The Regional Coastal Plan sets out how Environment Southland will carry out its resource management responsibilities in the Coastal Marine Area (CMA).
The values of Southland's coast are described and issues of management identified. Fundamental principles in the management of the CMA are set out and then sections of the plan deal with specific matters, including estuaries, coastal water, air, occupation, the seabed and foreshore, structures in the coast, coastal processes and protection works, cruise ships and other ships in internal waters, recreational activities, marine farming, surface water activities, financial contributions and bonds to be made.
The Regional Coastal Plan for Southland became fully
operative in March 2013. A change to Section 16 of the plan, which covers
surface water activities on the internal waters of Fiordland from Yates Point
to Puysegur Point was made in 2023 and, after approval by the Minister of
Conservation, became operative on 18 October 2024.
A copy of the operative Regional Coastal Plan for
Southland can be found
here.
Coastal Plan review
The existing Coastal Plan has been in place since 2013. The Resource Management Act (1991) requires regional plans to be reviewed every 10 years, to ensure they remain relevant to the community and in step with current legislation. Environment Southland will continue to work in partnership with Te Ao Mārama Inc. (TAMI), to set direction for resource management in Southland region in a new Regional Coastal Plan.
Information relating to the Coastal Plan review can be accessed here.
Plan Change 5
A coastal plan change for Section 16 of the Regional Coastal Plan, which covers surface water activities on the internal waters of Fiordland from Yates Point to Puysegur Point is currently occurring. This is referred to as Plan Change 5 of the Regional Coastal Plan.
The appeals period through the Environment Court closed 26 January 2024 and no submissions were received. Council has moved to adopt the changes to the Coastal Plan, which are with the Minister of Conservation to be signed off. Once Ministerial approval has been granted, public notification will advise the date on which Plan Change 5 becomes operative. There is currently no time frame in which this shall be completed.
Information relating to the Plan Change 5 can be accessed here.
Related resources
