Act 1991 

27 Technical report 21: Transmission Gully Project – Statutory provision report contained within 

Volume 3: Technical reports and supporting documents Folder 7 of 7 

28 See section 9.2 (Volume 6: Transmission Line Relocation Project) of the Assessment of Effects on 

the Environment dated 8 August 2011 Transpower Resource Consent Application 

21

application whilst managing its adverse environmental effects as well as 

potential adverse effects upon it from nearby activities. 

4.78 The NPSET contains policies that are relevant to the Transpower resource 

consent. Policy 1 relates to the recognition of the benefits of the provision of 

electricity transmission including maintaining security of supply and effective 

operation. 

4.79 Policies 2 – 8 of the NPSET are also relevant to the Transpower resource 

consent. These policies cover a combination of the managing of the effects on 

the environment of transmission line activities whilst affording recognition for 

such activities. 

5 SUMMARY OF CONSENTS 

5.1 There are potentially some applications for landuse resource consent required 

under the provisions of the Porirua City District Plan also. These relate to the 

undertaking of Earthworks in the Rural Zone for the construction of the 

"Proposed Track after Construction" which is partially located outside of the 

designation as shown on Sheet AC09 (Construction Access Plans). Also new 

vehicle crossings onto roads in the Rural Zone require either Controlled Activity 

land use consent 29 (off PCC roads) or Discretionary land use consent (off State 

Highways) 30 . It is considered that applications for these could be deferred to 

into the future once final design of the construction works is completed. 

5.2 It is quite probable that an application for resource consent may be required in 

the future for the re-establishment of the Porirua Gun Club on another site. The 

Porirua Gun Club will no longer be able to occupy this site should the proposed 

NoR be approved and given effect to. It is not considered that this is necessary 

to be applied for as part of the current proposal and probably not appropriate 

given that they may well not have confirmed an alternative site yet. 

5.3 Depending on the location of the proposals identified above, as well as 

applicable District Plan provisions, there may be a need to obtain affected 

persons approvals (Section 95E of the Resource Management Act 1991) and/or 

that the matter is potentially processed on a notified/limited basis. This is 

potentially more likely to be the case in the instance of a resource consent 

application for the re-establishment of the gun club being applied for due to 

such effects as noise. 

6 PERMITTED BASELINE AND EXISTING ENVIRONMENT 

6.1 As part of the commissioning of this report, the EPA has requested the 

provision of details of the permitted baseline and existing environment for the 

resource consents applied for within PCC's jurisdiction. The EPA has also 

29 Rule D4.1.2(iv) of the Porirua City District Plan. 

30 Rule D4.1.4(iv) of the Porirua City District Plan. 

22

equested comment on whether the ability to give effect to these resource 

consents will be affected by the resource consents applied for. 

6.2 The only resource consent that has been applied for, that is within the territorial 

authority boundary of, and is within the Functions 31 of Porirua City Council is 

the application by Transpower. In regard to the Transpower application, the 

area that falls within the territorial boundary of Porirua City is that area covered 

from between Structure Numbers 11A and 12A to Structure 49 32 . 

Methodology utilised in preparing this section 

6.3 The permitted baseline and existing environment are considered to be two 

distinct concepts. The permitted baseline is those effects that are permitted by 

the District Plan and also, in this particular case, by the Resource Management 

(National Environmental Standards for Electricity Transmission Activities) 

Regulations 2009. The existing environment is considered to be just that, 

combined with anticipating effects that presently do not exist but may occur as 

of right and resource consents that have been approved that are likely to be 

given effect to. This approach is considered to be consistent with the Court of 

Appeal decision in Queenstown-Lakes District Council vs Hawthorn Estate 

Limited and T Bailey and Others (CA45/05) where it was commented: 

"In our view, the word "environment" embraces the future state of the 

environment as it might be modified by the utilisation of rights to carry out 

permitted activity under the district plan. It also includes the environment as it 

might be modified by the implementation of resource consents which have been 

granted at the time a particular application is considered, where it appears 

likely that those resource consents will be implemented." 33 

6.4 Therefore to assist in informing the description of the environment the 

following methodology has been followed: 

• Identification of properties for which it is to proposed to relocate the 

transmission lines and associated structures; 

• Identification of adjoining properties; 

• Identification of resource consents on the land identified as per the first 

two bullet points that have been granted that have not expired and have 

yet to be given effect to; 

• Comment on whether it appears likely that those resource consents that 

have been granted will be implemented. 

• Identification of underlying zoning and applicable Permitted Activities; 

• Analysis of 2010 aerial photographs. 

