Hauraki Gulf Islands  review

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Issues and options papers

Sustainability

Issue
The Hauraki Gulf Islands District Plan review is an opportunity to look at how we contribute to the social, economic, cultural and environmental wellbeing of the islands, and to review the parameters under which development is undertaken. The purpose is to be able to provide for the needs of our future generations, so that development that is undertaken is sustainable. Development can contribute both positively and negatively to social, cultural, economic and environmental wellbeing. Taking account of these factors is sometimes called 'the quadruple bottom line'. These factors contribute to the purpose of the Resource Management Act.

Broadly, Auckland City Council is able to control two aspects of development in the District Plan; the use of land and the subdivision of land. The use of land includes new buildings, new activities, network utilities (such as electricity and water), and changes to existing activities. Subdivision may be in the form of new lots of land, or it maybe the division of land into unit titles or cross leases. Council is able to develop rules around the use of land and subdivision to control effects on the environment.

There are many areas surrounding development and subdivision where there is an opportunity to increase the positive contribution to the community's quadruple bottom line, particularly in the area of sustainable design.

Sustainable design looks at various aspects of a development in terms of energy consumption, efficiency of buildings, water sources, disposal of stormwater and wastewater, visual aspects of design, and the carrying capacity in the environment. In terms of wider issues, this may also extend to looking at alternative energy supplies.

The community needs to consider how it wishes to approach the issue of sustainability looking towards 2020. This may include deciding how development should occur from the smallest development up to the possibility of large scale developments such as wind farms. Should there be incentives to use sustainable design/methods and if so, what should they be?

Maintain the status quo. There is no need to review issues around sustainable design and development

• Create a "sustainable building" standard to apply to all new developments with measurable criteria relating to energy efficiency, insulation, renewable power, passive solar water heating, water supply and storage etc. Review whether any requirements conflict with the Building Act and the Building Code.
• Add a design guide for sustainable buildings as an appendix to the plan
• Consider wind farms or wind power generation as an activity and put standards or assessment criteria for these into the plan
• Investigate areas that could be suitable for wind power
• Allow controls that reduce reliance of "off island" power (Waiheke only) such as requirement for renewable energy generation for new buildings/activities
• Consider whether adverse effects of some forms of renewable energy out weigh the value of having that renewable energy (eg visual effects of windfarms, passive solar heating panels etc.)
• Develop rules that encourage low carbon emission energy generation (solar vs. diesel generators) for new development
• Look at the visual carrying capacity of the environment, if it blends better allow higher densities to occur if appropriate
• Develop a methodology for looking at the social, economic, cultural and environmental effects of an activity
• Undertake innovative approaches to policy and rules that other councils are able to benchmark in terms of sustainable design
• Encourage community based wastewater disposal systems
• Continue with land based disposal systems
• Further develop the requirements and criteria for cluster subdivision to localise effects on a visual catchment
• Investigate a "carbon neutral" approach where diesel generators are to be used - carbon sink planting as a trade-off for diesel generators
• Investigate permitted activity standard rules for new buildings that contribute to New Zealand's obligations under the Kyoto protocol - ensuring that all new buildings have efficient energy devices such as heat pumps, energy efficient lighting, double glazing etc.
• Consider introducing minimum standards for water storage and surfaces for capture of rainwater.
• Consider the use of incentives in the district plan rules where sustainable practices/design are implemented.
• Review any changes to the objectives, policies and rules to ensure that people and communities are able to continue to provide for their social, economic and cultural wellbeing, through the use of impact assessments.

Note:

This issue paper is best read in association with all issue papers.