Land / Whenua

Issue

Hazardous substances such as petroleum or many household chemicals are used as part of our everyday lives and in industrial and productive processes. However, even in small quantities, they have the potential to cause contamination of land which degrades our environment and can have far-reaching effects, including on human health.

Causes

Localised contamination can occur from the discharge of hazardous substances, such as industrial wastes or from historic waste disposal sites. Widespread contamination can occur from long-term or extensive application of substances containing heavy metals or other hazardous substances that persist in soils. Historic contaminated land and landfill sites can be at extreme risk from increased coastal and river erosion, and sea level rise from climate change.

Why it matters

Soil contaminated from past land uses can harm ecosystems and human health. When water or wind mobilises contaminated soil, contaminants can disperse into wider areas and affect the health of waterbodies and air quality. It can adversely affect the mauri of the land and culturally sensitive sites. Land contamination also limits the opportunity for mana whenua to undertake traditional activities such as mahinga kai.

Our current goals

Our Regional Policy Statement includes some direction which must be implemented and other direction which should be implemented. We have included these in two categories below:

1. Things we must do

This is very strong policy direction that is required to be implemented:

• Ensure contaminated land is investigated, appropriate management methods, and monitoring is undertaken as appropriate, when contamination is found.
• Put in place additional controls on activities using hazardous substances in sensitive environments, such as areas with significant human health or environmental qualities.
• Engage with Ngāi Tahu to assist identify areas that may be sensitive to activities using hazardous substances.

2. Things we should do

This policy direction is strongly encouraged:

• Ensure processes are put in place to identify and investigate contaminated land in the region.
• Engage with Ngāi Tahu to provide guidance on cultural values associated with contaminated sites.
• Provide information to the public outlining the risks to health associated with contaminated land.
• Promote an integrated approach to the contaminated land and hazardous substance management in the region.
• Promote further initiatives to incentivise the remediation of existing contaminated land, hazardous substance best management practice and emergency response management.

Should we change our goals?

When we consider changing goals, we need to keep in mind that other on-the-ground changes will be required to meet them. We also need to keep in mind that some of our must-do policy direction was necessary to meet the national legislation requirements of the time. Some new must-dos will be needed to meet more recent legislation.

Potential impacts of changing our policy direction

We have outlined some of the potential consequences that could result from changing our policy direction. These are high-level examples, just to illustrate that each change will have flow-on effects.

Protecting land from contamination safeguards the environment for future use and enjoyment, but reducing the risk of land contamination requires the management of land-use activities that can cause contamination. For example, to further reduce the risk of land contamination we may need to consider different controls on the activities that pose an increased risk of contamination.

We are using feedback we received in July and August to draft more detailed policy options, including detail about the consequences of change. You will get another opportunity to tell us what you think about those options from October this year.

Issue

Healthy soils underpin everything we do and the environment we enjoy, but they are vulnerable to some human activities and the effects of climate change.

Causes

Healthy soils can be degraded or lost altogether as a result of how we use and develop land, and as a consequence of climate change.

Why it matters

Soil is a precious taonga, it has its own intrinsic values and is valued for its productive use for growing food. The life-supporting function of soil provides essential ecosystem services that support social, cultural, environmental and economic wellbeing. Healthy soil supports the cultural use of land by Ngāi Tahu who value the mauri or good health of the land. The way soil is managed also impacts on other parts of the environment such as the health of waterbodies and air quality.

Soils are dynamic and, to some extent, can respond to the way we manage them. However, the impacts of climate change may make this more challenging. Degradation of soil quality can also release the carbon that was stored in the soil into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change.

Our current goals

Our Regional Policy Statement includes some direction which must be implemented and other direction which should be implemented. We have included these in two categories below:

1. Things we must do

This is very strong policy direction that is required to be implemented:

• Ensure we manage activities to provide for long term soil conservation, such as by managing soil erosion and maintaining soil qualities, for example by managing land to avoid significant induced soil erosion
• Engage with Ngāi Tahu to identify cultural values in relation to soil.

2. Things we should do

This policy direction is strongly encouraged:

• Identify and safeguard important areas of soil for use by primary production and areas at risk of the accumulation of hazardous substances.
• Recognise that the way we manage soils can have impacts on other values such as freshwater and air.
• Look to match land-use activities with land-use capability, for example by allowing the most productive soils to be used for growing and less productive soils to be used for activities that are not dependent on the soil resource.
• Promote further initiatives that encourage activities that support healthy soils in the long-term such as particular land-use practices that maintain and improve soil quality and prevent excessive discharge of hazardous substances that accumulate in soils.