A site visit was also undertaken on 16 June 2011 as part of the pre-lodgement 

work commissioned by the EPA on TGP. 

31 

Section 31 of the Resource Management Act 1991 

32 

Schedule of Changes to Transmission Line Support Structures – Appendix B of Transpower resource 

consent application. 

33 

Para 84 of the decision of the Court of Appeal CA45/05 

23

Permitted Baseline 

6.5 Provision is made for network utilities that existed at the time of notification of 

the Porirua City are provided for as a Permitted Activity (Rule D4.1.1(ii)) in the 

Rural Zone and prior to 22 September 2007 in the Public Open Space Zone 

(Rule DC.1.1(xii)). Irrespective to when the existing transmission lines that are 

the subject of the Transpower application were established, the rules in the 

Resource Management (National Environmental Standards for Electricity 

Activities) Regulations 2009 (NESETA) supersede these two rules. For this 

reason it is considered that it is the NESETA that sets the 'permitted baseline' 

rather than the District Plan in relation to existing transmission lines. 

6.6 Regulation 14 of the NESETA provides for the relocation of Transmission Line 

towers subject to compliance with identified sub-clauses. These provisions are 

summarised in Section 4.2.2 of the assessment of environmental effects 

accompanying the Transpower application. It is considered that the parameters 

set out in the NESETA for permitted activities establish the permitted baseline 

of environmental effects that may occur in relation to the relocation of 

transmission towers. It is acknowledged that the NESETA only applies to 

existing transmission lines. 

6.7 No provision is made for new network utilities outside of a road as a Permitted 

Activities in either Zone in the District Plan. Those network utilities located 

within a Rural zoned road that include lines conveying electricity up to and 

including 110kV are permitted where the support structure does not exceed 10 

metres in height or 2 metres in diameter. New aboveground lines for conveying 

electricity at a voltage above 110kV, or with a design capacity above 100MVA 

per circuit in the Rural Zone are not provided for as a Permitted Activity by the 

District Plan. Likewise, new above-ground lines for conveying electricity at a 

voltage above 110kV are not provided as a Permitted Activity in the Public 

Open Space Zone. 

6.8 It is not considered that there are any activities permitted in the Rural or Open 

Space Zones by the District Plan that are of a comparative nature to the 

proposed transmission line relocation. Furthermore, it is considered that any 

activities involving establishment of new transmission lines provided for as a 

Permitted Activity by the District Plan are of a relatively modest nature due to 

the limitation of the scale of the associated support structures compared to the 

scale of the effects associated with the proposed relocation of the transmission 

line. 

6.9 It is therefore considered that it is only the effects permitted by the NESETA 

which are relevant in determining the 'permitted baseline'. No comparison has 

been sought by the EPA for a comparison of the effects of the proposed 

transmission line relocation with the 'permitted baseline' of effects. 

Existing Resource Consents on Subject Land 

6.10 The properties that are the subject of the application for resource consent are 

identified in the From 9 attaching to the Transpower application 34 . A search of 

34 Contained in Volume 6: Transmission Line Relocation Project 

24

the Council's resource consent database was undertaken and it has been 

identified that there are no resource consents that have been issued that have yet 

to expire. There are no current applications for resource consent upon them at 

the time of writing of this report. 

Existing Resource Consents on Land Adjoining Subject sites 

6.11 In terms of properties adjoining the land that is the subject of the Transpower 

application, the resource consents that have been applied for on the identified 

land and their status are in Table 1. 

6.12 In regards to the accessory building which was to have a height of 

approximately 5.5 metres that was granted resource consent (RC4846) at 298C 

Paekakariki Hill Road, the Building Consent (BCA098807) was granted but has 

expired. This accessory building is approved to be co-located with an existing 

accessory building approximately 700 meters from Tower 39 shown on Sheet 

No GM10 35 . It is considered that due to the required building consent being 

allowed to expire that it is not appropriate to consider that it is likely that 

RC4846 will be implemented. In any case given the 700 metre separation 

distance from Tower 39 it is not considered that this would have formed part of 

the immediate environment in this area. For these reasons it is not considered 

that RC4846 should be taken into account when assessing the effects on the 

environment of the Transpower proposal. 

