Heritage
Back to Types of protection
Scheduled geological features
 |
| Stony Batter, Waiheke Island |
A geological site is one which reveals particular aspects of Auckland's past
geological and or volcanic activity in the form, structure and content of rocks,
outcrops or landforms; or one which is declared to be a reference or type
locality for a rock. These provide a rock sample against which other outcrops
can be identified.
This information provides general details about the requirements for
protecting geological sites in the district plan - isthmus section. For
information about scheduled geological features in the Hauraki Gulf islands,
check Appendix
B - Hauraki Gulf islands section or contact
us.
There are no scheduled geological sites in the central area.
The schedule of geological features in the Auckland isthmus are identified in
the planning maps and Appendix
3b of the District plan - isthmus section.
Recognising a geological site
Geological sites include volcanic cones and craters, their associated lava
flats, caves and outcrops, which are generally obvious on the land surface, but
other important geological sites may consist of less obvious rock or soil
deposits of scientific interest
Other sites include the distinctive specific features of the coastal cliffs
of the Waitemata harbour.
Where are they found?
Geological sites are spread throughout the Auckland isthmus. Coastal
headlands, volcanic cones and craters are visually prominent. Many of them were
favoured Maori settlement sites in pre-European times as they were close to food
sources.
Many such sites are scheduled for protection in the district plan and are
also public reserves owned and maintained by Auckland City. Other scheduled sites
are in private ownership.
Why protect them?
Geological sites provide:
- opportunities to increase our understanding of past geological or volcanic
activity
- scientific reference material for comparative identification and dating
purposes
- visual character, illustrating that Auckland is the only large settlement
in the world which occupies an extensive and recent volcanic field.
Any of these values might be inadvertently damaged or destroyed by
excavation, siteworks, or construction, if they were not protected.
Protected sites
The district plan lists significant geological sites for
protection in Appendix 3b. As sites of regional and
national importance they are protected from any use or development which would
damage the site.
Geological sites are protected in the district plan to prevent their
destruction, excavation, covering over or burial or any other modification which
would remove them from access for study purposes.
Controls that apply
You may not excavate or change the existing ground level of any scheduled geological site without consent from the council.
Any modification of geological sites including tree
planting, the removal of soil, destruction, covering over or burial, the
addition of structures, pipes or cables is considered as a discretionary
activity which requires a resource
consent.
An application of this type is assessed against district plan criteria, which
include an assessment for the necessity for the works and any alternative
methods and locations available to the resource consent applicant.
Conditions relating to geological excavations and site
recording may be placed on any consent granted, and are covered in detail in Part 5C of the
district plan.
Exceptions to the control
Routine maintenance and repair of existing lawns, gardens, structures and
signage may be undertaken for geological sites without an application to the
council or to the New Zealand Historic Places Trust.
Any other work of a minor nature may also qualify provided the work is
assessed separately by both council and other heritage authorities as
appropriate, and is confirmed to be of minor and non-damaging nature.
You need to contact us during the
preliminary planning stages of any work so that an assessment can be made by our
heritage division and advice given.
