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

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
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