6.13 In regards to the subdivision of 55 Jones Deviation (RC4206), an extension of 

time 36 was granted in April 2011. Two allotments are proposed to be created 

out of an existing single Site for which an indicative building platform is 

identified on each approved lot. Given that the current owner is the same 

person who originally applied for the resource consent, and that the Council has 

determined, through the issuing of an extension of time that 'substantial progress 

has and continues to be made' towards giving effect to the consent that it is 

likely that this subdivision will be given effect to and therefore the existence of 

two allotments, rather than the present one, can be taken into account in 

assessing the effects of the Transpower proposal upon the adjoining receiving 

environment. No applications for landuse consent have been applied for to 

construct a building on either of these consented allotments though should 

ultimately Certificates of Title be obtained for them it is considered reasonable 

to assume that a future dwelling will be constructed upon them. However it is 

noted that under the current provisions of the Porirua City District Plan, a 

resource consent would be required to construct a dwelling on either allotment 

either as a Controlled Activity 37 or Discretionary Activity 38 depending on 

compliance with the Rural Zone Permitted Activity standards 39 . Therefore it is 

considered that due to the construction of dwellings on each allotment, not 

being permitted activities, that it would be inappropriate to consider these 

potential future buildings as forming part of the environment in considering the 

Transpower application. 

35 Sheet GM10 Version No.B in Volume 4: Plan Set. 

36 Pursuant to Section 125 (Lapsing of Consent) of the Resource Management Act 1991 

37 Rule D4.1.2(i) of the Porirua City District Plan 

38 Rule D4.1.4(i) of the Porirua City District Plan 

39 Rule D4.2 of the Porirua City District Plan. 

25

6.14 The approved subdivision (RC4136) of 850A Paekakariki Hill Road, is to be 

undertaken in three stages creating seven allotments. Stage one, being the 

creation of Lot 2 DP 389851, has been completed leaving the balance lot being 

Pt Lot 101 DP 389851. Approved Lot 7 was covered by the original 

Transmission Gully Designation and has been acquired by the New Zealand 

Transport Agency. There are a remainder of five allotments still to be created. 

An extension of time 12 has been granted for giving effect to this subdivision 

resource consent. Based on the issuing of an extension of time it is considered 

that it is likely that this subdivision will be given effect to and therefore the 

existence of five additional allotments, rather than the present one, can be taken 

into account in assessing the effects of the Transpower proposal upon the 

adjoining receiving environment. For the same reasons as outlined in paragraph 

6.13 it is considered that it would be inappropriate to consider future potential 

buildings as forming part of the environment. 

6.15 Given the nature of the resource consents that have been granted and the 

separation distance of the sites on which they are located from the proposed 

transmission line, it is not considered that the ability to give effect to them will 

be affected by the Transpower proposal. Furthermore it should still be feasible 

to construct a dwelling on each of the new allotments likely to be created 

despite the presence of the relocated transmission lines because of this 

separation distance. 

26

Address Owners Legal desc. RC# Date granted Status Description 

850C Paekakariki 

Hill Road 

C & R Draper Pt Lot 101 DP 

389851 

RC4136 27/01/06 Current (expires on 

12/02/14) 

Staged 7 lot 

subdivision and 

landuse consent for 

associated 

earthworks 

289C Paekakariki Y & K Williams- Lot 2 DP 303397 RC4846 01/07/07 Current Construct an 

Hill Road Elliott 

accessory building 

55 Jones Deviation D Barton Lot 4 DP 85032 RC4206 06/03/06 Current (expires on 2 lot subdivision 

06/03/16) and landuse 

consent 

associated 

earthworks 

for 

27

Underlying Zoning 

6.16 The proposed transmission line relocation traverses two zones being the Rural 

and Public Open Space Zones. The activities that may be undertaken as 

Permitted Activities are viewable on the links attached as Appendix B. 

6.17 The predominant activity that is permitted in the Rural Zone is Primary 

Production Activities 40 (Rule D4.1.1(i)). It is also noted that up to one hectare 

or production forestry can be removed as a Permitted Activity (Rule D4.1.1(x)) 

also. 

6.18 The Public Open Space Zone applies to Battle Hill Forest Farm Park which has 

Tower's 27 and 30 within it. Like the Rural Zone, Primary Production 

Activities are permitted in this zone (Rule D4C.1.1(v)). Also various recreation, 

community and environmental enhancement related activities are permitted. It 

is also noted that Buildings up to 8 metres in height are permitted within the 

Battle Hill Forest Farm Park (Rule D4C.2.1). 

Analysis of Aerial Photographs 

6.19 The Porirua City Council commissioned aerial photographs that were flown in 

February 2010. Also the author of this report attended a site visit on 16 June 

2011 as part of the completeness check work commissioned by the EPA. 

Utilising the combination of the observations made on the site visit and viewing 

the aerial photography it is considered that a basic description of the 

environment can be provided as follows. 