Should we change our goals?

When we consider changing goals, we need to keep in mind that other on-the-ground changes will be required to meet them. We also need to keep in mind that some of our must-do policy direction was necessary to meet the national legislation requirements of the time. Some new must-dos will be needed to meet more recent legislation.

Potential impacts of changing our policy direction

We have outlined some of the potential consequences that could result from changing our policy direction. These are high-level examples, just to illustrate that each change will have flow-on effects.

For example, putting in stronger controls to protect the long-term health of soils in our region is likely to require greater restrictions on the activities that can take place in particular locations. This could reduce opportunities for innovation. However, it is also important we retain good quality soils for growing food.

We are using the feedback we received in July and August to draft more detailed policy options, including detail about the consequences of change. You will get another opportunity to tell us what you think about those options in October this year.

Issue

We are generating and disposing of ever greater quantities of waste, which contributes to unsustainable use of natural and physical resources. The management of waste can also have adverse effects on the environment.

Causes

Circular management of materials refers to ways that we can reduce material use, redesign materials, products, and services to be less resource intensive, and recaptures “waste” as a resource to manufacture new materials and products. Currently there are low levels of circular management in Aotearoa New Zealand and low levels of waste recovery once materials become waste. Waste management facilities also increase the likelihood of adverse effects on the environment and on the social, economic, and cultural wellbeing of people and communities.

Why it matters

When a product enters the waste stream, that product will often need to be replaced. In many cases, the raw materials that are used to create new products are finite and the processes that are undertaken to extract and process them can cause adverse environmental effects. Waste can also produce greenhouse gases and contaminate land as it breaks down or decays.

Waste disposal and waste management facilities can also have adverse effects on the environment and our communities, in particular the relationship of mana whenua with ancestral lands, water, wāhi tapu and other taonga. Waste management facilities require the use of energy, infrastructure and natural and physical resources that can have adverse effects. Waste minimisation and improved management of some waste types is necessary to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide alternative options that can help minimise the risk of land being contaminated from other land use activities.

Our current goals

Our Regional Policy Statement includes some direction which must be implemented and other direction which should be implemented. We have included these in two categories below:

1. Things we must do

This is very strong policy direction that is required to be implemented:

• Manage the adverse effects of the disposal of residual waste on the environment.
• Engage with Ngāi Tahu to provide for cultural values when applying the waste management hierarchy.
• Enable establishment of waste transfer facilities in appropriate locations.

2. Things we should do

This policy direction is strongly encouraged:

• Support ways we can promote the waste hierarchy. This includes encouraging the reuse of materials in buildings or infrastructure and providing for sufficient waste collection space in urban development.
• Promote a change in behaviour that will result in the reduction of waste at source and the use of community waste-transfer facilities and recycling centres.
• Support managing landfills in the way they dispose of organic waste, the separation of materials and to capture landfill gas.
• Support an integrated approach to waste management in the region.

Should we change our goals?

When we consider changing goals, we need to keep in mind that other on-the-ground changes will be required to meet them. We also need to keep in mind that some of our must-do policy direction was necessary to meet the national legislation requirements of the time. Some new must-dos will be needed to meet more recent legislation.

Potential impacts of changing our policy direction

We have outlined some of the potential consequences that could result from changing our policy direction. These are high-level examples, just to illustrate that each change will have flow-on effects.

For example, if there are more or larger waste management facilities, (providing they are managed well) the risk of more land contamination could be reduced. However, providing these facilities would occupy land that could be used for something else and could increase costs to operators and the community, as well as being a disincentive to waste minimisation.

We are using feedback we received in July and August to draft more detailed policy options, including detail about the consequences of change. You will get another opportunity to tell us what you think about those options from October this year.

Issue

Outstanding and significant natural features and landscapes, and cultural landscapes, are inconsistently identified and managed across Waitaha/Canterbury, which can lead to the loss of their integrity and values.

Causes

In Waitaha/Canterbury, landscape issues are managed by the regional council and territorial authorities through their regional and district plans. Inconsistent identification of outstanding and significant landscapes and features between districts has been an issue due to the evolving way in which they are assessed. Some district plans identify additional landscapes and features (beyond the significance criteria) due to the values of these features and landscapes to the community. The night sky is an example of a feature that has been identified as important within some district plans but not in others. In older district plans there is a lack of protection for landscapes and features that have not been specifically identified in district plans, leading to the loss or degradation of their integrity and values. There are also few provisions that identify and protect cultural landscapes.