6.20 The northern reaches (chainage 5000m – 10,000m as identified on Sheet's 

GM04 – GM07 41 ) are rural in nature and sparsely populated with few buildings, 

if any within the location of the existing transmission lines or their new 

proposed location. The nearest dwelling, at 874 Paekakariki Hill Road is 

approximately 850 meters from the nearest tower being Tower 23. To the east 

of the transmission line is uninhabited land that is either covered in pasture or 

vegetation. 

6.21 From approximately chainage 10000m to 11500m, is the Battle Hill Forest 

Farm Park. This is rural in nature and is predominantly covered in pasture with 

vegetation to the east. Minimal changes to the transmission line are occurring 

within the Battle Hill Forest Farm Park. 

6.22 The area covered by the next portion of transmission line to be relocated, being 

between Towers 30 – 33A is rural in nature though it is noted that there is a 

difference in nearby dwellings, both in density as well as proximity, compared 

to the areas previously described. There is a residential dwelling (548 

Paekakariki Hill Road) located within approximately 60 metres of the 

transmission line and 3 other dwellings (at 516, 510 and 504 Paekakariki Hill 

Road) within approximately 150 – 200 metres west of the existing transmission 

line. To the east of these towers is vegetation. 

40 See Page M-19 of the Porirua City District Plan for a definition. 

41 Sheets GM04 – GM07 version No.B in Volume 4: Plan Set of TGP application 

28

6.23 The final area covered by the relocated transmission line is from Towers 39 to 

44. The difference between this area and the previous described areas is that 

dwellings adjacent to the route are located to the east of the line as opposed to 

the west. This area is still overall rural in nature. Flightys Road is located to 

the east of the proposed transmission line route. Flightys Road, particularly its 

northern end adjacent to the east of the proposal is what could be termed a 'low 

density rural lifestyle area' characterised by sites approximately 5 – 6 hectares in 

area. To the west of the transmission line is production forest. 

Summary of Existing Environment 

6.24 The existing environment is predominantly rural for which there is an existing 

transmission line located within the general vicinity of the proposed TGP route. 

However within this rural environment there is an increase in density of 

residential activity adjacent to the altered transmission line route from the 

northern end to the southern end. There are some sites that have resource 

consent approvals which are likely to be given effect to in the future which may 

ultimately lead to several additional dwellings adjacent to the transmission lines 

but it is considered that the environment will still be predominantly rural in 

nature. The relative closeness of the existing dwellings identified in paragraphs 

6.22 and 6.23 means that they may be more sensitive to the effects of the 

relocation of the transmission line compared to properties located at the 

'northern end'. 

6.25 In describing the existing environment it is noted that there is an existing 

designation for TGM 42 . However given that this existing designation is unlikely 

to be given effect, based on the lodgement of a replacement Notice of 

Requirement that is being concurrently considered with the Transpower 

resource consent, it is not considered appropriate to include TGM as forming 

part of the existing environment. This comment is limited to the provision of 

comment on the resource consent application by Transpower as requested by the 

EPA. 

Sensitive Land Uses 

6.26 A sensitive land use is defined as including the "use of land for a childcare 

facility, school, residential building, or hospital. 43 " The only sensitive land use 

within the vicinity of that part of the transmission line to be relocated is 

residential buildings as described above in paras. 6.19 – 6.23. It is noted that 

Section 7.6 of the a.e.e accompanying the Transpower proposal addresses 

effects on sensitive landuses. It is further noted that there are no occupied 

buildings within 12 metres of the existing or proposed route of the transmission 

line which is a condition pertaining to the determination of whether the proposal 

is a Permitted Activity 44 . 

42 

Designation by New Zealand Transport Agency identified as K0405 – Motorway Purposes in the 


43 

Definition of Sensitive Land Use – Regulation 3 of the NESETA. 

44 

Regulation 14 of the NESETA 

29

7 ANY OTHER KEY ISSUES 

Existing Designations 

7.1 The Porirua City District Plan already contains existing designations by NZTA 

relating to TGP: 

Requiring Authority Map Ref Designation Title Location 

NZTA K0405 Motorway Purposes Transmission Gully 

NZTA K0406 State Highway 

purposes – Limited 

Access Road 

Route 

Kenepuru Link 

Road to 

Transmission Gully 

Route 

7.2 The existing Kenepuru Link Road designation was located at 33 & 35 Kenepuru 

Drive, i.e. to the north of NoR5. K0405 follows a similar alignment to NoR3 

though no in-depth comparison has been made to the differences between the 

two. There are no other existing designations for PCC Link Roads. 

7.3 There are other designations that the proposed NoR's cover. This includes the 

North Island Main Trunk Railway (K0101 – New Zealand Railways 

Corporation) and Battle Hill Regional Park (K0703 by Wellington Regional 

Council). State Highway's 1 (K0403) and 58 (K0404) are designated by the 

NZTA whilst all existing public roads within the control of Porirua City Council 

are designated (K1054). 

Plan Changes 

7.4 Section 5.3 of Technical report 22 identifies proposed Plan Changes 10 and 11. 

Both of these plan changes are now operative as of 1 July 2011. The sole 

amendment to the District Plan objectives and policies was the inclusion of a 

requirement for the provision of Outdoor Living Areas associated with 

residential activities in the Suburban Zone reflected in Policy C3.2.1. TGP is 

not considered to be affected by this change. 

7.5 The Statutory Provisions Report lists Policy 58 in the identification of 

provisions in the proposed RPS. This has been deleted however by decisions on 

submissions to the proposed RPS. 

Non-Statutory Documents 

7.6 There are three documents which address environmental effects within Porirua 

City which are of note. In identifying these it is noted that they have not been 

prepared under the Resource Management Act 1991 however they are of use in 

identifying key issues to Porirua City. 

Porirua Development Framework 

7.7 The Porirua Development Framework (PDF) was finalised in August 2009. The 

PDF can be viewed on www.pcc.govt.nz/DownloadFile/Publications/Porirua- 

Development-Framework/Porirua-Development-Framework-August-2009. The 

PDF is a guiding document to influence how and where Porirua City will grow 

30

in the next 30 years. The PDF is a 'non-statutory document'. The PDF has 

taken into account the potential establishment of TGM. 

7.8 The PDF has identified the possibility of establishing a Industrial/Business 

Growth area around the TGM/State Highway 58 interchange in the long term 45 . 

In identifying this potential growth area, the PDF acknowledges that further 

detailed investigation is required to determine the actual suitability of this area 

for this form of development. 

7.9 Pauatahanui and Judgeford have been identified as areas to consider provision 

for future rural residential development either side of TGM 46 . The PDF 

acknowledges that such a change will need to be carefully managed and not 

preclude other development options. 

7.10 As mentioned previously the PDF is a guiding 'non-statutory' document. The 

identification of TGM in the PDF however highlights that this has been taken 

into account in guiding future potential growth of Porirua City. 

Draft Porirua Harbour Catchment Strategy and Action Plan 

7.11 The Porirua City Council along with three other key stakeholders, being 

Wellington City Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council and Ngati Toa 

Rangatira has recently released the Draft Porirua Harbour Catchment Strategy 

and Action Plan for public comment. It is noted that the NZTA, regional Public 

health and various 'conservation focussed' groups have been involved in the 

development of the strategy and action plan which is viewable on 

http://www.pcc.govt.nz/News---Events/Public-Consultation/Draft-Porirua- 

Harbour-and-Catchment-Strategy. This draft document provides "a framework 

for and schedule of coordinated and targeted action to restore the health of 

Porirua Harbour and its contributing streams" 47 . 

7.12 The vision of the strategy and action plan is a "A healthy catchment, waterways 

and harbour, enjoyed and valued by the community". The strategy and action 

plan contains three key objectives being: 

• Reduce sediment rates; 

• Reduce pollutant inputs; and 

• Ecological restoration. 

7.13 The development of this draft strategy and action plan is the latest step that has 

been undertaken in the Porirua Harbour and Catchment Management 

Programme 37 . The strategy and action plan is a non-statutory document but it 

does outline the key aims to contribute towards improving the health of Porirua 

Harbour. This is a key issue for Porirua City and is of relevance to this report 

given that TGP is located within the Harbour Catchment. 

45 Section 7.3 of the Porirua Development Framework August 2009. 

46 Section 7.4 of the Porirua Development Framework August 2009. 

47 http://www.pcc.govt.nz/Publications/Porirua-Harbour-and-Catchment-Management-Programme 

31

Inventory of Ecological Sites in Porirua City 

7.14 The Inventory of Ecological Sites in Porirua City dated July 2001 (the 

Inventory) is a report prepared for Porirua City Council which identifies sites of 

ecological significance within the City. The Inventory identifies sites of 

ecological significance and provides a ranking of their significance. Sites have 

been ranked from 1 (Of greatest ecological significance, and rare or scarce in 

Porirua City) to 6 (Not ecologically significant, but may have amenity or other 

values) 48 . This document is not viewable on the Council's website but is 

publicly available from the Council. 