Why it matters

Landscape values contribute to social well-being by providing a sense of place and identity in Aotearoa/New Zealand, and to our economic well-being through tourism. Some landscapes and features are unique to Waitaha and as such are important nationally. Cultural landscapes are of particular importance to Ngāi Tahu as mana whenua. Development and land use can impact on landscapes and natural features; where this takes place in ways that cannot later be reversed it can lead to the permanent loss of significant values, such as the loss of natural character.

Our current goals

Our Regional Policy Statement includes some direction which must be implemented and other direction which should be implemented. We have included these in two categories below:

1. Things we must do

This is very strong policy direction that is required to be implemented:

• Identification of outstanding natural landscapes and features in regional and district plans.
• Protection of outstanding natural features and landscapes through provisions in regional and district plans.
• Engagement with Ngāi Tahu to identify cultural values associated with outstanding natural features and landscapes.
• The landscape values of the coastal environment will be maintained and, in some places, enhanced.

2. Things we should do

This policy direction is strongly encouraged:

• Identification and management of other important landscapes for natural character, historic cultural and heritage, and amenity purposes.
• Protection of appropriate access and restriction of inappropriate access to historic cultural and heritage items, places, and areas in accordance with tikanga Māori.
• Enabling the appropriate repair, rebuilding, upgrading, seismic strengthening and adaptive re-use of historic buildings in a manner that is sensitive to their historic values.

Should we change our goals?

When we consider changing goals, we need to keep in mind that other on-the-ground changes will be required to meet them. We also need to keep in mind that some of our must-do policy direction was necessary to meet the national legislation requirements of the time. Some new must-dos will be needed to meet more recent legislation.

Potential impacts of changing our policy direction

We have outlined some of the potential consequences that could result from changing our policy direction. These are high-level examples, just to illustrate that each change will have flow-on effects.

Increasing the identification and protection of outstanding and significant landscapes is important to safeguard these environments for future generations. Protecting these landscapes and features, however, does require restrictions or controls on some activities that could otherwise have lasting adverse effects on their values. Greater levels of protection could require consideration of a wider range of land uses or activities that need to be managed in a way that protects their values.

We are using feedback we received in July and August to draft more detailed policy options, including detail about the consequences of change. You will get another opportunity to tell us what you think about those options from October this year.

Issue

Despite the efforts of many landowners, organisations and community groups, we are still losing indigenous biodiversity throughout Waitaha/Canterbury

Causes

Habitat destruction and fragmentation, invasive species, climate change, and the impacts of use and development on land, freshwater, and the coastal environment.

Why it matters

Indigenous animals and plants are precious taonga. They are important to our national identity and enhance our recreational experiences. They are part of tikanga Māori (beliefs, values and customary practices) and whakapapa, (ancestry, belonging) and many species are important mahinga kai (traditional food sources). Some species have roles in keeping our water clean, our soils fertile and in helping reduce flooding. Healthy indigenous ecosystems can sequester more carbon and be more resilient to the impacts of climate change. There are many ways indigenous species and habitats contribute to our economy, such as through our fisheries and as a drawcard for tourism.

Our current goals

Our Regional Policy Statement includes some direction which must be implemented and other direction that should be implemented. We have included these in two categories below:

1. Things we must do

This is very strong policy direction that is required to be implemented:

• To protect Canterbury’s areas and habitats of significant indigenous plants and animals from the adverse effects of activities, development and land use.
• To enhance the relationship of Ngāi Tahu with their sites and habitats of biodiversity of cultural significance.

2. Things we should do

This policy direction is strongly encouraged:

• To promote the improvement and protection of the long-term viability of regionally and nationally prioritised indigenous ecosystems in Canterbury.
• To promote more initiatives that protect and enhance Canterbury’s indigenous biodiversity.

Should we change our goals?

When we consider changing goals, we need to keep in mind that other on-the-ground changes will be required to meet them. We also need to keep in mind that some of our must-do policy direction was necessary to meet the national legislation requirements of the time. Some new must-dos will be needed to meet more recent legislation.

Potential impacts of changing our policy direction

We have outlined some of the potential consequences that could result from changing our policy direction. These are high-level examples, just to illustrate that each change will have flow-on effects.

For example to achieve better protection of our remaining indigenous biodiversity, we may need to consider the impacts from a wider range of land uses or activities or to manage them in a way that better protects our indigenous plants and animals for future generations. Changing the goals from protection towards restoration and enhancement could improve the viability of our ecosystems and community well-being into the future, but will require significant public investment to achieve.

We are using feedback we received in July and August to draft more detailed policy options, including detail about the consequences of change. You will get another opportunity to tell us what you think about those options from October this year.