7.15 The sites listed within the Inventory are generally not included in the District 

Plan other than in the Recreation and Open Space Zone's. The Inventory is 

regularly utilised in the processing of resource consents to identify sites of 

potential ecological significance which is taken into account in the processing of 

resource consents. Depending on the actual presence of the identified ecosite, 

its ecological value and the proximity of the proposed development to the 

ecosite usually determines whether a specific ecological impact assessment is 

required. Dependent on the effects of the proposal on the ecosite may result in 

modifications to the proposal. It is noted that ecosite's within the Inventory 

have been identified on the Road Layout Plans and Landscape Plans within 

Volume 4: Plan Set of the application material. 

Designation Boundary 

7.16 The alignment of the designation boundary has the potential to result in some 

parcels of land either being severed such as the rear section of 874 Paekakariki 

Hill Road. The Rural Zone provisions in the Porirua City District Plan provide 

for the creation of allotments down to a minimum size of 5 hectares 49 . Section 

106 of the Resource Management Act 1991 identifies the need for the provision 

of legal and physical access to each allotment. In making these comments it is 

fully acknowledged that this is not an application for subdivision resource 

consent and therefore these two provisions do not apply. It is also noted that 

there is the potential for the existing access to some properties to be affected by 

the proposed NoR's. However the principles of the 5 hectare provision, which 

is to contribute towards the long term sustainable management of the rural 

resource and Section 106 to ensure individual allotments are accessible is 

relevant to TGP. 

Conditions 

7.17 A key issue should the NoR's be confirmed and/or the Transpower application 

be granted is the efficient administration of future management plan approvals 

as well as general monitoring of TGP. This is essential in assisting the 

management of the effects of TGP should it be approved. 

7.18 It is considered that it would be of considerable assistance in the future 

administration of the conditions if they were to be drafted in a manner that 

either overtly recognises specific mitigation measures that have been identified 

as required as needing to be undertaken in the technical reports or undertakings 

48 Section 4.9 of the Inventory. 

49 Rule D4.1.4(11) of the Porirua City District Plan. 

32

made as a result of consultation or a statement included with the submission of 

the various management plans identifying how the proposal is consistent with 

the relevant supporting documents. It is impractical given the large amount of 

application material and various mitigation measures identified throughout for a 

Council processing planner to confirm whether all these matters have been 

tended to as part of the Outline Plan Approval process. This would be both 

costly for the Requiring Authority in terms of processing officer time spent on 

researching the NoR application material and subsequent amendments to the 

application as well as pose a significant challenge to the Territorial Authority 

processing the Outline Plan in the required 20 working days 50 . 

50 S176A(4) of the Resource Management Act 1991: Within 20 working days after receiving the 

outline plan, the territorial authority may request the requiring authority to make changes to the outline 

plan. 

33

Appendix A 

Porirua City District Plan Objectives and Policies 

C2. Industrial Zone Objectives and Policies 

Objective C2.1 To promote the sustainable management of Porirua 

City's industrial resource by encouraging a wide 

range of activities to establish provided adverse 

effects are avoided, remedied or mitigated. 

Policy 2.1.3 To allow a wide range of activities in the Industrial 

Zone provided any adverse environmental effects are 

avoided, remedied or mitigated. 

C3. Suburban Zone Objectives and Policies 

Objective C3.2 To encourage an environment which continues to 

sustain Porirua City's Suburban Zone as an 

attractive, healthy and safe place in which to live. 

Policy C3.2.1 To protect and enhance the amenity and character of 

the residential resource by defining standards for the 

bulk and location of buildings, the provision of open 

space, and the nature and scale of activities. 

C4. Rural Zone Objectives and Policies 

Objective C4.1 To identify a Rural Zone and continue its 

management so as to avoid, remedy or mitigate the 

effects of the activities within it. 

Policy C4.1.3 To ensure that activities within the Rural Zone do not 

detract from the character or quality of the rural 

environment. 

Policy C4.1.8 To protect the long term potential of the rural land 

resource by ensuring that the new allotments for which 

a certificate of title can be issued are capable of 

accommodating a range of primary production 

activities. 

Objective C4.2 To avoid or reduce the adverse effects of activities on 

ecosystems and the character of the Rural Zone. 

Policy C4.2.1 To manage the environmental effects of buildings on 

the rural resource. 

Policy C4.2.2 To protect the natural and physical environment from 

silt run-off caused by the removal of native vegetation 

and earthworks and disturbances to the land. 

Policy C4.2.3 To require a high standard of wastewater disposal at 

all times. 

Policy C4.2.4 To encourage the maintenance and enhancement of 

the ecological integrity and natural character of the 

34

Rural Zone. 

C4A. Judgeford Hills Zone 

Objective C4A.3.3 To provide for existing and proposed infrastructure 

services in a manner that is physically and 

environmentally sustainable. 

Policy C4A.3.3.1 To manage the effects of stormwater generated during 

and after construction. 

Objective C4A.3.5.1 To minimise any adverse visual effects of 

development on the surrounding landscape and 

natural character. 

Policy C4A.3.5.2 To have regard to the effects of the Transmission Gully 

Motorway on landscape and natural character. 

Objective C4A.3.6 To provide for development that is in accordance 

with the structure plan and which avoids, remedies 

or mitigates adverse effects. 

Policy C4A.3.6.1 To control the extent of earthworks in the Judgeford 

Hills Zone to the extent that is appropriate in terms of 

potential effects on, stormwater, geotechnical stability, 

amenity values. 

Policy C4A.3.6.3 To limit any future new or upgraded vehicle access to 

or from Belmont Road and/or the Transmission Gully 

Motorway. 

C4B. Recreation and Open Space Zone 

Objective 4B.1 That the use and development of public open spaces 

and recreation areas in Porirua City provides for 

and complements the demand for recreation and 

community activities and contributes to the City's 

amenity and character. 

Policy C4B.1.2 To provide for a limited range of non-recreation and 

non-community activities on recreation areas and 

public open spaces. 

Objective C4B.2 That the use and development of recreation areas 

and public open spaces does not have significant 

adverse effects. 

Policy C4B.2.3 To provide for and manage activities within the City's 

recreation areas and provide open spaces in a manner 

that ensures that any adverse environmental effects are 

avoided, remedied or mitigated. 

C5. Responding to the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi 

Objective C5.1 To respond to the principles of the Treaty of 

Waitangi, and the other matters of significance to 

Maori as referred to in the Act, in a manner which is 

appropriate and clear. 

35

Policy C5.1.1 To recognise Te Runanga O Toa Rangatira as the 

voice of the tangata whenua. 

Policy C5.1.3 To have particular regard to the exercise of 

kaitiakitanga in the management of the resources of 

the City. 

Policy C5.1.4 To recognise the desire of Ngati Toa to maintain and 

enhance their traditional relationship with the natural 

world. 

Policy C5.1.5 To recognise the resources needed by Ngati Toa if the 

tangata whenua are to have an active role in all 

aspects of resource management in the City. 

Policy C5.1.6 To protect waahi tapu and other taonga from 

desecration. 

C6. Subdivision 

Objective C6.1 To promote a pattern of land ownership which 

enhances the opportunities for the sustainable 

management of resources. 

Policy C6.1.5 To protect the long-term potential of the rural land 

resource by controlling subdivision which does not 

directly contribute to the long-term sustainable 

management of the rural resource. The Judgeford 

Hills Zone makes specific provision for the sustainable 

management of the rural land resource within that 

zone. 

C7. Transport 

Objective C7.1 To achieve a safe and efficient transportation 

network that enables the people of the city and their 

wider community to provide for their social and 

economic well-being without creating significant 

adverse environmental effects. 

Policy C7.1.1 To use a roading hierarchy as the basis for the 

management of the effects of traffic on adjacent 

activities, and the effects of activities on the 

transportation network. 

Policy C7.1.2 To ensure that the adverse effects of land use and 

development on the efficiency and safety of the 

transportation network are taken into account, and 

any intersection or frontage conflicts are avoided or 

minimised or remedied as appropriate. 

Policy C7.1.3 To avoid, remedy or mitigate the adverse 

environmental effects of the transportation network on 

the environment. 

Policy C7.1.4 To protect the corridors of existing and proposed 

major transport routes in the City. 

Policy C7.1.5 To encourage the undertaking of major road 

improvements in a timely manner and in a sequence, 

location and form that reflects comprehensive 

36

economic, social and environmental assessments. 

Policy C7.1.6 To encourage major new developments and activities 

in a manner that makes best use of the City's existing 

and proposed transportation network. 

Policy C7.1.7 To encourage the use of bicycles for commuting, 

recreation, and general access around the City. 

Policy C7.1.8 To actively encourage the provision of public transport 

and its use throughout the City, and between the City 

and adjacent locations. 

C8. Heritage 

Objective C8.1 To protect significant heritage features in Porirua 

City. 

C8.1.1 To identify and protect significant heritage features. 

C9. Landscape and Ecology 

Objective C9.1.1 To manage in a sustainable manner the landscape 

and ecological systems within Porirua City. 

Policy C9.1.1 To prevent urban encroachment into sensitive 

ecological and landscape areas. 

Policy C9.1.4 To protect the Belmont Scarp and Eastern Porirua 

Ridge from urban encroachment in order to preserve 

the open space and rural edge of Porirua City. 

Policy C9.1.5 To protect the visual and ecological character of the 

Rural Zone. 

Policy C9.1.6 To encourage the protection and preservation of areas 

of significant native vegetation. 

Policy C9.1.12 To protect and enhance the spiritual, cultural, 

ecological and amenity values of rivers and the coast. 

Policy C9.1.14 To encourage the protection and enhancement of 

ecological integrity throughout Porirua City. 

Policy C9.1.15 To recognise, protect and enhance the existing 

ecological and landscape features in the Whitby 

Landscape Protection Area, including Duck Creek and 

the Resolution Ridge, through subdivision design, 

location, roads, low residential densities, allotment size 

and the management of earthworks and vegetation 

clearance. 

C10. Coastal 

Objective 10.1 To protect and enhance the spiritual, cultural, 

ecological and amenity values of the coast. 

Policy C10.1.1 To promote the long-term legal protection of, and 

access to, the coast through the use of riparian strips. 

Policy C10.1.5 To manage the effects of activities likely to result in 

increased levels of contaminants and silt run-off so as 

to avoid and/or mitigate these effects on the coastal 

environment and coastal marine area. 

37

C11. Noise 

Objective C11.1 To minimise the adverse effect of noise on the 

environment. 

Policy C11.1.1 To protect the natural and physical environment from 

unreasonable noise in order to maintain and enhance 

the amenity values of the environment. 

Policy C11.1.2 To promote health by ensuring environmental noise 

does not exceed a reasonable level. 

C12. Natural Hazards 

Objective 12.1 To minimise the risk from earthquakes to the 

wellbeing and safety of the community. 

Policy C12.1.2 To minimise the effects of ground damage from 

Ohariu fault movement in rock or very stiff soil types. 

Policy C12.1.3 To minimise the effects of ground damage from 

Ohariu fault movement in intermediate and flexible, or 

deep soil. 

Policy C12.1.4 To manage the effects of ground damage from 

earthquake induced liquefaction of soils. 

Policy C12.1.5 To minimise the effects of ground damage created by 

slope failures, earthquake induced slope instability and 

landslides. 

Objective C12.2 To avoid or mitigate the adverse effects associated 

with flood hazard on the well-being and safety of the 

community. 

Policy C12.2.1 To ensure the flood hazard is considered in the 

subdivision, use, development and protection of the 

land. 

C14. Network Utilities 

Objective C14.1 To provide for the efficient development of network 

utilities, while protecting the present use and future 

development potential of the land, and minimising 

any potential adverse effects on the environment. 

Policy C14.1.2 To ensure that the location of network utilities do not 

reduce the present use or future potential, and amenity 

of the area. 

Policy C14.1.4(a) To avoid, or mitigate, any potential adverse effects of 

above ground lines. 

Policy C14.1.5 To recognise the importance of existing network 

utilities to the functioning of the City. 

C15. Hazardous Substances 

Objective C15.1 To prevent or mitigate any adverse environmental 

effects of accidental discharges to the environment 

caused by the use and storage of hazardous 

substances and environmentally damaging 

substances. 

38

Policy C15.1.1 To control the location of facilities which use and store 

hazardous substances and environmentally damaging 

substances, and which pose a risk to the environment 

and/or to human health. 

Policy C15.1.4 To control activities where they could be adversely 

affected by contaminated sites. 

39

Appendix B 

Porirua City District Plan Rural and Public Open Space 

Zone's provisions and National Policy Statement on 

Electricity Transmission Objectives and Policies 

Rural Zone provisions are viewable at: 

http://www.pcc.govt.nz/DownloadFile/Publications/District-Plan/District-Plan-D4- 

Rural-Zone 

Public Open Space Zone provisions are viewable at: 

http://www.pcc.govt.nz/DownloadFile/Publications/District-Plan/District-Plan-D4C- 

Public-Open-Space-Zone-Rules 

The National Policy Statement on Electricity Transmission Objectives and Policies is 

viewable at: 

http://www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/rma/nps-electricity-transmission-mar08/npselectricity-transmission-mar08.html 

40

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